Constraining the Spin of the Black Hole in Fairall 9 with Suzaku

Authors

S. Schmoll, University of Michigan
J. M. Miller, University of Michigan
M. Volonteri, University of Michigan
E. Cackett, University of MichiganFollow
C. S. Reynolds, University of Maryland
A. C. Fabian, University of Cambridge
L. W. Brenneman, NASA GSFC
G. Miniutti, Max-Plack-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik
L. C. Gallo, Saint Mary's University

Document Type

Article

Abstract

We report on the results of spectral fits made to data obtained from a 168 ks Suzaku observation of the Seyfert 1 galaxy Fairall 9. The source is clearly detected out to 30 keV. The observed spectrum is fairly simple; it is well described by a power law with soft excess and disk reflection. A broad iron line is detected, and easily separated from distinct narrow components owing to the resolution of the CCDs in the X-ray Imaging Spectrometer (XIS). The broad line is revealed to be asymmetric, consistent with a disk origin. We fit the XIS and Hard X-ray Detector spectra with relativistically blurred disk reflection models. With the assumption that the inner disk extends to the innermost stable circular orbit, the best-fit model implies a black hole spin parameter of a = 0.60 ± 0.07 and excludes extremal values at a high level of confidence. We discuss this result in the context of Seyfert observations and models of the cosmic distribution of black hole spin.

Disciplines

Cosmology, Relativity, and Gravity | External Galaxies

Comments

NOTICE IN COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLISHER POLICY: ©2009, American Astronomical Society. Available at: doi:10.1088/0004-637X/703/2/2171

Recommended Citation

Constraining the Spin of the Black Hole in Fairall 9 with Suzaku

S. Schmoll et al. 2009 ApJ 703 2171