We are conducting a study of the absorbers in Seyfert galaxies, combining X-raymeasurements of the column densities with geometrical constraints derived fromradio and optical imaging to test the Unified model and possible modificationsto it. We wish to characterize the absorption in 22 Seyferts that have neverbefore been observed in hard X-rays. These observations would complete the X-raycoverage of Seyferts with resolved radio jets, which we use to indicate theorientation of the central engine. By comparing the absorbers to the alignmentof the Seyfert structures we have found evidence suggesting that unificationmodels with only a pc-scale absorber are incomplete: there is another absorberaligned with the plane of the host galaxy on 100 pc scales that hides the BLR in some Sy 2s.
Instrument
EMOS1, EMOS2, EPN, OM, RGS1, RGS2
Temporal Coverage
2005-05-16T17:15:30Z/2006-04-25T17:23:28Z
Version
17.56_20190403_1200
Mission Description
The European Space Agencys (ESA) X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) was launched by an Ariane 504 on December 10th 1999. XMM-Newton is ESAs second cornerstone of the Horizon 2000 Science Programme. It carries 3 high throughput X-ray telescopes with an unprecedented effective area, and an optical monitor, the first flown on a X-ray observatory. The large collecting area and ability to make long uninterrupted exposures provide highly sensitive observations. Since Earths atmosphere blocks out all X-rays, only a telescope in space can detect and study celestial X-ray sources. The XMM-Newton mission is helping scientists to solve a number of cosmic mysteries, ranging from the enigmatic black holes to the origins of the Universe itself. Observing time on XMM-Newton is being made available to the scientific community, applying for observational periods on a competitive basis.
European Space Agency, Dr Jonathan Gelbord, 2007, 'Probing multiple absorbing structures around Seyfert nuclei', 17.56_20190403_1200, European Space Agency, https://doi.org/10.5270/esa-9k3iyq3
