The nature of extremely red objects (EROs, R-K > 6) dicovered in deep opticaland near-infrared imaging surveys is currently unknown.They could be either high redshift dusty starburst galaxies or old elliptical galaxies or dust obscured AGNs.We propose a pilot XMM observation of a small sample of EROs to search forthe hard X-ray emission expected if these objects host hidden AGN.This is the most stringent test to verify or to discard the AGN hypothesis.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2001-08-09T03:04:21Z/2001-08-09T15:03:28Z
Version
17.56_20190403_1200
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.
European Space Agency, Dr Comastri Andrea, 2003, 'Searching for dust obscured AGNs in extremely red objects', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-y8dbs6b
