Probing the disk-jet connection of the radio galaxy 3C 120 observed with Suzaku

Jun Kataoka*, James N. Reeves, Kazushi Iwasawa, Alex G. Markowitz, Richard F. Mushotzky, Makoto Arimoto, Tadayuki Takahashi, Yoshihiro Tsubuku, Masayoshi Ushio, Shin Watanabe, Luigi C. Gallo, Greg M. Madejski, Yuichi Terashima, Naoki Isobe, Makoto S. Tashiro, Takayoshi Kohmura

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

58 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We report on deep (40 ks × 4) observations of the bright broad line radio galaxy 3C 120 using Suzaku. The observations were spaced one week apart, and sampled a range of continuum fluxes. An excellent broadband spectrum was obtained over two decades of frequency (0.6 to 50keV) within each 40 ks exposure. We clearly resolved the iron K emission-line complex, finding that it consists of a narrow Kα core (σ ≃ 110eV or an EW of 60 eV), a 6.9 keV line, and an underlying broad iron line. Our confirmation of the broad line contrasts with the XMM-Newton observation in 2003, where the broad line was not required. The most natural interpretation of the broad line is iron K line emission from a face-on accretion disk that is truncated at ∼ 10 r g. Above 10 keV, a relatively weak Compton hump was detected (reflection fraction of R ≃ 0.6), superposed on the primary X-ray continuum of Γ ≃ 1.75. Thanks to the good photon statistics and low background of the Suzaku data, we clearly confirm the spectral evolution of 3C 120, whereby the variability amplitude decreases with increasing energy. More strikingly, we discovered that the variability is caused by a steep power-law component of Γ ≃ 2.7, possibly related to non-thermal jet emission. We discuss our findings in the context of similarities and differences between radio-loud/quiet objects.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)279-297
Number of pages19
JournalPublications of the Astronomical Society of Japan
Volume59
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Galaxies: Seyfert
  • Galaxies: active
  • Galaxies: individual (3C 120)
  • X-rays: galaxies

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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