As part of a study of star formation history along the Hubble sequence, we present here the results for 11 elliptical galaxies with strong nebular emission lines. After removing the dilution from the underlying old st...As part of a study of star formation history along the Hubble sequence, we present here the results for 11 elliptical galaxies with strong nebular emission lines. After removing the dilution from the underlying old stellar populations by use of stellar population synthesis model, we derive the accurate fluxes of all the emission lines in these objects, which are then classified, using emission line ratios, into one Seyfert 2, six LINERs and four HII galaxies. We also identify one HII galaxy (A1216+04) as a hitherto unknown Wolf-Rayet galaxy from the presence of the WolfRayet broad bump at 4650A. We propose that the star-forming activities in elliptical galaxies are triggered by either galaxy-galaxy interaction or the merging of a small satellite/a massive star cluster, as has been suggested by recent numerical simulations.展开更多
Since Baade's photographic study of M32 in the mid 1940s, it has been accepted as an established fact that M32 is a compact dwarf satellite of M31. The purpose of this paper is to report on the findings of our invest...Since Baade's photographic study of M32 in the mid 1940s, it has been accepted as an established fact that M32 is a compact dwarf satellite of M31. The purpose of this paper is to report on the findings of our investigation into the nature of the existing evidence. We find that the case for M32 being a satellite of M31 rests upon Hubble Space Telescope (HST) based stellar population studies which have resolved red-giant branch (RGB) and red clump stars in M32 as well as other nearby galaxies. Taken in isolation, this recent evidence could be considered to be conclusive in favour of the existing view. However, the conventional scenario does not explain M32's anomalously high central velocity dispersion for a dwarf galaxy (several times that of either NGC 147, NGC 185 or NGC 205) or existing planetary nebula observations (which suggest that M32 is more than twice as distant as M31) and also requires an elaborate physical explanation for M32's inferred compactness. Conversely, we find that the case for M32 being a normal galaxy, of the order of three times as distant as M31, is supported by: (1) a central velocity dispersion typical of intermediate galaxies, (2) the published planetary nebula observations, and (3) known scaling relationships for normal early-type galaxies. However, this novel scenario cannot account for the high apparent luminosities of the RGB stars resolved in the M32 direction by HST observations. We are therefore left with two apparently irreconcilable scenarios, only one of which can be correct, but both of which suffer from potentially fatal evidence to the contrary.This suggests that current understanding of some relevant fields is still very far from adequate.展开更多
We present a study of the origin of infrared (IR) emission in the opticallynormal, infrared luminous galaxy NGC 4418. By decomposing the stellar absorption features andcontinua in the range of 3600-8000 A from the Slo...We present a study of the origin of infrared (IR) emission in the opticallynormal, infrared luminous galaxy NGC 4418. By decomposing the stellar absorption features andcontinua in the range of 3600-8000 A from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey into a set of simple stellarpopulations, we derive the stellar properties for the nuclear region of NGC 4418. We compare theobserved infrared luminosity with the one derived from the starburst model, and find thatstar-forming activity contributes only 7% to the total IR emission, that as the IR emission regionis spatially very compact, the most possible source for the greater part of the IR emission is adeeply embedded AGN, though an AGN component is found to be unnecessary for fitting the opticalspectrum.展开更多
A precessing jet-nozzle model with a precession period of about 25 yr has been proposed by Qian to interpret the change with time of the ejection position an- gle of the superluminal components observed using very lon...A precessing jet-nozzle model with a precession period of about 25 yr has been proposed by Qian to interpret the change with time of the ejection position an- gle of the superluminal components observed using very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) in the blazar 3C 279. We discuss the kinematic properties of six superluminal knots (C3, C4, C7a, C8, C9 and C10) and show that their trajectory, core-distance and apparent speed, derived from VLBI observations, can be consistently well fitted by the model. Their intrinsic Lorentz factors of bulk superluminal motion are thus derived, and the evidence shows no relation between Lorentz factor and the precession phase. Interestingly, for the C7a and C8 knots, the fitted core-distance ranges from ,,~0.1 mas to ~0.4 mas and for knots C9 and C10 from ~0.2mas to ~1.0-1.5 mas. For knot C4, its trajectory and apparent velocity are well fitted in the core-distance range from H1 mas to ~5 mas, taking into account a curvature of the trajectory at core-distance larger than ,,~3 mas. The consistent fitting of the kinematics of these components clearly demonstrates that the amplitude function and collimation param- eter adopted in the precession model are appropriate and applicable for both the in- ner and outer parts of the jet in 3C 279, but in some cases the jet curvature in the outer parts (or deviation from the model trajectory) needs to be seriously taken into consideration. With the exception of C4, the ejection position angles derived from the precession model are consistent with the values measured by VLBI observations (within about 3° - 6°). Undoubtedly, the consistent interpretation of the kinematics in terms of the precession model for these superluminal components, with their ejection time spanning -~24 yr, significantly expands its applicability and implies that regular patterns of trajectories (or rotating channels) could exist in some periods.展开更多
We used multi-component profiles to model the HE and [O Ⅲ]λλ4959,5007 lines of SDSS J143030.22-001115.1, a narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy (NLS1) in a sample of 150 NLS1 candidates selected from the Sloan Digital Sk...We used multi-component profiles to model the HE and [O Ⅲ]λλ4959,5007 lines of SDSS J143030.22-001115.1, a narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy (NLS1) in a sample of 150 NLS1 candidates selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), Early Data Release (EDR). After subtracting the HE contribution from narrow line regions (NLRs), we found that its full width half maximum (FWHM) of broad H/3 line is nearly 2900km s^-1, significantly larger than the customarily adopted criterion of 2000 km s^-1. With its weak Fe II multiples, we believe that SDSS J143030.22-001115.1 should not be classified as a genuine NLS1. When we calculate the virial black hole masses of NLSls, we should use the Hβ linewidth after subtracting the NLR component.展开更多
The quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) in black hole (BH) systems with different scales are interpreted based on the magnetic reconnection of large-scale mag- netic fields generated by toroidal electric currents f...The quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) in black hole (BH) systems with different scales are interpreted based on the magnetic reconnection of large-scale mag- netic fields generated by toroidal electric currents flowing in the inner region of the accretion disk, where the current density is assumed to be proportional to the mass density of the accreting plasma. The magnetic connection (MC) is taken into account in resolving dynamic equations describing the accretion disk, in which the MC be- tween the inner and outer disk regions, between the plunging region and the disk, and between the BH horizon and the disk are involved. It turns out that a single QPO frequency associated with several BH systems with different scales can be fitted by in- voking the magnetic reconnection due to the MC between the inner and outer regions of the disk, including the BH binaries XTE J1859+226, XTE J1650-500 and GRS 1915+105 and the massive BHs in NGC 5408 X-1 and RE J1034+396. In addition, the X-ray spectra corresponding to the QPOs for these sources are fitted based on the typical disk-corona model.展开更多
We analyzed the radio light curves of 3C 454.3 at frequencies 22 and 37 GHz taken from the database of Metsaeovi Radio Observatory, and found evidence of quasi-periodic activity. The light curves show great activity w...We analyzed the radio light curves of 3C 454.3 at frequencies 22 and 37 GHz taken from the database of Metsaeovi Radio Observatory, and found evidence of quasi-periodic activity. The light curves show great activity with very complicated non-sinusoidal variations. Two possible periods, a very weak one of 1.57 ± 0.12 yr and a very strong one of 6.15 ±0.50 yr were consistently identified by two methods, the Jurkevich method and power specmun estimation. The period of 6.15 ± 0.50 yr is consistent with results previously reported by Ciaramella et al. and Webb et al. Applying the binary black hole model to the central structure we found black hole masses of 1.53 × 10^9M⊙ and 1.86 × 10^8M⊙, and predicted that the next radio outburst is to take place in 2006 March and April.展开更多
We present the results from a long term X-ray analysis of Mrk 279 during the period 2018–2020.We use data from multiple missions–AstroSat,NuSTAR and XMM-Newton,for the purpose.The X-ray spectrum can be modeled as a ...We present the results from a long term X-ray analysis of Mrk 279 during the period 2018–2020.We use data from multiple missions–AstroSat,NuSTAR and XMM-Newton,for the purpose.The X-ray spectrum can be modeled as a double Comptonization along with the presence of neutral Fe Kαline emission,at all epochs.We determined the source’s X-ray flux and luminosity at these different epochs.We find significant variations in the source’s flux state.We also investigate the variations in the source’s spectral components during the observation period.We find that the photon index and hence the spectral shape follow the variations only over longer time periods.We probe the correlations between fluxes of different bands and their photon indices,and found no significant correlations between the parameters.展开更多
We extend Schwarzschild’s dynamical modelling method to model absorption line strength data as well as the more usual luminosity and kinematic data.Our approach draws on earlier published work by the first author wit...We extend Schwarzschild’s dynamical modelling method to model absorption line strength data as well as the more usual luminosity and kinematic data.Our approach draws on earlier published work by the first author with the Syer & Tremaine made-to-measure(M2M) dynamical modelling method and uses similar ideas to create a chemo-Schwarzschild method.We apply our extended Schwarzschild method to the same four early type galaxies(NGC 1248, NGC 3838, NGC 4452,NGC 4551) as the chemo-M2M work, and are able to recover successfully the 2D absorption line strength for the three lines we model(Hβ, Fe5015, Mg b).We believe that this is the first time Schwarzschild’s method has been used in this way.The techniques developed can be applied to modelling other aspects of galaxies, for example age and metallicity data coming from stellar population modelling, and are not specific to absorption line strength data.展开更多
New XMM-Newton data of seven Seyfert 2 galaxies with optical spectropolarimetric observations are presented. An analysis of the 0.5 - 10 keV spectra shows that four Seyfert 2 galaxies with polarized broad lines (PBLs...New XMM-Newton data of seven Seyfert 2 galaxies with optical spectropolarimetric observations are presented. An analysis of the 0.5 - 10 keV spectra shows that four Seyfert 2 galaxies with polarized broad lines (PBLs) are absorbed by NH 〈 1024 cm^-2, while two of three Seyfert 2 galaxies without PBLs show evidence of Compton-thick obscuration, supporting the conclusion that Seyfert 2 galaxies without PBLs are more obscured than those with PBLs, Adding the measured obscuration indicators (NH, T ratio, and Fe Kα line EW) of six luminous AGNs to our previous sample improves the significance level of the difference in absorption from 92.3% to 96.3% for NH, 99.1% to 99.4% for T ratio, and 95.3% to 97.4% for Fe Kα line EW. The present results support and enhance the suggestions that the absence of PBLs in Seyfert 2 galaxies can be explained by larger viewing angles of the line of sight to the putative dusty toms, which leads to the obscuration of the broad-line scattering screen, as expected in the unification model.展开更多
We present accurate positions and multi-color photometry for 41 star clusters detected by Melnick & D'odorico in the nearby spiral galaxy M33 as a part of the BATC Color Survey of the sky in 13 intermediate-ba...We present accurate positions and multi-color photometry for 41 star clusters detected by Melnick & D'odorico in the nearby spiral galaxy M33 as a part of the BATC Color Survey of the sky in 13 intermediate-band filters from 3800 to 10 000 A. The coordinates of the clusters are found from the HST Guide Star Catalog. By aperture photometry, we obtain the spectral energy distributions of the clusters. Using the relations between the BATC intermediate-band system and UBVRI broadband system, we derive their V magnitudes and B - V colors and find that most of them are blue, which is consistent with previous findings.展开更多
The three major large-scale, diffuse γ-ray structures of the Milky Way are the Galactic disk,a bulge-like GeV excess towards the Galactic center, and the Fermi bubble. Whether such structures can also be present in o...The three major large-scale, diffuse γ-ray structures of the Milky Way are the Galactic disk,a bulge-like GeV excess towards the Galactic center, and the Fermi bubble. Whether such structures can also be present in other normal galaxies remains an open question. M31, as the nearest massive normal galaxy, holds promise for spatially-resolving the γ-ray emission. Based on more than 8 years of Fermi-LAT observations, we use(1) disk,(2) bulge, and(3) disk-plus-bulge templates to model the spatial distribution of the γ-ray emission from M31. Among these, the disk-plus-bulge template delivers the best-fit, in which the bulge component has a TS value 25.7 and a photon-index of 2.57 ± 0.17, providing strong evidence for a centrally-concentrated γ-ray emission from M31, that is analogous to the Galactic center excess. The total0.2–300 GeV γ-ray luminosity from this bulge component is(1.16 ± 0.14) × 1038 erg s-1, which would require ~ 1.5 × 105 millisecond pulsars, if they were the dominant source. We also search for a Fermi bubble-like structure in M31 using the full dataset(pass8), but no significant evidence has been found.In addition, a likelihood analysis using only photons with the most accurate reconstructed direction(i.e.,PSF3-only data) reveals a 4.8 σ point-like source located at ~10 kpc to the northwest of the M31 disk, with a luminosity of(0.97 ± 0.27) × 1038 erg s-1 and a pho@ton-$i·nd3 ex of 2.31 ± 0.18. Lacking a counterpart on the southeast side of the disk, the relation between this point-like source and a bubble-like structure remains elusive.展开更多
We have studied some properties including surface brightness in the u, g, r, i, and z bands of the nearly face-on galaxy PGC 35105. By subtracting a model surface brightness distribution from the observed image we obt...We have studied some properties including surface brightness in the u, g, r, i, and z bands of the nearly face-on galaxy PGC 35105. By subtracting a model surface brightness distribution from the observed image we obtain the residual image that shows only the spiral arms freed from the contamination by the bulge. From this we measured the the inclination, pitch angle, and forbidden radius (identified with the innermost point of the arm) for each of the two arms; and that for each of the five observing bands. We found these three parameters are largely independent of the observing band.展开更多
We present a catalog of 908 objects observed with the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope(LAMOST) in fields in the vicinity of M31 and M33, targeted as globular clusters(GCs) and candidates. ...We present a catalog of 908 objects observed with the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope(LAMOST) in fields in the vicinity of M31 and M33, targeted as globular clusters(GCs) and candidates. The targets include known GCs and candidates selected from the literature, as well as new candidates selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey(SDSS). Analysis shows that 356 of them are likely GCs with various confidence levels, while the remaining ones turn out to be background galaxies and quasars, stars and H II regions in M31 or foreground Galactic stars. The 356 likely GCs include 298 bona fide GCs and 26 candidates known in the literature. Three candidates, selected from the Revised Bologna Catalog of M31 GCs and candidates(RBC) and one possible cluster from Johnson et al., are confirmed to be bona fide clusters. We search for new GCs in the halo of the M31 among the new candidates selected from the SDSS photometry. Based on radial velocities yielded by LAMOST spectra and visual examination of the SDSS images, we find 28 objects, 5bona fide and 23 likely GCs. Among the five bona fide GCs, three have been recently discovered independently by others, and the remaining 25 are our new identifications,including two bona fide ones. The newly identified objects fall at projected distances ranging from 13 to 265 kpc from M31. Of the two newly discovered bona fide GCs,one is located near M33, probably a GC belonging to M33. The other bona fide GC falls on the Giant Stream with a projected distance of 78 kpc from M31. Of the 23 newly identified likely GCs, one has a projected distance of about 265 kpc from M31 and could be an intergalactic cluster.展开更多
Flat-spectrum radio quasar PKS 1229-02 with a knotty and asymmetric radio morphology was identified as the optical and radio counterpart of a γ-ray source. In this paper, we study the properties(e.g.morphology, opaci...Flat-spectrum radio quasar PKS 1229-02 with a knotty and asymmetric radio morphology was identified as the optical and radio counterpart of a γ-ray source. In this paper, we study the properties(e.g.morphology, opacity, polarization and kinematics) of the jet in PKS 1229-02 using radio interferometry.With our results, we find that the knotty and asymmetric morphology of this source may probably shaped by the interaction between its anterograde jet and the nonuniform dense ambient medium. By reproducing a Spectral Energy Distribution of PKS 1229-02 with the obtained kinematic parameters, we find that the relativistic beaming effect in PKS 1229-02 is not strong enough to produce the reported γ-ray emission,i.e. PKS 1229-02 may not be a γ-ray AGN. The misidentification may probably be due to the poor spatial resolution of the γ-ray detector of the previous generation.展开更多
In this second paper of our series, we estimate the age of 41 star clusters, which were detected by Melnick & D'odorico in the nearby spiral galaxy M33, by comparing the integrated photometric measurements wit...In this second paper of our series, we estimate the age of 41 star clusters, which were detected by Melnick & D'odorico in the nearby spiral galaxy M33, by comparing the integrated photometric measurements with theoretical stellar population synthesis models of Bruzual & Charlot. Also, we calculate the mass of these star clusters using the theoretical M/LV ratio. The results show that, these star clusters formed continuously in M33 from ~ 7 × 10<SUP>6</SUP>–10<SUP>10</SUP> years and have masses between ~ 10<SUP>3</SUP> and 2 × 10<SUP>6</SUP>M<SUB>☉</SUB>. M33 frames were observed as a part of the BATC Multicolor Survey of the sky in 13 intermediate-band filters from 3800 to 10 000?. The relation between age and mass confirms that the sample star cluster masses systematically decrease from the oldest to the youngest.展开更多
Based on the large field multicolor observations ofBeijing-Arizona-Taiwan-Connecticut (BATC) program, we obtain the spectral energy distribution (SED)for individual regions of M81. We study the structure and evolution...Based on the large field multicolor observations ofBeijing-Arizona-Taiwan-Connecticut (BATC) program, we obtain the spectral energy distribution (SED)for individual regions of M81. We study the structure and evolution of M81 with an evolutionarypopulation synthesis (EPS) model, PEGASE. We find that the exponentially deceasing star formationrate (SFR) with star formation scale 3 Gyr (hereafter Exp, τ = 3 Gyr) gives the best agreementbetween the model predictions and the observed SEDs. We then obtain the structure, age distributionand evolutionary history of M81. There is a clear age gradient between the central and outerregions. The populations in the central regions are older than 7 Gyr, those in the outer regions areyounger, at about 4.5 Gyr. The youngest components in the spiral arms have ages of about 2.5 Gyr orless.展开更多
We present the results of VLBI observations at 5 GHz and 8.4 GHz of the compact symmetric object (CSO) OQ208. Images taken on four epochs at 5GHz and one at 8.4GHz show that the parsec radio structure of the source co...We present the results of VLBI observations at 5 GHz and 8.4 GHz of the compact symmetric object (CSO) OQ208. Images taken on four epochs at 5GHz and one at 8.4GHz show that the parsec radio structure of the source consists of two mini-lobes, both of them are resolved into two hot-spots. We note that the component D is stronger than the component C in the south-west region at 5 GHz, indicating that component D is less free-free absorbed than C at low frequency. On the basis of the separation of components A and D, a proper motion of 0.032±0.02 mas yrbetween the two mini-lobes is estimated. This value is about half the previous estimates based on the separation of components A and C with 8.4 GHz VLBI data. The reason for the decrease in the expansion velocity is discussed.展开更多
With the Chandra pointing observation of about 50 ks, we have detected 41 point sources in the X-ray relatively faint elliptical galaxy NGC 1407, most of which appear to be low mass X-ray binaries. In luminosity flux ...With the Chandra pointing observation of about 50 ks, we have detected 41 point sources in the X-ray relatively faint elliptical galaxy NGC 1407, most of which appear to be low mass X-ray binaries. In luminosity flux units, these resolved point sources contribute about 17.8 % of the total emission of the galaxy in 0.3–10 keV. Of the remaining diffuse emission, about 53.4 % (or 43.9 % of total) may arise from unresolved point sources. We find six ultraluminous X-ray sources with luminosities above 10<SUP>39</SUP> erg s<SUP>?1</SUP>. This number is less than has been found in NGC 720, but more than in NGC 4697 and NGC 1553, so suggesting a possible correlation between the number of ULXs and the total X-ray luminosity of early-type galaxies. A central point-like source is detected whose luminosity (2.36 ± 0.14×10<SUP>39</SUP> erg s<SUP>?1</SUP>) is the highest among all resolved sources. However, because of its relatively low hardness ratio, we speculate that it is not likely to be a low luminosity AGN.展开更多
ASCA observations of the two Type II AGNs, NGC 7314 and NGC 7582, show clear variations in the broad X-ray band (0.4-10keV) on short timescales -104s. Spectral analysis indicates that they both have an absorbed hard X...ASCA observations of the two Type II AGNs, NGC 7314 and NGC 7582, show clear variations in the broad X-ray band (0.4-10keV) on short timescales -104s. Spectral analysis indicates that they both have an absorbed hard X-ray component and an unabsorbed soft "excess" component. To clarify the origin of the latter, we made a cross-correlation analysis of the two components. The results show that, for NGC 7314, the soft X-ray variability is proportional to that of the hard X-ray component. This indicates that the active nucleus of NGC 7314 must be partially covered and so the soft emission is a "leaking" of the variable hard component. For NGC 7582, there is no detectable variability in the soft component, although there is a definite one in the hard component. This indicates that the variable nucleus of NGC 7582 must be fully blocked by absorbing matter, and the soft emission is most likely the scattered component predicted by the AGN unified model.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘As part of a study of star formation history along the Hubble sequence, we present here the results for 11 elliptical galaxies with strong nebular emission lines. After removing the dilution from the underlying old stellar populations by use of stellar population synthesis model, we derive the accurate fluxes of all the emission lines in these objects, which are then classified, using emission line ratios, into one Seyfert 2, six LINERs and four HII galaxies. We also identify one HII galaxy (A1216+04) as a hitherto unknown Wolf-Rayet galaxy from the presence of the WolfRayet broad bump at 4650A. We propose that the star-forming activities in elliptical galaxies are triggered by either galaxy-galaxy interaction or the merging of a small satellite/a massive star cluster, as has been suggested by recent numerical simulations.
文摘Since Baade's photographic study of M32 in the mid 1940s, it has been accepted as an established fact that M32 is a compact dwarf satellite of M31. The purpose of this paper is to report on the findings of our investigation into the nature of the existing evidence. We find that the case for M32 being a satellite of M31 rests upon Hubble Space Telescope (HST) based stellar population studies which have resolved red-giant branch (RGB) and red clump stars in M32 as well as other nearby galaxies. Taken in isolation, this recent evidence could be considered to be conclusive in favour of the existing view. However, the conventional scenario does not explain M32's anomalously high central velocity dispersion for a dwarf galaxy (several times that of either NGC 147, NGC 185 or NGC 205) or existing planetary nebula observations (which suggest that M32 is more than twice as distant as M31) and also requires an elaborate physical explanation for M32's inferred compactness. Conversely, we find that the case for M32 being a normal galaxy, of the order of three times as distant as M31, is supported by: (1) a central velocity dispersion typical of intermediate galaxies, (2) the published planetary nebula observations, and (3) known scaling relationships for normal early-type galaxies. However, this novel scenario cannot account for the high apparent luminosities of the RGB stars resolved in the M32 direction by HST observations. We are therefore left with two apparently irreconcilable scenarios, only one of which can be correct, but both of which suffer from potentially fatal evidence to the contrary.This suggests that current understanding of some relevant fields is still very far from adequate.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
文摘We present a study of the origin of infrared (IR) emission in the opticallynormal, infrared luminous galaxy NGC 4418. By decomposing the stellar absorption features andcontinua in the range of 3600-8000 A from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey into a set of simple stellarpopulations, we derive the stellar properties for the nuclear region of NGC 4418. We compare theobserved infrared luminosity with the one derived from the starburst model, and find thatstar-forming activity contributes only 7% to the total IR emission, that as the IR emission regionis spatially very compact, the most possible source for the greater part of the IR emission is adeeply embedded AGN, though an AGN component is found to be unnecessary for fitting the opticalspectrum.
文摘A precessing jet-nozzle model with a precession period of about 25 yr has been proposed by Qian to interpret the change with time of the ejection position an- gle of the superluminal components observed using very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) in the blazar 3C 279. We discuss the kinematic properties of six superluminal knots (C3, C4, C7a, C8, C9 and C10) and show that their trajectory, core-distance and apparent speed, derived from VLBI observations, can be consistently well fitted by the model. Their intrinsic Lorentz factors of bulk superluminal motion are thus derived, and the evidence shows no relation between Lorentz factor and the precession phase. Interestingly, for the C7a and C8 knots, the fitted core-distance ranges from ,,~0.1 mas to ~0.4 mas and for knots C9 and C10 from ~0.2mas to ~1.0-1.5 mas. For knot C4, its trajectory and apparent velocity are well fitted in the core-distance range from H1 mas to ~5 mas, taking into account a curvature of the trajectory at core-distance larger than ,,~3 mas. The consistent fitting of the kinematics of these components clearly demonstrates that the amplitude function and collimation param- eter adopted in the precession model are appropriate and applicable for both the in- ner and outer parts of the jet in 3C 279, but in some cases the jet curvature in the outer parts (or deviation from the model trajectory) needs to be seriously taken into consideration. With the exception of C4, the ejection position angles derived from the precession model are consistent with the values measured by VLBI observations (within about 3° - 6°). Undoubtedly, the consistent interpretation of the kinematics in terms of the precession model for these superluminal components, with their ejection time spanning -~24 yr, significantly expands its applicability and implies that regular patterns of trajectories (or rotating channels) could exist in some periods.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
文摘We used multi-component profiles to model the HE and [O Ⅲ]λλ4959,5007 lines of SDSS J143030.22-001115.1, a narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy (NLS1) in a sample of 150 NLS1 candidates selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), Early Data Release (EDR). After subtracting the HE contribution from narrow line regions (NLRs), we found that its full width half maximum (FWHM) of broad H/3 line is nearly 2900km s^-1, significantly larger than the customarily adopted criterion of 2000 km s^-1. With its weak Fe II multiples, we believe that SDSS J143030.22-001115.1 should not be classified as a genuine NLS1. When we calculate the virial black hole masses of NLSls, we should use the Hβ linewidth after subtracting the NLR component.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11173011, 11143001, 11103003 and 11045004)the National Basic Research Program of China (973 program, 2009CB824800)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (HUST: 2011TS159)
文摘The quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) in black hole (BH) systems with different scales are interpreted based on the magnetic reconnection of large-scale mag- netic fields generated by toroidal electric currents flowing in the inner region of the accretion disk, where the current density is assumed to be proportional to the mass density of the accreting plasma. The magnetic connection (MC) is taken into account in resolving dynamic equations describing the accretion disk, in which the MC be- tween the inner and outer disk regions, between the plunging region and the disk, and between the BH horizon and the disk are involved. It turns out that a single QPO frequency associated with several BH systems with different scales can be fitted by in- voking the magnetic reconnection due to the MC between the inner and outer regions of the disk, including the BH binaries XTE J1859+226, XTE J1650-500 and GRS 1915+105 and the massive BHs in NGC 5408 X-1 and RE J1034+396. In addition, the X-ray spectra corresponding to the QPOs for these sources are fitted based on the typical disk-corona model.
文摘We analyzed the radio light curves of 3C 454.3 at frequencies 22 and 37 GHz taken from the database of Metsaeovi Radio Observatory, and found evidence of quasi-periodic activity. The light curves show great activity with very complicated non-sinusoidal variations. Two possible periods, a very weak one of 1.57 ± 0.12 yr and a very strong one of 6.15 ±0.50 yr were consistently identified by two methods, the Jurkevich method and power specmun estimation. The period of 6.15 ± 0.50 yr is consistent with results previously reported by Ciaramella et al. and Webb et al. Applying the binary black hole model to the central structure we found black hole masses of 1.53 × 10^9M⊙ and 1.86 × 10^8M⊙, and predicted that the next radio outburst is to take place in 2006 March and April.
基金financial support from ISRO(Sanction Order:No.DS_2B-13013(2)/11/2020-Section2)funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration。
文摘We present the results from a long term X-ray analysis of Mrk 279 during the period 2018–2020.We use data from multiple missions–AstroSat,NuSTAR and XMM-Newton,for the purpose.The X-ray spectrum can be modeled as a double Comptonization along with the presence of neutral Fe Kαline emission,at all epochs.We determined the source’s X-ray flux and luminosity at these different epochs.We find significant variations in the source’s flux state.We also investigate the variations in the source’s spectral components during the observation period.We find that the photon index and hence the spectral shape follow the variations only over longer time periods.We probe the correlations between fluxes of different bands and their photon indices,and found no significant correlations between the parameters.
基金partly supported by the National Key Basic Research and Development Program of China (No.2018YFA0404501 to SM)by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.11333003, 11390372 and 11761131004 to SM)
文摘We extend Schwarzschild’s dynamical modelling method to model absorption line strength data as well as the more usual luminosity and kinematic data.Our approach draws on earlier published work by the first author with the Syer & Tremaine made-to-measure(M2M) dynamical modelling method and uses similar ideas to create a chemo-Schwarzschild method.We apply our extended Schwarzschild method to the same four early type galaxies(NGC 1248, NGC 3838, NGC 4452,NGC 4551) as the chemo-M2M work, and are able to recover successfully the 2D absorption line strength for the three lines we model(Hβ, Fe5015, Mg b).We believe that this is the first time Schwarzschild’s method has been used in this way.The techniques developed can be applied to modelling other aspects of galaxies, for example age and metallicity data coming from stellar population modelling, and are not specific to absorption line strength data.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘New XMM-Newton data of seven Seyfert 2 galaxies with optical spectropolarimetric observations are presented. An analysis of the 0.5 - 10 keV spectra shows that four Seyfert 2 galaxies with polarized broad lines (PBLs) are absorbed by NH 〈 1024 cm^-2, while two of three Seyfert 2 galaxies without PBLs show evidence of Compton-thick obscuration, supporting the conclusion that Seyfert 2 galaxies without PBLs are more obscured than those with PBLs, Adding the measured obscuration indicators (NH, T ratio, and Fe Kα line EW) of six luminous AGNs to our previous sample improves the significance level of the difference in absorption from 92.3% to 96.3% for NH, 99.1% to 99.4% for T ratio, and 95.3% to 97.4% for Fe Kα line EW. The present results support and enhance the suggestions that the absence of PBLs in Seyfert 2 galaxies can be explained by larger viewing angles of the line of sight to the putative dusty toms, which leads to the obscuration of the broad-line scattering screen, as expected in the unification model.
基金the Chinese Academy of Sciencesthe,the Chinese National Natural Science Foundation and the Ministry of Sciences and Technology of ChinaThe project is also supported partly by the National Science Foundation (grant INT 93-01805)+1 种基金 by Arizona State Universitythe University of Arizona and Western ConetiutState Universitv.
文摘We present accurate positions and multi-color photometry for 41 star clusters detected by Melnick & D'odorico in the nearby spiral galaxy M33 as a part of the BATC Color Survey of the sky in 13 intermediate-band filters from 3800 to 10 000 A. The coordinates of the clusters are found from the HST Guide Star Catalog. By aperture photometry, we obtain the spectral energy distributions of the clusters. Using the relations between the BATC intermediate-band system and UBVRI broadband system, we derive their V magnitudes and B - V colors and find that most of them are blue, which is consistent with previous findings.
基金supported by the 973 Program (2017YFA0402600 and 2015CB857100)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (GrantNos. 11473010, 11133001, 11773014, 11633007 and11851305)
文摘The three major large-scale, diffuse γ-ray structures of the Milky Way are the Galactic disk,a bulge-like GeV excess towards the Galactic center, and the Fermi bubble. Whether such structures can also be present in other normal galaxies remains an open question. M31, as the nearest massive normal galaxy, holds promise for spatially-resolving the γ-ray emission. Based on more than 8 years of Fermi-LAT observations, we use(1) disk,(2) bulge, and(3) disk-plus-bulge templates to model the spatial distribution of the γ-ray emission from M31. Among these, the disk-plus-bulge template delivers the best-fit, in which the bulge component has a TS value 25.7 and a photon-index of 2.57 ± 0.17, providing strong evidence for a centrally-concentrated γ-ray emission from M31, that is analogous to the Galactic center excess. The total0.2–300 GeV γ-ray luminosity from this bulge component is(1.16 ± 0.14) × 1038 erg s-1, which would require ~ 1.5 × 105 millisecond pulsars, if they were the dominant source. We also search for a Fermi bubble-like structure in M31 using the full dataset(pass8), but no significant evidence has been found.In addition, a likelihood analysis using only photons with the most accurate reconstructed direction(i.e.,PSF3-only data) reveals a 4.8 σ point-like source located at ~10 kpc to the northwest of the M31 disk, with a luminosity of(0.97 ± 0.27) × 1038 erg s-1 and a pho@ton-$i·nd3 ex of 2.31 ± 0.18. Lacking a counterpart on the southeast side of the disk, the relation between this point-like source and a bubble-like structure remains elusive.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
文摘We have studied some properties including surface brightness in the u, g, r, i, and z bands of the nearly face-on galaxy PGC 35105. By subtracting a model surface brightness distribution from the observed image we obtain the residual image that shows only the spiral arms freed from the contamination by the bulge. From this we measured the the inclination, pitch angle, and forbidden radius (identified with the innermost point of the arm) for each of the two arms; and that for each of the five observing bands. We found these three parameters are largely independent of the observing band.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program, 2014CB845700)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2014M560843)
文摘We present a catalog of 908 objects observed with the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope(LAMOST) in fields in the vicinity of M31 and M33, targeted as globular clusters(GCs) and candidates. The targets include known GCs and candidates selected from the literature, as well as new candidates selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey(SDSS). Analysis shows that 356 of them are likely GCs with various confidence levels, while the remaining ones turn out to be background galaxies and quasars, stars and H II regions in M31 or foreground Galactic stars. The 356 likely GCs include 298 bona fide GCs and 26 candidates known in the literature. Three candidates, selected from the Revised Bologna Catalog of M31 GCs and candidates(RBC) and one possible cluster from Johnson et al., are confirmed to be bona fide clusters. We search for new GCs in the halo of the M31 among the new candidates selected from the SDSS photometry. Based on radial velocities yielded by LAMOST spectra and visual examination of the SDSS images, we find 28 objects, 5bona fide and 23 likely GCs. Among the five bona fide GCs, three have been recently discovered independently by others, and the remaining 25 are our new identifications,including two bona fide ones. The newly identified objects fall at projected distances ranging from 13 to 265 kpc from M31. Of the two newly discovered bona fide GCs,one is located near M33, probably a GC belonging to M33. The other bona fide GC falls on the Giant Stream with a projected distance of 78 kpc from M31. Of the 23 newly identified likely GCs, one has a projected distance of about 265 kpc from M31 and could be an intergalactic cluster.
文摘Flat-spectrum radio quasar PKS 1229-02 with a knotty and asymmetric radio morphology was identified as the optical and radio counterpart of a γ-ray source. In this paper, we study the properties(e.g.morphology, opacity, polarization and kinematics) of the jet in PKS 1229-02 using radio interferometry.With our results, we find that the knotty and asymmetric morphology of this source may probably shaped by the interaction between its anterograde jet and the nonuniform dense ambient medium. By reproducing a Spectral Energy Distribution of PKS 1229-02 with the obtained kinematic parameters, we find that the relativistic beaming effect in PKS 1229-02 is not strong enough to produce the reported γ-ray emission,i.e. PKS 1229-02 may not be a γ-ray AGN. The misidentification may probably be due to the poor spatial resolution of the γ-ray detector of the previous generation.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘In this second paper of our series, we estimate the age of 41 star clusters, which were detected by Melnick & D'odorico in the nearby spiral galaxy M33, by comparing the integrated photometric measurements with theoretical stellar population synthesis models of Bruzual & Charlot. Also, we calculate the mass of these star clusters using the theoretical M/LV ratio. The results show that, these star clusters formed continuously in M33 from ~ 7 × 10<SUP>6</SUP>–10<SUP>10</SUP> years and have masses between ~ 10<SUP>3</SUP> and 2 × 10<SUP>6</SUP>M<SUB>☉</SUB>. M33 frames were observed as a part of the BATC Multicolor Survey of the sky in 13 intermediate-band filters from 3800 to 10 000?. The relation between age and mass confirms that the sample star cluster masses systematically decrease from the oldest to the youngest.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘Based on the large field multicolor observations ofBeijing-Arizona-Taiwan-Connecticut (BATC) program, we obtain the spectral energy distribution (SED)for individual regions of M81. We study the structure and evolution of M81 with an evolutionarypopulation synthesis (EPS) model, PEGASE. We find that the exponentially deceasing star formationrate (SFR) with star formation scale 3 Gyr (hereafter Exp, τ = 3 Gyr) gives the best agreementbetween the model predictions and the observed SEDs. We then obtain the structure, age distributionand evolutionary history of M81. There is a clear age gradient between the central and outerregions. The populations in the central regions are older than 7 Gyr, those in the outer regions areyounger, at about 4.5 Gyr. The youngest components in the spiral arms have ages of about 2.5 Gyr orless.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘We present the results of VLBI observations at 5 GHz and 8.4 GHz of the compact symmetric object (CSO) OQ208. Images taken on four epochs at 5GHz and one at 8.4GHz show that the parsec radio structure of the source consists of two mini-lobes, both of them are resolved into two hot-spots. We note that the component D is stronger than the component C in the south-west region at 5 GHz, indicating that component D is less free-free absorbed than C at low frequency. On the basis of the separation of components A and D, a proper motion of 0.032±0.02 mas yrbetween the two mini-lobes is estimated. This value is about half the previous estimates based on the separation of components A and C with 8.4 GHz VLBI data. The reason for the decrease in the expansion velocity is discussed.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘With the Chandra pointing observation of about 50 ks, we have detected 41 point sources in the X-ray relatively faint elliptical galaxy NGC 1407, most of which appear to be low mass X-ray binaries. In luminosity flux units, these resolved point sources contribute about 17.8 % of the total emission of the galaxy in 0.3–10 keV. Of the remaining diffuse emission, about 53.4 % (or 43.9 % of total) may arise from unresolved point sources. We find six ultraluminous X-ray sources with luminosities above 10<SUP>39</SUP> erg s<SUP>?1</SUP>. This number is less than has been found in NGC 720, but more than in NGC 4697 and NGC 1553, so suggesting a possible correlation between the number of ULXs and the total X-ray luminosity of early-type galaxies. A central point-like source is detected whose luminosity (2.36 ± 0.14×10<SUP>39</SUP> erg s<SUP>?1</SUP>) is the highest among all resolved sources. However, because of its relatively low hardness ratio, we speculate that it is not likely to be a low luminosity AGN.
文摘ASCA observations of the two Type II AGNs, NGC 7314 and NGC 7582, show clear variations in the broad X-ray band (0.4-10keV) on short timescales -104s. Spectral analysis indicates that they both have an absorbed hard X-ray component and an unabsorbed soft "excess" component. To clarify the origin of the latter, we made a cross-correlation analysis of the two components. The results show that, for NGC 7314, the soft X-ray variability is proportional to that of the hard X-ray component. This indicates that the active nucleus of NGC 7314 must be partially covered and so the soft emission is a "leaking" of the variable hard component. For NGC 7582, there is no detectable variability in the soft component, although there is a definite one in the hard component. This indicates that the variable nucleus of NGC 7582 must be fully blocked by absorbing matter, and the soft emission is most likely the scattered component predicted by the AGN unified model.