The final SDSS-IV/SPIDERS X-ray point source spectroscopic catalogue

Aims: We look to provide a detailed description of the SPectroscopic IDentification of ERosita Sources (SPIDERS) survey, an SDSS-IV programme aimed at obtaining spectroscopic classification and redshift measurements for complete samples of sufficiently bright X-ray sources.
Methods: We describe the SPIDERS X-ray Point Source Spectroscopic Catalogue, considering its store of 11 092 observed spectra drawn from a parent sample of 14 759 ROSAT and XMM sources over an area of 5129 deg² covered in SDSS-IV by the eBOSS survey.
Results: This programme represents the largest systematic spectroscopic observation of an X-ray selected sample. A total of 10 970 (98.9%) of the observed objects are classified and 10 849 (97.8%) have secure redshifts. The majority of the spectra (10 070 objects) are active galactic nuclei (AGN), 522 are cluster galaxies, and 294 are stars.
Conclusions: The observed AGN redshift distribution is in good agreement with simulations based on empirical models for AGN activation and duty cycle. Forming composite spectra of type 1 AGN as a function of the mass and accretion rate of their black holes reveals systematic differences in the H-beta emission line profiles. This study paves the way for systematic spectroscopic observations of sources that are potentially to be discovered in the upcoming eROSITA survey over a large section of the sky.

Catalogues are also available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (ftp://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/cat/J/A+A/636/A97