scholarly journals Millimeter-VLBI Observations of Low-luminosity Active Galactic Nuclei with Source-frequency Phase Referencing

2021 ◽  
Vol 922 (1) ◽  
pp. L16
Author(s):  
Wu Jiang ◽  
Zhiqiang Shen ◽  
Ivan Martí-Vidal ◽  
Xuezheng Wang ◽  
Dongrong Jiang ◽  
...  

Abstract We report millimeter-VLBI results of low-luminosity active galactic nuclei (M84 and M87) up to 88 GHz with source-frequency phase-referencing observations. We detected the weak VLBI core and obtained the first image of M84 at 88 GHz. The derived brightness temperature of the M84 core was about 7.2 × 109 K, which could serve as a lower limit because the core down to 30 Schwarzschild radii was still unresolved in our 88 GHz observations. We successfully determined the core shifts of M87 at 22–44 GHz and 44–88 GHz through the source-frequency phase-referencing technique. The jet apex of M87 could be deduced at ∼46 μas upstream of the 43 GHz core from core-shift measurements. The estimated magnetic field strength of the 88 GHz core of M87 is 4.8 ± 2.4 G, which is at the same magnitude of 1–30 G near the event horizon probed by the Event Horizon Telescope.

2020 ◽  
Vol 495 (1) ◽  
pp. 614-620
Author(s):  
M Yu Piotrovich ◽  
A G Mikhailov ◽  
S D Buliga ◽  
T M Natsvlishvili

ABSTRACT We estimated the magnetic field strength at the event horizon for a sample of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) in active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Our estimates were made using the values of the inclination angles of the accretion disc to the line of sight, which we obtained previously from spectropolarimetric observations in the visible spectrum. We also used published values of full width at half-maximum of spectral line Hβ from broad-line region, masses of SMBHs, and luminosity of AGNs at 5100 $\mathring{\rm A}$. In addition, we used the literature data on the spins of SMBHs obtained from their X-ray spectra. Our estimates showed that the magnetic field strength at the event horizon of the majority of SMBHs in AGNs range from several to tens of kG and have mean values of about 104 G. At the same time, for individual objects, the fields are significantly larger – of the order of hundreds kG or even 1 MG.


2018 ◽  
Vol 614 ◽  
pp. A74 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. Abellán ◽  
I. Martí-Vidal ◽  
J. M. Marcaide ◽  
J. C. Guirado

We have studied a complete radio sample of active galactic nuclei with the very-long-baseline-interferometry (VLBI) technique and for the first time successfully obtained high-precision phase-delay astrometry at Q band (43 GHz) from observations acquired in 2010. We have compared our astrometric results with those obtained with the same technique at U band (15 GHz) from data collected in 2000. The differences in source separations among all the source pairs observed in common at the two epochs are compatible at the 1σ level between U and Q bands. With the benefit of quasi-simultaneous U and Q band observations in 2010, we have studied chromatic effects (core-shift) at the radio source cores with three different methods. The magnitudes of the core-shifts are of the same order (about 0.1 mas) for all methods. However, some discrepancies arise in the orientation of the core-shifts determined through the different methods. In some cases these discrepancies are due to insufficient signal for the method used. In others, the discrepancies reflect assumptions of the methods and could be explained by curvatures in the jets and departures from conical jets.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (S322) ◽  
pp. 56-63
Author(s):  
G.-Y. Zhao ◽  
M. Kino ◽  
I.-J. Cho ◽  
K. Akiyama ◽  
B. W. Sohn ◽  
...  

AbstractWe present recent observation results of Sgr A* at millimeter obtained with VLBI arrays in Korea and Japan.7 mm monitoring of Sgr A* is part of our AGN large project. The results at 7 epochs during 2013-2014, including high resolution maps, flux density and two-dimensional size measurements are presented. The source shows no significant variation in flux and structure related to the G2 encounter in 2014. According to recent MHD simulations by kawashimaet al., flux and magnetic field energy can be expected to increase several years after the encounter; We will keep our monitoring in order to test this prediction.Astrometric observations of Sgr A* were performed in 2015 at 7 and 3.5 millimeter simultaneously. Source-frequency phase referencing was applied and a combined ”core-shift” of Sgr A* and a nearby calibrator was measured. Future observations and analysis are necessary to determine the core-shift in each source.


1998 ◽  
Vol 188 ◽  
pp. 455-456
Author(s):  
M. Yokosawa

Active galactic nuclei(AGN) produce many type of active phenomena, powerful X-ray emission, UV hump, narrow beam ejection, gamma-ray emission. Energy of these phenomena is thought to be brought out binding energy between a black hole and surrounding matter. What condition around a black hole produces many type of active phenomena? We investigated dynamical evolution of accretion flow onto a black hole by using a general-relativistic, hydrodynamic code which contains a viscosity based on the alpha-model. We find three types of flow's pattern, depending on thickness of accretion disk. In a case of the thin disk with a thickness less than the radius of the event horizon at the vicinity of a marginally stable orbit, the accreting flow through a surface of the marginally stable orbit becomes thinner due to additional cooling caused by a general-relativistic Roche-lobe overflow and horizontal advection of heat. An accretion disk with a middle thickness, 2rh≤h≤ 3rh, divides into two flows: the upper region of the accreting flow expands into the atmosphere of the black hole, and the inner region of the flow becomes thinner, smoothly accreting onto the black hole. The expansion of the flow generates a dynamically violent structure around the event horizon. The kinetic energy of the violent motion becomes equivalent to the thermal energy of the accreting disk. The shock heating due to violent motion produces a thermally driven wind which flows through the atmosphere above the accretion disk. A very thick disk, 4rh≤h,forms a narrow beam whose energy is largely supplied from hot region generated by shock wave. The accretion flowing through the thick disk,h≥ 2rh, cannot only form a single, laminar flow falling into the black hole, but also produces turbulent-like structure above the event horizon. The middle disk may possibly emit the X-ray radiation observed in active galactic nuclei. The thin disk may produce UV hump of Seyfert galaxy. Thick disk may produce a jet observed in radio galaxy. The thickness of the disk is determined by accretion rate, such ashκ κes/cṁf(r) κ 10rhṁf(r), at the inner region of the disk where the radiation pressure dominates over the gas pressure. Here, Ṁ is the accretion rate and ṁ is the normarized one by the critical-mass flux of the Eddington limit. κesandcare the opacity by electron scattering and the velocity of light.f(r) is a function with a value of unity far from the hole.


2020 ◽  
Vol 493 (1) ◽  
pp. L54-L58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Y Kovalev ◽  
D I Zobnina ◽  
A V Plavin ◽  
D Blinov

ABSTRACT Significant positional offsets of the value from 1 mas to more than 10 mas were found previously between radio (VLBI) and optical (Gaia) positions of active galactic nuclei (AGNs). They happen preferentially parallel to the parsec-scale jet direction. AGNs with VLBI-to-Gaia offsets pointed downstream the jet are found to have favourably higher optical polarization, as expected if extended optical jets dominate in the emission and shift the Gaia centroid away from the physical nucleus of the source. Upstream offsets with the suggested domination of accretion discs manifest themselves through the observed low optical polarization. Direction of linear optical polarization is confirmed to preferentially align with parsec-scale jets in AGNs with dominant jets consistent with a toroidal magnetic field structure. Our findings support the disc–jet interpretation of the observed positional offsets. These results call on an intensification of AGN optical polarization monitoring programs in order to collect precious observational data. Taken together with the continued VLBI and Gaia observations, they will allow researchers to reconstruct detailed models of the disc–jet system in AGNs on parsec scales.


1989 ◽  
Vol 134 ◽  
pp. 525-528
Author(s):  
T. J. Pearson ◽  
A. C. S. Readhead

Very Long Baseline Interferometry at radio wavelengths is the only technique available for imaging the central few parsecs of powerful radio galaxies and quasars. VLBI observations have shown that in many nuclei radio-emitting material is collimated into a jet on a scale less than a parsec and ejected at relativistic velocities. The interpretation of the observations is complicated by the relativistic motion, however: the images are dominated by those parts of the source that are moving almost directly towards the observer, and thus amplified by relativistic aberration. Nonetheless, the VLBI images are vital for understanding the nature of the central engine, the cause of the collimation, and the physics of the jets.


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