The intracluster medium (ICM) of the Hercules A Cluster shows the imprint of avery energetic outburst from a central active galactic nucleus. The radio lobesof Hercules A appear to be driving a shock front into the ICM. A deep XMM-Newtonobservation would enable us to confirm that this is a shock front and to betterquantify its properties by making accurate measurements of the temperaturedistribution. By examining the ICM on large scales, we can look for theindividual and cumulative effects of earlier outbursts. The unusual X-raycavities in Hercules A may have been created by shock heating of the ICM and wewill attempt to detect the hot gas that should fill them if this is so. The datawill also be used to measure the X-ray spectrum of the eastern radio jet.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2006-09-12T01:34:35Z/2006-09-16T12:54:52Z
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 Paul Nulsen, 2007, 'Diagnostics of the outburst in Hercules A', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-umdzwy8
