Episodic radio galaxies J0116−4722 and J1158+2621: can we constrain the quiescent phase of nuclear activity?

Harwood

et al. 2017

A&A

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We have observed the steep spectrum radio source B2 0924+30 using the LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR) telescope. Hosted by a z=0.026 elliptical galaxy, it has a relatively large angular size of 12 (corresponding to 360 kpc projected linear size) and a morphology reminiscent of a remnant Fanaroff-Riley type II (FRII) radio galaxy. Studying active galactic nuclei (AGN) radio remnants can give us insight into the time-scales involved into the episodic gas accretion by AGNs and their dependence on the AGN host environment. The proximity of the radio galaxy allows us to make detailed studies of its radio structure and map its spectral index and radiative age distribution. We combine LOFAR and archival images to study the spectral properties at a spatial resolution of 1 . We derive low frequency spectral index maps and use synchrotron ageing models to infer ages for different regions of the source. Thus, we are able to extend the spectral ageing studies into a hitherto unexplored frequency band, adding more robustness to our results. Our detailed spectral index mapping, while agreeing with earlier lower resolution studies, shows flattening of the spectral index towards the outer edges of the lobes. The spectral index of the lobes is α 609 140 ∼ −1 and gradually steepens to α 609 140 ∼ −1.8 moving towards the inner edges of the lobes. Using radiative ageing model fitting we show that the AGN activity ceased around 50 Myr ago. We note that the outer regions of the lobes are younger than the inner regions which is interpreted as a sign that those regions are remnant hotspots. We demonstrate the usefulness of maps of AGN radio remnants taken at low frequencies and suggest caution over the interpretation of spectral ages derived from integrated flux density measurements versus age mapping. The spectral index properties as well as the derived ages of B2 0924+30 are consistent with it being an FRII AGN radio remnant. LOFAR data are proving to be instrumental in extending our studies to the lowest radio frequencies and enabling analysis of the oldest source regions.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

Radiative age mapping of the remnant radio galaxy B2 0924+30: the LOFAR perspective

Shulevski

Harwood

et al. 2017

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“…It matches the duration of the AGN dormant phase of some of the fading radio sources reported in the sample of Parma et al (2007), and also is in agreement with the derived duration of the inactive phases for the sample of Murgia et al (2011). It is larger than the off times found (which are on the order of several Myr) for the two double-double radio galaxies studied by Konar et al (2013).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

The peculiar radio galaxy 4C 35.06: a case for recurrent AGN activity?

Shulevski

Barthel

et al. 2015

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Using observations obtained with the LOw Fequency ARray (LOFAR), the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope (WSRT) and archival Very Large Array (VLA) data, we have traced the radio emission to large scales in the complex source 4C 35.06 located in the core of the galaxy cluster Abell 407. At higher spatial resolution (∼4 ), the source was known to have two inner radio lobes spanning 31 kpc and a diffuse, low-brightness extension running parallel to them, offset by about 11 kpc (in projection). At 62 MHz, we detect the radio emission of this structure extending out to 210 kpc. At 1.4 GHz and intermediate spatial resolution (∼30 ), the structure appears to have a helical morphology. We have derived the characteristics of the radio spectral index across the source. We show that the source morphology is most likely the result of at least two episodes of AGN activity separated by a dormant period of around 35 Myr. The outermost regions of radio emission have a steep spectral index (α < −1), indicative of old plasma. We connect the spectral index properties of the resolved source structure with the integrated flux density spectral index of 4C 35.06 and suggest an explanation for its unusual integrated flux density spectral shape (a moderately steep power law with no discernible spectral break), possibly providing a proxy for future studies of more distant radio sources through inferring their detailed spectral index properties and activity history from their integrated spectral indices. The AGN is hosted by one of the galaxies located in the cluster core of Abell 407. We propose that it is intermittently active as it moves in the dense environment in the cluster core. In this scenario, the AGN turned on sometime in the past, and has produced the helical pattern of emission, possibly a sign of jet precession/merger during that episode of activity. Using LOFAR, we can trace the relic plasma from that episode of activity out to greater distances from the core than ever before. Using the the WSRT, we detect H I in absorption against the center of the radio source. The absorption profile is relatively broad (FWHM of 288 km s −1 ), similar to what is found in other clusters. The derived column density is N HI ∼ 4 × 10 20 cm −2 for a T spin = 100 K. This detection supports the connection -already suggested for other restarted radio sources -between the presence of cold gas and restarting activity. The cold gas appears to be dominated by a blue-shifted component although the broad H I profile could also include gas with different kinematics. Understanding the duty cycle of the radio emission as well as the triggering mechanism for starting (or restarting) the radio-loud activity can provide important constraints to quantify the impact of AGN feedback on galaxy evolution. The study of these mechanisms at low frequencies using morphological and spectral information promises to bring new important insights in this field.

“…At present, our knowledge of the radio galaxy duty cycle is limited to very few single-object studies, and information on its distribution among the radio galaxy population is not available (e.g. Konar et al 2013;Shulevski et al 2017). We have explored the variation in the results when modifying the parameters of the distribution of t on , and we find that the fraction of ultra-steep remnant can go as low as 6% when increasing t on to 60 Myr and increasing σ t on to 100 Myr.…”

Section: Discussion Of the Monte Carlo Simulation Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Search and modelling of remnant radio galaxies in the LOFAR Lockman Hole field

Brienza

Godfrey

et al. 2017

A&A

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178

Context. The phase of radio galaxy evolution after the jets have switched off, often referred to as the remnant phase, is poorly understood and very few sources in this phase are known. Aims. In this work we present an extensive search for remnant radio galaxies in the Lockman Hole, a well-studied extragalactic field. We create mock catalogues of low-power radio galaxies based on Monte Carlo simulations to derive first-order predictions of the fraction of remnants in radio flux limited samples for comparison with our Lockman-Hole sample. Methods. Our search for remnant radio galaxies is based on LOFAR observations at 150 MHz combined with public survey data at higher frequencies. To enhance the selection process, and obtain a more complete picture of the remnant population, we use spectral criteria such as ultra-steep spectral index and high spectral curvature, and morphological criteria such as low radio core prominence and relaxed shapes to identify candidate remnant radio galaxies. Mock catalogues of radio galaxies are created based on existing spectral and dynamical evolution models combined with observed source properties. Results. We have identified 23 candidate remnant radio galaxies which cover a variety of morphologies and spectral characteristics. We suggest that these different properties are related to different stages of the remnant evolution. We find that ultra-steep spectrum remnants represent only a fraction of our remnant sample suggesting a very rapid luminosity evolution of the radio plasma. Results from mock catalogues demonstrate the importance of dynamical evolution in the remnant phase of low-power radio galaxies to obtain fractions of remnant sources consistent with our observations. Moreover, these results confirm that ultra-steep spectrum remnants represent only a small subset of the entire population (∼50%) when frequencies higher than 1400 MHz are not included in the selection process, and that they are biased towards old ages.