Recent high-resolution radio continuum images of the entirety of the nearestradio galaxy Centaurus A using ATCA and Parkes have revealed intricate radiostructure in its southern giant lobe. Two prominent filaments, named the vertexand the vortex, plausibly originating from an enhanced jet activity of theparent AGN, are the brightest (in flux) filamentary structures known in anyradio galaxy. We propose deep XMM-Newton observations of the brighter of these,the vertex, that will allow us to constrain the physical properties and theorigin of the filaments, and the distribution of internal energy within thelobes, and that may give us a more complete picture of localised particleacceleration in the large-scale lobes.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2014-01-07T10:53:19Z/2014-02-15T22:37:30Z
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, Ms Sarka Wykes, 2015, 'The nature of the filaments in the giant lobes of Centaurus A', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-aopckvx
