Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2003-07-09
Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc.344:L22-L26,2003
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
accepted for publication in MNRAS Letters
Scientific paper
10.1046/j.1365-8711.2003.06988.x
The spectrum and variability of the Seyfert galaxy MCG-6-30-15 can be decomposed into two apparently disconnected components: a highly variable power law and an almost constant component which contains a broad and strong iron line. We explore a possible explanation of the puzzling lack of variability of the iron line, by assuming that the variations of the power law component are due to changes in the height of the primary source in the near vicinity of a rotating black hole. Due to the bending of light in the strong field of the central black hole, the apparent brightness of the power-law component can vary by about a factor 4 according to its position, while the total iron line flux variability is less than 20 percent. This behaviour is obtained if the primary source is located within 3-4 gravitational radii ($r_{\rm g}$) from the rotation axis with a variable height of between $\sim$ 3 and 8 $r_{\rm g}$. These results revive the possibility that future X-ray observations of MCG-6-30-15 can map out the strong gravity regime of accreting black holes.
Fabian Andrea C.
Goyder R.
Lasenby Anthony N.
Miniutti Giovanni
No associations
LandOfFree
The lack of variability of the iron line in MCG-6-30-15: general relativistic effects 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 The lack of variability of the iron line in MCG-6-30-15: general relativistic effects, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The lack of variability of the iron line in MCG-6-30-15: general relativistic effects will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-576893