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Delving into the depths of NGC 3783 with XRISM II. Cross-calibration of X-ray instruments used in the large, multi-mission observational campaign

Journal Article · · Astronomy & Astrophysics
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  1. Univ. of Geneva, Versoix (Switzerland); XRISM Collaboration. et al.
+ Show Author Affiliations
Context. Accurate X-ray spectroscopic measurements are fundamental for deriving basic physical parameters of the most abundant baryon components in the Universe. The plethora of X-ray observatories currently operational enables a panchromatic view of the high-energy emission of celestial sources. However, uncertainties in the energy-dependent calibration of the instrument transfer functions (e.g. the effective area, energy redistribution, or gain) can limit - and historically, did limit - the accuracy of X-ray spectroscopic measurements. Aims. We revised the status of the cross-calibration among the scientific payload on board four operation missions: Chandra, NuSTAR, XMM-Newton, and the recently launched XRISM. XRISM carries the micro-calorimeter Resolve, which yields the best energy resolution at energies ≥2 keV. For this purpose, we used the data from a 10-day-long observational campaign targeting the nearby active galactic nucleus NGC 3783, carried out in July 2024. Methods. We present a novel model-independent method for assessing the cross-calibration status that is based on a multi-node spline of the spectra with the highest-resolving power (XRISM/Resolve in our campaign). We also estimated the impact of the intrinsic variability of NGC 3783 on the cross-calibration status due to the different time coverages of participating observatories and performed an empirical reassessment of the Resolve throughput at low energies. Results. Based on this analysis, we derived a set of energy-dependent correction factors of the observed responses, enabling a statistically robust analysis of the whole spectral dataset. They will be employed in subsequent papers describing the astrophysical results of the campaign. Aims. We revised the status of the cross-calibration among the scientific payload on board four operation missions: Chandra, NuSTAR, XMM-Newton, and the recently launched XRISM. XRISM carries the micro-calorimeter Resolve, which yields the best energy resolution at energies ≥2 keV. For this purpose, we used the data from a 10-day-long observational campaign targeting the nearby active galactic nucleus NGC 3783, carried out in July 2024. Methods. We present a novel model-independent method for assessing the cross-calibration status that is based on a multi-node spline of the spectra with the highest-resolving power (XRISM/Resolve in our campaign). We also estimated the impact of the intrinsic variability of NGC 3783 on the cross-calibration status due to the different time coverages of participating observatories and performed an empirical reassessment of the Resolve throughput at low energies. Results. Based on this analysis, we derived a set of energy-dependent correction factors of the observed responses, enabling a statistically robust analysis of the whole spectral dataset. They will be employed in subsequent papers describing the astrophysical results of the campaign.
Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC52-07NA27344
OSTI ID:
2589576
Journal Information:
Astronomy & Astrophysics, Journal Name: Astronomy & Astrophysics Vol. 702; ISSN 1432-0746; ISSN 0004-6361
Publisher:
EDP SciencesCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (20)

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Chasing obscuration in type-I AGN: discovery of an eclipsing clumpy wind at the outer broad-line region of NGC 3783 journal October 2017
Density calculations of NGC 3783 warm absorbers using a time-dependent photoionisation model journal December 2023
Delving into the depths of NGC 3783 with XRISM journal July 2025
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In-orbit performance of the soft X-ray imaging telescope Xtend aboard XRISM journal May 2025
Optimization of X-ray event screening using ground and in-orbit data for the Resolve instrument onboard the XRISM satellite journal March 2025
In-flight performance of the XRISM/Resolve detector system journal October 2025
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Related Subjects

Active Galactic Nuclei
individual: NGC 3783
Instrumentation: X-rays
galaxies: active
instrumentation: spectrographs
methods: data analysis
space vehicles: instruments
techniques: spectroscopic