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您选择的条件: Xinwen Shu
  • Evidence of a tidal disruption event in GSN 069 from the abnormal carbon and nitrogen abundance ratio

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: GSN 069 is an ultra-soft X-ray active galactic nucleus that previously exhibited a huge X-ray outburst and a subsequent long-term decay. It has recently presented X-ray quasi-periodic eruptions (QPEs). We report the detection of strong nitrogen lines but weak or undetectable carbon lines in its far ultraviolet spectrum. With a detailed photoionization model, we use the C IV/N IV] ratio and other ratios between nitrogen lines to constrain the [C/N] abundance of GSN 069 to be from -3.33 to -1.91. We argue that a partially disrupted red giant star can naturally explain the abnormal C/N abundance in the UV spectrum, while the surviving core orbiting the black hole might produce the QPEs.

  • X-ray Quasi-periodic Eruptions driven by Star-Disc Collisions : Application to GSN069 and Probing the Spin of Massive Black Holes

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: X-ray quasi-periodic eruptions (QPEs) are discovered recently in active galaxies with unknown driven mechanism. Under the assumption that QPEs are caused by star-disc collisions, we adopt full relativistic method and show that both the orbital parameters of the star and also the mass and spinning of the massive black hole (MBH) can be revealed by using the time of arrival (TOA) of the QPEs. By applying the model to the observed QPEs of GSN069, we find that the star is in a near-circular orbit ( $e_\bullet=0.05^{+0.02}_{-0.02}$) with semimajor axis of $\sim 365^{+54}_{-49}r_{\rm g}$ around a MBH with $M_\bullet=3.0^{+0.9}_{-0.6} \times10^5M_\odot$. The alternative short and long recurring time of the QPEs of GSN069 can be well explained by the small eccentricity and the orbital precession of the star. We find that the QPEs of GSN069 are possibly driven by a striped stellar core colliding with accretion disc after partial tidal disruption event around the MBH. For GSN069-like galaxies, if continuous X-ray monitoring of QPE events can be accumulated with uncertainties of TOA $\lesssim 100-150$s, the spin of massive black hole can be constrained by fitting to QPEs. Our results show that the timing of QPEs can provide a unique probe for measuring the spinning of MBH and tests of no-hair theorem.

  • Submillimetre galaxies in two massive protoclusters at z = 2.24: witnessing the enrichment of extreme starbursts in the outskirts of HAE density peaks

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Submillimetre galaxies represent a rapid growth phase of both star formation and massive galaxies. Mapping SMGs in galaxy protoclusters provides key insights into where and how these extreme starbursts take place in connections with the assembly of the large-scale structure in the early Universe. We search for SMGs at 850$\,\mu m$ using JCMT/SCUBA-2 in two massive protoclusters at $z=2.24$, BOSS1244 and BOSS1542, and detect 43 and 54 sources with $S_{850}>4\,$mJy at the $4\sigma$ level within an effective area of 264$\,$arcmin$^2$, respectively. We construct the intrinsic number counts and find that the abundance of SMGs is $2.0\pm0.3$ and $2.1\pm0.2$ times that of the general fields, confirming that BOSS1244 and BOSS1542 contain a higher fraction of dusty galaxies with strongly enhanced star formation. The volume densities of the SMGs are estimated to be $\sim15-$30 times the average, significantly higher than the overdensity factor ($\sim 6$) traced by H$\alpha$ emission-line galaxies (HAEs). More importantly, we discover a prominent offset between the spatial distributions of the two populations in these two protoclusters -- SMGs are mostly located around the high-density regions of HAEs, and few are seen inside these regions. This finding may have revealed for the first time the occurrence of violent star formation enhancement in the outskirts of the HAE density peaks, likely driven by the boosting of gas supplies and/or starburst triggering events. Meanwhile, the lack of SMGs inside the most overdense regions at $z\sim2$ implies a transition to the environment disfavouring extreme starbursts.

  • Broad Emission and Absorption Line Outflows in the Quasar SDSS J163345.22+512748.4

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: We present a detailed study of the optical and NIR emission and absorption line spectrum of the quasar SDSS J163345.22+512748.4. We discovered on the newly acquired NIR spectrum a highly meta-stable neutral helium broad absorption line (BAL) \heiozetz\ with a width of $\sim$ 2000 \kmps\ and a blueshift of $\sim$ 7000 \kmps\ in the velocity space. The BAL system is also significantly detected in \mgii\ and \heiteen. We estimate a column density of $(5.0 \pm 1.7) \times 10^{14}$ cm$^{-2}$ for the HeI*(2~$^3$S) level, and infer an ionization parameter of $U_{A} = 10^{-1.9\pm 0.2}$ for the BAL outflow assuming that the BAL region is thick enough for a full development of an ionization front. The total column density of the BAL outflow is constrained in the range N$\rm _{H}$ $\sim$ 10$^{21}$-10$^{21.4}$ cm$^{-2}$. We also found that the bulk of both MgII and UV FeII, as well as H$\alpha$ broad emission lines (BELs) are blueshifted with a velocity of $\sim$ 2200 \kmps\ with respect to the quasar systemic redshift. We constrain that the blueshifted BEL region has a covering factor $C_{f}\approx 16\%$, a density n$\rm _{H}$ $\sim $ 10$^{10.6}$-10$^{11.3}$ cm$^{-3}$, a column density N$\rm _{H}\gtrsim 10^{23}$ cm$^{-2}$, and an ionization parameter $U_{E}\sim 10^{-2.1}-10^{-1.5}$. The outflow gas is located at $\sim$0.1 pc away from the central ionization source, at a scale comparable to the BLR. A toy kinetic model has been proposed to reproduce the profile of MgII BEL well if assuming a partial obscured axisymmetric geometry of the outflow with a radial velocity as observed by the BALs.

  • Feeding the Accretion Disk from the Dusty Torus in a Reddened Quasar

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: We present here a detailed analysis of an unusual absorption line system in the quasar SDSS J122826.79+100532.2. The absorption lines in the system have a common redshifted velocity structure starting from $v\sim0$ and extending to $\sim1,000\ \mathrm{km~s}^{-1}$, and are clearly detected in hydrogen Balmer series up to H$\iota$, in metastable neutral helium triplet, and in optical lines of excited states of single ionized iron. We estimated that the absorber has a density $n_{\mathrm{H}}\approx10^{8.4}\ \mathrm{cm}^{-3}$ and an ionization parameter $U\approx10^{-1.2}$, thereupon located it at $r_{\mathrm{abs}}\approx1.5$ pc from the central supermassive black hole. The inferred distance is remarkably similar to the evaporation radius for dust grains $r_{\mathrm{evap}}\approx1$ pc in the quasar. Thus the absorber may be a probe of an inflow starting from the dusty torus and feeding the accretion disk. Both the featureless continuum and the broad emission lines are heavily reddened with $E(B-V)\approx0.66$, in contrast to the narrow emission lines whose reddening is negligible. The dusty medium could be located in between the broad and narrow emission line regions, and possibly be associated with a 'cold' narrow absorption line system detected in \ion{Ca}{2} and \ion{Na}{1} doublets nearly unshifted from the quasar systemic velocity. SDSS J122826.79+100532.2 might represent such a rare case that both the inflow and the torus could be tracked by absorption lines.

  • The hidden side of cosmic star formation at z > 3: Bridging optically-dark and Lyman break galaxies with GOODS-ALMA

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Our current understanding of the cosmic star formation history at z>3 is primarily based on UV-selected galaxies (i.e., LBGs). Recent studies of H-dropouts have revealed that we may be missing a large proportion of star formation that is taking place in massive galaxies at z>3. In this work, we extend the H-dropout criterion to lower masses to select optically dark/faint galaxies (OFGs), in order to complete the census between LBGs and H-dropouts. Our criterion (H> 26.5 mag & [4.5] 3 (z_med=4.1) in the GOODS-ALMA field, covering a wide distribution of stellar masses with log($M_{\star}$/$M_{\odot}$) = 9.4-11.1. We find that up to 75% of the OFGs with log($M_{\star}$/$M_{\odot}$) = 9.5-10.5 were neglected by previous LBGs and H-dropout selection techniques. After performing stacking analyses, the OFGs exhibit shorter gas depletion timescales, slightly lower gas fractions, and lower dust temperatures than typical star-forming galaxies. Their SFR_tot (SFR_ IR+SFR_UV) is much larger than SFR_UVcorr (corrected for dust extinction), with SFR_tot/SFR_UVcorr = $8\pm1$, suggesting the presence of hidden dust regions in the OFGs that absorb all UV photons. The average dust size measured by a circular Gaussian model fit is R_e(1.13 mm)=1.01$\pm$0.05 kpc. We find that the cosmic SFRD at z>3 contributed by massive OFGs is at least two orders of magnitude higher than the one contributed by equivalently massive LBGs. Finally, we calculate the combined contribution of OFGs and LBGs to the cosmic SFRD at z=4-5 to be 4 $\times$ 10$^{-2}$ $M_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$Mpc$^{-3}$, which is about 0.15 dex (43%) higher than the SFRD derived from UV-selected samples alone at the same redshift.

  • Compact and variable radio emission from an active galaxy with supersoft X-ray emission

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: RX J1301.9+2747 is a unique active galaxy with supersoft X-ray spectrum that lacks significant emission at energies above 2 keV. In addition, it is one of few galaxies displaying quasi-periodic X-ray eruptions that recur on a timescale of 13-20 ks. We present multi-epoch radio observations of RX J1301.9+2747 using GMRT, VLA and VLBA. The VLBA imaging at 1.6 GHz reveals a compact radio emission unresolved at a scale of 5x10^7 K. The radio emission is variable by more than a factor of 2.5 over a few days, based on the data taken from VLA monitoring campaigns. The short-term radio variability suggests that the radio emitting region has a size as small as 8x10^{-4} pc, resulting in an even higher brightness temperature of T_b ~10^{12} K. A similar limit on the source size can be obtained if the observed flux variability is not intrinsic and caused by the interstellar scintillation effect. The overall radio spectrum is steep with a time-averaged spectral index alpha=-0.78+/-0.03 between 0.89 GHz and 14 GHz. These observational properties rule out a thermal or star-formation origin of the radio emission, and appear to be consistent with the scenario of episodic jet ejections driven by magnetohydrodynamic process. Simultaneous radio and X-ray monitoring observations down to a cadence of hours are required to test whether the compact and variable radio emission is correlated with the quasi-periodic X-ray eruptions.

  • A census of optically dark massive galaxies in the early Universe from magnification by lensing galaxy clusters

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: We present ALMA 870um and JCMT SCUBA2 850um dust continuum observations of a sample of optically dark and strongly lensed galaxies in the cluster fields. The ALMA and SCUBA2 observations reach a median rms of about 0.11 mJy and 0.44 mJy, respectively, with the latter close to the confusion limit of the data at 850um. This represents one of the most sensitive searches for dust emission in optically dark galaxies. We detect the dust emission in 12 out of 15 galaxies at >3.8 sigma, corresponding to a detection rate of 80 per cent. Thanks to the gravitational lensing, our observations reach a deeper limiting flux than previous surveys in blank fields by a factor of 3. We estimate delensed infrared luminosities in the range log(LIR)=11.5-12.7 Lsun, which correspond to dust-obscured star formation rates (SFRs) of 30 to 520 Msun per year. Stellar population fits to the optical-to-NIR photometric data yield a median redshift z=4.26 and de-lensed stellar mass log(Mstar)=10.78 Msun. They contribute a lensing-corrected star-formation rate density at least an order of magnitude higher than that of equivalently massive UV-selected galaxies at z>3. The results suggest that there is a missing population of massive star-forming galaxies in the early Universe, which may dominate the SFR density at the massive end. Five optically dark galaxies are located within r99.974% from Poisson statistics. Follow-up spectroscopic observations with ALMA and JWST are crucial to confirm whether it is associated with a protocluster at similar redshifts.

  • The hidden side of cosmic star formation at z > 3: Bridging optically-dark and Lyman break galaxies with GOODS-ALMA

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Our current understanding of the cosmic star formation history at z>3 is primarily based on UV-selected galaxies (i.e., LBGs). Recent studies of H-dropouts have revealed that we may be missing a large proportion of star formation that is taking place in massive galaxies at z>3. In this work, we extend the H-dropout criterion to lower masses to select optically dark/faint galaxies (OFGs), in order to complete the census between LBGs and H-dropouts. Our criterion (H> 26.5 mag & [4.5] 3 (z_med=4.1) in the GOODS-ALMA field, covering a wide distribution of stellar masses with log($M_{\star}$/$M_{\odot}$) = 9.4-11.1. We find that up to 75% of the OFGs with log($M_{\star}$/$M_{\odot}$) = 9.5-10.5 were neglected by previous LBGs and H-dropout selection techniques. After performing stacking analyses, the OFGs exhibit shorter gas depletion timescales, slightly lower gas fractions, and lower dust temperatures than typical star-forming galaxies. Their SFR_tot (SFR_ IR+SFR_UV) is much larger than SFR_UVcorr (corrected for dust extinction), with SFR_tot/SFR_UVcorr = $8\pm1$, suggesting the presence of hidden dust regions in the OFGs that absorb all UV photons. The average dust size measured by a circular Gaussian model fit is R_e(1.13 mm)=1.01$\pm$0.05 kpc. We find that the cosmic SFRD at z>3 contributed by massive OFGs is at least two orders of magnitude higher than the one contributed by equivalently massive LBGs. Finally, we calculate the combined contribution of OFGs and LBGs to the cosmic SFRD at z=4-5 to be 4 $\times$ 10$^{-2}$ $M_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$Mpc$^{-3}$, which is about 0.15 dex (43%) higher than the SFRD derived from UV-selected samples alone at the same redshift.

  • X-ray view of a merging supermassive black hole binary candidate SDSSJ1430+2303: Results from the first ~200 days of observations

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Recently we discovered an unprecedented supermassive black hole binary (SMBHB) candidate in the nearby Seyfert galaxy SDSS J1430+2303, which is predicted to merge within three years. X-ray spectroscopy may bring unique kinematic evidence for the last inspiraling stage, when the binary is too close to allow each of them to hold an individual broad line region. We try to confirm the unique SMBHB merger event and understand the associated high-energy processes from a comprehensive X-ray view. We observed SDSS J1430+2303 with XMM-Newton, NuSTAR, Chandra, and Swift spanning the first ~200 days since its discovery. X-ray variability, up to a factor of 7, has been detected on a timescale of a few days. The broadband spectrum from 0.2-70 keV can be well fitted with a model consisting of a power law and a relativistic reflection covered by a warm absorber. The properties of the warm absorber changed dramatically, for example, with a decrease in the line-of-sight velocity from ~0.2c to ~0.02c, between the two XMM-Newton observations separated by only 19 days, which can be naturally understood in the context of the SMBHB; although, the clumpy wind scenario cannot be completely excluded. Broad Fe Kalpha emission has been robustly detected, though its velocity shift or profile change is not yet measurable. Further longer X-ray observations are highly encouraged to detect the expected orbital motion of the binary.

  • Transient radio emission from low-redshift galaxies at z<0.3 revealed by VLASS and FIRST surveys

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: We present the discovery of a sample of 18 low-redshift (z5) in the epoch I (2017-2019) observations of Very Large Array Sky Survey (VLASS). All the 18 galaxies have been detected in the epoch II VLASS observations in 2020-2021, for which the radio flux is found to evolve slowly (by a factor of ~40%) over a period of about three years. 15 galaxies have been observed in the Rapid ASKAP Continuum Survey, and a flat or inverted spectral slope between 888 MHz and 3 GHz is found. Based on the Sloan Digital Sky Survey spectra taken before the radio brightening, 14 out of 18 can be classified to be LINERs or normal galaxies with weak or no nuclear activity. Most galaxies are red and massive, with more than half having central black hole masses above 10^8Msun. We find that only one galaxy in our sample displays optical flare lasting for at least two months, and a long decay in the infrared light curve that can be explained as the dust-heated echo emission of central optical flare, such as a stellar tidal disruption event. We discuss several possibilities for the transient radio emission and conclude that it is likely associated with a new-born radio jet triggered by short sporadic fueling of supermassive black hole. Such a scenario can be tested with further multi-frequency radio observations of these sources through measuring their radio flux variability and spectral evolution.

  • Hypercritical Accretion for Black Hole High Spin in Cygnus X-1

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Recent observations of AdLIGO and Virgo have shown that the spin measurements in binary black hole (BH) systems are typically small, which is consistent with the predictions by the classical isolated binary evolution channel. In this standard formation channel, the progenitor of the first-born BH is assumed to have efficient angular momentum transport. The BH spins in high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs), however, have been found consistently to be extremely high. In order to explain the high BH spins, the inefficient angular momentum transport inside the BH progenitor is required. This requirement, however, is incompatible with the current understanding of conventional efficient angular momentum transport mechanism. We find that this tension can be highly alleviated as long as the hypercritical accretion is allowed. We show that, for a case study of Cygnus X-1, the hypercritical accretion cannot only be a good solution for the inconsistent assumption upon the angular momentum transport within massive stars, but match its other properties reported recently.

  • Mid-InfraRed Outbursts in Nearby Galaxies (MIRONG). II. Optical Spectroscopic Follow-up

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: 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 time scale 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, HeII{\lambda}4686 and Bowen line NIII{\lambda}4640 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 H{\alpha} 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.