Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2002-10-09
Astrophys.J. 584 (2003) 153-163
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
12 pages, 13 figures, to appear in ApJ
Scientific paper
10.1086/345522
The recent long look X-ray observations of TeV blazars have revealed many important new features concerning their time variability. In this paper, we suggest a physical interpretation for those features based on the framework of the internal and external shock scenarios. We present a simplified model applicable to TeV blazars, and investigate through simulations how each of the model parameters would affect to the observed light curve or spectrum. In particular, we show that the internal shock scenario naturally leads to all the observed variability properties including the structure function, but for it to be applicable, the fractional fluctuation of the initial bulk Lorentz factors must be small, with sigma_gamma / gamma_average < 0.01. This implies very low dynamical efficiency of the internal shock scenario. We also suggest that several observational quantities -- such as the characteristic time scale, the relative amplitude of flares as compared to the steady (``offset'') component, and the slope of the structure function -- can be used to probe the inner jet. The results are applied to the TeV blazar Mrk421, and this, within the context of the model, leads to the determination of several physical parameters: the ejection of a shell with average thickness of ~1E13 cm occurs on average every 10 minutes, and the shells collide ~1E17 cm away from the central source.
Kataoka Jun
Madejski Greg M.
Takahashi Tadayuki
Tanihata Chiharu
No associations
LandOfFree
Implications of Variability Patterns observed in TeV Blazars on the Structure of the Inner Jet 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 Implications of Variability Patterns observed in TeV Blazars on the Structure of the Inner Jet, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Implications of Variability Patterns observed in TeV Blazars on the Structure of the Inner Jet will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-542056