Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2000-08-30
Astron.Astrophys.361:850-862,2000
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
13 pages, 6 figures, to be published in A&A
Scientific paper
We present a phenomenological jet model which is able to reproduce well the observed variations of the submillimetre-to-radio emission of the bright quasar 3C 273 during the last 20 years. It is a generalization of the original shock model of Marscher & Gear (1985), which is now able to describe an accelerating or decelerating shock wave, in a curved, non-conical and non-adiabatic jet. The model defines the properties of a synchrotron outburst which is expected to be emitted by the jet material in a small region just behind the shock front. By a proper parameterization of the average outburst's evolution and of the peculiarities of individual outbursts, we are able to decompose simultaneously thirteen long-term light-curves of 3C 273 in a series of seventeen distinct outbursts. It is the first time that a model is so closely confronted to the long-term multi-wavelength variability properties of a quasar. The ability of the model to reproduce the very different shapes of the submillimetre-to-radio light curves of 3C 273 gives strong support to the shock model of Marscher & Gear (1985). Indirectly, it also reinforces the idea that the outbursts seen in the light-curves are physically linked to the distinct features observed to move along the jet with apparently superluminal velocities.
Courvoisier Thierry J. -L.
Paltani Stephane
Türler Marc
No associations
LandOfFree
Modelling 20 years of synchrotron flaring in the jet of 3C 273 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 Modelling 20 years of synchrotron flaring in the jet of 3C 273, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Modelling 20 years of synchrotron flaring in the jet of 3C 273 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-607584