arXiv subjects

L. C. Gallo

Publications and source records attributed to L. C. Gallo.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

Supermassive binary black holes and the case of OJ 287

Supermassive binary black holes (SMBBHs) are laboratories par excellence for relativistic effects, including precession effects in the Kerr metric and the emission of gravitational waves. Binaries form in the course of galaxy mergers, and are a key component in our understanding of galaxy evolution. Dedicated searches for SMBBHs in all stages of their evolution are therefore ongoing and many systems have been discovered in recent years. Here we provide a review of the status of observations with a focus on the multiwavelength detection methods and the underlying physics. Finally, we highlight our ongoing, dedicated multiwavelength program MOMO (for Multiwavelength Observations and Modelling of OJ 287). OJ 287 is one of the best candidates to date for hosting a sub-parsec SMBBH. The MOMO program carries out a dense monitoring at >13 frequencies from radio to X-rays and especially with Swift since 2015. Results so far included: (1) The detection of two major UV-X-ray outbursts with Swift in 2016/17 and 2020; exhibiting softer-when-brighter behaviour. The non-thermal nature of the outbursts was clearly established and shown to be synchrotron radiation. (2) Swift multi-band dense coverage and XMM-Newton spectroscopy during EHT campaigns caught OJ 287 at an intermediate flux level with synchrotron and IC spectral components. (3) Discovery of a remarkable, giant soft X-ray excess with XMM and NuSTAR during the 2020 outburst. (4) Spectral evidence (at 2sigma) for a relativistically shifted iron absorption line in 2020. (5) The non-thermal 2020 outburst is consistent with an after-flare predicted by the SMBBH model of OJ 287.

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arXiv2020

Lifting the curtain: The Seyfert galaxy Mrk 335 emerges from deep low-state in a sequence of rapid flare events

The narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 335 was one of the X-ray brightest AGN, but it has systematically faded since 2007. Here, we report the discovery with Swift of a sequence of bright and rapid X-ray flare events that reveal the emergence of Mrk 335 from its ultra-deep multiyear low state. Results are based on our dedicated multiyear monitoring with Swift. Unlike other bright AGN, the optical-UV is generally not correlated with the X-rays in Mrk 335 on a timescale of days to months. This fact either implies the absence of a direct link between the two emission components; or else implies that the observed X-rays are significantly affected by (dust-free) absorption along our l.o.s. The UV and optical, however, are closely correlated at the 99.99 percent confidence level. The UV is leading the optical by delta t = 1.5+/-1.5 d. The Swift X-ray spectrum shows strong deviations from a single power law in all brightness states of the outbursts, indicating that significant absorption or reprocessing is taking place. Mrk 335 displays a softer-when-brighter variability pattern at intermediate X-ray levels, which has been seen in our Swift data since 2007 (based on a total of 590 observations). This pattern breaks down at the highest and lowest count rates. We interpret the 2020 brightening of Mrk 335 as a decrease in column density and covering factor of a partial-covering absorber along our line of sight in form of a clumpy accretion-disk wind that reveals an increasing portion of the intrinsic emission of Mrk 335 from the disk and/or corona region, while the optical emission-line regions receive a less variable spectral energy distribution. This then also explains why Mrk 335 was never seen to change its optical Seyfert type (not 'changing look') despite its factor 50 X-ray variability with Swift.

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arXiv2020

A Full Characterisation of the Supermassive Black Hole in IRAS 09149-6206

We present new broadband X-ray observations of the type-I Seyfert galaxy IRAS 09149-6206, taken in 2018 with $XMM$-$Newton$, $NuSTAR$ and $Swift$. The source is highly complex, showing a classic 'warm' X-ray absorber, additional absorption from highly ionised iron, strong relativistic reflection from the innermost accretion disc and further reprocessing by more distant material. By combining X-ray timing and spectroscopy, we have been able to fully characterise the supermassive black hole in this system, constraining both its mass and - for the first time - its spin. The mass is primarily determined by X-ray timing constraints on the break frequency seen in the power spectrum, and is found to be $\log[M_{\rm{BH}}/M_{\odot}] = 8.0 \pm 0.6$ (1$σ$ uncertainties). This is in good agreement with previous estimates based on the H$α$ and H$β$ line widths, and implies that IRAS 09149-6206 is radiating at close to (but still below) its Eddington luminosity. The spin is constrained via detailed modelling of the relativistic reflection, and is found to be $a^* = 0.94^{+0.02}_{-0.07}$ (90% confidence), adding IRAS 09149-6206 to the growing list of radio-quiet AGN that host rapidly rotating black holes. The outflow velocities of the various absorption components are all relatively modest ($v_{\rm{out}} \lesssim 0.03c$), implying these are unlikely to drive significant galaxy-scale AGN feedback.

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arXiv2020

Tracking the year-to-year variation in the spectral energy distribution of the Narrow-line Seyfert 1 Galaxy Mrk335

Multi-wavelength monitoring of Mrk 335 with Swift between 2007-2019 are used to construct annual spectral energy distributions and track year-to-year changes. Non-contemporaneous archival data prior to 2007 are used to build a bright state SED. In this work, the changes are examined and quantified to build the foundation for future SED modelling. The yearly SEDs trace a downward trend on the average, with the X-ray portion varying significantly and acquiring further lower values in the past two years when compared to the optical/UV portion of SED. The bolometric Eddington ratios derived using optical/UV to X-ray SEDs and the calculated X-ray luminosities show a gradual decrease over the monitoring period. Changes in the parameters over time are examined. Principal component analysis suggests that the primary variability is in the X-ray properties of Mrk 335. When looking at the broader picture of Mrk 335 and its behaviour, the X-rays, accounting most of the variability in the 13-year data, are possibly driven by physical processes related to the corona or absorption whereas the modest optical-UV variations suggest their origin within the accretion disc. These results are consistent with the previous interpretation of Mrk 335 using the timing analyses on the monitoring data and spectral modelling of deep observations.

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arXiv2020

Characterising continuum variability in the radio-loud narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy IRAS 17020+4544

We present results of temporal and spectral analyses on four XMM-Newton EPIC pn observations of IRAS 17020+4544, a narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy with evidence of a radio jet. Analysis of the light curves reveals that this radio-loud source does not behave like the bulk population of its radio-quiet counterparts. A trend of spectral hardening with increased flux is found. Variability is found to increase with energy, though it decreases as the spectrum hardens. The first 40 ks of the most recent observation behave uniquely among the epochs, exhibiting a softer spectral state than at any other time. Possible non-stationarity at low energies is found, with no such effect present at higher energies, suggesting at least two distinct spectral components. A reverberation signature is confirmed, with the lag-frequency, lag-energy, and covariance spectra changing significantly during the soft-state epoch. The temporal analysis suggests a variable power-law in the presence of a reflection component, thus motivating such a fit for the 0.3-10 keV EPIC pn spectra from all epochs. We find an acceptable spectral fit using the timing-motivated parameters and report the detection of a broad Fe K emission line, requiring an additional model component beyond the reflection spectrum. We discuss links between this source and other narrow-line Seyfert 1 sources that show evidence of jet activity, finding similarities among this currently very limited sample of interesting objects.

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arXiv2020

Blueshifted absorption lines from X-ray reflection in IRAS 13224-3809

We explore a disc origin for the highly-blueshifted, variable absorption lines seen in the X-ray spectrum of the Narrow Line Seyfert 1 galaxy IRAS13224-3809. The blueshift corresponds to a velocity of about 0.25c. Such features in other Active Galactic Nuclei are often interpreted as UltraFast Outflows (UFOs). The velocity is of course present in the orbital motions of the inner disk. The absorption lines in IRAS13224-3809 are best seen when the flux is low and the reflection component of the disk is strong relative to the power-law continuum. The spectra are consistent with a model in which the reflection component passes through a thin, highly-ionized absorbing layer at the surface of the inner disc, the blue-shifted side of which dominates the flux due to relativistic aberration (the disc inclination is about 70 deg). No fast outflow need occur beyond the disc.

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arXiv2019

Multi-epoch X-ray spectral analysis of the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 478

A multi-epoch X-ray spectral and variability analysis is conducted for the narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) active galactic nucleus (AGN) Mrk 478. All available X-ray data from XMM-Newton and Suzaku satellites, spanning from 2001 to 2017, are modelled with a variety of physical models including partial covering, soft-Comptonisation, and blurred reflection, to explain the observed spectral shape and variability over the 16 years. All models are a similar statistical fit to the data sets, though the analysis of the variability between data sets favours the blurred reflection model. In particular, the variability can be attributed to changes in flux of the primary coronal emission. Different reflection models fit the data equally well, but differ in interpretation. The use of reflionx predicts a low disc ionisation and power law dominated spectrum, while relxill predicts a highly ionised and blurred reflection dominated spectrum. A power law dominated spectrum might be more consistent with the normal X-ray-to-UV spectral shape (aox). Both blurred reflection models suggest a rapidly spinning black hole seen at a low inclination angle, and both require a sub-solar (~0.5) abundance of iron. All physical models require a narrow emission feature at 6.7 keV likely attributable to Fe xxv emission, while no evidence for a narrow 6.4 keV line from neutral iron is detected.

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arXiv2019

The nature of the soft-excess and spectral variability in the Seyfert 1 galaxy Zw 229.015

We have carried out a systematic analysis of the nearby (z=0.0279) active galaxy Zw 229.015 using multi-epoch, multi-instrument and deep pointed observations with XMM-Newton, Suzaku, Swift and NuSTAR. Spectral and temporal variability are examined in detail on both the long (weeks-to-years) and short (hours) timescales. A deep Suzaku observation of the source shows two distinct spectral states; a bright-soft state and a dim-hard state in which changes in the power law component account for the differences. Partial covering, blurred reflection and soft Comptonisation models describe the X-ray spectra comparably well, but the smooth, rather featureless, spectrum may be favouring the soft Comptonisation scenario. Moreover, independent of the spectral model, the observed spectral variability is ascribed to the changes in the power law continuum only and do not require changes in the properties of the absorber or blurred reflector incorporated in the other scenarios. The multi-epoch observations between 2009 and 2018 can be described in similar fashion. This could be understood if the primary emission is originating at a large distance from a standard accretion disc or if the disc is optically thin and geometrically thick as recently proposed for Zw 229.015. Our investigation shows that Zw 229.015 behaves similar to sources like Akn 120 and Mrk 530, that exhibit a strong soft-excess, but weak Compton hump and Fe K$α$ emission.

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arXiv2019

Nuclear spallation in active galaxies

A number of works point to the presence of narrow emission features at unusual energies in the X-ray spectra of active galactic nuclei (AGN) or to potentially low iron abundances as possible evidence for the spallation of iron. With the imminence of high-resolution calorimeter spectroscopy, the potential to test spallation models in astrophysical sources will soon be possible. Previously determined nuclear spallation reactions of Fe are recalculated making use of improved total inelastic and partial reaction cross sections that result in different absolute and relative abundances of the main spallation elements Mn, Cr, V, and Ti. The effects of ionisation and dynamics near the black hole are examined in simulated spectra with CCD and calorimeter (i.e. Hitomi) resolution. With high-resolution, differences in relative abundances and ionisation should be detectable if spallation is originating at large distances from the black hole (e.g. torus or disc wind) where blurring is not significant. If spallation were occurring in the inner accretion disc, it would likely be undetected as blurring effects would cause significant blending of spectral features.

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arXiv2019

Evidence for an emerging disc wind and collimated outflow during an X-ray flare in the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 335

A triggered 140 ks XMM-Newton observation of the narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) Mrk 335 in December 2015 caught the active galaxy at its lowest X-ray flux since 2007. The NLS1 is relatively quiescent for the first ~120 ks of the observation before it flares in brightness by a factor of about five in the last 20 ks. Although only part of the flare is captured before the observation is terminated, the data reveal significant differences between the flare and quiescent phases. During the low-flux state, Mrk 335 demonstrates a reflection-dominated spectrum that results from a compact corona around a Kerr black hole. In addition to the rapid brightening, the flare is further described by spectral softening and a falling reflection fraction that are consistent with previous observations advocating at least part of the corona in Mrk 335 could be the base of an aborted jet. The spectrum during the flaring interval reveals several residuals between the 2-3 sigma level that could be attributed to absorption lines from a highly ionised plasma that is moving outward at v~0.12c. It could be that the increased luminosity during the flare enhances the radiation pressure sufficiently to launch a possible wind. If the wind is indeed responding to the change in corona luminosity then it must be located within ~80 Rg. The escape velocity at this distance is comparable to the estimated wind velocity. If confirmed, this is the first example of a radio-quiet AGN exhibiting behaviour consistent with both diffuse and collimated outflow.

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arXiv2019

A Low-Flux State in IRAS 00521-7054 seen with NuSTAR and XMM-Newton: Relativistic Reflection and an Ultrafast Outflow

We present results from a deep, coordinated $XMM$-$Newton$+$NuSTAR$ observation of the Seyfert 2 galaxy IRAS 00521-7054. The $NuSTAR$ data provide the first detection of this source in high-energy X-rays ($E > 10$ keV), and the broadband data show this to be a highly complex source which exhibits relativistic reflection from the inner accretion disc, further reprocessing by more distant material, neutral absorption, and evidence for ionised absorption in an extreme, ultrafast outflow ($v_{\rm{out}} \sim 0.4c$). Based on lamppost disc reflection models, we find evidence that the central supermassive black hole is rapidly rotating ($a > 0.77$), consistent with previous estimates from the profile of the relativistic iron line, and that the accretion disc is viewed at a fairly high inclination ($i \sim 59^{\circ}$). Based on extensive simulations, we find the ultrafast outflow is detected at $\sim$4$σ$ significance (or greater). We also estimate that the extreme outflow should be sufficient to power galaxy-scale feedback, and may even dominate the energetics of the total output from the system.

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arXiv2018

The remarkable X-ray variability of IRAS 13224-3809 I: The variability process

We present a detailed X-ray timing analysis of the highly variable NLS1 galaxy, IRAS 13224-3809. The source was recently monitored for 1.5 Ms with XMM-Newton which, combined with 500 ks archival data, makes this the best studied NLS1 galaxy in X-rays to date. We apply standard time- and Fourier-domain in order to understand the underlying variability process. The source flux is not distributed lognormally, as would be expected for accreting sources. The first non-linear rms-flux relation for any accreting source in any waveband is found, with $\mathrm{rms} \propto \mathrm{flux}^{2/3}$. The light curves exhibit significant strong non-stationarity, in addition to that caused by the rms-flux relation, and are fractionally more variable at lower source flux. The power spectrum is estimated down to $\sim 10^{-7}$ Hz and consists of multiple peaked components: a low-frequency break at $\sim 10^{-5}$ Hz, with slope $α< 1$ down to low frequencies; an additional component breaking at $\sim 10^{-3}$ Hz. Using the high-frequency break we estimate the black hole mass $M_\mathrm{BH} = [0.5-2] \times 10^{6} M_{\odot}$, and mass accretion rate in Eddington units, $\dot m_{\rm Edd} \gtrsim 1$. The non-stationarity is manifest in the PSD with the normalisation of the peaked components increasing with decreasing source flux, as well as the low-frequency peak moving to higher frequencies. We also detect a narrow coherent feature in the soft band PSD at $0.7$ mHz, modelled with a Lorentzian the feature has $Q \sim 8$ and an $\mathrm{rms} \sim 3$ %. We discuss the implication of these results for accretion of matter onto black holes.

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arXiv2018

X-ray perspective of Narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies

It is arguably in the X-ray regime that Narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) exhibit the most extreme behaviour. Spectral complexity, rapid and large amplitude flux variations, and exceptional spectral variability are well known characteristics. However, NLS1s are not eccentric, but form a continuous sequence with typical Seyfert 1 galaxies. Understanding the extreme behaviour displayed by NLS1s will provide insight to the general AGN phenomenon. In this review, I will examine some of the important NLS1 X-ray discoveries over the past twenty years. I will then explore recent work that looks at the nature of the primary X-ray source (i.e. the corona) in NLS1s, demonstrating how the corona can be compact, dynamic, and in some cases consistent with collimated outflow. X-ray observations of NLS1s will be key in determining the nature of the corona, resolving the disc-jet connection, and determining the origin of the radio loud/quiet dichotomy in AGN.

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arXiv2018

The variability of the warm absorber in I Zwicky 1 as seen by XMM-Newton

We present new XMM-Newton observations of the intriguing warm absorber in I Zwicky 1. This luminous and nearby narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy shows ionized absorption by two components of outflowing gas; a low and a high-ionization phase with log $ξ$~0 and log $ξ$~2 respectively. Detailed modelling of these data reveal a complex and variable multi-phase warm absorber. However, we find the changes in the ionization state of the gas not to be straightforwardly correlated with the variability of the intrinsic continuum source, in apparent contrast with photoionization equilibrium. The observed variability hints instead at a close connection between the two gas components, possibly both directly connected to the accretion disc activity. We thus suggest a phenomenological model capable of explaining these observations, consisting of a clumpy outflow where the high and the low-ionization components are closely linked. Changes in ionization over the years are mainly driven by the different densities of the clumps crossing the observer's line-of-sight, in which the `skin' layer facing the source accounts for the more ionized component.

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arXiv2018

Constraining the geometry of AGN outflows with reflection spectroscopy

We collate active galactic nuclei (AGN) with reported detections of both relativistic reflection and ultra-fast outflows. By comparing the inclination of the inner disc from reflection with the line-of-sight velocity of the outflow, we show that it is possible to meaningfully constrain the geometry of the absorbing material. We find a clear relation between the velocity and inclination, and demonstrate that it can potentially be explained either by simple wind geometries or by absorption from the disc surface. Due to systematic errors and a shortage of high- quality simultaneous measurements our conclusions are tentative, but this study represents a proof-of-concept that has great potential.

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arXiv2018

Exploring the spectral variability of the Seyfert 1.5 galaxy Markarian 530 with Suzaku

A 2012 Suzaku observation of the Seyfert 1.5 galaxy Markarian 530 was analysed and found to exhibit two distinct modes of variability, which were found to be independent from one another. Firstly, the spectrum undergoes a smooth transition from a soft to a hard spectrum. Secondly, the spectrum displays more rapid variability seemingly confined to a very narrow energy band (~ 1-3 keV). Three physical models (blurred reflection, partial covering, and soft Comptonisation) were explored to characterise the average spectrum of the observation as well as the spectral state change. All three models were found to fit the average spectrum and the spectral changes equally well. The more rapid variability appears as two cycles of a sinusoidal function, but we cannot attribute this to periodic variability. The Fe K-alpha band exhibits a narrow 6.4 keV emission line consistent with an origin from the distant torus. In addition, features blueward of the neutral iron line are consistent with emission from He-like and H-like iron that could be originating from the highly ionised layer of the torus, but a broad Gaussian profile at ~ 6.7 keV also fits the spectrum well.

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arXiv2018

Eleven years of monitoring the Seyfert 1 Mrk 335 with Swift: Characterizing the X-ray and UV/optical variability

The narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy (NLS1) Mrk 335 has been continuously monitored with Swift since May 2007 when it fell into a long-lasting, X-ray low-flux interval. Results from the nearly 11 years of monitoring are presented here. Structure functions are used to measure the UV-optical and X-ray power spectra. The X-ray structure function measured between 10-100 days is consistent with the flat, low-frequency part of the power spectrum measured previously in Mrk 335. The UV-optical structure functions of Mrk 335 are comparable with those of other Seyfert 1 galaxies and of Mrk 335 itself when it was in a normal bright state. There is no indication that the current X-ray low-flux state is attributed to changes in the accretion disc structure of Mrk 335. The characteristic timescales measured in the structure functions can be attributed to thermal (for the UV) and dynamic (for the optical) timescales in a standard accretion disc. The high-quality UVW2 (~1800 A in the source frame) structure function appears to have two breaks and two different slopes between 10-160 days. Correlations between the X-ray and other bands are not highly significant when considering the entire 11-year light curves, but more significant behaviour is present when considering segments of the light curves. A correlation between the X-ray and UVW2 in 2014 (Year-8) may be predominately caused by an giant X-ray flare that was interpreted as jet-like emission. In 2008 (Year-2), possible lags between the UVW2 emission and other UV-optical waveband may be consistent with reprocessing of X-ray or UV emission in the accretion disc.

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arXiv2018

The 1.5 Ms Observing Campaign on IRAS 13224-3809: X-ray Spectral Analysis I

We present a detailed spectral analysis of the recent 1.5\,Ms XMM-Newton observing campaign on the narrow line Seyfert 1 galaxy IRAS~13224$-$3809, taken simultaneously with 500\,ks of NuSTAR data. The X-ray lightcurve shows three flux peaks, registering at about 100 times the minimum flux seen during the campaign, and rapid variability with a time scale of kiloseconds. The spectra are well fit with a primary powerlaw continuum, two relativistic-blurred reflection components from the inner accretion disk with very high iron abundance, and a simple blackbody-shaped model for the remaining soft excess. The spectral variability is dominated by the power law continuum from a corona region within a few gravitational radii from the black hole. Additionally, blueshifted Ne \textsc{x}, Mg \textsc{xii}, Si \textsc{xiv} and S \textsc{xvi} absorption lines are identified in the stacked low-flux spectrum, confirming the presence of a highly ionized outflow with velocity up to $v= 0.267$ and $0.225$\,c. We fit the absorption features with \texttt{xstar} models and find a relatively constant velocity outflow through the whole observation. Finally, we replace the \texttt{bbody} and supersolar abundance reflection models by fitting the soft excess successfully with the extended reflection model \texttt{relxillD}, which allows for higher densities than the standard \texttt{relxill} model. This returns a disk electron density $n_{\rm e}>10^{18.7}$\,cm$^{-3}$ and lowers the iron abundance from $Z_{\rm Fe}=24^{+3}_{-4}Z_\odot$ with $n_{\rm e}\equiv10^{15}$\,cm$^{-3}$ to $Z_{\rm Fe}=6.6^{+0.8}_{-2.1}Z_\odot$.

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