Speakers
Dr
Erika Benitez
(Instituto de Astronomia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM))Dr
Sergio Mendoza
(Instituto de Astronomia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico)
Description
A model independent power spectrum light curve analysis in the optical,
hard X-ray and gamma-rays of the blazar MRK 421 shows clear evidence
for a periodicity of approximately 400 days. A subsequent full maximum
likelihood analysis fitting an eclipse model confirms this periodicity
with a consistent phase for the bands analysed. The most parsimonious
physical mechanism to which this periodicity could be ascribed is a
dynamical effect produced by an orbiting supermassive black hole companion
of mass of about 10^7 solar masses eclipsing the central black hole,
which has an approximate mass of 10^8 solar masses.
Primary authors
Dr
Erika Benitez
(Instituto de Astronomia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM))
Dr
Sergio Mendoza
(Instituto de Astronomia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico)
