Galaxy clusters are the end point of structure formation, with their outskirtsbeing the regions where smaller structures are still accreting onto the mainhalo. The distribution of the gas in these regions is expected to be clumpy andasymmetric, with an important contribution from non-thermal pressure support.Following the success of our large XMM-Newton program we propose to map theouter regions of 3 merging galaxy clusters. We will perform an azimuthalanalysis in sectors, exploring in detail the violation from hydrostaticequilibrium along several directions out to R200. With a required time of just200 ks our program will provide the first assessment of the integratednon-thermal pressure content in a complete sample of galaxy clusters.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2019-04-29T01:22:48Z/2020-04-21T18:33:17Z
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, Mr Vittorio Ghirardini, 2021, 'X-COP 2.0\: Mergers and Interacting objects', 18.02_20200221_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-8c7tuw0
