Seyfert Galaxies Of Type Research Articles

SkyMapper colours of Seyfert galaxies and Changing-Look AGN

ABSTRACT We study the utility of broad-band colours in the SkyMapper Southern Survey for selecting Seyfert galaxies at low luminosity. We find that the u − v index, built from the ultraviolet u and violet v filters, separates normal galaxies, starburst galaxies, and type-1 active galactic nuclei (AGNs). This u − v index is not sensitive to age or metallicity in a stellar population but is instead a quenching-and-bursting indicator in galaxies and detects power-law continua in type-1 AGNs. Using over 25 000 galaxies at z < 0.1 from 6dFGS, we find a selection cut based on u − v and central u band brightness that identifies type-1 AGNs. By eyeballing 6dFGS spectra we classify new Seyfert galaxies of type 1 to 1.8. Our sample includes eight known Changing-Look AGNs (CLAGNs), two of which show such strong variability that they move across the selection cut during the 5 yr of SkyMapper observations in DR3, along mixing sequences of nuclear and host galaxy light. We identify 46 CLAGN candidates in our sample, one of which has been reported as a Type IIn supernova. We show that this transient persists for at least 5 yr and marks a flare in a Seyfert-1 period of a new CLAGN.

The effect of stellar feedback on the formation and evolution of gas and dust tori in AGN

Recently, the existence of geometrically thick dust structures in active galactic nuclei (AGN) has been directly proven with the help of interferometric methods in the mid-infrared. The observations are consistent with a two-component model made up of a geometrically thin and warm central disc, surrounded by a colder, fluffy torus component. Within the framework of an exploratory study, we investigate one possible physical mechanism, which could produce such a structure, namely the effect of stellar feedback from a young nuclear star cluster on the interstellar medium in centres of AGN. The model is realized by numerical simulations with the help of the hydrodynamics code tramp. We follow the evolution of the interstellar medium by taking discrete mass-loss and energy ejection due to stellar processes, as well as optically thin radiative cooling into account. In a post-processing step, we calculate observable quantities like spectral energy distributions (SEDs) and surface brightness distributions with the help of the radiative transfer code mc3d. The interplay between injection of mass, supernova explosions and radiative cooling leads to a two-component structure made up of a cold geometrically thin, but optically thick and very turbulent disc residing in the vicinity of the angular momentum barrier, surrounded by a filamentary structure. The latter consists of cold long radial filaments flowing towards the disc and a hot tenuous medium in between, which shows both inwards and outwards directed motions. With the help of this modelling, we are able to reproduce the range of observed neutral hydrogen column densities of a sample of Seyfert galaxies as well as the relation between them and the strength of the silicate 10 μm spectral feature. Despite being quite crude, our mean Seyfert galaxy model is even able to describe the SEDs of two intermediate type Seyfert galaxies observed with the Spitzer Space Telescope.

Gaseous outflows in Seyferts and unification: The case of Mrk 533

We present our recent results from the observation of the O VI λ λ1032,1038 emission doublet in Seyfert galaxies of type 2 with the FUV spectrograph on the FUSE satellite. These observations are part of our investigation to contrast the properties of the OVI emission line and the absorbing outflows in a sample of rigorously matched Seyfert 1s and 2s, in the framework of the Unified Scheme. The OVI emission line is an excellent diagnostic of the outflowing hot gas at temperatures of ∼10 6 K. In the Unified Scheme, Seyferts of type 2 are those whose central regions are obscured by the ubiquitous dusty torus. We interpret our results in this framework. To search for other articles by the author(s) go to: http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abstract_service.html

B eppo SAX Average Spectra of Seyfert Galaxies

We have studied the average 3-200 keV spectra of Seyfert galaxies of type 1 and 2, using data obtained with BeppoSAX. The average Seyfert 1 spectrum is well fitted by a power-law continuum with photon spectral index Γ ~ 1.9, a Compton reflection component R ~ 0.6-1 (depending on the inclination angle between the line of sight and the reflecting material), and a high-energy cutoff at around 200 keV; there is also an iron line at 6.4 keV characterized by an equivalent width of 120 eV. Seyfert 2 galaxies, on the other hand, show stronger neutral absorption [NH = × 1022 atoms cm-2], as expected, but are also characterized by an X-ray power law that is substantially harder (Γ ~ 1.75) and with a cutoff at lower energies (Ec ~ 130 keV); the iron line parameters are instead substantially similar to those measured in type 1 objects. There are only two possible solutions to this problem: to assume more reflection in Seyfert 2 galaxies than observed in Seyfert 1 galaxies or more complex absorption than estimated in the first instance. The first possibility is ruled out by the Seyfert 2 to Seyfert 1 ratio, while the second provides an average Seyfert 2 intrinsic spectrum very similar to that of the Seyfert 1. The extra absorber is likely an artifact due to summing spectra with different amounts of absorption, although we cannot exclude its presence in at least some individual sources. Our result argues strongly for a very similar central engine in both types of galaxies, as expected under the unified theory.

A multifrequency study of the 12 μm sample of Seyfert galaxies

A sample of Seyfert galaxies (46 Seyfert type 1 and 59 Seyfert type 2) selected at 12μm has been investigated using information at various wavelengths collected from both the literature and on-line databases [radio (6 cm), IR (1.2–2.2μm and 12–100μm), optical line [OIII]λ5007Å emission, soft X-ray (0.1–3 keV) and hard X-ray (2–10 keV)]. The relations between the emission in these various bandpasses highlights the similarities and differences between Seyfert galaxies of type 1 and 2, which are discussed in the framework of the AGN unified model.

The ROSAT Bright Survey: I. Identification of an AGN sample with hard ROSAT X‐ray spectra

AbstractThe ROSAT Bright Survey (RBS) aims to completely optically identify the more than 2000 brightest sources detected in the ROSAT all‐sky survey at galactic latitudes |b| > 30° (excluding LMC, SMC, Virgo cluster). This paper presents a subsample of 66 bright point‐like ROSAT survey sources with almost hard PSPC spectra, the hardness ratio HR1 is > 0.5 for most of the sources. Teh subsample could be nearly completely identified by low‐resolution optical spectroscopy with the following breakdown into object classes: 31 Seyfert galaxies, 22 BL Lac candidates, 5 clusters of galaxies, 1 cataclysmic variable, and 5 bright stars. Only one object remained unidentified and one X‐ray source was a spurious detection. The redshift distrbution peaks around 0.06 for the Seyferts and around 0.13 for the BL Lac candidates. Observations with medium spectral resolution were obtained for most of the new Seyfert galaxies. A large fraction (20 objects) are type 1 Seyfert galaxies, the other fraction includes Seyfert galaxies of type 1.5 – 1.8 (5 objects), two LINERs, and 4 possible narrow‐line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1). About one third of the new Seyfert's have nearby companion galaxies displaying either emission or absorption lines at the same redshift. Among them are a couple of systems showing direct morphological evidence for interaction. The large fraction of interacting galaxies among our sample suggests a scenario where interaction is the main trigger of AGN activity.

High‐Energy Spectra of Active Galactic Nuclei. II. Absorption in Seyfert Galaxies

Absorption by cold material in a large sample of active galaxies has been analyzed in order to study statistically the behavior of absorbed sources. The analysis indicates that on the basis of the column density alone, sources can be divided into low-absorption ([NH/NHGal] ? 50) and high-absorption ([NH/NHGal] ? 50) objects. While the second group consists mostly of narrow emission line galaxies (Seyfert galaxies of type 1.9-2), the first group is less homogenous, being formed by a mixture of broad and narrow emission line objects (Seyfert 1-2 galaxies). A study of the distribution of the column density values by means of bootstrap analysis confirms the reality of this effect. One group consisting of optically selected objects is well explained within the unified theory as nuclei obscured by a molecular torus. The second group made up of X-ray- and IRAS-selected objects is more difficult to define: in these sources the absorption is underestimated owing to difficulties (1) in fitting complex absorption spectra or (2) in measuring NH values in Compton-thick sources or the absorption has a different origin than in the torus. Possible correlations of absorption with X-ray luminosity, axial ratio, and Balmer decrement have also been investigated. Previous suggestions that lower luminosity AGNs tend to be more highly absorbed than those with higher luminosity are not confirmed by the present data; neither is any evidence for a correlation of NH with axial ratio (b/a) found except for a preference of Seyfert 1-1.5 galaxies to be in face-on galaxies. While some sources (Seyfert 1-1.5 galaxies and low-absorption objects) have X-ray absorption compatible with Balmer decrement, high-absorption objects have column densities much higher than predicted from optical observations. These results are in agreement with the unified theory since the torus parameters are expected to be independent of luminosity, its orientation should be random with respect to the host galaxy, and its location should be in between the broad- and narrow-line regions. A study of the NH variability indicates that in a large fraction (70%) of the sources for which the analysis could be done, NH varies on timescales from months to years. In Seyfert 1-1.5 galaxies, the variability is associated with a region in or near the broad-line region and is explained in terms of partial covering and/or warm absorption models. In Seyfert 2 galaxies, the only variability observed is that associated with narrow emission line galaxies. The study of the column density distributions indicates that Seyfert 1-1.5 galaxies are characterized by NH = 18+9?7 ? 1021 atoms cm-2. Seyfert 1.9-2 galaxies have instead NH = 96+54?35 ? 1021 atoms cm-2 and a larger dispersion; if this group is divided into low- and high-absorption objects, NH = 14.5+7.2?5.3 ? 1021 atoms cm-2 and NH = 132.8+80.1?52.6 ? 1021 atoms cm-2, respectively, are obtained. The observed dispersion in each group is consistent with being entirely due to column density variability.

H ii Region Population in a Sample of Nearby Galaxies with Nuclear Activity. I. Data and General Results

This paper presents the distribution of ionized gas in the disk and circumnuclear region of a sample of 55 galaxies with active nuclei, Seyfert galaxies of type 1 and 2, and low-ionization nuclear emission line regions (LINERs). We use CCD narrow-band Hα + [N II] images to map the distribution of H II regions and the morphology of the circumnuclear extended emission associated with the active nucleus. We also present [O III] images for a few of the galaxies. An analysis of the presence of extended emission and of H II regions is carried out twofold, as a function of the level of nuclear activity and of the Hubble type. In this sample, the extended emission is more common in Seyfert type 1 than in type 2; however, disk star formation is more common in Seyfert type 2. One-third of the galaxies have circumnuclear H II regions, but only 8% of these are Seyfert 1. The number surface density of H II regions and the location of the brightest H II region indicate that in Seyfert 2 the star formation is more important in the inner disk, as defined by the radius that contains half the total blue luminosity. In Seyfert 1 the distribution of H II regions is more uniform with distance, and the H II regions are farther away from the nucleus than in Seyfert 2. We discuss the possible connection between the dynamical properties of the galaxy, particularly in the inner parts, and the differences found in Seyfert types 1 and 2.

Infrared Observations of Radio Galaxies

For technical reasons, infrared studies of active galaxies have lagged far behind optical and radio ones. This is unfortunate, since entirely new aspects of these sources are often revealed in the infrared. The extreme efficiency of dust at degrading ultraviolet photons into cool thermal emission frequently makes the luminosity of an extragalactic source inaccessible to optical and radio astronomers. At the same time, the effects of dust on optical emission line ratios and continuum shapes can be profound. The complete identification of samples of radio sources will require infrared observations to supplement the optical techniques now generally employed, and the extreme properties of the sources bright in the infrared can provide new insights to conditions in extragalactic nonthermal sources. To illustrate these points, I will discuss three cases: 1.) galaxies undergoing a powerful burst of star formation, 2.) intermediate type Seyfert galaxies, and 3.) an extreme infrared identification of an extragalactic radio source.

Physical conditions in the nuclei of type 1 seyfert galaxies

Osterbrock's spectrophotometric results were used to determine in a unified manner the electron densities and temperatures in the nuclei of 36 Seyfert galaxies of type 1 and five radio galaxies. It was found that in the O(2+) emission zones of all the investigated objects the temperatures are close to 10,000 K and the densities to 5 million per cu cm. The dispersion of both these parameters is very small. The spread of the values of the same parameters in the O(+) emission zones is much greater.