The X-ray structure and spectrum of NGC 6251

M. Birkinshaw, D. M. Worrall

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

76 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Observations of NGC 6251 in the low-energy X-rays with the Position Sensitive Proportional Counter on board ROSAT are reported. No X-ray emission is seen from the 4.5-arcmin-long radio jet of this galaxy, suggesting that the electron spectrum is cut off for electron energies greater than 10 exp 12 eV, but a bright X-ray source is coincident with the center of the galaxy. The power-law spectral indexes is close to the HF radio spectral index of the VLBI core, supporting a synchro-self-Compton model for this component of the X-ray emission. The infall of material into the nucleus is sufficiently rapid to power the mini-AGN component, if the mass of the central black hole exceeds 50,000 solar masses.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)568-585
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume412
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 1993

Keywords

  • Astronomical Spectroscopy
  • Galactic Nuclei
  • Radio Jets (Astronomy)
  • X Ray Sources
  • Emission Spectra
  • Galactic Radiation
  • Proportional Counters

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