The number of SNRs older than 10,000 yr well-studied in X-rays is small, due tothe observational difficulties of mapping low surface brightness thermal plasmaswith temperatures of a few tenths of a keV with interstellar absorption. Wepropose to observe the bright limbs of PKS 1209-51/52 with the EPIC instruments.We will produce a map of the bright, soft, thermal emission along the southernshell, to be compared with optical, radio, and CO continuum maps. We willcharacterize the temperature and density variations in the shell, which resultfrom interactions between the forward shock and structures in the ISM. A morecomplete understanding of the old, very large SNRs will help us understand thefeedback role that SNe play in the evolution of the Galactic ISM.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2016-01-15T14:38:07Z/2016-02-16T23:19:41Z
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 Brian Williams, 2017, 'Observations of PKS 1209-5152: A Cygnus Loop SiblingquestionMark', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-l7gp3bw
