Neutral hydrogen absorption observations of the central region of NGC 5929

We present 0.15-arcsec (25-pc) resolution MERLIN observations of neutral hydrogen absorption detected towards the nuclear region of the type 2 Seyfert galaxy NGC 5929. Absorption is detected only towards the north-eastern radio component with a column density of (6.5 ± 0.6) × 10²¹ cm⁻². Based on comparison with an HST WFPC2 continuum image, we propose that the absorption is caused by a 1.5-arcsec structure of neutral gas and dust offset 0.3 arcsec south-east of the nucleus and running NE–SW. A separate cloud of dust is apparent 1.5 arcsec to the south-west of the nucleus in the HST image. A comparison of the centroid velocity (2358 ± 5 km s⁻¹) and full width at half-maximum (43 ± 6 km s⁻¹) of the absorbing gas with previous [O  III ] observations suggests that both the neutral and ionized gas are undergoing galactic rotation towards the observer in the north-east and away from the observer in the south-west. The main structure is consistent with an inclined ring of gas and dust encircling the active galactic nucleus (AGN); alternatively it may be a bar or inner spiral arm. We do not detect neutral hydrogen absorption or dust obscuration against the radio nucleus (column density < 3.1 × 10²¹ cm⁻²) expected by a torus of neutral gas and dust in unified models of AGNs for a type 2 Seyfert galaxy.     

The X-ray luminosity function of AGN at z∼ 3

We combine Lyman-break colour selection with ultradeep (≳200 ks) Chandra X-ray imaging over a survey area of ∼0.35 deg² to select high-redshift active galactic nuclei (AGN). Applying careful corrections for both the optical and X-ray selection functions, the data allow us to make the most accurate determination to date of the faint end of the X-ray luminosity function (XLF) at   z ∼ 3  . Our methodology recovers a number density of X-ray sources at this redshift which is at least as high as previous surveys, demonstrating that it is an effective way of selecting high z AGN. Comparing to results at   z = 1  , we find no evidence that the faint slope of the XLF flattens at high z , but we do find significant (factor ∼3.6) negative evolution of the space density of low luminosity AGN. Combining with bright end data from very wide surveys we also see marginal evidence for continued positive evolution of the characteristic break luminosity   L _*  . Our data therefore support models of luminosity-dependent density evolution between   z = 1  and   z = 3  . A sharp upturn in the the XLF is seen at the very lowest luminosities  ( L _X≲ 10^42.5 erg s⁻¹)  , most likely due to the contribution of pure X-ray starburst galaxies at very faint fluxes.     

High-redshift obscured quasars: radio emission at sub-kiloparsec scales

The radio properties of 11 obscured 'radio-intermediate' quasars at redshifts   z ≳ 2  have been investigated using the European Very-Long-Baseline-Interferometry Network (EVN) at 1.66 GHz. A sensitivity of  ∼25 μJy per 17 × 14 mas² beam  was achieved, and in seven out of 11 sources unresolved radio emission was securely detected. The detected radio emission of each source accounts for ∼30–100 per cent of the total source flux density. The physical extent of this emission is ≲150 pc, and the derived properties indicate that this emission originates from an active galactic nucleus (AGN). The missing flux density is difficult to account for by star formation alone, so radio components associated with jets of physical size ≳150 pc and ≲40 kpc are likely to be present in most of the sources. Amongst the observed sample steep, flat, gigahertz-peaked and compact-steep spectrum sources are all present. Hence, as well as extended and compact jets, examples of beamed jets are also inferred, suggesting that in these sources, the obscuration must be due to dust in the host galaxy, rather than the torus invoked by the unified schemes. Comparing the total to core (≲150 pc) radio luminosities of this sample with different types of AGN suggests that this sample of   z ≳ 2  radio-intermediate obscured quasars shows radio properties that are more similar to those of the high-radio-luminosity end of the low-redshift radio-quiet quasar population than those of Fanaroff–Riley type I (FR I) radio galaxies. This conclusion may reflect intrinsic differences, but could be strongly influenced by the increasing effect of inverse-Compton cooling of extended radio jets at high redshift.     

Hyperluminous infrared galaxies

39 galaxies are now known, from follow-up of faint IRAS sources and from submillimetre observations of high-redshift AGN, with far-infrared luminosities >10¹³ L_⊙. 13 of these, which have been found in 60- or 850-μm surveys, form an important unbiased subsample. 12 have been found by comparison of 60-μm surveys with quasar or radio galaxy catalogues, or from infrared surveys with colour selection biased towards AGN, while a further 14 have been found through submillimetre observations of known high-redshift AGN. In this paper I argue, on the basis of detailed modelling of the spectral energy distributions of hyperluminous galaxies with accurate radiative transfer models, and from evidence of high gas mass in several cases, that the bulk of the emission from these galaxies at rest frame wavelengths ≥50 μm is caused by star formation. Even after correction for the effects of lensing, hyperluminous galaxies with emission peaking at rest frame wavelengths ≥50 μm are therefore undergoing star formation at rates >10³ M_⊙ yr⁻¹ and are strong candidates for being primeval galaxies, in the process of a major episode of star formation.     

XMM–Newton and Chandra observations of SHEEP sources

We present Chandra and XMM–Newton observations of 12 bright  [ f (2–10 keV) > 10⁻¹³ erg cm⁻² s⁻¹]  sources from the ASCA search for the High Energy Extragalactic Population (SHEEP) survey. Most of these have been either not observed or not detected previously with the ROSAT mission, and therefore they constitute a sample biased towards hard sources. The Chandra observations are important in locating the optical counterpart of the X-ray sources with accuracy. Optical spectroscopic observations show that our sample is associated with both narrow-line (NL) (six objects) and broad-line (BL) active galactic nuclei (AGN) (five objects), with one source remaining unidentified. Our sources cover the redshift range 0.04–1.29, spanning luminosities from 10⁴² to  10⁴⁵ erg s⁻¹  (2–10 keV). The NL sources have preferentially lower redshift (and luminosity) compared to the BL ones. This can be most easily explained in a model where the NL AGN are intrinsically less luminous than the BL ones in line with the results of Steffen et al. The X-ray spectral fittings show a roughly equal number of obscured  ( N _H > 10²² cm⁻²)  and unobscured  ( N _H < 10²² cm⁻²)  sources. There is a clear tendency for obscured sources to be associated with NL AGN and unobscured sources with BL ones. However, there is a marked exception with the highest obscuring column observed at a BL AGN at a redshift of z = 0.5.     

Chandra HRC and HST observations of NGC 6240: resolving the active galactic nucleus and starburst

We present high spatial resolution X-ray Chandra HRC and HST WFPC2 H α observations of the prototypical infrared-luminous galaxy NGC 6240. The central region of this system shows a remarkably complex morphology, with filaments and loops observed in the optical and X-rays. The total X-ray luminosity is dominated by the extended emission. Both nuclei are clearly detected in the HRC image and both appear to be extended. The energetics of the nuclei imply that the southern nucleus is the more plausible counterpart to the obscured active galactic nucleus. The overall spectral energy distribution of the galaxy is in good agreement with a blend of starburst and AGN components that have similar bolometric luminosities,   L _bol∼5×10⁴⁵ erg s^-1  , with the starburst dominating the observed continuum in the near-infrared ( K band), optical and soft X-ray bands.     

XMM–Newton observations of the Seyfert 1 AGN H 0557−385

We present XMM–Newton observations of the Seyfert 1 active galactic nucleus (AGN)  H 0557 − 385  . We have conducted a study into the warm absorber present in this source, and using high-resolution Reflection Grating Spectrometer (RGS) data we find that the absorption can be characterized by two phases: a phase with log ionization parameter ξ of 0.50 (where ξ is in units of erg cm s⁻¹) and a column of  0.2 × 10²¹ cm⁻²  , and a phase with log ξ of 1.62 and a column of  1.3 × 10²² cm⁻²  . An iron Kα line is detected. Neutral absorption is also present in the source, and we discuss possible origins for this. On the assumption that the ionized absorbers originate as an outflow from the inner edge of the torus, we use a new method for finding the volume filling factor. Both phases of  H 0557 − 385  have small volume filling factors (≤1 per cent). We also derive the volume filling factors for a sample of 23 AGN using this assumption and for the absorbers with  log ξ > 0.7  , we find reasonable agreement with the filling factors obtained through the alternative method of equating the momentum flow of the absorbers to the momentum loss of the radiation field. By comparing the filling factors obtained by the two methods, we infer that some absorbers with  log ξ < 0.7  occur at significantly larger distances from the nucleus than the inner edge of the torus.     

Neutral gas and dust in the central region of the ultraluminous infrared galaxy Mrk 273

We have used MERLIN to observe neutral hydrogen absorption against the central region of the ultraluminous infrared galaxy (ULIRG) galaxy Mrk 273 with an angular resolution of 0.2 arcsec. This represents a factor of 5 increase in resolution compared with previous work. Absorption has been resolved against two of three radio continuum components. A Hubble Space Telescope ( HST ) image reveals a complex central region composed of clumpy emission obscured by dust lanes. We find that the northern and south-eastern radio components are associated with two optical components. The alignment supports the idea that Mrk 273 has a double nucleus due to a recent galactic merger event.
Broad, strong and spatially varying absorption is seen against the northern radio component with a velocity gradient of 1990±50 km s⁻¹ kpc⁻¹. The absorption resolves into six discrete components with an average column density of 1.7×10²² atom cm⁻². We propose that the absorption is due to a clumpy ring or disc of neutral gas of radius ∼250 pc rotating around a central starburst. In addition to the broad component, narrow absorption (<100 km s⁻¹) is detected against the northern and south-eastern components. Absorption is not detected against the weak (2 mJy) south-western component. We propose that the narrow absorption is due to quiescent gas in a large-scale dust lane that coincides with these regions of narrow absorption.     

The local star formation rate and radio luminosity density

We present a new determination of the local volume-averaged star formation rate from the 1.4-GHz luminosity function of star forming galaxies. Our sample, taken from the   B ≤12  Revised Shapley–Ames catalogue (231 normal spiral galaxies over an effective area of 7.1 sr) has ≃100 per cent complete radio detections and is insensitive to dust obscuration and cirrus contamination. After removal of known active galaxies, the best-fitting Schechter function has a faint-end slope of  −1.27±0.07  in agreement with the local H α luminosity function, characteristic luminosity   L ∗=(2.6±0.7)×10²² W Hz⁻¹  and density   φ ∗=(4.8±1.1)×10⁻⁴ Mpc⁻³.  The inferred local radio luminosity density of  (1.73±0.37±0.03)×10¹⁹ W Hz⁻¹ Mpc⁻³  (Poisson noise, large-scale structure fluctuations) implies a volume-averaged star formation rate ∼2 times larger than the Gallego et al. H α estimate, i.e.   ρ _1.4 GHz=(2.10±0.45±0.04)×10⁻² M_⊙ yr⁻¹ Mpc⁻³  for a Salpeter initial mass function from  0.1–125 M_⊙  and Hubble constant of 50 km s⁻¹ Mpc⁻¹. We demonstrate that the Balmer decrement is a highly unreliable extinction estimator, and argue that optical–ultraviolet (UV) star formation rates (SFRs) are easily underestimated, particularly at high redshift.     

The contribution of faint active galactic nuclei to the hard X-ray background

Hard X-ray selection is the most efficient way to discriminate between accretion-powered sources, such as active galactic nuclei (AGN), and sources dominated by starlight. Hard X-rays are also less affected than other bands by obscuration. We have therefore carried out the BeppoSAX High Energy Large Area Survey (HELLAS) in the largely unexplored 5–10 keV band, finding 180 sources in ∼50 deg² of sky with flux≳5×10⁻¹⁴ erg cm⁻² s⁻¹. After correction for the non-uniform sky coverage this corresponds to resolving about 30 per cent of the hard cosmic X-ray background (XRB). Here we report on a first optical spectroscopic identification campaign, finding 12 AGN out of 14 X-ray error boxes studied. Seven AGN show evidence for obscuration in X-ray and optical bands, a fraction higher than in previous ROSAT or ASCA – ROSAT surveys (at 95–99 and 90 per cent confidence levels respectively), thus supporting the scenario in which a significant fraction of the XRB is created by obscured AGN.     

The far-infrared–submillimetre spectral energy distribution of high-redshift quasars

We combine photometric observations of high-redshift     quasars, obtained at submillimetre to millimetre wavelengths, to obtain a mean far-infrared (rest-frame) spectral energy distribution (SED) of the thermal emission from dust, parametrized by a single temperature ( T ) and power-law emissivity index ( β ). The best-fitting values are     and     . Our method exploits the redshift spread of this set of quasars, which allows us to sample the SED at a larger number of rest wavelengths than is possible for a single object: the wavelength range extends down to ∼60 μm, and therefore samples the turnover in the greybody curve for these temperatures. This parametrization is of use to any studies that extrapolate from a flux at a single wavelength, for example to infer dust masses and far-infrared luminosities.
We interpret the cool, submillimetre component as arising from dust heated by star formation in the host galaxy of the quasar, although we do not exclude the presence of dust heated directly by the active galactic nucleus (AGN). Applying the mean SED to the data, we derive consistent star formation rates ∼1000 M_⊙ yr⁻¹ and dust masses ∼10⁹ M_⊙, and investigate a simple scheme of AGN and host galaxy co-evolution to account for these quantities. The time-scale for formation of the host galaxy is     , and the luminous quasar phase occurs towards the end of this period, just before the reservoir of cold gas is depleted. Given the youth of the Universe at     (1.6 Gyr), the coexistence of a massive black hole and a luminous starburst at high redshifts is a powerful constraint on models of quasar host galaxy formation.     

Correlations of near-infrared, optical and X-ray luminosity for early-type galaxies

The relation between X-ray luminosity and near-infrared (NIR) luminosity for early-type galaxies has been examined. NIR luminosities should provide a superior measure of stellar mass compared to optical luminosities used in previous studies, especially if there is significant star formation or dust present in the galaxies. However, we show that the X-ray–NIR relations are remarkably consistent with the X-ray–optical relations. This indicates that the large scatter of the relations is dominated by scatter in the X-ray properties of early-type galaxies, and is consistent with early-types consisting of old, quiescent stellar populations.
We have investigated scatter in terms of environment, surface brightness profile, Mg₂, Hβ, Hγ line strength indices, spectroscopic age and nuclear Hα emission. We found that galaxies with high Mg₂ index, low Hβ and Hγ indices or a 'core' profile have a large scatter in L _X, whereas galaxies with low Mg₂, high Hβ and Hγ indices or 'power-law' profiles generally have   L _X < 10⁴¹ erg s⁻¹  . There is no clear trend in the scatter with environment or nuclear Hα emission.     

Environmental dependence of active galactic nuclei activity in the supercluster A901/2

We present XMM data for the supercluster A901/2, at   z ∼ 0.17  , which is combined with deep imaging and 17-band photometric redshifts (from the COMBO-17 survey), two degree field (2dF) spectra and Spitzer 24 μm data, to identify active galactic nuclei (AGN) in the supercluster. The 90 ksec XMM image contains 139 point sources, of which 11 are identified as supercluster AGN with   L _{X(0.5−7.5 keV)} > 1.7 × 10⁴¹ erg cm⁻² s⁻¹  . The host galaxies have   M _R < −20  and only two of eight sources with spectra could have been identified as AGN by the detected optical emission lines. Using a large sample of 795 supercluster galaxies, we define control samples of massive galaxies with no detected AGN. The local environments of the AGN and control samples differ at ≳98 per cent significance. The AGN host galaxies lie predominantly in areas of moderate projected galaxy density and with more local blue galaxies than the control sample, with the exception of one very bright type I AGN very near the centre of a cluster. These environments are similar to, but not limited to, cluster outskirts and blue groups. Despite the large number of potential host galaxies, no AGN are found in regions with the highest galaxy density (excluding some cluster cores where emission from the intra-cluster medium obscures moderate luminosity AGN). AGN are also absent from the areas with lowest galaxy density. We conclude that the prevalence of cluster AGN is linked to their environment.     

The fraction of Compton-thick sources in an INTEGRAL complete AGN sample

We study the N _H distribution in a complete sample of 88 active galactic nuclei (AGN) selected in the 20–40 keV band from INTEGRAL /Imager on Board the Integral Satellite (IBIS) observations. We find that the fraction of absorbed  ( N _H≥ 10²² cm²)  sources is 43 per cent while the Compton thick AGN comprise 7 per cent of the sample. While these estimates are fully compatible with previous soft gamma-ray surveys, they would appear to be in contrast with results reported by Risaliti, Maiolino & Salvati using an optically selected sample. This apparent difference can be explained as being due to a selection bias caused by the reduction in high energy flux in Compton thick objects rendering them invisible at our sensitivity limit. Taking this into account, we estimate that the fraction of highly absorbed sources is actually in close agreement with the optically selected sample. Furthermore, we show that the measured fraction of absorbed sources in our sample decreases from 80 to ∼20–30 per cent as a function of redshift with all Compton thick AGN having   z ≤ 0.015  . If we limit our analysis to this distance and compare only the type 2 objects in our sample with the Risaliti et al. objects below this redshift value, we find a perfect match to their N _H distribution. We conclude that in the low-redshift bin we are seeing almost the entire AGN population, from unabsorbed to at least mildly Compton thick objects, while in the total sample we lose the heavily absorbed 'counterparts' of distant and therefore dim sources with little or no absorption. Taking therefore this low z bin as the only one able to provide the 'true' distribution of absorption in types 1 and 2 AGN, we estimate the fraction of Compton thick objects to be ≥24 per cent.     

The HELLAS2XMM survey – XII. The infrared/submillimetre view of an X-ray selected type 2 quasar at z≈ 2

We present multiwavelength observations (from optical to submillimetre, including Spitzer and Submillimetre Common-User Bolometer Array) of H2XMMJ 003357.2−120038 (also GD 158_19), an X-ray selected, luminous narrow-line (type 2) quasar at   z = 1.957  selected from the HELLAS2XMM survey. Its broad-band properties can be reasonably well modelled assuming three components: a stellar component to account for the optical and near-infrared (IR) emission; an active galactic nucleus (AGN) component (i.e. dust heated by an accreting active nucleus), dominant in the mid-IR, with an optical depth at 9.7      along the line of sight (close to the equatorial plane of the obscuring matter) of  τ(9.7) = 1  and a full covering angle of the reprocessing matter (torus) of 140° and a far-IR starburst component (i.e. dust heated by star formation) to reproduce the wide bump observed longward of 70      .
The derived star formation rate is  ≈1500 M_⊙ yr⁻¹  . The overall modelling indicates that GD 158_19 is a high-redshift X-ray luminous, obscured quasar with coeval powerful AGN activity and intense star formation. It is probably caught before the process of expelling the obscuring gas has started, thus quenching the star formation.     

Revisiting the infrared spectra of active galactic nuclei with a new torus emission model

We describe improved modelling of the emission by dust in a toroidal-like structure heated by a central illuminating source within active galactic nuclei (AGNs). We have chosen a simple but realistic torus geometry, a flared disc, and a dust grain distribution function including a full range of grain sizes. The optical depth within the torus is computed in detail taking into account the different sublimation temperatures of the silicate and graphite grains, which solves previously reported inconsistencies in the silicate emission feature in type 1 AGNs. We exploit this model to study the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of 58 extragalactic (both type 1 and type 2) sources using archival optical and infrared data. We find that both AGN and starburst contributions are often required to reproduce the observed SEDs, although in a few cases they are very well fitted by a pure AGN component. The AGN contribution to the far-infrared luminosity is found to be higher in type 1 sources, with all the type 2 requiring a substantial contribution from a circumnuclear starburst. Our results appear in agreement with the AGN unified scheme, because the distributions of key parameters of the torus models turn out to be compatible for type 1 and type 2 AGNs. Further support to the unification concept comes from comparison with medium-resolution infrared spectra of type 1 AGNs by the Spitzer observatory, showing evidence for a moderate silicate emission around 10 μm, which our code reproduces. From our analysis we infer accretion flows in the inner nucleus of local AGNs characterized by high equatorial optical depths  ( A_V ≃ 100)  , moderate sizes  ( R _max < 100 pc)  and very high covering factors (   f ≃ 80  per cent) on average.     

Halo masses for optically selected and for radio-loud AGN from clustering and galaxy–galaxy lensing

We compute two-point correlation functions and measure the shear signal due to galaxy–galaxy lensing for 80 000 optically identified and 5700 radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGN) from Data Release 4 of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Halo occupation models are used to estimate halo masses and satellite fractions for these two types of AGN. The large sample size allows us to separate AGN according to the stellar mass of their host galaxies. We study how the halo masses of optical and radio AGN differ from those of the parent population at fixed   M _*  . Halo masses deduced from clustering and from lensing agree satisfactorily. Radio AGN are found in more massive haloes than optical AGN: in our samples, their mean halo masses are  1.6 × 10¹³  and  8 × 10¹¹  h ⁻¹ M_⊙  , respectively. Optical AGN follow the same relation between stellar mass and halo mass as galaxies selected without regard to nuclear properties, but radio-loud AGN deviate significantly from this relation. The dark matter haloes of radio-loud AGN are about twice as massive as those of control galaxies of the same stellar mass. This boost is independent of radio luminosity, and persists even when our analysis is restricted to field galaxies. The large-scale gaseous environment of the galaxy clearly plays a crucial role in producing observable radio emission. The dark matter halo masses that we derive for the AGN in our two samples are in good agreement with recent models in which feedback from radio AGN becomes dominant in haloes where gas cools quasi-statically.     

Submillimetre detection of a high-redshift type 2 QSO

We report on the first SCUBA detection of a type 2 QSO at   z = 3.660  in the Chandra Deep Field South. This source is X-ray-absorbed, shows only narrow emission lines in the optical spectrum and is detected in the submillimetre: it is the ideal candidate in an evolution scheme for active galactic nuclei (AGN) (e.g. Fabian 1999 ; Page et al. 2004 ) of an early phase corresponding to the main growth of the host galaxy and formation of the central black hole. The overall photometry (from the radio to the X-ray energy band) of this source is well reproduced by the spectral energy distribution (SED) of NGC 6240, while it is incompatible with the spectrum of a type 1 QSO (3C 273) or a starburst galaxy (Arp 220). Its submillimetre (850 μm) to X-ray (2 keV) spectral slope  (α_SX)  is close to the predicted value for a Compton-thick AGN in which only 1 per cent of the nuclear emission emerges through scattering. Using the observed flux at 850 μm we have derived a star formation rate of  550–680 M_⊙ yr⁻¹  and an estimate of the dust mass   M _dust= 4.2 × 10⁸ M_⊙  .     

Multiwavelength observations of serendipitous Chandra X-ray sources in the field of A 2390

We present optical spectra and near-infrared imaging of a sample of 31 serendipitous X-ray sources detected in the field of Chandra observations of the A 2390 cluster of galaxies. The sources have  0.5–7 keV  fluxes of  (0.6–8)×10^-14 erg cm^-2 s^-1  and lie around the break in the  2–10 keV  source counts. They are therefore typical of sources dominating the X-ray Background in that band. 12 of the 15 targets for which we have optical spectra show emission lines at a range of line luminosities, and half of these show broad lines. These active galaxies and quasars have soft X-ray spectra. Including photometric redshifts and published spectra, we have redshifts for 17 of the sources, ranging from   z ∼0.2  up to   z ∼3  , with a peak between   z =1–2  . 10 of our sources have hard X-ray spectra indicating a spectral slope flatter than that of a typical unabsorbed quasar. Two hard sources that are gravitationally lensed by the foreground cluster are obscured quasars, with intrinsic  2–10 keV  luminosities of  (0.2–3)×10⁴⁵ erg s^-1  , and absorbing columns of   N _H>10²³ cm^-2  . Both of these sources were detected in the mid-infrared by ISOCAM on the Infrared Space Observatory , which when combined with radiative transfer modelling leads to the prediction that the bulk of the reprocessed flux emerges at ∼100 μm.     

Compton-thick X-ray absorption in the Seyfert galaxies Tololo 0109383 and ESO 138G1

We present analyses of the ASCA X-ray spectra of two Seyfert galaxies, Tololo 0109383 and ESO 138G1. In both cases, spectral fitting reveals two statistically acceptable continuum models: Compton reflection and partial covering. Both spectra have strong iron K lines, with equivalent widths greater than 1.5 keV. These large equivalent widths are suggestive of heavier obscuration than that directly indicated by the partial-covering models (  210²³ cm^-2),  with the actual column densities being 'Compton-thick' (i.e.   N _H1.510²⁴ cm^-2).  We use the hard X-ray/[O  iii ] flux correlation for Seyferts and data from the literature to provide additional support for this hypothesis. Since Tololo 0109383 is known to have optical type 1 characteristics such as broad Balmer line components and Fe  ii emission, this result marks it as a notable object.