The Hosts of X-Ray Absorption Lines Toward AGNs

Abstract

Most baryonic matter in the universe exists in gaseous form and can be found in structures such as galactic halos and the low-density intergalactic medium. Proposed X-ray spectroscopy missions such as Athena, Arcus, and Lynx will have the capability to identify absorption lines in spectra toward bright active galactic nuclei (AGNs), which can be used as tools to probe this missing matter. In this study, we examine the optical fields surrounding 15 primary observing targets and identify the foreground galaxies and galaxy groups that are potential hosts of absorption. We record the basic properties of the potential host and their angular and physical separation from the AGN line of sight. This process is done by marking the location of various galaxies and groups in optical images of the field surrounding the target and plotting their angular separation versus redshift to gauge the physical proximity to the background source. We identify the surrounding objects according to those with measured redshifts and those that require accurate redshift measurements.