Recently, we have discovered an amzing 3 Mpc radio relic. Its coherent linearmorphology and enormous size are very difficult to understand in the standardscenario that relics trace shocks in the ICM induced by massive cluster mergers.With our proposed observations we will determine (i) the presence of shock wavesand their properties, (ii) the number of merging sub-clusters and dynamicalstate of the cluster, and (iii) the temperature structure of the ICM. This willallow us then to address the following questions: (1) are we witnessing a veryspecial configuration consisting of multiple merging events that collectivelyconspire to yield a linear structure? (2) is there a compelling need for a moresophisticated particle acceleration mechanism?
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2011-10-03T10:44:25Z/2011-10-04T10:23:55Z
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, Prof Huub Rottgering, 2012, 'The toothbrush-relic: evidence for a coherent 3-Mpc scale shock wave questionMark', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-8pkwwmp
