XMM-Newton spectra of the X-ray background, showing relativistic iron lines
Minimum credit line: Image courtesy of Alina Streblyanska (Max-Planck-Institut fuer Extraterrestrische Physik) and ESA. (for details, see Conditions of Use).
Credit: ESA/XMM-Newton, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
The image above can be displayed at full size and may be downloaded by clicking the image above.
| About this Image |
|---|
These XMM-Newton spectra are averages of several X-ray spectra of type-1 (top panel) and type-2 (bottom panel) active galactic nuclei (AGN) in the Lockman Hole. EPIC-pn data is shown in black, MOS in red colour. The cosmic X-ray background is the light emitted from material as it was accreted into black holes during the black holes' growth phase. Recently it has become possible to resolve a significant fraction of the X-ray background into discrete sources. The Lockman Hole is a region where along the line of sight from Earth the number of galactic hydrogen atoms is very low. This allows the distant, high-redshift AGNs of interest, containing the early black holes, to be observed. In this investigation the observed spectrum was compared to a model, which was divided into the observed spectrum. The resultant spectra clearly show a broad feature at around 6.4 keV, which the investigators presume to be a Fe Kα emission line. In the type-2 AGN there appears to be a narrow line feature also. The line profile suggests high abundances of iron, and relativistic disks around spinning black holes for the observed AGN. From this discovery it can be inferred that these are the average properties for the black holes' accretion disks from which the X-ray background was emitted.
Investigator(s): A. Streblyanska, G. Hasinger, A. Finoguenov, X. Barcons, S. Mateos, A. Fabian
| For More Information |
|---|
- Read the Press Release
- Read the Journal article
- Detailed description of this image
- Query XSA archive for XMM-Newton data in the field of Lockman Hole
- Astronomical database entries for Lockman Hole;
- Query SIMBAD for more Lockman Hole data
- For unfamiliar terms, visit the XMM-Newton Astronomical Glossary
| Alternate Resolutions | (Help) |
|---|
This image is available in the following downloadable versions: Higher resolution versions of this image may be available, please contact the XMM-Newton HelpDesk.
Search the Image Gallery
To search the Image Gallery for a particular object, fill in the object name in the box below and click the Submit button.To search the Image Gallery for other images, fill in any of the fields below and click the Submit button.
For more search options, please use our Advanced Search form.