The nearly periodic fluctuations of blazars in long-term X-ray light curves
Abstract
By means of structure function method, we have analyzed 20 blazars observed by the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) to search for possible variability period. There are the year-like periodic values in 11 of these blazars. The year-like periodicities in AO 0235+164, Mrk 501, 3C 273 and PKS 1510-089 are also found by the discrete correlation function method, the Jurkevich method and the power spectrum method. AO 0235+164, Mrk 501 and 3C 273 have possible nearly periodic values of about 370 days, 630 days and 370 days, respectively. PKS 1510-089 has two nearly periodic components, about 230 and 330 days. The year-like periodicities could be explained in the framework of a binary black hole system. The turbulence behind a shock may also give rise to the year-like periodicities, dominated by the dominant eddies' turnover times. Also, the year-like periodicities may be from the interplay of a shock with essentially helical structures wrapping around a relativistic jet.
- Publication:
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Astrophysics and Space Science
- Pub Date:
- May 2017
- DOI:
- 10.1007/s10509-017-3079-y
- Bibcode:
- 2017Ap&SS.362...99W
- Keywords:
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- BL Lacertae objects: general;
- Galaxies: active;
- Methods: statistical;
- X-rays: galaxies;
- X-rays: general