An XXL extragalactic survey: prospects for the XMM next decade Workshop, 14-16 April 2008, Paris

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Welcome | Context | Programme | Science | Contribution | Participants | ( SOCadm )

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In the context of the XMM Next Decade projects, we propose a three-day workshop to bring together astronomers interested in a large-scale (100 deg² scale) extragalactic survey with XMM-Newton. The purpose of the meeting would be to examine the scientific arguments for such a survey, the technical feasibility of conducting the survey with XMM-Newton, and the practical steps needed to make best use of the data that would be returned. Now is an excellent time for such a workshop, since groups have gained considerable experience in working with XMM-Newton data.

Topics to be addressed include:

• the use of a large X-ray survey to gain samples of clusters of galaxies, AGN and galaxies for cosmology and astrophysics


• selection effects imposed on cluster and AGN samples by X-ray surveys of this type


• the relative merits of X-ray, SZ effect, lensing techniques for selecting clusters of galaxies


• the relative merits of X-ray, radio, optical techniques for selecting AGN


• current results from cluster surveys and their interpretation in terms of scaling law evolution, cluster physics, and cosmology


• current results on the AGN population and their interpretation in terms of AGN physics, the evolution of the population, and feedback processes


• the relationship between the cluster and AGN populations


• formation and evolution of X-ray normal galaxies. Large scale properties


• other science possible with such large surveys


• optimal survey design: sky coverage, depth, effects of cosmic variance, etc.

It is proposed that the workshop be based around large groups undertaking large-scale surveys of this type, with specific invitations to:

• X-ray astronomers using XMM-Newton, Chandra, and e-ROSITA


• Optical astronomers from imaging and spectroscopic surveys


• SZ and radio survey astronomers from the various collaborations


• Cosmologists working on the simulation of structure formation


• AGN astrophysicists

and with an open invitation to others, with a maximum suggested meeting size of 50 participants