The H.E.S.S. collaboration recently confirmed the Milagro TeV gamma-ray sourceMGRO 1908+06 and determined its position with sufficient accuracy to allowfollow-up observations with XMM-Newton. The unusually hard TeV spectrum and thelow X-ray to gamma-ray flux ratio of the source indicate that, unlike mostunidentified TeV sources, it is probably not a pulsar wind nebula but mayrepresent a new class of objects. We propose to observe MGRO 1908+06 in order toidentify its X-ray counterpart, determine its location with arcsecond precision,and determine whether it is extended or a point source. The accurate sourceposition provided by XMM-Newton will be essential to identify counterparts atother wavelengths and carry out multi-wavelength studies of the source.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2008-09-27T00:19:25Z/2009-03-24T00:26:14Z
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 DIRK PANDEL, 2010, 'Identifying the TeV Gamma-Ray Source MGRO 1908+06', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-e58uhy3
