Baseline Array Research Articles

The case against gravitational millilensing in the multiply-imaged quasar B1152+199

ABSTRACT Previous very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations of the quasar B1152+199 at 5 GHz has revealed two images of a strongly lensed jet with seemingly discordant morphologies. Whereas the jet appears straight in one of the images, the other exhibits slight curvature on milliarcsecond scales. This is unexpected from the lensing solution and has been interpreted as possible evidence for secondary, small-scale lensing (millilensing) by a compact object with a mass of 105–107 M⊙ located close to the curved image. The probability for such a superposition is extremely low unless the millilens population has very high surface number density. Here, we revisit the case for millilensing in B1152+199 by combining new global–VLBI data at 8.4 GHz with two data sets from the European VLBI Network (EVN) at 5 GHz (archival), and the previously published 5 GHz Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) data. We find that the new data with a more circular synthesized beam, exhibits no apparent milliarcsecond-scale curvature in image B. Various observations of the object spanning ∼15 yr apart enable us to improve the constraints on lens system to the point that the only plausible explanation left for the apparent curvature is the artefact due to the shape of the synthesized beam.

The error analysis of an underwater acoustic short baseline array detection and location system

This paper briefly introduces the composition, working principle and the common installation method of the shipborne underwater acoustic short baseline array detection and positioning system. Based on the underwater acoustic direction measurement and location algorithm and the underwater acoustic short baseline array detection and positioning system, the error sources affecting the accuracy of the underwater acoustic direction and positioning are analysed in great detail, and the influence of each error source is quantitatively analysed. In this paper, through theoretical calculation and analysis, the influence factors and the influence degree of the error sources on the direction and location measurement are obtained, the technical indexes of direction measurement accuracy and positioning accuracy of the system are estimated. The results of the error analysis of short baseline array system in this paper provide a theoretical basis for the operation of related underwater acoustic location systems at sea, and has important guiding and practical significance for the underwater target detection and positioning system design.

A nearby luminous AGN sample optically selected from Hubble Space Telescope

ABSTRACT In this work, a nearby luminous active galactic nucleus (AGN) sample is selected from Hubble Space Telescope(HST), where only sources with both X-ray emission observed by Chandra/XMM–Newton and radio flux detected by Very Large Array (VLA)/Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA)/very long baseline interferometry (VLBI)/Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN) are adopted to keep high precision. Finally, we get a sample of 30 luminous AGNs, which consists of 11 radio-loud AGNs (RLAGN) and 19 radio-quiet AGNs (RQAGN). It is found that the relationship between RUV and αox, which was first reported by Li & Xie in low-luminosity AGNs (LLAGN), and other relationships are all absent in RLAGN, probably due to the complex physical process therein. Our results indicate that the X-ray emission from jet should play an important role in RLAGN and further support the transition of accretion mode between LLAGN and RLAGN. On the other hand, the traditional relationships in RQAGN, such as αox and λ, Γ and λ, are found to be well consistent with previous works.

Substellar Companions of the Young Weak-line TTauri Star DoAr21

Abstract The compact, nonthermal emission in DoAr21 has been studied with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) to investigate the possibility that the residuals of the astrometry fitting are due to the reflex motion induced by a possible companion. We find that the fitting of VLBA astrometric observations of DoAr21 improves significantly by adding the orbital motions of three companions. We obtain an improved distance to the source of 134.6 ± 1.0 pc, and estimate that the central star, DoAr21, has a mass of about 2.04 ± 0.70 M ⊙. We suggest that DoAr21 represents a unique case where two substellar companions, DoAr21b and DoAr21c (m b ∼ 35.6 ± 27.2 M jup and m c ∼ 44.0 ± 13.6 M jup, respectively), have been found to be associated with a relatively low-mass, pre-main sequence star. In addition, we find that this WTTau star is an astrometric double system, having a low-mass star companion, DoAr21B (m B ∼ 0.35 ± 0.12 M ⊙), in a relatively eccentric orbit. The orbit of this low-mass stellar companion is compact, while the brown dwarfs are located in external orbits. DoAr21c has the strongest astrometric signature in the periodogram, while DoAr21B has a weak but significant signature. On the other hand, the astrometric signature of DoAr21b does not appear in the periodogram, however, this brown dwarf was directly detected in some of the VLBA observations. The estimated orbital periods of DoAr21B, DoAr21b, and DoAr21c are P B ∼ 92.92 ± 0.02, P b ∼ 450.9 ± 3.8, and P c ∼ 1013.5 ± 25.3 days, respectively. Since the estimated age of this young star is about 0.4–0.8 Myr, the detected brown dwarf companion is among the youngest companions observed to date.

Radio Properties of BL Lac Object S5 2007+777

S5 2007+777 is a typical BL Lac object with a low peak frequency, and a kpc-scale extended X-ray jet. In the literature, the Doppler factor derived at the X-ray waveband by means of model estimation is about 13.0, then the intrinsic jet scale can reach the order of magnitude of 1 Mpc. In this work, we have studied the radio structure of the jet, the brightness temperature, proper motion and other properties of this source with the collected EVN (European VLBI Network) high-resolution archive data, and the American VLBA (Very Long Baseline Array) 15 GHz observed data, etc. It is found that the jet directions measured at the different wavebands of the VLBI (Very Long Baseline Interferometry) are consistent, but slightly different from the direction of the kpc-scale X-ray jet given by the literature and the direction of the VLA (Very Large Array) radio jet, which means that the Doppler brightening effect exists in the jet emission of the source. Both the mean value and median value of the radio Doppler factor of this source estimated from the brightness temperature that measured by the VLBI are 5.0, which is smaller than the Doppler factor at the X-ray waveband given by the literature, but consistent with the Doppler factor at the radio waveband obtained by using the other methods in the literature. Furthermore, by fitting the data observed in multiple epochs, it is found that the various components of the source at the same waveband do not have an evident proper motion in a long epoch, but the proper motion in short epochs exhibits even a super-luminal motion. This may be caused by the transfer of the central position of the component with a low surface brightness. Meanwhile, this also verifies the conclusion that the radio Doppler factor estimated previously is not very large, and smaller than the Doppler factor in the X-ray waveband. By using the obtained radio Doppler factor, it is found that the source has an intrinsic radio jet of rather large scale, which may reach 0.5 Mpc, because the mean value is adopted in this case, thus it indicates that the source also possibly possesses a jet close to the scale of a giant radio galaxy.

A Design of The Underwater Acoustic Beacon Detection and Location Method

Aiming at the search of the underwater acoustic beacons used in aircraft or ship parameter recorders, this paper mainly introduces the underwater acoustic beacon detection and location method of the short baseline array system. According to the signal form of underwater acoustic beacon, this paper discusses the basic algorithm and the engineering algorithm applied in this system. In theory, the basic algorithm is a necessary algorithm for short baseline array to calculate target azimuth, which including the two-element linear array direction measurement algorithm, two-direction cross-location algorithm and the virtual direction discrimination algorithm. In addition, according to the experience of offshore operations, this paper introduces the engineering practice methods such as the angle measurement, the data extraction, the location ray screening and the location ray starting point coordinate calculation. The combination of engineering algorithm and basic algorithm can effectively reduce the impact of the test equipment and environment, and improve the accuracy of underwater acoustic beacon detection and position, which has been tested in actual operation at sea.

A Dual Black Hole Associated with Obscured and Unobscured AGNs: CXO J101527.2+625911

Abstract We report the results of an investigation to determine the nature of the offset active galactic nucleus (AGN) found in the source CXO J101527.2+625911. Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra X-ray observatory data have suggested that the offset AGN, which has an angular separation of only 0.″26 from the center of the host galaxy, is a recoiled supermassive black hole (rSMBH). We carried out high angular resolution observations with both the Very Long Baseline Array (1.54 GHz) and the Very Large Array (10.0 GHz and 33.0 GHz) and detected a single compact radio source in the center of the host galaxy, with no radio continuum emission associated with the offset AGN. The detected radio source has a high brightness temperature value of T b = 7.2 × 107 K, indicating that the radio emission is associated with an AGN. Furthermore, we present the decomposition of high-resolution KECK spectra of the [O iii] 5007 Å line into two narrow emission line components, which is a characteristic sign of a dual black hole system. These new radio and optical wavelength results suggest that CXO J101527.2+625911 is the host of a dual black hole system rather than an rSMBH.

Water masers in Compton-thick AGN

Aims. Investigations of H2O maser galaxies at X-ray energies reveal that most active galactic nuclei (AGN) associated with water masers are characterized by high levels of absorption. With the aim of finding new maser sources for possible interferometric follow-ups, we have searched for water maser emission in a well-defined sample of heavily absorbed AGN (NH > 1023 cm−2), including Compton-thick (CT) sources. Methods. Previous surveys already searched for 22 GHz water maser emission in all the galaxies in this sample. With the goal of providing a detection or a stringent upper limit on the H2O luminosity, we reobserved some of the non-detected sources with the Green Bank Telescope. A new luminous H2O maser (LH2O ∼ 200 L⊙) was detected in the mid-IR-bright Seyfert 2 galaxy IRAS 15480−0344 and then followed-up with the Very Long Baseline Array. In order to shed light on the origin of the maser (jet, outflow, or disk), we recently observed the radio continuum emission in IRAS 15480-0344 with the European VLBI network (EVN) at 1.7 and 5.0 GHz. Results. With the newly discovered megamaser in IRAS 15480−0344 revealing a narrow (∼0.6 km s−1) and a broad (∼90 km s−1) component, the maser detection rate of the CT AGN sample is 50% (18/36), which is one of the highest ever found in maser surveys. The EVN maps show two bright sources (labeled SW and NE) in the nuclear region of IRAS 15480−0344, which we interpret as jet knots tracing regions where the radio plasma impacts dense molecular clouds. The narrow maser feature is approximately at the center of the imaginary line connecting the two continuum sources, likely pinpointing the core, and might be associated with the accretion disk or a nuclear outflow. The location of the broad maser feature, instead, coincides with source NE, suggesting that the maser emission might be produced by a jet-cloud interaction, as it was proposed for NGC 1068 and Mrk 348.

Extragalactic megahertz-peaked spectrum radio sources at milliarcsecond scales

Extragalactic peaked-spectrum radio sources are thought to be the progenitors of larger, radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGN). Synchrotron self-absorption (SSA) has often been identified as the cause of their spectral peak. The identification of new megahertz-peaked spectrum sources from the GaLactic and Extragalactic All-sky Murchison Widefield Array (GLEAM) survey provides an opportunity to test how radio sources with spectral peaks below 1 GHz fit within this evolutionary picture. We observed six peaked-spectrum sources selected from the GLEAM survey, three that have spectral characteristics which violate SSA and three that have spectral peaks below 230 MHz, with the Very Long Baseline Array at 1.55 and 4.96 GHz. We present milliarcsecond resolution images of each source and constrain their morphology, linear size, luminosity, and magnetic field strength. Of the sources that are resolved by our study, the sources that violate SSA appear to be compact doubles, while the sources with peak frequencies below 230 MHz have core-jet features. We find that all of our sources are smaller than expected from SSA by factors of ≳20. We also find that component magnetic field strengths calculated from SSA are likely inaccurate, differing by factors of ≳5 from equipartition estimates. The calculated equipartition magnetic field strengths more closely resemble estimates from previously studied gigahertz-peaked spectrum sources. Exploring a model of the interaction between jets and the interstellar medium, we demonstrate that free-free absorption (FFA) can accurately describe the linear sizes and peak frequencies of our sources. Our findings support the theory that there is a fraction of peaked-spectrum sources whose spectral peaks are best modeled by FFA, implying our understanding of the early stages of radio AGN is incomplete.

Gamma-ray emission in radio galaxies under the VLBI scope

Aims. In the framework of the multi-wavelength and very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) monitoring program TANAMI (Tracking Active Nuclei with Austral Milliarcsecond Interferometry), we study the evolution of the parsec-scale radio emission in radio galaxies in the southern hemisphere and their relationship to the γ-ray properties of the sources. Our study investigates systematically, for the first time, the relationship between the two energy regimes in radio galaxies. In this first paper, we focus on Fermi-LAT-detected sources. Methods. The TANAMI program monitors a large sample of radio-loud AGN at 8.4 GHz and 22.3 GHz with the Australian long baseline array (LBA) and associated telescopes in Antarctica, Chile, New Zealand and South Africa. We performed a kinematic analysis for five γ-ray detected radio galaxies using multi-epoch 8.4 GHz VLBI images, deriving limits on intrinsic jet parameters such as speed and viewing angle. We analyzed 103 months of Fermi-LAT data in order to study possible connections between the γ-ray properties and the pc-scale jets of Fermi-LAT-detected radio galaxies, both in terms of variability and average properties. We discuss the individual source results and draw preliminary conclusions on sample properties including published VLBI results from the MOJAVE (Monitoring Of Jets in Active galactic nuclei with VLBA Experiments) survey, with a total of fifteen sources. Results. We find that the first γ-ray detection of Pictor A might be associated with the passage of a new VLBI component through the radio core, which appears to be a defining feature of high-energy emitting Fanaroff-Riley type II radio galaxies. We detect subluminal parsec-scale jet motions in the peculiar AGN PKS 0521−36, and we confirm the presence of fast γ-ray variability in the source down to timescales of six hours, which is not accompanied by variations in the VLBI jet. We robustly confirm the presence of significant superluminal motion, up to βapp ∼ 3, in the jet of the TeV radio galaxy PKS 0625−35. Our VLBI results constrain the jet viewing angle to be θ < 53°, allowing for the possibility of a closely aligned jet. Finally, by analyzing the first pc-scale multi-epoch images of the prototypical compact symmetric object (CSO) PKS 1718−649, we place an upper limit on the separation speed between the two mini-lobes. This in turn allows us to derive a lower limit on the age of the source. Conclusions. We can draw some preliminary conclusions on the relationship between pc-scale jets and γ-ray emission in radio galaxies, based on Fermi-LAT-detected sources with available multi-epoch VLBI measurements. We find that the VLBI core flux density correlates with the γ-ray flux, as seen in blazars. On the other hand, the γ-ray luminosity does not show any dependence on the core brightness temperature and core dominance, which are two common indicators of jet Doppler boosting. This seems to indicate that γ-ray emission in radio galaxies is not driven by orientation-dependent effects, as in blazars, in accordance with the unified model of jetted AGN.

RPICARD: A CASA-based calibration pipeline for VLBI data

Context. The Common Astronomy Software Application (CASA) software suite, which is a state-of-the-art package for radio astronomy, can now reduce very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) data with the recent addition of a fringe fitter. Aims. Here, we present the Radboud PIpeline for the Calibration of high Angular Resolution Data (rPICARD), which is an open-source VLBI calibration and imaging pipeline built on top of the CASA framework. The pipeline is capable of reducing data from different VLBI arrays. It can be run non-interactively after only a few non-default input parameters are set and delivers high-quality calibrated data. CPU scalability based on a message-passing interface (MPI) implementation ensures that large bandwidth data from future arrays can be processed within reasonable computing times. Methods. Phase calibration is done with a Schwab–Cotton fringe fit algorithm. For the calibration of residual atmospheric effects, optimal solution intervals are determined based on the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of the data for each scan. Different solution intervals can be set for different antennas in the same scan to increase the number of detections in the low S/N regime. These novel techniques allow rPICARD to calibrate data from different arrays, including high-frequency and low-sensitivity arrays. The amplitude calibration is based on standard telescope metadata, and a robust algorithm can solve for atmospheric opacity attenuation in the high-frequency regime. Standard CASA tasks are used for CLEAN imaging and self-calibration. Results. In this work we demonstrate the capabilities of rPICARD by calibrating and imaging 7 mm Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) data of the central radio source in the M 87 galaxy. The reconstructed jet image reveals a complex collimation profile and edge-brightened structure, in accordance with previous results. A potential counter-jet is detected that has 10% of the brightness of the approaching jet. This constrains jet speeds close to the radio core to about half the speed of light for small inclination angles.

Ejection of Double Knots from the Radio Core of PKS 1510–089 during the Strong Gamma-Ray Flares in 2015

Abstract PKS 1510–089 is a bright and active γ-ray source that showed strong and complex γ-ray flares in mid-2015 during which the Major Atmospheric Gamma Imaging Cerenkov telescopes detected variable very high energy (photon energies >100 GeV) emission. We present long-term multifrequency radio, optical, and γ-ray light curves of PKS 1510–089 from 2013 to 2018, and results of an analysis of the jet kinematics and linear polarization using 43 GHz Very Long Baseline Array data observed between late 2015 and mid-2017. We find that a strong radio flare trails the γ-ray flares in 2015, showing an optically thick spectrum at the beginning and becoming optically thin over time. Two laterally separated knots of emission are observed to emerge from the radio core nearly simultaneously during the γ-ray flares. We detect an edge-brightened linear polarization near the core in the active jet state in 2016, similar to the quiescent jet state in 2008–2013. These observations indicate that the γ-ray flares may originate from compression of the knots by a standing shock in the core and the jet might consist of multiple complex layers showing time-dependent behavior, rather than of a simple structure of a fast jet spine and a slow jet sheath.

Radio jet structures at ∼100 pc and larger scales of the γ-ray-emitting narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy PMN J0948+0022

Abstract The narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxy PMN J0948+0022 is an archetype of γ-ray-emitting NLS1s in active galactic nuclei (AGNs). In this study, we investigate its radio structures using archival data obtained using the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) and the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). The new VLA images reveal an outermost radio emission separated by 9.1 arcsec. Its resolved structure and steep spectrum suggest a terminal shock in a radio lobe energized by the jet from the PMN J0948+0022 nucleus. This large-scale radio component is found at almost the same position angle as that of the pc-scale jet, indicating a stable jet direction up to ∼1 Mpc. Its apparent one-sidedness implies a moderate advancing speed (β > 0.27). The kinematic age of <1× 107 yr of the jet activity is consistent with the expected NLS1 phase of ∼107 yr in the AGN lifetime. The VLBA image reveals the jet structure at distances ranging from r = 0.82 milliarcsec to 3.5 milliarcsec, corresponding to approximately 100 pc, where superluminal motions were found. The jet width profile (∝ r1.12) and flux-density profile (∝ r−1.44) depending on the distance r along the jet suggest that the jet kinetic energy is converted to internal energy in this region. The jet is causally connected in a nearly conical streamline, which is supported by ambient pressure at 100 pc scales in the host galaxy of PMN J0948+0022.

Anisotropic Scattering of the Radio Emission of the Pulsar B0833–45 in the Vela Supernova Remnant

Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observations of the pulsar B0833–45 have been carried out as part of the scientific program of the RadioAstron mission. Ground support was provided by the Long Baseline Array, which includes radio telescopes in Australia and other countries in the southern hemisphere. The VLBI observations of the pulsar are analyzed in order to derive the parameters characterizing the scattering of the pulsar radio emission: the angular size of the scattering disk, the spatial scale of the diffraction pattern, the drift velocity of this pattern relative to the observer, the pulse scattering time scale, and the characteristic scintillation time and frequency scales, as well as the index of the electrondensity fluctuation spectrum. Comparison of these values with the predictions of the theory of scattering on a thin screen enables the determination of the position of the effective screen along the line of sight. Estimates made using various methods give distances to the screen from the observer of 0.79 to 0.87 times the total distance to the pulsar. Although the position of the screen is beyond the boundary of the Vela supernova remnant, this object may play the dominant role in the scattering. The scattering disk is an ellipse with a 2:1 axis ratio and with the inferred position angle of the major axis being ≈ 50°, based on the changes in the visibility-function amplitude for various orientations of the projected baseline. This conclusion is supported by the shape of the visibility-function amplitude as a function of the delay.

Resolving the distance controversy for Sharpless 269

Context. Sharpless 269 (S 269) is one of a few HII regions in the outer spiral arm of the Milky Way with strong water maser emission. Based on data from the Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) Exploration of Radio Astrometry (VERA) array, two parallax measurements have been published, which differ by nearly 2σ. Each distance estimate supports a different structure for the outer arm. Moreover, given its large Galactocentric radii, S 269 has special relevance as its proper motion and parallax have been used to constrain the Galactic rotation curve at large radii.Aims. Using recent Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) observations, we accurately measure the parallax and proper motion of the water masers in S 269. We interpret the position and motion of S 269 in the context of Galactic structure, and possible optical counterparts.Methods. S 269’s 22 GHz water masers and two close by quasars were observed at 16 epochs between 2015 and 2016 using the VLBA. We calibrated the data by inverse phase referencing using the strongest maser spot. The parallax and proper motion were fitted using the standard protocols of the Bar and Spiral Structure Legacy survey.Results. We measure an annual parallax for S 269 of 0.241 ± 0.012 mas corresponding to a distance from the Sun of 4.15+0.22−0.20kpc by fitting four maser spots. The mean proper motion for S 269 was estimated as 0.16 ± 0.26 mas yr−1and −0.51 ± 0.26 mas yr−1forμαcosδandμδrespectively, which corresponds to the motion expected for a flat Galactic rotation curve at large radius. This distance estimate, Galactic kinematic simulations and observations of other massive young stars in the outer region support the existence of a kink in the outer arm atl ≈ 140°. Additionally, we find more than 2000 optical sources in the Gaia DR2 catalog within 125 pc radius around the 3D position of the water maser emission; from those only three sources are likely members of the same stellar association that contains the young massive star responsible for the maser emission (S 269 IRS 2w).

Parallaxes for Star-forming Regions in the Inner Perseus Spiral Arm

Abstract We report trigonometric parallax and proper motion measurements of 6.7 GHz CH3OH and 22 GHz H2O masers in eight high-mass star-forming regions (HMSFRs) based on Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) observations as part of the Bar and Spiral Structure Legacy (BeSSeL) Survey. The distances of these HMSFRs combined with their Galactic coordinates, radial velocities, and proper motions, allow us to assign them to a segment of the Perseus arm with ℓ ≲ 70°. These HMSFRs are clustered in Galactic longitude from ≈30° to ≈50° neighboring a dearth of such sources between longitudes ≈50° to ≈90°.

Microarcsecond VLBI Pulsar Astrometry with PSRπ II. Parallax Distances for 57 Pulsars

Abstract We present the results of PSRπ, a large astrometric project targeting radio pulsars using the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). From our astrometric database of 60 pulsars, we have obtained parallax-based distance measurements for all but 3, with a parallax precision that is typically ∼45 μas and approaches 10 μas in the best cases. Our full sample doubles the number of radio pulsars with a reliable (≳5σ) model-independent distance constraint. Importantly, many of the newly measured pulsars are well outside the solar neighborhood, and so PSRπ brings a near-tenfold increase in the number of pulsars with a reliable model-independent distance at d > 2 kpc. Our results show that both widely used Galactic electron density distribution models contain significant shortcomings, particularly at high Galactic latitudes. When comparing our results to pulsar timing, two of the four millisecond pulsars in our sample exhibit significant discrepancies in their proper motion estimates. With additional VLBI observations that extend our sample and improve the absolute positional accuracy of our reference sources, we will be able to additionally compare pulsar absolute reference positions between VLBI and timing, which will provide a much more sensitive test of the correctness of the solar system ephemerides used for pulsar timing. Finally, we use our large sample to estimate the typical accuracy attainable for differential VLBA astrometry of pulsars, showing that for sufficiently bright targets observed eight times over 18 months, a parallax uncertainty of 4 μas per arcminute of separation between the pulsar and calibrator can be expected.

The 2016 June Optical and Gamma-Ray Outburst and Optical Microvariability of the Blazar 3C 454.3

Abstract The quasar 3C 454.3 underwent a uniquely structured multifrequency outburst in 2016 June. The blazar was observed in the optical R-band by several ground-based telescopes in photometric and polarimetric modes, at γ-ray frequencies by the Fermi Large Area Telescope, and at 43 GHz with the Very Long Baseline Array. The maximum flux density was observed on 2016 June 24 at both optical and γ-ray frequencies, reaching mJy and ph cm−2 s−1, respectively. The 2016 June outburst possessed a precipitous decay at both γ-ray and optical frequencies, with the source decreasing in flux density by a factor of 4 over a 24 hr period in the R-band. Intraday variability was observed throughout the outburst, with flux density changes between 1 and 5 mJy over the course of a night. The precipitous decay featured statistically significant quasiperiodic microvariability oscillations with an amplitude of ∼2%–3% about the mean trend and a characteristic period of 36 minutes. The optical degree of polarization jumped from ∼3% to nearly 20% during the outburst, while the position angle varied by ∼120°. A knot was ejected from the 43 GHz core on 2016 February 25, moving at an apparent speed . From the observed minimum timescale of variability and derived Doppler factor δ = 22.6, we find the size of the emission region r ≲ 2.6 × 1015 cm. If the quasiperiodic microvariability oscillations are caused by periodic variations of the Doppler factor of emission from a turbulent vortex, we derive the rotational speed of the vortex to be ∼0.2c.

Jet kinematics of the quasar 4C+21.35 from observations with the KaVA very long baseline interferometry array

Abstract We present the jet kinematics of the flat spectrum radio quasar (FSRQ) 4C+21.35 using time-resolved KaVA very long baseline interferometry array radio maps obtained from 2014 September to 2016 July. During two out of three observing campaigns, observations were performed bi-weekly at 22 and 43 GHz quasi-simultaneously. At 22 GHz, we identified three jet components near the core with apparent speeds up to (14.4 ± 2.1)c. The timing of the ejection of a new component detected in 2016 is consistent with a γ-ray flare in 2014 November. At 43 GHz, we found four inner jet (<3 mas) components with speeds from (3.5 ± 1.4)c to (6.8 ± 1.5)c. Jet component speeds tend to be higher with increasing distances from the core. We compared our data with archival Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) data from the Boston University (BU) 43 GHz and the Monitoring Of Jets in Active galactic nuclei with VLBA Experiments (MOJAVE) 15.4 GHz monitoring programmes. Whereas MOJAVE data and our data are in good agreement, jet speeds obtained from the BU programme data in the same time period are about twice as high as the ones we obtain from the KaVA data. The discrepancy at 43 GHz indicates that radio arrays with different angular resolution identify and trace different jet features even when the data are obtained at the same frequency and at the same time. The flux densities of jet components decay exponentially, in agreement with a synchrotron cooling time-scale of ∼1 yr. Using known electron Lorentz factor values (∼9000), we estimate the magnetic field strength to be ∼1–3 $\mu$T. When adopting a jet viewing angle of 5°, the intrinsic jet speed is of order 0.99c.

Accretion disk versus jet orientation in H2O megamaser galaxies

Context. An essential part of the paradigm describing active galactic nuclei is the alignment between the radio jet and the associated rotation axis of the sub-pc accretion disks. Because of the small linear and angular scales involved, this alignment has not yet been checked in a sufficient number of low luminosity active galactic nuclei (LLAGNs). Aims. The project examines the validity of this paradigm by measuring the radio continuum on the same physical scale as the accretion disks to investigate any possible connection between these disks and the radio continuum. Methods. We observed a sample of 18 LLAGNs in the 4.8 GHz (6 cm) radio continuum using the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) with 3.3–6.5 ms resolution. The sources were selected to show both an edge-on accretion disk revealed by 22 GHz H2O megamaser emission and signatures of a radio jet. Furthermore, the sources were previously detected in 33 GHz radio continuum observations made with the Very Large Array. Results. Five out of 18 galaxies observed were detected at 8σ or higher levels (Mrk 0001, Mrk 1210, Mrk 1419, NGC 2273, and UGC 3193). While these five sources are known to have maser disks, four of them exhibit a maser disk with known orientation. For all four of these sources, the radio continuum is misaligned relative to the rotation axis of the maser disk, but with a 99.1% confidence level, the orientations are not random and are confined to a cone within 32° of the maser disk’s normal. Among the four sources the misalignment of the radio continuum with respect to the normal vector to the maser disk is smaller when the inner radius of the maser disk is larger. Furthermore, a correlation is observed between the 5 GHz VLBA radio continuum and the [OIII] luminosity and also with the H2O maser disk’s inner radius.