An X-ray-absorbed radio-quiet QSO with an intervening strong metal absorption-line system

Abstract

We find evidence for significant X-ray absorption in the QSO RXJ005734.78-272827.4, along with strong absorption lines in its optical spectrum. We propose that the absorption lines are due to an intervening metal-line system at a redshift of z = 0.628, and show that this intervening system is also the probable cause of the X-ray absorption. The intervening absorber is inferred to have an X-ray column of ∿1022 cm-2. This is the first time that an absorption-line system has been identified with an X-ray absorber in a radio-quiet object.