scholarly journals The first broad-band X-ray view of the narrow-line Seyfert 1 Ton S180

2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (2) ◽  
pp. 2352-2370 ◽  
Author(s):  
G A Matzeu ◽  
E Nardini ◽  
M L Parker ◽  
J N Reeves ◽  
V Braito ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT We present joint XMM–Newton and NuSTAR observations of the ‘bare’ narrow-line Seyfert 1 Ton S180 (z = 0.062), carried out in 2016 and providing the first hard X-ray view of this luminous galaxy. We find that the 0.4–30 keV band cannot be self-consistently reproduced by relativistic reflection models, which fail to account simultaneously for the soft and hard X-ray emission. The smooth soft excess prefers extreme blurring parameters, confirmed by the nearly featureless nature of the Reflection Grating Spectrometer (RGS) spectrum, while the moderately broad Fe K line and the modest hard excess above 10 keV appear to arise in a milder gravity regime. By allowing a different origin of the soft excess, the broad-band X-ray spectrum and overall spectral energy distribution (SED) are well explained by a combination of (a) direct thermal emission from the accretion disc, dominating from the optical to the far/extreme UV; (b) Comptonization of seed disc photons by a warm (kTe ∼ 0.3 keV) and optically thick (τ ∼ 10) corona, mostly contributing to the soft X-rays; (c) Comptonization by a standard hot ($kT_{\rm \mathrm{ e}}\gtrsim 100$ keV) and optically thin (τ < 0.5) corona, responsible for the primary X-ray continuum; and (d) reflection from the mid/outer part of the disc. The two coronae are suggested to be rather compact, with $R_{\rm hot}\lesssim R_{\rm warm}\lesssim 10\, r_{\rm g}$. Our SED analysis implies that Ton S180 accretes at super-Eddington rates. This is a key condition for the launch of a wind, marginal (i.e. 3.1σ significance) evidence of which is indeed found in the RGS spectrum.

2020 ◽  
Vol 498 (3) ◽  
pp. 3888-3901
Author(s):  
Jiachen Jiang ◽  
Luigi C Gallo ◽  
Andrew C Fabian ◽  
Michael L Parker ◽  
Christopher S Reynolds

ABSTRACT We present a detailed analysis of the XMM–Newton observations of five narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s). They all show very soft continuum emission in the X-ray band with a photon index of Γ ≳ 2.5. Therefore, they are referred to as ‘ultra-soft’ NLS1s in this paper. By modelling their optical/UV–X-ray spectral energy distribution (SED) with a reflection-based model, we find indications that the disc surface in these ultra-soft NLS1s is in a higher ionization state than other typical Seyfert 1 AGN. Our best-fitting SED models suggest that these five ultra-soft NLS1s have an Eddington ratio of λEdd = 1–20 assuming available black hole mass measurements. In addition, our models infer that a significant fraction of the disc energy in these ultra-soft NLS1s is radiated away in the form of non-thermal emission instead of the thermal emission from the disc. Due to their extreme properties, X-ray observations of these sources in the iron band are particularly challenging. Future observations, e.g. from Athena, will enable us to have a clearer view of the spectral shape in the iron band and thus distinguish the reflection model from other interpretations of their broad-band spectra.


2019 ◽  
Vol 486 (2) ◽  
pp. 1741-1762 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Foffano ◽  
E Prandini ◽  
A Franceschini ◽  
S Paiano

ABSTRACT Extreme high-energy peaked BL Lac objects (EHBLs) are an emerging class of blazars with exceptional spectral properties. The non-thermal emission of the relativistic jet peaks in the spectral energy distribution (SED) plot with the synchrotron emission in X-rays and with the gamma-ray emission in the TeV range or above. These high photon energies may represent a challenge for the standard modelling of these sources. They are important for the implications on the indirect measurements of the extragalactic background light, the intergalactic magnetic field estimate, and the possible origin of extragalactic high-energy neutrinos. In this paper, we perform a comparative study of the multiwavelength spectra of 32 EHBL objects detected by the Swift-BAT telescope in the hard X-ray band and by the Fermi-LAT telescope in the high-energy gamma-ray band. The source sample presents uniform spectral properties in the broad-band SEDs, except for the TeV gamma-ray band where an interesting bimodality seems to emerge. This suggests that the EHBL class is not homogeneous, and a possible subclassification of the EHBLs may be unveiled. Furthermore, in order to increase the number of EHBLs and settle their statistics, we discuss the potential detectability of the 14 currently TeV gamma-ray undetected sources in our sample by the Cherenkov telescopes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 500 (2) ◽  
pp. 2112-2126
Author(s):  
D Kantzas ◽  
S Markoff ◽  
T Beuchert ◽  
M Lucchini ◽  
A Chhotray ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Cygnus X–1 is the first Galactic source confirmed to host an accreting black hole. It has been detected across the entire electromagnetic spectrum from radio to GeV gamma-rays. The source’s radio through mid-infrared radiation is thought to originate from the relativistic jets. The observed high degree of linear polarization in the MeV X-rays suggests that the relativistic jets dominate in this regime as well, whereas a hot accretion flow dominates the soft X-ray band. The origin of the GeV non-thermal emission is still debated, with both leptonic and hadronic scenarios deemed to be viable. In this work, we present results from a new semi-analytical, multizone jet model applied to the broad-band spectral energy distribution of Cygnus X–1 for both leptonic and hadronic scenarios. We try to break this degeneracy by fitting the first-ever high-quality, simultaneous multiwavelength data set obtained from the CHOCBOX campaign (Cygnus X–1 Hard state Observations of a Complete Binary Orbit in X-rays). Our model parametrizes dynamical properties, such as the jet velocity profile, the magnetic field, and the energy density. Moreover, the model combines these dynamical properties with a self-consistent radiative transfer calculation including secondary cascades, both of leptonic and hadronic origin. We conclude that sensitive TeV gamma-ray telescopes like Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) will definitively answer the question of whether hadronic processes occur inside the relativistic jets of Cygnus X–1.


2020 ◽  
Vol 495 (2) ◽  
pp. 1593-1607 ◽  
Author(s):  
G Migliori ◽  
M Orienti ◽  
L Coccato ◽  
G Brunetti ◽  
F D’Ammando ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The acceleration and radiative processes active in low-power radio hotspots are investigated by means of new deep near-infrared (NIR) and optical Very Large Telescope (VLT) observations, complemented with archival, high-sensitivity VLT, radio Very Large Array (VLA), and X-ray Chandra data. For the three studied radio galaxies (3C 105, 3C 195, and 3C 227), we confirm the detection of NIR/optical counterparts of the observed radio hotspots. We resolve multiple components in 3C 227 West and in 3C 105 South and characterize the diffuse NIR/optical emission of the latter. We show that the linear size of this component (≳4 kpc) makes 3C 105 South a compelling case for particles’ re-acceleration in the post-shock region. Modelling of the radio-to-X-ray spectral energy distribution (SED) of 3C 195 South and 3C 227 W1 gives clues on the origin of the detected X-ray emission. In the context of inverse Compton models, the peculiarly steep synchrotron curve of 3C 195 South sets constraints on the shape of the radiating particles’ spectrum that are testable with better knowledge of the SED shape at low (≲GHz) radio frequencies and in X-rays. The X-ray emission of 3C 227 W1 can be explained with an additional synchrotron component originating in compact (<100 pc) regions, such those revealed by radio observations at 22 GHz, provided that efficient particle acceleration (γ ≳ 107) is ongoing. The emerging picture is that of systems in which different acceleration and radiative processes co-exist.


2020 ◽  
Vol 496 (2) ◽  
pp. 1295-1306
Author(s):  
Alicja Wierzcholska ◽  
Stefan J Wagner

ABSTRACT The X-ray spectrum of extreme high-energy peaked BL Lac-type blazars is located in the synchrotron branch of the broad-band spectral energy distribution (SED), at energies below the peak. A joint fit of the extrapolated X-ray spectra together with a host galaxy template allows characterizing the synchrotron branch in the SED. The X-ray spectrum is usually characterized either with a pure or a curved power-law model. In the latter case, however, it is hard to distinguish an intrinsic curvature from excess absorption. In this paper, we focus on five well-observed blazars: 1ES 0229+200, PKS 0548−322, RX J 1136+6737, 1ES 1741+196, and 1ES 2344+514. We constrain the infrared to X-ray emission of these five blazars using a model that is characterized by the host galaxy, spectral curvature, absorption, and ultraviolet (UV) excess to separate these spectral features. In the case of four sources, namely 1ES 0229+200, PKS 0548−322, 1ES 1741+196, and 1ES 2344+514, the spectral fit with the atomic neutral hydrogen from the Leiden Argentina Bonn Survey results in a significant UV excess present in the broad-band SED. Such excess can be interpreted as an additional component, for example, a blue bump. However, in order to describe spectra of these blazars without such excess, additional absorption to the atomic neutral hydrogen from the Leiden Argentina Bonn Survey is needed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 637 ◽  
pp. A2
Author(s):  
Sylvain Chaty ◽  
Francis Fortin ◽  
Alicia López-Oramas

Aims. We aim to analyse our study of the X-ray transient Swift J1745−26, using observations obtained from its outburst in September 2012, up to its decay towards quiescence in March 2013. Methods. We obtained optical and infrared observations, through override programme at ESO/VLT with FORS2 and ISAAC instruments, and added archival optical (VLT/VIRCAM), radio and X-ray (Swift) observations, to build the light curve and the broad-band spectral energy distribution (SED) of Swift J1745−26. Results. We show that, during its outburst and also during its decay towards quiescence, Swift J1745−26 SED can be adjusted, from infrared up to X-rays, by the sum of both a viscous irradiated multi-colour black body emitted by an accretion disc, and a synchrotron power law at high energy. In the radio domain, the SED arises from synchrotron emission from the jet. While our SED fitting confirms that the source remained in the low/hard state during its outburst, we determine an X-ray spectral break at frequency 3.1 ≤ νbreak ≤ 3.4 × 1014 Hz, and a radio spectral break at 1012 Hz ≤ νbreak ≤ 1013 Hz. We also show that the system is compatible with an absorption AV of ∼7.69 mag, lies within a distance interval of D ∼ [2.6 − 4.8] kpc with an upper limit of orbital period Porb = 11.3 h, and that the companion star is a late spectral type in the range K0–M0 V, confirming that the system is a low-mass X-ray binary. We finally plot the position of Swift J1745−26 on an optical-infrared – X-ray luminosity diagram: its localisation on this diagram is consistent with the source staying in the low-hard state during outburst and decay phases. Conclusions. By using new observations obtained at ESO/VLT with FORS2 and ISAAC, and adding archival optical (VLT/VIRCAM), radio and X-ray (Swift) observations, we built the light curve and the broad-band SED of Swift J1745−26, and we plotted its position on an optical-infrared – X-ray luminosity diagram. By fitting the SED, we characterized the emission of the source from infrared, via optical, up to X-ray domain, we determined the position of both the radio and X-ray spectral breaks, we confirmed that it remained in the low-hard state during outburst and decay phases, and we derived its absorption, distance interval, orbital period upper limit, and the late-type nature of companion star, confirming Swift J1745−26 is a low-mass X-ray binary.


2019 ◽  
Vol 487 (1) ◽  
pp. 181-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Kynoch ◽  
Hermine Landt ◽  
Martin J Ward ◽  
Chris Done ◽  
Catherine Boisson ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT We present a multifrequency study of PKS J1222+0413 (4C +04.42), currently the highest redshift γ-ray emitting narrow-line Seyfert 1 (γ-NLS1). We assemble a broad spectral energy distribution (SED) including previously unpublished datasets: X-ray data obtained with the NuSTAR and Neil Gehrels Swift observatories; near-infrared, optical, and UV spectroscopy obtained with VLT X-shooter; and multiband radio data from the Effelsberg telescope. These new observations are supplemented by archival data from the literature. We apply physical models to the broad-band SED, parametrizing the accretion flow and jet emission to investigate the disc–jet connection. PKS J1222+0413 has a much greater black hole mass than most other NLS1s, MBH ≈ 2 × 108 M$\odot$, similar to those found in flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs). Therefore this source provides insight into how the jets of γ-NLS1s relate to those of FSRQs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 490 (2) ◽  
pp. 1489-1497 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimo Persic ◽  
Yoel Rephaeli

ABSTRACT Radio and γ-ray measurements of large lobes of several radio galaxies provide adequate basis for determining whether emission in these widely separated spectral regions is largely by energetic electrons. This is very much of interest as there is of yet no unequivocal evidence for a significant energetic proton component to account for γ-ray emission by neutral pion decay. A quantitative assessment of the pion yield spectral distribution necessitates full accounting of the local and background radiation fields in the lobes; indeed, doing so in our recent analysis of the spectral energy distribution of the Fornax A lobes considerably weakened previous conclusions on the hadronic origin of the emission measured by the Fermi satellite. We present the results of similar analyses of the measured radio, X-ray, and γ-ray emission from the lobes of Centaurus A, Centaurus B, and NGC 6251. The results indicate that the measured γ-ray emission from these lobes can be accounted for by Compton scattering of the radio-emitting electrons off the superposed radiation fields in the lobes; consequently, we set upper bounds on the energetic proton contents of the lobes.


2020 ◽  
Vol 496 (2) ◽  
pp. 2213-2229 ◽  
Author(s):  
F D’Ammando

ABSTRACT We report the analysis of all Swift observations available up to 2019 April of γ-ray-emitting narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLSy1). The distribution of X-ray luminosities (and fluxes) indicates that the jet radiation significantly contributes to their X-ray emission, with Doppler boosting making values higher than other radio-loud NLSy1. The 0.3–10 keV photon indices are on average harder with respect to radio-quiet and radio-loud NLSy1, confirming a dominant jet contribution in X-rays. However, the lower variability amplitude with respect to blazars and the softening of the spectrum in some periods suggests that also the corona radiation contributes to the X-ray emission. In optical and ultraviolet (UV) significant flux changes have been observed on daily, weekly, and monthly time-scale, providing a clear indication of the significant contribution of the jet radiation in this part of spectrum. A strong correlation between X-ray, UV, and optical emission and simultaneous flux variations have been observed in 1H 0323+342, SBS 0846+513, PMN J0948+0022 as expected in case the jet radiation is the dominant mechanism. Correlated multiband variability favours the jet-dominated scenario also in FBQS J1644+2619 and PKS 2004−447. The summed X-ray Telescope spectra of 1H 0323+342, SBS 0846+513, PMN J0948+0022, and FBQS J1644+2619 are well fitted by a broken power law with a break around 2 keV. The spectrum above 2 keV is dominated by the non-thermal emission from a beamed relativistic jet, as suggested by the hard photon index. A Seyfert-like feature like the soft X-ray excess has been observed below 2 keV, making these γ-ray-emitting NLSy1 different from typical blazars.


2019 ◽  
Vol 487 (4) ◽  
pp. 5781-5787
Author(s):  
Ji-Yang Ren ◽  
Quan-Gui Gao ◽  
Huai-Zhen Li ◽  
Ju Ma ◽  
Shan-Shan Zhao ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The multiband photon emission and spectral evolution of G54.1+0.3 are investigated in the framework of leptonic and leptonic–hadronic models. We model the spectral energy distribution (SED) of the pulsar wind nebula (PWN) and find that both the leptonic and leptonic–hadronic models can well reproduce the multiband observations of the nebula with appropriate model parameters. Combining with dynamical evolution of the PWN, we investigate the time evolution of photon SED and radiative luminosity in the X-ray and TeV γ-ray bands of G54.1+0.3. The results indicate that the synchrotron spectrum and radiative luminosity in the X-ray band of the PWN calculated with these two models have obvious differences as the age increases to about 4 kyr, and the largest difference is present at about 40 kyr. The γ-ray luminosity calculated by the leptonic–hadronic model shows that the contribution of TeV photons arising from the decay of neutral pions produced in proton–proton interaction also changes with time and is always important for modifying the TeV γ-ray spectrum of G54.1+0.3 during the evolution of the PWN.


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