Merging AGN pairs in interacting galaxies provide a rich laboratory for studyingtriggering of AGN activity and its evolution, starbursts, merging black holes,and the black-hole galaxy co-evolution. We propose to search for such AGN pairsin a carefully chosen sample of interacting galaxies. Our observing strategy isbased on the analysis of successes and failures of previous such efforts. Thehard X-ray response of XMM-Newton is important in unveiling these buried AGNsand disentangling the starburst component. We request exploratory observationsof four targets and a long observation for precision spectroscopy of one targetin which hard point sources were detected with Chandra. Thus the proposedprogram has a component of guaranteed scientific return and one of discovery space.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2011-05-04T07:23:51Z/2011-10-29T17:01:04Z
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, Prof Smita Mathur, 2012, 'In search of merging black holes', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-m3zt6tb
