Appendix: Gamma-ray flares from the jet of the blazar CTA 102 in 2016–2018
CTA 102 is a -ray bright blazar that exhibited multiple flares in observations by the Large Area Telescope on board the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope during the period of 2016–2018. We present results from the analysis of multi-wavelength light curves aiming at revealing the nature of -ray flares from the relativistic jet in the blazar. We analyse radio, optical, X-ray, and -ray data obtained in a period from 2012 September 29 to 2018 October 8. We identify six flares in the -ray light curve, showing a harder-when-brighter-trend in the -ray spectra. We perform a cross-correlation analysis of the multi-wavelength light curves. We find nearly zero time lags between the -ray and optical and X-ray light curves, implying a common spatial origin for the emission in these bands. We find significant correlations between the -ray and radio light curves as well as negative/positive time lags with the -ray emission lagging/leading the radio during different flaring periods. The time lags between -ray and radio emission propose the presence of multiple -ray emission sites in the source. As seen in 43 GHz images from the Very Long Baseline Array, two moving disturbances (or shocks) were newly ejected from the radio core. The -ray flares from 2016 to 2017 are temporally coincident with the interaction between a traveling shock and a quasi-stationary one at 0.1 mas from the core. The other shock is found to emerge from the core nearly simultaneous with the -ray flare in 2018. Our results suggest that the -ray flares originated from shock-shock interactions.
Key Words.:
Radiation mechanisms: non-thermal – Gamma rays: galaxies – Galaxies: active – Galaxies: jets – quasars: individual: CTA 102Appendix A Model fitting parameters
In Table LABEL:tab:_vlba_mfit, we present the fit parameters of the Gaussian modelled jet components obtained from VLBI imaging at 43 GHz.
Date | MJD | ID | Flux Density | Distance | Size | PA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
yyyy mon dd | (day) | Name | (Jy) | (mas) | (mas) | (deg) |
2016 Jan 01 | 57388 | C0 | 1.460.073 | 0.00.0 | 0.0340.007 | 0.00.0 |
C1 | 0.6280.032 | 0.0970.009 | 0.0730.012 | 142.62.1 | ||
J2 | 0.0340.011 | 0.590.04 | 0.1150.031 | 130.23.4 | ||
J3 | 0.070.013 | 1.1220.088 | 0.3370.044 | 124.34.2 | ||
J4 | 0.1390.015 | 1.9030.16 | 0.790.057 | 142.84.6 | ||
2016 Jan 31 | 57418 | C0 | 0.9410.047 | 0.00.0 | 0.0140.005 | 0.00.0 |
C1 | 0.860.044 | 0.0660.008 | 0.0830.012 | 133.53.0 | ||
J1 | 0.1390.011 | 0.2830.019 | 0.1060.021 | 114.72.7 | ||
J2 | 0.0550.013 | 0.6510.09 | 0.3040.045 | 132.47.4 | ||
J3 | 0.0380.013 | 1.1730.108 | 0.2930.048 | 124.44.9 | ||
J4 | 0.110.015 | 1.7660.176 | 0.760.059 | 143.45.4 | ||
2016 Mar 18 | 57465 | C0 | 1.060.053 | 0.00.0 | 0.0030.002 | 0.00.0 |
C1 | 0.8690.044 | 0.0810.008 | 0.0720.011 | 144.62.0 | ||
J1 | 0.1280.012 | 0.2780.024 | 0.1330.024 | 116.23.8 | ||
J2 | 0.0430.012 | 0.620.085 | 0.2550.044 | 133.67.3 | ||
J3 | 0.0470.013 | 1.2010.128 | 0.3790.052 | 126.55.7 | ||
J4 | 0.1060.015 | 1.8170.207 | 0.8560.064 | 143.96.2 | ||
2016 Apr 22 | 57500 | C0 | 1.3030.065 | 0.00.0 | 0.00.0 | 0.00.0 |
C1 | 0.6820.035 | 0.0870.008 | 0.0740.012 | 146.52.2 | ||
J1 | 0.1120.011 | 0.3010.025 | 0.1320.025 | 119.73.8 | ||
J2 | 0.0370.012 | 0.6630.09 | 0.2490.045 | 132.37.2 | ||
J3 | 0.0240.013 | 1.2640.105 | 0.2260.048 | 127.04.4 | ||
J4 | 0.1230.016 | 1.7420.223 | 0.980.066 | 142.16.9 | ||
2016 Jun 10 | 57549 | C0 | 1.7460.087 | 0.00.0 | 0.0060.003 | 0.00.0 |
C1 | 0.8420.043 | 0.0880.007 | 0.0610.01 | 150.21.5 | ||
J1 | 0.140.012 | 0.2860.033 | 0.1930.028 | 118.65.6 | ||
J2 | 0.0340.012 | 0.6910.089 | 0.2380.044 | 136.46.9 | ||
J3 | 0.0710.014 | 1.360.159 | 0.5590.057 | 130.06.3 | ||
J4 | 0.1030.016 | 1.9790.291 | 1.1190.073 | 150.88.0 | ||
2016 Jul 04 | 57573 | C0 | 1.9520.098 | 0.00.0 | 0.0030.002 | 0.00.0 |
C1 | 0.6470.033 | 0.0850.008 | 0.0690.012 | 144.32.2 | ||
J1 | 0.1020.011 | 0.3360.029 | 0.1460.027 | 121.04.1 | ||
J2 | 0.0320.013 | 0.7740.122 | 0.2980.051 | 129.98.5 | ||
J3 | 0.0320.013 | 1.3860.111 | 0.2790.049 | 130.54.3 | ||
J4 | 0.0960.015 | 1.8210.259 | 0.9820.07 | 146.57.7 | ||
2016 Jul 31 | 57600 | C0 | 2.9370.147 | 0.00.0 | 0.0130.003 | 0.00.0 |
C1 | 0.30.017 | 0.0990.009 | 0.0520.012 | 132.02.1 | ||
J1 | 0.1040.011 | 0.3670.026 | 0.1310.025 | 124.23.3 | ||
J2 | 0.020.013 | 0.7910.104 | 0.2060.048 | 128.77.1 | ||
J3 | 0.0350.013 | 1.4420.098 | 0.2580.046 | 132.83.6 | ||
J4 | 0.0710.015 | 1.6750.22 | 0.7340.065 | 152.67.1 | ||
2016 Sep 5 | 57636 | C0 | 3.5760.179 | 0.00.0 | 0.0320.005 | 0.00.0 |
C1 | 0.2310.013 | 0.1160.006 | 0.0180.008 | 129.80.6 | ||
J1 | 0.1080.011 | 0.3450.03 | 0.1540.027 | 120.44.1 | ||
J2 | 0.0380.013 | 0.8120.118 | 0.3160.05 | 130.87.8 | ||
J3 | 0.0370.012 | 1.4090.077 | 0.2170.042 | 131.02.9 | ||
J4 | 0.0640.014 | 1.6170.18 | 0.5940.06 | 149.56.0 | ||
2016 Oct 23 | 57684 | C0 | 2.9750.149 | 0.00.0 | 0.0660.008 | 0.00.0 |
J1 | 0.0840.011 | 0.3590.026 | 0.1180.025 | 127.43.4 | ||
J2 | 0.0270.013 | 0.940.14 | 0.3110.054 | 129.48.1 | ||
J3 | 0.0190.01 | 1.4860.024 | 0.0510.024 | 131.90.7 | ||
J4 | 0.0670.015 | 1.6920.303 | 0.9360.075 | 145.09.8 | ||
2016 Nov 28 | 57720 | C0 | 1.4230.071 | 0.00.0 | 0.0210.005 | 0.00.0 |
C2 | 0.9410.047 | 0.0770.007 | 0.0570.009 | 133.61.5 | ||
J1 | 0.0660.011 | 0.3770.041 | 0.1630.031 | 117.95.4 | ||
J2 | 0.0190.014 | 0.7640.167 | 0.3040.058 | 132.711.8 | ||
J3 | 0.0320.013 | 1.4250.128 | 0.3150.052 | 127.54.8 | ||
J4 | 0.0660.015 | 1.7260.225 | 0.7240.066 | 144.67.1 | ||
2016 Dec 23 | 57745 | C0 | 1.9250.096 | 0.00.0 | 0.0190.005 | 0.00.0 |
C2 | 1.0210.052 | 0.0980.007 | 0.0650.01 | 140.71.3 | ||
J1 | 0.0880.011 | 0.4150.04 | 0.1860.031 | 124.64.8 | ||
J3 | 0.0110.016 | 1.4110.372 | 0.4410.081 | 120.314.4 | ||
J4 | 0.1350.015 | 1.6080.182 | 0.8640.06 | 142.76.1 | ||
2017 Jan 14 | 57767 | C0 | 2.2750.114 | 0.00.0 | 0.0140.004 | 0.00.0 |
C2 | 0.7720.039 | 0.1090.008 | 0.0760.012 | 141.01.7 | ||
J1 | 0.0790.011 | 0.3960.032 | 0.1390.028 | 120.63.8 | ||
J2 | 0.0220.014 | 0.8150.17 | 0.3330.059 | 134.111.3 | ||
J3 | 0.0440.013 | 1.4680.094 | 0.2820.045 | 129.03.4 | ||
J4 | 0.10.015 | 1.8060.209 | 0.8350.064 | 147.36.3 | ||
2017 Feb 04 | 57788 | C0 | 2.2510.113 | 0.00.0 | 0.0130.004 | 0.00.0 |
C2 | 0.5170.027 | 0.130.008 | 0.0560.011 | 142.21.3 | ||
J1 | 0.0940.012 | 0.4230.041 | 0.1970.031 | 124.14.9 | ||
J3 | 0.060.013 | 1.4080.121 | 0.4080.051 | 129.24.6 | ||
J4 | 0.0760.015 | 1.8810.269 | 0.9060.071 | 146.97.8 | ||
2017 Mar 19 | 57831 | C0 | 1.7020.085 | 0.00.0 | 0.0170.004 | 0.00.0 |
C2 | 0.4420.023 | 0.1390.009 | 0.0740.013 | 145.91.8 | ||
J1 | 0.0560.011 | 0.4290.048 | 0.1740.034 | 124.05.7 | ||
J4 | 0.10.015 | 1.5720.202 | 0.8120.063 | 138.27.0 | ||
2017 Apr 16 | 57859 | C0 | 1.8270.092 | 0.00.0 | 0.0250.005 | 0.00.0 |
C2 | 0.3140.018 | 0.1580.01 | 0.0740.014 | 146.02.0 | ||
J1 | 0.0590.011 | 0.4270.05 | 0.1850.034 | 124.86.0 | ||
J4 | 0.10.015 | 1.6070.214 | 0.8530.065 | 139.27.2 | ||
2017 May 13 | 57886 | C0 | 2.4230.121 | 0.00.0 | 0.0240.005 | 0.00.0 |
C2 | 0.460.024 | 0.1670.009 | 0.0730.013 | 148.41.5 | ||
J1 | 0.0890.012 | 0.4110.061 | 0.2730.038 | 124.47.7 | ||
J4 | 0.1090.014 | 1.5950.144 | 0.6380.055 | 133.64.9 | ||
2017 Jun 08 | 57912 | C0 | 2.3330.117 | 0.00.0 | 0.0410.006 | 0.00.0 |
C2 | 0.3450.019 | 0.1860.01 | 0.0670.013 | 147.11.4 | ||
J1 | 0.0910.012 | 0.3850.052 | 0.2390.035 | 127.36.9 | ||
J4 | 0.1160.015 | 1.6260.168 | 0.7510.058 | 137.45.6 | ||
2017 Jul 03 | 57937 | C0 | 2.4310.122 | 0.00.0 | 0.030.005 | 0.00.0 |
C2 | 0.3720.02 | 0.1910.011 | 0.0850.015 | 148.51.7 | ||
J1 | 0.0780.012 | 0.4070.059 | 0.2480.037 | 125.27.5 | ||
J4 | 0.1270.015 | 1.6560.176 | 0.8150.059 | 139.05.7 | ||
2017 Aug 06 | 57971 | C0 | 2.9880.149 | 0.00.0 | 0.0240.005 | 0.00.0 |
C2 | 0.3010.017 | 0.1840.01 | 0.0730.014 | 148.71.7 | ||
J1 | 0.1230.013 | 0.4130.062 | 0.3240.038 | 136.47.7 | ||
J4 | 0.0910.015 | 1.570.185 | 0.7210.061 | 133.56.4 | ||
2017 Sep 04 | 58000 | C0 | 3.6720.184 | 0.00.0 | 0.0370.005 | 0.00.0 |
C2 | 0.2230.014 | 0.2190.011 | 0.0670.015 | 146.21.6 | ||
J1 | 0.1240.013 | 0.3470.067 | 0.3510.039 | 134.810.1 | ||
J4 | 0.1010.015 | 1.6320.174 | 0.7190.059 | 138.25.8 | ||
2017 Nov 06 | 58063 | C0 | 3.4640.173 | 0.00.0 | 0.0480.006 | 0.00.0 |
C2 | 0.1130.011 | 0.2730.018 | 0.090.02 | 145.02.7 | ||
J1 | 0.0910.013 | 0.4220.068 | 0.3050.04 | 129.88.5 | ||
J4 | 0.0770.015 | 1.620.203 | 0.7190.063 | 136.06.8 | ||
2018 Mar 10 | 58187 | C0 | 1.8320.092 | 0.00.0 | 0.0110.004 | 0.00.0 |
C3 | 1.2560.063 | 0.0420.009 | 0.1050.012 | 89.15.0 | ||
J1 | 0.1170.013 | 0.4150.055 | 0.2870.036 | 136.36.9 | ||
J4 | 0.0490.014 | 1.5060.187 | 0.5340.061 | 135.16.7 | ||
2018 Apr 19 | 58227 | C0 | 1.6950.085 | 0.00.0 | 0.0110.004 | 0.00.0 |
C3 | 0.8440.043 | 0.0620.009 | 0.1020.013 | 111.54.0 | ||
J1 | 0.1080.013 | 0.4380.066 | 0.3220.039 | 131.17.9 | ||
J4 | 0.0630.014 | 1.60.187 | 0.6060.061 | 135.86.3 | ||
2018 May 11 | 58249 | C0 | 1.3440.067 | 0.00.0 | 0.0050.003 | 0.00.0 |
C3 | 0.7040.036 | 0.0770.01 | 0.1010.014 | 126.03.6 | ||
J1 | 0.10.013 | 0.440.067 | 0.3130.039 | 134.87.9 | ||
J4 | 0.0720.014 | 1.6170.167 | 0.5870.058 | 137.15.6 | ||
2018 Jun 16 | 58285 | C0 | 1.4210.071 | 0.00.0 | 0.0110.004 | 0.00.0 |
C3 | 0.4180.022 | 0.1070.013 | 0.1130.016 | 129.24.1 | ||
J1 | 0.080.012 | 0.4820.07 | 0.2930.04 | 131.27.6 | ||
J4 | 0.0580.014 | 1.5850.168 | 0.5310.058 | 134.45.7 | ||
2018 Jul 16 | 58315 | C0 | 2.3960.12 | 0.00.0 | 0.0330.006 | 0.00.0 |
C3 | 0.3370.019 | 0.1260.014 | 0.1190.018 | 127.94.2 | ||
J1 | 0.110.013 | 0.4410.07 | 0.3450.04 | 137.58.4 | ||
J4 | 0.1020.015 | 1.7040.194 | 0.7950.062 | 133.96.2 | ||
2018 Aug 26 | 58356 | C0 | 1.6960.085 | 0.00.0 | 0.0530.008 | 0.00.0 |
C3 | 0.0770.009 | 0.2080.01 | 0.0330.014 | 118.01.3 | ||
J1 | 0.0490.013 | 0.5340.09 | 0.2860.045 | 124.99.0 | ||
J4 | 0.0290.014 | 1.5590.196 | 0.4270.062 | 136.66.8 |