The X-ray variability history of Markarian 3

Author： Guainazzi M. La Parola V. Miniutti G. Segreto A. Longinotti A. L.

E-ISSN： 1432-0746|547|issue|A31-A31

ISSN： 0004-6361

Source： Astronomy & Astrophysics, Vol.547, Iss.issue, 2012-10, pp. : A31-A31

Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.

Previous Menu Next

Abstract

Context. The unified scenario for active galactic nuclei (AGN) postulates that our orientation with respect to a parsec-scale azimuthally-symmetric gas and dust system causes the difference in their phenomenology in the optical/UV and X-ray bands. Only recently have high-resolution radio (VLBI) and IR interferometric observations provided direct constraints on the size and structure of this obscuring system (known historically as the “torus”). On the other hand, variability in optically-thick X-ray absorption and reprocessing in heavily obscured AGN often probe smaller scales, down to the broad line region and beyond.