Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2003-06-24
Astron.Astrophys.408:949-960,2003
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
12 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in A&A
Scientific paper
10.1051/0004-6361:20031050
We report on the X-ray properties of the radio galaxy NGC 4261, combining information from the XMM, Chandra, and SAX satellites. Goals of this study are to investigate the origin of the X-rays from this low-power radio galaxy and the nature of the accretion process onto the central black hole. The X-ray spectrum of the nuclear source extending up to 100--150 keV is well described by a partially covered (covering factor $>$ 0.8) power law with a photon index \~1.5 absorbed by a column density 5e22 cm^-2. The X-ray luminosity associated with the non-thermal component is ~5e41 erg/s. The nuclear source is embedded in a diffuse hot gas (kT~0.6 keV), whose density profile implies a Bondi accretion rate of 4.5e-2 solar masses/year. For the first time rapid X-ray variability is detected in a low-power radio galaxy at more than 99% confidence level. The observed X-ray spectral and variability properties indicate the accretion flow as the most likely origin of the bulk X-ray continuum.This conclusion is strengthened by energetic considerations based on a comparison between the X-ray luminosity and the kinetic power of the jet, whichalso suggest that the Bondi accretion rate overestimates the actual accretion rate onto the black hole.
Brandt Wiliam N.
Gliozzi Mario
Sambruna Rita M.
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