Probing the Obscuring Medium Around Active Nuclei Using Masers: The Case of 3C 403
Probing the Obscuring Medium Around Active Nuclei Using Masers: The Case of 3C 403
复制标题
使用微波激射器探测活跃原子核周围的遮蔽介质：3C 403 的案例
DOI：
10.1007/s10509-005-3669-y
复制
发表时间：
2004
影响因子：
1.9
通讯作者：
L. Moscadelli
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
A. Tarchi;C. Henkel;M. Chiaberge;K. Menten;A. Brunthaler;L. Moscadelli
我们报告了在无线电响亮星系 3C 403 中首次检测到水巨脉泽，并提出了使用 VLA 的后续研究。 3C 403 已被观测为 FR II 星系小样本的一部分，并有核遮蔽的证据。微波激射器的各向同性光度为∼1200 L⊙。它的退行速度为 cz ∼ 17680 km s−1，是迄今为止报道的距离最远的水脉泽。这条线源自射电响亮星系中迄今为止观察到的最致密（> 108 cm−3）星际气体成分。确定了两个光谱特征，可能涵盖了星系的系统速度。我们的干涉数据清楚地表明，这些产生于距活动星系核 0.1 英寸（约 110 pc）以内的位置。我们得出的结论是，微波激射点很可能与核吸积盘切向可见的部分有关，而与射电射流相互作用的稠密温暖气体的关联尚不能完全排除。
We report the first detection of a water megamaser in a radio-loud galaxy, 3C 403, and present a follow-up study using the VLA. 3C 403 has been observed as a part of a small sample of FR II galaxies with evidence of nuclear obscuration. The isotropic luminosity of the maser is ∼1200 L⊙. With a recessional velocity of cz ∼ 17680 km s−1 it is the most distant water maser so far reported. The line arises from the densest (> 108 cm−3) interstellar gas component ever observed in a radio-loud galaxy. Two spectral features are identified, likely bracketing the systemic velocity of the galaxy. Our interferometric data clearly indicate that these arise from a location within 0.1″ (≈110 pc) from the active galactic nucleus. We conclude that the maser spots are most likely associated with the tangentially seen parts of a nuclear accretion disk, while an association with dense warm gas interacting with the radio jets cannot yet be ruled out entirely.