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M. Guainazzi

Publications and source records attributed to M. Guainazzi.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
arXiv2004

Transmission- to reflection-dominated transition in Seyfert 2 galaxies: the XMM-Newton view

In this paper we present the current status of a XMM-Newton program to observe an optically-defined, complete and unbiased sample of Compton-thick Seyfert 2 galaxies. The main goal of this project is the measurement of the occurrence rate of transition between transmission- (i.e.: Compton-thin), and reflection-dominated spectral states. These transitions potentially provide information on the distribution of the obscuring matter surrounding the nucleus, and on the duty-cycle of the AGN activity. With about 2/3 of the whole sample being observed, we detected 1 further transition out of 8 observed objects, confirming previous suggestions that these transitions occur on time-scales ~50-100 years.

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arXiv2004

Drilled by the jet? XMM-Newton discovers a Compton-thick AGN in the GPS galaxy Mkn668

We report the XMM-Newton discovery of the first Compton-thick obscured AGN in a Broad Line Radio Galaxy, the Gigahertz Peaked-Spectrum source Mkn668 (OQ+208). The remarkably flat 2-10 keV X-ray spectrum (observed photon index, Γ~ 0.7), alongside with a prominent iron K-alpha fluorescent emission line, is a clear signature of a Compton-reflection dominated spectrum. Mkn688 represents a remarkable example of discrepancy between X-ray spectral properties and optical classification, as its optical spectrum is characterized by broad and asymmetric Balmer lines. The obscuring matter is constrained to be located within the radio hotspots, in turn separated by about 10 pc. If the jets are piercing their way through a Compton-thick medium pervading the nuclear environment, one could be largely underestimating the radio activity dynamical age determined from the observed hotspot recession velocity. The soft X-ray spectrum is dominated by a much steeper component, which may be due to nuclear continuum electron scattering, or inverse Compton of the - remarkably large - far infrared emission. Soft X-rays are suppressed by a further Compton-thin (N_H ~ 10^21/cm/cm) absorbing system, that we identify with matter responsible for free-free absorption of the radio lobes.

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arXiv2004

Relativistic spectral features from X-ray illuminated spots and the measure of the black hole mass in AGN

Narrow spectral features in the 5--6 keV range were recently discovered in the X-ray spectra of a few active galactic nuclei. We discuss the possibility that these features are due to localized spots which occur on the surface of an accretion disc following its illumination by flares. We present detailed line profiles as a function of orbital phase of the spot and its radial distance from a central black hole. Comparison of these computed profiles with observed features can help to estimate parameters of the system. In principle this method can provide a powerful tool to measure the mass of super-massive black holes in active galactic nuclei. By comparing our simulations with the Chandra and XMM-Newton results, we show, however, that spectra from present generation X-ray satellites are not of good enough quality to fully exploit the method and determine the black hole mass with sufficient accuracy. This task has to be deferred to future missions with high throughput and high energy resolution, such as Constellation-X and Xeus.

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arXiv2003

The hard X-ray view of the low-luminosity blazar in the radio galaxy NGC6251

We present results from a BeppoSAX (July 2001) observation of the FRI radio galaxy NGC6251, together with a re-analysis of archival ASCA (October 1994) and Chandra (September 2000) data. The weak detection above 10 keV and the lack of iron fluorescent K-alpha emission lines in the BeppoSAX spectrum rule out that the bulk of the X-ray emission is due to an obscured Seyfert nucleus. The study of the multiwavelength spectral energy distribution suggests instead that X-rays probably originate as inverse-Compton of synchrotron seed photons in a relativistic jet, indicating that NGC6251 hosts a low radio luminosity [L(5 GHz) ~10^40 erg/s] blazar. The BeppoSAX spectrum is flatter than in the earlier ASCA observation. This might be due to the emergence of a different spectral component during phases of lower X-ray flux. In this context, we discuss some possible explanations for the intense and mildly-ionized fluorescent iron line measured by ASCA.

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arXiv2003

Chandra and XMM-Newton observations of Tololo 0109-383

We present and discuss Chandra and XMM-Newton observations of the Seyfert 2 galaxy and Compton-thick absorbed source, Tololo~0109-383. The hard X-ray emission (i.e. above $\sim$2 keV), is dominated by a spatially unresolved reflection component, as already discovered by previous ASCA and BeppoSAX observ ations. The soft X-ray emission is partly ($\sim$15%) extended over about 1 kpc. Below 2 keV, the spectrum is very steep and two emission lines, probably due to recombination to He-like ions of oxygen and neon, are clearly present. Combining X-rays and optical information taken from the literature, we propose an overall scenario for the nuclear regions of this source.

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arXiv2003

The recent X-ray history of NGC 5506

We present a detailed discussion of the spectral and spatial components of NGC 5506, based on XMM-Newton, Chandra and BeppoSAX observations. The overall picture consists of a nucleus absorbed by cold gas with column density of $\approx10^{22}$ cm$^{-2}$ and surrounded by a Compton-thick torus, whose existence is inferred by a cold reflection component and an iron K$α$ line. On a much larger scale, a photoionized gas extended on $\approx350$ pc reprocesses the nuclear radiation, producing a soft excess and ionized iron lines. Noteworthy, we find no evidence for the presence of the accretion disc.

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arXiv2003

Changing look: from Compton-thick to Compton-thin, or the re-birth of fossil AGN

We discuss the properties of a small sample of Seyfert 2 galaxies whose X-ray spectrum changed appearance on time scales of years, becoming reflection-dominated from Compton-thin, or viceversa. A reflection--dominated spectrum is usually taken as evidence of Compton-thick absorption, but we instead argue that such a spectrum is due to a temporary switching--off of the nuclear radiation. The observations discussed here may help explaining mismatches between optical and X-ray classifications, and provide new strong and direct evidence of the presence of more than one cold circumnuclear region in Seyfert 2 galaxies.

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arXiv2003

The history of the iron K-alpha line profile in the Piccinotti AGN ESO198-G24

This paper presents ASCA (July 1997), XMM-Newton (December 2000) and BeppoSAX (January 2001) observations of the Piccinotti Seyfert 1 galaxy ESO198-G24. The BeppoSAX 0.1-200 keV spectrum exhibits reprocessing features, probably produced by an X-ray illuminated, relativistic accretion disk subtending a solid angle \~2 pi. During the XMM-Newton observation the fluorescent iron K-alpha line profile (centroid energy E~6.4 keV) was broad and twice as bright as in the BeppoSAX observation. An additional emission feature (E~5.7 keV), detected at the 96.3% confidence level, may be part of a relativistic, double-peaked profile. By contrast, in the earlier ASCA observation the line profile is dominated by a remarkably narrow "core" (intrinsic width <50 eV). If this component is produced by reflection off the inner surface of a molecular torus, its large Equivalent Width (~300 eV) most likely represents the "echo" of a previously brighter flux state, in agreement with the dynamical range covered by the historical X-ray light curve in ESO198-G24.

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arXiv2003

The starburst-AGN of NGC1808 observed with XMM-Newton

NGC1808 is a nearby spiral galaxy that harbours an active central region with an extent of 20 arcsec (i.e. 1 kpc). Previous X-ray and optical/NIR observations have provided convincing evidence for the existence of a starburst and an AGN. We present here preliminary results of the analysis of XMM-Newton data. We show a weak high-resolution soft X-ray spectrum with only emission lines typical of a starburst. Our analysis of the EPIC-pn spectrum shows two thermal components, but there is an additional, hard X-ray power law tail that is most likely due to an obscured active nucleus. Thus, our data show for the first time the presence of emission from both components, AGN and starburst, in one observation.

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arXiv2002

The Compton-thick AGN in the GPS radio source OQ+208

We report in this paper the ASCA discovery of the first radio-loud Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) covered by a Compton-thick X-ray absorber, in the GigaHertz Peaked Spectrum (GPS) radio source OQ+208. It represents one of the few available direct measurements of dense matter in the nuclear environment of this class of sources, which may provide the confining medium to the radio-emitting region if GPS sources are indeed "frustrated" classical radio doubles. The perspective of future studies with XEUS are discussed.

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arXiv2002

The XMM-Newton Science Archive

The XMM-NEWTON Science Archive (XSA) is being developed within the XMM-NEWTON Science Operations Centre at the ESA VILSPA Satellite Tracking Station of Villafranca del Castillo, near Madrid in Spain. The first public version was released on April 15, 2002. Based on the ISO Data Archive architecture and design, the XSA is accessible from the World Wide Web through a Java interface at http://xmm.vilspa.esa.es/xsa that allows: - powerful and complex queries against the observations and exposure catalogue for the first release and against the source catalogue in future releases - configurable results display, including product visualization tools - customisable product retrieval via a shopping basket - selection of product level - product retrieval via FTP or CDROM - proprietary rights protection for both display and data request The XSA will also be ready to provide inter-operability with other archives and applications.

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arXiv2002

A BeppoSax view of the Centaurus Cluster

We present results from the analysis of a BeppoSAX observation of the Centaurus Cluster. The radial metal abundance profile shows evidence of a large enhancement in the core, where Ab $>$ 1 (sol. units). The temperature map indicates that the cluster is characterized by a gradient oriented in the NW/SE direction, with cooler gas in the NW and hotter gas in the SE (ΔkT \sim 1 keV). In hard X-rays, where the PDS detects emission with a flux of $2.2 \times 10^{-11}$ erg/cm^2/s in the 20-200 keV band, the spectrum lies above the extrapolation of the cluster thermal emission. We discuss several possible interpretations for the hard excess finding that none is completely satisfactory.

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arXiv2002

Compton reflection and iron fluorescence in BeppoSAX observations of Seyfert type 1 galaxies

A sample of nine bright Seyfert 1 and NELG type galaxies, observed with BeppoSAX, is analyzed to assess on a truly broad band basis (0.1-200 keV) the issue of the spectral contributions of Compton reflection and iron line fluorescence from circumnuclear gas. The empirical description adopted for the direct continuum is the commonly used power law with an exponential cut-off. The most direct test of the theoretical predictions, namely that the equivalent width of the line, Walpha, and the strength R of the reflection relative to the direct continuum are closely related to each other, gives a substantially positive result, that is their mean ratio is very close to expectation, and only a modest spread in the iron abundance seems implied. The existence of a steep correlation between R and the slope Gamma of the power law is not confirmed. A weak evidence is found that the existence of a very shallow trend to increase on average with Gamma cannot be altogether excluded in both R and Walpha, but needs to be tested with a larger sample. The energy Ef in the exponential cut-off spans a range from about 80 to more than 300 keV. A possible correlation is found, with Ef increasing on average with Gamma: if ignored, for instance by keeping Ef at a fixed value in a sample study, it could be cause of artificial steepening in a correlation between R and Gamma.

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arXiv2002

The Phoenix galaxy: UGC4203 re-birth from its ashes?

We report on a dramatic transition between a Compton-thick, reflection-dominated state and a Compton-thin state in the Seyfert 2 galaxy UGC4203, discovered by comparing a recent (May 2001) XMM-Newton observation with ASCA observations performed about six years earlier. This transition can be explained either as a change in the column density of the absorber, maybe due to moving clouds in a clumpy torus, or as the revival of a transient active nucleus, which was in a phase of very low activity when observed by ASCA. If the latter explanation is correct, spectral transitions of this kind provide observational support to the idea that Compton-thick and Compton-thin regions coexist in the same source, the former likely to be identified with the "torus", the latter with dust lanes on much larger scales.

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arXiv2001

The formerly X-ray reflection-dominated Seyfert~2 galaxy NGC6300

In this paper, a BeppoSAX observation of the bright Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC6300 is presented. The rapidly variable emission from the active nucleus is seen through a Compton-thin (NH ~ 3x10^23 atomoms/cm/cm) absorber. A Compton-reflection component with an unusually high reflection fraction (R ~ 4.2), and the comparison with a reflection-dominated spectrum measured by RXTE two and half years earlier suggest that NGC6300 belongs to the class of "transient" AGN, undergoing long and repeated periods of low-activity. The spectral transition provides support to the idea that Compton-thick and Compton-thin X-ray absorbers in Seyfert 2 galaxies are decoupled, the former being most likely associated with the "torus", whereas the latter is probably located at much larger distances.

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arXiv2001

The complex iron line of NGC 5506

The bright Narrow Emission Line Galaxy, NGC 5506, has been observed simultaneously by XMM-Newton and BeppoSAX. The iron line is complex, with at least two components: one narrow and corresponding to neutral iron, the second one broad and corresponding to ionized iron. The latter line is equally well fitted by a truly broad line or by a blend of He- and H-like narrow lines. The bulk of the Compton reflection continuum originates in neutral matter, and is therefore associated with the narrow line: they are most likely emitted in distant matter. The origin of the ionized line(s) is less certain, but the solution in terms of a blend of narrow lines from photoionized matter seems to be preferable to emission from an ionized, relativistic accretion disc.

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arXiv2001

BeppoSAX spectroscopy of MR 2251-178: a test for ionized reflection in radio quiet QSOs

We present the 0.1-200 keV BeppoSAX spectrum of MR 2251-178 observed at two epochs in 1998 separated by 5 months. Both epochs show identical spectral shape and X-ray flux. Analysis of the combined spectra allow us to confirm the presence of the ionized Fe K-alpha line detected by ASCA and to test the presence of reflection from ionized material. The best self-consistent spectral fit is obtained when including a contribution from a mildly ionized reflector (Xi(0.01-100) ~ 1625 erg cm s-1, i.e. U(0.1-10) ~ 0.14) with a reflection fraction R_ion ~ 0.11. An exponential cut-off to the direct power-law continuum is then required at E ~ 100 keV. The low energy spectrum is absorbed by ionized matter with a column density N_W = (8.1 (-1.2/+2.1))*10^21 cm^-2 and an X-ray ionization parameter U(0.1-10)= 0.06 +/- 0.01. The warm absorber column is slightly lower than that measured with ASCA. This change could be caused by bulk motion. The BeppoSAX absorber ionization parameter globally agrees with the ``U versus Flux'' correlation found for MR 2251-178 with EXOSAT, Ginga and ASCA. This suggests that the absorber is in a state of instantaneous ionization equilibrium.

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