Numerical simulations predict the formation and development of a shock wave inthe intracluster medium at some stage of a merging cluster event. Despiteextensive efforts however, this strong feature still lack to be observed. Thisis a conspiration between the particular physics involved in exactly this stageof the merging process and the sensitivity of X-ray instrument. After applyingcareful selection criteria based on the X-ray morphology, temperature and galaxydistribution, we propose to observe the two best candidates aimed to measure forthe first time the physical conditions at the shock wave with XMM-Newton.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2005-01-08T23:46:04Z/2005-01-09T09:14:34Z
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 JEAN-LUC SAUVAGEOT, 2006, 'OBSERVING THE SHOCK WAVE IN COMPACT GALAXY CLUSTERS A2065 AND A4038', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-m82eg3w
