- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/AJ/146/120
- Title:
- MOJAVE. X. Parsec-scale kinematics of AGNs
- Short Name:
- J/AJ/146/120
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We describe the parsec-scale kinematics of 200 active galactic nucleus (AGN) jets based on 15GHz Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) data obtained between 1994 August 31 and 2011 May 1. We present new VLBA 15 GHz images of these and 59 additional AGNs from the MOJAVE and 2cm Survey programs. Nearly all of the 60 most heavily observed jets show significant changes in their innermost position angle over a 12-16yr interval, ranging from 10{deg} to 150{deg} on the sky, corresponding to intrinsic variations of ~0.5{deg} to ~2{deg}. The BL Lac jets show smaller variations than quasars. Roughly half of the heavily observed jets show systematic position angle trends with time, and 20 show indications of oscillatory behavior. The time spans of the data sets are too short compared to the fitted periods (5-12yr), however, to reliably establish periodicity. The rapid changes and large jumps in position angle seen in many cases suggest that the superluminal AGN jet features occupy only a portion of the entire jet cross section and may be energized portions of thin instability structures within the jet. We have derived vector proper motions for 887 moving features in 200 jets having at least five VLBA epochs. For 557 well-sampled features, there are sufficient data to additionally study possible accelerations. We find that the moving features are generally non-ballistic, with 70% of the well-sampled features showing either significant accelerations or non-radial motions. Inward motions are rare (2% of all features), are slow (<0.1mas/yr), are more prevalent in BL Lac jets, and are typically found within 1mas of the unresolved core feature. There is a general trend of increasing apparent speed with distance down the jet for both radio galaxies and BL Lac objects. In most jets, the speeds of the features cluster around a characteristic value, yet there is a considerable dispersion in the distribution. Orientation variations within the jet cannot fully account for the dispersion, implying that the features have a range of Lorentz factor and/or pattern speed. Very slow pattern speed features are rare, comprising only 4% of the sample, and are more prevalent in radio galaxy and BL Lac jets. We confirm a previously reported upper envelope to the distribution of speed versus beamed luminosity for moving jet features. Below 10^26^W/Hz there is a fall-off in maximum speed with decreasing 15GHz radio luminosity. The general shape of the envelope implies that the most intrinsically powerful AGN jets have a wide range of Lorentz factors up to ~40, while intrinsically weak jets are only mildly relativistic.
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Search Results
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/ApJ/874/43
- Title:
- MOJAVE. XVII. Parsec-scale jet kinematics of AGNs
- Short Name:
- J/ApJ/874/43
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We present results from a parsec-scale jet kinematics study of 409 bright radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGNs) based on 15GHz Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) data obtained between 1994 August 31 and 2016 December 26 as part of the 2cm VLBA survey and Monitoring Of Jets in Active galactic nuclei with VLBA Experiments (MOJAVE) programs. We tracked 1744 individual bright features in 382 jets over at least 5 epochs. A majority (59%) of the best-sampled jet features showed evidence of accelerated motion at the >3{sigma} level. Although most features within a jet typically have speeds within ~40% of a characteristic median value, we identified 55 features in 42 jets that had unusually slow pattern speeds, nearly all of which lie within 4pc (100pc deprojected) of the core feature. Our results, combined with other speeds from the literature, indicate a strong correlation between apparent jet speed and synchrotron peak frequency, with the highest jet speeds being found only in low-peaked AGNs. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we find best-fit parent population parameters for a complete sample of 174 quasars above 1.5Jy at 15GHz. Acceptable fits are found with a jet population that has a simple unbeamed power-law luminosity function incorporating pure luminosity evolution and a power-law Lorentz factor distribution ranging from 1.25 to 50 with slope -1.4+/-0.2. The parent jets of the brightest radio quasars have a space density of 261+/-19Gpc^-3^ and unbeamed 15GHz luminosities above ~10^24.5^W/Hz, consistent with FRII class radio galaxies.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/A+A/545/A117
- Title:
- Monitoring of Mrk 421 at 15 and 24 GHz
- Short Name:
- J/A+A/545/A117
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- High-resolution radio observations are ideal for constraining the value of physical parameters in the inner regions of active-galactic-nucleus jets and complement results on multiwavelength (MWL) observations. This study is part of a wider multifrequency campaign targeting the nearby TeV blazar Markarian 421 (z=0.031), with observations in the sub-mm (SMA), optical/IR (GASP), UV/X-ray (Swift, RXTE, MAXI), and {gamma} rays (Fermi-LAT, MAGIC, VERITAS). We investigate the jet's morphology and any proper motions, and the time evolution of physical parameters such as flux densities and spectral index. The aim of our wider multifrequency campaign is to try to shed light on questions such as the nature of the radiating particles, the connection between the radio and {gamma}-ray emission, the location of the emitting regions and the origin of the flux variability.
144. Mrk421 in March 2010
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/A+A/578/A22
- Title:
- Mrk421 in March 2010
- Short Name:
- J/A+A/578/A22
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- A flare from the TeV blazar Mrk 421, occurring in March 2010, was observed for 13 consecutive days from radio to very high energy (VHE; E>100GeV) gamma-rays with MAGIC, VERITAS, Whipple, FermiLAT, MAXI, RXTE, Swift, GASP-WEBT, and several optical and radio telescopes. We model the day-scale SEDs with one-zone and two-zone synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) models, investigate the physical parameters, and evaluate whether the observed broadband SED variability can be associated to variations in the relativistic particle population. Flux variability was remarkable in the X-ray and VHE bands while it was minor or not significant in the other bands. The one-zone SSC model can describe reasonably well the SED of each day for the 13 consecutive days. This flaring activity is also very well described by a two-zone SSC model, where one zone is responsible for the quiescent emission while the other smaller zone, which is spatially separated from the first one, contributes to the daily-variable emission occurring in X-rays and VHE gamma-rays. Both the one-zone SSC and the two-zone SSC models can describe the daily SEDs via the variation of only four or five model parameters, under the hypothesis that the variability is associated mostly to the underlying particle population. This shows that the particle acceleration and cooling mechanism producing the radiating particles could be the main one responsible for the broadband SED variations during the flaring episodes in blazars. The two-zone SSC model provides a better agreement to the observed SED at the narrow peaks of the low- and high-energy bumps during the highest activity, although the reported one-zone SSC model could be further improved by the variation of the parameters related to the emitting region itself ({delta}, B and R), in addition to the parameters related to the particle population.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/A+A/655/A93
- Title:
- Mrk 501 long-term multi-band photometry
- Short Name:
- J/A+A/655/A93
- Date:
- 14 Mar 2022 07:47:04
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- Radio-to-TeV observations of the bright nearby (z=0.034) blazar Markarian 501 (Mrk 501), performed from December 2012 to April 2018, are used to study the emission mechanisms in its relativistic jet. We examined the multi-wavelength variability and the correlations of the light curves obtained by eight different instruments, including the First G-APD Cherenkov Telescope (FACT), observing Mrk 501 in very high-energy (VHE) gamma-rays at TeV energies. We identified individual TeV and X-ray flares and found a sub-day lag between variability in these two bands. The source was found to be variable on different timescales. Simultaneous TeV and X-ray variations with almost zero lag are consistent with synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) emission, where TeV photons are produced through inverse Compton scattering. The characteristic time interval of 5-25 days between TeV flares is consistent with them being driven by Lense-Thirring precession.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/A+A/593/A91
- Title:
- Mrk 421 multi-wavelength variability, 2007-2009
- Short Name:
- J/A+A/593/A91
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We perform an extensive multi-band variability and correlation study of the TeV blazar Mrk 421 on year time scales, which can bring additional insight on the processes responsible for its broadband emission. We observed Mrk 421 in the very high energy gamma-ray range with the Cherenkov telescope MAGIC-I from March 2007 to June 2009. The 2.3-year long MAGIC light curve is complemented with data from the Swift/BAT and RXTE/ASM satellites and the KVA, GASP-WEBT, OVRO, and Metsahovi telescopes from February 2007 to July 2009, allowing for an excellent characterisation of the multi-band variability and correlations over year time scales.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/ApJ/853/68
- Title:
- Multi-epoch VLBA imaging of 20 Tev blazars
- Short Name:
- J/ApJ/853/68
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We present 88 multi-epoch Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) images (most at an observing frequency of 8GHz) of 20TeV blazars, all of the high-frequency-peaked BL Lac (HBL) class, that have not been previously studied at multiple epochs on the parsec scale. From these 20 sources, we analyze the apparent speeds of 43 jet components that are all detected at four or more epochs. As has been found for other TeV HBLs, the apparent speeds of these components are relatively slow. About two-thirds of the components have an apparent speed that is consistent (within 2{sigma}) with no motion, and some of these components may be stationary patterns whose apparent speed does not relate to the underlying bulk flow speed. In addition, a superluminal tail to the apparent speed distribution of the TeV HBLs is detected for the first time, with eight components in seven sources having a 2{sigma} lower limit on the apparent speed exceeding 1c. We combine the data from these 20 sources with an additional 18 sources from the literature to analyze the complete apparent speed distribution of all 38 TeV HBLs that have been studied with very long baseline interferometry at multiple epochs. The highest 2{sigma} apparent speed lower limit considering all sources is 3.6c. This suggests that bulk Lorentz factors of up to about 4, but probably not much higher, exist in the parsec-scale radio-emitting regions of these sources, consistent with estimates obtained in the radio by other means such as brightness temperatures. This can be reconciled with the high Lorentz factors estimated from the high-energy data if the jet has velocity structures consisting of different emission regions with different Lorentz factors. In particular, we analyze the current apparent speed data for the TeV HBLs in the context of a model with a fast central spine and a slower outer layer.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/A+A/484/119
- Title:
- Multi-epoch VLBI survey of CJF sources
- Short Name:
- J/A+A/484/119
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- This is the second in a series of papers presenting VLBI observations of the 293 Caltech-Jodrell Bank Flat-spectrum (hereafter CJF) sources and their analysis. We obtain a consistent motion dataset large enough to allow the systematic properties of the population to be studied. We present detailed kinematic analysis of the complete flux-density limited CJF survey. We computed 2-D kinematic models based on the optimal model-fitting parameters of multi-epoch VLBA observations. This allows us to calculate not only radial, but also orthogonal motions, and thus to study curvature and acceleration. Statistical tests of the motions measured and their reliability were performed. A correlation analysis between the derived apparent motions, luminosities, spectral indices, and core dominance and the resulting consequences is described. With at least one velocity in each of the 237 sources, this sample is much larger than any available before, so it allows a meaning ful statistical investigation of apparent motions and any possible correlations with other parameters in AGN jets. The main results to emerge are as follows: * In general motions are not consistent with a single uniform velocity applicable to all components along a jet. * We find a slight trend towards a positive outward acceleration and also adduce some evidence for greater acceleration in the innermost regions. * We find a lack of fast components at physical distances less than a few pc from the reference feature. * Only ~4% of the components from galaxies and <2% of those from quasars undergo large bends i.e. within 15{deg} of +/-90{deg}. * The distribution of radial velocities shows a broad distribution of velocities (apparent velocities up to 30c). Fifteen percent of the best-sampled jet components exhibit low velocities that may need to be explained in a different manner to the fast motions. * Some negative superluminal motions are seen, and in 15 cases (6%) these are definitely significant. * We find a strong correlation between the 5 GHz luminosity and the apparent velocity. * The CJF galaxies, on average, show slower apparent jet-component velocities than the quasars. * The mean velocity in the VLBA 2cm survey (Kellermann et al. 2004) is substantially higher than in the CJF survey, the ratio could be roughly a factor of 1.5-2. This supports the observed trend toward increasing apparent velocity with in creasing observing frequency. This AGN survey provides the basis for any statistical analysis of jet and jet-component properties.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/A+A/495/691
- Title:
- Multifrequency catalogue of blazars, Roma-BZCAT
- Short Name:
- J/A+A/495/691
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We present a new catalogue of blazars based on multifrequency surveys and on an extensive review of the literature. Blazars are classified as BL Lacertae objects, as flat spectrum radio quasars or as blazars of uncertain/transitional type. Each object is identified by a root name, coded as BZB, BZQ and BZU for these three subclasses respectively, and by its coordinates. This catalogue is being built as a tool useful for the identification of the extragalactic sources that will be detected by present and future experiments for X and gamma-ray astronomy, like Swift, AGILE, Fermi-GLAST and Simbol-X. An electronic version is available from the ASI Science Data Center web site at http://www.asdc.asi.it/bzcat.
- ID:
- ivo://CDS.VizieR/J/PASJ/60/161
- Title:
- Multi-wave band emission from blazars
- Short Name:
- J/PASJ/60/161
- Date:
- 21 Oct 2021
- Publisher:
- CDS
- Description:
- We studied the correlations of the flux of the broad-line emission (FBLR) with the X-ray emission flux, optical emission flux at 5500{AA} and radio emission flux at 5GHz, respectively, for a large sample of 50 blazars (39 flat-spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) and 11 BL Lac objects).