NGC 6240 is a known ULIRG which is unique among such objects because its X-rayspectrum is very similar to those of many Seyfert 2s yet its IR spectrum showsno indication of gas excitation by a nonthermal source. Thus, there is a bigquestion regarding the major energy source with important implications to theX-ray background and the AGN-starburst connection. We propose 100 ks XMMobservations to reveal the nature of this source and show how a good S/N RGSspectrum containing 10-15 measurable lines, combined with a state-of-the-artanalysis, can probe the physical state of the soft X-ray gas and supplyinformation about its excitation by a starburs, an AGN source, or both. MOS andPN observations will define the SED and resolve the complex emission-absorption feature near 6-8 keV.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2003-03-14T18:06:14Z/2003-08-29T13:58:49Z
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, Prof Hagai Netzer, 2004, 'Spectroscopy of AGN-dominated ULIRGs: NGC 6240', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-63njhmv
