scholarly journals Mid-infrared Outbursts in Nearby Galaxies (MIRONG). II. Optical Spectroscopic Follow-up

2022 ◽  
Vol 258 (1) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Yibo Wang ◽  
Ning Jiang ◽  
Tinggui Wang ◽  
Lin Yan ◽  
Zhenfeng Sheng ◽  
...  

Abstract Infrared echo has proven to be an effective means to discover transient accretion events of supermassive black holes (SMBHs), such as tidal disruption events (TDEs) and changing-look active galactic nuclei (AGNs), in dusty circumnuclear environments. To explore the dusty populations of SMBH transient events, we have constructed a large sample of mid-infrared outbursts in nearby galaxies (MIRONG) and performed multiwavelength observations. Here we present the results of multiepoch spectroscopic follow-up observations of a subsample of 54 objects spanning a timescale of 4 yr. Emission-line variability was detected in 22 of them with either emergence or enhancement of broad Balmer emission lines in comparison with pre-outburst spectra. Coronal lines, He ii λ4686, and Bowen line N iii λ4640 appeared in the spectra of nine, seven, and two sources, respectively. These results suggest that MIRONG is a mixed bag of different transient sources. We have tentatively classified them into different subclass according to their spectral evolution and light curves. Two sources have been in a steady high broad Hα flux up to the latest observation and might be turn-on AGNs. Broad lines faded out in the remaining sources, indicating a transient ionizing source ignited by TDE or sporadic gas accretion. Thirty-one sources do not show noticeable spectral change with respect to their pre-outburst spectra. They have a statistically redder MIR color and lower MIR luminosity of the outbursts, which are consistent with heavily obscured events.

2010 ◽  
Vol 713 (1) ◽  
pp. 503-519 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Coppin ◽  
A. Pope ◽  
K. Menéndez-Delmestre ◽  
D. M. Alexander ◽  
J. S. Dunlop ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 790 (1) ◽  
pp. 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Sargsyan ◽  
A. Samsonyan ◽  
V. Lebouteiller ◽  
D. Weedman ◽  
D. Barry ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 622 ◽  
pp. A29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chandreyee Maitra ◽  
Frank Haberl ◽  
Valentin D. Ivanov ◽  
Maria-Rosa L. Cioni ◽  
Jacco Th. van Loon

Context. Finding active galactic nuclei (AGN) behind the Magellanic Clouds (MCs) is difficult because of the high stellar density in these fields. Although the first AGN behind the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) were reported in the 1980s, it is only recently that the number of AGN known behind the SMC has increased by several orders of magnitude. Aims. The mid-infrared colour selection technique has proven to be an efficient means of identifying AGN, especially obscured sources. The X-ray regime is complementary in this regard and we use XMM-Newton observations to support the identification of AGN behind the SMC. Methods. We present a catalogue of AGN behind the SMC by correlating an updated X-ray point-source catalogue from our XMM-Newton survey of the SMC with previously identified AGN from the literature as well as a list of candidates obtained from the ALLWISE mid-infrared colour-selection criterion. We studied the properties of the sample with respect to their redshifts, luminosities, and X-ray spectral characteristics. We also identified the near-infrared counterpart of the sources from the VISTA observations. Results. The redshift and luminosity distributions of the sample (where known) indicate that we detect sources ranging from nearby Seyfert galaxies to distant and obscured quasars. The X-ray hardness ratios are compatible with those typically expected for AGN, and the VISTA colours and variability are also consistent with AGN. A positive correlation was observed between the integrated X-ray flux (0.2–12 keV) and the ALLWISE and VISTA magnitudes. We further present a sample of new candidate AGN and candidates for obscured AGN. Together these make an interesting subset for further follow-up studies. An initial spectroscopic follow-up of 6 out of the 81 new candidates showed that all six sources are active galaxies, although two have narrow emission lines.


2019 ◽  
Vol 488 (3) ◽  
pp. 4459-4463 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Rainer Corley ◽  
Imre Bartos ◽  
Leo P Singer ◽  
Andrew R Williamson ◽  
Zoltán Haiman ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The localization of stellar-mass binary black hole mergers using gravitational waves is critical in understanding the properties of the binaries’ host galaxies, observing possible electromagnetic emission from the mergers, or using them as a cosmological distance ladder. The precision of this localization can be substantially increased with prior astrophysical information about the binary system. In particular, constraining the inclination of the binary can reduce the distance uncertainty of the source. Here, we present the first realistic set of localizations for binary black hole mergers, including different prior constraints on the binaries’ inclinations. We find that prior information on the inclination can reduce the localization volume by a factor of 3. We discuss two astrophysical scenarios of interest: (i) follow-up searches for beamed electromagnetic/neutrino counterparts and (ii) mergers in the accretion discs of active galactic nuclei.


Galaxies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Philippe Lenain

Blazars are jetted active galactic nuclei with a jet pointing close to the line of sight, hence enhancing their intrinsic luminosity and variability. Monitoring these sources is essential in order to catch them flaring and promptly organize follow-up multi-wavelength observations, which are key to providing rich data sets used to derive e.g., the emission mechanisms at work, and the size and location of the flaring zone. In this context, the Fermi-LAT has proven to be an invaluable instrument, whose data are used to trigger many follow-up observations at high and very high energies. A few examples are illustrated here, as well as a description of different data products and pipelines, with a focus given on FLaapLUC, a tool in use within the H.E.S.S. collaboration.


1989 ◽  
Vol 134 ◽  
pp. 233-239
Author(s):  
R. D. Blandford

The observed evolutionary behavior of active galactic nuclei is compatible with a model in which black holes form in the nuclei of new-born galaxies and then grow at a rate limited by both radiation pressure and the supply of gas. Individual sources become more luminous with time as long as they are being fueled. However, the rapid decrease in the mean rate of supply of gas causes a strong decline in the space density of active objects. Nearby galaxies should harbor modest size (∼ 106 – 108 M⊙) black holes. It is suggested that the gas that fuels high redshift quasars is mostly derived from the host galaxy.


2015 ◽  
Vol 221 (1) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. J. Secrest ◽  
R. P. Dudik ◽  
B. N. Dorland ◽  
N. Zacharias ◽  
V. Makarov ◽  
...  

2008 ◽  
Vol 680 (1) ◽  
pp. 130-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolin N. Cardamone ◽  
C. Megan Urry ◽  
Maaike Damen ◽  
Pieter van Dokkum ◽  
Ezequiel Treister ◽  
...  

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