Despite decades of searching, observationally confirmed cases of binary AGNs areextremely rare, and most have been discovered serendipitously. Using the all-skyWISE survey, we identified a population of almost 200 optically quiescentstrongly interacting galaxies that display MIR signatures of powerfulAGNs.Expanding on our Chandra program, which confirmed duals in 4 out of 6observed targets, we propose to observe with XMM the 3 brightest dual AGNs. Thesuperior sensitivity of XMM is crucial to model in detail the X-ray spectrumnecessary to determine the intrinsic absorption, estimate the bolometricluminosity of the nuclear region, and constrain the black hole mass. Thisprogram is complementary to optical searches and will be the first detailed investigation into this population.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2016-06-10T21:18:57Z/2016-06-21T16:59:49Z
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 Shobita Satyapal, 2017, 'WISE Discovery of the Largest Sample of Obscured Dual AGNs: An XMM-Newton Follow', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-l70z3jn
