Observation of Cen A by the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer

Session 90 - High Energy Phenomena in AGNs.
Oral session, Friday, January 09
Georgetown,

[90.02] Observation of Cen A by the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer

R. E. Rothschild, D. L. Band, P. R. Blanco, D. E. Gruber, W. A. Heindl, D. R. MacDonald, D. C. Marsden (CASS, UCSD), K. Jahoda, D. Pierce, G. Madejski (GSFC), M. Elvis, D. A. Schwartz (CfA/SAO), R. Remillard (MIT)

The Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer made a short (10 ks) observation of the radio galaxy Centaurus A on 14 August 1996. Analysis of the combined 2.5-240 keV spectrum has revealed the presence of a broad iron emission line and yields an upper limit to a Compton reflection component significantly below values for radio quiet Seyferts. This is in addition to a heavily absorbed primary power law extending beyond 200 keV, plus an identical unabsorbed power law at about 6% of the intensity of the primary flux in this short observation. The implications of these components will be discussed in context of the radio quiet/radio loud dichotomy.

Program listing for Friday