The relationship between the X-ray variability and the central black hole mass

Details The relationship between the X-ray variability and the central black hole mass The relationship between the X-ray variability and the central black hole mass

2001-06-15

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0106292v1

Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc. 324 (2001) 653

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

7 pages (including two tables and one figure)

Scientific paper

10.1046/j.1365-8711.2001.04344.x

We assembled a sample of Seyfert 1 galaxies, QSOs and Low-Luminosity Active Galactic Nuclei (LLAGNs) observed by ASCA, whose central black hole masses have been measured. We found that the X-ray variability (which is quantified by the ``excess variance'' sigma^2_{rms}) is significantly anti-correlated with the central black hole mass, and there likely exists a linear relationship sigma^2_{rms}\propto M^{-1}_{bh}. This can be interpreted that the short time-scale X-ray variability is caused by some global coherent variations in the X-ray emission region which is scaled by the size of the central black hole. Hence, the central black hole mass is the driving parameter of the previously established relation between X-ray variability and luminosity. This findings favor the hypothesis that the Narrow Line Seyfert 1 galaxies and QSOs harbor smaller black holes than the broad line objects, and can also easily explain the observational fact that high redshift QSOs have greater variability than local AGNs at a given luminosity. Further investigations are needed to confirm our findings, and a large sample X-ray variability investigation can give constraints on the physical mechanism and evolution of AGNs.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The relationship between the X-ray variability and the central black hole mass does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The relationship between the X-ray variability and the central black hole mass, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The relationship between the X-ray variability and the central black hole mass will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-174353