arXiv subjects

B. W. Sohn

Publications and source records attributed to B. W. Sohn.

16 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2023

RadioAstron discovery of a mini-cocoon around the restarted parsec-scale jet in 3C 84

We present RadioAstron space-based very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations of the nearby radio galaxy 3C84 (NGC1275) at the centre of the Perseus cluster. The observations were carried out on September 21-22, 2013 and involved a global array of 24 ground radio telescopes observing at 5 GHz and 22 GHz, together with the Space Radio Telescope (SRT). Furthermore, the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) and the phased Very Large Array (VLA) observed the source quasi-simultaneously at 15 GHz and 43 GHz. Fringes between the ground array and the SRT were detected on baseline lengths up to 8.1 times the Earth's diameter, providing unprecedented resolution for 3C 84 at these wavelengths. We note that the corresponding fringe spacing is 125 microarcsec at 5 GHz and 27 microarcsec at 22 GHz. Our space-VLBI images reveal a previously unseen sub-structure inside the compact 1 pc long jet that was ejected about ten years earlier. In the 5 GHz image, we detected, for the first time, low-intensity emission from a cocoon-like structure around the restarted jet. Our results suggest that the increased power of the young jet is inflating a bubble of hot plasma as it carves its way through the ambient medium of the central region of the galaxy. Here, we estimate the minimum energy stored in the mini-cocoon, along with its pressure, volume, expansion speed, and the ratio of heavy particles to relativistic electrons, as well as the density of the ambient medium. About half of the energy delivered by the jet is dumped into the mini-cocoon and the quasi-spherical shape of the bubble suggests that this energy may be transferred to a significantly larger volume of the interstellar medium than what would be accomplished by the well-collimated jet on its own. The pressure of the hot mini-cocoon also provides a natural explanation for the almost cylindrical jet profile seen in the 22 GHz RadioAstron image.

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arXiv2021

Modeling the unresolved NIR-MIR SEDs of local ($z<0.1$) QSOs

To study the nuclear ($\lesssim1\,$kpc) dust of nearby ($z<0.1$) type 1 Quasi Stellar Objects (QSOs) we obtained new near-infrared (NIR) high angular resolution ($\sim0.3$ arcsec) photometry in the H and Ks bands, for 13 QSOs with available mid-infrared (MIR) high angular resolution spectroscopy ($\sim7.5-13.5\,μ$m). We find that in most QSOs the NIR emission is unresolved. We subtract the contribution from the accretion disk, which decreases from NIR ($\sim35\%$) to MIR ($\sim2.4\%$). We also estimate these percentages assuming a bluer accretion disk and find that the contibution in the MIR is nearly seven time larger. We find that the majority of objects ($64\%$, 9/13) are better fitted by the Disk+Wind H17 model \citep[][]{Hoenig17}, while others can be fitted by the Smooth F06 \citep[$14\%$, 2/13,][]{Fritz06}, Clumpy N08 \citep[$7\%$, 1/13,][]{Nenkova08a,Nenkova08b}, Clumpy H10 \citep[$7\%$, 1/13,][]{Hoenig10b}, and Two-Phase media S16 \citep[$7\%$, 1/13,][]{Stalev16} models. However, if we assume the bluer accretion disk, the models fit only 2/13 objects. We measured two NIR to MIR spectral indexes, $α_{NIR-MIR(1.6,8.7\,μ\text{m})}$ and $α_{NIR-MIR(2.2,8.7\,μ\text{m})}$, and two MIR spectral indexes, $α_{MIR(7.8, 9.8\,μ\text{m})}$ and $α_{MIR(9.8, 11.7\,μ\text{m})}$, from models and observations. From observations, we find that the NIR to MIR spectral indexes are $\sim-1.1$ and the MIR spectral indexes are $\sim-0.3$. Comparing the synthetic and observed values, we find that none of the models simultaneously match the measured NIR to MIR and $7.8-9.8\,μ$m slopes. However, we note that measuring the $α_{MIR(7.8, 9.8\,μ\text{m})}$ on the starburst-subtracted {\it Spitzer}/IRS spectrum, gives values of the slopes ($\sim-2$) that are similar to the synthetic values obtained from the models.

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arXiv2019

An International Survey of Front-End Receivers and Observing Performance of Telescopes for Radio Astronomy

This paper presents a survey of microwave front-end receivers installed at radio telescopes throughout the World. This unprecedented analysis was conducted as part of a review of front-end developments for Italian radio telescopes, initiated by the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics in 2016. Fifteen international radio telescopes have been selected to be representative of the instrumentation used for radio astronomical observations in the frequency domain from 300 MHz to 116 GHz. A comprehensive description of the existing receivers is presented and their characteristics are compared and discussed. The observing performances of the complete receiving chains are also presented. An overview of on-going developments illustrates and anticipates future trends in front-end projects to meet the most ambitious scientific research goals.

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arXiv2018

A wide and collimated radio jet in 3C 84 on the scale of a few hundred gravitational radii

Understanding the launching, acceleration, and collimation of jets powered by active galactic nuclei remains an outstanding problem in relativistic astrophysics. This is partly because observational tests of jet formation models suffer from the limited angular resolution of ground-based very long baseline interferometry that has thus far been able to probe the transverse jet structure in the acceleration and collimation zone of only two sources. Here we report radio interferometric observations of 3C 84 (NGC 1275), the central galaxy of the Perseus cluster, made with an array including the orbiting radio telescope of the RadioAstron mission. The obtained image transversely resolves the edge-brightened jet in 3C 84 only 30 microarcseconds from the core, which is ten times closer to the central engine than what has been possible in previous ground-based observations, and it allows us to measure the jet collimation profile from ~ 100 to ~10000 gravitational radii from the black hole. The previously found, almost cylindrical jet profile on scales larger than a few thousand r_g is now seen to continue at least down to a few hundred r_g from the black hole and we find a broad jet with a transverse radius larger than about 250 r_g at only 350 r_g from the core. If the bright outer jet layer is launched by the black hole ergosphere, it has to rapidly expand laterally on scales smaller than 100 r_g. If this is not the case, then this jet sheath is likely launched from the accretion disk.

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arXiv2018

Capabilities and prospects of the East Asia Very Long Baseline Interferometry Network

The very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) technique offers angular resolutions superior to any other instruments at other wavelengths, enabling unique science applications of high-resolution imaging of radio sources and high-precision astrometry. The East Asia VLBI Network (EAVN) is a collaborative effort in the East Asian region. The EAVN currently consists of 21 telescopes with diverse equipment configurations and frequency setups, allowing flexible subarrays for specific science projects. The EAVN provides the highest resolution of 0.5 mas at 22 GHz, allowing the fine imaging of jets in active galactic nuclei, high-accuracy astrometry of masers and pulsars, and precise spacecraft positioning. The soon-to-be-operational Five-hundredmeter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) will open a new era for the EAVN. This state-of-the-art VLBI array also provides easy access to and crucial training for the burgeoning Asian astronomical community. This Perspective summarizes the status, capabilities and prospects of the EAVN.

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arXiv2017

HI, star formation and tidal dwarf candidate in the Arp 305 system

We present results from our Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) HI observations of the Arp 305 system. The system consists of two interacting spiral galaxies NGC 4016 and NGC 4017, a large amount of resultant tidal debris and a prominent tidal dwarf galaxy (TDG) candidate projected within the tidal bridge between the two principal galaxies. Our higher resolution GMRT HI mapping, compared to previous observations, allowed detailed study of smaller scale features. Our HI analysis supports the conclusion in Hancock et al. (2009) that the most recent encounter between the pair occurred $\sim$ 4 $\times$ 10$^8$ yrs ago. The GMRT observations also show HI features near NGC 4017 which may be remnants of an earlier encounter between the two galaxies. The HI properties of the Bridge TDG candidate include: M(HI) $\sim$ 6.6 $\times$ 10$^8$ msolar and V(HI) = 3500$\pm$ 7 km/s, which is in good agreement with the velocities of the parent galaxies. Additionally the TDG's HI linewidth of 30 km/s and a modest velocity gradient together with its SFR of 0.2 msolar/yr add to the evidence favouring the bridge candidate being a genuine TDG. The Bridge TDG's \textit{Spitzer} 3.6 $μ$m and 4.5 $μ$m counterparts with a [3.6]--[4.5] colour $\sim$ -0.2 mag suggests stellar debris may have seeded its formation. Future spectroscopic observations could confirm this formation scenario and provide the metallicity which is a key criteria for the validation for TDG candidates.

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arXiv2016

The F-GAMMA program: Multi-frequency study of Active Galactic Nuclei in the Fermi era. Program description and the first 2.5 years of monitoring

To fully exploit the scientific potential of the Fermi mission, we initiated the F-GAMMA program. Between 2007 and 2015 it was the prime provider of complementary multi-frequency monitoring in the radio regime. We quantify the radio variability of gamma-ray blazars. We investigate its dependence on source class and examine whether the radio variability is related to the gamma-ray loudness. Finally, we assess the validity of a putative correlation between the two bands. The F-GAMMA monitored monthly a sample of about 60 sources at up to twelve radio frequencies between 2.64 and 228.39 GHz. We perform a time series analysis on the first 2.5-year dataset to obtain variability parameters. A maximum likelihood analysis is used to assess the significance of a correlation between radio and gamma-ray fluxes. We present light curves and spectra (coherent within ten days) obtained with the Effelsberg 100-m and IRAM 30-m telescopes. All sources are variable across all frequency bands with amplitudes increasing with frequency up to rest frame frequencies of around 60 - 80 GHz as expected by shock-in-jet models. Compared to FSRQs, BL Lacs show systematically lower variability amplitudes, brightness temperatures and Doppler factors at lower frequencies, while the difference vanishes towards higher ones. The time scales appear similar for the two classes. The distribution of spectral indices appears flatter or more inverted at higher frequencies for BL Lacs. Evolving synchrotron self-absorbed components can naturally account for the observed spectral variability. We find that the Fermi-detected sources show larger variability amplitudes as well as brightness temperatures and Doppler factors, than non-detected ones. Flux densities at 86.2 and 142.3 GHz correlate with 1 GeV fluxes at a significance level better than 3sigma, implying that gamma rays are produced very close to the mm-band emission region.

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arXiv2015

Arp 65 interaction debris: massive HI displacement and star formation

Context: Pre-merger interactions between galaxies can induce significant changes in the morphologies and kinematics of the stellar and ISM components. Large amounts of gas and stars are often found to be disturbed or displaced as tidal debris. This debris then evolves, sometimes forming stars and occasionally tidal dwarf galaxies. Here we present results from our HI study of Arp 65, an interacting pair hosting extended HI tidal debris. Aims: In an effort to understand the evolution of tidal debris produced by interacting pairs of galaxies, including in situ star and tidal dwarf galaxy formation, we are mapping HI in a sample of interacting galaxy pairs. The Arp 65 pair is one of them. Methods: Our resolved HI 21 cm line survey is being carried out using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT). We used our HI survey data as well as available SDSS optical, Spitzer infra-red and GALEX UV data to study the evolution of the tidal debris and the correlation of HI with the star-forming regions within it. Results: In Arp 65 we see a high impact pre-merger interaction involving a pair of massive galaxies (NGC 90 and NGC 93) that have a stellar mass ratio of ~ 1:3. The interaction, which probably occurred ~ 1.0 -- 2.5 $\times$ 10$^8$ yr ago, appears to have displaced a large fraction of the HI in NGC 90 (including the highest column density HI) beyond its optical disk. We also find extended ongoing star formation in the outer disk of NGC 90. In the major star-forming regions, we find the HI column densities to be ~ 4.7 $\times$ 10$^{20}$ cm$^{-2}$ or lower. But no signature of star formation was found in the highest column density HI debris, SE of NGC 90. This indicates conditions within the highest column density HI debris remain hostile to star formation and it reaffirms that high HI column densities may be a necessary but not sufficient criterion for star formation.

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arXiv2015

Magnetization degree at the jet base of M87 derived from the event horizon telescope data: Testing magnetically driven jet paradigm

We explore the degree of magnetization at the jet base of M87 by using the observational data of the event horizon telescope (EHT) at 230~GHz obtained by Doeleman et al. By utilizing the method in Kino et al., we derive the energy densities of magnetic fields ($U_{B}$) and electrons and positrons ($U_{\pm}$) in the compact region detected by EHT (EHT-region) with its full-width-half-maximum size $40~{\rm μas}$. First, we assume that an optically-thick region for synchrotron self absorption (SSA) exists in the EHT-region. Then, we find that the SSA-thick region should not be too large not to overproduce the Poynting power at the EHT-region. The allowed ranges of the angular size and the magnetic field strength of the SSA-thick region are $21~{\rm μas} \le θ_{\rm thick}\le 26.3~{\rm μas}$ and $50~{\rm G}\le B_{\rm tot}\le 124~{\rm G}$, respectively. Correspondingly $U_{B}\gg U_{\pm} $ is realized in this case. We further examine the composition of plasma and energy density of protons by utilizing the Faraday rotation measurement ($RM$) at 230~GHz obtained by Kuo et al. Then, we find that $U_{B}\gg U_{\pm}+U_{p} $ still holds in the SSA-thick region. Second, we examine the case when EHT-region is fully SSA-thin. Then we find that $U_{B}\gg U_{\pm}$ still holds unless protons are relativistic. Thus, we conclude that magnetically driven jet scenario in M87 is viable in terms of energetics close to ISCO scale unless the EHT-region is fully SSA-thin and relativistic protons dominated.

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arXiv2014

HI in the Arp 202 system and its tidal dwarf candidate

We present results from our Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) HI observations of the interacting pair Arp 202 (NGC 2719 and NGC 2719A). Earlier deep UV(GALEX) observations of this system revealed a tidal tail like extension with a diffuse object towards its end, proposed as a tidal dwarf galaxy (TDG) candidate. We detect HI emission from the Arp 202 system, including HI counterparts for the tidal tail and the TDG candidate. Our GMRT HI morphological and kinematic results clearly link the HI tidal tail and the HI TDG counterparts to the interaction between NGC 2719 and NGC 2719A, thus strengthening the case for the TDG. The Arp 202 TDG candidate belongs to a small group of TDG candidates with extremely blue colours. In order to gain a better understanding of this group we carried out a comparative study of their properties from the available data. We find that HI (and probably stellar) masses of this extremely blue group are similar to the lowest HI mass TDGs in the literature. However the number of such blue TDG candidates examined so far is too small to conclude whether or not their properties justify them to be considered as a subgroup of TDGs.

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arXiv2008

Testing the inverse-Compton catastrophe scenario in the intra-day variable blazar S5 0716+71, III. Rapid and correlated flux density variability from radio to sub-mm bands

The BL Lac object S5 0716+71 was observed in a global multi-frequency campaign to search for rapid and correlated flux density variability and signatures of an inverse-Compton (IC) catastrophe during the states of extreme apparent brightness temperatures. The observing campaign involved simultaneous monitoring at radio to IR/optical wavelengths centered around a 500-ks INTEGRAL pointing (November 10-17, 2003). We present the combined analysis and results of the cm- to sub-mm observations including a detailed study of the inter- to intra-day variability and spectral characteristics of 0716+714. We further constrain the variability brightness temperatures (T_B) and Doppler factors (delta) comparing the radio-bands with the hard X-ray emission (3-200 keV). 0716+714 was in an exceptionally high state (outburst) and different (slower) phase of short-term variability. The flux density variability in the cm- to mm-bands is dominated by a correlated, ~4 day time scale amplitude increase of up to ~35% systematically more pronounced towards shorter wavelengths. This contradicts expectations from standard interstellar scintillation (ISS) and suggests a source-intrinsic origin of the variability. The derived lower limits to T_B exceed the 10^12 K IC-limit by up to 3-4 orders of magnitude. Assuming relativistic boosting, we obtain robust and self-consistent lower limits of delta >= 5-33, in good agreement with delta_VLBI obtained from VLBI studies and the IC-Doppler factors delta_IC > 14-16 obtained from the INTEGRAL data. Since a strong contribution from ISS can be excluded and a simultaneous IC catastrophe was not observed, we conclude that relativistic Doppler boosting naturally explains the apparent violation of the theoretical limits within standard synchrotron-self-Compton (SSC) jet models of AGN.

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arXiv2005

The Innermost AGNs with Future mm-VLBI

The capabilities of the Global mm-VLBI Array are summarized and demonstrated through actual images from our monitoring of extragalactic radio jets. This sensitive 3mm-VLBI interferometer is able to provide images of up to 50 microarcseconds resolution. For the near future, ALMA, the GBT, the LMT, CARMA, SRT, Yebes, Nobeyama and Noto are some of the most sensitive stations suitable to participate in mm-VLBI. This future array, together with the present Global mm-VLBI Array, would achieve 10 times better sensitivities than nowadays. Image fidelity would also largely increased. T he addition of ALMA would improve the (u,v)-coverage for sources with low declination (<20 deg.) and facilitate the VLBI imaging of the Galactic Centre source SgrA*.

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arXiv2005

86 GHz polarimetry of OVV1633+382 after a major mm flare

The 18 mag QSO 1633+382 (4C38.41, z=1.807) showed a very pronounced outburst in 2001/2002. With a peak amplitude of more than 9 Jy at 90GHz, this flare was brighter than any known previous flare in this source (data available since 1980).During onset, the mm-flare was particulary fast, with an increase of more than 2 Jy at 230 GHz in less than 8 days. Since January 2002, the mm-flux of 1633+382 is decaying. During this decline, however, local flux variations with amplitudes of 1-3 Jy were seen, indicative of underlying and more rapid source activity on time scales of 1-2 months. After the main peak occurring in 2001.99, the 90 GHz flux showed secondary maxima at approximately half year intervals in 2002.3, 2002.7 and 2003.13. This kind of periodicity might be explained via the lighthouse model (Camenzind and Krockenberger 1992), which is based on the magnetic accelerator of Blanford and Payne (1982). At present the millimeter flux is nearly back to its quiescent level of 2-2.5 Jy, which the source had before the flare began. Our VLBA Polarimetry monitoring started June 2002 during the onset of the flare. At cm wavelength, the flare is only marginally detected which implies very high opacity of the source.

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arXiv2004

Construction of the Korean VLBI Network (KVN)

Korea's new VLBI project to construct the Korean VLBI Network (KVN) started in 2001, as a 7-year project that is fully funded by our government. We plan to build 3 new high-precision radio telescopes of 21-m diameter in 3 places in Korea, which will be exclusively used for VLBI observations. We will install the 2/8, 22 and 43 GHz HEMT receivers within 2007 as a first target, and later we will expand the receiving frequency up to 86 and 129 GHz for astronomical, geodetic, and earth science VLBI research. The millimeter-wave VLBI will be the ultimate goal of KVN. For the front-ends, we are going to install a multi-channel receiver system that employs low-pass filters within a quasi-optical beam transportation system. This receiver system will give reliable phase calibrations for millimeter-wave VLBI as well as enable simultaneous multi-frequency band observations. The hard-disk type new Mark 5 will be used as the main recorder of KVN. We have completed the design of the KVN DAS system of 2 Gsps sampling rate, which will use 4 data streams to meet the multi-channel requirement. A VERA type DAS modified for Mark 5 recorder is also under consideration. A new correlator project for KVN was recently approved from Korean government, and will start in the second half of 2004.

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arXiv2004

Towards the Event Horizon - The Vicinity of AGN at Micro-Arcsecond Resolution

We summarize the present status of VLBI experiments at 3 mm (86 GHz), 2 mm (129-150 GHz) and 1.3 mm (215-230 GHz). We present and discuss a new 3 mm VLBI map of M87 (Virgo A), which has a spatial resolution of only approx. 20 Schwarzschild radii. We discuss recent VLBI results for SgrA* and argue in favor of new observations within an extended European mm-VLBI network, in order to search for variability. We discuss the possibilities to image the `event horizon' of a super-massive black hole at wavelengths < 2mm, and conclude that the addition of large and sensitive millimetre telescopes such as CARMA, the SMA, the LMT and ALMA will be crucial for this.

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arXiv2003

The spectral-curvature parameter: an alternative tool for the analysis of synchrotron spectra

The so-called Spectral Curvature Parameter(SCP), when plotted versus the high-frequency spectral index ($alpha_{high}$) of synchrotron sources, provides crucial parameters on the continuum spectrum of synchrotron radiation without the more complex modeling of spectral ageing scenarios. An important merit of the SCP-$alpha$ diagram is the enhanced reliability of extracting multiple injection spectra, $alpha_{inj}$. Different from the colour-colour diagram, tracks of different $alpha_{inj}$s, especially when the synchrotron particles are young, exhibit less overlap and less smearing in the SCP-$alpha$ diagram. Three giant radio galaxies(GRGs) and a sample of Compact steep spectrum(CSS) souces are presented. GRGs exhibit asymmetries of their injection spectral indices $alpha_{inj}$ in the SCP-$alpha_{high}$ diagram. The obtained $alpha_{inj}$s and the trends in the sources are cross-checked with the literature and show remarkable confidence. Besides the spectral steepening, spectral flattening is prominent in the radio lobes. The spectral flattening is a clue to efficient re-acceleration processes in the lobes. It implies interaction with the surrounding intergalactic or intra-cluster medium is an important characteristic of GRGs. In the SW lobe of DA240, there is a clear sign of CI and KP/JP bifurcation at the source extremity. This indicates a highly relativistic energy transportation from the core or in situ acceleration in this typical FR I lobe. Our analysis proves, if exists, KP spectra imply the existence of strong $B_{sync}$ field with $B_{sync} > B_{CMB}$. In the CSS sources, our result confirms the CI model and $B_{sync} >> B_{CMB}$. The synchrotron self-absorption is significant in the CSS sample.

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