The EXIST view of Super-Massive Black Holes in the Universe

Details The EXIST view of Super-Massive Black Holes in the Universe The EXIST view of Super-Massive Black Holes in the Universe

2009-12-16

arxiv.org/abs/0912.3096v1

PoS extremesky2009:091,2009

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics

6 pages, 2 figures. Proc. of Workshop "The Extreme sky: Sampling the Universe above 10 keV", Otranto (Lecce) Italy, October 13

Scientific paper

With its large collection area, broad-band energy coverage from optical/NIR (0.3 to 2.2 micron) to soft/hard X-ray (0.1-600 keV), all-sky monitoring capability, and on-board follow-up, the proposed Energetic X-ray Imaging Survey Telescope mission (EXIST, see L. Natalucci contribution at this conference) has been designed to properly tackle the study of the AGN phenomenon and the role that SMBH play in the Universe. In particular EXIST will carry out an unprecedented survey above 10 keV (a factor ~20 increase in hard X-ray sensitivity compared to current and prior X-ray missions) of SMBH activity, not just in space but also in time and over a significant expanded energy range; this strategy will overcome previous selection biases, will break the "multi-wavelength" identification bottleneck and will dramatically increase the number of AGN detected above 10 keV that are amenable to detailed follow-up studies (~50000 AGN are expected). We discuss here on few selected AGN science topics enabled by the unique combination of EXIST's instruments. In particular EXIST will enable major progress in understanding: i) when and where SMBH are active in the Universe (by revealing and measuring heavily obscured accretion in the local - z<0.5 - Universe), ii) the physics of how SMBH accrete (by studying the broad-band X-ray spectra and variability properties of an unbiased and significant sample of AGN), and iii) the link between accretion power and jet/outflow power (by using observations of blazars). Last but not least EXIST's ability to find powerful, but very rare blazars, enables it to probe the appearance of the very first SMBH in the Universe allowing us to set strong constraints on the models of SMBH formation and early growth in the Universe.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The EXIST view of Super-Massive Black Holes in the Universe does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The EXIST view of Super-Massive Black Holes in the Universe, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The EXIST view of Super-Massive Black Holes in the Universe will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-48721