Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2004-12-09
Astrophys.Space Sci.300:97-105,2005
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
10 pages, 15 figures, to appear in From X-ray Binaries to Quasars: Black Hole Accretion on All Mass Scales, ed. T. J. Maccaron
Scientific paper
10.1007/s10509-005-1203-x
Several AGN and black hole X-ray binaries show a clear very broad iron line which is strong evidence that the black holes are rapidly spinning. Detailed analysis of these objects shows that the emission line is not significantly affected by absorption and that the source variability is principally due to variation in amplitude of a power-law. Underlying this is a much less variable, relativistically-smeared, reflection-dominated, component which carries the imprint of strong gravity at a few gravitational radii. The strong gravitational light bending in these regions then explains the power-law variability as due to changes in height of the primary X-ray source above the disc. The reflection component, in particular its variability and the profile of the iron line, enables us to study the innermost regions around an accreting, spinning, black hole.
No associations
LandOfFree
Broad Iron Lines in AGN and X-ray Binaries 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 Broad Iron Lines in AGN and X-ray Binaries, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Broad Iron Lines in AGN and X-ray Binaries will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-151723