Triple AGN are signposts of ongoing galaxy mergers and are the observationalprogenitors of the loudest low-frequency gravitational wave (GW) events in theUniverse. Thus, studying the population of triple galaxy merger systems forevidence of SMBH activity is imperative to understanding the expected GW eventrate detectable with pulsar timing arrays, as well as which environmentaldependencies are linked with AGN activity. However, to date, only oneserendipitously discovered X-ray triple AGN has been identified. We propose toobserve 8 nearby (0.018<z<0.051) triple galaxy mergers with XMM-Newton andmeasure the number of AGN in each triple merger system. These observations willexpand upon results from a recent X-ray analysis of 7 triple galaxy mergers that had existing archival X-ray data.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2022-06-04T13:09:05Z/2023-04-27T02:28:26Z
Version
20.10_20230417_1156
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 Adi Foord, 2024, 'Analyzing the X-ray Emission of Nearby Triple Galaxy Mergers', 20.10_20230417_1156, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.57780/esa-cijqrd4
