As a calibration source for the RGS, the Crab has notable advantages. Itprovides a smooth and stable continuum spectrum that, under properly controlledconditions, illuminates all CCDs in either 1st or 2nd order with a strongconstant signal. Inspection of the Crab data obtained so far during the missionhas shown that the instrument.s response has been reasonably stable althoughextra measurements are required to understand the data properly because of theextreme conditions under which the RGS has to work for a source of thisexceptional brightness.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2006-02-24T17:07:47Z/2006-02-26T05:44:28Z
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 Fred Jansen XMM-Newton MM, 2006, 'NRCO 54: The RGS response to the Crab X-ray standard', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-fdpvip3
