A Deep XMM-Newton Observation of the Quasar 3C 287

TL;DR

This paper presents an in-depth X-ray analysis of quasar 3C 287, revealing a simple power-law spectrum, no strong emission lines, and implications for jet orientation and black hole activity in GPS sources.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed XMM-Newton X-ray spectrum of 3C 287, supporting the jet-intersection model and discussing black hole jet formation in GPS sources.

Findings

X-ray spectrum consistent with absorbed power-law (Gamma=1.72)

No strong iron emission lines detected

Supports jet-intersection viewing angle hypothesis

Abstract

We report on an XMM-Newton observation of the z=1.055 quasar and Giga-hertz Peaked Spectrum (GPS) source 3C 287. Our 62.3 ksec observation provides an exceptional X-ray view of a prominent member of this important subclass of active galactic nuclei (AGN). The X-ray spectra of 3C 287 are consistent with a simple absorbed power-law with a spectral index of Gamma = 1.72 +/- 0.02. Our fits imply a bolometric luminosity of L = 5.8 +/- 0.2 E+45 erg/s over the 0.3-10.0 keV band; this gives a mass lower limit of M > 4.6 E+7 Msun, assuming X-rays contribute 10% of the bolometric luminosity and radiation at the Eddington limit. Iron emission lines are common in the X-ray spectra of many AGN, but the observed spectra appear to rule out strong emission lines in 3C 287. The simple power-law spectrum and absence of strong emission lines may support a picture where our line of sight intersects a relativistic jet. Milliarcsecond radio imaging of 3C 287 appears to support this interpretation. We discuss our results in the context of different AGN sub-classes and the possibility that GPS sources harbor newly-formed black hole jets.