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Register a new userThe high energy spectrum of 3C 273
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Aims. The high energy spectrum of 3C 273 is usually understood in terms of inverse-Compton emission in a relativistic leptonic jet. This model predicts variability patterns and delays that could be tested with simultaneous observations from the radio to the GeV range. Methods. The instruments IBIS, SPI, JEM-X on board INTEGRAL, PCA on board RXTE, and LAT on board Fermi have enough sensitivity to follow the spectral variability of 3C 273 from the keV to the GeV. We looked for correlations between the different energy bands, including radio data at 37 GHz collected at the Metsahovi Radio Observatory and built quasi-simultaneous multiwavelength spectra in the high energy domain when the source is flaring either in the X-rays or in the {gamma} rays. Results. Both temporal and spectral analysis suggest a two-component model to explain the complete high energy spectrum. X-ray emission is likely dominated by a Seyfert-like component while the {gamma}-ray emission is dominated by a blazar-like component produced by the relativistic jet. The variability of the blazar-like component is discussed, comparing the spectral parameters in the two different spectral states. Changes of the electron Lorentz factor are found to be the most likely source of the observed variability.
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We have presented an optical monitoring of 3C 273, the first quasar discovered fifty years ago. It does not show variability both on intra-night and long-term time scales. To facilitate the further monitoring of 3C 273, we compiled the available calibrations of the comparison stars in its field into a mean sequence.
shortened) Results obtained from 9 X-ray observations of 3C 273 performed by ASCA are presented (for a total exposure time of about 160 000 s). The analysis and interpretation of the results is complicated by the fact that 4 of these observations were used for on-board calibration of the CCDs spectral response. The present analysis shows that, in agreement with official recommendations, a conservative systematic error (at low energies) of about 2-3 x 10**20cm-2 must be assumed when analyzing ASCA SIS data. A soft-excess, with variable flux and/or shape, has been clearly detected as well as flux and spectral variability. An anti-correlation is found between the spectral index and the flux in the 2-10 keV energy range. Fitting the data with the latest available calibration matrices, we also detect an emission line at ~5.4-5.7 keV (~6.3-6.6 keV in the quasar frame) in (only) the two observations with lowest fluxes where it is weak (EW ~ 20-30 eV), narrow and consistent with being produced by Fe K emission from neutral matter. Overall, the observations are qualitatively consistent with a variable, non-thermal X-ray continuum emission, i.e., a power law with Gamma~1.6 (possibly produced in the innermost regions of the radio-optical jet), plus underlying ``Seyfert-like features, i.e., a soft-excess and Fe K line emission due to a reflection component. When the continuum (jet) emission is in a low state, the spectral features produced by the Seyfert-like spectrum (soft-excess, iron line and possibly a steep power law plus reflection continuum) are more easily seen.
Detailed investigation of broadband flux variability in the blazar 3C 273 allows us to probe the location and size of emission regions and their physical conditions. We report the results on correlation studies of the flaring activity observed between 2008 and 2012. The observed broadband variations were investigated using the structure function and the discrete correlation function, and power spectral density analysis (PSD) methods. The PSD analysis showed that the optical/IR light curve slopes are consistent with the slope of white noise processes, while, the PSD slopes at radio, X-ray and gamma-ray energies are consistent with red-noise processes. The flux variations at gamma-ray and mm-radio bands are found to be significantly correlated. Using the estimated time lag of (110pm27) days between gamma-ray and radio light curves, we constrained the location of the gamma-ray emission region at a de-projected distance of 1.2pm0.9 pc from the jet apex. Flux variations at X-ray bands were found to have a significant correlation with variations at both radio and gamma-rays energies. The correlation between X-rays and gamma-rays light curves suggests presence of two components responsible for the X-ray emission. A negative time lag of -(50pm20) days, where the X-rays are leading the emission, suggests X-rays are emitted closer to the jet apex from a compact region at a distance of ~(0.5pm0.4) pc from the jet apex. A positive time lag of (110pm20) days suggests jet-base origin of the other X-ray component at ~(4--5)~pc from the jet apex. The flux variations at radio frequencies were found to be well correlated with each other such that the variations at higher frequencies are leading the lower frequencies, which could be expected in the standard shock-in-jet model.
We present an update of 3C 273s database hosted by the ISDC, completed with data from radio to gamma-ray observations over the last 10 years. We use this large data set to study the multiwavelength properties of this quasar,especially focussing on its variability behaviour. We study the amplitude of the variations and the maximum variability time scales across the broad-band spectrum and correlate the light curves in different bands, specifically with the X-rays, to search for possible connections between the emission at different energies. 3C 273 shows variability at all frequencies, with amplitudes and time scales strongly depending on the energy and being the signatures of the different emission mechanisms. The variability properties of the X-ray band imply the presence of either two separate components (possibly a Seyfert-like and a blazar-like) or at least two parameters with distinct timing properties to account for the X-ray emission below and above ~20 keV. The dominant hard X-ray emission is most probably not due to electrons accelerated by the shock waves in the jet as their variability does not correlate with the flaring millimeter emission, but seems to be associated to long-timescale variations in the optical. This optical component is consistent with being optically thin synchrotron radiation from the base of the jet and the hard X-rays would be produced through inverse Compton processes (SSC and/or EC) by the same electron population. We show evidence that this synchrotron component extends from the optical to the near-infrared domain, where it is blended by emission of heated dust that we find to be located within about 1 light-year from the ultraviolet source.
We have analysed the first 15 months of Fermi/LAT data of the radio loud quasar 3C 273. Intense gamma-ray activity has been detected, showing an average flux of F(> 100 MeV) = 1.4e-6 ph/cm^2/s, with a peak at F(> 100 MeV) = 5.6e-6 ph/cm^2/s detected during a flare in September 2009. Together with the brightening of the source, a possible hardening of the gamma-ray spectrum is observed, pointing to a shift of the inverse Compton peak toward higher energies than the 1-10 MeV range in which 3C 273 inverse Compton emission is typically observed to peak. During the 15 months of observations the photon index is measured to vary between 2.4 and 3.3, with an average value of 2.78 +/- 0.03. When compared to the observations at other wavelengths, the gamma-rays show the largest flux variations and we discuss the possibility that two different components are responsible for the inverse Compton hump emission below and above the MeV peak.
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