We propose a broad band observation of three gamma-ray burst afterglows in orderto constrain the physics of the fireball that produce the burst, the densityprofile and composition of the surrounding environment of the burst, and deduceproperties about the stellar progenitor of the burst. This observation will beperformed in co-ordination with ESO APEX and VLT telescopes. We request threeobservations of 50 kiloseconds each, starting 70 kiloseconds after the start ofthe burst, using the EPIC MOS and PN cameras.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2011-12-09T22:29:22Z/2011-12-10T13:26:21Z
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 Bruce Gendre, 2012, 'Broad band observations of gamma-ray burst afterglows', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-sjwjbrs
