X-ray spectroscopy of the broad-line radio galaxy 3C 111
Abstract
We present an ASCA observation of the broad-line radio galaxy 3C 111. The X-ray spectrum is well described by a model consisting of a photoelectrically absorbed power-law form. The inferred absorbing column density is significantly greater than expected on the basis of 21-cm measurements of Galactic HI. Whilst this may be the result of intrinsic absorption from a circumnuclear torus or highly warped accretion disc, inhomogeneities and molecular gas within the foreground giant molecular cloud may also be responsible for some of this excess absorption. We also claim a marginal detection of a broad iron Kalpha line which is well explained as being a fluorescent line originating from the central regions of a radiatively efficient accretion disc. This line appears weak in comparison to those found in (radio-quiet) Seyfert nuclei. We briefly discuss the implications of this fact.
- Publication:
-
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Pub Date:
- September 1998
- DOI:
- 10.1046/j.1365-8711.1998.01791.x
- arXiv:
- arXiv:astro-ph/9805217
- Bibcode:
- 1998MNRAS.299..410R
- Keywords:
-
- ACCRETION;
- ACCRETION DISCS;
- GALAXIES: ACTIVE;
- GALAXIES: INDIVIDUAL: 3C 111;
- X-RAYS: GALAXIES;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 7 pages including 2 postscript figures. Accepted for publication in MNRAS