Pulsars, transients and relativistic astrophysics

Abstract:

Cosmological gamma-ray bursts are probably powered by high-angular momentum black hole-torus systems, formed by black hole-neutron star coalescence or magnetized collapsars. Rapidly rotating black holes surrounded by torus magnetospheres are magnetized in their ground state. In this state, the black hole is connected to infinity by,an open flux-tube of magnetic field-lines. Differential. frame-dragging permits in-situ pair-production along these flux-tubes. HETE-II may bring our understanding of short bursts on pax with that of long bursts.

Abstract:

Different scenarios which have been proposed for the production of high energy radiation in blazars will be briefly summarized. Recent results on the energy spectral distribution of high redshift radio-loud quasars are then considered in the context of the blazar phenomenology and their consequences for our understanding of jets are discussed. Finally, a possible scenario for the origin of X-ray emission from large scale jets, as detected by Chandra, is presented.

Abstract:

In this contribution we present some interim results concerning the spectral indices of the hot-spots of high redshift radio galaxies and quasars. This work forms a part of the Distant DRAGNs Survey, a project to map at sub-kpc resolution a sample of z > 1.5 radio galaxies and quasars drawn from multiple flux-density-limited samples.

Abstract:

With particular reference to the BL Lac object, Markarian 501, we emphasize the importance of X-ray and gamma-ray observations for elucidating the parameters of parsec scale and sub-parsec.scale jets. In particular the magnetic field, particle energy density and Doppler factor can be inferred from simultaneous observations. The energy flux in the Mkn 501 jet is particle dominated. If the composition is electron-proton then the minimum electron Lorentz factor, gamma(1) similar to 100. Consideration of a sample of quasar and BL Lac jets, shows that these jets may consist of electron-positron pairs, also if gamma(1) similar to 100. Seyfert jets may be examples of jets in which the plasma composition is predominantly electron-proton, suggesting that they originate at larger radii (with respect to the gravitational radius) than jets in radio-loud galaxies.

Abstract:

Considerable evidence has accumulated that strongly favours interstellar scintillation (ISS) as the principal mechanism causing intra-day variability (IDV) at cm wavelengths. This includes the observed frequency dependence of IDV, the measured time-delay in the IDV pattern as seen at two widely spaced radio telescopes, and the presence of an annual time-signature in the behaviour of the long-term IDV variability. While ISS reduces the implied brightness temperatures, they remain uncomfortably high. There appear to be several obstacles to explaining the observations with synchrotron theory: first, the brightness temperatures appear to be up to two orders of magnitude above the inverse Compton limit, second, the observed IDV lifetimes of more than a decade are much longer than expected, and third, there is the presence of strong and variable circular polarization in several sources.