Variability of Blazars

Variability is one of the characteristics of blazars. The rapid variability is superposed on the long term variation. In this work, the variability on different time scales, such as intra-day (IDV), short-term (STV) and long-term (LTV) variations are presented for some sources. We also presented our own observations of some selected objects, for which the historical data were compiled for periodicity analysis using several methods. The parameters of the binary black hole system OJ 287 are determined.     

Variability of Soft X—ray Spectral Shape in Blazars Observed by ROSAT

1 INTRODUCTION Blazars, including BL Lac objects, highly polarized and optically violently variable quasars,and flat-spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs), are characterized by highly variable non-thermalemission which dominates their characteristics from radio to y-ray bands. The mechanismbelieved to be responsible for their broadband emission is synchrotron radiation followed by in-verse Compton (IC) scattering at higher energies (e.g. Blandford & Konigl 1979). Relativisticbeaming of a jet…     

新近对耀变体(Blazar)的X射线观测

本文综述了ASCA ,RXTE ,BeppoSAX和XMM -NEWTON对TeV耀变体 (Blazar)X射线研究的最新进展。主要集中在X射线资料的时间和光谱分析的最重要的方面 ,包括功率谱密度 ,结构函数 ,带间时间延迟 ,同步峰值能量的漂移和谱演化。对这些新结果的物理意义也进行了简要讨论。     

Blazar 的X射线谱性质

从Donato文献中选择了一个含有69个Blazar的样本，样本中每个源有多个X射线辐射流量数据，用该样本研究了流量密度和谱指数之间的关系，以及研究了三类源（HBL，LBL，FSRQ）的红移和谱指数的分布。结果表明：对于HBLs，谱指数和流量密度之间有一个较好的反相关关系存在，而对于LBLs和FSRQs却没有相关。因此认为HBL的X射线是同步辐射所致，而LBL和FSRQ的X射线辐射较为复杂可能是同步自康普顿过程导致。HBL显示软X射线谱，而FSRQ显示硬X射线谱，LBL居中。在谱图中HBL位于近端，rSRQ位于远端，LBL居中。     

BLazar天体的光变及多波段能谱特性

本文综述了活动星系核 ,特别是blazar天体的研究现状 ,对blazar天体的多波段与多波段能谱特性研究进行了较为详细的评述。主要的研究工作包括以下内容 :(一 )γ噪blazar天体的短时标光变研究 ,通过对 1 6个γ噪blazar天体 (其中包括全部已证认和观测到VHEγ射线爆发的可能甚高能γ射线源 )自 1 998年的光学观测及光变分析研究表明 ,短时标光变 (小时量级 )是GeVγ噪blazar天体的普遍特性 ,光变幅度通常可达 0 .6mag/h ,对PKS 1 51 0 -0 89类星体的观测发现在一个小时内对象变暗 2个星等 ,对如此激烈的光变变暗目前的理论还不能很好的解释 ,但它同样反映了辐射区域的内部结构 ;而对TBLs的监测表明 ,其光学波段的短时标光变没有其他对象激烈 ,出现的频度和振幅变化都较小 ;(二 )在研究γ噪blazar天体光变时 ,研究了寄主星系对光变的影响 ,得到了 1ES 2 3 44 + 51 4的光变与PSF的FWHM的关联 ,表明随着大气视宁度的下降 (即FWHM变大 ) ,对象变暗 ,即由于寄主星系的影响从而导致假光变的产生 ;(三 )引进两个多波段复合谱指数 ,αxox=αox-αx 及αoro=αor-αo。对样本的统计研究表明 ,RBLs是能谱特性界于XBLs和OVVs之间的一类中间态 ,所得结果支持了Sambrunaetal.( 1 996)大样本多波段能谱分布特性的统计研     

X-ray Time Lags in TeV Blazars

We use Monte Carlo/Fokker?CPlanck simulations to study the X-ray time lags. Our results show that soft lags will be observed as long as the decay of the flare is dominated by radiative cooling, even when acceleration and cooling time scales are similar. Hard lags can be produced in the presence of a competitive achromatic particle energy loss mechanism if the acceleration process operates on a time scale such that particles are slowly moved towards higher energy while the flare evolves. In this type of scenario, the ??-ray/X-ray quadratic relation is also reproduced.     

Methods for the Quasi-Periodic Variability Analysis in Blazars

In this work, four methods are introduced to analyse the unevenly sampled data. The four methods are power spectral density, auto-correlation function, structure function and Jurkevich method. Some interesting mathematical links are derived amongst the four methods. These links show that the four methods have the same performance. For the Jurkevich method, the effect of the width of bins is apparent. If the width is half the time scale, the method has better performance.     

耀变体光学波段的微光变及能谱变化

耀变体在多个波段的微光变和能谱变化多年来是中外天文观测研究的热点课题.耀变体的微光变于20世纪60年代被发现,20世纪80年代以来发现很多源的微光变具有不同的特性,目前对其物理机制的认识和理论、模型的研究还处于发展阶段.该文总结了7个目前观测最多的耀变体(3C 66A,3C 279,3C 454.3,AO 0235+164,BL Lac,OJ 287,S5 0716+714)在光学波段的微光变和能谱变化的观测历史和最新进展,并对其理论模型作了简单介绍.     

Blazar中央黑洞的变化特征和质量估计

利用blazar的长期的光学和红外测光数据分析了其变化特性,并利用Jurkevich技术和分立相关函数(DCF)法在光学数据中寻找光变曲线中的周期性.发现了1.5至19yr范围的周期.利用短时间尺度来估计中央黑洞的质量,发现γ射线噪blazar的中心黑洞质量范围为(3.8～130)×10     

Quasi-Periodic Oscillations in the X-ray Light Curves of Blazars

Any quasi-periodic variations discovered in blazar light curves would contain important information on the location and nature of the processes within the emission regions. In non-blazar active galactic nuclei, particularly Seyfert galaxies, any such fluctuations are very likely to be associated with the accretion disks, but in blazars they would almost certainly have to emanate from jets. This brief review summarizes recent claims for the presence of quasi-periodic variability in the X-ray emission of several AGN, focusing on blazars. Although no individual claim of the presence of a QPO in AGN X-ray light curves is absolutely convincing, there are some good cases for the presence of QPOs, including the Narrow Line Seyfert 1 galaxy, RE J1034+396, the quasar, 3C 273 and the BL Lac, PKS 2155?304.     

Search for Rapid Optical Variability in Three Gamma-Ray Loud Blazars

I present the search for V, R, I rapid optical variability of three gamma-ray loud blazars, 3C 454.3, 1ES 1959+650, 1ES 2344+514, performed at the Loiano telescope. The source 3C 454.3 was observed during the decline of the May 2005 outburst. 3C 454.3 and 1ES 2344$+$514 showed rapid variability in one band at least. The data in this work and archival data support the correlation between the occurrence of rapid variability and the flux variation suggested by Howard et~al., AJ 127, 17 (2004). PACS 98.54.Cm, 95.75.De     

Separation of Different Contributions to the Total X-ray Luminosity in Gamma-ray Loud Blazars

The relativistic beaming model has been successfully used to explain many of the observational properties of active galactic nuclei. In this model the total emission is formed by two components, one beamed, one unbeamed. However, the exact contribution from each component in unresolved sources is still not clear. In the radio band, the core and extended emissions are clearly separated. We adopt the method proposed by Kembhavi to separate the two contributions in the X-ray emissions in a sample of 19 gamma-ray loud blazars. It is clearly shown that the beamed emission dominates the X-ray flux and the unbeamed X-ray emission is correlated with the extended radio emission of the considered objects. We also find that the ratio of the beamed to the unbeamed X-ray luminosity is correlated with the X-ray spectral index, an effect that should be a consequence of the underlying X-ray emission mechanism.     

Variability and spectral energy distributions of low-luminosity active galactic nuclei: a simultaneous X-ray/UV look with Swift

We have observed four low-luminosity active galactic nuclei (AGNs) classified as type 1 Low-Ionization Nuclear Emission-Line Regions (LINERs) with the X-Ray Telescope (XRT) and the Ultraviolet–Optical Telescope (UVOT) onboard Swift , in an attempt to clarify the main powering mechanism of this class of nearby sources. Among our targets, we detect X-ray variability in NGC 3998 for the first time. The light curves of this object reveal variations of up to 30 per cent amplitude in half a day, with no significant spectral variability on this time-scale. We also observe a decrease of ∼30 per cent over 9 d, with significant spectral softening. Moreover, the X-ray flux is ∼40 per cent lower than observed in previous years. Variability is detected in M81 as well, at levels comparable to those reported previously: a flux increase in the hard X-rays (1–10 keV) of 30 per cent in ∼3 h and variations by up to a factor of 2 within a few years. This X-ray behaviour is similar to that of higher luminosity, Seyfert-type objects. Using previous high-angular-resolution imaging data from the Hubble Space Telescope ( HST ), we evaluate the diffuse UV emission due to the host galaxy and isolate the nuclear flux in our UVOT observations. All sources are detected in the UV band, at levels similar to those of the previous observations with HST . The XRT (0.2–10 keV) spectra are well described by single power laws and the UV-to-X-ray flux ratios are again consistent with those of Seyferts and radio-loud AGNs of higher luminosity. The similarity in X-ray variability and broad-band energy distributions suggests the presence of similar accretion and radiation processes in low- and high-luminosity AGNs.     

γ噪Blazar天体短时标光变的寄主星系影响

利用云南天文台1m光学望远镜2000～2001年对3个GeV和/或TeV γ噪Blazar天体的观测,发现γ噪类星体PKS 1510-089在R波段有一个光变时标为41min的星等变化为2.0mag的剧烈光变,这是迄今为止我们所观测到的变幅最大的一个γ噪Blazar天体短时标光变.对此光变,可估计限制光变辐射模型的一些参数,如辐射区半径R、多普勒因子δ以及吸积转化效率η等.η=59.6的值强烈预示着相对论聚束效应可较好解释γ噪Blazar天体的辐射机制.我们仔细考察了大气视宁度对光变的影响.发现对1ES 2344+514,观测到的光变与当地大气视宁度有一个弱相关,结果表明,对光变参数较小(C＜5)的光变,大气视宁度引起的假光变的贡献较大,需要选择较严格的光变判据.     

Microvariability in Blazars

Optically violent variable quasars and BL Lac objects, which form a subclass of active galactic nuclei are termed as Blazars. Blazars show high degree variation in their flux and polarization in a relatively shorter period of time. They are strong radio sources with a non-stellar continuum. Most of the BL Lac objects do not show any emission lines though in some cases very weak lines are observed. They harbour in elliptical galaxies. Some BL Lacs show superluminal motion indicating the flow of matter at relativistic speeds close to the line of sight. It is likely that the enormous energy produced by these objects may be due to a massive black hole with an accretion disc system. Some Blazars have been observed to detect short time variations in their flux and polarization in the visual band. These studies are aimed at understanding the physical processes taking place in the central engine. Detecting shorter period variations assumes significance as they impose restrictions on the total volume from where the huge amount of energy is comming out. To date the recorded shortest period variation in visual band is 6.3 min in OJ 287, a BL Lac object. Attempts are being made to detect shorter period variations, which pose observational challenges. It is generally accepted that the central engine of AGN harbours a massive blackhole with an accretion disc surrounding it. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Blazars的聚束效应

本文对blazars的聚束效应及相关的理论作了较全面的综述 ,指出了一些有待进一步探讨的问题和需要进一步完善的理论 ,并对其中几个具体问题进行研究 ,得到了一些新结果。第一章简单介绍了活动星系核的特征、分类及其标准模型。第二章综述了blazars的基本性质 ,对blazars的谱特征、高光度、高偏振、激烈光变、超光速现象和高能辐射等作了介绍。第三章介绍了相对论喷流模型 ,以及利用相对论喷流模型解释blazars的极端观测特性 ,如用相对论喷流模型从理论上解释了blazars的高光度、剧烈光变及高能量转换率 ,偏振方向的快速变化 ,超光速现象 ,发射线和高能辐射等观测特性。同时介绍了喷流具有相对论性的观测证据并重点介绍了喷流的加速和减速两个理论模型。第四章是聚束效应的几项具体研究工作 ,首先分析了 2 8个BLLac天体 ,2 4个核优势高偏振类星体 ,2 9个核优势低偏振类星体 ,以及 1 1个瓣优势低偏振类星体的射电和光学流量 ,证实具有相对论喷流的AGNs的Doppler提升效应确实存在 ,且很明显 ,光学和射电是高度聚束的。最小光变时标是一个及其重要的物理理 ,短时标光变能给人们提供大量的信息。但最小光变时标一般是在不同波段探测到的。利用加速模型 ,我们从理论上导出了一个联系各波段最小光变时标的公式 ,     

Astrophysical Jets of Blazars and Microquasars

Some recent developments in the study of relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei and microquasars are reviewed. While it has been well established for some time that extragalactic jets found in radio galaxies, quasars, and BL Lac objects are the site of ultrarelativistic particle acceleration, the recent identification of the Galactic jet source and microquasar LS~5039 as a source of very-high-energy gamma-ray emission has underlined the striking similarity between the two types of astrophysical jet sources. In this paper, I will present an overview of the dominant radiation and particle acceleration processes and observational tests to distinguish between such processes. The wide-ranging analogies between Galactic and extragalactic jets, but also their distinct differences, in particular those caused by the presence of the companion star in Galactic microquasar systems, will be exposed.     

Blazar天体的辐射特性研究

收集了47个Blazar天体的短时标光变资料,估算了中心天体质量和不同波段辐射区域,并对估算结果作了统计分析,发现Blazar天体中心黑洞质量在10~7M_☉到10~(10)M_☉之间,BL Lac天体与平谱射电类星体中心黑洞质量有很大差异,平谱射电类星体中心黑洞质量大于BL Lac天体中心黑洞质量;红外波段和γ射线波段辐射区域大小相似.同时,利用收集到Blazar天体的热光度分析了Blazar天体热光度与短时标光变之间的关系,证实了射电选BL Lac(RBL)天体和平谱射电类星体(FSRQs)的辐射是强成束的,但相对论聚柬效应对X射线选BL Lac(XBL)天体的辐射影响较小.     

Multi-Waveband Emission Maps of Blazars

We are leading a comprehensive multi-waveband monitoring program of 34 γ-ray bright blazars designed to locate the emission regions of blazars from radio to γ-ray frequencies. The ‘maps’ are anchored by sequences of images in both total and polarized intensity obtained with the VLBA at an angular resolution of ～0.1 milliarcseconds. The time-variable linear polarization at radio to optical wavelengths and radio to γ-ray light curves allow us to specify the locations of flares relative to bright stationary features seen in the images and to infer the geometry of the magnetic field in different regions of the jet. Our data reveal that some flares occur simultaneously at different wavebands and others are only seen at some of the frequencies. The flares are often triggered by a superluminal knot passing through the stationary ‘core’ on the VLBA images. Other flares occur upstream or even parsecs downstream of the core.