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
A possible quasi-periodic oscillation(QPO) at frequency 7.045 × 10^(-5) Hz is found in the narrow-line Seyfert 1galaxy Mrk 142 in the data of XMM-Newton collected on 2020 April 11.We find that the QPO signal is s...A possible quasi-periodic oscillation(QPO) at frequency 7.045 × 10^(-5) Hz is found in the narrow-line Seyfert 1galaxy Mrk 142 in the data of XMM-Newton collected on 2020 April 11.We find that the QPO signal is statistically significantly larger than the 5σ level and highly coherent with quality factor Q > 5 at the 0.3–10 keV band by using the method of the Lomb–Scargle Periodogram,the Weighted Wavelet Z-transform and the REDFIT.We analyze the data in 0.3–0.6 keV,0.6–1 keV,1–3 keV and 3–10 keV energy bands,and find obvious QPO signals at 0.3–0.6 keV and 1–3 keV bands.We then analyze the time-average spectra and time variability at the QPO frequency of 7.045 × 10^(-5) Hz,and use a model to fit them.We find that the QPO signal mainly comes from the X-ray hot corona.展开更多
The analysis of light variation of M87 can help us understand the disk evolution.In the past decade,M87 has experienced several short-term light variabilities related to flares.We also find that there are year-scale X...The analysis of light variation of M87 can help us understand the disk evolution.In the past decade,M87 has experienced several short-term light variabilities related to flares.We also find that there are year-scale X-ray variations in the core of M87.Their light variability properties are similar to clumpy-ADAF.By re-analyzing 56Chandra observations from 2007 to 2019,we distinguish the“non-flaring state”from“flaring state”in the light variability.After removing flaring state data,we identify four gas clumps in the nucleus and all of them can be well fitted by the clumpy-ADAF model.The average mass accretion rate is~0.16M⊙yr^(-1).We analyze the photon index(Γ)-flux(2-10 keV)correlation between the non-flaring state and flaring state.For the non-flaring states,the flux is inversely proportional to the photon index.For the flaring states,we find no obvious correlation between the two parameters.In addition,we find that the flare always occurs at a high mass accretion rate,and after the luminosity of the flare reaches the peak,it will be accompanied by a sudden decrease in luminosity.Our results can be explained as that the energy released by magnetic reconnection destroys the structure of the accretion disk,thus the luminosity decreases rapidly and returns to normal levels thereafter.展开更多
The feeding and feedback processes at the vicinity of a supermassive black hole(BH)are essential for our understanding of the connection between supermassive BH and its host galaxy.In this work,we provide a detailed i...The feeding and feedback processes at the vicinity of a supermassive black hole(BH)are essential for our understanding of the connection between supermassive BH and its host galaxy.In this work,we provide a detailed investigation,both observational and theoretical,on the diffuse(~2"-20",~0.08-0.8 pc)X-ray emission around Sgr A*.Over two-decade Chandra observations are gathered to obtain highest signal-to-noise to date.We find that,the line center of iron lines of the outer 8"-18"region,ε_(c)=6.65+0.02-0.03 keV,is comparable to that(ε_(c)=6.60+0.05-0.03 keV)of the inner 2"-5"region.This is somewhat unexpected,since the gas temperature decreases further away from the central BH.Based on a dynamical inflow-outflow model that considers the gas feeding by stellar winds from Wolf-Rayet stars,we calculate the X-ray spectrum based on both the conventional collisional ionization equilibrium(CIE)assumption,and the newly developed non-equilibrium ionization(NEI)assumption.We find that,theoretically gases within~8"-10"remain in a CIE state,outside of this radius they will be in the NEI state.A comparison of the properties of~6.6 keV iron lines between CIE and NEI is addressed.Interestingly,the NEI interpretation of outer region is supported by the Chandra line center ε_(c) measurements of this region.展开更多
In this paper,we present the broadband(0.5–195 keV)X-ray spectral analysis for one of the newly detected AGNs in the Swift-BAT 105 month Hard X-ray Survey Catalog,NGC 4117.According to our ongoing research on low lum...In this paper,we present the broadband(0.5–195 keV)X-ray spectral analysis for one of the newly detected AGNs in the Swift-BAT 105 month Hard X-ray Survey Catalog,NGC 4117.According to our ongoing research on low luminosity AGNs from the Swift-BAT 105 month catalog,we examine whether they are indeed low luminosity or heavily obscured AGNs.One of the AGNs in our sample is NGC 4117,where we discover it could be potentially a CTAGN.Therefore to examine NGC 4117 in detail,we combined the high energy Swift-BAT data with low energy data from XMM-Newton and Swift-XRT,and fitted the spectra simultaneously using physically-motivated models.A high absorption occurred at lower energies,i.e.,below 3 keV.Past studies suggested that NGC 4117was heavily obscured with a large column density(~10^(23)cm^(-2)).Our fitting suggests that this AGN is in the Compton-thick regime with a predicted line-of-sight column density(N_(H,los))of 3.82×1024cm^(-2)and a torus column density(N_(H,tor))of 3.07×10^(24)cm^(-2).Both models yield intrinsic luminosity of 1.03×10^(42)erg s^(-1)at 2–10 keV while our bolometric luminosity is 2.05×10^(43)erg s^(-1),indicating that NGC 4117 is not an intrinsically low luminosity AGN.Rather,it is a standard AGN.The value of Eddington ratio that we obtained is 0.22,suggesting a very high accretion rate for this AGN.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
By analyzing Chandra X-ray data of a sample of 21 galaxy groups and 19 galaxy clusters, we find that in 31 sample systems there exists a significant central （R ≤ 10 h^-171 kpc） gas entropy excess （AK0）, which cor...By analyzing Chandra X-ray data of a sample of 21 galaxy groups and 19 galaxy clusters, we find that in 31 sample systems there exists a significant central （R ≤ 10 h^-171 kpc） gas entropy excess （AK0）, which corresponds to = 0.1 - 0.5 keV per gas particle, beyond the power-law model that best fits the radial entropy profile of the outer regions. We also find a distinct correlation between the central entropy excess △K0 and K-band luminosity LK of the central dominating galaxies （CDGs）, which is scaled as △K0 ∝ L K 1.6±04, where LK is tightly associated with the mass of the supermassive black hole hosted in the CDG. In fact, if an effective mass-to-energy conversionefficiency of 0.02 is assumed for the accretion process, the cumulative AGN feedback E AGN feedack=ηMBHc2 yields an extra heating of = 0.5 - 17.0keV per particle, which feedback is sufficient to explain the central entropy excess. In most cases, the AGN contribution can compensate the radiative loss of the X-ray gas within the cooling radius （= 0.002 - 2.2 keV per particle）, and apparently exceeds the energy required to cause the scaling relations to deviate from the self-similar predictions （=0.2 - 1.0 keV per particle）. In contrast to the AGN feedback, the extra heating provided by supernova explosions accounts for = 0.01 - 0.08 keV per particle in groups and is almost negligible in clusters. Therefore, the observed correlation between △K0 and Lx can be considered as direct evidence for AGN feedback in galaxy groups and clusters.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
We present a detailed analysis of the soft X-ray emission of 3 C 445 using an archival Chandra High Energy Transmission Grating（HETG） spectrum. Highly-ionized H-and He-like Mg, Si and S lines, as well as a resolved ...We present a detailed analysis of the soft X-ray emission of 3 C 445 using an archival Chandra High Energy Transmission Grating（HETG） spectrum. Highly-ionized H-and He-like Mg, Si and S lines, as well as a resolved low-ionized Si Kα line, are detected in the high resolution spectrum. The He-like triplets of Mg and Si are resolved into individual lines, and the calculated R ratios indicate a high density for the emitter. The low values of G ratios indicate the lines originate from collisionally ionized plasmas. However, the detection of a resolved narrow Ne X radiative recombination continua（RRC） feature in the spectrum seems to prefer a photoionized environment. The spectrum is subsequently modeled with a photoionization model, and the results are compared with those of a collisional model. Through a detailed analysis of the spectrum, we exclude a collisional origin for these emission lines. A one-component photoionization model provides a great fit to the emission features. The best-fit parameters are log ξ = 3.3^＋0.4-0.3 erg cm s^-1, n H = 5^＋15 -4.5× 10^10 cm^-3 and NH = 2.5^＋3.8 -1.7× 10^20 cm^-2.According to the calculated high density for the emitter, the measured velocity widths of the emission lines and the inferred radial distance（6 × 10^14-8 × 10^15 cm）, we suggest the emission lines originating from matter are located in the broad line region（BLR）.展开更多
Clusters of galaxies are the most massive objects in the Universe and precise knowledge of their mass structure is important to understand the history of structure formation and constrain still unknown types of dark c...Clusters of galaxies are the most massive objects in the Universe and precise knowledge of their mass structure is important to understand the history of structure formation and constrain still unknown types of dark contents of the Universe. X-ray spectroscopy of galaxy clusters provides rich information about the physical state of hot intracluster gas and the underlying potential structure. In this paper, starting from the basic description of clusters under equilibrium conditions, we review properties of clusters revealed primarily through X-ray observations considering their thermal and dynamical evolutions. The future prospects of cluster studies using upcoming X-ray missions are also mentioned.展开更多
To study the origin of the soft X-ray excess,we compile a sample of 94 unobscured,radio-quiet QSOs and Seyfert galaxies with available data from GALEX and ROSAT.We find that 50 sources show strong soft X-ray excess an...To study the origin of the soft X-ray excess,we compile a sample of 94 unobscured,radio-quiet QSOs and Seyfert galaxies with available data from GALEX and ROSAT.We find that 50 sources show strong soft X-ray excess and the other 44 show weak/no soft X-ray excess.Systematic analyses of the data indicate that the difference in soft X-rays is mainly but not only resulting from different accretion rates(in units of Eddington rate).The statistical study of the sources with soft X-ray excess shows that the strength of soft X-ray excess weakly and positively correlates with the Eddington ratio and increases with the increase of the strength of UV radiations relative to the X-rays.Provided that the UV emissions are from the thin disk,the correlations imply that the origin of soft X-ray excess is associated with the thin disk,either by means of Comptonization of the disk photons or in some other ways.展开更多
The power spectral densities(PSDs)for a sample of active galactic nuclei(AGNs)are analyzed in both the frequency domain and the time domain.We find for each object that for broadband noise a character timescale-bifurc...The power spectral densities(PSDs)for a sample of active galactic nuclei(AGNs)are analyzed in both the frequency domain and the time domain.We find for each object that for broadband noise a character timescale-bifurcation timescale of Fourier and time-domain PSD exists in the 10 3 -10 6 s range, below which the time-domain power spectrum is systematically higher than the corresponding Fourier spectrum.The relationship between bifurcation timescale,AGN mass and luminosity is studied.Compared with the fact that similar phenomena have been found for Galactic black hole candidates(GBHs) with bifurcation timescale^0.1 s but not for accreting neutron stars,our finding indicates that AGNs and GBHs have common intrinsic nature in rapid X-ray variability with a character time parameter scaled with their masses.展开更多
Here we report an identification of B3 0749+460 A as a new double-peaked local "changing-look" active galactic nucleus(CL-AGN) in terms of our multi-epoch spectroscopic analysis. By comparing our new spectra...Here we report an identification of B3 0749+460 A as a new double-peaked local "changing-look" active galactic nucleus(CL-AGN) in terms of our multi-epoch spectroscopic analysis. By comparing our new spectra taken in 2021 with the ones taken by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey in 2004, BOSS in 2013 and Ma NGA in 2016, we reveal type transitions of Seyfert(Sy) 1.9 → Sy1.8 → Sy1.9. In the transitions, the classical broad Hα emission fades away after 2013 and disappears in our 2021 spectrum, although the absence of broad Hβ can be traced back to at least 2016. A follow-up observation in X-rays by the Swift/XRT reveals that(1) the X-ray emission level gradually decreased since 2005;and(2)the X-ray spectrum is soft in the optical "turn-off" state and hard in the "turn-on" state. We argue that the disappearance of the classical broad Hα emission can be likely explained by the disk-wind broad-line-region model, in which the CL phenomenon is sensitive to luminosity in individual AGNs.展开更多
We present the X-ray variability properties of the X-ray and TeV bright blazar Mrk 421 with a-60 ks long XMM-Newton observation performed on November 9-10,2005.The source experienced a pronounced flare,of which the in...We present the X-ray variability properties of the X-ray and TeV bright blazar Mrk 421 with a-60 ks long XMM-Newton observation performed on November 9-10,2005.The source experienced a pronounced flare,of which the inter-band time lags were determined with a very high confidence level.The soft(0.6-0.8 keV) X-ray variations lagged the hard(4-10 keV) ones by 1.09+0.11-0.12 ks,and the soft lag increases with increasing difference in the photon energy.The energy-dependent soft lags can be well fitted with the difference of the energy-dependent cooling timescales of the relativistic electron distribution responsible for the observed X-ray emission,which constrains the magnetic field strength and Doppler factor of the emitting region to be Bδ 1/3-1.78 Gauss.展开更多
We have calculated the relativistic reflection component of the X-ray spectra of accretion disks in active galactic nuclei （AGN）. Our calculations have shown that the spectra can be significantly modified by the mot...We have calculated the relativistic reflection component of the X-ray spectra of accretion disks in active galactic nuclei （AGN）. Our calculations have shown that the spectra can be significantly modified by the motion of the accretion flow, and the gravity and rotation of the central black hole. The absorption edges in the spectra suffer severe en- ergy shifts and smearing, and the degree of distortion depends on the system parameters, in particular, the inner radius of the accretion disk and the disk viewing inclination angles. The effects are significant. Fluorescent X-ray emission lines from the inner accretion disk could be a powerful diagnostic of space-time distortion and dynamical relativistic effects near the event horizons of accreting black holes. However, improper treatment of the reflection component in fitting the X-ray continuum could give rise to spurious line-like features. These features mimic the true fluorescent emission lines and may mask their relativistic signatures. Fully relativistic models for reflection continua together with the emission lines are needed in order to extract black-hole parameters from the AGN X-ray spectra.展开更多
Results of extended and refined optical identification of 181 radio/X-ray sources in the RASS-Green Bank （RGB） catalog are presented （Brinkmann et al. 1997） which have been spectroscopically observed in the Sloan ...Results of extended and refined optical identification of 181 radio/X-ray sources in the RASS-Green Bank （RGB） catalog are presented （Brinkmann et al. 1997） which have been spectroscopically observed in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey （SDSS） DR5. The SDSS spectra of the optical counterparts are modeled in a careful and selfconsistent way by incorporating the host galaxy＇s starlight. Optical emission line parameters are presented, which are derived accurately and reliably, along with the radio 1.4- 5 GHz spectral indices estimated using （non-simultaneous） archival data. For 72 sources, the identifications are presented for the first time. It is confirmed that the majority of strong radio/X-ray emitters are radio-loud active galactic nuclei （AGNs）, particularly blazars. Taking advantage of the high spectral quality and resolution and our refined spectral modeling, we are able to disentangle narrow line radio galaxies （NLRGs）, as vaguely termed in most previous identification work, into Seyfert II galaxies and LINERs （low-ionization nuclear emission regions）, based on the standard emission line diagnostics. The NLRGs in the RGB sample, mostly belonging to ＇weak line radio galaxies＇, are found to have optical spectra consistent predominantly with LINERs, and only a small fraction with Seyfert II galaxies. A small number of LINERs have radio power as high as 10623 - 10^26 W Hz^- 1 at 5 GHz, being among the strongest radio emitting LINERs known so far. Two sources are identified with radio-loud narrow line Seyfert 1 galaxies （NLS 1 s）, a class of rare objects. The presence is also confirmed of flat-spectrum radio quasars whose radio-optical-X-ray effective spectral indices are similar to those of High-energy peaked BL Lacs （HBLs）, as suggested by Padovani et al., although it is still a debate as to whether this is the case for their actual spectral energy distributions.展开更多
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financial supports from the Science Foundation of Department of Education of Yunnan Province (2024J0935)。
文摘A possible quasi-periodic oscillation(QPO) at frequency 7.045 × 10^(-5) Hz is found in the narrow-line Seyfert 1galaxy Mrk 142 in the data of XMM-Newton collected on 2020 April 11.We find that the QPO signal is statistically significantly larger than the 5σ level and highly coherent with quality factor Q > 5 at the 0.3–10 keV band by using the method of the Lomb–Scargle Periodogram,the Weighted Wavelet Z-transform and the REDFIT.We analyze the data in 0.3–0.6 keV,0.6–1 keV,1–3 keV and 3–10 keV energy bands,and find obvious QPO signals at 0.3–0.6 keV and 1–3 keV bands.We then analyze the time-average spectra and time variability at the QPO frequency of 7.045 × 10^(-5) Hz,and use a model to fit them.We find that the QPO signal mainly comes from the X-ray hot corona.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.11863006,U1838203,and U2038104)the Science&Technology Department of Yunnan Province—Yunnan University Joint Funding(2019FY003005)the Bureau of International Cooperation,Chinese Academy of Sciences under the grant GJHZ1864。
文摘The analysis of light variation of M87 can help us understand the disk evolution.In the past decade,M87 has experienced several short-term light variabilities related to flares.We also find that there are year-scale X-ray variations in the core of M87.Their light variability properties are similar to clumpy-ADAF.By re-analyzing 56Chandra observations from 2007 to 2019,we distinguish the“non-flaring state”from“flaring state”in the light variability.After removing flaring state data,we identify four gas clumps in the nucleus and all of them can be well fitted by the clumpy-ADAF model.The average mass accretion rate is~0.16M⊙yr^(-1).We analyze the photon index(Γ)-flux(2-10 keV)correlation between the non-flaring state and flaring state.For the non-flaring states,the flux is inversely proportional to the photon index.For the flaring states,we find no obvious correlation between the two parameters.In addition,we find that the flare always occurs at a high mass accretion rate,and after the luminosity of the flare reaches the peak,it will be accompanied by a sudden decrease in luminosity.Our results can be explained as that the energy released by magnetic reconnection destroys the structure of the accretion disk,thus the luminosity decreases rapidly and returns to normal levels thereafter.
基金supported in part by the National SKA Program of China(No.2020SKA0110102)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC,Nos.12192220 and 12192223)the Youth Innovation Promotion Association of CAS(Y202064)。
文摘The feeding and feedback processes at the vicinity of a supermassive black hole(BH)are essential for our understanding of the connection between supermassive BH and its host galaxy.In this work,we provide a detailed investigation,both observational and theoretical,on the diffuse(~2"-20",~0.08-0.8 pc)X-ray emission around Sgr A*.Over two-decade Chandra observations are gathered to obtain highest signal-to-noise to date.We find that,the line center of iron lines of the outer 8"-18"region,ε_(c)=6.65+0.02-0.03 keV,is comparable to that(ε_(c)=6.60+0.05-0.03 keV)of the inner 2"-5"region.This is somewhat unexpected,since the gas temperature decreases further away from the central BH.Based on a dynamical inflow-outflow model that considers the gas feeding by stellar winds from Wolf-Rayet stars,we calculate the X-ray spectrum based on both the conventional collisional ionization equilibrium(CIE)assumption,and the newly developed non-equilibrium ionization(NEI)assumption.We find that,theoretically gases within~8"-10"remain in a CIE state,outside of this radius they will be in the NEI state.A comparison of the properties of~6.6 keV iron lines between CIE and NEI is addressed.Interestingly,the NEI interpretation of outer region is supported by the Chandra line center ε_(c) measurements of this region.
基金the support provided for this research from Fundamental Research Grant Scheme code FRGS/1/2019/ STG02/UKM/02/7, which is funded by the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE)。
文摘In this paper,we present the broadband(0.5–195 keV)X-ray spectral analysis for one of the newly detected AGNs in the Swift-BAT 105 month Hard X-ray Survey Catalog,NGC 4117.According to our ongoing research on low luminosity AGNs from the Swift-BAT 105 month catalog,we examine whether they are indeed low luminosity or heavily obscured AGNs.One of the AGNs in our sample is NGC 4117,where we discover it could be potentially a CTAGN.Therefore to examine NGC 4117 in detail,we combined the high energy Swift-BAT data with low energy data from XMM-Newton and Swift-XRT,and fitted the spectra simultaneously using physically-motivated models.A high absorption occurred at lower energies,i.e.,below 3 keV.Past studies suggested that NGC 4117was heavily obscured with a large column density(~10^(23)cm^(-2)).Our fitting suggests that this AGN is in the Compton-thick regime with a predicted line-of-sight column density(N_(H,los))of 3.82×1024cm^(-2)and a torus column density(N_(H,tor))of 3.07×10^(24)cm^(-2).Both models yield intrinsic luminosity of 1.03×10^(42)erg s^(-1)at 2–10 keV while our bolometric luminosity is 2.05×10^(43)erg s^(-1),indicating that NGC 4117 is not an intrinsically low luminosity AGN.Rather,it is a standard AGN.The value of Eddington ratio that we obtained is 0.22,suggesting a very high accretion rate for this AGN.
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.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.10673008,10878001 and 10973010)the Ministry of Science and Technology of China(Grant No.2009CB824900/2009CB24904)the Ministry of Education of China(the NCET Program)
文摘By analyzing Chandra X-ray data of a sample of 21 galaxy groups and 19 galaxy clusters, we find that in 31 sample systems there exists a significant central （R ≤ 10 h^-171 kpc） gas entropy excess （AK0）, which corresponds to = 0.1 - 0.5 keV per gas particle, beyond the power-law model that best fits the radial entropy profile of the outer regions. We also find a distinct correlation between the central entropy excess △K0 and K-band luminosity LK of the central dominating galaxies （CDGs）, which is scaled as △K0 ∝ L K 1.6±04, where LK is tightly associated with the mass of the supermassive black hole hosted in the CDG. In fact, if an effective mass-to-energy conversionefficiency of 0.02 is assumed for the accretion process, the cumulative AGN feedback E AGN feedack=ηMBHc2 yields an extra heating of = 0.5 - 17.0keV per particle, which feedback is sufficient to explain the central entropy excess. In most cases, the AGN contribution can compensate the radiative loss of the X-ray gas within the cooling radius （= 0.002 - 2.2 keV per particle）, and apparently exceeds the energy required to cause the scaling relations to deviate from the self-similar predictions （=0.2 - 1.0 keV per particle）. In contrast to the AGN feedback, the extra heating provided by supernova explosions accounts for = 0.01 - 0.08 keV per particle in groups and is almost negligible in clusters. Therefore, the observed correlation between △K0 and Lx can be considered as direct evidence for AGN feedback in galaxy groups and clusters.
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.
文摘We present a detailed analysis of the soft X-ray emission of 3 C 445 using an archival Chandra High Energy Transmission Grating（HETG） spectrum. Highly-ionized H-and He-like Mg, Si and S lines, as well as a resolved low-ionized Si Kα line, are detected in the high resolution spectrum. The He-like triplets of Mg and Si are resolved into individual lines, and the calculated R ratios indicate a high density for the emitter. The low values of G ratios indicate the lines originate from collisionally ionized plasmas. However, the detection of a resolved narrow Ne X radiative recombination continua（RRC） feature in the spectrum seems to prefer a photoionized environment. The spectrum is subsequently modeled with a photoionization model, and the results are compared with those of a collisional model. Through a detailed analysis of the spectrum, we exclude a collisional origin for these emission lines. A one-component photoionization model provides a great fit to the emission features. The best-fit parameters are log ξ = 3.3^＋0.4-0.3 erg cm s^-1, n H = 5^＋15 -4.5× 10^10 cm^-3 and NH = 2.5^＋3.8 -1.7× 10^20 cm^-2.According to the calculated high density for the emitter, the measured velocity widths of the emission lines and the inferred radial distance（6 × 10^14-8 × 10^15 cm）, we suggest the emission lines originating from matter are located in the broad line region（BLR）.
文摘Clusters of galaxies are the most massive objects in the Universe and precise knowledge of their mass structure is important to understand the history of structure formation and constrain still unknown types of dark contents of the Universe. X-ray spectroscopy of galaxy clusters provides rich information about the physical state of hot intracluster gas and the underlying potential structure. In this paper, starting from the basic description of clusters under equilibrium conditions, we review properties of clusters revealed primarily through X-ray observations considering their thermal and dynamical evolutions. The future prospects of cluster studies using upcoming X-ray missions are also mentioned.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2009CB824800)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 10533050 and 10773028)
文摘To study the origin of the soft X-ray excess,we compile a sample of 94 unobscured,radio-quiet QSOs and Seyfert galaxies with available data from GALEX and ROSAT.We find that 50 sources show strong soft X-ray excess and the other 44 show weak/no soft X-ray excess.Systematic analyses of the data indicate that the difference in soft X-rays is mainly but not only resulting from different accretion rates(in units of Eddington rate).The statistical study of the sources with soft X-ray excess shows that the strength of soft X-ray excess weakly and positively correlates with the Eddington ratio and increases with the increase of the strength of UV radiations relative to the X-rays.Provided that the UV emissions are from the thin disk,the correlations imply that the origin of soft X-ray excess is associated with the thin disk,either by means of Comptonization of the disk photons or in some other ways.
基金Supported by the Special Funds for Major State Basic Research Projects(Grant No.2009CB824800)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.10533020)
文摘The power spectral densities(PSDs)for a sample of active galactic nuclei(AGNs)are analyzed in both the frequency domain and the time domain.We find for each object that for broadband noise a character timescale-bifurcation timescale of Fourier and time-domain PSD exists in the 10 3 -10 6 s range, below which the time-domain power spectrum is systematically higher than the corresponding Fourier spectrum.The relationship between bifurcation timescale,AGN mass and luminosity is studied.Compared with the fact that similar phenomena have been found for Galactic black hole candidates(GBHs) with bifurcation timescale^0.1 s but not for accreting neutron stars,our finding indicates that AGNs and GBHs have common intrinsic nature in rapid X-ray variability with a character time parameter scaled with their masses.
基金support from the National Key Research and Development Project of China (grant 2020YFE0202100)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants No.11773036 and 12173009)+6 种基金Strategic Pioneer Program on Space ScienceChinese Academy of Sciences,grants XDA15052600 and XDA15016500supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi(2020GXNSFDA238018)the Bagui Young Scholars Programsupported by the Open Project Program of the Key Laboratory of Optical Astronomy,NAOC,CASsupported by the Christopher R.Redlich Fund and the Miller Institute for Basic Research in Science (in which A.V.F.is a Senior Miller Fellow) funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)partially supported by a generous gift from Google。
文摘Here we report an identification of B3 0749+460 A as a new double-peaked local "changing-look" active galactic nucleus(CL-AGN) in terms of our multi-epoch spectroscopic analysis. By comparing our new spectra taken in 2021 with the ones taken by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey in 2004, BOSS in 2013 and Ma NGA in 2016, we reveal type transitions of Seyfert(Sy) 1.9 → Sy1.8 → Sy1.9. In the transitions, the classical broad Hα emission fades away after 2013 and disappears in our 2021 spectrum, although the absence of broad Hβ can be traced back to at least 2016. A follow-up observation in X-rays by the Swift/XRT reveals that(1) the X-ray emission level gradually decreased since 2005;and(2)the X-ray spectrum is soft in the optical "turn-off" state and hard in the "turn-on" state. We argue that the disappearance of the classical broad Hα emission can be likely explained by the disk-wind broad-line-region model, in which the CL phenomenon is sensitive to luminosity in individual AGNs.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2009CB824800)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 10878011, 10733010 and 10473006)+1 种基金the Key Project of the Chinese Ministry of Education (Grant No. 106009)Tsinghua University Project for Top Scholars
文摘We present the X-ray variability properties of the X-ray and TeV bright blazar Mrk 421 with a-60 ks long XMM-Newton observation performed on November 9-10,2005.The source experienced a pronounced flare,of which the inter-band time lags were determined with a very high confidence level.The soft(0.6-0.8 keV) X-ray variations lagged the hard(4-10 keV) ones by 1.09+0.11-0.12 ks,and the soft lag increases with increasing difference in the photon energy.The energy-dependent soft lags can be well fitted with the difference of the energy-dependent cooling timescales of the relativistic electron distribution responsible for the observed X-ray emission,which constrains the magnetic field strength and Doppler factor of the emitting region to be Bδ 1/3-1.78 Gauss.
基金supported by the Nuffield Foundation through the Research Bursary program
文摘We have calculated the relativistic reflection component of the X-ray spectra of accretion disks in active galactic nuclei （AGN）. Our calculations have shown that the spectra can be significantly modified by the motion of the accretion flow, and the gravity and rotation of the central black hole. The absorption edges in the spectra suffer severe en- ergy shifts and smearing, and the degree of distortion depends on the system parameters, in particular, the inner radius of the accretion disk and the disk viewing inclination angles. The effects are significant. Fluorescent X-ray emission lines from the inner accretion disk could be a powerful diagnostic of space-time distortion and dynamical relativistic effects near the event horizons of accreting black holes. However, improper treatment of the reflection component in fitting the X-ray continuum could give rise to spurious line-like features. These features mimic the true fluorescent emission lines and may mask their relativistic signatures. Fully relativistic models for reflection continua together with the emission lines are needed in order to extract black-hole parameters from the AGN X-ray spectra.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘Results of extended and refined optical identification of 181 radio/X-ray sources in the RASS-Green Bank （RGB） catalog are presented （Brinkmann et al. 1997） which have been spectroscopically observed in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey （SDSS） DR5. The SDSS spectra of the optical counterparts are modeled in a careful and selfconsistent way by incorporating the host galaxy＇s starlight. Optical emission line parameters are presented, which are derived accurately and reliably, along with the radio 1.4- 5 GHz spectral indices estimated using （non-simultaneous） archival data. For 72 sources, the identifications are presented for the first time. It is confirmed that the majority of strong radio/X-ray emitters are radio-loud active galactic nuclei （AGNs）, particularly blazars. Taking advantage of the high spectral quality and resolution and our refined spectral modeling, we are able to disentangle narrow line radio galaxies （NLRGs）, as vaguely termed in most previous identification work, into Seyfert II galaxies and LINERs （low-ionization nuclear emission regions）, based on the standard emission line diagnostics. The NLRGs in the RGB sample, mostly belonging to ＇weak line radio galaxies＇, are found to have optical spectra consistent predominantly with LINERs, and only a small fraction with Seyfert II galaxies. A small number of LINERs have radio power as high as 10623 - 10^26 W Hz^- 1 at 5 GHz, being among the strongest radio emitting LINERs known so far. Two sources are identified with radio-loud narrow line Seyfert 1 galaxies （NLS 1 s）, a class of rare objects. The presence is also confirmed of flat-spectrum radio quasars whose radio-optical-X-ray effective spectral indices are similar to those of High-energy peaked BL Lacs （HBLs）, as suggested by Padovani et al., although it is still a debate as to whether this is the case for their actual spectral energy distributions.
