Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Scientific paper
2009-04-07
Astrophys.J.698:1061-1067,2009
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
7 pages, 12 figures
Scientific paper
10.1088/0004-637X/698/2/1061
PKS J2310-437 is an AGN with bright X-ray emission relative to its weak radio emission and optical continuum. It is believed that its jet lies far enough from the line of sight that it is not highly relativistically beamed. It thus provides an extreme test of AGN models. We present new observations aimed at refining the measurement of the source's properties. In optical photometry with the NTT we measure a central excess with relatively steep spectrum lying above the bright elliptical galaxy emission, and we associate the excess wholly or in part with the AGN. A new full-track radio observation with the ATCA finds that the core 8.64GHz emission has varied by about 20 per cent over 38 months, and improves the mapping of the weak jet. With Chandra we measure a well-constrained power-law spectral index for the X-ray core, uncontaminated by extended emission from the cluster environment, with a negligible level of intrinsic absorption. Weak X-ray emission from the resolved radio jet is also measured. Our analysis suggests that the optical continuum in this radio galaxy has varied by at least a factor of four over a timescale of about two years, something that should be testable with further observations. We conclude that the most likely explanation for the bright central X-ray emission is synchrotron radiation from high-energy electrons.
Birkinshaw Mark
Bliss A. F.
Murray Stephen S.
Tananbaum Harvey
Worrall Diana Mary
No associations
LandOfFree
Unmasking the Active Galactic Nucleus in PKS J2310-437 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 Unmasking the Active Galactic Nucleus in PKS J2310-437, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Unmasking the Active Galactic Nucleus in PKS J2310-437 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-314038