活动星系核VLBI观测的新进展

介绍了活动星系核（AGN）的VLBI观测的新近展，特别关注其中心结构和低光度的活动星系核。主要目的是强调VLBI观测在该领域的重要性。     

上海天文台活动星系核研究

简要介绍了上海天文台活动星系核研究小组近几年来利用国际VIBI网进行活动星系核的VLBI观测情况以及在活动星系核研究方面所取得的主要进展。     

活动星系核中的射电喷流(英文)

简要介绍了近几年上海天文台活动星系核研究的某些进展。其中包括EGRETAGNs子样本 ,中等BLLacs (IBLs)源和宽吸收线类星体的VLBI观测研究 ,以及关于活动星系核中射电喷流与吸积盘联系的若干统计研究结果。     

EGRET活动星系核的VLBI观测研究

EGRET空间望远镜已检测到66颗高置信度的γ射线活动星系核，这些活动星系核都是射电强的，具有很高的光度，迅速的光学变化，有相当的比例是视超光速源，对γ射线 活动星系核的研究是目前世界上最活跃的前沿课题之一，为了完备EGRET活动是系统核的射电观测图像样本，以便进行更可信的统计研究，对一些缺少射电图像观测的EGRET活动量的核进行了多历元的VLBI和VLA的观测研究，得到了它们的射电结构图像。     

活动星系核家族

从观测事实出发,我们给出了活动星系核的定义,阐述了活动星系核的细致分类,探讨了影响活动星系核观测特征的各种因素,以及它的家族成员之间的相互关系。最后,我们指出活动星系核的现象是极普遍的。     

活动星系核动量驱动反馈机制的研究

观测中发现星系中心超大质量黑洞的质量与星系核球速度弥散或星系核球质量之间存在紧致关系。一般认为这类关系是由活动星系核反馈造成的,但是活动星系核反馈过程的微观物理实现并不清楚。甚至活动星系核反馈的提出者(Silk)也对其有效性提出质疑。利用星系的观测数据重新考虑了活动星系核的反馈过程,检验了活动星系核反馈的有效性。收集了一个包括29个星系的样本,通过样本星系的观测数据对它们的势场和由动量反馈而致的气体壳层在势场中的运动做了更准确的研究,发现绝大多数星系的动量反馈是有效的。     

活动星系核X射线本征谱指数与爱丁顿比关系的研究进展

活动星系核是中央核区有剧烈活动的(河外)星系总称。随着观测技术不断进步,人们对活动星系核的研究越来越多,对其理解也越来越深刻。总结整理了近年来对活动星系核X射线本征谱指数与爱丁顿比关系的观测结果,揭示出如下V形关系图像:随着爱丁顿比由大变小,X射线本征谱指数与爱丁顿比由存在正相关关系,转变为存在负相关关系。一般认为,这一观测现象反映了随着吸积率的降低,黑洞吸积模式发生了变化,由高吸积率时的标准薄盘吸积变为低吸积率时的辐射无效吸积流。这表明,基于标准薄盘的最基本的活动星系核统一模型虽然能够成功地解释较高光度活动星系核的很多观测现象,但却需要做一定的修正,以解释低光度活动星系核的一些观测性质。同时,将来有希望利用这一相关关系估算活动星系核一些重要参数,如中央超大黑洞质量、吸积率等,从而帮助人们更好地理解活动星系核的辐射机制和演化过程。最后对这一领域的研究进行了总结与展望。     

EGRET检测到的γ射线活动星系核的射电图像

研究表明活动星系核的高能γ射线辐射和低频射电辐射有着某些内在的联系。ＥＧＲＥＴ已检测到６６ 颗可信度很高的活动星系核。而这些高能的活动星系核有部分缺少足够的射电图象观测。为研究这些河外剧变源的射电辐射性质及致密结构,并研究活动量系核射电喷流弯曲与高能辐射的内在联系。我们利用国际欧洲ＶＬＢＩ网,英国的ＭＥＲＬＩＮ 和美国的ＶＬＡ对近２０ 颗γ射线活动星系核进行了观测。本文给出部分高能γ射线活动星系核在８ ．５ＧＨｚ的ＶＬＡ 观测图象。     

特殊BL Lac型天体的VLBI观测研究

BL Lac型天体是一类特殊的活动星系核,根据辐射能谱的不同可以分为低峰值频率BL Lac型天体(LBLs),中间峰值频率BL Lac型天体(IBLs),高峰值频率BL Lac型天体(HBLs),以及极高峰值频率BL Lac型天体(UHBLs)。不同类型BL Lac型天体具有不同的辐射特性,通过射电、光学、X射线、伽玛射线等多波段的观测可以发现很多特殊类型及辐射特性的BL Lac型天体,而甚长干涉测量技术(Very Long Baseline Interferometry,VLBI)是目前分辨率最高的观测技术,也是探测致密核区结构的唯一手段。主要介绍目前对BL Lac型天体的VLBI观测研究概况,以及对其中一些特殊BL Lac型天体VLBI研究的进展及初步结果。     

对射电源的VLBI巡天

甚长基线干涉技术使射电天文观测分辨率高出其他波段三个数量级。它所获得的如超致密的活动星系、类星体核结构的直接观测以及射电源中视超光速现象的发现等一系列天文成果,为人们认识宇宙打开了新窗口。 使用VLBI进行天体物理学研究,通常可以分成两种不同的战略:一是对个别射电源的形态细节作研究,进而引出结论去解释一类射电源特性;二是对定义的样本进行观测及统计分析以推断它们的性质。本文介绍的VLBI巡天属于第二类。 通过对近年来一些不同类型的重要巡天工作的介绍及扼要评述,以展示这方面的进展。这些巡天由于各自不同的天文目的,因而有各异的观测程序设计。我们相信,其中某些课题方向以及观测技术方法的考虑,会成为中国开展VLBI课题研究工作的有用借鉴。从所介绍的巡天工作结果中,可以获得很多有关VLBI目标的信息。它们可以作为进一步VLBI观测设计的直接依据;同时也可以直接作为统计分析工作的资料。     

Resolving the inner jet of PKS 1749+096 with super-resolution VLBA images at 7 mm

High resolution imaging of inner jets in Active Galactic Nuclei(AGNs) with Very Long Baseline Interferometry(VLBI) at millimeter wavelengths provides deep insight into the launching and collimation mechanisms of relativistic jets.The BL Lac object,PKS 1749+096,shows a core-dominated jet pointing toward the northeast on parsec-scales revealed by various VLBI observations.In order to investigate the jet kinematics,in particular,the orientation of the inner jet on the smallest accessible scales and the basic physical conditions of the core,in this work we adopted a super-resolution technique,the Bi-Spectrum Maximum Entropy Method(BSMEM),to reanalyze VLBI images based on the Very Long Baseline Array(VLBA) observations of PKS 1749+096 within the VLBA-BU-BLAZAR 7 mm monitoring program.These observations include a total of 105 epochs covering the period from 2009 to 2019.We found that the stacked image of the inner jet is limb-brightened with an apparent opening angle of 50°.0±8°.0 and 42°.0 ± 6°.0 at the distances of 0.2 and 0.3 mas(0.9 and 1.4 pc) from the core,corresponding to an intrinsic jet opening angle of 5°.2 ±1°.0 and 4°.3 ±0°.7,respectively.In addition,our images show a clear jet position angle swing in PKS 1749+096 within the last ten years.We discuss the possible implications of jet limb brightening and the connection of the position angle with jet peak flux density and gamma-ray brightness.     

EVN observations of low-luminosity flat-spectrum active galactic nuclei

We present and discuss the results of very-long baseline interferometry (VLBI, EVN) observations of three low-luminosity     broad emission line active galactic nuclei (AGNs) carefully selected from a sample of flat-spectrum radio sources (CLASS). Based on the total and the extended radio power at 5 and at 1.4 GHz respectively, these objects should be technically classified as radio-quiet AGN and thus the origin of their radio emission is not clearly understood. The VLBI observations presented in this paper have revealed compact radio cores which imply a lower limit on the brightness temperature of about     . This result rules out a thermal origin for the radio emission and strongly suggests an emission mechanism similar to that observed in more powerful radio-loud AGNs. Since, by definition, the three objects show a flat (or inverted) radio spectrum between 1.4 and 8.4 GHz, the observed radio emission could be relativistically beamed. Multi-epoch VLBI observations can confirm this possibility in two years' time.     

致密射电核

活动星系统的多波段观测和研究，早已成为天体物理学最热门的前沿之一。在射电天文学中，按其观测形态又常将ＡＧＮ和致密射电核等同看待。对ＡＮＧ及ＣＲＣ的含义、分类、总的频谱特征、射电结构和射电性质，模型研究及ＶＬＢＩ的重要作用、最新的观测结果、问题和前景作一评述。评述中将侧重于用射电天文手段观测研究ＣＲＣ的结果。     

The emission line spectrum of active galactic nuclei and the unifying scheme

Summary. Recent papers dealing with the most controversial aspects of AGNs are reviewed. They suggest interesting conclusions: all Seyferts can be described by a single parameter, the X-ray column density; radio loud AGNs may host a rapidly spinning black hole and radio quiet AGNs a slowly spinning black hole; high-ionization AGNs (Seyfert galaxies and QSOs) contain an optically thick, geometrically thin accretion disk, while low-ionization AGNs (Liners) contain an optically thin, geometrically thick accretion disk; a number of blazars have been classified as BLLs on the basis of insufficient data; most objects with weak broad emission lines are in fact HPQs; many objects have been called Liners although they are not AGNs but rather the result of stellar activity; type 2 QSOs exist, but are quite inconspicuous if radio quiet. Received 16 November 1999 / Published online: 15 February 2000     

大样本“变脸”活动星系核多频射电巡天观测结果的统计研究

光学波段的“变脸”AGN (changing-look Active Galactic Nucleus, CL AGN)是光谱类型发生变化AGN的统称.近年来,越来越多观测证据表明这类现象与中央超大质量黑洞吸积活动有关.而黑洞吸积率的变化可能会引起喷流的增强或者减弱,进而导致射电波段观测性质的变化.在已发表的文献中,收集了74个光学波段证认的“变脸”AGN、90个“变脸”AGN的候选体.基于这个目前最大并且选源方式多样化的非完备样本,探讨了“变脸”AGN在射电波段的观测性质.从澳大利亚平方公里阵先导设备(Australian Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Pathfinder, ASKAP)和美国甚大阵甚大阵(Very Large Array, VLA)的4大射电巡天观测中,发现了51个“变脸”AGN (含21个候选体)在0.9–3 GHz存在射电波段的对应体,样本的射电探测率约为41%,与一般AGN的射电探测率无显著区别.此外,分析了这些源的射电谱指数,发现在1.4 GHz和3 GHz频段“变脸”AGN相对于一般射电源有较平的射电谱.该统计结果或可解释为“...     

A Statistical Study of a Large Sample of Changing-look Active Galactic Nuclei with Multi-frequency Radio Sky Surveys

Optically “changing-look” active galactic nuclei (AGNs) are a class of objects that exhibit appearance or disappearance of broad lines. Recent studies have shown that these “changing-look” activities very likely result from the accretion activities of the central supermassive black holes. Large variation of the accretion rate might cause jet ejection and fading events, thus lead to a certain variability of observational radio properties. From the published literature, 74 “changing-look” AGNs and 90 “changing-look” AGNs candidates identified in optical observations were collected. Based on this largest, complex, and incomplete sample to date, the radio properties of “changing-look” AGNs were investigated. The radio counterparts of 51 “changing-look” AGNs (including 21 candidates) were discovered from the all-sky surveys conducted by the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) and Very Large Array (VLA) covering the frequency range of 0.9–3 GHz. This corresponds to a detection rate of about 41 percent, which is similar to general AGNs. The radio spectral indices between 0.9 and 1.4 GHz and between 1.4 and 3 GHz were calculated, which suggest that these “changing-look” AGNs tend to have flatter radio spectra than normal AGNs. This statistical result indicates that “changing-look” AGNs might host some young, compact, and faint radio jets.     

The relationship between the radio core dominance parameter and the spectral index in different classes of extragalactic radio sources

Active galactic nuclei(AGNs)have two major classes,namely radio loud AGNs and radio quiet AGNs.A small subset of the radio-loud AGNs is called blazars,which display extreme observational properties,such as rapid variability,high luminosity,high and variable polarization,and superluminal motion.All of those observational properties are probably due to a relativistic beaming effect with the jet pointing close to the line of sight.Observations suggest that the orientation can be expressed by a core-dominance p...     

Chandra archival study of (U)LIRGs with a double nucleus:binary AGNs?

We present our initial results from a study of 14(U)LIRGs with a doublenucleus(z <0.15)and an AGN signature in the Chandra archive.The goals of our study are to search for more possible cases of binary AGNs and to investigate the X-ray properties and energy sources of these energetic objects,a major effort devoted specifically to searching for binary AGNs from(U)LIRGs.Our studies suggest that Mrk 266 might be a new candidate in hosting binary AGNs supported by X-ray observations.Our analysis shows that most(U)LIRGs are essentially weak X-ray sources and are not dominated by AGNs,due to both the lack of Fe K line detections and weak emission in the hard X-ray band.We find evidence for thermal emission with temperature kT～0.7 keV in seven nuclear regions,and this component is possibly associated with the nuclear or circumnuclear starburst.The soft and hard X-ray to far-infrared ratios also suggest that most(U)LIRGs are not energetically dominated by AGNs.Therefore,this study only provides one additional candidate of binary AGNs.We cannot rule out the existence of low luminosity AGNs and thus binary AGNs in all of them,particulaxly,those highly obscured and spatially unresolved systems.Nine of 14(U)LIRGs,including three previously known binary AGNs and a new candidate Mrk 266,clearly have obvious X-ray counterparts to their double optical/near-IR nuclei,whereas only two out of 14 have one obvious X-ray counterpart detected.Additionally,Arp 220 and Mrk 273 are not spatially resolved owing to their small nuclear separations(～1"),and no significant X-ray detection in the most distant source.     

The Multi-Wavelength Quasar Survey IV. Quasars in the Leo Cluster

We aim to providea quasar sample that is more complete than any previous surveys by using a combined selection technique to reduce the selection effects. Here we present the observational results for the X-ray candidates in the field of the Leo Cluster. We found 33 X-ray AGNs in this field of which 10 are new discoveries. The X-ray data and optical spectra of these AGNs are given. We also study the near-IR properties of the X-ray-selected AGNs by using the data from 2MASS. Most of the AGNs in our sample span the color range 0.0 < B-J < 2.5, 1.0 < J-Ks < 2.0 and 0.5 < H-Ks < 1.2.     

The Multi-Wavelength Quasar Survey Ⅲ. Quasars in Field 836

This is the third paper in a series connected with our Multiwavelength Quasar Survey. The survey is aimed to provide a quasar sample more complete than any previous survey by using a combined selection technique to reduce selection effects. We present the observational results for the X-ray candidates in field f836. We found 15 X-ray AGNs in this field of which eight are new discoveries. The X-ray data and optical spectra of these AGNs are given. We give the X-ray candidate selection criteria, which proved to be highly efficient in isolating X-ray AGNs.