Sayan Observatory Research Articles

New Active Galactic Nuclei Detected by the ART-XС and eROSITA Telescopes during the First Five SRG All-Sky X-ray Surveys

We present the results of our identification of 14 X-ray sources detected in the eastern Galactic sky ( $$0^{\circ}<l<180^{\circ}$$ ) in the 4–12 keV energy band on the combined map of the first five all-sky surveys (from December 2019 to March 2022) with the Mikhail Pavlinsky ART-XC telescope onboard the SRG observatory. All 14 sources are reliably detected by the SRG/eROSITA telescope in the 0.2–8 keV energy band. Six of them have been detected in X-rays for the first time, while the remaining ones have already been known previously as X-ray sources, but their nature has remained unknown. We have taken optical spectra for 12 sources with the 1.6-m AZT-33IK telescope at the Sayan Observatory (the Institute of Solar–Terrestrial Physics, the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences). For two more objects we have analyzed the archival spectra taken during the 6dF survey. All objects have turned out to be Seyfert galaxies (one NLSy1, three Sy1, four Sy1.9, and six Sy2) at redshifts $$z=0.015$$ –0.238. Based on data from the eROSITA and ART-XC telescopes onboard the SRG observatory, we have obtained X-ray spectra for all objects in the energy range 0.2–12 keV. In four of them the intrinsic absorption exceeds $$N_{\textrm{H}}>10^{22}$$ cm $${}^{-2}$$ at a 90 $${\%}$$ confidence level, with one of them being probably heavily obscured ( $$N_{\textrm{H}}>5\times 10^{22}$$ cm $${}^{-2}$$ with 90 $${\%}$$ confidence). This paper continues our series of publications on the identification of hard X-ray sources detected during the all-sky survey with the SRG orbital X-ray observatory.

Identification of three cataclysmic variables detected by the ART-XC and eROSITA telescopes on board the SRG during the all-sky X-ray survey

We report the discovery of three cataclysmic variables in the data of the first year of the all-sky X-ray survey by the SRG orbital observatory. The sources were selected for their brightness in the 4-12 keV band in the data of the Mikhail Pavlinsky ART-XC telescope. They are also detected by the eROSITA telescope, which provides accurate localizations and spectral data for a broadband spectral analysis. All three objects were previously known as X-ray sources from the ROSAT all-sky survey and XMM-Newton slew survey, but their nature remained unknown. The X-ray spectra obtained by eROSITA and ART-XC are consistent with optically thin thermal emission with a temperature kT ≳ 18 keV for SRGA J194638.9+704552 and SRGA J225412.8+690658 and kT ≳ 5 keV for SRGAJ204547.8+672642. Together with the inferred high X-ray luminosities (2 × 1032-3 × 1033 erg s-1), this strongly suggests that all three sources are cataclysmic variables (CVs). We have obtained optical photometry and spectroscopy for these objects using the AZT-33IK 1.6 m telescope of the Sayan Observatory. The optical properties confirm the CV nature of the objects. We conclude that SRGA J194638.9+704552 is an intermediate polar, SRGA J204547.8+672642 is likely a polar or intermediate polar, and SRGA J225412.8+690658 is either a magnetic or nonmagnetic CV. We have also measured an orbital period of 2.98 h for SRGA J204547.8+672642 based on TESS data. Three out of the planned eight SRG all-sky surveys have now been completed. We expect to find many new CVs, in particular, magnetic systems, during the survey, and we plan to continue our optical follow-up program.

New Active Galactic Nuclei Detected by the ART-XС and eROSITA Telescopes Onboard the SRG Observatory during an All-Sky X-ray Survey

We present the results of our identification of 17 X-ray sources detected in the 4-12 keV energy range by the Mikhail Pavlinsky ART-XC telescope during the first year of the SRG all-sky survey. Three of them have been discovered by the ART-XC telescopes, while the remaining ones have already been known previously as X-ray sources, but their nature has remained unknown. We took optical spectra for nine sources located in the northern sky $\delta > -20$ deg with the 1.6-m AZT-33IK telescope at the Sayan Observatory (the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics, the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences) and the 1.5-m Russian-Turkish telescope at the TUBITAK National Observatory. For the remaining objects we have analyzed the archival optical spectra taken during the 6dF survey. All of the investigated objects have turned out to be Seyfert galaxies (eight of type 1, seven of type 2, and two of intermediate type 1.8) at redshifts up to $z\approx 0.15$. Based on data from the eROSITA and ART-XC telescopes onboard the SRG observatory, we have obtained X-ray spectra in the energy range 0.2-20 keV for eight sources. A significant intrinsic absorption ($N_H > 10^{22}$ cm$^{-2}$) has been detected in three of them, with two of them being probably strongly absorbed ($N_H \sim 10^{23}$ cm$^{-2}$). This paper is a continuation of the series of publications on the optical identification of active galactic nuclei detected by the ART-XC telescope.

Optical Identification of Candidates for Active Galactic Nuclei Detected by the Mikhail Pavlinsky ART-XC Telescope Onboard the SRG Observatory during an All-Sky X-ray Survey

We present the results of our identification of eight objects from a preliminary catalogue of X-ray sources detected in the 4-12 keV energy band by the Mikhail Pavlinsky ART-XC telescope aboard the SRG observatory during its first all-sky survey. Three of them (SRGAJ005751.0+210846,SRGAJ014157.0-032915, SRGAJ232446.8+440756) have been discovered by ART-XC, while five were already known previously as X-ray sources, but their nature remained unknown. The last five sources have also been detected in soft X-rays by the eROSITA telescope of the SRG observatory. Our optical observations were carried out at the 1.6-m AZT-33IK telescope of the Sayan Observatory and the 1.5-m Russian-Turkish telescope (RTT-150). All of the investigated objects have turned out to be active galactic nuclei (AGNs) at redshifts from 0.019 to 0.283. Six of them are Seyfert 2 galaxies(including one Seyfert 1.9 galaxy), one (SRGAJ005751.0+210846) is a "hidden" AGN (in an edge-on galaxy), and one (SRGAJ224125.9+760343) is a narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy. The latter object is characterized by a high X-ray luminosity (~(2-13)*10^44 erg/s in the 4-12 keV band) and,according to our black hole mass estimate (~2*10^7 M_sun), an accretion rate close to the Eddington limit. All three AGNs discovered by the ART-XC telescope (which are not detected by the eROSITA telescope) are characterized by a high absorption column density (N_H > 3*10^23 cm^-2). The results obtained confirm the expectations that the ART-XC telescope is an efficient instrument for searches of heavily obscured and other interesting AGNs in the nearby (z<0.3) Universe. The SRG all-sky survey will last for more than 3 years more, which will allow many such objects to be discovered.

Spectroscopic Redshift Measurements for Galaxy Clusters Detected in the Planck All-Sky Survey

We present the results of spectroscopic redshift measurements for galaxy clusters from the catalogue compiled previously from Planck all-sky survey data in combination with Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and WISE data in the optical and infrared ranges. Most of these clusters are massive objects that will also be detected in future all-sky surveys, such as the eROSITA all-sky X-ray survey onboard the Spectrum–Roentgen–Gamma (SRG) space observatory. The spectroscopic observations of these galaxy clusters have been carried out with the 1.5-m Russian–Turkish telescope (RTT150), the 1.6-m Sayan Observatory AZT-33IK telescope, and the 6-m SAO RAS telescope (Bolshoi Teleskop Azimutalnyi, BTA). The spectroscopic redshift measurements have been obtained for 67 galaxy clusters, including 12 galaxy clusters from the second Planck catalogue of Sunyaev–Zeldovich sources.

Optical Identifications of Galaxy Clusters Among Objects from the Second Planck Catalogue of Sunyaev–Zeldovich Sources

We present the results of optical identifications and spectroscopic redshift measurements for galaxy clusters from the second Planck catalogue of Sunyaev-Zeldovich sources. We used the data of observations with the 1.5-m Russian-Turkish telescope (RTT150), the 1.6-m Sayan Observatory AZT-33IK telescope, the 3.5-m Calar Alto telescope, and the 6-m SAO RAS telescope (Bolshoi Teleskop Azimutalnyi, BTA). For the observations we selected Sunyaev-Zeldovich sources unidentified with galaxy clusters with known redshifts. The observations have been carried out for three years, as a result of which we obtained direct images in various filters for a set of galaxy clusters and spectra for the brightest red-sequence galaxies of these clusters. For 38 galaxy clusters we obtained spectroscopic redshift measurements.

Optical Identifications of High-Redshift Galaxy Clusters from the Planck Sunyaev–Zeldovich Survey

We present the results of optical identifications and spectroscopic redshifts measurements for galaxy clusters from 2-nd Planck catalogue of Sunyaev-Zeldovich sources (PSZ2), located at high redshifts, $z\approx0.7-0.9$. We used the data of optical observations obtained with Russian-Turkish 1.5-m telescope (RTT150), Sayan observatory 1.6-m telescope, Calar Alto 3.5-m telescope and 6-m SAO RAS telescope (Bolshoi Teleskop Alt-azimutalnyi, BTA). Spectroscopic redshift measurements were obtained for seven galaxy clusters, including one cluster, PSZ2 G126.57+51.61, from the cosmological sample of PSZ2 catalogue. In central regions of two clusters, PSZ2 G069.39+68.05 and PSZ2 G087.39-34.58, the strong gravitationally lensed background galaxies are found, one of them at redshift $z=4.262$. The data presented below roughly double the number of known galaxy clusters in the second Planck catalogue of Sunyaev-Zeldovich sources at high redshifts, $z\approx0.8$.

Results of tracking a spacecraft in the vicinity of the L2 libration point of the Sun–Earth system

The launch of the Spektrum-Roentgen-Gamma (SRG) international orbiting astrophysical observatory is planned for the near future. It is planned tomaneuver SRGinto the vicinity of the L2 libration point of the Sun–Earth system, where it will be kept in a quasi-stable orbit. The spacecraft orbit must be maintained in order to carry out the scientific program of the project, which requires obtaining information about the current parameters of its motion. With the aim of developing methods for making optical measurements and estimating the required volume of measurement data and their accuracy, observations of the Gaia spacecraft, which is located in the vicinity of L2, were made at the Sayan Observatory in 2014–2015. The results of observations of the Gaia spacecraft on the 1.6-m infrared telescope of the Sayan Observatory are presented. The measured brightness of the spacecraft was 20.7–22m, which is close to the limiting magnitude of the telescope. The accuracy of these astrometric measurements was about one arcsecond. Possibilities for obtaining accurate astrometric data for the SRG spacecraft in orbit in the vicinity of L2 are discussed, as well as the required observing conditions and the volume of measurement data required for adequate prediction of the spacecraft motion.

Исследование особенностей фотометрических характеристик космических объектов в широком диапазоне фазовых углов

Observations of space objects over a wide range of phase angles allow to find out the brightness of space object changes under various conditions of the illumination and to investigate surfaces of space object inaccessible to the observer on small phase angels. Results of photometrical observations of spacecrafts and space debris in the range of phase angles from 0 to 140 degrees are presented. Observations were obtained with the 1.6-meter telescope AZT-33IK of Sayan observatory of ISTP SB RAS during 2015-2017. An analysis of magnitude dependence on phase angle reveals an increase in the brightness at phase angles above approximately 90 degrees which is characteristic of the operating spacecrafts in various types of orbit. A model of the brightness variation of spacecrafts at large phase angles was considered. We also give some examples of the brightness variations features of the non-operating spacecrafts under various illumination conditions and the brightness dependence on phase angle of space debris. The analysis of light curves of the rotating objects revealed the dependence of brightness changes of the space objects from conditions of illumination. These changes are identified in a form and amplitude of light curves.

Parameters of optical signals registered with the AZT-33IK telescope in active Radar–Progress space experiment

Images of Progress cargo spacecraft (PCS) and areas around them were captured by the AZT-33IK optical telescope (Sayan Observatory of ISTP SB RAS) during sessions of the active Radar–Progress space experiment. We took images of exhaust and fuel jets when propulsion systems worked and after they were cut off, during fuel system purging. In different sessions of the experiment, PCS had different orientations relative to the telescope, thus enabling us to find some parameters of the observed phenomena. These parameters allow us to determine instants of engine ignitions, to estimate velocities of the jets, and, if necessary, to control geometry of the space experiment. The paper reports common features of optical signals from jets measured in these experiments.

ADAM low- and medium-resolution spectrograph for 1.6-m AZT-33IK telescope

We describe the design of a low- and medium-resolution spectrograph ( R=300-1300) developed at the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SAO RAS) for the 1.6-m AZT-33IK telescope of Sayan Observatory of the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. We report the results of laboratory measurements of the parameters of the instrument and tests performed on the SAO RAS 1-m Zeiss-1000 telescope. We measured the total quantum efficiency of the "spectrograph + telescope + detector" system on AZT-33IK telescope, which at its maximum reaches 56%. Such a hight transparency of the spectrograph allows it to be used with the 1.6-m telescope to determine the types and redshifts of objects with magnitudes m_AB~20-21, that was confirmed by actual observations.

Параметры оптических сигналов на телескопе АЗТ-33ИК, зарегистрированных в активном космическом эксперименте «Радар–Прогресс»

Images of Progress cargo spacecraft (PCS) and areas around them were captured by the AZT-33IK optical telescope (Sayan Observatory of ISTP SB RAS) during sessions of the active Radar–Progress space ex-periment. We took images of exhaust and fuel jets when propulsion systems worked and after they were cut off, during fuel system purging. In different sessions of the experiment, PCS had different orientations relative to the telescope, thus allowing us to find some parameters of the observed phenomena. These parameters make it possible to determine instants of engine ignitions, to estimate velocities of the jets, and, if necessary, to control the geometry of the space experi-ment. The paper reports common features of optical signals from jets measured in these experiments.

Observational capabilities of the new medium- and low-resolution spectrograph at the 1.6-m telescope of the Sayan Observatory

The capabilities of the new medium- and low-resolution spectrograph installed recently on the 1.6-m AZT-33IK telescope at the Sayan Observatory of the Institute of Solar–Terrestrial Physics to solve the problems of ground-based optical support for the future all-skyX-ray survey of the SRGobservatory are discussed. Results of the test observations of galaxy clusters, active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and quasars, and cataclysmic variables performed immediately after the installation of the spectrograph on the telescope are presented. The results of these observations show that the AZT-33IK telescope equipped with the new medium- and low-resolution spectrograph can provide a substantial fraction of the necessary optical observations in the program of ground-based optical support for the all-sky survey of the SRG observatory.

Sample of cataclysmic variables detected in the 400d X-ray survey

We present a sample of cataclysmic variables (CVs) identified among the X-ray sources from the 400 square degree X-ray survey based on ROSAT pointing data (400d). The procedure of the CV selection among the X-ray sources using additional optical and infrared data from Sloan Digital Sky Survey and WISE survey is described. The results of the optical observations of the selected objects carried out mainly with the Russian-Turkish 1.5-m telescope (RTT-150) and the 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences (BTA) are presented. Some observations have also been performed with the Sayan Observatory 1.6-m AZT-33IK telescope. Currently we selected eight CVs, four of which were found for the first time in our work. Based on this sample, we have obtained preliminary constraints on the CV X-ray luminosity function in the solar neighborhood in the low luminosity range, L_X ~ 10^29-10^30 erg s^-1 (0.5-2 keV). We show that the logarithmic slope of the CV X-ray luminosity function in this luminosity range is less steep than at L_X > 10^31 erg s^-1. From our CV X-ray luminosity function estimates it follows that few thousand CVs will be detected in theSpectrum-Roentgen-Gamma (SRG) observatory all-sky X-ray survey at high Galactic latitudes, which will allow to obtain much more accurate measurements of CV X-ray luminosity function in the luminosity range L_X < 10^30-10^31 erg s^-1.

Line widths and Doppler velocities according to the Fe X λ6374 and Fe XIV λ5303 observations performed with the Large Coronograph at Sayan Observatory

Distributions of the Doppler velocities (V), widths (Δλ), and intensities (W) have been obtained based on the λ6374 and λ5303 spectra observed with the Large Coronograph at Sayan Observatory above active regions and their surroundings. The average Doppler velocities in both lines are ±5 km/s; a decrease and stabilization of these velocities with increasing W demonstrate the effect of magnetic fields. The dispersion of V for λ6374 in the zones with decreased W is substantially larger than such a dispersion for λ5303, the Δλ values are larger in these zones respectively. This is explained by the fact that the profile shape is affected by the plasma structuring degree along the line of sight controlled by the magnetic field topology in the regions where these lines glow: the field should be open and closed in the red and green coronas, respectively.

Spectral Inversion of Multiline Full-Disk Observations of Quiet Sun Magnetic Fields

Spectral inversion codes are powerful tools to analyze spectropolarimetric observations, and they provide important diagnostics of solar magnetic fields. Inversion codes differ by numerical procedures, approximations of the atmospheric model, and description of radiative transfer. Stokes Inversion based on Response functions (SIR) is an implementation widely used by the solar physics community. It allows to work with different atmospheric components, where gradients of different physical parameters are possible, e.g., magnetic field strength and velocities. The spectropolarimetric full-disk observations were carried out with the Stokesmeter of the Solar Telescope for Operative Predictions (STOP) at the Sayan Observatory on 3 February 2009, when neither an active region nor any other extended flux concentration was present on the Sun. In this study of quiet Sun magnetic fields, we apply the SIR code simultaneously to 15 spectral lines. A tendency is found that weaker magnetic field strengths occur closer to the limb. We explain this finding by the fact that close to the limb, we are more sensitive to higher altitudes in an expanding flux tube, where the field strength should be smaller since the magnetic flux is conserved with height. Typically, the inversions deliver two populations of magnetic elements: (1) high magnetic field strengths (1500-2000 G) and high temperatures (5500-6500 K) and (2) weak magnetic fields (50-150 G) and low temperatures (5000-5300 K).

How reliable are observations of solar magnetic fields? Comparison of full-disk measurements in different spectral lines and calibration issues of space missions SOHO, Hinode, and SDO

AbstractAn urgent problem in modern solar physics, which is not completely solved up to now, is to obtain realistic magnetic field strength values from parameters measured magnetographs or Stokes-meter instruments. One of the important tools on this way is a comparison of observations made in different spectral lines with the same or with the different telescopes. This issue is an actual task in the analysis of the new data sets provided by the space missions SOHO and Hinode, which measurements are available for several years already, and SDO, which data appeared recently. The main aim of this study is a cross-comparison of magnetic field observations made in different spectral lines used on the above mentioned space observatories: Ni i λ676.77 nm (SOHO/MDI), Fe i λ630.152 nm and Fe i λ630.25 nm (Hinode/SP), and Fe i λ617.33 nm (SDO/HMI). Full-disk high-precision Stokes-meter measurements with the STOP telescope at the Sayan observatory in these lines are used basically, as well as some observations in other spectral lines having a great diagnostic impact, such as Fe i λ525.02 nm, Fe i λ523.29 nm and Fe i λ532.42 nm. The difference between one-instrument (STOP) simultaneous or quasi-simultaneous observations in different spectral lines do not exceed the factor of 2-3 depending on the combination of spectral lines and the position on the solar disk. This is significantly less than in some other studies devoted to cross-comparison of different data sets. Importance and consequences of the obtained results are discussed.

Investigations of the evolution of optical characteristics and dynamics of proper rotation of uncontrolled geostationary artificial satellites

On the base of the photometrical data an analysis of the periods and light curves of the uncontrolled artificial satellites was performed. The equipment used in the observations of the satellites is fast photoelectrical photometer attached to the astronomical telescopes of the Sayan observatory (operated by the ISTP SB RAS). Two-mirror Cassegrain telescope with 0.5 m aperture equipped photoelectrical photometer setup in the fast photometry mode have the ability to track the slow moving objects up to 15-th visual magnitude. The observations started from the second half of the 20-th century and have been continued up to the present time. The standard photometric Johnson-Morgan system UBVR had been used. The basic goals are to present observational data and both discuss the probability of detection of design changes of satellite being a long time in geostationary orbit, and display the periods behavior rarely discussed in the literature. A systematization of the rotation periods is submitted. The light curves of the uncontrolled objects has periodic structure and specific mirror spike features which are a characteristic for identification of an object. Analysis of the standard color index (CI) value can provide additional data on the mirror spike origin. When mirror spikes are eliminated color indexes (B–V) for the diffuse component of the satellites is in the range of 0.9–1.1 and exceed those for the solar type star. Unlike, mirror spikes CI (B–V) are close to zero or negative, indicating a blue excess of radiation spectrum. The processes of the variation rotation periods connected with the satellites construction and their interaction with space environment are discussed.

A comparison of parameters of 3-minute and 5-minute oscillations in sunspots from synchronous microwave and optical observations

AbstractThe observations of 3 and 5 minute oscillations in sunspots present information on propagation of MHD waves in the magnetic tubes of sunspots. We present a comparison of wavelet spectra of radio flux oscillations at λ = 1.76 cm and oscillations of longitudinal component of the velocity at the chromosphere in sunspot umbra and penumbra in AR 10661 (2004, Aug 18). The radio maps of the Sun obtained with the Nobeyama Radioheliograph were used. The spatial resolution of the radio data was about 10-15 arcsec, and 10 sec cadence was used. On the radio maps sunspot-associated sources were identified and time profiles of their maximum brightness temperatures for each radio source were calculated. Radio data consists of information of oscillations of plasma parameters (in the regions with magnetic field B = 2000 G) at the level of the chromosphere-corona transition region. The optical observations were carried out at Sayan observatory. These data included information on longitude component of the magnetic field at the photosphere (line Fe I 6569 Å) and longitudinal component of the velocity at the chromosphere (line Hα was used). Comparing the wavelet diagrams covering the same periods of observations at radio and optics showed that some wave trains of time profiles are very similar in both kinds of observations (similar oscillation frequencies and their drifts, variations of amplitudes), however, some significant differences were also registered. The best similarity in optical and radio oscillations was found when the active region (AR) was near the center of the solar disk. The phase shifts between the two kinds of observations reflecting the propagation of MHD waves were also analyzed.

Comparison of Solar Magnetic Fields Measured at Different Observatories: Peculiar Strength Ratio Distributions Across the Disk

In this paper we analyze the distribution of magnetic strength ratios (MSR) across the solar disk using magnetograms in different spectral lines from the same observatory (Mount Wilson Observatory (MWO) and Sayan Observatory (SO)), magnetograms in the same line from different observatories (MWO, SO, Wilcox Solar Observatory (WSO)), and in different spectral lines from different observatories (the three observatories mentioned above, the National Solar Observatory/Kitt Peak (KP) and Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) on board Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SoHO)). We find peculiarities in some combinations of data sets. Besides the expected MSR center-to-limb variations, there is an equator-to-pole asymmetry, especially in the near-limb areas. Therefore, it is generally necessary to use 2D matrices of correction coefficients to reduce one kind of observation into another one.