A Jet Model for the Gamma-Ray--emitting Blazar 3C 279
Abstract
The physical conditions in the γ-ray-emitting blazar 3C 279 are discussed. The requirement of transparency for γ-rays, together with the observation of rapid variability, imply that the high-energy radiation is anisotropic. It is proposed that the γ-rays are produced in a relativistic jet via the synchrotron self-Compton mechanism. The γ-ray spectrum is the high-energy extension of the inverse Compton radiation responsible for the X-ray emission. It is softer than the X-ray spectrum, owing to upper cutoffs in the electron energy spectra along the jet. The same electrons are responsible for the low-frequency emission (10^13^-10^16^ Hz) via synchrotron radiation. The expected correlation of variability at different frequencies is discussed.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- September 1992
- DOI:
- 10.1086/186531
- Bibcode:
- 1992ApJ...397L...5M
- Keywords:
-
- Blazars;
- Gamma Ray Astronomy;
- Radio Jets (Astronomy);
- Astronomical Models;
- Compton Effect;
- Gamma Ray Spectra;
- Synchrotron Radiation;
- X Ray Spectra;
- Astrophysics;
- GALAXIES: QUASARS: INDIVIDUAL ALPHANUMERIC: 3C 279;
- GAMMA RAYS: OBSERVATIONS;
- GAMMA RAYS: THEORY;
- RADIATION MECHANISMS: COMPTON AND INVERSE COMPTON;
- X-RAYS: GENERAL