Abstract
The BL-Lac object PKS 0537-441 has recently displayed strong intraday variability at 1.42 GHz on time scales of ∼ 104 s. Such kind of variability is hardly consistent with an intrinsic-to-source origin, since apparent brightness temperatures higher than 1021 K are implied for the emitting region in the source.
An alternative explanation for this ultra-rapid radio variability in PKS 0537-441 is developed based on gravitational microlensing of a superluminal component in the blazar caused by compact objects in the halo of an intervening galaxy. The mass of the microlenses is estimated and the blazar is proposed as a good candidate in a systematic search for extragalactic MACHOs.
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© 1996 International Astronomical Union
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Surpi, G.C., Romero, G.E., Vucetich, H. (1996). Superluminal Gravitational Microlensing Events in PKS 0537-441 and Prospects for Future Detection. In: Kochanek, C.S., Hewitt, J.N. (eds) Astrophysical Applications of Gravitational Lensing. International Astronomical Union / Union Astronomique Internationale, vol 173. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0221-3_72
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0221-3_72
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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