Engineering topics

Madejski, G. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Madejski, G. M..

At least 19 records

NASA NTRS2016

First NuSTAR Observations of the BL Lac-Type Blazar PKS 2155-304: Constraints on the Jet Content and Distribution of Radiating Particles

We report the first hard X-ray observations with NuSTAR of the BL Lac-type blazar PKS2155-304, augmented with soft X-ray data from XMM-Newton and gamma-ray data from the Fermi Large Area Telescope, obtained in 2013April when the source was in a very low flux state. A joint NuSTAR and XMM spectrum, covering the energy range 0.5-60 keV, is best described by a model consisting of a log-parabola component with curvature Beta = -0.3(+0.2 -0.1) and a (local) photon index 3.04 +/- 0.15 at photon energy of 2 keV, and a hard power-law tail with photon index 2.2 +/- 0.4. The hard X-ray tail can be smoothly joined to the quasi-simultaneous gamma-ray spectrum by a synchrotron self-Compton component produced by an electron distribution with index p 2.2. Assuming that the power-law electron distribution extends down to gamma (sub min) = 1 and that there is one proton per electron, an unrealistically high total jet power of Lp approximately 10 (exp 47) erg s(sub -1) is inferred. This can be reduced by two orders of magnitude either by considering a significant presence of electron-positron pairs with lepton-to-proton ratio n(sub e+e-/n(sub p) approx. 30, or by introducing an additional, low-energy break in the electron energy distribution at the electron Lorentz factor gamma br1 approx. 100. In either case, the jet composition is expected to be strongly matter-dominated

gamma ray↗

NASA NTRS2016

Extremes of the Jet-Accretion Power Relation of Blazars, as Explored by Nustar

Hard X-ray observations are crucial to study the non-thermal jet emission from high-redshift, powerful blazars. We observed two bright z > 2 flat-spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) in hard X-rays to explore the details of their relativistic jets and their possible variability. S50014+81 (at z = 3.366) and B0222+185 (at z = 2.690) have been observed twice by the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) simultaneously with Swift X-ray Telescope, showing different variability behaviors. We found that NuSTAR is instrumental to explore the variability of powerful high-redshift blazars, even when no gamma-ray emission is detected. The two sources have proven to have respectively the most luminous accretion disc and the most powerful jet among known blazars. Thanks to these properties, they are located at the extreme end of the jet-accretion disc relation previously found for gamma-ray detected blazars, to which they are consistent.

galaxies: active â€“ quasars: general â€“ quasars:↗

NASA NTRS2013

NuSTAR Detection of the Blazar B2 1023+25 at Redshift 5.3

B2 1023+25 is an extremely radio-loud quasar at zeta = 5.3 that was first identified as a likely high-redshift blazar candidate in the SDSS+FIRST quasar catalog. Here, we use the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) to investigate its non-thermal jet emission, whose high-energy component we detected in the hard X-ray energy band. The X-ray flux is approximately 5.5 × 10 (exp −14) erg cm(exp −2) s(exp −1) (5-10 keV) and the photon spectral index is Gamma(x) approx. =1.3-1.6. Modeling the full spectral energy distribution, we find that the jet is oriented close to the line of sight, with a viewing angle of approximately 3deg, and has significant Doppler boosting, with a large bulk Lorentz factor approximately 13, which confirms the identification of B2 1023+25 as a blazar. B2 1023+25 is the first object at redshift larger than 5 detected by NuSTAR, demonstrating the ability of NuSTAR to investigate the early X-ray universe and to study extremely active supermassive black holes located at very high redshift.

X-rays: general↗

NASA NTRS2013

First Results from NuSTAR Observations of Mkn 421

Mkn 421 is a nearby active galactic nucleus dominated at all wavelengths by a very broad nonthermal continuum thought to arise from a relativistic jet seen at a small angle to the line of sight. Its spectral energy distribution peaks in the X-ray and TeV gamma-ray bands, where the energy output is dominated by cooling of high-energy electrons in the jet. In order to study the electron distribution and its evolution, we carried out a dedicated multi-wavelength campaign, including extensive observations by the recently launched highly sensitive hard X-ray telescope NuSTAR, between December 2012 and May 2013. Here we present some intial results based on NuSTAR data from January through March 2013, as well as calibration observations conducted in 2012. Although the observations cover some of the faintest hard X-ray flux states ever observed for Mkn 421, the sensitivity is high enough to resolve intra-day spectral variability. We find that in this low state the dominant f ux variations are smooth on timescales of hours, with typical intra-hour variations of approximately less than 5%. We do not find evidence for either a cutoff in the hard X-ray spectrum, or a rise towards a high-energy component, but rather that at low flux the spectrum assumes a power law shape with a photon index of approximately 3. The spectrum is found to harden with increasing brightness.

active galactic nuclei (AGN)↗

NASA NTRS2000

The Relativistic Iron Line Profile in the Seyfert 1 Galaxy IC4329a

We present simultaneous ASCA and RXTE data on the bright Seyfert 1 galaxy IC4329a. The iron line is significantly broadened, but not to the extent expected from an accretion disk which extends down to the last stable orbit around a black hole. We marginally detect a narrow line component, presumably from the molecular torus, but, even including this gives a line profile from the accretion disk which is significantly narrower that that seen in MCG-6-30-15, and is much more like that seen from the low/hard state galactic black hole candidates. This is consistent with the inner disk being truncated before the last stable orbit, forming a hot flow at small radii as in the ADAF models. However. we cannot rule out the presence of an inner disk which does not contribute to the reflected spectrum. either because of extreme ionisation suppressing the characteristic atomic features of the reflected spectrum or because the X-ray source is intrinsically anisotropic, so it does not illuminate the inner disk. The source was monitored by RXTE every 2 days for 2 months, and these snapshot spectra show that there is intrinsic spectral variability. The data are good enough to disentangle the power law from the reflected continuum and we see that the power law softens as the source brightens. The lack of a corresponding increase in the observed reflected spectrum implies that either the changes in disk inner radial extent/ionization structure are small, or that the variability is actually driven by changes in the seed photons which are decoupled from the hard X-ray mechanism.

Done, C.↗

NASA NTRS2000

Recent Results for AGN Observed by the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer

The Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) has produced many excellent observations of active galaxies, providing the best sensitivity in the 10 - 20 keV range so far. This presentation reports selected RTXE data for AGN in the context of the currently popular models. One is the recent result for two Seyfert 1 galaxies, NGC 5548 and IC4329a: both show the "canonical" Seyfert I X-ray spectra, with an underlying power law, plus Gaussian iron K line and Compton reflection. Interestingly, in both cases, the profile of the Fe K line does not extend as far to the red as seen in the famous NCG-6-30-15, and this indicates that the regions where the Fe K lines originate in AGN are diverse. Independently, in both objects we see a strong spectral variability of the primary continua, which soften as the sources brighten. The second result is for the heavily absorbed Seyfert 2 NGC 4945. The RXTE data confirm the strong absorption corresponding to the optical depth to electron scattering of about 2, but also reveal rapid variability of the hard (8-30 keV) X-ray emission on a time scale of a day or less. This suggests that for NGC 4945, the putative parsec-size molecular torus cannot be both geometrically and optically thick, and implies that the Cosmic X-ray Background is unlikely to be made up primarily of AGN with geometry as inferred for this object.

Madejski, G. M.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Multiwavelength Observations of a Dramatic High-Energy Flare in the Blazar 3C 279

The blazar 3C 279, one of the brightest identified extragalactic objects in the gamma-ray sky, underwent a large (factor of approximately 10 in amplitude) flare in gamma-rays toward the end of a 3 week pointing by Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO), in 1996 January-February. The flare peak represents the highest gamma-ray intensity ever recorded for this object. During the high state, extremely rapid gamma-ray variability was seen, including an increase of a factor of 2.6 in approximately 8 hr, which strengthens the case for relativistic beaming. Coordinated multifrequency observations were carried out with Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE), Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics (ASCA; or, Astro-D), Roentgen Satellite (ROSAT), and International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) and from many ground-based observatories, covering most accessible wavelengths. The well-sampled, simultaneous RXTE light curve shows an outburst of lower amplitude (factor of approximately = 3) well correlated with the gamma-ray flare without any lag larger than the temporal resolution of approximately 1 day. The optical-UV light curves, which are not well sampled during the high-energy flare, exhibit more modest variations (factor of approximately 2) and a lower degree of correlation. The flux at millimetric wavelengths was near a historical maximum during the gamma-ray flare peak, and there is a suggestion of a correlated decay. We present simultaneous spectral energy distributions of 3C 279 prior to and near to the flare peak. The gamma-rays vary by more than the square of the observed IR-optical flux change, which poses some problems for specific blazar emission models. The synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) model would require that the largest synchrotron variability occurred in the mostly unobserved submillimeter/far-infrared region. Alternatively, a large variation in the external photon field could occur over a time-scale of a few days. This occurs naturally in the "mirror" model wherein the flaring region in the jet photoionizes nearby broad emission line clouds, which, in turn, provide soft external photons that are Comptonized to gamma-ray energies.

Wehrle, A. E.↗

NASA NTRS1998

Multiwavelength Observations of a Dramatic High-Energy Flare in the Blazar 3C 279

The blazar 3C 279, one of the brightest identified extragalactic objects in the gamma-ray sky, underwent a large (factor of approx. 10 in amplitude) flare in gamma-rays toward the end of a 3 week pointing by Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO), in 1996 January-February. The flare peak represents the highest gamma-ray intensity ever recorded for this object. During the high state, extremely rapid gamma-ray variability was seen, including an increase of a factor of 2.6 in approx. 8 hrs., which strengthens the case for relativistic beaming. Coordinated multifrequency observations were carried out with Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE), Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics (ASCA; or, Astro-D), Roentgen Satellite (ROSAT), and International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) and from many ground-based observatories, covering most accessible wavelengths. The well-sampled, simultaneous RXTE light curve shows an outburst of lower amplitude (factor of approx. or equal to 3) well correlated with the gamma-ray flare without any lag larger than the temporal resolution of approx. 1 day. The optical-UV light curves, which are not well sampled during the high-energy flare, exhibit more modest variations (factor of approx. 2) and a lower degree of correlation. The flux at millimetric wavelengths was near a historical maximum during the gamma-ray flare peak, and there is a suggestion of a correlated decay. We present simultaneous spectral energy distributions of 3C 279 prior to and near to the flare peak. The gamma-rays vary by more than the square of the observed IR-optical flux change, which poses some problems for specific blazar emission models. The synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) model would require that the largest synchrotron variability occurred in the mostly unobserved submillimeter/far-infrared region. Alternatively, a large variation in the external photon field could occur over a time scale of a few days. This occurs naturally in the "mirror" model wherein the flaring region in the jet photoionizes nearby broad emission line clouds, which, in turn, provide soft external photons that are Comptonized to gamma-ray energies.

Wehrle, A. E.↗

NASA NTRS1997

Multiwavelength Observations of a Dramatic High Energy Flare in the Blazar 3C 279

Multiwavelength observation of blazars in conjuction with EGRET points have been obtained at several epochs. However, either the monitoring was to sparse or the source was not active during the campaign, so that detections of correlated mulitwavelentgh variabiltiy on short times scales are tentaive (3C 279, Maraschi et al. 1994; Hartman et al. 1996; OJ 287, Webb et al. 1996; PKS 0537-441, Pian et al. 1997).

gamma↗

NASA NTRS1996

3C 279 Multiwavelength Monitoring: The Ground-Based Campaign - 2

The optically violently variable quasar 3C 279 was monitored simultaneously from radio to gamma-ray frequencies in 1992 December - 1993 January. We report a detailed study of the ground-based results from radio to optical wavelengths. These data show that 3C 279 has a typical blazar spectrum, slightly rising at radio frequency and then progressively steeper above a first turnover frequency between 37 and 90 GHz. In the millimeter wavelength region, a simple power law is not an adequate description of the spectrum. We suggest that the millimeter "shoulder" corresponds to an additional emission component, self-absorbed between 150 and 375 GHz, possibly associated with the detachment of a new Very Long Base Interferometry (VLBI) knot and with the start of radio flare. A flux increase of 20% over 20 days was observed at 37 and 90 GHz, while contemporaneously the R-band flux doubled in about two weeks. The lack of strong variability in contemporaneous X-ray light curves (possible X-ray variations are less than 30%) implies no direct (i.e., zero lag) correlation between the optical and X-ray fluxes. If X-rays are produced by inverse-Compton scattering of relativistic electrons on some seed photons, the above results exclude that the observed optical photons are the seeds and/or that the relativistic electrons radiating via synchrotron in the optical band are responsible for the scattering to X-ray energies. We suggest that the X-rays are instead produced through the inverse-Compton process by electrons of lower energy, which radiate via synchrotron in the radio to millimeter wave bands and which scatter either on the synchrotron photons themselves or on external photons.

Grandi, P.↗

NASA NTRS1995

ASCA and ROSAT observations of NRAO 140 and IX Persei

We report the results from observations of National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) 140 carried out in the X-ray band using ROSAT and Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics (ASCA) in 1992 and 1994. We find the source to be absorbed by an effective hydrogen column density of approximately 3 x 10(exp 21) atoms/sq cm during both epochs, consistent with the combined atomic and molecular column inferred from radio measurements along this line of sight through the Perseus cloud complex. We compare these results with previous X-ray absorption measurements and briefly comment upon the origin of the excess absorption which has been seen toward this source. We find the ASCA spectrum of NRAO 140 is well described by a power law of energy index alpha = 0.73 +/- 0.03 and also yields the tightest constraint to date on Fe K-shell emission, with 90% confidence upper limits of 38 and 31 eV for a narrow line at a rest frame energy of 6.4 and 6.7 keV respectively. This, along with a lack of hardening towards higher energies, suggests that either NRAO 140 is devoid of cold reprocessing material, the reprocessing material has a geometry in which the imprinted features are weak, and/or the X-ray emission is relativistically beamed towards us. We also report the detection of a serendipitous source in both the Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics Gas Imaging Spectrometer (ASCA GIS) and ROSAT fields of view. We identify this source as the binary star system IX Per and find its spectrum to be well fitted by a two-temperature Raymond-Smith plasma.

Turner, T. J.↗

NASA NTRS1995

Joint ROSAT-Compton GRO observations of the X-ray bright Seyfert galaxy IC 4329A

We report a simultaneous ROSAT and Gamma Ray Observatory (GRO) observation of the X-ray-bright Seyfert galaxy IC 4329A. For the GRO Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) detector, we also present the sum of the data for this and earlier observations. The overall spectrum is very well described as a power law with an energy spectral index of approximately 1 absorbed at low energies plus a strong Compton reflection component, typical for Seyfert 1 galaxies. The low energy absorption can be well described by a sum of a neutral column density of approximately 3 x 10(exp 21)sq cm, most of which is associated with the edge-on galactic disk of IC 4329A, plus an edgelike feature at approximately 700 eV; this feature implies either complex absorption (due to additional ionized material, or due to a partial covering), or a soft excess. The data only weakly constrain the presence of a high-energy cutoff in the underlying power law; they are compatible with an exponential cutoff at any energy E(sub c) approximately greater than 100 keV. The relative steepness of the OSSE data, with the power-law energy index of 1.6 +/- 0.2, can be accounted for entirely by the contribution of the high-energy tail of the reflection component when E(sub c) approaches infinity. (We find that the definite cutoff at an energy E(sub c)approximately 130 keV suggested in the recently published analysis of the OSSE data for this subject is due to a data reduction error.) Including nonsimultaneous Ginga observations with 2 keV fluxes matching well that of ROSAT gives us likely broad-band X-ray/gamma-ray spectra of the object from approximately 0.1 keV up to several hundred keV. We also report the ROSAT spectrum of the companion object to the Seyfert galaxy, the elliptical galaxy IC 4329.

Madejski, G. M.↗

NASA NTRS1994

The 1993 multiwavelength campaign on 3C 279: The radio to gamma-ray energy distribution inlow state

Simultaneous observations of 3C 279 at radio, millimeter, near-infrared, optical, ultraviolet (with IUE) and X-ray (with ROSAT) wavelengths were obtained in 1992 December-1993 January, during a three week pointing at the source by the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. The blazar was in a quiescent or 'low' state during this period. Comparing the multiwavelength energy distribution to that from 1991 June, when 3C 279 was in its brightest recorded gamma-ray state, we find the following: (1) 3C 279 faded dramatically at all frequencies above 10(exp 14) Hz, while the flux variations at low frequencies (radio to millimeter wavelengths) were minor. (2) The near-infrared-optical-ultraviolet spectral shape was softer (steeper) in the quiescent state, and the X-ray spectra also appear softer, although the spectral indix measured by ROSAT refer to a lower energy band than that measured earlier with Ginga. (3) The ratio of the gamma-ray luminosity to that across all other frequencies decreased from a value of approximately equal to 10 in the flaring state to a value approximately equal to 1 in the quiescent state. These findings imply that the production of gamma-rays is closely related to the optical-ultraviolet continuum, in agreement with models where gamma-rays are produced through inverse Compton (IC) scattering by relativistic electrons emitting the synchrotron continuum. The observed nonlinear relation between the synchrotron and IC requires both a change in the electron spectrum and an associated change in the seed photons.

Maraschi, L.↗

NASA NTRS1993

BBXRT and Ginga observations of the Seyfert 1 galaxy Markarian 335

We present new X-ray observations of Mrk 335 in the 0.4-10 keV band using BBXRT and in the 2-20 keV band with Ginga. The BBXRT data show a break to a softer spectrum below about 1 keV. The Ginga data show evidence for variability in absorption, uncorrelated with flux changes of the continuum source. The inconsistency between the opacity observed at the iron K edge and at softer X-ray energies implies that the absorber has an ionization state about FeXV. We suggest that the nuclear emission can be explained by a self-consistent pair cascade model as developed by Zdziarski et al. (1990) and Zdziarski and Coppi (1991), where the compactness parameter inferred from the spectral fits to both data sets is in good agreement with the value calculated from the ratio of observed X-ray luminosity and variability time scale.

Turner, T. J.↗

NASA NTRS1992

BBXRT and Ginga observations of the Seyfert 1 galaxy MRK 335

We present new X-ray observations of Mrk 335 in the 0.4-10 keV band using the broadband X-ray telescope (BBXRT) and in the 2-18 keV band with Ginga. The BBXRT data show a gradual steepening of the spectrum to softer energies. We suggest that the nuclear emission can be explained by a self-consistent pair cascade model. The Ginga data show evidence for variability in absorption, uncorrected with flux changes of the continuum source. The inconsistency between the opacity observed at the iron K edge and at softer X-ray energies implies that the absorber has an ionization state BeXV.

Turner, T. J.↗

NASA NTRS1992

The x ray variability of NGC6814: Power spectra

Simulation techniques are used to obtain the X-ray variability power spectrum of unevenly sampled GINGA data from NGC6814. A simple power law is not an adequate description of the power spectrum, with the residuals showing excess power on timescales consistent with the periodicity seen in EXOSAT observations of this object. However the shape of the folded lightcurve is very different, with 3 main peaks, two of which are separated by an extremely sharp dip instead of the single peak and small harmonic structure observed by EXOSAT. Using the dip as a fiducial mark, a second GINGA observation of this source taken one year later is found to be consistent with being completely periodic and phase coherent with this first GINGA observation. Thus the period is consistent with being constant over a period of 6 years, but phase coherence is only maintained on timescales of approximately 1 year. Over 75 percent of the total source variability is due to the periodic component (r.m.s. amplitude of 36 percent). The residual variability can be described as the more usual 'flicker noise' f(exp -1.1) powerlaw. This shows no apparent high frequency break on timescales greater than 300 seconds. Subtle differences in the shape of the folded light curve with energy, and the very large amount of power in the periodic component suggest occultation as its origin, though amplification of variability from an X-ray emitting 'hot spot' at the disk inner radius through gravitational lensing is also possible. The former suffers from the very arbitrary nature of the periodic timescale, while the latter is unattractive as it cannot simply explain the lack of high frequency break in the residual power. That these models probably fail to provide an adequate explanation may be due to the added complexity of anisotropy of the X-ray emission, suggested by the discrepancy between the lack of soft photons implied by the flat spectrum and the copious source of soft photons available from reprocessing in the iron line producing material.

Done, C.↗

NASA NTRS1992

The x ray variability of AGN and the anomalous behavior of NGC6814

The power spectra of the X-ray variable AGN are typically scale invariant with no characteristic timescale. The one strong exception to this is NGC6814, where the EXOSAT data showed evidence for a periodic component at 12200 plus or minus 100 seconds. The power spectra of a GINGA lightcurve from this source, found using simulation techniques to account for the uneven sampling, also cannot be well fit by a single power law. A folded light curve analysis of the GINGA data shows a strong peak in the variance, indicative of a periodic component, at 12130.9 plus or minus 0.6 seconds. A second GINGA observation of this source taken one year later is consistent with the periodicity maintaining phase coherence for 7 periods in the range of 12110-12145 seconds. Including the limits from the folding selects a period of 12130.39 plus or minus 0.05 seconds. Phase coherence is not maintained between this and the EXOSAT observations, as the structure of the folded light curves is very different. Thus the periodicity is long lived and stable, but phase coherence is only maintained on timescales of approximately 1 year.

Done, C.↗

NASA NTRS1992

The X-ray variability of NGC 6814 - Power spectrum

The existence of the periodic component seen in NGC 6814 with Exosat at 12,000 +/- 100 s is confirmed by a power spectrum and folded light curve analysis of unevenly sampled Ginga data. A comparison of the power spectra produced from simulated light curves with that observed enables the intrinsic shape of the power spectrum of the source to be determined despite the distortions introduced by the window function. The best estimate for the period is 12,132 +/- 3 s, where the error is that derived from simulations. An upper limit to the rate of change of period of about 10 exp -9 is inferred if the light curves are truly phase-coherent, but as this is not required by the data, the conservative upper limit is not greater than 5 x 10 exp -7. The large amount of power in the periodic component and its stability both suggest occultation of the source as its origin.

Done, C.↗