| Proposal ID | 060580 |
| Title | Tightly constraining the Timescale-Mass-Accretion rate relationship in AGN |
| Download Data Associated to the proposal | https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0605800301 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-0lfal8y |
| Principal Investigator, PI | Prof Ian McHardy |
| Abstract | We have previously shown that AGN have a characteristic time-scale, Tb , whichscales roughly as Mmdot (ie mass/accretion rate in Eddington units). However therange of M and mdot covered is not large and hence the dependency on mdot couldvary between ~mdot^(-0.6) and mdot^(-1.3) (90% confidence), with similar massuncertainties. Understanding this scaling relationship is crucial to ourunderstanding of the accretion process. Therefore, particularly as someresearchers have questioned any dependence on mdot, it is crucial to reduce theuncertainties by a factor of 2. The best way to do that is to add one orbit ofXMM observations to existing RXTE monitoring to determine Tb in 2 extreme AGN,one with mdot x10 lower, and 1 with mass x10 higher, than previously observed. |
| Publications |
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| Instrument | EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2 |
| Temporal Coverage | 2009-11-11T21:05:46Z/2009-12-11T08:04:07Z |
| 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. |
| Creator Contact | https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton/xmm-newton-helpdesk |
| Date Published | 2011-01-13T00:00:00Z |
| Last Update | 2025-01-27 |
| Keywords | "accretion rate", "accretion process", "mass uncertainties", "characteristic time scale", "add orbit", "eddington units", "scaling relationship", "mdot covered", "mmdot ie mass", "existing rxte", "XMM", "scales roughly", "mdot x10 lower", "mass x10" |
| Publisher And Registrant | European Space Agency |
| Credit Guidelines | European Space Agency, Prof Ian McHardy, 2011, 'Tightly constraining the Timescale-Mass-Accretion rate relationship in AGN', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-0lfal8y |