Abell 3667 is the archetype of a merging cluster with radio relics. The NW radiorelic is the brightest cluster relic or halo known, and is believed to be due toa strong merger shock. This NW region will be imaged with XMM. If a merger shockis present, it will be detected, and the density and temperature jumps will bedetermined. The comparison of the shock properties and the radio relic willprovide a critical test of the merger shock acceleration model for relics. Thecombination of the XMM data with our Suzaku Hard X-ray Detector spectrum willallow the thermal and nonthermal emission near the relic to be distinguished.The mosaic of this and the previous 7 observations of Abell 3667 will provide acomplete dynamical model for this major cluster merger.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2008-10-12T22:50:09Z/2008-10-13T14:00:45Z
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, Prof Craig Sarazin, 2009, 'XMM-Newton Observation of the NW Merger Shock and Radio Relic in Abell 3667', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-q5swm64
