The Featureless Continua and Hydrogen Lines of Seyfert 2 Galaxies

Abstract

We present optical and ultraviolet spectra taken in similar sized large apertures for 15 Seyfert 2 galaxies. Measurements of emission-line strengths of Lyα, Hα, and Hβ are used together with measurements of the ultraviolet slopes to estimate the ratio of recombination photons to ionizing photons. The photon ratios indicate that the ionizing continuum is being emitted anisotropically for at least six of the eight objects with UV slope measurements. The median value of the UV slope is α = - 1.35 (F_nu_ is proportional to ν^alpha^), which is indistinguishable from the UV slope of Seyfert 1 galaxies. This result suggests that in the occultation/reflection picture of Seyfert nuclei, the reflecting particles are free electrons and not dust. We verify previous observations of variability in Mrk 477 and show that this galaxy exhibits characteristics of both Seyfert 1-and Seyfert 2 galaxies.