Statistics – Computation
Scientific paper
Dec 1992
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1992a%26a...266...77d&link_type=abstract
Astronomy and Astrophysics (ISSN 0004-6361), vol. 266, no. 1, p. 77-84.
Statistics
Computation
15
Active Galactic Nuclei, Interstellar Magnetic Fields, Light Curve, Solar Flares, X Ray Astronomy, Accretion Disks, Astronomical Models, Computational Astrophysics, Exosat Satellite, Power Spectra, Virial Theorem
Scientific paper
The power spectra of X-ray light curves of active galactic nuclei (AGN) observed with EXOSAT, show approximately the same 1/nu power law dependence. To explain the X-ray variability we propose a flare model based on recurrent explosive release of stored magnetic energy in coronae of accretion disks in AGN. Based on the virial theorem we develop an analytical model for the power released in magnetic flares in a radiation pressure dominated accretion disk corona. A major difference exists with the solar case: beams of relativistic electrons, produced by the flare in the corona, loose all their energy by inverse Compton scattering on UV disk photons before being able to reach the disk. These Compton losses determine the X-ray variability. It is shown how the dependence of the flare characteristics on the distance to the central object provides the required range in time-scales and power to reproduce the observed power spectra.
de Vries Mark
Kuijpers Jan
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