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Hugo Messias

Publications and source records attributed to Hugo Messias.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Orbital motion near Sagittarius A* -- Constraints from polarimetric ALMA observations

We report on the polarized light curves of the Galactic Center supermassive black hole Sagittarius A*, obtained at millimeter wavelength with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). The observations took place as a part of the Event Horizon Telescope campaign. We compare the observations taken during the low variability source state on 2017 Apr 6 and 7 with those taken immediately after the X-ray flare on 2017 Apr 11. For the latter case, we observe rotation of the electric vector position angle with a timescale of $\sim 70$ min. We interpret this rotation as a signature of the equatorial clockwise orbital motion of a hot spot embedded in a magnetic field dominated by a dynamically important vertical component, observed at a low inclination $\sim20^\circ$. The hot spot radiates strongly polarized synchrotron emission, briefly dominating the linear polarization measured by ALMA in the unresolved source. Our simple emission model captures the overall features of the polarized light curves remarkably well. Assuming a Keplerian orbit, we find the hot spot orbital radius to be $\sim$ 5 Schwarzschild radii. We observe hints of a positive black hole spin, that is, a prograde hot spot motion. Accounting for the rapidly varying rotation measure, we estimate the projected on-sky axis of the angular momentum of the hot spot to be $\sim 60^\circ$ east of north, with a 180$^\circ$ ambiguity. These results suggest that the accretion structure in Sgr A* is a magnetically arrested disk rotating clockwise.

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Tracing the Ionization Structure of the Shocked Filaments of NGC 6240

We study the ionization and excitation structure of the interstellar medium in the late-stage gas-rich galaxy merger NGC 6240 using a suite of emission line maps at $\sim$25 pc resolution from the Hubble Space Telescope, Keck NIRC2 with Adaptive Optics, and ALMA. NGC 6240 hosts a superwind driven by intense star formation and/or one or both of two active nuclei; the outflows produce bubbles and filaments seen in shock tracers from warm molecular gas (H$_2$ 2.12$μ$m) to optical ionized gas ([O III], [N II], [S II], [O I]) and hot plasma (Fe XXV). In the most distinct bubble, we see a clear shock front traced by high [O III]/H$β$ and [O III]/[O I]. Cool molecular gas (CO(2-1)) is only present near the base of the bubble, towards the nuclei launching the outflow. We interpret the lack of molecular gas outside the bubble to mean that the shock front is not responsible for dissociating molecular gas, and conclude that the molecular clouds are partly shielded and either entrained briefly in the outflow, or left undisturbed while the hot wind flows around them. Elsewhere in the galaxy, shock-excited H$_2$ extends at least $\sim$4 kpc from the nuclei, tracing molecular gas even warmer than that between the nuclei, where the two galaxies' interstellar media are colliding. A ridgeline of high [O III]/H$β$ emission along the eastern arm aligns with the south nucleus' stellar disk minor axis; optical integral field spectroscopy from WiFeS suggests this highly ionized gas is centered at systemic velocity and likely photoionized by direct line-of-sight to the south AGN.

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An ACA 1mm survey of HzRGs in the ELAIS-S1: survey description and first results

Radio-emitting jets might be one of the main ingredients shaping the evolution of massive galaxies in the Universe since early cosmic times. However, identifying early radio active galactic nuclei (AGN) and confirming this scenario has been hard to accomplish, with studies of samples of radio AGN hosts at z>2 becoming routinely possible only recently. With the above in mind, we have carried out a survey with the Atacama Compact Array (ACA, or Morita Array) at 1.3 mm (rms=0.15 mJy) of 36 high-redshift radio AGN candidates found within 3.9deg2 in the ELAIS-S1 field. The work presented here describes the survey and showcases a preliminary set of results. The selection of the sample was based on three criteria making use of infrared (IR) and radio fluxes only. The criterion providing the highest selection rate of high-redshift sources (86% at z>0.8) is one combining an IR colour cut and radio flux cut (S(5.8um)/S(3.6um)>1.3 and S(1.4GHz)>1mJy). Among the sample of 36 sources, 16 show a millimetre (mm) detection. In eight of these cases, the emission has a non-thermal origin. A zsp=1.58 object, with a mm detection of non-thermal origin, shows a clear spatial offset between the jet-dominated mm continuum emission and that of the host's molecular gas, as traced by serendipitously detected CO(5-4) emission. Among the objects with serendipitous line detections there is a source with a narrow jet-like region, as revealed by CS(6-5) emission stretching 20kpc out of the host galaxy.

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Polarimetric properties of Event Horizon Telescope targets from ALMA

We present the results from a full polarization study carried out with ALMA during the first VLBI campaign, which was conducted in Apr 2017 in the $λ$3mm and $λ$1.3mm bands, in concert with the Global mm-VLBI Array (GMVA) and the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), respectively. We determine the polarization and Faraday properties of all VLBI targets, including Sgr A*, M87, and a dozen radio-loud AGN. We detect high linear polarization fractions (2-15%) and large rotation measures (RM $>10^{3.3}-10^{5.5}$ rad m$^{-2}$). For Sgr A* we report a mean RM of $(-4.2\pm0.3) \times10^5$ rad m$^{-2}$ at 1.3 mm, consistent with measurements over the past decade, and, for the first time, an RM of $(-2.1\pm0.1) \times10^5$ rad m$^{-2}$ at 3 mm, suggesting that about half of the Faraday rotation at 1.3 mm may occur between the 3 mm photosphere and the 1.3 mm source. We also report the first unambiguous measurement of RM toward the M87 nucleus at mm wavelengths, which undergoes significant changes in magnitude and sign reversals on a one year time-scale, spanning the range from -1.2 to 0.3 $\times\,10^5$ rad m$^{-2}$ at 3 mm and -4.1 to 1.5 $\times\,10^5$ rad m$^{-2}$ at 1.3 mm. Given this time variability, we argue that, unlike the case of Sgr A*, the RM in M87 does not provide an accurate estimate of the mass accretion rate onto the black hole. We put forward a two-component model, comprised of a variable compact region and a static extended region, that can simultaneously explain the polarimetric properties observed by both the EHT and ALMA. These measurements provide critical constraints for the calibration, analysis, and interpretation of simultaneously obtained VLBI data with the EHT and GMVA.

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The ObsMode 2020 Process

ObsMode is a yearly process which aims at preparing capabilities for future ALMA Observing cycles. The process has been running for a number of years tied to each ALMA observing cycle, with various leaderships. This document specifically summarizes the ObsMode2020 process (April- October 2020) with a new scheme led by the Joint ALMA Observatory. In the ObsMode2020 process, seven capabilities are identified as high priority items, for which it was originally aimed to be ready for Cycle 9. However, because of the observatory shutdown due to the covid-19 pandemic, we were forced to delay the test plan by one year. While no new data sets were obtained during the observatory shutdown, verifications using the existing data allowed us to offer the 7m-array polarization capability (in ACA standalone mode, single field) for Cycle 8 starting from October, 2021. In addition, subsystem readiness and policy-side preparations for the phased array observing mode were improved for Cycle 8. Other high priority items were decided to be carried over to the ObsMode2021 process.

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Dying of the Light: An X-ray Fading Cold Quasar at z ~ 0.405

Cold quasars are a rare subpopulation observed to host unobscured, X-ray luminous active galactic nuclei (AGN) while also retaining a cold gas supply fueling high star formation rates. These objects are interpreted as AGN early in their evolution. We present new SOFIA HAWC+ far-infrared observations, FUV-FIR photometry, and optical spectroscopy to characterize the accretion and star formation behavior in a cold quasar at z ~ 0.405 (CQ 4479). CQ 4479 is a starburst galaxy with a predominantly young stellar population and a high gas mass fraction of ~50-70%. The AGN component has yet to become the dominant component of the FIR emission. We also find AGN bolometric luminosity that varies as a function of observation method and AGN region probed. Finally, we identify a candidate outflow feature corroborating the hypothesis that cold quasars have energetic feedback. This object presents an intriguing look into the early stages of AGN feedback and probes the rare phase where an AGN and cold gaseous component co-exist.

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How to Fuel an AGN: Mapping Circumnuclear Gas in NGC 6240 with ALMA

Dynamical black hole mass measurements in some gas-rich galaxy mergers indicate that they are overmassive relative to their host galaxy properties. Overmassive black holes in these systems present a conflict with the standard progression of galaxy merger - quasar evolution; an alternative explanation is that a nuclear concentration of molecular gas driven inward by the merger is affecting these dynamical black hole mass estimates. We test for the presence of such gas near the two black holes in NGC 6240 using long-baseline ALMA Band 6 observations (beam size 0"06 $\times$ 0"03 or 30 pc$\times$15 pc). We find (4.2-9.8) $\times10^{7}$ M$_{\odot}$ and (1.2-7.7) $\times10^{8}$ M$_{\odot}$ of molecular gas within the resolution limit of the original black hole mass measurements for the north and south black holes, respectively. In the south nucleus, this measurement implies that 6-89% of the original black hole mass measurement actually comes from molecular gas, resolving the tension in the original black hole scaling relations. For the north, only 5% to 11% is coming from molecular gas, suggesting the north black hole is actually overmassive. Our analysis provides the first measurement of significant molecular gas masses contaminating dynamical black hole mass measurements. These high central molecular gas densities further present a challenge to theoretical black hole accretion prescriptions, which often assume accretion proceeds rapidly through the central 10 pc.

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First M87 Event Horizon Telescope Results and the Role of ALMA

In April 2019, the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) collaboration revealed the first image of the candidate super-massive black hole (SMBH) at the centre of the giant elliptical galaxy Messier 87 (M87). This event-horizon-scale image shows a ring of glowing plasma with a dark patch at the centre, which is interpreted as the shadow of the black hole. This breakthrough result, which represents a powerful confirmation of Einstein's theory of gravity, or general relativity, was made possible by assembling a global network of radio telescopes operating at millimetre wavelengths that for the first time included the Atacama Large Millimeter/ submillimeter Array (ALMA). The addition of ALMA as an anchor station has enabled a giant leap forward by increasing the sensitivity limits of the EHT by an order of magnitude, effectively turning it into an imaging array. The published image demonstrates that it is now possible to directly study the event horizon shadows of SMBHs via electromagnetic radiation, thereby transforming this elusive frontier from a mathematical concept into an astrophysical reality. The expansion of the array over the next few years will include new stations on different continents - and eventually satellites in space. This will provide progressively sharper and higher-fidelity images of SMBH candidates, and potentially even movies of the hot plasma orbiting around SMBHs. These improvements will shed light on the processes of black hole accretion and jet formation on event-horizon scales, thereby enabling more precise tests of general relativity in the truly strong field regime.

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The molecular-gas properties in the gravitationally lensed merger HATLAS J142935.3-002836

Follow-up observations of (sub-)mm-selected gravitationally-lensed systems have allowed a more detailed study of the dust-enshrouded phase of star-formation up to very early cosmic times. Here, the case of the gravitationally lensed merger in HATLAS J142935.3-002836 (also known as H1429-0028; z_lens=0.218, z_bkg=1.027) is revisited following recent developments in the literature and new APEX observations targeting two carbon monoxide (CO) rotational transitions J_up=3 and 6. We show that the line-profiles comprise three distinct velocity components, where the fainter high-velocity one is less magnified and more compact. The modelling of the observed spectral line energy distribution of CO J_up=2 to 6 and [CI]3P_1-3P_0 assumes a large velocity gradient scenario, where the analysis is based on four statistical approaches. Since the detected gas and dust emission comes exclusively from only one of the two merging components (the one oriented North-South, NS), we are only able to determine upper-limits for the companion. The molecular gas in the NS component in H1429-0028 is found to have a temperature of ~70K, a volume density of log(n[/cm3])~3.7, to be expanding at ~10km/s/pc, and amounts to M_H2=4(-2,+3)*1e9 Msun. The CO to H2 conversion factor is estimated to be alpha_CO=0.4(-0.2,+0.3) Msun/(K.km/s.pc2). The NS galaxy is expected to have a factor of >10x more gas than its companion (M_H2<3e8 Msun). Nevertheless, the total amount of molecular gas in the system comprises only up to 15 per cent (1sigma upper-limit) of the total (dynamical) mass.

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Calibration of ALMA as a phased array: ALMA observations during the 2017 VLBI campaign

We present a detailed description of the special procedures for calibration and quality assurance of Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations in Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) mode. These procedures are required to turn the phased ALMA array into a fully calibrated VLBI station. As an illustration of these methodologies, we present full-polarization observations carried out with ALMA as a phased array at 3mm (Band 3) and 1.3mm (Band 6) as part of Cycle-4. These are the first VLBI science observations conducted with ALMA and were obtained during a 2017 VLBI campaign in concert with other telescopes worldwide as part of the Global mm-VLBI Array (GMVA, April 1-3) and the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT, April 5-11) in ALMA Bands 3 and 6, respectively.

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The first Super Massive Black Holes: indications from models for future observations

We present an exploration of the expected detection of the earliest Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) in the Universe from state-of-art galaxy formation and evolution semi-analytic models and hydro-dynamical simulations. We estimate the number and radiative characteristics of Super Massive Black Holes (SMBHs) at $z\geq 6$, a redshift range that will be intensively explored by the next generation of telescopes, in particular in the radio through the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and at high energies with ESA's Athena X-ray Observatory. We find that Athena will be able to observe over 5000 AGN/$\rm deg^2$ at the Epoch of Re-ionization (EoR), $6\leq z \leq 10$. Similarly, for the same redshift range the models/simulations suggest that SKA will detect at least 400 AGN/$\rm deg^2$. Additionally, we stress the importance of the volume of the simulation box as well as the initial physical conditions of the models/simulations on their effect on the luminosity functions (LFs) and the creation of the most massive SMBHs that we currently observe at the EoR. Furthermore, following the evolution of the accretion mode of the SMBHs in each model/simulation, we show that, while the quasar dominates over the radio mode at the EoR, detection at radio wavelengths still reaches significant numbers even at the highest redshifts. Finally, we present the effect that the radiative efficiency has on the LFs by comparing results produced with a constant value for the radiative efficiency and more complex calculations based on the spin of each SMBH.

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SOFIA/HAWC+ detection of a gravitationally lensed starburst galaxy at $z$ = 1.03

We present the detection at 89 $μ$m (observed frame) of the {\it Herschel}-selected gravitationally lensed starburst galaxy HATLASJ1429-0028 (also known as G15v2.19) in 15 minutes with the High-resolution Airborne Wideband Camera-plus (HAWC+) onboard the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). The spectacular lensing system consists of an edge-on foreground disk galaxy at $z$ = 0.22 and a nearly complete Einstein ring of an intrinsic ultra-luminous infrared galaxy at $z$ = 1.03. Is this high IR luminosity powered by pure star formation (SF) or also an active galactic nucleus (AGN)? Previous nebular line diagnostics indicate that it is star-formation dominated. We perform a 27-band multi-wavelength spectral energy distribution modeling (SED) including the new SOFIA/HAWC+ data to constrain the fractional AGN contribution to the total IR luminosity. The AGN fraction in the IR turns out to be negligible. In addition, J1429-0028 serves as a testbed for comparing SED results from different models/templates and SED codes (MAGPHYS, SED3FIT, and CIGALE). We stress that star formation history is the dominant source of uncertainty in the derived stellar mass (as high as a factor of $\sim$ 10) even in the case of extensive photometric coverage. Furthermore, the detection of a source at $z$ $\sim$ 1 with SOFIA/HAWC+ demonstrates the potential of utilizing this facility for distant galaxy studies including the decomposition of SF/AGN components, which cannot be accomplished with other current facilities.

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A resolved warm/dense gas Schmidt-Kennicutt relationship in a binary HyLIRG at $z=2.41$

Hyperluminous infrared galaxies (HyLIRGs) provide crucial "long lever arm" constraints on galaxy evolution. H-ATLAS $J084933.4+021443$, a $z=2.41$ binary HyLIRG with at least two additional luminous companion galaxies, is thus an optimal test-ground for studies of star formation and galaxy evolution during "cosmic noon". We have used ALMA to obtain resolved imaging and kinematics of atomic and molecular emission lines, and rest-frame $340$ to $1160$GHz continuum emission, for the known luminous component galaxies in H-ATLAS $J084933.4+021443$: W, T, M, C. All four component galaxies are spatially ($\sim 0 .\!\!^{''} 3$ or $2.5$kpc) resolved in CO J:7-6, [C$_\mathrm{I}$] 2-1, H$_2$O and the millimetre (mm) to sub-mm continuum. Rotation-dominated gas kinematics is confirmed in W and T. The significant extension to component T, in gas and continuum, along its kinematic minor axis, is attributable to its lensing magnification. Spatially resolved sub-mm spectral energy distributions reveal that component W is well fit with greybody emission from dust at a single temperature over the full extent of the galaxy, despite it containing a powerful AGN, while component T requires an additional component of hotter nuclear dust and additional sources of emission in the mm. We confirm that [C$_\mathrm{I}$] 2-1 can be used as a rough tracer of warm/dense molecular gas in extreme systems, though the [C$_\mathrm{I}$] 2-1/CO luminosity ratio increases sub-linearly. We obtain an exquisite and unprecedented resolved ($2.5$-kpc-scale) "warm/dense molecular gas" Schmidt-Kennicutt (SK) relationship for components W and T. Gas exhaustion times for all apertures in W (T) are $1-4$Gyr ($0.5-2$Gyr). Both W and T follow a resolved "warm/dense gas" SK relationship with power law $n\sim1.7$, significantly steeper than the $n\sim1$ found previously via "cold" molecular gas in nearby "normal" star-forming galaxies.

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Multi-wavelength lens reconstruction of a $\textit{Planck}$ $\&$ $\textit{Herschel}$-detected star-bursting galaxy

We present a source-plane reconstruction of a ${\it Herschel}$ and ${\it Planck}$-detected gravitationally-lensed dusty star-forming galaxy (DSFG) at $z=1.68$ using {\it Hubble}, Sub-millimeter Array (SMA), and Keck observations. The background sub-millimeter galaxy (SMG) is strongly lensed by a foreground galaxy cluster at $z=0.997$ and appears as an arc of length $\sim 15^{\prime \prime}$ in the optical images. The continuum dust emission, as seen by SMA, is limited to a single knot within this arc. We present a lens model with source plane reconstructions at several wavelengths to show the difference in magnification between the stars and dust, and highlight the importance of a multi-wavelength lens models for studies involving lensed DSFGs. We estimate the physical properties of the galaxy by fitting the flux densities to model SEDs leading to a magnification-corrected star formation rate of $390 \pm 60$ M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$ and a stellar mass of $1.1 \pm 0.4\times 10^{11}$ M$_{\odot}$. These values are consistent with high-redshift massive galaxies that have formed most of their stars already. The estimated gas-to-baryon fraction, molecular gas surface density, and SFR surface density have values of $0.43 \pm 0.13$, $350 \pm 200$ M$_{\odot}$ pc$^{-2}$, and $\sim 12 \pm 7~$M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$ kpc$^{-2}$, respectively. The ratio of star formation rate surface density to molecular gas surface density puts this among the most star-forming systems, similar to other measured SMGs and local ULIRGS.

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The European ALMA Regional Centre Network: A Geographically Distributed User Support Model

In recent years there has been a paradigm shift from centralised to geographically distributed resources. Individual entities are no longer able to host or afford the necessary expertise in-house, and, as a consequence, society increasingly relies on widespread collaborations. Although such collaborations are now the norm for scientific projects, more technical structures providing support to a distributed scientific community without direct financial or other material benefits are scarce. The network of European ALMA Regional Centre (ARC) nodes is an example of such an internationally distributed user support network. It is an organised effort to provide the European ALMA user community with uniform expert support to enable optimal usage and scientific output of the ALMA facility. The network model for the European ARC nodes is described in terms of its organisation, communication strategies and user support.

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Extinction and nebular line properties of a Herschel-selected lensed dusty starburst AT z=1.027

We present Hubble Space Telescope (HST) WFC3 imaging and grism spectroscopy observations of the {\it Herschel}-selected gravitationally-lensed starburst galaxy HATLASJ1429-0028. The lensing system consists of an edge-on foreground disk galaxy at $z=0.218$ with a nearly complete Einstein ring of the infrared luminous galaxy at $z=1.027$. The WFC3 spectroscopy with G102 and G141 grisms, covering the wavelength range of 0.8 to 1.7 $μ$m, resulted in detections of H$α$+[NII], H$β$, [SII], and [OIII] for the background galaxy from which we measure line fluxes and ratios. The Balmer line ratio H$α$/H$β$ of $7.5 \pm 4.4$, when corrected for [NII], results in an extinction for the starburst galaxy of $E(B-V)=0.8 \pm 0.5$. The $Hα$ based star-formation rate, when corrected for extinction, is $60 \pm 50$ M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$, lower than the instantaneous star-formation rate of 390 $\pm$ 90 M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$ from the total IR luminosity. We also compare the nebular line ratios of HATLASJ1429-0028 with other star-forming and sub-mm bright galaxies. The nebular line ratios are consistent with an intrinsic ultra-luminous infrared galaxy with no evidence for excitation by an active galactic nucleus (AGN). We estimate the metallicity, $12 + log(O/H)$, of HATLASJ1429-0028 to be 8.49 $\pm$ 0.16. Such a low value is below the average relations for stellar mass vs. metallicity of galaxies at $z \sim 1$ for a galaxy with stellar mass of $\sim 2 \times 10^{11}$ M$_{\odot}$. The combination of high stellar mass, lack of AGN indicators, low metallicity, and the high star-formation rate of HATLASJ1429-0028 suggest that this galaxy is currently undergoing a rapid formation.

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Herschel-ATLAS and ALMA: HATLAS J142935.3-002836, a lensed major merger at redshift 1.027

[Abridged] Aims: This work focuses on one lensed system, HATLAS J142935.3-002836 (H1429-0028), selected in the Herschel-ATLAS field. Gathering a rich, multi-wavelength dataset, we aim to confirm the lensing hypothesis and model the background source's morphology and dynamics, as well as to provide a full physical characterisation. Methods: Multi-wavelength high-resolution data is utilised to assess the nature of the system. A lensing-analysis algorithm which simultaneously fits different wavebands is adopted to characterise the lens. The background galaxy dynamical information is studied by reconstructing the 3-D source-plane of the ALMA CO(J:4-3) transition. Near-IR imaging from HST and Keck-AO allows to constrain rest-frame optical photometry independently for the foreground and background systems. Physical parameters (such as stellar and dust masses) are estimated via modelling of the spectral energy distribution taking into account source blending, foreground obscuration, and differential magnification. Results: The system comprises a foreground edge-on disk galaxy (at z_sp=0.218) with an almost complete Einstein ring around it. The background source (at z_sp=1.027) is magnified by a factor of ~8-10 depending on wavelength. It is comprised of two components and a tens of kpc long tidal tail resembling the Antennae merger. As a whole, the system is a massive stellar system (1.32[-0.41,+0.63] x1E11 Mo) forming stars at a rate of 394+-90 Mo/yr, and has a significant gas reservoir M_ISM = 4.6+-1.7 x1E10 Mo. Its depletion time due to star formation alone is thus expected to be tau_SF=M_ISM/SFR=117+-51 Myr. The dynamical mass of one of the components is estimated to be 5.8+-1.7 x1E10 Mo, and, together with the photometric total mass estimate, it implies that H1429-0028 is a major merger system (1:2.8[-1.5,+1.8]).

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Setting new Cosmology constraints with ALMA

I make a short revision of Cosmology questions which ALMA was built to address. Without diving into much detail, I point out the ALMA specifications and strategies which are expected to provide a better handle of: the temperature evolution of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) and the properties of its secondary anisotropies (such as the thermal and kinetic Sunyaev-Zel'dovich and the Ostriker-Vishniac effects); variability of dimensionless fundamental constants; Ho and galaxy initial mass function by means of strong gravitational lensing; black hole science with the greatly expected Event Horizon Telescope.

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