Origin of relativistic particles and gamma-rays in quasars

Journal Article · Tue Feb 15 04:00:00 EST 1983 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/160707· OSTI ID:6269283

Protheroe, R J; Kazanas, D

A model for a class of quasars and active galactic nuclei is proposed in which a shock around a massive black hole randomizes the infall kinetic energy of spherically accreting matter producing a nonthermal spectrum of high energy protons. It is suggested that these protons are responsbile for the secondary production (via ..pi../sup + -/ decay) of the radio-emitting high energy electrons and also of high energy ..gamma..-rays (via ..pi../sup 0/ decay and inverse Compton interactions of the electrons). The correlation between radio and ..gamma..-ray emission implied by the model is in good agreement with observations of 3C 273. Observation of the flux of high energy neutrinos from quasars may provide a test for the model.

• Research Organization: Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
• OSTI ID: 6269283
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 265:2; ISSN ASJOA
• 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
ACCELERATION
BARYONS
BLACK HOLES
COSMIC PROTONS
COSMIC RADIATION
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY SPECTRA
FERMIONS
GALAXY NUCLEI
GAMMA RADIATION
HADRONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LEPTONS
NUCLEONS
PLASMA ACCELERATION
PROTONS
QUASARS
RADIATIONS
SHOCK WAVES
SPECTRA