We propose to observe the southeastern and northwestern part of RCW 86, thuscompleting the XMM-Newton legacy map of the remnant of SN 185. The SE region,our prime target, shows, among others, the onset of arcs of both thermal andsynchrotron emission that we want to study in detail. This is needed todetermine the morphology and the total X-ray synchrotron flux of RCW 86, which,combined with HESS and Fermi observations, is important to reveal the nature ofthe accelerated particles in this remnant. The thermal emission will be used todetermine the plasma conditions and abundances, which are needed to shed lighton the nature of the progenitor (core-collapse or Type Ia?) and the history ofthe interaction of the remnant with the circumstellar medium.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2014-01-27T18:48:07Z/2014-01-29T00:03:07Z
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, Mr Sjors Broersen, 2015, 'Completing the X-ray legacy image of the supernova remnant RCW 86', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-wl2rxpl
