We propose a 100 ks observation of NGC424 to exploit the full range ofXMM-Newton capabilities (RGS+EPIC) by studying the properties of the differentmaterials found in the nucleus of this object.NGC424 is one of the brightestCompton-thick AGN,thus being one of the few sources which presently permit thiskind of analysis.The proposed 100 ks EPIC spectrum will allow us to study indetail the properties of the torus,by measuring:the iron Kalpha/Kbeta ratio andthe iron Kalpha centroid energy,to determine its ionization state and thenestimate its distance from the Black Hole;the Compton Shoulder,to check if thecold reflecting matter is indeed the inner wall of the obscuring torus.On theother hand, the RGS high resolution spectrum will allow us to take advantage of
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2008-12-07T19:08:11Z/2008-12-09T07:45:04Z
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 Stefano Bianchi, 2010, 'The X-ray spectral signatures from the complex circumnuclear regions in NGC424', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-zdvklha
