arXiv subjects

Kirk T. Korista

Publications and source records attributed to Kirk T. Korista.

45 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2002

On the Column Density of AGN Outflows: the Case of NGC 5548

We re-analyze the HST high resolution spectroscopic data of the intrinsic absorber in NGC 5548 and find that the C IV absorption column density is at least four times larger than previously determined. This increase arises from accounting for the kinematical nature of the absorber and from our conclusion that the outflow does not cover the narrow emission line region in this object. The improved column density determination begins to bridge the gap between the high column densities measured in the X-ray and the low ones previously inferred from the UV lines. Combined with our findings for outflows in high luminosity quasars these results suggest that traditional techniques for measuring column densities: equivalent width, curve-of-growth and Gaussian modeling, are of limited value when applied to absorption associated with AGN outflows.

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arXiv2001

Photoionization Models for BALQSO PG 0946+301

This is a companion paper to the manuscript entitled: ``HST STIS Observations Of PG 0946+301: The Highest Quality UV Spectrum of a BALQSO'' (Arav et al. 2001; accepted for publication in ApJ). Here we present photoionization-modeling results for ALL the ionic column density constraints found in these data, most of which we were unable to include in the printed version of the paper.

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arXiv2001

HST STIS Observations of PG 0946+301: the Highest Quality UV Spectrum of a BALQSO

We describe deep (40 orbits) HST/STIS observations of the BALQSO PG 0946+301 and make them available to the community. These observations are the major part of a multi-wavelength campaign on this object aimed at determining the ionization equilibrium and abundances (IEA) in broad absorption line (BAL) QSOs. We present simple template fits to the entire data set, which yield firm identifications for more than two dozen BALs from 18 ions and give lower limits for the ionic column densities. We find that the outflow's metalicity is consistent with being solar, while the abundance ratio of phosphorus to other metals is at least ten times solar. These findings are based on diagnostics that are not sensitive to saturation and partial covering effects in the BALs, which considerably weakened previous claims for enhanced metalicity. Ample evidence for these effects is seen in the spectrum. We also discuss several options for extracting tighter IEA constraints in future analyses, and present the significant temporal changes which are detected between these spectra and those taken by the HST/FOS in 1992.

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arXiv2001

The Variable Diffuse Continuum Emission of Broad Line Clouds

We investigate the wavelength-dependent intensity and reverberation properties of the UV-optical diffuse continuum emission expected from broad emission line gas. The locally optimally emitting clouds picture is adopted, with the cloud distribution functions in gas density and distance from the ionizing source determined by a fit to the mean UV emission line spectrum from the 1993 HST campaign of NGC5548 in our previous paper. The model Balmer continuum's strength and variability characteristics are in agreement with those derived from the observations of NGC5548. A key prediction is a wavelength dependent lag across the UV-optical spectrum which can broadly mimic the signature from X-ray reprocessing in an accretion disk, calling into question the discovery claims of the latter in NGC7469. The influence of the diffuse continuum on the optical continuum may result in a small yet significant underestimation of the characteristic sizes of the regions emitting the optical emission lines. Its contribution can also alter the inferred spectral energy distribution of the UV-optical continuum, even well outside the spectral region near the well-known Balmer jump. The reverberation of the diffuse continuum emitted by the BLR may account for perhaps one-third of the observed effect that the 1350-5100 Angstrom continuum becomes bluer as it becomes brighter (even after accounting for non-variable optical starlight). And as in other models of the broad emission line gas, a significant yet unobserved Lyman jump is predicted. (abridged)

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arXiv2000

Keck Hires Observations of the QSO First J104459.6+365605: Evidence for a Large Scale Outflow

This paper presents an analysis of a Keck HIRES spectrum of the QSO FIRST J104459.6+365605. The line of sight towards the QSO contains two clusters of outflowing clouds that give rise to broad blue shifted absorption lines. The outflow velocities of the clouds range from -200 to -1200 km/s and from -3400 to -5200 km/s, respectively. The width of the individual absorption lines ranges from 50 to more than 1000 km/s. The most prominent absorption lines are those of Mg II, Mg I, and Fe II. The low ionization absorption lines occur at the same velocities as the most saturated Mg II lines, showing that the Fe II, Mg I and Mg II line forming regions must be closely associated. Many absorption lines from excited states of Fe II are present, allowing a determination of the population of several low lying energy levels. From this we determine an electron density in the Fe II line forming regions of 4000 per cubic cm. Modelling the ionization state of the absorbing gas with this value of the electron density as a constraint, we find that the distance between the Fe II and Mg I line forming region and the continuum source is of order 700 parsec. From the correspondence in velocity between the Fe II, Mg I and Mg II lines we infer that the Mg II lines must be formed at the same distance. The Mg II absorption fulfills the criteria for Broad Absorption Lines defined by Weymann et al. (1991). This large distance is surprising, since BALs are generally thought to be formed in outflows at a much smaller distance from the nucleus.

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arXiv2000

Locally Optimally-Emitting Clouds and the Variable Broad Emission Line Spectrum of NGC 5548

[abridged] We test the ``locally optimally-emitting clouds'' (LOC) model against the extensive spectroscopic data base of the Seyfert~1, NGC 5548. The time-averaged, integrated-light UV broad emission line spectrum from the 1993 {\em HST} monitoring campaign is reproduced via the optimization of three global geometric parameters: the outer radius, the index controlling the radial cloud covering fraction of the continuum source, and the integrated cloud covering fraction. We make an {\em ad~hoc} selection from the range of successful models, and for a simple spherical BLR geometry we simulate the emission line light curves for the 1989 {\em IUE} and 1993 {\em HST} campaigns, using the respective observed UV continuum light curves as drivers. We find good agreement between the predicted and observed light curves and lags --- a demonstration of the LOC picture's viability as a means to understanding the BLR environment. Finally, we discuss the next step in developing the LOC picture which involves the marriage of echo-mapping techniques with spectral simulation grids such as those presented here, using the constraints provided by a high quality, temporally well-sampled spectroscopic data set.

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arXiv1998

HST Observations of the Broad Absorption Line Quasar PG 0946+301

We analyze HST and ground based spectra of the brightest BALQSO in the UV: PG~0946+301. A detailed study of the absorption troughs as a function of velocity is presented, facilitated by the use of a new algorithm to solve for the optical depth as a function of velocity for multiplet lines. We find convincing evidence for saturation in parts of the troughs. This supports our previous assertion that saturation is common in BALs and therefore cast doubts on claims for very high metallicity in BAL flows. Due to the importance of BAL saturation we also discuss its evidence in other objects. In PG~0946+301 large differences in ionization as a function of velocity are detected and our findings supports the hypothesis that the line of sight intersects a number of flow components that combine to give the appearance of the whole trough. Based on the optical depth profiles, we develop a geometrical-kinematical model for the flow. We have positively identified 16 ions of 8 elements (H~I, C~III, C~IV, N~III, N~IV, N~V, O~III, O~IV, O~V, O~VI, Ne~V, Ne~VIII, P~V, Si~IV, S~V, S~VI) and have a probable identifications of Mg~X and S~IV. Unlike earlier analysis of IUE data, we find no evidence for BALs arising from excited ionic states in the HST spectrum of PG~0946+301.

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arXiv1997

Locally Optimally-emitting Clouds and the Narrow Emission Lines in Seyfert Galaxies

The narrow emission line spectra of active galactic nuclei are not accurately described by simple photoionization models of single clouds. Recent Hubble Space Telescope images of Seyfert 2 galaxies show that these objects are rich with ionization cones, knots, filaments, and strands of ionized gas. Here we extend to the narrow line region the ``locally optimally emitting cloud'' (LOC) model, in which the observed spectra are predominantly determined by powerful selection effects. We present a large grid of photoionization models covering a wide range of physical conditions and show the optimal conditions for producing many of the strongest emission lines. We show that the integrated narrow line spectrum can be predicted by an integration of an ensemble of clouds, and we present these results in the form of diagnostic line ratio diagrams making comparisons with observations. We also predict key diagnostic line ratios as a function of distance from the ionizing source, and compare these to observations. The predicted radial dependence of the [O III]/[O II] ratio may be matched to the observed one in NGC4151, if the narrow line clouds see a more intense continuum than we see. The LOC scenario when coupled with a simple Keplerian gravitational velocity field will quite naturally predict the observed line width versus critical density relationship. The influence of dust within the ionized portion of the clouds is discussed and we show that the more neutral gas is likely to be dusty, although a high ionization dust-free region is most likely present too. This argues for a variety of NLR cloud origins.

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arXiv1997

Physical Conditions of the Coronal Line Region in Seyfert Galaxies

The launch of the Infrared Space Observatory and new atomic data have opened a window to the study of high ionization gas in active galactic nuclei (AGN). We present the results of a large number of photoionization simulations of the ``coronal line'' region in AGN, employing new atomic data from the Opacity and Iron Projects. Our grid of line emission spans 8 orders of magnitude in gas density and 14 orders of magnitude in ionizing flux in an effort to identify the optimal conditions in which these lines form. We show that coronal lines form at distances from just outside the broad line region to ~400L_{43.5}^{1/2} pc, in gas with ionization parameter -2.0 < log U(H) < 0.75, corresponding to gas densities of 10$^2$ to 10$^{8.5}$ cm$^{-3}$, with electron temperatures ~12,000K -- 150,000K. A large range of distances from the central source implies significant line width variation among the coronal lines. We identify several line ratios which could be used to measure relative abundances, and we use these to show that the coronal line gas is likely to be dust free.

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