Understanding the Process of RAM Pressure Stripping in M86

We propose a joint Chandra and XMMNewton observation of the outer ram presssure stripped regions of the Virgo cluster galaxy M86. Crossing the Virgo Cluster at a supersonic velocity, M86 shows a tail extending 28., 130 kpc long in the plane of the sky. We propose observations of this tail and the leading edge ofM86, not yet observed with the current generation of Xray telescopes, to measure the sharpness of the leading edge, derive gas temperatureand abundances in those two extreme regions, and the ram pressure forces on the galaxy atmosphere. We will derive the velocity of M86 through the Virgo core and study the instabilities inherent in ram pressure stripping .. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]