Results of WEBT, VLBA and RXTE monitoring of 3C 279 during 2006-2007

TL;DR

This study combines radio, optical, and X-ray observations of 3C 279 from 2006-2007 to analyze jet physics, polarization, and spectral energy distributions, revealing a helical magnetic field and variable emission components.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive multiwavelength dataset and analysis of 3C 279, highlighting the jet's magnetic structure and emission mechanisms during different brightness states.

Findings

Optical and radio polarization vectors rotate by ~300 degrees during flux decline.

X-ray spectrum varies from -1.1 to -1.6, steepening at flux minimum.

Evidence for a helical magnetic field extending ~20 pc past the core.

Abstract

We present radio-to-optical data taken by the WEBT, supplemented by VLBA and RXTE observations, of 3C 279. Our goal is to use this extensive database to draw inferences regarding the physics of the relativistic jet. We assemble multifrequency light curves with data from 30 ground-based observatories and the space-based instruments, along with linear polarization vs. time in the optical R band. In addition, we present a sequence of 22 images (with polarization vectors) at 43 GHz at resolution 0.15 milliarcsec, obtained with the VLBA. We analyse the light curves and polarization, as well as the spectral energy distributions at different epochs, corresponding to different brightness states. The IR-optical-UV continuum spectrum of the variable component corresponds to a power law with a constant slope of -1.6, while in the 2.4-10 keV X-ray band it varies in slope from -1.1 to -1.6. The steepest X-ray spectrum occurs at a flux minimum. During a decline in flux from maximum in late 2006, the optical and 43 GHz core polarization vectors rotate by ~300 degrees. The continuum spectrum agrees with steady injection of relativistic electrons with a power-law energy distribution of slope -3.2 that is steepened to -4.2 at high energies by radiative losses. The X-ray emission at flux minimum comes most likely from a new component that starts in an upstream section of the jet where inverse Compton scattering of seed photons from outside the jet is important. The rotation of the polarization vector implies that the jet contains a helical magnetic field that extends ~20 pc past the 43 GHz core.