The 70ks XMM-Newton observation of the X-ray weak quasars PG 2112+059 in lowstate shows an X-ray spectrum with characteristics not reported so far for anyother AGN. The quasar not only shows an extremely strong relativistic broad ironline, the whole spectrum can be understood as relativistically blurredreflection from a rotating inner disk around a supermassive Kerr black hole,whereas the usual power-law continuum is completely suppressed. We propose tomonitor PG 2112+059 with two 70ks observations separated by half a year and, ifthe low state is detected, to study the detailed properties of the broad ironline with a (triggered) 220ks observations.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2007-05-03T21:45:24Z/2007-11-06T00:17:52Z
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 Norbert Schartel, 2008, 'The extreme X-ray spectrum and iron line of PG 2112+059', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-zi8aao2
