Physical Conditions in the Narrow-Line Region of Markarian 3. II. Photoionization Modeling Results

Abstract

We have examined the physical conditions in the narrow-line region (NLR) of the Seyfert 2 galaxy Markarian 3, using long-slit spectra obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope/Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph, and photoionization models. We find three components of photoionized gas in the NLR. Two of these components, characterized by emission lines such as [Ne V] λ3426 and [O III] λ5007, lie within the envelope of the biconical region described in our previous kinematic study. A component of lower ionization gas, in which lines such as [O II] λ3727 arise, is found to lie outside the bicone. Each of these components is irradiated by a power-law continuum which is attenuated by intervening gas, presumably closer to the central source. The radiation incident upon the low-ionization gas, external to the bicone, is much more heavily absorbed. These absorbers are similar to the intrinsic UV and X-ray absorbers detected in many Seyfert 1 galaxies, which suggests that the collimation of the ionizing radiation occurs in a circumnuclear wind, rather than a thick, molecular torus. We estimate the mass for the observed NLR emitting gas to be 2 × 10⁶ M _sun. It is likely that Markarian 3 acquired this gas through an ongoing interaction with the spiral galaxy UGC 3422.

Based on observations made with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, obtained at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under NASA contract NAS 5-26555.