Are Compton-thin AGNs Globally Compton Thin?

We select eight nearby active galactic nuclei (AGNs) which, based on previous work, appear to be Compton-thin in the line of sight. We model with mytorus their broadband X-ray spectra from 20 individual observations with Suzaku, accounting self-consistently for Fe K alpha line emission, as well as direct and scattered continuum from matter with finite column density and solar Fe abundance. Our model configuration allows us to measure the global, out of the line of sight, equivalent hydrogen column density separately from that in the line of sight. For 5 out of 20 observations (in 3 AGNs) we find that the global column density is in fact greater than or similar to 1.5 x 10(24) cm(-2), consistent with the distant scattering matter being Compton-thick. For a fourth AGN, two out of five observations are also consistent with being Compton-thick, although with large errors. Some of these AGNs have been reported to host relativistically broadened Fe K alpha emission. Based on our modeling, the Fe K alpha emission line is not resolved in all but two Suzaku observations, and the data can be fitted well with models that only include a narrow Fe K alpha emission line.

Automated summary

Eight nearby AGNs were selected for study, with simulations indicating that some observations have higher global column densities, possibly indicating Compton-thick scattering. Some of these AGNs may contain relativistically broadened Fe Kα emission.