XMM-Newton Observation of Solar Wind Charge Exchange Emission

Details XMM-Newton Observation of Solar Wind Charge Exchange Emission XMM-Newton Observation of Solar Wind Charge Exchange Emission

2004-04-19

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0404354v1

Astrophys.J. 610 (2004) 1182-1190

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

26 pages, 6 figures, ApJ accepted

Scientific paper

10.1086/421841

We present an XMM-Newton spectrum of diffuse X-ray emission from within the solar system. The spectrum is dominated by probable C VI lines at 0.37 keV and 0.46 keV, an O VII line at 0.56 keV, O VIII lines at 0.65 keV and ~0.8 keV, Ne IX lines at ~0.92 keV, and Mg XI lines at ~1.35 keV. This spectrum is consistent with that expected from charge exchange emission between the highly ionized solar wind and either interstellar neutrals in the heliosphere or material from Earth's exosphere. The emission is clearly seen as a low-energy (E<1.5 keV) spectral enhancement in one of a series of four observations of the Hubble Deep Field North. The X-ray enhancement is concurrent with an enhancement in the solar wind measured by ACE, Wind, and SoHO spacecraft. The solar wind enhancement reaches a flux level an order of magnitude more intense than typical fluxes at 1 AU, and has a significantly enhanced O^{+7}/O^{+6} ratio. Besides being of interest in its own right for studies of the solar system, this emission can have significant consequences for observations of cosmological objects. It can provide emission lines at zero redshift which are of particular interest in studies of diffuse thermal emission (e.g., O VII and O VIII), and which can therefore act as contamination in the spectra of objects which cover the entire detector field of view. We propose the use of solar wind monitoring data as a diagnostic to screen for such possibilities.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

XMM-Newton Observation of Solar Wind Charge Exchange Emission does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with XMM-Newton Observation of Solar Wind Charge Exchange Emission, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and XMM-Newton Observation of Solar Wind Charge Exchange Emission will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-381992