Supermassive black holes (SMBHs) in dwarf galaxies are crucial for ourunderstanding of the origins of SMBHs . While recent studies have found opticalsignatures of AGNs in a growing population of dwarf galaxies, these studies arebiased toward redder galaxies with super-solar metallicities. This is a severelimitation, since the premise behind the use of dwarf galaxies to probe seedblack holes rests on the assumption that they have had a quiescent cosmichistory, free of mergers or tidal stirring that would drive gas to the centerand fuel star formation and grow the SMBH. Optical studies therefore target thewrong demographic. In this pilot study, we propose to observe with XMM-Newton anew sample of low metallicity dwarf galaxy candidates with mid-IR evidence for AGN activity.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2017-05-30T09:19:42Z/2018-04-10T04:14:38Z
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 Nathan Secrest, 2019, 'The Search for AGNs in Low Metallicity Dwarf Galaxies: An XMM-Newton Study', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-e4ufrqj
