The BeppoSAX spectrum of the composite galaxy Mrk609

Abstract

We present Bepposax observations of the starburst/Seyfert composite galaxy Mrk609. This enigmatic object has an optical spectrum dominated by the features of starburst galaxies, yet its X-ray luminosity (6.3$\times 10^{42}$\lunits) is typical of an AGN. The X-ray spectrum of Mrk609 can be parameterised by a single power-law model with a photon index $\Gamma \sim 1.6\pm 0.1$ and no evidence for significant absorption above the Galactic value. Long term variability in both the 0.1-2 keV and 2-10 keV energy bands is detected, again suggesting that the X-ray emission is dominated by an AGN. The observed broad Ha component is a factor of 40 below that predicted by the X-ray flux implying a deficit of ionizing UV photons.

7 pages, accepted for publication in MNRAS

References in corpus (1)

• The Obscuring Starburst of NGC 6221 and Implications for the Hard X-ray Background

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• Re-Identification of the `Enigmatic' X-ray Source 1RXS J114003.0+124112