By combining XMM X-ray surface brightness and Planck pressure measurements, ithas become possible to measure cluster thermodynamics in the faint clusteroutskirts. However the spatial resolution of such studies is limited by Planck.spoor PSF (10 arcmins). Simulations of cluster formation predict that they arehighly asymmetric in their outskirts, with large variations in temperature andentropy. The clusters studied at present are too distant to test thesesimulations. Here we propose to complete the XMM mosaic of the nearby X-raybright Coma cluster, the most spectacular SZ source in the Planck sky, out tothe virial radius with full azimuthal coverage. Combined with the Planck data,this will provide the most complete, highest resolution view of the cluster outskirts ever achieved.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2019-07-07T06:33:10Z/2020-06-12T15:09:33Z
Version
18.02_20200221_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 Stephen Walker, 2021, 'The clearest view of the outskirts of a galaxy cluster\: the Coma cluster', 18.02_20200221_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-g8tehe9
