A pilot study carried out in AO-1 has demonstrated that high quality spectra ofthe SXRB can be extracted from {\sl XMM-Newton} datasets provided thebackground is in a quiescent state and there are no bright discrete sources inthe field. Here we propose the continuation of our AO-1 programme to map thetemperature and elemental abundances along a section of Loop I and in tworegions of the extended Galactic Bulge. These observations will help elucidatethe origin, state and structure of the hot diffuse plasmas in these regions. Noother satellite has the sensitivity and spectral resolution to perform thesemeasurements.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2003-08-10T21:00:22Z/2003-08-13T09:20:30Z
Version
17.56_20190403_1200
Mission Description
The European Space Agencys (ESA) X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) was launched by an Ariane 504 on December 10th 1999. XMM-Newton is ESAs second cornerstone of the Horizon 2000 Science Programme. It carries 3 high throughput X-ray telescopes with an unprecedented effective area, and an optical monitor, the first flown on a X-ray observatory. The large collecting area and ability to make long uninterrupted exposures provide highly sensitive observations. Since Earths atmosphere blocks out all X-rays, only a telescope in space can detect and study celestial X-ray sources. The XMM-Newton mission is helping scientists to solve a number of cosmic mysteries, ranging from the enigmatic black holes to the origins of the Universe itself. Observing time on XMM-Newton is being made available to the scientific community, applying for observational periods on a competitive basis.
European Space Agency, Dr Richard Willingale, 2004, 'Mapping the temperature and composition of the hot ISM', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-h9zp59y
