The spectacular and powerful radio galaxy Cygnus A is at the centre of an X-rayluminous cluster of galaxies. ROSAT and Chandra observations have revealed thata) the cluster is merging with another, b) the gas immediately round the radiogalaxy is relatively cool, c) the radiolobes are themselves X-ray sources and d)the nucleus is both powerful and highly absorbed. XMM-Newton has not yetobserved Cygnus A due to visibility constraints, but the orbit has precessed soit is now visible. The large field of view of XMM-Newton and greater high energysensitivity mean that it will make important advances in our understanding ofthis violent, X-ray bright, object.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2005-10-14T00:30:15Z/2005-10-16T05:35:01Z
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 Fabian, 2006, 'Cygnus A: the cluster comma the radio lobes and the nucleus', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-7ltu6fi
