Proposal Details - 0720009
Compton reflection and plasma temperature in NGC 2110 (Beckmann)

Proposal Abstract

We request one INTEGRAL observation of 250 ksec of thebright Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 2110. Previous observations by BeppoSAX showed a complex X-ray spectrum, but did not extend significantly above 100 keV in order to study the continuum and determine the turnover (cut-off) in the hard X-ray band. An AO-6 combined INTEGRAL (250 ksec) and Swift (2.2 ksec) observation of NGC 2110 showed a cut-off at 90 keV but displayed little reflection (R < 0.3) and no fluorescence line. INTEGRAL offers the unique possibility to study the physics involved in absorbed AGN and even enables us to study the connection between flux variation, high-energy cut-off, reflection component, and iron fluorescence line. The variation in flux between and during the proposed and previous observation in various energy bands can reveal the geometry of this source. The two separate observations will most likely catch the source in two different states, allowing to further constrain the connection between high energy spectrum and reprocessing. The proposed observation will put tighter constraints on the reflection component and/or will show spectral variability within this object.

Observation Strategy (Recommended by TAC)

300 ks in the HEX dithering mode centred on RA, Dec = 88.048, -7.456 (l, b = 212.926, -16.545).

Proposal grade: C

Data Rights (Recommended by TAC)

The TAC has allocated the following specific data rights to this proposal: NGC 2110

Exposure Map

The exposure maps are in galactic coordinates and units of ksec, and the colour scale is indicated at the bottom. The green lines provide the 100 ksec contour.