X-ray selected active galactic nuclei with red optical continua

Abstract

We discuss the properties of X-ray selected `red' AGN from the RIXOS sample. These are Seyfert 1 galaxies and quasars whose optical continua are relatively soft, ie. with an energy index, alpha_opt>2. There are 14 objects in the RIXOS sample which satisfy this criterion and they cover a range in redshift from z=0.08 to 1.27. Of these, two have characteristics which suggest that the continuum is intrinsically red, ie. an optical continuum which does not appear to have been significantly reddened by dust or to have contaminating light from the host galaxy. A further three objects show evidence of being absorbed by cold gas and dust with columns of up to 1e22 cm-2. The data are inconclusive on the remaining AGN.

9 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Also available from http://www.mssl.ucl.ac.uk/www_astro/preprints/preprints.html

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