Blazar microvariability at hard X-rays

TL;DR

This paper reviews blazar variability at hard X-ray energies, discusses recent observations suggesting intraday variability, and highlights the potential contributions of future missions like SIMBOL-X to this research area.

Contribution

It summarizes recent findings on blazar microvariability at high energies and discusses how upcoming instruments could improve understanding.

Findings

Recent satellite observations suggest intraday variability in blazars.

Physical implications of blazar variability are analyzed.

Future missions like SIMBOL-X could significantly advance this research.

Abstract

Blazars are known to display strong and erratic variability at almost all the wavelengths of electromagnetic spectrum. Presently, variability studies at high-energies (hard X-rays, gamma-rays) are hampered by low sensitivity of the instruments. Nevertheless, the latest generation of satellites (INTEGRAL, Swift) have given suggestions not yet fully confirmed of variability on intraday timescales. Some specific cases recently observed are presented and physical implications are discussed (e.g. NRAO 530). The contribution that SIMBOL-X could give in this research topic is also outlined.