arXiv subjects

E. Hoversten

Publications and source records attributed to E. Hoversten.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2014

Radio-Gamma-ray connection and spectral evolution in 4C +49.22 (S4 1150+49): the Fermi, Swift and Planck view

The Large Area Telescope on board the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope detected a strong gamma-ray flare on 2011 May 15 from a source identified as 4C 49.22, a flat spectrum radio quasar also known as S4 1150+49. This blazar, characterised by a prominent radio-optical-X-ray jet, was in a low gamma-ray activity state during the first years of Fermi observations. Simultaneous observations during the quiescent, outburst and post-flare gamma-ray states were obtained by Swift, Planck and optical-IR-radio telescopes (INAOE, Catalina CSS, VLBA, Metsahovi). The flare is observed from microwave to X-ray bands with correlated variability and the Fermi, Swift and Planck data for this FSRQ show some features more typical of BL Lac objects, like the synchrotron peak in the optical band that outshines the thermal blue-bump emission, and the X-ray spectral softening. Multi-epoch VLBA observations show the ejection of a new component close in time with the GeV gamma-ray flare. The radio-to-gamma-ray spectral energy distribution is modeled and fitted successfully for the outburst and the post-flare epochs using either a single flaring blob with two emission processes (synchrotron self Compton, and external-radiation Compton), and a two-zone model with SSC-only mechanism.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2010

UV+IR Star Formation Rates: Hickson Compact Groups with Swift and Spitzer

We present Swift UVOT (1600-3000A) 3-band photometry for 41 galaxies in 11 nearby (<4500km/s) Hickson Compact Groups (HCGs) of galaxies. We use the uvw2-band (2000A) to estimate the dust-unobscured component, SFR_UV, of the total star-formation rate, SFR_T. We use Spitzer MIPS 24-micron photometry to estimate SFR_IR, the dust-obscured component of SFR_T. We obtain SFR_T=SFR_UV+SFR_IR. Using 2MASS K_s band based stellar mass, M*, estimates, we calculate specific SFRs, SSFR=SFR_T/M*. SSFR values show a clear and significant bimodality, with a gap between low (<~3.2x10^-11 / yr) and high SSFR (>~1.2x10^-10 / yr) systems. All galaxies with MIR activity index a_IRAC <= 0 (>0) are in the high- (low-) SSFR locus, as expected if high levels of star-formation power MIR emission from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecules and a hot dust continuum. All elliptical/S0 galaxies are in the low-SSFR locus, while 22 out of 24 spirals/irregulars are in the high-SSFR locus, with two borderline cases. We divide our sample into three subsamples (I, II and III) according to decreasing HI-richness of the parent galaxy group to which a galaxy belongs. Consistent with the SSFR and a_IRAC bimodality, 12 out of 15 type-I (11 out of 12 type-III) galaxies are in the high- (low-) SSFR locus, while type II galaxies span almost the full range of SSFR values. Unlike HCG galaxies, galaxies in a comparison quiescent SINGS sub-sample are continuously distributed both in SSFR and a_IRAC. Any uncertainties can only further enhance the SSFR bimodality. These results suggest that an environment characterized by high galaxy number-densities and low galaxy velocity-dispersions, such as the one found in compact groups, plays a key role in accelerating galaxy evolution by enhancing star-formation processes in galaxies and favoring a fast transition to quiescence.(abridged)

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

Multiwavelength Observations of Mrk 501 in 2008

The well-studied VHE (E >100 GeV) blazar Mrk 501 was observed between March and May 2008 as part of an extensive multiwavelength observation campaign including radio, optical, X-ray and VHE gamma-ray instruments. Mrk 501 was in a low state of activity during the campaign, with a low VHE flux of about 20% the Crab Nebula flux. Nevertheless, significant flux variations could be observed in X-rays as well as $γ$-rays. Overall Mrk 501 showed increased variability when going from radio to gamma-ray energies. The broadband spectral energy distribution during the two different emission states of the campaign was well described by a homogeneous one-zone synchrotron self-Compton model. The high emission state was satisfactorily modeled by increasing the amount of high energy electrons with respect to the low emission state. This parameterization is consistent with the energy-dependent variability trend observed during the campaign.

astro-ph.HE↗