Interstellar clouds cast shadows in the soft X-ray background (SXRB).Observations of these shadows enable us to disentangle the various components ofthe SXRB. Unfortunately, to date, shadowing observations with XMM or Suzaku haveonly been published for three directions, all in the southern Galactichemisphere. We propose four new sets of on- and off-cloud shadowingobservations, in order to sample new regions of the sky, including the northernGalactic hemisphere. Our particular goal is to obtain accurate X-ray spectra ofthe Galactic halo, which we will compare with the predictions of models ofgalactic fountains and infalling extragalactic material.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2012-01-30T12:16:52Z/2012-02-02T00:01:37Z
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 David Henley, 2013, 'Understanding the Origin of the Galactic Halo Using Shadowing Observations', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-2jnlqi5
