Observations of multiple nucleus galaxies

Disturbed galaxies with two nuclei display the final state of the interaction process of two galaxies (Kollatschny et al., 1986; Fricke and Kollatschny, 1989). A few of these double nucleus galaxies contain Seyfert nuclei. Making the assumption that the Seyfert galaxies Mkn 231 and Mkn 273 are galaxies in the final state of merging, having strong tidal arms but unresolved nuclei, one can estimate that 4 percent of all Seyfert galaxies are in the merging process. The luminosities of multiple nucleus Seyfert galaxies are extremely high in comparison to morphologically undisturbed Seyfert galaxies. In a table, mean values of the visual and blue luminosities and of the far-infrared and radio (6 cm) luminosities as well as the H alpha fluxes are listed for both classes are shown. In addition, the authors have separated Seyfert 1 and Seyfert 2 galaxies. In all cases the luminosities of double nucleus Seyfert galaxies are higher by a factor of more than two with respect to undisturbed Seyfert galaxies. This result might be explained by higher luminosities in the early phases of a Seyfert's life-under the assumption that the nonthermal activity is triggered by tidal interaction-and/or additional strong starburst phenomena. Due to strong nuclear absorption, the UV spectra of these Seyfert nuclei are unusually weak. Corresponding to the Seyfert survey, the authors obtained the H alpha and far infrared radiation (FIR) luminosities as well as the (0III)5007/H beta line ratios of a small sample of non-Seyfert nuclei in double nucleus galaxies. The direct image and the velocity field of the double starburst galaxy Mkn 788 (Kollatschny et al., 1986) are shown. The authors compared their measurements with those of normal interacting galaxies of Keel et al. (1985) and Bushouse (1987). The mean FIR luminosity per nucleus in multiple systems is the same as that of interacting galaxies. But the mean H alpha luminosities as well as the (OIII)/H beta line ratios are higher by a factor of 1.5-2 than those of normal interacting galaxies

Accretion disk wind as explanation for the broad-line region structure in NGC 5548

Supermassive black holes in the centers of active galactic nuclei (AGN) are surrounded by broad-line regions (BLRs). The broad emission lines seen in the AGN spectra are emitted in this spatially unresolved region. We intend to obtain information on the structure and geometry of this BLR based on observed line profiles. We modeled the rotational and turbulent velocities in the line-emitting region on the basis of the line-width FWHM and line dispersion sigma_line of the variable broad emission lines in NGC5548. Based on these velocities we estimated the height of the line-emitting regions above the midplane in the context of their distances from the center. The broad emission lines originate at distances of 2 to 27 light days from the center. Higher ionized lines originate in the inner region (lesser equal 13 light days) in specific filamentary structures 1 to 14 light days above the midplane. In contrast, the Hbeta line is emitted in an outer (6 - 26 light days), more flattened configuration at heights of 0.7 to 4 light days only above the midplane. The derived geometry of the line-emitting region in NGC5548 is consistent with an outflowing wind launched from an accretion disk.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, Astron. & Astrophys. Letter, in pres

Vertical broad-line region structure in nearby active galactic nuclei

Broad emission lines are emitted in the surroundings of supermassive black holes in the centers of active galactic nuclei (AGN). This region is spatially not resolved. We intend to get information on the structure and geometry of this broad emitting line region (BLR) based on line profile observations. We model the rotational and turbulent velocities in the line-emitting regions based on observed full-width at half maximum line values (FWHM) and {\sigma}_{line} of the variable broad emission lines in four nearby AGN: NGC 3783, NGC 7469, NGC 5548, and 3C 390.3. On the basis of these velocities, we estimate the height of the line-emitting regions above the midplane in context with their distances from the center. The H{\beta} lines are emitted in a more flattened configuration above the midplane in comparison to the highly ionized lines. The H{\beta} lines originate at heights of 0.7 to 1.6 light-days and at distances of 1.4 to 24 light-days with height/distance (H/R) ratios of only 0.07 to 0.5. The highly ionized lines originate at smaller radii than the H{\beta} lines and/or at greater distances above the midplane with H/R values of 0.2 to 1.7. In total, the emission lines do not originate in a thin atmosphere of an accretion disk but rather at very extended regions above an accretion disk. The observed geometries of the line-emitting regions resemble the geometries of accretion disk wind models. Furthermore, the angle of the central opening cone (generated by the emitting regions of the highly ionized lines) is small for those galaxies with slow rotational velocities and increases with the rotation velocity of the central region. The derived geometries of the line-emitting regions of all four AGN are consistent with the geometries that are predicted in outflowing disk wind models.Comment: 12 pages, 18 figures, Astronomy & Astrophysics in pres

Accretion disk wind in the AGN broad-line region: Spectroscopically resolved line profile variations in Mrk110

Detailed line profile variability studies of the narrow line Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk110 are presented. We obtained the spectra in a variability campaign carried out with the 9.2m Hobby-Eberly Telescope at McDonald Observatory. The integrated Balmer and Helium (HeI,II) emission lines are delayed by 3 to 33 light days to the optical continuum variations respectively. The outer wings of the line profiles respond much faster to continuum variations than the central regions. The comparison of the observed profile variations with model calculations of different velocity fields indicates an accretion disk structure of the broad line emitting region in Mrk110. Comparing the velocity-delay maps of the different emission lines among each other a clear radial stratification in the BLR can be recognized. Furthermore, delays of the red line wings are slightly shorter than those of the blue wings. This indicates an accretion disk wind in the BLR of Mrk110. We determine a central black hole mass of M = $1.8\cdot10^{7} M_{\odot}$. Because of the poorly known inclination angle of the accretion disk this is a lower limit only.Comment: 12 pages, 11 figures, Astron & Astrophys, in pres

The shape of broad-line profiles in AGN

We present a study of the broad optical/UV emission line profiles in AGN (active galactic nuclei) to get information on the dominant velocity components (turbulence, rotation, etc.) in the central broad-line region (BLR). We introduce line broadening simulations of emission line profiles and compare these results with the largest homogeneous data set of reverberation-mapped AGN. The underlying broad-line profiles in AGN are Lorentzian profiles caused by turbulence in the line emitting region. The turbulent velocities are different for the different line emitting regions of Ha, Hg, Lya, CIII] 1909, He II 1640, and Si IV 1400. The turbulent velocities go from 400 km/s for Hb up to 3,800 km/s for Lya+Nv 1240. The dominating broadening mechanism of these profiles is broadening due to rotation. The rotation velocities causing the line profile broadening go from 500 km/s up to 6,500 km/s. Here we present interrelations between observed emission line widths (FWHM) and their related rotational velocities to correct for the contribution of the turbulence to the broad-line profiles.Comment: 10 pages, 19 figures, to be published in A&

Variability of Fe II Emission Features in the Seyfert 1 Galaxy NGC 5548

We study the low-contrast Fe II emission blends in the ultraviolet (1250--2200A) and optical (4000--6000A) spectra of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548 and show that these features vary in flux and that these variations are correlated with those of the optical continuum. The amplitude of variability of the optical Fe II emission is 50% - 75% that of Hbeta and the ultraviolet Fe II emission varies with an even larger amplitude than Hbeta. However, accurate measurement of the flux in these blends proves to be very difficult even using excellent Fe II templates to fit the spectra. We are able to constrain only weakly the optical Fe II emission-line response timescale to a value less than several weeks; this upper limit exceeds all the reliably measured emission-line lags in this source so it is not particularly meaningful. Nevertheless, the fact that the optical Fe II and continuum flux variations are correlated indicates that line fluorescence in a photoionized plasma, rather than collisional excitation, is responsible for the Fe II emission. The iron emission templates are available upon request.Comment: 34 pages including 12 figures and 2 tables. Accepted for publication by ApJ (tentatively in vol. 626 June 10, 2005

The environment of AGNs and the activity degree of their surrounding galaxies

Aims. We present results of a comprehensive spectral study on the large-scale environment of AGNs based on Sloan Spectroscopic Survey data. Methods. We analyzed the spectra of galaxies in the environment of AGN and other activity classes up to distances of 1 Mpc. Results. The mean H{\alpha} and [OIII] {\lambda}5007 line luminosities in the environmental galaxies within a projected radius of 1 Mpc are highest around Seyfert 1 galaxies, with decreasing luminosities for Seyfert 2 and HII galaxies, and lowest for absorption line galaxies. Furthermore, there is a trend toward H{\alpha} and [OIII] luminosities in the environmental galaxies increasing as a function of proximity to the central emission line galaxies. There is another clear trend toward a neighborhood effect within a radius of 1000 kpc for the AGN and non-AGN types: Seyfert galaxies tend to have the highest probability of having another Seyfert galaxy in the neighborhood. HII galaxies tend to have the highest probability of having another HII galaxy in the neighborhood, etc. The number of companions within 1000 kpc is inversely correlated with the H{\alpha}, [OIII] {\lambda}5007, as well as with the continuum luminosities of the central galaxies, regardless of whether they are of Seyfert, HII, or absorption line types.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, to be published in A&

Geometry and Kinematics in the Central Broad-Line Region of a Seyfert 1 Galaxy

We recorded spectra of the highly variable Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk110 in a variability campaign with the 9.2m Hobby-Eberly Telescope at McDonald Observatory in order to study the detailed line profile variations of the broad emission lines. Here we show that only an AGN model predicting the formation of the broad Hb line emission in the wind of an accretion disk matches the observed 2-D variability pattern. Furthermore, we derive an improved mass of the central supermassive black hole of M = 1.0(+1.0,-0.5)E7 M_sun from the Hb velocity-delay map.Comment: 4 pages, 10 figures. A&A Letters, in pres