We will make short observations of 18 sources in a newly identified class ofobjects we call supersoft X-ray quasars (SXQs). These are high-luminosityquasars (Lx virgul4x10^44 - 10^46 erg/s) with extremely soft (i.e., steep) spectrathat were discovered during the ROSAT All-Sky Survey. The proposed XMMobservations will more than double the number of such objects for which spectraare available. In addition, we will observe for 40 ks one SXQ with a power-lawspectral index of virgul7. Our objectives are (i) to characterize the spectra of SXQsover the full range of 0.2-10 keV, and (ii) to measure a multicomponent thermaldisk spectrum. The latter will provide a direct handle on the black hole massand spin.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2008-11-02T02:08:31Z/2009-04-29T07:25:23Z
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 David Pooley, 2010, 'Luminous Supersoft X-ray Quasars', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-0jfdk5o
