Emergence of a Broad-Absorption-Line Outflow in the Narrow-line Seyfert 1 Galaxy WPVS 007

TL;DR

This study reports the discovery of a high-velocity broad-absorption-line outflow in the NLS1 galaxy WPVS 007, revealing complex UV and X-ray absorption features and challenging existing models of outflow acceleration.

Contribution

First detection of a broad-absorption-line outflow in WPVS 007, with detailed spectral analysis linking UV and X-ray absorption properties in a low-luminosity NLS1 galaxy.

Findings

Detected a BAL outflow with V_max ~ 6000 km/s.

X-ray observations show the galaxy is X-ray weak and absorbed.

High ionization and column density are required to explain the UV absorption.

Abstract

We report results from a 2003 FUSE observation, and reanalysis of a 1996 HST observation of the unusual X-ray transient Narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy WPVS 007. The HST FOS spectrum revealed mini-BALs with V_max ~ 900 km s^-1 and FWHM ~ 550 km s^-1. The FUSE spectrum showed that an additional BAL outflow with V_max ~ 6000 km s^-1 and FWHM ~ 3400 km s^-1 had appeared. WPVS 007 is a low-luminosity object in which such a high velocity outflow is not expected; therefore, it is an outlier on the M_V/V_max relationship. Template spectral fitting yielded apparent ionic columns, and a Cloudy analysis showed that the presence of PV requires a high ionization parameter log(U) >= 0 and high column density log(N_H) >= 23 assuming solar abundances and a nominal SED for low-luminosity NLS1s with alpha_ox=-1.28. A recent long Swift observation revealed the first hard X-ray detection and an intrinsic (unabsorbed) alpha_ox ~ -1.9$. Using this SED in our analysis yielded lower column density constraints (log(N_H) >= 22.2 for Z=1, or log(N_H) >= 21.6 if Z=5). The X-ray weak continuum, combined with X-ray absorption consistent with the UV lines, provides the best explanation for the observed Swift X-ray spectrum. The large column densities and velocities implied by the UV data in any of these scenarios could be problematic for radiative acceleration. We also point out that since the observed PV absorption can be explained by lower total column densities using an intrinsically X-ray weak spectrum, we might expect to find PV absorption preferentially more often (or stronger) in quasars that are intrinsically X-ray weak.