The most massive galaxy clusters are extremely valuable study objects for a widerange of astrophysical and cosmological studies. In our completed all-sky X-raycluster survey we found 6 rare massive galaxy clusters with masses above 6.41e14 solar masses at z=0.25-0.5 (the sweet spot for gravitational lensingstudies), which have not been observed in X-ray pointed observations so far (onehas a short XMM exposure). We propose these objects for observations withXMM-Newton and the two most interesting systems for HST observations, with amain goal to characterise their use as gravitational lensing telescopes. Inaddition these observations complete an important sample of massive clusters tobe used for a range of cosmological studies.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2019-05-21T02:23:17Z/2020-06-20T14:13:38Z
Version
20.08_20220509_1852
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, Prof Hans Boehringer, 2021, 'Studying 6 Massive Galaxy Clusters to be used as Gravitational Lensing Telescope', 20.08_20220509_1852, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-li4kn6d
