HESS J1731-347 is only the third known TeV-emitting SNR with a pure nonthermalX-ray spectrum. Together with RX J1713.7-3946 and RX J0852.0-4622, the sourcesare outstanding because of their TeV luminosity and their synchrotron-only X-rayemission. These SNRs are considered prime candidates for hadronic cosmic rayacceleration. But currently, it is highly debated if the TeV emission is reallytracing hadronic cosmic rays, or if X-rays and TeV photons are emitted basicallyjust by the same cosmic ray electron population. With this proposal, we ask for55 ksec of XMM-Newton observing time on the western part of the HESS J1731-347shell, in order to resolve the synchrotron-emitting filaments in this part ofthe remnant and to bring the high resolution X-ray mapping of the source to near completion.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2013-03-07T02:43:01Z/2013-03-07T22:49:57Z
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 Gerd Puehlhofer, 2014, 'HESS J1731-347: A new TeV gamma-ray and X-ray emitting supernova remnant', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-6ymge65
