A dense, cold cloud (G2) is on a collision course with Sgr A*, the radio sourceat our Galactic Center. G2 is on an eccentric orbit and already shows signs oftidal disruption by the black hole. High-energy emission from Sgr A* will likelyincrease significantly due to this encounter, peaking at pericenter (summer2013). We propose simultaneous Chandra, XMM, and EVLA monitoring observations toconstrain the rates and emission mechanisms of faint X-ray flares, study theradiation properties of Sgr A* as G2 breaks up and feeds gas to the centralaccretion flow, and detect G2 itself as it is shocked and heated.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2013-09-10T03:30:45Z/2013-09-10T14:15:45Z
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 Daryl Haggard, 2014, 'Joint Chandra/XMM/EVLA Monitoring of the Gas Cloud G2 as it encounters SGR A*', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-8nx58e5
