Simultaneous XMM-Newton and BeppoSAX observation of the Seyfert I galaxy IC 4329A

Astrophysics Division, European Space Agency -Postbus 299, 2200 AG Noordwijk, The Netherlands

Corresponding author: P. Gondoin, pgondoin@astro.estec.esa.nl

Received: 1 June 2001
Accepted: 6 September 2001

Abstract

We report on a simultaneous XMM-Newton and BeppoSAX observation of the Seyfert 1 galaxy IC 4329A performed in 2001 January. Above 1 keV, EPIC spectra show a narrow Fe K emission line at 6.42 keV with an equivalent width of eV. An absorption edge is detected at keV in the source rest frame that has not been reported before. The energy of these features is consistent with reflection of the primary X-ray continuum by a optically thick material containing iron in low states of ionization. The narrow Fe K feature suggests that the reflection arises relatively far from a putative central black hole. Spectral fitting of simultaneous XMM-Newton and BeppoSAX data over the 0.3-130 keV energy range shows that the primary continuum is well described by a cut-off power law with a photon index of and a folding energy of keV. The high energy tail >10 keV constrains the reflection fraction close to unity. Fitting over the overall spectral range indicates that the Fe abundance within the cool reflecting material is not significantly different from the cosmic value. The extrapolation of the primary power law continuum to energies <1 keV indicates the presence of absorption edges produced by neutral and ionized oxygen. The optical depth of the O edge at 0.54 keV constrains the intrinsic absorption by neutral material to an hydrogen column density of cm^-2 along the line of sight to IC 4329A nucleus. The energy of the edge at keV is consistent with absorption by O. A third edge at keV is likely related to absorption by O and N. The simultaneous presence of O and O edges without significant O absorption indicates that the warm absorber originates from at least two zones.