[CLC][ITAL]BeppoSAX[/ITAL][/CLC] Observation of NGC 3079

Abstract

Using the BeppoSAX observatory, we have observed a nearby LINER/Seyfert 2 galaxy, NGC 3079, which is known as an outflow galaxy and a bright H2O maser source. Using the Phoswich Detection System, we have revealed that the NGC 3079 nucleus suffers from a Compton-thick absorption, with a hydrogen column density ~1025 cm-2. After corrected the absorption, the 2-10 keV luminosity becomes 1042-1043 ergs s-1 at a distance of 16 Mpc. It is 2-3 orders of magnitude higher than that observed in the Medium Energy Concentrator Spectrometer band (below 10 keV). We also detected a strong Fe K line at 6.4 keV with an equivalent width of 2.4 keV, which is consistent with the heavy absorption.