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The XMM-Newton Iron Line Profile of NGC 3783We report on observations of the iron K line in the nearby Seyfert 1 galaxy, NGC 3783, obtained in a long, 2 orbit (approx. 240 ks) XMM-Newton observation. The line profile obtained exhibits two strong narrow peaks at 6.4 keV and at 7.0 keV, with measured line equivalent widths of 120 and 35 eV respectively. The 6.4 keV emission is the K(alpha) line from near neutral Fe, whilst the 7.0 keV feature probably originates from a blend of the neutral Fe K(beta) line and the Hydrogen-like line of Fe at 6.97 keV. The relatively narrow velocity width of the K(alpha) line (approx. less than 5000 km/s), its lack of response to the continuum emission on short timescales and the detection of a neutral Compton reflection component are all consistent with a distant origin in Compton-thick matter such as the putative molecular torus. A strong absorption line from highly ionized iron (at 6.67 keV) is detected in the time-averaged iron line profile, whilst the depth of the feature appears to vary with time, being strongest when the continuum flux is higher. The iron absorption line probably arises from the highest ionization component of the known warm absorber in NGC 3783, with an ionization of log xi approx 3 and column density of N(sub H) approx. 5 x 10(exp 22)/sq cm and may originate from within 0.1 pc of the nucleus. A weak red-wing to the iron K line profile is also detected below 6.4 keV. However when the effect of the highly ionized warm absorber on the underlying continuum is taken into account, the requirement for a relativistic iron line component from the inner disk is reduced.
Document ID
20040013431
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Reeves, J. N. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Nandra, K. (Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd. London, United Kingdom)
George, I. M. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pounds, K. A. (Leicester Univ. United Kingdom)
Turner, T. J. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Yaqoob, T. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
September 7, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2003
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-7538
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-10769
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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