In-orbit performance of the XMM-Newton x-ray telescopes: images and spectra

Bernd Aschenbach

doi:10.1117/12.454367

30 January 2002 In-orbit performance of the XMM-Newton x-ray telescopes: images and spectra

Bernd Aschenbach

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Proceedings Volume 4496, X-Ray Optics for Astronomy: Telescopes, Multilayers, Spectrometers, and Missions; (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.454367
Event: International Symposium on Optical Science and Technology, 2001, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

The XMM-Newton X-ray Observatory was launched by an ARIANE V from Kourou, French Guiana, on 10 December 1999. First light was received by one of the three X-ray telescopes on 19 January 2000. Since then an extensive program, comprising commissioning, calibration and performance verification of the scientific payload, has been carried out, followed by regular scientific Guaranteed Time Observations which are interleaved with observations drawn from the Guest Observer (AO-1) program. I present the in-orbit performance of the three X-ray telescopes and demonstrate the excellent agreement with the ground calibration measurements. This includes the imaging characteristics both on-axis and off-axis, the effective collecting area and vignetting making use of in-orbit images and spectra. The scientific impact of a few of these observations is highlighted as well.

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Bernd Aschenbach "In-orbit performance of the XMM-Newton x-ray telescopes: images and spectra", Proc. SPIE 4496, X-Ray Optics for Astronomy: Telescopes, Multilayers, Spectrometers, and Missions, (30 January 2002); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.454367

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