We propose a 1.6 Ms XMM-Newton ..Very Large Program. to settle unambiguouslyone of the most controversial and open problems of modern astrophysics: theexistence of the missing baryons in a WHIM. We will do so by complementing thefirst successful exploratory LETG observation of the z>0.4 blazar 1ESvirgul1553+113,with additional 1.6 Ms of XMM-Newton RGS time, so more than doubling the S/N andthus the absorption line equivalent width sensitivity of the currently availableLETG spectrum in the fundamental spectral region of the intervening oxygen. Theproposed observation will enable:(1) the solution to the missing-baryon problem;(2) a robust estimate of the WHIM metallicity; (3) pioneering studiesof thermo-and chemo-dynamics of the IGM with cosmic time and so of the diffuse-gas/galaxies interplay.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2015-07-29T19:57:33Z/2015-09-01T08:29:09Z
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 Fabrizio Nicastro, 2015, 'Securing the Detection of the Hot Roaming Baryons with the XMM-Newton', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-s15kaot
