Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies are fundamentally r^ant to a wide range ofastronomical issues. However, the power source for the huge infrared luminosityis uncertain: it could be a ..starburst. or an active galactic nucleus and weargue that X-ray observations provide the best method of resolving this issue.We have been awarded Chandra time (AO4) to image a sample of 14 ULIGs, carefullychosen to sample fully the range of galaxy properties, rather than the brightestor best known examples. With XMM we will obtain spectra of the 9 galaxies in ourChandra-observed sample which have not been observed by XMM, and then make acomprehensive study of the X-ray properties of the full sample, using both XMMand Chandra observations.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2005-01-23T17:49:33Z/2005-02-18T19:38:04Z
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 ANDREW WILSON, 2006, 'THE X-RAY SPECTRA OF ULTRALUMINOUS INFRARED GALAXIES openParULIGSclosePar', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-tun5srk
