Multi-frequency, multi-messenger astrophysics with Swift. The case of blazars
P. Giommi
Sep - 2015
DOI: 10.1016/j.jheap.2015.06.001

journal : Journal of High Energy Astrophysics

Volume : 7 ; Issue : September 2015
type: Article Journal

Abstract
During its first 10 years of orbital operations Swift dedicated approximately 11% of its observing time to blazars, carrying out more than 12,000 observations of ∼1600 different objects, for a total exposure time of over 25 million seconds. In this paper I briefly discuss the impact that Swift is having on blazar multi-frequency and time-domain astrophysics, as well as how it is contributing to the opening of the era of multi-messenger astronomy. Finally, I present some preliminary results from a systematic analysis of a very large number of Swift XRT observations of blazars. All the “science ready” data products that are being generated by this project will be publicly released. Specifically, deconvolved X-ray spectra and best fit spectral parameters will be available through the ASDC “SED builder” tool (https://tools.asdc.asi.it/SED) and by means of interactive tables (http://www.asdc.asi.it/xrtspectra). Innovative data visualisation methods (see e.g. http://youtu.be/nAZYcXcUGW8) are also being developed at ASDC to better exploit this remarkable and rapidly growing data set.

keywords : Active Galactic Nuclei; Black hole physics; BL Lac objects; Radiation mechanisms: non-thermal