arXiv subjects

Y. Krongold

Publications and source records attributed to Y. Krongold.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

Chandra View of the Warm-Hot IGM toward 1ES 1553+113: Absorption Line Detections and Identifications (Paper I)

We present the first results from our pilot 500 ks Chandra-LETG Large Program observation of the soft X-ray brightest source in the z>=0.4 sky, the blazar 1ES 1553+113, aimed to secure the first uncontroversial detections of the missing baryons in the X-rays. We identify a total of 11 possible absorption lines, with single-line statistical significances between 2.2-4.1σ. Six of these lines are detected at high single-line statistical significance (3.6 <= sigma <= 4.1), while the remaining five are regarded as marginal detections in association with either other X-ray lines detected at higher significance and/or Far-Ultraviolet (FUV) signposts. In particular, five of these possible intervening absorption lines, are identified as CV and CVI Kαabsorbers belonging to three WHIM systems at z_X = 0.312, z_X = 0.237 and = 0.133, which also produce broad HI (and OVI for the z_X = 0.312 system) absorption in the FUV. For two of these systems (z_X = 0.312 and 0.237), the Chandra X-ray data led the a-posteriori discovery of physically consistent broad HI associations in the FUV, so confirming the power of the X-ray-FUV synergy for WHIM studies. The true statistical significances of these three X-ray absorption systems, after properly accounting for the number of redshift trials, are 5.8 sigma (z_X = 0.312; 6.3 sigma if the low-significance OV and CV K-beta associations are considered), 3.9 sigma (z_X = 0.237), and 3.8 sigma (\langle z_X \rangle = 0.133), respectively.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

The rise of an ionized wind in the Narrow Line Seyfert 1 Galaxy Mrk 335 observed by XMM-Newton and HST

We present the discovery of an outflowing ionized wind in the Seyfert 1 Galaxy Mrk 335. Despite having been extensively observed by most of the largest X-ray observatories in the last decade, this bright source was not known to host warm absorber gas until recent XMM-Newton observations in combination with a long-term Swift monitoring program have shown extreme flux and spectral variability. High resolution spectra obtained by the XMM-Newton RGS detector reveal that the wind consists of three distinct ionization components, all outflowing at a velocity of 5000 km/s. This wind is clearly revealed when the source is observed at an intermediate flux state (2-5e-12 ergs cm^-2 s^-1). The analysis of multi-epoch RGS spectra allowed us to compare the absorber properties at three very different flux states of the source. No correlation between the warm absorber variability and the X-ray flux has been determined. The two higher ionization components of the gas may be consistent with photoionization equilibrium, but we can exclude this for the only ionization component that is consistently present in all flux states (log(xi)~1.8). We have included archival, non-simultaneous UV data from HST (FOS, STIS, COS) with the aim of searching for any signature of absorption in this source that so far was known for being absorption-free in the UV band. In the COS spectra obtained a few months after the X-ray observations we found broad absorption in CIV lines intrinsic to the AGN and blueshifted by a velocity roughly comparable to the X-ray outflow. The global behavior of the gas in both bands can be explained by variation of the covering factor and/or column density, possibly due to transverse motion of absorbing clouds moving out of the line of sight at Broad Line Region scale.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

The Activity of the Neighbours of Seyfert Galaxies

We present a follow-up study on a series of papers concerning the role of close interactions as a possible triggering mechanism of AGN activity. We have already studied the close (<100kpc/h) and the large scale (<1 Mpc/h) environment of a local sample of Sy1, Sy2 and bright IRAS galaxies (BIRG) and their respective control samples. The results led us to the conclusion that a close encounter appears capable of activating a sequence where an absorption line galaxy (ALG) galaxy becomes first a starburst, then a Sy2 and finally a Sy1. Here we investigate the activity of neighboring galaxies of different types of AGN, since both galaxies of an interacting pair should be affected. To this end we present the optical spectroscopy and X-ray imaging of 30 neighbouring galaxies around two local (z<0.034) samples of 10 Sy1 and 13 Sy2 galaxies. Based on the optical spectroscopy we find that more than 70% of all neighbouring galaxies exhibit star forming and/or nuclear activity (namely recent star formation and/or AGN), while an additional X-ray analysis showed that this percentage might be significantly higher. Furthermore, we find a statistically significant correlation, at a 99.9% level, between the value of the neighbour's [OIII]/Hβratio and the activity type of the central active galaxy, i.e. the neighbours of Sy2 galaxies are systematically more ionized than the neighbours of Sy1s. This result, in combination with trends found using the Equivalent Width of the Hαemission line and the stellar population synthesis code STARLIGHT, indicate differences in the stellar mass, metallicity and star formation history between the samples. Our results point towards a link between close galaxy interactions and activity and also provide more clues regarding the possible evolutionary sequence inferred by our previous studies.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2012

A huge reservoir of ionized gas around the Milky Way: Accounting for the Missing Mass?

Most of the baryons from galaxies have been "missing" and several studies have attempted to map the circumgalactic medium (CGM) of galaxies in their quest. Recent studies with the Hubble Space Telescope have shown that many galaxies contain a large reservoir of ionized gas with temperatures of about 10^5 K. Here we report on X-ray observations made with the Chandra X-ray Observatory probing an even hotter phase of the CGM of our Milky Way at about 10^6 K. We show that this phase of the CGM is massive, extending over a large region around the Milky Way, with a radius of over 100 kpc. The mass content of this phase is over ten billion solar masses, many times more than that in cooler gas phases and comparable to the total baryonic mass in the disk of the Galaxy. The missing mass of the Galaxy appears to be in this warm-hot gas phase.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2011

The Activity of the Neighbours of AGN and Starburst Galaxies: Towards an evolutionary sequence of AGN activity

We present a follow-up study of a series of papers concerning the role of close interactions as a possible triggering mechanism of the activity of AGN and starburst (SB) galaxies. We have already studied the close (<100 kpc) and the large scale (<1 Mpc) environment of Sy1, Sy2 and Bright IRAS galaxies and their respective control samples (Koulouridis et al.). The results led us to the conclusion that a close encounter appears capable of activating a sequence where a normal galaxy becomes first a starburst, then a Sy2 and finally a Sy1 galaxy. However since both galaxies of an interacting pair should be affected, we present here optical spectroscopy and X-ray imaging of the neighbouring galaxies around our Seyfert and BIRG galaxy samples. We find that more than 70% of all neighbouring galaxies exhibit thermal or/and nuclear activity (namely enhanced star formation, starbursting and/or AGN) and furthermore we discovered various trends regarding the type and strength of the neighbour's activity with respect to the activity of the central galaxy, the most important of which is that the neighbours of Sy2 are systematically more ionized, and their straburst is younger, than the neighbours of Sy1s. Our results not only strengthen the link between close galaxy interactions and activity but also provide more clues regarding the evolutionary sequence inferred by previous results.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2010

The Transition from "Normal" to "Broad Absorption Line Quasar" of Ton 34

We report the emergence of a high velocity, broad absorption line outflow in the luminous quasar Ton 34, at z=1.928. The outflow is detected through an ultraviolet CIV broad absorption line, in a spectrum obtained in January 2006 by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. No absorption trough was present in two different spectra acquired in 1981 at Las Campanas and Palomar observatories, indicating the emergence of the outflow in less than ~8 yr (rest-frame). The absorption line spans a velocity range from ~5,000-26,000 km s-1}, and resembles typical troughs found in Broad Absorption Line quasars (BALQSOs). We measure a balnicity index >600 (tough this value might be an underestimation due to a conservativeplacing of the continuum). The absorption trough is likely saturated, with the absorbing gas covering ~25% of the emitting region. We explore different scenarios for the emergence of this outflow, and find an existing wind moving across our line of sight to the source as the most likely explanation. This indicates that high velocity outflows (producing broad absorption troughs in BALQSOs) might be ubiquitous in quasars, yet only become observable when the wind accidentally crosses our line vision to the central source.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2010

XMM-{\em Newton} and FUSE Tentative Evidence for a WHIM filament along the Line of Sight to PKS~0558-504

We present a possible OVIII X-ray absorption line at $z=0.117 \pm 0.001$ which, if confirmed, will be the first one associated with a broad HI Ly$β$ (BLB: FWHM=$160^{+50}_{-30}$ km s$^{-1}$) absorber. The absorber lies along the line of sight to the nearby ($z=0.1372$) Seyfert 1 galaxy PKS~0558-504, consistent with being a WHIM filament. The X-ray absorber is marginally detected in two independent XMM-Newton spectra of PKS~0558-504, a long $\sim 600$ ks Guest-Observer observation and a shorter, $\sim 300$ ks total, calibration observation, with a combined single line statistical significance of 2.8$σ$ (2.7$σ$ and 1.2$σ$ in the two spectra, respectively). When fitted with our self-consistent hybrid-photoionization WHIM models, the combined XMM-{\em Newton} spectrum is consistent with the presence of OVIII K$α$ at $z=(0.117 \pm 0.001)$. This model gives best fitting temperature and equivalent H column density of the absorber of log$T=6.56_{-0.17}^{+0.19}$ K, and logN$_H=(21.5 \pm 0.3) (Z/Z_{0.01\odot})^{-1}$ cm$^{-2}$. The statistical sigificance of this single X-ray detection is increased by the detection of broad and complex HI Ly$β$ absorption in archival FUSE spectra of PKS~0558-504, at redshifts $z=0.1183 \pm 0.0001$ consistent with the best-fitting redshift of the X-ray absorber. The single line statistical significance of this line is 4.1$σ$ (3.7$σ$ if systematics are considered), and thus the combined (HI+OVIII) statistical significance of the detection is of 5.0$σ$. The detection of both metal and H lines at a consistent redshift, in this hot absorbing system, allows us to speculate on its metallicity. By associating the bulk of the X-ray absorber with the BLB line detected in the FUSE spectrum at $z_{BLB}=0.1183 \pm 0.0001$, we obtain a metallicity of 1-4\% Solar.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2010

The Two-Phase, Two-Velocity Ionized Absorber in the Seyfert 1 Galaxy NGC 5548

We present an analysis of X-ray high quality grating spectra of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548 using archival Chandra HETGS and LETGS observations for a total exposure time of 800ks. The continuum emission is well represented by a powerlaw plus a black-body component. We find that the well known X-ray warm absorber in this source consists of two different outflow velocity systems. Recognizing the presence of these kinematically distinct components allows each system to be fitted independently, each with two absorption components with different ionization levels. The high velocity system consists of a component with temperature of 2.7X10^6K and another component with temperature of 5.8X10^5K. The low-velocity system required also two absorbing components, one with temperature of 5.8X10^5K; the other with lower temperature (3.5X10^4K). Once these components are considered, the data do not require any further absorbers. In particular, a model consisting of a continuous radial range of ionization structures is not required. The two absorbing components in each velocity system are in pressure equilibrium with each other. This suggests that each velocity system consists of a multi-phase medium. This is the first time that different outflow velocity systems have been modelled independently in the X-ray band for this source. The kinematic components and column densities found from the X-rays are in agreement with the main kinematic components found in the UV absorber. This supports the idea that the UV and X-ray absorbing gas is part of the same phenomenon. NGC 5548 can now be seen to fit in a pattern established for other warm absorbers: 2 or 3 discrete phases in pressure equilibrium. There are no remaining cases of a well studied warm absorber in which a model consisting of a multi-phase medium is not viable.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2010

Suzaku Monitoring of the Seyfert 1 Galaxy NGC5548: Warm Absorber Location and its Implication for Cosmic Feedback

(Abridged) We present a two month Suzaku X-ray monitoring of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548. The campaign consists of 7 observations. We analyze the response in the opacity of the gas that forms the ionized absorber to ionizing flux variations. Despite variations by a factor of 4 in the impinging continuum, the soft X-ray spectra of the source show little spectral variations, suggesting no response from the ionized absorber. A detailed time modeling confirms the lack of opacity variations for an absorbing component with high ionization. Instead, the models tentatively suggest that the ionization parameter of a low ionization absorbing component might be changing with the ionizing flux, as expected for gas in photoionization equilibrium. Using the lack of variations, we set an upper limit of n_e <2.0E7 cm-3 for the electron density of the gas forming the high ionization, high velocity component. This implies a large distance from the continuum source (R > 0.033 pc). If the variations in the low ionization component are real, they imply n_e >9.8E4 cm-3 and R < 3 pc. We discuss our results in terms of two different scenarios: a large scale outflow originating in the inner parts of the accretion disk, or a thermally driven wind originating much farther out. Given the large distance of the wind, the implied mass outflow rate is also large (Mw > 0.08 Maccr). The associated total kinetic energy deployed by the wind in the host galaxy (>1.2E56 erg) can be enough to disrupt the interstellar medium, possibly regulating large scale star formation. The total mass and energy ejected by the wind is still lower than the one required for cosmic feedback, even when extrapolated to quasar luminosities. Such feedback would require that we are observing the wind before it is fully accelerated.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

Characterization of the emitting and absorbing media around the nucleus of the active galaxy UGC11763 using XMM-Newton data

Aims. The detailed analysis of all data taken by the XMM-Newton satellite of UGC11763 to characterize the different components that are emitting and absorbing radiation in the vicinity of the active nucleus. Methods. The continuum emission was studied through the EPIC spectra taking profit of the spectral range of these cameras. The high resolution RGS spectra were analyzed in order to characterize the absorbing features and the emission line features that arise in the spectra of this source. Results. A power law with a photon index Γ= 1.72^{+0.03}_{-0.01} accounts for the continuum emission of this source in the hard X-rays from 10 down to 1 keV. At lower energies, a black body model with kT= 0.100\pm 0.003 keV provides a good description of the observed soft excess. The absorption signatures in the spectra of UGC11763 are consistent with the presence of a two phase ionized material (log U=1.65^{+0.07}_{-0.08}; 2.6\pm 0.1 and log N_{H} = 21.2\pm 0.2; 21.51\pm 0.01 cm^{-2}, respectively) in the line of sight. The physical conditions found are consistent with the two phases being in pressure equilibrium. The low ionization component is more ionized than typically found for warm absorbers in other Seyfert 1 galaxies. There are also signatures of some emission lines: Ovii He$α$(r), Ovii He$α$(f), a blend of the Neix He$α$ triplet and Fexviii at λ17.5 Å.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2009

UVES/VLT high resolution absorption spectroscopy of the GRB080330 afterglow: a study of the GRB host galaxy and intervening absorbers

We study the Gamma Ray Burst (GRB) environment and intervening absorbers by analyzing the optical absorption features produced by gas surrounding the GRB or along its line of sight. We analyzed high resolution spectroscopic observations (R=40000, S/N=3 - 6) of the optical afterglow of GRB080330, taken with UVES at the VLT ~ 1.5 hours after the GRB trigger. The spectrum illustrates the complexity of the ISM of the GRB host galaxy at z = 1.51 which has at least four components in the main absorption system. We detect strong FeII, SiII, and NiII excited absorption lines associated with the bluemost component only. In addition to the host galaxy, at least two more absorbers lying along the line of sight to the afterglow have been detected in the redshift range 0.8 < z < 1.1, each exhibiting MgII absorption. For the bluemost component in the host galaxy, we derive information about its distance from the site of the GRB explosion. We do so by assuming that the excited absorption lines are produced by indirect UV pumping, and compare the data with a time dependent photo-excitation code. The distance of this component is found to be 280+40-50 pc, which is lower than found for other GRBs (1 - 6 kpc). We identify two additional MgII absorbers, one of them with a rest frame equivalent width larger than 1A. The distance between the GRB and the absorber measured in this paper confirms that the power of the GRB radiation can influence the conditions of the interstellar medium up to a distance of at least several hundred pc. For the intervening absorbers, we confirm the trend that on average one strong intervening system is found per afterglow, as has been noted in studies exhibiting an excess of strong MgII absorbers along GRB sightlines compared to quasars.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

Scaling ultraviolet outflows in Seyferts

X-ray and UV absorbing outflows are frequently seen in AGN and have been cited as a possible feedback mechanism. Whether or not they can provide adequate feedback depends on how massive they are and how much energy they carry, but it depends in a more fundamental way upon whether they escape the potential of the black hole. If the outflows have reached their asymptotic velocity when we observe them, then all of these properties critically depend on the radius of the outflow: a value which is difficult to measure. The tightest limit on the distance of an X-ray warm absorber from the ionizing source is that of Krongold et al. (2007) for NGC 4051. We use NGC 4051 to model other observed UV outflows, and find that on the whole they may not provide meaningful feedback. The outflow velocities are below or just above the escape velocity of the black hole. This may be because they are not yet fully accelerated, or the duty cycle of high-velocity outflows may be small. Another possibility is that they may only provide meaningful feedback in higher-luminosity AGN, as we find a weak correlation between the ratio of outflow velocity to escape velocity and AGN continuum luminosity.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2008

Probing the complex environments of GRB host galaxies and intervening systems: high resolution spectroscopy of GRB050922C

The aim of this paper is to investigate the environment of gamma ray bursts (GRBs) and the interstellar matter of their host galaxies. We use to this purpose high resolution spectroscopic observations of the afterglow of GRB050922C, obtained with UVES/VLT 3.5 hours after the GRB event. We found that, as for most high resolution spectra of GRBs, the spectrum of the afterglow of GRB050922C is complex. At least seven components contribute to the main absorption system at z=2.1992. The detection of lines of neutral elements like MgI and the detection of fine-structure levels of the ions FeII, SiII and CII allows us to separate components in the GRB ISM along the line of sight. Moreover, in addition to the main system, we have analyzed the five intervening systems between z = 2.077 and z = 1.5664 identified along the GRB line of sight. GRB afterglow spectra are very complex, but full of information. This can be used to disentangle the contribution of the different parts of the GRB host galaxy and to study their properties. Our metallicity estimates agree with the scenario of GRBs exploding in low metallicity galaxies

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

The prompt, high resolution spectroscopic view of the "naked-eye" GRB080319B

GRB080319B reached 5th optical magnitude during the burst prompt emission. Thanks to the VLT/UVES rapid response mode, we observed its afterglow just 8m:30s after the GRB onset when the magnitude was R ~ 12. This allowed us to obtain the best signal-to-noise, high resolution spectrum of a GRB afterglow ever (S/N per resolution element ~ 50). The spectrum is rich of absorption features belonging to the main system at z=0.937, divided in at least six components spanning a total velocity range of 100 km/s. The VLT/UVES observations caught the absorbing gas in a highly excited state, producing the strongest Fe II fine structure lines ever observed in a GRB. A few hours later the optical depth of these lines was reduced by a factor of 4-20, and the optical/UV flux by a factor of ~ 60. This proves that the excitation of the observed fine structure lines is due to "pumping" by the GRB UV photons. A comparison of the observed ratio between the number of photons absorbed by the excited state and those in the Fe II ground state suggests that the six absorbers are ~ 2-6 kpc from the GRB site, with component I ~ 3 times closer to the GRB site than components III to VI. Component I is characterized also by the lack of Mg I absorption, unlike all other components. This may be due both to a closer distance and a lower density, suggesting a structured ISM in this galaxy complex.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Detection of blueshifted emission and absorption and a relativistic Iron line in the X-ray spectrum of ESO 323-G077

We report on the X-ray observation of the Seyfert 1 ESO323-G077 performed with XMM-Newton. The spectra show a complex spectrum with conspicuous absorption and emission features. The continuum emission can be modelled with a power law with an index of 1.99+/-0.02 in the whole XMM-Newton energy band, marginally consistent with typical values of Type-I objects. An absorption component with an uncommonly high equivalent Hydrogen column, n_H=5.82(+0.12/-0.11)x10^22 cm-2, is affecting the soft part of the spectrum. Additionally, two warm absorption components are also present. The lower ionised one has an ionisation parameter of Log(U)=2.14(+0.06/-0.07) and an outflowing velocity of v=3200(+600/-200) km/s. Two absorption lines located at ~6.7 and ~7.0 keV can be modelled with the highly ionised absorber. The ionisation parameter and outflowing velocity of the gas measured are Log(U)=3.26(+0.19/-0.15) and v=1700(+600/-400) km/s, respectively. Four emission lines were also detected in the soft energy band. The most likely explanation for these emission lines is that they are associated with an outflowing gas with a velocity of ~2000 km/s. The data suggest that the same gas which is causing the absorption could also being responsible of these emission features. Finally, the spectrum shows the presence of a relativistic iron emission line likely originated in the accretion disc of a Kerr BH with an inclination of ~25 deg. We propose a model to explain the observed X-ray properties which invokes the presence of a two-phase outflow with cone-like structure and a velocity of the order of 2,000-4,000 km/s. The inner layer of the cone would be less ionised, or even neutral, than the outer layer. The inclination angle would be lower than the opening angle of the outflowing cone.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Activity induced by Gravitational Interaction in Galaxy Pairs

A systematic study of the nuclear emission of a sample of 97 spirals in isolated galaxy pairs with mixed morphology (E+S) shows that: 1) AGN activity is found in 40% of the spiral galaxies in these pairs, 2) Only one out of the 39 AGN found has type 1 (Broad line Component) activity, and 3) AGN tend to have closer companions than star forming galaxies. These results are at odds with a simple Unified Model for Seyferts, where only obscuration/orientation effects are of relevance, and neatly support an evolutionary scenario where interactions trigger nuclear activity, and obscuration/orientation effects may be complementary in a certain evolutionary phase.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

The Environment of Sy1, Sy2 & Bright IRAS Galaxies

We present a 3-dimensional study of the local (< 100 kpc) environment of Sy1, Sy2 and Bright IRAS Galaxies. For this purpose we use three galaxy samples (Sy1, Sy2, BIRG) located at high galactic latitudes as well as three control sample of non-active galaxies having the same morphological, redshift and diameter size distributions as the corresponding Seyfert or BIRG sample. Using the CfA2 and SSRS galaxy catalogues as well as our own spectroscopic observations, we find that the fraction of BIRGs with a close neighbor is significantly higher than that of their control sample. We also find that Sy2 galaxies demonstrate the same behaviour with BIRG galaxies but not with Sy1s which do not show any excess of companions with respect to their control sample galaxies. An additional analysis of the relation between FIR colors and activity type of the BIRG's shows a significant difference between the colors of strongly-interacting and non-interacting starbursts and a resemblance between the colors of non-interacting starbursts and Sy2s.Our results support an evolutionary scenario leading from Starbursting to a Sy2 and finally to an unobscured Sy1 galaxy, where close interactions play the role of the triggering mechanism.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

X-ray properties of a sample of polar-scattered Seyfert galaxies

We present the results on an XMM-Newton systematic analysis of a sample of nine Seyfert 1 galaxies. When observed in polarised light, the spectra of the selected sources are similar to those of Seyfert 2 galaxies. This peculiarity strongly suggests that these AGN are viewed with an inclination comparable with the torus opening angle. Our results are consistent with this scenario and, taking advantage of this favourable geometrical condition, we were able to investigate in detail the physical properties and the distribution of the circumnuclear gas in these sources.

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