Analysis and characterization of X-ray flare of Mkn 421 using XMM-Newton observation 0658801301

Abstract

This research work was carried out to analyze the X-ray flares in Blazar Mkn 421 using data from XMM-Newton observation (Observation ID: 0658801301) that lasted for 8 hours. EPIC/pn data was used for statistical analysis of the light and spectrum curve in energy ranges from 0.3 to 10.0 keV. The best fit model for the spectrum was found to be the additive model (log-parabola + black-body). The measured integrated flux in the energy range of 0.3-2 keV is  5.015x10^-10 ergs cm^-2 s^-1 with an associated uncertainty range of (5.010 – 5.020) x 10^-10 ergs cm^-2 s^-1 at a 90% confidence level. Similarly, the measured integrated flux in the energy range of 2-10 keV is 2.398 x  10^-10 ergs cm^-2 s^-1 with an associated uncertainty range of (2.392 – 2.405) x  10^-10 ergs cm^-2 s^-1 at a 90% confidence level. The fractional variability of 0.444 is relatively high, which indicates that the source is variable. The fall in count per second per energy around 2 keV in the spectrum curve suggests that the intensity of X-rays decreases in a power law manner after a strong flare at this energy. The count-rate distribution of the observation analyzed is best described by a normal distribution which suggests that the emission mechanism in the blazar is governed by additive processes.