Discovery of X-ray polarization angle rotation in the jet from blazar Mrk 421
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F67985815%3A_____%2F23%3A00575373" target="_blank" >RIV/67985815:_____/23:00575373 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-023-02032-7" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-023-02032-7</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41550-023-02032-7" target="_blank" >10.1038/s41550-023-02032-7</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Discovery of X-ray polarization angle rotation in the jet from blazar Mrk 421
Original language description
We report the discovery of a ΨX rotation in the X-ray band in the blazar Markarian 421 at an average flux state. Across the 5 days of Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer observations on 4–6 and 7–9 June 2022, ΨX rotated in total by ≥360°. Over the two respective date ranges, we find constant, within uncertainties, rotation rates (80 ± 9° per day and 91 ± 8° per day) and polarization degrees (ΠX = 10% ± 1%). Simulations of a random walk of the polarization vector indicate that it is unlikely that such rotation(s) are produced by a stochastic process. The X-ray-emitting site does not completely overlap the radio, infrared and optical emission sites, as no similar rotation of Ψ was observed in quasi-simultaneous data at longer wavelengths. We propose that the observed rotation was caused by a helical magnetic structure in the jet, illuminated in the X-rays by a localized shock propagating along this helix. The optically emitting region probably lies in a sheath surrounding an inner spine where the X-ray radiation is released.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
10308 - Astronomy (including astrophysics,space science)
Result continuities
Project
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Continuities
I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace
Others
Publication year
2023
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
Nature Astronomy
ISSN
2397-3366
e-ISSN
2397-3366
Volume of the periodical
7
Issue of the periodical within the volume
July
Country of publishing house
US - UNITED STATES
Number of pages
14
Pages from-to
1245-1258
UT code for WoS article
001032227300001
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-85164966612