arXiv subjects

A. C. Fabian

Publications and source records attributed to A. C. Fabian.

At least 847 records · Page 47Linked to original sources

arXiv1995

X-ray evolution in the ROSAT Brightest Cluster Sample

We present the X-ray luminosity function (XLF) of the ROSAT Brightest Cluster Sample (BCS), an X-ray selected, flux limited sample of 172 clusters of galaxies at $z\leq 0.3$ compiled from ROSAT All-Sky Survey data. While the bulk of the BCS consists of Abell clusters, the sample also contains Zwicky clusters and purely X-ray selected systems. The BCS-XLF represents the best determination of the local X-ray luminosity function for galaxy clusters and thus provides an important reference for evolutionary studies. For the BCS itself, we find no convincing evidence for cluster evolution within a redshift of $z=0.3$. This result is not in conflict with the findings of the EMSS study on cluster evolution.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1995

The variable OVIII Warm Absorber in MCG-6-30-15

We present the results of a 4 day ASCA observation of the Seyfert galaxy MCG-6-30-15, focussing on the nature of the X-ray absorption by the warm absorber, characterizd by the K-edges of the intermediately ionized oxygen, OVII and OVIII. We confirm that the column density of OVIII changes on a timescale of $\sim 10^4$~s when the X-ray continuum flux decreases. The significant anti-correlation of column density with continuum flux gives direct evidence that the warm absorber is photoionized by the X-ray continuum. From the timescale of the variation of the OVIII column density, we estimate that it originates from gas within a radius of about $10^{17}\cm$ of the central engine. In contrast, the depth of the OVII edge shows no response to the continuum flux, which indicates that it originates in gas at larger radii. Our results strongly suggest that there are two warm absorbing regions; one located near or within the Broad Line Region, the other associated with the outer molecular torus, scattering medium or Narrow Line Region.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1995

X-ray detection of SN1988Z with the ROSAT HRI

We report the detection of SN1988Z in X-rays with the ROSAT High Resolution Imager. The inferred X-ray luminosity of about $10^{41}\ergps$ can be well explained by assuming that the supernova occurred in a dense circumstellar medium, consistent with optical observations. SN1988Z is the most distant supernova yet detected in X-rays.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1995

The spectra of accretion discs in low-mass X-ray binaries

We present self-consistent models for the radiative transfer in Shakura-Sunyaev accretion discs in bright low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXB). Our calculations include the full effects of incoherent Compton scattering and the vertical temperature structure within the disc, as well as the effects of Doppler blurring and gravitational redshift. We find that the observed X-ray spectra are well fit by exponentially cutoff power-law models. The difference between the observed total spectrum and our calculated disc spectrum should reveal the spectrum of the disc/neutron star boundary layer and other emitting regions considered to be present in LMXB.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1995

X-ray reflection in Galactic Black Hole Candidates: smeared edge profiles and resonant Auger destruction

We consider the spectra of Thomson-thick, geometrically-thin accretion discs around Galactic black hole candidates in the reflection model and compute their iron K edges and iron K$α$ lines. We compare the smeared iron K edge profiles that we compute with observation and find them to be a satisfactory description of the data. We find that a combination of Doppler broadening and resonant Auger destruction of line photons can make iron K$α$ lines very difficult to detect in highly ionized inclined discs. We detail the physics of resonant Auger destruction at the level it is currently understood and point out its implications.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1995

ROSAT PSPC observations of Cygnus-A : X-ray spectra of the cooling flow and hot spots

We present a {\it ROSAT} Position Sensitive Proportional Counter (PSPC) observation of the powerful radio galaxy Cygnus-A. The X-ray emission in the {\it ROSAT} band is dominated by thermal emission from the hot intracluster medium of the associated cluster. Image deprojection confirms the existence of a significant cluster cooling flow with total mass deposition rate of $\sim 250\,{\rm M}_\odot\,{\rm yr}^{-1}$ and a (Hubble time) cooling radius of $\sim 180$\,kpc. Spectral data show the gradient in the emission-weighted mean temperature with the temperature decreasing towards the centre of the cluster. We also find signatures of the radio source: in particular, we detect the X-ray emission from the western radio hot spot previously found by the {\it ROSAT} High Resolution Imager (HRI). We find the emission from the hot spot to be hard and discuss the physical implications of this result.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1995

The accretion luminsoity of a massive black hole in an elliptical galaxy

Most large elliptical galaxies should now host a massive black hole leftover from an earlier quasar phase. Such galaxies also have an extensive hot gaseous halo. Here we consider why the nuclei of elliptical galaxies are not luminous sources due to the accretion of the hot gas by the central black hole, yet have weak radio sources. In particular we suggest that accretion from the hot medium has low radiative efficiency and forms a hot ion torus surrounding the black hole. Synchrotron emission from the torus can account for at least part of the weak radio sources commonly seen in otherwise normal elliptical galaxies. The inner funnel of the ion torus can also begin the collimation of a narrow jet. We speculate on the difference between jets from the nuclei of spiral and elliptical galaxies and suggest that the extensive hot atmosphere seen in ellipticals is essential for maintaining the collimation and provoking the observed radio structures of radio galaxies. We also note that low radiative efficiency, and not necessarity a large change in accretion rate, may be responsible for the demise of quasars and may contribute to the hard X-ray Background. Hot ion tori may be common in galactic nuclei.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1995

ROSAT PSPC observations of the infrared quasar IRAS 13349+2438: evidence for a warm absorber with internal dust

We present spatial, temporal and spectral analyses of ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter (PSPC) observations of the infrared loud quasar IRAS 13349+2438. IRAS 13349+2438 is the archetypal highly-polarized radio-quiet QSO and has an optical/infrared luminosity of about 2E46 erg/s. We detect variability in the ROSAT count rate by a factor of 4.1 in about one year, and there is also evidence for about 25 per cent variability within one week. We find no evidence for large intrinsic cold absorption of soft X-rays. These two facts have important consequences for the scattering-plus-transmission model of this object which was developed to explain its high wavelength-dependent polarization and other properties. The soft X-ray variability makes electron scattering of most of the soft X-rays difficult without a very peculiar scattering mirror. The lack of significant intrinsic cold X-ray absorption together with the large observed E(B-V) suggests either a very peculiar system geometry or, more probably, absorption by warm ionized gas with internal dust. There is evidence for an ionized oxygen edge in the X-ray spectrum. IRAS 13349+2438 has many properties that are similar to those of the Osterbrockian `narrow-line' Seyfert 1s.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1995

On broad iron K-alpha lines in Seyfert 1 galaxies

The X-ray spectrum obtained by Tanaka et al from a long observation of the active galaxy MCG$-6-30-15$ shows a broad iron K$α$ line skewed to low energies. The simplest interpretation of the shape of the line is that it is due to doppler and gravitational redshifts from the inner parts of a disk about a massive black hole. Similarly broad lines are evident in shorter observations of several other active galaxies. In this paper we investigate other line broadening and skewing mechanisms such as Comptonization in cold gas and doppler shifts from outflows. We have also fitted complex spectral models to the data of MCG$-6-30-15$ to see whether the broad skewed line can be mimicked well by other absorption or emission features. No satisfactory mechanism or spectral model is found, thus strengthening the relativistic disk line model.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1995

ASCA PV observations of the Seyfert 1 galaxy MCG-6-30-15 : rapid variability of the warm absorber

We present a detailed re-analysis of the two {\it ASCA} Performance Verification observations of the nearby Seyfert 1 galaxy MCG-6-30-15. Confirming the results of Fabian et al. (1994), we find definite evidence for the {\sc O\,vii} and {\sc O\,viii} K-shell absorption edges of the warm absorber and a doubling of the warm absorber column density within the 3 weeks separating the two observations. No intra-day {\it flux-correlated} variability of the warm absorber is found. However, we report the discovery of an `event' in which the warm absorber parameters temporarily change for \sim10\,000\thinspace s before returning to their original values. Possible interpretations are discussed but a contradiction remains: the constancy of the ionization state of the warm absorber argues that it lies at large distances from the central source whereas the short term change in column density argues for small distances. Fluorescent iron emission is examined. As found by Fabian et al. (1994), the iron line is broad and strong (equivalent width \sim300\thinspace eV). The line profile is also suggestive of it being skewed. Such a line would be expected from a relativistic accretion disk. We also find very rapid primary X-ray variability. Assuming relativistic beaming to be unimportant, the derived efficiency is comparable to the maximum obtainable from accretion onto a Schwarzschild black hole. Correlated variability outside of the energy range of {\it ASCA} might exceed this maximum, thus requiring efficient accretion onto a Kerr hole.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1995

A combined X-ray and gravitational lensing study of the massive cooling-flow cluster PKS0745-191

We present spatially-resolved X-ray spectroscopy of the X-ray luminous cluster of galaxies, PKS0745-191, using observations made with the ASCA and ROSAT satellites. The X-ray data measure the density, temperature, and metallicity profiles of the cluster gas and constrain the distribution of mass in the cluster to a radius of \sim 1.5 Mpc. We report the discovery of a bright gravitationally-lensed arc at a redshift, z_{\rm arc} = 0.433, in the cluster. This result identifies PKS0745 as the lowest-redshift cluster (z_{\rm clus} = 0.1028) known to exhibit gravitational lensing. The properties of the lensed source are consistent with an S_{\rm ab} galaxy with ongoing star formation. The projected cluster mass determined from lensing arguments is in excellent agreement with the value measured from a multiphase analysis of the X-ray data. This contrasts with previously-reported results for the clusters Abell 1689 and Abell 2218, for which discrepancies of \sim a factor 2 in the lensing and X-ray masses are observed. At both X-ray and optical wavelengths PKS0745 appears regular and dynamically relaxed. Abell 1689 and Abell 2218 exhibit more complex dynamical states, indicative of ongoing merger events. We suggest that merging activity has lead to line-of-sight mass enhancements in these systems. The X-ray spectra and images presented here confirm that PKS0745 contains one of the largest known cooling flows, with a mass deposition rate of \sim 1000 \Msunpyr.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1995

The role of cooling flows in galaxy formation

The present structure of galaxies is governed by the radiative dissipation of the gravitational and supernova energy injected during formation. A crucial aspect of this process is whether the gas cools as fast as it falls into the gravitational potential well. If it does then rapid normal star formation is assumed to ensue. If not, and the gas can still cool by the present time, then the situation resembles that of a cooling flow, such as commonly found in clusters of galaxies. The cooled matter is assumed to accumulate as very cold clouds and/or low mass stars, i.e. as baryonic dark matter. In this paper we investigate the likelihood of a cooling flow phase during the hierarchical formation of galaxies. We concentrate on the behaviour of the gas, using a highly simplified treatment of the evolution of the dark matter potential within which the gas evolves. We assume that normal star formation is limited by how much gas the associated supernovae can unbind and allow the gas profile to flatten as a consequence of supernova energy injection. We find that cooling flows are an important phase in the formation of most galaxies with total (dark plus luminous) masses approxgt 10^12 Msun , creating about 20 per cent of the total dark halo in a galaxy such as our own and a smaller but comparable fraction of an elliptical galaxy of similar mass. The onset of a cooling flow determines the upper mass limit for the formation of a visible spheroid from gas, setting a characteristic mass scale for normal galaxies. We argue that disk formation requires a cooling flow phase and that dissipation in the cooling flow phase is the most important factor in the survival of normal galaxies during subsequent hierarchical mergers.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1995

ROSAT HRI observations of IRAS P09104+4109: a massive cooling flow

A ROSAT HRI image of the hyperluminous infrared galaxy IRAS P09104+4109 shows extended X-ray emission peaked around the central galaxy in a profile characteristic of a cooling flow. The inferred soft X-ray luminosity is comparable to that detected with ASCA. The ASCA spectrum is well fit by a cooling flow spectrum, indicating a mass cooling rate of about 1000 Msunpyr. The cooling flow dominates the total luminosity of the surrounding cluster. Any contribution from a hidden AGN in the host galaxy to either the total ASCA spectrum or the HRI image is small.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1995

ASCA observations of the Seyfert 1 galaxies Mrk1040 and MS0225.5+3121

We present {\it ASCA} observations of the Seyfert 1 galaxies Mrk~1040 and MS~0225.5+3121. Mrk~1040 was found to have decreased in flux by almost a factor of 4 since an {\it EXOSAT} observation 10\,years ago. The energy spectrum of Mrk~1040 displays complexity both at soft energies (below 0.8\thinspace keV) and at hard energies (6--7\thinspace keV). The latter is readily interpreted as fluorescent K$α$ emission from cold iron expected when the primary X-ray source illuminates cold optically-thick material. This line is both broad (with FWHM 16\,000--70\,000 km\,s$^{-1}$) and strong (equivalent width $\sim 550\pm 250$\, eV) suggesting that it originates from material close to the compact object with non-solar abundances. Abundance effects on the equivalent width of such a line are investigated via Monte Carlo simulations. We find that strong lines can be produced with physically plausible abundances. The effect of abundances on the associated reflection continuum is also discussed. The soft spectral complexity implies either a strong soft excess together with intrinsic absorption, or a complex absorber. Various models for the nature of such a complex absorber are discussed. MS~0225.5+3121 shows no evidence for any variability and has a spectrum that is well described by a power law with Galactic absorption.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1995

Cooling flows, central galaxy--cluster alignments, X-ray absorption and dust

We present the analysis of pointed ROSAT PSPC observations of five of the most luminous, intermediate redshift ($0.1 < z < 0.15$) clusters of galaxies detected in the ROSAT All-Sky Survey. The PSPC data are combined with optical CCD images and spectra to examine the relationship between clusters and their central cluster galaxies (CCGs). Abell 1068, Abell 1361 and Abell 1664 contain three of the most optically line-luminous CCGs known. The PSPC X-ray data show that these galaxies lie at the centres of massive (200 -- 400 solar masses per year) cooling flows. The alignment between CCGs and their host clusters has been investigated. For those clusters with cooling flows, the position angles of the X-ray emission from the clusters and the optical emission from the CCGs agrees within 5 degrees. For the one probable non-cooling flow cluster in the sample, Abell 2208, the alignment is significantly poorer. We examine the evidence for intrinsic X-ray absorption in the clusters. The X-ray spectra for Abell 1068 and Abell 1664 show that the cooling flows in these clusters are intrinsically absorbed by equivalent hydrogen column densities $\geq 10^{21} atom cm$^{-2}$. The optical spectra of the CCGs in these clusters exhibit substantial intrinsic reddening, at levels consistent with the X-ray absorption results if standard dust to gas ratios are assumed.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1995

Einstein Observatory evidence for the widespread baryon overdensity in clusters of galaxies,

We analyse the X-ray surface brightness profiles of 19 moderately distant and luminous clusters of galaxies observed with the \EINOBS. Our aim is to determine cluster gas masses out to radii between 1 and $3\Mpc$, and to confirm the apparent conflict, if $Ω_0=1$, between the current calculations of the mean baryon fraction of the Universe expected from standard primordial nucleosynthesis, and the fraction of the mass in clusters which is in gas. Our analysis shows that baryon overdensities in clusters are much more widespread than only the Coma cluster with which S.~White \& Frenk originally highlighted this problem. The uncertainties involved in our analysis and some cosmological implications from our results are briefly discussed. For a refined sample of 13 clusters we find that the baryon fraction for the gas within $1\Mpc$ lies between 10 and 22 per cent.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1995

Warm absorbers in active galactic nuclei

Recent {\it ASCA} observations confirm the presence of X-ray absorption due to partially ionized gas in many Seyfert 1 galaxies; the so-called warm absorber. Constraints on the location of the warm material are presented with the conclusion that this material lies at radii coincident with, or just outside, the broad-line region. The stability of this warm material to isobaric perturbations under the assumptions of thermal and photoionization equilibrium is also studied. It is shown that there is a remarkably small range of ionization parameter, $ξ$, for which the warm absorber state is stable. The robustness of this result to changes in the shape of the primary continuum, the assumed density and optical depth is investigated. Given the constraints on the location and the stability properties of the material, several models for the environments of Seyfert nuclei are discussed. These attempt to explain the presence of significant amounts of partially ionized material. In particular, various models of the broad-line region are discussed. The simple two-phase model of the broad-line region proves to be unsatisfactory. A model of the broad-line region is presented in which a turbulent, hot intercloud medium is mechanically heated. Turbulent mixing layers could then give rise to warm absorption features. Finally, a model is discussed in which the warm absorber is due to a steady state, radiatively driven outflow.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1994

Nearby Galaxies and the Ginga X-ray Background

We present here the results of cross-correlating the X-ray background measured by Ginga in the 2-10 keV band with several catalogues of extragalactic objects. Positive signals with an amplitude of a few per cent have been found for some catalogues implying that some fraction of the X-ray background is produced either by the class of catalogued sources or by other classes spatially related to them. Detailed X-ray background simulations have been used to assess the significance of the results and, for the first time, the full angular shape of the cross-correlation. The inferred X-ray volume emissivity in the local Universe, j_0, has been estimated for two galaxy catalogues (UGC and IRAS) for which the cross-correlation is highly significant. We obtain j_0= (0.74 +/- 0.07) for UGC and j_0= (1.15 +/- 0.10) for IRAS, in units of 1.E39 h erg/s/Mpc3. Extrapolating this result back to z~1-4 leads to the conclusion that <~10-30 per cent of the X-ray background could be produced by a non-evolving population of galaxies. These values are shown to be consistent with upper limits on the Auto Correlation Function derived here.

astro-ph↗