arXiv subjects

R. C. Vermeulen

Publications and source records attributed to R. C. Vermeulen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

A Three-Decade VLBI Study of the Nucleus in the Lobe-Dominated Quasar 3C207

We present results from very-long-baseline-interferometry (VLBI) observations of the nucleus in the lobe-dominated quasar 3C207. These observations were completed at 8.4 or 10.7 GHz (X-band) from 1981 to 2010, spanning 29 years. The nucleus of 3C207 is the strongest and most variable in the 3CR complete sample of LDQs, which is under study to test relativistic jet models over a wide range of jet orientation angles. Images have typical resolutions of ~0.5-1.0 milliarcseconds (mas) and sensitivities of ~0.1-0.2 mJy beam^{-1}. The VLBI core region has flux density outbursts at mean intervals of ~7 yr; two of these are multiple outbursts from a stationary "true: core that feeds a "swinging component" ~0.5 mas to the east. The position angle (PA) of the swinging component shows a long-term increase of ~40°, with a short-term reversal of ~10°. A one-sided, curved VLBI jet extends ~25 mas eastward, with components spanning a PA range of ~25°. The jet components have average apparent transverse velocities ~10c. One component shows apparent acceleration from 7c to 14c at 2-3 mas from the true core, where the flow is redirected toward PA ~90°. Another component shows marginal evidence for apparent deceleration. Individual jet components expand until reaching the recollimation zone. Our results are consistent with a physical model in which 3C207 has quasi-periodic outbursts, jet precession by ballistic components on a conical surface with a small opening angle, and a recollimation process that modifies component motions and narrows the conical geometry on a scale of ~100 pc.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2019

Detection statistics of the RadioAstron AGN survey

The largest Key Science Program of the RadioAstron space VLBI mission is a survey of active galactic nuclei (AGN). The main goal of the survey is to measure and study the brightness of AGN cores in order to better understand the physics of their emission while taking interstellar scattering into consideration. In this paper we present detection statistics for observations on ground-space baselines of a complete sample of radio-strong AGN at the wavelengths of 18, 6, and 1.3 cm. Two-thirds of them are indeed detected by RadioAstron and are found to contain extremely compact, tens to hundreds of $μ$as structures within their cores.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

RadioNet3 Study Group White Paper on: The Future Organisation and Coordination of Radio Astronomy in Europe

The QueSERA Study Group (QSG) have been tasked by the RadioNet Board to produce a White Paper on the future organisation and coordination of radio astronomy in Europe. This White Paper describes the options discussed by the QSG, and our conclusions on how to move forward. We propose, that as a first step, RadioNet-work, be established as an entity that persists between EC contracts, and that takes responsibility for preparing or coordinating responses to EC opportunities specific to the field of radio astronomy research infrastructures. RadioNet-work should provide a safety net that ensures that cooperation and collaboration between the various radio astronomy partners in Europe is maintained with or without EC funding.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2012

SS433, microquasars, and other transients

X-ray binaries have been an important key in understanding the jet-disc symbiosis in accreting black holes on all mass scales, from stellar-mass to supermassive black holes. SS433 was the first Galactic XRB that has been extensively studied in the radio regime. The radio properties, including the highest angular resolution data can now be better understood in the framework for accretion disc state transitions that is observed in microquasars (black hole X-ray binary systems). SS433 remains unique in various ways to date, and there is still much to learn about black hole accretion phenomena. In the meantime, the electronic very long baseline (e-VLBI) developments at the European VLBI Network (EVN) has allowed us to study microquasars and other transients at milliarcsecond resolutions more flexibly than was possible before. Even more new opportunities will arise as the SKA pathfinders become operational.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2009

VLBA Observations of HI in the Archetype Compact Symmetric Object B2352+495

B2352+495 is a prototypical example of a Compact Symmetric Object (CSO). It has a double radio lobe symmetrically located with respect to a central flat spectrum radio core (the location of the AGN) and has a physical extent of less than 200 pc. In this work we report VLBA observation of 21 cm HI absorption toward B2352+495 to investigate the properties of this remarkable radio source, in particular, to explore whether the radio emission can be confined by circumnuclear material (frustration scenario) or whether the source is likely to be young. We confirmed the two HI absorption features previously detected toward B2352+495 - a broad line nearly centered at the systemic velocity of the galaxy and a narrow redshifted component. The atomic gas from the broad absorption component is likely associated with circumnuclear material, consistent with the current paradigm of clumpy HI distribution in toroidal structures around supermassive black holes.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

Monitoring the Bi-Directional Relativistic Jets of the Radio Galaxy 1946+708

We report on a multi-frequency, multi-epoch campaign of Very Long Baseline Interferometry observations of the radio galaxy 1946+708 using the VLBA and a Global VLBI array. From these high-resolution observations we deduce the kinematic age of the radio source to be $\sim$4000 years, comparable with the ages of other Compact Symmetric Objects (CSOs). Ejections of pairs of jet components appears to take place on time scales of 10 years and these components in the jet travel outward at intrinsic velocities between 0.6 and 0.9 c. From the constraint that jet components cannot have intrinsic velocities faster than light, we derive H_0 > 57 km s^-1 Mpc^-1 from the fastest pair of components launched from the core. We provide strong evidence for the ejection of a new pair of components in ~1997. From the trajectories of the jet components we deduce that the jet is most likely to be helically confined, rather than purely ballistic in nature.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2008

MOJAVE: Monitoring of Jets in AGN with VLBA Experiments. V. Multi-epoch VLBA Images

We present images from a long term program (MOJAVE: Monitoring of Jets in AGN with VLBA Experiments) to survey the structure and evolution of parsec-scale jet phenomena associated with bright radio-loud active galaxies in the northern sky. The observations consist of 2424 15 GHz VLBA images of a complete flux-density limited sample of 135 AGN above declination -20 degrees, spanning the period 1994 August to 2007 September. These data were acquired as part of the MOJAVE and 2 cm Survey programs, and from the VLBA archive. The sample selection criteria are based on multi-epoch parsec-scale (VLBA) flux density, and heavily favor highly variable and compact blazars. The sample includes nearly all the most prominent blazars in the northern sky, and is well-suited for statistical analysis and comparison with studies at other wavelengths. Our multi-epoch and stacked-epoch images show 94% of the sample to have apparent one-sided jet morphologies, most likely due to the effects of relativistic beaming. Of the remaining sources, five have two-sided parsec-scale jets, and three are effectively unresolved by the VLBA at 15 GHz, with essentially all of the flux density contained within a few tenths of a milliarcsecond.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

A Multi-Epoch VLBI Survey of the Kinematics of CJF Sources; Part I: Model-Fit Parameters and Maps

Context: This is the first of a series of papers presenting VLBI observations of the 293 Caltech-Jodrell Bank Flat-Spectrum (hereafter CJF) sources and their analysis. Aims: One of the major goals of the CJF is to make a statistical study of the apparent velocities of the sources. Methods: We have conducted global VLBI and VLBA observations at 5 GHz since 1990, accumulating thirteen separate observing campaigns. Results: We present here an overview of the observations, give details of the data reduction and present the source parameters resulting from a model-fitting procedure. For every source at every observing epoch, an image is shown, built up by restoring the model-fitted components, convolved with the clean beam, into the residual image, which was made by Fourier transforming the visibility data after first subtracting the model-fitted components in the uv-plane. Overplotted we show symbols to represent the model components. Conclusions: We have produced VLBI images of all but 5 of the 293 sources in the complete CJF sample at several epochs and investigated the kinematics of 266 AGN.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

A Multi-epoch VLBI Survey of the Kinematics of Caltech-Jodrell Bank Flat-Spectrum Sources, Part II: Analysis of the Kinematics

Context: This is the second of a series of papers presenting VLBI observations of the 293 Caltech-Jodrell Bank Flat-Spectrum (hereafter CJF) sources and their analysis. Aims: To obtain a consistent motion dataset large enough to allow the systematic properties of the population to be studied. Methods: We present the detailed kinematic analysis of the complete flux-density limited CJF survey. We computed 2-D kinematic models based on the optimal model-fitting parameters of multi-epoch VLBA observations. This allows us to calculate not only radial, but also orthogonal motions, and thus to study curvature and acceleration. Statistical tests of the motions measured and their reliability have been performed. A correlation analysis between the derived apparent motions, luminosities, spectral indices, and core dominance and the resulting consequences is described. Results: With at least one velocity in each of 237 sources, this sample is much larger than any available before and allows a meaningful statistical investigation of apparent motions and any possible correlations with other parameters in AGN jets. Conclusions: This AGN survey provides the basis for any statistical analysis of jet and jet-component properties.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Doppler Boosting, Superluminal Motion, and the Kinematics of AGN Jets

We discuss results from a decade long program to study the fine-scale structure and the kinematics of relativistic AGN jets with the aim of better understanding the acceleration and collimation of the relativistic plasma forming AGN jets. From the observed distribution of brightness temperature, apparent velocity, flux density, time variability, and apparent luminosity, the intrinsic properties of the jets including Lorentz factor, luminosity, orientation, and brightness temperature are discussed. Special attention is given to the jet in M87, which has been studied over a wide range of wavelengths and which, due to its proximity, is observed with excellent spatial resolution. Most radio jets appear quite linear, but we also observe curved non-linear jets and non-radial motions. Sometimes, different features in a given jet appear to follow the same curved path but there is evidence for ballistic trajectories as well. The data are best fit with a distribution of Lorentz factors extending up to gamma ~30 and intrinsic luminosity up to ~10^26 W/Hz. In general, gamma-ray quasars may have somewhat larger Lorentz factors than non gamma-ray quasars. Initially the observed brightness temperature near the base of the jet extend up to ~5x10^13 K which is well in excess of the inverse Compton limit and corresponds to a large excess of particle energy over magnetic energy. However, more typically, the observed brightness temperatures are ~2x10^11 K, i.e., closer to equipartition.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Environment of compact extragalactic radio sources

We have studied the interrelation of young AGN with their hosts. The objects of study are the young and powerful GPS and CSS radio sources. Due to their small size, GPS and CSS sources are excellent probes of this relation. Furhthermore, their young age allows us to compare them to the larger, old radio sources and establish a time-line evolution of this relation. Combining imaging and spectroscopy at UV, optical and radio wavelengths we find evidence of strong interaction between the host and the radio source. The presence and expansion of the radio source clearly affects the properties and evolution of the host. Furthermore, the radio source and host significantly affect each other's evolution. We describe our results and how these interactions take place.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Relativistic Beaming and the Intrinsic Properties of Extragalactic Radio Jets

Relations between the observed quantities for a beamed radio jet, apparent transverse speed and apparent luminosity (beta_app,L), and the intrinsic quantities, Lorentz factor and intrinsic luminosity (gamma,L_o), are investigated. The inversion from measured to intrinsic values is not unique, but approximate limits to gamma and L_o can be found using probability arguments. Roughly half the sources in a flux density--limited, beamed sample have a value of gamma close to the measured beta_app. The methods are applied to observations of 119 AGN jets made with the VLBA at 15 GHz during 1994-2002. The results strongly support the common relativistic beam model for an extragalactic radio jet. The (beta_app,L) data are closely bounded by a theoretical envelope, an aspect curve for gamma=32, L_o= 10^25 W/Hz. This gives limits to the maximum values of gamma and L_o in the sample: gamma_max about 32, and L_o,max ~ 10^26 W/Hz. No sources with both high beta_app and low L are observed. This is not the result of selection effects due to the observing limits, which are flux density S>0.5 Jy, and angular velocity mu<4 mas/yr. Many of the fastest quasars have a pattern Lorentz factor gamma_p close to that of the beam, gamma_b, but some of the slow quasars must have gamma_p<<gamma_b. Three of the 10 galaxies in the sample have a superluminal feature, with speeds up to beta_app about 6. The others are at most mildly relativistic. The galaxies are not off-axis versions of the powerful quasars, but Cygnus A might be an exception.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Intrinsic Brightness Temperatures of AGN Jets

We present a new method for studying the intrinsic brightness temperatures of the parsec-scale jet cores of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN). Our method uses observed superluminal motions and observed brightness temperatures for a large sample of AGN to constrain the characteristic intrinsic brightness temperature of the sample as a whole. To study changes in intrinsic brightness temperature, we assume that the Doppler factors of individual jets are constant in time as justified by their relatively small changes in observed flux density. We find that in their median-low brightness temperature state, the sources in our sample have a narrow range of intrinsic brightness temperatures centered on a characteristic temperature, T_int = 3 x 10^10 K, which is close to the value expected for equipartition, when the energy in the radiating particles equals the energy stored in the magnetic fields. However, in their maximum brightness state, we find that sources in our sample have a characteristic intrinsic brightness temperature greater than 2 x 10^11 K, which is well in excess of the equipartition temperature. In this state, we estimate the energy in radiating particles exceeds the energy in the magnetic field by a factor of ~ 10^5. We suggest that the excess of particle energy when sources are in their maximum brightness state is due to injection or acceleration of particles at the base of the jet. Our results suggest that the common method of estimating jet Doppler factors by using a single measurement of observed brightness temperature and/or the assumption of equipartition may lead to large scatter or systematic errors in the derived values.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

HI absorption in 3C 49 and 3C 268.3. Probing the environment of Compact Steep Spectrum and GHz Peaked Spectrum sources

We present and discuss European VLBI Network UHF band spectral line observations, made to localise the redshifted 21cm HI absorption known to occur in the subgalactic sized compact steep spectrum galaxies 3C 49 and 3C 268.3. We have detected HI absorption towards the western radio lobe of 3C 49 and the northern lobe of 3C 268.3. However, we cannot rule out the presence of similar amounts of HI towards the opposite and much fainter lobes. The radio lobes with detected HI absorption (1) are brighter and closer to the core than the opposite lobes; (2) are depolarized; and (3) are associated with optical emission line gas. The association between the HI absorption and the emission line gas, supports the hypothesis that the HI absorption is produced in the atomic cores of the emission line clouds. Our results are consistent with a picture in which compact steep spectrum sources interact with clouds of dense gas as they propagate through their host galaxy. We suggest that the asymmetries in the radio and optical emission can be due to interaction of a two sided radio source with an asymmetric distribution of dense clouds in their environment.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

Atomic hydrogen in the one-sided "compact double" radio galaxy 2050+364

European VLBI Network spectral imaging of the "compact double" radio source 2050+364 in the UHF band at 1049 MHz has resolved the HI absorbing region, and has shown a faint continuum component to the North (N), in addition to the well-known East-West double (E, W). Re-examination of VLBI continuum images at multiple frequencies suggests that 2050+364 may well be a one-sided core-jet source, which appears as a double over a limited frequency range. One of the dominant features, W, would then be the innermost visible portion of the jet, and could be at or adjacent to the canonical radio core. The other, E, is probably related to shocks at a sudden bend of the jet, towards extended steep-spectrum region N. A remarkably deep and narrow HI absorption line component extends over the entire projected extent of 2050+364. It coincides in velocity with the [OIII] optical doublet lines to within 10 km/s. This HI absorption could arise in the atomic cores of NLR clouds, and the motion in the NLR is then remarkably coherent both along the line-of-sight and across a projected distance of > 300 pc on the plane of the sky. Broader, shallower HI absorption at lower velocities covers only the plausible core area W. This absorption could be due to gas which is either being entrained by the inner jet or is flowing out from the accretion region; it could be related to the BLR.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

Sub-milliarcsecond Imaging of Quasars and Active Galactic Nuclei. IV. Fine Scale Structure

We have used VLBA fringe visibility data obtained at 15 GHz to examine the compact structure in 250 extragalactic radio sources. For 171 sources in our sample, more than half of the total flux density seen by the VLBA remains unresolved on the longest baselines. There are 163 sources in our list with a median correlated flux density at 15 GHz in excess of 0.5 Jy on the longest baselines. For about 60% of the sources, we have at least one observation in which the core component appears unresolved (generally smaller than 0.05 mas) in one direction, usually transverse to the direction into which the jet extends. BL Lacs are on average more compact than quasars, while active galaxies are on average less compact. Also, in an active galaxy the sub-milliarcsecond core component tends to be less dominant. IDV sources typically have a more compact, more core-dominated structure on sub-milliarcsecond scales than non-IDV sources, and sources with a greater amplitude of intra-day variations tend to have a greater unresolved VLBA flux density. The objects known to be GeV gamma-ray loud appear to have a more compact VLBA structure than the other sources in our sample. This suggests that the mechanisms for the production of gamma-ray emission and for the generation of compact radio synchrotron emitting features are related. The brightness temperature estimates and lower limits for the cores in our sample typically range between 10^11 and 10^13 K, but they extend up to 5x10^13 K, apparently in excess of the equipartition brightness temperature, or the inverse Compton limit for stationary synchrotron sources. The largest component speeds are observed in radio sources with high observed brightness temperatures, as would be expected from relativistic beaming (abridged).

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

Probing the polarization characteristics of SS433 on mas scales

We present a status report of dedicated circular polarization (CP) global VLBI observations of SS433. The total intensity image of the source is presented. We do not detect linear polarization in the core region of the source. We estimate the errors in D-terms for the EVN, and its effect on the final right-left circular polarization gain calibration. The data from this and earlier observations are analyzed with the "zero-V" self-calibration technique, in order to obtain indications for detectable CP in different regions of the source. Our data show no evidence for strong gyro-synchrotron (GS) emission on the size scale probed by our beam.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

Sub-milliarcsecond Imaging of Quasars and Active Galactic Nuclei III. Kinematics of Parsec-Scale Radio Jets

We report the results of a 15 GHz (2 cm) multi-epoch VLBA program, begun in 1994 to study the outflow in radio jets ejected from quasars and active galaxies. The observed flow of 208 distinct features measured in 110 quasars, active galaxies, and BL Lac objects shows highly collimated relativistic motion with apparent transverse velocities typically between zero and about 15c, with a tail extending up to about 34c. Within individual jets, different features appear to move with a similar characteristic velocity which may represent an underlying continuous jet flow, but we also see some stationary and even apparently inward moving features which co-exist with the main features. Comparison of our observations with published data at other wavelengths suggests that there is a systematic decrease in apparent velocity with increasing wavelength, probably because the observations at different wavelengths sample different parts of the jet structure. The observed distribution of linear velocities is not consistent with any simple ballistic model. Either there is a rather broad range of Lorentz factors, a significant difference between the velocity of the bulk relativistic flow and the pattern speed of underlying shocks, or a combination of these options. Assuming a ballistic flow, comparison of observed apparent velocities and Doppler factors computed from the time scale of flux density variations is consistent with a steep power law distribution of intrinsic Lorentz factors, an isotropic distribution of orientations of the parent population, and intrinsic brightness temperatures about an order of magnitude below the canonical inverse Compton limit. It appears that the parent population of radio jets is not dominated by highly relativistic flows (abridged).

astro-ph↗