Multiwavelength campaign on Mrk 509: XI. Reverberation of the Fe K α line

G. Ponti, M. Cappi, E. Costantini, S. Bianchi, J. S. Kaastra, B. De Marco, R. P. Fender, P. O. Petrucci, G. A. Kriss, K. C. Steenbrugge, N. Arav, E. Behar, G. Branduardi-Raymont, M. Dadina, J. Ebrero, P. Lubiński, M. Mehdipour, S. Paltani, C. Pinto, F. Tombesi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Context.We report on a detailed study of the Fe K emission/absorption complex in the nearby, bright Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 509. The study is part of an extensive XMM-Newton monitoring consisting of 10 pointings (∼60 ks each) about once every 4 days, and includes a reanalysis of previous XMM-Newton and Chandra observations. Aims.We aim at understanding the origin and location of the Fe K emission and absorption regions. Methods.We combine the results of time-resolved spectral analysis on both short and long time-scales including model-independent rms spectra. Results.Mrk 509 shows a clear (EW = 58±4 eV) neutral Fe Ka emission line that can be decomposed into a narrow (s = 0.027 keV) component (found in the Chandra HETG data) plus a resolved (s = 0.22 keV) component.We find the first successful measurement of a linear correlation between the intensity of the resolved line component and the 3-10 keV flux variations on time scales of years down to a few days. The Fe Ka reverberates the hard X-ray continuum without any measurable lag, suggesting that the region producing the resolved Fe Ka component is located within a few light days to a week (r ≲ 103 rg) from the black hole (BH). The lack of a redshifted wing in the line poses a lower limit of =40 rg for its distance from the BH. The Fe Ka could thus be emitted from the inner regions of the BLR, i.e. within the ∼80 light days indicated by the Hß line measurements. In addition to these two neutral Fe Ka components, we confirm the detection of weak (EW ∼ 8-20 eV) ionised Fe K emission. This ionised line can be modelled with either a blend of two narrow Fe xxv and Fe xxvi emission lines (possibly produced by scattering from distant material) or with a single relativistic line produced, in an ionised disc, down to a few rg from the BH. In the latter interpretation, the presence of an ionised standard a-disc, down to a few rg, is consistent with the source high Eddington ratio. Finally, we observe a weakening/disappearing of the mediumand high-velocity high-ionisation Fe K wind features found in previous XMM-Newton observations. Conclusions. This campaign has made the first reverberation measurement of the resolved component of the Fe Ka line possible, from which we can infer a location for the bulk of its emission at a distance of r ∼ 40-1000 rg from the BH.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberA72
JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics
Volume549
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013

Keywords

  • Accretion accretion disks
  • Black hole physics
  • Galaxies: Seyfert
  • Galaxies: active
  • Galaxies: individual: Mrk 509
  • Methods: data analysis

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Multiwavelength campaign on Mrk 509: XI. Reverberation of the Fe K α line'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this