Proposal Details - 1120015
INTEGRAL monitoring of Centaurus A (Jourdain)

Proposal Abstract

This proposal is to observe the radio galaxy Centaurus A for 2 Ms. The aim is to study this bright active galaxy in order to characterize the continuum shape and firmly measure the cut-off of the primary emission which is still a matter of debate. Thanks to the INTEGRAL/IBIS and SPI broad band capability, it will be possible to definitely assess the spectral parameters of its Seyfert-like component. The energy domain covered by INTEGRAL is crucial to discriminate between thermal and non-thermal processes and thus to determine the contribution of the jet in the global emission. The extended lobe emission detected by FERMI in the gamma-rays domain clearly deserves deep observations to reveal the radiation mechanism supplying this structure.Furthermore, we wish to point out that the sky region around Cen A particularly rich of extragalactic objects, three of them (Cen A, NGC 4945 and NGC 4507) are among the brightest AGN observed in the high energy sky and clearly detected by INTEGRAL. On another hand, FERMI has detected a dozen of sources in the 10 circle around Centaurus A, half of them without identified counterparts. This shows that this field will provide a lot of potential targets and additional results in various scientific domains.

Observation Strategy (Recommended by TAC)

Total of 1.6 Ms split in two segments of 800 ks, one in each of the two visibility periods (Jan-Feb and Jul-Aug), and performed in the standard 5x5 pattern centred on RA, Dec = 201.37, -43.02 (J2000 in degrees).

Proposal grade: C

Data Rights (Recommended by TAC)

Data rights are awarded for Cen A

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 100, 300 and 500 ksec contour.