An RXTE Observation of NGC 6300: a new bright Compton reflection Dominated Seyfert 2 Galaxy

Abstract

Scanning and pointed RXTE observations of the nearby Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 6300 reveal that it is a source of hard X-ray continuum and large equivalent width Fe K$\hat{I}\pm$ emission. These properties are characteristic of Compton-reflection dominated Seyfert 2 galaxies. The continuum can be modeled as Compton-reflection; subsolar iron abundance is required and a high inclination preferred. However, the poor energy resolution of RXTE means that this description is not unique, and the continuum can also be modeled using a ``dual absorber'', i.e. a sum of absorbed power laws. Observations with higher energy resolution detectors will cleanly discriminate between these two models. Optical observations support the Compton-reflection dominated interpretation as $L_X/L_{[OIII]}$ is low. NGC 6300 is notable because with $F_{2-10}\approx 6.4\times 10^{-12}ergsc{m}^{-2}{s}^{-1}$, it is the second brightest such object known.

11 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ (Sept. 1 1999, Vol. 522 #1)