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Cormac Reynolds

Publications and source records attributed to Cormac Reynolds.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

VLBI with SKAMPI, the SKA-Mid MPIfR dish demonstrator

The SKA-MPIfR telescope (SKAMPI) is a prototype SKA-Mid antenna located at the SKA site in the Karoo Desert, South Africa. It is funded by the Max Planck Society, through the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy (MPIfR), and operated in collaboration with the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO). The first fringe-finding experiments have been conducted with the European VLBI Network and the southern hemisphere Long Baseline Array, connecting SKAMPI with Europe and Australia. Here we present early SKAMPI VLBI mode results in S-Band, including successful fringe detections and evaluating the integration and imaging performances of SKAMPI in observations with the EVN, LBA, and VLBA.

astro-ph.IM

Observations of a Possible Transient Magnetically Arrested Accretion State in a Nearby Quasar: OQ208

OQ208 is a nearby, partially obscured quasar (z=0.077) that is a young, bright, parsec scale radio source. We assemble archival and new high frequency VLBA and VLA observations and optical spectra to form a data-set spanning 39 years. Radio light curves covering 58 years were also compiled. We utilize new spectrophotmetry to calibrate previous spectroscopy using forbidden narrow lines that are expected to be stable on much longer time scales. VLBA and VLA observations of a light-year scale bright nuclear flare at 15.4~GHz and 22~GHz reveal a rise (fade) beginning in mid-1996 (early-2000). Quasi-contemporaneously, from 2/7/1997-6/3/2000, the H$\alpha$ broad line equivalent widths (EWs) and fluxes dropped dramatically. In the context of the tendency of radio loud quasars to have a depressed extreme ultraviolet (EUV) continuum (the main source of ionizing flux for H$\alpha$) relative to radio quiet quasars at matched UV luminosity (the EUV deficit of radio loud quasars), this may not be a coincidence. Analytic models previously developed to explain the relationship between jet power and the EUV deficit are consistent with (but not direct observational proof of) the small EWs being a consequence of transient magnetically arrested accretion states from $\sim1997-2001$. The 22 GHz VLBA nucleus gradually fades, in 2023 the flux density is $<5\%$ of its value in 2000. The environs of the nucleus also fade at 22 GHz, but in a time delayed fashion.

astro-ph.GA

The radio afterglow of the ultra-long GRB 220627A

We present the discovery of the radio afterglow of the most distant ultra-long gamma-ray burst (GRB) detected to date, GRB~220627A at redshift $z=3.084$. Its prompt gamma-ray light curve shows a double-pulse profile, with the pulses separated by a period of quiescence lasting ${\sim} 15$\,min, leading to early speculation it could be a strongly gravitationally lensed GRB. However, our analysis of the \textit{Fermi}/GBM spectra taken during the time intervals of both pulses show clear differences in their spectral energy distributions, disfavouring the lensing scenario. We observed the radio afterglow from 7 to 456\,d post-burst: an initial, steep decay ($F_{\nu} \propto t^{-2}$) is followed by a shallower decline ($F_{\nu} \propto t^{-1/2}$) after ${\sim} 20$\,d. There are three scenarios that could explain these radio properties: (i) energy injection from an additional, slower ejecta component catching up to the external shock; (ii) a stratified density profile going as $n \propto r^{-8/3}$; or alternatively, (iii) the presence of a slow, wide ejecta component in addition to a fast, narrow ejecta component. We also conducted an independent test of the lensing hypothesis via Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observations at ${\sim} 12$\,d post-burst by searching, for the first time, for multiple images of the candidate lensed GRB afterglow. Our experiment highlighted the growing need for developments in real-time correlation capabilities for time-critical VLBI experiments, particularly as we advance towards the SKA and ngVLA era of radio astronomy.

astro-ph.HE

The Extraordinary Maser Flaring Event in the Massive Protostellar System NGC6334I: Multi-Epoch Milliarcsecond Resolution Investigation of the 6.7-GHz Methanol Masers

We report the first multi-epoch milliarcsecond resolution imaging of the 6.7-GHz class II methanol maser emission associated with the high-mass protocluster system NGC6334I. The observations covered a period of over 10 years in four epochs between March 2010 and March 2020. We confirmed for the first time the emergence of 6.7-GHz methanol maser emission associated with NGC6334I-MM1, which lies north of the previously known sites of class IImethanol masers, NGC6334-MM2 and MM3. The new maser emission was located close to the strongest (sub)millimetre source in NGC6334I-MM1, identified as MM1-B, which experienced a sudden increase in intensity in 2015, produced by an episodic accretion event. We are able to compare the location and intensity of the 6.7-GHz methanol maser emission among the epochs before, during, and after the flare, providing new insights into the relationship between maser flares and episodic accretion events in high-mass stars.

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Demographics of black holes at $<$100 R$_{\rm g}$ scales: accretion flows, jets, and shadows

Using the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), the gravitationally lensed rings around the supermassive black holes (SMBHs) in Messier 87 (M87) and Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) have now been successfully imaged at a resolution under 10 gravitational radii (R$_{\rm g}$ $ = \rm{GM/c^2}$). To expand studies beyond M87 and Sgr A*, we have constructed the Event Horizon and Environs (ETHER) sample, a comprehensive database encompassing approximately 3.15 million SMBH mass estimates, $\sim$ 20,000 Very-Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) radio flux densities, and $\sim$ 36,000 hard X-ray flux densities. This database is designed to identify and optimize target selection for the EHT and its upgrades on the ground and in space. We have identified a Gold Sample (GS) of nearby low-luminosity Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) within it that are ideal for studying jet bases and potentially imaging black hole shadows. We observed 27 of these AGNs using the EHT from 2022 to 2024, providing an opportunity to resolve and image accretion flows and jets at resolutions of $\leq$ 100 R$_{\rm g}$. Only a few SMBHs have sufficiently high enough flux density to be imaged at scales of $\leq$ 50 R$_{\rm g}$ with the present EHT. Among these are M87, Sgr A*, NGC4594 (Sombrero/M104), NGC4261, and NGC4374 (Messier 84/M84). Of these, NGC4261, Sombrero, and M84 have been observed and/or are scheduled for deep imaging with EHT+ALMA from 2023 to 2025. Sombrero, NGC4261, M84, NGC4278, and NGC5232 are clearly detected in our EHT+ALMA observations in 2022, indicating that the 230 GHz flux density from the accretion flows is significantly high. Ongoing imaging of the ETHER GS will enable measurements of black hole mass and spin, help constrain General Relativity, and enrich our understanding of jet launching and accretion inflows across a broad multi-parameter space, including black hole mass, spin, accretion rate, and orientation.

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A Jet-Induced Shock in a Young, Powerful Radio Galaxy at z=3.00

The bright radio source, GLEAM J091734-001243 (hereafter GLEAM J0917-0012), was previously selected as a candidate ultra-high redshift (z>5) radio galaxy due to its compact radio size and faint magnitude (K(AB)=22.7). Its redshift was not conclusively determined from follow-up millimetre and near-infrared spectroscopy. Here we present new HST WFC3 G141 grism observations which reveal several emission lines including [NeIII]3867, [NeV]3426 and an extended (~4.8 kpc), [OII]3727 line which confirm a redshift of 3.004+/-0.001. The extended component of the [OII]3727 line is co-spatial with one of two components seen at 2.276 GHz in high resolution (60x20 mas) Long Baseline Array data, reminiscent of the alignments seen in local compact radio galaxies. The BEAGLE stellar mass (~2x10^11 Msun) and radio luminosity (L_500MHz}~10^28 W Hz^-1) put GLEAM J0917-0012 within the distribution of the brightest high-redshift radio galaxies at similar redshifts. However, it is more compact than all of them. Modelling of the radio jet demonstrates that this is a young, ~50 kyr old, but powerful, 10^39 W, compact steep spectrum radio source. The weak constraint on the active galactic nucleus bolometric luminosity from the [NeV]3426 line combined with the modelled jet power tentatively implies a large black hole mass, >10^9 Msun, and a low, advection-dominated accretion rate, an Eddington ratio <0.03. The [NeV]3426/[NeIII]3867 vs [OII]3727/[NeIII]3867 line ratios are most easily explained by radiative shock models with precursor photoionisation. Hence, we infer that the line emission is directly caused by the shocks from the jet and that this radio source is one of the youngest and most powerful known at cosmic noon. We speculate that the star-formation in GLEAM J0917-0012 could be on its way to becoming quenched by the jet.

astro-ph.CO

Discovery of Limb Brightening in the Parsec-scale Jet of NGC 315 through Global Very Long Baseline Interferometry Observations and Its Implications for Jet Models

We report the first observation of the nearby giant radio galaxy NGC 315 using a global VLBI array consisting of 22 radio antennas located across five continents, including high-sensitivity stations, at 22 GHz. Utilizing the extensive $(u,v)$-coverage provided by the array, coupled with the application of a recently developed super-resolution imaging technique based on the regularized maximum likelihood method, we were able to transversely resolve the NGC 315 jet at parsec scales for the first time. Previously known for its central ridge-brightened morphology at similar scales in former VLBI studies, the jet now clearly exhibits a limb-brightened structure. This finding suggests an inherent limb-brightening that was not observable before due to limited angular resolution. Considering that the jet is viewed at an angle of $\sim50^\circ$, the observed limb-brightening is challenging to reconcile with the magnetohydrodynamic models and simulations, which predict that the Doppler-boosted jet edges should dominate over the non-boosted central layer. The conventional jet model that proposes a fast spine and a slow sheath with uniform transverse emissivity may pertain to our observations. However, in this model, the relativistic spine would need to travel at speeds of $\Gamma\gtrsim6.0-12.9$ along the de-projected jet distance of (2.3-10.8) $\times 10^3$ gravitational radii from the black hole. We propose an alternative scenario that suggests higher emissivity at the jet boundary layer, resulting from more efficient particle acceleration or mass loading onto the jet edges, and consider prospects for future observations with even higher angular resolution.

astro-ph.HE

Swift J1727.8-1613 has the Largest Resolved Continuous Jet Ever Seen in an X-ray Binary

Multi-wavelength polarimetry and radio observations of Swift J1727.8-1613 at the beginning of its recent 2023 outburst suggested the presence of a bright compact jet aligned in the north-south direction, which could not be confirmed without high angular resolution images. Using the Very Long Baseline Array and the Long Baseline Array, we imaged Swift J1727.8-1613, during the hard/hard-intermediate state, revealing a bright core and a large, two-sided, asymmetrical, resolved jet. The jet extends in the north-south direction, at a position angle of $-0.60\pm0.07\deg$ East of North. At 8.4 GHz, the entire resolved jet structure is $\sim110 (d/2.7\,\text{kpc})/\sin i$ AU long, with the southern approaching jet extending $\sim80 (d/2.7\,\text{kpc})/\sin i$ AU from the core, where $d$ is the distance to the source and $i$ is the inclination of the jet axis to the line of sight. These images reveal the most resolved continuous X-ray binary jet, and possibly the most physically extended continuous X-ray binary jet ever observed. Based on the brightness ratio of the approaching and receding jets, we put a lower limit on the intrinsic jet speed of $\beta\geq0.27$ and an upper limit on the jet inclination of $i\leq74\deg$. In our first observation we also detected a rapidly fading discrete jet knot $66.89\pm0.04$ mas south of the core, with a proper motion of $0.66\pm0.05$ mas hour$^{-1}$, which we interpret as the result of a downstream internal shock or a jet-ISM interaction, as opposed to a transient relativistic jet launched at the beginning of the outburst.

astro-ph.HE

RadioAstron Space VLBI Imaging of the jet in M87: I. Detection of high brightness temperature at 22 GHz

We present results from the first 22 GHz space very-long-baseline interferometric (VLBI) imaging observations of M87 by RadioAstron. As a part of the Nearby AGN Key Science Program, the source was observed in Feb 2014 at 22 GHz with 21 ground stations, reaching projected $(u,v)$-spacings up to $\sim11\,$G$λ$. The imaging experiment was complemented by snapshot RadioAstron data of M87 obtained during 2013--2016 from the AGN Survey Key Science Program. Their longest baselines extend up to $\sim25\,$G$λ$. For all these measurements, fringes are detected only up to $\sim$2.8 Earth Diameter or $\sim$3 G$λ$ baseline lengths, resulting in a new image with angular resolution of $\sim150\,μ$as or $\sim20$ Schwarzschild radii spatial resolution. The new image not only shows edge-brightened jet and counterjet structures down to submilliarcsecond scales but also clearly resolves the VLBI core region. While the overall size of the core is comparable to those reported in the literature, the ground-space fringe detection and slightly super-resolved RadioAstron image suggest the presence of substructures in the nucleus, whose minimum brightness temperature exceeds $T_{\rm B, min}\sim10^{12}\,$K. It is challenging to explain the origin of this record-high $T_{\rm B, min}$ value for M87 by pure Doppler boosting effect with a simple conical jet geometry and known jet speed. Therefore, this can be evidence for more extreme Doppler boosting due to a blazar-like small jet viewing angle or highly efficient particle acceleration processes occurring already at the base of the outflow.

astro-ph.GA

The Annual Cycle in Scintillation Timescale of PMN J1726+0639

We discovered rapid intra-day variability in radio source PMN J1726+0639 at GHz frequencies, during a survey to search for such variability with the Australia Telescope Compact Array. Follow-up observations were conducted over two years and revealed a clear, repeating annual cycle in the rate, or characteristic timescale, of variability, showing that the observed variations can be attributed to scintillations from interstellar plasma inhomogeneities. The strong annual cycle includes an apparent "standstill" in April and another in September. We fit kinematic models to the data, allowing for finite anisotropy in the scintillation pattern. The cycle implies a very high degree of anisotropy, with an axial ratio of at least 13:1, and the fit is consistent with a purely one-dimensional scintillation pattern. The position angle of the anisotropy, and the transverse velocity component are tightly constrained. The parameters are inconsistent with expectations from a previously proposed model of scattering associated with plasma filaments radially oriented around hot stars. We note that evidence for a foreground interstellar cloud causing anomalous Ca II absorption towards the nearby star Rasalhague ($α$ Oph) has been previously reported, and we speculate that the interstellar scintillation of PMN 1726+0639 might be associated with this nearby cloud.

astro-ph.GA

The Highly Self-Absorbed Blazar, PKS\,1351$-$018

PKS\,1351$-$018 at a redshift of $z=3.71$ is one of the most luminous, steady synchrotron sources with a luminosity $> 10^{47}$\,erg~s$^{-1}$. The synchrotron luminosity does not seem to vary by more than $\sim 25\%$ over 35 years. In order to appreciate this remarkable behavior, if it were at $z=0.5$, it would have a flux density at 15 GHz in a range of $110 - 137$\,Jy over 11 yrs. In spite of this steady behavior, two strong $γ$-ray flares $\lesssim 10^{49}$\,erg~s$^{-1}$ were detected in 2011 and 2016. There is blazar-like behavior coexisting with the steady behavior. This study is aimed at elucidating the dual nature of this source. We find that the radio source is extremely compact with a bright core and a steep spectrum secondary component, 12\,mas away, that appears to be constant in position and flux density in six epochs from 1995 to 2018. We estimate that a jet with a time averaged power of $(5.2 \pm 3.2) \times 10^{45}$\,erg~s$^{-1}$ terminates in this lobe that is advancing $\gtrsim 0.9 c$ at a deprojected distance of $1-3$\,kpc from the central engine. This is the rare case of a young ($\sim 6000$\,yr), very powerful radio source that is viewed a few degrees from the jet axis. We find evidence of a high velocity (4000\,km~s$^{-1}$), high ionization wind emanating form a luminous quasar. The young radio jet appears to experience modest bending as it navigates through the intense quasar environment.

astro-ph.HE

Optical study of PKS B1322-110, the intra-hour variable radio source

Observations with the Australia Telescope Compact Array revealed intra-hour variations in the radio source PKS B1322-110 (Bignall et al. 2019). As part of an optical follow-up, we obtained Gemini Halpha and Halpha continuum (HalphaC) images of the PKS B1322-110 field. A robust 19-sigma detection of PKS B1322-110 in the Halpha-HalphaC image prompted us to obtain the first optical spectrum of PKS B1322-110. With the Gemini spectrum we determine that PKS B1322-110 is a flat-spectrum radio quasar at a redshift of z=3.007 +/- 0.002. The apparent flux detected in the Halpha filter is likely to originate from HeII emission redshifted precisely on the Galactic Halpha narrow-band filter. We set upper limits on the emission measure of the Galactic plasma, for various possible cloud geometries.

astro-ph.GA

VLBI20-30: a scientific roadmap for the next decade -- The future of the European VLBI Network

This white paper describes the science case for Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) and provides suggestions towards upgrade paths for the European VLBI Network (EVN). The EVN is a distributed long-baseline radio interferometric array, that operates at the very forefront of astronomical research. Recent results, together with the new science possibilities outlined in this vision document, demonstrate the EVN's potential to generate new and exciting results that will transform our view of the cosmos. Together with e-MERLIN, the EVN provides a range of baseline lengths that permit unique studies of faint radio sources to be made over a wide range of spatial scales. The science cases are reviewed in six chapters that cover the following broad areas: cosmology, galaxy formation and evolution, innermost regions of active galactic nuclei, explosive phenomena and transients, stars and stellar masers in the Milky Way, celestial reference frames and space applications. The document concludes with identifying the synergies with other radio, as well as multi-band/multi-messenger instruments, and provide the recommendations for future improvements. The appendices briefly describe other radio VLBI arrays, the technological framework for EVN developments, and a selection of spectral lines of astrophysical interest below 100 GHz. The document includes a glossary for non-specialists, and a list of acronyms at the end.

astro-ph.IM

Estimating the Jet Power of Mrk\,231 During the 2017-2018 Flare

Long-term 17.6~GHz radio monitoring of the broad absorption line quasar, Mrk\,231, detected a strong flare in late 2017. This triggered four epochs of Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) observations from 8.4~GHz to 43~GHz over a 10-week period as well as an X-ray observation with NuSTAR. This was the third campaign of VLBA monitoring that we have obtained. The 43~GHz VLBA was degraded in all epochs with only 7 of 10 antennas available in three epochs and 8 in the first epoch. However, useful results were obtained due to a fortuitous capturing of a complete short 100~mJy flare at 17.6~GHz: growth and decay. This provided useful constraints on the physical model of the ejected plasma that were not available in previous campaigns. We consider four classes of models, discrete ejections (both protonic and positronic) and jetted (protonic and positronic). The most viable model is a "dissipative bright knot" in a faint background leptonic jet with an energy flux $\sim10^{43}$ ergs/sec. Inverse Compton scattering calculations (based on these models) in the ambient quasar photon field explains the lack of a detectable increase in X-ray luminosity measured by NuSTAR. We show that the core (the bright knot) moves towards a nearby secondary at $\approx 0.97$c. The background jet is much fainter. Evidently, the high frequency VLBA core does not represent the point of origin of blazar jets, in general, and optical depth "core shift" estimates of jet points of origin can be misleading.

astro-ph.GA

ALMA observations of PKS 1549-79: a case of feeding and feedback in a young radio quasar

We present CO(1-0) and CO(3-2) ALMA observations of the molecular gas in PKS 1549-79, as well as mm and VLBI 2.3-GHz continuum observations of its radio jet. PKS 1549-79 is one of the closest young, radio-loud quasars caught in an on-going merger in which the AGN is in the first phases of its evolution. We detect three structures tracing the accretion and the outflow of molecular gas: kpc-scale tails of gas accreting onto PKS 1549-79, a circumnuclear disc (CND) in the inner few hundred parsec, and a very broad (>2300 \kms) component detected in CO(1-0) at the position of the AGN. Thus, in PKS 1549-79 we see the co-existence of accretion and the ejection of gas. The line ratio CO(1-0)/CO(3-2) suggests that the gas in the CND has both high densities and high kinetic temperatures. We estimate a mass outflow rate of at least 650 msun/yr. This massive outflow is confined to r < 120 pc, which suggests that the AGN drives the outflow. Considering the amount of molecular gas available in CND and the observed outflow rate, we estimate a time scale of ~10^5 yr over which the AGN would be able to destroy the CND, although gas from the merger may come in from larger radii, rebuilding this disc at the same time. The AGN appears to self-regulate gas accretion onto the super-massive black hole. From a comparison with HST data, we find that the ionised gas outflow is more extended. Nevertheless, the warm outflow is about two orders of magnitude less massive than the molecular outflow. PKS 1549-79 does not seem to follow the scaling relation between bolometric luminosity and the relative importance of warm ionised and molecular outflows claimed to exist for other AGN. We argue that, although PKS 1549-79 hosts a powerful quasar nucleus and an ultra-fast outflow, the radio jet plays a significant role in producing the outflow.

astro-ph.GA

Spica and the annual cycle of PKS B1322-110 scintillations

PKS B1322-110 is a radio quasar that is located only 8.5' in angular separation from the bright B star Spica. It exhibits intra-day variability in its flux density at GHz frequencies attributed to scintillations from plasma inhomogeneities. We have tracked the rate of scintillation of this source for over a year with the Australia Telescope Compact Array, recording a strong annual cycle that includes a near-standstill in August and another in December. The cycle is consistent with scattering by highly anisotropic plasma microstructure, and we fit our data to that model in order to determine the kinematic parameters of the plasma. Because of the low ecliptic latitude of PKS B1322-110, the orientation of the plasma microstructure is poorly constrained. Nonetheless at each possible orientation our data single out a narrow range of the corresponding velocity component, leading to a one-dimensional constraint in a two-dimensional parameter space. The constrained region is consistent with a published model in which the scattering material is associated with Spica and consists of filaments that are radially oriented around the star. This result has a 1% probability of arising by chance.

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Observational Constraints on Late-Time Radio Rebrightening of GRB-Supernovae

We present a search for late-time rebrightening of radio emission from three supernovae (SNe) with associated gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). It has been previously proposed that the unusually energetic SNe associated with GRBs should enter the Sedov-Taylor phase decades after the stellar explosion, and this SN "remnant" emission will outshine the GRB radio afterglow and be detectable at significant distances. We place deep limits on the radio luminosity of GRB 980425/SN 1998bw, GRB 030329/SN 2003dh and GRB 060218/SN 2006aj, 10-18 years after explosion, with our deepest limit being $L_ν$ $< 4 \times 10^{26}$ erg s$^{-1}$ Hz$^{-1}$ for GRB 980425/SN 1998bw. We put constraints on the density of the surrounding medium for various assumed values of the microphysical parameters related to the magnetic field and synchrotron-emitting electrons. For GRB 060218/SN 2006aj and GRB 980425/SN 1998bw, these density limits have implications for the density profile of the surrounding medium, while the non-detection of GRB 030329/SN 2003dh implies that its afterglow will not be detectable anymore at GHz frequencies.

astro-ph.HE

Revealing two radio active galactic nuclei extremely near PSR J0437$-$4715

Newton's gravitational constant $G$ may vary with time at an extremely low level. The time variability of $G$ will affect the orbital motion of a millisecond pulsar in a binary system and cause a tiny difference between the orbital period-dependent measurement of the kinematic distance and the direct measurement of the annual parallax distance. PSR J0437$-$4715 is the nearest millisecond pulsar and the brightest at radio. To explore the feasibility of achieving a parallax distance accuracy of one light-year, comparable to the recent timing result, with the technique of differential astrometry, we searched for compact radio sources quite close to PSR J0437$-$4715. Using existing data from the Very Large Array and the Australia Telescope Compact Array, we detected two sources with flat spectra, relatively stable flux densities of 0.9 and 1.0 mJy at 8.4 GHz and separations of 13 and 45 arcsec. With a network consisting of the Long Baseline Array and the Kunming 40-m radio telescope, we found that both sources have a point-like structure and a brightness temperature of $\geq$10$^7$ K. According to these radio inputs and the absence of counterparts in the other bands, we argue that they are most likely the compact radio cores of extragalactic active galactic nuclei rather than Galactic radio stars. The finding of these two radio active galactic nuclei will enable us to achieve a sub-pc distance accuracy with the in-beam phase-referencing very-long-baseline interferometric observations and provide one of the most stringent constraints on the time variability of $G$ in the near future.

astro-ph.HE