To employ galaxy clusters as cosmological standards and astrophysicallaboratories, we must better understand how the cluster dynamical state maps toits observational properties in extreme circumstances, yet fewer than a dozenmergers have velocity measurements reliable enough for detailed modeling. Onedramatic merger, selected for follow-up X-ray observations by its ultra-steepspectrum radio emission, is Abell 2443. Recently, a 98 ksec Chandra observationprovided 2.9-sigma evidence that the bullet-like core of A2443 is significantlyblueshifted with respect to its surroundings. We propose deep XMM observationsto answer the question, ..What is the true line of sight component of the gas.svelocity?.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2015-05-20T08:39:33Z/2015-05-30T15:46:06Z
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 Tony Mroczkowski, 2016, 'An XMM-Newton Measurement of the Fastest Known Cluster Merger in the Universe', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-th5r62q
