We propose to observe the bright X-ray binary GX 9+9 as an ideal target toinvestigate the dust chemistry in the diffuse interstellar medium. X-rays haverecently probed an invaluable tool in order to directly access the chemicalcomposition of dust in the Galactic plane. High resolution spectroscopy withXMM-Newton is essential to study the diffuse dust component by studying theoxygen and iron edges in the soft X-ray band. With this proposal we aim atdefining a general model for the chemistry of the diffuse interstellar dust.
Instrument
EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2013-03-28T07:18:08Z/2013-03-28T17:27:51Z
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 Elisa Costantini, 2014, 'Towards an X-ray-defined model for the chemistry of interstellar dust', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-vng9c2o
