A Reliable X-ray View of the First Quasars
Abstract
We propose exploratory Chandra observations of 10 of the most-distant quasars known at z = 6.0-6.8, including five moderate-luminosity quasars that are more representative of the full population. Our observations will double the number of z > 6 quasars with useful X-ray constraints, providing much more reliable understanding of their X-ray-to-optical/UV SEDs, bolometric luminosities, X-ray power-law slopes, and Eddington ratios. The targets have been selected to have SMBH-mass and Eddington-ratio estimates from near-infrared spectroscopy, allowing the best possible physical interpretation of the X-ray results. Our sample will serve as an essential benchmark for planning future high-redshift observations and surveys with, e.g., Athena and Lynx.
- Publication:
-
Chandra Proposal
- Pub Date:
- September 2017
- Bibcode:
- 2017cxo..prop.5175B