M. Orienti

Radio Jets Clearing the Way Through a Galaxy: Watching Feedback in Action

Pushy Black Hole The giant black holes that sit at the centers of most galaxies influence the way galaxies evolve in poorly understood ways. Morganti et al. (p. 1082; see the Perspective by McNamara) have acquired high-resolution radio images of a galaxy with an actively accreting black hole from which a jet of relativistic particles emanates. The observations show that a cloud of neutral hydrogen gas is being driven outward, possibly limiting star formation and galaxy growth. High-resolution radio images of a galaxy reveal how a jet of relativistic particles is driving cold gas away from the center. [Also see Perspective by McNamara] The energy released by an active galactic nucleus (AGN) has a strong impact on the surrounding interstellar medium (ISM). This feedback is considered to be the regulating factor for the growth of the central massive black hole and for the rate of star formation in a galaxy. We have located, using very-long-baseline interferometry, the fast outflow of neutral hydrogen in the young, restarted radio-loud AGN 4C12.50. The outflow is located 100 parsec from the nucleus where the radio jet interacts with the ISM, as well as around the associated radio lobe. These observations show that the radio plasma drives the outflow and removes gas from the central regions and that jet-driven outflows can play a relevant role in feedback mechanisms.

SBS 0846+513: a new γ-ray-emitting narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy

We report Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) observations of the radio-loud active galactic nucleus SBS 0846+513 (z = 0.5835), optically classified as a narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy, together with new and archival radio-to-X-ray data. The source was not active at γ-ray energies during the first two years of Fermi operation. A significant increase in activity was observed during 2010 October–2011 August. In particular, a strong γ-ray flare was observed in 2011 June reaching an isotropic γ-ray luminosity (0.1–300 GeV) of 1.0 × 10^(48) erg s^(−1), comparable to that of the brightest flat spectrum radio quasars, and showing spectral evolution in γ rays. An apparent superluminal velocity of (8.2 ± 1.5)c in the jet was inferred from 2011 to 2012 Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) images, suggesting the presence of a highly relativistic jet. Both the power released by this object during the flaring activity and the apparent superluminal velocity are strong indications of the presence of a relativistic jet as powerful as those of blazars. In addition, variability and spectral properties in radio and γ-ray bands indicate blazar-like behaviour, suggesting that, except for some distinct optical characteristics, SBS 0846+513 could be considered as a young blazar at the low end of the blazars black hole mass distribution.

Radio and γ-ray follow-up of the exceptionally high-activity state of PKS 1510−089 in 2011

We investigate the radio and γ-ray variability of the flat spectrum radio quasar PKS 1510−089 in the time range between 2010 November and 2012 January. In this period the source showed an intense activity, with two major γ-ray flares detected in 2011 July and October. During the latter episode both the γ-ray and the radio flux density reached their historical peak. Multiwavelength analysis shows a rotation of about 380° of the optical polarization angle close in time with the rapid and strong γ-ray flare in 2011 July. An enhancement of the optical emission and an increase of the fractional polarization both in the optical and in radio bands are observed about three weeks later, close in time with another γ-ray outburst. On the other hand, after 2011 September a huge radio outburst has been detected, first in the millimetre regime followed with some time delay at centimetre down to decimetre wavelengths. This radio flare is characterized by a rising and a decaying stage, in agreement with the formation of a shock and its evolution, as a consequence of expansion and radiative cooling. If the γ-ray flare observed in 2011 October is related to this radio outburst, then this strongly indicates that the region responsible for the γ-ray variability is not within the broad line, but a few parsecs downstream along the jet.

Fermi Large Area Telescope detection of gravitational lens delayed γ-ray flares from blazar B0218+357

Using data from the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT), we report the first clear ?-ray measurement of a delay between flares from the gravitationally lensed images of a blazar. The delay was detected in B0218+357, a known double-image lensed system, during a period of enhanced ?-ray activity with peak fluxes consistently observed to reach >20-50 ? its previous average flux. An auto-correlation function analysis identified a delay in the ?-ray data of 11.46 ? 0.16?days (1?) that is ~1?day greater than previous radio measurements. Considering that it is beyond the capabilities of the LAT to spatially resolve the two images, we nevertheless decomposed individual sequences of superposing ?-ray flares/delayed emissions. In three such ~8-10?day-long sequences within a ~4?month span, considering confusion due to overlapping flaring emission and flux measurement uncertainties, we found flux ratios consistent with ~1, thus systematically smaller than those from radio observations. During the first, best-defined flare, the delayed emission was detailed with a Fermi pointing, and we observed flux doubling timescales of ~3-6?hr implying as well extremely compact ?-ray emitting regions.

HI Absorption in High-Frequency Peaker Galaxies

Abstract: WSRT observations have been used to investigate the presence of neutral hydrogen in extremely young radio galaxies. These objects were selected from a sample of High-Frequency Peakers (HFPs). We detect 2 of the 6 observed galaxies confirming previous detection of HI in these objects. In the case of OQ 208 - for which discrepant results were available - we confirm the presence of a broad (~ 1800 km/s), blue-shifted and shallow HI absorption. No significant changes in the HI profile have been found between the two epochs of the observations. The intriguing result is that the derived HI column densities and upper limits obtained for the most compact sources, do not follow the inverse correlation between the column density and the linear size found for CSS/GPS sources. This can be explained - assuming the gas is already in a torus/disk structure - by a combination of the orientation and the extreme compactness of the sources. In this scenario, our line of sight to the source would intersect the torus in its inner region with low optical depth due to high spin and kinetic temperatures. There is no evidence, with the exception of OQ 208, of unsettled, high column density gas still enshrouding the young radio sources. This can be due to the low filling factor of such a medium.

Are young radio sources in equipartition

Aims. The knowledge of physical conditions in young radio sources is important for defining the framework of models describing radio source evolution. We investigate whether young radio sources are in equipartition (i.e. minimum energy) conditions by comparing the equipartition magnetic fields of 5 High Frequency Peakers (HFP) with values directly inferred from the spectral peak assumed to be produced by synchrotron self absorption. Methods. Multi-frequency VLBA observations of 5 HFPs were carried out in both the optically thick and thin part of the spectrum to determine the spectral shape and angular size of the components for which individual radio spectra were obtained. Results. We find that the magnetic fields measured using observations agree well with those obtained by assuming equipartition, which implies that these sources are in minimum energy condition and the turnover in their spectra is due probably to SSA. In two source components, we found that the peak of the spectrum is caused by absorption of a thermal plasma instead of being due to SSA. The magnetic fields found in the various components range from 10 to 100 mG. In the presence of such high magnetic fields, electron populations with rather low γ emit in the GHz-regime. In one source, we detect low-surface brightness extended emission at low frequency located ∼30 mas (∼50 pc) from the main source. This feature may be related to either an earlier episode of radio activity or a discontinuous start of the radio activity (sputtering). By comparing our data with previous VLBA observations, we estimate the hotspot advance speed to be in the range 0.1–0.7c and kinematic ages of a few hundred years.

The first γ-ray detection of the narrow-line Seyfert 1 FBQS J1644+2619

We report the discovery of gamma-ray emission from the narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLSy1) galaxy FBQS J1644+2619 by the Large Area Telescope on board the Fermi satellite. The Third Fermi LAT Source cata ...

The ordinary life of the γ-ray emitting narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy PKS 1502+036

We report on multifrequency observations of the γ-ray emitting narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy PKS 1502+036 performed from radio to γ-rays during 2008 August–2012 November by Fermi-Large Area Telescope (LAT), Swift (X-ray Telescope and Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope), Owens Valley Radio Observatory, Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) and Very Large Array. No significant variability has been observed in γ-rays, with 0.1–100 GeV flux that ranged between (3–7) × 10^−8 ph cm^−2 s^−1 using 3-month time bins. The photon index of the LAT spectrum (Γ = 2.60 ± 0.06) and the apparent isotropic γ-ray luminosity (L_0.1-100 GeV = 7.8 × 10^45 erg s^−1) over 51 months are typical of a flat spectrum radio quasar. The radio spectral variability and the one-sided structure, in addition to the observed γ-ray luminosity, suggest a relativistic jet with a high Doppler factor. In contrast to SBS 0846+513, the VLBA at 15 GHz did not observe superluminal motion for PKS 1502+036. Despite having the optical characteristics typical of a narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy, radio and γ-ray properties of PKS 1502+036 are found to be similar to those of a blazar at the low end of the black hole mass distribution for blazars. This is in agreement with what has been found in the case of the other γ-ray emitting narrow-line Seyfert 1 SBS 0846+513.

Multifrequency studies of the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy SBS 0846+513

The narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy SBS0846+513 was first detected by the Large Area Telescope (LAT) on-board Fermi in 2011 June–July when it underwent a period of flaring activity. Since then, as Fermi continues to accumulate data on this source, its flux has been monitored on a daily basis. Two further γ-ray flaring episodes from SBS0846+513 were observed in 2012 May and August, reaching a daily peak flux integrated above 100 MeV of (50±12)×10 8 ph cm 2 s 1 , and (73±14)×10 8 ph cm 2 s 1 on May 24 and August 7, respectively. Three outbursts were detected at 15 GHz

Constraining the nature of high frequency peakers The spectral variability

Aims. We investigate the spectral characteristics of 51 candidate High Frequency Peakers (HFPs), from the “bright” HFP sample, in order to determine the nature of each object, and to obtain a smaller sample of genuine young radio sources. Methods. Simultaneous multi-frequency VLA observations carried out at various epochs have been used to detect flux density and spectral shape variability in order to pinpoint contaminant objects, since young radio sources are not expected to be significantly variable on such a short time-scale. Results. From the analysis of the spectral variability we find 13 contaminant objects, 11 quasars, 1 BL Lac, and 1 unidentified object, which we have rejected from the sample of candidate young radio sources. The ∼6 years elapsed between the first and latest observing run are not enough to detect any substantial evolution of the overall spectrum of genuine, non variable, young radio sources. If we also consider the pc-scale information, we find that the total radio spectrum we observe is the result of the superposition of the spectra of different regions (lobes, hot-spots, core, jets), instead of a single homogeneous radio component. This indicates that the radio source structure plays a relevant role in determining the spectral shape also in the rather common case in which the morphology appears unresolved even on high-resolution scales.