@article {2012A\&A...543A..72R, title = {{e-MERLIN and VLBI observations of the luminous infrared galaxy IC 883: a nuclear starburst and an AGN candidate revealed}}, journal = {Astronomy and Astrophysics}, volume = {543}, year = {2012}, month = {jul}, pages = {A72}, abstract = {Context. The high star formation rates of luminous infrared galaxies (LIRGs) make them ideal places for core-collapse supernova (CCSN) searches. Massive star formation can often be found in coexistence with an active galactic nucleus (AGN), contributing jointly to the energy source of LIRGs. At radio frequencies, where light is unaffected by dust extinction, it is possible to detect compact components within the innermost LIRG nuclear regions, such as SNe and SN remnants, as well as AGN buried deep in the LIRG nuclei.
Aims: Our study of the LIRG IC 883 aims at: (i) investigating the parsec-scale radio structure of the (circum-)nuclear regions of IC 883; (ii) detecting at radio frequencies the two recently reported circumnuclear SNe 2010cu and 2011hi, which were discovered by near-IR (NIR) adaptive optics observations of IC 883; and (iii) further investigating the nature of SN 2011hi at NIR wavelengths.
Methods: We used the electronic European very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) Network (e-EVN) at 5 GHz, and the electronic Multi-Element Remotely Linked Interferometer Network (e-MERLIN) at 6.9 GHz, to observe contemporaneously the LIRG IC 883 at high angular-resolution (from tens to hundreds of milliarcsec) and with high sensitivity ({\l}t}70 {$μ$}Jy), complemented by archival VLBI data at 5 GHz and 8.4 GHz. We also used the Gemini North telescope to obtain late-time JHK photometry for SN 2011hi.
Results: The circumnuclear regions traced by e-MERLIN at 6.9 GHz have an extension of \~{} 1 kpc, at a position angle of 130{\deg}, and show a striking double-sided structure, which very likely corresponds to a warped rotating ring, in agreement with previous studies. Our e-EVN observations at 5 GHz and complementary archival VLBI data at 5 GHz and 8.4 GHz, reveal various milliarcsec compact components in the nucleus of IC 883. A single compact source, an AGN candidate, dominates the emission at both nuclear and circumnuclear scales, as imaged with the e-EVN and e-MERLIN, respectively. The other milliarcsec components are strongly indicative of ongoing nuclear CCSN activity. Our e-EVN observations also provided upper limits to the radio luminosity of the two SNe in IC 883 recently discovered at NIR wavelengths. We refine the classification of SN 2011hi as a Type IIP SN according to our latest epoch of Gemini North observations acquired in 2012, in agreement with a low-luminosity radio SN nature. We estimate a CCSN rate lower limit of 1.1$_{-0.6}$$^{+1.3}$ yr$^{-1}$ for the entire galaxy, based on three nuclear radio SNe and the circumnuclear SNe 2010cu and 2011hi.}, keywords = {galaxies: individual: IC 883, galaxies: starburst, radiation mechanisms: non-thermal, radio lines: stars}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201218816}, url = {http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2012A\%26A...543A..72R}, author = {Romero-Ca{\~n}izales, C. and M. A. P{\'e}rez-Torres and Alberdi, A. and Argo, M.~K. and Beswick, R.~J. and Kankare, E. and Batejat, F. and Efstathiou, A. and Mattila, S. and Conway, J.~E. and Garrington, S.~T. and Muxlow, T.~W.~B. and Ryder, S.~D. and V{\"a}is{\"a}nen, P.} } @article {2012A\&A...540L...5H, title = {{Evidence of nuclear disks in starburst galaxies from their radial distribution of supernovae}}, journal = {Astronomy and Astrophysics}, volume = {540}, year = {2012}, pages = {L5}, abstract = {Galaxy-galaxy interactions are expected to be responsible for triggering massive star formation and possibly accretion onto a supermassive black hole, by providing large amounts of dense molecular gas down to the central kiloparsec region. Several scenarios to drive the gas further down to the central \~{}100 pc, have been proposed, including the formation of a nuclear disk around the black hole, where massive stars would produce supernovae. Here, we probe the radial distribution of supernovae and supernova remnants in the nuclear regions of the starburst galaxies M 82, Arp 299-A, and Arp 220, by using high-angular resolution ({\l}sim} 0.{\textquoteright}{\textquoteright}1) radio observations published in the literature (for M 82 and Arp 220), or obtained by ourselves from the European VLBI Network (Arp 299-A). Our main goal was to characterize the nuclear starbursts in those galaxies and thus test scenarios that propose that nuclear disks of sizes \~{}100 pc form in the central regions of starburst galaxies. We obtained the radial distribution of supernovae (SNe) in the nuclear starbursts of M 82, Arp 299-A, and Arp 220, and derived scale-length values for the putative nuclear disks powering the bursts in those central regions. The scale lengths for the (exponential) disks range from \~{}20-30 pc for Arp 299-A and Arp 220, up to \~{}140 pc for M 82. The radial distribution of SNe for the nuclear disks in Arp 299-A and Arp 220 is also consistent with a power-law surface density profile of exponent {$\gamma$} = 1, as expected from detailed hydrodynamical simulations of nuclear disks. Our results support scenarios where a nuclear disk of size \~{}100 pc is formed in (U)LIRGs, and sustained by gas pressure, in which case the accretion onto the black hole could be lowered by supernova feedback. Appendices are available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org}, keywords = {galaxies: individual: Arp 299-A, galaxies: luminosity function, galaxies: starburst, mass function, radiation mechanisms: non-thermal, radio continuum: stars, supernovae: general}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201118545}, url = {http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2012A\%26A...540L...5H}, author = {R. Herrero-Illana and M. A. P{\'e}rez-Torres and Alberdi, A.} } @article {2012A\&A...539A.134B, title = {{The nuclear starburst in Arp 299-A: from the 5.0 GHz VLBI radio light-curves to its core-collapse supernova rate}}, journal = {Astronomy and Astrophysics}, volume = {539}, year = {2012}, pages = {A134}, abstract = {Context. The nuclear region of the luminous infrared galaxy (LIRG) Arp 299-A hosts a recent ( {\sime} 10 Myr) intense burst of massive star formation that is expected to lead to numerous core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe). Previous VLBI observations, carried out with the European VLBI Network (EVN) at 5.0 GHz and with the VLBA at 2.3 and 8.4 GHz, resulted in the detection of many compact, bright, non-thermal sources in a region {\l}sim} 150 pc in size.
Aims: We aim to establish the nature of all non-thermal compact components in Arp 299-A, as well as to estimate its core-collapse supernova rate. While the majority of the compact components are expected to be young radio supernovae (RSNe) and supernova remnants (SNRs), a definitive classification is still lacking. Yet, this is very relevant for eventually establishing the CCSN rate, as well as the star formation rate, for this galaxy.
Methods: We used multi-epoch EVN observations taken at 5.0 GHz to image the compact radio sources in the nuclear region of Arp 299-A with milliarcsecond resolution. We also used one single-epoch 5.0 GHz Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN) observation to image the extended emission in which these compact radio sources are embedded.
Results: We present the first 5.0 GHz radio light-curve (spanning \~{}2.5 yr) of all compact components in the nuclear starburst of Arp 299-A. Twenty-six compact sources are detected, eight of which are new objects. The properties of all detected objects are consistent with them being a mixed population of CCSNe and SNRs. We find clear evidence for at least two new CCSNe, implying a lower limit to the CCSN rate of {$ν$}$_{SN}$ {\gsim} 0.80 SN/yr, indicating that the bulk of the current star formation in Arp 299-A is taking place in the innermost \~{}150 pc.A few more objects show variability consistent with them being recently exploded SNe, but only future observations will clarify this point. Our MERLIN observations trace a region of diffuse extended emission that is cospatial to the region where all compact sources are found. From this diffuse non-thermal radio emission traced by MERLIN we obtain an independent estimate for the CCSN rate, which is in the range {$ν$}$_{SN}$ = 0.40-0.65 SN/yr, in agreement with previous estimates and our direct estimate of the CCSN rate from the compact radio emission.
Conclusions: Our \~{}2.5 yr monitoring of Arp 299-A has allowed us to obtain for the first time a direct estimate of the CCSN rate of {$ν$}$_{SN}$ {\gsim} 0.80 SN/yr for the innermost \~{}150 pc of Arp 299-A.}, keywords = {galaxies: individual: Arp 299, galaxies: luminosity function, galaxies: starburst, mass function, radiation mechanisms: non-thermal, radio continuum: stars, supernovae: general}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201118446}, url = {http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2012A\%26A...539A.134B}, author = {Bondi, M. and M. A. P{\'e}rez-Torres and R. Herrero-Illana and Alberdi, A.} } @article {2011A\&A...533A.111M, title = {{Detection of jet precession in the active nucleus of M 81}}, journal = {Astronomy and Astrophysics}, volume = {533}, year = {2011}, month = {sep}, pages = {A111}, abstract = {We report on very-long-baseline-interferometry (VLBI) monitoring observations of the low-luminosity active galactic nucleus (LLAGN) in the galaxy M 81 at the frequencies of 1.7, 2.3, 5.0, and 8.4 GHz. The observations reported here are phase-referenced to the supernova SN 1993J (located in the same galaxy) and cover from late 1993 to late 2005. The large amount of available observations allows us to study the stability of the AGN position in the frame of its host galaxy at different frequencies and chromatic effects in the jet morphology, together with their time evolution. The source consists at all frequencies of a slightly resolved core and a small jet extension towards the northeast direction (position angle of \~{}65 degrees) in agreement with previous publications. We find that the position of the intensity peak in the images at 8.4 GHz is very stable in the galactic frame of M 81 (proper motion upper limit about 10 {$μ$}as per year). We confirm previous reports that the peaks at all frequencies are systematically shifted among them, possibly due to opacity effects in the jet as predicted by the standard relativistic jet model. We use this model, under plausible assumptions, to estimate the magnetic field in the jet close to the jet base and the mass of the central black hole. We obtain a black-hole mass of \~{}2 {\times} 10$^{7}$ M$_{\&sun;}$, comparable to estimates previously reported using different approaches, but the magnetic fields obtained are 10$^{3}$-10$^{4}$ times lower than previous estimates. We find that the positions of the cores at 1.7, 2.3, and 5.0 GHz are less stable than that at 8.4 GHz and evolve systematically, shifting southward at a rate of several tens of {$μ$}as per year. The evolution in the jet orientation seems to be related to changes in the inclination of the cores at all frequencies. These results can be interpreted as due to a precessing jet. The evolving jet orientation also seems to be related to a flare in the peak flux densities at 5.0 and 8.4 GHz, which lasts \~{}4 years (from mid 1997 to mid 2001). An increase in the accretion rate of the black hole, and its correlation with the jet luminosity via the disk-jet connection model, seems insufficient to explain this long flare and the simultaneous evolution in the jet orientation. A continued monitoring of the flux density and the jet structure evolution in this LLAGN will be necessary to further confirm our jet precession model.}, keywords = {astrometry, galaxies: active, galaxies: individual: M 81, galaxies: jets, radiation mechanisms: non-thermal, radio continuum: galaxies}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201117211}, url = {http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2011A\%26A...533A.111M}, author = {Mart{\'\i}-Vidal, I. and Marcaide, J.~M. and Alberdi, A. and M. A. P{\'e}rez-Torres and Ros, E. and Guirado, J.~C.} } @article {2011A\&A...526A.143M, title = {{Radio emission of SN1993J: the complete picture. II. Simultaneous fit of expansion and radio light curves}}, journal = {Astronomy and Astrophysics}, volume = {526}, year = {2011}, pages = {A143}, abstract = {We report on a simultaneous modelling of the expansion and radio light curves of the supernova SN1993J. We developed a simulation code capable of generating synthetic expansion and radio light curves of supernovae by taking into consideration the evolution of the expanding shock, magnetic fields, and relativistic electrons, as well as the finite sensitivity of the interferometric arrays used in the observations. Our software successfully fits all the available radio data of SN 1993J with a standard emission model for supernovae, which is extended with some physical considerations, such as an evolution in the opacity of the ejecta material, a radial decline in the magnetic fields within the radiating region, and a changing radial density profile for the circumstellar medium starting from day 3100 after the explosion.}, keywords = {acceleration of particles, galaxies: individual: M 81, radiation mechanisms: non-thermal, radio continuum: stars, supernovae: general, supernovae: individual: SN1993J}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201014517}, url = {http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2011A\%26A...526A.143M}, author = {Mart{\'\i}-Vidal, I. and Marcaide, J.~M. and Alberdi, A. and Guirado, J.~C. and M. A. P{\'e}rez-Torres and Ros, E.} } @article {2011A\&A...535L..10M, title = {{VLBI observations of SN 2011dh: imaging of the youngest radio supernova}}, journal = {Astronomy and Astrophysics}, volume = {535}, year = {2011}, pages = {L10}, abstract = {We report on the VLBI detection of supernova SN 2011dh at 22 GHz using a subset of the EVN array. The observations took place 14 days after the discovery of the supernova, thus resulting in a VLBI image of the youngest radio-loud supernova ever. We provide revised coordinates for the supernova with milli-arcsecond precision, linked to the ICRF. The recovered flux density is a factor \~{}2 below the EVLA flux density reported by other authors at the same frequency and epoch of our observations. This discrepancy could be due to extended emission detected with the EVLA or to calibration problems in the VLBI and/or EVLA observations.}, keywords = {ISM: supernova remnants, radiation mechanisms: non-thermal, radio continuum: general, supernovae: general, supernovae: individual: SN 2011dh}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201118195}, url = {http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2011A\%26A...535L..10M}, author = {Mart{\'\i}-Vidal, I. and Tudose, V. and Paragi, Z. and Yang, J. and Marcaide, J.~M. and Guirado, J.~C. and Ros, E. and Alberdi, A. and M. A. P{\'e}rez-Torres and Argo, M.~K. and van der Horst, A.~J. and Garrett, M.~A. and Stockdale, C.~J. and Weiler, K.~W.} } @article {2010A\&A...519L...5P, title = {{Serendipitous discovery of the long-sought active galactic nucleus in Arp 299-A}}, journal = {Astronomy and Astrophysics}, volume = {519}, year = {2010}, month = {sep}, pages = {L5}, abstract = {Context. The dusty nuclear regions of luminous infra-red galaxies (LIRGs) are heated by either an intense burst of massive star formation, an active galactic nucleus (AGN), or a combination of both. Disentangling the contribution of each of those putative dust-heating agents is a challenging task, and direct imaging of the innermost few pc can only be accomplished at radio wavelengths, using very high-angular resolution observations.
Aims: We observed the nucleus A of the interacting starburst galaxy Arp 299, using very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) radio observations at 1.7 and 5.0 GHz. Our aim was to characterize the compact sources in the innermost few pc region of Arp 299-A, as well as to detect recently exploded core-collapse supernovae.
Methods: We used the European VLBI Network (EVN) to image the 1.7 and 5.0 GHz compact radio emission of the parsec-scale structure in the nucleus of Arp 299-A with milliarcsecond resolution.
Results: Our EVN observations show that one of the compact VLBI sources, A1, previously detected at 5.0 GHz, has a flat spectrum between 1.7 and 5.0 GHz and is the brightest source at both frequencies. Our 1.7 GHz EVN image shows also diffuse, low-surface brightness emission extending westwards from A1 and displays a prominent core-jet structure.
Conclusions: The morphology, radio luminosity, spectral index and ratio of radio-to-X-ray emission of the A1-A5 region is consistent with a low-luminosity AGN (LLAGN), and rules out the possibility that it is a chain of young radio supernovae (RSNe) and supernova remnants (SNRs). We therefore conclude that A1-A5 is the long-sought AGN in Arp 299-A. This finding may suggest that both starburst and AGN are frequently associated phenomena in mergers.}, keywords = {galaxies: individual: Arp 299, galaxies: starburst, Galaxy: nucleus, radiation mechanisms: non-thermal, radio continuum: stars}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201015462}, url = {http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2010A\%26A...519L...5P}, author = {M. A. P{\'e}rez-Torres and Alberdi, A. and Romero-Ca{\~n}izales, C. and Bondi, M.} }