High Resolution X-ray Spectroscopy of the Remnant of SN 185

RCW 86/SN185 is one of the few shelltype remnants with Xray synchrotronradiation. The remnant has a strong contrast in densities and probably also inshock velocities. In order to characterize both the thermal and nonthermalemission, we propose a large program with several deep pointings, chosen suchthat high resolution spectroscopy with the RGS is possible. This waytemperatures can be measured using single ion spectroscopy, therebycircumventing the confusion caused by the simultenuous presence of thermal andnonthermal continuum. XMMNewton.s RGS instrument is unique in its capabilityto obtain the high resolution spectra necessary for our goals, even for sourceextents of a few arcmin. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]