Bepposax observation of NGC 7582: Constraints on the X-ray absorber

This paper presents a BeppoSAX observation of NGC 7582 made during 1998 Nov ember and an optical spectrum taken in 1998 October. The new X-ray data rev eal a previously unknown hard X-ray component in NGC 7582, peaking close to 20 keV. Rapid variability is observed with correlated changes in the 5-10 and 13-60 keV bands, indicating that a single-continuum component, produced by the active nucleus, provides the dominant flux across both bands. Compa rison between RXTE and BeppoSAX data reveals changes in the 2-10 keV flux o n timescales of months. Changes in the nuclear X-ray flux appear unrelated to the gradual decline in optical flux noted since the high state in 1998 J uly. The 0.5-2 keV flux of NGC 7582 is not significantly variable within th e BeppoSAX observation but has brightened by a factor of similar to 2 since the ASCA observation of 1994. While there is some concern about contaminat ion from spatially unresolved sources, the long-term variability in soft X- ray flux seems most likely associated with the nucleus or an event within t he host galaxy of NGC 7582. The 2-100 keV spectrum is well fit by a power l aw of photon index Gamma = 1.95(-0.18)(+0.09), steeper by Delta Gamma simil ar or equal to 0.40 than the index during the 1994 ASCA observation. The X- ray continuum is attenuated by a thick absorber of N-H similar to 1.6 x 10( 24) cm(-2) covering similar to 60(-14)(+10) % of the nucleus plus a screen with N-H similar to 1.4 x 10(23) cm(-2) covering the entire nucleus. Compar ison of the BeppoSAX and ASCA spectra shows an increase in the full screen by Delta N-H similar or equal to 7 x 10(22) cm(-2) since 1994, confirming t he absorption variability found by Xue et al. The increase in soft X-ray fl ux between 1994 and 1998 is consistent with the appearance of holes in the full screen, allowing less than or similar to 1% of the nuclear flux to esc ape and producing some clear lines of sight to the broad-line region. The d ata are also consistent with the scenario suggested by Aretxaga et al. of t he radiative onset of a Type IIn supernova causing the observed optical cha nge in NGC 7582.