X-rays have been detected from a wide variety of worlds in our Solar System formany years. These range from terrestrial planets, to the Gas Giants, moons,comets and even Pluto. However, the first detection of X-rays from Uranus wasannounced this year using data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO), openingthe possibility of studying the mysterious Ice Giant planets through their X-rayemissions. Results revealed that the X-ray flux from Uranus was higher thanexpected from scattered solar X-rays, hinting that there may be high energyprocesses producing X-rays at the planet. As for Jupiter and Saturn, this mayinclude ring fluorescence and auroral emissions. XMM-Newton.s superiorsensitivity and spectral resolution will potentially revolutionise our understanding of this world.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2022-08-24T12:11:21Z/2023-02-09T14:53:24Z
Version
20.09_20221024_1724
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, Ms Affelia Wibisono, 2024, 'Characterising X-rays from Uranus', 20.09_20221024_1724, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-8tfit16
