arXiv subjects

R. Athreya

Publications and source records attributed to R. Athreya.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2019

Ionisation of the atomic gas in redshifted radio sources

We report the results of a survey for HI 21-cm absorption at z < 0.4 in a new sample of radio sources with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope. Of the 11 sources for which there are good data, we obtain zero detections, where four are expected upon accounting for the ionising photon rates and sensitivity. Adding these to the previously published values, we confirm that the non-detection of 21-cm absorption in active sources at high redshift is due to photo-ionisation of the gas rather than excitation by 21-cm photons (significant at 6.09 sigma and 2.90 sigma, respectively). We also confirm a strong correlation between the absorption strength and the reddening of the source, suggesting that dust plays a significant role in shielding the gas from the ambient ultra-violet field. An anti-correlation between the 21-cm detection rate and the radio turnover frequency is also found, which runs contrary to what is expected on the basis that the higher the turnover frequency, the more compact the source. It is, however, consistent with the hypothesis that the turnover frequency is related to the electron density, supported by a correlation between the turnover frequency and ionising photon rate.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2017

Atomic and Molecular Absorption in Redshifted Radio Sources

We report on a survey for associated HI 21-cm and OH 18-cm absorption with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope at redshifts z = 0.2-0.4. Although the low redshift selection ensures that our targets are below the critical ultra-violet luminosity, which is hypothesised to ionise all of the neutral gas in the host galaxy, we do not obtain any detections in the six sources searched. Analysing these in context of the previous surveys, in addition to the anti-correlation with the ultra-violet luminosity (ionising photon rate), we find a correlation between the strength of the absorption and the blue -- near-infrared colour, as well as the radio-band turnover frequency. We believe that these are due to the photo-ionisation of the neutral gas, an obscured sight-line being more conducive to the presence of cold gas and the compact radio emission being better intercepted by the absorbing gas, maximising the flux coverage, respectively. Regarding the photo-ionisation, the compilation of the previous surveys increases the significance of the critical ionising photon rate, above which all of the gas in the host galaxy is hypothesised to be ionised, to >5 sigma. This reaffirms that this is an ubiquitous effect, which has profound implications for the detection of neutral gas in these objects with the Square Kilometre Array.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

A search for HI and OH absorption in z > 3 CO emitters

We present the results of a survey for HI 21-cm and OH 18-cm absorption in seven strong CO emitters at z > 3. Despite reaching limits comparable to those required to detect 21-cm absorption at lower redshifts, we do not detect either transition in any of the objects searched. We believe that this is due to the high redshift selection causing all of our targets to have ultra-violet luminosities above the critical value, where all of the atomic gas in the host galaxy disk is suspected to be ionised. However, not only are all of our targets bright in CO emission, but detection of CO above the critical UV luminosity is generally not uncommon. This suggests that the molecular gas is shielded from the radiation or is physically remote from the source of the continuum emission, as it appears to be from CO observations of high redshift radio galaxies.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2015

The Extended GMRT Radio Halo Survey II: Further results and analysis of the full sample

The intra-cluster medium contains cosmic rays and magnetic fields that are manifested through the large scale synchrotron sources, termed as radio halos, relics and mini-halos. The Extended Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) Radio Halo Survey (EGRHS) is an extension of the GMRT Radio Halo Survey (GRHS) designed to search for radio halos using GMRT 610/235 MHz observations. The GRHS+EGRHS consists of 64 clusters in the redshift range 0.2 -- 0.4 that have an X-ray luminosity larger than 5x10^44 erg/s in the 0.1 -- 2.4 keV band and with declinations > -31 deg in the REFLEX and eBCS X-ray cluster catalogues. In this second paper in the series, GMRT 610/235 MHz data on the last batch of 11 galaxy clusters and the statistical analysis of the full sample are presented. A new mini-halo in RXJ2129.6+0005 and candidate diffuse sources in Z5247, A2552 and Z1953 are discovered. A unique feature of this survey are the upper limits on the detections of 1 Mpc sized radio halos; 4 new are presented here making a total of 31 in the survey. Of the sample, 58 clusters that have adequately sensitive radio information were used to obtain the most accurate occurrence fractions so far. The occurrence of radio halos in our X-ray selected sample is ~22%, that of mini-halos is 13% and that of relics is ~5%. The radio power - X-ray luminosity diagrams for the radio halos and mini-halos with the detections and upper limits are presented. The morphological estimators namely, centroid shift (w), concentration parameter (c) and power ratios (P_3/P_0) derived from the Chandra X-ray images are used as proxies for the dynamical states of the GRHS+EGRHS clusters. The clusters with radio halos and mini-halos occupy distinct quadrants in the c-w, c-P_3/P_0 and w - P_3/P_0 planes, corresponding to the more and less morphological disturbance, respectively. The non-detections span both the quadrants.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

The Extended GMRT Radio Halo Survey I: New upper limits on radio halos and mini-halos

A fraction of galaxy clusters host diffuse radio sources called radio halos, radio relics and mini-halos. We present the sample and first results from the Extended GMRT Radio Halo Survey (EGRHS)- an extension of the GMRT Radio Halo Survey (GRHS, Venturi et al. 2007, 2008). It is a systematic radio survey of galaxy clusters selected from the REFLEX and eBCS X-ray catalogs . Analysis of GMRT data at 610/ 235/ 325 MHz on 12 galaxy clusters are presented. We report the detection of a newly discovered mini-halo in the cluster RXJ1532.9+3021 at 610 MHz. A small scale relic (~200 kpc) is suspected in the cluster Z348. We do not detect cluster-scale diffuse emission in 11 clusters. Robust upper limits on the detection of radio halo of size of 1 Mpc are determined. We also present upper limits on the detections of mini-halos in a sub-sample of cool-core clusters. The upper limits for radio halos and mini-halos are plotted in the radio power- X-ray luminosity plane and the correlations are discussed. Diffuse extended emission, not related to the target clusters, but detected as by-products in the sensitive images of two of the cluster fields (A689 and RXJ0439.0+0715) are reported. Based on the information about the presence of radio halos (or upper limits), available on 48 clusters out of the total sample of 67 clusters (EGRHS+GRHS), we find that ~23% of the clusters host radio halos. The radio halo fraction rises to ~31%, when only the clusters with X-ray luminosities >8x10^44 erg/s are considered. Mini-halos are found in ~50 % of cool-core clusters. A qualitative examination of the X-ray images of the clusters with no diffuse radio emission indicates that a majority of these clusters do not show extreme dynamical disturbances and supports the idea that mergers play an important role in the generation of radio halos/relics.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

153 MHz GMRT follow-up of steep-spectrum diffuse emission in galaxy clusters

In this paper we present new high sensitivity 153 MHz Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope follow-up observations of the diffuse steep spectrum cluster radio sources in the galaxy clusters Abell 521, Abell 697, Abell 1682. Abell 521 hosts a relic, and together with Abell 697 it also hosts a giant very steep spectrum radio halo. Abell 1682 is a more complex system with candidate steep spectrum diffuse emission. We imaged the diffuse radio emission in these clusters at 153 MHz, and provided flux density measurements of all the sources at this frequency. Our new flux density measurements, coupled with the existing data at higher frequencies, allow us to study the total spectrum of the halos and relic over at least one order of magnitude in frequency. Our images confirm the presence of a very steep "diffuse component" in Abell 1682. We found that the spectrum of the relic in Abell 521 can be fitted by a single power-law with $α=1.45\pm0.02$ from 153 MHz to 5 GHz. Moreover, we confirm that the halos in Abell 521 and Abell 697 have a very steep spectrum, with $α=1.8-1.9$ and $α=1.52\pm0.05$ respectively. Even with the inclusion of the 153 MHz flux density information it is impossible to discriminate between power-law and curved spectra, as derived from homogeneous turbulent re-acceleration. The latter are favored on the basis of simple energetic arguments, and we expect that LOFAR will finally unveil the shape of the spectra of radio halos below 100 MHz, thus providing clues on their origin.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2012

A survey for HI in the distant Universe: the detection of associated 21-cm absorption at z=1.28

We have undertaken a survey for HI 21-cm absorption within the host galaxies of z ~ 1.2 - 1.5 radio sources, in the search of the cool neutral gas currently "missing" at z > 1. This deficit is believed to be due to the optical selection of high redshift objects biasing surveys towards sources of sufficient ultra-violet luminosity to ionise all of the gas in the surrounding galaxy. In order to avoid this bias, we have selected objects above blue magnitudes of B~20, indicating ultra-violet luminosities below the critical value above which 21-cm has never been detected. As a secondary requirement to the radio flux and faint optical magnitude, we shortlist targets with radio spectra suggestive of compact sources, in order to maximise the coverage of background emission. From this, we obtain one detection out of ten sources searched, which at z=1.278 is the third highest redshift detection of associated 21-cm absorption to date. Accounting for the spectra compromised by radio frequency interference, as well as various other possible pitfalls (reliable optical redshifts and turnover frequencies indicative of compact emission), we estimate a detection rate of ~30%, close to that expected for L_UV < 1e23 W/Hz sources.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2011

An elusive radio halo in the merging cluster Abell 781?

Deep radio observations of the galaxy cluster Abell 781 have been carried out using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope at 325 MHz and have been compared to previous 610 MHz observations and to archival VLA 1.4 GHz data. The radio emission from the cluster is dominated by a diffuse source located at the outskirts of the X-ray emission, which we tentatively classify as a radio relic. We detected residual diffuse emission at the cluster centre at the level of S(325 MHz)~15-20 mJy. Our analysis disagrees with Govoni et al. (2011), and on the basis of simple spectral considerations we do not support their claim of a radio halo with flux density of 20-30 mJy at 1.4 GHz. Abell 781, a massive and merging cluster, is an intriguing case. Assuming that the residual emission is indicative of the presence of a radio halo barely detectable at our sensitivity level, it could be a very steep spectrum source.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2011

Localised HI 21-cm absorption towards a double-lobed z=0.24 radio galaxy

We present the results of a mini-survey for associated HI 21-cm absorption at z < 0.42 with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope. Our targets are radio galaxies, selected on the basis that the 1216 Angstrom luminosities are below 10^23 W/Hz, above which there has never been a detection of 21-cm absorption. Of the three sources for which we obtained good data, two are unclassified active galactic nuclei (AGN) and one is type-2. Being a non-detection, the type-2 object is consistent with our previous result that 21-cm absorption in radio sources is not dictated by unified schemes of AGN. In the case of the detection, the absorption only occurs towards one of the two resolved radio lobes in PKS 1649-062. If the absorption is due to an another intervening galaxy, or cool HI gas in the intergalactic medium, covering only the south-west lobe, then, being at the same redshift, this is likely to be gravitationally bound to the optical object identified as PKS 1649-062. If the absorption is due to an inclined disk centred between the lobes, intervening the SW lobe while being located behind the NE lobe, by assuming that it covers the emission peak at 150 kpc from the nucleus, we estimate a dynamical mass of ~3 x 10^12 solar masses for the disk.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2011

GMRT 150 MHz follow up of diffuse steep spectrum radio emission in galaxy clusters

It has been recently found that a few galaxy clusters host diffuse radio halo emission with very steep synchrotron spectra ($α$ > 1.6), which may be classified as Ultra Steep Spectrum Radio Halos (USSRHs). USSRHs are expected in the turbulence re-acceleration model for the origin of cluster radio halos, and are best discovered and studied at low frequencies. We performed GMRT follow up observations of three galaxy clusters at 150MHz, selected from the GMRT radio halo survey, which are known to host an USSRH or candidate very steep spectrum diffuse emission. This project is aimed to characterize the low frequency spectrum of USSRHs for a detailed study of their origin and connection with cluster mergers. We present preliminary results at 150 MHz of the cluster A697.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

New searches for HI 21-cm in damped Lyman-alpha absorption systems

We present the results of three separate searches for HI 21-cm absorption in a total of twelve damped Lyman-alpha absorption systems (DLAs) and sub-DLAs over the redshift range z = 0.86-3.37. We find no absorption in the five systems for which we obtain reasonable sensitivities and add the results to those of other recent surveys in order to investigate factors which could have an effect on the detection rate: We provide evidence that the mix of spin temperature/covering factor ratios seen at low redshift may also exist at high redshift, with a correlation between the 21-cm line strength and the total neutral hydrogen column density, indicating a roughly constant spin temperature/covering factor ratio for all of the DLAs searched. Also, by considering the geometry of a flat expanding Universe together with the projected sizes of the background radio emission regions, we find, for the detections, that the 21-cm line strength is correlated with the size of the absorber. For the non-detections it is apparent that larger absorbers (covering factors) are required in order to exhibit 21-cm absorption, particularly if these DLAs do not arise in spiral galaxies. We also suggest that the recent z = 2.3 detection towards TXS 0311+430 arises in a spiral galaxy, but on the basis of a large absorption cross-section and high metallicity, rather than a low spin temperature

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

AGN feedback in galaxy groups: a joint GMRT/X-ray study

We present an ongoing study of 18 nearby galaxy groups, chosen for the availability of Chandra and/or XMM-Newton data and evidence for AGN/hot intragroup gas interaction. We have obtained 235 and 610 MHz observations at the GMRT for all the groups, and 327 and 150 MHz for a few. We discuss two interesting cases - NGC 5044 and AWM 4 - which exhibit different kinds of AGN/hot gas interaction. With the help of these examples we show how joining low-frequency radio data (to track the history of AGN outbursts through emission from aged electron populations) with X-ray data (to determine the state of hot gas, its disturbances, heating and cooling) can provide a unique insight into the nature of the feedback mechanism in galaxy groups.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

AGN Feedback in groups and clusters of galaxies

The lack of very cool gas at the cores of groups and clusters of galaxies, even where the cooling time is significantly shorter than the Hubble time, has been interpreted as evidence of sources that re-heat the intergalactic medium. Most studies of rich clusters adopt AGN feedback to be this source of heating. From ongoing GMRT projects involving clusters and groups, we demonstrate how low-frequency GMRT radio observations, together with Chandra/XMM-Newton X-ray data, present a unique insight into the nature of feedback, and of the energy transfer between the AGN and the IGM.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

A Joint GMRT/X-ray study of galaxy groups

We present results from combined low-frequency radio and X-ray studies of nearby galaxy groups. We consider two main areas: firstly, the evolutionary process from spiral-dominated, HI-rich groups to elliptical-dominated systems with hot, X-ray emitting gas halos; secondly, the mechanism of AGN feedback which appears to balance radiative cooling of the hot halos of evolved groups. The combination of radio and X-ray observations provides a powerful tool for these studies, allowing examination of gas in both hot and cool phases, and of the effects of shock heating and AGN outbursts. Low-frequency radio data are effective in detecting older and less energetic electron populations and are therefore vital for the determination of the energetics and history of such events. We present results from our ongoing study of Stephan's Quintet, a spiral-rich group in which tidal interactions and shock heating appear to be transforming HI in the galaxies into a diffuse X-ray emitting halo, and show examples of AGN feedback from our sample of elliptical-dominated groups, where multi-band low-frequency radio data have proved particularly useful.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

The GMRT Radio Halo Survey and low frequency follow-up

The GMRT Radio Halo Survey, carried out at 610 MHz to investigate the statistical properties of cluster radio halos in a complete cluster sample selected in the redshift interval z=0.2-0.4, has significantly improved our understanding of the origin of cluster radio halos and relics. Here we briefly summarize the most relevant results of our investigation. A low frequency follow-up is in progress with the GMRT at 325 MHz and 240 MHz on the diffuse sources and candidated found at 610 MHz. We briefly report some preliminary results on these low frequency observations. Cluster radio halos with different radio spectral properties have been unexpectedly found.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2008

Shock acceleration as origin of the radio relic in A521?

We present new high sensitivity observations of the radio relic in A521 carried out with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope at 327 MHz and with the Very Large Array at 4.9 and 8.5 GHz. We imaged the relic at these frequencies and carried out a detailed spectral analysis, based on the integrated radio spectrum between 235 MHz and 4.9 GHz, and on the spectral index image in the frequency range 327-610 MHz. To this aim we used the new GMRT observations and other proprietary as well as archival data. We also searched for a possible shock front co-located with the relic on a short archival Chandra X-ray observation of the cluster. The integrated spectrum of the relic is consistent with a single power law; the spectral index image shows a clear trend of steepening going from the outer portion of the relic toward the cluster centre. We discuss the origin of the source in the light of the theoretical models for the formation of cluster radio relics. Our results on the spectral properties of the relic are consistent with acceleration of relativistic electrons by a shock in the intracluster medium. This scenario is further supported by our finding of an X-ray surface brightness edge coincident with the outer border of the radio relic. This edge is likely a shock front.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Radio morphology and spectral analysis of cD galaxies in rich and poor galaxy clusters

We present a radio morphological study and spectral analysis for a sample of 13 cD galaxies in rich and poor clusters of galaxies.} Our study is based on new high sensitivity Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) observations at 1.28 GHz, 610 MHz and 235 MHz, and on archival data. From a statistical sample of cluster cD galaxies we selected those sources with little information available in the literature and promising for the detection of aged radio emission. Beyond the high sensitivity images for all 13 radio galaxies, we present also a detailed spectral analysis for 7 of them. We found a variety of morphologies and linear sizes, as typical for radio galaxies in the radio power range sampled here (low to intermediate power radio galaxies). The spectral analysis shows that 10/13 radio galaxies have steep radio spectrum, with spectral index $α\ge 1$. In general, the radiative ages and growth velocities are consistent with previous findings that the evolution of radio galaxies at the cluster centres is affected by the dense external medium (i.e. low growth velocities and old ages. We suggest that the dominant galaxies in A 2622 and MKW 03s are dying radio sources, which at present are not fed by nuclear activity. On the other hand, the spectacular source at the centre of A 2372 might be a very interesting example of restarted radio galaxy. For this source we estimated a life cycle of the order of 10$^6$ yr.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

A survey for redshifted molecular and atomic absorption lines I

We are currently undertaking a large survey for redshifted atomic and molecular absorption ... only one clear and one tentative detection were obtained: HI absorption at z = 0.097 in PKS 1555-140 and OH absorption at z =0.126 in PKS 2300-189, respectively... In order to determine why no clear molecular absorption was detected in any of the 13 sources searched, we investigate the properties of the five redshifted systems currently known to exhibit OH absorption. In four of these, molecules were first detected via millimetre-wave transitions and the flat radio spectra indicate compact background continuum sources, which may suggest a high degree of coverage of the background source by the molecular clouds in the absorber. Furthermore, for these systems we find a relationship between the molecular line strength and red optical--near infrared (V-K) colours, thus supporting the notion that the reddening of these sources is due to dust, which provides an environment conducive to the formation of molecules. Upon comparison with the V-K colours of our sample, this relationship suggests that, presuming the reddening occurs at the host galaxy redshift at least in some of the targets, many of our observations still fall short of the sensitivityrequired to detect OH absorption, although a confirmation of the ``detection'' of OH in 2300-189 could contravene this.

astro-ph↗