We propose to investigate the heavy ion content of the elusive polar solar windby observing the cometary X-ray emission which results from charge exchangebetween solar wind heavy ions and cometary neutrals, thus providing in-situinformation. We will utilize the favorable opportunity that AO-17 will be closeto solar minimum, when the polar wind will have expanded to lower latitudes, andthat one bright comet, 21P/Giacobini-Zinner, will be continuously observable forXMM and close to Earth on its way from +30 deg to -30 deg ecliptic latitude.This observation is perfectly tailored to XMM, as it makes full use of its highsoft X-ray sensitivity, its spectral, temporal, and spatial resolution, its fullfield of view, and of all six (PN, MOS1, MOS2, RGS1, RGS2, OM) of its scientific instruments.
Instrument
RGS1, EPN, RGS2, EMOS1, OM, EMOS2
Temporal Coverage
2018-07-07T14:00:00Z/2018-11-24T05:01:36Z
Version
20.10_20230417_1156
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, 2019, 'In-situ measurements of the heavy ion content of the elusive polar solar wind', 20.10_20230417_1156, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-olf82ei
