XMM-Newton vs. Other X-ray Missions
The X-ray Multi-Mirror observatory is a significant step forward for the study of many astrophysical objects. The observatory combines exceptionally large effective areas with an imaging telescope, simultaneous observations of sources in the X-ray and UV/optical bands, simultaneous operation of the high-angular-resolution CCD (EPIC) detectors, a high-spectral-resolution reflection grating spectrometer (RGS) in the X-ray band, and a long-period orbit. The orbit allows long, continuous observations of a single source, and the mission provides unique opportunities to study the universe.
The following table compares various parameters of current and future
X-ray observatories. The currently operational missions (XMM-Newton,
Chandra,
Swift,
NuSTAR,
and
ASTROSAT)
are complimentary in their attributes with various combinations of
effective areas, angular and spectral resolutions, and energy ranges.
Current
Past
Future
Observatory
XMM
Chandra
Swift
NuSTAR
ASTROSAT
ROSAT
ASCA
BeppoSAX
RXTE
Suzaku
Astro-H
Detector
EPIC
MOSEPIC
PNRGS
ACIS
backACIS
frontHRC
HETG
LETG
XRT
SXT
PSPC
HRI
SIS
GIS
LECS
MECS
PCA
XIS
SXS
Dates of
Operation10-Dec-1999
23-Jul-1999
20-Nov
200413-Jun
201228-Sep
20151-Jun-1990
-12-Feb-199920-Feb-1993
-14-Jul-200030-Apr-1996
-30-Apr-200230-Dec-1995
-5-Jan-201210-Jul-2005
-1-Jun-2015
Energy
Range (keV)0.2-12
0.2-12
0.4-2.5
0.1-10
0.4-10
0.1-10
0.6-10
0.1-6
0.2-10
3.0-79
0.3-8
0.1-2.4
0.1-2.4
0.4-12
0.6-12
0.1-10
1.3-10
2.0-60
0.2-12
0.3-10
Effective
Area (cm2)
@0.25 keV
144
647
-
30
-
150
-
25
16
-
-
240
40
-
-
22
-
-
@0.4 keV
231
707
44
120
35
50
-
12
27
-
7
11
15
-
1
-
-
@0.6 keV
286
916
94
345
70
65
-
25
36
-
~40
70
8
35
-
7.6
-
-
@1.0 keV
730
1222
185
615
385
215
10
55
80
-
210
80
230
50
40
1.25
-
1600
180
@1.5 keV
1070
1323
160
500
525
162
45
105
104
-
~128
180
60
300
145
57
24
-
@2.5 keV
648
847
-
320
320
65
20
50
81
-
-
-
195
125
40
90
700
~200
@6.0 keV
476
832
-
205
235
45
25
20
68
775
~22
-
-
160
125
50
154
5000
1000
~220
@8.0 keV
168
514
-
45
60
10
7
4
25
953
-
-
55
60
35
101
6000
@12.0 keV
6.3
36.0
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
895
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
4000
Energy
Resolution
(eV)
@0.25 keV
35
35
-
130
37
-
-
0.4
70
-
-
250
-
-
-
90
98
-
@0.4 keV
45
45
0.5
120
42
-
-
0.8
85
-
350
-
75
-
123
-
30
@1.0 keV
55
55
2.9
100
56
-
1
5.4
110
-
~80
500
-
100
190
196
-
50
@2.5 keV
85
85
17
120
82
-
5.2
34
130
-
104
-
-
135
300
309
725
80
@6.0 keV
130
130
-
170
130
-
29
-
140
400
150
-
-
240
460
528
480
1125
120
7
@8.0 keV
150
150
-
190
150
-
50
-
170
400
-
-
265
540
554
1300
140
Angular
Resolution
(FWHM)
~6"
~6"
-
1"
1"
0.4"
-
-
18"
(HPD)
18"
~2'
(HPD)
15"
5"
1'
1'
2.1"
105"
1 deg
~1.8'
(HPD)
1.7'
(HPD)
Field of View
30'
30'
-
17'x17'
17'x17'
31'x31'
-
-
23'x23'
12'x12'
~40' dia
114' dia
40'x40'
22'x22'
50' dia
37' dia
56' dia
1 deg
18'x18'
2.8'x2.8'
XMM-Newton
EPIC areas (areas are those used in PIMMS) are for the
thin filters and include the full PSF (out to 5'), the EPIC MOS values are
the sum of the two detectors.
The RGS values are for both telescopes.
ROSAT, ASCA, RXTE,
Suzaku and Swift values are taken from various HEASARC WWW pages. The RXTE PCA
value is for layer 1. ASTROSAT values are taken from the ASTROSAT handbook.
NuSTAR values are from
Harrison, F.A. et al. (2013; ApJ, 770, 103).
If you have any questions concerning XMM-Newton
send email to
xmmhelp@athena.gsfc.nasa.gov
