We propose to observe a known TeV blazar in outburst. The observation will besupported by coordinated ground-based observations at TeV energies. The mainthrust of the proposed observation is to study the flaring phenomenon onsub-hour timescales jointly at X-ray and TeV energies. XMM covers a criticalspectral range for studying TeV blazars, because the SED of such sources peaksin or near its passing band. The data will also allow investigations ofcorrelated variability of the X-ray and TeV emission, spectral hysteresis, andhardness-intensity correlation. The results may shed significant light on theproperties of emitting regions in the jet of TeV blazars, emission mechanisms,and the composition of the jet (i.e., leptonic vs hadronic).
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2008-05-07T01:34:05Z/2008-05-07T13:34:25Z
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 Wei Cui, 2009, 'Rapid Flares from TeV Blazars', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-c2k9xfr
