We propose to observe the highly X-ray luminous z=3.395 radio galaxy B2 0902+343detected by us with Chandra. The unresolved X-ray source is centred on theactive nucleus and has a flat hard spectrum consistent with a flat power-law ofphoton index 1.1 with intrinsic absorption of 8e22 cm^-2, and an intrinisic 2-10keV luminosity of 3e45 erg/s. More complex models such as reflection areplausible and would increase the intrinsic luminosity inferred. We expect todetect a significant iron line produced in the source by fluorescence. SoftX-ray XMM data will also measure or constrain the luminosity of any thermalemission from the hot magnetized medium responsible for the high Faradayrotation measures seen in the radio source.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2007-04-18T12:16:52Z/2007-04-19T01:29:37Z
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, 2008, 'The distant radio galaxy B2 0902+343: a powerful obscured active galaxy', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-d4p221t
