2015ApJ...805...23C -
Astrophys. J., 805, 23 (2015/May-3)
X-ray scattering echoes and ghost halos from the intergalactic medium: relation to the nature of AGN variability.
CORRALES L.
Abstract (from CDS):
X-ray bright quasars might be used to trace dust in the circumgalactic and intergalactic medium through the phenomenon of X-ray scattering, which is observed around Galactic objects whose light passes through a sufficient column of interstellar gas and dust. Of particular interest is the abundance of gray dust larger than, which is difficult to detect at other wavelengths. To calculate X-ray scattering from large grains, one must abandon the traditional Rayleigh-Gans approximation. The Mie solution for the X-ray scattering optical depth of the universe is. This presents a great difficulty for distinguishing dust scattered photons from the point source image of Chandra, which is currently unsurpassed in imaging resolution. The variable nature of AGNs offers a solution to this problem, as scattered light takes a longer path and thus experiences a time delay with respect to non-scattered light. If an AGN dims significantly ( dex) due to a major feedback event, the Chandra point source image will be suppressed relative to the scattering halo, and an X-ray echo or ghost halo may become visible. I estimate the total number of scattering echoes visible by Chandra over the entire sky:, where is the characteristic frequency of feedback events capable of dimming an AGN quickly.
Abstract Copyright:
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Journal keyword(s):
accretion, accretion disks - dust, extinction - quasars: general - intergalactic medium - X-rays: ISM
Simbad objects:
8
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