Radiation from relativistic blast waves in quasars and active galactic nuclei

Abstract

An idealized model intended to account for all nonthermal variability in active galactic nuclei is described which is based on an analysis of relativistic blast waves. It is proposed that as a result of an explosion or instability within a central compact object of unspecified nature, an expanding shock wave (possibly relativistic) provides a continuous source of relativistic electrons capable of synchrotron and inverse Compton radiation. The physical processes occurring behind the shock are analyzed, and the calculations are applied to observations of variable radio sources as well as to optical and X-ray observations of several discrete variable sources. Possible implications of the model for observational and theoretical studies of active galactic nuclei are considered.