Micron Silicate Absorption Research Articles

The hunt for red active galactic nuclei: a new infrared diagnostic

We introduce a new infrared diagnostic to separate galaxies on the basis of their dominant infrared emission: stellar or nuclear. The main novelty with respect to existing diagnostics, is the usage of a broad band encompassing at the same time the 9.7micron Silicate absorption feature and one of the adjacent broad PAH (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) features. This provides a robust estimate of the near- to mid-infrared continuum slope and enables a clear distinction among different classes of galaxies up to a redshift z=2.5. The diagnostic can be applied to a wealth of archival data from the ISO, Spitzer, and Akari surveys as well as future JWST surveys. Based on data in the GOODS, Lockman Hole, and North Ecliptic Pole (NEP) fields, we find out that approximately 70% active galactic nuclei detected with X-ray and optical spectroscopy dominate the total mid-infrared emission. Finally, we estimate that AGN contribute less than 30% of the mid-infrared extragalactic integrated emission.

INTERSTELLAR SILICATE DUST IN THEz= 0.685 ABSORBER TOWARD TXS 0218+357

We report the detection of interstellar silicate dust in the z_abs=0.685 absorber along the sightline toward the gravitationally lensed blazar TXS 0218+357. Using Spitzer Space Telescope Infrared Spectrograph data we detect the 10 micron silicate absorption feature with a detection significance of 10.7-sigma. We fit laboratory-derived silicate dust profile templates obtained from literature to the observed 10 micron absorption feature, and find that the best single-mineral fit is obtained using an amorphous olivine template with a measured peak optical depth of tau_10=0.49+/-0.02, which rises to tau_10~0.67+/-0.04 if the covering factor is taken into account. We also detected the 18 micron silicate absorption feature in our data with a >3-sigma significance. Due to the proximity of the 18 micron absorption feature to the edge of our covered spectral range, and associated uncertainty about the shape of the quasar continuum normalization near 18 micron, we do not independently fit this feature. We find, however, that the shape and depth of the 18 micron silicate absorption are well-matched to the amorphous olivine template prediction, given the optical depth inferred for the 10 micron feature. The measured 10 micron peak optical depth in this absorber is significantly higher than those found in previously studied quasar absorption systems. The reddening, 21-cm absorption, and velocity spread of Mg II are not outliers relative to other studied absorption systems, however. This high optical depth may be evidence for variations in dust grain properties in the ISM between this and the previously studied high redshift galaxies.

GOODS-HERSCHEL: IMPACT OF ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI AND STAR FORMATION ACTIVITY ON INFRARED SPECTRAL ENERGY DISTRIBUTIONS AT HIGH REDSHIFT

We explore the effects of active galactic nuclei (AGN) and star formation activity on the infrared (0.3-1000 microns) spectral energy distributions of luminous infrared galaxies from z = 0.5 to 4.0. We have compiled a large sample of 151 galaxies selected at 24 microns (S24 > 100 uJy) in the GOODS-N and ECDFS fields for which we have deep Spitzer IRS spectroscopy, allowing us to decompose the mid-IR spectrum into contributions from star formation and AGN activity. A significant portion (~25%) of our sample is dominated by an AGN in the mid-IR. Based on the mid-IR classification, we divide our full sample into four sub-samples: z~1 star-forming (SF) sources; z~2 SF sources; AGN with clear 9.7 micron silicate absorption; and AGN with featureless mid-IR spectra. From our large spectroscopic sample and wealth of multi-wavelength data, including deep Herschel imaging at 100, 160, 250, 350, and 500 microns, we use 95 galaxies with complete spectral coverage to create a composite spectral energy distribution (SED) for each sub-sample. We then fit a two-temperature component modified blackbody to the SEDs. We find that the IR SEDs have similar cold dust temperatures, regardless of the mid-IR power source, but display a marked difference in the warmer dust temperatures. We calculate the average effective temperature of the dust in each sub-sample and find a significant (~20 K) difference between the SF and AGN systems. We compare our composite SEDs to local templates and find that local templates do not accurately reproduce the mid-IR features and dust temperatures of our high redshift systems. High redshift IR luminous galaxies contain significantly more cool dust than their local counterparts. We find that a full suite of photometry spanning the IR peak is necessary to accurately account for the dominant dust temperature components in high redshift IR luminous galaxies.

Clear detection of dusty torus signatures in a weak-line radio galaxy: the case of PKS 0043−42

We report the clearest detection to date of dusty torus signatures in a Weak-Line Radio Galaxy (WLRG). The deep Spitzer InfraRed Spectrograph (IRS) rest-frame mid-infrared (MIR) spectrum of the WLRG PKS 0043-42 (z=0.116) shows a clear spectral turnover at wavelengths longer than ~20 micron suggestive of warm dust, as well as a 9.7 micron silicate absorption feature. In addition, the hard X-ray results, based on Chandra data, strongly support a picture in which PKS 0043-42 has a torus and accretion disc more typical of Strong-Line Radio Galaxies (SLRGs). The MIR and X-ray spectra are markedly different from those of other WLRGs at similar redshifts, and here we show that the former can be successfully fitted with clumpy torus models with parameters characteristic of Type-2 AGN tori: close to edge-on (i=74 deg) and relatively broad (torus angular width=60 deg), with an outer radius of 2 pc, hydrogen column density ~1.6x10^(23) cm^(-2), and AGN bolometric luminosity ~1.6x10^(44) erg s^(-1). The presence of a compact torus in PKS 0043-42 provides evidence that this WLRG is fuelled by cold, rather than hot, gas accretion. We suggest that WLRGs are a diverse population, and PKS 0043-42 may represent a type of radio galaxy in which the AGN activity has been recently re-triggered as a consequence of intermittent gas supply, or in which the covering factor of the Narrow-Line Region (NLR) clouds is relatively low.

SPITZERINFRARED SPECTROMETER 16 μm OBSERVATIONS OF THE GOODS FIELDS

We present Spitzer 16 micron imaging of the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey (GOODS) fields. We survey 150 square arcminutes in each of the two GOODS fields (North and South), to an average 3 sigma depth of 40 and 65 micro-Jy respectively. We detect about 1300 sources in both fields combined. We validate the photometry using the 3-24 micron spectral energy distribution of stars in the fields compared to Spitzer spectroscopic templates. Comparison with ISOCAM and AKARI observations in the same fields show reasonable agreement, though the uncertainties are large. We provide a catalog of photometry, with sources cross correlated with available Spitzer, Chandra, and HST data. Galaxy number counts show good agreement with previous results from ISOCAM and AKARI, with improved uncertainties. We examine the 16 to 24 micron flux ratio and find that for most sources it lies within the expected locus for starbursts and infrared luminous galaxies. A color cut of S_{16}/S_{24}>1.4 selects mostly sources which lie at 1.1<z<1.6, where the 24 micron passband contains both the redshifted 9.7 micron silicate absorption and the minimum between PAH emission peaks. We measure the integrated galaxy light of 16 micron sources, and find a lower limit on the galaxy contribution to the extragalactic background light at this wavelength to be 2.2\pm 0.2$ nW m^{-2} sr^{-1}.

Principal component analysis of the Spitzer IRS spectra of ultraluminous infrared galaxies

We present the first principal component analysis (PCA) applied to a sample of 119 Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) spectra of local ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) at z<0.35. The purpose of this study is to objectively and uniquely characterise the local ULIRG population using all information contained in the observed spectra. We have derived the first three principal components (PCs) from the covariance matrix of our dataset which account for over 90% of the variance. The first PC is characterised by dust temperatures and the geometry of the mix of source and dust. The second PC is a pure star formation component. The third PC represents an anti-correlation between star formation activity and a rising AGN. Using the first three PCs, we are able to accurately reconstruct most of the spectra in our sample. Our work shows that there are several factors that are important in characterising the ULIRG population, dust temperature, geometry, star formation intensity, AGN contribution, etc. We also make comparison between PCA and other diagnostics such as ratio of the 6.2 microns PAH emission feature to the 9.7 micron silicate absorption depth and other observables such as optical spectral type.

THE c2dSPITZERSPECTROSCOPIC SURVEY OF ICES AROUND LOW-MASS YOUNG STELLAR OBJECTS. IV. NH3AND CH3OH

NH3 and CH3OH are key molecules in astrochemical networks leading to the formation of more complex N- and O-bearing molecules, such as CH3CN and HCOOCH3. Despite a number of recent studies, little is known about their abundances in the solid state. (...) In this work, we investigate the ~ 8-10 micron region in the Spitzer IRS (InfraRed Spectrograph) spectra of 41 low-mass young stellar objects (YSOs). These data are part of a survey of interstellar ices in a sample of low-mass YSOs studied in earlier papers in this series. We used both an empirical and a local continuum method to correct for the contribution from the 10 micron silicate absorption in the recorded spectra. In addition, we conducted a systematic laboratory study of NH3- and CH3OH-containing ices to help interpret the astronomical spectra. We clearly detect a feature at ~9 micron in 24 low-mass YSOs. Within the uncertainty in continuum determination, we identify this feature with the NH3 nu_2 umbrella mode, and derive abundances with respect to water between ~2 and 15%. Simultaneously, we also revisited the case of CH3OH ice by studying the nu_4 C-O stretch mode of this molecule at ~9.7 micron in 16 objects, yielding abundances consistent with those derived by Boogert et al. 2008 (hereafter paper I) based on a simultaneous 9.75 and 3.53 micron data analysis. Our study indicates that NH3 is present primarily in H2O-rich ices, but that in some cases, such ices are insufficient to explain the observed narrow FWHM. The laboratory data point to CH3OH being in an almost pure methanol ice, or mixed mainly with CO or CO2, consistent with its formation through hydrogenation on grains. Finally, we use our derived NH3 abundances in combination with previously published abundances of other solid N-bearing species to find that up to 10-20 % of nitrogen is locked up in known ices.

THE 3–5 μm SPECTRUM OF NGC 1068 AT HIGH ANGULAR RESOLUTION: DISTRIBUTION OF EMISSION AND ABSORPTION FEATURES ACROSS THE NUCLEAR CONTINUUM SOURCE

We report moderate resolution 3-5 micron spectroscopy of the nucleus of NGC 1068 obtained at 0.3 arcsec (20 pc) resolution with the spectrograph slit aligned approximately along the ionization cones of the AGN. The deconvolved FWHM of the nuclear continuum source in this direction is 0.3 arcsec. Four coronal lines of widely different excitations were detected; the intensity of each peaks near radio knot C, approximately 0.3 arcsec north of the infrared continuum peak, where the radio jet changes direction. Together with the broadened line profiles observed near that location, this suggests that shock-ionization is the dominant excitation mechanism of the coronal lines. The depth of the 3.4 micron hydrocarbon absorption is maximum at and just south of the continuum peak, similar to the 10 micron silicate absorption. That and the similar and rapid variations of the optical depths of both features across the nucleus suggest that substantial portions of both arise in a dusty environment just in front of the continuum source(s). A new and tighter limit is set on the column density of CO. Although clumpy models of the dust screen might explain the shallowness of the silicate feature, the presence of the 3.4 micron feature and the absence of CO are strongly reminiscent of Galactic diffuse cloud environments and a consistent explanation for them and the observed silicate feature is found if all three phenomena occur in such an environment, existing as close as 10 pc from the central engine.

Evolution of Dust and Ice Features around FU Orionis Objects

(abridged) We present spectroscopy data for a sample of 14 FUors and 2 TTauri stars observed with the Spitzer Space Telescope or with the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO). Based on the appearance of the 10 micron silicate feature we define 2 categories of FUors. Objects showing the silicate feature in absorption (Category 1) are still embedded in a dusty and icy envelope. The shape of the 10 micron silicate absorption bands is compared to typical dust compositions of the interstellar medium and found to be in general agreement. Only one object (RNO 1B) appears to be too rich in amorphous pyroxene dust, but a superposed emission feature can explain the observed shape. We derive optical depths and extinction values from the silicate band and additional ice bands at 6.0, 6.8 and 15.2 micron. In particular the analysis of the CO_2 ice band at 15.2 micron allows us to search for evidence for ice processing and constrains whether the absorbing material is physically linked to the central object or in the foreground. For objects showing the silicate feature in emission (Category 2), we argue that the emission comes from the surface layer of accretion disks. Analyzing the dust composition reveals that significant grain growth has already taken place within the accretion disks, but no clear indications for crystallization are present. We discuss how these observational results can be explained in the picture of a young, and highly active accretion disk. Finally, a framework is proposed as to how the two categories of FUors can be understood in a general paradigm of the evolution of young, low-mass stars. Only one object (Parsamian 21) shows PAH emission features. Their shapes, however, are often seen toward evolved stars and we question the object's status as a FUor and discuss other possible classifications.

Distribution of Dust Clouds around the Central Engine of NGC 1068

We studied the distribution of dust clouds around the central engine of NGC 1068 based on shifted-and-added 8.8 - 12.3 micron (MIR) multi-filter images and 3.0 - 3.9 micron (L-band) spectra obtained with the Subaru Telescope. In a region of 100 pc (1.4") around the central peak, we successfully constructed maps of color temperatures and emissivities of the MIR and L-band continua as well as the 9.7 micron and 3.4 micron dust features with spatial resolutions of 26 pc (0.37") in the MIR and 22 pc (0.3") in the L-band. Our main results are: 1) color temperature of the MIR continuum scatters around the thermal equilibrium temperature with the central engine as the heat source while that of the L-band continuum is higher and independent upon distance from the central engine; 2) the peak of the 9.7 micron silicate absorption feature is shifted to a longer wavelength at some locations; 3) the ratio of the optical depths of the dust features is different from the Galactic values and show complicated spatial distribution; and 4) there is a pie shaped warm dust cloud as an enhancement in the emissivity of the MIR continuum extending about 50 pc to the north from the central engine. We speculate that material falls into the central engine through this cloud.

On Ultrasmall Silicate Grains in the Diffuse Interstellar Medium

The abundance of both amorphous and crystalline silicates in very small grains is limited by the fact that the 10 micron silicate emission feature is not detected in the diffuse ISM. On the basis of the observed IR emission spectrum for the diffuse ISM, the observed ultraviolet extinction curve, and the 10 micron silicate absorption profile, we obtain upper limits on the abundances of ultrasmall (a < 15 Angstrom) amorphous and crystalline silicate grains. Contrary to previous work, as much as ~20% of interstellar Si could be in a < 15 Angstrom silicate grains without violating observational constraints. Not more than ~5% of the Si can be in crystalline silicates (of any size).

CO absorption in luminous infrared galaxies

view Abstract Citations (57) References (35) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS CO Absorption in Luminous Infrared Galaxies Ridgway, Susan E. ; Wynn-Williams, C. G. ; Becklin, E. E. Abstract We have taken 2.2 micron window spectra of the nuclear regions of a sample of 19 luminous infrared galaxies and used these to determine the 2.3 micron CO absorption feature. We have found a relationship between the depth of the 2.3 micron absorption bands and the H-K color of the galaxies. Galaxies with H-K colors in the range 0.4-0.8 tend to have deeper CO absorption than normal galaxies. Their near-infrared emission is therefore probably dominated by late-type supergiant or metal-rich giant stars that have been reddened by interstellar dust. Galaxies with H - K colors redder than 0.9 tend to have much weaker than normal CO absorption. Their near-infrared emission therefore cannot be simply reddened starlight from late-type giant stars, and they are likely to contain an additional source of near-infrared radiation. The most likely possibilities are an active galactic nucleus (AGN), or emission from very small transiently heated dust grains. Of the five objects with reddest H-K colors and weakest CO absorption, three (IRAS 05189-2524, UCG 5101 and Mrk 231) belong to the ultraluminous class of IRAS galaxies and are known to have Seyfert nuclei; two are off-nuclear components of the merging system Arp 299. We have also detected for the first time strong emission lines of molecular hydrogen in the infrared luminous galaxy NGC 4418, the galaxy with the deepest known 10 micron silicate absorption feature. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: June 1994 DOI: 10.1086/174269 Bibcode: 1994ApJ...428..609R Keywords: Absorption Spectra; Carbon Monoxide; Galaxies; Hydrogen; Infrared Sources (Astronomy); Infrared Spectra; Molecules; Silicates; Arrays; Gratings; Infrared Photometry; Spectrometers; Astronomy; GALAXIES: ISM; GALAXIES: NUCLEI; GALAXIES: PHOTOMETRY; INFRARED: GALAXIES full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (24) NED (24)

CO emission from the nucleus of infrared galaxy NGC 4418 - an early AGM phase?

The present consideration of the highly extinguished galaxy NGC 4418, from which the C-12O (J=1-0) emission has been detected, notes that the combination of the narrow CO line width with the extinction value derived from the 10 micron silicate absorption suggests either a high concentration of the molecular gas clouds toward the center or their dynamical decoupling from the underlying stellar system. It is in view of this hypothesis that NGC 4418 is at the very early phase of its AGN activity, and that nucleus radiation is first efficiently absorbed by the dense ambient gas and then reemitted in the far-IR. 24 refs.