Unraveling the blazar nature of Centaurus A from radio and X-ray observations with high spatial resolution

• Grant number: 05/00550-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: October 03, 2005
• End date: February 28, 2006
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Astronomy - Extragalactic Astrophysics
• Principal Investigator: Tânia Pereira Dominici
• Grantee: Tânia Pereira Dominici
• Host Investigator: Diana Worrall
• Host Institution: Pessoa Física
• Institution abroad: University of Bristol, England

Abstract

The nucleus of the radio galaxy Centaurus A was intensively monitored at 43 GHz with the radio telescope of the Itapetinga during 2003 and2004. Flux variations were observed at different time scales, from days to several months, reinforcing the hypothesis of that this AGN is in fact a not aligned BL Lac. We intend to extend our knowledge on this source through the study ofits emission in rays-X with recent data, of high quality and spatial resolution, taken with the XMM-Newton and Chandra experiments. For this, we are requesting a stage of five months in the University of Bristol, where we will make contact with the techniques and procedures for the analysis of X-rays data and will plan future coordinated missions for the observations of AGNs. (AU)