X-ray Variability in the Core and Jet of M87
Abstract
We report our spectral variability analysis of the core and jet of M87 based on new and archival NuSTAR and Chandra observations. NuSTAR observations of M87 were collected during Event Horizon Telescope campaigns from 2017-2022 and Chandra observations of M87, HST-1, the outer jet, and their Virgo cluster environment were collected between 2000 and 2017. We fit the NuSTAR spectra of the core with a broken power law, inferring its variability by keeping the power law spectra of the other (spatially unresolved) jet components fixed. Our modeling suggests that the core spectrum hardens above 12.23 keV, and we find increased volatility in the spectrum at higher energies. Outside a significant brightening in 2018, we find that across the 3-79 keV range of the data the core has typical variability on the order of 5 * 10-13 erg cm-2 s-1. Continued X-ray observation of the M87 and its core and jet will help to further constrain the properties of its behavior and variability.
- Publication:
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American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- January 2023
- Bibcode:
- 2023AAS...24147101S