Detection and characterization of shock fronts in clusters is limited to a tinynumber of objects. One of the major difficulties is that shocks occur in lowsurface brightness regions where available instrumentation has considerabledifficulty in making measurements. Here we propose a novel observational anddata analysis strategy allowing us to make reliable measures of the shock frontin A754. The sensitivity afforded by our observation will also allow us tocharacterize parts of the outer regions of A754 in unprecedented detail. From amore general perspective ours may be viewed as a demonstration of the capabilityof the EPIC experiment to provide substantially improved measurements of clusterouter regions. Such measures are likely to remain unsurpassed for years to come.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2008-05-22T10:24:10Z/2008-05-25T22:22:26Z
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, Mr Alberto Leccardi, 2009, 'Nailing down the Shock in Abell 754', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-qfed8ii
