An extended multi-zone model for the MCG-6-30-15 warm absorber

Abstract

The variable warm absorber seen with {\em ASCA} in the X-ray spectrum of MCG$-$6-30-15 shows complex time behaviour in which the optical depth of OVIII anticorrelates with the flux whereas that of OVII is unchanging. The explanation in terms of a two zone absorber has since been challenged by {\em BeppoSAX} observations. These present a more complicated behaviour for the OVIII edge. We demonstrate here that the presence of a third, intermediate, zone can explain all the observations. In practice, warm absorbers are likely to be extended, multi-zone regions of which only part causes directly observable absorption edges at any given time.