The X-ray spectral analysis of new Compton thick (CT-) active galactic nuclei(AGN) represents a fundamental step to understand the physics of the obscuringmaterial surrounding accreting super-massive black holes. However, at thepresent day, CT-AGN remain extremely hard to detect. Implementing previouslysuccessful selection criteria, we propose to target 6 low-redshift candidateCT-AGN from the Swift-BAT 150-month catalog with 10 ks XMM-Newton observationseach. This analysis will help determine the true intrinsic fraction of CT-AGN inthe local universe and their contribution to the Cosmic X-ray Background (CXB).
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2021-08-18T23:27:44Z/2022-02-25T14:30:45Z
Version
19.17_20220121_1250
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, Mr Ross Silver, 2023, 'COMPTON-THICK AGN\: THE HUNT CONTINUES', 19.17_20220121_1250, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-96gy8kq
