| Proposal ID | 004116 |
| Title | The Most Luminous Object in the Local Universe, the Quasar PDS456 |
| Download Data Associated to the proposal | https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0041160101 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-6drll2j |
| Principal Investigator, PI | Dr James Reeves |
| Abstract | We propose to utilise the unique power of the entire XMM instrument suite tostudy the most luminous object in the local Universe, the Quasar PDS456.PDS456 has a remarkable X-ray spectrum, showing a steep hard X-ray continuum,a deep ionised iron K edge, a soft excess, a low ionisation warm absorber andfast broad-band X-ray variability. PDS456 may be a quasar powered by asupermassive black hole accreting close to the Eddington limit. We will useXMM data to: (a) determine the origin of the X-ray continuum emission mechanism; (b) differentiate between an ionised accretion-disk reflector ora highly ionised warm absorber for the origin of the iron K edge and weak line; |
| Publications |
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| Instrument | EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2 |
| Temporal Coverage | 2001-02-26T09:44:02Z/2001-02-26T22:39:38Z |
| Version | 21.51_20241115_1113 |
| Mission Description | The European Space Agencys (ESA) X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) was launched by an Ariane 504 on December 10th 1999. XMM-Newton is ESAs second cornerstone of the Horizon 2000 Science Programme. It carries 3 high throughput X-ray telescopes with an unprecedented effective area, and an optical monitor, the first flown on a X-ray observatory. The large collecting area and ability to make long uninterrupted exposures provide highly sensitive observations. Since Earths atmosphere blocks out all X-rays, only a telescope in space can detect and study celestial X-ray sources. The XMM-Newton mission is helping scientists to solve a number of cosmic mysteries, ranging from the enigmatic black holes to the origins of the Universe itself. Observing time on XMM-Newton is being made available to the scientific community, applying for observational periods on a competitive basis. |
| Creator Contact | https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton/xmm-newton-helpdesk |
| Date Published | 2003-05-10T00:00:00Z |
| Last Update | 2026-07-09 |
| Keywords | "quasar pds456", "local universe", "luminous object", "deep ionised iron", "hard xray continuum", "soft excess", "xmm instrument suite", "XMM", "eddington limit", "weak line", "ionised warm absorber", "xray spectrum", "xmm data", "quasar powered" |
| Publisher And Registrant | European Space Agency |
| Credit Guidelines | European Space Agency, Dr James Reeves, 2003, 'The Most Luminous Object in the Local Universe, the Quasar PDS456', 21.51_20241115_1113, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-6drll2j |
| Rights | Data hosted in the ESA Space Science Archives are distributed under the CC BY-NC 3.0 IGO license. |