| Proposal ID | 082497 |
| Title | Recognizing Megamaser Galaxies from X-Ray Spectral Surveys |
| Download Data Associated to the proposal | https://nxsa.esac.esa.int/nxsa-sl/servlet/data-action-aio?obsno=0824970301 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-3x3tl7s |
| Principal Investigator, PI | Mrs Katharina Leiter |
| Abstract | 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. |
| Publications |
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| 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. |
| Creator Contact | https://www.cosmos.esa.int/web/xmm-newton/xmm-newton-helpdesk |
| Date Published | 2020-02-18T23:00:00Z |
| Last Update | 2025-01-27 |
| Keywords | "water megamaser galaxy", "xray spectral surveys", "maser sources", "automated maser surveys", "tell apart megamaser", "megamaser active galaxy", "recognizing megamaser galaxy", "xray spectra", "xmm newton", "XMM-Newton", "future maser surveys", "target selection criteria", "XMM", "maser galaxy", "extensive archival survey", "complex xray spectra" |
| Publisher And Registrant | European Space Agency |
| Credit Guidelines | 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 |