All instruments and the spacecraft are in optimal condition and will continue to provide cutting-edge data for many more years to come.
Throughout its operational lifetime, XMM-Newton has undergone significant evolutionary and improvement processes. It is currently in an optimal position to address some of the most pivotal questions in astrophysics. XMM-Newton participates in joint programmes with ten other facilities across all wavelengths, as well as making significant contributions to multi-messenger observations.
The future of XMM-Newton is promising, thanks to its extensive user community, which includes over 1,500 observers and ensures data for 4,200 scientists involved in publishing refereed papers annually.
We would like to express our gratitude to XMM-Newton.
If you want to give your greetings to XMM-Newton, share your memories and even more important, your future plans, wishes and expectations for the next years, feel free to sign this digital card: https://www.groupgreeting.com/sign/2f085e8d5f87113
20-Nov-2024 Unlocking the secrets of the first Quasars: how they defy the laws of Physics to grow
New evidence has been discovered explaining how supermassive black holes formed in the first billion years of the Universe's life. The study, conducted by INAF researchers, analyses 21 distant quasars and reveals that these objects are in a phase of extremely rapid accretion. This provides valuable insights into their formation and evolution, together with that of their host galaxies.[...] The study, led by researchers of the National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF), analyses a sample of 21 quasars, among the most distant ever discovered, observed in the X-rays band by the XMM-Newton and Chandra space telescopes.
Further details on Inaf.it web portal and Phys.org web portal.
XMM-Newton Announcement of Opportunity (AO-24) Closed
The XMM-Newton Twenty-fourth Announcement of Opportunity (AO-24) closed on the 11th of October 2024.
In total, 462 valid proposals were received. This Announcement of Opportunity covers a period of one year, with 12 Ms of observing time available for distribution. A total of 86.3 Ms of science time were requested. The over-subscription factor is 7.2.
A total of 36 proposals were received for Large Programmes, and 13 for Fulfil Programmes. Anticipated Target of Opportunity observations were requested in 65 proposals.
For the joint programmes, 94 proposals were submitted: 42 request time for the XMM-NuSTAR programme, 24 for the XMM-HST programme, 11 for the XMM-SWIFT programme, 10 for the XMM-VLT programme, 9 for the XMM-Chandra programme, 6 for the XMM-JWST programme, 10 for the XMM-NRAO programme and 1 for the MAGIC programme.
SOC received proposals from 381 different principal investigators from 32 countries. Considering principal investigators and co-investigators, about 1600 individual scientists were involved in the response to the Twenty-fourth Announcement of Opportunity.
Letter of Invitation by the ESA Director of Science
Dear Colleague,
I am pleased to invite you to respond to the 24th Announcement of Opportunity to submit proposals for observations to be performed with the XMM-Newton observatory.
This Announcement solicits proposals to be carried out between May 2025 and April 2026. Proposers from institutes located worldwide are welcome to participate. All proposals will be subject to peer review by the XMM-Newton Observing Time Allocation Committee.
The detailed schedule of milestones of the announcement, the required software tools and the documentation are available from
I would appreciate if you would distribute this invitation to interested colleagues. I wish you every success in using the XMM-Newton observatory.
Yours sincerely,
Prof. Carole Mundell
Director of Science
Key milestones for this announcement
Announcement of Opportunity
20 August 2024
Due date for Proposals
11 October 2024 (12:00 UT)
Final OTAC approved program
late December 2024
Timeline for Phase II proposal submission
After the cycle of proposal submission and selection, the observation details for successful proposals must be entered into the observatory system. This is done during "Phase II" proposal submission.
Find below for your information the anticipated timeline for that eventual Phase II:
1-Apr-2024 Persistent “hiccups” in a far-off galaxy draw astronomers to new black hole behavior
“This is a brilliant example of how to use the debris from a disrupted star to illuminate the interior of a galactic nucleus which would otherwise remain dark. It is akin to using fluorescent dye to find a leak in a pipe,” says Richard Saxton, an X-ray astronomer from the European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) in Madrid, who was not involved in the study.
Further details on MIT News web portal and Astronomický ústav AV ČR youtube channel.
ESA uses cookies to track visits to our website only, no personal information is collected.
By continuing to use the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.
OK Find out more about our cookie policy.
Sign in
Science & Technology
