Recent Chandra and XMM-Newton observations show that a large fraction ofearly-type galaxies in groups and clusters retain hot gas halos. However, theproperties of these halos are consistent with the idea that the amount of hotgas has been significantly reduced by environmental effects like ram-pressurestripping and evaporation. To quantify the importance of such mechanisms, weneed to compare the properties of ellipticals in rich environments to those inthe field where these mechanisms are not expected to be important.Unfortunately, very few field ellipticals have sufficient X-ray observations. Wepropose to rectify this situation by observing a sample of 6 nearby fieldellipticals with XMM-Newton.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2009-10-05T07:51:54Z/2010-03-16T22:46:57Z
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 John Mulchaey, 2011, 'An XMM-Newton Survey of Field Ellipticals', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-zdrio0q
