Recent observations imply that at redshift zero, most of the nuclear activitymust reside in low mass galaxies, mostly late-type spirals and dwarfellipticals. We initiated a Chandra survey and an archival program to search forlow-level nuclear activity in a sample of nearby low-mass galaxies. We proposeXMM observations of three galaxies in each of which a nuclear X-ray source wasdetected with Chandra. X-ray spectra and optical to X-ray spectral energydistributions obtained with XMM will secure the identification of the X-raysources as AGNs. We will also study the typical characteristics oflow-luminosity AGNs. This will maximize the scientific returns of our Chandrasurvey, with important consequences toward understanding the formation and co-evolution of SBHs and galaxies.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2007-12-22T19:54:18Z/2007-12-23T16:32:27Z
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, Mr Himel Ghosh, 2009, 'Uncovering AGNs in Nearby Spiral Galaxies', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-po62ln2
