Unabsorbed type 2 Seyfert galaxies: a challenge for Unified Models

We propose to observe with XMMNewton a sample of bonafide. Seyfert 2 galaxieswith no Xray absorption. The selected sources are a conservative subsampletaken from the Panessa & Bassani (2002) sample, including only Seyfert 2s whereno column density in excess of the Galactic one has ever been observed in theXrays, within sensitive limits. The primary goal of this proposal is to findobjects unabsorbed in the Xrays and without broad optical lines, which wouldrepresent a serious challenge to simple AGN Unification Models. The key to findgenuine unabsorbed Seyfert 2s., excluding variability issues, is to performsimultaneous Xray and optical spectroscopy. We therefore intend to coordinategroundbased optical observations with the XMMNewton observations. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]