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Submillimeter photometry of extragalactic objects

Submillimeter flux densities from five extragalactic objects have been measured, and upper limits set for three others. The galaxies NGC 253 and NGC 1068 have submillimeter spectra steeper than the cube of frequency. Of several source mechanisms considered for the far-infrared and submillimeter flux from NGC 1068, only thermal emission from dust at about 30 K is consistent with the data. The source of that flux, if thermal, must have a diameter of at least 5 arcsec. If one assumes radiation from dust, the masses of interstellar material derived for the central 80-arcsec diameter regions of NGC 253, NGC 1068, and NGC 5236 are, respectively, 800 million, 10 billion, and 3 billion solar masses. Measurements of submillimeter flux densities for 3C 273, BL Lac, NGC 1275, and NGC 5128 show no excess above values obtained by interpolation between radio and mid-infrared data.

Hildebrand, R. H.↗

Detection of Ni 2 lambda 7378 in six Seyfert galaxies

A line due to Ni 2 7378 in the Seyfert galaxies NGC 1068, 2110, 3227, 4151, 5506, and Arp 102 B was detected. The average Ni abundance is about 2 times solar, which is 5 times less than in the filaments of the Crab Nebula. This argues for nucleosynthetic processing in the latter. The Ni 2 line is spatially revolved in NGC 1068, and shows at least a factor of 4 enhancement in the Ni abundance away from the nucleus. The off-nuclear abundance of Ni in NGC 1068 approaches that of the Crab, which strongly suggests that type supernovae enriched the off-nuclear gas clouds.

Halpern, J. P.↗

Detection of forbidden Ni II lambda 7378 in six Seyfert galaxies

A line due to Ni 2 7378 in the Seyfert galaxies NGC 1068, 2110, 3227, 4151, 5506, and Arp 102 B was detected. The average Ni abundance is about 2 times solar, which is 5 times less than in the filaments of the Crab Nebula. This argues for nucleosynthetic processing in the latter. The Ni 2 line is spatially resolved in NGC 1068, and shows at least a factor of 4 enhancement in the Ni abundance away from the nucleus. The off-nuclear abundance of Ni in NGC 1068 approaches that of the Crab, which strongly suggests that type supernovae enriched the off-nuclear gas clouds.

Halpern, J. P.↗

Conference Summary

At the end of three days' spirited discussion of the type 2 Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068, what do we think we understand about this object? New observations, particularly in the infrared and radio are helping to resolve old problems, while drawing attention to new ones. It appears that NGC 1068 is a relatively normal spiral galaxy in which large-scale gravitational disturbances are funneling matter into the nucleus. A collimated outflow disturbs the interstellar medium out to kiloparsec scales, but the nucleus itself is hidden behind an opaque screen. Radio observations have now pierced the screen, and suggest that at the center of it all, a 10-20 million solar mass black hole is accreting at close to its Eddington limit.

Begelman, Mitchell C.↗

Synchrotron sources. II - Pulsars and compact extragalactic objects.

Discussion of some limitations on synchrotron models for optical pulsars and compact extragalactic objects. Using the results of a previous paper, it is shown that several existing models for the pulsar NP 0532 are inconsistent with the measured time variations and polarization of the optical emission. The possibility that the low-frequency falloffs in some extragalactic objects (PKS 2134 + 004, OQ 208, and NGC 1068) could be due to emission from particles with small pitch angles, absorption by a thermal plasma, or synchrotron self-absorption is also considered. It is found that radiation by particles with small pitch angles could explain the radio emission from PKS 2134 + 004 and OQ 208, but this process is inconsistent with the observations of NGC 1068. The absorption interpretations cannot account for the turnover in the spectrum of PKS 2134 + 004.

Epstein, R. I.↗

IUE absorption studies of broad- and narrow-line gas in Seyfert galaxies

The interstellar medium of a galaxy containing an active nucleus may be profoundly affected by the high energy (X-ray, EUV) continuum flux emanating from the central source. The energetic source may photoionize the interstellar medium out to several kiloparsecs, thereby creating a global H II region. The International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite has attempted to observe in several Seyfert galaxies (NGC 3516, NGC 4151, NGC 1068, 3C 120) the narrow absorption lines expected from such global H II regions. Instead, in two of the galaxies (NGC 3516, NGC 4151) broad, variable absorption lines at C IV lambda 1550, N V lambda 1240, and Si IV lambda 1400 were found, as well as weaker absorption features at O I lambda 1302 and C II lambda 1335. These features swamp any possible global H II region absorption. Such broad absorption features have previously been observed in IUE data, but their origin is still not well understood.

Voit, G. M.↗

Some aspects of cosmic synchrotron sources

Synchrotron emission is considered from individual particles which have small pitch angles and the general properties of synchrotron sources which mainly contain such particles, as well as the emissivities and degrees of circular polarization for specific source distributions. The limitation of synchrotron source models for optical pulsars and compact extragalactic objects are discussed, and it is shown that several existing models for the pulsar NP 0532 are inconsistent with the measured time variations and polarizations of the optical emission. Discussion is made also of whether the low frequency falloffs in the extragalactic objects PKS 2134 + 004, OQ 208, and NGC 1068 is due to emission from particles with small pitch angles or absorption by a thermal plasma or synchrotron self-absorption. It is concluded that the absorption interpretations cannot account for the turnover in the spectrum of PKS 2134 + 004. Measurements of polarization, angular structure, and X-ray flux are also described.

Epstein, R. I.↗

Galaxies and far-infrared emission

The far-infrared luminosities of the central few hundred parsecs of many galaxies may exceed by more than an order of magnitude the amount expected from late-type stars. However, for the M82, NGC 253, NGC 1068 and several other galaxies studied in the present paper, the inferred mass-to-luminosity ratios are within the limits expected for stellar distributions containing early-type stars.

Telesco, C. M.↗

Far-infrared observations of the type 1 Seyfert galaxy NGC 4051

The Kuiper Airborne Observatory was used, together with a seven-element array, in measurements of the far-IR flux from the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4051. Flux densities within and outside of the central region were found to be comparable, with a possible local peak of emission in the west, and a total far-IR luminosity of 3.4 + or - 0.8 billion solar luminosities. The spectral shape of the radiation and its extended distribution, together with data at other wavelengths, suggest that the IR emission arises from warm dust. The relatively weak IR flux, and the apparent lack of dust and gas by comparison to the total (virial) material, indicate less active star formation than that found in such galaxies as the type 2 Seyfert, NGC 1068.

Smith, H. A.↗

IUE observations of a starburst disk and the detectability of high redshift galaxies

The high-surface-brightness inner disk of NGC 1068 has been observed with the IUE to determine the ultraviolet spectrum and surface brightness profile. This disk is explained by an intense starburst, requiring formation of 1-2 massive stars/yr, so it is a good prototype for seeking at early epochs in the universe. Calculations of isophotal diameter as a function of redshift are presented. It is found that this disk could be resolved to z of about 0.3 from the ground or to z of about 2.0 with the Hubble Space Telescope. For z greater than about 1.3, such a disk is more easily observable than a large, normal galaxy.

Weedman, D. W.↗

The brightest high-latitude 12-micron IRAS sources

The Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) Point Source catalog was searched for sources brighter than 28 Jy (0 mag) at 12 microns with absolute galactic latitude greater than 30 deg excluding the Large Magellanic Cloud. The search resulted in 269 sources, two of which are the galaxies NGC 1068 and M82. The remaining 267 sources are identified with, or have infrared color indices consistent with late-type stars some of which show evidence of circumstellar dust shells. Seven sources are previously uncataloged stars. K and M stars without circumstellar dust shells, M stars with circumstellar dust shells, and carbon stars occupy well-defined regions of infrared color-color diagrams.

Hacking, P.↗

Emission line region kinematics in selected Seyfert galaxies

The kinematic state of the emission line regions of active galactic nuclei (AGN) is a fundamental problem which addresses the very nature of these objects. The currently popular model of the energy source of the latter is accretion onto the supermassive black hole which is believed to reside in the nuclear regions of galaxies. If this picture is correct then the emission line gas may be expected to be infalling, and may eventually provide the fuel to power them. It is very difficult to determine the kinematic state of the emission line gas because of the technical problems associated with their small apparent sizes, as seen from the earth. One can only observe the net emission from a large ensemble of clouds, so the emission lines are by necessity composite. Several very long exposures of NGC 1068, one of the very nearest Seyfert galaxies, were obtained. Because of its proximity, it is expected to have the best resolved emission line regions as seen from earth. The La emission line of neutral hydrogen will radiate preferentially in the direction of the central object because of the effects of emission line gas opacity on the transfer of radiation out of the clouds. By obtaining high dispersion observations of Doppler broadening of the line through the small entrance aperture of the IUE one can determine whether this material is in a state of outflow (expected if explosions power the central engine), inflow (expected for accretion onto a massive black hole), or rotation (expected for gas with significant angular momentum near the central regions of a galaxy).

Ferland, G. J.↗

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.↗

Fe K features as probes of the nuclear reflection region in Seyfert galaxies

The warm electron scattering region posited in 1985 by Antonucci and Miller to exist in NGC 1068 may be a characteristic feature of Seyfert galaxies. Whenever it exists, it presents a unique signature in Fe X-ray features. Predictions of the strength of the Fe K-edge and K-alpha line in both type 1 and type 2 Seyfert galaxies are presented and interpreted.

Krolik, Julian H.↗

Near-infrared mapping of spiral barred galaxies

In external galaxies, near-infrared emission originates from stellar populations, hot dust, free-free emission from H+ regions, gaseous emission, non-thermal nucleus if any. Because of the low extinction compared to the visible, infrared wavelengths are useful to probe regions obscured by dust such as central parts where starburst phenomena can occur because of the large quantity of matter. The results presented were obtained with a 32 x 32 InSb charge injection device (CID) array cooled at 4K, at the f/36 cassegrain focus of the 3m60 Canada-France-Hawaii telescope with a spatial resolution of 0.5 inches per pixel. The objects presented are spiral barred galaxies mapped at J(1.25 microns), H(1.65 microns) and K(2.2 microns). The non-axisymetric potential due to the presence of a bar induces dynamical processes leading to the confinement of matter and peculiar morphologies. Infrared imaging is used to study the link between various components. Correlations with other wavelengths ranges and 2-colors diagrams ((J-H), (H-K)) lead to the identification of star forming regions, nucleus. Maps show structures connected to the central core. The question is, are they flowing away or toward the nucleus. Observations of M83 lead to several conclusions. The star forming region, detected in the visible and the infrared cannot be very compact and must extend to the edge of the matter concentration. The general shape of the near-infrared emission and the location of radio and 10 micron peaks suggest the confinement of matter between the inner Linblad resonances localized from CO measurements about 100 and 400 pc. The distribution of color indices in the arc from southern part to the star forming region suggests an increasing amount of gas and a time evolution eventually triggered by supernova explosions. Close to the direction of the bar, a bridge-like structure connects the arc to the nucleus with peculiar color indices. Perhaps, this structure can be linked to a height velocity component seen in UV and we can attribute it to a jet and/or a matter flow along the bar toward the nucleus, fuelling it. NGC 1068 is the nearest Seyfert 2 galaxy. It has been a subject of many studies at all wavelengths. This object was mapped at J, H, K, L and M, and in polaro-imagery. Results are given.

Gallais, P.↗

Nuclear winds and the narrow-line emission from active galaxies

This paper discusses active galaxy narrow-line emission in the context of a supersonic wind generated by the active nucleus, a nuclear wind. Wind acceleration can naturally produce the inferred narrow-line cloud velocities as well as those of the broad-line and broad absorption line clouds with only a weak dependence on the parameters of the active nucleus. The primary obstacle to wind acceleration of emission-line clouds is the destructive effect of instabilities; however, the stability and structure of wind-confined clouds remain areas of future research. Observations, particularly of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068, are interpreted in the context of nuclear winds.

Smith, Steven J.↗

The origin of N III lambda 990 and C III lambda 977 emission in AGN narrow-line region gas

We discuss implications of Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope (HUT) detections of C III lambda 977 and N III lambda 990 emission from the narrow-line region of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 1068. In their discovery paper Kriss et al. showed that the unexpectedly great strength of these lines implies that the emitting gas must be shock-heated if the lines are collisionally excited. Here we investigate other processes which excite these lines in photoionization equilibrium. Recombination, mainly dielectronic, and continuum fluorescence are strong contributors to the line. The resulting intensities are sensitive to the velocity field of the emitting gas and require that the turbulence be of the same order of magnitude as the observed line width. We propose optical observations that will decide whether the gas is collisionally or radiatively heated.

Ferguson, J. W.↗