Preeti Kharb

Improved Constraints on the Acceleration History of the Universe and the Properties of the Dark Energy

We extend and apply a model-independent analysis method developed earlier by Daly & Djorgovski to new supernova, radio galaxy, and galaxy cluster samples to study the acceleration history of the universe and the properties of the dark energy. There is good agreement between results obtained with radio galaxies and supernovae, suggesting that both distance indicators are reliable. The deceleration parameter q(z) is obtained assuming only the validity of the FRW metric, allowing for a range of values of space curvature, and independent of a gravity theory and the physical nature of the contents of the universe. We show that q_0 is independent of space curvature, and obtain q_0 = − 0.48 ± 0.11. The transition redshift when q0 = 0 is z_T = 0.78(^+0.08)_(−0.27) for zero space curvature, and has a weak dependence on space curvature. We find good agreement between model-independent quantities and those predicted by general relativity, indicating that GR provides a good description of the data over look-back times of ten billion years.

Spitzer Mid-IR Spectroscopy of Powerful 2?Jy and 3CRR Radio Galaxies. I. Evidence against a Strong Starburst-AGN Connection in Radio-loud AGN

We present deep Spitzer/Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) spectra for complete samples of 46 2 Jy radio galaxies (0.05 75%) than their more extended counterparts (≈15%-25%). We discuss this result in the context of a possible bias toward the selection of compact radio sources triggered in gas-rich environments.

A Radio Study of the Seyfert Galaxy Markarian 6: Implications for Seyfert Life Cycles

We have carried out an extensive radio study with the Very Large Array on the Seyfert 1.5 galaxy Mrk 6 and imaged a spectacular radio structure in the source. The radio emission occurs on three different spatial scales: ~7.5 kpc bubbles, ~1.5 kpc bubbles lying nearly orthogonal to them, and a ~1 kpc radio jet lying orthogonal to the kiloparsec-scale bubble. To explain the complex morphology, we first consider a scenario in which the radio structures are the result of superwinds ejected by a nuclear starburst. However, recent Spitzer observations of Mrk 6 provide an upper limit to the star formation rate (SFR) of ~5.5 M☉ yr-1, an estimate much lower than the SFR of ~33 M☉ yr-1 derived assuming that the bubbles are a result of starburst winds energized by supernova explosions. Thus, a starburst alone cannot meet the energy requirements for the creation of the bubbles in Mrk 6. We then present an energetically plausible model wherein the bubbles are a result of energy deposited by the kiloparsec-scale jet as it plows into the interstellar medium. Finally, we consider a model in which the complex radio structure is a result of an episodically powered precessing jet that changes its orientation. This model is the most attractive as it can naturally explain the complex radio morphology and is consistent with the energetics, the spectral index, and the polarization structure. Radio emission in this scenario is a short-lived phenomenon in the lifetime of a Seyfert galaxy, which results from an accretion event.

Physical properties of very powerful FRII radio galaxies

Aims. We estimate the ages and physical properties of powerful radio galaxies. Methods. An analysis of new multi-wavelength VLA observations of eleven very powerful classical double (FRIIb) radio galaxies with redshifts between 0.4 and 1.3 is presented. We estimate ages and velocities for each side of each source. The eleven new sources are combined with previously studied samples and the characteristics of the full sample of 31 sources are studied; the full sample includes sources with redshifts between 0.056 and 1.79, and core-hot spot sizes of about 30 to 400 kpc. Results. The velocities are independent of core-hotspot separation, suggesting the rate of growth of a given source is roughly constant over the source lifetime. We combine the rate of growth, width, and pressure of a source to study the beam power, lifetime, energy, and ambient gas density using standard methods previously applied to smaller samples. Typical beam powers are in the range from 10 44 to 10 46 erg/s; we show that this quantity is insensitive to assumptions regarding minimum energy conditions. The beam powers are independent of core-hotspot separation suggesting that the beam power of a given source is roughly constant over the source lifetime. Typical total source lifetimes are found to be about a few ×(10 6 −10 7 ) years, and typical total outflow energies (E/c 2 ) are found to be about 5 × (10 5 −10 6 ) M� . Ambient gas densities are found to decrease with increasing core-hotspot distance, but have no redshift dependence. Overall, the results obtained with the sample of 31 sources studied here are consistent with those obtained earlier with smaller samples.

THE ORIGIN OF THE INFRARED EMISSION IN RADIO GALAXIES. III. ANALYSIS OF 3CRR OBJECTS

We present Spitzer photometric data for a complete sample of 19 low-redshift (z < 0.1) 3CRR radio galaxies as part of our efforts to understand the origin of the prodigious mid-to far-infrared (MFIR) emission from radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Our results show a correlation between AGN power (indicated by [O III]lambda 5007 emission line luminosity) and 24 mu m luminosity. This result is consistent with the 24 mu m thermal emission originating from warm dust heated directly by AGN illumination. Applying the same correlation test for 70 mu m luminosity against [O III] luminosity we find this relation to suffer from increased scatter compared to that of 24 mu m. In line with our results for the higher-radio-frequency-selected 2 Jy sample, we are able to show that much of this increased scatter is due to heating by starbursts that boost the far-infrared emission at 70 mu m in a minority of objects (17%-35%). Overall this study supports previous work indicating AGN illumination as the dominant heating mechanism for MFIR emitting dust in the majority of low-to-intermediate redshift radio galaxies (0.03 < z < 0.7), with the advantage of strong statistical evidence. However, we find evidence that the low-redshift broad-line objects (z < 0.1) are distinct in terms of their positions on the MFIR versus [O III] correlations.

Markarian 6: shocking the environment of an intermediate Seyfert

Markarian 6 is a nearby (D ~ 78?Mpc) Seyfert 1.5, early-type galaxy, with a double set of radio bubbles. The outer set spans ~7.5?kpc and is expanding into the halo regions of the host galaxy. We present an analysis of our new Chandra observation, together with archival XMM-Newton data, to look for evidence of emission from shocked gas around the external radio bubbles, both from spatially resolved regions in Chandra and from spectral analysis of the XMM-Newton data. We also look for evidence of a variable absorbing column along our line of sight to Mrk?6, to explain the evident differences seen in the active galactic nucleus (AGN) spectra from the various, non-contemporaneous, observations. We find that the variable absorption hypothesis explains the differences between the Chandra and XMM-Newton spectra, with the Chandra spectrum being heavily absorbed. The intrinsic N H varies from ~8 ? 1021 atoms cm?2 to ~3 ? 1023 atoms cm?2 on short timescales (2-6 years). The past evolution of the source suggests this is probably caused by a clump of gas close to the central AGN, passing in front of us at the moment of the observation. Shells of thermal X-ray emission are detected around the radio bubbles, with a temperature of ~0.9?keV. We estimate a temperature of ~0.2?keV for the external medium using luminosity constraints from our Chandra image. We analyze these results using the Rankine-Hugoniot shock jump conditions, and obtain a Mach number of ~3.9, compatible with a scenario in which the gas in the shells is inducing a strong shock in the surrounding interstellar medium (ISM). This could be the third clear detection of strong shocks produced by a radio-powerful Seyfert galaxy. These results are compatible with previous findings on Centaurus A and NGC?3801, supporting a picture in which these AGN-driven outflows play an important role in the environment and evolution of the host galaxy.

SPECTROPOLARIMETRIC EVIDENCE FOR A KICKED SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLE IN THE QUASAR E1821+643

We report spectropolarimetric observations of the quasar E1821+643 ( z = 0.297), which suggest that it may be an example of gravitational recoil due to anisotropic emission of gravitational waves following the merger of a supermassive black hole (SMBH) binary. In total flux, the broad Balmer lines are redshifted by approximate to 1000 km s(-1) relative to the narrow lines and have highly red asymmetric profiles, whereas in polarized flux the broad Ha line exhibits a blueshift of similar magnitude and a strong blue asymmetry. We show that these observations are consistent with a scattering model in which the broad-line region has two components, moving with different bulk velocities away from the observer and toward a scattering region at rest in the host galaxy. If the high-velocity system is identified as gas bound to the SMBH, this implies that the SMBH is itself moving with a velocity similar to 2100 km s(-1) relative to the host galaxy. We discuss some implications of the recoil hypothesis and also briefly consider whether our observations can be explained in terms of scattering of broad-line emission originating from the active component of an SMBH binary, or from an outflowing wind.

Signatures of large-scale magnetic fields in active galactic nuclei jets: transverse asymmetries

We investigate the emission properties that a large-scale helical magnetic field imprints on AGN jet synchrotron radiation. A cylindrically symmetric relativistic jet and large-scale helical magnetic field produce significant asymmetrical features in transverse profiles of fractional linear polarization, intensity, Faraday rotation, and spectral index. The asymmetrical features of these transverse profiles correlate with one another in ways specified by the handedness of the helical field, the jet viewing angle (theta_ob), and the bulk Lorentz factor of the flow (Gamma). Thus, these correlations may be used to determine the structure of the magnetic field in the jet. In the case of radio galaxies (theta_ob~1 radian) and a subclass of blazars with particularly small viewing angles (theta_ob << 1/Gamma), we find an edge-brightened intensity profile that is similar to that observed in the radio galaxy M87. We present observations of the AGNs 3C 78 and NRAO 140 that display the type of transverse asymmetries that may be produced by large-scale helical magnetic fields.

The Relationship Between Beam Power and Radio Power for Classical Double Radio Sources

Beam power is a fundamental parameter that describes, in part, the state of a supermassive black hole system. Determining the beam powers of powerful classical double radio sources requires substantial observing time, so it would be useful to determine the relationship between beam power and radio power so that radio power could be used as a proxy for beam power. A sample of 31 powerful classical double radio sources with previously determined beam and radio powers are studied; the sources have redshifts between about 0.056 and 1.8. It is found that the relationship between beam power, Lj, and radio power, P, is well described by logLj � 0.84(±0.14)logP +2.15(±0.07), where both Lj and P are in units of 10 44 erg s 1 . This indicates that beam power is converted to radio power with an efficiency of about 0.7%. The ratio of beam power to radio power is studied as a function of redshift; there is no significant evidence for redshift evolution of this ratio over the redshift range studied. The relationship is consistent with empirical results obtained by Cavagnolo et al. (2010) for radio sources in gas rich environments, which are primarily FRI sources, and with the theoretical predictions of Willott et al. (1999).

Optical nuclei of radio-loud AGN and the Fanaroff-Riley divide

We investigate the nature of the point-like optical nuclei t hat have been found in the centres of the host galaxies of a majority of radio galaxies by the Hubble Space Telescope. We examine the evidence that these optical nuclei are relativistically beamed, and look for differences in the behaviour of the nuclei found in radio galaxies of the two Fanaroff-Riley types. We also attempt to relate this behaviour to the properties of th e optical nuclei in their highly beamed counterparts (the BL Lac objects and radio-loud quasars) as hypothesized by the simple Unified Scheme. Simple model-fitting of the data suggests t hat the emission may be coming from a non-thermal relativistic jet. It is also suggestive that the contribution from an accre tion disk is not significant for the FRI objects and for the narrow- line radio galaxies of FRII type, while it may be significant f or the Broad-line objects, and consistent with the idea that the FRII optical nuclei seem to suffer from extinction due to an obscuring torus while the FRI optical nuclei do not. These results are broadly in agreement with the Unified Scheme for radio-loud AG Ns.