Astron. Astrophys. 359, 948-952 (2000)

Implications of a possible 23 day periodicity for binary black hole models in Mkn 501

F.M. Rieger and K. Mannheim

Universitäts-Sternwarte, Geismarlandstrasse 11, 37083 Göttingen, Germany

Received 4 May 2000 / Accepted 11 May 2000

Abstract

We investigate the implications of a massive binary system in the centre of the gamma-ray blazar Mkn 501 and show that the periodical behaviour recently observed in the TeV and X-ray lightcurves may possibly be related to the orbital motion of the relativistic jet emerging from the less massive black hole. For the special relativistic jet properties inferred from emission models, we derive an intrinsic orbital period of yrs and a centre-of-mass distance of cm. If the binary is very close with a separation of the order of that for which gravitational radiation becomes dominant, we find a maximum primary mass of and a corresponding secondary mass in the range of depending on the intrinsic jet properties. Such values are in line with the black hole masses expected from merger scenarios.

Key words: galaxies: active galaxies: BL Lacertae objects: individual: Mkn 501 galaxies: jets

Send offprint requests to: F.M. Rieger (frieger@uni-sw.gwdg.de)

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Contents

• 1. Introduction
• 2. On the influence of a BBHS in Mkn 501
  • 2.1. Doppler-shifted flux modulation
  • 2.2. A gravitational constraint on the binary separation
• 3. Discussion
• Acknowledgements
• References

© European Southern Observatory (ESO) 2000

Online publication: July 13, 2000
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