The Complex Circumnuclear Environment of the Broad-line Radio Galaxy 3C 390.3 Revealed by Chandra HETG

Journal
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
•
Reeves, J. N.
•
Kallman, T.
•
Reynolds, C. S.
•
Mushotzky, R. F.
•
•
Behar, E.
•
Leutenegger, M. A.
•
DOI
Abstract
We present the first high spectral resolution X-ray observation of the broad-line radio galaxy 3C 390.3 obtained with the high-energy transmission grating spectrometer on board the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The spectrum shows complex emission and absorption features in both the soft X-rays and Fe K band. We detect emission and absorption lines in the energy range E = 700-1000 eV associated with ionized Fe L transitions (Fe XVII-XX). An emission line at the energy of E ≃ 6.4 keV consistent with the Fe Kα is also observed. Our best-fit model requires at least three different components: (I) a hot emission component likely associated with the hot interstellar medium in this elliptical galaxy with temperature kT = 0.5 ± 0.1 keV; (II) a warm absorber with ionization parameter logξ = 2.3 ± 0.5 erg s-1 cm, column density logN H = 20.7 ± 0.1 cm-2, and outflow velocity v out < 150 km s-1 and (III) a lowly ionized reflection component in the Fe K band likely associated with the optical broad-line region or the outer accretion disk. These evidences suggest the possibility that we are looking directly down the ionization cone of this active galaxy and that the central X-ray source only photoionizes along the unobscured cone. This is overall consistent with the angle-dependent unified picture of active galactic nuclei.
Volume
830
Issue
2
Start page
98
Uri
Url
Issn Identifier
0004-637X
Ads BibCode
2016ApJ...830...98T
Rights
open.access
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