arXiv subjects

J. A. Zensus

Publications and source records attributed to J. A. Zensus.

At least 253 records · Page 14Linked to original sources

arXiv2006

"Oscillating" components in the BL Lac object 0716+714?

15 VLBA observations of the BL Lac object 0716+714, performed between 1994.67 and 2006.40 at 15 GHz, have been analyzed. Part of the data (12 epochs) were obtained within the Mojave-survey project and reanalyzed by us. We present a new motion scenario for jet model component motion in this source which suggests that no longterm-outward motion but rather an oscillation of components around an average core separation is taking place. Although no significant outward motion in the core separation can be found, motion with regard to the position angle is observed. We give lower limits for the derived apparent motions and Doppler factors and compare them with values published in the literature. We find a relation between the total flux-density evolution at 14.5 GHz (UMRAO data) and the position angle changes observed for the jet component closest to the core. We suggest a significant geometric contribution to the longterm flux-density variability in 0716+714.

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arXiv2006

Highest-Resolution Radio Astronomy: The Quest for the Black Hole

Radio observations with Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) provide the highest resolution in astronomy. Combining earth-bound with space-based telescopes and advancing the observations to mm-wavelengths increases the resolution even further. These methods enable us to probe directly the vicinities of the presumed central black holes in active galactic nuclei (AGN) and the powerful jets emanating from these objects. We provide a brief review of recent results in this exciting research domain and we discuss the opportunities for future work possible with the advent of new instrumental developments.

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arXiv2006

Towards the Event Horizon - High Resolution VLBI Imaging of Nuclei of Active Galaxies

We report on new developments in VLBI, with emphasis on experiments performed at the highest frequencies possible to date (so called mm-VLBI). We have observed the nucleus of M 87 (Virgo A) with global VLBI at 3 mm. We show a new image of the inner-most jet region with an angular resolution of approx. 300 x 60 micro-arcseconds. In terms of Schwarzschild radii, this leads to an upper limit of the jet base of approx. 100 x 20 Schwarzschild radii. We also report on two VLBI pilot-experiments, which demonstrate the technical feasibility of global VLBI at 150 and 230 GHz (2 mm and 1.3 mm). The experiments lead to upper limits to the size of the unresolved AGN-cores in the 25 - 30 micro-arcsecond range. The participation of new and near-future mm-telescopes (like APEX, CARMA, SMA, LMT, ALMA, etc.) in global mm-VLBI will provide the necessary sensitivity for the imaging of black holes and their immediate environment.

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arXiv2006

Sub-milliarcsecond Imaging of SgrA* and M87

We present and discuss new result from mm-VLBI observations of M87 and SgrA*, using the Global mm-VLBI array (GMVA). New 3mm-VLBI images of the inner jet of M87 are presented, showing details with a spatial resolution down to 15 Schwarzschild radii. This resolution corresponds to a similar spatial resolution (in terms of R_s) obtained for Sgr A*. We discuss existing and new size determinations for this source provided by mm-VLBI at wavelengths of 3, 2, and 1.4 mm. With respect to the morphological difference between Sgr A* and M87 (the latter exhibits a long jet), a comparison of the sub-milliarcsecond structures seen with mm-VLBI may lead to a better understanding of the astro-physical processes acting in the vicinity of super-massive black holes.

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arXiv2006

Testing the inverse-Compton catastrophe scenario in the intra-day variable blazar S5 0716+71: II. A search for intra-day variability at millimetre wavelengths with the IRAM 30 m telescope

We report on a densely time sampled polarimetric flux density monitoring of the BL Lac object S5 0716+71 at 86 GHz and 229 GHz with the IRAM 30 m telescope within a coordinated broad spectral band campaign, centred around an INTEGRAL observation during November 10 to 16, 2003. Our aim was to search for signatures of inverse-Compton "catastrophes". At 86 GHz, making use of a new calibration strategy, we reach a relative rms accuracy of the flux density measurements of 1.2%. At this frequency, S5 0716+71 showed no intra-day variability, but showed remarkable inter-day variability with a flux density increase of 34% during the first four observing days, which can not be explained by source extrinsic causes. The 86 GHz linear polarization fraction of S5 0716+71 was unusually large 15.0+-1.8%. Inter-day variability in linear polarization at 86 GHz, with significance level >~95%; sigma_P/ =15% and sigma_chi=6 deg., was also observed. From the emission variations at the synchrotron turnover frequency (~86 GHz) we compute an apparent brightness temperature T_B,app>1.4x10^14K at a redshift of 0.3, which exceeds by two orders of magnitude the inverse-Compton limit. A relativistic correction for T_B,app with a Doppler factor delta > 7.8 brings the observed brightness temperature down to the inverse Compton limit. A more accurate lower limit of delta > 14.0, is obtained from the comparison of the 86 GHz synchrotron flux density and the upper limits for the synchrotron self-Compton flux density obtained from the INTEGRAL observations. The relativistic beaming of the emission by this high Doppler factor explains the non-detection of "catastrophic" inverse-Compton avalanches by INTEGRAL.

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arXiv2006

Space-VLBI Polarimetry of the BL Lac Object S5 0716+714: Rapid Polarization Variability in the VLBI core

To determine the location of the intra-day variable (IDV) emission region within the jet of the BL Lac object S5 0716+714, a multi-epoch VSOP polarization experiment was performed in Autumn 2000. To detect, image, and monitor the short term variability of the source, three space-VLBI experiments were performed with VSOP at 5 GHz, separated in time by six days and by one day. Quasi-contemporaneous flux density measurements with the Effelsberg 100 m radio telescope during the VSOP observations revealed variability of about 5% in total intensity and up to 40% in linear polarization in less than one day. Analysis of the VLBI data shows that the variations are located inside the VLBI core component of 0716+714. In good agreement with the single-dish measurements, the VLBI ground array images and the VSOP images, both show a decrease in the total flux density of ~20 mJy and a drop of ~5 mJy in the linear polarization of the VLBI core. During the observing interval, the polarization angle rotated by about 15 degrees. No variability was found in the jet. The high angular-resolution VSOP images are not able to resolve the variable component and set an upper limit of <0.1 mas to the size of the core component. From the variability timescales we estimate a source size of a few micro-arcseconds and brightness temperatures exceeding 10^15 K. We discuss the results in the framework of source-extrinsic (interstellar scintillation induced) and source-intrinsic IDV models.

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arXiv2006

Intrinsic Brightness Temperatures of AGN Jets

We present a new method for studying the intrinsic brightness temperatures of the parsec-scale jet cores of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN). Our method uses observed superluminal motions and observed brightness temperatures for a large sample of AGN to constrain the characteristic intrinsic brightness temperature of the sample as a whole. To study changes in intrinsic brightness temperature, we assume that the Doppler factors of individual jets are constant in time as justified by their relatively small changes in observed flux density. We find that in their median-low brightness temperature state, the sources in our sample have a narrow range of intrinsic brightness temperatures centered on a characteristic temperature, T_int = 3 x 10^10 K, which is close to the value expected for equipartition, when the energy in the radiating particles equals the energy stored in the magnetic fields. However, in their maximum brightness state, we find that sources in our sample have a characteristic intrinsic brightness temperature greater than 2 x 10^11 K, which is well in excess of the equipartition temperature. In this state, we estimate the energy in radiating particles exceeds the energy in the magnetic field by a factor of ~ 10^5. We suggest that the excess of particle energy when sources are in their maximum brightness state is due to injection or acceleration of particles at the base of the jet. Our results suggest that the common method of estimating jet Doppler factors by using a single measurement of observed brightness temperature and/or the assumption of equipartition may lead to large scatter or systematic errors in the derived values.

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arXiv2006

High frequency VLBI observations of the scatter broadened quasar B2005+403

The quasar B2005+403 located behind the Cygnus region, is a suitable object for studying the interplay between propagation effects, which are extrinsic to the source and source intrinsic variability. On the basis of VLBI experiments performed at 1.6, 5, 8, 15, 22, and 43GHz between 1992-2003 and parallel multi-frequency monitoring of the total flux density, we investigated the variability of total flux density and source structure. Below 8 GHz, the point-like VLBI source is affected by scatter-broadening of the turbulent interstellar medium, which is located along the line of sight and likely associated with the Cygnus region. We present and discuss the measured frequency dependence of the source size, which shows a power-law with slope of -1.91+/-0.05. From the measured scattering angle at 1GHz of 77.1+/-4.0mas a SM=0.43+/-0.04 m^{-20/3} kpc is derived, consistent with the general properties of the ISM in this direction. The decreasing effect of angular broadening towards higher frequencies allows to study the internal structure of the source. Above 8GHz new VLBI observations reveal a one-sided slightly south-bending core-jet structure, with stationary and apparent superluminally moving jet components. The jet components move on non-ballistic trajectories. In AGN, total flux density variations are often related to the emergence of new VLBI components. However, during almost eleven years no new component was ejected in B2005+403. In the flux density variability a trough is observed at 5-37 GHz between 1996 and 2001. This can be explained as a blending effect of jet component fluxes. Dense in time sampled flux density monitoring observations reveal intra-day variability at 1.6GHz impling a second, less dense or turbulent scattering screen at few to hundred parsec distance.

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arXiv2005

Present and Future Millimeter VLBI Imaging of Jets in AGN: The Case of NRAO 150

The Global mm-VLBI Array is at present the most sensitive 3 mm-VLBI interferometer and provides images of up to 40 micro-arcsecond resolution. Using this array, we have monitored the rotation of the innermost jet in the quasar NRAO 150, which shows an angular speed of ~ 7 deg./yr. Future 3 mm arrays could include additional stations like ALMA, GBT, LMT, CARMA, SRT, Yebes, Nobeyama and Noto, which would allow to push VLBI at this wavelength to sensitivity and image quality levels comparable to those of present VLBI at centimeter wavelengths. This would improve our knowledge of the accretion systems and the magneto-hydrodynamics of the innermost jets in AGN and microquasars.

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arXiv2005

The Innermost AGNs with Future mm-VLBI

The capabilities of the Global mm-VLBI Array are summarized and demonstrated through actual images from our monitoring of extragalactic radio jets. This sensitive 3mm-VLBI interferometer is able to provide images of up to 50 microarcseconds resolution. For the near future, ALMA, the GBT, the LMT, CARMA, SRT, Yebes, Nobeyama and Noto are some of the most sensitive stations suitable to participate in mm-VLBI. This future array, together with the present Global mm-VLBI Array, would achieve 10 times better sensitivities than nowadays. Image fidelity would also largely increased. T he addition of ALMA would improve the (u,v)-coverage for sources with low declination (<20 deg.) and facilitate the VLBI imaging of the Galactic Centre source SgrA*.

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arXiv2005

Dual frequency VSOP imaging of the jet in S5 0836+710

The luminous high-redshift (z=2.17) quasar S50836+710 has been observed in October 1997 with the VSOP at 1.6 GHz and 5 GHz. We report here a previously unpublished image made from the data at 1.6 GHz and compare the structure of a relativistic jet in this quasazr at the two frequencies. We present a spectral index image tracing spectral properties of the jet up to ~40 milliarcsecond distance from the nucleus. The curved jet ridge line observed in the images and the spectral index distribution can be described by Kelvin-Helmholtz instability developing in a relativistic outflow with a Mach number of ~6. In this description, the overall ridge line of the jet is formed by the helical surface mode of Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, while areas of flatter spectral index embedded into the flow correspond to pressure enhancements produced by the elliptical surface mode of the instability. An alternative explanation involving a sequence of slowly dissipating shocks cannot be ruled out at this point.

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arXiv2005

Sub-milliarcsecond Imaging of Quasars and Active Galactic Nuclei. IV. Fine Scale Structure

We have used VLBA fringe visibility data obtained at 15 GHz to examine the compact structure in 250 extragalactic radio sources. For 171 sources in our sample, more than half of the total flux density seen by the VLBA remains unresolved on the longest baselines. There are 163 sources in our list with a median correlated flux density at 15 GHz in excess of 0.5 Jy on the longest baselines. For about 60% of the sources, we have at least one observation in which the core component appears unresolved (generally smaller than 0.05 mas) in one direction, usually transverse to the direction into which the jet extends. BL Lacs are on average more compact than quasars, while active galaxies are on average less compact. Also, in an active galaxy the sub-milliarcsecond core component tends to be less dominant. IDV sources typically have a more compact, more core-dominated structure on sub-milliarcsecond scales than non-IDV sources, and sources with a greater amplitude of intra-day variations tend to have a greater unresolved VLBA flux density. The objects known to be GeV gamma-ray loud appear to have a more compact VLBA structure than the other sources in our sample. This suggests that the mechanisms for the production of gamma-ray emission and for the generation of compact radio synchrotron emitting features are related. The brightness temperature estimates and lower limits for the cores in our sample typically range between 10^11 and 10^13 K, but they extend up to 5x10^13 K, apparently in excess of the equipartition brightness temperature, or the inverse Compton limit for stationary synchrotron sources. The largest component speeds are observed in radio sources with high observed brightness temperatures, as would be expected from relativistic beaming (abridged).

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arXiv2005

Relativistic jet motion in the core of the radio-loud quasar J1101+7225

Multi-epoch GHz Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) data of the radio-loud quasar J1101+7225 were analyzed to estimate the proper motion of extended optically thin jet components. Two components separated from the core could be mapped at 1.66 GHz, which is consistent with earlier observations. In one case we found evidence of high apparent superluminal motion (beta_app= 22.5+/-4) at large (deprojected) distances to the core (22 mas ~ 4 kpc at z= 1.46). Typically in other quasars such high separation velocities are only found much closer to the core component. Furthermore the Doppler factor, the magnetic field strength, and the angular size of the optically thick core were derived using published X-ray data. Analysis of 5 GHz VLBI data reveals the existence of further jet components within the central 5 mas. Additionally the data published so far on the GHz-spectrum were discussed at all angular resolutions. J1101+7225 turns out to be a standard quasar for studying different aspects of radio jet kinematics out to kpc-scales.

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arXiv2005

Kinematic Study of the Blazar S5 0716+714

We present the results of a multi-frequency study of the structural evolution of the VLBI jet in the BL Lac object 0716+714 over the last 10 years. We show VLBI images obtained at 5 GHz, 8.4 GHz, 15 GHz and 22 GHz. The milliarcsecond source structure is best described by a one-sided core-dominated jet of ~10 mas length. Embedded jet components move superluminally with speeds ranging from 5 c to 16 c (assuming z=0.3). Such fast superluminal motion is not typical for BL Lac objects, however it is still in the range of jet speeds typically observed in quasars (10 c to 20 c). In 0716+714, younger components, that were ejected more recently, seem to move systematically slower than the older components. This and a systematic position angle variation of the inner (1 mas) portion of the VLBI jet, suggests an at least partly geometric origin of the observed velocity variations. The observed rapid motion and the derived Lorentz factors are discussed with regard to the rapid Intra-Day Variability (IDV) and the gamma-ray observations, from which very high Doppler factors are inferred.

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arXiv2005

86 GHz polarimetry of OVV1633+382 after a major mm flare

The 18 mag QSO 1633+382 (4C38.41, z=1.807) showed a very pronounced outburst in 2001/2002. With a peak amplitude of more than 9 Jy at 90GHz, this flare was brighter than any known previous flare in this source (data available since 1980).During onset, the mm-flare was particulary fast, with an increase of more than 2 Jy at 230 GHz in less than 8 days. Since January 2002, the mm-flux of 1633+382 is decaying. During this decline, however, local flux variations with amplitudes of 1-3 Jy were seen, indicative of underlying and more rapid source activity on time scales of 1-2 months. After the main peak occurring in 2001.99, the 90 GHz flux showed secondary maxima at approximately half year intervals in 2002.3, 2002.7 and 2003.13. This kind of periodicity might be explained via the lighthouse model (Camenzind and Krockenberger 1992), which is based on the magnetic accelerator of Blanford and Payne (1982). At present the millimeter flux is nearly back to its quiescent level of 2-2.5 Jy, which the source had before the flare began. Our VLBA Polarimetry monitoring started June 2002 during the onset of the flare. At cm wavelength, the flare is only marginally detected which implies very high opacity of the source.

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arXiv2004

Radio-optical scrutiny of the central engine in compact AGN

We combine Very-Long-Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) data for $\sim100$ active galactic nuclei (AGN) available from the Very Large Baseline Array (VLBA) 2 cm imaging survey and optical spectroscopy to investigate the relationships in the emission-line region--central engine--radio jet system. Here, we present the diversity of spectral types among the brightest AGN in our sample. We also discuss correlations between the mass of the central engine and properties of the parsec-scale radio jet for 24 AGN selected by the presence of H$β$ broad-emission lines in their spectra.

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arXiv2004

A Multiband Approach to AGN: Radioscopy & Radio Astronomy

Only in the radio-loud population of active galactic nuclei (AGN) does the production, collimation, and acceleration of powerful relativistic jets take place. We introduce here a concept of combined VLBI- and X-ray spectroscopic observations of sources with relativistic, broad iron lines. This approach has enormous potential to yield deep insights into the accretion/jet-production process in AGN. Better knowledge of the milliarcsecond-resolution radio structure of the nuclear radio cores in so-called ``radio-quiet'' broad-iron-line Seyfert galaxies is essential for future combined radio/X-ray studies of the different modes of radio-jet production in accreting black hole systems.

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arXiv2004

Towards the Event Horizon - The Vicinity of AGN at Micro-Arcsecond Resolution

We summarize the present status of VLBI experiments at 3 mm (86 GHz), 2 mm (129-150 GHz) and 1.3 mm (215-230 GHz). We present and discuss a new 3 mm VLBI map of M87 (Virgo A), which has a spatial resolution of only approx. 20 Schwarzschild radii. We discuss recent VLBI results for SgrA* and argue in favor of new observations within an extended European mm-VLBI network, in order to search for variability. We discuss the possibilities to image the `event horizon' of a super-massive black hole at wavelengths < 2mm, and conclude that the addition of large and sensitive millimetre telescopes such as CARMA, the SMA, the LMT and ALMA will be crucial for this.

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