paper

The Blazar Sequence: Validity and Predictions

arXiv:astro-ph/0610545 · doi:10.1007/s10509-007-9455-2

Abstract

The "blazar sequence" posits that the most powerful BL Lacertae objects and flat-spectrum radio quasars should have relatively small synchrotron peak frequencies, nu_peak, and that the least powerful such objects should have the highest nu_peak values. This would have strong implications for our understanding of jet formation and physics and the possible detection of powerful, moderately high-redshift TeV blazars. I review the validity of the blazar sequence by using the results of very recent surveys and compare its detailed predictions against observational data. I find that the blazar sequence in its simplest form is ruled out. However, powerful flat-spectrum radio quasars appear not to reach the nu_peak typical of BL Lacs. This could indeed be related to some sort of sequence, although it cannot be excluded that it is instead due to a selection effect.

9 pages, 4 figures, invited talk at the Workshop "The Multi-messenger approach to high energy gamma-ray sources", Barcelona, Spain, July 4-7, 2006, to appear in the proceedings

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