A linear correlation between X-ray and optical OIII line luminosities in AGNis thought to manifest the ionization of low-density gas by the field of high-energy photons from the central black hole vicinity. It is often used toestimate the AGN ionizing flux from optical spectra. We identified 33 AGNpowered by low-mass BHs (<6e5 MSun). They form a tight (spread 0.23dex) sub-linear (L_OIIIvirgulL_X^0.48) relation that steepens and puffs up once more massiveobjects are included. We propose to observe a complete flux limited sample of 21AGN with low-mass BHs (<1e6 MSun) with available optical IFU spectroscopy. Wewill pin down the transition mass where the L_OIII-L_X slope changes and checkwhether it is connected to AGN-driven outflows, internal structure, dynamics, and star formation
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2020-11-08T07:59:49Z/2021-02-24T18:56:35Z
Version
18.02_20200221_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 Igor Chilingarian, 2022, 'Is there a slope change in the L_O-L_X relation for low-mass active black holesquestionMark', 18.02_20200221_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-718ow1g
