Variable X-ray absorption in the mini-broad absorption line quasar PG 1126-041

TL;DR

This study presents multi-epoch X-ray and UV observations of the mini-BAL quasar PG 1126-041, revealing complex spectral variability driven by dynamic ionized absorbers, including a fast outflowing highly-ionized component.

Contribution

It provides the most comprehensive multi-epoch X-ray and UV data for a mini-BAL QSO, demonstrating rapid variability of ionized absorbers and detecting a fast outflowing highly-ionized component.

Findings

Variable ionized absorbers cause spectral changes on months and hours.

Detection of a fast, outflowing highly-ionized absorber.

Short-term variability of the highly-ionized absorber.

Abstract

We present the results of a multi-epoch observational campaign on the mini-broad absorption line quasar (mini-BAL QSO) PG 1126-041 performed with XMM-Newton from 2004 to 2009. Time-resolved X-ray spectroscopy and simultaneous UV and X-ray photometry were performed on the most complete set of observations and on the deepest X-ray exposure of a mini-BAL QSO to date. Complex X-ray spectral variability, found on time scales of both months and hours, is best reproduced by means of variable and massive ionized absorbers along the line of sight. In the highest signal-to-noise observation, highly-ionized X-ray absorbing material outflowing much faster than the UV absorbing one is detected. This highly-ionized absorber is found to be variable on very short time scales of a few hours.