Radio and $\gamma$-ray activity in the jet of the blazar S5 0716$+$714

TL;DR

This study investigates the connection between radio and gamma-ray emissions in blazar S5 0716+714, revealing correlations, jet component motions, and the influence of jet orientation on observed variability over 10.5 years.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of multi-frequency radio and gamma-ray data, identifying multiple emission regions and linking jet dynamics to flux variability, which is a novel comprehensive approach.

Findings

Significant correlations and anti-correlations between radio and gamma-ray fluxes.

Jet components exhibit apparent speeds from 6 to 26 c with varying position angles.

The jet orientation influences the timing and nature of flux correlations.

Abstract

We explore the connection between the $\gamma$-ray and radio emission in the jet of the blazar 0716$+$714 by using 15, 37, and 230 GHz radio and 0.1$-$200 GeV $\gamma$-ray light curves spanning 10.5 years (2008$-$2019). We find significant positive and negative correlations between radio and $\gamma$-ray fluxes in different time ranges. The time delays between radio and $\gamma$-ray emission suggest that the observed $\gamma$-ray flares originated from multiple regions upstream of the radio core, within a few parsecs from the central engine. Using time-resolved 43 GHz VLBA maps we identified 14 jet components moving downstream along the jet. Their apparent speeds range from 6 to 26 $c$, showing notable variations in their position angles upstream the stationary component ($\sim$0.53 mas from the core). The brightness temperature declines as function of distance from the core according to a power-law which becomes shallower at the location of the stationary component. We also find that the periods at which significant correlations between radio and $\gamma$-ray emission occur overlap with the times when the jet was oriented to the north. Our results indicate that the passage of a propagating disturbance (or shock) through the radio core and the orientation of the jet might be responsible for the observed correlation between the radio and $\gamma$-ray variability. We present a scenario that connects the positive correlation and the unusual anti-correlation by combining the production of a flare and a dip at $\gamma$-rays by a strong moving shock at different distances from the jet apex.