Our extensive archival survey of XMM-Newton observations of water megamasergalaxies revealed an important result\: we can tell apart megamaser andnon-megamaser active galaxies from the shape of their X-ray spectra. Maser havemore complex X-ray spectra than non-masers. This general rule is derived from acomparison of 37 maser and 38 non-maser sources. With our criteria, we cancharacterize 34 out of 37 sources as maser galaxies. The analysis of the 3remaining sources was inconclusive due to their low-quality archival spectra. Toconfirm our hypothesis and construct clean training sample for automated masersurveys, we propose re-observations of these 3 maser sources. Once confirmed,this result will yield strong constraints on target-selection criteria for future maser surveys.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2019-01-26T05:26:45Z/2019-01-26T11:50:04Z
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, Mrs Katharina Leiter, 2020, 'Recognizing Megamaser Galaxies from X-Ray Spectral Surveys', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-3x3tl7s
