Is Low-Frequency-Peaked BL Lac Object OJ 287 a TeV Emitter?

TL;DR

This study models the spectral energy distribution of the BL Lac object OJ 287 to predict its potential TeV gamma-ray emissions, suggesting it could be detectable by current telescopes during high activity states.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed SED modeling of OJ 287 using a homogeneous one-zone synchrotron and SSC model to predict its TeV emission.

Findings

TeV emission of OJ 287 in high state is above H.E.S.S. sensitivity.

Model extrapolation suggests OJ 287 can be a TeV emitter.

Implications for understanding jet activity and EBL properties.

Abstract

It is well known that there are only two low-frequency-peaked BL Lac objects (LBLs: BL Lacertae and S5 0716+714) and one flat spectrum radio quasar (FSRQ: 3C 279) among more than 30 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with detected TeV emissions. We study the spectral energy distribution (SED) of a famous LBL OJ 287, whose light curve has a 12-y period. Using a homogeneous one-zone synchrotron + synchrotron-self Compton model, we model the quasi-simultaneous broad-band SED of OJ 287. With some reasonable assumptions, we extrapolate the model to the high state of OJ 287 and predict its {\gamma}-ray emissions. Taking into account the absorption of {\gamma}-ray by the extragalactic background light (EBL), we find that the TeV emission of OJ 287 in high state is slightly higher than the sensitivity of H.E.S.S. The study on SEDs of OJ 287 has implications to unveil the origin of jet activity during its 12-y period and the properties of EBL.