GT-Active Galactic Nuclei with heavily absorbed X-ray spectra are one of thebest class of candidate objects to explain the bulk of the energy densityof the X-ray background. These objects should also be significantlyabsorbed in the optical. One of the still open questions is, how muchhigh luminosity absorbed AGN (i.e. type II QSOs) contribute to the XRB.We therefore propose to observe a sample of broad-absorption line QSOswith XMM.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2002-08-22T12:26:47Z/2002-09-08T17:39:50Z
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 Michael Watson, 2003, 'X-ray spectroscopy of Broad Absorption Line Quasars SSC_15', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-o3i4d5f
