The eJWST active galactic nucleus observation catalogue

Virginia Lenk, Alvaro Labiano, Chiara Circosta, Almudena Alonso-Herrero, Dominika Wylezalek

First listed 2026-01-21 | Last updated 2026-01-21

Abstract

Context. The European Archive of the James Webb Space Telescope (eJWST) provides access to all data collected by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). JWST's capabilities span from studying early universe galaxy formation to probing exoplanet atmospheres. Specifically, for Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), JWST offers unparalleled opportunities, enabling investigation into AGN phenomena with unprecedented detail through high-resolution imaging, spectroscopy, and photometric data. Aims. This study aims to compile and release a catalogue of all AGN observations conducted with JWST. Using eJWST, we systematically filter and organize these observations to facilitate access and retrieval of all of JWST's data products related to AGNs. Our goal is to provide the community with a valuable resource for their research. Methods. We compiled the AGN observations in eJWST using specific keywords set by the principal investigators in their proposals, manually reviewing the approved programs of JWST, as well as cross-matching all available observations with available AGN catalogues such as the Million Quasar catalogue, the SDSS MaNGA AGN catalogue, the CDFS catalogue, and others. Results. The resulting catalogue contains a total of 3,242 individual AGNs included in JWST observations. This is one of the first extensive collections of AGN observations from the JWST. It includes detailed information about the targets (name, coordinates, redshift), specifics of the JWST observations (instrument, aperture, filter, etc.), and provides links for data downloads.

Short digest

This paper releases the eJWST AGN observation catalogue, a curated list of JWST pointings containing AGN assembled from archive keywords, manual program review, and cross-matches to major AGN lists (Million Quasar, SDSS MaNGA AGN, CDFS). The catalogue spans 3,242 unique AGNs and records target identifiers, coordinates, redshifts, and per-observation details (instrument, aperture, filter), with direct download links in eJWST. Built via TAP+/ADQL queries to eJWST’s CAOM through astroquery, it includes both targeted and serendipitous AGNs present in the FoV, plus calibration/background data. The release enables immediate population studies and efficient follow-up across redshift and observing modes.

Key figures to inspect

• Fig. 2 (redshift histogram): inspect the z-coverage and where the sample is densest to gauge feasible bins for stacking or selection-limited analyses.
• Fig. 3 (NGC 3079 coordinate comparison): see how SwiftBAT vs Milliquas coordinates shift the target relative to a specific MIRI FoV, illustrating cross-match provenance and positional uncertainties.
• Fig. 4 (NGC 2936, MIRI F770W): shows that FoV polygons can include masked zones from coronagraphs—an AGN can lie inside the geometric FoV yet have no usable pixels.
• Fig. 1 (target_keywords snippet): clarifies the APT category/description labels that seeded the initial AGN selection, useful for reproducing the keyword-based query.