Roberto Gilli

• National Institute of Astrophysics

We report on Chandra X-ray observations of four narrow-line quasar candidates at z~6, selected from the SHELLQs project, based on the Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam survey. These objects are characterised by narrow (FWHM<310 km/s), luminous (>1e44 erg/s) Lya and faint UV continuum (M_1450 = -22 - -21), prompting us to examine whether they are obscured lu...

X-ray observations of the optically selected z=6.025 quasi-stellar object (QSO) CFHQS J164121+375520 (hereafter J1641) revealed that its flux dropped by a factor of ≳7 between 2018, when it was a bright and soft X-ray source, and 2021. Such a strong variability amplitude has not been observed before among z>6 QSOs, and the underlying physical mecha...

Aims. We aim to characterize the X-ray-to-optical/near-infrared(NIR) broad-band emission of luminous quasars (QSOs) in the first gigayear (Gyr) of cosmic evolution in order to decipher whether or not they exhibit differences compared to the lower- z QSO population. Our goal is also to provide a reliable and uniform catalog of derivable properties f...

We explore the radio emission of spectroscopically confirmed, X-ray weak, Broad Line AGN (BLAGN, or type 1) selected with JWST in the GOODS-N field, one of the fields with the best combination of deep radio observations and statistics of JWST-selected BLAGN. We use deep radio data at different frequencies (144\,MHz, 1.5\,GHz, 3\,GHz, 5.5\,GHz, 10\,...

We aim at characterizing the X-ray-to-optical/near-infrared broad-band emission of luminous QSOs in the first Gyr of cosmic evolution to understand whether they exhibit differences compared to the lower-\textit{z} QSO population. Our goal is also to provide for these objects a reliable and uniform catalog of SED fitting derivable properties such as...

We report the serendipitous discovery of a faint (M$_ UV > -12.2$), low-metallicity (Z $ odot $) ionizing source, dubbed T2c, with a spectroscopic redshift of z$=$6.146. T2c is part of a larger structure amplified by the Hubble Frontier Field galaxy cluster MACSJ0416 and was observed with the James Webb Space Telescope ( NIRSpec integral field unit...

One of the main open questions in the field of luminous ($L_{\rm bol}>10^{47}\,\rm erg\,s^{-1}$) quasars (QSOs) at $z \gtrsim 6$ is the rapid formation ($< 1\,$Gyr) of their supermassive black holes (SMBHs). For this work we analysed the relation between the X-ray properties and other properties describing the physics and growth of both the accreti...

One of the main open questions in the field of luminous ($L_ bol $) quasars (QSOs) at $z 6$ is the rapid formation ($< 1$\,Gyr) of their supermassive black holes (SMBHs). For this work we analysed the relation between the X-ray properties and other properties describing the physics and growth of both the accretion disc and the SMBH in QSOs at the E...

We report the serendipitous discovery of a faint (M_UV > -12.2), low-metallicity (Z ~ 0.02 Zsun), ionizing source (dubbed T2c) with a spectroscopic redshift of z=6.146. T2c is part of a larger structure amplified by the Hubble Frontier Field galaxy cluster MACSJ0416, and was observed with JWST/NIRSpec IFU. Stacking the short-wavelength NIRCam data...

Context. Large-scale environment is one of the main physical drivers of galaxy evolution. The densest regions at high redshifts (i.e. z > 2 protoclusters) are gas-rich regions characterised by high star formation activity. The same physical properties that enhance star formation in protoclusters are also thought to boost the growth of supermassive...

Context. IRASF11119+3257 is an ultra-luminous infrared galaxy with a post-merger morphology, hosting a type-1 quasar at z = 0.189. It shows a prominent ultra-fast outflow (UFO) absorption feature ( v out ∼ 0.25 c ) in its 2013 Suzaku spectrum. This is the first system in which the energy released by the UFO was compared to that of the known galaxy-...

IRASF11119 is an ultra-luminous IR galaxy with post-merger morphology, hosting a type-1 QSO at z=0.189. Its 2013 Suzaku spectrum shows a prominent Ultra Fast Outflow (UFO) absorption feature (v_out~0.25c). In 2021, we obtained the first XMM-Newton long look of the target, coordinated with a simultaneous NuSTAR observation. The new high-quality data...

Context. In this work, we test feedback propagation models on the test case of 2MASS 0918+2117 (2M0918), a z = 0.149 X-ray variable AGN that shows tentative evidence for nuclear ultra-fast outflows (UFOs) in a 2005 XMM-Newton observation. We also investigate whether UFOs can be related to the observed X-ray variability. Aims. We observed 2M0918 wit...

Aims. Measurements of the size of dust continuum emission are an important tool for constraining the spatial extent of star formation, and hence the buildup of stellar mass. Compact dust emission has generally been observed at cosmic noon ( z ∼ 2 − 3). However, at earlier epochs, toward the end of the reionization ( z ∼ 4 − 6), only the sizes of a...

The detection of blueshifted absorption lines likely associated with ionized iron K-shell transitions in the X-ray spectra of many active galactic nuclei (AGNs) suggests the presence of a highly ionized gas outflowing with mildly relativistic velocities (0.03c - 0.6c) named ultra-fast outflow (UFO). Within the SUBWAYS project, we characterized thes...

The black hole-and-galaxy (BH-galaxy) co-evolution paradigm predicts a phase where most of the star formation (SF) and BH accretion takes place in gas-rich environments, namely, in what are likely to be very obscured conditions. In the first phase of this growth, some of the galactic gas is funnelled toward the centre of the galaxy and is accreted...

The X-ray luminosity function (XLF) of active galactic nuclei (AGN) offers a robust tool to study the evolution and the growth of the supermassive black-hole population over cosmic time. Owing to the limited area probed by X-ray surveys, optical surveys are routinely used to probe the accretion in the high-redshift Universe $z 3$. However, optical...

We present the analysis of the rest frame ultraviolet and optical spectra of 30 bright blue quasars at z ∼ 3, selected to examine the suitability of active galactic nuclei as cosmological probes. In our previous works, based on pointed XMM-Newton observations, we found an unexpectedly high fraction (≈25%) of X-ray weak quasars in the sample. The la...

The 500ks Chandra ACIS-I observation of the field around the z = 6.31 quasar SDSS J1030+0524 is currently the fifth deepest extragalactic X-ray survey. The rich multi-band coverage of the field allowed an effective identification and redshift determination of the X-ray source counterparts; to date, a catalog of 243 extragalactic X-ray sources with...

Context. We present the broad-band X-ray spectral analysis (0.6–50 keV) of seven Compton-thick active galactic nuclei (CT-AGN; line-of-sight (LOS) column density > 10 ²⁴ cm ⁻² ) candidates selected from the Swift -BAT 100 month catalogue using archival NuSTAR data. Aims. We aim to obtain a complete census of the heavily obscured AGN in the local Un...

By characterizing the contribution of stray light to large data sets from the CXB Measurement X-ray observatory collected over 2012–2017, we report a measurement of the cosmic X-ray background (CXB) in the 3–20 keV energy range. These data represent ∼20% sky coverage while avoiding Galactic ridge X-ray emission and are less weighted by deep survey...

We present JWST/NIRSpec integral field spectroscopy (IFS) of a lensed Population III candidate stellar complex (dubbed Lensed And Pristine 1, LAP1), with a lensing-corrected stellar mass ~<10^4 Msun, absolute luminosity M_UV > -11.2 (m_UV > 35.6), confirmed at redshift 6.639 +/- 0.004. The system is strongly amplified (\mu >~ 100) by straddling a c...

The 500ks Chandra ACIS-I observation of the field around the $z=6.31$ quasar SDSS J1030+0524 is currently the 5th deepest extragalactic X-ray survey. The rich multi-band coverage of the field allowed for an effective identification and redshift determination of the X-ray source counterparts: to date a catalog of 243 extragalactic X-ray sources with...

We investigate the extreme X-ray variability of a z = 1.608 active galactic nucleus in the 7 Ms Chandra Deep Field-South (XID 403), which showed two significant X-ray brightening events. In the first event, XID 403 brightened by a factor of >2.5 in ≲6.1 rest-frame days in the observed-frame 0.5–5 keV band. The event lasted for ≈5.0–7.3 days, and th...

We present the broad-band X-ray spectral analysis (0.6-50 keV) of seven Compton-Thick active galactic nuclei (CT-AGN; line-of-sight, l.o.s., column density $>10^{24}$ cm$^{-2}$) candidates selected from the Swift-BAT 100-month catalog, using archival NuSTAR data. This work is in continuation of the on-going research of the Clemson-INAF group to cla...

We present the analysis of the rest frame ultraviolet and optical spectra of 30 bright blue quasars at $z\sim3$, selected to examine the suitability of AGN as cosmological probes. In our previous works, we found an unexpectedly high fraction ($\approx 25 \%$) of X-ray weak quasars in the sample. The latter sources also display a flatter UV continuu...

The existence of luminous quasars (QSO) at the Epoch of Reionization (EoR; i.e. z>6) powered by supermassive black holes (SMBH) with masses $\gtrsim10^9~M_\odot$ challenges models of early SMBH formation. To shed light on the nature of these sources we started a multiwavelength programme based on a sample of 18 HYPerluminous quasars at the Epoch of...

Aims. In order to test active galactic nucleus (AGN) unification and evolutionary models, we measured the AGN clustering properties as a function of AGN obscuration defined in terms of hydrogen column density, N H . In addition to measuring the clustering of unobscured ( N H < 10 ²² cm ⁻² ) and moderately obscured (10 ²² ≤ N H < 10 23.5 ) AGNs, we...

In order to test active galactic nucleus (AGN) unification and evolutionary models, we measured the AGN clustering properties as a function of AGN obscuration defined in terms of hydrogen column density, $N_{\rm H}$. In addition to measuring the clustering of unobscured ($N_{\rm H} < 10^{22}\,{\rm cm}^{-2}$) and moderately obscured ($10^{22} \leq N...

By characterizing the contribution of stray light to large datasets from the NuSTAR X-ray observatory collected over 2012--2017, we report a measurement of the cosmic X-ray background in the 3--20 keV energy range. These data represent $\sim20\%$ sky coverage while avoiding Galactic Ridge X-ray emission and are less weighted by deep, survey fields...

We present the results of a spectroscopic campaign with the Multi-Object Double Spectrograph (MODS) instrument mounted on the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT), aimed at obtaining a spectroscopic redshift for seven Chandra J1030 sources with a photometric redshift ≥2.7 and optical magnitude r AB = [24.5 − 26.5]. We obtained a spectroscopic redshift f...

We present the results of a spectroscopic campaign with the Multi-Object Double Spectrograph (MODS) instrument mounted on the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT), aimed at obtaining a spectroscopic redshift for seven Chandra J1030 sources with a photometric redshift >=2.7 and optical magnitude r_AB=[24.5-26.5]. We obtained a spectroscopic redshift for...

We present the first spatially resolved, X-ray spectroscopic study of the 4−8 keV diffuse emission found in the central part of the nearby starburst galaxy M 82 on a few arcsecond scales. The new details that we see allow a number of important conclusions to be drawn on the nature of the hot gas and its origin as well as feedback on the interstella...

We present the first spatially resolved, X-ray spectroscopic study of the 4-8 keV diffuse emission found in the central part of the nearby starburst galaxy M82 on a few arcsecond scales. The new details that we see allow a number of important conclusions to be drawn on the nature of the hot gas and its origin as well as feedback on the ISM. We use...

In the nearby universe, jets from active galactic nuclei (AGN) are observed to have a dramatic impact on their surrounding extragalactic environment. The effect of jets at high redshift ( z > 1.5) is instead much more poorly constrained. However, studying the jet impact at cosmic noon, the epoch in which both star formation and AGN activity peak, i...

We investigate the extreme X-ray variability of a z = 1.608 active galactic nucleus in the 7 Ms Chandra Deep Field-South (XID 403), which showed two significant X-ray brightening events. In the first event, XID 403 brightened by a factor of $>2.5$ in $\lesssim6.1$ rest-frame days in the observed-frame 0.5-5 keV band. The event lasted for $\approx5....

Aims. We study the ensemble X-ray variability properties of active galactic nuclei (AGN) over large ranges of timescale (20 ks ≤ T ≤ 14 yr), redshift (0 ≤ z ≲ 3), luminosity (10 ⁴⁰ erg s ⁻¹ ≤ L X ≤ 10 ⁴⁶ erg s ⁻¹ ), and black hole (BH) mass (10 ⁶ ≤ M ⊙ ≤ 10 ⁹ ). Methods. We propose the use of the variance-frequency diagram as a viable alternative t...

We study the ensemble X-ray variability properties of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) over a large range of timescales (20 ks $\leq T\leq$ 14 yrs), redshift ($0\leq z \lesssim 3$), luminosities ($10^{40}$ erg s$^{-1}\leq L_X\leq 10^{46}$ erg s$^{-1}$) and black hole (BH) masses ($10^6 \leq $M$_\odot \leq 10^9$). We propose the use of the variance-freq...

We present a multifrequency analysis of the radio galaxy 3CR 196.1 ( z =0.198), associated with the brightest galaxy of the cool-core cluster CIZAJ0815.4-0303. This nearby radio galaxy shows a hybrid radio morphology and an X-ray cavity, all signatures of a turbulent past activity, potentially due to merger events and active galactic nuclei (AGN) o...

We present a new X-ray spectroscopic study of $22$ luminous ($2\times10^{45}\lesssim L_{\rm bol}\rm /erg\,s^{-1} \lesssim 2\times10^{46}$) active galactic nuclei (AGNs) at intermediate-redshift ($0.1 \lesssim z \lesssim 0.4$), as part of the SUpermassive Black hole Winds in the x-rAYS (SUBWAYS) sample, mostly composed of quasars (QSOs) and type\,1...

We present a multifrequency analysis of the radio galaxy 3CR 196.1 ($z = 0.198$), associated with the brightest galaxy of the cool core cluster CIZAJ0815.4-0303. This nearby radio galaxy shows a hybrid radio morphology and an X-ray cavity, all signatures of a turbulent past activity, potentially due to merger events and AGN outbursts. We present re...

We present deep L -Band observations of the equatorial field centered on the z = 6.3 Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) quasar (QSO). This field is rich of multiwavelength photometry and spectroscopy data, making it an ideal laboratory for galaxy evolution studies. Our observations reach a 1 σ sensitivity of ~2.5 µJy at the center of the field. We ext...

We present deep L-Band observations of the equatorial field centered on the z=6.3 SDSS QSO, reaching a 1 sigma sensitivity of ~2.5 uJy at the center of the field. We extracted a catalog of 1489 radio sources down to a flux density of ~12.5 uJy (5 sigma) over a field of view of ~ 30' diameter. We derived the source counts accounting for catalog reli...

We present the X-ray imaging and spectral analysis of the diffuse emission around the Spiderweb galaxy at z=2.16 and of its nuclear emission, based on a deep (700 ks) Chandra observation. We characterize the nuclear emission and computed the contamination in the surrounding regions due to the wings of the instrument PSF. Then, we quantified the ext...

Aims. We present the X-ray imaging and spectral analysis of the diffuse emission around the radio galaxy J1140-2629 (the Spiderweb galaxy) at z = 2.16 and of its nuclear emission, based on a deep (700 ks) Chandra observation. Methods. We obtained a robust characterization of the unresolved nuclear emission, and carefully computed the contamination...

The distribution and properties of the first galaxies and quasars are critical pieces of the puzzle in understanding galaxy evolution and cosmic reionization. Previous studies have often excluded unresolved sources as potential low-redshift interlopers. We combine broadband color and photometric redshift analysis with morphological selections to id...

We introduce a new set of zoom-in cosmological simulations with sub-pc resolution, intended to model extremely faint, highly magnified star-forming stellar clumps, detected at z = 6.14 thanks to gravitational lensing. The simulations include feedback from individual massive stars (in both the pre-supernova and supernova phases), generated via stoch...

We combine results from deep ALMA observations of massive ( M * > 10 ¹⁰ M ⊙ ) galaxies at different redshifts to show that the column density of their interstellar medium (ISM) rapidly increases toward early cosmic epochs. Our analysis includes objects from the ASPECS and ALPINE large programs, as well as individual observations of z ∼ 6 quasar hos...

In this work, our aim is to investigate the star formation rate (SFR) of the host galaxies of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) in the early Universe. To this end, we constructed a sample of 149 luminous ( L 2 − 10 keV > 10 ⁴⁴ erg s ⁻¹ ) X-ray AGNs at z ≥ 3.5 selected in three fields with different depths and observed areas from the Chandra COSMOS Lega...

We present the multi-epoch monitoring with NuSTAR and XMM-Newton of NGC 1358, a nearby Seyfert 2 galaxy whose properties made it a promising candidate X-ray changing-look active galactic nucleus (AGN), i.e., a source whose column density could transition from its 2017 Compton-thick (having LOS hydrogen column density N H,LOS > 10 ²⁴ cm ⁻² ) state t...

We present the multi-epoch monitoring with NuSTAR and XMM-Newton of NGC 1358, a nearby Seyfert 2 galaxy whose properties made it a promising candidate X-ray changing look AGN, i.e., a source whose column density could transition from its 2017 Compton-thick (CT-, having line-of-sight Hydrogen column density NH,los>10^24 cm^-2) state to a Compton-thi...

The non-linear relation between the X-ray and ultraviolet (UV) luminosity in quasars has been used to derive quasar distances and to build a Hubble diagram at redshifts up to z ∼ 7. This cosmological application is based on the assumption of independence of the relation on redshift and luminosity. We want to test the reliability of this hypothesis...

The distribution and properties of the first galaxies and quasars are critical pieces of the puzzle in understanding galaxy evolution and cosmic reionization. Previous studies have often excluded unresolved sources as potential low redshift interlopers. We combine broadband color and photometric redshift analysis with morphological selections to id...

In this work, we aimed at investigating the star formation rate of active galactic nuclei host galaxies in the early Universe. To this end, we constructed a sample of 149 luminous ($\rm L_{2-10keV} > 10^{44}\,erg\,s^{-1}$) X-ray AGNs at $\rm z \geq3.5$ selected in three fields with different depths and observed areas (Chandra COSMOS Legacy survey,...

The non-linear relation between the X-ray and ultraviolet (UV) luminosity in quasars has been used to derive quasar distances and to build a Hubble diagram at redshifts up to $z\sim$ 7. This cosmological application is based on the assumption of independence of the relation on redshift and luminosity. We want to test the reliability of this hypothe...

We introduce a new set of zoom-in cosmological simulations with sub-pc resolution, intended to model extremely faint, highly magnified star-forming stellar clumps, detected at z=6.14 thanks to gravitational lensing. The simulations include feedback from individual massive stars (in both the pre-supernova and supernova phases), generated via stochas...

Explaining the existence of super massive black holes (SMBHs) with M BH ≳ 10 ⁸ M ⊙ at z ≳ 6 is a persistent challenge to modern astrophysics. Multiwavelength observations of z ≳ 6 quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) reveal that, on average, their accretion physics is similar to that of their counterparts at lower redshift. However, QSOs showing properties...

Explaining the existence of $\gtrsim10^8\,\mathrm{M_\odot}$ SMBHs at $z>6$ is a persistent challenge to modern astrophysics. Multi-wavelength observations of $z\gtrsim6$ QSOs reveal that, on average, their accretion physics is similar to that of their counterparts at lower redshift. However, QSOs showing properties that deviate from the general beh...

We combine results from deep ALMA observations of massive ($M_*>10^{10}\;M_{\odot}$) galaxies at different redshifts to show that the column density of their inter stellar medium (ISM) rapidly increases towards early cosmic epochs. Our analysis includes objects from the ASPECS and ALPINE large programs, as well as individual observations of $z\sim...

Active galactic nuclei (AGN) feedback has a major impact onto the supermassive black-hole (SMBH) growth, the properties of the host galaxies, and their cosmic evolution. We investigate the effects of different kinetic feedback prescriptions on the observable properties of AGN and their host galaxies at z > 6 in a suite of zoom-in cosmological simul...

Active galactic nuclei (AGN) feedback has a major impact onto the supermassive black-hole (SMBH) growth, the properties of the host galaxies, and their cosmic evolution. We investigate the effects of different kinetic feedback prescriptions on the observable properties of AGN and their host galaxies at $z>6$ in a suite of zoom-in cosmological simul...

We present new joint XMM-Newton and NuSTAR observations of APM 08279+5255, a gravitationally-lensed, broad-absorption line quasar ($z=3.91$). After showing a fairly stable flux ($f_{\rm2-10}\simeq4-5.5\times10^{-13}\rm~erg~s^{-1}$) from 2000 to 2008, APM 08279+5255 was found in a fainter state in the latest X-ray exposures ($f_{\rm2-10}\simeq2.7\ti...

We present new joint XMM-Newton and NuSTAR observations of APM 08279+5255, a gravitationally-lensed, broad-absorption line quasar ( z = 3.91). After showing a fairly stable flux ( f 2 − 10 ≃ 4 − 5.5 × 10 ⁻¹³ erg s ⁻¹ ) from 2000 to 2008, APM 08279+5255 was found in a fainter state in the latest X-ray exposures ( f 2 − 10 ≃ 2.7 × 10 ⁻¹³ erg s ⁻¹ ),...

This is the sixth paper presenting the results of the MUse RAdio Loud Emission line Snapshot survey (MURALES). We observed 37 radio sources from the 3C sample with z<0.3 and declination <20 degrees with the MUSE optical integral field spectrograph at the VLT. We here focus on the properties of the extended emission line regions (EELRs) that can be...

Aims. We present an analysis of the 700 ks Chandra ACIS-S observation of the field around the radio galaxy J1140-2629 (the Spiderweb Galaxy) at z = 2.156, focusing on the nuclear activity in the associated large-scale environment. Methods. We identified unresolved X-ray sources in the field down to flux limits of 1.3 × 10 ⁻¹⁶ and 3.9 × 10 ⁻¹⁶ erg s...

This is the sixth paper presenting the results of the MUse RAdio Loud Emission line Snapshot survey. We observed 37 radio sources from the 3C sample with z < 0.3 and a declination < 20° with the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer optical integral field spectrograph at the Very Large Telescope. Here, we focus on the properties of the extended emissio...

(Abridged) We present an analysis of the 700 ks Chandra ACIS-S observation of the field around the Spiderweb Galaxy at z=2.156, focusing on the nuclear activity in the associated large-scale environment. We identify unresolved X-ray sources down to flux limits of 1.3X10^{-16} and 3.9X10^{-16} erg/s/cm^2 in the soft and hard band, respectively. We s...

In this work we performed a spectral energy distribution (SED) analysis in the optical/infrared band of the host galaxy of a proto-brightest bluster galaxy (BCG, NVSS J103023+052426) in a proto-cluster at z = 1.7. We found that it features a vigorous star formation rate (SFR) of ${\sim}$570 $\mathrm{M_{\odot}}$/yr and a stellar mass of $M_{\ast} \s...

In this work we performed a spectral energy distribution (SED) analysis in the optical/infrared band of the host galaxy of a proto-brightest bluster galaxy (BCG, NVSS J103023 + 052426) in a proto-cluster at z = 1.7. We found that it features a vigorous star formation rate (SFR) of ∼570 M⊙/yr and a stellar mass of M*∼3.7×1011 M⊙; the high correspond...

We present the joint Chandra, XMM-Newton, and NuSTAR analysis of two nearby Seyfert galaxies, NGC 3081 and ESO 565-G019. These are the only two having Chandra data in a larger sample of 10 low-redshift ( z ≤ 0.05), candidates Compton-thick (CT) Active Galactic Nuclei selected in the 15–150 keV band with Swift-BAT that were still lacking NuSTAR data...

We present the analysis of simultaneous Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) and XMM-Newton data of eight Compton-thick active galactic nuclei (CT-AGN) candidates selected in the Swift-BAT 100 month catalog. This work is part of an ongoing effort to find and characterize all CT-AGN in the Local ( z ≤ 0.05) Universe. We used two physically...

X-rays offer a reliable method to identify active galactic nuclei (AGNs). However, in the high-redshift Universe, X-ray AGNs are poorly sampled due to their relatively low space density and the small areas covered by X-ray surveys. In addition to wide-area X-ray surveys, it is important to have deep optical data in order to locate the optical count...

X-rays offer a reliable method to identify Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN). However, in the high-redshift Universe X-ray AGN are poorly sampled due to their relatively low space density and the small areas covered by X-ray surveys. In addition to wide-area X-ray surveys, it is important to have deep optical data in order to locate the optical counterp...

We present observations obtained with the VLT/MUSE optical integral field spectrograph of the radio source 3C 277.3, located at a redshift of 0.085 and associated with the galaxy Coma A. An emission line region fully enshrouds the double-lobed radio source, which is ∼60 kpc × 90 kpc in size. Based on the emission line ratios, we identified five com...

We present observations obtained with the VLT/MUSE optical integral field spectrograph of the radio source 3C277.3, located at a redshift of 0.085 and associated with the galaxy Coma A. An emission line region fully enshrouds the double-lobed radio source, which is ~60 kpc x 90 kpc in size. Based on the emission line ratios, we identified five comp...

For over 60 yr, the scientific community has studied actively growing central supermassive black holes (active galactic nuclei, AGNs), but fundamental questions on their genesis remain unanswered. Numerical simulations and theoretical arguments show that black hole growth occurs during short-lived periods (∼10 ⁷ –10 ⁸ yr) of powerful accretion. Maj...

We publicly release the spectroscopic and photometric redshift catalog of the sources detected with Chandra in the field of the z = 6.3 quasar SDSS J1030+0525. This is currently the fifth-deepest extragalactic X-ray field, and reaches a 0.5–2 keV flux limit of f 0.5 − 2 = 6 × 10 ⁻¹⁷ erg s ⁻¹ cm ⁻² . Using two independent methods, we measure a photo...

We publicly release the spectroscopic and photometric redshift catalog of the sources detected with Chandra in the field of the $z$=6.3 quasar SDSS J1030+0525. This is currently the fifth deepest X-ray field, and reaches a 0.5-2 keV flux limit $f_{\rm 0.5-2}$=6$\times$10$^{-17}$ erg s$^{-1}$ cm$^{-2}$. By using two independent methods, we measure a...

We present the analysis of simultaneous NuSTAR and XMM-Newton data of 8 Compton-thick (CT-) active galactic nuclei (AGN) candidates selected in the Swift-Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) 100 month survey. This work is part of an ongoing effort to find and characterize all CT-AGN in the local ($z\leq$0.05) Universe. We used two physically motivated model...

We present the joint Chandra, XMM-Newton and NuSTAR analysis of two nearby Seyfert galaxies, NGC 3081 and ESO 565-G019. These are the only two having Chandra data in a larger sample of ten low redshift ($z \le 0.05$), candidates Compton-thick Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) selected in the 15-150 keV band with Swift-BAT that were still lacking NuSTAR...

We present the X-ray point-source catalogs in two of the XMM-Spitzer Extragalactic Representative Volume Survey (XMM-SERVS) fields, W-CDF-S (4.6 deg2) and ELAIS-S1 (3.2 deg2), aiming to fill the gap between deep pencil-beam X-ray surveys and shallow X-ray surveys over large areas. The W-CDF-S and ELAIS-S1 regions were targeted with 2.3 and 1.0 Ms o...

We analyse the properties of the high-ionisation C IV λ 1549 broad emission line in connection with the X-ray emission of 30 bright, optically selected quasars at z ≃ 3.0−3.3 with pointed XMM-Newton observations, which were selected to test the suitability of active galactic nuclei as cosmological tools. In our previous work, we found that a large...

For over 60 years, the scientific community has studied actively growing central super-massive black holes (active galactic nuclei -- AGN) but fundamental questions on their genesis remain unanswered. Numerical simulations and theoretical arguments show that black hole growth occurs during short-lived periods ($\sim$ 10$^{7}$ -10$^{8}$ yr) of power...

We analyse the properties of the CIV broad emission line in connection with the X-ray emission of 30 bright SDSS quasars at z~3.0-3.3 with pointed XMM-Newton observations, which were selected to test the suitability of AGN as cosmological tools. In our previous work, we found that a large fraction (~25%) of the quasars in this sample are X-ray unde...

We present the X-ray point-source catalogs in two of the XMM-Spitzer Extragalactic Representative Volume Survey (XMM-SERVS) fields, W-CDF-S (4.6 deg$^2$) and ELAIS-S1 (3.2 deg$^2$), aiming to fill the gap between deep pencil-beam X-ray surveys and shallow X-ray surveys over large areas. The W-CDF-S and ELAIS-S1 regions were targeted with 2.3 Ms and...

In the past, the cumulative metallicity distribution function (CMDF) turned out to be a useful tool to constrain the accretion history of various components of the Milky Way. In this Letter, by means of analytical, leaky-box chemical evolution models (i.e. including both infall and galactic outflows), we study the CMDF of local star-forming galaxie...

In the past, the cumulative metallicity distribution function (CMDF) turned out as a useful tool to constrain the accretion history of various components of the Milky Way. In this Letter, by means of analytical, leaky-box chemical evolution models (i.e. including both infall and galactic outflows) we study the CMDF of local star-forming galaxies th...

Context. The discovery of hundreds of quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) in the first gigayear of the Universe powered by already grown supermassive black holes (SMBHs) challenges our knowledge of SMBH formation. In particular, investigations of z > 6 QSOs that present notable properties can provide unique information on the physics of fast SMBH growth i...