One of the most unexpected and surprising results from recent XMM-Newtonobservations of active galactic nuclei (AGN) is the discovery of a new X-rayvariability pattern from the active galaxies GSN 069 and RX J1301.9+2747, bothreported by our team recently. In both cases, the X-ray light curve exhibitsrecurrent X-ray bursts of high amplitude (up to a factor of 100 with respect tothe stable quiescent level) dubbed quasi periodic eruptions (QPEs). QPEs havebeen observed in GSN 069 over the course of about one year, and the latestobservations show that the phenomenon has apparently disappeared. We proposehere two relatively short XMM-Newton observations of GSN 069 separated by about6 months to clarify whether QPE disappearance is transient or permanent.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2021-06-30T12:33:07Z/2021-12-03T20:21:25Z
Version
19.16_20210326_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 Giovanni Miniutti, 2022, 'Follow-up observations of the Quasi-Periodic-Eruption active galaxy GSN 069', 19.16_20210326_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-kthltru
