Black Hole Mass Estimates Research Articles

The structure of the Mg ii broad line emitting region in Type 1 AGNs

We investigate the structure of the Mg II broad line emission region in a sample of 284 Type 1 active galactic nuclei (AGNs), through comparing the kinematical parameters of the broad Mg II and broad H$\beta$ lines. We found that the Mg II emitting region has more complex kinematics than the H$\beta$ one. It seems that the \ion{Mg}{ii} broad line originates from two subregions: one which contributes to the line core, which is probably virialized, and the other, 'fountain-like' emitting region, with outflows-inflows nearly orthogonal to the disc, which become suppressed with stronger gravitational influence. This subregion mostly contributes to the emission of the Mg II broad line wings. The kinematics of the Mg II core emitting region is similar to that of the H$\beta$ broad line region (seems to be virialized), and therefore the Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) of Mg II still can be used for the black hole (BH) mass estimation in the case where the Mg II core component is dominant. However, one should be careful with using the \ion{Mg}{ii} broad line for the BH mass estimation in the case of very large widths (FWHM$>$ 6000 km s$^{-1}$) and/or in the case of strong blue asymmetry.

An FMOS Survey of Moderate-luminosity, Broad-line AGNs in COSMOS, SXDS, and E-CDF-S

We present near-IR spectroscopy in J- and H-band for a large sample of 243 X-ray selected moderate-luminosity type-1 AGN in the COSMOS, SXDS and E-CDF-S survey fields using the multi-object spectrograph Subaru/FMOS. Our sample covers the redshift range 0.5<z<3.0 and an X-ray luminosity range of $10^{43}\lesssim L_X \lesssim 10^{45}$~erg s$^{-1}$. We provide emission-line properties and derived virial black hole mass estimates, bolometric luminosities and Eddington ratios, based on H$\alpha$ (211), H$\beta$ (63) and MgII (4). We compare line widths, luminosities and black hole mass estimates from H$\alpha$ and H$\beta$ and augment these with commensurate measurements of MgII and CIV detected in optical spectra. We demonstrate the robustness of using H$\alpha$, H$\beta$ and MgII as reliable black hole mass estimators for high-z moderate-luminosity AGN, while the use of CIV is prone to large uncertainties (>0.4 dex). We extend a recently proposed correction based on the CIV blueshift to lower luminosities and black hole masses. While our sample shows an improvement in their CIV black hole mass estimates, the deficit of high blueshift sources reduces its overall importance for moderate-luminosity AGN, compared to the most luminous quasars. In addition, we revisit luminosity correlations between $L_{\rm{bol}}$, $L_X$, $L_{\rm{[OIII]}}$, $L_{5100}$ and $L_{\rm{H}\alpha}$ and find them to be consistent with a simple empirical model, based on a small number of well-established scaling relations. We finally highlight our highest redshift AGN, CID 781, at z=4.6 which shows the lowest black hole mass ($\sim10^8$M$_\odot$) among current near-IR samples at this redshift, and is in a state of fast growth.

Scaling of X-ray spectral properties of a black hole in the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC7469

We present our analysis of X-ray spectral properties observed from the Seyfert 1 galactic nucleus NGC 7469 using theRossiX-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) and Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics mission (ASCA) observations. We demonstrate strong observational evidence that NGC 7469 undergoes spectral transitions from the low hard state (LHS) to the intermediate state (IS) during these observations. The RXTE observations (1996–2009) show that the source was in the IS ∼75% of the time only ∼25% of the time in the LHS. The spectra of NGC 7469 are well fitted by the so-called bulk motion Comptonization (BMC) model for all spectral states. We have established the photon index (Γ) saturation level, Γsat= 2.1 ± 0.1, in the Γ versus mass accretion rate,Ṁcorrelation. This Γ –Ṁcorrelation allows us to estimate the black hole (BH) mass in NGC 7469 to beMBH≥ 3 × 106M⊙assuming the distance to NGC 7469 of 70 Mpc. For this BH mass estimate, we use the scaling method taking Galactic BHs, GRO J1655–40, Cyg X–1, and an extragalactic BH source, NGC 4051 as reference sources. The Γ versusṀcorrelation revealed in NGC 7469 is similar to those in a number of Galactic and extragalactic BHs and it clearly shows the correlation along with the strong Γ saturation at ≈2.1. This is robust observational evidence for the presence of a BH in NGC 7469. We also find that the seed (disk) photon temperatures are quite low, of the order of 140–200 eV, which are consistent with a high BH mass in NGC 7469 that is more than 3 × 106solar masses.

Constraints on accretion disk size in the massive type 1 quasar PG 2308+098 from optical continuum reverberation lags

Abstract Two years’ worth of u-, g-, r-, i-, and z-band optical light curves were obtained for the massive type 1 quasar PG 2308+098 at z = 0.433 using the 1.05 m Kiso Schmidt telescope/Kiso Wide Field Camera, and inter-band time lags of the light curves were measured. Wavelength-dependent continuum reverberation lag signals of several tens of days relative to the u-band were detected at g, r, i, and z bands, where the longer wavelength bands showed larger lags. From the wavelength-dependent lags, and assuming the standard disk temperature radial profile $T \propto R_{\rm disk}^{-3/4}$ and an X-ray/far-ultraviolet reprocessing picture, a constraint on the radius of the accretion disk responsible for the rest-frame 2500 Å disk continuum emission was derived as $R_{\rm disk} = 9.46^{+0.29}_{-3.12}\:$light-day. The derived disk size is slightly (1.2–1.8 times) larger than the theoretical disk size of Rdisk = 5.46 light-day predicted from the black hole mass (MBH) and Eddington ratio estimates of PG 2308+098. This result is roughly in accordance with previous studies of lower-mass active galactic nuclei (AGNs), where measured disk sizes have been found to be larger than the standard disk model predictions by a factor of ∼3; however, the disk size discrepancy is more modest in PG 2308+098. By compiling literature values of the disk size constraints from continuum reverberation and gravitational microlensing observations for AGNs/quasars, we show that the MBH dependence of Rdisk is weaker than that expected from the standard disk model. These observations suggest that the standard Shakura–Sunyaev accretion disk theory has limitations in describing AGN/quasar accretion disks.

The evolution of chemical abundance in quasar broad line region

We study the relation between the metallicity of quasar broad line region (BLR) and black hole (BH) mass ($10^{7.5}M_{\odot} \sim 10^{10}M_{\odot}$) and quasar bolometric luminosity ($10^{44.6}erg/s \sim 10^{48} erg/s$) using a sample of $\sim$130,000 quasars at $2.25\leq z\leq 5.25$ from Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Data Release 12 (DR12). We generate composite spectra by stacking individual spectra in the same BH mass (bolometric luminosity) and redshift bins and then estimate the metallicity of quasar BLR using metallicity-sensitive broad emission-line flux ratios based on the photoionization models. We find a significant correlation between quasar BLR metallicity and BH mass (bolometric luminosity) but no correlation between quasar BLR metallicity and redshift. We also compare the metallicity of quasar BLR and that of host galaxies inferred from the mass-metallicity relation of star-forming galaxy at $z\sim2.3$ and $z\sim3.5$. We find quasar BLR metallicity is 0.3 $\sim$ 1.0 dex higher than their host galaxies. This discrepancy cannot be interpreted by the uncertainty due to different metallicity diagnostic methods, mass-metallicity relation of galaxy, metallicity gradient in quasar host galaxies, BH mass estimation, the effect of different spectral energy distribution (SED) models, and a few other potential sources of uncertainties. We propose a possibility that the high metallicity in quasar BLR might be caused by metal enrichment from massive star formation in the nucleus region of quasars or even the accretion disk.

The host galaxy of the γ-ray-emitting narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy PKS 1502+036

AbstractThe detection of γ-ray emission from narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLSy1) has challenged the idea that large black hole (BH) masses (≥108 M⊙) are needed to launch relativistic jets. We present near-infrared imaging data of the γ-ray-emitting NLSy1 PKS 1502+036 obtained with the Very Large Telescope. Its surface brightness profile, extending to ∼20 kpc, is well described by the combination of a nuclear component and a bulge with a Sérsic index n = 3.5, which is indicative of an elliptical galaxy. A circumnuclear structure observed near PKS 1502+036 may be the result of galaxy interactions. A BH mass of ∼7 × 108 M⊙ has been estimated by the bulge luminosity. The presence of an additional faint disc component cannot be ruled out with the present data, but this would reduce the BH mass estimate by only ∼30 per cent. These results, together with analogous findings obtained for FBQS J1644+2619, indicate that the relativistic jets in γ-ray-emitting NLSy1 are likely produced by massive black holes at the centre of elliptical galaxies.

Estimates of supermassive black hole (SMBH) spins for the standard accretion disk model: Comparison with relativistic fitting of SMBH spectra

In this study, we estimated the accretion rates onto supermassive black holes (SMBH) and their spins. Our results are based on the observed (rest frame) bolometric luminosities and the luminosities at λ=5100 Å, as well as virial estimates of black hole masses and scaling relations derived from the standard thin accretion disk model. We compared our results with black hole spin measurements derived by relativistic reflection fitting of SMBH X-ray spectra. The results obtained confirm our conclusion regarding the efficiency of deriving SMBH spin values based on the standard (Shakura–Sunyaev) accretion disk model. Polarimetric observations have a key role in determining the spin values.

A Catalog of Quasar Properties from the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey

Abstract Using the quasars with z em &lt; 0.9 from the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey, we measure the spectral characteristics, including continuum and emission lines, around the Hβ and Hα spectral regions, which are lacking in Quasar Data Release 12 (DR12Q). We estimate the virial black hole mass from broad Hα and/or Hβ, and infer quasar redshifts from [O iii] λ5007 emission lines. All the measurements and derived quantities are publicly available. A comparison between [O iii] λ5007 redshifts and the visual inspection redshifts included in DR12Q indicates that the visual inspection redshifts are robust. We find that the full widths at half maximum of the broad Hα are consistent with those of the broad Hβ, while both the equivalent widths and line luminosities of the broad Hα are obviously larger than the corresponding quantities of the broad Hβ. We also find that there is an obviously systematic offset between the Hβ and Hα based mass if they are inferred from the empirical relationships in the literature. Using our large quasar sample, we have improved the Hβ and Hα based mass estimators by minimizing the difference between the Hβ- and Hα-based masses. For the black hole mass estimator (Equation (1)), we find that the coefficients (a, b) = (7.00, 0.50) for Hα and (a, b) = (6.96, 0.50) for Hβ are the best choices.

Multi-Wavelength Intra-Day Variability and Quasi-Periodic Oscillation in Blazars

We reviewed multi-wavelength blazars variability and detection of quasi-periodic oscillations on intra-day timescales. The variability timescale from a few minutes to up to less than a days is commonly known as intra-day variability. These fast variations are extremely useful to constrain the size of the emitting region, black hole mass estimation, etc. It is noticed that in general, blazars show intra-day variability in the complete electromagnetic spectrum. However, some classes of blazars either do not show or show very little intra-day variability in a specific band of the electromagnetic spectrum. Blazars show rarely quasi-periodic oscillations in time series data in optical and X-ray bands. Other properties and emission mechanisms of blazars are also briefly discussed.

BAT AGN Spectroscopic Survey. I. Spectral Measurements, Derived Quantities, and AGN Demographics

Abstract We present the first catalog and data release of the Swift-BAT AGN Spectroscopic Survey. We analyze optical spectra of the majority of the detected AGNs (77%, 642/836)based on their 14–195 keV emission in the 70-month Swift-BAT all-sky catalog. This includes redshift determination, absorption and emission-line measurements, and black hole mass and accretion rate estimates for the majority of obscured and unobscured AGNs (74%, 473/642), with 340 measured for the first time. With ∼90% of sources at , the survey represents a significant advance in the census of hard X-ray-selected AGNs in the local universe. In this first catalog paper, we describe the spectroscopic observations and data sets, and our initial spectral analysis. The FWHMs of the emission lines show broad agreement with the X-ray obscuration (∼94%), such that Sy 1–1.8 have cm−2, and Seyfert 2 have cm−2. Seyfert 1.9, however, show a range of column densities. Compared to narrow-line AGNs in the SDSS, the X-ray-selected AGNs have a larger fraction of dusty host galaxies ( ), suggesting that these types of AGN are missed in optical surveys. Using the [O iii] λ5007/Hβ and [N ii] λ6583/Hα emission-line diagnostic, about half of the sources are classified as Seyferts; ∼15% reside in dusty galaxies that lack an Hβ detection, but for which the upper limits on line emission imply either a Seyfert or LINER, are in galaxies with weak or no emission lines despite high-quality spectra, and a few percent each are LINERS, composite galaxies, H ii regions, or in known beamed AGNs.

Swift J164449.3+573451 and Swift J2058.4+0516: Black hole mass estimates for tidal disruption event sources

A tidal disruption event (TDE) is an astronomical phenomenon in which a previously dormant black hole (BH) destroys a star passing too close to its central part. We analyzed the flaring episode detected from the TDE sources, Swift~J1644+57 and Swift J2058+05 using RXTE, Swift and Suzaku data. The spectra are well fitted by the so called Bulk Motion Comptonization model for which the best-fit photon index Gamma varies from 1.1 to 1.8. We have firmly established the saturation of Gamma versus mass accretion rate at Gamma_{sat} about 1.7 -- 1.8. The saturation of Gamma is usually identified as a signature of a BH now established in Swift~J1644+57 and Swift J2058+05. In Swift~J1644+57 we found the relatively low Gamma_{sat} values which indicate a high electron (plasma) temperature, kT_e ~ 30 -- 40 keV. This is also consistent with high cutoff energies, E_{cut} ~ 60 -- 80 keV found using best fits of the RXTE spectra. Swift~J2058+05 shows a lower electron temperature, kT_e ~ 4-10 keV than that for Swift~J1644+57. For the BH mass estimate we used the scaling technique taking the Galactic BHs, GRO J1655--40, GX~339--4, Cyg~X--1 and 4U~1543--47 as reference sources and found that the BH mass in Swift~J1644+57 is M_{BH}> 7x10^6 solar masses assuming the distance to this of 1.5 Gpc. For Swift J2058+05 we obtain M_{BH}> 2x 10^7 solar masses assuming the distance to this source of 3.7 Gpc.

Near-IR Spectroscopy of Luminous LoBAL Quasars at 1 &lt; z &lt; 2.5

Abstract We present near-IR spectroscopy of 22 luminous low-ionization broad absorption line quasars (LoBAL QSOs) at redshift , with 12 objects at z ∼ 1.5 and 10 at z ∼ 2.3. The spectra cover the rest-frame Hα and Hβ line regions, allowing us to obtain robust black hole mass estimates based on the broad Hα line. We use these data, augmented by a lower-redshift sample from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, to test the proposed youth scenario for LoBALs, which suggests that LoBALs constitute an early short-lived evolutionary stage of quasar activity, by probing for any difference in their masses, Eddington ratios, or rest-frame optical spectroscopic properties compared to normal quasars. In addition, we construct the UV to mid-IR spectral energy distributions (SEDs) for the LoBAL sample and a matched non-BAL quasar sample. We do not find any statistically significant difference between LoBAL QSOs and non-BAL QSOs in their black hole mass or Eddington ratio distributions. The mean UV to mid-IR SED of the LoBAL QSOs is consistent with non-BAL QSOs, apart from their stronger reddening. At there is no clear difference in their optical emission line properties. We do not see particularly weak [O iii] or strong Fe ii emission. The LoBAL QSOs do not show a stronger prevalence of ionized gas outflows as traced by the [O iii] line, compared to normal QSOs of similar luminosity. We conclude that the optical–MIR properties of LoBAL QSOs are consistent with the general quasar population and do not support them to constitute a special phase of active galactic nucleus evolution.

Quasar Black Hole Mass Estimates from High-Ionization Lines: Breaking a Taboo?

Can high ionization lines such as CIV λ 1549 provide useful virial broadening estimators for computing the mass of the supermassive black holes that power the quasar phenomenon? The question has been dismissed by several workers as a rhetorical one because blue-shifted, non-virial emission associated with gas outflows is often prominent in CIV λ 1549 line profiles. In this contribution, we first summarize the evidence suggesting that the FWHM of low-ionization lines like H β and MgII λ 2800 provide reliable virial broadening estimators over a broad range of luminosity. We confirm that the line widths of CIV λ 1549 is not immediately offering a virial broadening estimator equivalent to the width of low-ionization lines. However, capitalizing on the results of Coatman et al. (2016) and Sulentic et al. (2017), we suggest a correction to FWHM CIV λ 1549 for Eddington ratio and luminosity effects that, however, remains cumbersome to apply in practice. Intermediate ionization lines (IP ∼ 20–30 eV; AlIII λ 1860 and SiIII] λ 1892) may provide a better virial broadening estimator for high redshift quasars, but larger samples are needed to assess their reliability. Ultimately, they may be associated with the broad-line region radius estimated from the photoionization method introduced by Negrete et al. (2013) to obtain black hole mass estimates independent from scaling laws.

Black Hole Mass Estimation in Type 1 AGN: Hβ vs. Mg II Lines and the Role of Balmer Continuum

Here we investigate the H$\beta$ and Mg II spectral line parameters used for the black hole mass (M$_{\rm BH}$) estimation for a sample of Type 1 Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) spectra selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) database. We have analyzed and compared the virialization of the H$\beta$ and Mg II emission lines, and found that the H$\beta$ line is more confident virial estimator than Mg II. We have investigated the influence of the Balmer continuum emission to the M$_{\rm BH}$ estimation from the UV parameters, and found that the Balmer continuum emission can contribute to the overestimation of the M$_{\rm BH}$ on average for ~ 5% (up to 10%).

Detection of faint broad emission lines in type 2 AGNs – III. On the MBH-σ⋆ relation of type 2 AGNs

Abstract Type 2 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) represent the majority of the AGN population. However, due to the difficulties in measuring their black hole (BH) masses, it is still unknown whether they follow the same BH mass–host galaxy scaling relations valid for quiescent galaxies and type 1 AGNs. Here, we present the locus of type 2 AGNs having virial BH mass estimates in the MBH-σ⋆ plane. Our analysis shows that the BH masses of type 2 AGNs are ∼0.9 dex smaller than type 1 AGNs at σ⋆ ∼ 185 km s−1, regardless of the (early/late) AGN host galaxy morphology. Equivalently, type 2 AGN host galaxies have stellar velocity dispersions ∼0.2 dex higher than type 1 AGN hosts at MBH ∼ 107 M⊙.

BL Lacertae: X-ray spectral evolution and a black-hole mass estimate

We present an analysis of the spectral properties observed in X-rays from active galactic nucleus BL Lacertae using RXTE, Suzaku, ASCA, BeppoSAX, and Swift observations. The total time covered by these observations is approximately 20 years. We show that this source undergoes X-ray spectral transitions from the low hard state (LHS) through the intermediate state (IS) to the high soft state (HSS) during these observations. During the RXTE observations (1997 -- 2001, {180 ks, for a total 145 datasets}), the source was approximately 75%, 20% and only 5 of the time in the IS, LHS, and HSS, respectively. We also used Swift observations (470 datasets, for a total 800 ks), which occurred during 12 years (2005 -- 2016), the (0.3 -- 200 keV) data of BeppoSAX (1997 -- 2000, 160 ks), and the (0.3 -- 10 keV) data of ASCA (1995 -- 1999, 160 ks). Two observations of Suzaku (2006, 2013; 50 ks) in combinations with long-term RXTE and Swift data-sets allow us to describe all spectral states of BL Lac. The spectra of BL Lac are well fitted by the bulk motion Comptonization (BMC) model for all spectral states. We have established the photon index saturation level, Gamma_{sat}=2.2+/-0.1, in the Gamma vs. mass accretion rate (Mdot) correlation. This Gamma-Mdot correlation allows us to estimate the black-hole (BH) mass in BL Lac to be M_{BH}~3x10^7 M_sol for a distance of 300 Mpc. For the BH mass estimate, we use the scaling method taking stellar-mass Galactic BHs 4U~1543--47 and GX~339--4 as reference sources. The Gamma-Mdot correlation revealed in BL Lac is similar to those in a number of stellar-mass Galactic BHs and two recently studied intermediate-mass extragalactic BHs. It clearly shows the correlation along with the very extended $\Gamma$ saturation at ~ 2.2. This is robust observational evidence for the presence of a BH in BL Lac.

Extending the Calibration of C iv-based Single-epoch Black Hole Mass Estimators for Active Galactic Nuclei*

Abstract We provide an updated calibration of C iv λ 1549 broad emission line–based single-epoch (SE) black hole (BH) mass estimators for active galactic nuclei (AGNs) using new data for six reverberation-mapped AGNs at redshift z = 0.005 – 0.028 with BH masses (bolometric luminosities) in the range 10 6.5 – 10 7.5 M ⊙ ( 10 41.7 – 10 43.8 erg s−1). New rest-frame UV-to-optical spectra covering 1150–5700 Å for the six AGNs were obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Multicomponent spectral decompositions of the HST spectra were used to measure SE emission-line widths for the C iv, Mg ii, and Hβ lines, as well as continuum luminosities in the spectral region around each line. We combine the new data with similar measurements for a previous archival sample of 25 AGNs to derive the most consistent and accurate calibrations of the C iv-based SE BH mass estimators against the Hβ reverberation-based masses, using three different measures of broad-line width: full width at half maximum (FWHM), line dispersion ( σ line ), and mean absolute deviation (MAD). The newly expanded sample at redshift z = 0.005 – 0.234 covers a dynamic range in BH mass (bolometric luminosity) of log M BH / M ☉ = 6.5 – 9.1 ( log L bol / erg s−1 = 41.7 – 46.9 ), and we derive the new C iv-based mass estimators using a Bayesian linear regression analysis over this range. We generally recommend the use of σ line or MAD rather than FWHM to obtain a less biased velocity measurement of the C iv emission line, because its narrow-line component contribution is difficult to decompose from the broad-line profile.

AKARI SPECTROSCOPY OF QUASARS AT 2.5 - 5 MICRON

Utilizing a unique capability of AKARI that allows deep spectroscopy at <TEX>$2.5-5.0{\mu}m$</TEX>, we performed a spectroscopy study of more than 200 quasars through one of the AKARI mission programs, QSONG (Quasar Spectroscopic Observation with NIR Grism). QSONG targeted 155 high redshift (3.3 < z < 6.42) quasars and 90 low redshift active galactic nuclei (0.002 < z < 0.48). In order to provide black hole mass estimates based on the rest-frame optical spectra, the high redshift part of QSONG is designed to detect the <TEX>$H{\alpha}$</TEX> line and the rest-frame optical spectra of quasars at z > 3.3. The low redshift part of QSONG is geared to uncover the rest-frame <TEX>$2.5-5.0{\mu}m$</TEX> spectral features of active galactic nuclei to gain useful information such as the dust-extinction-free black hole mass estimators based on the Brackett lines and the temperatures of the hot dust torus. We outline the program strategy, and present some of the scientific highlights from QSONG, including the detection of the <TEX>$H{\alpha}$</TEX> line from a quasar at z > 4.5 which indicates a rigorous growth of black holes in the early universe, and the <TEX>$Br{\beta}$</TEX>-based black hole mass estimators and the hot dust temperatures (~ 1100 K) of low redshift AGNs.

Characterization of AGN from the XMM–Newton Slew Survey

We present optical spectroscopy of candidate AGN pinpointed by a Swift follow-up campaign on unidentified transients in the XMM-Newton Slew Survey, increasing the completeness of the identifications of AGN in the Survey. Our Swift follow-up campaign identified 17 XRT-detected candidate AGN, of which nine were selected for optical follow-up and a further two were confirmed as AGN elsewhere. Using data obtained at the William Herschel Telescope, Very Large Telescope and New Technology Telescope, we find AGN features in seven of the candidates. We classify six as Seyfert types 1.0 to 1.5, with broad-line region velocities spanning 2000--12000 km s$^{-1}$, and identify one as a possible Type II AGN, consistent with the lack of a soft band X-ray detection in the Slew Survey. The Virial black hole mass estimates for the sample lie between 1$\times$10$^{8}$ M$_{\odot}$ and 3$\times$10$^9$ M$_{\odot}$, with one source likely emitting close to its Eddington rate, $L_{\rm Bol}/L_{\rm Edd} \sim 0.9$. We find a wide redshift range of $0.08<z<0.9$ for the nine now confirmed AGN drawn from the unidentified Slew Survey sample. One source remaining unclassified shows outbursts rarely seen before in AGN. We conclude that AGN discovered in this way are consistent with the largely non-varying, Slew-selected, known AGN population. We also find parallels with XMM-Newton Bright Serendipitous Survey AGN selected from pointed observations, and postulate that shallow X-ray surveys select AGN drawn from the same populations that have been characterised in deeper X-ray selected samples.

A catalogue of optical to X-ray spectral energy distributions of z ≈ 2 quasars observed with Swift – I. First results

We present the Swift optical to X-ray spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of 44 quasars at redshifts z~2 observed by Swift, part of a larger program to establish and characterize the optical through X-ray SEDs of moderate-redshift quasars. Here we outline our analysis approach and present preliminary analysis and results for the first third of the full quasar sample. Not all quasars in the sample are detected in X-rays; all of the X-ray detected objects so far are radio loud. As expected for radio loud objects, they are X-ray bright relative to radio-quiet quasars of comparable optical luminosities, with an average alpha_ox = 1.39 +/- 0.03 (where alpha_ox is the power-law slope connecting the monochromatic flux at 2500 Ang and at 2 keV), and display hard X-ray spectra. We find integrated 3000 Ang - 25 keV accretion luminosities of between 0.7*10^(46) erg s^(-1) and 5.2*10^(47) erg s^(-1). Based on single-epoch spectroscopic virial black hole mass estimates, we find that these quasars are accreting at substantial Eddington fractions, 0.1 \le L/LEdd \le 1.