There is growing evidence that a fraction of starburst galaxies host heavilyobscured, elusive active nuclei which are not identified by opticalspectroscopy. This finding suggests that the fraction of AGNs in the localuniverse is higher than previously estimated. We propose a snapshot XMM surveyof 10 starburst galaxies characterized by nuclear radio cores, suspected to hosthidden AGNs. The main goals are: 1) determine the fraction of galaxies hostingelusive AGN; 2) determine the true distribution of absorbing column densitiesin AGNs; 3) obtain a larger sample of elusive AGNs to be studied in detail tobetter understand their nature; 4) constraining the true AGN density at z=0 willallow, along with the X-ray surveys at higher redshift, to better understand the AGN evolution.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2004-01-10T02:27:23Z/2005-01-01T08:47:27Z
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, 2006, 'ELUSIVE AGN AND THE LOCAL DENSITY OF ACTIVE GALAXIES', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-lqsntap
