XMM-Newton Observations of SDSS J143030.22 – 001115.1: An Unusually Flat-Spectrum Active Galactic Nucleus

Abstract

We present XMM-Newton observations of the type 1 active galactic nucleus (AGN) SDSS 1430 – 0011 (z = 0.1032). The low signal-to-noise ratio spectrum of this source obtained in a snap shot Chandra observation showed an unusually flat continuum. With the follow-up XMM-Newton observations, we find that the source spectrum is complex; it either has an ionized absorber or a partially covering absorber. The underlying power law is in the normal range observed for AGNs. The low flux of the source during Chandra observations can be understood in terms of variations in the absorber properties. The X-ray and optical properties of this source are such that it cannot be securely classified as either a narrow-line Seyfert 1 or a broad-line Seyfert 1 galaxy, adding to the group of sources in the "in-between" class.