The light up and evolution of early Massive Black Holes: Athena observations
Abstract
The known AGN population at z > 6 is made by luminous optical QSO hosting Supermassive Black Holes (M > 10^9 solar masses), likely to represent the tip of the iceberg of the luminosity and mass function. According to theoretical models for structure formation, Massive Black Holes (MBH -- 10^4-10^7 solar masses) are predicted to be abundant in the early Universe (z > 6). The detection of such a population would provide unique constraints on the MBH formation mechanism and subsequent growth and is within the capabilities of deep and ultradeep ATHENA surveys. I will summarize the state of the art of present deep XMM and Chandra surveys, as far as the search for and spectral characterization of high redshift AGN is concerned. I will also present the observational strategy of future multi-cone ATHENA Wide Field Imager (WFI) surveys and the expected breakthroughs in the determination of the luminosity function and its evolution at high (> 4) and very high (> 6) redshifts. Perspectives for high spectral resolution observations with the XMS calorimeter onboard ATHENA will also be outlined.
- Publication:
-
39th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- July 2012
- Bibcode:
- 2012cosp...39..356C