We have identified four Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) in nearby dwarf galaxies(z<0.1, M <1E9.5M_sun) with an unexpected deficit of mid-IR (3.4-22 micron)emission. The extremely low mid-IR luminosity could be due to a dust deficit andabsence of a torus. If confirmed this may lead to new insights into the AGNcentral engine structure in the regime of low black hole mass, AGN luminosityand/or Eddington ratio. The Chandra data available for one of the galaxies seemto confirm the deficit. We therefore propose to use XMM-Newton to obtain X-Raydata for the remaining three objects. This data will allow us to constrain thewhole Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) of the hosted AGN and confirm themid-IR deficit in a statistical sample.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2014-09-09T17:53:44Z/2015-02-28T20:47:50Z
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 Kevin Schawinski, 2016, 'Constraining the SED of potentially dust deficient AGN in nearby dwarf galaxies', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-pej7h6p
