The Piccinotti survey contains the only existing hard (2-10 keV) X-ray selected sample of bright AGNs. Therefore it plays a basic role in our knowledge of the statistical distribution of spectral properties of AGN, e.g. intrinsic absorption, soft excess, absorption edges, emission lines, or warm absorbers. The distribution of these properties is fundamental for the understanding of the two main cosmological measurements in the X-ray region: the background and the log N -- log S relation of X-ray sources, because both are dominated by AGN. Although the Piccinotti sample contains only 33 sources, 6 of them are not part of the AO-1 program. Given the brightness of the sources and the importance of the sample, we propose to observe these six sources.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2002-11-18T23:28:25Z/2003-08-21T08:45:02Z
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 Norbert Schartel, 2004, 'The complete Piccinotti AGN sample', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-z8a541d
