arXiv subjects

Z. Abraham

Publications and source records attributed to Z. Abraham.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2024

ALMA detection of Masers and Dasars in the Hydrogen Recombination Lines of the Planetary Nebula Mz3

The hydrogen recombination lines H30$\alpha$, H40$\alpha$, H42$\alpha$, H50$\beta$ and H57$\gamma$ and the underlying bremsstrahlung continuum emission were detected with ALMA in the bipolar nebula Mz3. The source was not spatially resolved, but the velocity profile of the H30$\alpha$ line shows clear indication of maser amplification, confirming previous reports of laser amplification in the far infrared H recombination lines observed with Herschel Space Observatory. Comparison between the flux densities of the H50$\beta$, H40$\alpha$ and H42$\alpha$ lines show overcooling, or darkness amplification by stimulated absorption (dasar effect) at the LSR velocity of about $-25$ km s$^{-1}$, which constrains the density of the absorbing region to about 10$^3$ cm$^{-3}$. The H30$\alpha$ line, on the other hand, presents maser lines at LSR velocities of $-69$ and $-98$ km s$^{-1}$, which indicates ionized gas with densities close to 10$^7$ cm$^{-3}$. Although the source of emission was not resolved, it was possible to find the central position of the images for each velocity interval, which resulted in a well defined position-velocity distribution.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2020

$η$ Carinae: high angular resolution continuum, H30$α$ and He30$α$ ALMA images

We present images of $η$ Carinae in the recombination lines H30$α$ and He30$α$ and the underlying continuum with 50~mas resolution (110 AU), obtained with ALMA. For the first time, the 230 GHz continuum image is resolved into a compact core, coincident with the binary system position, and a weaker extended structure to the NW of the compact source. Iso-velocity images of the H30$α$ recombination line show at least 16 unresolved sources with velocities between -30 and -65 km s$^{-1}$ distributed within the continuum source. A NLTE model, with density and temperature of the order $10^7$ cm$^{-3}$ and $10^4$ K, reproduce both the observed H30$α$ line profiles and their underlying continuum flux densities. Three of these sources are identified with Weigelt blobs D, C and B; estimating their proper motions, we derive ejection times (in years) of 1952.6, 1957.1, and 1967.6, respectively, all of which are close to periastron passage. Weaker H30$α$ line emission is detected at higher positive and negative velocities, extending in the direction of the Homunculus axis. The He30$α$ recombination line is also detected with the same velocity of the narrow H30$α$ line. Finally, the close resemblance of the H30$α$ image with that of an emission line that was reported in the literature as HCO$^+$(4-3) led us to identify this line as H40$δ$ instead, an identification that is further supported by modeling results. Future observations will enable to determine the proper motions of all the compact sources discovered in the new high-angular resolution data of $η$ Carinae.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2014

Future mmVLBI Research with ALMA: A European vision

Very long baseline interferometry at millimetre/submillimetre wavelengths (mmVLBI) offers the highest achievable spatial resolution at any wavelength in astronomy. The anticipated inclusion of ALMA as a phased array into a global VLBI network will bring unprecedented sensitivity and a transformational leap in capabilities for mmVLBI. Building on years of pioneering efforts in the US and Europe the ongoing ALMA Phasing Project (APP), a US-led international collaboration with MPIfR-led European contributions, is expected to deliver a beamformer and VLBI capability to ALMA by the end of 2014 (APP: Fish et al. 2013, arXiv:1309.3519). This report focuses on the future use of mmVLBI by the international users community from a European viewpoint. Firstly, it highlights the intense science interest in Europe in future mmVLBI observations as compiled from the responses to a general call to the European community for future research projects. A wide range of research is presented that includes, amongst others: - Imaging the event horizon of the black hole at the centre of the Galaxy - Testing the theory of General Relativity an/or searching for alternative theories - Studying the origin of AGN jets and jet formation - Cosmological evolution of galaxies and BHs, AGN feedback - Masers in the Milky Way (in stars and star-forming regions) - Extragalactic emission lines and astro-chemistry - Redshifted absorption lines in distant galaxies and study of the ISM and circumnuclear gas - Pulsars, neutron stars, X-ray binaries - Testing cosmology - Testing fundamental physical constants

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2012

MHD numerical simulations of colliding winds in massive binary systems - I. Thermal vs non-thermal radio emission

In the past few decades detailed observations of radio and X-rays emission from massive binary systems revealed a whole new physics present in such systems. Both thermal and non-thermal components of this emission indicate that most of the radiation at these bands originates in shocks. OB and WR stars present supersonic and massive winds that, when colliding, emit largely due to the free-free radiation. The non-thermal radio and X-ray emissions are due to synchrotron and inverse compton processes, respectively. In this case, magnetic fields are expected to play an important role on the emission distribution. In the past few years the modeling of the free-free and synchrotron emissions from massive binary systems have been based on purely hydrodynamical simulations, and ad hoc assumptions regarding the distribution of magnetic energy and the field geometry. In this work we provide the first full MHD numerical simulations of wind-wind collision in massive binary systems. We study the free-free emission characterizing its dependence on the stellar and orbital parameters. We also study self-consistently the evolution of the magnetic field at the shock region, obtaining also the synchrotron energy distribution integrated along different lines of sight. We show that the magnetic field in the shocks is larger than that obtained when the proportionality between $B$ and the plasma density is assumed. Also, we show that the role of the synchrotron emission relative to the total radio emission has been underestimated.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2011

Precessing AGN Jets, Bubbles and Cooling Flows

Several galaxy clusters are known to present multiple and misaligned pairs of cavities seen in X-rays, as well as twisted kiloparsec-scale jets at radio wavelengths. It suggests that the AGN precessing jets play a role in the formation of the misaligned bubbles. Also, X-ray spectra reveal that typically these systems are also able to supress cooling flows, predicted theoretically. The absence of cooling flows in galaxy clusters has been a mistery for many years since numerical simulations and analytical studies suggest that AGN jets are highly energetic, but are unable to redistribute it at all directions. We performed 3D hydrodynamical simulations of the interaction between a precessing AGN jet and the warm intracluster medium plasma, which dynamics is coupled to a NFW dark matter gravitational potential. Radiative cooling has been taken into account and the cooling flow problem was studied. We found that precession is responsible for multiple pairs of bubbles, as observed. The misaligned bubbles rise up to scales of tens of kiloparsecs, where the thermal energy released by the jets are redistributed. After $\sim 150$ Myrs, the temperature of the gas within the cavities is kept of order of $\sim 10^7$ K, while the denser plasma of the intracluster medium at the central regions reaches $T \sim 10^5$ K. The existence of multiple bubbles, at diferent directions, result in an integrated temperature along the line of sight much larger than the simulations of non-precessing jets. This result is in agreement with the observations. The simulations reveal that the cooling flows cessed $\sim 50 - 70$ Myr after the AGN jets are started.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2010

Particle Acceleration and Magnetic Field Structure in PKS 2155-304: Optical Polarimetric Observations

In this paper we present multiband optical polarimetric observations of the VHE blazar PKS 2155-304 made simultaneously with a H.E.S.S./Fermi high-energy campaign in 2008, when the source was found to be in a low state. The intense daily coverage of the dataset allowed us to study in detail the temporal evolution of the emission and we found that the particle acceleration timescales are decoupled from the changes in the polarimetric properties of the source. We present a model in which the optical polarimetric emission originates at the polarised mm-wave core and propose an explanation for the lack of correlation between the photometric and polarimetric fluxes. The optical emission is consistent with an inhomogeneous synchrotron source in which the large scale field is locally organised by a shock in which particle acceleration takes place. Finally, we use these optical polarimetric observations of PKS 2155-304 at a low state to propose an origin for the quiescent gamma-ray flux of the object, in an attempt to provide clues for the source of its recently established persistent TeV emission.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2010

Precessing jets and X-ray bubbles from NGC1275 (3C84) in the Perseus galaxy cluster: a view from 3D numerical simulations

The Perseus galaxy cluster is known to present multiple and misaligned pairs of cavities seen in X-rays, as well as twisted kiloparsec-scale jets at radio wavelengths; both morphologies suggest that the AGN jet is subject to precession. In this work we performed 3D hydrodynamical simulations of the interaction between a precessing AGN jet and the warm intracluster medium plasma, which dynamics is coupled to a NFW dark matter gravitational potential. The AGN jet inflates cavities that become buoyantly unstable and rise up out of the cluster core. We found that under certain circumstances precession can originate multiple pairs of bubbles. For the physical conditions in the Perseus cluster, multiple pairs of bubbles are obtained for a jet precession opening angle > 40 degrees acting for at least three precession periods, reproducing well both radio and X-ray maps. Based on such conditions, assuming that the Bardeen-Peterson effect is dominant, we studied the evolution of the precession opening angle of this system. We were able to constrain the ratio between the accretion disc and black hole angular momenta as 0.7 - 1.4. We were also able to constrain the present precession angle to 30 - 40 degrees, as well as the approximate age of the inflated bubbles to 100 - 150 Myrs.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

Precession and Nutation in the eta Carinae binary system: Evidences from the X-ray light curve

It is believed that eta Carinae is actually a massive binary system, with the wind-wind interaction responsible for the strong X-ray emission. Although the overall shape of the X-ray light curve can be explained by the high eccentricity of the binary orbit, other features like the asymmetry near periastron passage and the short quasi-periodic oscillations seen at those epochs, have not yet been accounted for. In this paper we explain these features assuming that the rotation axis of eta Carinae is not perpendicular to the orbital plane of the binary system. As a consequence, the companion star will face eta Carinae on the orbital plane at different latitudes for different orbital phases and, since both the mass loss rate and the wind velocity are latitude dependent, they would produce the observed asymmetries in the X-ray flux. We were able to reproduce the main features of the X-ray light curve assuming that the rotation axis of eta Carinae forms an angle of 29 degrees with the axis of the binary orbit. We also explained the short quasi-periodic oscillations by assuming nutation of the rotation axis, with amplitude of about 5 degrees and period of about 22 days. The nutation parameters, as well as the precession of the apsis, with a period of about 274 years, are consistent with what is expected from the torques induced by the companion star.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2009

Cross-entropy optimiser: a new tool to study precession in astrophysical jets

Evidence of jet precession in many galactic and extragalactic sources has been reported in the literature. Much of this evidence is based on studies of the kinematics of the jet knots, which depends on the correct identification of the components to determine their respective proper motions and position angles on the plane of the sky. Identification problems related to fitting procedures, as well as observations poorly sampled in time, may influence the follow up of the components in time, which consequently might contribute to a misinterpretation of the data. In order to deal with these limitations, we introduce a very powerful statistical tool to analyse jet precession: the cross-entropy method for continuous multi-extremal optimisation. Only based on the raw data of the jet components (right ascension and declination offsets from the core), the cross-entropy method searches for the precession model parameters that better represent the data. In this work we present a large number of tests to validate this technique, using synthetic precessing jets built from a given set of precession parameters. Aiming to recover these parameters, we applied the cross-entropy method to our precession model, varying exhaustively the quantities associated to the method. Our results have shown that even in the most challenging tests, the cross-entropy method was able to find the correct parameters within 1%-level. Even for a non-precessing jet, our optimization method could point out successfully the lack of precession.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2009

Constraining the orbital orientation of Eta Carinae from H Paschen lines

During the past decade several observational and theoretical works provided evidences of the binary nature of Eta Carinae. Nevertheless, there is still no direct determination of the orbital parameters, and the different current models give contradictory results. The orbit is, in general, assumed to coincide with the Homunculus equator although the observations are not conclusive. Among all systems, Eta Carinae has the advantage that it is possible to observe both the direct emission of line transitions in the central source and its reflection by the Homunculus, which are dependent on the orbital inclination. In this work, we studied the orbital phase dependent hydrogen Paschen spectra reflected by the SE lobe of the Homunculus to constrain the orbital parameters of etaCar and determine its inclination with respect to the Homunculus axis. Assuming that the emission excess is originated in the wind-wind shock region we were able to model the latitude dependence of the spectral line profiles. For the first time, we were able to estimate the orbital inclination of etaCar with respect to the observer and to the Homunculus axis. The best fit occurs for an orbital inclination to the line of sight of i ~ 60 degrees, and i* ~ 35 degrees with respect to the Homunculus axis, indicating that the angular momenta of the central object and the orbit are not aligned. We were also able to fix the phase angle of conjunction as ~ -40 degrees, showing that the periastron passage occurs shortly after conjunction.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2008

GEMINI near-infrared spectroscopic observations of young massive stars embedded in molecular clouds

K-band spectra of young stellar candidates in four southern hemisphere clusters have been obtained with the near-infrared spectrograph GNIRS in Gemini South. The clusters are associated with IRAS sources that have colours characteristic of ultracompact HII regions. Spectral types were obtained by comparison of the observed spectra with those of a NIR library; the results include the spectral classification of nine massive stars and seven objects confirmed as background late-type stars. Two of the studied sources have K-band spectra compatible with those characteristic of very hot stars, as inferred from the presence of Civ, Niii, and Nv emission lines at 2.078 micron, 2.116 micron, and 2.100 micron respectively. One of them, I16177 IRS1, has a K-band spectrum similar to that of Cyg OB2 7, an O3If* supergiant star. The nebular K-band spectrum of the associated UC Hii region shows the s-process [Kriii] and [Seiv] high excitation emission lines, previously identified only in planetary nebula. One young stellar object (YSO) was found in each cluster, associated with either the main IRAS source or a nearby resolved MSX component, confirming the results obtained from previous NIR photometric surveys. The distances to the stars were derived from their spectral types and previously determined JHK magnitudes; they agree well with the values obtained from the kinematic method, except in the case of IRAS15408-5356, for which the spectroscopic distance is about a factor two smaller than the kinematic value.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Modeling the line variations from the wind-wind shock emissions of WR 30a

The study of Wolf-Rayet stars plays an important role in evolutionary theories of massive stars. Among these objects, ~ 20% are known to be in binary systems and can therefore be used for the mass determination of these stars. Most of these systems are not spatially resolved and spectral lines can be used to constrain the orbital parameters. However, part of the emission may originate in the interaction zone between the stellar winds, modifying the line profiles and thus challenging us to use different models to interpret them. In this work, we analyzed the HeII4686Å+ CIV4658Åblended lines of WR30a (WO4+O5) assuming that part of the emission originate in the wind-wind interaction zone. In fact, this line presents a quiescent base profile, attributed to the WO wind, and a superposed excess, which varies with the orbital phase along the 4.6 day period. Under these assumptions, we were able to fit the excess spectral line profile and central velocity for all phases, except for the longest wavelengths, where a spectral line with constant velocity seems to be present. The fit parameters provide the eccentricity and inclination of the binary orbit, from which it is possible to constrain the stellar masses.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Wind-wind collision in the eta Carinae binary system - III. The HeII 4686 line profile

We modeled the HeII 4686 line profiles observed in the eta Carinae binary system close to the 2003.5 spectroscopic event, assuming that they were formed in the shocked gas that flows at both sides of the contact surface formed by wind-wind collision. We used a constant flow velocity and added turbulence in the form of a gaussian velocity distribution. We allowed emission from both the primary and secondary shocks but introduced infinite opacity at the contact surface, implying that only the side of the contact cone visible to the observer contributed to the line profile. Using the orbital parameters of the binary system derived from the 7 mm light curve during the last spectroscopic event (Paper II) we were able to reproduce the line profiles obtained with the HST at different epochs, as well as the line mean velocities obtained with ground based telescopes. A very important feature of our model is that the line profile depends on the inclination of the orbital plane; we found that to explain the latitude dependent mean velocity of the line, scattered into the line of sight by the Homunculus, the orbit inclination should be close to 90 degrees, meaning that it does not lie in the Homunculus equatorial plane, as usually assumed. This inclination, together with the relative position of the stars during the spectroscopic events, allowed us to explain most of the observational features, like the variation of the Purple Haze with the orbital phase, and to conciliate the X-ray absorption with the postulated shell effect used to explain the optical and UV light curves.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Modelling spectral line profiles of wind-wind shock emissions from massive binary systems

One of the most intriguing spectral features of WR binary stars is the presence of time-dependent line profiles. Long term observations of several systems revealed the periodicity of this variability, synchronized with the orbital movement. Several partially successful models have been proposed to reproduce the observed data. The most promising assume that the origin of the emission is the wind-wind interaction zone. In this scenario, two high velocity and dense winds produce a strong shock layer, responsible for most of the X-rays observed from these systems. As the secondary star moves along its orbital path, the shock region of conical shape, changes its position with relation to the line of sight. As a consequence, the stream measured Doppler shift presents time variations resulting in position changes of the spectral line. In our work, we present an alternative model, introducing turbulence in the shock layer to account for the line broadening and opacity effects for the asymmetry in the line profiles. We showed that the gas turbulence avoids the need of an unnaturally large contact layer thickness to reproduce line broadening. Also, we demonstrated that if the emission from the opposing cone surface is absorbed, the result is a single peaked profile. This result fully satisfies the recent data obtained from massive binary systems, and can help on the determination of both winds and orbital parameters. We successfully applied this model to the Br22 system and determined its orbital parameters.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

Wind-wind collision in the Carinae binary system II: Constrains to the binary orbital parameters from radio emission near periastron passage

In this paper we use the 7 mm and 1.3 mm light curves obtained during the 2003.5 low excitation phase of the eta Carinae system to constrain the possible parameters of the binary orbit. To do that we assumed that the mm wave emission is produced in a dense disk surrounding the binary system; during the low excitation phase, which occurs close to periastron, the number of ionizing photons decreases, producing the dip in the radio emission. On the other hand, due to the large eccentricity, the density of the shock region at periastron is very high and the plasma is optically thick for free-free radiation at 7 mm, explaining the sharp peak that was observed at this frequency and lasted for about 10 days. From the shape and duration of the peak we were able to determine the orbital parameters of the binary system, independently of the stellar parameters, such as mass loss rates, wind velocities or temperature at the post-shock region.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

Millimeter-wave emission during the 2003 low excitation phase of eta Carinae

In this paper we present observations of eta Carinae in the 1.3 mm and 7 mm radio continuum, during the 2003.5 low excitation phase. The expected minimum in the light curves was confirmed at both wavelengths and was probably due to a decrease in the number of UV photons available to ionize the gas surrounding the binary system. At 7 mm a very well defined peak was superimposed on the declining flux density. It presented maximum amplitude in 29 June 2003 and lasted for about 10 days. We show that its origin can be free-free emission from the gas at the shock formed by wind-wind collision, which is also responsible for the observed X-ray emission. Even though the shock strength is strongly enhanced as the two stars in the binary system approach each other, during periastron passage the X-ray emission is strongly absorbed and the 7 mm observations represent the only direct evidence of this event.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

Wind-Wind Collision in the eta Carinae Binary System: a Shell-Like Event Near Periastron

The exact nature of eta Carinae is still an open issue. In this paper we assume a binary system to explain the strong X-ray emission, but we also take into account that, near periastron and because of the highly eccentric orbit, the wind emerging from eta Carinae accumulates behind the shock and can mimic a shell-like ejection event. For this process to be effective, at periastron the secondary star should be located between eta Carinae and the observer, solving also the discrepancy between the orbital parameters derived from ground and space based observations. We show that, as the secondary moves in its orbit, the shell cools down and the number of available stellar ionizing photons is not enough to maintain the shell temperature at its equilibrium value of about 7500 K. The central part of the shell remains cold and under these conditions grain formation and growth can take place in timescales of hours. Using recently published HST data for the optical and UV continuum during the 2003 shell event, we estimated that a fraction of 0.01 of the interstellar dust to H ratio is enough to explain the observations. We also calculated the neutral gas column density intercepting the line of sight at each point of the orbit near periastron, and were able to reproduce the form and duration of the X-ray light curve without any change in the eta Carinae mass loss rate. This same column density can explain the observed H$α$ light curve observed during the 2003 event.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2004

Long-term optical variability of the blazars PKS 2005-489 and PKS 2155-304

We present optical light curves for the period 1996-2000, of two of the brightest known EGRET BL Lac objects: PKS 2005-489 and PKS 2155-304, the latter also one of the few known TeV sources. For both objects, quiescent epochs of low level of variability were followed by active periods, without any indication of periodicity. In PKS 2005-489, several variability events with duration of about 20 days were observed. In PKS 2155-304 fast drops and subsequent rises in luminosity occurred in time scales of days. We proposed an explanation in which a region moving along the relativistic jet is eclipsed by broad line region clouds or star clusters in the host galaxy. We compare our light curves with contemporaneous X-ray observations from All-Sky Monitor/RXTE. Correlations between optical and X-ray activity were not found in any of the sources at long time scales. However in PKS 2005-489 possible correlations were observed in 1997 and 1998 at short time scales, with optical variability preceding X-rays by 30 days in 1997 and succeeding them by about 10 days in 1998. The analysis of the SED, using the optical data presented here and BeppoSAX contemporaneous observations obtained from the literature, shows only small shifts in the synchrotron peak as the X-ray flux density changes.

astro-ph↗