MBM12 is a nearby molecular cloud that absorbs nearly all background emissionfrom O VII and O VIII. Observing diffuse O VII and O VIII towards MBM12 fixesthe emission measure in the Local Hot Bubble (LHB). Suzaku recently observedMBM12 and found the O VII to be 3x brighter than predicted from canonical LHBmodels, although this could have been affected by solar wind charge exchange(SWCX). Fortunately, the SWCX rate is known to vary with time, viewing geometry,and solar wind flux, so a second observation would likely measure a differentSWCX value. We propose to observe MBM12 with XMM-Newton to confirm the recentmeasurement. If confirmed, this resultwill require a reanalysis of existing LHBmodels and put strong limits on the depletion of Si and Fe relative to O in the LHB.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2008-08-12T18:30:55Z/2008-08-13T04:12:48Z
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 Randall Smith, 2009, 'Resolving a Mystery: What is the Emission Measure of the Local Hot Bubble', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-371c7vz
