The parameters of binary black hole system in PKS 1510-089

Abstract

Observations of PKS 1510-089 indicate the existence of a deep flux minimum with a timescale of ~35 min and an interval of about 336±14 d. A binary black hole system is proposed to be at the nucleus of this object. The secondary black hole orbits around the primary black hole. The minimum is caused by the periodic eclipse of the primary black hole by the secondary black hole. Based on the observations of PKS 1510-089, we estimate the parameters of the binary black hole system. The masses for the primary and secondary black holes are 1.37×109M⊙(M⊙ is the solar mass) and 1.37×107M⊙, and the major axis for this pair being about 0.1 parsec(pc).