BeppoSAX unveils the nuclear component in NGC 6240

1999/08/23 by P. Vignati, Vignati, P., S. Molendi +23
Physics and Astronomy · #Adaptive optics and wavefront sensing #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Astrophysics (astro-ph) #FOS: Physical sciences #Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae #astro-ph

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.astro-ph/9908253

To appear in A&A Letters

arxiv created 1999/08/23 · openalex publication_date 1999/08/23 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

The direct nuclear X-ray emission of the ultraluminous IRAS galaxy NGC 6240 has been observed for the first time by BeppoSAX. It is seen through an absorber with N_H=2*10²⁴ cm^-2. The 2-10 keV X-ray luminosity >10⁴⁴ erg s^-1 definitely proves that a powerful AGN is hosted in this galaxy, despite the LINER optical appearance. Assuming the typical L_X/L_bol ratio for quasars, our result implies that it is the AGN and not the starburst that dominates the energy output of NGC 6240.

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