arXiv subjects

Matthias Kadler

Publications and source records attributed to Matthias Kadler.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

The Gamma-Ray Emitting Radio-Loud Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 Galaxy PKS 2004-447 I. The X-Ray View

As part of the TANAMI multiwavelength progam, we discuss new X-ray observations of the $γ$-ray and radio-loud Narrow Line Seyfert galaxy ($γ$-NLS1) PKS 2004-447. The active galaxy is a member of a small sample of radio-loud NLS1s detected in $γ$-rays by the Fermi Large Area Telescope. It is the radio-loudest and only southern-hemisphere source in this sample. We present results from our X-ray monitoring program comprised of Swift snapshot observations from 2012 through 2014 and two new X-ray observations with XMM-Newton in 2012. We analyze the X-ray spectrum and variability of this peculiar source using supplementary archival data from 2004 and 2011. The (0.5-10) keV spectrum is well described by a flat power law, which can be interpreted as non-thermal emission from a relativistic jet. The source exhibits moderate flux variability on timescales of both months and years. Correlated brightness variations in the (0.5-2) keV and (2-10) keV bands are explained by a single variable spectral component, such as the jet. A possible soft excess seen in the data from 2004 cannot be confirmed by the new \xmm{} observations in 2012. Any contribution to the total flux in 2004 is less than $20\%$ of the power-law component. The (0.5-10) keV luminosities of PKS 2004-447 are in the range of (0.5--2.7)$\times10^{44}\,\mathrm{erg\,s}^{-1}$. A comparison of the X-ray properties among the known $γ$-NLS1 galaxies shows that X-ray spectrum is typically dominated by a flat power law without intrinsic absorption. These objects are moderately variable in their brightness, while spectral variability is observed in at least two sources. The major difference across the X-ray spectra of $γ$-NLS1s is the luminosity, which spans a range of almost two orders of magnitude, from $10^{44}\,\mathrm{erg\,s}^{-1}$ to $10^{46}\,\mathrm{erg\,s}^{-1}$ in the (0.5-10) keV band.

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arXiv2015

Black Hole Lightning from the Peculiar Gamma-Ray Loud Active Galactic Nucleus IC 310

The nearby active galaxy IC 310, located in the outskirts of the Perseus cluster of galaxies is a bright and variable multi-wavelength emitter from the radio regime up to very high gamma-ray energies above 100 GeV. Originally, the nucleus of IC 310 has been classified as a radio galaxy. However, studies of the multi-wavelength emission showed several properties similarly to those found from blazars as well as radio galaxies. In late 2012, we have organized the first contemporaneous multi-wavelength campaign including radio, optical, X-ray and gamma-ray instruments. During this campaign an exceptionally bright flare of IC 310 was detected with the MAGIC telescopes in November 2012 reaching an averaged flux level in the night of up to one Crab above 1 TeV with a hard spectrum over two decades in energy. The intra-night light curve showed a series of strong outbursts with flux-doubling time scales as fast as a few minutes. The fast variability constrains the size of the gamma-ray emission regime to be smaller than 20% of the gravitational radius of its central black hole. This challenges the shock acceleration models, commonly used to explain gamma-ray radiation from active galaxies. Here, we will present more details on the MAGIC data and discuss several possible alternative emission models.

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arXiv2015

TANAMI counterparts to IceCube high-energy neutrino events

Since the discovery of a neutrino flux in excess of the atmospheric background by the IceCube Collaboration, searches for the astrophysical sources have been ongoing. Due to the steeply falling background towards higher energies, the PeV events detected in three years of IceCube data are the most likely ones to be of extraterrestrial origin. Even excluding the PeV events detected so far, the neutrino flux is well above the atmospheric background, so it is likely that a number of sub-PeV events originate from the same astrophysical sources that produce the PeV events. We study the high-energy properties of AGN that are positionally coincident with the neutrino events from three years of IceCube data and show the results for event number 4. IC 4 is a event with a low angular error (7.1$^\circ$) and a large deposited energy of 165 TeV. We use multiwavelength data, including Fermi/LAT and X-ray data, to construct broadband spectra and present parametrizations of the broadband spectral energy distributions with logarithmic parabolas. Assuming the X-ray to γ-ray emission in blazars originates in the photoproduction of pions by accelerated protons, their predicted neutrino luminosity can be estimated. The measurements of the diffuse extragalactic background by Fermi/LAT gives us an estimate of the flux contributions from faint unresolved blazars. Their contribution increases the number of expected events by a factor of $\sim$2. We conclude that the detection of the IceCube neutrinos IC4, IC14, and IC20 can be explained by the integral emission of blazars, even though no individual source yields a sufficient energy output.

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arXiv2013

mm-VLBI observations of the active galaxy 3C 111 in outburst

The broad-line radio galaxy 3C 111 exhibited a major flux density outburst in 2007. Here, we present imaging and preliminary kinematic results of the jet, based on three millimetre-VLBI observations (86 GHz) using the Global Millimeter VLBI Array (GMVA) covering one year just after the radio flare. The GMVA data allow us to study this outburst with unprecedented image fidelity at highest (sub-parsec) resolution. On these scales, the outburst is resolved into a complex series of plasma components forming an intriguing bent structure. Within 1 mas from the jet base, ejections vary in position angle and components move with an apparent velocity of ~3.7c, significantly slower than the maximum velocity observed with cm-VLBI on scales beyond 1 mas.

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arXiv2013

X-ray monitoring of the radio and gamma-ray loud Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 Galaxy PKS 2004-447

We present preliminary results of the X-ray analysis of XMM-Newton and Swift observations as part of a multi-wavelength monitoring campaign in 2012 of the radio-loud narrow line Seyfert 1 galaxy PKS 2004-447. The source was recently detected in gamma-rays by Fermi/LAT among only four other galaxies of that type. The 0.5-10 keV X-ray spectrum is well-described by a simple absorbed powerlaw (photon index ~ 1.6). The source brightness exhibits variability on timescales of months to years with indications for spectral variability, which follows a 'bluer-when-brighter' behaviour, similar to blazars.

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arXiv2013

Multi-Wavelength Observations of PKS 2142-75 during Active and Quiescent Gamma-Ray States

PKS2142-75 (a.k.a. 2FGL J2147.4-7534) is a flat-spectrum radio quasar that was observed quasi-simultaneously by a suite of instruments across the elec- tromagnetic spectrum during two flaring states in April 2010 and August 2011 as well as a quiescent state in December 2011 through January 2012. The results of these campaigns and model spectral energy distributions (SEDs) from the active and quiescent states are presented. The SED model parameters of PKS 2142-75 indicate that the two flares of the source are created by unique physical conditions. SED studies of flat spectrum radio quasars are beginning to indicate that there might be two types of flares, those that can be described purely by changes in the electron distribution and those that require changes in other parameters, such as the magnetic field strength or the size of the emitting region.

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arXiv2013

X-ray Variability Study of Polar Scattered Seyfert 1 Galaxies

We study 12 Seyfert 1 galaxies with a high level of optical polarization. Optical light emerging from the innermost regions is predominantly scattered in a polar region above the central engine directly in our line of sight. These sources show characteristics of Seyfert 2 galaxies such as, e.g., polarized broad lines. The polarization signatures suggest a viewing angle of 45 degrees classifying them as intermediate Seyfert 1/2 types. The unified model predicts this line of sight to pass through the outer layer of the torus resulting in significant soft X-ray variability due to a strongly varying column density. The aim is to find evidence for this geometrical assumption in the spectral variability of all available historical observations of these sources by XMM-Newton and Swift.

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arXiv2013

Multiwavelength observations of TANAMI sources

The TANAMI VLBI program is monitoring a sample of 84 Active Galactic Nuclei of the Southern Sky at 8.4 and 22 GHz. The combination of VLBI and multiwavelength data allows us to study changes in the spectral energy distributions, as well as changes in the structure of the inner jets and to search correlations between both. We present initial results of the multiwavelength analysis of a sub-sample of the TANAMI sources, combining our radio data with simultaneous X-ray and optical/UV observations from Swift and XMM-Newton, and gamma-ray data from Fermi, focusing on the broadband spectral energy distributions as well as variability in different wavebands.

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arXiv2013

The Aftermath of an Exceptional TeV Flare in the AGN Jet of IC 310

The nearby active galaxy IC 310 (z=0.019), located in the Perseus cluster of galaxies is a bright and variable multi-wavelength emitter from the radio regime up to very high gamma-ray energies above 100 GeV. Very recently, a blazar-like compact radio jet has been found by parsec-scale VLBI imaging. Along with the unusually flat gamma-ray spectrum and variable high-energy emission, this suggests that IC 310 is the closest known blazar and therefore a key object for AGN research. As part of an intense observing program at TeV energies with the MAGIC telescopes, an exceptionally bright flare of IC 310 was detected in November 2012 reaching a flux level of up to >0.5 Crab units above 300 GeV. We have organized a multi-wavelength follow-up program, including the VLBA, Effelsberg 100 m, KVA, Swift, INTEGRAL, Fermi/LAT, and the MAGIC telescopes. We present preliminary results from the multi-wavelength follow-up program with the focus on the response of the jet to this exceptional gamma-ray flare.

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arXiv2013

The 2013 multiwavelength campaign on the Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 galaxy 1H 0323+342: a rosetta stone for the jet/disk paradigm

Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 galaxies have been established as a new class of gamma-ray emitting AGN with relatively low black hole masses, but near-Eddington accretion rates. Other extragalactic gamma-ray sources observed so far such as Flat Spectrum Radio Quasars, Radio Galaxies, and BL Lacertae Objects generally exhibit much higher black hole masses and, in the case of BL Lac objects and FRI Radio Galaxies, much lower accretions rates. The multifrequency campaign of 2013 centered on the bright source 1H 0323+342 will provide further insights into the nature of the jets and their gamma ray production mechanisms in a largely unexplored corner of AGN parameter space. Here, we show preliminary results of this campaign and discuss them.

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arXiv2012

Multi-wavelength Observations of PKS 2142-758 during an Active Gamma-Ray State

PKS 2142-758 is a flat spectrum radio quasar which emits few, weak but significant gamma-ray flares in the MeV through GeV energy range. The first flare occured on April 4th, 2010, when the source reached a daily flux of (1.1 \pm 0.3) * 10^-6 ph cm^-2 s^-1 (ATEL #2539) in the 100 MeV to 300 GeV range. This flux represented more than an order of magnitude increase over its quiescent flux. Since the initial flare, this source has been detected in an elevated state within the same energy range from October to November of 2010 and another period ranging from July to August of 2011. During the latest flaring period in 2011 a multi wavelength observing campaign was carried out using the Ceduna radio telescope, the Australian Telescope Compact Array (ATCA), the TANAMI VLBI Array, Swift, the Rapid Eye Mount Telescope (REM), and the Large Area Telescope (LAT) on board Fermi. These quasi-simultaneous data were used to construct a broadband SED of this object in its rare active state. We present these observations and the resulting SED and some preliminary analysis of the constraints they place on the high energy emission from this object.

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arXiv2012

High Resolution Rapid Response observations of compact radio sources with the Ceduna Hobart Interferometer (CHI)

Context. Frequent, simultaneous observations across the electromagnetic spectrum are essential to the study of a range of astrophysical phenomena including Active Galactic Nuclei. A key tool of such studies is the ability to observe an object when it flares i.e. exhibits a rapid and significant increase in its flux density. Aims. We describe the specific observational procedures and the calibration techniques that have been developed and tested to create a single baseline radio interferometer that can rapidly observe a flaring object. This is the only facility that is dedicated to rapid high resolution radio observations of an object south of -30 degrees declination. An immediate application is to provide rapid contemporaneous radio coverage of AGN flaring at γ-ray frequencies detected by the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. Methods. A single baseline interferometer was formed with radio telescopes in Hobart, Tasmania and Ceduna, South Australia. A software correlator was set up at the University of Tasmania to correlate these data. Results. Measurements of the flux densities of flaring objects can be made using our observing strategy within half an hour of a triggering event. These observations can be calibrated with amplitude errors better than 15%. Lower limits to the brightness temperatures of the sources can also be calculated using CHI.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2012

The blazar-like radio structure of the TeV source IC310

Context. The radio galaxy IC310 in the Perseus cluster has recently been detected in the gamma-ray regime at GeV and TeV energies. The TeV emission shows time variability and an extraordinarily hard spectrum, even harder than the spectrum of the similar nearby gamma-ray emitting radio galaxy M87. Aims. High-resolution studies of the radio morphology help to constrain the geometry of the jet on sub-pc scales and to find out where the high-energy emission might come from. Methods. We analyzed May 2011 VLBA data of IC310 at a wavelength of 3.6 cm, revealing the parsec-scale radio structure of this source. We compared our findings with more information available from contemporary single-dish flux density measurements with the 100-m Effelsberg radio telescope. Results. We have detected a one-sided core-jet structure with blazar-like, beamed radio emission oriented along the same position angle as the kiloparsec scale radio structure observed in the past by connected interferometers. Doppler-boosting favoritism is consistent with an angle of theta < 38 degrees between the jet axis and the line-of-sight, i.e., very likely within the boundary dividing low-luminosity radio galaxies and BL Lac objects in unified schemes. Conclusions. The stability of the jet orientation from parsec to kiloparsec scales in IC310 argues against its classification as a headtail radio galaxy; i.e., there is no indication of an interaction with the intracluster medium that would determine the direction of the tail. IC310 seems to represent a low-luminosity FRI radio galaxy at a borderline angle to reveal its BL Lac-type central engine.

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arXiv2011

Twelve and a Half Years of Observations of Centaurus A with RXTE

The Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer has observed the nearest radio galaxy, Centaurus A, in 13 intervals from 1966 August to 2009 February over the 3--200 keV band. Spectra accumulated over the 13 intervals were well described with an absorbed power law and iron line. Cut-off power laws and Compton reflection from cold matter did not provide a better description. For the 2009 January observation, we set a lower limit on the cut-off energy at over 2 MeV. The power spectral density function was generated from RXTE/ASM and PCA data, as well as an XMM-Newton long look, and clear evidence for a break at 18+10-7 days (68% conf.) was seen. Given Cen A's high black hole mass and very low value of Lx/LEdd, the break was a factor of 17+/-9 times higher than the break frequency predicted by the McHardy and co-workers' relation, which was empirically derived for a sample of objects, which are radio-quiet and accreting at relatively high values of Lbol/LEdd. We have interpreted our observations in the context of a clumpy molecular torus. The variability characteristics and the broadband spectral energy distribution, when compared to Seyferts, imply that the bright hard X-ray continuum emission may originate at the base of the jet, yet from behind the absorbing line of sight material, in contrast to what is commonly observed from blazars.

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arXiv2010

The TANAMI Program

The TANAMI (Tracking AGN with Austral Milliarcsecond Interferometry) program provides comprehensive VLBI monitoring of extragalactic gamma-ray sources south of declination -30 degrees. Operating at two radio frequencies (8 and 22 GHz), this program is a critical component of the joint quasi-simultaneous observations with the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and ground based observatories to discriminate between competing theoretical blazar emission models. We describe the TANAMI program and present early results on the 75 sources currently being monitored.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2010

VLBI Monitoring of the bright gamma-ray blazar PKS 0537-441

One of the defining characteristics of BL Lacertae objects is their strong variability across the electromagnetic spectrum. PKS 0537-441 is one such object and is one of the most luminous blazars from radio to gamma-ray wavelengths. It was detected as a strong and highly variable source by EGRET and has been reported several times to be in an active state by Fermi . It is one of the brightest gamma-ray blazars detected in the southern sky so far. The TANAMI (Tracking Active Galactic Nuclei with Austral Milliarcsecond Interferometry) program is monitoring PKS 0537-441 at VLBI resolutions. We present 8.4 GHz and 22 GHz images of the milliarcsecond scale structure. We also present our ongoing analysis of the spectral and temporal changes in this object.

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arXiv2010

TANAMI: Tracking Active Galactic Nuclei with Austral Milliarcsecond Interferometry I. First-Epoch 8.4 GHz Images

We introduce the TANAMI program (Tracking Active Galactic Nuclei with Austral Milliarcsecond Interferometry) which is monitoring an initial sample of 43 extragalactic jets located south of -30 degrees declination at 8.4 GHz and 22 GHz since 2007. All aspects of the program are discussed. First epoch results at 8.4 GHz are presented along with physical parameters derived therefrom. We present first epoch images for 43 sources, some observed for the first time at milliarcsecond resolution. Parameters of these images as well as physical parameters derived from them are also presented and discussed. These and subsequent images from the TANAMI survey are available at http://pulsar.sternwarte.uni-erlangen.de/tanami/ We obtain reliable, high dynamic range images of the southern hemisphere AGN. All the quasars and BL Lac objects in the sample have a single-sided radio morphology. Galaxies are either double-sided, single-sided or irregular. About 28% of the TANAMI sample has been detected by LAT during its first three months of operations. Initial analysis suggests that when galaxies are excluded, sources detected by LAT have larger opening angles than those not detected by LAT. Brightness temperatures of LAT detections and non-detections seem to have similar distributions. The redshift distributions of the TANAMI sample and sub-samples are similar to those seen for the bright gamma-ray AGN seen by LAT and EGRET but none of the sources with a redshift above 1.8 have been detected by LAT.

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arXiv2010

TANAMI - Tracking Active Galactic Nuclei with Austral Milliarcsecond Interferometry

We present a summary of the observation strategy of TANAMI (Tracking Active Galactic Nuclei with Austral Milliarcsecond Interferometry), a monitoring program to study the parsec-scale structure and dynamics of relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei (AGN) of the Southern Hemisphere with the Australian Long Baseline Array (LBA) and the trans-oceanic antennas Hartebeesthoek, TIGO, and O'Higgins. TANAMI is focusing on extragalactic sources south of -30 degrees declination with observations at 8.4 GHz and 22 GHz every ~2 months at milliarcsecond resolution. The initial TANAMI sample of 43 sources has been defined before the launch of the Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope to include the most promising candidates for bright gamma-ray emission to be detected with its Large Area Telescope (LAT). Since November 2008, we have been adding new sources to the sample, which now includes all known radio- and gamma-ray bright AGN of the Southern Hemisphere. The combination of VLBI and gamma-ray observations is crucial to understand the broadband emission characteristics of AGN and the nature of relativistic jets.

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