scholarly journals Evidence for variability time-scale-dependent UV/X-ray delay in Seyfert 1 AGN NGC 7469

2020 ◽  
Vol 494 (3) ◽  
pp. 4057-4068
Author(s):  
Mayukh Pahari ◽  
I M McHardy ◽  
Federico Vincentelli ◽  
Edward Cackett ◽  
Bradley M Peterson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Curve ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Accretion Disc ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Cross Correlation Analysis ◽  
Optical Continuum ◽  
Delay Prediction ◽  
Ngc 7469

ABSTRACT Using a month-long X-ray light curve from RXTE/PCA and 1.5 month-long UV continuum light curves from IUE spectra in 1220–1970 Å, we performed a detailed time-lag study of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 7469. Our cross-correlation analysis confirms previous results showing that the X-rays are delayed relative to the UV continuum at 1315 Å by 3.49 ± 0.22 d, which is possibly caused by either propagating fluctuation or variable Comptonization. However, if variations slower than 5 d are removed from the X-ray light curve, the UV variations then lag behind the X-ray variations by 0.37 ± 0.14 d, consistent with reprocessing of the X-rays by a surrounding accretion disc. A very similar reverberation delay is observed between Swift/XRT X-ray and Swift/UVOT UVW2, U light curves. Continuum light curves extracted from the Swift/GRISM spectra show delays with respect to X-rays consistent with reverberation. Separating the UV continuum variations faster and slower than 5 d, the slow variations at 1825 Å lag those at 1315 Å by 0.29 ± 0.06 d, while the fast variations are coincident (0.04 ± 0.12 d). The UV/optical continuum reverberation lag from IUE, Swift, and other optical telescopes at different wavelengths are consistent with the relationship: τ ∝ λ4/3, predicted for the standard accretion disc theory while the best-fitting X-ray delay from RXTE and Swift/XRT shows a negative X-ray offset of ∼0.38 d from the standard disc delay prediction.

scholarly journals Simultaneous Millimetre-wave and X-ray monitoring of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 7469

2019 ◽  
Vol 491 (3) ◽  
pp. 3523-3534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehud Behar ◽  
Shai Kaspi ◽  
Gabriel Paubert ◽  
Nicolas Billot ◽  
Uria Peretz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Curve ◽  
Seyfert Galaxy ◽  
Accretion Disc ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Millimetre Wave ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Daily Monitoring ◽  
Data Points ◽  
Optical Telescopes ◽  
Ngc 7469

ABSTRACT We report on daily monitoring of the Seyfert galaxy ngc 7469, around 95 and 143 GHz, with the iram (Institut de Radioastronomie Millimetrique) 30- m radio telescope, and with the Swift X-ray and UV/optical telescopes, over an overlapping period of 45 d. The source was observed on 36 d with iram, and the flux density in both mm bands was on average ∼10 mJy, but varied by $\pm 50{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$, and by up to a factor of 2 between days. The present iram variability parameters are consistent with earlier monitoring, which had only 18 data points. The X-ray light curve of ngc 7469 over the same period spans a factor of 5 in flux with small uncertainties. Similar variability in the mm band and in the X-rays lends support to the notion of both sources originating in the same physical component of the active galactic nucleus (AGN), likely the accretion disc corona. Simultaneous monitoring in eight UV/optical bands shows much less variability than the mm and X-rays, implying this light originates from a different AGN component, likely the accretion disc itself. We use a tentative 14-d lag of the X-ray light curve with respect to the 95 GHz light curve to speculate on coronal implications. More precise mm-band measurements of a sample of X-ray-variable AGN are needed, preferably also on time-scales of less than a day where X-rays vary dramatically, in order to properly test the physical connection between the two bands.

scholarly journals X-ray spectra and light curves of cooling novae and a nova like

2020 ◽  
Vol 499 (2) ◽  
pp. 3006-3018
Author(s):  
Bangzheng Sun ◽  
Marina Orio ◽  
Andrej Dobrotka ◽  
Gerardo Juan Manuel Luna ◽  
Sergey Shugarov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Light Curve ◽  
Accretion Rate ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Gravitational Energy ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Clear Correlation ◽  
X Rays ◽  
High State ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Low X

ABSTRACT We present X-ray observations of novae V2491 Cyg and KT Eri about 9 yr post-outburst of the dwarf nova and post-nova candidate EY Cyg, and of a VY Scl variable. The first three objects were observed with XMM–Newton, KT Eri also with the Chandra ACIS-S camera, V794 Aql with the Chandra ACIS-S camera and High Energy Transmission Gratings. The two recent novae, similar in outburst amplitude and light curve, appear very different at quiescence. Assuming half of the gravitational energy is irradiated in X-rays, V2491 Cyg is accreting at $\dot{m}=1.4\times 10^{-9}{\!-\!}10^{-8}\,{\rm M}_\odot \,{\rm yr}^{-1}$, while for KT Eri, $\dot{m}\lt 2\times 10^{-10}{\rm M}_\odot \,{\rm yr}$. V2491 Cyg shows signatures of a magnetized WD, specifically of an intermediate polar. A periodicity of  39 min, detected in outburst, was still measured and is likely due to WD rotation. EY Cyg is accreting at $\dot{m}\sim 1.8\times 10^{-11}{\rm M}_\odot \,{\rm yr}^{-1}$, one magnitude lower than KT Eri, consistently with its U Gem outburst behaviour and its quiescent UV flux. The X-rays are modulated with the orbital period, despite the system’s low inclination, probably due to the X-ray flux of the secondary. A period of  81 min is also detected, suggesting that it may also be an intermediate polar. V794 Aql had low X-ray luminosity during an optically high state, about the same level as in a recent optically low state. Thus, we find no clear correlation between optical and X-ray luminosity: the accretion rate seems unstable and variable. The very hard X-ray spectrum indicates a massive WD.

scholarly journals Optical/X-ray correlations during the V404 Cygni June 2015 outburst

2018 ◽  
Vol 620 ◽  
pp. A110 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Alfonso-Garzón ◽  
C. Sánchez-Fernández ◽  
P. A. Charles ◽  
J. M. Mas-Hesse ◽  
P. Gandhi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Delays ◽  
Cross Correlation ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Synchrotron Emission ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Physical Mechanisms ◽  
Cross Correlation Analysis ◽  
All Optical ◽  
Negative Time

Context. We present a multiwavelength analysis of the simultaneous optical and X-ray light curves of the microquasar V404 Cyg during the June 2015 outburst. Aims. We have performed a comprehensive analysis of all the INTEGRAL/IBIS, JEM–X, and OMC observations during the brightest epoch of the outburst, along with complementary NuSTAR, AAVSO, and VSNET data, to examine the timing relationship between the simultaneous optical and X-ray light curves, in order to understand the emission mechanisms and physical locations. Methods. We have identified all optical flares that have simultaneous X-ray observations, and performed a cross-correlation analysis to estimate the time delays between the optical and soft and hard X-ray emission. We also compared the evolution of the optical and X-ray emission with the hardness ratios. Results. We have identified several types of behaviour during the outburst. On many occasions, the optical flares occur simultaneously with X-ray flares, but at other times, positive and negative time delays between the optical and X-ray emission are measured. Conclusions. We conclude that the observed optical variability is driven by different physical mechanisms, including reprocessing of X-rays in the accretion disc and/or the companion star, interaction of the jet ejections with surrounding material or with previously ejected blobs, and synchrotron emission from the jet.

scholarly journals Broadband study of BL Lac during flare of 2020: Spectral evolution and emergence of HBL component

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raj Prince
Keyword(s):  
Time Lag ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Spectral Evolution ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Bl Lacertae ◽  
Physical Mechanisms ◽  
Broadband Emission ◽  
Bl Lac ◽  
Astrophysical Neutrinos

Abstract BL Lacertae (BL Lac) is categorized as TeV blazar and considered as a possible source of astrophysical neutrinos. In 2020, the brightest X-ray flare ever detected from it. A detailed study can answer many puzzling questions related to multiband emissions and fast-flux variability often seen in this kind of source. We have performed the temporal and spectral analysis of the brightest flare. The variability is characterized by the fractional variability amplitude and the variability time. We found that the source has crossed all its previous limits of flux and reached to a maximum ever seen from it in optical and X-rays. It is highly variable in X-rays with fractional variability above 100 per cent (1.8397±0.0181) and the fastest variability time of 11.28 hours within a day. The broadband light curves correlation with X-ray suggest a time lag of one day. A broadband SED modeling is pursued to understand the possible physical mechanisms responsible for broadband emission. Modeling requires two emission regions located at two different sites to explain the low and high flux states. A significant spectral change is observed in the optical-UV and X-ray spectrum during the high state, which eventually leads to shifts in the location of the synchrotron peak towards higher energy, suggesting an emergence of a new HBL component.

scholarly journals Returning radiation in strong gravity around black holes: reverberation from the accretion disc

2020 ◽  
Vol 498 (3) ◽  
pp. 3302-3319
Author(s):  
D R Wilkins ◽  
J A García ◽  
T Dauser ◽  
A C Fabian
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
Strong Field ◽  
Time Lag ◽  
Accretion Disc ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Gravitational Fields ◽  
Strong Gravity ◽  
General Relativistic ◽  
Strong Gravitational Fields

ABSTRACT We study reflected X-ray emission that returns to the accretion disc in the strong gravitational fields around black holes using General Relativistic ray-tracing and radiative transfer calculations. Reflected X-rays that are produced when the inner regions of the disc are illuminated by the corona are subject to strong gravitational light bending, causing up to 47 per cent of the reflected emission to be returned to the disc around a rapidly spinning black hole, depending upon the scale height of the corona. The iron Kα line is enhanced relative to the continuum by 25 per cent, and the Compton hump by up to a factor of 3. Additional light traveltime between primary and secondary reflections increases the reverberation time lag measured in the iron K band by 49 per cent, while the soft X-ray lag is increased by 25 per cent and the Compton hump response time is increased by 60 per cent. Measured samples of X-ray reverberation lags are shown to be consistent with X-rays returning to the accretion disc in strong gravity. Understanding the effects of returning radiation is important in interpreting reverberation observations to probe black holes. Reflected X-rays returning to the disc can be uniquely identified by blueshifted returning iron K line photons that are Compton scattered from the inner disc, producing excess, delayed emission in the 3.5–4.5 keV energy range that will be detectable with forthcoming X-ray observatories, representing a unique test of General Relativity in the strong field limit.

scholarly journals Accretion disc variability in AGN

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (S290) ◽  
pp. 181-182
Author(s):  
Patricia Arévalo
Keyword(s):  
Time Scales ◽  
Accretion Disc ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Optical Variability ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Central Engine

AbstractThe central engine of AGN is too compact to be observed directly so its structure has to be inferred through the combination of spectral and variability information. Here we study the connection between optical-emitting accretion disc and X-ray emitting corona of the Seyfert NGC3783. Short light curves are consistent with optical fluctuations arising from X-ray reprocessing, but the long-term fluctuations found over the course of several years prove that at least long-term optical variability is not produced by the X-rays: at time-scales longer than 1 year the variability power in the optical is higher than in the X-rays. This indicates variability originating in the thin accretion disc itself, therefore capable of revealing its characteristics.

scholarly journals Hydrodynamic Models of Solar and Stellar Flares

1989 ◽  
Vol 104 (1) ◽  
pp. 289-298
Author(s):  
Giovanni Peres
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Light Curve ◽  
Solar Flares ◽  
Impulsive Phase ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
The Sun ◽  
Hydrodynamic Models ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Stellar Flares

AbstractThis paper discusses the hydrodynamic modeling of flaring plasma confined in magnetic loops and its objectives within the broader scope of flare physics. In particular, the Palermo-Harvard model is discussed along with its applications to the detailed fitting of X-ray light curves of solar flares and to the simulation of high-resolution Caxix spectra in the impulsive phase. These two approaches provide complementary constraints on the relevant features of solar flares. The extension to the stellar case, with the fitting of the light curve of an X-ray flare which occurred on Proxima Centauri, demonstrates the feasibility of using this kind of model for stars too. Although the stellar observations do not provide the wealth of details available for the Sun, and, therefore, constrain the model more loosely, there are strong motivations to pursue this line of research: the wider range of physical parameters in stellar flares and the possibility of studying further the solar-stellar connection.

scholarly journals X-ray Dips in AGN and Microquasars – Collapse Timescales of Inner Accretion Disc

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mayur B Shende ◽  
Prashali Chauhan ◽  
Prasad Subramanian
Keyword(s):  
Collisionless Plasma ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Outer Radius ◽  
Accretion Disc ◽  
Accretion Discs ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Temporal Behaviour ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Ray Diffusion ◽  
3C 120

Abstract The temporal behaviour of X-rays from some AGN and microquasars is thought to arise from the rapid collapse of the hot, inner parts of their accretion discs. The collapse can occur over the radial infall timescale of the inner accretion disc. However, estimates of this timescale are hindered by a lack of knowledge of the operative viscosity in the collisionless plasma comprising the inner disc. We use published simulation results for cosmic ray diffusion through turbulent magnetic fields to arrive at a viscosity prescription appropriate to hot accretion discs. We construct simplified disc models using this viscosity prescription and estimate disc collapse timescales for 3C 120, 3C 111, and GRS 1915+105. The Shakura-Sunyaev α parameter resulting from our model ranges from 0.02 to 0.08. Our inner disc collapse timescale estimates agree well with those of the observed X-ray dips. We find that the collapse timescale is most sensitive to the outer radius of the hot accretion disc.

New insight into the origin of the GeV flare in the binary system PSR B1259-63/LS 2883 from the 2017 periastron passage

2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (1) ◽  
pp. 648-655
Author(s):  
M Chernyakova ◽  
D Malyshev ◽  
S Mc Keague ◽  
B van Soelen ◽  
J P Marais ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Binary System ◽  
Light Curve ◽  
Energy Release ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Strong Shock ◽  
Optical Observations ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Inverse Compton ◽  
Pulsar Wind

ABSTRACT PSR B1259-63 is a gamma-ray binary system hosting a radio pulsar orbiting around an O9.5Ve star, LS 2883, with a period of ∼3.4 yr. The interaction of the pulsar wind with the LS 2883 outflow leads to unpulsed broad-band emission in the radio, X-rays, GeV, and TeV domains. While the radio, X-ray, and TeV light curves show rather similar behaviour, the GeV light curve appears very different with a huge outburst about a month after a periastron. The energy release during this outburst seems to significantly exceed the spin-down luminosity of the pulsar and both the GeV light curve and the energy release vary from one orbit to the next. In this paper, we present for the first time the results of optical observations of the system in 2017, and also reanalyse the available X-ray and GeV data. We present a new model in which the GeV data are explained as a combination of the bremsstrahlung and inverse Compton emission from the unshocked and weakly shocked electrons of the pulsar wind. The X-ray and TeV emission is produced by synchrotron and inverse Compton emission of energetic electrons accelerated on a strong shock arising due to stellar/pulsar winds collision. The brightness of the GeV flare is explained in our model as a beaming effect of the energy released in a cone oriented, during the time of the flare, in the direction of the observer.

scholarly journals X-ray light curves from realistic polar cap models: inclined pulsar magnetospheres and multipole fields

2019 ◽  
Vol 490 (2) ◽  
pp. 1774-1783 ◽  
Author(s):  
Will Lockhart ◽  
Samuel E Gralla ◽  
Feryal Özel ◽  
Dimitrios Psaltis
Keyword(s):  
Light Curve ◽  
Quadrupole Moment ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Realistic Model ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Polar Caps ◽  
Thin Ring ◽  
Magnetic Quadrupole ◽  
South Asymmetry

ABSTRACT Thermal X-ray emission from rotation-powered pulsars is believed to originate from localized ‘hotspots’ on the stellar surface occurring where large-scale currents from the magnetosphere return to heat the atmosphere. Light-curve modelling has primarily been limited to simple models, such as circular antipodal emitting regions with constant temperature. We calculate more realistic temperature distributions within the polar caps, taking advantage of recent advances in magnetospheric theory, and we consider their effect on the predicted light curves. The emitting regions are non-circular even for a pure dipole magnetic field, and the inclusion of an aligned magnetic quadrupole moment introduces a north–south asymmetry. As the quadrupole moment is increased, one hotspot grows in size before becoming a thin ring surrounding the star. For the pure dipole case, moving to the more realistic model changes the light curves by $5\!-\!10{{\, \rm per\, cent}}$ for millisecond pulsars, helping to quantify the systematic uncertainty present in current dipolar models. Including the quadrupole gives considerable freedom in generating more complex light curves. We explore whether these simple dipole+quadrupole models can account for the qualitative features of the light curve of PSR J0437−4715.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document