X-ray spectra and time variability of active galactic nuclei

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Adv. Space Res.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6015522

Mushotzky, R F

X ray measurements taken with the HEAO-1 and -2 satellites are examined for clues to the source of emissions from active galactic nuclei (AGN). The data covered the energy range 2-100 keV and 0.5-4.5 keV and encompassed quasars, BL Lac objects, Seyfert I galaxies and broadline radio galaxies. The broadline spectra were best fit with a power law with a slope of about 0.68. The continua displayed roughly equivalent energy at all wavelengths except for radio bands. Spectral variability was detected in the BL Lac objects, which may emit optical, UV and soft X ray radiation from optically thin synchrotron emission with a hard X ray tail from inverse Compton scattering. No strong variability was evidenced with other AGN, suggesting that the emitting regions are below the Eddington luminosity and thus exhibit stable flow characteristics. 42 references.

• Research Organization: NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
• OSTI ID: 6015522
• Report Number(s): CONF-8307144-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Adv. Space Res.; (United States) Journal Volume: 3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640103* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BL LACERTAE OBJECTS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
ENERGY SPECTRA
GALAXIES
GALAXY NUCLEI
QUASARS
RADIO GALAXIES
SEYFERT GALAXIES
SPECTRA
VARIATIONS
X-RAY SPECTRA