scholarly journals On the distribution of fluxes of gamma-ray blazars: hints for a stochastic process?

2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (1) ◽  
pp. 1294-1300
Author(s):  
F Tavecchio ◽  
G Bonnoli ◽  
G Galanti
Keyword(s):  
Temporal Variability ◽  
Stochastic Equation ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Rotational Energy ◽  
Accretion Disc ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Differential Distribution ◽  
Predicted Probability ◽  
Stochastic Term ◽  
Γ Ray

ABSTRACT We examine a model for the observed temporal variability of powerful blazars in the γ-ray band in which the dynamics is described in terms of a stochastic differential equation, including the contribution of a deterministic drift and a stochastic term. The form of the equation is motivated by the current astrophysical framework, accepting that jets are powered through the extraction of the rotational energy of the central supermassive black hole mediated by magnetic fields supported by a so-called magnetically arrested accretion disc. We apply the model to the γ-ray light curves of several bright blazars and we infer the parameters suitable to describe them. In particular, we examine the differential distribution of fluxes (dN/dFγ) and we show that the predicted probability density function for the assumed stochastic equation naturally reproduces the observed power-law shape at large fluxes $\mathrm{ d}N/\mathrm{ d}F_{\gamma } \propto F_{\gamma }^{-\alpha }$ with α > 2.

scholarly journals Gamma-Ray Observations of Pulsars

1994 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 789-795
Author(s):  
M. P. Ulmer
Keyword(s):  
Energy Loss ◽  
Gamma Rays ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Rotational Energy ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Radio Continuum ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Emission Models

AbstractWe report on Compton Gamma Ray Observatory observations of six detected pulsars: the Crab, Vela, Geminga, PSR B1509-58, PSR B1706-44, and PSR B1055-52. We combine these data with radio data and X-ray data to provide an overview of what is known about gamma-ray pulsars. We discuss light curves, spectra, and radio/gamma-ray phase offsets, and present several tentative patterns in the data. These include constant phase with γ-ray energy; a correlation between gamma-ray and X-ray luminosity; an anticorrelation between the gamma-ray luminosity and the efficiency in converting rotational energy loss into gamma-ray flux; and a correlation between the pulsar period and radio/gamma-ray phase offset. We also suggest that the emission models that have been proposed to date cannot explain the similarities of the average gamma-ray light curves observed over a wide range of energies. Further, unless a narrow beam is assumed, pulsars such as PSR B1055-52 and Geminga appear to be radiating a significant fraction of their rotational energy loss in the form of gamma rays.Subject headings: gamma rays: observations — pulsars: general — radio continuum: stars — X-rays: stars

scholarly journals Multiwavelength analysis of the variability of the blazar 3C 273

2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (2) ◽  
pp. 2066-2077 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Fernandes ◽  
V M Patiño-Álvarez ◽  
V Chavushyan ◽  
E M Schlegel ◽  
J R Valdés
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Optical Emission ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Accretion Disc ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Time Range ◽  
Data Set ◽  
V Band ◽  
Spectrum Radio ◽  
Observed Behaviour

ABSTRACT We present multiwavelength light curves and polarimetric data of the Flat Spectrum Radio Quasar 3C 273 over 8 yr. The wavelength range of our data set extends from radio to gamma-rays. We found that the optical emission in this source is dominated by the accretion disc during the entire time-frame of study. We additionally find that in contrast with the observed behaviour in other blazars, 3C 273 does not show a correlation between the gamma-ray spectral index and the gamma-ray luminosity. Finally, we identified an anticorrelation between the 15 GHz and V-band light curves for the time-range JD245 = 4860–5760, which we speculate is the consequence of the inner part of the accretion disc falling into the black hole, followed by the ejection of a component into the jet.

scholarly journals Gamma-ray blazar variability: new statistical methods of time-flux distributions

2021 ◽  
Vol 508 (1) ◽  
pp. 1446-1458
Author(s):  
Jarosław Duda ◽  
Gopal Bhatta
Keyword(s):  
Probability Density ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Likelihood Estimation ◽  
Probability Density Functions ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Infinite Variance ◽  
Density Functions ◽  
Multiple Characteristic ◽  
Transient Nature ◽  
Γ Ray

ABSTRACT Variable γ-ray emission from blazars, one of the most powerful classes of astronomical sources featuring relativistic jets, is a widely discussed topic. In this work, we present the results of a variability study of a sample of 20 blazars using γ-ray (0.1–300 GeV) observations from Fermi/LAT telescope. Using maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) methods, we find that the probability density functions that best describe the γ-ray blazar flux distributions use the stable distribution family, which generalizes the Gaussian distribution. The results suggest that the average behaviour of the γ-ray flux variability over this period can be characterized by log-stable distributions. For most of the sample sources, this estimate leads to standard lognormal distribution (α = 2). However, a few sources clearly display heavy tail distributions (MLE leads to α < 2), suggesting underlying multiplicative processes of infinite variance. Furthermore, the light curves were analysed by employing novel non-stationarity and autocorrelation analyses. The former analysis allowed us to quantitatively evaluate non-stationarity in each source – finding the forgetting rate (corresponding to decay time) maximizing the log-likelihood for the modelled evolution of the probability density functions. Additionally, evaluation of local variability allows us to detect local anomalies, suggesting a transient nature of some of the statistical properties of the light curves. With the autocorrelation analysis, we examined the lag dependence of the statistical behaviour of all the {(yt, yt + l)} points, described by various mixed moments, allowing us to quantitatively evaluate multiple characteristic time scales and implying possible hidden periodic processes.

Can Precessing Jets Explain the Light Curves of Gamma‐Ray Bursts?

1999 ◽  
Vol 520 (2) ◽  
pp. 666-679 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon F. Portegies Zwart ◽  
Chang‐Hwan Lee ◽  
Hyun Kyu Lee
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Light Curves

scholarly journals Gamma-Ray Imaging of the Galactic Center Region

1989 ◽  
Vol 136 ◽  
pp. 581-585
Author(s):  
W. R. Cook ◽  
D. M. Palmer ◽  
T. A. Prince ◽  
S. M. Schindler ◽  
C. H. Starr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Galactic Center ◽  
Coded Aperture ◽  
Center Region ◽  
Gamma Ray Imaging ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Γ Ray ◽  
Luminous Objects

The Caltech imaging γ-ray telescope was launched by balloon from Alice Springs, NT, Australia and performed observations of the galactic center during the period 12.62 to 13.00 April 1988 UT. The first coded-aperture images of the galactic center region at energies above 30 keV show a single strong γ-ray source which is located 0.7±0.1° from the galactic nucleus and is tentatively identified as 1E1740.7-2942. If the source is at the distance of the galactic center, it is one of the most luminous objects in the galaxy at energies from 35 to 200 keV.

scholarly journals Gamma‐Ray Burst Afterglow: Polarization and Analytic Light Curves

1999 ◽  
Vol 511 (2) ◽  
pp. 852-861 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrei Gruzinov ◽  
Eli Waxman
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Gamma Ray Burst

scholarly journals Molecular Clouds Observed by the EGRET Gamma-Ray Telescope

1997 ◽  
Vol 170 ◽  
pp. 22-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seth. W. Digel ◽  
Stanley D. Hunter ◽  
Reshmi Mukherjee ◽  
Eugéne J. de Geus ◽  
Isabelle A. Grenier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mass ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Angular Resolution ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Background Rejection ◽  
Γ Rays ◽  
Γ Ray ◽  
Production Mechanisms

EGRET, the high-energy γ-ray telescope on the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory, has the sensitivity, angular resolution, and background rejection necessary to study diffuse γ-ray emission from the interstellar medium (ISM). High-energy γ rays produced in cosmic-ray (CR) interactions in the ISM can be used to determine the CR density and calibrate the CO line as a tracer of molecular mass. Dominant production mechanisms for γ rays of energies ∼30 MeV–30 GeV are the decay of pions produced in collisions of CR protons with ambient matter and Bremsstrahlung scattering of CR electrons.

scholarly journals The connection between the 15 GHz radio and gamma-ray emission in blazars

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (S313) ◽  
pp. 17-20
Author(s):  
W. Max-Moerbeck ◽  
J. L. Richards ◽  
T. Hovatta ◽  
V. Pavlidou ◽  
T. J. Pearson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Light Curves ◽  
Owens Valley ◽  
Noise Characteristics ◽  
Power Spectral ◽  
Emission Models ◽  
Gamma Ray Emission ◽  
Many Sources

AbstractSince mid-2007 we have carried out a dedicated long-term monitoring programme at 15 GHz using the Owens Valley Radio Observatory 40 meter telescope (OVRO 40m). One of the main goals of this programme is to study the relation between the radio and gamma-ray emission in blazars and to use it as a tool to locate the site of high energy emission. Using this large sample of objects we are able to characterize the radio variability, and study the significance of correlations between the radio and gamma-ray bands. We find that the radio variability of many sources can be described using a simple power law power spectral density, and that when taking into account the red-noise characteristics of the light curves, cases with significant correlation are rare. We note that while significant correlations are found in few individual objects, radio variations are most often delayed with respect to the gamma-ray variations. This suggests that the gamma-ray emission originates upstream of the radio emission. Because strong flares in most known gamma-ray-loud blazars are infrequent, longer light curves are required to settle the issue of the strength of radio-gamma cross-correlations and establish confidently possible delays between the two. For this reason continuous multiwavelength monitoring over a longer time period is essential for statistical tests of jet emission models.

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