How many active galaxies and QSOs will future Space Missions detect?

Abstract

Averaged spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of active and starburst galaxies from the 12 micron sample in the Local Universe and Quasars, from an optically selected sample at a mean redshift <z>=0.7, are built from optical/near-IR/far-IR (IRAS & ISO) photometric observations. These SEDs are then used to predict at various redshifts the number of Seyfert type 1 and type 2, starburst, normal galaxies, and quasars, that will be detected by future Space Missions dedicated to far-infrared and submillimeter astronomy, like SIRTF and Herschel. These predictions are then compared with the expected capabilities and detection limits of future deep far-IR surveys. Possible ways to identify AGN candidates on far-IR colour-colour plots for follow-up observations are then explored.