Relics are diffuse radio sources thought to trace shocks at the periphery ofmerging clusters. LOFAR, with its unique resolution and sensitivity, isrevolutionizing the field by opening a new window of discovery. The LOFAR surveyrecently discovered a rare example of double relics in a low-mass cluster,confirmed as a 3\:1 merger by our Cy21 Chandra observations. The bright relicsare located exceptionally far away from the cluster core -- at about R500 (1.3Mpc). The properties of the radio sources are hard to reconcile with currentrelic formation models, given the low cluster mass. We propose XMM-Newtonobservations to study the luminosity and temperature substructure, understandthe cluster merger history and place tight constraints on relic formation models.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2020-05-05T02:14:25Z/2020-05-07T18:26:10Z
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 Andra Stroe, 2021, 'A spectacular LOFAR-selected merging galaxy cluster', 18.02_20200221_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-zgrl91c
