Abstract
We report results from the observations of the well-studied TeV blazar Mrk 421 with the Swift and the Suzaku satellites in 2008 December. During the observation, Mrk 421 was found in a relatively low activity state, with the corresponding 2-10 keV flux of 3 × 10-10 erg s-1 cm-2. For the purpose of robustly constraining the UV-to-X-ray emission continuum we selected only the data corresponding to truly simultaneous time intervals between Swift and Suzaku, allowing us to obtain a good-quality, broadband spectrum despite a modest length (0.6 ks) exposure. We analyzed the spectrum with the parametric forward-fitting SYNCHROTRON model implemented in XSPEC assuming two different representations of the underlying electron energy distribution, both well motivated by the current particle acceleration models: a power-law distribution above the minimum energy γmin with an exponential cutoff at the maximum energy γmax, and a modified ultra-relativistic Maxwellian with an equilibrium energy γeq. We found that the latter implies unlikely physical conditions within the blazar zone of Mrk 421. On the other hand, the exponentially moderated power-law electron distribution gives two possible sets of the model parameters: (1) flat spectrum dN'e/dγ α γ-1.91 with low minimum electron energy γmin × 103, and (2) steep spectrum α γ-2.77 with high minimum electron energy γmin ∼2× 104. We discuss different interpretations of both possibilities in the context of a diffusive acceleration of electrons at relativistic, sub-or superluminal shocks. We also comment on exactly how the γ-ray data can be used to discriminate between the different proposed scenarios.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1509-1516 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Astrophysical Journal |
| Volume | 724 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2010 Dec 1 |
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Keywords
- Acceleration of particles
- BL lacertae objects
- Galaxies: active
- Galaxies: jets
- Individual (markarian 421)
- Radiation mechanisms: non-thermal
- X-rays: galaxies
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Space and Planetary Science
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
Cite this
A novel approach in constraining electron spectra in blazar jets : The case of markarian 421. / Ushio, Masayoshi; Stawarz, Łukasz; Takahashi, Tadayuki; Paneque, David; Madejski, Grzegorz; Hayashida, Masaaki; Kataoka, Jun; Tanaka, Yasuyuki T.; Tanaka, Takaaki; Ostrowski, Michałl.
In: Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 724, No. 2, 01.12.2010, p. 1509-1516.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - A novel approach in constraining electron spectra in blazar jets
T2 - The case of markarian 421
AU - Ushio, Masayoshi
AU - Stawarz, Łukasz
AU - Takahashi, Tadayuki
AU - Paneque, David
AU - Madejski, Grzegorz
AU - Hayashida, Masaaki
AU - Kataoka, Jun
AU - Tanaka, Yasuyuki T.
AU - Tanaka, Takaaki
AU - Ostrowski, Michałl
PY - 2010/12/1
Y1 - 2010/12/1
N2 - We report results from the observations of the well-studied TeV blazar Mrk 421 with the Swift and the Suzaku satellites in 2008 December. During the observation, Mrk 421 was found in a relatively low activity state, with the corresponding 2-10 keV flux of 3 × 10-10 erg s-1 cm-2. For the purpose of robustly constraining the UV-to-X-ray emission continuum we selected only the data corresponding to truly simultaneous time intervals between Swift and Suzaku, allowing us to obtain a good-quality, broadband spectrum despite a modest length (0.6 ks) exposure. We analyzed the spectrum with the parametric forward-fitting SYNCHROTRON model implemented in XSPEC assuming two different representations of the underlying electron energy distribution, both well motivated by the current particle acceleration models: a power-law distribution above the minimum energy γmin with an exponential cutoff at the maximum energy γmax, and a modified ultra-relativistic Maxwellian with an equilibrium energy γeq. We found that the latter implies unlikely physical conditions within the blazar zone of Mrk 421. On the other hand, the exponentially moderated power-law electron distribution gives two possible sets of the model parameters: (1) flat spectrum dN'e/dγ α γ-1.91 with low minimum electron energy γmin × 103, and (2) steep spectrum α γ-2.77 with high minimum electron energy γmin ∼2× 104. We discuss different interpretations of both possibilities in the context of a diffusive acceleration of electrons at relativistic, sub-or superluminal shocks. We also comment on exactly how the γ-ray data can be used to discriminate between the different proposed scenarios.
AB - We report results from the observations of the well-studied TeV blazar Mrk 421 with the Swift and the Suzaku satellites in 2008 December. During the observation, Mrk 421 was found in a relatively low activity state, with the corresponding 2-10 keV flux of 3 × 10-10 erg s-1 cm-2. For the purpose of robustly constraining the UV-to-X-ray emission continuum we selected only the data corresponding to truly simultaneous time intervals between Swift and Suzaku, allowing us to obtain a good-quality, broadband spectrum despite a modest length (0.6 ks) exposure. We analyzed the spectrum with the parametric forward-fitting SYNCHROTRON model implemented in XSPEC assuming two different representations of the underlying electron energy distribution, both well motivated by the current particle acceleration models: a power-law distribution above the minimum energy γmin with an exponential cutoff at the maximum energy γmax, and a modified ultra-relativistic Maxwellian with an equilibrium energy γeq. We found that the latter implies unlikely physical conditions within the blazar zone of Mrk 421. On the other hand, the exponentially moderated power-law electron distribution gives two possible sets of the model parameters: (1) flat spectrum dN'e/dγ α γ-1.91 with low minimum electron energy γmin × 103, and (2) steep spectrum α γ-2.77 with high minimum electron energy γmin ∼2× 104. We discuss different interpretations of both possibilities in the context of a diffusive acceleration of electrons at relativistic, sub-or superluminal shocks. We also comment on exactly how the γ-ray data can be used to discriminate between the different proposed scenarios.
KW - Acceleration of particles
KW - BL lacertae objects
KW - Galaxies: active
KW - Galaxies: jets
KW - Individual (markarian 421)
KW - Radiation mechanisms: non-thermal
KW - X-rays: galaxies
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=78650150586&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=78650150586&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1088/0004-637X/724/2/1509
DO - 10.1088/0004-637X/724/2/1509
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:78650150586
VL - 724
SP - 1509
EP - 1516
JO - Astrophysical Journal
JF - Astrophysical Journal
SN - 0004-637X
IS - 2
ER -