
| Proposal ID | 080208 | 
| Title | Understanding the Evolution of Composite SNRs: An XMM Study of MSH 15-56 | 
| Download Data Associated to the proposal | https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0802080101 | 
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-pwncrpj | 
| Principal Investigator, PI | Dr Tea Temim | 
| Abstract | MSH 15-56 is the prototypical example of an evolved composite supernova remnant(SNR) consisting of a swept-up shell and a pulsar wind nebula (PWN) that appearsto be disrupted by the supernova (SN) reverse shock (RS). Gamma-ray emission isdetected at the position of the SNR that may be produced in the PWN/RSinteraction. We propose a 336 ks XMM observation of the entire SNR, crucial forcharacterizing the properties of the ambient medium, the SN ejecta, and the PWN,and for uncovering the origin of the high-energy emission. The analysis willallow us to test our hydrodynamical models for the evolution of composite SNRsand significantly advance our general understanding of the late-phase structureand evolution of these systems. | 
| Publications | 
 | 
| Instrument | EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2 | 
| Temporal Coverage | 2017-08-07T16:22:34Z/2018-02-13T19:19:08Z | 
| 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. | 
| Creator Contact | https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton/xmm-newton-helpdesk | 
| Date Published | 2019-03-02T23:00:00Z | 
| Last Update | 2025-08-04 | 
| Keywords | "XMM", "prototypical example", "late phase structure", "hydrodynamical models", "rs interaction", "gamma ray emission", "336 xmm", "energy emission", "supernovasupernovareverse shock rs", "ambient medium", "composite supernova remnant", "supernova remnant" | 
| Publisher And Registrant | European Space Agency | 
| Credit Guidelines | European Space Agency, Dr Tea Temim, 2019, 'Understanding the Evolution of Composite SNRs: An XMM Study of MSH 15-56', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-pwncrpj |