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

Author(s):  
Raj Prince

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.

2020 ◽  
Vol 494 (3) ◽  
pp. 4057-4068
Author(s):  
Mayukh Pahari ◽  
I M McHardy ◽  
Federico Vincentelli ◽  
Edward Cackett ◽  
Bradley M Peterson ◽  
...  

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.


2018 ◽  
Vol 620 ◽  
pp. A110 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Alfonso-Garzón ◽  
C. Sánchez-Fernández ◽  
P. A. Charles ◽  
J. M. Mas-Hesse ◽  
P. Gandhi ◽  
...  

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 499 (2) ◽  
pp. 3006-3018
Author(s):  
Bangzheng Sun ◽  
Marina Orio ◽  
Andrej Dobrotka ◽  
Gerardo Juan Manuel Luna ◽  
Sergey Shugarov ◽  
...  

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.


1989 ◽  
Vol 134 ◽  
pp. 108-109
Author(s):  
F.Z. Cheng ◽  
J.F. Lu ◽  
G.Z. Xie ◽  
K.H. Li ◽  
Z.L. Li ◽  
...  

In order to compare X-ray-selected BL Lac objects with radio-selected BL Lac objects, we have carried out optical monitoring of some of these objects for about three years at Yunnan Observatory in China. All observations have been made with a CCD-image system at the f/13.3 Cassegrain focus of the 102-cm RCC telescope. The CCD-image system was developed by Ye et al. in Kitt Peak National Observatory of USA (Ye et al., 1985). The filters used were as follows: B-GG385(2mm)+BG12(1mm)+BG18(1mm), V-GG495(2mm)+BG18(2mm). After observing many times, more complete light curves have obtained for the X-ray-selected BL Lac object IE 0317+186 and the radio-selected BL Lac object ON 231, respectively(Fig 1 and Fig 2). Fig 1 shows that IE 0317+186 has a characteristic timescale of about 4.5hours with an amplitudes of ΔV≃0.65 mag. Fig 2 indicates that a timescale of short-term variability in ON 231 is about 70 min with an amplitudes of ΔB≃0.8 mag.


1997 ◽  
Vol 159 ◽  
pp. 423-424
Author(s):  
G.Z. Xie ◽  
W. Brinkmann ◽  
G.W. Cha ◽  
S. Laurent-Muehleisen ◽  
Y.H. Zhang ◽  
...  

Through combined ROSAT and VLA observations, we have identified 19 BL Lac/quasar candidates. In 1994 December, 1995 January and October, and 1996 January 1996, we obtained spectra of all 19 candidates using the 2.16-m telescope of Beijing Astronomical Observatory. The dispersion used is 195 Å mm−1, which yields a dispersion of about 4.65 Å pixel−1, and the wavelength coverage is 3500–7800 Å. Five of these objects are uniformly featureless, and we identify them as BL Lac objects. Three new quasars are also identified. Table 1 presents VLA positions and redshifts for the 5 new BL Lac objects and three new quasars. By checking them in the NASA/IPAC Extragalactic Database (NED) and Véron-Cetty & Véron’s (1993) Catalogue of Quasars and AGNs, and other recent reports about discovery of new BL Lac objects and quasars, we find that these sources are previously unreported.


Author(s):  
E Troja ◽  
H van Eerten ◽  
G Ryan ◽  
R Ricci ◽  
J M Burgess ◽  
...  

Abstract We present the results of our year-long afterglow monitoring of GW170817, the first binary neutron star (NS) merger detected by advanced LIGO and advanced Virgo. New observations with the Australian Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) and the Chandra X-ray Telescope were used to constrain its late-time behavior. The broadband emission, from radio to X-rays, is well-described by a simple power-law spectrum with index β ∼0.585 at all epochs. After an initial shallow rise ∝ t0.9, the afterglow displayed a smooth turn-over, reaching a peak X-ray luminosity of LX≈5 ×1039 erg s−1 at 160 d, and has now entered a phase of rapid decline, approximately ∝ t−2. The latest temporal trend challenges most models of choked jet/cocoon systems, and is instead consistent with the emergence of a relativistic structured jet seen at an angle of ≈22○ from its axis. Within such model, the properties of the explosion (such as its blastwave energy EK ≈ 2 × 1050 erg, jet width θc ≈4○, and ambient density n ≈3 × 10−3 cm−3) fit well within the range of properties of cosmological short GRBs.


2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (09) ◽  
pp. 1541007 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Haskell

In this paper, I will review the theory behind the gravitational wave (GW) driven r-mode instability in rapidly rotating neutron stars (NSs) and discuss which constraints can be derived from observations of spins and temperatures in low mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs). I will discuss how a standard, 'minimal' NS model is not consistent with the data, and discuss some of the additional physical mechanisms that could reconcile theory with observations. In particular, I will focus on additional forms of damping due to exotic cores and on strong mutual friction due to superfluid vortices cutting through superconducting flux tubes, and examine the repercussions these effects could have on the saturation amplitude of the mode. Finally I will also discuss the possibility that oscillations due to r-modes may have been recently observed in the X-ray light curves of two LMXBs.


1983 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 491-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.C. Fabian

Recent X-ray observations of active galactic nuclei and Seyfert galaxies in particular are briefly reviewed. The application of the efficiency limit to rapidly varying luminous sources such as NGC 6814 is discussed. It is argued that the variability and probable MeV spectral turnover imply that most of the electrons which radiate the observed flux are only mildly relativistic. A possible link between the steep soft X-ray spectra and featureless optical continua of BL Lac objects is considered.


10.14311/1312 ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Grinberg ◽  
I. Kreykenbohm ◽  
F. Fürst ◽  
J. Wilms ◽  
K. Pottschmidt ◽  
...  

INTEGRAL is one of the few instruments capable of detecting X-rays above 20 keV. It is therefore in principle well suited for studying X-ray variability in this regime. Because INTEGRAL uses coded mask instruments for imaging, the reconstruction of light curves of X-ray sources is highly non-trivial. We present results from a comparison of two commonly employed algorithms, which primarily measure flux from mask deconvolution (ii_lc_extract) and from calculating the pixel illuminated fraction (ii_light). Both methods agree well for timescales above about 10 s, the highest time resolution for which image reconstruction is possible. For higher time resolution, ii light produces meaningful results, although the overall variance of the lightcurves is not preserved.


1986 ◽  
Vol 119 ◽  
pp. 267-268
Author(s):  
D. Maccagni ◽  
L. Chiappetti ◽  
L. Maraschi ◽  
D. Molteni ◽  
M. Morini ◽  
...  

The bright BL Lac object PKS 2155-304 (mv=13; z=0.117) was observed with EXOSAT at five epochs (1983 Oct. 31, Nov. 30, 1984 Nov. 6, 7 and 11), for a total of about 30 hours of exposure time. Here we present data and results obtained with the Low Energy (LE) telescopes, in the band 0.05–2. keV, and with the Medium Energy (ME) argon proportional counters in the range 1.–6. keV.


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