Galaxy clusters have proven to be highly competitive and complementarycosmological probes. For the next major breakthrough more reliable massestimates and, therefore, a better understanding of cluster physics areessential. We propose to complete XMM-Newton observations of a flux-limitedsample of the 64 X-ray brightest clusters in the sky to (i) take full advantageof 3 Ms of XMM-Newton data already available, (ii) determine very precise gastemperature profiles, (iii) characterize merging clusters by direct comparisonto simulations, (iv) update the luminosity-mass relation, (v) construct the mostprecise local cluster mass function, (vi) improve constraints on OmegaM andsigma8 significantly, and (vii) provide a reliable statistical baseline for comparison to high-redshift samples.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2007-06-16T19:12:07Z/2008-02-25T09:10:21Z
Version
PPS_NOT_AVAILABLE
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 Thomas Reiprich, 2009, 'The Local Galaxy Cluster Mass Function of the Brightest Clusters in the Sky - I', PPS_NOT_AVAILABLE, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-3h2i9z5
