Supernova remnants and pulsar nebulae with unusual morphologies indicatecomplicated interactions with their surroundings, demonstrating the wide varietyof conditions into which supernovae explode. G357.7-0.1 (the Tornado) is anextraordinary example of such a source - there has been heated debate as towhether its bizarre radio appearance corresponds to a supernova remnant, apulsar nebula, or even an exotic accreting system. We have recently detectedfaint extended X-ray emission from this system with Chandra, the data from whichseem to be best explained by a thermal spectrum characteristic of shock-heatedgas. From these properties, we tentatively propose that the Tornado is asupernova remnant. We here propose deeper XMM observations to test this claim.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2006-03-05T04:05:14Z/2006-03-05T21:15:25Z
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 Bryan Gaensler, 2007, 'Untwisting the Tornado', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-nqeempc
