The narrow-line quasar IRAS 20181 - 2244: a luminous cousin of NGC 1068?

We have identified the ROSAT detected object IRAS 20181 – 2244 with a $$V = 16.8$$ magnitude narrow line quasar with redshift $$z = 0.185$$. The permitted and forbidden line-widths are typical of Seyfert 2 galaxies. The absolute magnitude is $$M_V = -23.6$$ and the reddening is $$A_V \simeq 1.1$$. The unreddened absolute magnitude $$(M_V)_0 \simeq -24.7$$ makes this the narrow line (type 2) quasar with the largest known luminosity. Similarities with X-ray detected Seyfert 2 and ultraluminous infrared galaxies as well as implications to the Unified Model for active galactic nuclei (AGN) are discussed.