Gigahertz Peaked Spectrum Research Articles

Comparing extragalactic megahertz-peaked spectrum and gigahertz-peaked spectrum sources

Recent sensitive wide-field radio surveys, such as the LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey (LoTSS), the LOFAR LBA Sky Survey (LoLSS), and the Very Large Array Sky Survey (VLASS), enable the selection of statistically large samples of peaked spectrum (PS) sources. PS sources are radio sources that have a peak in their radio continuum spectrum and are observed to be compact. They are often considered to be the precursors to large radio galaxies. We present a sample of 8032 gigahertz-peaked spectrum (GPS) sources with spectral turnovers near 1400 MHz, and a sample of 506 megahertz-peaked spectrum (MPS) sources with turnovers near 144 MHz. Our GPS sample is over five times larger than any previously known sample of PS sources. These large sample sizes allow us to make a robust comparison between GPS sources and MPS sources, such that we can investigate the differences between these types of sources, and study their lifetimes. The shape of the source counts of both samples match that of the general radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGN) samples, scaled down by a factor 44 ± 2 for the MPS sample, and a factor 28 ± 1 for the GPS sample. Assuming no cosmological evolution, these offsets imply that both MPS and GPS sources have a shorter duration than general radio-loud AGN, with MPS sources having an ≈1.6 times shorter lifespan than GPS sources. The shorter duration of MPS sources relative to GPS sources can be explained by the transition between GPS and MPS sources coinciding with the jet breakout phase of PS sources, such that GPS sources traverse through the surrounding medium at a lower speed than MPS sources. Such evolution has been observed in simulations of PS source evolution.

Statistical Analysis of Pulsar Flux Density Distribution

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the spectral properties of 886 pulsars across a wide frequency range from 20 MHz–343.5 GHz, including a total of 86 millisecond pulsars (MSPs). The majority of the pulsars exhibit power-law behavior in their spectra, although some exceptions are observed. Five different spectral models, namely, simple power law, broken power law, low-frequency turnover, high-frequency cutoff, and double turnover, were employed to explore the spectral behaviors. The average spectral index for pulsars modeled with a simple power law is found to be −1.64 ± 0.80, consistent with previous studies. Additionally, significant correlations between the spectral index and characteristic parameters are observed, particularly in MSPs, while no strong correlation is observed in normal pulsars. Different models show variations in the most influential characteristic parameters associated with the spectral index, indicating diverse dominant radiation mechanisms in MSPs. Finally, this study identifies 22 pulsars of the gigahertz-peaked spectra type for the first time based on the Akaike information criterion.

High-Redshift Quasars at z ≥ 3: Radio Variability and MPS/GPS Candidates

We present a study of the radio variability of bright, S1.4≥100 mJy, high-redshift quasars at z≥3 on timescales of up to 30–40 yrs. The study involved simultaneous RATAN-600 measurements at the frequencies of 2.3, 4.7, 8.2, 11.2, and 22.3 GHz in 2017–2020. In addition, data from the literature were used. We have found that the variability index, VS, which quantifies the normalized difference between the maximum and minimum flux density while accounting for measurement uncertainties, ranges from 0.02 to 0.96 for the quasars. Approximately half of the objects in the sample exhibit a variability index within the range from 0.25 to 0.50, which is comparable to that observed in blazars at lower redshifts. The distribution of VS at 22.3 GHz is significantly different from that at 2.3–11.2 GHz, which may be attributed to the fact that a compact AGN core dominates at the source’s rest frame frequencies greater than 45 GHz, leading to higher variability indices obtained at 22.3 GHz (the VS distribution peaks around 0.4) compared to the lower frequencies (the VS distribution at 2.3 and 4.7 GHz peaks around 0.1–0.2). Several source groups with distinctive variability characteristics were found using the cluster analysis of quasars. We propose seven new candidates for gigahertz-peaked spectrum (GPS) sources and five new megahertz-peaked spectrum (MPS) sources based on their spectrum shape and variability features. Only 6 out of the 23 sources previously reported as GPS demonstrate a low variability level typical of classical GPS sources (VS<0.25) at 4.7–22.3 GHz. When excluding the highly variable peaked-spectrum blazars, we expect no more than 20% of the sources in the sample to be GPS candidates and no more than 10% to be MPS candidates.

VLBI position variability of AGNs is inversely correlated with their photometric variability

Aims. The stability of the International Celestial Reference Frame (ICRF), realized through geodetic very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) positions of thousands of extragalactic objects, is dependent on the individual positional stability of these objects. It has been recently shown that the prevalence of offsets between the VLBI positions of ICRF objects and their Gaia optical positions, which limit the optical-radio reference frame tie, is inversely correlated with optical photometric variability, suggesting that photometrically variable objects may be more positionally stable. In this work, we determine the relationship between VLBI position stability of ICRF objects and optical-radio position offsets as well as optical photometric variability. Methods. We created multi-epoch geodetic VLBI solutions for a sample of 520 ICRF sources that have sufficient data to determine the variability in their VLBI positions over time. We compared this position variability with the fractional photometric variability provided by the Gaia extragalactic source catalog, the Gaia-ICRF optical-radio position offsets, the uncertainty-normalized position offsets, and optical BP-RP color as well as with possible confounders such as optical magnitude, VLBI/Gaia position error, and redshift. We determined the relationship between VLBI position stability and γ-ray detection by the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT), and we determined how the VLBI position and optical flux variabilities correlate with the spectral classification of our sample, considering flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs), quasi-stellar objects, BL Lacs, Seyfert, and gigahertz-peaked spectrum radio sources or compact-steep-spectrum radio sources. Results. We found that VLBI astrometric variability is (i) negatively correlated with optical flux variability, (ii) positively correlated with optical-radio offsets, (iii) negatively correlated with optical color index BP-RP, and (iv) negatively correlated with γ-ray detection. We also found that the most positionally stable sources are among the FSRQ and BL Lac classes. In other words, redder, photometrically variable sources have the most stable VLBI positions, the smallest optical-radio position offsets, and the highest rate of γ-ray detection, and these sources tend to be spectrally classified as blazars. Conclusions. Our results are consistent with the most positionally stable sources being blazars, a class of object in which the jet is oriented close to the line of sight and where relativistic beaming increases photometric variability and minimizes the projected offset between the optical and radio positions. Our study should therefore orient future geodetic VLBI observing programs preferentially toward sources with high photometric variability because these sources are predicted to have better VLBI position stabilities and smaller optical-radio position offsets, improving the stability of the celestial reference frame axes.

The nature of compact radio-loud AGN: a systematic look at the LOFAR AGN population

ABSTRACT We investigate the nature of low-luminosity radio-loud active galactic nuclei (RLAGN) selected from the LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey (LoTSS) first data release (DR1). Using optical, mid-infrared, and radio data, we have conservatively selected 55 radiative AGN candidates from DR1 within the redshift range 0.03 < z < 0.1. We show using high-frequency Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) observations that 10 out of 55 objects show radio emission on scales >1–3 kpc, 42 are compact at the limiting resolution of 0.35 arcsec (taking an upper limit on the projected physical size, this corresponds to less than 1 kpc), and three are undetected. The extended objects display a wide range of radio morphologies: two-jet (5), one-jet (4), and double-lobed (1). We present the radio spectra of all detected radio sources which range from steep to flat/inverted and span the range seen for other compact radio sources such as compact symmetric objects (CSOs), compact steep spectrum (CSS) sources, and gigahertz peaked-spectrum (GPS) sources. Assuming synchrotron self-absorption (SSA) for flat/inverted radio spectrum sources, we predict small physical sizes for compact objects to range between 2 and 53 pc. Alternatively, using free–free absorption (FFA) models, we have estimated the free electron column depth for all compact objects, assuming a homogeneous absorber. We find that these objects do not occupy a special position on the power/linear size (P − D) diagram but some share a region with radio-quiet quasars (RQQs) and the so-called ‘FR0’ sources in terms of radio luminosity and linear size.

Parsec-scale evolution of the gigahertz-peaked spectrum quasar PKS 0858 − 279

ABSTRACT We conducted multi-epoch, multifrequency parsec-scale studies on the gigahertz-peaked spectrum quasar PKS 0858 − 279 with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA). Our observations on 2005 November 26 elucidated a weak core, characterized by an inverted spectrum, and a distinctly bent jet that exhibited a notable bright feature in its Stokes I emission. Through comprehensive analysis of polarization and spectral data, we inferred the formation of a shock wave within this feature, stemming from interactions with a dense cloud in the ambient medium. In this paper, Very Long Baseline Interferometry-Gaia astrometry further reinforces the core identification. With a deep analysis of six additional VLBA epochs spanning from 2007 to 2018, we observed that while the quasar’s parsec-scale structure remained largely consistent, there were discernible flux density changes. These variations strongly imply the recurrent ejection of plasma into the jet. Complementing our VLBA data, RATAN-600 observations of the integrated spectra suggested an interaction between standing and travelling shock waves in 2005. Moreover, our multi-epoch polarization analysis revealed a drastic drop in rotation measure values from 6000 to 1000 rad m−2 within a single year, attributable to diminishing magnetic fields and particle density in an external cloud. This change is likely instigated by a shock in the cloud, triggered by the cloud’s interaction with the jet, subsequently prompting its expansion. Notably, we also observed a significant change in the magnetic field direction of the jet, from being perpendicular post its observed bend to being perpendicular prior to the bend – an alteration possibly induced by the dynamics of shock waves.

FRAMEx. V. Radio Spectral Shape at Central Subparsec Region of Active Galactic Nuclei

We present results from the Very Long Baseline Array multifrequency (1.6, 4.4, 8.6, and 22 GHz), high-sensitivity (∼25 μJy beam−1), subparsec-scale (<1 pc) observations and spectral energy distributions for a sample of 12 local active galactic nuclei (AGNs), a subset from our previous volume-complete sample with hard-X-ray (14–195 keV) luminosities above 1042 erg s−1, out to a distance of 40 Mpc. All 12 of the sources presented here were detected in the C (4.4 GHz) and X (8.6 GHz) bands, 75% in the L band (1.6 GHz), and 50% in the K band (22 GHz). Most sources showed compact, resolved/slightly resolved, central subparsec-scale radio morphology, except for a few with extended outflow-like features. A couple of sources have an additional component that may indicate the presence of a dual-core, single or double-sided jet or a more intricate feature, such as radio emission resulting from interaction with the nearby interstellar medium. The spectral slopes are mostly gigahertz-peaked or curved, with a few showing steep, flat, or inverted spectra. We found that at the subparsec scale, the gigahertz-peaked spectra belong to the low-accreting, radio-loud AGNs, with a tendency to produce strong outflows, possibly small-scale jets, and/or have a coronal origin. In contrast, flat/inverted spectra suggest compact radio emission from the central regions of highly accreting AGNs, possibly associated with radio-quiet AGNs producing winds/shocks or nuclear star formation in the vicinity of black holes.

A plausible link between dynamically unsettled molecular gas and the radio jet in NGC 6328

We report the detection of outflowing molecular gas at the center of the nearby radio galaxy NGC6328 (z = 0.014), which has a gigahertz-peaked spectrum radio core and a compact (2 pc) young double radio lobe tracing jet. Utilizing Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) CO(3 − 2) and CO(2 − 1) observations, as well as a novel code developed to fit the 3D gas distribution and kinematics, to study the molecular gas kinematics, we find that the bulk of the gas is situated within a highly warped disk structure, most likely the result of a past merger event. Our analysis further uncovers, within the inner regions of the gas distribution (R &lt; 300 pc) and at a position angle aligning with that of the radio jet (150°), the existence of two anti-diametric molecular gas structures kinematically detached from the main disk. These structures most likely trace a jet-induced cold gas outflow with a total lower limit mass of 2 × 106 M⊙ mass, corresponding to an outflow rate of 2 M⊙ yr−1 and a kinetic power of 2.7 × 1040 erg s−1. The energy required to maintain such a molecular outflow is aligned with the mechanical power of the jet.

Statistical Properties of Pulsars with the Gigahertz-Peaked Spectra

Statistical Properties of Pulsars with the Gigahertz-Peaked Spectra

A powerful (and likely young) radio-loud quasar at z = 5.3

We present the discovery of PSO J191.05696+86.43172 (hereafter PSO J191+86), a new powerful radio-loud quasar (QSO) in the early Universe (z = 5.32). We discovered it by cross-matching the NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS) radio catalog at 1.4 GHz with the first data release of the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS PS1) in the optical. With a NVSS flux density of 74.2 mJy, PSO J191+86 is one of the brightest radio QSO discovered at z ∼ 5. The intensity of its radio emission is also confirmed by the very high value of radio loudness (R &gt; 300). The observed radio spectrum of PSO J191+86 shows a possible turnover around ∼1 GHz (i.e., ∼6 GHz in the rest frame), making it a gigahertz-peaked spectrum (GPS) source. However, variability could affect the real shape of the radio spectrum, because the data in hand were taken ∼25 years apart. By assuming a peak in the observed radio spectrum between 1 and 2 GHz (i.e., ∼6 and 13 GHz in the rest-frame) we find a linear size of the source of ∼10–30 pc and a corresponding kinetic age of 150–460 yr. This would make PSO J191+86 a newly born radio source. However, the large X-ray luminosity (5.3×1045 erg s−1), the flat X-ray photon index (ΓX = 1.32), and the optical–X-ray spectral index (αox̃ = 1.329) are typical of blazars. This could indicate that the nonthermal emission of PSO J191+86 is Doppler boosted. Further radio observations (both on arcsec and parsec scales) are necessary to better investigate the nature of this powerful radio QSO.

Extragalactic peaked-spectrum radio sources at low frequencies are young radio galaxies

We present a sample of 373 peaked-spectrum (PS) sources with spectral peaks around 150 MHz, selected using a subset of the two LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR) all-sky surveys, the LOFAR Two Meter Sky Survey and the LOFAR LBA Sky Survey. These LOFAR surveys are the most sensitive low-frequency widefield surveys to date, allowing us to select low-luminosity peaked-spectrum sources. Our sample increases the number of known PS sources in our survey area by a factor 50. The 5 GHz luminosity distribution of our PS sample shows we sample the lowest luminosity PS sources to date by nearly an order of magnitude. Since high-frequency gigahertz-peaked spectrum sources and compact steep-spectrum sources are hypothesised to be the precursors to large radio galaxies, we investigate whether this is also the case for our sample of low-frequency PS sources. Using optical line emission criteria, we find that our PS sources are predominately high-excitation radio galaxies instead of low-excitation radio galaxies, corresponding to a quickly evolving population. We compute the radio source counts of our PS sample, and find they are scaled down by a factor of ≈40 compared to a general sample of radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGN). This implies that the lifetimes of PS sources are 40 times shorter than large-scale radio galaxies if their luminosity functions are identical. To investigate this, we compute the first radio luminosity function for a homogeneously selected PS sample. We find that for 144 MHz luminosities ≳1025 W Hz−1, the PS luminosity function has the same shape as an unresolved radio-loud AGN population, but shifted down by a factor of ≈-pagination10. We interpret this as strong evidence that these high-luminosity PS sources evolve into large-scale radio-loud AGN. For local low-luminosity PS sources, there is a surplus of PS sources, which we hypothesise to be the addition of frustrated PS sources that do not evolve into large-scale AGN.

Radio Spectra of Luminous, Heavily Obscured WISE-NVSS Selected Quasars

We present radio spectra spanning 0.1–10 GHz for the sample of heavily obscured luminous quasars with extremely red mid-infrared-optical colors and compact radio emission. The spectra are constructed from targeted 10 GHz observations and archival radio survey data that together yield 6–11 flux-density measurements for each object. Our primary result is that most (62%) of the sample have peaked or curved radio spectra and many (37%) could be classified as Gigahertz-Peaked Spectrum (GPS) sources. This indicates compact emission regions likely arising from recently triggered radio jets. Assuming synchrotron self-absorption (SSA) generates the peaks, we infer compact source sizes (3–100 pc) with strong magnetic fields (6–100 mG) and young ages (30–104 yr). Conversely, free-free absorption (FFA) could also create peaks due to the high column densities associated with the deeply embedded nature of the sample. However, we find no correlations between the existence or frequency of the peaks and any parameters of the MIR emission. The high-frequency spectral indices are steep (α ≈ −1) and correlate, weakly, with the ratio of MIR photon energy density to magnetic energy density, suggesting that the spectral steepening could arise from inverse Compton scattering off the intense MIR photon field. This study provides a foundation for combining multifrequency and mixed-resolution radio survey data for understanding the impact of young radio jets on the ISM and star-formation rates of their host galaxies. faGithub

Optical properties of Peaked Spectrum radio sources

ABSTRACT In this work, we study the optical properties of compact radio sources selected from the literature in order to determine the impact of the radio-jet in their circumnuclear environment. Our sample includes 58 Compact Steep Spectrum (CSS) and GigaHertz Peaked Spectrum (GPS) and 14 Megahertz-Peaked spectrum (MPS) radio sources located at z ≤ 1. The radio luminosity (LR) of the sample varies between Log LR ∼ 23.2 and 27.7 W Hz−1. We obtained optical spectra for all sources from SDSS-DR12 and performed a stellar population synthesis using the starlight code. We derived stellar masses (M⋆), ages 〈t⋆〉, star formation rates (SFR), metallicities 〈Z⋆〉 and internal reddening AV for all young AGNs of our sample. A visual inspection of the SDSS images was made to assign a morphological class for each source. Our results indicate that the sample is dominated by intermediate to old stellar populations and there is no strong correlation between optical and radio properties of these sources. Also, we found that young AGNs can be hosted by elliptical, spiral and interacting galaxies, confirming recent findings. When comparing the optical properties of CSS/GPS and MPS sources, we do not find any significant difference. Finally, the Mid-Infrared WISE colours analysis suggests that the compact radio sources defined as powerful AGNs are, in general, gas-rich systems.

Parsec-scale properties of the peculiar gigahertz-peaked spectrum quasar 0858−279

ABSTRACT We performed multifrequency studies on the gigahertz-peaked spectrum high-redshift quasar 0858−279. Initially, the source presented itself in the early VLBI images as a very peculiar resolved blob. We observed the quasar with the VLBA at 1.4–24 GHz in a dual-polarization mode. The high spatial resolution and the spectral index maps enabled us to resolve the core-jet structure and locate a weak and compact core by its inverted spectrum. The dominant jet component 20 parsecs away from the core was optically thin above 10 GHz and opaque below it. We also estimated an uncommonly strong magnetic field in the bright jet feature, which turned out to be around 1 G. The Faraday rotation measure maps revealed high RM values over 6000 rad m−2. Additionally, these maps allowed us to follow the magnetic field direction in the bright jet feature being perpendicular to the propagation direction of the jet. All the results strongly indicated the formation of a shock wave in the dominant component arising from an interaction with the surrounding matter. Using the proposed hypothesis and the core shift approach, we discovered that the magnetic field in the core region is of the order of 0.1 G.

The uGMRT Observations of Three New Gigahertz-peaked Spectra Pulsars

Abstract Using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope, we report the detailed spectral measurements over a wide frequency range of three pulsars (J1741−3016, J1757−2223, and J1845−0743), which allow us to identify them as new gigahertz-peaked spectra pulsars. Our results indicate that their spectra show turnovers at the frequencies of 620 MHz, 640 MHz, and 650 MHz, respectively. Our analysis proves that wideband observations improve estimations of spectral nature using a free–free thermal absorption model, and thus allow for a more accurate approximation of the maximum energy in the spectrum. While there is no evidence as yet that these objects are associated with a supernova remnant or pulsar wind nebula, they will make good targets when looking for interesting environments in the future, or when conducting more sensitive sky surveys.

Multi-frequency radio observations of the radio-loud magnetar XTE J1810−197

Abstract We report on the multi-frequency multi-epoch radio observations of the magnetar XTE J1810−197, which exhibited a radio outburst from 2018 December after its 10-year quiescent period. We performed quasi-simultaneous observations with VERA (22 GHz), Hitachi (6.9 GHz and 8.4 GHz), Kashima (2.3 GHz), and Iitate (0.3 GHz) radio telescopes located in Japan to trace the variability of the magnetar radio pulsations during the observing period from 2018 December 13 to 2019 June 12. The pulse width becomes narrower as the observing frequency goes higher, analogous to the general profile narrowing behavior of ordinary pulsars. When assuming a simple power law in the range of 2.3 GHz and 8.7 GHz, the radio spectrum of the magnetar goes steeper with the average spectral index 〈α〉 ≈ −0.85 for the first four months. The wide-band radio spectra gathered from our observations and the literature suggest that XTE J1810−197 would have a double-peaked spectrum with a valley point in 22–150 GHz, where the first spectral peak implies a gigahertz-peaked spectrum (GPS) feature with a peak at a few GHz. The GPS and the high-frequency peak have been identified in the spectra of other radio-loud magnetars, thus they may be intrinsic features that can give a new insight to the understanding of various emission mechanisms and the surrounding environments of radio magnetars. Our study emphasizes the importance of simultaneous long-term broad-band observations toward radio-loud magnetars to capture the puzzling spectral features and establish a link to other types of neutron stars.

The relationship between FR0 radio galaxies and gigahertz‐peaked spectrum sources

AbstractWe present the results of our study of the relationship between Fanaroff‐Riley type 0 (FR0) radio galaxies and gigahertz‐peaked spectrum (GPS) sources. Quasi‐simultaneous radio spectra of 34 FR0s were obtained at 2.25–22.3 GHz with the radio telescope RATAN‐600 in 2020–2021 during 2–6 epochs. Most FR0s have flat radio spectra, but we found many spectra with a peaked shape. Due to this fact and the compact nature of FR0s, we suggest their possible relationship with compact steep‐spectrum (CSS)/GPS radio sources. We analyzed broadband radio spectra of the 34 FR0s using the RATAN‐600 measurements and available literature data. There are 14 FR0 objects which can be CSS/GPS radio source candidates. Most FR0s have broader radio spectra than those of genuine GPS sources, with like in blazars. Most spectral indices at the frequencies below and above the peak do not correspond to the values typical of canonical GPS sources. We classified 3 FR0s as low‐power GPS sources according to the canonical criteria. The key issue is the variability properties of FR0s. Some FR0s demonstrate a variability level of up to 25% on a time scale of 1 year according to the RATAN‐600 measurements. The flare phenomena in FR0 objects can imply a relationship between them and blazars.

High-redshift quasars at z ≥ 3 – I. Radio spectra

ABSTRACT We present the radio properties of optically selected quasars with z ≥ 3. The complete sample consists of 102 quasars with a flux density level S1.4 ≥ 100 mJy in a declination range −35° ≤ Dec. ≤ +49°. The observations were obtained in 2017–2020 using the radio telescope RATAN-600. We measured flux densities at six frequencies 1.2, 2.3, 4.7, 8.2, 11.2, and 22 GHz quasi-simultaneously with uncertainties of 9–31 per cent. The detection rate is 100, 89, and 46 per cent at 4.7, 11.2, and 22 GHz, respectively. We have analysed the averaged radio spectra of the quasars based on the RATAN and literature data. We classify 46 per cent of radio spectra as peaked-spectrum, 24 per cent as flat, and none as ultra-steep spectra (α ≤ −1.1). The multifrequency data reveal that a peaked spectral shape (PS) is a common feature for bright high-redshift quasars. This indicates the dominance of bright compact core emission and the insignificant contribution of extended optically thin kpc-scale components in observed radio spectra. Using these new radio data, the radio loudness log R was estimated for 71 objects with a median value of 3.5, showing that the majority of the quasars are highly radio-loud with log R &amp;gt; 2.5. We have not found any significant correlation between z and α. Several new megahertz- peaked spectrum (MPS) and gigahertz- peaked spectrum (GPS) candidates are suggested. Further studies of their variability and additional low-frequency observations are needed to classify them precisely.

Revealing the unusual structure of the KAT-7-discovered giant radio galaxy J0133−1302

ABSTRACT We present a new study of the 1.7 Mpc KAT-7-discovered Giant Radio Galaxy, J0133−1302, which was carried out using GMRT data at 323 and 608 MHz. This source is located at RA 01h33m13s and Dec. −13○03′00″ and has a photometric redshift of ∼0.3. We discovered unusual morphological properties of the source which include lobes that are exceptionally asymmetric, where the upper lobe is much further from the core when compared to the lower lobe, and a complex structure of the upper lobe. The complex structure of the upper lobe hints at the presence of another source, in close proximity to the edge of the lobe, which resembles a bent-double, or distorted bent tail Radio Galaxy. Both the upper lobe and the lower lobe have a steep spectrum, and the synchrotron age of the lower lobe should be less than about 44 Myr. The core has an inverted spectrum, and our results suggest that the parent Galaxy in J0133−1302 is starting a new jet activity. Our spectral analysis indicates that this source could be a GigaHertz Peaked Spectrum radio Galaxy.

Radio continuum sources behind the Large Magellanic Cloud

ABSTRACT We present a comprehensive multifrequency catalogue of radio sources behind the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) between 0.2 and 20 GHz, gathered from a combination of new and legacy radio continuum surveys. This catalogue covers an area of ∼144 deg2 at angular resolutions from 45 arcsec to ∼3 arcmin. We find 6434 discrete radio sources in total, of which 3789 are detected at two or more radio frequencies. We estimate the median spectral index (α; where Sv ∼ να) of α = −0.89 and mean of −0.88 ± 0.48 for 3636 sources detected exclusively at two frequencies (0.843 and 1.384 GHz) with similar resolution [full width at half-maximum (FWHM) ∼40–45 arcsec]. The large frequency range of the surveys makes it an effective tool to investigate Gigahertz Peak Spectrum (GPS), Compact Steep Spectrum (CSS), and Infrared Faint Radio Source (IFRS) populations within our sample. We find 10 GPS candidates with peak frequencies near 5 GHz, from which we estimate their linear size. 1866 sources from our catalogue are CSS candidates with α &amp;lt; −0.8. We found six candidates for High Frequency Peaker (HFP) sources, whose radio fluxes peak above 5 GHz and no sources with unconstrained peaks and α &amp;gt; 0.5. We found optical counterparts for 343 of the radio continuum sources, of which 128 have a redshift measurement. Finally, we investigate the population of 123 IFRSs found in this study.