We propose a joint 276ks ACIS-S3 and 70ks XMM observation of the NGC 6338merging group. A 45ks ACIS-I observation shows two cool cores in the group, eachcontaining pairs of AGN cavities and leaving tails of stripped gas behind them.The 1400km/s line of sight velocity difference between the dominant galaxies,and 4.2keV shocked gas between the two cores suggest a Mach 2.2 collision,perhaps the most energetic group merger in the local Universe. Combining ACIS-S3with XMM data will provide a detailed view of the wealth of structure in thegroup and allow us to measure the energy input from merger shocks and AGN, andthe degree of enrichment from stripped gas. The end result will be a much-neededexamination of the under-studied process of high-velocity mergers in group-scale systems.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2016-10-12T19:10:15Z/2016-10-13T16:16:55Z
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 Ewan O'Sullivan, 2017, 'Cavities comma shocks and stripping in a high-velocity group-group merger: NGC 6338', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-2xt0g2h
