arXiv subjects

P. M. Ogle

Publications and source records attributed to P. M. Ogle.

25 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2000

Chandra imaging of the complex X-ray core of the Perseus cluster

We report subarcsec-resolution X-ray imaging of the core of the Perseus cluster around the galaxy NGC 1275 with the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The ROSAT-discovered holes associated with the radio lobes have X-ray bright rims which are cooler than the surrounding gas and not due to shocks. The holes themselves may contain some hotter gas. We map strong photoelectric absorption across the Northern lobe and rim due to a small infalling irregular galaxy, known as the high velocity system. Two outer holes, one of which was previously known, are identified with recently found spurs of low-frequency radio emission. The spiral appearance of the X-ray cooler gas and the outer optical parts of NGC 1275 may be due to angular momentum in the cooling flow.

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arXiv1999

Polarimetry and Unification of Low-Redshift Radio Galaxies

We have made high-quality measurements of the polarization spectra of 13 FR II radio galaxies and taken polarization images for 11 of these with the Keck telescopes. Seven of the eight narrow-line radio galaxies (NLRG) are polarized, and six of the seven show prominent broad Balmer lines in polarized light. The broad lines are also weakly visible in total flux. Some of the NLRG show bipolar regions with roughly circumferential polarization vectors, revealing a large reflection nebula illuminated by a central source. Our observations powerfully support the hidden quasar hypothesis for some NLRG. Classification as NLRG, broad-line radio galaxy (BLRG), or quasar therefore depends on orientation. However, not all objects fit into this unification scheme. Our sample is biased towards objects known in advance to be polarized, but the combination of our results with those of Hill, Goodrich and DePoy (1996) show that at least 6 out of a complete, volume and flux-limited sample of 9 FR II NLRG have broad lines, seen either in polarization or P_alpha.

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arXiv1999

Polarization of Broad Absorption Line QSOs I. A Spectropolarimetric Atlas

We present a spectropolarimetric survey of 36 broad absorption line quasi-stellar objects (BAL QSOs). The continuum, absorption trough, and emission line polarization of BAL QSOs yield clues about their structure. We confirm that BAL QSOs are in general more highly polarized than non-BAL QSOs, consistent with a more equatorial viewing direction for the former than the latter. We have identified two new highly-polarized QSOs in our sample (1232+1325 and 1333+2840). The polarization rises weakly to the blue in most objects, perhaps due to scattering and absorption by dust particles. We find that a polarization increase in the BAL troughs is a general property of polarized BAL QSOs, indicating an excess of scattered light relative to direct light, and consistent with the unification of BAL QSOs and non-BAL QSOs. We have also discovered evidence of resonantly scattered photons in the red wing of the C IV broad emission lines of a few objects. In most cases, the broad emission lines have lower polarization and a different position angle than the continuum. The polarization characteristics of low-ionization BAL QSOs are similar to those of high-ionization BAL QSOs, suggesting a similar BAL wind geometry.

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arXiv1998

Optical continuum structure of Cygnus A

As a prerequisite for interpreting new observations of the most distant radio galaxies, we make an optical study of the closest powerful radio source, Cygnus A. Using Keck imaging- and spectro-polarimetry in conjunction with HST, WFPC2 broad and narrow band imaging, we are able to identify specific geometrical structures in the galaxy with optical continuum components distinguished by both colour and polarimetric properties. A 4 kpc diameter dusty ring of young stars forms the equator of a double ionization cone which is co-axial with the radio jets.

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arXiv1997

Keck Spectropolarimetry of BALQSO

Spectropolarimetry of broad absorption line quasi-stellar objects with the W. M. Keck Telescope is used to put constraints on their nuclear structure. If the continuum polarization is due to electron (or dust) scattering, then the scattered and direct rays probe the nucleus along multiple lines of sight, which suffer differing amounts of absorption. Multiple sources of polarized light contribute to the quasar emission, and the relative sizes and symmetries of these sources can be ascertained. The size of the electron scattering region relative to continuum source, broad emission line region, and broad absorption line region is determined using spectropolarimetry. The geometries of the scattering and broad absorption line regions are discussed in an attempt to discriminate between polar and equatorial outflows. The variation of polarization with velocity in the broad absorption troughs may also be used to study the dynamics of the absorbing gas.

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arXiv1997

PKS 0116+082: An Optically Variable Compact Steep-Spectrum Source in an NLRG

Polarimetry of the narrow-line radio galaxy PKS 0116+082 at the W.M. Keck telescope shows that it has high and variable optical polarization, presumably due to synchrotron radiation. It is not a BL Lac object because it has strong narrow lines, and it is not an OVV quasar because it has no broad lines and the extended galaxy is prominent. VLA and VLBA images show that it is a compact steep-spectrum radio source with most of the emission coming from a region less than 100 milli-arcsec in size. Of the 25 compact steep-spectrum or gigahertz peaked-spectrum sources measured polarimetrically, four have high optical polarization. One of these has been observed only once but in the other three the polarization is variable. This gives an intriguing hint that variability may be a general property of these objects.

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arXiv1997

Scattered Nuclear Continuum and Broad H-alpha in Cygnus A

We have discovered scattered broad Balmer emission lines in the spectrum of Cygnus A, using the Keck II telescope. Broad H-alpha appears in polarized flux from components on either side of the nucleus, and to a lesser extent in the nucleus. The full-width at half-maximum of broad H-alpha is 26,000 km/s, comparable to the widest emission lines seen in broad-line radio galaxies. Scattered AGN light provides a significant contribution to the total flux at 3800 Angstroms (rest) of the western component, where the polarization rises to 16%. The spatially integrated flux of Cygnus A at 5500 Angstroms can be decomposed into an elliptical galaxy fraction (Fg=0.70), a highly polarized blue component (FC1=0.15), a less polarized red component (FC=0.09), and a contribution from the nebular continuum (0.06). Imaging polarimetry shows a double fan of polarization vectors with circular symmetry which corresponds to the ionization cone seen in HST images. Our results are consistent with scattering of light from a hidden quasar of modest luminosity by an extended, dusty narrow-line region.

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