Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Jan 2000
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000stin...0010937m&link_type=abstract
Technical Report, Boston Univ. Boston, MA United States Dept. of Astronomy
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
X Ray Timing Explorer, Bl Lacertae Objects, Radio Observation, Radio Astronomy, Light Curve, Rosat Mission, Quasars, Cross Correlation
Scientific paper
This project continued (during Cycle 3 of the RXTE mission) weekly observations of the quasars PKS 1510-089 and 3C 454.3 and the BL Lac object OJ 287. The data were analyzed by the PI and his graduate student. In the middle of Cycle 3, the PI changed the mode of observation of 3C 454.3, based on a report from another astronomer that observations with the Rosat satellite had found a strong confusing X-ray source about 45 arcmin away. The RXTE observations, in which the flux was measured while pointing directly at 3C 454.3 and then 15' from 3C 454.3, in the direction away from the confusing source. The flux decreased considerably, and so it appears that nearly all the X-ray flux measured by RXTE comes from the confusing source rather than the quasar. OJ 287 was detected only at one epoch of the Cycle 3 observations. This corresponded to a particularly quiet period for this source, when its flux at other wavebands was also low. From the single epoch of detection, no conclusions can be drawn concerning the general nature of the X-ray emission from this object. In contrast to the other two sources, the results of the observations of PKS 1510-089, when combined with data from cycles 3 and 4, are very interesting. The RXTE (2.4-20 keV) abd 14.5 GHz University of Michigan Radio Astronomy Observatory (UMRAO) light curves through the end of RXTE Cycle 4 are shown for PKS 1510-089. Visual inspection reveals an obvious correlation between the X-ray and 14.5 GHz light curves. While this is as expected in the SSC model in a source with simultaneous mm-wave (the photons thought to be scattered to X-ray energies) and cm-wave variations, the X-ray spectrum is flat ("energy" spectral index alpha = 0.2-0.5, where F v proportional to v (sup - alpha)) compared with the mm-wave synchrotron spectrum (alpha approximately equal to 0.8). The PI is currently engaged in theoretical work to determine whether this is possible for an SSC model.
No associations
LandOfFree
Continued RXTE Observations of Three Blazars 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 Continued RXTE Observations of Three Blazars, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Continued RXTE Observations of Three Blazars will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-811544