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We present a procedure to constrain the redshifts of obscured () active galactic nuclei (AGN) based on low count statistics X-ray spectra, which can be adopted when photometric and/or spectroscopic redshifts are unavailable or difficult to obtain. We selected a sample of 54 obscured AGN candidates on the basis of their X-ray hardness ratio, , in the Chandra deep field (∼479 ks, 335 arcmin2) around the z = 6.3 QSO SDSS J1030+0524. The sample has a median value of ≈80 net counts in the 0.5–7 keV energy band. We estimate reliable X-ray redshift solutions taking advantage of the main features in obscured AGN spectra, like the Fe 6.4 keV emission line, the 7.1 keV Fe absorption edge, and the photoelectric absorption cutoff. The significance of such features is investigated through spectral simulations, and the derived X-ray redshift solutions are then compared with photometric redshifts. Both photometric and X-ray redshifts are derived for 33 sources. When multiple solutions are derived by any method, we find that combining the redshift solutions of the two techniques improves the rms by a factor of 2. Using our redshift estimates (), we derived absorbing column densities in the range and absorption-corrected, 2–10 keV rest-frame luminosities between and 1045 erg s−1, with median values of and , respectively. Our results suggest that the adopted procedure can be applied to current and future X-ray surveys for sources detected only in X-rays or that have uncertain photometric or single-line spectroscopic redshifts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using Hubble Space Telescope/WFC3 imaging taken as part of the Cosmic Assembly Near-infrared Deep Extragalactic Legacy Survey, we examine the role that major galaxy mergers play in triggering active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity at z ~ 2. Our sample consists of 72 moderate-luminosity (LX ~ 1042-44 erg s-1) AGNs at 1.5 < z < 2.5 that are selected using the 4 Ms Chandra observations in the Chandra Deep Field South, the deepest X-ray observations to date. Employing visual classifications, we have analyzed the rest-frame optical morphologies of the AGN host galaxies and compared them to a mass-matched control sample of 216 non-active galaxies at the same redshift. We find that most of the AGNs reside in disk galaxies (Due to image rights restrictions, multiple line equation(s) cannot be graphically displayed.), while a smaller percentage are found in spheroids (Due to image rights restrictions, multiple line equation(s) cannot be graphically displayed.). Roughly Due to image rights restrictions, multiple line equation(s) cannot be graphically displayed. of the AGN hosts have highly disturbed morphologies and appear to be involved in a major merger or interaction, while most of the hosts (Due to image rights restrictions, multiple line equation(s) cannot be graphically displayed.) appear relatively relaxed and undisturbed. These fractions are statistically consistent with the fraction of control galaxies that show similar morphological disturbances. These results suggest that the hosts of moderate-luminosity AGNs are no more likely to be involved in an ongoing merger or interaction relative to non-active galaxies of similar mass at z ~ 2. The high disk fraction observed among the AGN hosts also appears to be at odds with predictions that merger-driven accretion should be the dominant AGN fueling mode at z ~ 2, even at moderate X-ray luminosities. Although we cannot rule out that minor mergers are responsible for triggering these systems, the presence of a large population of relatively undisturbed disk-like hosts suggests that the stochastic accretion of gas plays a greater role in fueling AGN activity at z ~ 2 than previously thought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present photometric redshifts and associated probability distributions for all detected sources in the Extended Chandra Deep Field South (ECDFS). This work makes use of the most up-to-date data from the Cosmic Assembly Near-IR Deep Legacy Survey (CANDELS) and the Taiwan ECDFS Near-Infrared Survey (TENIS) in addition to other data. We also revisit multi-wavelength counterparts for published X-ray sources from the 4 Ms CDFS and 250 ks ECDFS surveys, finding reliable counterparts for 1207 out of 1259 sources (∼96%). Data used for photometric redshifts include intermediate-band photometry deblended using the TFIT method, which is used for the first time in this work. Photometric redshifts for X-ray source counterparts are based on a new library of active galactic nuclei/galaxy hybrid templates appropriate for the faint X-ray population in the CDFS. Photometric redshift accuracy for normal galaxies is 0.010 and for X-ray sources is 0.014 and outlier fractions are 4% and 5.2%, respectively. The results within the CANDELS coverage area are even better, as demonstrated both by spectroscopic comparison and by galaxy-pair statistics. Intermediate-band photometry, even if shallow, is valuable when combined with deep broadband photometry. For best accuracy, templates must include emission lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]