e-MERLIN Research Articles

The OH Megamaser emission in Arp 220: the rest of the story

ABSTRACT The OH Megamaser emission in the merging galaxy Arp 220 has been re-observed with the Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN) and the European VLBI Network (EVN). Imaging results of the OH line emission at the two nuclei are found to be consistent with earlier observations and confirm additional extended emission structures surrounding the nuclei. Detailed information about the distributed emission components around the two nuclei has been obtained using a concatenated MERLIN and EVN database with intermediate (40 mas) spatial resolution. Continuum imaging shows a relatively compact West nucleus and a more extended East nucleus in addition to an extended continuum ridge stretching below and beyond the two nuclei. Spectral line imaging show extended emission regions at both nuclei together with compact components and additional weaker components north and south of the West nucleus. Spectral line analysis indicates that the dominant OH line emission originates in foreground molecular material that is part of a large-scale molecular structure that engulfs the whole nuclear region. Compact OH components are representative of star formation regions within the two nearly edge-on nuclei and define the systemic velocities of East and West as 5425 and 5360 km s−1. The foreground material at East and West has a 100 km s−1 lower velocity at 5314 and 5254 km s−1. These emission results confirm a maser amplification scenario where the background continuum and the line emission of the star formation regions are amplified by foreground masering material that is excited by the far-infrared radiation field originating in the two nuclear regions.

Revealing dual radio sources in a sub-kpc-scale binary active galactic nucleus candidate

ABSTRACT We present new imaging of a sub-kpc-scale binary active galactic nucleus (AGN) candidate from the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) and the Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (e-MERLIN). Two unresolved radio sources of similar luminosity around 1022 WHz−1 are identified in ∼35 h of e-MERLIN 6 cm imaging. These radio sources have an angular separation of 0.19 ± 0.06 arcsec and position angle (PA) of 22° ± 10°, corresponding to a projected separation of 0.95 ± 0.29 kpc at the epoch of the source. Our results suggest the presence of a kpc-scale active black hole pair hosted by two galaxies in the late stage of a merger at z = 0.35. This work follows Woo et al., which presented two optical sources with a similar separation and PA, and a velocity separation of 200 km s−1. Our target adds to the currently limited sample of close-separation binary AGNs, which will aid in understanding the frequency of mergers and the stochastic gravitational wave background.

Unmasking the history of 3C 293 with LOFAR sub-arcsecond imaging

Active galactic nuclei show episodic activity, which can be evident in galaxies that exhibit restarted radio jets. These restarted jets can interact with their environment, leaving signatures on the radio spectral energy distribution. Tracing these signatures is a powerful way to explore the life of radio galaxies. This requires resolved spectral index measurements over a broad frequency range including low frequencies. We present such a study for the radio galaxy 3C 293, which has long been thought to be a restarted galaxy on the basis of its radio morphology. Using the International LOFAR telescope (ILT) we probed spatial scales as fine as ~0.2′′ at 144 MHz, and to constrain the spectrum we combined these data with Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network and Very Large Array archival data at frequencies up to 8.4 GHz that have a comparable resolution. In the inner lobes (~2 kpc), we detect the presence of a spectral turnover that peaks at ~225 MHz and is most likely caused by free-free absorption from the rich surrounding medium. We confirm that these inner lobes are part of a jet-dominated young radio source (spectral age ≲0.17 Myr), which is strongly interacting with the rich interstellar medium of the host galaxy. The diffuse emission surrounding these lobes on scales of up to ~4.5 kpc shows steeper spectral indices (Δα ~ 0.2–0.5, S ∝ ν−α) and a spectral age of ≲0.27 Myr. The outer lobes (extending up to ~100 kpc) have a spectral index of α ~ 0.6–0.8 from 144–4850 MHz with a remarkably uniform spatial distribution and only mild spectral curvature (Δα ≲ 0.2). We propose that intermittent fuelling and jet flow disruptions are powering the mechanisms that keep the spectral index in the outer lobes from steepening and maintain the spatial uniformity of the spectral index. Overall, it appears that 3C 293 has gone through multiple (two to three) epochs of activity. This study adds 3C 293 to the new sub-group of restarted galaxies with short interruption time periods. This is the first time a spatially resolved study has been performed that simultaneously studies a young source as well as the older outer lobes at such low frequencies. This illustrates the potential of the International LOFAR telescope to expand such studies to a larger sample of radio galaxies.

Observations of interplanetary scintillation of the 2005 May 13 coronal mass ejection: numerical models

ABSTRACT The 2005 May 13 eruption was an Earth-directed coronal mass ejection (CME) observed using the Multi-Element Radio-Linked Interferometer Network telescope system in the UK as it traversed the Interplanetary Medium on 2005 May 14. Observations of interplanetary scintillation (IPS) provide information on the solar wind conditions, which include velocities and density. In addition, it is also possible to calculate other parameters related to the turbulence and geometry of density irregularities in the solar wind from observations of IPS. Previous analyses have shown that IPS information can be difficult to interpret when a complex structure is crossing the line of sight since the physical properties of the plasma may change quite drastically with distance from the Sun. In order to compare and relate the internal structure of a CME and its physical changes, with the results from observations of IPS obtained previously, we carried out a numerical simulation of the 2005 May 13 eruptive event as it propagates into the IPM, adapting the geometrical properties derived by IPS analysis. In this work, we give a possible explanation of some signatures of CME sub-structure from the point of view of the IPS technique combined with what the modelling reveals.

WISDOM project – VIII. Multiscale feedback cycles in the brightest cluster galaxy NGC 0708

ABSTRACT We present high-resolution (synthesized beam size 0${_{.}^{\prime\prime}}$088 × 0${_{.}^{\prime\prime}}$083 or 25 × 23 pc2) Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array 12CO(2–1) line and 236 GHz continuum observations, as well as 5 GHz enhanced Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (e-MERLIN) continuum observations, of NGC 0708; the brightest galaxy in the low-mass galaxy cluster Abell 262. The line observations reveal a turbulent, rotating disc of molecular gas in the core of the galaxy, and a high-velocity, blueshifted feature ≈0${_{.}^{\prime\prime}}$4 (≈113 pc) from its centre. The submillimetre continuum emission peaks at the nucleus, but extends towards this anomalous CO emission feature. No corresponding elongation is found on the same spatial scales at 5 GHz with e-MERLIN. We discuss potential causes for the anomalous blueshifted emission detected in this source, and conclude that it is most likely to be a low-mass in-falling filament of material condensing from the hot intracluster medium via chaotic cold accretion, but it is also possible that it is a jet-driven molecular outflow. We estimate the physical properties this structure has in these two scenarios, and show that either explanation is viable. We suggest future observations with integral field spectrographs will be able to determine the true cause of this anomalous emission, and provide further evidence for interaction between quenched cooling flows and mechanical feedback on both small and large scales in this source.

OH maser towards IRAS 06056+2131: polarization parameters and evolution status

ABSTRACT We present high-angular resolution observations of OH maser emission towards the high-mass star-forming region IRAS 06056+2131. The observations were carried out using the UK radio interferometer array, Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN) in the OH main lines at 1665 and 1667 MHz, in addition to the OH satellite line at 1720 MHz. The results of this study reveal the small upper limit to the size of emission in the 1665-MHz line with an estimated total intensity of ∼4 Jy. We did not detect any emission from the 1667 and 1720-MHz lines. The full polarization mode of MERLIN enables us to investigate the magnetic field in the OH maser region. In this transition, a Zeeman pair is identified from which a magnetic strength of ∼−1.5 mG is inferred. Our results show that IRAS 06056+2131 is highly polarized, with ∼ 96 ${{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ circular polarization and ∼6 ${{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ linear polarization. The linear polarization angle is ∼29°, implying a magnetic field which could be aligned with the outflow direction detected towards this region, but the actual magnetic field direction has an uncertainty of up to 110° due to the possible effects of Faraday rotation. The star-forming evolutionary status of the embedded protostellar object is discussed.

SuperCLASS – II. Photometric redshifts and characteristics of spatially resolved μJy radio sources

ABSTRACT We present optical and near-infrared imaging covering a ∼1.53 deg2 region in the Super-Cluster Assisted Shear Survey (SuperCLASS) field, which aims to make the first robust weak lensing measurement at radio wavelengths. We derive photometric redshifts for ≈176 000 sources down to $i^\prime _{\rm AB}\sim 24$ and present photometric redshifts for 1.4 GHz expanded Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (e-MERLIN) and Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) detected radio sources found in the central 0.26 deg2. We compile an initial catalogue of 149 radio sources brighter than S1.4 > 75 μJy and find their photometric redshifts span 0 < zphot < 4 with radio luminosities between 1021 and 1025 W Hz−1, with medians of $\langle z \rangle \, =0.55$ and $\langle L_{1.4}\rangle \, =1.9\times 10^{23}$ W Hz−1, respectively. We find 95 per cent of the μJy radio source sample (141/149) have spectral energy distributions (SEDs) best fit by star-forming templates while 5 per cent (8/149) are better fit by active galactic nuclei (AGN). Spectral indices are calculated for sources with radio observations from the VLA and Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) at 325 MHz, with an average spectral slope of α = 0.59 ± 0.04. Using the full photometric redshift catalogue, we construct a density map at the redshift of the known galaxy clusters, z = 0.20 ± 0.08. Four of the five clusters are prominently detected at $\gt 7\, \sigma$ in the density map and we confirm the photometric redshifts are consistent with previously measured spectra from a few galaxies at the cluster centres.

Methanol and water maser observations separate disc and outflow sources in IRAS 19410+2336

ABSTRACT We investigate the kinematics of high-mass protostellar objects within the high-mass star-forming region IRAS 19410+2336. We performed high angular resolution observations of 6.7-GHz methanol and 22 GHz water masers using the Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN) and e-MERLIN interferometers. The 6.7-GHz methanol maser emission line was detected within the ∼16–27 km s−1 velocity range with a peak flux density ∼50 Jy. The maser spots are spread over ∼1.3 arcsec on the sky, corresponding to ∼2800 au at a distance of 2.16 kpc. These are the first astrometric measurements at 6.7 GHz in IRAS 19410+2336. The 22-GHz water maser line was imaged in 2005 and 2019 (the latter with good astrometry). Its velocities range from 13 to ∼29 km s−1. The peak flux density was found to be 18.7 and 13.487 Jy in 2005 and 2019, respectively. The distribution of the water maser components is up to 165 mas, ∼350 au at 2.16 kpc. We find that the Eastern methanol masers most probably trace outflows from the region of millimetre source mm1. The water masers to the West lie in a disc (flared or interacting with outflow/infall) around another more evolved millimetre source (13-s). The maser distribution suggests that the disc lies at an angle of 60° or more to the plane of the sky and the observed line-of-sight velocities then suggest an enclosed mass between 44 M⊙ and as little as 11 M⊙ if the disc is edge-on. The Western methanol masers may be infalling.

The Deepest Radio Observations of Nearby SNe Ia: Constraining Progenitor Types and Optimizing Future Surveys

Abstract We report deep radio observations of nearby Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) with the electronic Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network and the Australia Telescope Compact Array. No detections were made. With standard assumptions for the energy densities of relativistic electrons going into a power-law energy distribution and the magnetic field strength (ϵ e = ϵ B = 0.1), we arrive at upper limits on mass-loss rate for the progenitor system of SN 2013dy (SN 2016coj, SN 2018gv, SN 2018pv, SN 2019np) of , where v w is the wind speed of the mass loss. To SN 2016coj, SN 2018gv, SN 2018pv, and SN 2019np we add radio data for 17 other nearby SNe Ia and model their nondetections. With the same model as described, all 21 SNe Ia have . We compare those limits with the expected mass-loss rates in different single-degenerate progenitor scenarios. We also discuss how information on ϵ e and ϵ B can be obtained from late observations of SNe Ia and the youngest SN Ia remnant detected in radio, G1.9+0.3, as well as stripped-envelope core-collapse SNe. We highlight SN 2011dh and argue for ϵ e ≈ 0.1 and ϵ B ≈ 0.0033. Finally, we discuss strategies to observe at radio frequencies to maximize the chance of detection, given the time since explosion, the distance to the SN, and the telescope sensitivity.

LOFAR measures the hotspot advance speed of the high-redshift blazar S5 0836+710

Context. The emission and proper motion of the terminal hotspots of active galactic nucleus (AGN) jets can be used as a powerful probe of the intergalactic medium. However, measurements of hotspot advance speeds in active galaxies are difficult, especially in the young universe, because of the low angular velocities and the low brightness of distant radio galaxies. Aims. Our goal is to study the termination of an AGN jet in the young universe and to deduce physical parameters of the jet and the intergalactic medium. Methods. We used the LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR) to image the long-wavelength radio emission of the high-redshift blazar S5 0836+710 on arcsecond scales between 120 MHz and 160 MHz. Results. The LOFAR image shows a compact unresolved core and a resolved emission region about 1.5 arcsec to the southwest of the radio core. This structure is in general agreement with previous higher-frequency radio observations with the Multi-Element Radio-Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN) and the Very Large Array (VLA). The southern component shows a moderately steep spectrum with a spectral index of about ≳ − 1, and the spectral index of the core is flat to slightly inverted. In addition, we detect for the first time a resolved steep-spectrum halo with a spectral index of about −1 surrounding the core. Conclusions. The arcsecond-scale radio structure of S5 0836+710 can be understood as a Faranoff–Riley (FR) II radio galaxy observed at a small viewing angle. The southern component can be interpreted as the region of the approaching jet’s terminal hotspot, and the halo like diffuse component near the core can be interpreted as the counter-hotspot region. From the differential Doppler boosting of both features, we can derive the hotspot advance speed to (0.01 − 0.036) c. At a constant advance speed, the derived age of the source would exceed the total lifetime of such a powerful FR II radio galaxy substantially. Thus, the hotspot advance speed must have been higher in the past, in agreement with a scenario in which the originally highly relativistic jet has lost collimation as a result of instability growth and has transformed into an only mildly relativistic flow. Our data suggest that the density of the intergalactic medium around this distant (z = 2.22) AGN could be substantially higher than the values typically found in less distant FR II radio galaxies.

A nearby luminous AGN sample optically selected from Hubble Space Telescope

ABSTRACT In this work, a nearby luminous active galactic nucleus (AGN) sample is selected from Hubble Space Telescope(HST), where only sources with both X-ray emission observed by Chandra/XMM–Newton and radio flux detected by Very Large Array (VLA)/Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA)/very long baseline interferometry (VLBI)/Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN) are adopted to keep high precision. Finally, we get a sample of 30 luminous AGNs, which consists of 11 radio-loud AGNs (RLAGN) and 19 radio-quiet AGNs (RQAGN). It is found that the relationship between RUV and αox, which was first reported by Li & Xie in low-luminosity AGNs (LLAGN), and other relationships are all absent in RLAGN, probably due to the complex physical process therein. Our results indicate that the X-ray emission from jet should play an important role in RLAGN and further support the transition of accretion mode between LLAGN and RLAGN. On the other hand, the traditional relationships in RQAGN, such as αox and λ, Γ and λ, are found to be well consistent with previous works.

Single‐Site IPS Power Spectra Analysis for Space Weather Products Using Cross‐Correlation Function Results From EISCAT and MERLIN IPS Data

AbstractInterplanetary scintillation (IPS) manifests itself as a variation in the radio signal received from a distant, compact radio source on the sky. The intensity fluctuations of the radio waves are caused by density inhomogeneities in the outflowing solar plasma across the heliosphere. IPS allows us to infer solar wind speed and density variations along the line of sight. There are two types of techniques in the literature to infer solar wind speed using IPS data sets: single‐site analysis (SSA), where the power spectra from single time series are analyzed to obtain solar wind parameters, and multisite analysis, where the cross‐correlation function of data from two or more widely separated sites is used. The selection of the analysis technique depends on the number of sites available to each IPS system. In order to combine and complement solar wind speed determinations from different instruments, it is important to validate results and methodologies of the two techniques. In this paper, we analyzed previously well‐studied European Incoherent SCATter (EISCAT) and Multi‐Element Radio‐Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN) observations of IPS with well‐known results from the cross‐correlation function methodology. We applied the SSA technique to each of the individual EISCAT and MERLIN IPS power spectra. This work shows the capabilities of the SSA to describe complex events and seeks to obtain improved parameter fits using the SSA methodology.

The Global Jet Structure of the Archetypical Quasar 3C 273

A key question in the formation of the relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) is the collimation process of their energetic plasma flow launched from the central supermassive black hole (SMBH). Recent observations of nearby low-luminosity radio galaxies exhibit a clear picture of parabolic collimation inside the Bondi accretion radius. On the other hand, little is known of the observational properties of jet collimation in more luminous quasars, where the accretion flow may be significantly different due to much higher accretion rates. In this paper, we present preliminary results of multi-frequency observations of the archetypal quasar 3C 273 with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) at 1.4, 15, and 43 GHz, and Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN) at 1.6 GHz. The observations provide a detailed view of the transverse structure resolved on a broad range of spatial scales from sub-parsec to kilo parsecs, allowing us to profile the jet width as a function of the distance from the core for the first time in jets of bright quasars. We discovered a transition from a parabolic stream to a conical stream, which has been seen in much lower-luminosity radio galaxies. The similarity in the profile to the much lower-powered radio galaxy M87 suggests the universality of jet collimation among AGNs with different accretion rates.

Recurring OH Flares towards o Ceti: I. location and structure of the 1990s’ and 2010s’ events

We present the analysis of the onset of the new 2010s' OH flaring event detected in the OH ground-state main line at 1665~MHz towards o Ceti and compare its characteristics with those of the 1990s' flaring event. This is based on a series of complementary single-dish and interferometric observations both in OH and H2O obtained with the Nancay Radio telescope (NRT), the Medicina and Effelsberg Telescopes, the European VLBI Network (EVN), and (e)Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network ((e)MERLIN). We compare the overall characteristics of o Ceti's flaring events with those which have been observed towards other thin-shell Miras, and explore the implication of these events with respect to the standard OH circumstellar-envelope model. The role of binarity in the specific characteristics of o Ceti's flaring events is also investigated. The flaring regions are found to be less than ~400$ +/- 40 mas (i.e., ~40 +/- 4$ AU) either side of o Ceti, with seemingly no preferential location with respect to the direction to the companion Mira B. Contrary to the usual expectation that the OH maser zone is located outside the H2O maser zone, the coincidence of the H2O and OH maser velocities suggests that both emissions arise at similar distances from the star. The OH flaring characteristics of Mira are similar to those observed in various Mira variables before, supporting the earlier results that the regions where the transient OH maser emission occurs are different from the standard OH maser zone.

Subarcsecond international LOFAR radio images of Arp 220 at 150 MHz

We analyse new observations with the International Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) telescope, and archival data from the Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN) and the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA). We model the spatially resolved radio spectrum of Arp 220 from 150 MHz to 33 GHz. We present an image of Arp 220 at 150 MHz with resolution $0.65''\times0.35''$, sensitivity 0.15 mJy beam$^{-1}$, and integrated flux density $394\pm59$ mJy. More than 80% of the detected flux comes from extended ($6''\approx$2.2 kpc) steep spectrum ($\alpha=-0.7$) emission, likely from star formation in the molecular disk surrounding the two nuclei. We find elongated features extending $0.3''$ (110 pc) and $0.9''$ (330 pc) from the eastern and western nucleus respectively, which we interpret as evidence for outflows. The extent of radio emission requires acceleration of cosmic rays far outside the nuclei. We find that a simple three component model can explain most of the observed radio spectrum of the galaxy. When accounting for absorption at 1.4 GHz, Arp 220 follows the FIR/radio correlation with $q=2.36$, and we estimate a star formation rate of 220 M$_\odot\text{yr}^{-1}$. We derive thermal fractions at 1 GHz of less than 1% for the nuclei, which indicates that a major part of the UV-photons are absorbed by dust. International LOFAR observations shows great promise to detect steep spectrum outflows and probe regions of thermal absorption. However, in LIRGs the emission detected at 150 MHz does not necessarily come from the main regions of star formation. This implies that high spatial resolution is crucial for accurate estimates of star formation rates for such galaxies at 150 MHz.

The development of e-MERLIN

The development of e-MERLIN

OH MASERS TOWARDS THE W49A STAR-FORMING REGION WITH MERLIN AND e-MERLN OBSERVATIONS

We present preliminary results from OH ground state phase referenced observations carried out with the Multi Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN) and e-MERLIN towards the massive star forming region W49A. There are three active SFRs within this complex: W49 North (W49 N), W49 South (W49 S) and W49 South West (W49 SW). The rst epoch of observations was obtained in 2005 with MERLIN while the second epoch was obtained in 2013 with the e-MERLIN upgraded system. In this paper, we present 1665 and 1720 MHz maser emission towards W49 S and W49 SW. Overall, both epochs show good agreement with the previous observations of Argon et al. (2000) carried out with the Very Large Array (VLA). The better sensitivity and wider velocity coverage of the MERLIN/e-MERLIN observations allowed us to discover a new 1720 MHz OH maser site in W49 S.

Subarcsecond high-sensitivity measurements of the DG Tau jet with e-MERLIN

Abstract We present very high spatial resolution deep radio continuum observations at 5 GHz (6 cm) made with the extended Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (e-MERLIN) of the young stars DG Tau A and B. Assuming it is launched very close (≃1 au) from the star, our results suggest that the DG Tau A outflow initially starts as a poorly focused wind and undergoes significant collimation farther along the jet (≃50 au). We derive jet parameters for DG Tau A and find an initial jet opening angle of 86° within 2 au of the source, a mass-loss rate of 1.5 × 10−8 M⊙ yr−1 for the ionized component of the jet, and the total ejection-to-accretion ratio to range from 0.06 to 0.3. These results are in line with predictions from magnetohydrodynamic jet-launching theories.

THE 1665 MHZ OH MASER LINE TOWARD A YOUNG PROTOSTELLAR OBJECT

We preset spectral line observations using MERLIN interferometer towards the massive star forming region IRAS 05137+3919. The Multi Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN) is an array of radio telescopes spread across Great Britain. The array has seven radio telescopes and is run by Jodrell Bank Observatory, the University of Manchester. MERLIN was used to observe the OH maser 1665 MHz line. MERLIN, with a 217 km diameter, gives a high angular resolution of 0.2 arcsecond at this 1665 MHz correspond to the 18-cm wavelength. The maser emission was detected and 13 OH maser spots at 1665-MHz line were drawn. There is one left hand circular polarization (LHC) and 12 right hand circular polarization (RHC) spots. We present the parameters of the OH maser components, namely the velocities, peak intensities and positions for each spot. We show the spatial distribution of the OH maser spots and show the distribution of their velocities of the left and right hand circular polarization components. It has been shown that the detected OH masers trace the central material of this star forming region close to the protostellar source.

Flux density variations of radio sources in M82 over the last three decades

This paper presents the results of the 2009-2010 monitoring sessions of the starburst galaxy M82, obtained with the Multi-Element Radio-Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN) at 5GHz and e-MERLIN at 6GHz. Combining several 5GHz MERLIN epochs to form a map with 33.0 uJy/bm noise level, 52 discrete sources, mostly supernova remnants and HII regions, are identified. These include three objects which were not detected in the 2002 5GHz MERLIN monitoring session: supernova SN2008iz, the transient source 43.78+59.3, and a new supernova remnant shell. Flux density variations, in the long (1981 to 2010), medium (2002 to 2010) and short (2009 to 2010) term, are investigated. We find that flux densities of SNRs in M82 stay constant in most of the sample (~95%). In addition, aside from SN2008iz and the well-known variable source 41.95+57.5, two sources display short and medium term variations over the period 2009-2010. These sources being among the most compact SNR in M82, these flux density variations could be due to changes in the circumstellar and interstellar medium in which the shocks travel.