X-ray studies of solar system objects: Past, present, and the next decade

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of the remarkable progress that X-ray studies of solar system objects have delivered over the past three decades, covering research that encompasses remote observations with XMM-Newton and Chandra, in situ measurements by planetary missions, and models of solar wind propagation from 1 AU. The future of X-ray exploration of the solar system in the next decade is bright, counting on the continuing excellent imaging and spectral performance of XMM-Newton instruments, which is most effective when combined with the outstanding spatial resolution of Chandra and in particular while planetary missions are making in situ measurements of solar wind and local conditions.