High-resolution X-ray imaging and spectroscopy of the core of NGC 4945 with XMM-Newton and Chandra

Details High-resolution X-ray imaging and spectroscopy of the core of NGC 4945 with XMM-Newton and Chandra High-resolution X-ray imaging and spectroscopy of the core of NGC 4945 with XMM-Newton and Chandra

2002-04-22

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0204361v1

Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc. 335 (2002) 241

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

7 pages, 4 figures (3 colour), 1 Table. Accepted for pulication in MNRAS

Scientific paper

10.1046/j.1365-8711.2002.05585.x

We utilize the complimentary capabilities of XMM-Newton and Chandra, to conduct a detailed imaging and spectral study of the nearby galaxy NGC 4945 focussing on its nucleus and immediate surroundings (within ~1 kpc of the nucleus). A complex morphology is revealed including a predominantly hard, but partially resolved, nuclear source plus a spectrally soft, conically shaped X-ray "plume", which extends 30" (500 pc) to the northwest. In NGC 4945 our direct view of the active galactic nucleus (AGN) is blocked below ~10 keV by extremely heavy line-of-sight absorption and the observed X-ray spectrum is dominated by multi-temperature thermal emission associated with the nuclear starburst and the X-ray plume. Nevertheless the signature of the AGN is present in the form of a neutral Compton reflection component and a 6.4 keV fluorescent iron Ka line. We conjecture that the site of the continuum reprocessing is the far wall of a highly inclined molecular torus, a geometry which is consistent with the presence of H2O megamaser emission in this source. The soft spectrum (~0.6 keV) and limb-brightened appearance of the X-ray plume suggest an interpretation in terms of a mass-loaded superwind emanating from the nuclear starburst.

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