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arXiv · 1501.00790

A redshifted Fe K$α$ line from the unusual gamma-ray source PMN J1603-4904

C. Müller·F. Krauß·T. Dauser·A. Kreikenbohm·T. Beuchert·M. Kadler·R. Ojha·J. Wilms·M. Böck·B. Carpenter·A. Markowitz·W. McConville·K. Pottschmidt·L. Stawarz·G. B. Taylor
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Abstract

Multiwavelength observations have revealed the highly unusual properties of the gamma-ray source PMN J1603-4904, which are difficult to reconcile with any other well established gamma-ray source class. The object is either a very atypical blazar or compact jet source seen at a larger angle to the line of sight. In order to determine the physical origin of the high-energy emission processes in PMN J1603-4904, we study the X-ray spectrum in detail. We performed quasi-simultaneous X-ray observations with XMM-Newton and Suzaku in 2013 September, resulting in the first high signal-to-noise X-ray spectrum of this source. The 2-10 keV X-ray spectrum can be well described by an absorbed power law with an emission line at 5.44$\pm$0.05 keV (observed frame). Interpreting this feature as a Kα line from neutral iron, we determine the redshift of PMN J1603-4904 to be z=0.18$\pm$0.01, corresponding to a luminosity distance of 872$\pm$54 Mpc. The detection of a redshifted X-ray emission line further challenges the original BL Lac classification of PMN J1603-4904. This result suggests that the source is observed at a larger angle to the line of sight than expected for blazars, and thus the source would add to the elusive class of gamma-ray loud misaligned-jet objects, possibly a γ-ray bright young radio galaxy.

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C. Müller, F. Krauß, T. Dauser, A. Kreikenbohm, T. Beuchert, M. Kadler, R. Ojha, J. Wilms, M. Böck, B. Carpenter, A. Markowitz, W. McConville, K. Pottschmidt, L. Stawarz, G. B. Taylor. 2015-01-05. A redshifted Fe K$α$ line from the unusual gamma-ray source PMN J1603-4904. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361%2F201425442

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