X-ray Surveys of Distant Active Galactic Nuclei: Deep to Wide
Abstract
I will review the results from cosmic X-ray surveys of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) over the past 20 yr that have dramatically improved our understanding of growing supermassive black holes over most of cosmic time. The relevant X-ray surveys range from ultradeep ones, such as the Chandra Deep Fields, to much wider field surveys covering 1-10 square degrees or more. I will briefly describe these surveys, the essential roles of complementary multiwavelength data, and how AGNs are selected and identified. I will then highlight selected key results on the AGN population and its evolution ("demographics"), the physical processes operating in AGNs ("physics"), and the interactions between AGNs and their hosts/environments ("ecology"). I will conclude by describing some significant unresolved questions and prospects for advancing the field with new observations and future missions.
- Publication:
-
42nd COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- July 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018cosp...42E.426B