The X-ray spectra of the BL Lacertae objects PKS 0548-322 and 3C 66A.
Abstract
Einstein Observatory simultaneous imaging proportional counter and monitor proportional counter data are combined in order to derive the energy spectra of the BL Lac objects PKS 0548-322 and 3C 66A between 0.2 and 10 keV. While the latter is found to be variable in both intensity and spectral shape, the former, although constant in the present data, is found to have experienced a spectrum variation in view of results from other experiments. Attention is given to the implications of flux and spectral variability in BL Lac objects for models of X-ray emission mechanisms. It is suggested that the wide spread of the spectral index distribution is due to the detection of the highly variable synchrotron-produced X-rays that are generally undetected in QSOs.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- October 1983
- DOI:
- 10.1086/161348
- Bibcode:
- 1983ApJ...273...70M
- Keywords:
-
- Bl Lacertae Objects;
- Heao 2;
- Quasars;
- X Ray Spectra;
- Energy Spectra;
- Proportional Counters;
- Spaceborne Astronomy;
- Synchrotron Radiation;
- Astrophysics