Thomson Thick X-ray Absorption in a Broad Absorption Line Quasar, PG 0946+301
Date
2000
Authors
Mathur, Smita
Green, Paul
Arav, Nahum
Brotherton, Michael
Crenshaw, M
de Kool, Marthijn
Elvis, M
Goodrich, R.
Hamann, F
Hines, D C
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IOP Publishing
Abstract
We present a deep ASCA observation of a broad absorption line quasar (BALQSO) PG 0946+301. The source was clearly detected in one of the gas imaging spectrometers, but not in any other detector. If BALQSOs have intrinsic X-ray spectra similar to normal radio-quiet quasars, our observations imply that there is Thomson thick X-ray absorption (NH ≳ 1024 cm-2) toward PG 0946+301. This is the largest column density estimated so far toward a BALQSO. The absorber must be at least partially ionized and may be responsible for attenuation in the optical and UV. If the Thomson optical depth toward BALQSOs is close to 1, as inferred here, then spectroscopy in hard X-rays with large telescopes like XMM would be feasible.
Description
Keywords
Keywords: Galaxies: active; Quasars: absorption lines; Quasars: individual (PG 0946+301); X-rays: galaxies
Citation
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Source
Astrophysical Journal, The
Type
Journal article