The bright, nearby QSO MR 2251-178 was the first AGN where a warm absorber was detected. Subsequent observations have shown that there are at least two warm absorber components; a low ionisation soft X-ray absorber and a putative high velocity (0.07c) wind. We propose a deep (336 ks total) observation of MR 2251-178 in order to determine the origin of the outflow. Our goals are; (i) to establish the nature of the high ionisation absorber, e.g. as part of adisk wind, through high S/N observations in the iron K band and (ii) obtain a high resolution RGS spectrum of the soft X-ray absorber. Together with our recently approved large Chandra/HST project, this will allow us to deduce the kinematics, location and energetics of the outflow to unprecedented accuracy.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2011-11-11T17:51:33Z/2011-11-17T07:38:34Z
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 James Reeves, 2012, 'Definitive Observations of an Accretion Disk Wind in the Quasar MR 2251-178', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-je4486x
