AnXMM‐Newton Observation of the Luminous Seyfert 1 Galaxy Markarian 509

We present the spectral analysis of an early XMM-Newton observation of theluminous Seyfert 1 galaxy Markarian 509. We find the hard (2-10 keV) continuumslope, including reflection, to be somewhat flatter ($\Gamma=1.75$) than for atypical BLS1. The most obvious feature in the hard X-ray spectrum is a narrowemission line near 6.4 keV, with an equivalent width of 50 eV. The energy andstrength of this line is consistent with fluorescence from `neutral' iron inthe molecular torus, and we note the emerging ubiquity of this feature inXMM-Newton and Chandra observations of Seyfert 1 galaxies over a wideluminosity range. We also find evidence for a second emission line at 6.7-6.9keV, which we attempt to model by reflection from a highly ionised disc. A`soft excess', evident as an upward curvature in the continuum flux below 1.5keV, cannot be explained solely by enhanced reflection from the ionised disc.The RGS spectrum shows only weak discrete emission and absorption features inthe soft X-ray spectrum, supporting our conclusion that the soft excessemission in Mkn 509 represents the high energy portion of optically thick,thermal emission from the inner accretion disc.Comment: 16 pages, including postscript figures. Accepted for Publication in Ap