Search Publications
Constraining Black Hole Spin via X-Ray Spectroscopy
Brenneman, Laura W.; Reynolds, Christopher S.
We present an analysis of the observed broad iron line feature and putative warm absorber in the long 2001 XMM-Newton observation of the Seyfert 1.2 galaxy MCG -06-30-15. The new kerrdisk model we have designed for simulating line emission from accretion disk systems allows black hole spin to be a free parameter in the fit, enabling the user to fo…
An explanation for the soft X-ray excess in active galactic nuclei
Fabian, A. C.; Ross, R. R.; Gallo, L. +1 more
We present a large sample of type 1 active galactic nuclei (AGN) spectra taken with XMM-Newton, and fit them with both the conventional model (a power law and blackbody) and the relativistically blurred photoionized disc reflection model of Ross & Fabian. We find that the disc reflection model is a better fit. The disc reflection model success…
On the X-ray, optical emission line and black hole mass properties of local Seyfert galaxies
Cappi, M.; Iwasawa, K.; Barcons, X. +5 more
We investigate the relation between X-ray nuclear emission, optical emission line luminosities and black hole masses for a sample of 47 Seyfert galaxies. The sample, which has been selected from the Palomar optical spectroscopic survey of nearby galaxies (Ho et al. 1997a, ApJS, 112, 315), covers a wide range of nuclear powers, from L2-10 keV<…
XMM-Newton observations of the brightest ultraluminous X-ray sources
Wilms, J.; Roberts, T. P.; Stobbart, A. -M.
We present an analysis of 13 of the best quality ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX) data sets available from XMM-Newton European Photon Imaging Camera (EPIC) observations. We utilize the high signal-to-noise in these ULX spectra to investigate the best descriptions of their spectral shape in the 0.3-10keV range. Simple models of an absorbed power la…
A Long, Hard Look at the Low/Hard State in Accreting Black Holes
Wijnands, R.; Fabian, A. C.; Miller, J. M. +5 more
We present the first results of coordinated multiwavelength observations of the Galactic black hole GX 339-4 in a canonical low/hard state, obtained during its 2004 outburst. XMM-Newton observed the source for two revolutions, or approximately 280 ks; RXTE monitored the source throughout this long stare. The resulting data offer the best view yet …
The soft X-ray/NLR connection: a single photoionized medium?
Bianchi, S.; Guainazzi, M.; Chiaberge, M.
We present a sample of 8 nearby Seyfert 2 galaxies observed by HST and Chandra. All of the sources present soft X-ray emission which is coincident in extension and overall morphology with the [O iii] emission. The spectral analysis reveals that the soft X-ray emission of all the objects is likely to be dominated by a photoionized gas. This is stro…
X-ray spectral survey with XMM-Newton of a complete sample of nearby Seyfert galaxies
Cappi, M.; Filippenko, A. V.; Piconcelli, E. +15 more
Results obtained from an X-ray spectral survey of nearby Seyfert galaxies using XMM-Newton are reported. The sample was optically selected, well defined, complete in B magnitude, and distance limited: it consists of the nearest (D ⪉22 Mpc) 27 Seyfert galaxies (9 of type 1, 18 of type 2) taken from the Ho et al. (1997a, ApJS, 112, 315) sample. This…
Constraints on sterile neutrinos as dark matter candidates from the diffuse X-ray background
Neronov, A.; Boyarsky, A.; Ruchayskiy, O. +1 more
Sterile neutrinos with masses in the kilo-electronvolt range are viable candidates for the warm dark matter. We analyse existing data for the extragalactic diffuse X-ray background for signatures of sterile neutrino decay. The absence of a detectable signal within current uncertainties of background measurements puts model-independent constraints …
Strategy for Searching for a Dark Matter Sterile Neutrino
Neronov, A.; Boyarsky, A.; Ruchayskiy, O. +2 more
We propose a strategy for how to look for dark matter particles possessing a radiative decay channel and derive constraints on their parameters from observations of x rays from our own Galaxy and its dwarf satellites. When applied to sterile neutrinos in the keV mass range this approach gives a significant improvement to restrictions on neutrino p…
Constraints on the Physics of Type Ia Supernovae from the X-Ray Spectrum of the Tycho Supernova Remnant
Hughes, John P.; Hwang, Una; Badenes, Carles +2 more
In this paper we use high-quality X-ray observations from XMM-Newton and Chandra to gain new insights into the explosion that originated Tycho's supernova 433 yr ago. We perform a detailed comparison between the ejecta emission from the spatially integrated X-ray spectrum of the supernova remnant and current models for Type Ia supernova explosions…