New X-Ray clues from blazars could provide insights on powering of active galaxies

Researchers from the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have tracked high-energy blazars to uncover new clues about X-ray emission sources in active galaxies. By analyzing X-ray observations from NASA's NICER and NuSTAR space telescopes for four classical TeV blazars (Mrk 421, Mrk 501, PG 1553+113, and PKS 2155-304), the study found that during moderate-to-low active states, emission from the accretion disk contributes to the X-ray spectra alongside jet emissions. This finding offers insights into extreme physical conditions around supermassive black holes and how active galaxies are powered.