X-ray emission from the quasar PKS 1127-145: Comptonized infrared photons on parsec scales

We model the broadband spectral energy distribution of the innermost "core-jet" region of the redshift z = 1.187 quasar PKS 1127-145. We propose a scenario in which the high-energy photons are produced via the Compton scattering of thermal IR radiation by the relativistic particles in a parsec-scale jet. The high-energy spectrum, together with the observed radio variability and superluminal expansion, suggest that PKS 1127-145 may be a blazar, despite the fact that its optical/UV component is likely dominated by thermal radiation from an accretion disk. The relation of PKS 1127-145 to MeV blazars is discussed.