The physical parameters of Markarian 501 during flaring activity

Abstract

We determine the physical parameters (magnetic field and Doppler factor) of the homogeneous synchrotron self-Compton model allowed by the observed X-ray to gamma-ray spectra and variability of Markarian 501 during the 1997 April 15-16 flaring activity. We find that magnetic fields between 0.07 and 0.6 G and Doppler factors between 12 and 36 could fit (depending on observed variability time-scale) these observations. We take account of photon-photon pair production interactions of gamma-ray photons occurring both inside the emission region and during propagation to Earth, and find these to be extremely important in correctly determining the allowed model parameters. Previous estimates of the allowed parameter space have neglected this effect. Future multiwavelength campaigns during strong flaring activity, including observations from optical to TeV gamma-rays, should enable the physical parameters to be further constrained.