Compact Central Component Research Articles

The heart of Sakurai’s object revealed by ALMA

We present high-angular-resolution observations of Sakurai’s object using the Atacama Large Millimeter Array, shedding new light on its morpho-kinematical structure. The millimetre continuum emission observed at an angular resolution of 20 milliarcsec (corresponding to 70 AU) reveals a bright compact central component whose spectral index indicates that it is composed of amorphous carbon dust. Based on these findings, we conclude that this emission traces the previously suggested dust disc observed in mid-infrared observations, and therefore our observations provide the first direct imaging of this disc. The H12CN(J = 4 → 3) line emission observed at an angular resolution of 300 milliarcsec (corresponding to 1000 AU) displays a bipolar structure with a north–south velocity gradient. From the position–velocity diagram of this emission, we identify the presence of an expanding disc and a bipolar molecular outflow. The inclination of the disc is determined to be i = 72°. The derived values for the de-projected expansion velocity and the radius of the disc are vexp = 53 km s−1 and R = 277 AU, respectively. On the other hand, the de-projected expansion velocity of the bipolar outflow detected in the H12CN(J = 4 → 3) emission is of approximately 1000 km s−1. We propose that the molecular outflow has an hourglass morphology with an opening angle of around 60°. Our observations unambiguously show that an equatorial disc and bipolar outflows formed in Sakurai’s object during the 30 years following the occurrence of the born-again event, providing important constraints for future modelling efforts of this phenomenon.

Radio interferometric imaging of RS Oph bipolar ejecta for the 2021 nova outburst

The recurrent nova and symbiotic binary RS Oph erupted again in August 2021 for its eighth known outburst. We observed RS Oph 34 days after the outburst at 5 GHz with the European VLBI Network (EVN). The radio image is elongated over the east–west direction for a total extension of about 90 mas (or about 240 AU at the Gaia DR3 distance d = 2.68−0.15+0.17 kpc), and shows a bright and compact central component coincident with the Gaia astrometric position, and two lobes east and west of it, expanding perpendicular to the orbital plane. By comparing with the evolution of emission-line profiles on optical spectra, we found the leading edge of the lobes to be expanding at ∼7550 km s−1, and i = 54° as the orbital inclination of the binary. The 2021 radio structure is remarkably similar to that observed following the 2006 eruption. The obscuring role of the density enhancement on the orbital plane (DEOP) is discussed in connection to the time-dependent visibility of the receding lobe in the background to the DEOP, and the origin of the triple-peaked profiles is traced to the ring structure formed by the nova ejecta impacting the DEOP.

Second-generation star formation in globular clusters of different masses

ABSTRACT By means of three-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations, we investigate the formation of second-generation (SG) stars in young globular clusters of different masses. We consider clusters with a first generation of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars with mass 105 and $10^6\, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$ moving at constant velocity through a uniform gas with density 10−24 and 10−23 g cm−3. Our set-up is designed to reproduce the encounter of a young cluster with a reservoir of dense gas, e.g. during its orbital motion in the host galaxy. In the low-density models, as a result of the cooling AGB ejecta which collect in the centre, weakly perturbed by the external ram pressure, a compact central He-rich SG stellar component is formed on a time-scale which decreases with increasing initial cluster mass. Our high-density models are subject to stronger ram pressure, which prevents the accumulation of the most He-rich AGB ejecta in the cluster centre. As a result, the SG is more extended and less He-enhanced than in the low-density models. By combining our results with previous simulations, we are able to study relevant, cluster-related scaling relations across a dynamical range of two orders of magnitude in mass (from $10^5 $ to $10^7 \, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$). In agreement with current observationally based estimates, we find positive correlations between the SG-to-total number ratio and maximum He enhancement in SG stars as a function of the initial cluster mass.

Stellar dynamics in the strong-lensing central galaxy of Abell 1201: a low stellar mass-to-light ratio, a large central compact mass and a standard dark matter halo

We analyse the stellar kinematics of the z=0.169 brightest cluster galaxy (BCG) in Abell 1201, using integral field observations with VLT/MUSE. This galaxy has a gravitationally-lensed arc located at unusually small radius ($\sim$5 kpc), allowing us to constrain the mass distribution using lensing and stellar dynamical information over the same radial range. We measure a velocity dispersion profile which is nearly flat at $\sigma$ $\approx$ 285 km/s in the inner $\sim$5 kpc, and then rises steadily to $\sigma$ $\approx$ 360 km/s at $\sim$30 kpc. We analyse the kinematics using axisymmetric Jeans models, finding that the data require both a significant dark matter halo (to fit the rising outer profile) and a compact central component, with mass $M_{\rm cen}$ $\approx$ 2.5$\times$10$^{10}$ $M_\odot$ (to fit the flat {\sigma} in the inner regions). The latter component could represent a super-massive black hole, in which case it would be among the largest known to date. Alternatively $M_{\rm cen}$ could describe excess mass associated with a gradient in the stellar mass-to-light ratio. Imposing a standard NFW dark matter density profile, we recover a stellar mass-to-light ratio $\Upsilon$ which is consistent with a Milky-Way-like initial mass function (IMF). By anchoring the models using the lensing mass constraint, we break the degeneracy between $\Upsilon$ and the inner slope $\gamma$ of the dark matter profile, finding $\gamma$=1.0$\pm$0.1, consistent with the NFW form. We show that our results are quite sensitive to the treatment of the central mass in the models. Neglecting $M_{\rm cen}$ biases the results towards both a heavier-than-Salpeter IMF and a shallower-than-NFW dark matter slope ($\gamma$ $\approx$ 0.5).

SN 1986J VLBI. III. The Central Component Becomes Dominant

Abstract We present a new 5 GHz global very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI) image of supernova 1986J, observed in 2014 at t = 31.6 yr after the explosion, and compare it to previous images to show the evolution of the supernova. Our new image has a dynamic range of ∼100 and a background rms noise level of 5.9 μJy beam−1. There is no significant linear polarization, with the image peak <3% polarized. The latest image is dominated by a compact central component, whose flux density is now comparable to that of the extended supernova shell. This central component is marginally resolved with an FWHM of , corresponding to a radius of for a distance of 10 Mpc. Using VLBI observations between 2002 and 2014, we measured the proper motions of both the central component and a hot spot to the NE in the shell relative to the quasar 3C 66A. The central component is stationary to within the uncertainty of 12 μas yr−1, corresponding to 570 km s−1. Our observations argue that the central component is located near the physical center of SN 1986J. The shell hot spot had a mean velocity of 2810 ± 750 km s−1 to the NE, which is consistent with its taking part in the homologous expansion of the shell seen earlier. The shell emission is evolving in a non-self-similar fashion, with the brightest emission shifting inward within the structure and with only relatively faint emission seen near the outer edge and the presumed forward shock. An animation of the explosion is available.

TRACING INFALL AND ROTATION ALONG THE OUTFLOW CAVITY WALLS OF THE L483 PROTOSTELLAR ENVELOPE

ABSTRACT Single-dish observations in CS(7–6) reveal emission extending out to thousands of au along the outflow axis of low-mass protostars and having a velocity gradient in the opposite direction to that of their outflows. This emission has been attributed to dense and warm gas flowing outward along the walls of bipolar outflow cavities. Here, we present combined single-dish and interferometric CS(7–6) maps for the low-mass protostar L483, revealing a newly discovered compact central component (radius ≲800 au) and previously unknown features in its extended component (visible out to ∼4000 au). The velocity gradient and skewed (toward the redshifted side) brightness distribution of the extended component are detectable out to a radius of ∼2000 au, but not beyond. The compact central component exhibits a velocity gradient in the same direction as, but which is steeper than that of, the extended component. Furthermore, both components exhibit a velocity gradient with an approximately constant magnitude across the outflow axis, apparent in the extended component not just through but also away from the center out to 2000 au. We point out contradictions between our results and model predictions for outflowing gas and propose a new model in which all of the aforementioned emission can be qualitatively explained by gas inflowing along the outflow cavity walls of a rigidly rotating envelope. Our model also can explain the extended CS(7–6) emission observed around other low-mass protostars.

Nature of highly extended CS(J=7-6) emission around low-mass protostar L483

AbstractSingle-dish observations in CS(J=7-6) using the Atacama Submillimeter Telescope Experiment (ASTE) reveal emission extending out to thousands of AU from low-mass protostars, much larger than is expected based on simple models for their envelopes. Hypotheses for this emission invoke gas dispersed from the envelope surfaces facing the bipolar outflow cavities. Here, we combine interferometric data from the Submillimeter Array (SMA) with the previous single-dish data from ASTE for the low-mass protostar L483 to study the spatial-kinematic structure of its CS(J=7-6) emission on projected scales ≳600 AU. In addition to providing more detailed information for the extended component, our combined maps reveal a compact central component in CS(J=7-6) having a steeper velocity gradient. Both the compact and extended components exhibit a velocity gradient in the opposite sense to that of a bipolar molecular outflow traced in CO(J=2-1). Finding that previous models make a number of wrong predictions for the observed features, we propose that both CS(J=7-6) components are produced by rotating and infalling gas along the envelope surfaces exposed by the bipolar outflow and therefore subjected to stellar irradiation and outflow compression.

THE REST-FRAME ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT PROFILE SHAPES OF Lyα-EMITTING GALAXIES ATz= 3.1

We present a rest-frame ultraviolet morphological analysis of 78 resolved, high S/N z ~ 3.1 Lyman Alpha Emitters (LAEs) in the Extended Chandra Deep Field South (ECDF-S). Using HST/ACS V -band images taken as part of the GEMS, GOODS, and HUDF surveys. For each LAE system identified via our ground-based narrow-band imaging, we have identified those LAE systems with multiple components. We measure the concentration index and present the results of our GALFIT fits for ellipticity, Sersic index, and sizes for each resolved component with S/N > 30 as well as for each LAE system with S/N > 30. The LAEs show a heterogeneous distribution of morphologies while the ma jority tend to be highly concentrated and compact in size. We only measure the morphological properties of resolved LAEs. For systems showing multiple components we also measured the morphology of the individual components. The resolved LAEs are highly concentrated (2 < C < 4) and show a similar distribution to that measured for stars, suggesting that this diagnostic is a poor discriminator near the resolution limit. The measured ellipticities for components show a distribution peaked at {\epsilon} ~ 0.55 which is significantly different from the flat distribution of ellipticities observed for local spiral galaxies and is similar to the distribution found for Lyman-break galaxies at the same redshift. There is a wide range of best-fit Sersic indices (1 < n < 10) with the majority being between 0 < n < 2. The distribution is similar to the distribution of Sersic indices seen locally. A visual inspection of the images suggests a qualitative morphological transition at n ~ 2, with small-n LAEs having extended or multimodal light distributions and relatively little diffuse emission and large-n LAEs have compact central components surrounded by diffuse emission.

The orbital evolution induced by baryonic condensation in triaxial haloes

Using spectral methods, we analyse the orbital structure of prolate/triaxial dark matter (DM) halos in N-body simulations to understand the processes that drive the evolution of shapes of DM halos and elliptical galaxies in which central masses are grown. A longstanding issue is whether the change in the shapes of DM halos is the result of chaotic scattering of box orbits, or whether they change shape adiabatically in response to the evolving galactic potential. We use orbital frequencies to classify orbits, to quantify orbital shapes, and to identify resonant orbits and chaotic orbits. The frequency-based method overcomes the limitations of Lyapunov exponents which are sensitive to numerical discreteness effects. Regardless of the distribution of the baryonic component, the shape of a DM halo changes primarily due to changes in the shapes of individual orbits within a given family. Orbits with small pericentric radii are more likely to change both their orbital type and shape than orbits with large pericentric radii. Whether the evolution is regular (and reversible) or chaotic (and irreversible), depends primarily on the radial distribution of the baryonic component. The growth of an extended baryonic component of any shape results in a regular rather than chaotic change in orbital populations. In contrast the growth of a massive and compact central component results in chaotic scattering of a significant fraction of both box and long-axis tube orbits. The growth of a disk causes a significant fraction of halo particles to become trapped by major global orbital resonances. Despite the fact that shape of a DM halo is always quite oblate following the growth of a central baryonic component, a significant fraction of its orbit population has characteristics of its triaxial or prolate progenitor (ABRIDGED).

MULTIPLE BIPOLAR MOLECULAR OUTFLOWS FROM THE L1551 IRS5 PROTOSTELLAR SYSTEM

The multiple protostellar system L1551 IRS5 exhibits a large-scale bipolar molecular outflow. We have studied this outflow within ~4000 AU of its driving source(s) with the SubMillimeter Array. Our CO(2-1) image at ~4" (~560 AU) resolution reveals three distinct components: 1) an X-shaped structure spanning ~20" from center with a similar symmetry axis and velocity pattern as the large-scale outflow; 2) an S-shaped structure spanning ~10" from center also with an opposite velocity pattern to the large-scale outflow; and 3) a compact central component spanning ~1.4" from center again with a similar symmetry axis and velocity pattern as the large-scale outflow. The X-shaped component likely comprises the limb-brightened walls of a cone-shaped cavity excavated by the outflows from the two main protostellar components. The compact central component likely comprises material newly entrained by one or both outflows from the two main protostellar components. The S-shaped component mostly likely comprises a precessing outflow with its symmetry axis inclined in the opposite sense to the plane of the sky than the other two components. This outflow may be driven by a recently reported candidate third protostellar component in L1551 IRS5, whose circumstellar disk is misaligned relative to the two main protostellar components. Gravitational interactions between this protostellar component and its more massive northern neighbor may be causing the circumstellar disk and hence outflow of this component to precess.

Relationship between Infrared and Radio Emission of Seyfert Galaxies

The relationships between the monochromatic luminosity of Seyfert galaxies at frequencies of 0.408, 1.49, and 4.85 GHz and the integrated luminosity in the far infrared (IR) range are investigated. At all radio frequencies they are linear and equally close. Some Seyfert galaxies, of morphological types S0/a, E, and S0, have a far higher radio luminosity than Seyfert spiral galaxies with the same IR luminosity. Most of them are found to have compact central radio components. Seyfert spiral galaxies follow the same relationship between radio and IR emission as non-Seyfert spiral galaxies. The relationships between radio and IR luminosity for the individual groups of galaxies of spectral types Sy 1-Sy 1.5 and Sy 1.8-Sy 2 are also linear.

1H 1752 + 081: an eclipsing cataclysmic variable with a small accretion disk

We announce the discovery of an eclipsing nova-like cataclysmic variable (CV) as the optical counterpart to the HEAO 1 X-ray source 1H1752 + 081. This CV has an orbital period of 1.882801 hr, a high equivalent width of H-beta, and an average m(sub v) of 16.4 out of the eclipse. A geometric model is constructed from observations of the eclipse ingress and egress in many optical bandpasses. The broad-band emission originates primarily in two regions; the disk/accretion stream 'hot spot' and a compact central component, which may be a spot on the white dwarf surface, the entire white dwarf surface or the boundary layer between the accretion disk and the white dwarf surface. Based on the durations and offsets of the two eclipses we determined the mass ratio q = 2.5 +/- 0.6 and the angle of inclination i = 77 deg +/- 2 deg. If the central component is the entire white dwarf surface the masses of the stars are M(sub 1) = 0.80 +/- 0.06 solar masses and M(sub 2) = 0.32 +/- 0.06 solar masses. The disk is faint and small (R(sub D) = 0.25 +/- 0.05 r(sub L1), where r(sub L1) is the distance from the primary to the L(sub 1) point), compared to other eclipsing CVs. The small disk may result from the removal of angular momentum from the accretion disk by the magnetic field of the white dwarf; this CV may be a DQ Her type with a slowly rotating white dwarf. The emission-line velocities do not show the 'Z-wave' expected from the eclipse of a Keplerian accretion disk, nor do they have the correct phasing to originate near the white dwarf. The most likely origin of the line emission is the hot spot. The secondary star is visible at wavelengths greater than or equal to 6000 A during eclipse. We estimate a spectral type approximately M6 which, together with the observed m(sub 1) = 16.94 during eclipse, results in a distance estimate of 150 +/- 27 pc.

A sample of powerful radio sources for VLBI studies

High-resolution observations are presented of several powerful extragalactic radio sources. They are members of a sample of sources, whose flux density (excluding any contribution from compact central components) exceeds 10 Jy at 178 MHz and whose luminosity exceeds 1028 W Hz−1 sr−1 at 178 MHz (emitted frequency), which were poorly resolved on previously published maps. Such a sample might be used as part of the systematic investigation of proper motion of components in VLBI jets, since it is free from any selection effects that might prejudice the outcome. The constraints that VLBI observations might place on simple models for the ‘superluminal velocities’ are briefly discussed.

Extragalactic sources with one-sided radio structure

A list has been compiled of 49 extragalactic sources, most of them identified with quasars, that appear to have a one-sided (D2 type) radio structure characterized by a single outer component displaced from a compact central (nuclear) component coincident with the optical object. The observed properties of a subsample of 28 D2 quasars that have an overall angular size larger than 5 arcsec are briefly discussed and compared with those of normal (D1 type) double quasars. It is found that the central components in most D2 sources account for more than half the total flux density at high frequencies in contrast to the D1 quasars which generally have less than 20 per cent of their total flux density in a central component. This makes it very unlikely that D2 sources are just those D1s in which there is a large intrinsic difference in the flux densities or separations of the two outer components. The observed properties of D2 sources are easier to understand in the relativistic beaming interpretation in which their axes are inclined at smaller angles with the line of sight compared to D1 sources.

Radio structures of a complete sample of quasars from the 4C catalog

Radio observations are reported for 57 quasars. Included are all of the quasars of Schmidt's 1974 complete sample from the 4C catalog. The observations were made with the Green Bank interferometer at 2.7 and 8.1 GHz, with baselines ranging from 300 m to 35 km. Model brightness distributions are presented, consisting of one to four elliptical Gaussian components. Angular sizes range from less than 0.2 to 77 arcsec. Of 38 well-resolved sources 21 contain a compact central component coincident with the optical object. The quasar 4C 32.69 = 2349+328 appears to exhibit a jetlike structure connecting the central component to one of the outer lobes.

Improved optical positions of objects associated with extended radio sources

Optical positions have been measured with rms accuracy ≼ 0.3 arcsec for 21 objects (19 of them QSOs) associated with extended 3C or 4C radio sources. For those sources with compact central components, the new positions remove the discrepancies between the positions of the optical object and central component. For sources without central components, the optical objects generally lie closer than before to the radio-source axis.

Relativistic jets and beams in radio galaxies

RADIO-ASTRONOMICAL observations have recently clarified the link between the components of extended double sources and the primary power supply in the central galactic nucleus. The new data vindicate the general idea1–4 that power is continuously supplied by beams; it seems, furthermore, that the beams are collimated in a scale little larger than the central power supply (≪ 1 pc), and that the orientation remains fairly steady over the whole lifetime. The giant double source 3C236, 2 × 107 light yr in total extent5,6, has a compact central component aligned with the overall axis7; a similar phenomenon is observed in Cygnus A (ref. 8). In NGC6251, a straight jet 200 kpc long9 emanates from a ‘blowtorch’ ≲ 0.1 pc wide in the galactic nucleus10. There is a radio jet11 in 3C147 reminiscent of the well-known features in M87 and 3C273; and very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) reveals linear structure in several compact extragalactic sources12. It is argued here that collimation occurs close to a central collapsed object, and that the beams are orientated along its spin axis. Strong-field gravitational effects then stabilise the beams against jitter even if the gas fuelling the source has an inconstant flow pattern. Radio galaxies where the beam axis seems to have gradually drifted or swung, rather than pointing in a constant direction, may belong to a special class that have experienced collisions and recurrent nuclear activity.

Nature of Central Radio Component of Double Extragalactic Radio Sources

The nature of the central component of double extragalactic radio sources (radio galaxies and QSO) is studied. Comparison of the radio luminosity of central components with that of compact QSO and that of the central components of E galaxies suggests that (a) in a broad scheme of radio evolution from QSO to elliptical galaxies through radio galaxies, we can consider the evolution of central components separately from that of extended components, and (b) the central components of double sources represent the middle phase between compact QSO and central components of E galaxies. A correlation between the radio luminosity of the central components and that of extended components is found.

Cygnus A at 99 GHz - Observations of the three principal components and interpretation of the central source

The three principal emission components of Cygnus A were observed at 99 GHz, the highest frequency at which radio measurements of this source have been accomplished. The observations show no definite indication of a high-frequency cutoff in the spectrum of the compact central component, which perhaps may be attributed to an optically thin synchrotron source that peaks at a frequency of several hundred GHz.

VLBI detection of compact central components in 17 extended radio sources

VLBI detection of compact central components in 17 extended radio sources