XMM Searches for Iron Lines in Low Luminosity AGN: a Test of Accretion Theories

We propose to use XMM to observe the nuclei of several nearby galaxies whichharbor low luminosity active galactic nuclei. We intend to search for ironlines in the Xray spectra of these systems, all of which were observed withASCA and have either a nondetection or a marginal detection of an ironemission line. The detection of iron lines in these galaxies (particularlybroad lines) would rule out the ADAF hypothesis and would support a model inwhich accretion proceeds via a geometrically thin, optically thick, accretiondisk. On the other hand, nondetection of iron lines, with the firm upperlimits on equivalent widths which XMM can obtain, would strongly support theADAF hypothesis. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]