Detailed studies of A545 at radio, optical and X-ray wavelengths point to asystem undergoing a major merger. The unique discovery of an extended stellarhalo resembling that of a cD but with no associated BCG is particularlyintriguing as it suggests this system may be undergoing a critical dynamic phasethat is rarely observed. The available XMM data while hinting to a number ofinteresting features, most notably a shock virgul400 kpc North of the surfacebrightness peak, are of limited use because of the extreme contamination by softprotons. We propose a 50 ks observation of A545 to constrain the phase andgeometry of the merger. The combination of the proposed X-ray observation withthe available optical and radio data will allow us to construct a global picture of the dynamical status of A545.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2011-08-30T10:25:18Z/2011-08-31T00:50:36Z
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 Sabrina De Grandi, 2012, 'Abell 545 an uncommon merging cluster', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-248m35d
