An XMM–Newton observation of the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy Markarian 896

We present XMM–Newton observations of the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy Markarian 896. Over the 2–10 keV band, an iron emission line, close to 6.4 keV, is seen. The line is just resolved and has an equivalent width of ∼170 eV. The broad-band spectrum is well modelled by a power-law slope of Γ ∼2.03, together with two blackbody components to fit the soft X-ray excess. Using a more physical two-temperature Comptonization model, a good fit is obtained for an input photon distribution of kT ∼ 60 eV and Comptonizing electron temperatures of ∼0.3 and 200 keV. The soft excess cannot be explained purely through the reprocessing of a hard X-ray continuum by an ionized disc reflector.