arXiv subjects

Gopal-Krishna

Publications and source records attributed to Gopal-Krishna.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Search for intranight optical variability in a large sample of intermediate-mass black holes

Using the extensive archival database of the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) survey, we have investigated intranight optical variability (INOV) in a large sample of low-mass active galactic nuclei (LMAGN) powered by intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs). After applying a sequence of well-motivated selection filters, we constructed an unbiased, representative sample of 62 IMBHs for which $r$-band intranight photometric sequences are available in the ZTF database, yielding 167 sessions with a minimum duration of 2 h. By performing aperture photometry on the sequence of exposures in each session, we derived differential light curves (DLCs) of the target LMAGN relative to two carefully selected non-varying comparison stars monitored simultaneously with the LMAGN in the same exposure sequence. Application of the widely used test based on $F$-statistics to all these DLCs revealed no case of statistically significant INOV. We discuss this result for the present large sample of LMAGN in the context of an earlier report of INOV detections in another, albeit much smaller and differently selected, sample of LMAGN that had been monitored in targeted observations.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Evidence for in-situ acceleration of relativistic particles in the wings of X-shaped radio galaxies

We report evidence for in-situ acceleration/re-acceleration of relativistic particles in 11 radio wings out of a total of 68 wings sufficiently well-resolved for spectral mapping, which belong to our sample of 40 X-shaped radio galaxies (XRGs). This representative XRG sample includes 15 XRGs newly reported here, which we selected from the LOTSS-DR2 survey, following well-defined criteria. The evidence for in-situ particle acceleration comes from the observed cessation of steepening, or even flattening (i.e., gradient reversal) of the spectral index profile along the lobe into the associated wing, as determined here by combining the LoTSS-DR2 (144 MHz) and FIRST (1.4 GHz) maps. Interestingly, the afore-mentioned trends in spectral gradient, indicative of in-situ particle acceleration, are mostly found to set in near the region where the lobe plasma stream bends to connect to the wing. Such a spatial coincidence with bending of radio lobe/tail has been noticed in recent years for just a couple of radio galaxies. The large increase in such examples, as reported here, is expected to give a fillip to observational, theoretical and numerical simulation follow-up investigations of this important clue about the occurrence of in-situ particle acceleration in lobes of radio galaxies.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Origin of the double-peaked narrow emission-lines in the optical spectra of X-shaped Radio Galaxies

We investigate X-shaped radio galaxies (XRGs) with optical double-peaked narrow emission lines (DPNELs) as potential hosts of dual or binary supermassive black holes (SMBHs). Using available optical spectra from the SDSS and DESI surveys, we identify 55 DPNEL sources among a sample of 187 XRGs. We find that the occurrence of [O III] DPNELs in XRGs is $\sim$30 %, which is substantially higher than the $\sim$1 % observed in the general galaxy population. Using optical (involving {[O III]$\lambda$5007}, H$\alpha$, H$\beta$, {[N II]$\lambda$,6584}, and {[S II]$\lambda\lambda$6716,6731}) and mid-infrared diagnostic diagrams, we found that both components are predominantly AGN-powered, implying a $\sim$95 % probability of hosting dual AGN systems. In comparison, a stellar-mass-, color-, and redshift-matched control sample of non-XRG DPNEL galaxies shows a lower dual AGN fraction, which depends strongly on radio luminosity, rising from ~25 % in radio-undetected to ~54 % in radio-detected galaxies, and reaching ~95 % in radio-bright XRGs and FR-II radio galaxies. Interestingly, more than 30 % of DPNEL XRGs have companion galaxies, supporting a merger-driven origin for these systems. Finally, we analyze parsec-scale radio structure in 7 XRGs using VLBA observations at 1.4, 4.3, and 7.6 GHz, resolving the core in only one source. Nevertheless, flat radio spectral indices, AGN-like emission-line properties, and radio-optical VLBA-Gaia positional offsets found in 5 cases together support the interpretation that XRGs are strong dual/binary AGN candidates.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Low-velocity precessing jets can explain observed morphologies in the Twin Radio Galaxy TRG J104454+354055

Our understanding of large-scale radio jets in merger systems has been drastically improved in the era of VLA, VLBA/EVN, uGMRT, and MeerKAT. Twin Radio Galaxies (TRGs) are the rare interacting galaxy pairs where both supermassive black holes host kiloparsec-scale bipolar radio jets. Only recently was a third TRG discovered and it shows significantly different jet morphologies than the previous two. Due to both the extreme paucity and complexity of such systems, the launching of their jets as well as their mutual interaction during the propagation through the ambient medium are not well understood. We have performed 3D hydrodynamic simulations to study the bipolar jets in the third TRG, J104454+354055. Our study indicates that the precession of mutually tilted bipolar jets originating from the two galactic nuclei separated by tens of kiloparsecs and propagating at low velocities can explain the observed morphologies. The simulated jet precession timescales are short compared to the overall dynamical timescale of the jets and could originate from Lense-Thirring effects in the accretion disks. This approach to understanding the TRG jet dynamics could also be applied to other TRG systems with similar helical morphologies that may be discovered in the upcoming era of the SKA and its pathfinder surveys.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

The alternating 'changing-look' blazar OQ 334 (B2 1420+32): New observational clues to the blazar state transitions

The high-luminosity blazar OQ 334 is a leading exponent of the intriguing rare phenomenon of alternating between a flat-spectrum radio quasar (FSRQ) and a BL Lac (BLL) states. Its two optical continuum outbursts observed during the $\sim$ 1.5-year long time span, starting Jan 2018, had been shown to coincide with transition from the FSRQ to BLL state, manifested by a sharp drop in the equivalent width of MgII broad emission-line. Recently, a continuous monitoring of its blazar state, over a much longer duration (past $\sim$ 5 years) has become possible by deploying the observed $\gamma-ray$ spectral slope ($\Gamma_{\gamma}$) as a diagnostic. This opens prospects of making a much less biased and statistically more robust check on the association of optical flaring with FSRQ $\rightarrow$ BLL transition. We find that all 4 such transitions ($\Gamma_{\gamma}$ becoming < 2.0), observed during the past $\sim$ 5 years, were accompanied by an optical flare. While this appears consistent with the transition to BL Lac state happening purely due to an enhanced optical continuum (flaring) swamping out the broad emission-lines, this simple scheme may need additional ingredients, considering the hint found for a day-like offset between the flaring and the state transition.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Weak-emission-line quasars: A new clue from their optical variability

Weak-emission-line QSOs (WLQs) are an enigmatic subclass of the QSO population, as their optical/UV spectra are marked by abnormally weak (or absent) emission lines. To obtain much-needed additional clues to the origin of this and other known peculiarities of WLQs, we have determined the 'ensemble' optical variability characteristics for a large, well-defined sample of 76 radio-quiet WLQs and also for a matched control sample comprising 603 normal radio-quiet QSOs. This analysis was done using their light-curves recorded in the $g$ and $r$ bands, under the ZTF survey during 2018-2024, with a typical cadence of 3 days. We find that, compared to normal QSOs, WLQs exhibit systematically milder optical variability on month/year-like time scales (by a factor of $\sim$ 1.76$\pm$0.05 in amplitude). We have independently verified this by carrying out an equivalent analysis of the V-band light-curves acquired under the CRTS during 2007- 2014, with a typical cadence of 10 days. This new observational differentiator between WLQs and normal QSOs may provide clues to understanding the intriguing nature of WLQs. It is proposed that the clumpiness of the torus material flowing into the central engine may play a key role in explaining the observed differences between the WLQs and normal QSOs.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Astrophysical Black holes: An Explanation for the Galaxy Quenching

In light of increasing observational evidence supporting the existence of ultra-compact objects, we adopt the term astrophysical black hole to refer to any object having a huge mass confined within a sufficiently small region of spacetime. This terminology encompasses both the classical black hole solutions predicted by general relativity, as well as alternative compact objects that may not possess an event horizon. We propose models of Astrophysical Black holes (ABHs) without event horizons (EHs), as a more viable explanation for the long-term quenching phenomenon in galaxies. At the same time, the short-term quenching is explained here in terms of an efficient feedback expected in the models of stellar-mass astrophysical black holes (StMABHs). We have calculated the radiative flux from the disk in a general spherically symmetric metric background and used it to contrast the distinctive features of the BHs and ABHs scenarios. We demonstrate the relative ease of wind generation from the accretion disk surrounding an ABH without an event horizon, compared to a BH, and highlight the significant strength of these winds. The nature of the feedbacks arising from accretion onto a BH and an ABH in the `quasar' and `radio' modes are compared and some possible observational signatures of the StMABHs are pointed out.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2024

Cosmic ray contributions from rapidly rotating stellar mass black holes: Cosmic Ray GeV to EeV proton and anti-proton sources

In Radio Super Novae (RSNe) a magnetic field of $(B \, \times \, r) \, = \, 10^{16.0 \pm 0.12} \, {\rm Gauss \, \times \, cm}$ is observed; these are the same numbers for Blue Super Giant (BSG) star explosions as for Red Super Giant (RSG) star explosions, despite their very different wind properties. The EHT data for M87 as well for low power radio galaxies all show consistency with just this value of the quantity $(B \, \times \, r )$, key for angular momentum and energy transport, and can be derived from the radio jet data. We interpret this as a property of the near surroundings of a black hole (BH) at near maximal rotation, independent of BH mass. In the commonly used green onion model, in which a $2 \, \pi$ flow changes over to a jet flow we interpret this as a wind emanating from the BH/accretion disk system and its surroundings. Near the BH collisions in the wind can produce a large fraction of anti-protons. In this scenario the cosmic Ray (CR) population from the wind/jet is proposed to be visible as EeV protons and anti-protons in the CR data to EeV energy, with a $E^{-7/3}$ spectrum. This can be connected to a concept of inner and outer Penrose zones in the ergo-region. The observed numbers for the magnetic field imply the Planck time as the governing time scale: A BH rotating near maximum can accept a proton per log bin of energy in an extended spectrum with the associated pions every Planck time.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

Intranight optical monitoring of the rare quasar J0950+5128, the brightest known candidate for transition from radio-quiet to radio-loud state

We report a novel pilot project to characterise intra-night optical variability (INOV) of an extremely rare type of quasar, which has recently been caught in the act of transiting from a radio-quiet to radio-loud state, on a decadal time scale. Such rare transitions may signify a recurrence, or conceivably the first switch-on of jet activity in optically luminous quasars. The newly formed jet could well be jittery and unsteady, both in power and direction. The optically brightest among such radio-state transition candidates, the quasar J0950+5128 ($z = 0.2142$), was monitored by us with dense sampling in the R-band, during 2020-21 in 6 sessions, each lasting $>$ 4 hours. This is the first attempt to characterise the INOV properties associated with this recently discovered, extremely rarely observed phenomenon of quasar radio-state transition. The non-detection of INOV in any of the 6 sessions, down to the 1-2% level, amounts to a lack of evidence for a blazar-like optical activity, $\sim$ 2 years after its transition to radio-loud state was found. The only INOV feature detected in J0950+5128 during our observational campaign was a $\sim$ 0.15-mag spike lasting < 6 minutes, seen at 13.97 UT on 18-March-2021. We also report the available optical light curves of this quasar from the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) survey, which indicate that it had experienced a phase of INOV activity around the time its transition to the radio-loud state was detected, however that phase did not sustain until the launch of our INOV campaign $\sim$ 2 years later.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

GPS in the cosmos

This note chronicles the early steps and incidences from over four decades ago, that gave a kickstart to research on the now prominent subclass of radio galaxies, called 'Gigahertz-Peaked-Spectrum' (GPS) sources. In this first-hand account, the origin of the acronym 'GPS' in this context is retraced, along with the first crucial steps and the major milestones set in course of evolution of this now vibrant branch of extragalactic radio astronomy. A brief update on the recent developments in this field is also presented.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

Clues on the nature of the quasi-periodic optical outbursts of the blazar OJ 287

The fascination with the blazar OJ 287 stems not only from its status as a prominent candidate for a close supermassive black hole (SMBH) binary, but also because of the thermal bremsstrahlung origin proposed for its giant optical outbursts. These outbursts arrive as pairs, quasi-periodically every $\sim 12$ years, based on the unique 130-year-long, well-sampled optical light curve available for this blazar. For its three well-known, large quasi-periodic optical outbursts (QPOOs), observed in 1983, 2007 and 2015, optical photo-polarimetric monitoring has been reported in the literature. For these initially radio-undetected QPOOs, widely acclaimed as `bremsstrahlung flares', we have scrutinised the available measurements of optical polarisation and spectral index during the rising phase. Several inconsistencies of these data with the optical bremsstrahlung interpretation are noted, which point towards a synchrotron-dominated alternative interpretation for all these prominent QPOOs, just as for the optical emission observed between the outbursts. Possible reasons for the radio non-detection of the QPOOs during the initial stage are outlined.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

A sample of 25 radio galaxies with highly unusual radio morphologies, selected from the LoTSS-DR2 survey at 144 MHz

From a careful visual scrutiny of the radio structures of a well-defined sample of 2428 sources in the LoTSS DR2 survey made at 144 MHz with a 6" beam, we have selected a subset of 25 (i.e., 1%) sources showing highly unusual radio structures, not conforming to the prevalent radio morphological classification. Here we present and briefly discuss the basic properties of these rare morphological outliers and attempt to dissect their morphological peculiarities, based on multi-wavelength radio images and radio-optical overlays. Also, we underscore the need to accord due importance to such anomalous radio sources, considering the challenge they pose to the standard theoretical models and simulations of extragalactic double radio sources.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

In-situ acceleration of radio-emitting particles in the lobes of radio galaxies: Evolving observational perspective and recent clues

The issue of radiation mechanisms had triggered in 1950-60s the first applications of plasma physics to understand the nature of radio galaxies. This interplay has steadily intensified during the past five decades, due to the premise of in-situ acceleration of relativistic electrons occurring in the lobes of radio galaxies. This article briefly traces the chain of these remarkable developments, largely from an observational perspective. We recount several observational and theoretical milestones established along the way and the lessons drawn from them. We also present a new observational clue about in-situ acceleration of the relativistic particles radiating in the lobes of radio galaxies, gleaned by us from the very recently published sensitive radio observations of a tailed radio source in the galaxy cluster Abell 1033.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2023

Precession-induced Variability in AGN Jets and OJ 287

The combined study of the flaring of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) at radio wavelengths and pc-scale jet kinematics with Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) has led to the view that i) the observed flares are associated with ejections of synchrotron blobs from the core, and ii) most of the flaring would follow a one-to-one correlation with the component ejection. Recent results have provided mounting evidence that the quasi-regular component injections into the relativistic jet may not be the only cause of the flux variability. We propose that AGN flux variability and jet morphology changes can both be of deterministic nature, i.e. having a geometric/kinetic origin linked to the time-variable Doppler beaming of the jet emission as its direction changes due to precession (and nutation). The physics of the underlying jet leads to shocks, instabilities, or to ejections of plasmoids. The appearance (morphology, flux, etc.) of the jet can, however, be strongly affected and modulated by precession. We demonstrate this modulating power of precession for OJ 287. For the first time, we show that the spectral state of the Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) can be directly related to the jet's precession phase. We model the SED evolution and reproduce the precession parameters. Further, we apply our precession model to eleven prominent AGN. We show that for OJ 287 precession seems to dominate the long-term variability ($\gtrsim 1\,{\rm yr}$) of the AGN flux, SED spectral state, and jet morphology, while stochastic processes affect the variability on short timescales ($\lesssim 0.2\,{\rm yr}$).

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Pathway to Devasthal Astronomical Observatory, ARIES

Devasthal observatory, established over a time span of about 5 decades, is located in central Himalayan region of Devabhumi in Nainital district of Uttarakhand state, India. Operated and maintained by the Aryabhatta Research Institute of observational sciencES (ARIES), its location was selected after an extensive site survey. The first measurements of atmospheric seeing and extinctions at Devasthal were carried out during 1997 to 2001. Since 2010, three optical telescopes of 1.3 m, 3.6 m and 4 m apertures have been successfully installed at Devasthal. Optical and near infrared observations taken with these telescopes testify to the global competitiveness of Devasthal observatory for astronomical observations. The article chronicles the collaboration with the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, beginning around 1996, for the purpose of establishing the observatory. A brief overview of the main science results obtained so far, using these facilities, is also presented.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2023

Spectral index variation across X-shaped radio galaxies

The formation mechanism of the enigmatic subclass of radio galaxies, called 'X-shaped radio galaxies' (XRGs), or 'winged' radio galaxies, which account for $\sim 10\%$ of the radio galaxy population, can be effectively constrained using the radio spectral-index distribution across their twin pairs of radio lobes. If indeed, the existing claims of no systematic spectral index difference between the wing and the associated primary lobe are valid in general, this would provide impetus to the XRG model attributing their origin to an unresolved binary of active supermassive black holes within the nucleus of the host galaxy. To investigate this interesting possibility, we have mapped spatial variation of spectral index for a well-defined sample of 25 XRGs, by combining their 1.4 GHz VLA (FIRST survey)/uGMRT maps with their 144 MHz maps (LoTSS-DR2). This has yielded the best available combination of sensitivity, angular resolution, frequency range and sample size, for spectral mapping of an XRG sample. A rich diversity of spectral index patterns is thus revealed in our XRG sample, but we find at most one case where a secondary lobe (wing) exhibits a flatter spectrum compared to its associated primary lobe. We conclude that such a spectral pattern is exceedingly rare and by no means a common trait of XRGs.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2023

The 'spectral index-flux density relation' for extragalactic radio sources selected at metre and decametre wavelengths

We use the recent releases of sensitive VLA/LOFAR large-area surveys at 340 MHz and 54 MHz, in conjunction with the 1.4 GHz NVSS, to accurately determine the `spectral index - flux density relation' ($\alpha$ - S) for extragalactic radio sources selected at metre and decametre wavelengths, the latter for the first time. This newly determined $\alpha$ - S$_{\rm 340~MHz}$ relation shows a progressive flattening of $\alpha_{\rm median}$ towards lower flux densities, starting from its steepest value (peak)occurring near S$_{\rm 340~MHz}$ $\sim$ 1-2 Jy. This resolves the controversy extant in the literature since the 1980s. The $\alpha$ - S$_{\rm 54~MHz}$ relation, too, shows a spectral index flattening with decreasing flux density which, however, is significantly milder and the relation is less sharply peaked than that found at 340 MHz. A possible reason for the difference could be that the 54 MHz sample has a distinctly stronger/conspicuous presence ( at $\sim$ 20% level) of very steep spectrum sources having $\alpha_{54}^{1400} <$ -1.3, most of which are probably associated with clusters of galaxies.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2023

Intranight optical variability of TeV blazars with parsec-scale jets dominated by slow-moving radio knots

BL Lac objects detected at TeV energies preferentially belong to the subclass called 'high-frequency-peaked' BL Lacs (HBLs). Parsec-scale radio jets in these TeV-HBLs often show dominant, slow moving radio knots that are at most mildly superluminal. We report the first systematic campaign to characterise the Intra-Night Optical Variability (INOV) of TeV-HBLs using a representative sample of 6 such sources, all showing a fairly high degree of optical polarization. Our campaign consists of high-sensitivity monitoring of this sample in 24 sessions of more than 3 hour duration each. For these TeV-HBLs, we find a striking lack of INOV and based on this, we discuss the importance of superluminal motion of the radio knots vis-a-vis the optical polarization, as the key diagnostic for INOV detection.

astro-ph.HE↗