Central black hole mass estimates for Mkn 501 from shot noise-like X-Ray and TeV flares during 1997

Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Scientific paper

X-ray observations of accreting black hole candidates show typical shot-noise behaviour as a result of the accretion process. We have inferred the maximum likelihood estimates (MLE) of the shot noise parameters from the X-ray and TeV -ray spectra of Mkn 501, given a very general shot model which holds for any possible distribution of flare amplitudes, count rate of random flares, and any mean rise/decay time of flares. These parameters allow us to assess the significance of the reported 23 d periodicities in the X-ray and TeV light curves. Without such parameters one would significantly overestimate the significance of the claimed periodicities. The MLE of the mean variability timescale also allows us to estimate the mass of the cental black hole, if variations in the accretion process are translated to the jet via the dynamo process. From the "knee" in the Fourier spectrum, we infer a mass for Mkn 501 between 1 and 4 times 107 ( j=10)M , normalised to a jet doppler factor of j = 10. The observed minimum variability timescale of 15 minutes imply an upper limit to the central mass of M501 9 x 107 ( j=10)M , which is consistent with our estimates from the "knee" in the spectrum.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Central black hole mass estimates for Mkn 501 from shot noise-like X-Ray and TeV flares during 1997 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 Central black hole mass estimates for Mkn 501 from shot noise-like X-Ray and TeV flares during 1997, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Central black hole mass estimates for Mkn 501 from shot noise-like X-Ray and TeV flares during 1997 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1268075

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.