X-Ray Spectroscopy of a Local Type-2 Quasar Candidate

We propose the observation of the elliptical galaxy NGC 3216 which has been identified in the ROSAT Bright Survey (RBS) as a strong Xray source. Its Xraybrightness which is close to a quasar luminosity and the pure galaxy spectrum in the optical band let us assume that NGC 3216 belongs to the class of type2 AGN which plays a major role in the population synthesis models. In this case we would have a nearby object excellent for studies of this AGN population.An interesting alternative explanation is that ROSAT has seen one of the rare Xray transient sources in which a star was disrupted by tidal forces of a massive black hole. The proposed observation will give us a precise position ofthe Xray source and will unveil its nature. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]