The Solar Wind Charge Exchange (SWCX) X-ray emission in the XMM band cannot becalculated from first principles due mostly to the lack of measuredcross-sections (sigma_i) for many ion species. We propose to use the EPICdetectors to measure the SWCX emission where it is brightest, the sub-solarregion of Earth.s magnetosheath (its nose). We will measure the effectivecross-sections for 0.1 keV wide bands containing many blended lines from 0.35keV to 0.7 keV as well as confirm laboratory-derived sigma_i for the strong Olines. Although the SWCX is interesting in itself, these measurements areessential for removing SWCX contamination from studies of the Galactic halo, thefaint diffuse ISM, and the Local Hot Bubble (LHB).
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2019-02-06T04:55:33Z/2019-02-14T18:19:20Z
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 Kip Dee Kuntz, 2020, 'Measuring the Solar Wind Charge Exchange Emissivity in the Magnetosheath', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-n5slmuc
