Among over thousand X-ray luminous galaxy clusters found in our systematiccluster survey, A1631 is the most extreme, diffuse system, with a number ofpeculiar properties. It has a very low surface brightness, one of the lowestcentral ICM densities, and the highest known central entropy. The galaxydistribution shows a surprisingly low concentration parameter and shallow galaxydistribution. Its X-ray luminosity is much lower than the estimate from theLx-mass relation using the dynamical mass. A first explanation, that this systemis in formation, seems not consistent with its high central entropy. It ishighly important to understand this extreme and puzzling system at the edge ofthe morphological distribution through a detailed spectro-imaging study with XMM-Newton.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2021-06-29T16:31:04Z/2021-07-28T05:02:39Z
Version
19.16_20210326_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, Prof Hans Boehringer, 2022, 'Benchmark Study of the Most Extreme comma Diffuse Galaxy Cluster Abell 1631', 19.16_20210326_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-gm9m2l0
