High-resolution Radio Observations Research Articles

A strong radio brightening at the jet base of M87 during the elevated very-high-energy γ-ray state in 2012

AbstractThe nearby radio galaxy M87 offers a unique opportunity for exploring the connection between γ-ray production and jet formation at an unprecedented linear resolution. However, the origin and location of the γ-rays in this source is still elusive. Based on previous radio/TeV correlation events, the unresolved jet base (radio core) and the peculiar knot HST-1 at >120 pc from the nucleus are proposed as candidate site(s) of γ-ray production. Here we report our intensive, high-resolution radio monitoring observations of the M87 jet with the VLBI Exploration of Radio Astrometry (VERA) and the European VLBI Network (EVN) from February 2011 to October 2012. During this period, an elevated level of the M87 flux is reported at TeV with VERITAS. We detected a remarkable flux increase in the radio core with VERA at 22/43 GHz coincident with the VHE activity. Meanwhile, HST-1 remained quiescent in terms of its flux density and structure at radio. These results strongly suggest that the TeV γ-ray activity in 2012 originates in the jet base within 0.03 pc (projected) from the central supermassive black hole.

High angular resolution 7 mm images toward the UC HII region W3(OH)

Context. Recent high angular resolution radio observations of the ultracompact H ii region W3(OH) confirm the presence of an extremely compact (0. ′′05), time-variable source near its center. Aims. We use new, sensitive high angular resolution observations of radio continuum and recombination lines to study the compact source in W3(OH) and the ultracompact H ii region itself. Methods. We reduced and analyzed extensive Jansky Very Large Array observations of W3(OH) in the continuum at 41.0 GHz and in the H54α and He54α lines. Results. Our images confirm there is the compact source and show that it is connected by a linear filament to the brightest part of W3(OH). We discuss several possible explanations for this structure and propose future observations that may clarify its nature.

Low-frequency high-resolution radio observations of the TeV-emitting blazar SHBL J001355.9−185406

In the framework of the unification scheme of radio-loud active galactic nuclei, BL Lac objects and quasars are the beamed end-on counterparts of low-power (FRI) and high-power (FRII) radio galaxies, respectively. Some BL Lacs have been found to possess the FRII-type large-scale radio morphology, suggesting that the parent population of BL Lacs is a mixture of low- and high-power radio galaxies. This seems to apply only to `low frequency-peaked' BL Lacs, since all the `high frequency-peaked' BL Lacs studied so far were shown to host exclusively the FRI-type radio jets. While analyzing the NVSS survey maps of the TeV detected BL Lacs, we have however discovered that the high frequency-peaked object SHBL J001355.9-185406 is associated uniquely with the one-sided, arcmin-scale, and edge-brightened jet/lobe-like feature extending to the south-west from the blazar core. In order to investigate in detail the large-scale morphology of SHBL J001355.9-185406, we have performed low-frequency and high-resolution observations of the source at 156, 259 and 629 MHz using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope. Our analysis indicates that no diffuse arcmin-scale emission is present around the unresolved blazar core, and that the arcmin-scale structure seen on the NVSS map breaks into three distinct features unrelated to the blazar, but instead associated with background AGN. The upper limits for the extended radio halo around the TeV-emitting BL Lac object SHBL J001355.9-185406 read as < 10% - 1% at $156-629$ MHz. The fact that the integrated radio spectrum of the unresolved blazar core is flat down to 156 MHz indicates that a self-similar character of the jet in the source holds up to relatively large distances from the jet base.

THE GOULD's BELT VERY LARGE ARRAY SURVEY. I. THE OPHIUCHUS COMPLEX

We present large-scale ($\sim$ 2000 square arcminutes), deep ($\sim$ 20 $\mu$Jy), high-resolution ($\sim$ 1$''$) radio observations of the Ophiuchus star-forming complex obtained with the Karl G.\ Jansky Very Large Array at $\lambda$ = 4 and 6 cm. In total, 189 sources were detected, 56 of them associated with known young stellar sources, and 4 with known extragalactic objects; the other 129 remain unclassified, but most of them are most probably background quasars. The vast majority of the young stars detected at radio wavelengths have spectral types K or M, although we also detect 4 objects of A/F/B types and 2 brown dwarf candidates. At least half of these young stars are non-thermal (gyrosynchrotron) sources, with active coronas characterized by high levels of variability, negative spectral indices, and (in some cases) significant circular polarization. As expected, there is a clear tendency for the fraction of non-thermal sources to increase from the younger (Class 0/I or flat spectrum) to the more evolved (Class III or weak line T Tauri) stars. The young stars detected both in X-rays and at radio wavelengths broadly follow a G\"udel-Benz relation, but with a different normalization than the most radio-active types of stars. Finally, we detect a $\sim$ 70 mJy compact extragalactic source near the center of the Ophiuchus core, which should be used as gain calibrator for any future radio observations of this region.

Radio and X-ray observations of jet ejection in Cygnus X-2

Abstract The ejection of a relativistic jet has been observed in the luminous Galactic low-mass X-ray binary Cygnus X-2. Using high-resolution radio observations, a directly resolved ejection event has been discovered while the source was on the horizontal branch of the Z-track. Contemporaneous radio and X-ray observations were made with the European VLBI Network at 6 cm and the Swift X-ray observatory in the 0.3–10 keV band. This has been difficult to achieve because of the previous inability to predict jet formation. Two sets of ∼10 h observations were spaced 12 h apart, the jet apparently switching on during Day 1. The radio results show an unresolved core evolving into an extended jet. A preliminary value of jet velocity v/c of 0.33±0.12 was obtained, consistent with previous determinations in Galactic sources. Simultaneous radio and X-ray lightcurves are presented and the X-ray hardness ratio shows the source to be on the horizontal branch where jets are expected. The observations support our proposal that jet formation can in future be predicted based on X-ray intensity increases beyond a critical value.

Deep, wide-field, global VLBI observations of theHubbledeep field north (HDF-N) and flanking fields (HFF)

Dust is commonly present in weakly radio emitting star-forming galaxies and this dust may obscure the signatures of accreting black holes in these objects. We aim to uncover weak active galactic nuclei, AGN, in the faint radio source population by means of deep high-resolution radio observations. VLBI observations with a world-wide array at unparallelled sensitivity are carried out to assess the nature of the faint radio source population in the Hubble Deep Field North and its flanking fields. Images of twelve compact, AGN-driven radio sources are presented. These represent roughly one quarter of the detectable faint radio source sample. Most, but not all of these low power AGN have X-ray detections. The majority of the faint radio source population must be star-forming galaxies. Faint AGN occur in a variety of (distant) host galaxies, and these are often accompanied by a dust-obscured starburst. Deep, high-resolution VLBI is a unique, powerful technique to assess the occurrence of faint AGN.

POSSIBLE ORIGIN OF RADIO EMISSION FROM NONTHERMAL ELECTRONS IN HOT ACCRETION FLOWS FOR LOW-LUMINOSITY ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI

The two components of radio emission, above and below 86 GHz respectively, from the Galactic center source-Sgr A* can be naturally explained by the hybrid of thermal and nonthermal electrons in hot accretion flows (e.g., radiatively inefficient accretion flow, RIAF, e.g., Yuan et al. 2003). We further apply this model to a sample of nearby low-luminosity active galactic nuclei (LLAGNs), which are also believed to be powered by the RIAF. We selected the LLAGNs with only compact radio cores according to the high-resolution radio observations, and the sources observed with jets or jet-like features are excluded. We find that the radio emission of LLAGNs is severely underpredicted by pure RIAF model, and can be naturally explained by the RIAF model with a hybrid electron population consisting of both thermal and nonthermal particles. Our model can roughly reproduce the observed anti-correlation between the mass-corrected radio loudness and Eddington ratio for the LLAGNs in our sample. We further model the spectral energy distributions of each source in our sample, and find that roughly all sources can be well fitted if a small fraction of the steady state electron energy is ejected into the nonthermal electrons. The size of radio emission region of our model is around several thousand gravitational radii, which is also roughly consistent with the recent high-resolution VLBI observations for some nearby LLAGNs.

Very Long Baseline Polarimetric monitoring at 15 GHz of the TeV blazar Markarian 421

Thanks to high resolution radio observations it is possible to obtain a direct imaging of the innermost regions of Active Galactic Nuclei; in particular, it is possible to investigate about the jet’s morphology and any proper motions, and the time evolution of physical parameters, such as flux densities and spectral index. Furthermore, with the study of the polarization properties, it is possible to obtain important information about the magnetic field structure and the emission mechanisms. In this work we present recent results about the nearby (z=0.031) TeV blazar Mrk 421. We analyzed data obtained with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA),both in total and polarized intensity, at twelve epochs (one observation per month from January to December 2011) at 15, 24 and 43 GHz, in the context of a broadband campaign from the radio to gamma-ray. We investigate the inner jet structure on parsec scale through the study of model-fit components for each epoch. At these frequencies the source shows a compact (about 0.13 mas, or 0.08 pc) and bright component, with a one sided jet detected out to about 10 mas. All model-fit components in the jet appear to be almost stationary during our observation period, and the spectral index is fairly flat in the core region and steepens along the jet’s length. In particular, we present a preliminary study of the polarization properties for the 15 GHz dataset: we found a degree of polarization of ∼ 1% for the core region and for the C3 component, at near 1 mas from the core, we found a value of near 14%.

VERY LONG BASELINE INTERFEROMETRY SEARCH FOR THE RADIO COUNTERPART OF HESS J1943+213

HESS J1943+213, a TeV point source close to the Galactic plane recently discovered by the H.E.S.S. collaboration, was proposed to be an extreme BL Lacertae object, though a pulsar wind nebula (PWN) nature could not be completely discarded. To investigate its nature, we performed high-resolution radio observations with the European Very Long Baseline Interferometry Network (EVN) and reanalyzed archival continuum and H {\sc i} data. The EVN observations revealed a compact radio counterpart of the TeV source. The low brightness temperature and the resolved nature of the radio source are indications against the beamed BL Lacertae hypothesis. The radio/X-ray source appears immersed in a $\sim$ 1\arcmin elliptical feature suggesting a possible galactic origin (PWN nature) for the HESS source. We found that HESS\,J1943+213 is located in the interior of a $\sim1\degr$ diameter H {\sc i} feature, and explored the possibility of they being physically related.

Periodic morphological changes in the radio structure of the gamma-ray binary LS 5039

Gamma-ray binaries allow us to study physical processes such as particle acceleration up to TeV energies and VHE gamma-ray emission and absorption with changing geometrical configurations on a periodic basis. These sources produce outflows of radio-emitting particles whose structure can be imaged with VLBI. LS 5039 is a gamma-ray binary that has shown variable VLBI structures in the past. We aim to characterise the radio morphological changes of LS 5039 and discriminate if they are either repeatable or erratic. We observed LS 5039 with the VLBA at 5 GHz during five consecutive days to cover the 3.9-day orbit and an extra day to disentangle between orbital or secular variability. We also compiled the available high-resolution radio observations of the source to study its morphological variability at different orbital phases. We used a simple model to interpret the obtained images. The new observations show that the morphology of LS 5039 up to projected distances of 10 milliarcseconds changes in 24 h. The observed radio morphological changes display a periodic orbital modulation. Multifrequency and multiepoch VLBI observations confirm that the morphological periodicity is stable on timescales of years. Using a simple model we show that the observed behaviour is compatible with the presence of a young non-accreting pulsar with an outflow behind it. The morphology is reproduced for inclinations of the orbit of 60-75 deg. For masses of the companion star in the range 20-50 Msun, this range of inclinations implies a mass of the compact object of 1.3-2.7 Msun. The periodic orbital modulation of the radio morphology of LS 5039 suggests that all gamma-ray binaries are expected to show a similar behaviour. The changes in the radio structure of LS 5039 are compatible with the presence of a young non-accreting neutron star, which suggests that the known gamma-ray binaries contain young pulsars.

VLBA monitoring of Mrk 421 at 15 GHz and 24 GHz during 2011

High-resolution radio observations are ideal for constraining the value of physical parameters in the inner regions of active-galactic-nucleus jets and complement results on multiwavelength (MWL) observations. This study is part of a wider multifrequency campaign targeting the nearby TeV blazar Markarian 421 (z=0.031), with observations in the sub-mm (SMA), optical/IR (GASP), UV/X-ray (Swift, RXTE, MAXI), and gamma rays (Fermi-LAT, MAGIC, VERITAS). We investigate the jet's morphology and any proper motions, and the time evolution of physical parameters such as flux densities and spectral index. The aim of our wider multifrequency campaign is to try to shed light on questions such as the nature of the radiating particles, the connection between the radio and gamma-ray emission, the location of the emitting regions and the origin of the flux variability. We consider data obtained with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) over twelve epochs (one observation per month from January to December 2011) at 15 GHz and 24 GHz. We investigate the inner jet structure on parsec scales through the study of model-fit components for each epoch. The structure of Mrk 421 is dominated by a compact (~0.13 mas) and bright component, with a one-sided jet detected out to ~10 mas. We identify 5-6 components in the jet that are consistent with being stationary during the 12-month period studied here. Measurements of the spectral index agree with those of other works: they are fairly flat in the core region and steepen along the jet length. Significant flux-density variations are detected for the core component. From our results, we draw an overall scenario in which we estimate a viewing angle 2{\deg} < theta < 5{\deg} and a different jet velocity for the radio and the high-energy emission regions, such that the respective Doppler factors are {\delta}r ~3 and {\delta}h.e. ~14.

Disturbed radio and optical morphology in the interacting galaxy pairs

AbstractWe present high resolution radio observations and their analysis of a radio-loud compact steep spectrum (CSS) sources FIRST J164311.3+315618 and FIRST J150805.6+342323. The radio observations presented here were made with the multi-element radio linked interferometer network (MERLIN) at 1.66 GHz and 5 GHz. The radio source FIRST J164311.3+315618 is associated with a small separation, 2.3 arcsec, radio-loud/radio-quiet binary quasar. The radio object FIRST J150805.6+342323 is associated with the north-eastern member of an interacting galaxy pair separated by 24 arcseconds. Our observations revealed disrupted radio morphology of both CSS sources. The distortions of the host galaxy of the two systems are also clearly visible in the optical images and, in the case of binary quasar FIRST J164311.3+315618, are well correlated with the radio ones. We suggest that the ignition of the AGN activity and its complex morphology is caused by the interaction with the companion in the process of merging.

Single-epoch VLBI imaging study of bright active galactic nuclei at 2 GHz and 8 GHz

We investigate statistical and individual astrophysical properties of active galactic nuclei (AGNs), such as parsec-scale flux density, core dominance, angular and linear sizes, maximum observed brightness temperatures of VLBI core components, spectral index distributions for core and jet components, and evolution of brightness temperature along the jets. Furthermore, we statistically compare core flux densities and brightness temperature as well as jet spectral indices of gamma-ray bright and weak sources. We used 19 very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observing sessions carried out simultaneously at 2.3 and 8.6 GHz with the participation of 10 Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) stations and up to 10 additional geodetic telescopes. The observations span the period 1998-2003. We present here single-epoch results from high-resolution radio observations of 370 AGNs. Our VLBI images at 2.3 and 8.6 GHz as well as Gaussian models are presented and analyzed. At least one-fourth of the cores are completely unresolved on the longest baselines of the global VLBI observations. The VLBI core components are partially opaque with the median value of spectral index of alpha_core=0.3, while the jet features are usually optically thin alpha_jet=-0.7. The spectral index typically decreases along the jet ridge line owing to the spectral aging, with a median value of -0.05 mas^-1. Brightness temperatures are found to be affected by Doppler boosting and reaching up to \sim10^13 K with a median of \sim2.5x10^11 K at both frequencies. The brightness temperature gradients along the jets typically follow a power law T_b\simr^-2.2 at both frequencies. 147 sources (40%) positionally associated with gamma-ray detections from the Fermi LAT Second Source Catalog have higher core flux densities and brightness temperatures, and are characterized by the less steep radio spectrum of the optically thin jet emission.

The radio spectra of reddened Two Micron All Sky Survey quasi-stellar objects: evidence for young radio jets

Multifrequency radio continuum observations (1.4–22 GHz) of a sample of reddened quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) are presented. We find a high incidence (13/16) of radio spectral properties, such as low-frequency turnovers, high-frequency spectral breaks or steep power-law slopes, similar to those observed in powerful compact steep spectrum (CSS) and gigahertz-peaked spectrum (GPS) sources. The radio data are consistent with relatively young radio jets with synchrotron ages yr. This calculation is limited by the lack of high-resolution (milliarcsec) radio observations. For the one source in the sample that such data are available a much younger radio age is determined, ≲ 2 × 103 yr, similar to those of GPS/CSS sources. These findings are consistent with claims that reddened QSOs are young systems captured at the first stages of the growth of their supermassive black holes. It also suggests that expanding radio lobes may be an important feedback mode at the early stages of the evolution of active galactic nuclei.

High resolution rapid response observations of compact radio sources with the Ceduna Hobart Interferometer (CHI)

Context. Frequent, simultaneous observations across the electromagnetic spectrum are essential to the study of a range of astrophysical phenomena including Active Galactic Nuclei. A key tool of such studies is the ability to observe an object when it flares i.e. exhibits a rapid and significant increase in its flux density. Aims. We describe the specific observational procedures and the calibration techniques that have been developed and tested to create a single baseline radio interferometer that can rapidly observe a flaring object. This is the only facility that is dedicated to rapid high resolution radio observations of an object south of -30 degrees declination. An immediate application is to provide rapid contemporaneous radio coverage of AGN flaring at {\gamma}-ray frequencies detected by the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. Methods. A single baseline interferometer was formed with radio telescopes in Hobart, Tasmania and Ceduna, South Australia. A software correlator was set up at the University of Tasmania to correlate these data. Results. Measurements of the flux densities of flaring objects can be made using our observing strategy within half an hour of a triggering event. These observations can be calibrated with amplitude errors better than 15%. Lower limits to the brightness temperatures of the sources can also be calculated using CHI.

High Resolution Radio and IR Observations of AGB Stars

AbstractAsymptotic Giant Branch Stars (AGB) are evolved, mass losing red giants with tenuous molecular envelopes which have been the subject of much recent study using infrared and radio interferometers. In oxygen rich stars, radio SiO masers form in the outer regions of the molecular envelopes and are powerful diagnostics of the extent of these envelopes. Spectroscopically resolved infrared interferometry helps constrain the extent of various species in the molecular layer. We made VLBA 7 mm SiO maser, Keck Interferometer near IR and VLTI/MIDI mid IR high resolution observations of the stars U Ari, W Cnc, RX Tau, RT Aql, S Ser and V Mon. This paper presents evidence that the SiO is depleted from the gas phase and speculate that it is frozen onto Al2O3 grains and that radiation pressure on these grains help drive the outflow.

Radio observations of the TeV source HESS J1943+213: a new case of a pulsar wind nebula?

Context. Recently, the H.E.S.S. Collaboration discovered a very high energy gamma-ray point source close to the Galactic plane. They offered three possible explanations for the nature of the sourc e: a gamma-ray binary, a pulsar wind nebula, or a BL Lacertae object. They concluded that the observations favoured an extreme BL Lacertae object interpretation. Aims. We investigated the nature of the radio source reported as the counterpart of the very high energy gamma-ray source. Methods. We performed high-resolution radio interferometric observations with the European Very Long Baseline Interferometry Network (EVN) at a frequency of 1.6 GHz on 2011 May 18. We also reanalysed archival 1.4-GHz radio continuum and HI spectral line data taken with the Very Large Array (VLA). Results. The accurate position of the radio source, as observed with EVN, is∼ 4 ′′ off from the one obtained in the NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS). The new position is in excellent agreement with that of the proposed X-ray counterpart of the TeV source. The brightness temperature of the compact radio source is∼8× 10 7 K. From HI absorption data, a distance of about 11.5± 1.5 kpc can be inferred for this source. The large-scale HI data unveiled t he presence of a shell-like feature with the radio/X-ray/TeV point source in its interior. We interpret this shell as the last vestige of a very old supernova that exploded in a tenuous environment created by the stellar wind of its massive stellar precursor. Conclusions. The estimated brightness temperature of the radio point source counterpart of HESS J1943+213 is well below the value expected from the Doppler-boosted radio emission of a BL Lacertae object. This fact and the discovery of traces of a dista nt supernova explosion around the location of the TeV source lead us to conclude that the most likely origin of the high-energy emission is a remote pulsar wind nebula. If this scenario is true, then the HI shel l around HESS J1943+213 may represent a population of hitherto missing Galactic supernova remnants.

Deep low-frequency radio observations of the NOAO Boötes field

In this article we present deep, high-resolution radio interferometric observations at 153 MHz to complement the extensively studied NOAO Bootes field. We provide a description of the observations, data reduction and source catalog construction. From our single pointing GMRT observation of ~12 hours we obtain a high-resolution (26" x 22") image of ~11.3 square degrees, fully covering the Bootes field region and beyond. The image has a central noise level of ~1.0 mJy/beam, which rises to 2.0-2.5 mJy/beam at the field edge, placing it amongst the deepest ~150 MHz surveys to date. The catalog of 598 extracted sources is estimated to be ~92 percent complete for >10 mJy sources, while the estimated contamination with false detections is <1 percent. The low RMS position uncertainty of 1.24" facilitates accurate matching against catalogs at optical, infrared and other wavelengths. Differential source counts are determined down to <~10 mJy. There is no evidence for flattening of the counts towards lower flux densities as observed in deep radio surveys at higher frequencies, suggesting that our catalog is dominated by the classical radio-loud AGN population that explains the counts at higher flux densities. Combination with available deep 1.4 GHz observations yields an accurate determination of spectral indices for 417 sources down to the lowest 153 MHz flux densities, of which 16 have ultra-steep spectra with spectral indices below -1.3. We confirm that flattening of the median spectral index towards low flux densities also occurs at this frequency. The detection fraction of the radio sources in NIR Ks-band is found to drop with radio spectral index, which is in agreement with the known correlation between spectral index and redshift for brighter radio sources.

DISCOVERY OF THE DISTURBED RADIO MORPHOLOGY IN THE INTERACTING BINARY QUASAR FIRST J164311.3+315618

We report the high-resolution radio observations and the subsequent analysis of the radio-loud compact steep spectrum quasar FIRST J164311.3+315618, one of the members of a binary system. The second component of the system is a radio-quiet active galactic nucleus. The projected separation of this pair is 23 (15 kpc); it is one of the smallest-known-separation binary quasars. The multi-band images of this binary system made with the Hubble Space Telescope show that the host galaxy of the radio-loud quasar is highly disturbed. The radio observations presented here were made with the Multi-Element Radio-Linked interferometer network (MERLIN) at 1.66 GHz and 5 GHz. We show that the radio morphology of FIRST J164311.3+315618 is complex on both frequencies and exhibits four components that indicate the intermittent activity with a possible rapid change of the jet direction and/or restarting of the jet due to the interaction with the companion. The radio components that are no longer powered by the jet can quickly fade away. We suggest that this makes the potential distortions of the radio structure short-lived phenomena. Our numerical simulations show that the influence of the companion can lead to prolonged current and future activities. FIRST J164311.3+315618 is an unusual and statistically very rare low redshift binary quasar wherein the first close encounter is probably just taking place.

Probing the history of SS 433’s jet kinematics via decade-resolution radio observations of W 50

We present the results of a kinematical study of the W50 nebula using high resolution radio observations from the Very Large Array (VLA) spanning a 12-year period, sampled in 1984, 1993 and 1996. We conduct a careful analysis of the proper motions of the radio filaments across the W50 nebula at each epoch, and detect no significant motion for them during this period. The apparent lack of movement in the radio filaments mandates either (i) a high degree of deceleration of SS433's jet ejecta in the W50 nebula, or (ii) that the lobes of W50 formed a long time ago in SS433's history, during a jet outburst with appreciably different characteristics to the well-known precessing jet state observed in SS433 at the present day. We discuss the possible scenarios which could explain this result, with relevance to the nature of SS433's current jet activity.