High Eddington Ratios Research Articles

Windy or Not: Radio Parsec-scale Evidence for a Broad-line Region Wind in Radio-quiet Quasars

Does a broad-line region (BLR) wind in radio-quiet (RQ) active galactic nuclei (AGN) extend to parsec scales and produce radio emission? We explore the correlations between a parsec-scale radio wind and the BLR wind in a sample of 19 RQ Palomar–Green quasars. The radio wind is defined based on the spectral slope and the compactness of the emission at 1.5–5 GHz, and the BLR wind is defined by the excess blue wing in the C iv emission line profile. The five objects with both radio and BLR wind indicators are found at high Eddington ratios, L/L Edd (≥0.66), and eight of the nine objects with neither radio nor BLR winds reside at low L/L Edd (≤0.28). This suggests that the BLR wind and the radio wind in RQ AGN are related to a radiation-pressure-driven wind. Evidence for free–free absorption by AGN photoionized gas, which flattens the spectral slope, is found in two objects. Radio outflows in three low-L/L Edd (0.05–0.12) objects are likely from a low-power jet, as suggested by additional evidence. The presence of a mild equatorial BLR wind in four intermediate-L/L Edd (0.2–0.4) objects can be tested with future spectropolarimetry.

Chemical abundances along the quasar main sequence

Context. The main sequence of quasars has emerged as a powerful tool for organizing the observational and physical characteristics of type-1 active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Aims. In this study, we present a comprehensive analysis of the metallicity of the gas in the broad-line region, incorporating both new data and previously published findings, to assess the presence of any trend along the main sequence. Methods. We performed a multicomponent analysis on the strongest ultraviolet (UV) and optical emission lines for a sample of 13 radio quiet quasars in the 0.009 ≤ z ≤ 0.472 redshift range, selected based on the availability of multiwavelength data. We employed UV and optical data obtained from the Hubble Space Telescope (mainly from the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph and Faint Object Spectrograph) and several ground-based observatories, respectively. We then measured ten diagnostic ratios and compared them with the prediction of CLOUDY photoionization simulations, identifying the closest photoionization solution to the data. Results. Our investigation reveals a consistent pattern along the main sequence. We observe a systematic progression in metallicity, ranging from subsolar values to metallicity levels several times higher than solar values. Conclusions. These findings underscore the fundamental role of metallicity in correlating with the main sequence of quasars. Extreme metallicity values, at least several dozen times the solar metallicity, are confirmed in low-z AGNs radiating at a high Eddington ratio, although the origin of the extreme enrichment remains open to debate.

On the Nature of the Radio Calibrator and Gamma-Ray Emitting NLS1 Galaxy 3C 286 and Its Multiwavelength Variability

The quasar 3C 286, a well-known calibrator source in radio astronomy, was found to exhibit exceptional multiwavelength properties. Its rich and complex optical emission-line spectrum revealed its narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) nature. Given its strong radio emission, this makes 3C 286 one of the radio-loudest NLS1 galaxies known to date. 3C 286 is also one of very few known compact steep-spectrum (CSS) sources detected in the gamma-ray regime. Observations in the X-ray regime, rarely carried out so far, revealed evidence for variability, raising the question whether it is driven by the accretion disk or jet. 3C 286 is also well known for its damped Lyman alpha system from an intervening absorber at z = 0.692, triggering a search for the corresponding X-ray absorption along the line-of-sight. Here, we present new observations in the radio, X-ray, optical, and UV bands. The nature of the X-ray variability is addressed. Spectral evidence suggests that it is primarily driven by the accretion disk (not the jet), and the X-ray spectrum is well fit by a powerlaw plus soft excess model. The radio flux density and polarization remain constant at the Effelsberg telescope resolution, reconfirming the use of 3C 286 as radio calibrator. The amount of reddening/absorption along the line-of-sight intrinsic to 3C 286 is rigorously assessed. None is found, validating the derivation of a high Eddington ratio (L/LEdd ∼ 1) and of the very high radio-loudness index of 3C 286. Based on the first deep Chandra image of 3C 286, tentative evidence for hard X-ray emission from the SW radio lobe is reported. A large variety of models for the gamma-ray emission of 3C 286 are briefly discussed.

Updated picture of the active galactic nuclei with dusty/dust-free gas structures and effects of the radiation pressure

ABSTRACT This study investigates the properties of two gas structures of X-ray selected active galactic nuclei (AGNs), that is, dusty and dust-free gas components, by separating them with the line-of-sight dust extinction ($A_V$) and the neutral gas column density ($N_{\mathrm{H}}$). The typical column density of the dusty and dust-free gas differs depending on the Seyfert type, indicating that both structures have anisotropic column density distributions. The number of targets with the dusty gas column density ($N_{\mathrm{H,d}}$) of $\log N_{\mathrm{H,d}}\ [\mathrm{cm^{-2}}]\gt 23$ is much smaller than that with the same column density of the dust-free gas. This result indicates that the optically thick part of the dusty gas structure is very thin. There are very few targets with a larger Eddington ratio ($f_{\mathrm{Edd}}$) than the effective Eddington limit of the dusty gas and the covering factor of the dusty gas with $22\le \log N_{\mathrm{H,d}}\ [\mathrm{cm^{-2}}]\lt 24$ exhibits a clear drop at the effective Eddington limit. These results support the scenario wherein the covering factor of the dusty torus decreases in a high Eddington ratio owing to the radiation-driven dusty gas outflow. The covering factor of the dust-free gas with the column density ($N_{\mathrm{H,df}}$) of $22\le \log N_{\mathrm{H,df}}\ [\mathrm{cm^{-2}}]\lt 24$ similarly exhibits the decrease in high Eddington ratio, although it may be owing to the dust-free gas outflow driven by certain other mechanisms than the radiation pressure. Finally, we propose an updated picture of the AGN gas structure based on our results and the literature.

A unified accretion disc model for supermassive black holes in galaxy formation simulations: method and implementation

ABSTRACT It is well established that supermassive black hole (SMBH) feedback is crucial for regulating the evolution of massive, if not all, galaxies. However, modelling the interplay between SMBHs and their host galaxies is challenging due to the vast dynamic range. Previous simulations have utilized simple subgrid models for SMBH accretion, while recent advancements track the properties of the unresolved accretion disc, usually based on the thin α-disc model. However, this neglects accretion in the radiatively inefficient regime, expected to occur through a thick disc for a significant portion of an SMBH’s lifetime. To address this, we present a novel ‘unified’ accretion disc model for SMBHs, harnessing results from the analytical advection-dominated inflow–outflow solution (ADIOS) model and state-of-the-art general relativistic (radiation-)magnetohydrodynamics (GR(R)MHD) simulations. Going from low to high Eddington ratios, our model transitions from an ADIOS flow to a thin α-disc via a truncated disc, incorporating self-consistently SMBH spin evolution due to Lense–Thirring precession. Utilizing the moving mesh code arepo, we perform simulations of single and binary SMBHs within gaseous discs to validate our model and assess its impact. The disc state significantly affects observable luminosities, and we predict markedly different electromagnetic counterparts in SMBH binaries. Crucially, the assumed disc model shapes SMBH spin magnitudes and orientations, parameters that gravitational wave observatories like LISA and IPTA are poised to constrain. Our simulations emphasize the importance of accurately modelling SMBH accretion discs and spin evolution, as they modulate the available accretion power, profoundly shaping the interaction between SMBHs and their host galaxies.

A quasar-galaxy merger at z ∼ 6.2: Black hole mass and quasar properties from the NIRSpec spectrum

We present JWST/NIRSpec integral field data of the quasar PJ308-21 at z = 6.2342. As shown by previous ALMA and HST imaging, the quasar has two companion sources, interacting with the quasar host galaxy. The high-resolution G395H/290LP NIRSpec spectrum covers the 2.87 − 5.27 μm wavelength range and shows the rest-frame optical emission of the quasar with exquisite quality (signal-to-noise ratio ∼100 − 400 per spectral element). Based on the Hβ line from the broad line region, we obtain an estimate of the black hole mass MBH, Hβ ∼ 2.7 × 109 M⊙. This value is within a factor ≲1.5 of the Hα-based black hole mass from the same spectrum (MBH, Hα ∼ 1.93 × 109 M⊙) and is consistent with a previous estimate relying on the Mg IIλ2799 line (MBH, MgII ∼ 2.65 × 109 M⊙). All these MBH estimates are within the ∼0.5 dex intrinsic scatter of the adopted mass calibrations. The high Eddington ratio of PJ308-21 λEdd, Hβ ∼ 0.67 (λEdd, Hα ∼ 0.96) is in line with the overall quasar population at z ≳ 6. The relative strengths of the [O III], Fe II, and Hβ lines are consistent with the empirical “Eigenvector 1” correlations as observed for low redshift quasars. We find evidence for blueshifted [O III] λ5007 emission with a velocity offset Δv[O III] = −1922 ± 39 km s−1 from the systemic velocity and a full width at half maximum (FWHM) FWHM([O III]) = 2776−74+75 km s−1. This may be the signature of outflowing gas from the nuclear region, despite the true values of Δv[O III] and FWHM([O III]) likely being more uncertain due to the blending with Hβ and Fe II lines. Our study demonstrates the unique capabilities of NIRSpec in capturing quasar spectra at cosmic dawn and studying their properties in unprecedented detail.

The size-luminosity relation of local active galactic nuclei from interferometric observations of the broad-line region

By using the GRAVITY instrument with the near-infrared (NIR) Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI), the structure of the broad (emission-)line region (BLR) in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) can be spatially resolved, allowing the central black hole (BH) mass to be determined. This work reports new NIR VLTI/GRAVITY interferometric spectra for four type 1 AGNs (Mrk 509, PDS 456, Mrk 1239, and IC 4329A) with resolved broad-line emission. Dynamical modelling of interferometric data constrains the BLR radius and central BH mass measurements for our targets and reveals outflow-dominated BLRs for Mrk 509 and PDS 456. We present an updated radius-luminosity (R-L) relation independent of that derived with reverberation mapping (RM) measurements using all the GRAVITY-observed AGNs. We find our R-L relation to be largely consistent with that derived from RM measurements except at high luminosity, where BLR radii seem to be smaller than predicted. This is consistent with RM-based claims that high Eddington ratio AGNs show consistently smaller BLR sizes. The BH masses of our targets are also consistent with the standard MBH-σ* relation. Model-independent photocentre fitting shows spatial offsets between the hot dust continuum and the BLR photocentres (ranging from ∼17 μas to 140 μas) that are generally perpendicular to the alignment of the red- and blueshifted BLR photocentres. These offsets are found to be related to the AGN luminosity and could be caused by asymmetric K-band emission of the hot dust, shifting the dust photocentre. We discuss various possible scenarios that can explain this phenomenon.

Establishing accretion flares from supermassive black holes as a source of high-energy neutrinos

ABSTRACT The origin of cosmic high-energy neutrinos remains largely unexplained. For high-energy neutrino alerts from IceCube, a coincidence with time-variable emission has been seen for three different types of accreting black holes: (1) a gamma-ray flare from a blazar (TXS 0506+056), (2) an optical transient following a stellar tidal disruption event (TDE; AT2019dsg), and (3) an optical outburst from an active galactic nucleus (AGN; AT2019fdr). For the latter two sources, infrared follow-up observations revealed a powerful reverberation signal due to dust heated by the flare. This discovery motivates a systematic study of neutrino emission from all supermassive black hole with similar dust echoes. Because dust reprocessing is agnostic to the origin of the outburst, our work unifies TDEs and high-amplitude flares from AGN into a population that we dub accretion flares. Besides the two known events, we uncover a third flare that is coincident with a PeV-scale neutrino (AT2019aalc). Based solely on the optical and infrared properties, we estimate a significance of 3.6σ for this association of high-energy neutrinos with three accretion flares. Our results imply that at least ∼10 per cent of the IceCube high-energy neutrino alerts could be due to accretion flares. This is surprising because the sum of the fluence of these flares is at least three orders of magnitude lower compared to the total fluence of normal AGN. It thus appears that the efficiency of high-energy neutrino production in accretion flares is increased compared to non-flaring AGN. We speculate that this can be explained by the high Eddington ratio of the flares.

From Sub-Solar to Super-Solar Chemical Abundances along the Quasar Main Sequence

The 4D (four-dimensional) eigenvector 1 (E1) sequence has proven to be a highly effective tool for organizing observational and physical properties of type-1 active galactic nuclei (AGNs). In this paper, we present multiple measurements of metallicity for the broad line region gas, from new and previously-published data. We demonstrate a consistent trend along the optical plane of the E1 (also known as the quasar main sequence), defined by the line width of Balmer hydrogen Hβ profile and by a parameter measuring the prominence of singly-ionized iron emission. The trend involves an increase from sub-solar metallicity in correspondence with extreme Population B (weak Feii emission, large Hβ FWHM (full width at half maximum)) to metallicity several tens the solar value in correspondence with extreme Population A (strongest Feii optical emission, narrower Hβ profiles). The data establish the metallicity as a correlate of the 4DE1/main sequence. If the considerably high metallicity (Z≳10Z⊙, solar metallicity) gas is expelled from the sphere of influence of the central black hole, as indicated by the widespread evidence of nuclear outflows and disk wind in the case of sources radiating at a high Eddington ratio, then it is possible that the outflows from quasars played a role in chemically enriching the host galaxy.

BOSS quasar outflows traced by C iv

ABSTRACT We investigate possible factors that drive fast quasar outflows using a sample of 39 249 quasars at median redshift 〈z〉 ≈ 2.17. Unique to this study, the quasar redshifts are re-measured based on the Mg ii emission line, and explore unprecedented outflow velocities (>6000 km s−1), while maintaining statistical significance. We measure reliable C iv blueshifts for 1178 quasars with velocities >2500 km s−1. From those, 255(13) quasars have blueshifts above 4000(6000) km s−1, with the highest C iv velocity ≈7000 km s−1. Several correlations are observed, where higher C iv blueshifts in general are in quasars with broader, weaker C iv emission profiles, weak He ii emission, larger Eddington ratios, and bluer ultraviolet (UV) continuum slope across the rest-frame UV to near-infrared. Analysis reveals two primary factors contributing to faster outflows: higher Eddington ratios, and softer far-UV continuum (hν >24.6 eV). We find supporting evidence that radiative line driving may generate extreme outflow velocities, influenced by multiple factors as suggested by the aforementioned correlations. This evidence highlights the importance of considering a multidimensional parameter space in future studies when analyzing large C iv blueshifts to determine the fundamental causes of outflows.

Accretion/Ejection Phenomena and Emission-Line Profile (A)symmetries in Type-1 Active Galactic Nuclei

The distinct behaviors of blue- and redshifted broad emission-line shifts, emitted by ionic species with varying ionization potentials in active galactic nuclei (AGN), can be elucidated by considering the balance between radiation and gravitational forces along the quasar main sequence. Blueshifts are attributed to outflowing motions of the line-emitting gas toward the observer, and they are most pronounced in AGN with high Eddington ratios (Population A) and high luminosities. Conversely, redshifts in the broad-line wings are observed in Balmer emission lines of sources radiating at low Eddington ratios (Population B), though the origin of these redshifts remains a subject of ongoing debate. A correlation linking the redward asymmetry as measured by the centroid shift of the Hβ line profile to the black hole mass lends support to the notion that these shifts arise from gravitational and transverse redshift effects, particularly for black hole masses MBH≳108.7 M⊙.

Are “Changing-look” Active Galactic Nuclei Special in the Coevolution of Supermassive Black Holes and Their Hosts? I.

The nature of the so-called “changing-look” (CL) active galactic nucleus (AGN), which is characterized by spectral-type transitions within ∼10 yr, remains an open question. As the first in our series of studies, we attempt here to understand the CL phenomenon from the view of the coevolution of AGNs and their host galaxies (i.e., if CL-AGNs are at a specific evolutionary stage) by focusing on the SDSS local “partially obscured” AGNs in which the stellar population of the host galaxy can be easily measured in the integrated spectra. A spectroscopic follow-up program using the Xinglong 2.16 m, Lick/Shane 3 m, and Keck 10 m telescopes enables us to identify in total nine CL-AGNs from a sample of 59 candidates selected by their mid-infrared variability. Detailed analysis of these spectra shows that the host galaxies of the CL-AGNs are biased against young stellar populations and tend to be dominated by intermediate-age stellar populations. This motivates us to propose that CL-AGNs are probably particular AGNs at a specific evolutionary stage, such as a transition stage from “feast” to “famine” fueling of the supermassive black hole. In addition, we reinforce the previous claim that CL-AGNs tend to be biased against both a high Eddington ratio and a high bolometric luminosity, suggesting that the disk-wind broad-line-region model is a plausible explanation of the CL phenomenon.

Spectropolarimetry and spectral decomposition of high-accreting narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies

Context. Narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLSy1) galaxies have been shown to have high Eddington ratios and relatively small black hole mass. The measurement of these black hole masses is based on the virial relation that is dependent on the distribution of the line-emitting gas and the viewing angle to the source. Spectropolarimetry enables us to probe the geometry of this line-emitting gas and independently estimate the viewing angle of the source by comparing the spectrum viewed under natural light and polarized light. Aims. We aim to (i) estimate the virial factor using the viewing angles inferred from spectropolarimetric measurements for a sample of NLSy1s which influences the measurement of the black hole masses; (ii) model the natural and polarized spectra around the Hα region using spectral decomposition and spectral fitting techniques; (iii) infer the physical conditions (e.g., density and optical depth) of the broad-line region and the scattering medium responsible for the polarization of the Hα emission line (and continuum); and (iv) model the Stokes parameters using the polarization radiative transfer code STOKES. Methods. Using the FORS2 instrument at the European Southern Observatory’s (ESO) Very Large Telescope, We performed spectropolarimetric observations of three NLSy1: Mrk 1044, SDSS J080101.41+184840.7, and IRAS 04416+1215. We used the ESO REFLEX workflow to perform a standard data reduction and extract the natural and polarized spectra. We then modeled the Hα region in the reduced spectra using IRAF spectral fitting procedures and estimated the Stokes parameters and the viewing angles of the three sources. We modeled the Stokes parameters, inferred the properties of the scattering media located in the equatorial and polar regions, and simulated the spectra observed both in natural light and in polarized light using the polarization radiative transfer code STOKES. Results. The viewing angles recovered for the three sources indicate that they occupy separate locations in the viewing angle plane, from an almost face-on (IRAS 04416+1215) to an intermediate (SDSS J080101.41+184840.7), to a highly inclined (Mrk 1044) orientation. Nevertheless, we confirm that all three sources are high Eddington ratio objects. We were successful in recovering the observed Hα line profile in both the natural and polarized light using the STOKES modeling. We recovered the polarization fractions of the order of 0.2−0.5% for the three sources although the recovery of the phase angle is sub-optimal, mainly due to the noise in the observed data. Our principal component analysis shows that the sample of 25 sources, collected from the literature and including our sources, are mainly driven by the black hole mass and Eddington ratio. We reaffirm the connection of the strength of the optical FeII emission with the Eddington ratio, but the dependence on the viewing angle is moderate and resembles more of a secondary effect.

A Candidate Dual QSO at Cosmic Noon

We report the discovery of a candidate dual QSO at z = 1.889, a redshift that is in the era known as “cosmic noon” where most of the universe’s black hole and stellar mass growth occurred. The source was identified in Hubble Space Telescope WFC3/IR images of a dust-reddened QSO that showed two closely separated point sources at a projected distance of 0.″26, or 2.2 kpc. This red QSO was targeted for imaging to explore whether red QSOs are hosted by merging galaxies. We subsequently obtained a spatially resolved Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph spectrum of the system, covering the visible spectral range, and verifying the presence of two distinct QSO components. We also obtained high-resolution radio continuum observations with the Very Long Baseline Array at 1.4 GHz (21 cm L band) and found two sources coincident with the optical positions. The sources have similar black hole masses, bolometric luminosities, and radio-loudness parameters. However, their colors and reddenings differ significantly. The redder QSO has a higher Eddington ratio, consistent with previous findings. We consider the possibility of gravitational lensing and find that it would require extreme and unlikely conditions. If confirmed as a bona fide dual QSO, this system would link dust reddening to galaxy and supermassive black hole mergers, opening up a new population in which to search for samples of dual active galactic nuclei.

An escaping outflow in a galaxy with an intermediate-mass black hole

ABSTRACT While in massive galaxies active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback plays an important role, the role of AGN feedback is still under debate in dwarf galaxies. With well spatially resolved data obtained from the Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer, we identify a spatially extended ($\rm \sim 3\,\, kpc$) and fast ($V_{80} \sim 471\,\, \rm km\,\,s^{-1}$) AGN-driven outflow in a dwarf galaxy: Sloan Digital Sky Survey J022849.51-090153.8 with $M_{*} \sim 10^{9.6}\,\,{\rm {\rm M}_{\odot }}$ that host an intermediate-mass black hole of $M_{\rm BH} \sim 10^5\,\,{\rm {\rm M}_{\odot }}$ and LAGN/LEdd ∼ 0.15. Through the measurement of the rotation curve, we estimate the escape velocity of the halo and the ratio of the outflow velocity to the halo escape velocity to be 1.09 ± 0.04, indicating that the outflow is capable of escaping not only the galaxy disc but the halo. The outflow size of our AGN is found to be larger than AGN in massive galaxies at the given AGN [O iii] luminosity, while the size of the photoionized narrow-line region is comparable. These results suggest the important role of AGN feedback through outflows in dwarf galaxies when their central intermediate-mass black holes accrete at high-Eddington ratios.

Steep Balmer Decrement in Weak AGNs May Not Be Caused by Dust Extinction: Clues from Low-luminosity AGNs and Changing-look AGNs

The hydrogen Balmer decrement (e.g., Hα/Hβ) is widely adopted as an indicator of the internal reddening of active galactic nuclei (AGNs). This is challenged by some low-luminosity AGNs and changing-look AGNs (CLAGNs), which have steep Balmer decrement but without strong evidence for absorption. We compile a sample of normal AGNs and CLAGNs with a wider distribution of bolometric Eddington ratio (λ Edd = L bol/L Edd) and find a strong negative correlation between Hα/Hβ and λ Edd, which suggests that the Balmer decrement is also accretion-rate dependent. We further explore the Balmer decrement based on the photoionization model using the Cloudy code by considering spectral energy distribution from the accretion disk with different accretion rates (e.g., disk/corona and truncated disk at high and low Eddington ratios, respectively). Both the standard disk and truncated disk predict a negative correlation of Hα/Hβ–λ Edd, where the relation is steeper in the case of the truncated disk. The negative correlations are also explored in two single CLAGNs. The measured negative correlation of Hα/Hβ–λ Edd is mainly caused by the lower responsivity in Hα relative to that in Hβ due to the larger optical depth in the former. We propose that the steep Balmer decrements in low Eddington ratio AGNs (e.g., some Seyferts 1.5–1.9 and CLAGNs) are not simply caused by absorption but mainly caused by the relatively low flux of ionizing photons.

Properties and evolution of dual and offset AGN in the ASTRID simulation at z ∼ 2

ABSTRACT We examine the dual [both black hole (BH) active] and offset (one BH active and in distinct galaxies) active galactic nucleus (AGN) population (comprising ∼ 2000 pairs at $0.5\, \text{kpc}\lesssim \Delta r\lt 30\, \text{kpc}$) at z = 2 ∼ 3 in the ASTRID simulation covering (360 cMpc)3. The dual (offset) AGN make up 3.0(0.5) per cent of all AGN at z = 2. The dual fraction is roughly constant while the offset fraction increases by a factor of 10 from z = 4 ∼ 2. Compared with the full AGN population, duals are characterized by low MBH/M* ratios, high specific star formation rates (sSFR) of $\sim 1\, \text{Gyr}^{-1}$, and high Eddington ratios (∼0.05, double that of single AGN). Dual AGNs are formed in major galaxy mergers (typically involving $M_\text{halo}\lt 10^{13}\, M_\odot$), with simular-mass BHs. At small separations (when host galaxies are in the late phase of the merger), duals become 2 ∼ 8 times brighter (albeit more obscured) than at larger separations. 80 per cent of the bright, close duals would merge within $\sim 500\, \text{Myr}$. Notably, the initially less-massive BHs in duals frequently become the brighter AGN during galaxy mergers. In offset AGN, the active BH is typically ≳ 10 times more massive than its non-active counterpart and than most BHs in duals. Offsets are predominantly formed in minor galaxy mergers with the active BH residing in the centre of massive haloes ($M_\text{ halo}\sim 10^{13-14}\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$). In these deep potentials, gas stripping is common and the secondary quickly deactivates. The stripping also leads to inefficient orbital decay amongst offsets, which stall at $\Delta r\sim 5\, \text{kpc}$ for a few hundred Myrs.

X-ray emission from a rapidly accreting narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy at z = 6.56

Context. The space density of X-ray-luminous, blindly selected active galactic nuclei (AGN) traces the population of rapidly accreting super-massive black holes through cosmic time. It is encoded in the X-ray luminosity function, whose bright end remains poorly constrained in the first billion years after the Big Bang as X-ray surveys have thus far lacked the required cosmological volume. With the eROSITA Final Equatorial-Depth Survey (eFEDS), the largest contiguous and homogeneous X-ray survey to date, X-ray AGN population studies can now be extended to new regions of the luminosity–redshift space (L2 − 10 keV > 1045 erg s−1 and z > 6). Aims. The current study aims at identifying luminous quasars at z > 5.7 among X-ray-selected sources in the eFEDS field in order to place a lower limit on black hole accretion well into the epoch of re-ionisation. A secondary goal is the characterisation of the physical properties of these extreme coronal emitters at high redshifts. Methods. Cross-matching eFEDS catalogue sources to optical counterparts from the DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys, we confirm the low significance detection with eROSITA of a previously known, optically faint z = 6.56 quasar from the Subaru High-z Exploration of Low-luminosity Quasars (SHELLQs) survey. We obtained a pointed follow-up observation of the source with the Chandra X-ray telescope in order to confirm the low-significance eROSITA detection. Using new near-infrared spectroscopy, we derived the physical properties of the super-massive black hole. Finally, we used this detection to infer a lower limit on the black hole accretion density rate at z > 6. Results. The Chandra observation confirms the eFEDS source as the most distant blind X-ray detection to date. The derived X-ray luminosity is high with respect to the rest-frame optical emission of the quasar. With a narrow MgII line, low derived black hole mass, and high Eddington ratio, as well as its steep photon index, the source shows properties that are similar to local narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies, which are thought to be powered by young super-massive black holes. In combination with a previous high-redshift quasar detection in the field, we show that quasars with L2 − 10 keV > 1045 erg s−1 dominate accretion onto super-massive black holes at z ∼ 6.

Radio Observations of Four Active Galactic Nuclei Hosting Intermediate-mass Black Hole Candidates: Studying the Outflow Activity and Evolution

Observational searches for intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs; 102–106 M ⊙) include relatively isolated dwarf galaxies. For those that host active galactic nuclei (AGNs), the IMBH nature may be discerned through the accretion–jet activity. We present radio observations of four AGN-hosting dwarf galaxies, which potentially harbor IMBHs. Very large array (VLA) observations indicate steep spectra (indices of −0.63 to −1.05) between 1.4 and 9 GHz. However, a comparison with the 9 GHz in-band spectral index shows a steepening for GH047 and GH158 (implying older/relic emission) and flattening for GH106 and GH163 (implying recent activity). Overlapping emission regions in the VLA 1.4 GHz and our very long baseline array (VLBA) 1.5 GHz observations, and possibly symmetric pc-scale extensions, are consistent with recent activity in the latter two. Using the compact VLBA radio luminosity, X-ray luminosity (probing the accretion activity), and the black hole masses, all AGNs are found to lie on the empirical fundamental plane relation. The four AGNs are radio-quiet with relatively higher Eddington ratios (0.04–0.32) and resemble X-ray binaries during spectral state transitions that entail an outflow ejection. Furthermore, the radio to X-ray luminosity ratio of −3.9 to −5.6 in these four sources support the scenarios that include corona mass ejection from the accretion disk and wind activity. The growth to kpc-scales likely proceeds along a similar trajectory to young AGNs and peaked spectrum sources. These complex clues can thus aid in the detection and monitoring of IMBHs in the nearby universe.

Probing the Structure and Evolution of BASS Active Galactic Nuclei through Eddington Ratios

We constrain the intrinsic Eddington ratio (λ Edd) distribution function for local active galactic nuclei (AGN) in bins of low and high obscuration and ], using the Swift Burst Alert Telescope 70 month/BASS DR2 survey. We interpret the fraction of obscured AGN in terms of circumnuclear geometry and temporal evolution. Specifically, at low Eddington ratios (−2), obscured AGN outnumber unobscured ones by a factor of ∼4, reflecting the covering factor of the circumnuclear material (0.8, or a torus opening angle of ∼34°). At high Eddington ratios (−1), the trend is reversed, with <30% of AGN having , which we suggest is mainly due to the small fraction of time spent in a highly obscured state. Considering the Eddington ratio distribution function of narrow-line and broad-line AGN from our prior work, we see a qualitatively similar picture. To disentangle temporal and geometric effects at high λ Edd, we explore plausible clearing scenarios such that the time-weighted covering factors agree with the observed population ratio. We find that the low fraction of obscured AGN at high λ Edd is primarily due to the fact that the covering factor drops very rapidly, with more than half the time spent with <10% covering factor. We also find that nearly all obscured AGN at high-λ Edd exhibit some broad lines. We suggest that this is because the height of the depleted torus falls below the height of the broad-line region, making the latter visible from all lines of sight.