arXiv subjects

Dharam Vir Lal

Publications and source records attributed to Dharam Vir Lal.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

J023721.13$-$010528.5: A Giant $S$-shaped Radio Galaxy Showing Four Episodes of Jet Activity

We present high-sensitivity, high-resolution radio observations of J023721.13$-$010528.5 using the upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope in band-3 (250--500\,MHz) and band-4 (550--950\,MHz), along with MeerKAT (1280\,MHz) and VLA (3\,GHz) survey images. The radio source, hosted by a bright cluster galaxy at redshift $z=0.372$, is a giant radio galaxy with a projected linear size between the outermost hotspots of 1.2~Mpc and is one of the largest $S$-shaped radio sources known. Its radio morphology revealed four pairs of components straddling the radio core, which were also local maxima in profiles of radio flux densities and equipartition energy density measured along the radio lobes. Spatially resolved multi-frequency spectral analysis showed progressively older emission from the inner to the outer components, spanning approximately 4--21 Myr. The high degree of symmetry of the inner three component-pairs with respect to the radio core makes it improbable that these are randomly located knots in the radio jet. Therefore, we present J023721.13$-$010528.5 as the prototype of a new class of radio galaxies with four episodes of jet activity --- a quadruple-double radio galaxy. We suggest that giant $S$-shaped radio sources may be among the most promising targets for identifying and studying multi-epoch radio jet activity, since their large linear sizes and jet-axis evolution can spatially separate hotspots from successive episodes, making them easier to detect and analyse.

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arXiv2026

Survey of compact sources for pulsars and exotic objects -- I. Overview and initial discoveries

Targeted searches for pulsars based on their counterparts in radio images have resulted in the discovery of interesting pulsars including the first ever discovered millisecond pulsar (MSP). Here, we report the first results from our image-based survey of compact sources for pulsars and exotic objects (SCOPE). SCOPE utilizes interferometric as well as time-domain observations to search for radio pulsations as well as characterize the sources in the image-domain to identify their true nature. In the first stage of the SCOPE survey, we have used the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) and the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) to follow up a sample of 31 compact and steep-spectrum sources. We provide an overview of the survey, the sample selection, the search procedures, and present discoveries of two MSPs -- PSR J1840+1102 and PSR J1827-0849. PSR J1840+1102 is a 1.6 ms pulsar at the edge of the Scutum-Centaurus arm, while PSR J1827-0849 is the radio counterpart of a gamma-ray pulsar that was earlier thought to be radio-quiet, and both the sources have very steep radio spectra. Using the interferometric data, we also provide a morphological classification of all the sources, model and characterize their spectra and identify the resolved, extragalactic sources in our sample. We discuss these results in the context of future image-based pulsar surveys.

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arXiv2025

Deep uGMRT observations for enhanced calibration of 21 cm arrays -- I. First image and source catalogue

Radio-interferometric arrays require very precise calibration to detect the Epoch of Reionization 21-cm signal. A remarkably complete and accurate sky model is therefore needed in the patches of the sky used to perform the calibration. Instruments such as HERA, which use a redundant calibration strategy, also require a reference sky model to fix degenerate gain solutions. We have carried out a deep (20 hours) observation using the upgraded GMRT to make a high-fidelity sky model of one of the HERA calibration fields GLEAM 02H (J0200$-$3053). Here, we present the results from a $16.7\,\rm{MHz}$ bandwidth data centred at $147.4\,\rm{MHz}$. Using multiple GMRT pointings, we have made a $6.9^\circ\times6.9^\circ$ mosaic, which yields a median rms of $3.9^{+3.7}_{-1.4}\,{\rm mJy/beam}$ that reduces to $\sim2\,{\rm mJy/beam}$ at source-free regions. In the overlapping patch, this rms is deeper than the GLEAM catalogue, which is used for HERA calibration. We produce a catalogue of $640$ sources ($26\%$ extended) in the flux range $0.01-19.08\,{\rm Jy}$. The catalogue has a sub-arcsec positional accuracy, and the estimated fluxes are consistent with existing catalogues. The differential source counts are found to be deeper than GLEAM and consistent with LoTSS. Preliminary simulations of the sky models from GLEAM and our catalogue show $\sim 10-25\%$ difference in the visibility amplitude, with relatively small phase difference ($\approx 2^\circ$). Future work is planned for larger survey areas and wider bandwidth to reduce the rms and measure the in-band source spectral indices, which are expected to enhance the fidelity of the HERA calibration model.

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arXiv2024

X-ray Cool Core Remnants Heated by Strong Radio AGN Feedback

Strong AGN heating provides an alternative means for the disruption of cluster cool cores (CCs) to cluster mergers. In this work we present a systematic Chandra study of a sample of 108 nearby ($z<0.1$) galaxy clusters, to investigate the effect of AGN heating on CCs. About 40% of clusters with small offsets between the BCG and the X-ray centre ($\le50$ kpc) have small CCs. For comparison, 14 of 17 clusters with large offsets have small CCs, which suggests that mergers or sloshing can be efficient in reducing the CC size. Relaxed, small CC clusters generally have weak radio AGNs ($P_{1.4\rm GHz}<10^{23}$ W Hz$^{-1}$), and they show a lack of systems hosting a radio AGN with intermediate radio power ($2\times10^{23}<P_{1.4\rm GHz}<2\times10^{24}$ W Hz$^{-1}$). We found that the strongest circumnuclear ($<1$ kpc) X-ray emission only exists in clusters with strong radio AGN. The duty cycle of relaxed, small CC clusters is less than half of that for large CC clusters. It suggests that the radio activity of BCGs is affected by the properties of the surrounding gas beyond the central $\sim10$ kpc, and strong radio AGNs in small X-ray CCs fade more rapidly than those embedded in large X-ray CCs. A scenario is also presented for the transition of large CCs and coronae due to radio AGN feedback. We also present a detailed analysis of galaxy cluster 3C 129.1 as an example of a CC remnant possibly disrupted by radio AGN.

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arXiv2021

The unusually weak and exceptionally steep radio relic in Abell 2108

Mergers between galaxy clusters often drive shocks into the intra cluster medium (ICM), the effects of which are sometimes visible via temperature and density jumps in the X-ray, and via radio emission from relativistic particles energized by the shock's passage. Abell2108 was selected as a likely merger system through comparing the X-ray luminosity to the Planck Sunyaev-Zeldovich signal, where this cluster appeared highly X-ray underluminous. Follow up observations confirmed it to be a merging low mass cluster featuring two distinct subclusters, both with a highly disturbed X-ray morphology. Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) data covering 120-750MHz show an extended radio feature resembling a radio relic, near the location of a temperature discontinuity in the X-rays. We measure a Mach number from the X-ray temperature jump. Several characteristics of radio relics are found in Abell2108, making this cluster one of the few low mass mergers likely hosting a radio relic. The radio spectrum is exceptionally steep, and the radio power is very weak (P1.4GHz=1E22W/Hz). To account for the shock/relic offset, we propose a scenario in which the shock created the relic by re-accelerating a cloud of pre-existing relativistic electrons and then moved away, leaving behind a fading relic. The electron aging timescale derived from the high-frequency steepening in the relic spectrum is consistent with the shock travel time to the observed X-ray discontinuity. However, the lower flux in GMRT band 4 data causing the steepening could be due to instrumental limitations, and deeper radio data are needed to constrain the spectral slope of the relic at high frequencies.

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arXiv2021

Gas dynamics in the star forming region G18.148$-$0.283: Is it a manifestation of two colliding molecular clouds?

We report the results obtained from a multi-wavelength study of the HII region, G18.148$-$0.283, using the upgraded Giant Metre-wave Radio Telescope (uGMRT) at 1350 MHz along with other archival data. In addition to the radio continuum emission, we have detected the H169$α$ and H170$α$ radio recombination lines towards G18.148$-$0.283 using a correlator bandwidth of 100 MHz. The moment-1 map of the ionized gas reveals a velocity gradient of approximately 10 km s$^{-1}$ across the radio continuum peaks. The $^{12}$CO ($J$=3$-$2) molecular line data from the COHRS survey also shows the presence of two velocity components that are very close to the velocities detected in the ionized gas. The spectrum and position-velocity diagram from CO emission reveal molecular gas at an intermediate velocity range bridging the velocity components. We see mid-infrared absorption and far-infrared emission establishing the presence of a filamentary infrared dark cloud, the extent of which includes the targeted HII region. The magnetic field inferred from dust polarization is perpendicular to the filament within the HII region. We have also identified two O9 stars and 30 young stellar objects towards the target using data from the 2MASS, UKIDSS, and GLIMPSE surveys. Cumulatively, this suggests that the region is the site of a cloud-cloud collision that has triggered massive star formation and subsequent formation of an HII region.

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arXiv2020

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.

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arXiv2019

Chandra Observations of the Spectacular A3411-12 Merger Event

We present deep Chandra observations of A3411-12, a remarkable merging cluster that hosts the most compelling evidence for electron re-acceleration at cluster shocks to date. Using the $Y_X-M$ scaling relation, we find $r_{500} \sim 1.3$ Mpc, $M_{500} = (7.1 \pm 0.7) \times 10^{14} \ M_{\rm{\odot}}$, $kT=6.5\pm 0.1$ keV, and a gas mass of $M_{\rm g,500} = (9.7 \pm 0.1) \times 10^{13} M_\odot$. The gas mass fraction within $r_{500}$ is $f_{\rm g} = 0.14 \pm 0.01$. We compute the shock strength using density jumps to conclude that the Mach number of the merging subcluster is small ($M \leq 1.15_{-0.09}^{+0.14}$). We also present pseudo-density, projected temperature, pseudo-pressure, and pseudo-entropy maps. Based on the pseudo-entropy map we conclude that the cluster is undergoing a mild merger, consistent with the small Mach number. On the other hand, radio relics extend over Mpc scale in the A3411-12 system, which strongly suggests that a population of energetic electrons already existed over extended regions of the cluster.

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arXiv2019

AGN Feedback in Galaxy Group 3C 88: Cavities, Shock and Jet Reorientation

We present results from the deep Chandra observation (105 ksec), together with new Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope and Very Large Array data of the AGN outburst in the radio-loud galaxy group 3C 88. The system shows a prominent X-ray cavity on the eastern side with a diameter of $\sim$50 kpc at $\sim28$ kpc from the nucleus. The total enthalpy of the cavity is $3.8\times10^{58}$ erg and the average power required to inflate the X-ray bubble is $\sim2.0\times10^{43}$ erg s^-1. From surface brightness profiles we detect a shock with a Mach number of $M=1.4\pm0.2$, consistent with the value obtained from temperature jump. The shock energy is estimated to be $1.9\times10^{59}$ erg. The size and total enthalpy of the cavity in 3C 88 are the largest known in galaxy groups, as well as the shock energy. The eastern X-ray cavity is not aligned with the radio jet axis. This factor, combined with the radio morphology, strongly suggests jet reorientation in the last tens of million years. The bright rim and arm features surrounding the cavity show metallicity enhancement, suggesting they originated as high metallicity gas from the group center, lifted by the rising X-ray bubbles. Our Chandra study of 3C 88 also reveals that galaxy groups with powerful radio AGN can have high cavity power, although deep X-ray observations are typically required to confirm the cavities in galaxy groups.

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arXiv2017

A candidate sub-parsec binary black hole in the Seyfert galaxy NGC 7674

The existence of binary supermassive black holes (SBHs) is predicted by models of hierarchical galaxy formation. To date, only a single binary SBH has been imaged, at a projected separation of 7.3 parsecs. Here we report the detection of a candidate dual SBH with projected separation of 0.35 pc in the gas-rich interacting spiral galaxy NGC 7674 (Mrk 533). This peculiar Seyfert galaxy possesses a $\sim$0.7 kpc Z-shaped radio jet; the leading model for the formation of such sources postulates the presence of an uncoalesced binary SBH created during the infall of a satellite galaxy. Using very long baseline interferometry (VLBI), we imaged the central region of Mrk 533 at radio frequencies of 2, 5, 8 and 15 GHz. Two, possibly inverted-spectrum radio cores were detected at 15 GHz only; the 8-15 GHz spectral indices of the two cores are $\ge-0.33$ and $\ge-0.38$ ($\pm 30\%$), consistent with accreting SBHs. We derive a jet speed $\sim0.28c$ from multi-epoch parsec-scale data of the hotspot region, and a source age $\ge8.2\times10^3$ yrs.

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arXiv2016

Clusters of galaxies and the cosmic web with SKA

The intra-cluster and inter-galactic media (ICM, IGM) that pervade the large scale structure of the Universe are known to be magnetised at sub-micro Gauss to micro Gauss levels and to contain cosmic rays (CRs). The acceleration of CRs and their evolution along with that of magnetic fields in these media is still not well understood. Diffuse radio sources of synchrotron origin associated with the ICM such as radio halos, relics and mini-halos are direct probes of the underlying mechanisms of CR acceleration. Observations with radiotelescopes such as the GMRT, the VLA and the WSRT (0.15 - 2 GHz) have revealed scaling relations between the thermal and non-thermal properties of clusters and favour the role of shocks in the formation of radio relics and of turbulent re-acceleration in the formation of radio halos and mini-halos. Due to the limitations of current radio telescopes, wide-band studies and exploration of low mass and supercluster-scale systems is difficult. The Square Kilometer Array (SKA) is a next generation radio telescope that will operate in the frequency range of 0.05 - 20 GHz with unprecedented sensitivities and resolutions. The expected detection limits of SKA will reveal a few hundred to thousand new radio halos, relics and mini-halos providing the first large and comprehensive samples for their study. The wide frequency coverage along with sensitivity to extended structures will be able to constrain the CR acceleration mechanisms. The higher frequency (> 5 GHz) observations will be able to use the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect to probe the ICM pressure in addition to the tracers such as lobes of head-tail radio sources. The SKA also opens prospects to detect the "off-state" radio emission from the ICM predicted by the hadronic models and the turbulent re-acceleration models. [abridged]

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arXiv2015

IGR J14488-4008: an X-ray peculiar giant radio galaxy discovered by INTEGRAL

In this paper we report the discovery and detailed radio/X-ray analysis of a peculiar giant radio galaxy (GRG) detected by INTEGRAL, IGR J14488-4008. The source has been recently classified as a Seyfert 1.2 galaxy at redshift 0.123; the radio data denote the source to be a type II Fanaroff-Riley radio galaxy, with a linear projected size exceeding 1.5 Mpc, clearly assigning IGR J14488-4008 to the class of GRG. In the X-rays, the source shows a remarkable spectrum, characterised by absorption by ionised elements, a characteristic so far found in only other four broad line radio galaxies.

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arXiv2010

Array configuration studies for the Square Kilometre Array - Implementation of figures of merit based on spatial dynamic range

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) will be operating at the time when several new large optical, X-ray and Gamma-ray facilities are expected to be working. To make SKA both competitive and complementary to these large facilities, thorough design studies are needed, focused in particular on imaging performance of the array. One of the crucial aspects of such studies is the choice of the array configuration, which affects substantially the resolution, rms noise, sidelobe level and dynamic range achievable with the SKA. We present here a quantitative assessment of the effect of the array configuration on imaging performance of the SKA, introducing the spatial dynamic range (SDR) and a measure of incompleteness of the Fourier domain coverage ($Δu/u$) as prime figures of merit.

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arXiv2010

The Radio Properties of Type 2 Quasars

This paper presents the first high-resolution and high-sensitivity study of the radio properties of optically selected type~2 quasars. We used the Very Large Array at 8.4 GHz to observe 59 sources drawn from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey sample of Zakamska et al. (2003). The detection rate of our survey is 59% (35/59), comparable to the detection rate in FIRST at 1.4 GHz. Ongoing star formation, although present, contributes negligible radio emission at the current sensitivity limit. Comparing the radio powers with the [O III] $λ$5007 luminosities, we find that roughly 15%$\pm$5% of the sample can be considered radio-loud. Intriguingly, the vast majority of the detected sources in our sample fall in a region intermediate between those traditionally occupied by radio-loud and radio-quiet quasars. Moreover, most of these "radio-intermediate" sources tend to have flat or inverted radio spectra, which we speculate may be caused by free-free absorption by ionized gas in the narrow-line region. The incidence of flat-spectrum sources in type 2 quasars appears to be much higher than in type 1 quasars, in apparent violation of the simple orientation-based unified model for active galaxies.

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arXiv2009

Low frequency results for the radio galaxies and the role of GMRT

We have studied several radio galaxies at low radio frequencies using GMRT. Our prime motivation to detect faint radio emission at very low frequencies due to low energy electrons. Our results provide evidence that there exists two classes of sources on morphological grounds. The first class is explained by the simple picture of spectral electron ageing but in the second class the low-frequency synchrotron emission fades (nearly) as rapidly as high-frequency synchrotron emission. In addition, in several sources, the spectra of low-surface-brightness features are flatter than the spectra of high-surface-brightness features, which suggests that either the simple picture of spectral electron ageing needs revision or we need to re-examine the formation mechanism of such sources. The images and statistics, and the relevance of these results along with the role of GMRT in exploring several unknowns are presented.

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arXiv2008

GMRT study of X-shaped radio sources

Context. The nature of X-shaped sources is a matter of considerable debate in the literature: it has even been proposed that they provide evidence for black-hole-mergers/spin-reorientation, and therefore constrain the rate of strong gravitational wave events. Aim. To explore the nature of these X-shaped radio galaxies. Method. We conduct a systematic study of a large sample of known and newly discovered X-shaped sources along with a comparison sample. We used the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope with resolution of $\sim6^{\prime\prime}$ to $\sim15^{\prime\prime}$ at 610 MHz and 240 MHz in the dual-frequency mode. Preliminary Result. Based on our careful analysis and estimation of the possible systematic errors, the known X-shaped sources divide into the following three categories: (i) the wings have flatter spectral indices than the active lobes, (ii) the wings and the active lobes have comparable spectral indices, and (iii) the wings have steeper spectral indices than the active lobes. In addition, based on our preliminary analysis, one sample source from our comparison sample shows a spectral index result belonging to category (i). Future. Milliarcsecond scale imaging will be conducted on some of these X-shaped sources to investigate if they are examples of binary AGN systems and thereby understand the nature of these sources.

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arXiv2008

"Normal" FRII Radio Galaxies as a Probe of the Nature of X-Shaped Radio Sources

We present a multiwavelength radio study of a sample of nearby Fanaroff-Riley class II (FRII) radio galaxies, matched with the sample of known X-shaped radio sources in size, morphological properties and redshift, using new Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) data and archival data from the Very Large Array (VLA). Our principal aim in this paper is to provide a control sample for earlier studies of samples of `X-shaped' radio sources, which have similar luminosities and small-scale radio structures to our targets but exhibit large-scale extensions to their lobes that more typical FRII sources lack; earlier spectral work with the GMRT has suggested that these `wings' sometimes have flat spectral indices at low frequencies, in contrast to expectations from models in which the wings are formed hydrodynamically or by jet reorientation. In our new observations we find that almost all of our target FRII radio galaxies show standard spectral steepening as a function of distance from the hotspot at the low frequencies (610 MHz and 240 MHz) provided by the GMRT data, even when transverse extensions to the lobes are present. However, one source, 3C321, has a low-surface-brightness extension to one lobe that shows a flatter spectral index than the high-surface-brightness hotspots/lobes, as found in X-shaped sources.

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arXiv2007

The radio properties of type II quasars

Quasars (of type I) are the luminous analogs of type I Seyfert galaxies. Within the framework of unified models of active galaxies, the population of quasars of type II recently discovered with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey are the luminous analogs of type II Seyfert galaxies. Since our knowledge and understanding of the radio properties of these type II quasars are very limited, we have performed Very Large Array observations for a sub-sample of such sources. Our detection rate of 61% is consistent with the detection rate for other AGN samples. We do not find a correlation between radio and [O III] $λ$5007 luminosities for these sources. Although the distribution of spectral indices is similar to that of the 3C sources, the lack of dependence of radio luminosity on [O III] $λ$5007 luminosity suggests that not all sources in the sample are genuine AGNs.

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