arXiv subjects

Helen M. Johnston

Publications and source records attributed to Helen M. Johnston.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2020

A successful search for intervening 21 cm HI absorption in galaxies at 0.4 < z <1.0 with the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP)

We have used the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope to search for intervening 21 cm neutral hydrogen (HI) absorption along the line of sight to 53 bright radio continuum sources. Our observations are sensitive to HI column densities typical of Damped Lyman Alpha absorbers (DLAs) in cool gas with an HI spin temperature below about 300-500 K. The six-dish Boolardy Engineering Test Array (BETA) and twelve-antenna Early Science array (ASKAP-12) covered a frequency range corresponding to redshift $0.4<z<1.0$ and $0.37<z<0.77$ respectively for the HI line. Fifty of the 53 radio sources observed have reliable optical redshifts, giving a total redshift path $Δz$ = 21.37. This was a spectroscopically-untargeted survey, with no prior assumptions about the location of the lines in redshift space. Four intervening HI lines were detected, two of them new. In each case, the estimated HI column density lies above the DLA limit for HI spin temperatures above 50-80 K, and we estimate a DLA number density at redshift $z\sim0.6$ of $n(z)=0.19\substack{+0.15 \\ -0.09}$. This value lies somewhat above the general trend of $n(z)$ with redshift seen in optical DLA studies. Although the current sample is small, it represents an important proof of concept for the much larger 21cm First Large Absorption Survey in HI (FLASH) project to be carried out with the full 36-antenna ASKAP telescope, probing a total redshift path $Δz\sim\,50,000$.

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arXiv2016

The Large Area Radio Galaxy Evolution Spectroscopic Survey (LARGESS): Survey design, data catalogue and GAMA/WiggleZ spectroscopy

We present the Large Area Radio Galaxy Evolution Spectroscopic Survey (LARGESS), a spectroscopic catalogue of radio sources designed to include the full range of radio AGN populations out to redshift z = 0.8. The catalogue covers roughly 800 square degrees of sky, and provides optical identifications for 19,179 radio sources from the 1.4 GHz Faint Images of the Radio Sky at Twenty-cm (FIRST) survey down to an optical magnitude limit of i_mod < 20.5 in Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) images. Both galaxies and point-like objects are included, and no colour cuts are applied. In collaboration with the WiggleZ and Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA) spectroscopic survey teams, we have obtained new spectra for over 5,000 objects in the LARGESS sample. Combining these new spectra with data from earlier surveys provides spectroscopic data for 12,329 radio sources in the survey area, of which 10,856 have reliable redshifts. 85% of the LARGESS spectroscopic sample are radio AGN (median redshift z = 0.44), and 15% are nearby star-forming galaxies (median z = 0.08). Low-excitation radio galaxies (LERGs) comprise the majority (83%) of LARGESS radio AGN at z < 0.8, with 12% being high-excitation radio galaxies (HERGs) and 5% radio-loud QSOs. Unlike the more homogeneous LERG and QSO sub-populations, HERGs are a heterogeneous class of objects with relatively blue optical colours and a wide dispersion in mid-infrared colours. This is consistent with a picture in which most HERGs are hosted by galaxies with recent or ongoing star formation as well as a classical accretion disk.

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arXiv2015

The nature of the companion star in Circinus X-1

We present optical spectra and images of the X-ray binary Circinus X-1. The optical light curve of Cir X-1 is strongly variable, changing in brightness by 1.2 magnitudes in the space of four days. The shape of the light curve is consistent with that seen in the 1980s, when the X-ray and radio counterparts of the source were at least ten times as bright as they are currently. We detect strong, variable H-alpha emission lines, consisting of multiple components which vary with orbital phase. We estimate the extinction to the source from the strength of the diffuse interstellar bands and the Balmer decrement; the two methods give A_V = 7.6 +/- 0.6 mag and A_V > 9.1 mag respectively. The optical light curve can be modelled as arising from irradiation of the companion star by the central X-ray source, where a low-temperature star fills its Roche lobe in an orbit of moderate eccentricity (e ~ 0.4). We suggest that the companion star is over-luminous and under-dense, due to the impact of the supernova which occurred less than 5000 yr ago.

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arXiv2013

Optical Spectra of Flat-Spectrum ICRF Radio Sources

Continuing our program of spectroscopic observations of ICRF sources, we present redshifts for 120 quasars and radio galaxies. Data were obtained with five telescopes: the 3.58m ESO New Technology Telescope (NTT), the two 8.2m Gemini telescopes, the 2.5m Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT), and the 6.0m Big Azimuthal Telescope (BTA) of the Special Astrophysical Observatory in Russia. The targets were selected from the International VLBI Service for Geodesy & Astrometry (IVS) candidate International Celestial Reference Catalogue which forms part of an observational VLBI program to strengthen the celestial reference frame. We obtained spectra of the potential optical counterparts of more than 150 compact flat-spectrum radio sources, and measured redshifts of 120 emission-line objects, together with 19 BL Lac objects. These identifications add significantly to the precise radio--optical frame tie to be undertaken by Gaia, due to be launched in 2013, and to the existing data available for analysing source proper motions over the celestial sphere. We show that the distribution of redshifts for ICRF sources is consistent with the much larger sample drawn from FIRST and SDSS, implying that the ultra-compact VLBI sources are not distinguished from the overall radio-loud quasar population. In addition, we obtained NOT spectra for five radio sources from the FIRST and NVSS catalogs, selected on the basis of their red colors, which yielded three quasars with z>4.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2011

Optical Properties of High-Frequency Radio Sources from the Australia Telescope 20 GHz (AT20G) Survey

Our current understanding of radio-loud AGN comes predominantly from studies at frequencies of 5 GHz and below. With the recent completion of the Australia Telescope 20 GHz (AT20G) survey, we can now gain insight into the high-frequency radio properties of AGN. This paper presents supplementary information on the AT20G sources in the form of optical counterparts and redshifts. Optical counterparts were identified using the SuperCOSMOS database and redshifts were found from either the 6dF Galaxy survey or the literature. We also report 144 new redshifts. For AT20G sources outside the Galactic plane, 78.5% have optical identifications and 30.9% have redshift information. The optical identification rate also increases with increasing flux density. Targets which had optical spectra available were examined to obtain a spectral classification. There appear to be two distinct AT20G populations; the high luminosity quasars that are generally associated with point-source optical counterparts and exhibit strong emission lines in the optical spectrum, and the lower luminosity radio galaxies that are generally associated with passive galaxies in both the optical images and spectroscopic properties. It is suggested that these different populations can be associated with different accretion modes (cold-mode or hot-mode). We find that the cold-mode sources have a steeper spectral index and produce more luminous radio lobes, but generally reside in smaller host galaxies than their hot-mode counterparts. This can be attributed to the fact that they are accreting material more efficiently. Lastly, we compare the AT20G survey with the S-cubed semi-empirical (S3-SEX) models and conclude that the S3-SEX models need refining to correctly model the compact cores of AGN. The AT20G survey provides the ideal sample to do this.

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arXiv2011

Photometric Observations of Three High Mass X-Ray Binaries and a Search for Variations Induced by Orbital Motion

We searched for long period variation in V-band, Ic-band and RXTE X-ray light curves of the High Mass X-ray Binaries (HMXBs) LS 1698 / RX J1037.5-5647, HD 110432 / 1H 1249-637 and HD 161103 / RX J1744.7-2713 in an attempt to discover orbitally induced variation. Data were obtained primarily from the ASAS database and were supplemented by shorter term observations made with the 24- and 40-inch ANU telescopes and one of the robotic PROMPT telescopes. Fourier periodograms suggested the existence of long period variation in the V-band light curves of all three HMXBs, however folding the data at those periods did not reveal convincing periodic variation. At this point we cannot rule out the existence of long term V-band variation for these three sources and hints of longer term variation may be seen in the higher precision PROMPT data. Long term V-band observations, on the order of several years, taken at a frequency of at least once per week and with a precision of 0.01 mag, therefore still have a chance of revealing long term variation in these three HMXBs.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2010

The gamma-ray binary LS 5039: mass and orbit constraints from MOST observations

The results of a coordinated space-based photometric and ground-based spectroscopic observing campaign on the enigmatic gamma-ray binary LS 5039 are reported. Sixteen days of observations from the MOST satellite have been combined with high-resolution optical echelle spectroscopy from the 2.3m ANU Telescope in Siding Spring, Australia. These observations were used to measure the orbital parameters of the binary and to study the properties of stellar wind from the O primary. We found that any broad-band optical photometric variability at the orbital period is below the 2 mmag level, supporting the scenario that the orbital eccentricity of the system is near the 0.24 +/- 0.08 value implied by our spectroscopy, which is lower than values previously obtained by other workers. The low amplitude optical variability also implies the component masses are at the higher end of estimates based on the primary's O6.5V((f)) spectral type with a primary mass of ~26 solar masses and a mass for the compact star of at least 1.8 solar masses. The mass loss rate from the O primary was determined to be 3.7E-7 to 4.8E-7 solar masses per year.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2010

The extraordinary radio galaxy MRC B1221-423: probing deeper at radio and optical wavelengths

We present optical spectra and high-resolution multi-wavelength radio observations of the compact steep-spectrum radio source MRC B1221-423 (z=0.1706). MRC B1221-423 is a very young (~10^5 yr), powerful radio source which is undergoing a tidal interaction with a companion galaxy. We find strong evidence of interaction between the AGN and its environment. The radio morphology is highly distorted, showing a dramatic interaction between the radio jet and the host galaxy, with the jet being turned almost back on itself. H I observations show strong absorption against the nucleus at an infall velocity of ~250 km/s compared to the stellar velocity, as well as a second, broader component which may represent gas falling into the nucleus. Optical spectra show that star formation is taking place across the whole system. Broad optical emission lines in the nucleus show evidence of outflow. Our observations confirm that MRC B1221-423 is a young radio source in a gas-rich nuclear environment, and that there was a time delay of a few x 100 Myr between the onset of star formation and the triggering of the AGN.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2008

The clustering of radio galaxies at z~0.55 from the 2SLAQ LRG survey

We examine the clustering properties of low-power radio galaxies at redshift 0.4<z<0.8, using data from the 2SLAQ Luminous Red Galaxy (LRG) survey. We find that radio-detected LRGs (with optical luminosities of 3-5L* and 1.4GHz radio powers between 1e24 and 1e26 W/Hz) are significantly more clustered than a matched sample of radio-quiet LRGs with the same distribution in optical luminosity and colour. The measured scale length of the 2pt auto-correlation function, r0, is 12.3+/-1.2 1/h Mpc and 9.02+/-0.52 1/h Mpc for the radio-detected and radio-quiet samples respectively. Using the halo model framework we demonstrate that the radio-loud LRGs have typical halo masses of 10.1+/-1.4 x10^13 1/h M_sun compared to 6.44+/-0.32 x10^13 1/h M_sun for the radio-quiet sample. A model in which the radio-detected LRGs are almost all central galaxies within haloes provides the best fit, and we estimate that at least 30% of LRGs with the same clustering amplitude as the radio-detected LRGs are currently radio-loud. Our results imply that radio-loud LRGs typically occupy more massive haloes than other LRGs of the same optical luminosity, so the probability of finding a radio-loud AGN in a massive galaxy at z~0.55 is influenced by the halo mass in addition to the dependence on optical luminosity. If we model the radio-loud fraction of LRGs, F_rad, as a function of halo mass M, then the data are well-fitted by a power law of the form F_rad \propto M^(0.65+/-0.23). The relationship between radio emission and clustering strength could arise either through a higher fuelling rate of gas onto the central black holes of galaxies in the most massive haloes (producing more powerful radio jets) or through the presence of a denser IGM (providing a more efficient working surface for the jets, thus boosting their radio luminosity).

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Radio galaxies in the 2SLAQ Luminous Red Galaxy survey: II. The stellar populations of radio-loud and radio-quiet LRGs

We present an analysis of the optical spectra of a volume-limited sample of 375 radio galaxies at redshift 0.4 10^26 W/Hz) have younger stars and stronger emission lines than the less powerful sources. This suggests that we have located the threshold in radio power where strong emission lines "switch on", at radio powers of around 10^26 W/Hz. Except for the very powerful radio galaxies, the presence of a currently-active radio AGN does not appear to be correlated with any change in the observed stellar population of a luminous red galaxy at z~0.5.

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arXiv2007

Finding Periods in High Mass X-Ray Binaries

This is a call for amateur astronomers who have the equipment and experience for producing high quality photometry to contribute to a program of finding periods in the optical light curves of high mass X-ray binaries (HMXB). HMXBs are binary stars in which the lighter star is a neutron star or a black hole and the more massive star is an O type supergiant or a Be type main sequence star. Matter is transferred from the ordinary star to the compact object and X-rays are produced as the the gravitational energy of the accreting gas is converted into light. HMXBs are very bright, many are brighter than 10th magnitude, and so make perfect targets for experienced amateur astronomers with photometry capable CCD equipment coupled with almost any size telescope.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

MRC B1221-423: a compact steep-spectrum radio source in a merging galaxy

We present BVRIK images and spectroscopic observations of the z=0.17 host galaxy of the compact steep-spectrum radio source MRC B1221-423. This is a young (~1e5 yr) radio source with double lobes lying well within the visible galaxy. The host galaxy is undergoing tidal interaction with a nearby companion, with shells, tidal tails, and knotty star-forming regions all visible. We analyse the images of the galaxy and its companion pixel-by-pixel, first using colour-magnitude diagrams, and then fitting stellar population models to the spectral energy distributions of each pixel. The pixels separate cleanly in colour-magnitude diagrams, with pixels of different colours occupying distinct regions of the host galaxy and its companion. We find three distinct groups of ages: an old population in the outskirts of the host galaxy; an intermediate-age population around the nucleus and tidal tail, and a young population in the nucleus and blue "knots". The correlation of age with position suggests the two most recent episodes were triggered by tidal interactions with the companion galaxy. The evidence points to the AGN in the centre of B1221-423 having been "caught in the act" of ignition. However, none of the components we have identified is as young as the radio source, implying that the delay between the interaction and the triggering of the AGN is at least 300 My.

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arXiv2001

Secular and orbital variability of Cir X-1 observed in optical spectra

We have observed variations in the optical emission lines from the X-ray binary Circinus X-1. These variations may be attributed both to orbital variations and to long term secular changes in line strength. We have detected double-peaked H-alpha emission lines on two occasions, providing the first direct evidence for an accretion disk in the system. The separation of the peaks was different on the two occasions, suggesting that the disk might have a different size. The equivalent width of the emission lines dropped by more than a factor of three between 1999 and 2000; this continues the trend seen in earlier data, so that the H-alpha equivalent width has now declined by a factor of twenty since 1976. The emission lines do not appear to show signature of orbital motion, except for the data taken near phase 0, which show a significant velocity shift. We have observed an absorption component to the He I lines on one occasion. We suggest that, unlike the P Cygni profiles seen in X-ray spectra, this absorption does not arise in the accelerating zone of a radiatively driven wind. Instead, the absorption arises in material previously ejected from the system. It was only seen on this one occasion because the strength of the emission line had dropped dramatically.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Optical Spectroscopy of GX339-4 during the High-Soft and Low-Hard States II: Line Ionisation and Emission Region

We have carried out observations of the X-ray transient GX339-4 during its high-soft and low-hard X-ray spectral states. Our high-resolution spectroscopic observation in 1999 April suggests that the H-alpha line has a single-peaked profile in the low-hard state as speculated in our previous paper. The HeII 4686 line, however, has a double-peaked profile in both the high-soft and low-hard states. This suggests that the line-emission mechanism is different in the two states. Our interpretation is that double-peaked lines are emitted from a temperature-inversion layer on the accretion-disk surface when it is irradiatively heated by soft X-rays. Single-peaked lines may be emitted from outflow/wind matter driven by hard X-ray heating. We have constructed a simple plane-parallel model and we use it to illustrate that a temperature-inversion layer can be formed at the disk surface under X-ray illumination. We also discuss the conditions required for the formation of temperature inversion and line emission. Based on the velocity separations measured for the double-peaked lines in the high-soft state, we propose that GX339-4 is a low-inclination binary system. The orbital inclination is about 15 deg if the orbital period is 14.8 hours.

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arXiv2000

Multiple and variable X-ray sources in the globular clusters omega Cen, NGC6397, NGC6752, and Liller 1

We detect stars from the Hipparcos and Tycho Catalogues in the field of view of observations with the ROSAT HRI of three globular clusters. We use the positions of these stars to reduce the systematic error in the positions of X-ray sources in the clusters to ~2'' for omega Cen and NGC6752, and 1'' for NGC6397. We detect three X-ray sources in the core of omega Cen, and four in the core of NGC6752; the data for the center of NGC6397 may be fitted with five or six sources. Outside the cores, but within the half-mass radius of the clusters, we detect two sources in omega Cen, one in NGC6397 and two in NGC6752; these may or may not be cluster members. A ROSAT HRI observation of Liller 1 does not detect a low-luminosity source, at a limit below a detection with ASCA. We discuss the nature of the low-luminosity X-ray sources in globular clusters in the light of these new results.

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