Probing Fast X-ray Variability of Blazars with a Large Data Set from Swift
Abstract
The Swift X-ray Telescope has obtained 0.2-10 keV x-ray data on numerous blazars over timescales ranging from seconds to more than 8 years. Much of these data come from intense target of opportunity observations that can be analyzed in a multiwavelength context and used to model jet parameters, particularly during flare states. Another large component of these data comes from monitoring that was obtained during a variety of flux states. By looking at this broad data set, one can evaluate variability timescales and limit the emission mechanisms and associated parameters. Some of these blazars are known to exhibit variability timescales on the order of minutes in the gamma-ray band and tens of minutes in the x-ray band. We report on our search for short timescale x-ray variability that could limit the size and nature of the emission region/s in blazar jets.
- Publication:
-
AAS/High Energy Astrophysics Division #14
- Pub Date:
- August 2014
- Bibcode:
- 2014HEAD...1410615F