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At least 343 records · Page 19

Effect of hard X-rays on the emission lines of Seyfert galaxies and QSOs

Models of photoionized emission-line regions show that inclusion of a hard X-ray component in the ionizing continuum has relatively minor effects on most optical line intensities but helps to explain the strong O VI emission observed from QSOs. The optical-forbidden lines of NGC 4151 indicate roughly solar abundances ratios of N/O/Ne/Fe. The X-ray absorption arises largely in neutral portions of the emission-line clouds.

Shields, G. A.↗

IUE observations of Seyfert galaxies

The L alpha/H beta ratio and line profiles for several galaxies are presented. The continuous energy distribution of NGC 4151 and MKN 509 are presented from the X-ray region to the infrared.

Wu, C. C.↗

The UV variability of the Seyfert 1: Galaxies 3 Zw 2 and Markarian 509

The two galaxies differ markedly in their radio properties. III Zw 2 is a strong source with a highly variable compact component while MK 509 is a very weak source. Both galaxies show significant variations in X-rays and MK 509 has shown variations at optical wavelengths as well. Simultaneous observations were made in the ultraviolet, optical and infrared in order to examine three fundamental aspects of the origin of the continuum emission: are these thermal and nonthermal components; how large is the emitting region; and does the UV flux originate in the same region responsible for the optical, IR, radio and/or X-ray continuum emission?

Huchra, J.↗

The formation of emission lines in quasars and Seyfert nuclei

The photoionization and heating throughout a quasar emission-line cloud optically thick at the Lyman edge are calculated. Photoionization and collisional ionization from excited states of hydrogen are included, which maintain a substantial electron fraction after the exhaustion of Lyman continuum photons halts ground-state photoionization. Observed values are explained for Ly-alpha/H-beta, H-alpha/H-beta, P-alpha/H-alpha, He I 5876/H-beta, O I 8446/H-alpha, and Mg II 2798/H-beta. The dependence of line strengths on physical conditions is discussed, and plotting Fe II/4570/H-beta versus Balmer continuum/H-beta is suggested. Other observations are also suggested, and the degree of asymmetry is given between the forward and backward emission of lines from a finite slab to make possible the use of comparative line profile studies to elucidate cloud kinematics.

Kwan, J.↗

Spatially extended narrow emission-line gas in the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4151

Details of the spatial structure of the narrow-line region (NLR) in NGC 4151 are presented, and the structure of the NLR is compared to that of the radio and X-ray emission. Results for the morphology and excitation of the NLR, the luminosity of the extranuclear features, and the kinematics are presented, citing published research. These results are used to test several models: the X-ray gas in pressure equilibrium with the adjacent NLR, the X-ray gas identified as shock-heated NLR clouds flowing supersonically through the ambient galactic interstellar medium, X-rays arising in SNR and massive X-ray binaries produced in bursts of star formation stimulated by nuclear outflow, and X-ray and line emission regions ionized indirectly by the radio jet.

Heckman, T. M.↗

Gamma-radiation with E gamma 5 MeV detected from Seyfert galaxy 3C120 and region with 1" = 190 deg and b" = 20 deg

The observation of the Galaxy anticenter region in gamma-rays with E gamma = 5 / 100 MeV was made by gamma-telescope Natalya-1 in a balloon flight. The flight was performed at the ceiling 5.1 + or - 0.1 g/sq cm, magnetic cutoff being 17 GV. The description of the instrument and the analysis of the experiment conditions are given. The tracks of electron-positron pairs generated by gamma-quanta in the convertors were detected by wire spark chambers. The recorded events were classified manually by an operator using a graphic display into three classes: pairs, single and bad events. The arrival angle of gamma-quanta and their energy for selected gamma-ray events (pairs and singles) were determined through multiple scattering of pair components in the convertors. On the basis of the data obtained the celestial maps were made in gamma-rays for E sub gamma 5 MeV and E gamma 20 MeV energy ranges.

Damle, S. V.↗

NGC 2110 - A Seyfert and X-ray elliptical galaxy with displaced kinematic and light centers

Kinematic and imaging observations of NGC 2110 are reported and it is found that the interstellar gas is orbiting with projected rotation axis parallel to the minor axis of the stellar light. The rotation curve is steep close to the center and flat farther out. However, the nucleus is displaced by about 220 pc from the apparent mass center of the galaxy. This last result is discussed in terms of models invoking differential obscuration of stars and gas, non-Keplerian motion of the gas, or a large mass of unseen material which dominates the rotation curve.

Wilson, A. S.↗

Seyfert galaxy narrow-line regions. II - Kinematic models

A class of kinematic models for the narrow-line regions of active galactic nuclei is presented. The models incorporate continuity-constrained radial flow of emitting material in a bounded, spherical geometry. They are designed to represent the narrow-line regions in as simple a manner as is consistent with current knowledge. The systematic comparison of line profiles arising from the models to the spectra in the forbidden O III lambda 5007 emission line which have been described in Paper I of this series is used as a probe of the line-emitting region kinematics: the model parameter areas of interest are identified and tested for consistency with the data. The results indicate heterogeneous kinematic conditions; the most common pattern is outflow of emitting material in a radially decelerating velocity field in the presence of distributed obscuration. However, some observed line profiles can be fitted by several model profiles from very different kinematic conditions, indicating that the information in a spatially unresolved line profile is insufficient to constrain uniquely the geometry and kinematics of the line-emitting region. Although the specific conclusions are model dependent, a predominantly radial pattern of velocities and a distribution of obscuring material are probably essential features of any successful kinematic model of the narrow-line regions.

Vrtilek, J. M.↗

Detection of CO(1-0) emission and optical imaging of the Seyfert galaxy/QSO Markarian 231

The detection of CO(J = 1-0) emission and optical imaging of the luminous infrared galaxy Markarian 231 are reported. The galaxy is extremely rich in molecular gas with MT(H2) approximately equal to 1.4 x 10 to the 10th solar masses, approximately 5 times the molecular gas content of the Galaxy. Markarian 231 is the most luminous object in the local universe (z approximately equal to or less than 0.1), with a far-infrared luminosity (lambda = 40-400 microns) of 2.1 x 10 to the 12th solar luminosities. THe CO detection yields a L(FIR)/M(H2) ratio of 150. A deep optical CCD image shows two striking tidal tails with total extent of about 75 kpc. The CCD image strongly suggests that Markarian 231 is an advanced merger system. If the molecular gas is highly concentrated in the nuclear region it may fuel an intense starburst and possibly feed the accretion onto an embedded QSO. The trigger for the intense activity observed in Markarian 231 appears to be the collision of two gas-rich spiral galaxies.

Sanders, D. B.↗

Narrowband imaging and spectroscopy close to the nucleus of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 7682

Keel's (1985) report of a jet-like optical feature emanating from the nucleus of NGC 7682 is investigated. Deep CCD images of NGC 7682 were taken with narrowband filters centered on the redshifted wavelength of H-alpha + forbidden N II and on a nearby continuum region. The continuum-subtracted line images show no evidence of the jet feature, although numerous H II regions appear clearly, both close to the nucleus and in the extended spiral arm structure. Spectra were taken at various dispersions and position angles, including the supposed position angle of the jet. These data were used to obtain background-subtracted spectra at the precise location of the jet. No excess emission was detected above the background-galaxy contribution. The highest-resolution spectra were used to determine the redshift of the galaxy to high precision.

Brodie, Jean↗

A radiative bow shock wave (?) driven by nuclear ejecta in a Seyfert galaxy

New VLA maps at 2 cm of the 13-arcsec-scale linear radio source in the center of NGC 1068 are described. The northeast lobe shows a limb-brightened conical morphology, very sharp 'leading' edges, and a magnetic field running parallel to these edges. The spectral index between 2 and 6 cm in these line-brightened regions is near 1.0. The northeast subpeak has a very steep radio spectrum between 18 and 2 cm which is attributed to inverse Compton losses of the relativistic electrons on the infrared photons. The spectral indices in the southwest lobe lie in the range 0.9-1.5 except in its northern parts, where a much larger index is found. The northeast lobe radio emission could arise in either the cocoon of old jet material which has passed through the internal shock in the ejecta and blown out to either side, or in interstellar material compressed by a bow shock wave driven into the galactic ISM.

Wilson, Andrew S.↗

A soft X-ray flare in the Seyfert I galaxy Markarian 335

Strong, erratic, and primarily soft X-ray flux variations observed in Mrk 335 with the Einstein high-resolution imager (HRI) and monitor proportional counter (MPC) are reported. The variability time scales lie from about 6000 s to the period of observation, 60,000 s. The variability consisted of a decrease followed by an increase at X-ray energies below 2-3 keV. The variability is most pronounced at the softest energies. The X-ray spectrum was harder before the flare than afterward, even after the flare had ended. Averaged over the time of the observations, the MPC data are well-fitted by a power-law spectrum with a spectral index of 1.25 + or - 0.19 with no evidence of absorption by foreground neutral hydrogen at energies above 1.2 keV. If the observed value of the Galactic H I column density is assumed, then the HRI observations require the existence of an additional soft and variable X-ray component.

Lee, M. G.↗

Rapid variability of the iron fluorescence line from the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC6814

NGC6814, one of the faster X-ray-variable AGN, has been observed with the Large Area Counters aboard the Ginga satellite in order to obtain data on the variability of the iron fluorescence line and thus to constrain the distribution of cold gas from which the line originates. A positive correlation measured between the variability of the iron-line flux and the continuum emission suggests an upper limit of 10 to the 14th cm for the size of the ion reprocessing region.

Kunieda, Hideyo↗

The complex nature of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 7592

Long slit spectra of NGC 7592 were taken on Sep. 26 to 30, 1989 at the 1.52 cm European Southern Observatory (ESO) telescope, equipped with a Boller and Chivens spectrograph and an RCA High Resolution charge coupled device (CCD) camera. The problem of the nature of Region C is addressed at first. C shows an heliocentric radial velocity very similar to that of Regions A and B. Moreover, the arm departing from C is most probably a tidal tail, because its extension is large and its orientation is peculiar. The high H alpha luminosity of C is typical of a starburst nucleus. These facts argue in favor of C being the nucleus of a third galactic component (southern component S) physically interacting with the SE component of NGC 7592. The directions of the velocity vectors in various regions of NGC 7592 are marked. It is noteworthy that the SE component rotates clockwise, if the radial velocity difference delta v sub r from its nucleus B is due to rotation. Under the same assumption for the delta v sub r = v sub r-v sub r, A, the NW component seems to rotate counterclockwise. Thus, the gas in the regions where the two galactic bodies are in contact moves in the same way, suggesting that a prograde encounter is occurring. It is known (e.g., Toomre and Toomre, 1972) that prograde encounters have the most disruptive effects on the interacting galaxies, leading to the formation of tidal tails. The interpretation of the wing of the NW component in terms of a tidal tail thus appears very likely. A similar situation holds for the interaction between SE and S too, where S rotates counterclockwise. The interpretation of the arm departing from C as a tidal tail is supported also in this case. The difference in radial velocity between A and B (delta v sub r approx. equal - 40 km s(exp-1)) and the morphology of NGC 7592 suggests that the NW component is beyond the SE one and is approaching it. The most heavily reddened regions (E(B - V) approx. equals 0.7, derived from the H alpha/H beta ratio) are B2 and B4, namely the regions between A and B. Moreover, the small difference in radial velocity between A,B,C suggests that the three galaxies form a bound system, and their kinematics hints that they are most probably in the early stage of a merging phenomenon.

Rafanelli, Piero↗

An X-ray image of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068

An image of NGC 1068 with 4-5 arcsec obtained with the High Resolution Imager on the Rosat X-ray Observatory in the energy band 0.1-2.4 keV is presented and discussed. The map reveals an unresolved nuclear source, extended (about 1.5 kpc) emission around the nucleus, and extended (about 13 kpc) emission from the starburst disk. The extended circumnuclear emission aligns toward the NE, the same direction as found for the resolved emission of the active nucleus in several other wavebands. Thermal emission from a hot wind is argued to be the source of the steep-spectrum, nuclear, and circumnuclear emission. The disk of NGC 1068 has ratios of soft X-ray to B band and soft X-ray to 60-micron luminosities which are similar to those found for other starburst systems. The X-ray spectrum of the starburst disk is harder than that of the nuclear emission. By adopting a plausible spectrum and extrapolating the present measured flux, it is concluded that the starburst disk contributes most of the hard component seen in the 2-10 keV band.

Wilson, A. S.↗