X-ray spectral analysis of the low-luminosity active galactic nucleus NGC 7213 using long XMM-Newton observations

We present the X-ray spectral results from the longest X-ray Multi-mirror Mission-Newton observation, 133 ks, of the low-luminosity active galactic nucleus NGC 7213. The hardness-ratio analysis of the X-ray light curves discloses a rather constant X-ray spectral shape, at least for the observed exposure time, enabling us to perform X-ray spectral studies using the total observed spectrum. Apart from a neutral Fe K alpha emission line, we also detect narrow emission lines from the ionized iron species, Fe XXV and Fe XXVI. Our analysis suggests that the neutral Fe K alpha originates from a Compton-thin reflector, while the gas responsible for the high-ionization lines is collisionally excited. The overall spectrum, in the 0.3-10 keV energy band, registered by the European Photon Imaging Camera can be modelled by a power-law component (with a slope of Gamma similar or equal to 1.9) plus two thermal components at 0.36 and 8.84 keV. The low-energy thermal component is entirely consistent with the X-ray spectral data obtained by the Reflection Grating Spectrometer between 0.35-1.8 keV.