Model-independent Redshift Estimation of BL Lac Objects through VHE Observations

Abstract

The very high energy (VHE) gamma-ray spectral indices of blazars show strong correlation with the source redshift. Absence of any such correlation in low energy gamma rays and X-rays indicate the presence of Extragalactic Background Light (EBL) induced absorption of VHE gamma rays. By employing a linear regression analysis, this observational feature of blazars is used to constrain the redshift of BL Lac objects which was unknown/uncertain earlier. Additionally, we also compare the observed VHE spectral index-redshift correlation with the ones predicted from commonly adopted EBL models. Our study highlights the deviation of the EBL model based predictions from the observation especially at high redshifts.

arXiv commentAccepted for publication in MNRAS

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