Near-infrared spectra of Seyfert galaxies and line production mechanisms

New observations are reported of J -band spectra (1.04–1.4 μm) of three Seyfert 2 galaxies, Mkn 34, Mkn 78 and NGC 5929. In each case the spectral range includes the near-infrared lines of [Fe  ii ], [P  ii ], He  i and Paβ. Each Seyfert galaxy has a known radio jet, and we investigate the infrared line ratios of the nuclear and extended regions of each galaxy compared to the radio structure. In Mkn 34 there is a clear indication of an extranuclear region, probably coincident with a shock induced by the radio jet, in which [Fe  ii ] is considerably enhanced, although the nuclear emission is almost certainly the result of photoionization by the continuum of the active nucleus. Similar effects in extranuclear regions are seen in the other objects, in the case of Mkn 78 confirming recent studies by Ramos Almeida et al. A possible detection of extranuclear [P  ii ] emission suggests, if real, that photoionization by the active nucleus is the dominant line excitation mechanism over the whole source, including the regions coincident with the radio jet.     

ISO-SWS Observations of NGC 1068

We present a first analysis of 2.4-45μm spectra of NGC 1068 obtained with the Short Wavelength Spectrometer SWS on board the Infrared Space Observatory ISO. The measured fine-structure line fluxes can be fit successfully by a simple photoionization model invoking an EUV bump in the ionizing continuum, similar to the case of the Circinus galaxy. Difference are observed between the [OIV] 26μm NLR line profile and optical NLR line profiles which may indicate significant extinction to part of the NLR. We detect pure rotational transitions of molecular hydrogen that must be emitted by molecular gas spanning a wide range of temperatures. The unusual strength of the fundamental S(0) 28μm rotational transition is evidence for a large (> 1.5 × 109 M⊙) gas mass at temperatures nea r 100 K. Either most of the gas in the circumnuclear region of NGC 1068 is warm or previous molecular mass estimates based on CO observations were too low. Strong mid-infrared continuum from the circumnuclear warm dust is prominent in our spectrum. The weak PAH emission detected at the edges of the 9.7μm silicate absorption should be considered in interpretations of the silicate feature. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Emission-line outflows in PKS1549−79: the effects of the early stages of radio-source evolution?

We present new spectroscopic observations of the southern radio galaxy         . Despite the flat-spectrum character of the radio emission from this source, our optical spectra show no sign of the broad permitted lines and non-stellar continuum characteristic of quasar nuclei and broad-line radio galaxies. However, the high-ionization forbidden lines, including [O  iii ] λλ 5007, 4959, are unusually broad for a narrow-line radio galaxy     , and are blueshifted by 600 km s⁻¹ relative to the low-ionization lines such as [O  ii ] λλ 3726,3729. The [O  ii ] lines are also considerably narrower     than the [O  iii ] lines, and have a redshift consistent with that of the recently detected H  i 21-cm absorption-line system. Whereas the kinematics of the [O  iii ] emission lines are consistent with outflow in an inner narrow-line region, the properties of the [O  ii ] emission lines suggest that they are emitted by a more extended and quiescent gaseous component. We argue that, given the radio properties of the source, our line of sight is likely to be lying close to the direction of bulk outflow of the radio jets. In this case it is probable that the quasar nucleus is entirely obscured at optical wavelengths by the material responsible for the H  i absorption-line system. The unusually broad [O  iii ] emission lines suggest that the radio source is intrinsically compact. Overall, our data are consistent the idea that     is a radio source in an early stage of evolution.     

ISO-LWS Observations of the NGC7129 Star Forming Region

We present far-infrared observations of the surroundings of the Herbig Be star LkHα234 in NGC7129, obtained with the Long Wavelength Spectrometer on board of the Infrared Space Observatory. [CII]158μm, [OI]63μm and [OI]146μm lines are detected everywhere in the mapped region and their intensity ratios are consistent with the model predictions of a photodissociation region. The spatial distribution of the emission features indicates the presence of a peak which does not coincide with the position of LkHα234, but is more likely associated with another nearby Herbig star, namely BD+65°1637; the far-ultraviolet field intensity and the density derived from our observations are fully consistent with this hypothesis. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

HST/NICMOS Observations of M82

The irregular galaxy M82 is known as the archetypal starburst galaxy. Its proximity (3.5 Mpc) makes this galaxy an ideal laboratory for studying the properties of its starburst. The detailed morphology of the [FeII] 1.644 μm and emission Pa_α (at 1.87 μm) is revealed by the NICMOS images. The peak of the 2.2 μm continuum brightness(evolved population) lies very close to the dynamical centre. Most of the Pa_α emission (which traces the young population) is distributed in a ring of star formation (with a `hole' lacking line emission at the centre of the galaxy). These observations support the scenario in which the starburst in M82 is propagating outwards. It has long been suggested that the [FeII] emission in starburst galaxies can be used as a measure of supernova (SN) activity. M82 shows a large number of radio supernova remnants (SNRs), approximately 50, lying in the plane of the galaxy. The comparison of the positions of the bright compact [FeII] emitting regions with the location of the radio SNRs shows that there is no one-to-one spatial correspondence between the two emissions, suggesting that the radio and [FeII] emissions trace two populations of SNRs with different ages. Young (a few hundred years) SNRs are best traced by their radio emission, whereas the [FeII] stage lasts for at least a few 10⁴ yr. The compact [FeII] sources contribute only some 20 % of the total [FeII] emission observed in M82. However, much of the remaining unresolved [FeII] emission in the plane of the galaxy may arise from SNRs that expanded and merged into a general interstellar medium within a few 10⁴ yr. Presumably, as much as 70% of the total extinction-corrected [FeII]1.644 μm in M82 is associated with SNRs. The extended and diffuse [FeII] component in M82 seems to be related with the superwind above and below the disc of the galaxy. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

SCUBA imaging of the NGC 7331 dust ring

We present observations of the spiral galaxy NGC 7331 using the Submillimetre Common User Bolometer Array (SCUBA) on the James Clark Maxwell Telescope. We have detected a dust ring of 45 arcsec radius (3.3 kpc) at wavelengths of 450 and 850 μm. The dust ring is in good correspondence with other observations of the ring in the mid-infrared (MIR), CO and radio continuum, suggesting that the observed dust is associated with molecular gas and star formation. A B  −  K colour map shows an analogous ring structure with an asymmetry about the major axis, consistent with the extinction being produced by a dust ring. The derived temperature of the dust lies between 16 and 31 K and the gas-to-dust ratio lies between 150 and 570, depending on the assumed dust emission efficiency index (β = 1.5 or 2).     

ISO SWS Spectroscopy of WR 146 (WC6+O)

We have obtained ISO SWS spectroscopy of WR 146 (WC6+O) covering the wavelength range 2.6-20 μm. WC6 wind emission is observed in numerous lines of He II and C IV, as well as in the [Ne III] 15.5 μm line, but not in [Ne II] 12.81 or [Ne V] 14.32 μm. An analysis of these spectra (and complementary radio and optical data) yields for the WC6 star: v∞ = 2700 km s-1; M=2.6×10-5M⊙yr-1; C/He = 0.15; and a neon abundance bound of 3.4×10-3≤Ne/He≤6.8×10-3. The neon abundance is close to that predicted in stellar evolution models of WC stars. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

First Results from ISO Spectra of Supernova Remnants Heavily Interacting with the ISM

ISO spectra of the supernova remnant RCW103 are presented. This object is the prototype of a SNR shock heavily interacting with dense ISM (probably a molecular cloud). The spectra are dominated by prominent lines and show very little continuum at λ < 40 μm suggesting that the 12 and 25 μm IRAS emission from these types of remnant could be dominated by lines rather than continuum emission from warm dust heated by the shock as generally believed. The ISO data provide for the first time a simple and reliable estimate of the gas phase abundances of Si and Fe which are found to be close to solar relative to non refractory species such as Ne, S and Ar. This indicates that the shock is very effective in destroying the ISM dust and may therefore explain the absence of warm dust behind the shock. Like the optical Nickel lines, [NiII]6.63 μm yields Ni/Fe abundances a factor ≥ 10 above solar which we conclude results from a large underestimation of the computed Ni+ collision strengths. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Circumstellar Silicate Mineralogy

This paper reviews spectra obtained with the SWS on board of ISO of dust shells around O-rich objects. These spectra reveal the presence of many new emission features between 10 and 45 μm. These bands are generally much narrower than the well-known 10 and 20 μm silicates features. The strength of these features relative to the underlying broad continuum varies from source to source (≅ 5-50%). The 10 μm region shows evidence for the presence of Al2O3 grains. At longer wavelength, the spectra are dominated by features due to crystalline olivine and pyroxene. The exact peak position of these features shows that the emitting grains consist of the Mg-rich end-members of these minerals with an Fe-content of < 10%. The underlying continuum is attributed to amorphous silicate grains. These observations of aluminum-rich and magnesium-rich compounds compare well with the thermodynamic condensation sequence of minerals expected for O-rich outflows. The observations also imply that freeze out (ie., kinetics) of this condensation sequence at different temperatures is an important characteristic of dust formation in these objects. It is suggested that the absence of Fe-rich silicates is a natural consequence of the low temperature at which gaseous Fe reacts with Mg-rich silicates in these outflows, resulting in amorphous grains with little characterizing spectral detail. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Extended (15 × 6 AU) Hα Emission Around T Tau N

We present an image of T Tauri N reconstructed from speckle interferometry observations made at the 3.6 m Canada-France-Hawaii telescope (CFHT). Two spectral windows, at Hα [6540-6580 Å] and red continuum [6580-6840 Å] were used. The star is unresolved in the continuum (θ ≤ 0″038), setting an upper limit for its size of ≤ 5.3 AU (assuming a 140 pc distance). At Hα (continuum subtracted) two components are observed, an unresolved one with 70% of the Hα flux and a resolved 0″106 × 0″043 (15 × 6 AU) with 30 %. The extended component is elongated in the North-South direction. The extended Hα component scale, it's non-detection in the continuum, and TTau Hα profile shape suggest that the extension is a disk corona.     

Evolution of Southern Star-Forming Regions

We present ISO observations of bright, high-mass southern starforming regions with the Short Wavelength Spectrometer (SWS) and Long Wavelength Spectrometer (LWS). The selected targets show a range of pre-main sequence evolutionary phases. Whereas some objects still show interstellar ice features, the most evolved objects are coincident with ultra-compact HII regions and show strong emission lines from atomic species and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We discuss the ISO spectra between 2.5 - 200 μm of selected southern star-forming regions in the context of their evolution. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Infrared photometric study of SDSS selected narrow line Seyfert 1 galaxies

The infrared photometric study of SDSS selected Narrow Line Seyfert 1 Galaxies (NLS1s) is presented in this paper. We have made cross-identifications for such NLS1s with 2MASS and WISE observations. Finally 992 NLS1s have 2MASS and WISE counterparts. Comparisons of NLS1s with the Broad Line Seyfert 1 (BLS1s) and Seyfert 2 galaxies are made. It is shown that from 1 µm to 5 µm NLS1s are redder than BLS1s and Seyfert 2 galaxies possibly due to the richer dust environment in NLS1 nuclei or to the orientation effect while in the longer wavelengths those three kinds of sources have quite similar behavior indicative of radiation mainly from the similar warm starburst-related dust and the related AGN dust.In addition, relations between infrared colors and related (to H_β) strengths of some important lines are also investigated. The results show that the related strengths of [FeII] 4570 Å are positively correlated with infrared colors in the 1–5 µm region, but negatively correlated with infrared colors in the 12–22 µm region; the related strength of [OIII] 5007 Å are negatively correlated with infrared colors in the 1–5 µm region, but positively correlated with infrared colors in the 12–22 µm region; the related strength of [NII]6583 Å are also negatively correlated with infrared colors in the 1–5 µm region, but positively correlated with infrared colors in the 12–22 µm region. Therefore it is indicated that the behavior of [FeII] 4570 Å is just opposed to that for [OIII] 5007 Å and [NII] 6583 Å This result may be caused by different origins of such lines.     

A new look at the isotropy of narrow-line emission in extragalactic radio sources

We undertake a quantitative investigation, using Monte Carlo simulations, of the amount by which quasars are expected to exceed radio galaxies in optical luminosity in the context of the 'receding torus' model. We compare these simulations with the known behaviour of the [O  III ] λ5007 and [O  II ] λ3727 emission lines and conclude that [O  III ] is the better indicator of the strength of the underlying non-stellar continuum.     

AGN with strong forbidden high-ionization lines selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

We have defined a sample of 63 active galactic nuclei with strong forbidden high-ionization line (FHIL) emission. These lines, with ionization potentials  ≳100  eV, respond to a portion of the spectrum that is often difficult to observe directly, thereby providing constraints on the extreme ultraviolet-soft X-ray continuum. The sources are selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) on the basis of their [Fe  x ]λ6374 Å emission, yielding one of the largest and the most homogeneous samples of FHIL-emitting galaxies. We fit a sequence of models to both FHILs ([Fe  xi ], [Fe  x ] and [Fe  vii ]) and lower ionization emission lines ([O  iii ], [O  i ],  Hα  , [N  ii ], [S  ii ]) in the SDSS spectra. These data are combined with X-ray measurements from the ROSAT satellite, which are available for half of the sample. The correlations between these parameters are discussed for both the overall sample and subsets defined by spectroscopic classifications. The primary results are evidence that (1) the [Fe  x ] and [Fe  xi ] lines are photoionized and their strength is proportional to the continuum flux around 250 eV, (2) the FHIL-emitting clouds form a stratified outflow in which the [Fe  x ] and [Fe  xi ] source regions extend sufficiently close to the broad-line region that they are partially obscured in Seyfert 2s, whereas the [Fe  vii ] source region is more extended and is unaffected by obscuration, (3) narrow-lined Seyfert 1s (NLS1s) tend to have the strongest [Fe  x ] flux (relative to lower ionization lines) and (4) the most extreme [Fe  x ] ratios (such as [Fe  x ]/[O  iii ] or [Fe  x ]/[Fe  vii ]) are found in the NLS1s with the narrowest broad lines and appear to be an optical-band indication of objects with strong X-ray soft excesses.     

Discovery of extended radio emission in the young cluster Wd1

We present 10-μm ISO -SWS and Australia Telescope Compact Array observations of the region in the cluster Wd1 in Ara centred on the B[e] star Ara C. An ISO -SWS spectrum reveals emission from highly ionized species in the vicinity of the star, suggesting a secondary source of excitation in the region. We find strong radio emission at both 3.5 and 6.3 cm, with a total spatial extent of over 20 arcsec. The emission is found to be concentrated in two discrete structures, separated by ∼ 14 arcsec. The westerly source is resolved, with a spectral index indicative of thermal emission. The easterly source is clearly extended and non-thermal (synchrotron) in nature. Positionally, the B[e] star is found to coincide with the more compact radio source, while the southerly lobe of the extended source is coincident with Ara A, an M2 I star. Observation of the region at 10 μm reveals strong emission with an almost identical spatial distribution to the radio emission. Ara C is found to have an extreme radio luminosity in comparison with prior radio observations of hot stars such as O and B supergiants and Wolf–Rayet stars, given the estimated distance to the cluster. An origin in a detatched shell of material around the central star is therefore suggested; however given the spatial extent of the emission, such a shell must be relatively young (τ ∼ 10³ yr). The extended non-thermal emission associated with the M star Ara A is unexpected; to the best of our knowledge this is a unique phenomenon. SAX (2–10 keV) observations show no evidence of X-ray emission, which might be expected if a compact companion were present.     

The IPHAS-POSS-I proper motion survey of the Galactic plane

We present millimetre observations of a sample of 12 high-redshift ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) in the extended growth strip (EGS). These objects were initially selected on the basis of their observed mid-IR colours (  0.0 < [3.6]−[4.5] < 0.4  and  −0.7 < [3.6]−[8.0] < 0.5  ) to lie at high redshift  1.5 ≲ z ≲ 3  , and subsequent 20–38 μm mid-IR spectroscopy confirms that they lie in a narrow redshift window centred on   z ≈ 2  . We detect 9/12 of the objects in our sample at high significance  (>3σ)  with a mean 1200 μm flux of  〈 F _1200 μm〉= 1.6 ± 0.1  mJy. Our millimetre photometry, combined with existing far-IR photometry from the Far-IR Deep Extragalactic Legacy Survey (FIDELS) and accurate spectroscopic redshifts, places constraints both sides of the thermal dust peak. This allows us to estimate the dust properties, including the far-IR luminosity, dust temperature and dust mass. We find that our sample is similar to other high- z and intermediate- z ULIRGs, and local systems, but has a different dust selection function than submillimeter-selected galaxies. Finally, we use existing 20-cm radio continuum imaging to test the far-IR/radio correlation at high redshift. We find that our sample is consistent with the local relation, implying little evolution. Furthermore, this suggests that our sample selection method is efficient at identifying ultraluminous, starburst-dominated systems within a very narrow redshift range centred at   z ∼ 2  .     

ISO-SWS Observations of the Time Variability of Oxygen-righ Mira Variables

We present the first observation of variation of the infrared spectrum of circumstellar dust emission around an oxygen-rich Mira variable star, Z Cyg, over an entire light variation cycle, based on the periodic SWS01 observations. The 10 μm and 20 μm ‘silicate features’ become stronger relative to the photospheric emission at maximum that at minimum. In addition, the relative intensity of the 10 μm to the 20 μm features increases at maximum, indicating an increase of the temperature of circumstellar dust grain. A simple model analysis suggests enhanced dust formation near the photosphere around maximum, leading to a scenario that dust nucleation may have occurred near minimum and the dust grains may have subsequently grown till maximum. The strong observed variation suggests that the variability must be taken into account in the interpretation of the infrared spectra of oxygen-rich Mira variables. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Scutum ring ofHii regions

A ring of compact radio continuum sources was found atl=24°.6b=0°.0, which we call the Scutum ring. Radio continuum,Hi line, and CO line observations are suggested that it is a star-forming region triggered by an expanding diffuseHii region.Paper presented at the IAU Third Asian-Pacific Regional Meeting, held in Kyoto, Japan, between 30 September–6 October, 1984.NRO, a branch of the Tokyo Astronomical Observatory, University of Tokyo, is a cosmic radio observing facility open for outside users.     

Keck adaptive optics images of Jupiter’s north polar cap and Northern Red Oval

We present observations at near-infrared wavelengths (1-5 μm) of Jupiter’s north polar region and Northern Red Oval (NN-LRS-1). The observations were taken with the near-infrared camera NIRC2 coupled to the adaptive optics system on the 10-m W.M. Keck Telescope on UT 21 August 2010. At 5-μm Jupiter’s disk reveals considerable structure, including small bright rings which appear to surround all small vortices. It is striking, though, that no such ring is seen around the Northern Red Oval. In de Pater et al. [2010a. Icarus 210, 742-762], we showed that such rings also exist around all small vortices in Jupiter’s southern hemisphere, and are absent around the Great Red Spot and Red Oval BA. We show here that the vertical structure and extent of the Northern Red Oval is very similar to that of Jupiter’s Red Oval BA. These new observations of the Northern Red Oval, therefore, support the idea of a dichotomy between small and large anticyclones, in which ovals larger than about two Rossby deformation radii do not have 5-μm bright rings. In de Pater et al. [2010a. Icarus 210, 742-762], we explained this difference in terms of the secondary circulations within the vortices. We further compare the brightness distribution of our new 5-μm images with previously published radio observations of Jupiter, highlighting the depletion of NH₃ gas over areas that are bright at 5 μm.     

The kinematics of the ionized gas in the Circinus galaxy

The TAURUS-2 Fabry–Perot interferometer, mounted on the 3.9-m Anglo-Australian Telescope, has been used to observe the Circinus galaxy. We have mapped the intensity and velocity distribution of the ionized hydrogen in the galaxy using the Balmer series Hα spectral line.
The semiresolved core (observed with a seeing disc of 30 pc) appears amorphous in shape, which is commonly observed in Seyfert 2 galaxies. Its peak coincides with the core position measured in the radio continuum, suggesting that ionized gas surrounds a non-thermal source.
A circumnuclear ring or spiral of radius 220 pc and a rotational velocity of 350 km s⁻¹ (assuming circular motions) surrounds the core. The inclination angle of this feature, i =40°±10°, is less than that of the previously observed radio continuum disc. The velocity channel maps obtained for the Hα ring show that the kinematics resemble those of a rotating ring and the intensity displays a complex structure indicative of several, unresolved, H II regions. We believe the ring to represent a circumnuclear starburst.
Our Hα data also show the presence of the previously detected [O III ] ionization cone to the north-west of the core, measuring more than 400 pc in length. We suggest that the ionization cone lies in a different plane from that of the starburst ring and is directed away from us. Several kinematic components of the core are derived and we calculate an outflow velocity in excess of 150–200 km s⁻¹ for gas above the core of Circinus. We also present evidence for inflowing ionized gas at the centre of Circinus.
The correlation of the Hα and radio continuum features is discussed, as well as the possible presence of a starburst-driven superwind in the Circinus galaxy.