The complex X-ray spectrum of NGC 4507

Abstract

XMM-Newton and Chandra/HETG spectra of the Compton-thin (NH ∼ 4 × 1023 cm-2) Seyfert 2 galaxy, NGC 4507, are analyzed and discussed. The main results are: a) the soft X-ray emission is rich in emission lines; an (at least) two-zone photoionization region is required to explain the large range of ionization states; b) the 6.4 keV iron line is likely emitted from Compton-thick matter, implying the presence of two circumnuclear cold regions, one Compton-thick (the emitter), one Compton-thin (the cold absorber); c) evidence of an Fe xxv absorption line is found in the Chandra/HETG spectrum. The column density of the ionized absorber is estimated to be a few × 1022 cm-2.