We propose to utilize comets as natural space probes for sampling the heavy ioncontent of the solar wind in the transition phase from solar maximum to solarminimum in 3D, by investigating the X-ray emission which results from chargeexchange interactions between solar wind ions and cometary neutrals. DuringAO-14, three comets will be favorably placed for XMM-Newton: C/2013 US10(Catalina), 252P/LINEAR, and 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, sampling the solar windbetween -30 deg and +30 deg heliographic latitude. This proposal makes full useof the spectral, temporal, and spatial resolution of XMM-Newton, of its fullfield of view, and of all its six (PN, MOS1, MOS2, RGS1, RGS2, OM) scientificinstruments.
Instrument
RGS1, EPN, RGS2, EMOS1, OM, EMOS2
Temporal Coverage
2015-12-13T05:53:25Z/2016-03-20T18:07:13Z
Version
PPS_NOT_AVAILABLE
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 Konrad Dennerl, 2017, 'Sampling the solar wind on its way from solar max to solar min in 3D with comets', PPS_NOT_AVAILABLE, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-a0io2qx
