NGC 5548: Lack of a Broad Fe K Line and Constraints on the Location of the Hard X-ray Source

Details NGC 5548: Lack of a Broad Fe K Line and Constraints on the Location of the Hard X-ray Source NGC 5548: Lack of a Broad Fe K Line and Constraints on the Location of the Hard X-ray Source

2011-09-21

arxiv.org/abs/1109.4651v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena

42 pages (preprint format), 8 figures. Accepted by ApJ

Scientific paper

We present an analysis of the co-added and individual 0.7-40 keV spectra from seven Suzaku observations of the Sy 1.5 galaxy NGC 5548 taken over a period of eight weeks. We conclude that the source has a moderately ionized, three-zone warm absorber, a power-law continuum, and exhibits contributions from cold, distant reflection. Relativistic reflection signatures are not significantly detected in the co-added data, and we place an upper limit on the equivalent width of a relativistically broad Fe K line at EW \leq 26 eV at 90% confidence. Thus NGC 5548 can be labeled an "weak" type-1 AGN in terms of its observed inner disk reflection signatures, in contrast to sources with very broad, strong iron lines such as MCG-6-30-15, which are likely much fewer in number. We compare physical properties of NGC 5548 and MCG-6-30-15 that might explain this difference in their reflection properties. Though there is some evidence that NGC 5548 may harbor a truncated inner accretion disk, this evidence is inconclusive, so we also consider light bending of the hard X-ray continuum emission in order to explain the lack of relativistic reflection in our observation. If the absence of a broad Fe K line is interpreted in the light-bending context, we conclude that the source of the hard X-ray continuum lies at <100 gravitational radii. We note, however, that light-bending models must be expanded to include a broader range of physical parameter space in order to adequately explain the spectral and timing properties of average AGN, rather than just those with strong, broad iron lines.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

NGC 5548: Lack of a Broad Fe K Line and Constraints on the Location of the Hard X-ray Source does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with NGC 5548: Lack of a Broad Fe K Line and Constraints on the Location of the Hard X-ray Source, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and NGC 5548: Lack of a Broad Fe K Line and Constraints on the Location of the Hard X-ray Source will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-261718