arXiv subjects

M. Berton

Publications and source records attributed to M. Berton.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2023

Absence of the predicted 2022 October outburst of OJ 287 and implications for binary SMBH scenarios

The project MOMO (Multiwavelength Observations and Modelling of OJ 287) was set up to test predictions of binary supermassive black hole (SMBH) scenarios and to understand disk-jet physics of the blazar OJ 287. After a correction, the precessing binary (PB) SMBH model predicted the next main outburst of OJ 287 in 2022 October, no longer in July, making the outburst well observable and the model testable. We have densely covered this period in our ongoing multi-frequency radio, optical, UV, and X-ray monitoring. The predicted outburst was not detected. Instead, OJ 287 was at low optical-UV emission levels, declining further into November. The predicted thermal bremsstrahlung spectrum was not observed either, at any epoch. Further, applying scaling relations, we estimate a SMBH mass of OJ 287 of 10^8 M_sun. The latest in a sequence of deep low-states that recur every 1-2 yrs is used to determine an upper limit on the Eddington ratio and on the accretion-disk luminosity. This limit is at least a factor of 10 lower than required by the PB model with its massive primary SMBH of >10^{10} M_sun. All these results favor alternative binary SMBH models of OJ 287 that neither require strong orbital precession nor a very large mass of the primary SMBH.

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arXiv2023

MOMO VI: Multifrequency radio variability of the blazar OJ 287 from 2015-2022, absence of predicted 2021 precursor-flare activity, and a new binary interpretation of the 2016/2017 outburst

Based on our dedicated Swift monitoring program, MOMO, OJ 287 is one of the best-monitored blazars in the X-ray--UV--optical regime. Here, we report results from our accompanying, dense, multi-frequency (1.4--44 GHz) radio monitoring of OJ 287 between 2015 and 2022 covering a broad range of activity states. Fermi gamma-ray observations are added. We characterize the radio flux and spectral variability in detail, including DCF and other variability analyses, and discuss its connection with the multiwavelength emission. Deep fades of radio and optical--UV fluxes are found to occur every 1--2 years. Further, it is shown that a precursor flare of thermal bremsstrahlung predicted by one of the binary supermassive black hole (SMBH) models of OJ 287 was absent. We then focus on the nature of the extraordinary, nonthermal 2016/2017 outburst that we initially discovered with Swift. We interpret it as the latest of the famous optical double-peaked outbursts of OJ 287, favoring binary scenarios that do not require a highly precessing secondary SMBH.

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arXiv2022

Spectacular 240 kpc double-sided relativistic jets in a spiral-hosted narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy

Narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxies are a peculiar subclass of active galactic nuclei (AGN). They have demonstrated that the presence of relativistic jets in an AGN is not strictly related to its radio-loudness, the black hole mass, or the host galaxy type. Here we present a remarkable example of a radio-quiet NLS1, 6dFGS gJ035432.8-134008 (J0354-1340). In our Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array observations at 5.5 GHz the source shows a bright core with a flat spectral index, and extended emission corresponding to very elongated jets. These are the largest double-sided radio jets found to date in an NLS1, with a deprojected linear size of almost 250 kpc. We also analysed near-infrared and optical images obtained by the Magellan Baade and the European Southern Observatory New Technology Telescope. By means of photometric decomposition and colour maps, we determined that J0354-1340 is hosted by a spiral/disk galaxy. Fully evolved relativistic jets have traditionally been associated with high-mass elliptical galaxies hosting the most massive black holes, but our results confirm that also less massive black holes in spiral galaxies can launch and sustain powerful jets, implying that the launching of the jets is governed by factors other than previously believed.

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arXiv2021

A New Sample of Gamma-Ray Emitting Jetted Active Galactic Nuclei -- Preliminary Results

We are compiling a new list of gamma-ray jetted active galactic nuclei (AGN), starting from the fourth catalog of point sources of the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT). Our aim is to prepare a list of jetted AGN with known redshifts and classifications to be used to calibrate jet power. We searched in the available literature for all the published optical spectra and multiwavelength studies useful to characterize the sources. We found new, missed, or even forgotten information leading to a substantial change in the redshift values and classification of many sources. We present here the preliminary results of this analysis and some statistics based on the gamma-ray sources with right ascension within the interval $0^{\rm h}-12^{\rm h}$ (J2000). Although flat-spectrum radio quasars and BL Lac objects are still the dominant populations, there is a significant increase in the number of other objects, such as misaligned AGN, narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies, and Seyfert galaxies. We also introduced two new classes of objects: changing-look AGN and ambiguous sources. About one third of the sources remain unclassified.

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arXiv2021

How low can you go? SN 2018zd as a low-mass Fe core-collapse supernova

We present spectroscopy and photometry of SN 2018zd, a Type IIP core-collapse supernova with signatures of interaction with circumstantial material in its earliest spectra. High ionization lines, the earmark of shock breakout, are not seen in the earliest spectral epoch, and are only seen in a single spectrum at 4.9 d after explosion. The strength and brevity of these features imply a confined circumstellar material shell in the immediate vicinity of the progenitor. Once the narrow emission lines disappear, SN 2018zd evolves similarly to a Type IIP SN, although the blue colour and enhanced plateau magnitude of SN 2018zd suggests an additional source of luminosity throughout the plateau phase. While SN 2018zd has previously been proposed as an electron-capture SN, we suggest that it is an Fe core-collapse from a low mass red supergiant progenitor. Differences in interpretation for SN 2018zd arise in part due to the large uncertainty on the distance to the host-galaxy NGC 2146, which we re-derive here to be $15.6^{+6.1}_{-3.0}$ Mpc. We find the ejected $^{56}$Ni mass for SN 2018zd to be 0.017 M$_{\odot}$, significantly higher than models of ECSNe predict. We also find the Ni/Fe ratio in SN 2018zd to be much lower that would be expected for an ECSN.

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arXiv2021

Hunting for the nature of the enigmatic narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy PKS 2004-447

Narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxies are a class of active galactic nuclei (AGN) that, in some cases, can harbor powerful relativistic jets. One of them, PKS 2004-447, shows gamma-ray emission, and underwent its first recorded multifrequency flare in 2019. However, past studies revealed that in radio this source can be classified as a compact steep-spectrum source (CSS), suggesting that, unlike other gamma-ray sources, the relativistic jets of PKS 2004-447 have a large inclination with respect to the line of sight. We present here a set of spectroscopic observations of this object, aimed at carefully measuring its black hole mass and Eddington ratio, determining the properties of its emission lines, and characterizing its long term variability. We find that the black hole mass is $(1.5\pm0.2)\times10^7$ M$_\odot$, and the Eddington ratio is 0.08. Both values are within the typical range of NLS1s. The spectra also suggest that the 2019 flare was caused mainly by the relativistic jet, while the accretion disk played a minor role during the event. In conclusion, we confirm that PKS 2004-447 is one of the rare examples of gamma-ray emitting CSS/NLS1s hybrid, and that these two classes of objects are likely connected in the framework of AGN evolution.

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arXiv2021

SN 2018ijp: the explosion of a stripped-envelope star within a dense H-rich shell?

In this paper, we discuss the outcomes of the follow-up campaign of SN 2018ijp, discovered as part of the Zwicky Transient Facility survey for optical transients. Its first spectrum shows similarities to broad-lined Type Ic supernovae around maximum light, whereas later spectra display strong signatures of interaction between rapidly expanding ejecta and a dense H-rich circumstellar medium, coinciding with a second peak in the photometric evolution of the transient. This evolution, along with the results of modeling of the first light curve peak, suggests a scenario where a stripped star exploded within a dense circumstellar medium. The two main phases in the evolution of the transient could be interpreted as a first phase dominated by radioactive decays, and an later interaction-dominated phase where the ejecta collide with a pre-existing shell. We therefore discuss SN 2018jp within the context of a massive star depleted of its outer layers exploding within a dense H-rich circumstellar medium.

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arXiv2021

Interpreting automatic AGN classifiers with saliency maps

The classification of the optical spectra of active galactic nuclei (AGN) into different types is well founded on AGN physics, but it involves some degree of human oversight and cannot be reliably scaled to large data sets. Machine learning (ML) tackles such a classification problem in a fast and reproducible way, but is often perceived as a black box. However, ML interpretability and explainability are active research areas in computer science, increasingly providing us with tools to alleviate this issue. We applied ML interpretability tools to a classifier trained to predict AGN type from spectra, to demonstrate the use of such tools in this context. We trained a support-vector machine on 3346 high-quality, low redshift AGN spectra from SDSS DR15 with an existing reliable classification as type 1, type 2, or intermediate type. On a selection of test-set spectra, we computed the gradient of the predicted class probability and we built saliency maps. We also visualized the high-dimensional space of AGN spectra using t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE), showing where the spectra for which we computed a saliency map are located. Regions that affect the predicted AGN type often coincide with physically relevant features, such as spectral lines. t-SNE visualization shows good separability of type 1 and type 2 spectra, while intermediate-type spectra either lie in-between as expected or appear mixed with type 2 spectra. Saliency maps show why a given AGN type was predicted by our classifier, resulting in a physical interpretation in terms of regions of the spectrum that affected its decision, making it no longer a black box. These regions coincide with those used by human experts such as relevant spectral lines, and are even used in a similar way, with the classifier e.g. effectively measuring the width of a line by weighing its center and its tails oppositely.

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arXiv2021

Core-collapse supernova subtypes in luminous infrared galaxies

We present the discovery and follow-up observations of two CCSNe that occurred in the luminous infrared galaxy (LIRG), NGC3256. The first, SN2018ec, was discovered using the ESO HAWK-I/GRAAL adaptive optics seeing enhancer, and was classified as a Type Ic with a host galaxy extinction of $A_V=2.1^{+0.3}_{-0.1}$ mag. The second, AT2018cux, was discovered during the course of follow-up observations of SN2018ec, and is consistent with a sub-luminous Type IIP classification with an $A_V=2.1 \pm 0.4$ mag of host extinction. A third CCSN, PSNJ10275082-4354034 in NGC3256, has previously been reported in 2014, and we recovered the source in late time archival HST imaging. Based on template light-curve fitting, we favour a Type IIn classification for it with modest host galaxy extinction of $A_V=0.3^{+0.4}_{-0.3}$ mag. We also extend our study with follow-up data of the recent Type IIb SN2019lqo and Type Ib SN2020fkb that occurred in the LIRG system Arp299 with host extinctions of $A_V=2.1^{+0.1}_{-0.3}$ and $A_V=0.4^{+0.1}_{-0.2}$ mag, respectively. Motivated by the above, we inspected, for the first time, a sample of 29 CCSNe located within a projected distance of 2.5 kpc from the host galaxy nuclei in a sample of 16 LIRGs. We find that, if star formation within these galaxies is modelled assuming a global starburst episode and normal IMF, there is evidence of a correlation between the starburst age and the CCSN subtype. We infer that the two subgroups of 14 H-poor (Type IIb/Ib/Ic/Ibn) and 15 H-rich (Type II/IIn) CCSNe have different underlying progenitor age distributions, with the H-poor progenitors being younger at 3$σ$ significance. However, we do note that the available sample sizes of CCSNe and host LIRGs are so far small, and the statistical comparisons between subgroups do not take into account possible systematic or model errors related to the estimated starburst ages. (abridged)

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arXiv2021

Sensitivity of the Cherenkov Telescope Array for probing cosmology and fundamental physics with gamma-ray propagation

The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), the new-generation ground-based observatory for $γ$-ray astronomy, provides unique capabilities to address significant open questions in astrophysics, cosmology, and fundamental physics. We study some of the salient areas of $γ$-ray cosmology that can be explored as part of the Key Science Projects of CTA, through simulated observations of active galactic nuclei (AGN) and of their relativistic jets. Observations of AGN with CTA will enable a measurement of $γ$-ray absorption on the extragalactic background light with a statistical uncertainty below 15% up to a redshift $z=2$ and to constrain or detect $γ$-ray halos up to intergalactic-magnetic-field strengths of at least 0.3pG. Extragalactic observations with CTA also show promising potential to probe physics beyond the Standard Model. The best limits on Lorentz invariance violation from $γ$-ray astronomy will be improved by a factor of at least two to three. CTA will also probe the parameter space in which axion-like particles could constitute a significant fraction, if not all, of dark matter. We conclude on the synergies between CTA and other upcoming facilities that will foster the growth of $γ$-ray cosmology.

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arXiv2020

The Radio Structure of the Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 Mrk 783 with VLBA and e-MERLIN

In this paper, we present the analysis of new radio and optical observations of the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 783. 1.6 GHz observations performed with the e-MERLIN interferometer confirm the presence of the diffuse emission previously observed. The Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) also detects the nuclear source both at 1.6 GHz (L-Band) and 5 GHz (C-band). While the L-band image shows only an unresolved core, the C-band image shows the presence of a partially resolved structure, at a position angle of 60°. The brightness temperature of the emission in both bands ($>10^6$ K) suggests that it is a pc-scale jet produced by the AGN. The relatively steep VLBA spectral index ($α_{VLBA} = 0.63\pm0.03$) is consistent with the presence of optically thin emission on milliarcsecond scales. Finally, we investigated two possible scenarios that can result in the misalignment between the kpc and pc-scale radio structure detected in the galaxy. We also analysed the optical morphology of the galaxy, which suggests that Mrk 783 underwent a merging in relatively recent times.

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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

Radio morphology of southern narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies with Very Large Array observations

We present the results of new radio observations carried out with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array C-configuration at 5.5 GHz for a sample of southern narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s). This work increases the number of known radio-detected NLS1s in the southern hemisphere, and confirms that the radio emission of NLS1s is mainly concentrated in a central region at kpc-scale and only a few sources show diffuse emission. In radio-quiet NLS1s, the radio luminosity tends to be higher in steep-spectrum sources and be lower in flat-spectrum sources, which is opposite to radio-loud NLS1s. This may be because the radio emission of steep NLS1s is dominated by misaligned jets, AGN-driven outflows, or star formation superposing on a compact core. Instead the radio emission of flat NLS1s may be produced by a central core which has not yet developed radio jets and outflows. We discover new NLS1s harboring kpc-scale radio jets and confirm that a powerful jet does not require a large-mass black hole to be generated. We also find sources dominated by star formation. These NLS1s could be new candidates in investigating the radio emission of different mechanisms.

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arXiv2020

AT 2017gbl: a dust obscured TDE candidate in a luminous infrared galaxy

We present the discovery with Keck of the extremely infrared (IR) luminous transient AT 2017gbl, coincident with the Northern nucleus of the luminous infrared galaxy (LIRG) IRAS 23436+5257. Our extensive multi-wavelength follow-up spans ~900 days, including photometry and spectroscopy in the optical and IR, and (very long baseline interferometry) radio and X-ray observations. Radiative transfer modelling of the host galaxy spectral energy distribution and long-term pre-outburst variability in the mid-IR indicate the presence of a hitherto undetected dust obscured active galactic nucleus (AGN). The optical and near-IR spectra show broad 2000 km/s hydrogen, He I and O I emission features that decrease in flux over time. Radio imaging shows a fast evolving compact source of synchrotron emission spatially coincident with AT 2017gbl. We infer a lower limit for the radiated energy of 7.3 x 10^50 erg from the IR photometry. An extremely energetic supernova would satisfy this budget, but is ruled out by the radio counterpart evolution. Instead, we propose AT 2017gbl is related to an accretion event by the central supermassive black hole, where the spectral signatures originate in the AGN broad line region and the IR photometry is consistent with re-radiation by polar dust. Given the fast evolution of AT 2017gbl, we deem a tidal disruption event (TDE) of a star a more plausible scenario than a dramatic change in the AGN accretion rate. This makes AT 2017gbl the third TDE candidate to be hosted by a LIRG, in contrast to the so far considered TDE population discovered at optical wavelengths and hosted preferably by post-starburst galaxies.

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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

Absorbed relativistic jets in radio-quiet narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies

Narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxies are peculiar active galactic nuclei (AGN). Most of them do not show strong radio emission, but recently seven radio-quiet (or -silent) NLS1s have been detected flaring multiple times at 37 GHz by the Metsähovi Radio Telescope, indicating the presence of relativistic jets in these peculiar sources. We observed them with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (JVLA) in A configuration at 1.6, 5.2, and 9.0 GHz. Our results show that these sources are either extremely faint or not detected in the JVLA bands. At those frequencies, the radio emission from their relativistic jet must be absorbed, either via synchrotron self-absorption as it occurs in gigahertz-peaked sources or, more likely, via free-free absorption by a screen of ionized gas associated with starburst activity or shocks. Our findings cast new shadows on the radio-loudness criterion, which seems to be more and more frequently a misleading parameter. New high-frequency and high-resolution radio observations are essential to test our hypotheses.

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arXiv2019

Te-REX: a sample of extragalactic TeV-emitting candidates

The REX (Radio-Emitting X-ray sources) is a catalogue produced by cross-matching X-ray data from the ROSAT-PSPC archive of pointed observations and radio data from the NRAO VLA Sky Survey, aimed at the selection of blazars. From the REX catalogue, we select a well defined and statistically complete sample of high-energy peaked BL Lac (HBL). HBL are expected to be the most numerous class of extragalactic TeV emitting sources. Specifically, we have considered only the REX sources in the currently planned CTA extragalactic survey area satisfying specific criteria and with an optical spectroscopic confirmation. We obtain 46 HBL candidates that we called Te-REX (TeV-emitting REX). We estimate the very high-energy gamma-ray emission, in the TeV domain, using an empirical approach i.e. using specific statistical relations between gamma-rays (at GeV energies) and radio/X-rays properties observed in bright HBL from the literature. We compare the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) with the sensitivities of current and upcoming Cherenkov telescopes and we predict that 14 Te-REX could be detectable with 50 hours of observations of CTA and 7 of them also with current Cherenkov facilities in 50 hours. By extrapolating these numbers on the total extragalactic sky, we predict that about 800 HBL could be visible in pointed CTA observations and about 400 with current Cherenkov telescopes in 50 hours. Interestingly, our predictions show that a non-negligible fraction (about 30%) of the HBL that will be detectable by CTA is composed of relatively weak objects whose optical nuclear emission is swamped by the host-galaxy light and not (yet) detected by Fermi-LAT.

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arXiv2019

Calibrating the power of relativistic jets

There are several methods to calculate the radiative and kinetic power of relativistic jets, but their results can differ by one or two orders of magnitude. Therefore, it is necessary to perform a calibration of the jet power, to understand the reasons for these differences (whether wrong hypotheses or intrinsic source variability), and if it is possible to converge to a reliable measurement of this physical quantity. We present preliminary results of a project aimed at calibrating the power of relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei (AGN) and X-ray binaries (XRB). We started by selecting all the AGN associations with known redshift in the Fourth Fermi LAT Gamma-Ray Catalog (4FGL). We then calculated the radiative and/or kinetic powers from available data or we extracted this information from literature. We compare the values obtained for overlapping samples and highlight early conclusions.

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