Hard X-Ray Emission in Centaurus A
Abstract
We use 13 yr of Swift/BAT observations to probe the nature and origin of the hard X-ray (14-195 KeV) emission in Centaurus A. Since the beginning of the Swift operation in 2004, significant X-ray variability in the 14-195 KeV band has been detected, with mild changes in the source spectrum. Spectral variations became more eminent after 2013, following a softer-when-brighter trend. Using the power spectral density (PSD) method, we find that the observed hard X-ray photon flux variations are consistent with a red-noise process of slope, -1.3, with no evidence for a break in the PSD. We find a significant correlation between the hard X-ray and 230 GHz radio flux variations, with no time delay longer than 30 days. The temporal and spectral analysis confirms that the X-ray emission generated by the accretion in the ADAF model is sub-dominant as compared with the emission arsiing from that produced by the inner regions of the radio jet.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- June 2022
- DOI:
- arXiv:
- arXiv:2205.07438
- Bibcode:
- 2022ApJ...932..104R
- Keywords:
-
- X-ray active galactic nuclei;
- Active galactic nuclei;
- Radio active galactic nuclei;
- 2035;
- 16;
- 2134;
- Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
- E-Print:
- Accepted for publication in ApJ