arXiv subjects

Timothy W. Shimwell

Publications and source records attributed to Timothy W. Shimwell.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2021

First constraints on the AGN X-ray luminosity function at $z \sim 6$ from an eROSITA-detected quasar

We searched for high-z quasars within the X-ray source population detected in the contiguous $\sim 140^2$ eFEDS field observed by eROSITA during the performance verification phase. We collected the available spectroscopic information in the field, including the sample of all currently known optically selected z>5.5 quasars and cross-matched secure Legacy DR8 counterparts of eROSITA-detected X-ray point-like sources with this spectroscopic sample. We report the X-ray detection of an eROSITA source securely matched to the well-known quasar SDSS J083643.85+005453.3 (z=5.81). The soft X-ray flux of the source derived from eROSITA is consistent with previous Chandra observations. In addition, we report the detection of the quasar with LOFAR at 145 MHz and ASKAP at 888 MHz. The reported flux densities confirm a spectral flattening at lower frequencies in the emission of the radio core, indicating that the quasar could be a (sub-) gigahertz peaked spectrum source. The inferred spectral shape and the parsec-scale radio morphology of SDSS J083643.85+005453.3 suggest that it is in an early stage of its evolution into a large-scale radio source or confined in a dense environment. We find no indications for a strong jet contribution to the X-ray emission of the quasar, which is therefore likely to be linked to accretion processes. The detection of this source allows us to place the first constraints on the XLF at z>5.5 based on a secure spectroscopic redshift. Compared to extrapolations from lower-redshift observations, this favours a relatively flat slope for the XLF at $z\sim 6$ beyond $L_*$. The population of X-ray luminous AGNs at high redshift may be larger than previously thought. From our XLF constraints, we make the conservative prediction that eROSITA will detect $\sim 90$ X-ray luminous AGNs at redshifts 5.7<z<6.4 in the full-sky survey (De+RU).

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arXiv2020

Fast magnetic field amplification in distant galaxyclusters

In the present-day Universe, magnetic fields pervade galaxy clusters, with strengths of a few microGauss obtained from Faraday Rotation. Evidence for cluster magnetic fields is also provided by Megaparsec-scale radio emission, namely radio halos and relics. These are commonly found in merging systems and are characterized by a steep radio spectrum. It is widely believed that magneto-hydrodynamical turbulence and shock-waves (re-)accelerate cosmic rays, producing halos and relics. The origin and the amplification of magnetic fields in clusters is not well understood. It has been proposed that turbulence drives a small-scaledynamo that amplifies seed magnetic fields (primordial and/or injected by galactic outflows, as active galactic nuclei, starbursts, or winds). At high redshift, radio halos are expected to be faint, due to the Inverse Compton losses and dimming effect with distance. Moreover, Faraday Rotation measurements are difficult to obtain. If detected, distant radio halosprovide an alternative tool to investigate magnetic field amplification. Here, we report LOFAR observations which reveal diffuse radio emission in massive clusters when the Universe was only half of its present age, with a sample occurrence fraction of about 50%. The high radio luminosities indicate that these clusters have similar magnetic field strengths to those in nearby clusters, and suggest that magnetic field amplification is fast during the first phases ofcluster formation.

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arXiv2020

No Massive Companion to the Coherent Radio-Emitting M Dwarf GJ 1151

The recent detection of circularly polarized, long-duration (>8 hr) low-frequency (~150 MHz) radio emission from the M4.5 dwarf GJ 1151 has been interpreted as arising from a star-planet interaction via the electron cyclotron maser instability. The existence or parameters of the proposed planets have not been determined. Using 20 new HARPS-N observations, we put 99th-percentile upper limits on the mass of any close companion to GJ 1151 at Msini < 5.6 M earth. With no stellar, brown dwarf, or giant planet companion likely in a close orbit, our data are consistent with detected radio emission emerging from a magnetic interaction between a short-period terrestrial-mass planet and GJ 1151.

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arXiv2019

Observations of a Pre-Merger Shock in Colliding Clusters of Galaxies

Clusters of galaxies are the largest known gravitationally-bound structures in the Universe. When clusters collide, they create merger shocks on cosmological scales, which transform most of the kinetic energy carried by the cluster gaseous halos into heat. Observations of merger shocks provide key information of the merger dynamics, and enable insights into the formation and thermal history of the large-scale structures. Nearly all of the merger shocks are found in systems where the clusters have already collided, knowledge of shocks in the pre-merger phase is a crucial missing ingredient. Here we report on the discovery of a unique shock in a cluster pair 1E 2216 and 1E 2215. The two clusters are observed at an early phase of major merger. Contrary to all the known merger shocks observed ubiquitously on merger axes, the new shock propagates outward along the equatorial plane of the merger. This discovery uncovers an important epoch in the formation of massive clusters, when the rapid approach of the cluster pair leads to strong compression of gas along the merger axis. Current theoretical models predict that the bulk of the shock energy might be dissipated outside the clusters, and eventually turn into heat of the pristine gas in the circum-cluster space.

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arXiv2018

Evolutionary phases of merging clusters as seen by LOFAR

Massive, merging galaxy clusters often host giant, diffuse radio sources that arise from shocks and turbulence; hence, radio observations can be useful for determining the merger state of a cluster. In preparation for a larger study, we selected three clusters -- Abell 1319, Abell 1314, and RXC J1501.3+4220 (Z7215) -- making use of the new LOFAR Two-Metre Sky Survey (LoTSS) at 120-168 MHz, and together with archival data, show that these clusters appear to be in pre-merging, merging, and post-merging states, respectively. We argue that Abell 1319 is likely in its pre-merging phase, where three separate cluster components are about to merge. There are no radio halos nor radio relics detected in this system. Abell 1314 is a highly-disturbed, low-mass cluster which is likely in the process of merging. This low-mass system does not show a radio halo, however, we argue that the merger activates mechanisms that cause electron re-acceleration in the large 800 kpc radio tail associated with IC~711. In the cluster Z7215 we discover diffuse radio emission at the cluster center, and we classify this emission as a radio halo, although it is dimmer and smaller than expected by the radio halo power versus cluster mass correlation. We suggest that the disturbed cluster Z7215 is in its post-merging phase. Systematic studies of this kind over a larger sample of clusters observed with LoTSS will help constrain the time scales involved in turbulent re-acceleration and the subsequent energy losses of the underlying electrons.

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arXiv2017

AMI-CL J0300+2613: a Galactic anomalous-microwave-emission ring masquerading as a galaxy cluster

The Arcminute Microkelvin Imager (AMI) carried out a blind survey for galaxy clusters via their Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect decrements between 2008 and 2011. The first detection, known as AMI-CL J0300+2613, has been reobserved with AMI equipped with a new digital correlator with high dynamic range. The combination of the new AMI data and more recent high-resolution sub-mm and infra-red maps now shows the feature in fact to be a ring of positive dust-correlated Galactic emission, which is likely to be anomalous microwave emission (AME). If so, this is the first completely blind detection of AME at arcminute scales.

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arXiv2016

LOFAR VLBI Studies at 55 MHz of 4C 43.15, a z=2.4 Radio Galaxy

The correlation between radio spectral index and redshift has been exploited to discover high redshift radio galaxies, but its underlying cause is unclear. It is crucial to characterise the particle acceleration and loss mechanisms in high redshift radio galaxies to understand why their radio spectral indices are steeper than their local counterparts. Low frequency information on scales of $\sim$1 arcsec are necessary to determine the internal spectral index variation. In this paper we present the first spatially resolved studies at frequencies below 100 MHz of the $z = 2.4$ radio galaxy 4C 43.15 which was selected based on its ultra-steep spectral index ($α< -1$; $S_ν \sim ν^α$ ) between 365 MHz and 1.4 GHz. Using the International Low Frequency Array (LOFAR) Low Band Antenna we achieve sub-arcsecond imaging resolution at 55 MHz with VLBI techniques. Our study reveals low-frequency radio emission extended along the jet axis, which connects the two lobes. The integrated spectral index for frequencies $<$ 500 MHz is -0.83. The lobes have integrated spectral indices of -1.31$\pm$0.03 and -1.75$\pm$0.01 for frequencies $\geq$1.4 GHz, implying a break frequency between 500 MHz and 1.4 GHz. These spectral properties are similar to those of local radio galaxies. We conclude that the initially measured ultra-steep spectral index is due to a combination of the steepening spectrum at high frequencies with a break at intermediate frequencies.

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arXiv2016

Another shock for the Bullet cluster, and the source of seed electrons for radio relics

With Australia Telescope Compact Array observations, we detect a highly elongated Mpc-scale diffuse radio source on the eastern periphery of the Bullet cluster 1E0657-55.8, which we argue has the positional, spectral and polarimetric characteristics of a radio relic. This powerful relic (2.3+/-0.1 x 10^25 W Hz^-1) consists of a bright northern bulb and a faint linear tail. The bulb emits 94% of the observed radio flux and has the highest surface brightness of any known relic. Exactly coincident with the linear tail we find a sharp X-ray surface brightness edge in the deep Chandra image of the cluster -- a signature of a shock front in the hot intracluster medium (ICM), located on the opposite side of the cluster to the famous bow shock. This new example of an X-ray shock coincident with a relic further supports the hypothesis that shocks in the outer regions of clusters can form relics via diffusive shock (re-)acceleration. Intriguingly, our new relic suggests that seed electrons for reacceleration are coming from a local remnant of a radio galaxy, which we are lucky to catch before its complete disruption. If this scenario, in which a relic forms when a shock crosses a well-defined region of the ICM polluted with aged relativistic plasma -- as opposed to the usual assumption that seeds are uniformly mixed in the ICM -- is also the case for other relics, this may explain a number of peculiar properties of peripheral relics.

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arXiv2014

Filaments in the southern giant lobe of Centaurus A: constraints on nature and origin from modelling and GMRT observations

We present results from imaging of the radio filaments in the southern giant lobe of Centaurus A using data from GMRT observations at 325 and 235 MHz, and outcomes from filament modelling. The observations reveal a rich filamentary structure, largely matching the morphology at 1.4 GHz. We find no clear connection of the filaments to the jet. We seek to constrain the nature and origin of the vertex and vortex filaments associated with the lobe and their role in high-energy particle acceleration. We deduce that these filaments are at most mildly overpressured with respect to the global lobe plasma showing no evidence of large-scale efficient Fermi I-type particle acceleration, and persist for ~ 2-3 Myr. We demonstrate that the dwarf galaxy KK 196 (AM 1318-444) cannot account for the features, and that surface plasma instabilities, the internal sausage mode and radiative instabilities are highly unlikely. An internal tearing instability and the kink mode are allowed within the observational and growth time constraints and could develop in parallel on different physical scales. We interpret the origin of the vertex and vortex filaments in terms of weak shocks from transonic MHD turbulence or from a moderately recent jet activity of the parent AGN, or an interplay of both.

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arXiv2014

Deep radio observations of the radio halo of the bullet cluster 1E 0657-55.8

We present deep 1.1-3.1 GHz Australia Telescope Compact Array observations of the radio halo of the bullet cluster, 1E 0657-55.8. In comparison to existing images of this radio halo the detection in our images is at higher significance. The radio halo is as extended as the X-ray emission in the direction of cluster merger but is significantly less extended than the X-ray emission in the perpendicular direction. At low significance we detect a faint second peak in the radio halo close to the X-ray centroid of the smaller sub-cluster (the bullet) suggesting that, similarly to the X-ray emission, the radio halo may consist of two components. Finally, we find that the distinctive shape of the western edge of the radio halo traces out the X-ray detected bow shock. The radio halo morphology and the lack of strong point-to-point correlations between radio, X-ray and weak-lensing properties suggests that the radio halo is still being formed. The colocation of the X-ray shock with a distinctive radio brightness edge illustrates that the shock is influencing the structure of the radio halo. These observations support the theory that shocks and turbulence influence the formation and evolution of radio halo synchrotron emission.

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arXiv2013

A joint analysis of AMI and CARMA observations of the recently discovered SZ galaxy cluster system AMI-CL J0300+2613

We present CARMA observations of a massive galaxy cluster discovered in the AMI blind SZ survey. Without knowledge of the cluster redshift a Bayesian analysis of the AMI, CARMA and joint AMI & CARMA uv-data is used to quantify the detection significance and parameterise both the physical and observational properties of the cluster whilst accounting for the statistics of primary CMB anisotropies, receiver noise and radio sources. The joint analysis of the AMI & CARMA uv-data was performed with two parametric physical cluster models: the β-model; and the model described in Olamaie et al. 2012 with the pressure profile fixed according to Arnaud et al. 2010. The cluster mass derived from these different models is comparable but our Bayesian evidences indicate a preference for the β-profile which we, therefore, use throughout our analysis. From the CARMA data alone we obtain a Bayesian probability of detection ratio of 12.8:1 when assuming that a cluster exists within our search area; alternatively assuming that Jenkins et al. 2001 accurately predicts the number of clusters as a function of mass and redshift, the Bayesian probability of detection is 0.29:1. From the analysis of the AMI or AMI & CARMA data the probability of detection ratio exceeds 4.5x10^3:1. Performing a joint analysis of the AMI & CARMA data with a physical cluster model we derive the total mass internal to r200 as MT,200 = 4.1x10^14Msun. Using a phenomenological β-model to quantify the temperature decrement as a function of angular distance we find a central SZ temperature decrement of 170μK in the AMI & CARMA data. The SZ decrement in the CARMA data is weaker than expected and we speculate that this is a consequence of the cluster morphology. In a forthcoming study we will assess the impact of cluster morphology on the SZ decrements that are observed with interferometers such as AMI and CARMA.

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arXiv2013

SZ observations with AMI of the hottest galaxy clusters detected in the XMM-Newton Cluster Survey

We have obtained deep SZ observations towards 15 of the apparently hottest XMM Cluster Survey (XCS) clusters that can be observed with the Arcminute Microkelvin Imager (AMI). We use a Bayesian analysis to quantify the significance of our SZ detections. We detect the SZ effect at high significance towards three of the clusters and at lower significance for a further two clusters. Towards the remaining ten clusters, no clear SZ signal was measured. We derive cluster parameters using the XCS mass estimates as a prior in our Bayesian analysis. For all AMI-detected clusters, we calculate large-scale mass and temperature estimates while for all undetected clusters we determine upper limits on these parameters. We find that the large- scale mean temperatures derived from our AMI SZ measurements (and the upper limits from null detections) are substantially lower than the XCS-based core-temperature estimates. For clusters detected in the SZ, the mean temperature is, on average, a factor of 1.4 lower than temperatures from the XCS. For clusters undetected in SZ, the average 68% upper limit on the mean temperature is a factor of 1.9 below the XCS temperature.

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arXiv2013

AMI SZ observations and Bayesian analysis of a sample of six redshift-one clusters of galaxies

We present 16-GHz Sunyaev-Zel'dovich observations using the Arcminute Microkelvin Imager (AMI) and subsequent Bayesian analysis of six galaxy clusters at redshift ($z \approx 1$) chosen from an X-ray and Infrared selected sample from Culverhouse et al. (2010). In the subsequent analysis we use two cluster models, an isothermal β-model and a Dark Matter GNFW (DM-GNFW) model in order to derive a formal detection probability and the cluster parameters. We detect two clusters (CLJ1415+3612 & XMJ0830+5241) and measure their total masses out to a radius of 200 $\times$ the critical density at the respective cluster's redshift. For CLJ1415+3612 and XMJ0830+5241, we find M_{\mathrm{T},200} for each model, which agree with each other for each cluster. We also present maps before and after source subtraction of the entire sample and provide 1D and 2D posterior marginalised probability distributions for each fitted cluster profile parameter of the detected clusters. Using simulations which take into account the measured source environment from the AMI Large Array (LA), source confusion noise, CMB primordials, instrument noise, we estimate from low-radius X-ray data from Culverhouse et al. (2010), the detectability of each cluster in the sample and compare it with the result from the Small Array (SA) data. Furthermore, we discuss the validity of the assumptions of isothermality and constant gas mass fraction. We comment on the bias that these small-radius estimates introduce to large-radius SZ predictions. In addition, we follow-up the two detections with deep, single-pointed LA observations. We find a 3 sigma tentative decrement toward CLJ1415+3612 at high-resolution and a 5 sigma high-resolution decrement towards XMJ0830+5241.

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arXiv2012

AMI Galactic Plane Survey at 16 GHz: I -- Observing, mapping and source extraction

The AMI Galactic Plane Survey (AMIGPS) is a large area survey of the outer Galactic plane to provide arcminute resolution images at milli-Jansky sensitivity in the centimetre-wave band. Here we present the first data release of the survey, consisting of 868 deg^2 of the Galactic plane, covering the area 76 deg \lessapprox l \lessapprox 170 deg between latitudes of |b| \lessapprox 5 deg, at a central frequency of 15.75 GHz (1.9 cm). We describe in detail the drift scan observations which have been used to construct the maps, including the techniques used for observing, mapping and source extraction, and summarise the properties of the finalized datasets. These observations constitute the most sensitive Galactic plane survey of large extent at centimetre-wave frequencies greater than 1.4 GHz.

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arXiv2012

Detailed SZ study of 19 LoCuSS galaxy clusters: masses and temperatures out to the virial radius

We present 16-GHz AMI SZ observations of 19 clusters with L_X >7x10^37 W (h50=1) selected from the LoCuS survey (0.142<z<0.295) and of A1758b, in the FoV of A1758a. We detect 17 clusters with 5-23sigma peak surface brightnesses. Cluster parameters are obtained using a Bayesian cluster analysis. We fit isothermal beta-models to our data and assume the clusters are virialized (with all the kinetic energy in gas internal energy). Our gas temperature, T_AMI, is derived from AMI SZ data, not from X-ray spectroscopy. Cluster parameters internal to r500 are derived assuming HSE. We find: (i) Different gNFW parameterizations yield significantly different parameter degeneracies. (ii) For h70 = 1, we find the virial radius r200 to be typically 1.6+/-0.1 Mpc and the total mass M_T(r200) typically to be 2.0-2.5xM_T(r500).(iii) Where we have found M_T X-ray (X) and weak-lensing (WL) values in the literature, there is good agreement between WL and AMI estimates (with M_{T,AMI}/M_{T,WL} =1.2^{+0.2}_{-0.3} and =1.0+/-0.1 for r500 and r200, respectively). In comparison, most Suzaku/Chandra estimates are higher than for AMI (with M_{T,X}/M_{T,AMI}=1.7+/-0.2 within r500), particularly for the stronger mergers.(iv) Comparison of T_AMI to T_X sheds light on high X-ray masses: even at large r, T_X can substantially exceed T_AMI in mergers. The use of these higher T_X values will give higher X-ray masses. We stress that large-r T_SZ and T_X data are scarce and must be increased. (v) Despite the paucity of data, there is an indication of a relation between merger activity and SZ ellipticity. (vi) At small radius (but away from any cooling flow) the SZ signal (and T_AMI) is less sensitive to ICM disturbance than the X-ray signal (and T_X) and, even at high r, mergers affect n^2-weighted X-ray data more than n-weighted SZ, implying significant shocking or clumping or both occur even in the outer parts of mergers.

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arXiv2012

Sunyaev-Zel'dovich observations of LoCuSS clusters with the Arcminute Microkelvin Imager: moderate X-ray luminosity sample

We present 16-GHz observations using the Arcminute Microkelvin Imager (AMI) of 11 clusters with 7 x 10^{37}W < L_X < 11 x 10^{37}W (h_{50}=1.0) selected from the Local Cluster Substructure Survey (LoCuSS) and compare them to X-ray data. We use a fast, Bayesian cluster analysis to explore the high-dimensional parameter space of the cluster-plus-sources model and obtain robust cluster parameter estimates in the presence of radio point sources, receiver noise and primordial CMB anisotropy. Our analysis fits a spherical, isothermal beta-model to our data and assumes the cluster follows the theoretical mass-temperature relation. Large-scale cluster parameters internal to r_{500} are derived under the assumption of hydrostatic equilibrium. Posterior distributions for the large-scale parameters of 8 of our clusters are given; SZ effects towards Abell 1704 and Zw0857.9+2107 were not detected and our spherical beta-profile was found to be an inadequate fit to the decrement on our map for Abell 2409.

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arXiv2012

Parameterization Effects in the analysis of AMI Sunyaev-Zel'dovich Observations

Most Sunyaev--Zel'dovich (SZ) and X-ray analyses of galaxy clusters try to constrain the cluster total mass and/or gas mass using parameterised models and assumptions of spherical symmetry and hydrostatic equilibrium. By numerically exploring the probability distributions of the cluster parameters given the simulated interferometric SZ data in the context of Bayesian methods, and assuming a beta-model for the electron number density we investigate the capability of this model and analysis to return the simulated cluster input quantities via three rameterisations. In parameterisation I we assume that the T is an input parameter. We find that parameterisation I can hardly constrain the cluster parameters. We then investigate parameterisations II and III in which fg(r200) replaces temperature as a main variable. In parameterisation II we relate M_T(r200) and T assuming hydrostatic equilibrium. We find that parameterisation II can constrain the cluster physical parameters but the temperature estimate is biased low. In parameterisation III, the virial theorem replaces the hydrostatic equilibrium assumption. We find that parameterisation III results in unbiased estimates of the cluster properties. We generate a second simulated cluster using a generalised NFW (GNFW) pressure profile and analyse it with an entropy based model to take into account the temperature gradient in our analysis and improve the cluster gas density distribution. This model also constrains the cluster physical parameters and the results show a radial decline in the gas temperature as expected. The mean cluster total mass estimates are also within 1 sigma from the simulated cluster true values. However, we find that for at least interferometric SZ analysis in practice at the present time, there is no differences in the AMI visibilities between the two models. This may of course change as the instruments improve.

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arXiv2011

AMI observations of unmatched Planck ERCSC LFI sources at 15.75 GHz

The Planck Early Release Compact Source Catalogue includes 26 sources with no obvious matches in other radio catalogues (of primarily extragalactic sources). Here we present observations made with the Arcminute Microkelvin Imager Small Array (AMI SA) at 15.75 GHz of the eight of the unmatched sources at declination > +10 degrees. Of the eight, four are detected and are associated with known objects. The other four are not detected with the AMI SA, and are thought to be spurious.

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