scholarly journals A new lepto-hadronic model applied to the first simultaneous multiwavelength data set for Cygnus X–1

2020 ◽  
Vol 500 (2) ◽  
pp. 2112-2126
Author(s):  
D Kantzas ◽  
S Markoff ◽  
T Beuchert ◽  
M Lucchini ◽  
A Chhotray ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Thermal Emission ◽  
Spectral Energy Distribution ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Electromagnetic Spectrum ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Relativistic Jets ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Dynamical Properties

ABSTRACT Cygnus X–1 is the first Galactic source confirmed to host an accreting black hole. It has been detected across the entire electromagnetic spectrum from radio to GeV gamma-rays. The source’s radio through mid-infrared radiation is thought to originate from the relativistic jets. The observed high degree of linear polarization in the MeV X-rays suggests that the relativistic jets dominate in this regime as well, whereas a hot accretion flow dominates the soft X-ray band. The origin of the GeV non-thermal emission is still debated, with both leptonic and hadronic scenarios deemed to be viable. In this work, we present results from a new semi-analytical, multizone jet model applied to the broad-band spectral energy distribution of Cygnus X–1 for both leptonic and hadronic scenarios. We try to break this degeneracy by fitting the first-ever high-quality, simultaneous multiwavelength data set obtained from the CHOCBOX campaign (Cygnus X–1 Hard state Observations of a Complete Binary Orbit in X-rays). Our model parametrizes dynamical properties, such as the jet velocity profile, the magnetic field, and the energy density. Moreover, the model combines these dynamical properties with a self-consistent radiative transfer calculation including secondary cascades, both of leptonic and hadronic origin. We conclude that sensitive TeV gamma-ray telescopes like Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) will definitively answer the question of whether hadronic processes occur inside the relativistic jets of Cygnus X–1.

scholarly journals The first broad-band X-ray view of the narrow-line Seyfert 1 Ton S180

2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (2) ◽  
pp. 2352-2370 ◽  
Author(s):  
G A Matzeu ◽  
E Nardini ◽  
M L Parker ◽  
J N Reeves ◽  
V Braito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Emission ◽  
Spectral Energy Distribution ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Outer Part ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Narrow Line ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Extreme Uv ◽  
Reflection Grating

ABSTRACT We present joint XMM–Newton and NuSTAR observations of the ‘bare’ narrow-line Seyfert 1 Ton S180 (z = 0.062), carried out in 2016 and providing the first hard X-ray view of this luminous galaxy. We find that the 0.4–30 keV band cannot be self-consistently reproduced by relativistic reflection models, which fail to account simultaneously for the soft and hard X-ray emission. The smooth soft excess prefers extreme blurring parameters, confirmed by the nearly featureless nature of the Reflection Grating Spectrometer (RGS) spectrum, while the moderately broad Fe K line and the modest hard excess above 10 keV appear to arise in a milder gravity regime. By allowing a different origin of the soft excess, the broad-band X-ray spectrum and overall spectral energy distribution (SED) are well explained by a combination of (a) direct thermal emission from the accretion disc, dominating from the optical to the far/extreme UV; (b) Comptonization of seed disc photons by a warm (kTe ∼ 0.3 keV) and optically thick (τ ∼ 10) corona, mostly contributing to the soft X-rays; (c) Comptonization by a standard hot ($kT_{\rm \mathrm{ e}}\gtrsim 100$ keV) and optically thin (τ < 0.5) corona, responsible for the primary X-ray continuum; and (d) reflection from the mid/outer part of the disc. The two coronae are suggested to be rather compact, with $R_{\rm hot}\lesssim R_{\rm warm}\lesssim 10\, r_{\rm g}$. Our SED analysis implies that Ton S180 accretes at super-Eddington rates. This is a key condition for the launch of a wind, marginal (i.e. 3.1σ significance) evidence of which is indeed found in the RGS spectrum.

scholarly journals A new hard X-ray-selected sample of extreme high-energy peaked BL Lac objects and their TeV gamma-ray properties

2019 ◽  
Vol 486 (2) ◽  
pp. 1741-1762 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Foffano ◽  
E Prandini ◽  
A Franceschini ◽  
S Paiano
Keyword(s):  
Spectral Properties ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Spectral Energy Distribution ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Bl Lac Objects ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Bl Lac

ABSTRACT Extreme high-energy peaked BL Lac objects (EHBLs) are an emerging class of blazars with exceptional spectral properties. The non-thermal emission of the relativistic jet peaks in the spectral energy distribution (SED) plot with the synchrotron emission in X-rays and with the gamma-ray emission in the TeV range or above. These high photon energies may represent a challenge for the standard modelling of these sources. They are important for the implications on the indirect measurements of the extragalactic background light, the intergalactic magnetic field estimate, and the possible origin of extragalactic high-energy neutrinos. In this paper, we perform a comparative study of the multiwavelength spectra of 32 EHBL objects detected by the Swift-BAT telescope in the hard X-ray band and by the Fermi-LAT telescope in the high-energy gamma-ray band. The source sample presents uniform spectral properties in the broad-band SEDs, except for the TeV gamma-ray band where an interesting bimodality seems to emerge. This suggests that the EHBL class is not homogeneous, and a possible subclassification of the EHBLs may be unveiled. Furthermore, in order to increase the number of EHBLs and settle their statistics, we discuss the potential detectability of the 14 currently TeV gamma-ray undetected sources in our sample by the Cherenkov telescopes.

scholarly journals Extreme HBL behavior of Markarian 501 during 2012

2018 ◽  
Vol 620 ◽  
pp. A181 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Ahnen ◽  
S. Ansoldi ◽  
L. A. Antonelli ◽  
C. Arcaro ◽  
A. Babić ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Spectral Energy Distribution ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Satisfactory Description ◽  
X Ray ◽  
The One

Aims. We aim to characterize the multiwavelength emission from Markarian 501 (Mrk 501), quantify the energy-dependent variability, study the potential multiband correlations, and describe the temporal evolution of the broadband emission within leptonic theoretical scenarios. Methods. We organized a multiwavelength campaign to take place between March and July of 2012. Excellent temporal coverage was obtained with more than 25 instruments, including the MAGIC, FACT and VERITAS Cherenkov telescopes, the instruments on board the Swift and Fermi spacecraft, and the telescopes operated by the GASP-WEBT collaboration. Results. Mrk 501 showed a very high energy (VHE) gamma-ray flux above 0.2 TeV of ∼0.5 times the Crab Nebula flux (CU) for most of the campaign. The highest activity occurred on 2012 June 9, when the VHE flux was ∼3 CU, and the peak of the high-energy spectral component was found to be at ∼2 TeV. Both the X-ray and VHE gamma-ray spectral slopes were measured to be extremely hard, with spectral indices < 2 during most of the observing campaign, regardless of the X-ray and VHE flux. This study reports the hardest Mrk 501 VHE spectra measured to date. The fractional variability was found to increase with energy, with the highest variability occurring at VHE. Using the complete data set, we found correlation between the X-ray and VHE bands; however, if the June 9 flare is excluded, the correlation disappears (significance < 3σ) despite the existence of substantial variability in the X-ray and VHE bands throughout the campaign. Conclusions. The unprecedentedly hard X-ray and VHE spectra measured imply that their low- and high-energy components peaked above 5 keV and 0.5 TeV, respectively, during a large fraction of the observing campaign, and hence that Mrk 501 behaved like an extreme high-frequency-peaked blazar (EHBL) throughout the 2012 observing season. This suggests that being an EHBL may not be a permanent characteristic of a blazar, but rather a state which may change over time. The data set acquired shows that the broadband spectral energy distribution (SED) of Mrk 501, and its transient evolution, is very complex, requiring, within the framework of synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) models, various emission regions for a satisfactory description. Nevertheless the one-zone SSC scenario can successfully describe the segments of the SED where most energy is emitted, with a significant correlation between the electron energy density and the VHE gamma-ray activity, suggesting that most of the variability may be explained by the injection of high-energy electrons. The one-zone SSC scenario used reproduces the behavior seen between the measured X-ray and VHE gamma-ray fluxes, and predicts that the correlation becomes stronger with increasing energy of the X-rays.

scholarly journals Extreme and high synchrotron peak blazars beyond 4FGL: The 2BIGB γ-ray catalogue

2020 ◽  
Vol 493 (2) ◽  
pp. 2438-2451
Author(s):  
B Arsioli ◽  
Y-L Chang ◽  
B Musiimenta
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Spectral Energy Distribution ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Data Repositories ◽  
Total Contribution ◽  
Public Data ◽  
Γ Ray

ABSTRACT This paper presents the results of a γ-ray likelihood analysis over all the extreme and high synchrotron peak blazars (EHSP and HSP) from the 3HSP catalogue. We investigate 2013 multifrequency positions under the eyes of Fermi Large Area Telescope, considering 11 yr of observations in the energy range between 500 MeV and 500 GeV, which results in 1160 γ-ray signatures detected down to the TS=9 threshold. The detections include 235 additional sources concerning the Fermi Large Area Telescope Fourth Source Catalog (4FGL), all confirmed via high-energy TS (Test Statistic) maps, and represent an improvement of ∼25 per cent for the number of EHSP and HSP currently described in γ-rays. We build the γ-ray spectral energy distribution (SED) for all the 1160 2BIGB sources, plot the corresponding γ-ray logN−logS, and measure their total contribution to the extragalactic gamma-ray background, which reaches up to ∼33 per cent at 100 GeV. Also, we show that the γ-ray detectability improves according to the synchrotron peak flux as represented by the figure of merit parameter, and note that the search for TeV peaked blazars may benefit from considering HSP and EHSP as a whole, instead of EHSPs only. The 2BIGB acronym stands for ‘Second Brazil-ICRANet Gamma-ray Blazars’ catalogue, and all the broad-band models and SED data points will be available on public data repositories (OpenUniverse, GitHub, and Brazilian Science Data Center-BSDC).

scholarly journals Centaurus A at Hard X-Rays and Soft Gamma-Rays

2010 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 431-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Steinle
Keyword(s):  
Energy Range ◽  
Spatial Resolution ◽  
Gamma Rays ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Spectral Energy Distribution ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Satellite Mission ◽  
X Ray

AbstractCen A, at a distance of less than 4 Mpc, is the nearest radio-loud AGN. Its emission is detected from radio to very-high energy gamma-rays. Despite the fact that Cen A is one of the best studied extragalactic objects the origin of its hard X-ray and soft gamma-ray emission (100 keV <E< 50 MeV) is still uncertain. Observations with high spatial resolution in the adjacent soft X-ray and hard gamma-ray regimes suggest that several distinct components such as a Seyfert-like nucleus, relativistic jets, and even luminous X-ray binaries within Cen A may contribute to the total emission in the MeV regime that has been detected with low spatial resolution. As the Spectral Energy Distribution of Cen A has its second maximum around 1 MeV, this energy range plays an important role in modeling the emission of (this) AGN. As there will be no satellite mission in the near future that will cover this energies with higher spatial resolution and better sensitivity, an overview of all existing hard X-ray and soft gamma-ray measurements of Cen A is presented here defining the present knowledge on Cen A in the MeV energy range.

scholarly journals Long term γ-ray variability of blazars

2020 ◽  
Vol 634 ◽  
pp. A80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhoomika Rajput ◽  
C. S. Stalin ◽  
Suvendu Rakshit
Keyword(s):  
Time Scales ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Spectral Energy Distribution ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Bl Lac Objects ◽  
Spectrum Radio ◽  
Bl Lac ◽  
Bl Lacs

We used the data from the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope to characterise the γ-ray flux variability of blazars on month-like time scales. Our sample consists of 1120 blazars of which 481 are flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) and 639 are BL Lac objects (BL Lacs). We generated monthly binned light curves of our sample for a period of approximately nine years from 2008 August to 2017 December and quantified variability by using excess variance (Fvar). On month-like time scales, 371/481 FSRQs are variable (80%), while only about 50% (304/639) of BL Lacs are variable. This suggests that FSRQs are more variable than BL Lac objects. We find a mean Fvar of 0.55 ± 0.33 and 0.47 ± 0.29 for FSRQs and BL Lacs respectively. Large Fvar in FSRQs is also confirmed from the analysis of the ensemble structure function. By Dividing our sample of blazars based on the position of the synchrotron peak in their broad-band spectral energy distribution, we find that the low synchrotron peaked (LSP) sources have the largest mean Fvar value of 0.54 ± 0.32 while the intermediate synchrotron peaked (ISP) and high synchrotron peaked sources have mean Fvar values of 0.45 ± 0.25 and 0.47 ± 0.33 respectively. On month-like time scales, we find FSRQs to show a high duty cycle (DC) of variability of 66% relative to BL Lacs that show a DC of 36%. We find that both the Fvar and time scale of variability (τ) do not correlate with MBH. We note that Fvar is found to be weakly correlated with Doppler factor (δ) and τ is also weakly correlated with δ. Most of the sources in our sample have τ of the order of days, which might be related to processes in the jet. We find marginal difference in the distribution of τ between FSRQs and BL Lacs.

scholarly journals COMBO-17+4: An Optical-NIR Survey for Galaxies out to z=2

2006 ◽  
Vol 2 (S235) ◽  
pp. 419-419
Author(s):  
M-H. Nicol ◽  
K. Meisenheimer ◽  
C. Tapken ◽  
C. Wolf
Keyword(s):  
Galaxy Evolution ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Spectral Energy Distribution ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Optical Data ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Infrared Observation ◽  
Redshift Range ◽  
Red Sequence

AbstractClassifying Object by Medium-Band Observations in 17 filters (COMBO-17) has already produced a very accurate picture of galaxy evolution since z~1 based on 25000 galaxies in 17 medium optical bands. We now extend the range of reliable multi-color redshifts with COMBO-17+4, a deep optical-NIR survey which will combine the existing optical data set of COMBO-17 with near infrared observation in three medium bands: Y(λ/Δλ = 1040/80nm), J1(1190/130nm) and J2(1320/130nm) and one broad band H(1650/300nm). The NIR bands extend the photometric redshift range to z~2.1. COMBO 17+4 will provide the first large sample of galaxies (>5000) at 1<z<2 with a redshifts accuracy of Δz<0.03(1+z). Three fields are observed: Abell 901, Abell 226 and the COMBO 11h-field, for a total coverage of 0.77□2 of the sky. Each COMBO 17+4 field measures 31 × 30 sqarcmin. The NIR bands are observed with the Omega2000 camera at Calar Alto Observatory in Spain.The scientific goals for this study are multiple. COMBO-17+4 will enable us to establish the luminosity function for the red sequence and blue galaxies in the redshift range 1<z<2. Also it will be possible to determine the formation history at z=2 by analyzing the width of the red sequence galaxies. Moreover this survey will provide several thousand of individual galaxy masses (with an accuracy <30%) obtained with Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) template fitting. Once the masses are obtained the mass function will provide a useful tool to test the hierarchical model of evolution of galaxies by checking whether the massive red sequence galaxies (logM>10.5) are already in place at z>1.5 (9Gyr).We present first results from the full 21 bands photometry in half of the Abell 901 field. It allows us to study not only z>1 galaxies but also the stellar content of several hundred cluster galaxies.

scholarly journals Lorentz Factor Evolution Patterns within Relativistic Jets of GRBs and AGNs

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (S324) ◽  
pp. 78-81
Author(s):  
Hai-Ming Zhang ◽  
Da-Bin Lin ◽  
Ting-Ting Lin ◽  
Bao-Rong Liu ◽  
Xiao-Li Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Spectral Energy Distribution ◽  
Empirical Relation ◽  
Lorentz Factor ◽  
Jet Physics ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Relativistic Jets ◽  
Evolution Pattern ◽  
Relativistic Jet ◽  
Γ Ray

AbstractThe Lorentz factor (Γ) is an important parameter related to the relativistic jet physics. We study the evolution patterns of Γ within gamma-ray burst (GRB) and active galactic nuclear jets for individual GRB 090168, GRB 140508A, and 3C 454.3. By estimating the Γ values for well-separated pulses in GRBs 090618 and 140508A with an empirical relation derived from typical GRBs, we find that the Γ evolution pattern in the two GRBs are different. The increasing-to-coasting evolution pattern of Γ in GRB 090618 likely indicates that the GRB fireball is still being accelerated in the prompt phase. The clear decrease evolution pattern of Γ in GRB 140508A suggests the deceleration of the fireball components. By deriving the Γ value through fitting their spectral energy distribution in different flares of 3C 454.3, a pattern of Γ-tracking-γ-ray flux is clearly found, likely indicating that the observed gamma-ray flares are being due to the Doppler boosting effect to the jet emission.

scholarly journals Theγ-ray emitting region in low synchrotron peak blazars

2018 ◽  
Vol 616 ◽  
pp. A63 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Arsioli ◽  
Y-L. Chang
Keyword(s):  
Spectral Energy Distribution ◽  
Thomson Scattering ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Electromagnetic Spectrum ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Complete Sample ◽  
Central Engine ◽  
Line Region ◽  
Open Question

Aims.From the early days inγ-ray astronomy, locating the origin of GeV emission within the core of an active galactic nucleus (AGN) persisted as an open question; the problem is to discern between near- and far-site scenarios with respect to the distance from the super massive central engine. We investigate this question under the light of a complete sample of low synchrotron peak (LSP) blazars which is fully characterized along many decades in the electromagnetic spectrum, from radio up to tens of GeV. We consider the high-energy emission from bright radio blazars and test for synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) and external Compton (EC) scenarios in the framework of localizing theγ-ray emission sites. Given that the inverse Compton (IC) process under the EC regime is driven by the abundance of external seed photons, these photons could be mainly ultraviolet (UV) to X-rays coming from the accretion disk region and the broad-line region (BLR), therefore close to the jet launch base; or infrared (IR) seed photons from the dust torus and molecular cloud spine-sheath, therefore far from jet launch base. We investigate both scenarios, and try to reveal the physics behind the production ofγ-ray radiation in AGNs which is crucial in order to locate the production site.Methods.Based on a complete sample of 104 radio-selected LSP blazars, with 37 GHz flux density higher than 1 Jy, we study broadband population properties associated with the nonthermal jet emission process, and test the capability of SSC and EC scenarios to explain the overall spectral energy distribution (SED) features. We use SEDs well characterized from radio toγrays, considering all currently available data. The enhanced available information from recent works allows us to refine the study of Syn to IC peak correlations, which points to a particularγ-ray emission site.Results.We show that SSC alone is not enough to account for the observed SEDs. Our analysis favors an EC scenario under the Thomson scattering regime, with a dominant IR external photon field. Therefore, the far-site (i.e., far from the jet launch) is probably the most reasonable scenario to account for the population properties of bright LSP blazars in cases modeled with a pure leptonic component. We calculate the photon energy density associated with the external field at the jet comoving frame to beU′ext= 1.69 × 10−2erg cm−3, finding good agreement to other correlated works.

A disc reflection model for ultra-soft narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies

2020 ◽  
Vol 498 (3) ◽  
pp. 3888-3901
Author(s):  
Jiachen Jiang ◽  
Luigi C Gallo ◽  
Andrew C Fabian ◽  
Michael L Parker ◽  
Christopher S Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Emission ◽  
Spectral Energy Distribution ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Continuum Emission ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Narrow Line ◽  
Ionization State ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Reflection Model ◽  
Photon Index

ABSTRACT We present a detailed analysis of the XMM–Newton observations of five narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s). They all show very soft continuum emission in the X-ray band with a photon index of Γ ≳ 2.5. Therefore, they are referred to as ‘ultra-soft’ NLS1s in this paper. By modelling their optical/UV–X-ray spectral energy distribution (SED) with a reflection-based model, we find indications that the disc surface in these ultra-soft NLS1s is in a higher ionization state than other typical Seyfert 1 AGN. Our best-fitting SED models suggest that these five ultra-soft NLS1s have an Eddington ratio of λEdd = 1–20 assuming available black hole mass measurements. In addition, our models infer that a significant fraction of the disc energy in these ultra-soft NLS1s is radiated away in the form of non-thermal emission instead of the thermal emission from the disc. Due to their extreme properties, X-ray observations of these sources in the iron band are particularly challenging. Future observations, e.g. from Athena, will enable us to have a clearer view of the spectral shape in the iron band and thus distinguish the reflection model from other interpretations of their broad-band spectra.

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