Unveiling the Emission Mechanisms of Blazar PKS 1510-089. I. Multiwavelength Variability
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: The flat spectrum radio quasar PKS 1510-089 is one of the most active blazars in γ-rays, exhibiting phases of very high activity. This study investigates its variability over a decade across a wide range of wavelengths, from radio to γ-rays. Utilizing the nonthermal dominance parameter, we analyze the Hβ, Hγ, and λ5100 Å continuum light curves to discern the primary source of continuum emission, either from the accretion disk or the jet, during different activity phases. Our findings underscore the dominance of jet emission in the continuum during flare-like events. We observed an approximately 80 day delay between the Hβ and continuum emissions, which we attribute to the spatial separation between the optical emission zone and the broad-line region. Near-zero delays between optical and near-infrared emissions suggest that the emitting regions within the jet are cospatial. Synchrotron self-Compton was identified as the primary mechanism for γ-ray emission during flares, supported by the minimal delay observed between optical/near-infrared emissions and γ-rays. Additionally, we found a delay of about 60 days between the leading optical/near-infrared emissions and X-rays, indicating that inverse Compton scattering within the jet predominantly drives X-ray emission. However, distinguishing between synchrotron self-Compton and external inverse Compton mechanism was not feasible. Shifts in the spectral index across the 15–230 GHz range corresponded with ejections from the radio core, suggesting changes in the physical conditions of the jet.
Source: The Astrophysical Journal
Language: English
Subfield: Nuclear and High Energy Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,499
Funders: National Science Foundation, Smithsonian Institution, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Yale University, Academia Sinica, Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Raymond and Beverly Sackler Institute for Biological, Physical and Engineering Sciences, Yale University, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
Awards: G1566079390, The Radio-Fermi Connection: A Critical Study of Relativistic Jets, G3878305556, Multi-wavelength Observations of Gamma-Ray Blazars - the GLAST Connection, THE CENTRAL OBJECTIVE OF THIS PROPOSAL IS TO EXPLORE THE PHYSICAL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE DRAMATIC GAMMA-RAY VARIABILITY OBSERVED IN ACTIVE GALACTIC, WE PROPOSE TO REVISIT THE IN-SITU HELIOS DATA FOR A MULTI-INSTRUMENT INVESTIGATION OF INNER-HELIOSPHERIC PLASMA HEATING AND THERMALIZATION PROCESSES., ANTHONY REDHEAD/CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYMONITORING-1000 GLAST BLAZARS AT 15 GHZ WITH THE O, UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA THE GAMMA-RAY / OPTICAL CONNECTION IN BLAZARS DURING THE FERMI ERA WE PROPOS, WE PROPOSE TO CONTINUE OPTICAL MONITORING OF BLAZARS OBSERVED BY FERMI THAT WILL PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE PUBLIC DATA ARCHIVE THAT INCLUDES HIGH-QUALI, INVESTIGATING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN GAMA-RAYS AND THE RELATIVISTIC JET IN BLAZARSWE PROPOSE TO MO
OpenAlex ID: W4405282456