Optimized Spectral Energy Distribution for Seyfert Galaxies

TL;DR

This paper investigates the discrepancy between predicted and observed temperatures in Seyfert 2 galaxies' Narrow Line Regions, proposing a harder ionizing continuum with a secondary peak at 200 eV to explain the observations.

Contribution

It introduces a modified spectral energy distribution with a secondary peak at 200 eV to better match observed line ratios in Seyfert galaxies.

Findings

A secondary continuum peak at 200 eV can reproduce observed line ratios.

Standard models underestimate the temperature of the Narrow Line Region.

Harder ionizing spectra improve agreement with observations.

Abstract

The temperature predicted by photoionization models for the Narrow Line Region of Seyfert 2 galaxies is lower than the value inferred from the observed [O III] {\lambda}4363A/{\lambda}5007A line ratio. We explore the possibility of considering a harder ionizing continuum than typically assumed. The spectral ionizing energy distribution, which can generate the observed {\lambda}4363A/{\lambda}5007A ratio, is characterized by a secondary continuum peak at 200 eV.