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X-ray selected AGN behind the Magellanic clouds
1 : Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik
2 : European Southern Observatory
3 : Leibniz-Institut für Astrophysik Potsdam
Finding Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) behind the Magellanic Clouds is difficult because of the high stellar density in these
fields. Although the first AGNs behind the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) was reported in the 1980's, it is only recently that the
number of AGNs behind the SMC have increased by several orders of magnitude. The mid-infrared color selection technique has been proven to be an efficient mean of identifying AGNs, especially obscured sources. The X-ray regime is also complimentary in this regard. We present a catalog of AGNs behind the SMC by correlating the XMM-Newton X-ray point source catalog of the SMC with already known AGNs from literature, as well as candidates obtained from the ALLWISE mid-infrared color selection criterion. The redshift and luminosity distribution of the sample indicate that we detect sources from nearby Seyfert
galaxies to distant and obscured quasars. The X-ray hardness ratios are compatible with that typically expected for AGNs. The near-infrared colors and variability are also consistent in this regard. We also present a sample of new candidate AGNs and candidates for highly obscured AGNs. All of these make an interesting subset for further follow-up studies.
fields. Although the first AGNs behind the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) was reported in the 1980's, it is only recently that the
number of AGNs behind the SMC have increased by several orders of magnitude. The mid-infrared color selection technique has been proven to be an efficient mean of identifying AGNs, especially obscured sources. The X-ray regime is also complimentary in this regard. We present a catalog of AGNs behind the SMC by correlating the XMM-Newton X-ray point source catalog of the SMC with already known AGNs from literature, as well as candidates obtained from the ALLWISE mid-infrared color selection criterion. The redshift and luminosity distribution of the sample indicate that we detect sources from nearby Seyfert
galaxies to distant and obscured quasars. The X-ray hardness ratios are compatible with that typically expected for AGNs. The near-infrared colors and variability are also consistent in this regard. We also present a sample of new candidate AGNs and candidates for highly obscured AGNs. All of these make an interesting subset for further follow-up studies.
