AGN outflows impact the evolution of supermassive black holes, host galaxies,surrounding IGM, and cooling flows. However, the physical properties of thesewinds are poorly known. We propose to obtain the deepest RGS spectrum of anyAGN, allowing us to determine the physical conditions of the gas. Throughmonitoring of the warm absorber using the combined EPIC and RGS spectra we willunambiguously constrain the location and geometry of this outflow. Theseunprecedented constraints allow us to estimate the parameters that determine theeffect of AGN outflows on their environment: mass flux and kinetic luminosity.For this ambitious program, we propose to observe Mrk 509 for 600 ks using 10observations of 60 ks each, spaced by 4 days.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2009-10-15T06:36:55Z/2009-11-21T01:24:54Z
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 Jelle Kaastra, 2010, 'Anatomy of an outflow: mapping the Markarian 509 warm absorber', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-k6ng7mn
