Optical spectroscopic followup of serendipitous Chandra sources: the Chandra Multiwavelength Project (ChaMP)
Abstract
A primary goal of the Chandra Multiwavelength Project (ChaMP) is to investigate the evolution of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) and quasars by measuring the luminosity function out to z>=4 including obscured AGN that have been missed by previous surveys. To do so, we are acquiring spectra of optical counterparts to serendipitious X-ray sources detected by Chandra for classification and redshift determination. We have amassed about 200 spectra using the FLWO 1.5m, WIYN 3.5m, CTIO/4m, Magellan and the MMT 6.5m. We have classified the majority of optical counterparts as 65 AGN, 14 galaxies. The remaining counterparts are either stars (8 clusters (1 fields. With a limiting magnitude of r'=22 for spectroscopic followup, we are able to detect quasars out to z ~ 5 and galaxies out to z ~ 0.7. This preliminary sample forms the foundation for our measurement of the X-ray luminosity function of AGNs out to z ~ 4.
- Publication:
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Astronomische Nachrichten
- Pub Date:
- 2003
- DOI:
- 10.1002/asna.200310025
- Bibcode:
- 2003AN....324...97S
- Keywords:
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- X-rays;
- surveys