By virtue of their immense size, galaxy clusters can provide importantconstraints on cosmological parameters. Two elements are crucial to this effort:a large sample of clusters covering a wide range in redshift, and accurate massdeterminations. The Red-sequence Cluster Survey (RCS) has discovered thousandsof cluster candidates at 0.2<z<1.2, a handful of which already have Chandraconfirmed X-ray emission. The large collecting area and spectral resolution ofXMM-Newton makes it ideal for determining the masses of high redshift clusters.We propose observations of six confirmed X-ray emitting clusters at 0.64<z<0.87.We will determine the temperatures to <15% (90% conf), allowing us to constructa cosmologically useful mass calibration for our larger sample.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2006-06-12T08:08:59Z/2006-06-12T14:39:11Z
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 Amalia Hicks, 2007, 'Mass Constraints on High Redshift Clusters of Galaxies with XMM-Newton', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-wb167iz
