An X-ray and near-IR spectroscopic analysis of the ULIRG IRAS 05189-2524

We present new, quasi-simultaneous hard X-ray and near-IR spectra of the ul traluminous infrared galaxy IRAS 0.5189-2524, and discuss them together wit h archival and literature data. The 1.9 Seyfert nucleus is Compton-thin. Th e near-IR broad lines are seen in transmission, similarly to the X-rays, an d the medium along the line of sight has an A(V)/N-H ratio definitely lower than Galactic. The increase in obscuration observed at the latter epoch ha s DeltaA(V)/DeltaN(H) also less than Galactic, supporting a correlation bet ween the properties of the obscuring matter and its proximity to the center . The measured A(V) is compatible with the broad component of H alpha being seen in transmission, as opposed to scattering, so that most of the observ ed polarization must be due to dichroism. The bolometric luminosity of the AGN, deduced from the X-ray and line luminosities, falls definitely short o f accounting for the IR luminosity of the galaxy consistent with its coolis h infrared color.