Infrared/X-ray intensity variations and the color of Sgr A*

Abstract

We report the frst time-series measurements of Sgr A*-IR's broadband infrared color. Using the newly commissioned laser guide star adaptive optics (LGS AO) system on the Keck II telescope, we imaged Sgr A*-IR, in the broadband liters H (1.6 μm), K' (2.1 μm), and L' (3.8 μm) every 3 minutes over the course of 120 minutes, during which time the Chandra X-ray Observatory was also monitoring the Galactic center. Complementary measurements of Sgr A*'s L'- and Ms (4.7 μm)-band flux densities were obtained on a separate night with the natural guide star AO system. During our observations, Sgr A*-IR,'s flux density showed a wide range of values (2 to 12 mjy at 2.1 μm), which are associated with at least 4 peaks in the infrared emission and are among its highest infrared flux density measurements. However, all our near-infrared color measurements are consistent with a constant spectral slope of α = -0.9 ± 0.2 (Fν propto να), independent of intensity, wavelength, time, or outburst. Assuming that the infrared wavelengths probe synchrotron emission, we interpret the lack of variation in the infrared spectral index as an indication that the acceleration mechanism leaves the distribution of the bulk of the electrons responsible for the infrared emission unchanged. During our coordinated infrared observations, no elevated X-ray emission was detected. While the less frequent X-ray outbursts have shown correlated emission in previous studies, the lack of X-ray variation during the significant infrared variations reported here indicates that one may not be able to connect the infrared and X-ray emission to the same electrons. We suggest that while the acceleration mechanism leaves the bulk of the electron energy distribution unchanged, it generates a variable high-energy tail. It is this high-energy tail that gives rise to the less frequent X-ray outbursts.