The complex iron line of NGC 5506

Abstract

The bright Narrow Emission Line Galaxy, NGC 5506, has been observed simultaneously by XMM-Newton and BeppoSAX. The iron line is complex, with at least two components: one narrow and corresponding to neutral iron, the second one broad and corresponding to ionized iron. The latter line is equally well fitted by a truly broad line or by a blend of He- and H-like narrow lines. The bulk of the Compton reflection continuum originates in neutral matter, and is therefore associated with the narrow line: they are most likely emitted in distant matter. The origin of the ionized line(s) is less certain, but the solution in terms of a blend of narrow lines from photoionized matter seems to be preferable to emission from an ionized, relativistic accretion disc.