One of the early results from the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) NearbyGalaxies Survey (NGS) is the discovery of conspicuous UV emission extendingsignificantly beyond the optical disks of some spiral galaxies, into regionswhere the gas density was believed to be too low to support star formation. Wepropose to use the high angular resolution and large FOV of the XMM OpticalMonitor to resolve the star-forming regions responsible for this UV emission ina small sample of extended UV disk galaxies. The simultaneous X-ray observationsmay provide valuable constraints on the mass function of the star clusters andprovide valuable insight into star-forming processes at such low surfacedensities.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2008-01-16T17:57:33Z/2008-01-17T04:12:39Z
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 K.D. Kuntz, 2009, 'Optical Monitor Observations of Extended UV Disks', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-3srxmt6
