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P. Rafanelli

Publications and source records attributed to P. Rafanelli.

54 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

The symbiotic star CH Cygni. II. The broad Ly alpha emission line explained by shocks

Context. In 1985, at the end of the active phase 1977-1986, a broad (4000 km/s) Ly alpha line appeared in the symbiotic system CH Cygni that had never been observed previously. Aims. In this work we investigate the origin of this anomalous broad Ly alpha line. Methods. We suggest a new interpretation of the broad Ly alpha based on the theory of charge transfer reactions between ambient hydrogen atoms and post-shock protons at a strong shock front. Results. We have found that the broad Ly alpha line originated from the blast wave created by the outburst, while the contemporary optical and UV lines arose from the nebula downstream of the expanding shock in the colliding wind scenario.

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Detailed Analysis of Balmer Lines in a Sloan Digital Sky Survey Sample of 90 Broad Line Active Galactic Nuclei

In order to contribute to the general effort aiming at the improvement of our knowledge about the physical conditions within the Broad Line Region (BLR) of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), here we present the results achieved by our analysis of the spectral properties of a sample of 90 broad line emitting sources, collected at the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) database. By focusing our attention mainly onto the Balmer series of hydrogen emission lines, which is the dominant feature in the optical wavelength range of many BLR spectra, we extracted several flux and profile measurements, which we related to other source properties, such as optical continuum luminosities, inferred black hole masses, and accretion rates. Using the Boltzmann Plot method to investigate the Balmer line flux ratios as a function of the line profiles, we found that broader line emitting AGN typically have larger H_alpha / H_beta and smaller H_gamma / H_beta and H_delta / H_beta line ratios. With the help of some recent investigations, we model the structure of the BLR and we study the influence of the accretion process on the properties of the BLR plasma.

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Optical and infrared properties of V1647 Orionis during the 2003-2006 outburst. I The reflection nebula

Aims: The recent outburst of the young eruptive star V1647 Orionis has produced a spectacular appearance of a new reflection nebula in Orion (McNeil's nebula). We present an optical/near infrared investigation of McNeil's nebula. This analysis is aimed at determining the morphology, temporal evolution and nature of the nebula and its connection to the outburst. Method: We performed multi epoch B, V, R, I, z, and K imaging of McNeil's nebula and V1647 Ori as well as K_S imaging polarimetry. The multiband imaging allows us to reconstruct the extinction map inside the nebula. Through polarimetric observations we attempt to disentangle the emission from the nebula from that of the accretion disk around V1647 Ori. We also attempt to resolve the small spatial scale structure of the illuminating source. Results: The energy distribution and temporal evolution of McNeil's nebula mimic that of the illuminating source. The extinction map reveals a region of higher extinction in the direction of V1647 Ori. Excluding foreground extionction, the optical extinction due to McNeil's nebula in the direction of V1647 Ori is A_V ~ 6.5 mag. The polarimetric measurement shows a compact high polarization emission around V1647 Ori. The percentage of K_S band linear polarization goes from 10 -- 20 %. The vectors are all well aligned with a position angle of 90 +/- 9 degree East of North. This may correspond to the orientation of a possible accretion disk around V1647 Ori. These findings suggest that the appearance of McNeil's nebula is due to reflection of light by pre-existing material in the surroundings of V1647 Ori. We also report on the discovery of a new candidate brown dwarf or protostar in the vicinity of V1647 Ori as well as the presence of clumpy structure within HH 22A.

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Optical and infrared properties of V1647 Orionis during the 2003-2006 outburst. II. Temporal evolution of the eruptive source

The occurrence of new FU Orionis-like objects is fundamental to understand the outburst mechanism in young stars and their role in star formation and disk evolution. Our work is aimed at investigating the properties of the recent outburst of V1647 Ori. Using optical and mid infrared long slit spectroscopy we monitored V1647 Ori in outburst between February 2004 and January 2006. The optical spectrum is characterized by Halpha and Hbeta in P-Cygni profile and by many weak FeI and FeII emission lines. Short timescale variability was measured in the continuum and line emission. On January 2006 we detected for the first time forbidden emission lines ([OI], [SII] and [FeII]). These lines are likely produced by an Herbig-Haro object driven by V1647 Ori. The mid infrared the spectrum of V1647 Ori is flat and featureless at all epochs. The SED changed drastically: the source was much redder in the early outburst than in the final phase. The magnitude rise and the SED of V1647 Ori resembles that of a FUor while the duration and recurrence of the outburst resemble that of a EXor. The optical spectrum is clearly distinct from either the absorption line spectrum of a FUor or the T Tauri-like spectrum of an EXor. Our data are consistent with a disk instability event which led to an increase of the mass accretion rate. The data also suggest the presence of a circumstellar envelope around the star+disk system. The peculiar N band spectrum might be explained by dust sublimation in the outer layers of the disk. The presence of the envelope and the outburst statistics suggest that these instability events occur only in a specific stage of a Class I source (e.g. in the transition phase to an optically visible star surrounded by a protoplanetary disk). We discuss the outburst mechanisms in term of the thermal instability model.

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Gas and dust spectra of the D' type symbiotic star HD330036

We present a comprehensive and self-consistent modelling of the D' type symbiotic star (SS) HD330036 from radio to UV. Within a colliding-wind scenario, we analyse the continuum, line and dust spectra by means of SUMA, a code that simulates the physical conditions of an emitting gaseous cloud under the coupled effect of ionization from an external radiation source and shocks. We find that the UV lines are emitted from high density gas between the stars downstream of the reverse shock, while the optical lines are emitted downstream of the shock propagating outwards the system. As regards with the continuum SED, three shells are identified in the IR, at 850K, 320 K and 200 K with radii r = 2.8 10^13 cm, 4 10^14$ cm, and 10^15 cm, respectively, adopting a distance to Earth d=2.3 kpc: interestingly, all these shells appear to be circumbinary. The analysis of the unexploited ISO-SWS spectrum reveals that both PAHs and crystalline silicates coexist in HD330036, with PAHs associated to the internal shell at 850 K, and crystalline silicates stored into the cool shells at 320 K and 200 K. Strong evidence that crystalline silicates are shaped in a disk-like structure is derived on the basis of the relative band strengths. Finally, we suggest that shocks can be a reliable mechanism in activating the annealing and the consequent crystallization processes. We show that a consistent interpretation of gas and dust spectra emitted by SS can be obtained by models which accounts for the coupled effect of the photoionizing flux and of shocks. The VLTI/MIDI proposal recently accepted by ESO aims to verify and better constrain some of our results by means of IR interferometric observations.

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The symbiotic star H1-36. A composite model of line and continuum spectra from radio to ultraviolet

In this paper we analyse the spectra of D-type SS H1-36 within a colliding-wind scenario. We aim to analyse the properties of this object taking into account the observational data along the whole electromagnetic spectrum, in order to derive a self-consistent picture able to interpret the nature of the system as a whole. After constraining the relative physical conditions by modelling more than 40 emission lines from radio to UV, we are able to explain the continuum spectral energy distribution by taking into account all the emitting contributions arising from both the stars, the dust shells and the gaseous nebulae. A comprehensive model of the radio spectra allows to reproduce the different slopes of the radio profile and the turnover frequency, as well as the different size of the observed shocked envelope at different frequencies in the light of the different contributions from the expanding and reverse nebulae. The IR continuum unveils the presence of two dust shells with different radii and temperatures, which might be a distinctive feature of D-type symbiotic systems as a class of objects. The broad profiles of IR lines direct us to investigate whether an X-ray jet may be present. This insight leads us to indicate H1-36 as a promising X-ray target and to encourage observations and studies which consistently take into account the complex nature of symbiotic stars throughout the whole electromagnetic spectrum.

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Silicates in D-type symbiotic stars: an ISO overview

We investigate the IR spectral features of a sample of D-type symbiotic stars. Analyzing unexploited ISO-SWS data, deriving the basic observational parameters of dust bands and comparing them with respect to those observed in other astronomical sources, we try to highlight the effect of environment on grain chemistry and physic. We find strong amorphous silicate emission bands at 10 micron and 18 micron in a large fraction of the sample. The analysis of the 10 micron band, along with a direct comparison with several astronomical sources, reveals that silicate dust in symbiotic stars shows features between the characteristic circumstellar environments and the interstellar medium. This indicates an increasing reprocessing of grains in relation to specific symbiotic behavior of the objects. A correlation between the central wavelength of the 10 and 18 micron dust bands is found. By the modeling of IR spectral lines we investigate also dust grains conditions within the shocked nebulae. Both the unusual depletion values and the high sputtering efficiency might be explained by the formation of SiO moleculae, which are known to be a very reliable shock tracer. We conclude that the signature of dust chemical disturbance due to symbiotic activity should be looked for in the outer, circumbinary, expanding shells where the environmental conditions for grain processing might be achieved. Symbiotic stars are thus attractive targets for new mid-infrared and mm observations.

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New photometric and spectroscopic observations of the Seyfert galaxy Mrk 315

We present new important results about the intermediate-type Seyfert galaxy Mrk 315, recently observed through optical imaging and integral-field spectroscopy. Broad-band images were used to study the morphology of the host galaxy, narrow-band H-alpha images to trace the star forming regions, and middle-band [O III] images to evidence the distribution of the highly ionised gas. Some extended emission regions were isolated and their physical properties studied by means of flux calibrated spectra. High resolution spectroscopy was used to separate different kinematic components in the velocity fields of gas and stars. Some peculiar features characterise this apparently undisturbed and moderately isolated active galaxy. Such features, already investigated by other authors, are re-analysed and discussed in the light of these new observations. The most relevant results we obtained are: the multi-tiers structure of the disc; the presence of a quasi-ring of regions with star formation much higher than previous claims; a secondary nucleus confirmed by a stellar component kinematically decoupled by the main galaxy; a new hypothesis about the controversial nature of the long filament, initially described as hook-shaped, and more likely made of two independent filaments caused by interaction events between the main galaxy and two dwarf companions.

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Star Formation in Three Nearby Galaxy Systems

We present an analysis of the distribution and strength of star formation in three nearby small galaxy systems, which are undergoing a weak interaction, a strong interaction, and a merging process, respectively. The galaxies in all systems present widespread star formation enhancements,as well as, in some cases, nuclear activity. In particular, for the two closest systems, we study the number-count, size, and luminosity distribution of H {\sc ii} regions within the interacting galaxies, while for the more distant, merging system we analyze the general distribution of the Halpha emission across the system and its velocity field.

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Nuclear Starbursts in Nearby Seyfert Galaxies

Active galaxies are often associated with starbursts, which are possible sources of fuelling for the nuclear black holes. By means of optical (3500-7500 A) spectroscopic and narrow-band photometric data (H_alpha+[NII]6548,6583 and [OIII]5007) it is possible to detect starburst features in active nuclei and to study the correlation with Seyfert type and the surrounding environment. Here we present evidences of young stellar populations (HI high order Balmer lines) and extended H_alpha emission (indicative of HII regions) in 6 nearby Seyfert galaxies (z < 0.02). These very preliminary results seem to suggest that the nuclear starburst presence does not depend on the Seyfert type, favouring the hypothesis of the AGN Unified Model. By estimating the present SFR (< 10^6 years) and recent SFR (< 10^9 years) we observe that these objects have experienced most of star formation episodes in past epochs. This supports the hypothesis of a starburst-AGN connection, favouring an evolutionary scenario in which the AGN survives to the starburst.

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Stellar velocity dispersion in NLS1 galaxies

Several authors recently explored the Black-Hole mass (M_BH) vs. stellar velocity dispersion (sigma_*) relationship for Narrow Line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s). Their results are more or less in agreement and seem to indicate that NLS1s fill the region below the fit obtained by Tremaine et al. (2002), showing a range of sigma_* similar to that of Seyfert 1 galaxies, and a lower M_BH. Until now the [O III] width has been used in place of the stellar velocity dispersion, but some indications begin to arise against the effectiveness of the gaseous kinematics in representing the bulge potential at least in NLS1s. Bian & Zhao (2004) stressed the urgency to produce true sigma_* measurements. Here we present new stellar velocity dispersions obtained through direct measurements of the Ca II absorption triplet (~ 8550 A) in the nuclei of 8 NLS1 galaxies. The resulting sigma_* values and a comparison with sigma_[O III] confirm our suspects (see Botte et al. 2004) that [O III] typically overestimates the stellar velocity dispersion and demonstrate that NLS1s follow the M_BH-sigma_* relation as Seyfert 1, quasars and non-active galaxies.

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The peculiar galaxy Mkn 298 revisited through integral field spectroscopy

Spectroscopic and imaging data of the peculiar galaxy Mkn 298 are presented in this paper. Narrow-band Halpha and broad-band R images are used to study the star formation rate in the galaxy and its morphology, which is typical of a merging system. Long-slit and integral field spectra are used to assess the kinematics of gas and stars, and the nature of the ionizing source at different distances from the nucleus. In particular, the nucleus of Mkn 298 is characterized by peculiar line ratios: [NII] 6583/Halpha is typical of HII-like regions, while [OI] 6300/Halpha could indicate the presence of an active galactic nucleus. We show that models where a shock component is added to photoionization from a starburst allow to reproduce the observed line ratios. Mkn 298 is thus most likely a star forming galaxy, rather than a galaxy hosting an active nucleus.

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Exploring NLS1 through the physical properties of their hosts

In this work we aim at addressing the still open question about the nature of Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxies: are they really active nuclei with lower mass Black-Holes (BHs) than Seyfert 1 (S1) and quasars? Our approach is based on the recently discovered physical connections between nuclear supermassive BHs and their hosting spheroids (spiral bulges or ellipticals). In particular we compare BH masses of NLS1s and S1s analyzing the properties of their hosts by means of spectroscopic and photometric data in the optical wavelength domain. We find that NLS1s fill the low BH mass and bulge luminosity values of the BH mass - bulge magnitude relation, a result strongly suggesting that NLS1s are active nuclei where less massive BHs are hosted by less massive bulges. The correlation is good with a relatively small scatter fitting simultaneously NLS1s, S1s and quasars. On the other hand, NLS1s seem to share the same stellar velocity dispersion range of S1s in the BH mass - stellar velocity dispersion relation, indicating that NLS1s have a smaller BH/bulge mass ratio than S1s. These two conflicting results support in any case the idea that NLS1s could be young S1s. Finally we do not confirm the significantly non linear BH--bulge relation claimed by some authors.

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Analysis of the Interaction Effects in the Southern Galaxy Pair Tol1238-364 and ESO381-G009

In the context of the connection among galaxy-galaxy interaction, starbursts and nuclear activity, we present and discuss a quantitative morphological analysis based on BVR images and a detailed spectroscopic investigation of two interacting galaxies, the Seyfert 2 Tol1238-364 (IC 3639) and its companion ESO381-G009, forming a triple system with ESO381-G006. Broad-band optical photometry is complemented by Halpha imaging, which provides information about the distribution of star forming regions across the galaxies. Long-slit spectroscopic data obtained at different position angles of the slit are employed to determine the physical conditions of circumnuclear and extranuclear regions. A mixture of thermal and non-thermal ionizing radiation is found in the surroundings of the nucleus of Tol1238-364 and the energy budget supports the presence of a circumnuclear starburst.Several regions in both the galaxies show anomalous line ratios: additional ionization by shock-heating and low ionization of some extranuclear HII regions are suggested as possible explanations. An analysis of the emission-line profiles reveals the presence of a broad Halpha component in the nuclear region of Tol1238-364. Independent estimates of the star formation rates (SFR) were obtained through flux-calibrated Halpha-images and FIR emission in the four IRAS bands. Overall SFR densities have been compared with the SFR densities derived from Halpha emission in the individual regions of the galaxies sampled by long-slit spectra. In both galaxies an enhancement of the star formation activity with respect to isolated galaxies is revealed. The prevalence of starburst or nuclear activity has been examined through FIR color indices. The interaction scenario is discussed on the basis of the observed galaxy properties.

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2-D spectroscopy and modeling of the biconical ionized gas in NGC 4388

We present recent results from spectroscopic data and modeling of the biconical ionized gas in the Seyfert-2 galaxy NGC 4388. A field of ~2.6 x 2.4 kpc centered on the nucleus has been observed by means of the modern technique of integral field spectroscopy. The analysis of more than two hundred spectra allowed to study the physical characteristics of the gas in the surroundings of the active nucleus. The South-West ionization cone, revealed by the [O III]5007/H-beta excitation map, shows high emission line ratios not completely supported by simple photoionization. Composite models which account for the combined effects of photoionization and shock show that such high [O III]/H-beta line ratios are emitted by low density (n_0=30 cm^-3) gas inside large (D > 1 pc) shocked clouds (V_s=100 km/s) reached by a relatively low flux from the active nucleus. The data of the VEELR in the North-East cone by Yoshida et al. (2002) have been modeled. The results confirm that photoionization is the prevailing mechanism, but nontheless weak shocks are under way between colliding clouds with small (< 1 pc) sizes and low densities n_0 <= 100 cm^-3, moving outward at relatively low velocities (V_s=100 km/s).

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The interpretation of the emission spectra of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 7130. Determination of the AGN and starburst contributions

Detailed modeling of the different regions of NGC 7130 is presented, accounting for its composite nature of AGN and starburst galaxy. Shock waves, created by stellar winds from hot massive stars and by supernova ejecta, are evident in the continuum and line spectra emitted from the clouds. The AGN starburst connection is discussed on the basis of model results, considering in particular the distribution of densities and velocities throughout the galaxy.

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Soft X-ray properties of a spectroscopically selected sample of interacting and isolated Seyfert galaxies

We present a catalogue of ROSAT detected sources in the sample of spectroscopically selected Seyfert 1 and Seyfert 2 galaxies of Rafanelli et al. (1995). The catalogue contains 102 Seyfert 1 and 36 Seyfert 2 galaxies. The identification is based on X-ray contour maps overlaid on optical images taken from the Digitized Sky Survey. We have derived the basic spectral and timing properties of the X-ray detected Seyfert galaxies. For Seyfert 1 galaxies a strong correlation between photon index and X-ray luminosity is detected. We confirm the presence of generally steeper X-ray continua in narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) compared to broad-line Seyfert 1 galaxies. Seyfert 2 galaxies show photon indices similar to those of NLS1s. Whereas a tendency for an increasing X-ray luminosity with increasing interaction strength is found for Seyfert 1 galaxies, such a correlation is not found for Seyfert 2 galaxies. For Seyfert 1 galaxies we found also a strong correlation for increasing far-infrared luminosity with increasing interaction strength. Both NLS1s and Seyfert 2 galaxies show the highest values of far-infrared luminosity compared to Seyfert 1 galaxies, suggesting that NLS1s and Seyfert 2 galaxies host strong (cirumnuclear) starformation. For variable Seyfert galaxies we present the X-ray light curves obtained from the ROSAT All-Sky Survey and from ROSAT PSPC and HRI pointed observations. Besides the expected strong short- and long-term X-ray variability in Seyfert 1 galaxies, we find indications for X-ray flux variations in Seyfert 2 galaxies.

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A direct view of the AGN powering IRAS12393+3520

We report the first direct X-ray evidence that an AGN is hidden in the center of IRAS12393+3520. An ASCA observation of this target unveiled a bright (0.5-10 keV luminosity 3.9 x 10^42 erg/s) and variable source, with minimum observed doubling/halving time scale comprised in the range 30-75 ks. A model composed by a simple power-law, with photon index ~1.8 and an absorption edge, whose threshold energy is consistent with K-shell photoionization of OVII, provides an adequate fit of the spectrum. This suggests that we are observing the emission from the nuclear region through a warm absorber of N_H a few 10^{21}/cm/cm. If it has internal dust with Galactic gas-to-dust ratio, it could explain the lack of broad Hbeta emission, even in the episodic presence of a broad Halpha emission line. Optical spectra obtained over several years show indeed variations in the strength of this broad Halpha component. A distribution of dusty, optically thick matter on spatial scales a few hundreds parsec, which does not intercept the line of sight towards the nucleus, is probably required to account simultaneously for the relative [OIII] luminosity deficit in comparison to the X-rays. The high IR to X-ray luminosity ratio is most likely due to intense star formation in the circumnuclear region. IRAS12393+3520 might thus exhibit simultaneously nuclear activity and remarkable star formation.

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