XMM-Newton unveils the type 2 nature of the BLRG 3C 445

We present an observation of XMM–Newton that unambiguously reveals the ‘Seyfert 2’ nature of the broad line radio galaxy 3C 445. For the first time the soft excess of this source has been resolved. It consists of unobscured scattered continuum flux and emission lines, likely produced in a warm photoionized gas near the pole of an obscuring torus. The presence of circumnuclear (likely stratified) matter is supported by the complex obscuration of the nuclear region. 70 per cent of the nuclear radiation (first component) is indeed obscured by a column density ∼4 × 1023 cm−2, and 30 per cent (second component) is filtered by ∼7 × 1022 cm−2. The first component is nuclear radiation directly observed by transmission through the thicker regions. The second one is of more uncertain nature. If the observer has a deep view into the nucleus but near the edge of the torus, it could be light scattered by the inner wall of the torus and/or by photoionized gas within the broad line region observed through the thinner rim of the circumnuclear matter.