Multiwavelength observations of Markarian 421.

摘要

Here I present results from multiwavelength observations of the BL Lacertae object Mrk 421 during the Spring of 2001 when the source exhibited dramatic variability in the TeV gamma-ray and keV X-ray wavelengths. In particular, I present a detailed time series analysis of the RXTE Proportional Counter Array (PCA) and Whipple 10m gamma-ray telescope data collected during the temporally dense Mrk 421 multiwave-length campaign March 18th--April 1st, 2001.; Both data sets were reduced using standard analysis techniques, but with some new techniques. In particular, the gamma-ray data were normalized to the Crab rate in such a way that the effect of varying zenith angle was largely removed.; Standard time series analysis techniques using the structure function and discrete correlation function were performed on the data. Additionally, a novel method to determine the characteristic timescales of simulated lightcurves composed of a pile-up of shots was developed. These characteristic timescales were then used to generate a distribution of simulated lightcurves to allow statistical uncertainties to be assigned to the cross-correlation coefficient at zero lag.; Although not described in this thesis, optical data were also taken with the Center for Astrophysics (CfA) 1.2m telescope on Mt. Hopkins and the newly completed Antipodal Transient Observatory (ATO) telescope in Sonoita, AZ. These data have been analyzed using simple aperture photometry, but further analysis is required to correct for systematics (Fossati et al. 2004 in preparation).