The energetic pulsar J0855-4644 coincides with an enhancement in X-rays and TeVgamma-rays along the rim of the SNR RX J0852.0-4622, which could represent itspulsar wind nebula. We propose to study the spectrum and morphology of thiscandidate nebula to draw inferences about its nature, which cannot be doneconclusively with currently available X-ray data (from ASCA). We also propose tocharacterise the emission from the previously poorly studied South-East rim ofSNR RX J0852.0-4622. The wide field of view and broad energy coverage ofXMM-Newton will allow to disentangle these components from the foregroundthermal X-ray emission from the Vela SNR.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2010-04-22T08:12:49Z/2010-04-23T01:30:06Z
Version
PPS_NOT_AVAILABLE
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 Fabio Acero, 2011, 'The candidate nebula of PSR J0855-4644 and the SE rim of SNR RX J0852.0-4622', PPS_NOT_AVAILABLE, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-jon53gd
