1. |
- Alberdi, Antxon, et al.
(author)
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The jet of the Low Luminosity AGN of M81. Evidence of Precession
- 2013
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In: EPJ Web of Conferences. - : EDP Sciences. - 2101-6275 .- 2100-014X. ; 61
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this contribution, we summarize our main results of a big campaign of global VLBI observations of the AGN in M81 (M81*) phase-referenced to the radio supernova SN 1993J. Thanks to the precise multi-epoch and multi-frequency astrometry, we have determined the normalized core-shift of the relativistic jet of M81* and estimated both the magnetic field and the particle density at the jet base. We have also found evidence of jet precession in M81* coming from the systematic time evolution of the jet orientation correlated with changes in the overall flux density.
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2. |
- Chakraborti, Sayan, et al.
(author)
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A MISSING-LINK IN THE SUPERNOVA-GRB CONNECTION : THE CASE OF SN 2012ap
- 2015
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 805:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are characterized by ultra-relativistic outflows, while supernovae are generally characterized by non-relativistic ejecta. GRB afterglows decelerate rapidly, usually within days, because their low-mass ejecta rapidly sweep up a comparatively larger mass of circumstellar material. However, supernovae with heavy ejecta can be in nearly free expansion for centuries. Supernovae were thought to have non-relativistic outflows except for a few relativistic ones accompanied by GRBs. This clear division was blurred by SN 2009bb, the first supernova with a relativistic outflow without an observed GRB. However, the ejecta from SN 2009bb was baryon loaded and in nearly free expansion for a year, unlike GRBs. We report the first supernova discovered without a GRB but with rapidly decelerating mildly relativistic ejecta, SN 2012ap. We discovered a bright and rapidly evolving radio counterpart driven by the circumstellar interaction of the relativistic ejecta. However, we did not find any coincident GRB with an isotropic fluence of more than one-sixth of the fluence from GRB 980425. This shows for the first time that central engines in SNe Ic, even without an observed GRB, can produce both relativistic and rapidly decelerating outflows like GRBs.
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3. |
- Green, J.A., et al.
(author)
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Maser astrometry with VLBI and the SKA
- 2014
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In: Proceedings of Science. - 1824-8039. ; 9-13-June-2014
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We discuss the unique opportunities for maser astrometry with the inclusion of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) in Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) networks. The first phase of the SKA will enable observations of hydroxyl and methanol masers, positioning the latter to an accuracy of 5 microarcseconds, and the second phase may allow water maser observations. These observations will provide trigonometric distances with errors as small as 1%. The unrivalled sensitivity of the SKA will enable large-scale surveys and, through joint operations, will turn any VLBI network into a fast astrometry device. Both evolved stars and high mass star formation regions will be accessible throughout the (Southern) Milky Way, completing our understanding of the content, dynamics and history of our Galaxy. Maser velocities and proper motions will be measurable in the Local Group of galaxies and beyond, providing new insights into their kinematics and evolution.
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4. |
- Kanekar, N., et al.
(author)
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Constraints on changes in the proton-electron mass ratio using methanol lines
- 2015
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In: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1745-3925 .- 1745-3933. ; 448:1, s. L104-L108
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) absorption spectroscopy in four methanol (CH3OH) lines in the z = 0.885 82 gravitational lens towards PKS1830-211. Three of the four lines have very different sensitivity coefficients K-mu to changes in the proton-electron mass ratio mu; a comparison between the line redshifts thus allows us to test for temporal evolution in mu. We obtain a stringent statistical constraint on changes in mu by comparing the redshifted 12.179 and 60.531 GHz lines, [Delta mu/mu] 4 sigma significance). The sensitivity of the above result, and that of all earlier CH3OH studies, is thus likely to be limited by unknown systematic errors, probably arising due to the frequency-dependent structure of PKS1830-211. A robust result is obtained by combining the three lines at similar frequencies, 48.372, 48.377 and 60.531 GHz, whose line profiles are found to be in good agreement. This yields the 2 sigma constraint [Delta mu/mu] less than or similar to 4 x 10(-7), the most stringent current constraint on changes in mu. We thus find no evidence for changes in the proton-electron mass ratio over a lookback time of approximate to 7.5 Gyr.
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5. |
- Kimani, N., et al.
(author)
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Radio evolution of supernova SN 2008iz in M 82
- 2016
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 593
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report on multi-frequency Very Large Array (VLA) and Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) radio observations for a monitoring campaign of supernova SN 2008iz in the nearby irregular galaxy M 82. We fit two models to the data, a simple time power-law, S ât?, and a simplified Weiler model, yielding decline indices of ? =-1.22 ± 0.07 (days 100-1500) and-1.41 ± 0.02 (days 76-2167), respectively. The late-time radio light-curve evolution shows flux-density flares at ?970 and ?1400 days that are a factor of ?2 and ?4 higher than the expected flux, respectively. The later flare, except for being brighter, does not show signs of decline at least from results examined so far (2014 January 23; day 2167). We derive the spectral index, ?, S â?? for frequencies 1.4 to 43 GHz for SN 2008iz during the period from 430 to 2167 days after the supernova explosion. The value of ? shows no signs of evolution and remains steep â‰-1 throughout the period, unlike that of SN 1993J, which started flattening at day 970. From the 4.8 and 8.4 GHz VLBI images, the supernova expansion is seen to start with a shell-like structure that becomes increasingly more asymmetric, then breaks up in the later epochs, with bright structures dominating the southern part of the ring. This structural evolution differs significantly from SN 1993J, which remains circularly symmetric over 4000 days after the explosion. The VLBI 4.8 and 8.4 GHz images are used to derive a deceleration index, m, for SN 2008iz, of 0.86 ± 0.02, and the average expansion velocity between days 73 and 1400 as (12.1 ± 0.2) × 103 km s-1. From the energy equipartition between magnetic field and particles, we estimate the minimum total energy in relativistic particles and the magnetic fields during the supernova expansion and also find the magnetic field amplification factor for SN 2008iz to be in the range of 55-400.
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6. |
- Marti-Vidal, Ivan, 1980, et al.
(author)
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Jet precession in the active nucleus of M81. Ongoing VLBI monitoring
- 2012
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In: Proceedings of Science. - 1824-8039. ; 2012-October
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In a recent publication, we reported results of a multi-frequency VLBI campaign of observations of the Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) in galaxy M\,81, phase-referenced to the supernova SN\,1993J. We were able to extract precise information on the relative astrometry of the AGN radio emission at different epochs and frequencies. We found strong evidence of precession in the AGN jet (i.e., a systematic evolution in the jet inclination at each frequency) coupled to changes in the overall flux density at the different frequencies. In these proceedings, we summarise the main contents of our previous publication and we report on (preliminary) new results from our follow-up VLBI observations, now phase-referenced to the young supernova SN2008iz. We also briefly discuss how these results match the picture of our previously-reported precession model.
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7. |
- McCoy, M., et al.
(author)
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ALMA Observations of the Physical and Chemical Conditions in Centaurus A
- 2017
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 1538-4357 .- 0004-637X. ; 851:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Centaurus A, with its gas-rich elliptical host galaxy, NGC 5128, is the nearest radio galaxy at a distance of 3.8 Mpc. Its proximity allows us to study the interaction among an active galactic nucleus, radio jets, and molecular gas in great detail. We present ALMA observations of low-J transitions of three CO isotopologues, HCN, HCO+, HNC, CN, and CCH toward the inner projected 500 pc of NGC 5128. Our observations resolve physical sizes down to 40 pc. By observing multiple chemical probes, we determine the physical and chemical conditions of the nuclear interstellar medium of NGC 5128. This region contains molecular arms associated with the dust lanes and a circumnuclear disk (CND) interior to the molecular arms. The CND is approximately 400 pc by 200 pc and appears to be chemically distinct from the molecular arms. It is dominated by dense gas tracers while the molecular arms are dominated by (CO)-C-12 and its rare isotopologues. The CND has a higher temperature, elevated CN/HCN and HCN/HNC intensity ratios, and much weaker (CO)-C-13 and (CO)-O-18 emission than the molecular arms. This suggests an influence from the AGN on the CND molecular gas. There is also absorption against the AGN with a low velocity complex near the systemic velocity and a high velocity complex shifted by about 60 km s(-1). We find similar chemical properties between the CND in emission and both the low and high velocity absorption complexes, implying that both likely originate from the CND. If the HV complex does originate in the CND, then that gas would correspond to gas falling toward the supermassive black hole.
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8. |
- Milisavljevic, Dan, et al.
(author)
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MULTI-WAVELENGTH OBSERVATIONS OF SUPERNOVA 2011ei : TIME-DEPENDENT CLASSIFICATION OF TYPE IIb AND Ib SUPERNOVAE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR THEIR PROGENITORS
- 2013
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 767:1, s. 71-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present X-ray, UV/optical, and radio observations of the stripped-envelope, core-collapse supernova (SN) 2011ei, one of the least luminous SNe IIb or Ib observed to date. Our observations begin with a discovery within similar to 1 day of explosion and span several months afterward. Early optical spectra exhibit broad, Type II-like hydrogen Balmer profiles that subside rapidly and are replaced by Type Ib-like He-rich features on a timescale of one week. High-cadence monitoring of this transition suggests absorption attributable to a high-velocity (greater than or similar to 12,000 km s(-1)) H-rich shell, which is likely present in many Type Ib events. Radio observations imply a shock velocity of v approximate to 0.13 c and a progenitor star average mass-loss rate of (M) over dot approximate to 1.4 x 10(-5) M-circle dot yr(-1) (assuming wind velocity v(w) = 10(3) km s(-1)). This is consistent with independent constraints from deep X-ray observations with Swift-XRT and Chandra. Overall, the multi-wavelength properties of SN 2011ei are consistent with the explosion of a lower-mass (3-4 M-circle dot), compact (R-* less than or similar to 1 x 10(11) cm), He-core star. The star retained a thin hydrogen envelope at the time of explosion, and was embedded in an inhomogeneous circumstellar wind suggestive of modest episodic mass loss. We conclude that SN 2011ei's rapid spectral metamorphosis is indicative of time-dependent classifications that bias estimates of the relative explosion rates for Type IIb and Ib objects, and that important information about a progenitor star's evolutionary state and mass loss immediately prior to SN explosion can be inferred from timely multi-wavelength observations.
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