arXiv subjects

A. Siemiginowska

Publications and source records attributed to A. Siemiginowska.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2020

Chandra Observations of NGC 7212: Large-scale Extended Hard X-ray Emission

Recent observations of nearby Compton thick (CT) active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with Chandra have resolved hard (>3 keV) X-ray emission extending out from the central supermassive black hole to kiloparsec scales, challenging the long-held belief that the characteristic hard X-ray continuum and fluorescent Fe K lines originate in the inner ~parsec due to the excitation of obscuring material. In this paper we present the results of the most recent Chandra ACIS-S observations of NGC 7212, a CT AGN in a compact group of interacting galaxies, with a total effective exposure of ~150 ks. We find ~20 percent of the observed emission is found outside of the central ~kiloparsec, with ~17 percent associated with the soft X-rays, and ~3 percent with hard X-ray continuum and Fe K line. This emission is extended both along the ionization cone and in the cross-cone direction up to ~3.8 kpc scales. The spectrum of NGC 7212 is best represented by a mixture of thermal and photoionization models that indicate the presence of complex gas interactions. These observations are consistent with what is observed in other CT AGN (e.g., ESO 428-G014, NGC 1068), providing further evidence that this may be a common phenomenon. High-resolution observations of extended CT AGN provide an especially valuable environment for understanding how AGN feedback impacts host galaxies on galactic scales.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2020

On the Jet Production Efficiency in a Sample of the Youngest Radio Galaxies

Here we discuss the jet production efficiency in a sample of 17 young radio galaxies with measured redshifts, kinematic ages, and nuclear X-ray fluxes, for which the observed luminosities of compact jets/lobes and accretion disks correspond to the same episode of the AGN activity. For the targets, we analyze the available optical data, estimating the bolometric luminosities of the accretion disks $L_{\rm bol}$, and the black hole masses; we also derive the minimum jet kinetic luminosities, $P_{\rm j}$. With such, we investigate the distribution of our sample in the three-dimensional space of the accretion rate $λ_{\rm Edd} \equiv L_{\rm bol}/L_{\rm Edd}$, the nuclear X-ray luminosity $L_{\rm X}$ considered here as a limit for the emission of the disk coronae, and $P_{\rm j}$, expressing the latter two parameters either in the Eddington units, or in the units of the disk luminosity. We find that (i) the accretion rate $λ_{\rm Edd}$ in our sample is distributed within a narrow range $λ_{\rm Edd} \sim 0.01 - 0.2$; (ii) the normalized jet power $P_{\rm j}/L_{\rm Edd}$ formally correlates with the accretion rate $λ_{\rm Edd}$, with some saturation at the largest values $λ_{\rm Edd}> 0.05$; (iii) the jet production efficiency $η_{\rm jet} \equiv P_{\rm j}/\dot{M}_{\rm acc} c^2$ spans a range from $η_{\rm jet} \lesssim 10^{-3}$ up to $\sim 0.2$ at maximum, which is below the level expected for magnetically arrested disks around maximally spinning black holes; and (iv) there is a diversification in $η_{\rm jet}$ on the hardness--intensity diagram $L_{\rm X}/L_{\rm bol} - λ_{\rm Edd}$, with the jets being produced most efficiently during the high/hard states, and suppressed during the soft states.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2019

Increasing the Discovery Space in Astrophysics - A Collation of Six Submitted White Papers

We write in response to the call from the 2020 Decadal Survey to submit white papers illustrating the most pressing scientific questions in astrophysics for the coming decade. We propose exploration as the central question for the Decadal Committee's discussions.The history of astronomy shows that paradigm changing discoveries are not driven by well formulated scientific questions, based on the knowledge of the time. They were instead the result of the increase in discovery space fostered by new telescopes and instruments. An additional tool for increasing the discovery space is provided by the analysis and mining of the increasingly larger amount of archival data available to astronomers. Revolutionary observing facilities, and the state of the art astronomy archives needed to support these facilities, will open up the universe to new discovery. Here we focus on exploration for compact objects and multi messenger science. This white paper includes science examples of the power of the discovery approach, encompassing all the areas of astrophysics covered by the 2020 Decadal Survey.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2019

Astro2020 Science White Paper: The Next Decade of Astroinformatics and Astrostatistics

Over the past century, major advances in astronomy and astrophysics have been largely driven by improvements in instrumentation and data collection. With the amassing of high quality data from new telescopes, and especially with the advent of deep and large astronomical surveys, it is becoming clear that future advances will also rely heavily on how those data are analyzed and interpreted. New methodologies derived from advances in statistics, computer science, and machine learning are beginning to be employed in sophisticated investigations that are not only bringing forth new discoveries, but are placing them on a solid footing. Progress in wide-field sky surveys, interferometric imaging, precision cosmology, exoplanet detection and characterization, and many subfields of stellar, Galactic and extragalactic astronomy, has resulted in complex data analysis challenges that must be solved to perform scientific inference. Research in astrostatistics and astroinformatics will be necessary to develop the state-of-the-art methodology needed in astronomy. Overcoming these challenges requires dedicated, interdisciplinary research. We recommend: (1) increasing funding for interdisciplinary projects in astrostatistics and astroinformatics; (2) dedicating space and time at conferences for interdisciplinary research and promotion; (3) developing sustainable funding for long-term astrostatisics appointments; and (4) funding infrastructure development for data archives and archive support, state-of-the-art algorithms, and efficient computing.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2018

Chandra Detection of the Circumnuclear Molecular Torus of the Compton Thick AGN in NGC 5643

We report a clumpy elongated feature found with deep Chandra ACIS high-resolution imaging of the Fe Kα line emission in the nuclear region of the Compton Thick Active Galactic Nucleus (CT AGN) galaxy NGC 5643. This feature extends for ~65 pc N-S. No corresponding feature is seen in the 3.0-6.0 keV continuum. The Fe Kα feature is spatially consistent with the N-S elongation found in the CO(2-1) high resolution imaging with ALMA (Alonso-Herrero et al 2018), but slightly more extended than the rotating molecular disk of r=26 pc indicated by the kinematics of the CO(2-1) line. The Chandra detection of a corresponding N-S structure in the neutral Fe Kα line, would argue for both CO and Fe Kα emission originating from the obscuring torus.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2018

Deep Chandra Observations of ESO 428-G014: IV. The Morphology of the Nuclear Region in the Hard Continuum and Fe Kα Line

We report the results of high-resolution subpixel imaging of the hard continuum and Fe Kα line of the Compton Thick (CT) Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) ESO 428-G014, observed with Chandra ACIS. While the 3-4 keV emission is dominated by an extended component, a single nuclear point source is prominent in the 4-6 keV range. Instead, two peaks of similar intensity, separated by ~36 pc in projection on the plane of the sky are detected in the Fe Kα emission. The SE knot could be marginally associated with the heavily obscured hard continuum source. We discuss four possible interpretations of the nuclear morphology. (1) Given the bolometric luminosity and likely black hole (BH) mass of ESO 428-G014, we may be imaging two clumps of the CT obscuring torus in the Fe Kα line. (2) The Fe Kα knots may be connected with the fluorescent emission from the dusty bicone, or (3) with the light echo of a nuclear outburst. (4) We also explore the less likely possibility that we may be detecting the rare signature of merging nuclei. Considering the large-scale kpc-size extent of the hard continuum and Fe Kα emission (Papers I and II), we conclude that the AGN in ESO 428-G014 has been active for at least 104 yrs. Comparison with the models of Czerny et al (2009) suggests high accretion rates during this activity.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2018

Faint $γ$-ray sources at low-redshift: the radio galaxy IC 1531

We present a multi-wavelength study of IC 1531 (z=0.02564), an extragalactic radio source associated with the $γ$-ray object 3FGL J0009.9-3206 and classified as a blazar of uncertain type in the Third Fermi Large Area Telescope AGN Catalog (3LAC). A core-jet structure, visible in radio and X-rays, is enclosed within a $\sim$220 kpc wide radio structure. The morphology and spectral characteristics of the kiloparsec jet in radio and X-rays are typical of Fanaroff-Riley type I galaxies. The analysis of the radio data and optical spectrum and different diagnostic methods based on the optical, infrared and $γ$-ray luminosities also support a classification as a low-power radio galaxy seen at moderate angles ($θ=$10$^\circ$-20$^\circ$). In the framework of leptonic models, the high-energy peak of the non-thermal nuclear spectral energy distribution can be explained in terms of synchrotron-self-Compton emission from a jet seen at $θ\sim$15$^\circ$. Similarly to other misaligned AGNs detected by Fermi, the required bulk motion is lower ($Γ_{\rm bulk}=$4) than the values inferred in BL Lac objects, confirming that, because of the de-boosting of emission from the highly-relativistic blazar region, these nearby systems are valuable targets to probe the existence of multiple sites of production of the most energetic emission in the jets.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2018

Stochastic modeling of multiwavelength variability of the classical BL Lac object OJ 287 on timescales ranging from decades to hours

We present the results of our power spectral density analysis for the BL Lac object OJ\,287, utilizing the {\it Fermi}-LAT survey at high-energy $γ$-rays, {\it Swift}-XRT in X-rays, several ground-based telescopes and the {\it Kepler} satellite in the optical, and radio telescopes at GHz frequencies. The light curves are modeled in terms of continuous-time auto-regressive moving average (CARMA) processes. Owing to the inclusion of the {\it Kepler} data, we were able to construct \emph{for the first time} the optical variability power spectrum of a blazar without any gaps across $\sim6$ dex in temporal frequencies. Our analysis reveals that the radio power spectra are of a colored-noise type on timescales ranging from tens of years down to months, with no evidence for breaks or other spectral features. The overall optical power spectrum is also consistent with a colored noise on the variability timescales ranging from 117 years down to hours, with no hints of any quasi-periodic oscillations. The X-ray power spectrum resembles the radio and optical power spectra on the analogous timescales ranging from tens of years down to months. Finally, the $γ$-ray power spectrum is noticeably different from the radio, optical, and X-ray power spectra of the source: we have detected a characteristic relaxation timescale in the {\it Fermi}-LAT data, corresponding to $\sim 150$\,days, such that on timescales longer than this, the power spectrum is consistent with uncorrelated (white) noise, while on shorter variability timescales there is correlated (colored) noise.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2016

Serendipitous discovery of an extended X-ray jet without a radio counterpart in a high-redshift quasar

A recent Chandra observation of the nearby galaxy cluster Abell 585 has led to the discovery of an extended X-ray jet associated with the high-redshift background quasar B3 0727+409, a luminous radio source at redshift z=2.5. This is one of only few examples of high-redshift X-ray jets known to date. It has a clear extension of about 12", corresponding to a projected length of ~100 kpc, with a possible hot spot located 35" from the quasar. The archival high resolution VLA maps surprisingly reveal no extended jet emission, except for one knot about 1.4" from the quasar. The high X-ray to radio luminosity ratio for this source appears consistent with the $\propto (1+z)^{4}$ amplification expected from the inverse Compton radiative model. This serendipitous discovery may signal the existence of an entire population of similar systems with bright X-ray and faint radio jets at high redshift, a selection bias which must be accounted for when drawing any conclusions about the redshift evolution of jet properties and indeed about the cosmological evolution of supermassive black holes and active galactic nuclei in general.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2015

N_H - N_HI correlation in Gigahertz-peaked-spectrum galaxies

With the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope, we performed HI observations of a sample of known X-ray emitting Gigahertz-peaked-spectrum galaxies with compact-symmetric-object morphology (GPS/CSOs) that lacked an HI absorption detection. We combined radio and X-ray data of the full sample of X-ray emitting GPS/CSOs and found a significant, positive correlation between the column densities of the total and neutral hydrogen ($N_{\rm H}$ and $N_{\rm HI}$, respectively). Using a Bayesian approach, we simultaneously quantified the parameters of the $N_{\rm H} - N_{\rm HI}$ relation and the intrinsic spread of the data set. For a specific subset of our sample, we found $N_{\rm H} \propto N_{\rm HI}^b$, with $b=0.93^{+0.49}_{-0.33}$, and $σ_{int} (N_{\rm H})= 1.27^{+1.30}_{-0.40}$. The $N_{\rm H} - N_{\rm HI}$ correlation suggests a connection between the physical properties of the radio and X-ray absorbing gas.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2015

Deep Chandra observations of Pictor A

We report on deep Chandra observations of the nearby broad-line radio galaxy Pictor A, which we combine with new Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) observations. The new X-ray data have a factor 4 more exposure than observations previously presented and span a 15-year time baseline, allowing a detailed study of the spatial, temporal and spectral properties of the AGN, jet, hotspot and lobes. We present evidence for further time variation of the jet, though the flare that we reported in previous work remains the most significantly detected time-varying feature. We also confirm previous tentative evidence for a faint counterjet. Based on the radio through X-ray spectrum of the jet and its detailed spatial structure, and on the properties of the counterjet, we argue that inverse-Compton models can be conclusively rejected, and propose that the X-ray emission from the jet is synchrotron emission from particles accelerated in the boundary layer of a relativistic jet. For the first time, we find evidence that the bright western hotspot is also time-varying in X-rays, and we connect this to the small-scale structure in the hotspot seen in high-resolution radio observations. The new data allow us to confirm that the spectrum of the lobes is in good agreement with the predictions of an inverse-Compton model and we show that the data favour models in which the filaments seen in the radio images are predominantly the result of spatial variation of magnetic fields in the presence of a relatively uniform electron distribution.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2015

On the Merging Cluster Abell 578 and Its Central Radio Galaxy 4C +67.13

Here we analyze radio, optical, and X-ray data for a peculiar cluster Abell 578. This cluster is not fully relaxed and consists of two merging sub-systems. The brightest cluster galaxy, CGPG 0719.8+6704, is a pair of interacting ellipticals with projected separation $\sim$10 kpc, the brighter of which hosts the radio source 4C +67.13. The Fanaroff-Riley type-II radio morphology of 4C +67.13 is unusual for central radio galaxies in local Abell clusters. Our new optical spectroscopy revealed that both nuclei of the CGPG 0719.8+6704 pair are active, albeit at low accretion rates corresponding to the Eddington ratio $\sim10^{-4}$ (for the estimated black hole masses of $\sim 3 \times 10^8\,M_\odot$ and $\sim 10^9 \, M_\odot$). The gathered X-ray ({\it Chandra}) data allowed us to confirm and to quantify robustly the previously noted elongation of the gaseous atmosphere in the dominant sub-cluster, as well as a large spatial offset ($\sim 60$\,kpc projected) between the position of the brightest cluster galaxy and the cluster center inferred from the modeling of the X-ray surface brightness distribution. Detailed analysis of the brightness profiles and temperature revealed also that the cluster gas in the vicinity of 4C\,+67.13 is compressed (by a factor of about $\sim 1.4$) and heated (from $\simeq 2.0$\,keV up to 2.7\,keV), consistent with the presence of a weak shock (Mach number $\sim 1.3$) driven by the expanding jet cocoon. This would then require the jet kinetic power of the order of $\sim 10^{45}$\,erg\,s$^{-1}$, implying either a very high efficiency of the jet production for the current accretion rate, or a highly modulated jet/accretion activity in the system.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2014

On the Interaction of the PKS B1358-113 Radio Galaxy with the Abell 1836 Cluster

[abridged] Here we present the analysis of multifrequency data gathered for the FRII radio galaxy PKS B1358-113, hosted in the brightest cluster galaxy of Abell 1836. The galaxy harbors one of the most massive black holes known to date and our analysis of the optical data reveals that this black hole is only weakly active. Based on new Chandra and XMM-Newton X-ray observations and archival radio data we derive the preferred range for the jet kinetic luminosity $\sim (0.5-3) \times 10^{45}$ erg s$^{-1}$. This is above the values implied by various scaling relations proposed for radio sources in galaxy clusters, being instead very close to the maximum jet power allowed for the given accretion rate. We constrain the radio source lifetime as $\sim 40-70$ Myrs, and the total amount of deposited jet energy $\sim (2-8) \times 10^{60}$\,ergs. The detailed analysis of the X-ray data provides indication for the presence of a bow-shock driven by the expanding radio lobes into the Abell 1836 cluster environment, with the corresponding Mach number $\sim 2-4$. This, together with the recently growing evidence that powerful FRII radio galaxies may not be uncommon in the centers of clusters at higher redshifts, supports the idea that jet-induced shock heating may indeed play an important role in shaping the properties of clusters, galaxy groups, and galaxies in formation. We speculate on a possible bias against detecting jet-driven shocks in poorer environments, resulting from an inefficient electron heating at the shock front, combined with a relatively long electron-ion equilibration timescale.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2013

First X-ray observations of Low-Power Compact Steep Spectrum Sources

We report first X-ray Chandra observations of a sample of seven low luminosity compact (LLC) sources. They belong to a class of young compact steep spectrum (CSS) radio sources. Four of them have been detected, the other three have upper limit estimations for X-ray flux, one CSS galaxy is associated with an X-ray cluster. We have used the new observations together with the observational data for known strong CSS and gigahertz-peaked spectrum (GPS) objects and large scale FRIs and FRIIs to study the relation between morphology, X-ray properties and excitation modes in radio-loud AGNs. We found that: (1) The low power objects fit well to the already established X-ray - radio luminosity correlation for AGNs and occupy the space among, weaker in the X-rays, FRI objects. (2) The high excitation galaxies (HEG) and low excitation galaxies (LEG) occupy distinct locus in the radio/X-ray luminosity plane, notwithstanding their evolutionary stage. This is in agreement with the postulated different origin of the X-ray emission in these two group of objects. (3) We have tested the AGN evolution models by comparing the radio/X-ray luminosity ratio with the size of the sources, and indirectly, with their age. We conclude that the division for two different X-ray emission modes, namely originate in the base of the relativistic jet (FRIs) or in the accretion disk (FRIIs) is already present among the younger compact AGNs. (4) Finally, we found that the CSS sources are less obscured than the more compact GPSs in X-rays. However, the anti-correlation between X-ray column density and radio size does not hold for the whole sample of GPS and CSS objects.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

CSS galaxy embedded within the core of a bright X-ray cluster

We discovered an X-ray cluster in a recent pointed Chandra observation of the radio-loud compact-steep-spectrum source 1321+045 at the redshift of 0.263. 1321+045 is part of larger survey which aims to study the X-rays properties of weak compact radio sources. Compact radio sources are young objects at the beginning of their evolution and if embedded in an X-ray cluster offer unique opportunities to study the cluster heating process.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2013

An X-ray cooling-core cluster surrounding a low power Compact Steep Spectrum Radio source 1321+045

We discovered an X-ray cluster in a Chandra observation of the compact steep spectrum (CSS) radio source 1321+045 (z=0.263). CSS sources are thought to be young radio objects at the beginning of their evolution and can potentially test the cluster heating process. 1321+045 is a relatively low luminosity source and its morphology consists of two radio lobes on the opposite sides of a radio core with no evidence for jets or hotspots. The optical emission line ratios are consistent with an interstellar medium (ISM) dominated by AGN-photoionization with a small contribution from star formation, and no contributions from shocks. Based on these ratios, we classify 1321+045 as a low excitation galaxy (LEG) and suggest that its radio activity is in a coasting phase. The X-ray emission associated with the radio source is detected with 36.1+/-8.3 counts, but the origin of this emission is highly uncertain. The current X-ray image of the cluster does not show any signatures of a radio source impact on the cluster medium. Chandra detects the cluster emission at >3 sigma level out to ~60 arcsec (~240 kpc). We obtain the best fit beta model parameters of the surface brightness profile of beta=0.58+/-0.2 and a core radius of 9.4^{+1.1}_{-0.9} arcsec. The average temperature of the cluster is equal to kT=4.4^{+0.5}_{-0.3} keV, with a temperature and cooling profile indicative of a cooling core. We measure the cluster luminosity L_(0.5-2 keV)=3x10^{44} erg s^{-1} and mass 1.5x10^{14} M_sun.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

The Chandra-COSMOS survey IV: X-ray spectra of the bright sample

We present the X-ray spectral analysis of the 390 brightest extragalactic sources in the Chandra-COSMOS catalog, showing at least 70 net counts in the 0.5-7 keV band. This sample has a 100% completeness in optical-IR identification, with 75% of the sample having a spectroscopic redshift and 25% a photometric redshift. Our analysis allows us to accurately determine the intrinsic absorption, the broad band continuum shape (Γ) and intrinsic L(2-10) distributions, with an accuracy better than 30% on the spectral parameters for 95% of the sample. The sample is equally divided in type-1 (49.7%) and type-2 AGN (48.7%) plus few passive galaxies at low z. We found a significant difference in the distribution of Γ of type-1 and type-2, with small intrinsic dispersion, a weak correlation of Γ with L(2-10) and a large population (15% of the sample) of high luminosity, highly obscured (QSO2) sources. The distribution of the X ray/Optical flux ratio (Log(FX /Fi)) for type-1 is narrow (0 < X/O < 1), while type-2 are spread up to X/O = 2. The X/O correlates well with the amount of X-ray obscuration. Finally, a small sample of Compton thick candidates and peculiar sources is presented. In the appendix we discuss the comparison between Chandra and XMM-Newton spectra for 280 sources in common. We found a small systematic difference, with XMM-Newton spectra that tend to have softer power-laws and lower obscuration.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

Giant Lobes of Centaurus A Radio Galaxy Observed with the Suzaku X-ray Satellite

[abridged] We report on Suzaku observations of selected regions within the Southern giant lobe of the radio galaxy Centaurus A. We focus on distinct X-ray features likely associated with fine radio structure of the lobe. We find that the spectral properties of the detected X-ray features are equally consistent with thermal emission from hot gas, or with a power-law radiation continuum. However, the plasma parameters implied by these different models favor a synchrotron origin for the analyzed X-ray spots, indicating that a very efficient acceleration of electrons is taking place within the giant structure of Centaurus A, albeit only in isolated and compact regions. We also present a detailed analysis of the diffuse X-ray emission, resulting in a tentative detection of a soft excess component best fitted by a thermal model with a temperature of 0.5 keV. The exact origin of the observed excess remains uncertain, although energetic considerations point to thermal gas filling the bulk of the volume of the lobe and mixed with the non-thermal plasma. The corresponding pressure of the thermal gas in such a case appears to be in almost exact equipartition with the pressure provided by the radio-emitting electrons and the magnetic field. Although tentative, our findings potentially imply that the structure of the extended lobes in active galaxies is likely to be highly inhomogeneous, with magnetic reconnection processes continuously converting magnetic energy to internal energy of the plasma particles, leading to spatial and temporal variations in the plasma parameters around the equilibrium condition.

astro-ph.CO↗