The primary goal of this proposal is to find more objects unabsorbed in theX-rays and without broad optical lines, which represent a serious challenge tosimple AGN Unification Models. A campaign of simultaneous X-ray and opticalobservations of unabsorbed Seyfert 2s has already proved successful in previousXMM-Newton AOs, leading to the discovery of the first true Seyfert 2 withoutbroad line region (Bianchi et al., 2008). We therefore intend to pursue ourstrategy, proposing to complete our XMM-Newton observations of a sample of.bona-fide. Seyfert 2 galaxies with no X-ray absorption. The key to find genuine.unabsorbed Seyfert 2s., excluding variability issues, is to performsimultaneous X-ray and optical spectroscopy.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2009-06-03T22:45:08Z/2009-06-04T02:50:25Z
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, 'Unabsorbed type 2 Seyfert galaxies: a challenge for Unified Models', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-n2sivcf
