PHLvirgul1092 is known for its extreme X-ray variability observed by previous X--raymissions (see results from the ROSAT monitoring of the source by Brandt et al1999). The fast and large amplitude variability is common in narrow--line typeobjects but rather unusual given the quasar--type luminosity of the source(about 10^{45} erg/s in the 0.4--10 keV rest--frame). The flux variability isalso associated with complex spectral variability revealed (but poorlyunderstood) from previous relatively short XMM--Newton observations. We proposeto observe PHLvirgul1092 with XMM--Newton to investigate in great detail the natureof the spectral complexity and of the extreme X--ray
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2008-01-20T02:26:48Z/2008-01-20T20:15:34Z
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 Giovanni Miniutti, 2009, 'The remarkable variability and X-ray spectrum of the narrow-line quasar PHL 1092', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-85okeve
