2001ApJ...561L..69I

Using the BeppoSAX observatory, we have observed a nearby LINER/Seyfert 2 galaxy, NGC 3079, which is known as an outflow galaxy and a bright H₂O maser source. Using the Phoswich Detection System, we have revealed that the NGC 3079 nucleus suffers from a Compton-thick absorption, with a hydrogen column density ∼10²⁵ cm^–2. After corrected the absorption, the 2-10 keV luminosity becomes 10⁴²-10⁴³ ergs.s^–1 at a distance of 16 Mpc. It is 2-3 orders of magnitude higher than that observed in the Medium Energy Concentrator Spectrometer band (below 10 keV). We also detected a strong Fe K line at 6.4^+0.3_–0.2 keV with an equivalent width of 2.4^+2.9_–1.5 keV, which is consistent with the heavy absorption.