We propose to make the first comparison of intracluster light in the X-ray andoptical bands for four clusters of galaxies. We have developed a new approachthat constrains the stellar light profile out to at least 0.5 Mpc. Thesensitivity, wide field, and spectral capabilities of XMM-Newton will allow usto derive the total mass and gas mass profiles out to a similar radius and toanswer 1 whether the observed variations in the stellar light profiles ofsimilar clusters reflect differences in the mass profiles or in the evolution ofthe stellar intracluster medium? and 2 what are the relative contributions ofgas and stars to the overall baryon fraction?
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2004-07-01T14:28:14Z/2004-10-06T14:17:41Z
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, Prof ANN ZABLUDOFF, 2005, 'A FIRST COMPARISON OF X-RAY AND OPTICAL INTRACLUSTER LIGHT', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-3v5li5f
