Accretion is recognized to play a significant role in galaxy evolution. Theorypredict the existence of deeply buried AGN. The cosmic X-ray background stronglysupports the existence of very absorbed, Compton-thick AGN; however, very few ofthem have been detected in hard X-ray surveys. We propose to observe 6 very goodCompton-thick candidates detected in the deepest extragalactic survey performedby INTEGRAL. These sources have been confirmed in short Chandra observations.Their hard-to-medium X-ray flux ratios are larger by a factor 5-10 than thoseexpected for an unabsorbed, G=1.9 power law. These observations will verystrongly constrain the fraction of Compton-thick AGN at the faintest hard X-rayfluxes, making a stringent test of X-ray background synthesis models.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2009-06-15T06:59:01Z/2009-07-14T15:25:27Z
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 Stephane Paltani, 2010, 'New local Compton-thick AGN from the deepest INTEGRAL survey', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-h57gx2c
