During the process of merging, dual AGN, with two growing SMBHs hosted by a pairof merging galaxies, are predicted. Despite the much higher sensitivity of XMMabove 5 keV than Chandra, only five dual AGN (<30 kpc) have been observed thatcan be resolved with XMM (>15. separation). We have selected a sample of 8 dualAGN to more than double this sample to study the increase of obscuration withmerger stage. When combined with our recently accepted large Chandra and HSTprograms to study dual AGN at <10 kpc this study will form a well characterizedcomplete study of all X-ray selected nearby dual AGN (z<0.07, <30 kpc) from theall sky ROSAT, XMM slew, or Swift BAT survey that is critical to understand AGNactivation and obscuration in mergers.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2017-04-16T19:15:49Z/2018-02-15T19:28:09Z
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 Michael Koss, 2019, 'Studying Merger Driven Obscuration in Dual AGN', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-2vehdbz
