Galaxy cluster outskirts are the regions where structure formation processes are expected to be active across the entire lifetime of these systems through the accretion of smaller structures. After the success of a pilot XMM-Newton program targeting the outer regions of two systems, we propose to map the outskirts of 10 galaxy clusters in the redshift range 0.04-0.1. Through the synergy between XMM and SZ data from Planck, we will recover the thermo-dynamic properties of the gas out to R200 and study the accretion processes in cluster outskirts. We will disentangle for the first time the effects of gas clumping and non-thermal pressure support. In addition, since it will allow us to map the entire volume of several well-known systems, our program will have an important legacy value.
Publication
No observations found associated with the current proposal
Instrument
EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2, EMOS1, EMOS2
Temporal Coverage
2014-03-14T06:30:32Z/2015-12-17T11:00:38Z
Version
17.56_20190403_1200
Mission Description
The European Space Agency's (ESA) X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) was launched by an Ariane 504 on December 10th 1999. XMM-Newton is ESA's 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 Earth's 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.