arXiv subjects

E. Perlman

Publications and source records attributed to E. Perlman.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2005

Spatially-resolved mid-infrared spectroscopy of NGC 1068: the nature and distribution of the nuclear material

We present spatially-resolved, near-diffraction-limited 10 micron spectra of the nucleus of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 1068, obtained with Michelle, the mid-IR imager and spectrometer on the 8.1 m Gemini North telescope. The spectra cover the nucleus and the central 6.0" x 0.4" of the ionization cones at a spatial resolution of approximately 0.4" (approx. 30 parsecs). The spectra extracted in 0.4" steps along the slit reveal striking variations in continuum slope, silicate feature profile and depth, and fine structure line fluxes on subarcsecond scales, illustrating in unprecedented detail the complexity of the circumnuclear regions of this galaxy at mid-IR wavelengths. A comparison of photometry in various apertures reveals two distinct components: a compact (radius <15 pc), bright source within the central 0.4" x 0.4" and extended, lower brightness emission. We identify the compact source with the AGN obscuring torus, and the diffuse component with the AGN-heated dust in the ionization cones. While the torus emission dominates the flux observed in the near-IR, the mid-IR flux measured with apertures larger than about 1" is dominated instead by the dust emission from the ionization cones. Many previous attempts to determine the torus spectral energy distribution are thus likely to be significantly affected by contamination from the extended emission. The observed spectrum of the compact source is compared with clumpy torus models, which require most of the mid-IR emitting clouds to be located within a few parsecs of the central engine. We also present a UKIRT/CGS4 5 micron spectrum covering the R(0) -- R(4) lines of the fundamental vibration-rotation band of 12CO. None of these lines was detected, and we discuss these non-detections in terms of the filling factor and composition of the nuclear clouds. (Abridged)

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

First Results from a Multi-wavelength Survey of Quasar Jets

We present results based on the first 20 Chandra images obtained in a survey of jets in radio selected flat-spectrum quasars (FSRQs), along with new sub-arcsecond radio maps and optical images. We discover jet X-ray flux in 12 sources despite short exposures, establishing that FSRQ jets are often X-ray bright. The X-ray morphology typically matches the radio and fades rapidly after the first sharp radio bend, but there are notable exceptions. Optical non-detections rule out simple synchrotron models for jet X-ray emission, implying these systems are dominated by inverse Compton (IC) scattering. Models of IC scattering of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) constrain the bulk flow and magnetic field, suggesting the jets are oriented close to our line of sight, with deprojected lengths often \gg 100 kpc.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

XMM-Newton observations of the BL Lac MS0205.7+3509: a dense, low-metallicity absorber

The high-frequency-peaked BL Lac, MS0205.7+3509 was observed twice with XMM-Newton. Both X-ray spectra are synchrotron-dominated, with mean 0.2--10keV fluxes of 2.80+/-0.01 and 3.34+/-0.02 E-12 erg/cm^2/s. The X-ray spectra are well fit by a power-law with absorption above the Galactic value, however no absorption edges are detected, implying a low metallicity absorber (Z_\sun = 0.04(+0.03)(-0.01)) or an absorber with redshift above one (best-fit z=2.1 for an absorber with solar abundances). In either case the absorbing column density must be ~9E21 cm^-2. A new optical spectrum is presented, with a MgII absorption doublet detected at z=0.351, but no other significant features. The optical spectrum shows little reddening, implying a low dust to gas ratio in the absorber. MS0205.7+3509 must therefore be viewed through a high column density, low-metallicity gas cloud, probably at z=0.351 and associated with the galaxy that has been shown to be within ~2" of the BL Lac.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2003

An XMM and Chandra view of massive clusters of galaxies to z=1

The X-ray properties of a sample of high redshift (z>0.6), massive clusters observed with XMM-Newton and Chandra are described, including two exceptional systems. One, at z=0.89, has an X-ray temperature of T=11.5 (+1.1, -0.9) keV (the highest temperature of any cluster known at z>0.6), an estimated mass of (1.4+/-0.2)x10^15 solar masses and appears relaxed. The other, at z=0.83, has at least three sub-clumps, probably in the process of merging, and may also show signs of faint filamentary structure at large radii,observed in X-rays. In general there is a mix of X-ray morphologies, from those clusters which appear relaxed and containing little substructure to some highly non-virialized and probably merging systems. The X-ray gas metallicities and gas mass fractions of the relaxed systems are similar to those of low redshift clusters of the same temperature, suggesting that the gas was in place, and containing its metals, by z=0.8. The evolution of the mass-temperature relation may be consistent with no evolution or with the ``late formation'' assumption. The effect of point source contamination in the ROSAT survey from which these clusters were selected is estimated, and the implications for the ROSAT X-ray luminosity function discussed.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2003

Chandra X-ray analysis of the massive high-redshift galaxy clusters ClJ1113.1-2615 and ClJ0152.7-1357

We present an analysis of Chandra observations of two high-redshift clusters of galaxies, ClJ1113.1-2615 at z=0.725 and ClJ0152.7-1357 at z=0.833. We find ClJ1113 to be relaxed with kT=4.3^{+0.5}_{-0.4}keV and a mass (within the virial radius) of 4.3^{+0.8}_{-0.7}*10^{14}Msol. ClJ0152, by contrast, is resolved into a northern and southern subcluster, each massive and X-ray luminous, in the process of merging. The temperatures of the subclusters are found to be 5.5^{+0.9}_{-0.8}keV and 5.2^{+1.1}_{-0.9}keV respectively, and their respective masses are 6.1^{+1.7}_{-1.5}*10^{14}Msol and 5.2^{+1.8}_{-1.4}*10^{14}Msol within the virial radii. 2D modelling of the X-ray surface brightness reveals excess emission between the subclusters; suggestive, but not conclusive evidence of a shock front. We make a first attempt at measuring the cluster M-T relation at z~0.8, and find no evolution in its normalisation, supporting the previous assumption of an unevolving M-T relation. We also find little or no evolution in the L-T relation, the gas fraction-T relation, the beta-T relation or the metallicity. These results suggest that, in at least some massive clusters, the hot gas was in place, and containing its metals, at z~0.8. We also highlight the need to correct for the degradation of the Chandra ACIS low energy quantum efficiency in high-redshift cluster studies when the low energy absorption is often assumed to be the Galactic value, rather than measured.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2003

What Types of Jets does Nature Make: A New Population of Radio Quasars

We use statistical results from a large sample of about 500 blazars, based on two surveys, the Deep X-ray Radio Blazar Survey (DXRBS), nearly complete, and the RASS-Green Bank survey (RGB), to provide new constraints on the spectral energy distribution of blazars, particularly flat-spectrum radio quasars (FSRQ). This reassessment is prompted by the discovery of a population of FSRQ with spectral energy distribution similar to that of high-energy peaked BL Lacs. The fraction of these sources is sample dependent, being ~ 10% in DXRBS and ~ 30% in RGB (and reaching ~ 80% for the Einstein Medium Sensitivity Survey). We show that these ``X-ray strong'' radio quasars, which had gone undetected or unnoticed in previous surveys, indeed are the strong-lined counterparts of high-energy peaked BL Lacs and have synchrotron peak frequencies, nu_peak, much higher than ``classical'' FSRQ, typically in the UV band for DXRBS. Some of these objects may be 100 GeV - TeV emitters, as are several known BL Lacs with similar broadband spectra. Our large, deep, and homogeneous DXRBS sample does not show anti-correlations between nu_peak and radio, broad line region, or jet power, as expected in the so-called ``blazar sequence'' scenario. However, the fact that FSRQ do not reach X-ray-to-radio flux ratios and nu_peak values as extreme as BL Lacs and the elusiveness of high nu_peak - high-power blazars suggest that there might be an intrinsic, physical limit to the synchrotron peak frequency that can be reached by strong-lined, powerful blazars. Our findings have important implications for the study of jet formation and physics and its relationship to other properties of active galactic nuclei.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

Predictive Mining of Time Series Data in Astronomy

We discuss the development of a Java toolbox for astronomical time series data. Rather than using methods conventional in astronomy (e.g., power spectrum and cross-correlation analysis) we employ rule discovery techniques commonly used in analyzing stock-market data. By clustering patterns found within the data, rule discovery allows one to build predictive models, allowing one to forecast when a given event might occur or whether the occurrence of one event will trigger a second. We have tested the toolbox and accompanying display tool on datasets (representing several classes of objects) from the RXTE All Sky Monitor. We use these datasets to illustrate the methods and functionality of the toolbox. We also discuss issues that can come up in data analysis as well as the possible future development of the package.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

1ES 1927+654: Persistent and rapid X-ray variability in an AGN with low intrinsic neutral X-ray absorption and narrow optical emission lines

We present X-ray and optical observations of the X-ray bright AGN 1ES 1927+654. The X-ray observations obtained with ROSAT and Chandra reveal persistent, rapid and large scale variations, as well as steep 0.1-2.4 keV (Gamma = 2.6 +/- 0.3) and 0.3-7.0 keV (Gamma = 2.7 +/- 0.2) spectra. The measured intrinsic neutral X-ray column density is approximately 7e20cm^-2. The X-ray timing properties indicate that the strong variations originate from a region, a few hundred light seconds from the central black hole, typical for type 1 AGN. High quality optical spectroscopy reveals a typical Seyfert 2 spectrum with some host galaxy contamination and no evidence of Fe II multiplets or broad hydrogen Balmer wings. The intrinsic optical extinction derived from the BLR and NLR are A_V >= 3.7 and A_V=1.7, respectively. The X-ray observations give an A_V value of less than 0.58, in contrast to the optical extinction values. We discuss several ideas to explain this apparent difference in classification including partial covering, an underluminous BLR or a high dust to gas ratio.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

Parameter Correlations and Cosmological Properties of BL Lac Objects

Using three complete, radio flux limited, blazar samples we compare the LogN-LogS and the preliminary radio luminosity function of the general population of BL Lacs to those of the subclass of high energy synchrotron peaked (HBL) BL Lacs. We also examine recent results on the cosmological evolution in different samples of BL Lacs and we investigate the controversial issue of the correlation between the synchrotron peak frequency and radio luminosity in BL Lacertae objects. We find that the fraction of HBL objects is approximately the same at all observed radio fluxes and luminosities implying that there cannot be any strong correlation between the position of the synchrotron peak and radio luminosity. The amount of cosmological evolution in BL Lacs is confirmed to be low and negative at low radio fluxes, although the large number of objects without redshift prevents a precise estimation. At high radio fluxes the amount of cosmological evolution is zero or slightly positive but this could be induced by a possible contamination with Flat Spectrum Radio Quasars.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

BeppoSAX Observations of Synchrotron X-ray Emission from Radio Quasars

We present new BeppoSAX LECS, MECS, and PDS observations of four flat-spectrum radio quasars (FSRQ) having effective spectral indices alpha_ro and alpha_ox typical of high-energy peaked BL Lacs. Our sources have X-ray-to-radio flux ratios on average ~ 70 times larger than ``classical'' FSRQ and lie at the extreme end of the FSRQ X-ray-to-radio flux ratio distribution. The collected data cover the energy range 0.1 - 10 keV (observer's frame), reaching ~ 100 keV for one object. The BeppoSAX band in one of our sources, RGB J1629+4008, is dominated by synchrotron emission peaking at ~ 2 x 10^16 Hz, as also shown by its steep (energy index alpha_x ~ 1.5) spectrum. This makes this object the FIRST known FSRQ whose X-ray emission is not due to inverse Compton radiation. Two other sources display a flat BeppoSAX spectrum (alpha_x ~ 0.7), with weak indications of steepening at low X-ray energies. The combination of BeppoSAX and ROSAT observations, (non-simultaneous) multifrequency data, and a synchrotron inverse Compton model suggest synchrotron peak frequencies ~ 10^15 Hz, although a better coverage of their spectral energy distributions is needed to provide firmer values. If confirmed, these values would be typical of ``intermediate'' BL Lacs for which the synchrotron and inverse Compton components overlap in the BeppoSAX band. Our sources, although firmly in the radio-loud regime, have powers more typical of high-energy peaked BL Lacs than of FSRQ, and indeed their radio powers put them near the low-luminosity end of the FSRQ luminosity function. We discuss this in terms of an anti-correlation between synchrotron peak frequency and total power, based on physical arguments, and also as possibly due to a selection effect.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

Astronomical Constraints on the Cosmic Evolution of the Fine Structure Constant and Possible Quantum Dimensions

We present measurements of absorption by the 21cm hyperfine transition of neutral hydrogen toward radio sources at substantial look-back times. These data are used in combination with observations of rotational transitions of common interstellar molecules, to set limits on the evolution of the fine structure constant: (dot alpha)/alpha < 3.5e-15/yr to a look-back time of 4.8 Gyr. The neutral hydrogen observations employed Very Long Baseline Interferometry in order to mitigate the substantial uncertainty arising from the fact that observations at very different wavelengths may probe different lines-of-site due to frequency dependent structure of the background source. We discuss the implication of these results on theories unifying natural forces based on compact quantum dimensions. In the context of string theory, the limit on the secular evolution of the scale factor of these compact dimensions, R, is (dot R)/R < 1e-15/yr. Including terrestrial and other astronomical measurements places limits (2sigma) on slow oscillations of R from the present to the epoch of cosmic nucleosynthesis, just seconds after the big bang, of (Delta R)/R < 1e-5.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

The Deep X-ray Radio Blazar Survey (DXRBS). II. New Identifications

We have searched the archived, pointed ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter data for blazars by correlating the WGACAT X-ray database with several publicly available radio catalogs, restricting our candidate list to serendipitous X-ray sources with a flat radio spectrum (alpha_r <= 0.70). This makes up the Deep X-ray Radio Blazar Survey (DXRBS). Here we present new identifications and spectra for 106 sources, including 86 radio-loud quasars, 11 BL Lacertae objects, and 9 narrow-line radio galaxies. Together with our previously published objects and already known sources, our sample now contains 298 identified objects: 234 radio-loud quasars (181 flat-spectrum quasars: FSRQ [alpha_r <= 0.50] and 53 steep-spectrum quasars: SSRQ), 36 BL Lacs, and 28 narrow-line radio galaxies. Redshift information is available for 96% of these. Thus our selection technique is ~ 90% efficient at finding radio-loud quasars and BL Lacs. Reaching 5 GHz radio fluxes ~ 50 mJy and 0.1-2.0 keV X-ray fluxes a few x 10^-14 erg/cm^2/s, DXRBS is the faintest and largest flat-spectrum radio sample with nearly complete (~ 85%) identification. We review the properties of the DXRBS blazar sample, including redshift distribution and coverage of the X-ray-radio power plane for quasars and BL Lacs. Additionally, we touch upon the expanded multiwavelength view of blazars provided by DXRBS. By sampling for the first time the faint end of the radio and X-ray luminosity functions, this sample will allow us to investigate the blazar phenomenon and the validity of unified schemes down to relatively low powers.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Discovery of a very X-ray luminous galaxy cluster at z=0.89 in the WARPS survey

We report the discovery of the galaxy cluster ClJ1226.9+3332 in the Wide Angle ROSAT Pointed Survey (WARPS). At z=0.888 and L_X=1.1e45 erg/s (0.5-2.0 keV, h_0=0.5) ClJ1226.9+3332 is the most distant X-ray luminous cluster currently known. The mere existence of this system represents a huge problem for Omega_0=1 world models. At the modest (off-axis) resolution of the ROSAT PSPC observation in which the system was detected, ClJ1226.9+3332 appears relaxed; an off-axis HRI observation confirms this impression and rules out significant contamination from point sources. However, in moderately deep optical images (R and I band) the cluster exhibits signs of substructure in its apparent galaxy distribution. A first crude estimate of the velocity dispersion of the cluster galaxies based on six redshifts yields a high value of 1650 km/s, indicative of a very massive cluster and/or the presence of substructure along the line of sight. While a more accurate assessment of the dynamical state of this system requires much better data at both optical and X-ray wavelengths, the high mass of the cluster has already been unambiguously confirmed by a very strong detection of the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect in its direction (Joy et al. 2001). Using ClJ1226.9+3332 and ClJ0152.7-1357 (z=0.835), the second-most distant X-ray luminous cluster currently known and also a WARPS discovery, we obtain a first estimate of the cluster X-ray luminosity function at 0.8 5e44 erg/s. Using the best currently available data, we find the comoving space density of very distant, massive clusters to be in excellent agreement with the value measured locally (z<0.3), and conclude that negative evolution is not required at these luminosities out to z~1. (truncated)

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

The X-ray evolution of clusters of galaxies to z=0.9

The evolution of the X-ray luminosity function of clusters of galaxies has been measured to z=0.9 using over 150 X-ray selected clusters discovered in the WARPS survey. We find no evidence for evolution of the luminosity function at any luminosity or redshift. The observations constrain the evolution of the space density of moderate luminosity clusters to be very small, and much less than predicted by most models of the growth of structure with Omega_m=1. All the current X-ray surveys agree on this result. Several notable luminous clusters at z>0.8 have been found, including one cluster which is more luminous (and is probably more massive) than the well known MS1054 cluster.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

The WARPS survey - IV: The X-ray luminosity-temperature relation of high redshift galaxy clusters

We present a measurement of the cluster X-ray luminosity-temperature relation out to high redshift (z~0.8). Combined ROSAT PSPC spectra of 91 galaxy clusters detected in the Wide Angle ROSAT Pointed Survey (WARPS) are simultaneously fit in redshift and luminosity bins. The resulting temperature and luminosity measurements of these bins, which occupy a region of the high redshift L-T relation not previously sampled, are compared to existing measurements at low redshift in order to constrain the evolution of the L-T relation. We find a best fit to low redshift (z<0.2) cluster data, at T>1 keV, to be L proportional to T^(3.15\pm0.06). Our data are consistent with no evolution in the normalisation of the L-T relation up to z~0.8. Combining our results with ASCA measurements taken from the literature, we find eta=0.19\pm0.38 (for Omega_0=1, with 1 sigma errors) where L_Bol is proportional to (1 + z)^eta T^3.15, or eta=0.60\pm0.38 for Omega_0=0.3. This lack of evolution is considered in terms of the entropy-driven evolution of clusters. Further implications for cosmological constraints are also discussed.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Evolution of the cluster X-ray luminosity function from the WARPS survey

The evolution of the X-ray luminosity function of clusters of galaxies has been measured to z=0.85 using over 150 X-ray selected clusters found in the WARPS survey. We find no evidence for evolution of the luminosity function at any luminosity or redshift. The observations constrain the evolution of the space density of moderate luminosity clusters to be very small, and much less than predicted by most models of the growth of structure with Omega=1.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1999

The WARPS survey: III. The discovery of an X-ray luminous galaxy cluster at z=0.833 and the impact of X-ray substructure on cluster abundance measurements

The WARPS team reviews the properties and history of discovery of ClJ0152.7-1357, an X-ray luminous, rich cluster of galaxies at z=0.833. At L_X = 8 x 10^44 h^(-2) erg/s (0.5-2.0 keV) ClJ0152.7-1357 is the most X-ray luminous cluster known at redshifts z>0.55. The high X-ray luminosity of the system suggests that massive clusters may begin to form at redshifts considerably greater than unity. This scenario is supported by the high degree of optical and X-ray substructure in ClJ0152.7-1357, which is similarly complex as that of other X-ray selected distant clusters and consistent with the picture of cluster formation by mass infall along large-scale filaments. X-ray emission from ClJ0152.7-1357 was detected already in 1980 with the EINSTEIN IPC. However, because the complex morphology of the emission caused its significance to be underestimated, the corresponding source was not included in the EMSS cluster sample and hence not previously identified. Simulations of the EMSS source detection and selection procedure suggest a general bias of the EMSS against X-ray luminous clusters with pronounced substructure. If highly unrelaxed, merging clusters are common at high redshift, they could create a bias in some samples as the morphological complexity of mergers may cause them to fall below the flux limit of surveys that assume a unimodal spatial source geometry. Conversely, the enhanced X-ray luminosity of mergers might cause them to, temporarily, rise above the flux limit. Either effect could lead to erroneous conclusions about the evolution of the comoving cluster space density. A high fraction of morphologically complex clusters at high redshift would also call into question the validity of cosmological studies that assume that the systems under investigation are virialized.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1999

Synchrotron and Inverse Compton Variability in the BL Lacertae object S5 0716+714

We report intensity variations of different spectral components in the BL Lac object S5 0716+714 detected during coordinated BeppoSAX and optical observations in 1996 and 1998. The transition between synchrotron and inverse Compton emission has been clearly detected as sharp X-ray spectral breaks at around 2-3 keV on both occasions. Correlated optical and soft X-ray variability was found during the second BeppoSAX pointing when intensive optical monitoring could be arranged. The hard (Compton) component changed by a factor of 2 between the two observations, but remained stable within each exposure. During events of rapid variability S5 0716+714 showed spectral steepening with intensity, a behaviour rarely observed in BL Lacs. We interpret these findings as the probable consequence of a shift of the synchrotron peak emission from the IR/optical band to higher energies, causing the synchrotron tail to push into the soft X-ray band more and more as the source brightens.

astro-ph↗