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P. G. Edwards

Publications and source records attributed to P. G. Edwards.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

SKA-VLBI Probes of High-energy Emission Processes in Relativistic Jets

Relativistic jets in the nuclei of active galaxies are ubiquitous sources of high-energy emission. In particular, blazars represent the most luminous persistent X-ray and gamma-ray sources, whose defining characteristics are small jet inclination angles to the line of sight. Blazars can be detected in many cases up to TeV energies and the largest class of TeV emitting extragalactic AGN is represented by high-synchrotron peaked (HSP) BL Lac objects, which are generally comparably faint radio sources. Moreover, evidence has also been accumulated that high-energy cosmic neutrinos detected by IceCube can be associated with blazars. There is an increasing number of suggested blazar-neutrino associations, along with many cases of coincident flaring radio emission, but in a majority of cases, faint blazars on the level of millijanskies or below have to be considered. These high-energy photon and neutrino emission processes hold many unanswered questions including the unknown source of seed-photons for photo-pion production and the infamous Doppler crisis of TeV-emitting BL Lac objects. SKA-VLBI offers the opportunity to achieve superior sensitivity at milliarcsecond resolutions, provided by the combination of the phased SKA-Mid and global VLBI arrays. This opens the possibility to perform high-sensitivity and high-angular resolution imaging and polarimetric probes of faint blazars. The resulting high-fidelity spatially resolved parameterizations of structured jets in bright sources will yield key insights to constrain physical models of high-energy photon and particle emission in AGN jets.

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arXiv2026

Unique Science Opportunities for Space VLBI Systems with the SKA Telescopes

To date, two dedicated Space Very Long Baseline Interferometry (SVLBI) missions, the VLBI Space Observatory Programme (VSOP) and RadioAstron, have provided groundbreaking insights into the Universe at angular resolutions as fine as ~10 microarcseconds. The phased SKA-Mid, with its exceptional sensitivity and broad frequency coverage, will form a unique ground-based anchor for future SVLBI missions, driving major advances into previously unexplored regions of the angular resolution-sensitivity parameter space. The discovery of extreme brightness temperatures in blazars by RadioAstron demands detailed investigation with next-generation SVLBI. Such studies are crucial for understanding particle (re-)acceleration mechanisms, with direct implications for the search for high-energy neutrino sources. Combining centimeter-wavelength SVLBI with millimeter ground-based VLBI at comparable resolutions will enable detailed studies of plasma stratification and instabilities in Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) jets, as well as the processes of jet formation, acceleration, collimation, and magnetic field evolution, for example through Faraday rotation mapping. The unprecedented sensitivity of the SKA-Mid will allow observations of active galactic nuclei to very high redshifts, tracing their evolution and overcoming opacity caused by the (1+z) shift of intrinsic emission frequencies. Future centimeter SVLBI experiments will also probe scattering in the interstellar medium through pulsar, maser, and AGN observations. Finally, the combination of multiple tied-array beams from the SKA telescopes and the extremely long SVLBI baselines will enable ultra-precise astrometry using the next-generation MultiView technique, allowing measurements of extragalactic parallaxes of pulsars and megamasers, proper motions of supermassive black holes, and even the astrometric detection of exoplanets.

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arXiv2026

EMU discovery of Thunder: a bow-shock PWN powered by PSR J1631-4722 escaping Nimbus SNR (G336.7+0.5)

We report the discovery of a bow-shock pulsar wind nebula (PWN), dubbed Thunder, powered by the radio pulsar PSR J1631-4722 and projected within the Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) G336.7+0.5 (Nimbus). The system was first identified in observations from the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) Evolutionary Map of the Universe (EMU) survey and further characterised using MeerKAT Galactic Plane Survey data together with follow-up observations at 5.5 and 9 GHz obtained with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA). Assuming a distance of 7 kpc, the radio images resolve an elongated ~80 arcsec (2.7 pc) cometary nebula, indicative of a high velocity pulsar. An X-ray counterpart extending ~50 arcsec (1.7 pc) is detected in archival XMM-Newton data. The flat radio spectrum ($\alpha$ = -0.27 $\pm$ 0.05) and hard X-ray photon index ($\Gamma$ = 1.6 $\pm$ 0.4) indicate synchrotron emission from relativistic particles injected in the pulsar wind. Polarisation analysis reveals a highly ordered magnetic field aligned with the nebular flow, with fractional polarisation reaching up to 30% in the tail. An equipartition estimate gives a PWN magnetic-field strength of Beq $\approx$ 54-140 $\mu$G. Pulsar timing over a ~2.2 yr baseline reveals strong timing noise and a small spin glitch with amplitude $\Delta{\nu}/{\nu}$ = 1.10$\times$10$^{-8}$. The SNR shows no clear diffuse X-ray counterpart. The morphology and multiwavelength properties of the Nimbus-Thunder system, along with evolutionary models, constrain the system's age to approximately 30-45 kyr, placing the remnant in the late Sedov phase, approaching the transition to the radiative stage.

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arXiv2026

SN 2007it on the RISE -- a radio detection of an interacting supernova 18 years post-explosion

We report the first detection of radio emission from the Type II supernova SN 2007it, located at a distance of 12.2 Mpc in NGC 5530. The observations were obtained with the Australian Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) more than 18 yr after the explosion as part of the Rebrightening in Interacting Supernova Emission (RISE) program, which monitors nearby core-collapse supernovae for late-time interaction with dense circumstellar material. SN 2007it was detected on 2026 April 8 (08:00-12:00 UTC) at 5.5 GHz with a flux density of $3.30 \pm 0.13$ mJy and at 9.0 GHz with $3.54 \pm 0.24$ mJy. Its non-detection in publicly available 0.88 GHz ASKAP data from 2026 January 11 suggests either rapidly rising emission or significant internal absorption at lower frequencies. We assess the prospects for detection at other wavelengths and encourage coordinated follow-up observations across the radio, optical, X-ray, and $\gamma$-ray band

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arXiv2026

SDSSJ110546.07+145202.4: The first long-duration radio changing-look NLS1 galaxy

SDSSJ110546.07+145202.4 stands out as a unique radio changing-look Narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxy that has brightened dramatically and shows an exceptionally long duration of its "on" phase. We present the first high-frequency radio observations, the first simultaneous radio spectral energy distributions (SEDs), the first optical--UV--X-ray SEDs, and the first X-ray monitoring and spectroscopy of this recently discovered event. Importantly for understanding the nature of the outburst, we show that the X-ray spectrum is soft with a photon index Gamma_X=2.5; line-of-sight absorption and extinction are low or absent; the radio SED is peaked at low frequencies ~2 GHz; and the radio outburst emission is very long-lived (t > 8 yr) and roughly constant. The softness of the X-ray spectrum, low supermassive black hole (SMBH) mass, and high Eddington ratio all corroborate the optical NLS1 classification. We discuss multiple outburst scenarios, including lensing, absorption, a binary SMBH merger, a long-duration giant-star tidal disruption, a newly ignited active galactic nucleus (AGN), and an accretion-rate change. While most of them can be either excluded or are deemed too rare and lack positive evidence so far, most or all types of these transients are expected to be detected in ongoing VLA and upcoming SKA surveys. SDSSJ110546.07+145202.4 itself is well explained by an accretion rate change that triggered the powerful radio jet emission. The low redshift and SMBH mass of this system offer a unique perspective of the physical processes of radio-jet ignition that are expected to operate in the early Universe around growing SMBHs.

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arXiv2026

A newly born spider system at the core of a radio shell: Evidence for a low-energy supernova

In a search for low surface brightness radio nebulae using the ASKAP-EMU survey, we discovered a faint radio shell, G289.6+5.8, and its central point radio source at the position of the soft gamma-ray source IGR J11187-5438. The central radio source is spatially coincident with a previously known low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) with an M-type donor star. However, the newly determined Gaia DR3 distance of 267 pc and correspondingly low X-ray luminosity (3 x 10e31 erg/s) cast doubt on the LMXB classification. Neither radio nor X-ray pulsations are detected. Chance-alignments between radio shell, central radio source, optical star, gamma-ray, and X-ray sources appear unlikely. By combining all currently available evidence, we conclude that G289.6+5.8 is a remnant of a low-energy core-collapse explosion of an intermediate mass star (~8Msun) in a binary system with an M-type secondary, which remained bound after the explosion. In this scenario, G289.6+5.8 is a supernova remnant, while the central gamma- and X-ray source is associated with a young neutron star driving a pulsar wind interacting with its M-type stellar companion, making IGR J11187-5438 a nascent spider-type X-ray binary.

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arXiv2026

One sightline, many systems: a FLASH discovery of HI towards scintillating quasar PKS 0405-385

We report the discovery of an intervening 21\,cm absorption line at z = 0.882 towards the z = 1.284 quasar PKS 0405-385, identified in the First Large Absorption Survey in HI (FLASH). This quasar once displayed the most rapid known intraday variability at radio frequencies, from which it earned the title of `the smallest radio quasar'. Although its size was revised upwards soon after based on updated scattering theory, PKS 0405-385 remains an important probe of Galactic plasma, and now also of intervening gas discovered through HI absorption. We present new long-slit spectroscopy spanning both PKS 0405-385 and the candidate host of the intervening HI gas. We identify MgII and FeII absorption lines in this spectrum consistent with the redshift of the intervening HI, as well as two additional, independent metal-line systems at z = 0.907 and z = 0.966, but we cannot accurately pinpoint the host(s) of this intervening gas in current data. We revisit the radio variability of PKS 0405-385 in light of advances in scintillation theory, as well as extended monitoring with the Australia Telescope Compact Array and the Australian SKA Pathfinder, and find a revised linear size >0.3 pc, but no new evidence of repeating intraday variability.

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arXiv2026

Rapid jet ejection from PKS 0215+015 coincident with a high-energy neutrino event

Aims. We present a new neutrino-blazar multiwavelength flare coincidence observed in the blazar PKS 0215+015, which showed a strong multiwavelength outburst in coincidence with the IceCube neutrino track alert IC220225A, similar to the case of TXS 0506+056. We investigate the immediate response of the radio jet to the major flare. Methods. We performed target-of-opportunity observations with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) at 15, 23, and 43 GHz in full polarization for six epochs with monthly cadence following the neutrino event. We combine the VLBA observations with monitoring data from the Effelsberg 100-m telescope, the Australia Telescope Compact Array, and Fermi/LAT. Results. Based on our VLBI kinematic analysis, we identified a new rapid jet component with an apparent speed of ~60-80c, which was ejected around the arrival of IC220225A. The fast component ejection is traced by a characteristic signature in polarization that suggests a shock-shock interaction with a quasi-stationary feature. By combining the VLBI results with radio variability data, we estimated a bulk Lorentz factor of $\Gamma = 105 \pm 56$ and a jet viewing angle of $\vartheta = (1.47 \pm 0.31)^\circ$. Conclusions. We note that the properties of the rapid component exceed previously reported maximum apparent jet speeds and Lorentz factors from continuous VLBI monitoring programs. This is likely only possible because we are observing an exceptional flaring event at high redshift (z=1.72) with higher observing cadence than in typical monitoring programs. We suggest that neutrino production in PKS 0215+015 can occur through p{\gamma}-interactions with protons possibly accelerated within the fast-moving feature. The target photon field could be external to the jet or explained by a multi-layered jet. The latter scenario is consistent with the presence of quasi-stationary features revealed in our analysis.

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arXiv2024

First VLBI detection of Fornax A

Radio galaxies harbouring jetted active galactic nuclei are a frequent target of very-long-baseline interferometry (VLBI) because they play an essential role in exploring how jets form and propagate. Hence, only few have not been detected with VLBI yet; Fornax A is one of the most famous examples. Here we present the first detection of the compact core region of Fornax A with VLBI. At 8.4 GHz the faint core is consistent with an unresolved point source. We constrained its flux density to be $S_0 = 47.5-62.3\,\textrm{mJy}$ and its diameter to be $D^\textrm{min}_0 \leq 70\,\mu\textrm{as}$. The high values of the measured brightness temperature ($T_\textrm{B} \gtrsim 10^{11}\,\textrm{K}$) imply that the observed radiation is of non-thermal origin, likely associated with the synchrotron emission from the active galactic nucleus. We also investigated the possibility of a second radio source being present within the field of view. Adding a second Gaussian component to the geometrical model-fit does not significantly improve the quality of the fit and we, therefore, conclude that our detection corresponds to the compact core of Fornax A. Analysis of the non-trivial closure phases provides evidence for the detection of more extended flux density, on the angular scale of $\sim4000\,\mu\textrm{as}$. Finally, the fractional circular polarisation of the core is consistent with zero, with a conservative upper limit being $m_\textrm{circ} \leq 4\%$.

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arXiv2024

TELAMON: Effelsberg monitoring of AGN jets with very-high-energy astroparticle emission -- I. Program description and sample characterization

Aims. We introduce the TELAMON program which is using the Effelsberg 100-m telescope to monitor the radio spectra of active galactic nuclei (AGN) under scrutiny in astroparticle physics, specifically TeV blazars and candidate neutrino-associated AGN. Here, we present and characterize our main sample of TeV-detected blazars. Methods. We analyze the data sample from the first ~2.5 years of observations between August 2020 and February 2023 in the range from 14 GHz to 45 GHz. During this pilot phase, we have observed all 59 TeV-detected blazars in the Northern Hemisphere (i.e., Dec. >0{\deg}) known at the time of observation. We discuss the basic data reduction and calibration procedures used for all TELAMON data and introduce a sub-band averaging method used to calculate average light curves for the sources in our sample. Results. The TeV-selected sources in our sample exhibit a median flux density of 0.12 Jy at 20 mm, 0.20 Jy at 14 mm and 0.60 Jy at 7 mm. The spectrum for most of the sources is consistent with a flat radio spectrum and we find a median spectral index ($S(\nu)\propto\nu^\alpha$) of $\alpha=-0.11$. Our results on flux density and spectral index are consistent with previous studies of TeV-selected blazars. Compared to the GeV-selected F-GAMMA sample, TELAMON sources are significantly fainter in the radio band. This is consistent with the double-humped spectrum of blazars being shifted towards higher frequencies for TeV-emitters (in particular for high-synchrotron peaked BL Lac type objects), which results in a lower radio flux density. The spectral index distribution of our TeV-selected blazar sample is not significantly different from the GeV-selected F-GAMMA sample. Moreover, we present a strategy to track the light curve evolution of sources in our sample for future variability and correlation analysis.

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arXiv2023

TELAMON: Effelsberg Monitoring of AGN Jets with Very-High-Energy Astroparticle Emissions -- Polarization properties

We present recent results of the TELAMON program, which is using the Effelsberg 100-m telescope to monitor the radio spectra of active galactic nuclei (AGN) under scrutiny in astroparticle physics, namely TeV blazars and neutrino-associated AGN. Our sample includes all known Northern TeV-emitting blazars as well as blazars positionally coincident with IceCube neutrino alerts. Polarization can give additional insight into the source properties, as the polarized emission is often found to vary on different timescales and amplitudes than the total intensity emission. Here, we present an overview of the polarization properties of the TeV-emitting TELAMON sources at four frequencies in the 20 mm and 7 mm bands. While at 7 mm roughly $82\,\%$ of all observed sources are found to be significantly polarized, for 20 mm the percentage is $\sim58\,\%$. We find that most of the sources exhibit mean fractional polarizations of $<5\%$, matching the expectations of rather low polarization levels in these sources from previous studies at lower radio frequencies. Nevertheless, we demonstrate examples of how the polarized emission can provide additional information over the total intensity.

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arXiv2023

The Impact of Southern-Hemisphere Radio Blazar Observations on Neutrino Astronomy

The origin of high-energy cosmic neutrinos detected by the IceCube observatory is a hotly debated topic in astroparticle physics. There is growing evidence that some of these neutrinos can be associated with active galactic nuclei (AGN) and especially with blazars. Several recent studies have revealed a statistical correlation between radio-bright AGN samples and IceCube neutrino event catalogs. In addition, a growing number of individual high-energy neutrinos have been found to coincide with individual radio-flaring blazars. These observational results strongly call for high-quality, high angular-resolution radio observations of such neutrino-associated blazars to study their parsec-scale jet structures. TANAMI is the only large and long-term VLBI monitoring program focused on the Southern sky. Within TANAMI, we put an emphasis on Southern IceCube neutrino candidate blazars at 2.3 GHz and 8.4 GHz. Here we present first results of the first high-quality, high angular-resolution VLBI observations of nine Southern-Hemisphere blazars that were associated to IceCube neutrino hotspots in the Southern sky. In the near future, the rapidly growing KM3NeT will complement IceCube by being sensitive to high-energy neutrinos mainly from the Southern Hemisphere. This will increase the importance of Southern-Hemisphere radio monitoring programs of neutrino-associated blazars, like TANAMI.

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arXiv2023

Swift/UVOT discovery of Swift J221951-484240: a UV luminous ambiguous nuclear transient

We report the discovery of Swift J221951-484240 (hereafter: J221951), a luminous slow-evolving blue transient that was detected by the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory Ultra-violet/Optical Telescope (Swift/UVOT) during the follow-up of Gravitational Wave alert S190930t, to which it is unrelated. Swift/UVOT photometry shows the UV spectral energy distribution of the transient to be well modelled by a slowly shrinking black body with an approximately constant temperature of T~2.5x10^4 K. At a redshift z=0.5205, J221951 had a peak absolute magnitude of M_u,AB = -23 mag, peak bolometric luminosity L_max=1.1x10^45 erg s^-1 and a total radiated energy of E>2.6x10^52 erg. The archival WISE IR photometry shows a slow rise prior to a peak near the discovery date. Spectroscopic UV observations display broad absorption lines in N V and O VI, pointing toward an outflow at coronal temperatures. The lack of emission in the higher H~Lyman lines, N I and other neutral lines is consistent with a viewing angle close to the plane of the accretion or debris disc. The origin of J221951 can not be determined with certainty but has properties consistent with a tidal disruption event and the turn-on of an active galactic nucleus.

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arXiv2023

RadioAstron discovery of a mini-cocoon around the restarted parsec-scale jet in 3C 84

We present RadioAstron space-based very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations of the nearby radio galaxy 3C84 (NGC1275) at the centre of the Perseus cluster. The observations were carried out on September 21-22, 2013 and involved a global array of 24 ground radio telescopes observing at 5 GHz and 22 GHz, together with the Space Radio Telescope (SRT). Furthermore, the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) and the phased Very Large Array (VLA) observed the source quasi-simultaneously at 15 GHz and 43 GHz. Fringes between the ground array and the SRT were detected on baseline lengths up to 8.1 times the Earth's diameter, providing unprecedented resolution for 3C 84 at these wavelengths. We note that the corresponding fringe spacing is 125 microarcsec at 5 GHz and 27 microarcsec at 22 GHz. Our space-VLBI images reveal a previously unseen sub-structure inside the compact 1 pc long jet that was ejected about ten years earlier. In the 5 GHz image, we detected, for the first time, low-intensity emission from a cocoon-like structure around the restarted jet. Our results suggest that the increased power of the young jet is inflating a bubble of hot plasma as it carves its way through the ambient medium of the central region of the galaxy. Here, we estimate the minimum energy stored in the mini-cocoon, along with its pressure, volume, expansion speed, and the ratio of heavy particles to relativistic electrons, as well as the density of the ambient medium. About half of the energy delivered by the jet is dumped into the mini-cocoon and the quasi-spherical shape of the bubble suggests that this energy may be transferred to a significantly larger volume of the interstellar medium than what would be accomplished by the well-collimated jet on its own. The pressure of the hot mini-cocoon also provides a natural explanation for the almost cylindrical jet profile seen in the 22 GHz RadioAstron image.

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arXiv2023

VLBI Scrutiny of a New Neutrino-Blazar Multiwavelength-Flare Coincidence

In the past years, evidence has started piling up that some high-energy cosmic neutrinos can be associated with blazars in flaring states. On February 26, 2022, a new blazar-neutrino coincidence has been reported: the track-like neutrino event IC220225A detected by IceCube is spatially coincident with the flat-spectrum radio quasar PKS 0215+015. Like previous associations, this source was found to be in a high optical and $γ$-ray state. Moreover, the source showed a bright radio outburst, which substantially increases the probability of a true physical association. We have performed six observations with the VLBA shortly after the neutrino event with a monthly cadence and are monitoring the source with the Effelsberg 100m-Telescope, and with the Australia Compact Telescope Array. Here, we present first results on the contemporary parsec-scale jet structure of PKS 0215+015 in total intensity and polarization to constrain possible physical processes leading to neutrino emission in blazars.

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arXiv2022

Gamma-ray Eclipses and Orbital Modulation Transitions in the Candidate Redback 4FGL J1702.7-5655

Observations with the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) of the gamma-ray source 4FGL J1702.7-5655, previously classified as a candidate millisecond pulsar, show highly-significant modulation at a period of 0.2438033 days (~ 5.85 hours). Further examination of the folded light curve indicates the presence of narrow eclipses, suggesting this is a redback binary system. An examination of the long-term properties of the modulation over 13 years of LAT observations indicates that the orbital modulation of the gamma-rays changed from a simple eclipse before early 2013, to a broader, more easily detected, quasi-sinusoidal modulation. In addition, the time of the eclipse shifts to ~0.05 later in phase. This change in the orbital modulation properties is, however, not accompanied by a significant overall change in gamma-ray flux or spectrum. The quasi-sinusoidal component peaks ~0.5 out of phase with the eclipse, which would indicate inferior conjunction of the compact object in the system. Swift X-ray Telescope observations reveal a possible X-ray counterpart within the LAT error ellipse. However, radio observations obtained with the Australia Telescope Compact Array do not detect a source in the region. 4FGL J1702.7-5655 appears to have changed its state in 2013, perhaps related to changes in the intrabinary shock in the system. We discuss how the properties of 4FGL J1702.7-5655 compare to other binary millisecond pulsars that have exhibited orbital modulation in gamma rays.

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arXiv2021

TELAMON: Effelsberg Monitoring of AGN Jets with Very-High-Energy Astroparticle Emissions

We introduce the TELAMON program, which is using the Effelsberg 100-m telescope to monitor the radio spectra of active galactic nuclei (AGN) under scrutiny in astroparticle physics, namely TeV blazars and candidate neutrino-associated AGN. Thanks to its large dish aperture and sensitive instrumentation, the Effelsberg telescope can yield radio data superior over other programs in the low flux-density regime down to several 10 mJy. This is a particular strength in the case of TeV-emitting blazars, which are often comparatively faint radio sources of the high-synchrotron peaked type. We perform high-cadence high-frequency observations every 2-4 weeks at multiple frequencies up to 44 GHz. This setup is well suited to trace dynamical processes in the compact parsec-scale jets of blazars related to high-energy flares or neutrino detections. Our sample currently covers about 40 sources and puts its focus on AGN with very-high-energy astroparticle emission, i.e., TeV blazars and neutrino-associated AGN. Here, we introduce the TELAMON program characteristics and present first results obtained since fall 2020.

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arXiv2021

RadioAstron reveals a spine-sheath jet structure in 3C 273

We present Space-VLBI RadioAstron observations at 1.6 GHz and 4.8 GHz of the flat spectrum radio quasar 3C 273, with detections on baselines up to 4.5 and 3.3 Earth Diameters, respectively. Achieving the best angular resolution at 1.6 GHz to date, we have imaged limb-brightening in the jet, not previously detected in this source. In contrast, at 4.8 GHz, we detected emission from a central stream of plasma, with a spatial distribution complementary to the limb-brightened emission, indicating an origin in the spine of the jet. While a stratification across the jet width in the flow density, internal energy, magnetic field, or bulk flow velocity are usually invoked to explain the limb-brightening, the different jet structure detected at the two frequencies probably requires a stratification in the emitting electron energy distribution. Future dedicated numerical simulations will allow the determination of which combination of physical parameters are needed to reproduce the spine/sheath structure observed by Space-VLBI with RadioAstron in 3C 273

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