Broad-line Region Kinematics Research Articles

Spectroastrometry and Reverberation Mapping of Active Galactic Nuclei. I. The Hβ Broad-line Region Structure and Black Hole Masses of Five Quasars

We conduct a reverberation mapping (RM) campaign to spectroscopically monitor a sample of selected bright active galactic nuclei with large anticipated broad-line region (BLR) sizes adequate for spectroastrometric (SA) observations by the GRAVITY instrument on the Very Large Telescope Interferometer. We report the first results for five objects, IC 4329A, Mrk 335, Mrk 509, Mrk 1239, and PDS 456, among which Mrk 1239 and PDS 456 are for the first time spectroscopically monitored. We obtain multiyear monitoring data and perform multicomponent spectral decomposition to extract the broad Hβ profiles. We detect significant time lags between the Hβ and continuum variations, generally obeying the previously established BLR size–luminosity relation. Velocity-resolved Hβ time lags illustrate diverse, possibly evolving, BLR kinematics. We further measure the Hβ line widths from mean and rms spectra and the resulting virial products show good consistency among different observing seasons. Adopting a unity virial factor and the FWHM of the broad Hβ line from the mean spectra as a measure of velocity, the obtained black hole masses averaged over seasons are logM•/M⊙=8.02−0.14+0.09 , 6.92−0.12+0.12 , 8.01−0.25+0.16 , 7.44−0.14+0.13 , and 8.59−0.11+0.07 for the five objects, respectively. Black hole mass estimations using other line width measures are also reported. For objects with previous RM campaigns, our mass estimates are in agreement with earlier results. In a companion paper, we will employ BLR dynamical modeling to directly infer the black hole mass and thereby determine the virial factors.

The sub-parsec structure of AGN with VLTI/GRAVITY

AbstractThe central parsec of AGN is a key region for the launching of winds, and near-infrared interferometry is a unique tool for its study. With GRAVITY at the VLT interferometer, we can now spatially resolve not just the hot dust continuum on milliarcsecond ‘torus’ scales through imaging but also the broad-line region (BLR) on microarcsecond scales through spectro-astrometry. We have mapped the kinematics of the BLR in seven nearby AGN, measured sizes of the hot dust for seventeen AGN, and reconstructed dust images for two AGN. BLR kinematics has allowed us to measure the BLR size and supermassive black hole mass independent of reverberation mapping. The ongoing GRAVITY+ upgrade will greatly enhance the sensitivity and sky coverage of GRAVITY, and first results demonstrate its power for AGN science at z∼2 and beyond.

Monitoring AGNs with Hβ Asymmetry. III. Long-term Reverberation Mapping Results of 15 Palomar–Green Quasars

In this third paper of the series reporting on the reverberation mapping campaign of active galactic nuclei with asymmetric Hβ emission-line profiles, we present results for 15 Palomar–Green quasars using spectra obtained between the end of 2016–2021 May. This campaign combines long time spans with relatively high cadence. For eight objects, both the time lags obtained from the entire light curves and the measurements from individual observing seasons are provided. Reverberation mapping of nine of our targets has been attempted for the first time, while the results for six others can be compared with previous campaigns. We measure the Hβ time lags over periods of years and estimate their black hole masses. The long duration of the campaign enables us to investigate their broad-line region (BLR) geometry and kinematics for different years by using velocity-resolved lags, which demonstrate signatures of diverse BLR geometry and kinematics. The BLR geometry and kinematics of individual objects are discussed. In this sample, the BLR kinematics of Keplerian/virialized motion and inflow is more common than that of outflow.

The Broad Line Region and Black Hole Mass of NGC 4151

We present a reanalysis of reverberation mapping data from 2005 for the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4151, supplemented with additional data from the literature to constrain the continuum variations over a significantly longer baseline than the original monitoring program. Modeling of the continuum light curve and the velocity-resolved variations across the Hβ emission line constrains the geometry and kinematics of the broad line region (BLR). The BLR is well described by a very thick disk with similar opening angle (θ o ≈ 57°) and inclination angle (θ i ≈ 58°), suggesting that our sight line toward the innermost central engine skims just above the surface of the BLR. The inclination is consistent with constraints from geometric modeling of the narrow-line region, and the similarity between the inclination and opening angles is intriguing given previous studies of NGC 4151 that suggest BLR gas has been observed temporarily eclipsing the X-ray source. The BLR kinematics are dominated by eccentric bound orbits, with ∼10% of the orbits preferring near-circular motions. With the BLR geometry and kinematics constrained, the models provide an independent and direct black hole mass measurement of or M ⊙, which is in good agreement with mass measurements from stellar dynamical modeling and gas dynamical modeling. NGC 4151 is one of the few nearby broad-lined Seyferts where the black hole mass may be measured via multiple independent techniques, and it provides an important test case for investigating potential systematics that could affect the black hole mass scales used in the local universe and for high-redshift quasars.

Reverberation Mapping Measurements of Black Hole Masses and Broad-line Region Kinematics in Mrk 817 and NGC 7469

Abstract We present the results from a spectroscopic monitoring campaign to obtain reverberation mapping measurements and investigate the broad-line region (BLR) kinematics for active galactic nuclei (AGNs) of Mrk 817 and NGC 7469. This campaign was undertaken with the Lijiang 2.4 m telescope. The median spectroscopic sampling is 2.0 days for Mrk 817 and 1.0 day for NGC 7469. We detect time lags of the broad emission lines, including Hβ, Hγ, He ii, and He i for both AGNs, including Fe ii for Mrk 817 with respect to the varying AGN continuum at 5100 Å. Investigating the relationship between line widths and time lags of the broad emission lines, we find that the BLR dynamics of Mrk 817 and NGC 7469 are consistent with the virial prediction. We estimate the masses of central supermassive black holes (SMBHs) and the accretion rates of both AGNs. Using the data of this campaign, we construct the velocity-resolved lag profiles of the broad Hγ, Hβ, and He i lines for Mrk 817, which show almost the same kinematic signatures in that the time lags in the red wing are slightly larger than the time lags in the blue wing. For NGC 7469, we only clearly construct the velocity-resolved lag profiles of the broad Hγ and Hβ, which show very similar kinematic signatures to the BLR of Mrk 817. These signatures indicate that the BLR of Keplerian motion in both AGNs seemingly has outflowing components during the monitoring period. We discuss the kinematics of the BLR and the measurements, including SMBH mass and accretion rates.

Space Telescope and Optical Reverberation Mapping Project. XII. Broad-line Region Modeling of NGC 5548

Abstract We present geometric and dynamical modeling of the broad line region (BLR) for the multi-wavelength reverberation mapping campaign focused on NGC 5548 in 2014. The data set includes photometric and spectroscopic monitoring in the optical and ultraviolet, covering the Hβ, C iv, and Lyα broad emission lines. We find an extended disk-like Hβ BLR with a mixture of near-circular and outflowing gas trajectories, while the C iv and Lyα BLRs are much less extended and resemble shell-like structures. There is clear radial structure in the BLR, with C iv and Lyα emission arising at smaller radii than the Hβ emission. Using the three lines, we make three independent black hole mass measurements, all of which are consistent. Combining these results gives a joint inference of log 10 ( M BH / M ⊙ ) = 7.64 − 0.18 + 0.21 . We examine the effect of using the V band instead of the UV continuum light curve on the results and find a size difference that is consistent with the measured UV–optical time lag, but the other structural and kinematic parameters remain unchanged, suggesting that the V band is a suitable proxy for the ionizing continuum when exploring the BLR structure and kinematics. Finally, we compare the Hβ results to similar models of data obtained in 2008 when the active galactic nucleus was at a lower luminosity state. We find that the size of the emitting region increased during this time period, but the geometry and black hole mass remained unchanged, which confirms that the BLR kinematics suitably gauge the gravitational field of the central black hole.

Active Galactic Nuclei with Ultrafast Outflows Monitoring Project: The Broad-line Region of Mrk 79 as a Disk Wind

Abstract We developed a spectroscopic monitoring project to investigate the kinematics of the broad-line region (BLR) in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with ultrafast outflows (UFOs). Mrk 79 is a radio-quiet AGN with UFOs and warm absorbers and has been monitored by three reverberation mapping (RM) campaigns, but its BLR kinematics are not yet understood. In this paper, we report the results from a new RM campaign of Mrk 79, which was undertaken with the Lijiang 2.4 m telescope. Mrk 79 appears to come out the faint state, with the mean flux approximately a magnitude fainter than the historical record. We successfully measured the lags of the broad emission lines including Hβ λ4861, Hγ λ4340, He ii λ4686, and He i λ5876 with respect to the varying AGN continuum. Based on the broad Hβ λ4861 line, we measured a black hole mass of M • = 5.13 − 1.55 + 1.57 × 10 7 M ⊙ , and an estimated accretion rate of M ̇ • = ( 0.05 ± 0.02 ) L Edd c − 2 , indicating that Mrk 79 is a sub-Eddington accretor. We found that Mrk 79 deviates from the canonical Radius−Luminosity relationship. The marginal blueshift of the broad He ii λ4686 line detected from the rms spectrum indicates outflow of high-ionization gas. The velocity-resolved lag profiles of the broad Hγ λ4340, Hβ λ4861, and He i λ5876 lines show similar signatures such that the largest lag occurs in the red wing of the lines and then the lag decreases to both sides. These signatures may suggest that the BLR of Keplerian motion probably exists as outflow gas motion. All findings including UFOs, warm absorbers, and the kinematics of high- and low-ionization BLR, may provide indirect evidence that the BLR of Mrk 79 probably originates from a disk wind.

SPATIALLY RESOLVING THE KINEMATICS OF THE $\lesssim 100\;\mu {\rm as}$ QUASAR BROAD-LINE REGION USING SPECTROASTROMETRY

The broad-line region (BLR) of luminous active galactic nuclei (AGNs) is a prominent observational signature of the accretion flow around supermassive black holes, which can be used to measure their masses () over cosmic history. Due to the angular size of the BLR, current direct constraints on BLR kinematics are limited to those provided by reverberation mapping studies, which are most efficiently carried out on low-luminosity (L) and low-redshift (z) AGNs. We analyze the possibility of measuring the BLR size and study its kinematic structure using spectroastrometry, whereby one measures the spatial position centroid of emission-line photons as a function of velocity. We calculate the expected spectroastrometric signal of a rotation-dominated BLR for various assumptions about the ratio of random to rotational motions and the radial distribution of the BLR gas. We show that for hyper-luminous quasars at , the size of the low-ionization BLR can already be constrained with existing telescopes and adaptive optics systems, thus providing a novel method to spatially resolve the kinematics of the accretion flow at 103–104 gravitational radii and measure at the high-L end of the AGN family. With a 30 m class telescope, BLR spectroastrometry should be routinely detectable for much fainter quasars out to , and for various emission lines. This will enable kinematic measurements as a function of luminosity and redshift, providing a compelling science case for next-generation telescopes.

Modelling reverberation mapping data – II. Dynamical modelling of the Lick AGN Monitoring Project 2008 data set

We present dynamical modeling of the broad line region (BLR) for a sample of five Seyfert 1 galaxies using reverberation mapping data taken by the Lick AGN Monitoring Project in 2008. By modeling the AGN continuum light curve and H$\beta$ line profiles directly we are able to constrain the geometry and kinematics of the BLR and make a measurement of the black hole mass that does not depend upon the virial factor, $f$, needed in traditional reverberation mapping analysis. We find that the geometry of the BLR is generally a thick disk viewed close to face-on. While the H$\beta$ emission is found to come preferentially from the far side of the BLR, the mean size of the BLR is consistent with the lags measured with cross-correlation analysis. The BLR kinematics are found to be consistent with either inflowing motions or elliptical orbits, often with some combination of the two. We measure black hole masses of $\log_{10}(M_{\rm\,BH}/M_\odot)=6.62^{+0.10}_{-0.13}$ for Arp 151, $7.42^{+0.26}_{-0.27}$ for Mrk 1310, $7.51^{+0.23}_{-0.14}$ for NGC 5548, $6.42^{+0.24}_{-0.18}$ for NGC 6814, and $6.99^{+0.32}_{-0.25}$ for SBS 1116+583A. The $f$ factors measured individually for each AGN are found to correlate with inclination angle, although not with $M_{\rm\,BH}$, $L_{5100}$, or FWHM/$\sigma$ of the emission line profile.

Broad-line region kinematics and black hole mass in Markarian 6

We present results of the optical spectral and photometric observations of the nucleus of Markarian 6 made with the 2.6-m Shajn telescope at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory. The continuum and emission Balmer line intensities varied more than by a factor of two during 1992-2008. The lag between the continuum and Hbeta emission line flux variations is 21.1+-1.9 days. For the Halpha line the lag is about 27 days but its uncertainty is much larger. We use Monte-Carlo simulation of the random time series to check the effect of our data sampling on the lag uncertainties and we compare our simulation results with those obtained by random subset selection (RSS) method of Peterson et al. (1998). The lag in the high-velocity wings are shorter than in the line core in accordance with the virial motions. However, the lag is slightly larger in the blue wing than in the red wing. This is a signature of the infall gas motion. Probably the BLR kinematic in the Mrk 6 nucleus is a combination of the Keplerian and infall motions. The velocity-delay dependence is similar for individual observational seasons. The measurements of the Hbeta line width in combination with the reverberation lag permits us to determine the black hole mass, M_BH=(1.8+-0.2)x10^8 M_sun. This result is consistent with the AGN scaling relationships between the BLR radius and the optical continuum luminosity (R_BLR is proportional to L^0.5) as well as with the black-hole mass-luminosity relationship (M_BH-L) under the Eddington luminosity ratio for Mrk 6 to be L_bol/L_Edd ~ 0.01.

OPTICAL EMISSION-LINE PROPERTIES OF A SAMPLE OF THE BROAD-LINE ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI: THE BALDWIN EFFECT AND EIGENVECTOR 1

We divide a sample of 302 type-1 active galactic nuclei into two subsamples based on the narrow-line [O iii]/HβNLR ratio, expecting that there will be a stronger starburst (H ii region) contribution to the narrow-line emission for R = log([O iii]/HβNLR) < 0.5. For both samples, we find significant differences in correlations between spectral properties of objects with R < 0.5 and R > 0.5. We find similar differences when we divide the sample based on the FWHM ratios of [O iii] and broad Hβ lines (R1 = log (FWHM [O iii]/FWHM Hβbroad)> < − 0.8), i.e., similar correlations between R > 0.5 and R1 < −0.8 subsamples from one side and R < 0.5 and R1 > −0.8 subsamples from the other side. The most interesting difference is in the correlation between the broad Hβ FWHM and luminosity in the R < 0.5 (R1 > −0.8) sample, which indicates a connection between the broad-line region kinematics and the photoionization source. We discuss possible effects that can cause these differences in spectral properties of two subsamples.

The broad emission line and continuum variations of Seyfert galaxies. 2: Broad-line region structure and kinematics

Spectroscopic observations of 13 Seyfert 1 galaxies made from 1979 to 1984 at Palomar and Steward Observatories were analyzed for Hβ line profile variations. Significant profile changes were detected in five galaxies. These variations are often associated with changes in continuum and/or Hβ strength, suggesting a causal connection between variations in the continuum source and changes in emission-line profiles. Moreover, the overall strength of Hβ line flux variations is strongly correlated with line width in the far wings, whereas no such correlation was found in the line core. This finding is consistent with previous observations (Shuder 1982) which suggest that higher velocity gas lies closer to the central continuum source, since this inner gas would be expected to track variations more closely. In each of the five galaxies in which Hβ line profile variations were detected, particularly NGC 5548 and Mrk 6, only two distinct line profile shapes were observed. Since intermediate profile types were not detected, the transition from one type to the other must occur rapidly (within a few months). These rapid line profile variations are thus consistent with numerous other studies which strongly point to a small broad-line region (BLR) size in Seyfert galaxies. Observational models of BLR kinematics and structure for each of the galaxies in the present sample are presented. Line asymmetries suggest that radial motions exist in the BLRs of most of these objects. Chaotic motions also appear to be quite common. However, evidence for rotational motion was observed in only one case. A model that is consistent with the majority of this sample incorporates both radial and chaotic motions combined with some form of external obscuration such as an optically and geometrically thick torus.

Emission-line variations and broad-line region kinematics of NGC 5548

Sixteen spectroscopic observations of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 5548 were made between 1979 March and 1984 June at Palomar and Steward Observatories. We have measured broad-line flux variations correlated with nonstellar continuum changes. Hβ, Hγ, and He II λ4686 all respond rapidly to continuum variations providing strong evidence for photoionization by a central continuum source. Additionally, Hβ profile variations have occurred during our 1900 day monitoring period. These profile variations also correlate with changes in the continuum, but lag behind by ~90 days or less. We have proposed a kinematic model that incorporates radial outflow and an internal line opacity source to explain qualitatively the observed Hβ profile variations. This model can also account naturally for the lag between profile and continuum variations as a light travel time effect. Other types of motion, including purely chaotic or rotational, cannot account for the observed changes.