Fermi opened new horizons in gamma-ray astronomy, with 1873 sources detected bythe LAT instrument in the first 2 years. However, <10% of them are identified,mostly as gamma-ray pulsars or Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), while virgul60% are onlyassociated with potential gamma-ray emitters matched in object catalogues. Theremaining virgul30% have not even a potential association. The nature of thesesources is unknown and can only be investigated through multi-wavelengthobservations. Here, we propose to map the error boxes of selected LAT sourceswith XMM and the VLT. From the classification of their candidate X-raycounterparts, based on their X-ray and optical properties, we will then singleout those which are most likely gamma-ray emitters and close the identification loop.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2013-10-10T09:43:18Z/2013-10-15T07:56:00Z
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 Roberto Mignani, 2014, 'Determining the nature of the unassociated Fermi-LAT gamma-ray sources', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-nu1d6p4
