3EG J2027+3429: Another blazar behind the Galactic Plane

¹ Dipartimento di Astronomia di Bologna, via Ranzani 1, 40127 Bologna, Italy
² Istituto di Astrofisica Spaziale e Fisica Cosmica Sezione di Bologna, Area di Ricerca di Bologna, Via P. Gobetti 101, Bologna, Italy

Corresponding author: V. Sguera, sguera@bo.iasf.cnr.it

Received: 21 May 2003
Accepted: 19 August 2003

Abstract

We report on the association of an X-ray source (WGA J2025.1+3342), serendipitously found with BeppoSAX in two separate observations, with the unidentified EGRET source 3EG J2027+3429. The source is detected from 1 keV up to about 100 keV, has a flat () spectrum and is highly variable both in intensity and shape. The data indicate marginal evidence for an iron line in the source rest frame. The overall X-ray luminosity is  erg s^-1, typical of a quasar. The X-ray source is coincident in radio wavelengths with a bright object characterized by a flat spectrum over the band 0.3-10 GHz while in the optical it is identified with a quasar at redshift 0.22. All available data indicate a SED compatible with a low frequency peaked or red blazar type object. This identification is interesting because this is the second blazar found behind the galactic plane in the direction of the Cygnus region.