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D. J. Saikia

Publications and source records attributed to D. J. Saikia.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Barbell-shaped giant radio galaxy with ~100 kpc kink in the jet

We present for the first time a study of peculiar giant radio galaxy (GRG) J223301+131502 using deep multi-frequency radio observations from GMRT (323, 612, and 1300 MHz) and LOFAR (144 MHz) along with optical spectroscopic observations with the WHT~4.2m optical telescope. Our observations have firmly established its redshift of 0.09956 and unveiled its exceptional jet structure extending more than $\sim$ 200 kpc leading to a peculiar kink structure of $\sim$ 100 kpc. We measure the overall size of this GRG to be $\sim$ 1.83 Mpc; it exhibits lobes without any prominent hotspots and closely resembles a barbell. Our deep low-frequency radio maps clearly reveal the steep-spectrum diffuse emission from the lobes of the GRG. The magnetic field strength of $\sim$ 5 $μ$G and spectral ages between about 110 to 200 mega years for the radio lobes were estimated using radio data from LOFAR 144 MHz observations and GMRT 323 and 612 MHz observations. We discuss the possible causes leading to the formation of the observed kink feature for the GRG, which includes precession of the jet axis, development of instabilities and magnetic reconnection. Despite its enormous size, the Barbell GRG is found to be residing in a low-mass (M$_{200} \sim 10^{14}$ $\rm M_{\odot}$) galaxy cluster. This GRG with two-sided large-scale jets with a kink and diffuse outer lobes residing in a cluster environment provides an opportunity to explore the structure and growth of GRGs in different environments.

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Jets in radio galaxies and quasars: an observational perspective

This article gives a brief historical introduction and reviews our current understanding of jets in radio galaxies and quasars from an observational perspective, with an emphasis on observations at radio wavelengths. Recent results on the Fanaroff-Riley classification scheme, and the nature of radio structures and jets in the FR classes as well as in high-excitation and low-excitation radio galaxies are summarized. The collimation and propagation of jets from nuclear sub-pc to hundreds of kpc scales from both observatinoal and theoretical work have been discussed. The jets exhibit evidence of interaction with a clumpy interstellar medium, especially in young radio sources, and could trigger both star formation as well as suppress star formation depending on the physical conditions. Observational evidence for such interactions and jet feedback which have profound implications in our understanding of galaxy evolution have been presented. Recurrent jet activity which has been seen over a wide range of projected linear size and time scales has been discussed. This review article concludes with a brief discussion of unresolved questions on jets which new telescopes should help address.

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SAGAN -- III: New insights into giant radio quasars

Giant radio quasars (GRQs) are radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGNs), propelling megaparsec-scale jets. In order to understand GRQs and their properties, we have compiled all known GRQs ("the GRQ catalogue"), and a subset of small (size <700 kpc) radio quasars (SRQs) from the literature. In this process, we have found 10 new FR-II GRQs, in the redshift range of 0.66 < z < 1.72, which we include in the GRQ catalogue. Using the above samples, we have carried out a systematic comparative study of GRQs and SRQs, using optical and radio data. Our results show that the GRQs and SRQs statistically have similar spectral index and black hole mass distributions. However, SRQs have higher radio core power, core dominance factor, total radio power, jet kinetic power and Eddington ratio compared to GRQs. On the other hand, when compared to giant radio galaxies (GRGs), GRQs have higher black hole mass and Eddington ratio. The high core dominance factor of SRQs is an indicator of them lying closer to the line of sight than GRQs. We also find a correlation of the accretion disc luminosity with the radio core and jet power of GRQs, which provides evidence for disc-jet coupling. Lastly, we find the distributions of Eddington ratios of GRGs and GRQs to be bi-modal, similar to that found in small radio galaxies (SRGs) and SRQs, which indicate that size is not strongly dependent on the accretion state. Using all of these, we provide a basic model for the growth of SRQs to GRQs.

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LeMMINGs. III. The e-MERLIN Legacy Survey of the Palomar sample. Exploring the origin of nuclear radio emission in active and inactive galaxies through the [O III] -- radio connection

What determines the nuclear radio emission in local galaxies? We combine optical [O III] line emission, robust black hole (BH) mass estimates, and high-resolution e-MERLIN 1.5-GHz data, from the LeMMINGs survey, of a statistically-complete sample of 280 nearby, optically active (LINER and Seyfert) and inactive HII and Absorption line galaxies [ALG]) galaxies. Using [O III] luminosity ($L_{\rm [O~III]}$) as a proxy for the accretion power, local galaxies follow distinct sequences in the optical-radio planes of BH activity, which suggest different origins of the nuclear radio emission for the optical classes. The 1.5-GHz radio luminosity of their parsec-scale cores ($L_{\rm core}$) is found to scale with BH mass ($M_{\rm BH}$) and [O~III] luminosity. Below $M_{\rm BH} \sim$10$^{6.5}$ M$_{\odot}$, stellar processes from non-jetted HII galaxies dominate with $L_{\rm core} \propto M_{\rm BH}^{0.61\pm0.33}$ and $L_{\rm core} \propto L_{\rm [O~III]}^{0.79\pm0.30}$. Above $M_{\rm BH} \sim$10$^{6.5}$ M$_{\odot}$, accretion-driven processes dominate with $L_{\rm core} \propto M_{\rm BH}^{1.5-1.65}$ and $L_{\rm core} \propto L_{\rm [O~III]}^{0.99-1.31}$ for active galaxies: radio-quiet/loud LINERs, Seyferts and jetted HII galaxies always display (although low) signatures of radio-emitting BH activity, with $L_{\rm 1.5\, GHz}\gtrsim$10$^{19.8}$ W Hz$^{-1}$ and $M_{\rm BH}\gtrsim10^{7}$ M$_{\odot}$, on a broad range of Eddington-scaled accretion rates ($\dot{m}$). Radio-quiet and radio-loud LINERs are powered by low-$\dot{m}$ discs launching sub-relativistic and relativistic jets, respectively. Low-power slow jets and disc/corona winds from moderately high to high-$\dot{m}$ discs account for the compact and edge-brightened jets of Seyferts, respectively. Jetted HII galaxies may host weakly active BHs. Fuel-starved BHs and recurrent activity account for ALG properties. [abridged]

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Compact steep-spectrum and peaked-spectrum radio sources

Compact steep-spectrum (CSS) and peaked spectrum (PS) radio sources are compact, powerful radio sources. The multi-frequency observational properties and current theories are reviewed with emphasis on developments since the earlier review of O'Dea (1998). There are three main hypotheses for the nature of PS and CSS sources. (1) The PS sources might be very young radio galaxies which will evolve into CSS sources on their way to becoming large radio galaxies. (2) The PS and CSS sources might be compact because they are confined (and enhanced in radio power) by interaction with dense gas in their environments. (3) Alternately, the PS sources might be transient or intermittent sources. Each of these hypotheses may apply to individual objects. The relative number in each population will have significant implications for the radio galaxy paradigm. Proper motion studies over long time baselines have helped determine hotspot speeds for over three dozen sources and establish that these are young objects. Multifrequency polarization observations have demonstrated that many CSS/PS sources are embedded in a dense interstellar medium and vigorously interacting with it. The detection of emission line gas aligned with the radio source, and blue-shifted HI absorption and [OIII] emission lines indicates that AGN feedback is present in these objects -- possibly driven by the radio source. CSS/PS sources with evidence of episodic AGN over a large range of time-scales have been discussed. The review closes with a discussion of open questions and prospects for the future.

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Search and analysis of giant radio galaxies with associated nuclei (SAGAN) -- I : New sample and multi-wavelength studies

We present the first results of a project called SAGAN, which is dedicated solely to the studies of relatively rare megaparsec-scale radio galaxies in the Universe, called giant radio galaxies (GRGs). We have identified 162 new GRGs primarily from the NVSS with sizes ranging from ~0.71 Mpc to 2.82 Mpc in the redshift range of ~0.03 - 0.95, of which 23 are hosted by quasars (giant radio quasars, GRQs). As part of the project SAGAN, we have created a database of all known GRGs, the GRG catalogue, from the literature (including our new sample); it includes 820 sources. For the first time, we present the multi-wavelength properties of the largest sample of GRGs. Our results establish that the distributions of the radio spectral index and the black hole mass of GRGs do not differ from the corresponding distributions of normal-sized radio galaxies (RGs). However, GRGs have a lower Eddington ratio (ER) than RGs. Using the mid-infrared data, we classified GRGs in terms of their accretion mode: either a high-power radiatively efficient high-excitation state, or a radiatively inefficient low-excitation state. We find that GRGs in high-excitation state statistically have larger sizes, stronger radio power, jet kinetic power, and higher ER than those in low-excitation state. Our analysis reveals a strong correlation between the ER and the scaled jet kinetic power, which suggests a disc-jet coupling. Our environmental study reveals that ~10% of all GRGs may reside at the centres of galaxy clusters, in a denser galactic environment, while the majority appears to reside in a sparse environment. We find that the probability of BCG as a GRG is quite low. We present new results for GRGs that range from black hole mass to large-scale environment properties. We discuss their formation and growth scenarios, highlighting the key physical factors that cause them to reach their gigantic size. Abridged.

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H I absorption towards radio Active Galactic Nuclei of different accretion modes

We present results of H I absorption experiment done using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) towards 27 low- and intermediate-luminosity ($P_{\rm 1.4 GHz}$ $\sim$10$^{23}$-10$^{26}$ W Hz$^{-1}$) radio active galactic nuclei (AGN), classified as either low excitation radio galaxies (LERGs) or high excitation radio galaxies (HERGs) and with WISE colour W2[4.6 $μ$m]$-$W3[12 $μ$m]$>$ 2. We report H I absorption detection towards seven radio AGNs, six of which are new. Combined with other sources from literature classified as LERGs or HERGs, we confirm our earlier result that compact radio AGNs with WISE colour W2$-$W3 $>$2 have higher detection rates compared to those with W2$-$W3 $<$2. We find that H I absorption detection rate is higher for HERGs (37.0$^{+15.8}_{-11.5}$ per cent) compared to LERGs (22.0$^{+3.9}_{-3.4}$ per cent), mainly due to a larger fraction of HERGs being gas and dust rich with a younger stellar population compared to LERGs. However, for similar compact radio structures and host galaxies with WISE colours W2$-$W3$>$2, we don't find any significant difference in detection rates of two types of AGNs implying detection of H I gas may not necessarily mean high excitation mode AGN. We further analysed the kinematics towards these sources. We find that while LERGs show a wide range in the shift of centroid velocities ($\sim$ $-$479 to $+$356 km s$^{-1}$) relative to the optical systemic velocity, most of the HERGs have centroid velocity shift less than 200 km s$^{-1}$, possibly due to differences in jet-interstellar medium interaction.

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CHANG-ES XX. High Resolution Radio Continuum Images of Edge-on Galaxies and their AGNs -- Data Release 3

The CHANG-ES galaxy sample consists of 35 nearby edge-on galaxies that have been observed using the VLA at 1.6 GHz and 6.0 GHz. Here we present the 3rd data release of our sample, namely the B-configuration 1.6 GHz sample. In addition, we make available the {\it band-to-band} spectral index maps between 1.6 GHz and 6.0 GHz, the latter taken in the matching resolution C-configuration. The images can be downloaded from https://www.queensu.ca/changes. These are our highest resolution images ($\approx$ 3 arcsec) and we examine the possible presence of low luminosity active galactic nuclei in the sample as well as some in-disk structure. New features can be seen in the spectral index maps that are masked in the total intensity emission, including hidden spiral arms in NGC~3448 and two previously unknown radio lobes on either side of the nucleus of NGC~3628. Our AGN detection rate, using only radio criteria, is 55\% which we take as a lower limit because some weaker embedded AGNs are likely present which could be revealed at higher resolution. Archival XMM-Newton data were used to search for further fingerprints of the AGNs in the studied sample. In galaxy disks, discrete regions of flat spectral index are seen, likely due to a thermal emission fraction that is higher than the global average.

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A low-frequency study of recently identified double-double radio galaxies

In order to understand the possible mechanisms of recurrent jet activity in radio galaxies and quasars, which are still unclear, we have identified such sources with a large range of linear sizes (220 $-$ 917 kpc), and hence time scales of episodic activity. Here we present high-sensitivity 607-MHz Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) images of 21 possible double-double radio galaxies (DDRGs) identified from the FIRST survey to confirm their episodic nature. These GMRT observations show that none of the inner compact components suspected to be hot-spots of the inner doubles are cores having a flat radio spectrum, confirming the episodic nature of these radio sources. We have indentified a new DDRG with a candidate quasar, and have estimated the upper spectral age limits for eight sources which showed marginal evidence of steepening at higher frequencies. The estimated age limits (11 $-$ 52 Myr) are smaller than those of the large-sized ($\sim$ 1 Mpc) DDRGs.

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An updated catalogue of giant radio sources

We present a catalogue of 349 giant radio sources (GRSs including both galaxies and quasars). The database contains all giants known to date from the literature. These GRSs cover the redshift range of 0.016$<$z$<$3.22 and include radio sources of projected linear sizes larger than 0.7~Mpc which extend up to 4.7~Mpc. We provide the principal parameters (i.e. exact position of the host in the sky, redshift, angular and projected linear size, red optical magnitude, radio morphology type, total radio flux density and luminosity) for all the sources as well as characteristics of the sample. Based on the distribution of GRSs in the sky we identify regions where there is a paucity of giants, so that future surveys for this type of objects could concentrate primarily in these fields. From the analysis presented here, we estimate a lower limit for the expected number of GRSs as about 2000, for the resolution and sensitivity limits of FIRST, NRAO VLA Sky Survey and Sloan Digital Sky Survey surveys. Compared with earlier compilations, there is a significant increase in the number of large giants with sizes $>$ 2 Mpc as well as those at high redshifts with z$>$1. We discuss aspects of their evolution and suggest that these are consistent with evolutionary models.

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CHANG-ES XI: Circular Polarization in the Cores of Nearby Galaxies

We detect 5 galaxies in the CHANG-ES (Continuum Halos in Nearby Galaxies -- an EVLA Survey) sample that show circular polarization (CP) at L-band in our high resolution data sets. Two of the galaxies (NGC~4388 and NGC~4845) show strong Stokes $V/I\,\equiv\,m_C\,\sim\,2$\%, two (NGC~660 and NGC~3628) have values of $m_C\sim \,0.3$\%, and NGC~3079 is a marginal detection at $m_C\sim \,0.2$\%. The two strongest $m_C$ galaxies also have the most luminous X-ray cores and the strongest internal absorption in X-rays. We have expanded on our previous Faraday conversion interpretation and analysis and provide analytical expressions for the expected $V$ signal for a general case in which the cosmic ray electron energy spectral index can take on any value. We provide examples as to how such expressions could be used to estimate magnetic field strengths and the lower energy cutoff for CR electrons. Four out of our detections are {\it resolved}, showing unique structures, including a {\it jet} in NGC~4388 and a CP `conversion disk' in NGC~4845. The conversion disk is inclined to the galactic disk but is perpendicular to a possible outflow direction. Such CP structures have never before been seen in any galaxy to our knowledge. None of the galaxy cores show linear polarization at L-band. Thus CP may provide a unique probe of physical conditions deep into radio AGNs.

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LeMMINGs. I. The eMERLIN legacy survey of nearby galaxies. 1.5-GHz parsec-scale radio structures and cores

We present the first data release of high-resolution ($\leq0.2$ arcsec) 1.5-GHz radio images of 103 nearby galaxies from the Palomar sample, observed with the eMERLIN array, as part of the LeMMINGs survey. This sample includes galaxies which are active (LINER and Seyfert) and quiescent (HII galaxies and Absorption line galaxies, ALG), which are reclassified based upon revised emission-line diagrams. We detect radio emission $\gtrsim$ 0.2 mJy for 47/103 galaxies (22/34 for LINERS, 4/4 for Seyferts, 16/51 for HII galaxies and 5/14 for ALGs) with radio sizes typically of $\lesssim$100 pc. We identify the radio core position within the radio structures for 41 sources. Half of the sample shows jetted morphologies. The remaining half shows single radio cores or complex morphologies. LINERs show radio structures more core-brightened than Seyferts. Radio luminosities of the sample range from 10$^{32}$ to 10$^{40}$ erg s$^{-1}$: LINERs and HII galaxies show the highest and the lowest radio powers respectively, while ALGs and Seyferts have intermediate luminosities. We find that radio core luminosities correlate with black hole (BH) mass down to $\sim$10$^{7}$ M$_{\odot}$, but a break emerges at lower masses. Using [O III] line luminosity as a proxy for the accretion luminosity, active nuclei and jetted HII galaxies follow an optical fundamental plane of BH activity, suggesting a common disc-jet relationship. In conclusion, LINER nuclei are the scaled-down version of FR I radio galaxies; Seyferts show less collimated jets; HII galaxies may host weak active BHs and/or nuclear star-forming cores; and recurrent BH activity may account for ALG properties.

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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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Tale of J1328+2752: a misaligned double-double radio galaxy hosted by a binary black-hole?

We present a radio and optical study of the double-double radio galaxy J1328+2752 based on new low-frequency GMRT observations and SDSS data. The radio data were used to investigate the morphology and to perform a spectral index analysis. In this source we find that the inner double is misaligned by $\sim$30$^\circ$ from the axis of the outer diffuse structure. The SDSS spectrum shows that the central component has double-peaked line profiles with different emission strengths. The average velocity off-set of the two components is 235$\pm$10.5 km s$^{-1}$. The misaligned radio morphology along with the double-peaked emission lines indicate that this source is a potential candidate binary supermassive black hole. This study further supports mergers as a possible explanation for repeated jet activity in radio sources.

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HI absorption towards low luminosity radio-loud AGNs of different accretion modes and WISE colours

H{\sc i} absorption studies of active galaxies enable us to probe their circumnuclear regions and the general interstellar medium, and study the supply of gas which may trigger the nuclear activity. In this paper, we investigate the detection rate of H{\sc i} absorption on the nature of radio galaxies based on their emission-line spectra, nature of the host galaxies based on the \textit{WISE} colours and their radio structure, which may help understand the different accretion modes. We find significant difference in distributions of W2$-$W3 colour for sources with H{\sc i} absorption detections and non-detections. We report a high detection rate of H{\sc i} absorption in the galaxies with \textit{WISE} infrared colours W2$-$W3 $>$ 2, which is typical of gas-rich systems, along with a compact radio structure. The H{\sc i} detection rate for low-excitation radio galaxies (LERGs) with W2$-$W3 $>$ 2 and compact radio structure is high (70.6$\pm$20.4 \%). In HERGs, compact radio structure in the nuclear or circumnuclear region could give rise to absorption by gas in the dusty torus in addition to gas in the interstellar medium. However, higher specific star formation rate (sSFR) for the LERGs with W2$-$W3 $>$ 2 suggests that H{\sc i} absorption may be largely due to star-forming gas in their hosts. LERGs with extended radio structure tend to have significantly lower values of W2$-$W3 compared to those with compact structure. Extended radio sources and those with W2$-$W3 $<$ 2 have low H{\sc i} detection rates.

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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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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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Discovery of a red quasar with recurrent activity

We report a new double-double radio quasar, DDRQ, J0746$+$4526 which exhibits two cycles of episodic activity. From radio continuum observations at 607 MHz using the GMRT and 1400 MHz from the FIRST survey we confirm its episodic nature. We examine the SDSS optical spectrum and estimate the black hole mass to be (8.2$\pm$0.3)$\times$10$^7$M$_\odot$ from its observed MgII emission line, and the Eddington ratio to be 0.03. The black hole mass is significantly smaller than for the other reported DDRQ, J0935+0204, while the Eddington ratios are comparable. The SDSS spectrum is significantly red continuum dominated suggesting that it is highly obscured with ${E(B-V)}_{host}=0.70\pm0.16$ mag. This high obscuration further indicates the existence of a large quantity of dust and gas along the line of sight, which may have a key role in triggering the recurrent jet activity in such objects.

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