There is an ongoing debate concerning the driver of nuclear activity in galaxies, with active galactic nuclei (AGN) either being triggered by major or minor galactic mergers or, alternatively, ...through secular processes like cold gas accretion and/or formation of bars. We investigate the close environment of active galaxies selected in the X-ray, the radio and the mid-IR. We utilize the first data release of the new near-IR VISTA Deep Extragalactic Observations (VIDEO) survey of the XMM-Large Scale Structure field. We use two measures of environment density, namely counts within a given aperture and a finite redshift slice (pseudo-3D density) and closest neighbour density measures Σ2 and Σ5. We select both AGN and control samples, matching them in redshift and apparent K
s-band magnitude. We find that AGN are found in a range of environments, with a subset of the AGN samples residing in overdense environments. Seyfert-like X-ray AGN and flat-spectrum radio-AGN are found to inhabit significantly overdense environments compared to their control sample. The relation between overdensities and AGN luminosity does not however reveal any positive correlation. Given the absence of an environment density-AGN luminosity relation, we find no support for a scheme where high-luminosity AGN are preferentially triggered by mergers. On the contrary, we find that AGN likely trace over dense environments at high redshift due to the fact that they inhabit the most massive galaxies, rather than being an AGN.
In this paper, we describe the first data release of the Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) Deep Extragalactic Observations (VIDEO) survey. VIDEO is a ∼12 deg2 survey in the ...near-infrared Z, Y, J, H and K
s bands, specifically designed to enable the evolution of galaxies and large structures to be traced as a function of both epoch and environment from the present day out to z = 4, and active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and the most massive galaxies up to and into the epoch of reionization. With its depth and area, VIDEO will be able to fully explore the period in the Universe where AGN and starburst activity were at their peak and the first galaxy clusters were beginning to virialize. VIDEO therefore offers a unique data set with which to investigate the interplay between AGN, starbursts and environment, and the role of feedback at a time when it was potentially most crucial.
We provide data over the VIDEO-XMM3 tile, which also covers the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Legacy Survey Deep-1 field (CFHTLS-D1). The released VIDEO data reach a 5σ AB-magnitude depth of Z = 25.7, Y = 24.5, J = 24.4, H = 24.1 and K
s = 23.8 in 2 arcsec diameter apertures (the full depth of Y = 24.6 will be reached within the full integration time in future releases). The data are compared to previous surveys over this field and we find good astrometric agreement with the Two Micron All Sky Survey, and source counts in agreement with the recently released UltraVISTA survey data. The addition of the VIDEO data to the CFHTLS-D1 optical data increases the accuracy of photometric redshifts and significantly reduces the fraction of catastrophic outliers over the redshift range 0 < z < 1 from 5.8 to 3.1 per cent in the absence of an i-band luminosity prior. However, we expect that the main improvement in photometric redshifts will come in the redshift range 1 < z < 4 due to the sensitivity to the Balmer and 4000 Å breaks provided by the near-infrared VISTA filters. All images and catalogues presented in this paper are publicly available through ESO's phase 3 archive and the VISTA Science Archive.
Very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) allows for high-resolution and high-sensitivity observations of relativistic jets, that can reveal periodicities of several years in their structure. We ...perform an analysis of long-term VLBI data of the quasar S5 1928+738 in terms of a geometric model of a helical structure projected onto the plane of the sky. We monitor the direction of the jet axis through its inclination and position angles. We decompose the variation of the inclination of the inner 2 mas of the jet of S5 1928+738 into a periodic term with amplitude of ~0 ...89 and a linear decreasing trend with rate of ~0 ...05 yr... We also decompose the variation of the position angle into a periodic term with amplitude of ~3 ...39 and a linear increasing trend with rate of ~0 ...24 yr... We interpret the periodic components as arising from the orbital motion of a binary black hole inspiralling at the jet base and derive corrected values of the mass ratio and separation from the accumulated 18 yr of VLBI data. Then, we identify the linear trends in the variations as due to the slow reorientation of the spin of the jet emitter black hole induced by the spin-orbit precession and we determine the precession period TSO = 4852 plus or minus 646 yr of the more massive black hole, acting as the jet emitter. Our study provides indications, for the first time from VLBI jet kinematics, for the spinning nature of the jet-emitting black hole. (ProQuest: ... denotes formulae/symbols omitted.)
Several observational studies and numerical simulations suggest that mergers must contribute to the evolution of galaxies; however, the role that they play is not yet fully understood. In this paper ...we study a sample of 52 double nucleus disk galaxies that are considered as candidates for a minor merger event. The luminosity of each of the nuclei and their relative separation are derived from a multi-component photometric fit of the galaxies in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey optical images. We find that the nuclei in most of the sources have projected separations < or =4 kpc. The ratio of nuclear luminosities indicates that most of the systems are likely in the coalescence stage of a major merger. This is supported by the existence of a single galaxy disk in 65% of the systems studied and the finding of a correlation between nuclear luminosity and host luminosity for the single-disk systems: those sources fitted with as single disk are in a more evolved stage of the merger and present an enhancement of the nuclear luminosity compared to the double-disk systems, as expected from simulations of galaxy mergers. Finally, we identify a sample of 19 double nucleus disk galaxies in which the two nuclei are physically separated by < or = 1 kpc and constitute thus a sample of sub-kpc binary active galactic nucleus candidates.
ABSTRACT
We present a detailed analysis of 30 very long baseline interferometric (VLBI) observations of the BL Lac object S5 1803+784 (z= 0.679), obtained between mean observational time 1994.67 and ...2012.91 at observational frequency 15 GHz. The long-term behaviour of the jet ridge line reveals the jet experiences an oscillatory motion superposed on its helical jet kinematics on a time-scale of about 6 yr. The excess variance of the positional variability indicates the jet components being farther from the VLBI core have larger amplitude in their position variations. The fractional variability amplitude shows slight changes in 3 yrbins of the component’s position. The temporal variability in the Doppler boosting of the ridge line results in jet regions behaving as flaring ‘radio lanterns’. We offer a qualitative scenario leading to the oscillation of the jet ridge line that utilizes the orbital motion of the jet emitter black hole due to a binary black hole companion. A correlation analysis implies composite origin of the flux variability of the jet components, emerging due to possibly both the evolving jet structure and its intrinsic variability.
Context. Despite numerous and detailed studies of the jets of active galactic nuclei (AGN) on pc-scales, many questions are still debated. The physical nature of the jet components is one of the most ...prominent unsolved problems, as is the launching mechanism of jets in AGN. The quasar 1308+326 (z = 0.997) allows us to study the overall properties of its jet in detail and to derive a more physical understanding of the nature and origin of jets in general. The long-term data provided by the Monitoring Of Jets in Active galactic nuclei with Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) experiments (MOJAVE)⋆⋆ survey permit us to trace out the structural changes in 1308+326 that we present here. The long-lived jet features in this source can be followed for about two decades. Aims. We investigate the very long baseline interferomety (VLBI) morphology and kinematics of the jet of 1308+326 to understand the physical nature of this jet and jets in general, the role of magnetic fields, and the causal connection between jet features and the launching process. Methods. Fifty VLBA observations performed at 15 GHz from the MOJAVE survey were re-modeled with Gaussian components and re-analyzed (the time covered: 20 Jan. 1995–25 Jan. 2014). The analysis was supplemented by multi-wavelength radio-data (UMRAO, at 4.8, 8.0, and 14.5 GHz) in polarization and total intensity. We fit the apparent motion of the jet features with the help of a model of a precessing nozzle. Results. The jet features seem to be emitted with varying viewing angles and launched into an ejection cone. Tracing the component paths yields evidence for rotational motion. Radio flux-density variability can be explained as a consequence of enhanced Doppler boosting corresponding to the motion of the jet relative to the line of sight. Based on the presented kinematics and other indicators, such as electric-vector polarization position-angle (EVPA) rotation, we conclude that the jet of 1308+326 has a helical structure, meaning that the components are moving along helical trajectories and the trajectories themselves are also experiencing a precessing motion. A model of a precessing nozzle was applied to the data and a subset of the observed jet feature paths can be modeled successfully within this model. The data till 2012 are consistent with a swing period of 16.9 yr. We discuss several scenarios to explain the observed motion phenomena, including a binary black hole model. It seems unlikely that the accretion disk around the primary black hole, which is disturbed by the tidal forces of the secondary black hole, is able to launch a persistent axisymmetric jet. Conclusions. We conclude that we are observing a rotating helix. In particular, the observed EVPA swings can be explained by a shock moving through a straight jet that is pervaded by a helical magnetic field. We compare our results for 1308+326 with other astrophysical scenarios where similar, wound-up filamentary structures are found. They are all related to accretion-driven processes. A helically moving or wound up object is often explained by filamentary features moving along magnetic field lines of magnetic flux tubes. It seems that a “component” comprises plasma tracing the magnetic field, which guides the motion of the radiating radio-band plasma. Further investigations and modeling are in preparation.
Context. Recent VLBI studies of the morphology and kinematics of individual BL Lac objects (S5 1803+784, PKS 0735+178, etc.) have revealed a new paradigm for the pc-scale jet kinematics of these ...sources. Unlike the apparent superluminal outward motions usually observed in blazars, most, if not all, jet components in these sources appear to be stationary with respect to the core, while exhibiting strong changes in their position angles. As a result, the jet ridge lines of these sources evolve substantially, at times forming a wide channel-flow. Aims. We investigate the Caltech-Jodrell Bank flat-spectrum (CJF) sample of radio-loud active galaxies to study this new kinematic scenario for flat-spectrum AGN. Comparing BL Lac objects and quasars in the CJF, we look for differences in the kinematics and morphologies of their jet ridge lines. The large number of sources in the CJF sample, together with the excellent kinematical data available, allow us to perform a robust statistical analysis in this context. Methods. We develop a number of tools to extract information about the apparent linear and angular evolution of the CJF jet ridge lines, as well as their morphology. We study both the radial and non-radial apparent motions in the CJF jets. A statistical analysis of the extracted information allows us to test this new kinematic scenario and assess the importances of the radial and non-radial motions in flat-spectrum AGN jets in general and especially in BL Lacs compared to quasars. We also use these tools to check the kinematics for (multi-wavelength) variable AGN. Results. We find that approximately half of the sample display appreciable apparent jet widths (>10 degrees), with BL Lac jet ridge lines showing significantly larger apparent widths than those of both quasars and radio galaxies. In addition, BL Lac jet ridge lines are found to change their apparent width more strongly. Finally, BL Lac jet ridge lines show the least apparent linear evolution, which translates into the smallest apparent expansion speeds for their components. We find compelling evidence supporting a substantially different kinematic scenario for flat-spectrum radio-AGN jets and in particular for BL Lac objects. In addition, we find that variability is closely related to the properties of a source’s jet ridge line. Variable quasars are found to have “BL Lac like” behavior, relative to their non-variable counterparts.
Context. The quasar B0605−085 (OH 010) shows a hint for probable periodical variability in the radio total flux-density light curves. Aims. We study the possible periodicity of B0605−085 in the total ...flux-density, spectra, and opacity changes in order to compare it with jet kinematics on parsec scales. Methods. We have analyzed archival total flux-density variabilities at ten frequencies (408 MHz, 4.8 GHz, 6.7 GHz, 8 GHz, 10.7 GHz, 14.5 GHz, 22 GHz, 37 GHz, 90 GHz, and 230 GHz) together with the archival high-resolution very long baseline interferometry data at 15 GHz from the MOJAVE monitoring campaign. Using the Fourier transform and discrete autocorrelation methods we have searched for periods in the total flux-density light curves. In addition, spectral evolution and changes of the opacity have been analyzed. Results. We found a period in multi-frequency total flux-density light curves of 7.9 ± 0.5 yrs. Moreover, a quasi-stationary jet component C1 follows a prominent helical path on a similar timescale of eight years. We have also found that the average instantaneous speeds of the jet components show a clear helical pattern along the jet with a characteristic scale of 3 mas. Taking into account average speeds of jet components, this scale corresponds to a timescale of about 7.7 years. Jet precession can explain the helical path of the quasi-stationary jet component C1 and the periodical modulation of the total flux-density light curves. We have fitted a precession model to the trajectory of the jet component C1, with a viewing angle φ0 = 2.6° ± 2.2°, aperture angle of the precession cone Ω = 23.9° ± 1.9° and fixed precession period (in the observers frame) P = 7.9 yrs.
We present a study of the motion of compact jet components in quasar B3 1633+382. Through analyzing 14 epochs of VLBI observations of three components (B1, B2, and B3) at 22 GHz, we find two ...different possibilities of component classification. Thus two corresponding kinematical models can be adopted to explain the evolutionary track of components. One is a linear motion, while another is a helical model. Future observations are needed to provide new kinematical constraints for the motion of these components in this source.
Context. For the evolution of large-scale structures in the Universe, it is unclear whether active galaxies represent a phase that each galaxy undergoes, and whether and to which extent the evolution ...of black holes at their centers is important. Binary black hole (BBH) systems may play a key role in our understanding of the above questions. Aims. We investigate the Caltech-Jodrell Bank flat-spectrum (CJF) sample to identify evidence that supports the merger-driven evolution scheme of active galaxies, and search for tracer-systems of active galactic nucleus (AGN) evolution and possible BBH candidates. We discuss the strength of and uncertainty in the evidence and formulate a set of selection criteria to detect such tracer-systems. Methods. We conduct an extensive literature search for all available multiwavelength data, particularly in the optical and infrared regime, and morphological information about the CJF sources. We perform a statistical analysis of the properties of this sample. Results. We find 1 ULIRG (Mrk 231) included in the CJF prototype of a transitory system. In total, 28.6% of the CJF sources with z ≤ 0.4 are distorted or have a companion. Given the unbiased sample used here, this provides strong evidence of the ubiquity of the merger phenomenon in the context of active galaxies. We find a correlation between the radio and the near-infrared luminosity of the high-luminosity sources, interpreted in the context of the interplay between a star-formation and AGN component. We find a connection between variability and evolutionary transitory systems, as selected on the basis of their near-infrared colors. We select 28 sources that trace the different evolution phases of an AGN, as well as a number of the most promising BBH candidates. We find 4 sources with almost periodical variability in the optical and radio on similar timescales.
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