XMM-Newton unveils the type 2 nature of the BLRG 3C 445

TL;DR

This XMM-Newton observation reveals the Seyfert 2 nature of the Broad Line Radio Galaxy 3C 445, resolving its soft excess into scattered continuum and emission lines, indicating complex circumnuclear obscuration and stratified matter.

Contribution

First detailed X-ray analysis confirming the Seyfert 2 classification of 3C 445, with resolved soft excess and insights into circumnuclear matter structure.

Findings

Soft excess consists of scattered continuum and emission lines.

70% of nuclear radiation is obscured by high column density.

Presence of stratified circumnuclear matter supported by complex obscuration.

Abstract

We present an observation of XMM-Newton that unambiguously reveals the ``Seyfert 2'' nature of the Broad Line Radio Galaxy 3C 445. For the first time the soft excess of this source has been resolved. It consists of unobscured scattered continuum flux and emission lines, likely produced in a warm photoionized gas near the pole of an obscuring torus. The presence of circumnuclear (likely stratified) matter is supported by the complex obscuration of the nuclear region. Seventy percent of the nuclear radiation (first component) is indeed obscured by a column density ~4*10^{23} cm^{-2}, and 30 % (second component) is filtered by ~7* 10^{22} cm^{-2}. The first component is nuclear radiation directly observed by transmission through the thicker regions. The second one is of more uncertain nature. If the observer has a deep view into the nucleus but near the edge of the torus, it could be light scattered by the inner wall of the torus and/or by photoionized gas within the Broad Line Region observed through the thinner rim of the circumnuclear matter.