Coherence Inherent in an Incoherent Synchrotron Radio Source

We show that a partial coherence due to antenna mechanism can be inherently present in any compact synchrotron source, which resolves many long-standing problems in the spectra and variability of compact extragalactic radio sources.     

Continuum radiation from active galactic nuclei

Summary Active galactic nuclei (AGN) can be divided into two broad classes, where the emitted continuum power is dominated either by thermal emission (radio-quiet AGN), or by nonthermal emission (blazars). Emission in the 0.01–1 m range is the primary contributor to the bolometric luminosity and is probably produced through thermal emission from an accretion disk, modified by electron scattering and general relativistic effects. The 1–1000 m continuum, the second most important contributor to the power, is generally dominated by thermal emission from dust with a range of temperatures from 40 K to 1000–2000 K. The dust is probably reemitting 0.01–0.3 m continuum emission, previously absorbed in an obscuring cone (or torus) or an extended disk. The 1–10 keV X-ray emission is rapidly variable and originates in a small region. This emission may be produced through Compton scattering by hot thermal electrons surrounding an accretion disk, although the observations are far from being definitive. The weak radio emission, which is due to the nonthermal synchrotron process, is usually elongated in the shape of jets and lobes (a core may be present too), and is morphologically distinct from the radio emission of starburst galaxies.In the blazar class, the radio through ultraviolet emission is decidedly non-thermal, and apparently is produced through the synchrotron process in an inhomogeneous plasma. The plasma probably is moving outward at relativistic velocities within a jet in which the Lorentz factor of bulk motion (typically 2–6) increases outward. This is inferred from observations indicating that the opening angle becomes progressively larger from the radio to the optical to the X-ray emitting regions. Shocks propagating along the jet may be responsible for much of the flux variability. In sources where the X-ray continuum is not a continuation of the optical-ultraviolet synchrotron emission, some objects show variability consistent with Compton scattering by relativistic electron in a large region (in BL Lacertae), while other objects produce their X-ray emission in a compact region, possibly suggesting pair production.When orientation effects are included, all AGN may be decomposed into a radio-quiet AGN, a blazar, or a combination of the two. Radio-quiet AGN appear to have an obscuring cone or torus containing the broad emission line clouds and an ionizing source. Most likely, the (non-relativistic) directional effects of this obscuring region give rise to the difference between Seyfert 1 and 2 galaxies or narrow and broad line radio galaxies. For different orientations of the nonthermal jet, relativistic Doppler boosting can produce BL Lacertae objects or FR I radio galaxies, or at higher jet luminosities, flat-spectrum high-polarization quasars or FR II radio galaxies.     

活动星系致密核视角大小的统计研究

本文对ＶＬＢＩ观测得到的河外射电源致密核ｃｏｒｅ的视角大小进行了统计研究，发现对单个源平均上视角大小近似反比于观测频率，与目前的模型相一致。在５ＧＨｚ上，在红移范围０．０４＜ｚ＜２．５内，平均的ｃｏｒｅ视角大小近似为常数，在非均匀喷流模型框架下，一种可能的解释是在河外射电源致密结构中磁场存在着演化。     

A new list of reference stars for radio and optical coordinatesystems relationship

A new list of reference stars for differential meridian observations is proposed. The list inclides 905 stars of stellar magnitude 7–9 with 3–5 stars in each area of 252 compact extragalactic radio sources, available for high precision measurements in radio and optics.     

Properties of OH Megamaser Galaxies in the Radio Continuum. II. Data Analysis

The properties of OH megamaser galaxies in the radio continuum are discussed. Many radio sources in OH megamaser galaxies exhibit relatively flat (α ≥ −0.5) radio spectra between frequencies of 1.49 and 8.44 GHz along with high brightness temperatures (T_b ≥ 10⁴ K). In these galaxies the line and radio continuum fluxes are not correlated. The continuum radio emission of OH megamasers is predominantly nonthermal and is associated either with an active nucleus or with compact star formation. The thermal component of the radio emission from these galaxies can be neglected. The observed flat radio spectra and high brightness temperatures imply the existence of an active galactic nucleus, although some megamasers may be associated with compact star formation.__________Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 48, No. 2, pp. 281–290 (May 2005).     

Giant Equatorial Radio Telescope

A giant radio telescope for observing galactic and extragalactic radio sources at metre wavelengths is proposed. By locating a parabolic cylindrical antenna at a site close to the Equator such that its axis lies parallel to earth's axis, it is possible to construct a large collecting area economically. The proposed instrument will be very powerful for studying compact and diffuse features of radio sources, monitoring their variability, recombination and deuterium line work, studies of interplanetary medium and pulsar search.Paper presented at the Lembang-Bamberg IAU Colloquium No. 80 on Double Stars: Physical Properties and Generic Relations, held at Bandung, Indonesia, 3–7 June, 1983.     

A synchrotron radiation model for extragalactic infrared sources

For a number of extragalactic sources of infrared radiation, for example some quasars and nuclei of Class I Seyfert galaxies that are also radio sources, there is a characteristic maximum in the radiation spectrum atv10¹¹ Hz. We discuss a model in which this feature is regarded as intrinsic to the process of electron production, and in which the radiation is produced by the synchrotron mechanism. A two-component version of the model can be employed in the interpretation of the composite radiation spectra of several sources — 3C 84 (NGC 1275), 3C 120 and 3C 273.     

Interstellar scintillation of compact extragalactic radio sources

The recent discovery of radio variability of a quasar on short time-scales (hours) prompts us to examine what is expected in respect of the interstellar scintillation of very compact, extragalactic radio sources. We find that large-amplitude, rapid, variability is predicted at commonly observed radio frequencies (1–20 GHz) over the vast majority of the extragalactic sky. As a guide to assist observers in understanding their data, we demonstrate simple techniques for predicting the effects of interstellar scintillation on any extragalactic source.     

Radio to optical spectral index variations along the M87 jet

CCD photometry and MERLIN observations of M87 (Virgo A) have been used to study the variations of the radio to optical spectral index along the jet. In general, the radio spectrum is flatter than the optical one and both become steeper with distance from the nucleus. The optical fluxes of the bright knots lie at or below the extrapolation of the radio spectrum. These properties can be explained by power-law spectra at low frequencies that turn down gradually beyond a cut-off frequency. The location of the local cut-off frequency is estimated by fitting the measured fluxes to the theoretical spectrum of a truncated power-law electron energy distribution. The results are interpreted in terms of models of synchrotron emission from shock waves in extragalactic jets.     

Type II–IV radio bursts and compact and diffuse white-light clouds in the outer corona of December 14, 1971

The radio observations of type II–IV bursts on December 14, 1971 are analyzed. These radio events were associated with a H-spray or eruptive prominence, and later followed by several compact moving clouds observed with the NRL white-light coronagraph aboard OSO-7. There was also observed a diffuse expanding cloud behind the compact moving clouds.From the comparison of the interferometer observation of the bursts with the optical observation, it is strongly suggested that the compact moving clouds were likely to be the optical counterparts of the sources of moving type IV radio emission. This fact suggests that the magnetic bubbles were really produced in the flare process. The frequency-drift of the first group of type II bursts was so rapid, that we could neither identify the type II shock with the leading edge of the diffuse expanding cloud nor interpret it as the piston-driven shock of the latter. Because of the uncertainty of the velocities of the compact clouds due to the projection effect, the possibility that the type II shock was the piston-driven shock of the compact clouds cannot be excluded. Nevertheless we suggest that the type II shock was a blast type MHD shock and had no direct physical relation to the flare-associated mass-ejection processes. The relation between the type II–IV bursts and the interplanetary shock is also discussed.     

南天区20个河外射电源的VLBI研究

本文报道南天区5GHzVLBI普查式观测结果．首次观测是在1992年11月期间进行的，共观测了23个河外射电源，获得了20个河外射电源的VLBI高分辨率的射电图象．有15个射电源呈现核喷流结构，1个有双向喷流，3个未分解，末发现有致密观源．在16个核喷流（包括一个双向喷流源）源中有11个呈现弯曲喷流现象．此外还首次发现有3个源中可能有超光速运动现象．     

The angular dimensions of extragalactic radio sources

The angular dimensions of compact components of extragalactic radio sources are calculated theoretically on three hypotheses: (a) magnetic field and relativistic particles energy equipartition; (b) equilibrium between synchrotron and Compton losses; (c) radiative lifetime of the same order as the source's light-travel time. Using angular measurements of 73 radio components, divided into two groups (multicomponent and single-component sources), a correcting formulae is derived to reduce the theoretical values to the observed values.This work was partially supported by the Brasilian research agency CNPq.     

A VLBI study of 20 southern extragalactic radio sources

This paper describes a 5 GHz VLBI survey in the southern hemisphere. The first observation of 23 extragalactic radio sources was conducted in November 1992. Twenty VLBI images were obtained, of which 15 sources show core-jet structure, one has a two-sided jet, and three sources are unresolved. No compact double source was found. Eleven of the 16 sources with core-jet (including a two-aided jet) show evidence of jet bending. In addition, four sources appear to be superluminal, of which three sources are new.     

Circular polarization and the structure of compact extragalactic radio sources

The origin of the circularly polarized (CP) component of the synchrotron radiation in compact extragalactic radio sources is investigated. A convenient quantity, the CP excess, is defined as the ratio of the observed to the expected degree of CP in a source, with the latter calculated from synchrotron theory for transparent sources, using magnetic field strengths from VLBI measurements, and the degree of inhomogeneity estimated from the observed degree of linear polarization. For almost all sources, the CP excess is much larger than unity, and in addition appears to depend on the absolute luminosity of the source for both the radio galaxy and the quasar populations. Explanations for the amount and the luminosity dependence of the CP excess are considered, and the origin of the excess is suggested to lie in a special magnetic field geometry of the compact sources. A simple model with helical magnetic field and relativistic beaming, consistent with the quasar data, is presented. The importance of considering the CP component of radiation in the context of different physical source models is emphasized.     

Multifrequency study of the nuclei of Sbc galaxies

A sample of 100 Sbc galaxies has been observed at different wavelengths and resolutions. The ultimate aim of the project is to probe the origin of their nuclear activity, e.g., blackhole, starbust, etc.The results from radio observations with the VLA (New Mexico) at 20 and 6 cm, with a resolution of 1–2 arc sec, for the inner kpc of nineteen sources are presented. Six of the galaxies show extended emission consistent with starburst activity. The remaining thirteen are unresolved or marginally resolved compact sources. Their steep spectra indicate synchrotron emission. They show total nuclear energies similar to those found for a sample of Seyfert galaxies.Optical spectroscopic observations with a similar resolution to the radio data have been made for approximately 90 galaxies. A sample of the derived rotation curves is included.     

A Direct Image of the Inner Torus of NGC 1068

We present the first VLBI observations of the compact source S1 in the radio jet of NGC 1068. Roughly 1 pc in length and 0.2 pc wide, S1 resolves into clumps aligned perpendicular to the local radio jet axis. The radio continuum emission arises from a hot (Te ~ 106 K), dense (ne ~ 106 cm-3) plasma, and the source of the radio emission is either thermal free-free emission or Thomson-reflected synchrotron emission. The clouds comprising S1 are opaque to soft X-radiation, and we therefore propose that S1 is the inner, ionized region, or ‘hot zone,’ of the obscuring medium surrounding the active nucleus. The covering fraction of the hot zone is small, Cf ⋦ 10%. Since the covering fraction of the dusty, obscuring medium is probably much larger, the obscuring disk must either flare or warp outside of the hot zone. That the radio jet and hot zone axes are perpendicular also suggests that the hot zone may be considered to trace the outermost extent of the accretion disk. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A sharper view of the outer Galaxy at 1420 and 408 MHz from the Canadian Galactic Plane Survey – I. Revisiting the KR catalogue and new Gigahertz Peaked Spectrum sources

Arcminute-resolution radio continuum images at 408 and 1420 MHz from the Canadian Galactic Plane Survey (CGPS) have been used to re-examine radio sources listed in the Kallas & Reich catalogue. This catalogue is of particular interest to Galactic studies as it lists both extended and compact radio sources found in the second Galactic quadrant. We have determined the nature (extended versus compact, Galactic versus extragalactic) of all of these bright radio sources. A number of large H  ii regions with no optical counterparts are highlighted along with a sample of large radio galaxies. Many sources previously thought to be extended Galactic objects are shown to be point sources. A sample of point sources with flat or rising spectra between 408 and 1420 MHz has been compiled, and within this sample likely Gigahertz Peaked Spectrum sources have been identified.     

Cosmic radio sources with the peaks of spectral flux density at decameter wavelengths (According to the Grakovo catalog)

Spectral characteristics of extragalactic radio sources of synchrotron emission with spectral flux density maxima located at decameter wavelengths are studied on the basis of the Grakovo catalog data. Physical processes in space that can give rise to such spectra are considered. Angular sizes and possible characteristics of relevant cosmic plasma are determined for a number of sources.     

The deflection of jets by clouds

The role of collisions between extragalactic jets and dense clouds in determining the appearance of high-redshift radio galaxies is discussed and investigated through numerical hydrodynamic simulations in three dimensions. The code has the facility to track jet material separately from ambient material. This allows us to use simplifying assumptions to calculate synthetic radio images. The results indicate that the most powerful radio sources are likely to be observed during or shortly after an interaction, and that such interactions can explain both the radio structures and the spatial association between optical and radio light found in powerful radio galaxies. In some cases such a scenario may provide an alternative explanation of jet properties to mechanisms based on variations in the source or fluid-dynamical instabilities.This author is supported by a PPARC research studentship     

Interaction of jets with the ISM of radio galaxies

We present three dimensional simulations of the interaction of a light hypersonic jet with an inhomogeneous thermal and turbulently supported disk in an elliptical galaxy. These simulations are applicable to the GPS/CSS phase of some extragalactic radio sources. We identify four generic phases in the evolution of such a jet with the interstellar medium. The first is a “flood and channel” phase, dominated by complex jet interactions with the dense cloudy medium close to the nucleus. This is characterized by high pressure jet gas finding changing weak points in the ISM and flowing through channels that form and reform over time. A spherical, energy driven, bubble phase ensues, wherein the bubble is larger than the disk scale, but the jet remains fully disrupted close to the nucleus, so that the jet flux is thermalised and generates a smooth isotropic energy-driven bubble. In the subsequent, rapid, jet break-out phase the jet breaks free of the last obstructing dense clouds, becomes collimated and pierces the more or less spherical bubble. In the final classical phase, the jet propagates in a momentum-dominated fashion similar to jets in single component hot haloes, leading to the classical jet–cocoon–bow-shock structure.