Published in The Astronomy and Astrophysics Review,
vol. 9, p. 1-32, 1998.
astro-ph/9809147
For a PDF version of the article, click
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THE BRIGHT QUASAR 3C 273
Thierry J.-L. Courvoisier
INTEGRAL Science Data Centre
and
Geneva Observatory
16, Ch. d'Ecogia
CH-1290 VERSOIX
Switzerland
Abstract. We review the observed properties of the bright quasar
3C 273 and discuss the implications of these observations for the emission
processes and in view of gaining a more global understanding of the object.
Continuum and line emission are discussed. The emission from the
radio domain to gamma rays are reviewed. Emphasis is given to
variability studies across the spectrum as a means to gain some
understanding on the relationships between the emission components.
3C 273 has a small scale jet and a large scale jet. The properties
of these jets are described. It is also attempted to relate the
activity in the small scale jet to that observed in the radio and
infrared continuum.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
- DISCOVERY AND EARLY WORK
- CONTINUUM EMISSION
- Radio Emission
- Millimetre and infrared emission
- Variability of the millimetre-IR emission
- The blue bump
- The variability of the blue bump
- X and gamma-ray emission
- The soft excess
- The medium energy component
- The Fe line
- The high energy component
- X-ray variability
- The Overall continuum spectral energy distribution
- THE MULTI-WAVELENGTH APPROACH TO THE CONTINUUM
EMISSION
- LINE EMISSION
- Line variability
- THE JET
- The radio-optical jet
- The VLBI Jet
- THE HOST GALAXY
- UNDERSTANDING IT
- REFERENCES
