arXiv subjects

Renzhi Su

Publications and source records attributed to Renzhi Su.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

ASKAP discovery of a pair of large radio bubbles: on the origin of odd radio circles

We report the serendipitous discovery of a large, low-surface-brightness radio bubble in 944 MHz continuum data from the ASKAP Evolutionary Map of the Universe (EMU) survey. The structure, centred on the elliptical galaxy LEDA 217397 at a redshift of $z=0.040$, spans $\sim$8.4 arcmin, corresponding to a projected diameter of $\sim$399 kpc, and consists of two partly overlapping shells both with radii of $\sim$114 kpc. The integrated flux density of the bubble is $56.8\pm2.9$ mJy at 944 MHz, implying a rest-frame 1.4 GHz luminosity of $\sim$ $1.4\times10^{23}$ W Hz$^{-1}$. Combining the EMU measurement with MWA GLEAM-X data at 88--185 MHz, we derive a steep integrated spectral index of $\alpha=-1.04\pm0.04$, and a two-frequency spectral-index map suggesting a possible exterior flattening. Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) fitting indicates a massive ($\log M_{\ast}/M\odot = 10.97\pm0.09$), quiescent (SFR=$0.025\pm0.083\,M\odot$ yr$^{-1}$) early-type host with no mid-infrared AGN signature and no overdense environment. We compare the bubble with odd radio circles (ORCs) and large radio shells, and discuss three scenarios for its origin: a starburst-driven wind, a merger-driven shock, and AGN jet-inflated bubbles. The starburst wind is disfavoured on energetic grounds ($\gtrsim$$10^{59}$ erg required versus $\sim$$10^{8}$ yr electron lifetimes), and neither a halo-scale merger shock nor a spherical nuclear blast wave can explain the unusually regular, double-shell geometry; a bipolar nuclear outburst -- a relic AGN jet episode, possibly triggered by a supermassive-black-hole merger -- provides the most natural explanation, with later shocks possibly re-energising the plasma. Deeper broad-band radio, polarimetric, spectroscopic and X-ray observations are needed to confirm its nature.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

When will T Coronae Borealis next erupt as a nova? Constraints from recurrence, orbital phase, and accretion-state evolution

T Coronae Borealis (T CrB) is the nearest symbiotic recurrent nova and is now intensively monitored for its next eruption. We combine three constraints on the eruption time: historical recurrence, orbital phase, and recent accretion-state evolution. Conditioning on no eruption by 2026 July 11, the three effective historical intervals give illustrative survival-conditioned probabilities of 30.2\% for the rest of 2026 and 56.9\% within the following year; these are empirical indicators, not physical prediction probabilities. The four adopted historical eruption phases do not select a unique ignition phase, but form two loose pairs near $\phi\simeq0.44$ and $\phi\simeq0.62$, used here only as monitoring windows. The 1946 pre-eruption dip is difficult to explain by either a pure accretion-rate decline or standard dust extinction, and may have involved both accretion restructuring and source-dependent obscuration. If the renewed 2026 decline is the true pre-1946 analogue, an eruption around 2026 December remains plausible. Conversely, if post-2024 brightness remains below the 2014--2023 high state, an accretion-deficit estimate gives an earliest lower limit near 2029 May. The data therefore support conditional monitoring windows, not a unique date. These are conditional diagnostic scenarios rather than competing point predictions; the eventual eruption epoch will test their underlying assumptions.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

A FLASH HI absorption search in compact sources in the pilot ASKAP interplanetary scintillation field

In this pilot study, we use data from the First Large Absorption Survey in HI (FLASH) to search for redshifted HI 21cm absorption at $0.4<z<1$ towards 157 bright radio sources with Interplanetary Scintillation (IPS) measurements at 820MHz in a single field observed with the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) radio telescope. The ASKAP IPS measurements, which use only 2.5 minutes of observing time in total, allow us to estimate the compactness of these radio sources on sub-arcsecond scales at a frequency within the 712-1000MHz FLASH band. In particular, the Normalised Scintillation Index (NSI) for each source reflects the fraction of the flux density arising from compact components less than 0.1 arcsec in diameter. We find that $18\pm5$% of ASKAP sources with flux densities above 150mJy are highly compact with NSI $\geq0.8$ - implying that at least 80% of their radio emission arises from a single region smaller than about 800pc in size. The compactness of these sources makes them ideal probes for an HI absorption search, since the covering factor for any HI gas clouds along the line of sight is likely to be high. About half of the sources with NSI $\geq0.8$ also have peaked radio spectral energy distributions (SEDs), consistent with previous IPS studies at lower frequencies. These pilot results imply that IPS measurements with ASKAP can provide a simple and powerful tool for identifying uniform samples of compact radio sources at frequencies of a few hundred MHz across large areas of sky. With FLASH, we detect two new HI absorption lines against compact sources in the $\sim30$deg$^2$ region of sky covered by the IPS data; an associated HI line at redshift $z=0.9540$ (with a matching optical redshift) in MRC 2125-237 (NSI = 0.98), and a likely intervening line at $z=0.4632$ towards MRC 2131-241 (NSI = 0.84).

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

Lack of Significant Orbital-Phase Locking in the Active Phases of the Recurrent Nova T CrB

T Coronae Borealis (T CrB) is a symbiotic recurrent nova (RN) that exhibits both nova eruptions and long-term active phases resembling superoutbursts and normal outbursts. Motivated by proposed connections between these events and the binary orbit, we test whether the onset, maximum, or termination of the active phases is locked to orbital phase. We use long-term optical $B$- and $V$-band light curves from the American Association of Variable Stars Observers (AAVSO) International Database and historical photometry from the literature. We measure the onset, maximum, and termination times of superoutbursts and normal outbursts and convert these times to orbital phase. We test the resulting circular distributions with Kuiper and Watson statistics. We find no statistically significant orbital-phase locking. The onset phases and maxima are consistent with a uniform phase distribution. The smallest probabilities occur for the 13 measurable termination phases ($p_{\rm MC}=0.043$ for the Kuiper statistic and $p_{\rm MC}=0.048$ for the Watson statistic), but this result is only marginal in an uncorrected $p<0.05$ sense, far from a $3\sigma$ detection, and insufficient to establish robust phase locking. The four historical nova eruptions likewise do not provide robust evidence for a unique ignition phase once the small sample size, historical date uncertainties, and long-term period changes are considered. The two known secondary eruptions occurred at similar phases, but two events are insufficient to establish an orbital-geometry connection. Overall, the active phases of T CrB appear to be governed primarily by accretion-disk physics rather than by a fixed binary phase.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

A jet-gas interaction beyond the host galaxy: detection of a neutral hydrogen outflow at cosmic noon

We present upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (uGMRT) observations of 0731+438, an \mbox{FR II} radio galaxy at a redshift of 2.429 with two lobes separated by 82 kpc. A blueshifted, faint and broad \mbox{H{\sc i}} 21 cm absorption line with velocity full width at half maximum (FWHM) $\sim 600\,\rm km\,s^{-1}$ is detected against the southern radio lobe that is 47 kpc from radio core, indicating a neutral hydrogen outflow associated with jet-gas interaction beyond the host galaxy. The outflow has a mass outflow rate of $\sim\,0.4T_{\rm s}\Omega\rm\, M_\odot\,{\rm yr}^{-1}$, which could increase to $\sim\,4.0T_{\rm s}\Omega\rm\,M_\odot\,{\rm yr}^{-1}$, corresponding to an energy outflow rate of $2.4T_{\rm s}\Omega\times10^{40}$ -- $1.5T_{\rm s}\Omega\times10^{41}\,\rm erg\,s^{-1}$, where $T_{\rm s}$ is the spin temperature and $\Omega$ is the solid angle of the outflow. Previous optical observations identified an extended emission line region aligned with the radio axis, ionized by the central Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN). Within this region, a warm and ionized outflow with a mass outflow rate of $\sim\,50\rm\, M_\odot\,{\rm yr}^{-1}$ and an energy outflow rate of $\sim1.7\times10^{43}\,\rm erg\,s^{-1}$ was detected. We propose that both the extended emission line region and the optical outflow are results of synergistic effect between jet and AGN radiation. The AGN likely exerts negative feedback on the host galaxy, as evidenced by the gas expulsion by the jet and the high velocity dispersion of ionized gas observed optically. So far, detections of jet-driven neutral hydrogen outflows remain rare. The high redshift, large outflow radii, substantial mass outflow rate and energy outflow rate of the neutral hydrogen outflow in 0731+438 expand the known parameter space of such outflows.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Multi-wavelength study of the pre-eruption dip in the recurrent nova T Coronae Borealis preceding imminent nova eruption

We present a multi-wavelength study of the symbiotic recurrent nova (RN) T Coronae Borealis (T CrB) using Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) / X-Ray Telescope (XRT) / UltraViolet Optical Telescope (UVOT) and American Association of Variable Stars Observers (AAVSO) observations from 2005 to 2025. Our analysis spans quiescent, high, and pre-eruption dip states. We find that brightening amplitudes increase toward shorter wavelengths in both optical and UV bands, while the UV and X-ray fluxes are generally anti-correlated throughout all phases. During the 2023-2024 pre-eruption dip, soft and hard X-rays increased as optical and ultraviolet (UV) brightness declined, consistent with a transition from an optically thick to thin boundary layer driven by a reduction in the accretion rate. We also report, for the first time, a second, lower-amplitude dip occurring between September 2024 and February 2025 following the primary 2023-2024 pre-eruption dip. The observed variability supports an accretion-variation scenario as a unifying explanation for both the high and dip states, and may signal an imminent nova eruption.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

A stringent constraint on the fractional change of proton g-factor

We report a constraint on the cosmological variation of the proton g-factor, $g_p$. By comparing the measured redshifts between \mbox{H\,{\sc i}} 21 cm and OH 18 cm lines observed with the newly commissioned Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) toward PKS 1413+135 at $z$ = 0.24671, we obtain $\Delta g_{p}/g_{p} = (-4.3\pm2.5)\times10^{-5}$, which is more than two orders of magnitude more sensitive than previous constraints. In addition, we obtain sensitive constraints of $\Delta (\mu\alpha^{2})/(\mu\alpha^{2}) = (2.0\pm1.2)\times10^{-5}$ and $\Delta (\mu\alpha^{2}g_{p}^{0.64})/(\mu\alpha^{2}g_{p}^{0.64}) = (-4.7\pm1.9)\times10^{-6}$.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

VLBI studies of FLASH H I 21-cm absorbers -- I

We have conducted VLBA 1.4 GHz (L-band) continuum observations towards twelve sources with HI 21-cm absorption detections at redshift $0.4<z<0.7$ in the pilot surveys of FLASH, an ongoing survey with the ASKAP radio telescope. 11 of the 12 targets are resolved in the VLBA observations. Using the parsec scale radio images, we have classified the source morphology and identified the radio core. Six of the twelve targets have core-jet morphology, four have two-sided jet morphology, one has a complex morphology, and one is unresolved. We describe a methodology to test whether the emission from the core or the total emission detected in the VLBA image has sufficient flux density to cause the entire HI 21-cm absorption, and we estimate limits on the gas covering factor and velocity-integrated optical depth (VOD). We find that for seven of the twelve sources, the core has sufficient flux density to cause all the HI 21-cm absorption detected in the ASKAP spectrum. For three other targets, with projected sizes in the range $\rm 305-409 \ pc$, a large fraction of the entire emission in the VLBA map could be occulted by the gas. For 0903+010 (NVSS J090331+010846), we estimate that at least $\approx 73\%$ of the peak absorption detected in the ASKAP spectrum could arise against the emission detected in the VLBA image. For the target 0023+010 (NVSS J002331+010114), we estimate an upper limit on the VOD of $\rm 169 \ km \ s^{-1}$, the highest in our sample. For 0903+010 (NVSS J090331+010846) we estimate a lower limit of $\rm 104 \ km \ s^{-1}$ on the VOD. We find that the distribution of HI 21-cm VODs at $0.4<z<1.0$ could increase by up to a factor of three after correction for the covering factors using our VLBA measurements.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

New constraints on the values of the fundamental constants at a look-back time of 7.3 Gyr

The study of redshifted spectral lines can provide a measure of the fundamental constants over large look-back times. Current grand unified theories predict an evolution in these constants and astronomical observations offer the only experimental measure of the values of the constants over large timescales. Of particular interest are the dimensionless constants: the fine structure constant ($α$), the proton-electron mass ratio ($μ$), and the proton g-factor ($g_p$), since these do not require a "standard meterstick". Here we present a re-analysis of the 18 cm hydroxyl (OH) lines at $z=0.89$, which were recently detected with the MeerKAT telescope, toward the radio source PKS\,1830-211. Utilizing the previous constraint of $Δμ/μ=(-1.8\pm1.2)\times10^{-7}$, we obtain $Δ(αg_p^{0.27})/(αg_p^{0.27})\lesssim5.7\times10^{-5}$, $Δα/α\lesssim2.3\times10^{-3}$ , and $Δg_p/g_p\lesssim7.9\times10^{-3}$. These new constraints are consistent with no evolution over a look-back time of 7.3 Gyr and provide another valuable data point in the putative evolution of the constants.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2025

The First Large Absorption Survey in HI (FLASH): II. Pilot Survey data release and first results

The First Large Absorption Survey in HI (FLASH) is a large-area radio survey for neutral hydrogen in the redshift range 0.4 1$, and appear to be a mixture of intervening and associated systems. Interestingly, around two-thirds of the lines found in this untargeted sample are detected against sources with a peaked-spectrum radio continuum, which are only a minor (5-20%) fraction of the overall radio-source population. The overall detection rate for HI absorption lines in the Pilot Surveys (0.3 to 0.5 lines per ASKAP field) is a factor of two below the expected value. One possible reason for this is the presence of a range of spectral-line artefacts in the Pilot Survey data that have now been mitigated and are not expected to recur in the full FLASH survey. A future paper will discuss the host galaxies of the HI absorption systems identified here.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

Constraints on the fractional changes of the fundamental constants at a look-back time of 2.5 Myrs

The quantum nature of gravity remains one of the greatest mysteries of modern physics, with many unified theories predicting variations in fundamental constants across space and time. Here we present precise measurements of these variations at galactic dynamical timescales - a critical but previously unexplored regime. Using simultaneous observations of H \textsc{i} and OH lines in M31, we probe potential variations of fundamental constants at a lookback time of 2.5 million years. We obtained $Δ(μα^2g_p^{0.64})/(μα^2g_p^{0.64}) < 3.6 \times 10^{-6}$, with complementary constraints on $Δ(μα^2)/(μα^2) < 4.6 \times 10^{-3}$, and $Δg_p/g_p < 7.2 \times 10^{-3}$, where $α$ is the fine structure constant, $μ$ is the proton-electron mass ratio, and $g_p$ is the proton $g$-factor. These results bridge the gap between laboratory tests and cosmological observations, providing unique insights into the coupling between local dynamics and fundamental physics. Our findings challenge theories predicting significant variations over galactic timescales, while demonstrating a powerful new probe of quantum gravity models.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

First Detection of Radio Emission from the Intermediate Mass Black Hole in POX 52: Deep Multi-Band Observations with ATCA and VLA

We present the first multi-band centimeter detection of POX 52, a nearby dwarf galaxy believed to habor a robust intermediate mass black hole (IMBH). We conducted the deep observations using the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA), spanning frequencies from 4.5 to 10 GHz, as well as the sensitive observations from the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) operating in its most extended A-configuration at S band (2--4 GHz) and C band (4--8 GHz). In the ATCA observations, the source shows a compact morphology, with only one direction marginally resolved. The higher resolution of the VLA allowed us to slightly resolve the source, fitting it well with a two-dimensional Gaussian model. The detected radio emission confirms the presence of Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) activity, indicating either a low-power jet or AGN-driven winds/outflows. Our dual-epoch observations with ATCA and VLA, together with previous non-detection flux density upper limits, reveal radio emission variability spanning two decades. In addition, we find that POX 52 aligns well with the low-mass extension of the fundamental plane for high-accretion, radio-quiet massive AGNs.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2023

The FLASH pilot survey: an HI absorption search against MRC 1-Jy radio sources

We report an ASKAP search for associated HI 21-cm absorption against bright radio sources from the Molonglo Reference Catalogue (MRC) 1-Jy sample. The search uses pilot survey data from the ASKAP First Large Absorption Survey in \hi (FLASH) covering the redshift range $0.42 < z < 1.00$. From a sample of 62 MRC 1-Jy radio galaxies and quasars in this redshift range we report three new detections of associated HI 21-cm absorption, yielding an overall detection fraction of $1.8\%^{+4.0\%}_{-1.5\%}$. The detected systems comprise two radio galaxies (MRC 2216$-$281 at $z=0.657$ and MRC 0531$-$237 at $z=0.851$) and one quasar (MRC 2156$-$245 at $z=0.862$). The MRC 0531$-$237 absorption system is the strongest found to date, with a velocity integrated optical depth of $\rm 143.8 \pm 0.4 \ km \ s^{-1}$. All three objects with detected HI 21-cm absorption are peaked-spectrum or compact steep-spectrum (CSS) radio sources, classified based on our SED fits to the spectra. Two of them show strong interplanetary scintillation at 162 MHz, implying that the radio continuum source is smaller than 1 arcsec in size even at low frequencies. Among the class of peaked-spectrum and compact steep-spectrum radio sources, the HI detection fraction is $23\%^{+22\%}_{-13\%}$. This is consistent within $1σ$ with a detection fraction of $\approx 42\%^{+21\%}_{-15\%}$ in earlier reported GPS and CSS samples at intermediate redshifts ($0.4 < z < 1.0$). All three detections have a high 1.4 GHz radio luminosity, with MRC 0531$-$237 and MRC 2216$-$281 having the highest values in the sample, $\rm > 27.5 \ W \ Hz^{-1}$. The preponderance of extended radio sources in our sample could partially explain the overall low detection fraction, while the effects of a redshift evolution in gas properties and AGN UV luminosity on the neutral gas absorption still need to be investigated.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2023

FAST discovery of a fast neutral hydrogen outflow

In this letter, we report the discovery of a fast neutral hydrogen outflow in SDSS J145239.38+062738.0, a merging radio galaxy containing an optical type I active galactic nuclei (AGN). This discovery was made through observations conducted by the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST) using redshifted 21-cm absorption. The outflow exhibits a blueshifted velocity likely up to $\sim-1000\,\rm km\,s^{-1}$ with respect to the systemic velocity of the host galaxy with an absorption strength of $\sim -0.6\,\rm mJy\,beam^{-1}$ corresponding to an optical depth of 0.002 at $v=-500\,\rm km\,s^{-1}$. The mass outflow rate ranges between $2.8\times10^{-2}$ and $3.6\, \rm M_\odot \, yr^{-1}$, implying an energy outflow rate ranging between $4.2\times10^{39}$ and $9.7\times10^{40}\rm\,erg\,s^{-1}$, assuming 100 K $<T_{\rm s}<$ 1000 K. Plausible drivers of the outflow include the star bursts, the AGN radiation, and the radio jet, the last of which is considered the most likely culprit according to the kinematics. By analysing the properties of the outflow, the AGN, and the jet, we find that if the HI outflow is driven by the AGN radiation, the AGN radiation seems not powerful enough to provide negative feedback whereas the radio jet shows the potential to provide negative feedback. Our observations contribute another example of a fast outflow detected in neutral hydrogen, as well as demonstrate the capability of FAST in detecting such outflows.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2023

Does a radio jet drive the massive multi-phase outflow in the ultra-luminous infrared galaxy IRAS 10565+2448?

We present new upgraded Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (uGMRT) HI 21-cm observations of the ultra-luminous infrared galaxy IRAS 10565+2448, previously reported to show blueshifted, broad, and shallow HI absorption indicating an outflow. Our higher spatial resolution observations have localised this blueshifted outflow, which is $\sim$ 1.36 kpc southwest of the radio centre and has a blueshifted velocity of $\sim 148\,\rm km\,s^{-1}$ and a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of $\sim 581\,\rm km\,s^{-1}$. The spatial extent and kinematic properties of the HI outflow are consistent with the previously detected cold molecular outflows in IRAS 10565+2448, suggesting that they likely have the same driving mechanism and are tracing the same outflow. By combining the multi-phase gas observations, we estimate a total outflowing mass rate of at least $140\, \rm M_\odot \,yr^{-1}$ and a total energy loss rate of at least $8.9\times10^{42}\,\rm erg\,s^{-1}$, where the contribution from the ionised outflow is negligible, emphasising the importance of including both cold neutral and molecular gas when quantifying the impact of outflows. We present evidence of the presence of a radio jet and argue that this may play a role in driving the observed outflows. The modest radio luminosity $L_{\rm1.4GHz}$ $\sim1.3\times10^{23}\,{\rm W\,Hz^{-1}}$ of the jet in IRAS 10565+2448 implies that the jet contribution to driving outflows should not be ignored in low radio luminosity AGN.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2022

FLASH Pilot Survey: Detections of associated 21 cm HI absorption in GAMA galaxies at 0.42 < z <1.00

We present the results of a search for associated 21 cm HI absorption at redshift 0.42 < z < 1.00 in radio-loud galaxies from three Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA) survey fields. These observations were carried out as part of a pilot survey for the ASKAP First Large Absorption Survey in HI (FLASH). From a sample of 326 radio sources with 855.5 MHz peak flux density above 10 mJy we detected two associated HI absorption systems, in SDSS J090331+010847 at z= 0.522 and SDSS J113622+004852 at z= 0.563. Both galaxies are massive (stellar mass > 10$^{11}$ M$_{sun}$) and have optical spectra characteristic of luminous red galaxies,though SED fitting implies that SDSS J113622+004852 contains a dust-obscured starburst with SFR ~ 69 M$_{sun}$ yr$^{-1}$. The HI absorption lines have a high optical depth, with $τ_{pk}$ of 1.77 $\pm$ 0.16 for SDSS J090331+010847 (the highest value for any z > 0.1 associated system found to date) and 0.14 $\pm$ 0.01 for SDSS J113622+004852. In the redshift range probed by our ASKAP observations, the detection rate for associated HI absorption lines (with $τ_{pk}$ > 0.1 and at least 3$σ$ significance) is 2.9 (+9.7 -2.6) percent. Although the current sample is small, this rate is consistent with a trend seen in other studies for a lower detection rate of associated 21 cm HI absorption systems at higher redshift. We also searched for OH absorption lines at 0.67 < z < 1.34, but no detection was made in the 145 radio sources searched.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2022

Observations of cold extragalactic gas clouds at $z = 0.45$ towards PKS 1610-771

We present results from MUSE observations of a 21-cm HI absorption system detected with the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder radio telescope at redshift $z = 0.4503$ towards the $z = 1.71$ quasar PKS 1610-771. We identify four galaxies (A, B, X and Y) at the same redshift as the 21-cm H I Damped Lyman-α (DLA) absorption system, with impact parameters ranging from less than 10 kpc to almost 200 kpc from the quasar sightline. Ca II and Na I absorption is seen in the MUSE spectrum of the background QSO, with velocities coinciding with the initial HI 21-cm detection, but tracing less dense and warmer gas. This metal-line component aligns with the rotating ionised disc of galaxy B (impact parameter 18 kpc from the QSO) and appears to be co-rotating with the galaxy disc. In contrast, the 21-cm HI absorber is blueshifted relative to the galaxies nearest the absorber and has the opposite sign to the velocity field of galaxy B. Since galaxies A and B are separated by only 17 kpc on the sky and $70$ km s$^{-1}$ in velocity, it appears likely that the 21-cm detection traces extragalactic clouds of gas formed from their interaction. This system reveals that the cold 100 K neutral gas critical for star formation can be associated with complex structures beyond the galaxy disc, and is a first case study made in preparation for future large 21-cm absorption surveys like the ASKAP First Large Absorption Survey in HI.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2022

Radio spectra of narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies observed with ATCA and VLASS

We present radio spectral analyses for a sample of 29 radio-quiet (RQ) and three radio-loud (RL) narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) detected with the Australia Telescope Compact Array at both 5.5 GHz and 9.0 GHz. The sample is characterized by L_bol/L_Edd > 0.15. The radio slopes in 25 of the 29 RQ NLS1s are steep (alpha_5.5-9.0 < -0.5), as found in earlier studies of RQ high L_bol/L_Edd AGN. This steep radio emission may be related to AGN-driven outflows, which are likely more prevalent in high L_bol/L_Edd AGN. In two of the three RL NLS1s, the radio slopes are flat or inverted (alpha_5.5-9.0 > -0.5), indicating a compact optically-thick source, likely a relativistic jet. Archival data at 3.0 GHz, 1.4 GHz, and 0.843 GHz are also compiled, yielding a sample of 17 NLS1s detected in three bands or more. In nine objects, the radio spectra flatten at lower frequencies, with median slopes of alpha_5.5-9.0 = -1.21 +/- 0.17, flattening to alpha_3.0-5.5 = -0.97 +/- 0.27, and to alpha_1.4-3.0 = -0.63 +/- 0.16. A parabolic fit suggests a median spectral turnover of ~ 1 GHz, which implies synchrotron self-absorption in a source with a size of only a fraction of 1 pc, possibly a compact wind or a weak jet. Two objects show significant spectral steepening to alpha < -2 above 3 GHz or 5 GHz, which may suggest relic emission from past ejection of radio emitting plasma, of the order of a few years to a few decades ago. Finally, two objects present a single spectral slope consistent with star-forming activity.

astro-ph.GA↗