There are few direct measurements of the intracluster medium (ICM) velocitystructure, despite its importance for understanding cluster physics. Velocitieswere measured in the Perseus cluster with the Hitomi observatory but due to itsloss we will have to wait until the next generation of X-ray observatories toobtain such groundbreaking measurements. However, it has been shown that theEPIC-pn energy scale can be calibrated with the Cu Ka instrumental line tomeasure bulk flows of the ICM. We propose deep observations of the Ophiuchuscluster (668 ks), the second-brightest galaxy cluster in the X-ray sky, toproduce a high resolution map of the velocity structure of the ICM. Ophiuchuscluster is an excellent target to understand the heating/cooling physical processes involved.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2021-09-06T09:35:12Z/2022-03-17T03:00:42Z
Version
19.17_20220121_1250
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 Efrain Gatuzz, 2023, 'Measuring merging comma feedback and sloshing velocities in the Ophiuchus cluster', 19.17_20220121_1250, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-xk2iew8
