Through a program of ground-based optical and near-infrared imaging begun thisyear, we have identified a number of rich, massive clusters among theunconfirmed Planck cluster candidates. We have selected the five most promisingnew clusters for observation with XMM this cycle. All have Plancksignal-to-noise ratios greater than 5.2 and significant RASS X-ray flux. Theproposed observations will provide the first accurate masses of these clustersbased on multiple X-ray mass proxies and will allow determination of theirdynamical states (merger vs. relaxed systems).
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2016-01-03T08:34:07Z/2016-04-10T19:32:41Z
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, Prof John P. Hughes, 2017, 'XMM-Newton Observations of New Massive Planck Clusters', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-cgnozgi
