The complex radio and X - ray structure in the nuclear regions of the active galaxy NGC 1365
نویسندگان
چکیده
We present a multiwavelength analysis of the prominent active galaxy NGC1365, in particular looking at the radio and X-ray properties of the central regions of the galaxy. We analyse ROSAT (PSPC and HRI) observations of NGC1365, and discuss recent ASCA results. In addition to a number of point sources in the vicinity of NGC1365, we find a region of extended X-ray emission extending along the central bar of the galaxy, combined with an emission peak near the centre of the galaxy. This central X-ray emission is centred on the optical/radio nucleus, but is spatially extended. The X-ray spectrum can be well fitted by a thermal plasma model, with a temperature of kT = 0.6 − 0.8 keV and a very low local absorbing column. The thermal spectrum is suggestive of starburst emission rather than emission from a central black-hole. The ATCA radio observations show a number of hotspots, located in a ring around a weak radio nucleus. Synchrotron emission from electrons accelerated by supernovae and supernova remnants (SNRs) is the likely origin of these hotspots (Condon & Yin 1990; Forbes & Norris 1998). The radio nucleus has a steep spectrum, indicative perhaps of an AGN or SNRs. The evidence for a jet emanating from the nucleus (as has been previously claimed) is at best marginal. The extent of the radio ring is comparable to the extended central X-ray source. We discuss the nature of the central activity in NGC1365 in the light of these observations. The extended X-ray emission and the thermal spectra strongly suggest that at soft X-ray energies we are not seeing emission predominantly from a central black-hole, although the presence of Fe-K line emission at higher energies does suggest the presence of an AGN. Consequently, a black-hole is probably not the dominant contributor to the energetics of the central regions of NGC1365 at radio, optical or soft X-ray wavelengths. Activity associated with a starburst is likely the dominant explanation for the observed properties of NGC1365.
منابع مشابه
High Resolution X-ray Imaging Observations of Two Low Luminosity Seyfert Galaxies
Results from observations of two nearby, low X-ray luminosity Seyfert-type galaxies, namely, NGC 1365, and NGC 4051, using the ROSAT High Resolution Imager (HRI) are presented. The observations carried out with the aim of detecting and resolving the extra-nuclear (beyond the central 5–10) X-ray emission show evidence for an extended component of ≃2 kpc size in NGC 1365 and NGC 4051. The extende...
متن کاملX-ray Arc Structures in Chandra Images of NGC5128 (Centaurus A)
We describe results from our initial study of the diffuse X-ray emission structures in NGC 5128 (Cen A) using the Chandra X-ray Observatory observations. The highangular resolution Chandra images reveal multi-scale X-ray structures with unprecedented detail and clarity. The large scale structures suggest complex symmetry, including a component possibly associated with the inner radio lobes, and...
متن کاملImaging the Circumnuclear Region of NGC 1365 with Chandra
We present the first Chandra/ACIS imaging study of the circumnuclear region of the nearby Seyfert galaxy NGC 1365. The X-ray emission is resolved into point-like sources and complex, extended emission. The X-ray morphology of the extended emission shows a biconical soft X-ray emission region extending ∼5 kpc in projection from the nucleus, coincident with the high excitation outflow cones seen ...
متن کاملA possible radio supernova in the outer part of NGC 3310
As part of an ongoing radio supernova monitoring program, we have discovered a variable, compact steep spectrum radio source ∼65 arcsec (∼4 kpc) from the centre of the starburst galaxy NGC 3310. If the source is at the distance of NGC 3310, then its 5 GHz luminosity is ∼ 3 × 10 19 W Hz −1. The source luminosity, together with its variability characteristics, compact structure (<17 mas) and its ...
متن کاملThe X - ray jet and central structure of the active galaxy NGC 315
We report the Chandra detection of resolved X-ray emission of luminosity 3.5 × 10 40 ergs s −1 (0.4–4.5 keV) and power-law energy spectral index α = 1.5 ± 0.7 from a roughly 10 arcsec length of the northwest radio jet in NGC 315. The X-ray emission is brightest at the base of the radio-bright region about 3 arcsec from the nucleus, and is consistent with a synchrotron origin. At a projected dis...
متن کامل