We propose an XMM observation of the A671 cluster. It is the lowest mass clusterfor which a radio halo has been observed in the LOFAR survey covering nearly 30%of the Northern sky at the low frequency of 150 MHz. Radio halos in low massclusters are a test-bed for turbulent re-acceleration, which is currently thefavoured scenario to explain their formation. They should be rare, in mergingsystems and with a very steep radio spectrum. With a modest amount of XMMexposure time (25 ks) we will be able to obtain a rich characterization of thedynamical state and thermal structure of the cluster, given its high flux,providing a powerful test of radio-halo formation.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2023-04-02T21:27:44Z/2023-04-03T08:17:44Z
Version
20.10_20230417_1156
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 Fabio Gastaldello, 2024, 'Smaller than an Ant: the least massive cluster with a radio halo', 20.10_20230417_1156, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-[xxxxxxx]
