An XMM-Newton Observation of the Luminous Seyfert 1 Galaxy Markarian 509
Abstract
We present the spectral analysis of an early XMM-Newton observation of the luminous Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 509. We find the hard (2-10 keV) continuum slope, including reflection, to be somewhat flatter (Γ=1.75) than that of a typical broad-line Seyfert 1 galaxy. The most obvious feature in the hard X-ray spectrum is a narrow emission line near 6.4 keV with an equivalent width of ~50 eV. The energy and strength of this line is consistent with fluorescence from ``neutral'' iron in the molecular torus, and we note the emerging ubiquity of this feature in XMM-Newton and Chandra observations of Seyfert 1 galaxies over a wide luminosity range. We also find evidence for a second emission line at 6.7-6.9 keV, which we attempt to model by reflection from a highly ionized disk. A ``soft excess,'' evident as an upward curvature in the continuum flux below ~1.5 keV, cannot be explained solely by enhanced reflection from the ionized disk. The RGS spectrum shows only weak discrete emission and absorption features in the soft X-ray spectrum, supporting our conclusion that the soft excess emission in Mrk 509 represents the high-energy portion of optically thick, thermal emission from the inner accretion disk.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- September 2001
- DOI:
- 10.1086/322315
- arXiv:
- arXiv:astro-ph/0105308
- Bibcode:
- 2001ApJ...559..181P
- Keywords:
-
- Galaxies: Active;
- galaxies: individual (Markarian 509);
- Galaxies: Seyfert;
- X-Rays: Galaxies;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 16 pages, including postscript figures. Accepted for Publication in ApJ