Abstract
We present the results of a long-look monitoring of 3C 273 with RXTE between 1996 and 2000. A total of 230 observations amounts to a net exposure of 845 ks, with this spectral and variability analysis of 3C 273 covering the longest observation period available at hard X-ray energies. Flux variations by a factor of 4 have been detected over 4 yr, whereas flux variations of less than 30 per cent have been observed for individual flares on time-scales of ∼3 d. Two temporal methods, the power spectrum density (PSD) and the structure function (SF), have been used to study the variability characteristics of 3C 273. The hard X-ray photon spectra generally show a power-law shape with a differential photon index of Γ ≃ 1.6 ± 0.1. In 10 of 261 data segments, exceptions to power-law behaviour have been found: (i) an additional soft excess below 4 keV; and (ii) a broad Fe fluorescent line feature with EW ∼ 100-200 eV. Our new observations of these previously reported X-ray features may imply that 3C 273 is a unique object whose hard X-ray emission occasionally contains a component that is not related to a beamed emission (Seyfert-like), but most hard X-rays are likely to originate in inverse Compton radiation from the relativistic jet (blazar-like). Multifrequency spectra from radio to γ-rays are presented in addition to our RXTE results. The X-ray time variability and spectral evolution are discussed in the framework of the beamed, synchrotron self-Compton picture. We consider the 'power balance' (both radiative and kinetic) between the accretion disc, the sub-parsec-scale jet and the 10-kpc-scale jet.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 932-944 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society |
| Volume | 336 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2002 Nov 1 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Quasars: individual: 3C 273
- Radiation mechanisms: non-thermal
- X-rays: galaxies
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Space and Planetary Science
Cite this
RXTE observations of 3C 273 between 1996 and 2000 : Variability time-scale and jet power. / Kataoka, Jun; Tanihata, Chiharu; Kawai, Nobuyuki; Takahara, Fumio; Takahashi, Tadayuki; Edwards, Philip G.; Makino, Fumiyoshi.
In: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Vol. 336, No. 3, 01.11.2002, p. 932-944.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - RXTE observations of 3C 273 between 1996 and 2000
T2 - Variability time-scale and jet power
AU - Kataoka, Jun
AU - Tanihata, Chiharu
AU - Kawai, Nobuyuki
AU - Takahara, Fumio
AU - Takahashi, Tadayuki
AU - Edwards, Philip G.
AU - Makino, Fumiyoshi
PY - 2002/11/1
Y1 - 2002/11/1
N2 - We present the results of a long-look monitoring of 3C 273 with RXTE between 1996 and 2000. A total of 230 observations amounts to a net exposure of 845 ks, with this spectral and variability analysis of 3C 273 covering the longest observation period available at hard X-ray energies. Flux variations by a factor of 4 have been detected over 4 yr, whereas flux variations of less than 30 per cent have been observed for individual flares on time-scales of ∼3 d. Two temporal methods, the power spectrum density (PSD) and the structure function (SF), have been used to study the variability characteristics of 3C 273. The hard X-ray photon spectra generally show a power-law shape with a differential photon index of Γ ≃ 1.6 ± 0.1. In 10 of 261 data segments, exceptions to power-law behaviour have been found: (i) an additional soft excess below 4 keV; and (ii) a broad Fe fluorescent line feature with EW ∼ 100-200 eV. Our new observations of these previously reported X-ray features may imply that 3C 273 is a unique object whose hard X-ray emission occasionally contains a component that is not related to a beamed emission (Seyfert-like), but most hard X-rays are likely to originate in inverse Compton radiation from the relativistic jet (blazar-like). Multifrequency spectra from radio to γ-rays are presented in addition to our RXTE results. The X-ray time variability and spectral evolution are discussed in the framework of the beamed, synchrotron self-Compton picture. We consider the 'power balance' (both radiative and kinetic) between the accretion disc, the sub-parsec-scale jet and the 10-kpc-scale jet.
AB - We present the results of a long-look monitoring of 3C 273 with RXTE between 1996 and 2000. A total of 230 observations amounts to a net exposure of 845 ks, with this spectral and variability analysis of 3C 273 covering the longest observation period available at hard X-ray energies. Flux variations by a factor of 4 have been detected over 4 yr, whereas flux variations of less than 30 per cent have been observed for individual flares on time-scales of ∼3 d. Two temporal methods, the power spectrum density (PSD) and the structure function (SF), have been used to study the variability characteristics of 3C 273. The hard X-ray photon spectra generally show a power-law shape with a differential photon index of Γ ≃ 1.6 ± 0.1. In 10 of 261 data segments, exceptions to power-law behaviour have been found: (i) an additional soft excess below 4 keV; and (ii) a broad Fe fluorescent line feature with EW ∼ 100-200 eV. Our new observations of these previously reported X-ray features may imply that 3C 273 is a unique object whose hard X-ray emission occasionally contains a component that is not related to a beamed emission (Seyfert-like), but most hard X-rays are likely to originate in inverse Compton radiation from the relativistic jet (blazar-like). Multifrequency spectra from radio to γ-rays are presented in addition to our RXTE results. The X-ray time variability and spectral evolution are discussed in the framework of the beamed, synchrotron self-Compton picture. We consider the 'power balance' (both radiative and kinetic) between the accretion disc, the sub-parsec-scale jet and the 10-kpc-scale jet.
KW - Quasars: individual: 3C 273
KW - Radiation mechanisms: non-thermal
KW - X-rays: galaxies
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0013376956&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0013376956&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.2002.05845.x
DO - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.2002.05845.x
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0013376956
VL - 336
SP - 932
EP - 944
JO - Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
JF - Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
SN - 0035-8711
IS - 3
ER -