Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2007-04-09
Astrophys.J.663:808-815,2007
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
9 pages, 7 figures, ApJ, in press
Scientific paper
10.1086/518781
We discuss Subaru and Spitzer Space Telescope imaging and spectroscopy of M87 in the mid-infrared from 5-35 um. These observations allow us to investigate mid-IR emission mechanisms in the core of M87 and to establish that the flaring, variable jet component HST-1 is not a major contributor to the mid-IR flux. The Spitzer data include a high signal-to-noise 15-35 $\mu$m spectrum of the knot A/B complex in the jet, which is consistent with synchrotron emission. However, a synchrotron model cannot account for the observed {\it nuclear} spectrum, even when contributions from the jet, necessary due to the degrading of resolution with wavelength, are included. The Spitzer data show a clear excess in the spectrum of the nucleus at wavelengths longer than 25 um, which we model as thermal emission from cool dust at a characteristic temperature of 55 \pm 10 K, with an IR luminosity \sim 10^{39} {\rm ~erg ~s^{-1}}. Given Spitzer's few-arcsecond angular resolution, the dust seen in the nuclear spectrum could be located anywhere within ~5'' (390 pc) of the nucleus. In any case, the ratio of AGN thermal to bolometric luminosity indicates that M87 does not contain the IR-bright torus that classical unified AGN schemes invoke. However, this result is consistent with theoretical predictions for low-luminosity AGNs
Elitzur Moshe
Imanishi Masatoshi
Levenson Nancy A.
Mason Rachel E.
Packham Christopher
No associations
LandOfFree
The Mid-Infrared Emission of M87 does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with The Mid-Infrared Emission of M87, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Mid-Infrared Emission of M87 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-206927