We have used the ASCA satellite to make the first X-ray spectra of Markarian 6 , a bright Seyfert 1.5 galaxy with complex and variable permitted lines , an ionization cone , and remarkable radio structures .
Our 0.6–9.5 keV spectra penetrate to the black hole core of this Seyfert and reveal heavy and complex intrinsic X-ray absorption .
Both total covering and single partial covering models fail to acceptably fit the observed absorption , and double partial covering or partial covering plus warm absorption appears to be required .
The double partial covering model provides the best statistical fit to the data , and we measure large column densities of \approx ( 3–20 ) \times 10 ^ { 22 } cm ^ { -2 } irrespective of the particular spectral model under consideration .
These X-ray columns are over an order of magnitude larger than expected based on observations at longer wavelengths .
Our data suggest that most of the X-ray absorption occurs either in gas that has a relatively small amount of dust or in gas that is located within the Broad Line Region .
The X-ray absorber may well be the putative ‘ atmosphere ’ above the torus that collimates the ionization cone .
We also detect an apparently broad 6.4 keV iron K \alpha line , and we present optical spectra demonstrating that the optical emission lines were in a representative state during our ASCA observation .