Proposal Details - 1020019
INTEGRAL monitoring of NGC 4945 (Malizia)

Proposal Abstract

We propose in the present INTEGRAL AO-10 to monitor the Compton-thick AGN NGC 4945 for a total of 1 Msec. We will coordinate a snapshot of this monitoring with the incoming NuSTAR hard X-ray satellite for a simultaneous observation with INTEGRAL having the double goal of calibrating the two instruments while studying the spectral shape and variabity of NGC 4945. This campaign is unique in two respects: NGC 4945 is the only object suitable for an investigation of possible variations of a Compton-thick AGN, which would confirm the first constraints on the structure and dimensions of the absorber/reflector in these objects, and the proposed observations are a clear ideal case for combined NuSTAR/INTEGRAL obser- vations in order to cross-calibrate the two instruments and, making full use of their unique high-energy spectral capabilities, study the broad band spectrum of this archetypal Compton thick AGN. We propose to split this observational campaign in a sequence of 8 pointings of 100 ksec each before and after a 200 ksec measurement contemporaneous with NuSTAR.

Observation Strategy (Recommended by TAC)

Total observing time of 360 ks split in three observations of 120 ks using the standard 5x5 dithering pattern centered on RA, Dec (J2000.0, in degrees) = 196.364, -49.468 (l,b = 305.272, 13.340 degrees). The second observation is to be carried out with simultaneous NuSTAR coverage.

Proposal grade: A

Data Rights (Recommended by TAC)

Data rights were granted for NGC 4945

Exposure Map

The exposure maps are in galactic coordinates using the Aitoff projection and units of seconds, and the colour scale is indicated at the bottom. The green lines provide the 50, 200, 350, 500 and 650 ksec contour.