We propose to finish the entire mapping of the supernova remnant RX J1713.7-3946within 4 pointings of 20 ks to study one of the most fascinating cosmic-rayaccelerators known today. Our objectives are 1) to obtain the full and mostdetailed description of the morphology of the X-ray synchrotron emission 2) tomap the variations of the spectral index and the X-ray absorption 3) to searchfor spatial correlations with the TeV gamma-ray emission recently imaged withthe HESS Cerenkov telescopes 4) to compare how particle acceleration proceedswhen the SNR is interacting with molecular clouds or with a tenuous ambientmedium
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2007-09-03T06:27:15Z/2007-10-03T11:51:16Z
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 Jean Ballet, 2008, 'RXJ1713.7-3946: a unique synchrotron-dominated shell-like SNR', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-5bg9vqz
