Quasi-periodic behaviour in the radio and γ-ray light curves of blazar PKS 1510−089. Issue 4 (5th January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Xiao-Pan; Cai, Yan; Yang, Hai-Yan; Lähteenmäki, Anne; Tornikoski, Merja; Tammi, Joni; Suutarinen, Sofia; Yang, Hai-Tao; Luo, Yu-Hui; Wang, Li-Sha
• Is Part Of: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Volume 519:Issue 4(2023)
• Page Start: 4893
• Page End: 4901
• Publication Date: 2023-01-05
• Subjects: galaxies: active -- BL Lacertae objects: general -- BL Lacertae objects: individual: PKS 1510−089; Astronomy -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 520.5
• DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stad008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0035-8711

Abstract

ABSTRACT: We explore the possible quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) of the blazar PKS 1510−089, utilizing the ∼38-yr Metsähovi flux density observations at 37 GHz and over 10-yr Fermi Large Area Telescope observations in the 0.1–300 GeV energy range. Both the flux distributions of the radio and γ-ray light curves suggest a lognormal distribution, and power spectral densities of both light curves can be well represented by a bending power-law model. Comparing the results from the weighted wavelet Z-transform and Lomb–Scargle periodogram approaches, a quasi-period of 1330 ± 55 d at a 99.80 per cent (>3σ) significance against the red noise background is observed in the radio light curve, whereas no similar modulation is seen in the γ-ray light curve. We briefly discuss the research actuality of blazar QPO phenomena and explain the observed radio QPO as the result of Keplerian motion in a supermassive binary black hole system and periodic modulation induced by the Lense–Thirring precession of the innermost portions of the accretion disc.