Engineering topics

George, I. M.

Publications and source records attributed to George, I. M..

32 records · Page 2

NASA NTRS1995

The discovery of an O VII emission line in the ASCA spectrum of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 3783

We report the first observation of an O VII 0.57 keV emission line in a Seyfert 1 galaxy. NGC 3783 was observed by ASCA twice over a period of 4 days in 1993 December. The source exhibited a approximately 30% change in intensity between the two observations, with most of the variability taking place as a result of steepening of the continuum less than or approximately equal to 1 keV. Spectra from both observations show intense absorption features in the 0.5-1.5 keV band, which can be well fitted by an ionized absorber model of solar composition, column density of 10(exp 22.2)/sq cm and ionization parameter of approximately 7-8; the strongest absorption features being due to O VII and O VIII. Two emission features are also seen in the spectra which we identify as O VII 0.57 keV (equivalent width approximately equals 36 eV) and O VIII 0.65 keV (equivalent width approximately equals 11 eV). We also show that the 3-6 keV continuum of the source is well fitted by a Gamma = 1.3-1.4 power-law continuum, a narrow neutral iron K-shell fluorescence line and a strong iron K-shell absorption edge, possibly corresponding to highly ionized iron.

George, I. M.↗

NASA NTRS1995

A Snapshot of the Continuous Emission of the Active Galactic Nucleus in NGC 3783 from Gamma-Ray to Radio Wavelengths

To better understand the physical processes that produce the continuous emission in active galactic nuclei (AGN), a snapshot of the overall continuous energy distribution of NGC 3783, from gamma ray to radio wavelengths, has been obtained within the framework of the World Astronomy Days. The data collected in this campaign are from GRO, ROSAT, Voyager 2, IUE, HST, CTIO, SAAO, and the VLA. Great care has been taken in disentangling the genuine AGN continusous emission from other contributions; depending on the waveband, the latter might be (1) unrelated contaminating sources in cases where the instrument field of view is large (2) components within which the AGN is embedded, such as the stellar bulge population which accounts for a significant fraction of the optical continuum, and free-bound and FE2 blends wich contribute to the ultraviolet flux. After correction for these other contributins, the continuous emission of the isolated AGN appears to be rather flat (i.e., approximately equal energy per unit logarithmic frequency) from soft gamma ray to infrared wavelengths. At high energies (0.1 MeV to 0.1 keV), the AGN continuum can be fitted by a power law F nu approaches Nu(exp -a) with a spectral index of alpha approximately 1. At longer wavelengths, two excesses above this power law ('bumps') appear: in the ultraviolet, the classical big blue bump, which can be interpreted as thermal emission from the accretion disc surrounding a massive black hole, and in the infrared, a second bump which can be ascribed to thermal emission from dust in the vicinity of the AGN, heated by ultraviolet radiation from the central source. By fitting accretion-disk models to the observed AGN spectral energy distribution, we find values for the accretion disk innermost temperature, accretion rate, and black hole mass, with some differences that depend on whether or not we extrapolate the high energy power law up to infrared wavelengths. A fit to the IR bump above the extended alpha equals 1 power law suggests the presence of a dust component covering the region from a distance rho approximately equals 80 light days (hot grains at a temperature of approximately equals 1500 K) to rho approximately equals 60 light years (cool grains at T approximately equals 200 K). The total mass of dust is around 60 solar masses.

Alloin, D.↗

NASA NTRS1994

The X-ray spectrum of the highly polarized quasar PKS 1502+106

We report the detection and spectrum of the distant (z = 1.839), highly polarized quasar PKS 1502+106 in the X-ray band based on data collected over the period 1990-1994 using ROSAT and ASCA. We find the source to exhibit intensity variations of a factor approximately greater than 2 at 1 keV on timescales of years, small compared to the variability observed historically in the radio, millimeter, and optical bands. The (energy) spectral index is found in the range 0.4 approximately less than alpha(sub x) approximately less than 0.8 (at 90% confidence). Its multiwaveband spectral index is broadly consistent with other highly polarized quasars (HPQs). From the application of an inhomogeneous synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) jet we find that a model similar to that proposed for 3C 279 is consistent with the multiwaveband spectrum. We suggest that a change in the energy injection and/or transport mechanisms within such a jet could easily result in PKS 1502+106 being detectable at gamma-ray energies.

George, I. M.↗

NASA NTRS1993

ROSAT PSPC spectra of six Seyfert 1 galaxies

We present six ROSAT Position-Sensitive Proportional Counter (PSPC) observations of Seyfert 1 galaxies chosen to have low Galactic line-of-sight absorption (N(sub H) approx. = 10(exp 20)/sq cm). As expected, it is found that all of these sources possess significantly steeper spectra below approximately 1 keV, than that observed at higher X-ray energies. In addition we find evidence for soft X-ray spectral features, which are best parameterized as line emission at approximately 0.63 keV in NGC7469 and approximately 0.75 keV in ESO198-G24. We examine these results in the light of the accuracy of the PSPC spectral calibration. We suggest that Seyfert galaxies are a class of object whose spectra are similar to the diffuse X-ray background in the soft X-ray band. We suggest these data provide the first direct evidence that the sources which dominate the background differ as a function of energy.

Turner, T. J.↗

NASA NTRS1993

ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter spectra of six Seyfert 1 galaxies

We present the results from ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter observations of six Seyfert 1 galaxies in the soft (0.1-2.0 keV) X-ray band. The sources (Mrk 335, ESO 198-G24, ESO 141-G55, Mrk 509, NGC 7469, and MCG-2-58-22) were chosen to have low absorbing column densities along the line of sight. As expected, it is found that all the sources possess significantly steeper spectra below about 1 keV than observed at higher X-ray energies. Assuming a simple absorbed power-law spectral model, the mean (photon) spectral index for the sample is Gamma = 2.38 +/- 0.25, compared to the canonical 1.7 typically observed in the 2-10 keV band. Furthermore, we find strong evidence for soft X-ray spectral features in half the sources. In NGC 7469 and ESO 198-G24, we find that the addition of a narrow emission line or an absorption edge to the underlying continuum is a significant improvement to the parameterization of the spectra. Mrk 335 also shows evidence for spectral complexity, but from these data it is not possible to unambiguously distinguish between an absorption edge and a steepening of the spectrum at low energies. We examine these results in the light of the accuracy of the PSPC spectral calibration.

Turner, T. J.↗

NASA NTRS1993

The X-ray spectral variability of the BL Lacertae type object PKS 2155-304

We present a detailed study of the hard X-ray properties of the BL Lacertae object PKS 2155-304 based on measurements made in 1988 and 1989 with the Large Area Counter (LAC) on board the Ginga satellite. The source exhibited a high degree of variability with a dynamic range of a factor 7 in the 2-6 keV band. The fastest amplitude variation was a factor 2 decline in the intensity in this band within 4 hours. The spectrum is characterized by a break which occurs at about 4 keV. Spectral fits to the data integrated in 6400 s time bins reveal that, in common with previous observations of BL Lacertae objects, the spectral slope is generally anticorrelated with intensity in the sense that the spectrum hardens as the intensity increases. However, the tracks of sequential points in the index-intensity plane are occasionally seen to differ during the rise and decay stages of individual flares. Furthermore, during one, or possibly two, flaring episodes the spectral index is observed to correlate with intensity variations.

Sembay, S.↗

NASA NTRS1993

A ROSAT observation of NGC 5548

We present a detailed spectral and temporal analysis of a long ROSAT PSPC pointing centered on the bright Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548. The spectrum is particularly complex, with a two-component model favored, confirming the existence of the soft excess in this source. In addition, an absorption feature arising from highly ionized oxygen in the line of sight has been detected, consistent with an origin in the 'warm absorber' which has been found to be a common feature in Seyfert galaxies observed by Ginga. The energy and depth of the feature should allow us to constrain the density and geometry of the absorbing gas, which may lie close to the central continuum source. NGC 5548 was in a low X-ray state during the observation, brightening by a factor of about 2 on a time-scale of about 2 d. Time-resolved spectral analysis shows a change in the ratio of the hard and soft fluxes, consistent with reprocessing models.

Nandra, K.↗

NASA NTRS1993

The broad-band X-ray spectral variability of Mrk 841

A detailed spectral analysis of five X-ray observations of Mrk 841 with the EXOSAT, Ginga, and ROSAT satellites is reported. Variability is apparent in both the soft (0.1-1.0 keV) and medium (1-20 keV) energy bands. Above, 1 keV, the spectra are adequately modeled by a power law with a strong emission line of equivalent width 450 eV. The large equivalent width of the emission line indicates a strongly enhanced reflection component of the source compared with other Seyferts observed with Ginga. The implications of the results of the analysis for physical models of the emission regions in this and other X-ray bright Seyferts are briefly examined.

George, I. M.↗

NASA NTRS1992

The broad-band x ray spectral variability of Mkn 841

The results of a detailed spectral analysis of four X-ray observations of the luminous Seyfert 1.5 galaxy Mkn 841 performed using the EXOSAT and Ginga satellites over the period June 1984 to July 1990 are reported. Preliminary results from a short ROSAT PSPC observation of Mkn 841 in July 1990 are also presented. Variability is apparent in both the soft (0.1-1.0 keV) and medium (1-20 keV) energy bands. Above 1 keV, the spectra are adequately modelled by a power-law with a strong emission line of equivalent width approximately 450 eV. The energy of the line (approximately 6.4 keV) is indicative of K-shell fluorescence from neutral iron, leading to the interpretation that the line arises via X-ray illumination of cold material surrounding the source. In addition to the flux variability, the continuum shape also changes in a dramatic fashion, with variations in the apparent photon index Delta(Gamma) approximately 0.6. The large equivalent width of the emission line clearly indicates a strongly enhanced reflection component in the source, compared to other Seyferts observed with Ginga. The spectral changes are interpreted in terms of a variable power-law continuum superimposed on a flatter reflection component. For one Ginga observation, the reflected flux appears to dominate the medium energy X-ray emission, resulting in an unusually flat slope (Gamma approximately 1.0). The soft X-ray excess is found to be highly variable by a factor approximately 10. These variations are not correlated with the hard flux, but it seems likely that the soft component arises via reprocessing of the hard X-rays. We find no evidence for intrinsic absorption, with the equivalent hydrogen column density constrained to be less than or equal to few x 10(exp 20) cm(exp -2). The implications of these results for physical models for the emission regions in this and other X-ray bright Seyferts are briefly discussed.

George, I. M.↗

NASA NTRS1992

The role of electron-positron pairs in parsec-scale radio jets

We investigate the hypothesis that the parsec-scale jets observed in extragalactic objects consist of an electron-positron pair plasma outflowing from the compact, X-ray emitting region of the source. Due to annihilation in the innermost regions, there is an upper limit on the number of electron-positron pairs that can reach the parsec-scale jet. On the other hand, there is a lower limit on the density of particles in the jet: their density must be at least equal to that needed to emit the synchrotron radiation we observe. We derive the latter limit by assuming a power-law electron distribution, with a low-energy cut-off. By comparing these two limits, we find that the constituents of parsec-scale jets may be electron-positron pairs produced in the innermost regions only if their minimum energy is greater than approximately 50 MeV. Remarkably, the same limit on the minimum particle energy is found in the case of jets consisting of electrons and protons in order that Faraday depolarization is avoided.

Ghisellini, G.↗

NASA NTRS1992

H0414 + 009 - An X-ray bright BL Lac with a radio tail in a distant cluster of galaxies

Observations of the X-ray-selected BL Lac H0414 + 009 with the VLA indicate a steep-spectrum radio tail extending about 40 arcsec from the core. Deep V, R, and I CCD images show this object to be located in a galaxy whose colors and surface brightness are fitted by an elliptical model. The BL Lac and the cluster of galaxies are physically associated, indicating that BL Lacs do not avoid the cluster environment but are found in groups and clusters as often as are normal radio galaxies; this supports the contention that BL Lacs are normal radio galaxies seen 'end on'.

Mchardy, I. M.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Time-dependent inhomogeneous jet models for BL Lac objects

Relativistic beaming can explain many of the observed properties of BL Lac objects (e.g., rapid variability, high polarization, etc.). In particular, the broadband radio through X-ray spectra are well modeled by synchrotron-self Compton emission from an inhomogeneous relativistic jet. We have done a uniform analysis on several BL Lac objects using a simple but plausible inhomogeneous jet model. For all objects, we found that the assumed power-law distribution of the magnetic field and the electron density can be adjusted to match the observed BL Lac spectrum. While such models are typically unconstrained, consideration of spectral variability strongly restricts the allowed parameters, although to date the sampling has generally been too sparse to constrain the current models effectively. We investigate the time evolution of the inhomogeneous jet model for a simple perturbation propagating along the jet. The implications of this time evolution model and its relevance to observed data are discussed.

Marlowe, A. T.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Rapid ultraviolet variability in the BL Lacertae object PKS 2155 - 304

This letter reports the first clear evidence of a rapid change in the ultraviolet flux of a BL Lac object. Sophisticated analysis of 57 closely spaced IUE spectra yielded clear evidence of an about 12 percent drop in the ultraviolet flux of PKS 2155 - 304 over a 2 day period in October 1989 and a strong indication of a similar drop in a 5 hr period some three weeks later. These are near the fastest variations which could have been detected with these data, but they are still much slower (or weaker) variations than have been observed in the X-rays. However, they are orders of magnitude fater than Seyfert 1 ultraviolet variations. This suggests that a 'standard' Seyfert 1 accretion disk may not be responsible for the ultraviolet emission from PKS 2155 - 304.

Edelson, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Anisotropic inverse Compton emission

The angular distribution of the power and spectrum of Compton-scattered radiation in the case of an anisotropic distribution of soft photons is considered. Results obtained show that both the intensity and spectrum of the scattered radiation are a function of the Lorentz factor of the electrons, the geometry of the soft X-ray source and the viewing angle. The intensity of the hard X-rays scattered back into the bowl can be significantly greater (by a factor of up to 5.5) than that scattered toward the observer for an isotropic distribution of relativistic electrons at the center of a hemispherical bowl of soft X-ray emission. This factor is increased as the solid angle of the soft X-ray source subtended at the location of the electrons is reduced. The results obtained here have inmplications for models invoking a further 'reflection' of the resultant hard X-rays from the surface of a disk.

Ghisellini, G.↗