Strong gravity and X-ray spectroscopy

A. Maciolek-Niedzwiecki, P. Magdziarz

Published 1998-05-27Version 1

This paper reviews the effects of general relativity in an X-ray spectrum reflected from a cold matter accreting onto a black hole. The spectrum consists of the iron K$\alpha$ line and the Compton reflection. We sketch the overall picture of radiative processes in the central parts of the accretion flow with relation to the relativistic effects derived from the discrete features in the X-ray spectrum. We discuss implications for detection of relativistic effects and computational tools of spectral analysis.