Spectral Variability of the X-Ray--bright BL Lacertae Object PKS 2005-489
Abstract
Two deep ROSA T PSPC observations of the X-ray-bright BL Lac object PKS 2005-489 have yielded high signal-to-noise spectra with a total of 18,900 and 31,000 counts. The 0.2-2.0 keV spectrum is rather steep, with a photon index around 3.0 at both epochs. The X-ray flux decreased by a factor of 2 in 6 months, accompanied by a steepening of the spectrum. Analysis of the broadband energy distribution shows that the continuum emission of PKS 2005-489 peaks at ≈ 1016 Hz and that spectral variability is greater above the peak. The application of synchrotron self-Compton models indicates that large magnetic energy densities dominate the emission region in PKS 2005-489 and that the observed variability may be the result of a variable electron energy and density. The models predict the largest variability in the γ-ray band, where the source was recently detected by the Gamma Ray Observatory (GRO).
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- August 1995
- DOI:
- 10.1086/176080
- Bibcode:
- 1995ApJ...449..567S
- Keywords:
-
- GAMMA RAYS: THEORY;
- GALAXIES: BL LACERTAE OBJECTS: INDIVIDUAL ALPHANUMERIC: PKS 2005-489;
- RADIATION MECHANISMS: NONTHERMAL;
- X-RAYS: GALAXIES