A Deep XMM-Newton Observation of the Quasar 3C 287

Authors

G. Salvesen, University of Michigan
J. M. Miller, University of Michigan
E. Cackett, University of MichiganFollow
A. Siemiginowska, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics

Document Type

Article

Abstract

We report on an XMM-Newton observation of the z = 1.055 quasar and Gigahertz Peaked Spectrum (GPS) source 3C 287. Our 62.3 ks observation provides an exceptional X-ray view of a prominent member of this important subclass of active galactic nuclei (AGNs). The X-ray spectra of 3C 287 are consistent with a simple absorbed power law with a spectral index of Γ = 1.72 ± 0.02. Our fits imply a bolometric luminosity of L = 5.8 ± 0.2 × 10⁴⁵ erg s^-1 over the 0.3-10.0 keV band; this gives a mass lower limit of M _{BH min} >= 4.6 × 10⁷ M _sun assuming X-rays contribute 10% of the bolometric luminosity and radiation at the Eddington limit. Iron emission lines are common in the X-ray spectra of many AGNs, but the observed spectra appear to rule out strong emission lines in 3C 287. The simple power-law spectrum and the absence of strong emission lines may support a picture where our line of sight intersects a relativistic jet. Milliarcsecond radio imaging of 3C 287 appears to support this interpretation. We discuss our results in the context of different AGNs subclasses and the possibility that GPS sources harbor newly formed black hole jets.

Disciplines

Cosmology, Relativity, and Gravity | Stars, Interstellar Medium and the Galaxy

Comments

NOTICE IN COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLISHER POLICY: ©2009, American Astronomical Society. Available at: doi:10.1088/0004-637X/692/1/753

Recommended Citation

A Deep XMM-Newton Observation of the Quasar 3C 287

G. Salvesen et al. 2009 ApJ 692 753