Discovery of the Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 Galaxy RX J2317.8-4422 in a very deep X-ray Low State by Swift
ATel #6607; Dirk Grupe (1), S. Komossa (2), Mason Bush (1, 3), Chelsea Pruett (1, 3), Sonny Ernst (1, 3), Taylor Barber (1, 3), Jen Carter (1, 3), & Norbert Schartel (4); (1) Space Science Center, Morehead State University (2) Max-Planck-Institut fuer Radioastronomie (3) Rowan County High School (4) ESA XMM-Newton Science Operations Centre
on 22 Oct 2014; 16:52 UT
Credential Certification: Dirk Grupe (dgrupe007@gmail.com)
We report detection of the AGN RXJ2317.8-4422 (RA-2000: 23 17 49.9,
Dec-2000: -32 36 35, z=0.132) in a deep low-state with Swift,
implying an amplitude of variability of a factor about 60. Swift
observed RX J2317.8-4422 on 2014-April-20 and May 01 and found it
at a 3sigma upper limit of 3.5e-3 counts/s in the XRT. Compared with
the ROSAT All-Sky Survey observation in 1990 (Grupe et al. 2001, A&A
370, 470) this is a factor of almost 60 and significantly lower than
what has been previously seen by Swift in 2005 and 2006 (Grupe et
al. 2010, ApJS, 187, 64). We performed another Swift observation on
September 24 where we obtained a 3sigma detection at a level of
(4.0+2.4-1.8)e-3 counts/s in the XRT. In order to trigger a
pre-approved XMM-Newton observation we made an additional observation
with Swift on October 20 which confirmed the very low X-ray flux
state. We have triggered a follow-up observation with XMM-Newton.
Further Swift observations are planned. Follow-ups at other
wavelengths are strongly encouraged, especially optical
spectroscopy.
