A comparison of the XMM-Newton spectrum of the redshift 4.4 blazarPMN00525-3343 with earlier ASCA and BeppoSAX spectra show a dramaticchange in the soft X-ray spectrum of the source. The intrinsic columndensity, if due to cold matter, has dropped by a factor of 10 from1e23 to 1e22 pcmsq. If, as is likely, the absorption is by ionizedmatter, then the ionization parameter has increased and the columnreduced by a factor of three. We propose to observe the object 5 timesover 2 months in order to monitor such absorption changes. This willenable the recombination time and thus properties of the absorber insuch a massive young active nucleus to be determined.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2003-02-14T08:29:23Z/2003-08-09T00:21:24Z
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 Andrew Fabian, 2004, 'X-ray variability in the z=4.4 blazar comma PMN0525-3343', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-gt49ehw
