English

Invisible Plasma Content in Blazars? The Case of Markarian 421

Astrophysics 2008-02-05 v1

Abstract

Invisible plasma content in blazar jets such as protons and/or thermal electron-positron (e±e^{\pm}) pairs is explored through combined arguments of dynamical and radiative processes. By comparing physical quantities required by the internal shock model with those obtained through the observed radio-to-gamma-ray spectra for Mrk 421, we find the existence of a copious amount of invisible plasma in the jet. We speculate that the blazar sequence could arise from variations of total amount and/or blending ratio of e±e^{\pm} pair and electron-proton plasma.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.0802.0335,
  title  = {Invisible Plasma Content in Blazars? The Case of Markarian 421},
  author = {M. Kino and F. Takahara},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0802.0335},
  year   = {2008}
}

Comments

4 pages, 2 figure for the proceedings of 'Approaching Micro-Arcsecond Resolution with VSOP-2: Astrophysics and Technology' (3-7 December 2007, ISAS/JAXA, Sagamihara, Japan)