X-RAYING A GALAXY - PHL-6625 BEHIND NGC-247

PHL 6625, a z=0.38, radio-quiet quasar, shows a clear excess of low-en ergy absorption in its ROSAT PSPC soft X-ray spectrum. This absorption is almost certainly produced by the interstellar medium in NGC247, a foreground spiral galaxy, which lies similar to 3.4 kpc (4.6 arcmin) a way in projection. Comparison of the X-ray absorption and the 21-cm H I column density through NGC247 suggests a larger than expected effect in X-rays, Several possibilities are considered to explain this appar ent discrepancy. Additional high-velocity H I components of the inters tellar medium are currently the most plausible cause. PHL 6625 also cl early decreased in its soft X-ray flux by a factor of 2 in 6 months.