Probing the origins of variable gamma-ray emission in relativistic astrophysical jets

Abstract

Active galactic nuclei (AGNs) are luminous objects at the centers of galaxies powered by material accreting onto supermassive black holes (106–108 M⊙). Unlike normal galaxies dominated by stellar emission, AGNs emit across the electromagnetic spectrum, from radio to tera-electronvolt (TeV). energies. A fraction of AGNs host powerful relativistic jets, whose orientation determines their classification in the unified AGN scheme. Blazars, a sub-class of AGNs with jets aligned closely to the observer’s line of sight, exhibit relativistically boosted emission, resulting in enhanced flux, intensity, and shortened variability timescales. This alignment makes blazars ideal probes for studying high-energy gamma-ray emission, particle acceleration, and processes near supermassive black holes.