AGN in the XMM-Newton first-light image as probes for the interstellar medium in the LMC

The XMM-Newton first-light image revealed X-ray point sources which show heavily absorbed power-law spectra. The spectral indices and the probable identification of a radio counterpart for the brightest source suggest AGN shining through the interstellar gas of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). The column densities derived from the X-ray spectra in combination with H i measurements will allow to draw conclusions on H i to H₂ ratios in the LMC and compare these with values found for the galactic plane. Based on observations obtained with XMM-Newton, an ESA science mission with instruments and contributions directly funded by ESA Member States and the USA (NASA).