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An X-ray Spectral Survey of BL Lac Objects

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 August 2017

P. Barr
Affiliation:
EXOSAT Observatory, Astrophysics Division, ESA ESTEC, Postbus 299, 2200AG Noordwijk, The Netherlands
P. Giommi
Affiliation:
EXOSAT Observatory, Astrophysics Division, ESA ESTEC, Postbus 299, 2200AG Noordwijk, The Netherlands On leave from IFC-CNR, via Bassini 15, 20133 Milan, Italy
A. Pollock
Affiliation:
EXOSAT Observatory, Astrophysics Division, ESA ESTEC, Postbus 299, 2200AG Noordwijk, The Netherlands
G. Tagliaferri
Affiliation:
EXOSAT Observatory, Astrophysics Division, ESA ESTEC, Postbus 299, 2200AG Noordwijk, The Netherlands
D. Maccagni
Affiliation:
IFC-CNR, via Bassini 15, 20133 Milan, Italy
B. Garilli
Affiliation:
IFC-CNR, via Bassini 15, 20133 Milan, Italy

Extract

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A wide variety of X-ray spectral forms has been reported in BL Lac objects. Concave spectra, i.e. a steep soft X-ray spectrum with a flat high energy tail, have been reported in a few of the brightest BL Lacs (e.g Urry 1986). Conversely, convex spectra (steep hard X-rays, flat soft X-ray spectrum) have also been reported, sometimes in the same objects (Madejski 1985, Barr et al 1988, George et al 1988). The high energy tails have usually been invoked as a signature of synchrotron-self-Compton emission. Two conflicting interpretations of the convex spectra have been made. Urry et al (1986) suggest absorption by a partially ionised medium, probably intrinsic to the BL Lac object, following the identification of an Oxygen absorption trough in the Einstein OGS spectrum of PKS 2155-304 by Canizares and Kruper (1984). Conversely, Barr et al (1988) attribute the hard X-ray steepening to energy loss mechanisms operating on a synchrotron source.

Type
Part 3: X-rays and the Central Source
Copyright
Copyright © Kluwer 1989 

References

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