IRAS F15307+3252 is one of the most luminous galaxies known and a fine exampleof an IR/optically-selected type 2 quasar. As in lower power Seyfert galaxies,the powerful AGN is hidden from our sight by an absorbing torus, but thedetection of polarized broad lines in the optical suggests that it wouldresemble an ordinary quasar if seen from an orthogonal angle. We propose here areobservation with XMM-Newton of F15307+3252 (our earlier XMM observation wasbadly affected by background flares) and new observations of 3 similar objects,with the aim of detecting the hard X-ray emission from their hidden powersources. The proposed study of excellent type 2 quasar candidates has majorimplications for the growth of massive black holes in the Universe.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2004-07-29T07:46:22Z/2004-12-30T09:52:13Z
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 CAROLIN CRAWFORD, 2008, 'THE OBSCURED QUASARS IN IRAS F15307+3252 AND SIMILAR OBJECTS', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-vtgtnxs
