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Other literature type . 2026
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Presentation . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Presentation . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Glimpses of the high-z universe with local analogues: a new intrinsically soft Compton-thick AGN

Authors: Boorman, Peter;

Glimpses of the high-z universe with local analogues: a new intrinsically soft Compton-thick AGN

Abstract

Recent observations from JWST have revealed an abundance of Seyfert-luminosity AGN at high redshift that lack any observable X-ray counterparts. Current theories provide two reasons for such X-ray deficits: (1) rapid accretion with very soft X-ray spectra akin to Narrow Line Seyfert 1s in the local universe or (2) AGN obscured by Compton-thick levels of obscuration along the line-of-sight. However, no example is currently known of an AGN displaying both a soft spectrum and Compton-thick obscuration at any redshift. In this talk, I will present the first and currently only NuSTAR confirmed Compton-thick AGN with strong indications of an intrinsically soft X-ray spectrum, existing at a mere 22 Mpc from us. By testing multiple model geometries for the obscurer, we show that the observed X-ray spectrum can only be explained with either (i) an extraordinarily steep slope with photon index of ~3, (ii) a remarkably low coronal temperature of <~ 15 keV or (iii) a combination of both. All three possibilities suggest the source is the first Narrow Line Seyfert 1 confirmed to be obscured by Compton-thick obscuration along the line-of-sight. However, regardless of its accretion properties, intrinsically X-ray soft Compton-thick AGN plausibly represent an entirely new class of obscured AGN that would be essentially invisible to all wide-area X-ray surveys performed to-date. Such sources thus provide a natural explanation for JWST AGN lacking detectable X-ray counterparts at high redshift.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average