1996/12/07 by W. Bednarek, R. J. Protheroe · 94 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Active galactic nucleus #Astronomy #Astrophysics #Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena #Blazar #Dark Matter and Cosmic Phenomena #Electron #Galaxy #Gamma ray #Jet (fluid) #Nuclear physics #Observatory #Particle acceleration #Physics #Radio Astronomy Observations and Technology #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1093/mnras/287.3.l9
published in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 287(3), L9-L13 (Oxford University Press) · 5 pages, 3 figures, latex (uses mn.sty), submitted to MNRAS
arxiv created 1996/12/07 · openalex publication_date 1997/05/21 · arxiv updated 2016/06/08 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
We have developed a model for gamma-ray emission in jets of active galactic nuclei in which particle acceleration takes place at a shock in the relativistic jet plasma due to a massive star in the central region of the host galaxy moving through the jet. The gamma-rays are produced in a pair-Compton cascade in the radiation field of the star initiated by accelerated electrons. Our model may account for the observed GeV to TeV gamma-ray spectrum and variability of Markarian 421 and other blazars detected by the EGRET instrument on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory.