A survey of the Galactic plane performed in 2004 with the HESS instrumentallowed to double the number of known VHE gamma ray sources. Re-observations andimprovements in the analysis sensitivity in 2005 have permitted to discover newunidentified sources. We propose to use XMM-Newton to search for the X-raycounterparts of two of these sources for which no obvious counterparts werefound at other wavelengths. The sensitivity of XMM-Newton above a few keV isrequired to detect possible counterparts despite the obscuration by the gas inthe Galactic plane. Morphological and spectral information on the sources wouldhelp to understand the nature and the emission mechanisms of these unidentifiedVHE gamma ray sources.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2007-08-09T16:13:55Z/2007-08-09T22:52:32Z
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-Francois Glicenstein, 2008, 'Search for X-ray counterparts of compact unidentified H.E.S.S. Galactic sources', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-nhv5w4v
