arXiv subjects

Heino Falcke

Publications and source records attributed to Heino Falcke.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2017

General relativistic magnetohydrodynamical $κ$-jet models for Sgr A*

The observed spectral energy distribution of an accreting supermassive black hole typically forms a power-law spectrum in the Near Infrared (NIR) and optical wavelengths, that may be interpreted as a signature of accelerated electrons along the jet. However, the details of acceleration remain uncertain. In this paper, we study the radiative properties of jets produced in axisymmetric GRMHD simulations of hot accretion flows onto underluminous supermassive black holes both numerically and semi-analytically, with the aim of investigating the differences between models with and without accelerated electrons inside the jet. We assume that electrons are accelerated in the jet regions of our GRMHD simulation. To model them, we modify the electrons' distribution function in the jet regions from a purely relativistic thermal distribution to a combination of a relativistic thermal distribution and the $κ$-distribution function. Inside the disk, we assume a thermal distribution for the electrons. We calculate jet spectra and synchrotron maps by using the ray tracing code {\tt RAPTOR}, and compare the synthetic observations to observations of Sgr~A*. Finally, we compare numerical models of jets to semi-analytical ones. We find that in the $κ$-jet models, the radio-emitting region size, radio flux, and spectral index in NIR/optical bands increase for decreasing values of the $κ$ parameter, which corresponds to a larger amount of accelerated electrons. The model with $κ= 3.5$, $η_{\rm acc}=5-10\%$ (the percentage of electrons that are accelerated), and observing angle $i = 30^{\rm o}$ fits the observed Sgr~A* emission in the flaring state from the radio to the NIR/optical regimes, while $κ= 3.5$, $η_{\rm acc}< 1\%$, and observing angle $i = 30^{\rm o}$ fit the upper limits in quiescence.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2017

Large magnetic field variations towards the Galactic Centre magnetar, PSR J1745-2900

Polarised radio emission from PSR J1745-2900 has already been used to investigate the strength of the magnetic field in the Galactic Centre, close to Sagittarius A*. Here we report how persistent radio emission from this magnetar, for over four years since its discovery, has revealed large changes in the observed Faraday rotation measure, by up to 3500 rad m$^{-2}$ (a five per cent fractional change). From simultaneous analysis of the dispersion measure, we determine that these fluctuations are dominated by variations in the projected magnetic field, rather than the integrated free electron density, along the changing line of sight to the rapidly moving magnetar. From a structure function analysis of rotation measure variations, and a recent epoch of rapid change of rotation measure, we determine a minimum scale of magnetic fluctuations of size ~ 2 au at the Galactic Centre distance, inferring PSR J1745-2900 is just ~ 0.1 pc behind an additional scattering screen.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2017

VOEvent Standard for Fast Radio Bursts

Fast radio bursts are a new class of transient radio phenomena currently detected as millisecond radio pulses with very high dispersion measures. As new radio surveys begin searching for FRBs a large population is expected to be detected in real-time, triggering a range of multi-wavelength and multi-messenger telescopes to search for repeating bursts and/or associated emission. Here we propose a method for disseminating FRB triggers using Virtual Observatory Events (VOEvents). This format was developed and is used successfully for transient alerts across the electromagnetic spectrum and for multi-messenger signals such as gravitational waves. In this paper we outline a proposed VOEvent standard for FRBs that includes the essential parameters of the event and where these parameters should be specified within the structure of the event. An additional advantage to the use of VOEvents for FRBs is that the events can automatically be ingested into the FRB Catalogue (FRBCAT) enabling real-time updates for public use. We welcome feedback from the community on the proposed standard outlined below and encourage those interested to join the nascent working group forming around this topic.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2017

Quantifying Intrinsic Variability of Sagittarius A* using Closure Phase Measurements of the Event Horizon Telescope

General relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) simulations of accretion disks and jets associated with supermassive black holes show variability on a wide range of timescales. On timescales comparable to or longer than the gravitational timescale $t_G=GM/c^3$, variation may be dominated by orbital dynamics of the inhomogeneous accretion flow. Turbulent evolution within the accretion disk is expected on timescales comparable to the orbital period, typically an order of magnitude larger than $t_G$. For Sgr A*, $t_G$ is much shorter than the typical duration of a VLBI experiment, enabling us to study this variability within a single observation. Closure phases, the sum of interferometric visibility phases on a triangle of baselines, are particularly useful for studying this variability. In addition to a changing source structure, variations in observed closure phase can also be due to interstellar scattering, thermal noise, and the changing geometry of projected baselines over time due to Earth rotation. We present a metric that is able to distinguish the latter two from intrinsic or scattering variability. This metric is validated using synthetic observations of GRMHD simulations of Sgr A*. When applied to existing multi-epoch EHT data of Sgr A*, this metric shows that the data are most consistent with source models containing intrinsic variability from source dynamics, interstellar scattering, or a combination of those. The effects of black hole inclination, orientation, spin, and morphology (disk or jet) on the expected closure phase variability are also discussed.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2017

Simultaneous Monitoring of X-ray and Radio Variability in Sagittarius A*

Monitoring of Sagittarius A* from X-ray to radio wavelengths has revealed structured variability --- including X-ray flares --- but it is challenging to establish correlations between them. Most studies have focused on variability in the X-ray and infrared, where variations are often simultaneous, and because long time series at sub-millimeter and radio wavelengths are limited. Previous work on sub-mm and radio variability hints at a lag between X-ray flares and their candidate sub-millimeter or radio counterparts, with the long wavelength data lagging the X-ray. However, there is only one published time lag between an X-ray flare and a possible radio counterpart. Here we report 9 contemporaneous X-ray and radio observations of Sgr A*. We detect significant radio variability peaking $\gtrsim$176 minutes after the brightest X-ray flare ever detected from Sgr A*. We also report other potentially associated X-ray and radio variability, with the radio peaks appearing $\lesssim$80 minutes after these weaker X-ray flares. Taken at face value, these results suggest that stronger X-ray flares lead to longer time lags in the radio. However, we also test the possibility that the variability at X-ray and radio wavelengths is not temporally correlated. We cross-correlate data from mismatched X-ray and radio epochs and obtain comparable correlations to the matched data. Hence, we find no overall statistical evidence that X-ray flares and radio variability are correlated, underscoring a need for more simultaneous, long duration X-ray--radio monitoring of Sgr A*.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2017

The Black Hole Accretion Code

We present the black hole accretion code (BHAC), a new multidimensional general-relativistic magnetohydrodynamics module for the MPI-AMRVAC framework. BHAC has been designed to solve the equations of ideal general-relativistic magnetohydrodynamics in arbitrary spacetimes and exploits adaptive mesh refinement techniques with an efficient block-based approach. Several spacetimes have already been implemented and tested. We demonstrate the validity of BHAC by means of various one-, two-, and three-dimensional test problems, as well as through a close comparison with the HARM3D code in the case of a torus accreting onto a black hole. The convergence of a turbulent accretion scenario is investigated with several diagnostics and we find accretion rates and horizon-penetrating fluxes to be convergent to within a few percent when the problem is run in three dimensions. Our analysis also involves the study of the corresponding thermal synchrotron emission, which is performed by means of a new general-relativistic radiative transfer code, BHOSS. The resulting synthetic intensity maps of accretion onto black holes are found to be convergent with increasing resolution and are anticipated to play a crucial role in the interpretation of horizon-scale images resulting from upcoming radio observations of the source at the Galactic Center.

gr-qc↗

arXiv2017

Overview of lunar detection of ultra-high energy particles and new plans for the SKA

The lunar technique is a method for maximising the collection area for ultra-high-energy (UHE) cosmic ray and neutrino searches. The method uses either ground-based radio telescopes or lunar orbiters to search for Askaryan emission from particles cascading near the lunar surface. While experiments using the technique have made important advances in the detection of nanosecond-scale pulses, only at the very highest energies has the lunar technique achieved competitive limits. This is expected to change with the advent of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the low-frequency component of which (SKA-low) is predicted to be able to detect an unprecedented number of UHE cosmic rays. In this contribution, the status of lunar particle detection is reviewed, with particular attention paid to outstanding theoretical questions, and the technical challenges of using a giant radio array to search for nanosecond pulses. The activities of SKA's High Energy Cosmic Particles Focus Group are described, as is a roadmap by which this group plans to incorporate this detection mode into SKA-low observations. Estimates for the sensitivity of SKA-low phases 1 and 2 to UHE particles are given, along with the achievable science goals with each stage. Prospects for near-future observations with other instruments are also described.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2017

Faraday rotation in GRMHD simulations of the jet launching zone of M87

Non-VLBI measurements of Faraday rotation at mm wavelengths have been used to constrain mass accretion rates ($\mdot$) onto supermassive black holes in the centre of the Milky Way and in the centre of M87. We constructed general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics models for these sources that qualitatively well describe their spectra and radio/mm images invoking a coupled jet-disk system. Using general relativistic polarized radiative transfer, we now also model the observed mm rotation measure (RM) of M87. The models are tied to the observed radio flux, however, electron temperature and accretion rate are degenerate parameters and are allowed to vary. For the inferred low viewing angles of the M87 jet, the RM is low even as the black hole $\mdot$ increases by a factor of $\simeq100$. In jet-dominated models, the observed linear polarization is produced in the forward-jet, while the dense accretion disk depolarizes the bulk of the near-horizon scale emission which originates in the counter-jet. In the jet-dominated models, with increasing $\mdot$ and increasing Faraday optical depth one is progressively sensitive only to polarized emission in the forward-jet, keeping the measured RM relatively constant. The jet-dominated model reproduces a low net-polarization of $\simeq1$ per cent and RMs in agreement with observed values due to Faraday depolarization, however, with $\mdot$ much larger than the previously inferred limit of $9\times10^{-4}\,\mdotu$. All jet-dominated models produce much higher RMs for inclination angles $i\gtrsim30^\circ$, where the line-of-sight passes through the accretion flow, thereby providing independent constraints on the viewing geometry of the M87 jet.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2017

Ultimate precision in cosmic-ray radio detection --- the SKA

As of 2023, the low-frequency part of the Square Kilometre Array will go online in Australia. It will constitute the largest and most powerful low-frequency radio-astronomical observatory to date, and will facilitate a rich science programme in astronomy and astrophysics. With modest engineering changes, it will also be able to measure cosmic rays via the radio emission from extensive air showers. The extreme antenna density and the homogeneous coverage provided by more than 60,000 antennas within an area of one km$^2$ will push radio detection of cosmic rays in the energy range around 10$^{17}$ eV to ultimate precision, with superior capabilities in the reconstruction of arrival direction, energy, and an expected depth-of-shower-maximum resolution of 6~g/cm${^2}$.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2017

Radio spectra of bright compact sources at z>4.5

High-redshift quasars are important to study galaxy and active galactic nuclei (AGN) evolution, test cosmological models, and study supermassive black hole growth. Optical searches for high-redshift sources have been very successful, but radio searches are not hampered by dust obscuration and should be more effective at finding sources at even higher redshifts. Identifying high-redshift sources based on radio data is, however, not trivial. Here we report on new multi-frequency Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) observations of eight z>4.5 sources previously studied at high angular resolution with very long baseline interferometry (VLBI). Combining these observations with those from the literature, we construct broad-band radio spectra of all 30 z>4.5 sources that have been observed with VLBI. In the sample we found flat, steep and peaked spectra in approximately equal proportions. Despite several selection effects, we conclude that the z>4.5 VLBI (and likely also non-VLBI) sources have diverse spectra and that only about a quarter of the sources in the sample have flat spectra. Previously, the majority of high-redshift radio sources were identified based on their ultra-steep spectra (USS). Recently a new method has been proposed to identify these objects based on their megahertz-peaked spectra (MPS). Neither method would have identified more than 18% of the high-redshift sources in this sample. More effective methods are necessary to reliably identify complete samples of high-redshift sources based on radio data.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

Scale-invariant radio jets and varying black hole spin

Compact radio cores associated with relativistic jets are often observed in both active galactic nuclei and X-ray binaries. Their radiative properties follow some general scaling laws which primarily depend on their masses and accretion rates. However, it has been suggested that the black hole spin can also strongly influence the power and radio flux of these. Here, we attempt to estimate the dependency of the radio luminosity of steady jets launched by accretion disks on black hole mass, accretion rate and spin using numerical simulations. We make use of 3D GRMHD simulations of accretion disks around low-luminosity black holes in which the jet radio emission is produced by the jet sheath. We find that the radio flux increases roughly by a factor of 6 as the back hole spin increases from a~0 to a=0.98. This is comparable to the increase in accretion power with spin, meaning that the ratio between radio jet and accretion power is hardly changing. Although our jet spine power scales as expected for the Blandford-Znajek process, the dependency of jet radio luminosity on the black hole spin is somewhat weaker. Also weakly rotating black holes can produce visible radio jets. The overall scaling of the radio emission with black hole mass and accretion rate is consistent with the scale-invariant analytical models used to explain the fundamental plane of black hole activity. Spin does not introduce a significant scatter in this model. The jet-sheath model can describe well resolved accreting systems, such as SgrA* and M87, as well as the general scaling behavior of low-luminosity black holes. Hence the model should be applicable to a wide range of radio jets in sub-Eddington black holes. The black hole spin has an effect on the production of visible radio jet, but it may not be the main driver to produce visible radio jets. An extension of our findings to powerful quasars remains speculative.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2016

On the nature of bright compact radio sources at z>4.5

High-redshift radio-loud quasars are used to, among other things, test the predictions of cosmological models, set constraints on black hole growth in the early universe and understand galaxy evolution. Prior to this paper, 20 extragalactic radio sources at redshifts above 4.5 have been imaged with very long baseline interferometry (VLBI). Here we report on observations of an additional ten z>4.5 sources at 1.7 and 5 GHz with the European VLBI Network (EVN), thereby increasing the number of imaged sources by 50%. Combining our newly observed sources with those from the literature, we create a substantial sample of 30 z>4.5 VLBI sources, allowing us to study the nature of these objects. Using spectral indices, variability and brightness temperatures, we conclude that of the 27 sources with sufficient information to classify, the radio emission from one source is from star formation, 13 are flat-spectrum radio quasars and 13 are steep-spectrum sources. We also argue that the steep-spectrum sources are off-axis (unbeamed) radio sources with rest-frame self-absorption peaks at or below GHz frequencies and that these sources can be classified as gigahertz peaked-spectrum (GPS) and megahertz peaked-spectrum (MPS) sources.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

Asymmetric structure in Sgr A* at 3mm from closure phase measurements with VLBA, GBT and LMT

We present the results of a closure phase analysis of 3 mm very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) measurements performed on Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*). We have analyzed observations made in May 2015 using the Very Long Baseline Array, the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope and the Large Millimeter Telescope Alfonso Serrano and obtained non-zero closure phase measurements on several station triangles - indicative of a non-point-symmetric source structure. The data are fitted with an asymmetric source structure model in Sgr A*, represented by a simple two-component model, which favours a fainter component due East of the main source. This result is discussed in light of a scattering screen with substructure or an intrinsically asymmetric source.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

The lunar Askaryan technique with the Square Kilometre Array

The lunar Askaryan technique is a method to study the highest-energy cosmic rays, and their predicted counterparts, the ultra-high-energy neutrinos. By observing the Moon with a radio telescope, and searching for the characteristic nanosecond-scale Askaryan pulses emitted when a high-energy particle interacts in the outer layers of the Moon, the visible lunar surface can be used as a detection area. Several previous experiments, at Parkes, Goldstone, Kalyazin, Westerbork, the ATCA, Lovell, LOFAR, and the VLA, have developed the necessary techniques to search for these pulses, but existing instruments have lacked the necessary sensitivity to detect the known flux of cosmic rays from such a distance. This will change with the advent of the SKA. The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) will be the world's most powerful radio telescope. To be built in southern Africa, Australia and New Zealand during the next decade, it will have an unsurpassed sensitivity over the key 100 MHz to few-GHZ band. We introduce a planned experiment to use the SKA to observe the highest-energy cosmic rays and, potentially, neutrinos. The estimated event rate will be presented, along with the predicted energy and directional resolution. Prospects for directional studies with phase 1 of the SKA will be discussed, as will the major technical challenges to be overcome to make full use of this powerful instrument. Finally, we show how phase 2 of the SKA could provide a vast increase in the number of detected cosmic rays at the highest energies, and thus to provide new insight into their spectrum and origin.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2016

Lorentz factor distribution of blazars from the optical Fundamental plane of black hole activity

Blazar radiation is dominated by a relativistic jet which can be modeled at first approximation using just two intrinsic parameters - the Lorentz factor $Γ$ and the viewing angle $θ$. Blazar jet observations are often beamed due to relativistic effects, complicating the understanding of these intrinsic properties. The most common way to estimate blazar Lorentz factors needs the estimation of apparent jet speeds and Doppler beaming factors. We present a new and independent method of constructing the blazar Lorentz factor distribution, using the optical fundamental plane of black hole activity. The optical fundamental plane is a plane stretched out by both the supermassive black holes and the X-ray binaries, in the 3D space provided by their [OIII] line luminosity, radio luminosity and black hole mass. We use the intrinsic radio luminosity obtained from the optical fundamental plane to constrain the boosting parameters of the VLBA Imaging and Polarimetry Survey (VIPS) blazar sample. We find a blazar bulk Lorentz factor distribution in the form of a power law as $N(Γ) \propto Γ^{-2.1 \pm 0.4}$ for the $Γ$ range of 1 to 40. We also discuss the viewing angle distribution of the blazars and the dependence of our results on the input parameters.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2016

Linearly Polarized Millimeter and Submillimeter Continuum Emission of Sgr A* Constrained by ALMA

Our aim is to characterize the polarized continuum emission properties including intensity, polarization position angle, and polarization percentage of Sgr A* at $\sim$100 (3.0 mm), $\sim$230 (1.3 mm), $\sim$345 (0.87 mm), $\sim$500 (0.6 mm), and $\sim$700 GHz (0.43 mm). We report continuum emission properties of Sgr A* at the above frequency bands, based on the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) observations. We measured flux densities of Sgr A* from ALMA single pointing and mosaic observations. We performed sinusoidal fittings to the observed (XX-YY)/I intensity ratios, to derive the polarization position angles and polarization percentages. We successfully detect polarized continuum emission from all observed frequency bands. We observed lower Stokes I intensity at $\sim$700 GHz than that at $\sim$500 GHz, which suggests that emission at $\gtrsim$500 GHz is from optically thin part of a synchrotron emission spectrum. Both the Stokes I intensity and the polarization position angle at our highest observing frequency of $\sim$700 GHz, may be varying with time. However, we do not yet detect variation in the polarization percentage at $>$500 GHz. The polarization percentage at $\sim$700 GHz is likely lower than that at $\sim$500 GHz. By comparing the $\sim$500 GHz and $\sim$700 GHz observations with the observations at lower frequency bands, we suggest that the intrinsic polarization position angle of Sgr A* is varying with time. This paper also reports the measurable polarization properties from the observed calibration quasars. The future simultaneous multi-frequency polarization observations are required for clarifying the time and frequency variation of polarization position angle and polarization percentage.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2016

The 492 GHz emission of Sgr A* constrained by ALMA

We report linearly polarized continuum emission properties of Sgr A* at $\sim$492 GHz, based on the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) observations. We used the observations of the likely unpolarized continuum emission of Titan, and the observations of C\textsc{i} line emission, to gauge the degree of spurious polarization. The Stokes I flux of 3.6$\pm$0.72 Jy during our run is consistent with extrapolations from the previous, lower frequency observations. We found that the continuum emission of Sgr A* at $\sim$492 GHz shows large amplitude differences between the XX and the YY correlations. The observed intensity ratio between the XX and YY correlations as a function of parallactic angle may be explained by a constant polarization position angle of $\sim$158$^{\circ}$$\pm$3$^{\circ}$. The fitted polarization percentage of Sgr A* during our observational period is 14\%$\pm$1.2\%. The calibrator quasar J1744-3116 we observed at the same night can be fitted to Stokes I = 252 mJy, with 7.9\%$\pm$0.9\% polarization in position angle P.A. = 4.1$^{\circ}$$\pm$4.2$^{\circ}$. The observed polarization percentage and polarization position angle in the present work appear consistent with those expected from longer wavelength observations in the period of 1999-2005. In particular, the polarization position angle at 492 GHz, expected from the previously fitted 167$^{\circ}$$\pm$7$^{\circ}$ intrinsic polarization position angle and (-5.6$\pm$0.7)$\times$10$^{5}$ rotation measure, is 155$^{+9}_{-8}$, which is consistent with our new measurement of polarization position angle within 1$σ$. The polarization percentage and the polarization position angle may be varying over the period of our ALMA 12m Array observations, which demands further investigation with future polarization observations.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2016

General relativistic magnetohydrodynamical simulations of the jet in M87

(abridged) The connection between black hole, accretion disk, and radio jet can be best constrained by fitting models to observations of nearby low luminosity galactic nuclei, in particular the well studied sources Sgr~A* and M87. There has been considerable progress in modeling the central engine of active galactic nuclei by an accreting supermassive black hole coupled to a relativistic plasma jet. However, can a single model be applied to a range of black hole masses and accretion rates? Here we want to compare the latest three-dimensional numerical model, originally developed for Sgr A* in the center of the Milky Way, to radio observations of the much more powerful and more massive black hole in M87. We postprocess three-dimensional GRMHD models of a jet-producing radiatively inefficient accretion flow around a spinning black hole using relativistic radiative transfer and ray-tracing to produce model spectra and images. As a key new ingredient to these models, we allow the proton-electron coupling in these simulations depend on the magnetic properties of the plasma. We find that the radio emission in M87 is well described by a combination of a two-temperature accretion flow and a hot single-temperature jet. The model fits the basic observed characteristics of the M87 radio core. The best fit model has a mass-accretion rate of Mdot approx 9x10^{-3} MSUN/YR and a total jet power of P_j \sim 10^{43} erg/s. Emission at 1.3mm is produced by the counter jet close to the event horizon. Its characteristic crescent shape surrounding the black hole shadow could be resolved by future millimeter-wave VLBI experiments. The model was successfully derived from one for the supermassive black hole in center of the Milky Way by appropriately scaling mass and accretion rate. This suggests the possibility that this model could also apply to a larger range of low-luminosity black holes.

astro-ph.HE↗