The accretion flow in AGN changes its structure when the accretion rate drops.High power AGN are softer when brighter while low-luminosity sources do theopposite. The transition point is not well known, largely because of theimprecise determination of the spectral slope, whose dynamic range is verysmall. What happens to the accretion flow at low rates is also not wellunderstood, either a RIAF or a jet are possible. In this proposal we targetthree low accretion rate AGN to measure their spectral slope, and confirm orreject spectral curvature, which would point to a RIAF. The targets belong to aflux limited sample covering a wide range in accretion rates. They fill themid-low L/L Edd range, crucial to follow the evolution of the X-ray emission at the turning point.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2017-10-24T11:15:19Z/2017-10-24T21:48:39Z
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 Patricia Arevalo, 2018, 'TRACKING ACCRETION POWER INTO THE LOW LUMINOSITY REGIME', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-ezbcisd
