3EG J2027+3429: Another blazar behind the Galactic Plane

We report on the association of an X-ray source (WGA J2025.1+3342), serendipitously found with BeppoSAX in two separate observations, with the unidentified EGRET source 3EG J2027+3429. The source is detected from 1 keV up to about 100 keV, has a flat ($\Gamma=0.6{-}1.5$) spectrum and is highly variable both in intensity and shape. The data indicate marginal evidence for an iron line in the source rest frame. The overall X-ray luminosity is ${\sim}4 \times10^{45}$ erg s -1 , typical of a quasar. The X-ray source is coincident in radio wavelengths with a bright object characterized by a flat spectrum over the band 0.3-10 GHz while in the optical it is identified with a quasar at redshift 0.22. All available data indicate a SED compatible with a low frequency peaked or red blazar type object. This identification is interesting because this is the second blazar found behind the galactic plane in the direction of the Cygnus region.