Various observational evidences suggest that the obscuration of AGNs increasesin the presence of non-axisimmetric potentials, due to the capability of thelatter to drive gas into the nuclear region. In particular, Seyfert 2s hostedin barred galaxies are generally Compton thick. We propose to extend this studyto tightly interacting/merging Seyfert 2 galaxies by observing a sample of thisclass of objects with XMM. We expect interacting/merging Seyfert 2s to be onaverage obscured by a much larger column of gas than isolated, dynamicallyrelaxed Seyfert 2s. Since galaxy interactions are more frequent at higherredshift, this study would have important implications on the origin of the(hard) X-ray background.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2002-12-22T13:48:11Z/2003-02-14T01:12:07Z
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 Roberto Maiolino, 2004, 'The effect of galaxy mergers on the obscuration of AGNs', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-imx692u
