The Missing Baryons, in the form of the Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium (WHIM),represent a fundamental challenge to the current theory, and a detection of theWHIM in X-ray that is generally accepted has remained elusive. Recently, ourjoint Chandra and XMM observations revealed a WHIM absorption produced by aknown large-scale structure (Sculptor Wall) at high significance (4.2-sigma),demonstrating that superstructures are probably the best locations to detect theWHIM. To assess whether this result is typical, we propose an observation of Mkn501, a blazar located behind the Hercules Supercluster. The combination of thestrong flux and the foreground superstructure makes Mkn 501 the most promisingtarget, with a relatively low expense of telescope time (150virgulks).
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2010-09-08T23:50:27Z/2011-02-16T01:37:04Z
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 Taotao Fang, 2012, 'Detecting the Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium in the Hercules Supercluster', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-15hhqx2
