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40: Swift BAT Analysis of Flux Variability in X-ray Peaked Blazars
Presenter(s)
Grace Mead
Faculty research mentor
Manel Errando
Presentation session
Poster session B; 11:30am-12:30pm
Acknowledgments
For their support and knowledge, and I would like to thank my research advisor Dr. Manel Errando and peers Cassie Metzger and Charlie Fallon. This research was funded by McDonnell Center for Space Sciences.
Abstract or Description
While accreting material, supermassive black holes accelerate particles along the rotation axis, forming relativistic jets. Relativistic jets emit radiation from radio to gamma-ray energies, moving in shock waves down the conical stream. The mechanism of relativistic jets remains unclear, compelling data analysis of x-ray peaked blazars. Studying the variability of blazars allows comparison to inner jet turbulence and magnetic reconnection models, furthering understanding of black hole processes. Swift’s Burst Alert Telescope, known as “BAT”, can detect gamma-ray bursts (GRB) with a coded aperture mask and large field of vision. Once the telescope senses a significant flux, it will trigger the spacecraft to slew into an optimal position to collect data. Using the SwiftBat Analysis program, quasar 3C 273 and Markarian 421 observation data was processed— downloaded, distinguished from background noise, binned for mosaic analysis, and graphed. Further, the SwiftBat Analysis pipeline was rigorously tested and modified for user success. In collaboration with the statistic team extrapolation, the produced graphs and corresponding database may now be compared to jet mechanism models, and code continuously streamlined for more extensive data handling.