Step 1: The effective nuclear charge is \( Z_{\text{eff}} = 1.7 \), so the atomic number \( Z \) can be assumed to be 2.
\[
E_n = - \frac{Z^2}{2n^2}.
\]
For the first ionization, the electron is removed from the \( n = 1 \) energy level, so the energy of the first ionization is:
\[
E_1 = - \frac{Z_{\text{eff}}^2}{2(1)^2} = - \frac{(1.7)^2}{2} = - 1.445 \, \text{atomic units}.
\]
The ionization potential is the absolute value of the energy, so the first ionization potential is:
\[
\text{Ionization potential} = 1.445 \, \text{atomic units}.
\]
Step 2: The ionization potential is approximately \( 0.89 \) atomic units.