H. Awaki, K. Koyama, H. Kunieda, and Y. Tawara

Abstract

Seyfert galaxies are classified as type 1 or 2 according to the presence or absence of broad emission lines in the optical spectrum. The high velocities indicated by the broad lines in Seyfert 1 galaxies are taken to be good evidence of a compact, massive object, as are the strong and variable hard X-ray sources that are also generally observed in these objects. In contrast, Seyfert 2 galaxies possess neither of these characteristics, so the theory that they too have an accreting massive blackhole is less compelling. Since the discovery by spectropolarimetry of a 'hidden' Seyfert 1 nucleus in the prototypical Seyfert 2, NGC1068, the long-standing hope that the two classes may be unified has been revived. Here from observations by the Ginga satellite that another Seyfert 2, Mkn3, has the X-ray spectral signature of a hidden type 1 nucleus.