X-ray spectral variability of extreme BL Lacertae active galactic nucleus H1426+428

Between 2002 March 7 and 2002 June 15, intensive X-ray observations were carried out on the extreme BL Lac object H1426+428 with instruments on board the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE). These instruments provide measurements of H1426+428 in the crucial energy range that characterizes the first peak of its spectral energy distribution. This peak, which is almost certainly due to synchrotron emission, has previously been inferred to be in excess of 100 keV. By taking frequent observations over a four-month campaign, which included similar to450 ks of RXTE time, studies of flux and spectral variability on multiple timescales were performed, along with studies of spectral hysteresis. The 3-24 keV X-ray flux and spectra exhibited significant variability, implying variability in the location of the first peak of the spectral energy distribution. Hysteresis patterns were observed, and their characteristics have been discussed within the context of emission models.