We propose to observe the highly X-ray luminous z=3.395 radio galaxy B20902+343, detected by us with Chandra in a short 10 ks exposure. The unresolvedX-ray source is centred on the active nucleus, the spectrum of which is too flat(photon index 0.68) to be unabsorbed and is consistent with being the mostluminous, highly-absorbed source yet reported. A recent, short XMM-pn exposureshows that it has a 2-sigma ionized iron line, possibly related to theAGN-induced end of the early obscured phase of massive young galaxies. We aim toimprove the significance of the line to over 4 sigma, making it one of the mostdistant X-ray lines yet detected.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2009-04-19T06:14:29Z/2009-04-19T23:57:18Z
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, Prof Andrew Fabian, 2010, 'The distant radio galaxy B2 0902+343: a powerful obscured active galaxy', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-16gyi3i
