The Very Large Array Sky Survey (VLASS) is a synoptic, all-sky radio sky survey with a unique combination of high angular resolution ( 2 5), sensitivity (a 1 goal of 70 Jy/beam in the coadded data), ...full linear Stokes polarimetry, time domain coverage, and wide bandwidth (2-4 GHz). The first observations began in 2017 September, and observing for the survey will finish in 2024. VLASS will use approximately 5500 hr of time on the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) to cover the whole sky visible to the VLA (decl. > −40°), a total of 33 885 deg 2 . The data will be taken in three epochs to allow the discovery of variable and transient radio sources. The survey is designed to engage radio astronomy experts, multi-wavelength astronomers, and citizen scientists alike. By utilizing an "on the fly" interferometry mode, the observing overheads are much reduced compared to a conventional pointed survey. In this paper, we present the science case and observational strategy for the survey, and also results from early survey observations.
We present Chandra X-ray imaging of a flux-limited sample of flat spectrum radio-emitting quasars with jet-like structure. X-rays are detected from 59% of 56 jets. No counter-jets were detected. The ...core spectra are fitted by power-law spectra with a photon index Γx, whose distribution is consistent with a normal distribution, with a mean of 1.61+0.04−0.05 and dispersion of 0.15+0.04−0.03. We show that the distribution of rx, the spectral index between the X-ray and radio band jet fluxes, fits a Gaussian with a mean of 0.974 0.012 and dispersion of 0.077 0.008. We test the model in which kiloparsec-scale X-rays result from inverse Compton scattering of cosmic microwave background photons off the jet's relativistic electrons (the IC-CMB model). In the IC-CMB model, a quantity Q computed from observed fluxes and the apparent size of the emission region depends on redshift as (1 + z)3+ . We fit Q ∝ (1 + z)a, finding a = 0.88 0.90, and reject at 99.5% confidence the hypothesis that the average rx depends on redshift in the manner expected in the IC-CMB model. This conclusion is mitigated by a lack of detailed knowledge of the emission region geometry, which requires deeper or higher resolution X-ray observations. Furthermore, if the IC-CMB model is valid for X-ray emission from kiloparsec-scale jets, then the jets must decelerate on average: bulk Lorentz factors should drop from about 15 to 2-3 between parsec and kiloparsec scales. Our results compound the problems that the IC-CMB model has in explaining the X-ray emission of kiloparsec-scale jets.
Abstract
By determining the nature of all the Planck compact sources within 808.4 deg2 of large Herschel surveys, we have identified 27 candidate protoclusters of dusty star-forming galaxies (DSFGs) ...that are at least 3σ overdense in either 250, 350, or 500 $\mu$m sources. We find roughly half of all the Planck compact sources are resolved by Herschel into multiple discrete objects, with the other half remaining unresolved by Herschel. We find a significant difference between versions of the Planck catalogues, with earlier releases hosting a larger fraction of candidate protoclusters and Galactic cirrus than later releases, which we ascribe to a difference in the filters used in the creation of the three catalogues. We find a surface density of DSFG candidate protoclusters of (3.3 ± 0.7) × 10−2 sources deg−2, in good agreement with previous similar studies. We find that a Planck colour selection of S857/S545 < 2 works well to select candidate protoclusters, but can miss protoclusters at z < 2. The Herschel colours of individual candidate protocluster members indicate our candidate protoclusters all likely all lie at z > 1. Our candidate protoclusters are a factor of 5 times brighter at 353 GHz than expected from simulations, even in the most conservative estimates. Further observations are needed to confirm whether these candidate protoclusters are physical clusters, multiple protoclusters along the line of sight, or chance alignments of unassociated sources.
Abstract
We present new X-ray (Chandra) and radio (ATCA) observations of the z = 0.09 radio galaxy PKS B1416−493, a member of the southern equivalent of the 3CRR sample. We find the source to be ...embedded in a previously unrecognized bright kT = 4.6-keV non cool-core cluster. The discovery of new clusters of such high temperature and luminosity within z = 0.1 is rare. The radio source was chosen for observation based on its intermediate FR I/II morphology. We identify a cavity coincident with the northeast lobe, and excess counts associated with the southwest lobe that we interpret as inverse-Compton X-ray emission. The jet power, at 5.3 × 1044 erg s−1, when weighted by radio source density, supports suggestions that radio sources of intermediate morphology and radio power may dominate radio-galaxy heating in the local Universe.
ABSTRACT
Numerical simulations play an essential role in helping us to understand the physical processes behind relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei. The large number of hydrodynamic codes ...available today enables a variety of different numerical algorithms to be utilized when conducting the simulations. Since many of the simulations presented in the literature use different combinations of algorithms it is important to quantify the differences in jet evolution that can arise due to the precise numerical schemes used. We conduct a series of simulations using the flash (magneto-)hydrodynamics code in which we vary the Riemann solver and spatial reconstruction schemes to determine their impact on the evolution and dynamics of the jets. For highly refined grids the variation in the simulation results introduced by the different combinations of spatial reconstruction scheme and Riemann solver is typically small. A high level of convergence is found for simulations using third-order spatial reconstruction with the Harten–Lax–Van-Leer with contact and Hybrid Riemann solvers.
This paper seeks to understand the conditions under which 'centers of excellence' emerge in foreign subsidiaries of multinational firms. We define a center of excellence as an organizational unit ...that embodies a set of capabilities that has been explicitly recognized by the firm as an important source of value creation, with the intention that these capabilities be leveraged by and/or disseminated to other parts of the firm. Drawing on overlapping research in international business and strategic management, we argue that the formation of centers of excellence is shaped by conditions in the subsidiary's local environment as well as by various aspects of the subsidiary's relationship with other parts of the multinational firm. Based on a survey of 99 foreign units in Canada, our results highlight the fundamental role played by parent firm investment as well as the role of internal and external organizations in the development of subsidiary capabilities. Performance implications of the center of excellence phenomenon are also explored.
ABSTRACT
Despite the fact that kpc-scale inverse-Compton (iC) scattering of cosmic microwave background (CMB) photons into the X-ray band is mandated, proof of detection in resolved quasar jets is ...often insecure. High redshift provides favourable conditions due to the increased energy density of the CMB, and it allows constraints to be placed on the radio synchrotron-emitting electron component at high energies that are otherwise inaccessible. We present new X-ray, optical, and radio results from Chandra, HST, and the VLA for the core and resolved jet in the z = 3.69 quasar PKS J1421−0643. The X-ray jet extends for about 4.5 arcsec (32 kpc projected length). The jet’s radio spectrum is abnormally steep and consistent with electrons being accelerated to a maximum Lorentz factor of about 5000. Results argue in favour of the detection of iC X-rays for modest magnetic field strength of a few nT, Doppler factor of about 4, and viewing angle of about 15°, and predict the jet to be largely invisible in most other spectral bands including the far- and mid-infrared and high-energy gamma-ray. The jet power is estimated to be about 3 × 1046 erg s−1 which is of order a tenth of the quasar bolometric power, for an electron–positron jet. The jet radiative power is only about 0.07 per cent of the jet power, with a smaller radiated power ratio if the jet contains heavy particles, so most of the jet power is available for heating the intergalactic medium.
Abstract
We present physical properties redshifts (z), star-formation rates (SFRs) and stellar masses (${M_{\rm star}}$) of bright (S850 ≥ 4 mJy) submm galaxies in the ≃2 deg2 COSMOS and UDS fields ...selected with SCUBA-2/JCMT. We complete the galaxy identification process for all (≃2000) S/N ≥ 3.5 850-μm sources, but focus our scientific analysis on a high-quality subsample of 651 S/N ≥ 4 sources with complete multiwavelength coverage including 1.1-mm imaging. We check the reliability of our identifications, and the robustness of the SCUBA-2 fluxes by revisiting the recent ALMA follow-up of 29 sources in our sample. Considering >4 mJy ALMA sources, our identification method has a completeness of ≃86 per cent with a reliability of ≃92 per cent, and only ≃15–20 per cent of sources are significantly affected by multiplicity (when a secondary component contributes >1/3 of the primary source flux). The impact of source blending on the 850-μm source counts as determined with SCUBA-2 is modest; scaling the single-dish fluxes by ≃0.9 reproduces the ALMA source counts. For our final SCUBA-2 sample, we find median $z = 2.40^{+0.10}_{-0.04}$, SFR = 287 ± 6 M⊙ yr− 1 and $\log ({M_{\rm star}}/{M_{\odot}}) = 11.12\pm 0.02$ (the latter for 349/651 sources with optical identifications). These properties clearly locate bright submm galaxies on the high-mass end of the ‘main sequence’ of star-forming galaxies out to z ≃ 6, suggesting that major mergers are not a dominant driver of the high-redshift submm-selected population. Their number densities are also consistent with the evolving galaxy stellar mass function. Hence, the submm galaxy population is as expected, albeit reproducing the evolution of the main sequence of star-forming galaxies remains a challenge for theoretical models/simulations.
Abstract
We use a sample of 54 compact symmetric objects (CSOs) to confirm that there are two unrelated CSO classes: an edge-dimmed, low-luminosity class (CSO 1), and an edge-brightened, ...high-luminosity class (CSO 2). Using blind tests, we show that CSO 2s consist of three subclasses: CSO 2.0, having prominent hot spots at the leading edges of narrow jets and/or narrow lobes; CSO 2.2, without prominent hot spots and with broad jets and/or lobes; and CSO 2.1, which exhibit mixed properties. Most CSO 2s do not evolve into larger jetted active galactic nuclei (AGN), but spend their whole life cycle as CSOs of size ≲500 pc and age ≲5000 yr. The minimum energies needed to produce the radio luminosity and structure in CSO 2s range from ∼10
−4
M
⊙
c
2
to ∼7
M
⊙
c
2
. We show that the transient nature of most CSO 2s, and their birth rate, can be explained through ignition in the tidal disruption events of stars. We also consider possibilities of tapping the spin energy of the supermassive black hole, and tapping the energy of the accretion disk. Our results demonstrate that CSOs constitute a large family of AGN in which we have thus far studied only the brightest. More comprehensive CSO studies, with higher sensitivity, resolution, and dynamic range, will revolutionize our understanding of AGN and the central engines that power them.
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