Name | 065509 |
Title | First X-ray obs of a Main-Belt Comet: linking X-ray astronomy to astrobiology |
URL | https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0655090401 |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-lmfqw47 |
Author | Dr Konrad Dennerl |
Description | We propose to utilize the unprecedented sensitivity of XMM-Newton in the soft X-ray range for the first ever X-ray study of a Main-Belt Comet (MBC). Discovered only recently, MBCs constitute a fundamentally new and distinct class of objects: asteroids exhibiting cometary activity, which is most likely driven by the sublimation of water ice. This has far-reaching implications for our understanding where our oceans came from. The evidence for water ice in MBCs, however, is only circumstantial yet, as optical spectra are dominated by dust. The situation is complementary for solar wind charge exchange induced X-rays, which are a sensitive tracer of tenuous amounts of gas. Thus, with the direct detection of gas, XMM would make a substantial contribution to astrobiology. |
Publication | No observations found associated with the current proposal |
Instrument | EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2 |
Temporal Coverage | 2010-10-20T20:46:37Z/2010-10-21T17:36:03Z |
Version | 17.56_20190403_1200 |
Mission Description | The European Space Agency's (ESA) X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) was launched by an Ariane 504 on December 10th 1999. XMM-Newton is ESA's 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 Earth's 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. |
Creator Contact | https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton/xmm-newton-helpdesk |
Date Published | 2011-11-18T00:00:00Z |
Publisher And Registrant | European Space Agency |
Credit Guidelines | European Space Agency, Dr Konrad Dennerl, 2011, 065509, 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-lmfqw47 |