Simultaneous X-Ray and Infrared Observations of Sagittarius A*'s Variability
Journal
Date Issued
2019
Author(s)
Boyce, H.
•
Haggard, D.
•
Witzel, G.
•
Willner, S. P.
•
Neilsen, J.
•
Hora, J. L.
•
Markoff, S.
•
•
Baganoff, F.
•
Becklin, E. E.
•
Fazio, G. G.
•
Lowrance, P.
•
Morris, M. R.
•
Smith, H. A.
Abstract
Emission from Saggitarius A* is highly variable at both X-ray and infrared (IR) wavelengths. Observations over the last ∼20 yr have revealed X-ray flares that rise above a quiescent thermal background about once per day, while faint X-ray flares from Sgr A* are undetectable below the constant thermal emission. In contrast, the IR emission of Sgr A* is observed to be continuously variable. Recently, simultaneous observations have indicated a rise in IR flux density around the same time as every distinct X-ray flare, while the opposite is not always true (peaks in the IR emission may not be coincident with an X-ray flare). Characterizing the behavior of these simultaneous X-ray/IR events and measuring any time lag between them can constrain models of Sgr A*'s accretion flow and the flare emission mechanism. Using 100+ hours of data from a coordinated campaign between the Spitzer Space Telescope and the Chandra X-ray Observatory, we present results of the longest simultaneous IR and X-ray observations of Sgr A* taken to date. The cross-correlation between the IR and X-ray light curves in this unprecedented data set, which includes four modest X-ray/IR flares, indicates that flaring in the X-ray may lead the IR by approximately 10-20 min with 68% confidence. However, the 99.7% confidence interval on the time-lag also includes zero, i.e., the flaring remains statistically consistent with simultaneity. Long-duration and simultaneous multi-wavelength observations of additional bright flares will improve our ability to constrain the flare timing characteristics and emission mechanisms, and must be a priority for Galactic Center observing campaigns.
Volume
871
Issue
2
Start page
161
Issn Identifier
0004-637X
Ads BibCode
2019ApJ...871..161B
Rights
open.access
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