We propose to detect the X-ray emission of a sample of five extreme QSOs,selected to be bright at mid-IR Spitzer and Radio (VLA) waveleghts but withfaint near-IR and optical counterparts. They could be the tip of the iceberg ofa population of heavily obscured AGN which may carry a large fraction ofaccretion and of the SMBH mass density at z>2. The proposed observations arecrucial to evaluate the fraction of the mid-infrared selected type 2 QSOs whichwould have been selected also by X-ray surveys, and to assess whether the mid-IRselection is truly more efficient in discovering the long sougth population ofhigh-z Compton thick AGN postulated in all AGN synthesis models for the CXB,with obvious important consequences for the estimates of the SMBH mass density.
Instrument
RGS1, EPN, RGS2, EMOS1, OM, EMOS2
Temporal Coverage
2006-09-01T10:43:18Z/2007-03-22T03:32:06Z
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 Fabrizio Fiore, 2008, 'The dark side of accretion: chasing type 2 QSOs', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-93sefud
