We propose XMM-Newton EPIC observations of 4 AGN candidates hosted by dwarfgalaxies with a close dwarf galaxy companion to determine whether dwarf-dwarfinteractions can trigger the growth of an active massive black hole.Intermediate mass black holes in today.s dwarf galaxies offer a unique windowinto not only the typical masses of early black holes and the properties of thegalaxies that host them, but also how these seeds may have formed. Mergers amongmassive galaxies are observed to fuel central AGN but whether or not thisprocess happens at lower masses in dwarf-dwarf interactions is unknown. Oursystematic study of dwarf pairs and the XMM-Newton X-ray observations proposedhere are uniquely suited for determining whether interacting dwarfs can harbor and fuel their own active massive black holes.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2016-05-06T12:42:05Z/2016-06-28T05:33:25Z
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 Sabrina Stierwalt, 2018, 'Can dwarf-dwarf galaxy interactions trigger the fueling of an AGNquestionMark', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-rswp8mg
