The properties of dark matter halos on galactic scales remain a largely untappedresource for cosmological studies. X-ray observations offer potentially the mostpromising means to study dark matter in isolated elliptical galaxies, but thereis presently a lack of known suitable candidates for study. Therefore, wepropose a snapshot survey of 11 systems to identify isolated elliptical galaxieswith X-ray properties similar to the best examples currently known. Deepfollow-up exposures with XMM and Chandra of promising targets will then besought for detailed analysis of their dark matter distributions.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2007-05-17T10:11:27Z/2008-03-24T23:21:10Z
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 David Buote, 2009, 'A Snapshot Survey of Isolated Elliptical Galaxies', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-hu6s3gl
