X-ray/UV campaign on the Mrk 279 outflow: density diagnostics in Active Galactic Nuclei using O V K-shell absorption lines

Details X-ray/UV campaign on the Mrk 279 outflow: density diagnostics in Active Galactic Nuclei using O V K-shell absorption lines X-ray/UV campaign on the Mrk 279 outflow: density diagnostics in Active Galactic Nuclei using O V K-shell absorption lines

2004-06-08

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0406199v1

Astron.Astrophys. 428 (2004) 57-66

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

10 pages, 8 figures, submitted to Astronomy & Astrophysics, main journal

Scientific paper

10.1051/0004-6361:20041434

One of the main problems in modeling the ionised outflows in Active Galactic Nuclei is the unknown distance of the outflowing wind to the central source. Only if the density is known this distance can be determined through the ionisation parameter. Here we study density diagnostics based upon O V transitions. O V is known to have metastable levels that are density dependent. We study the population of those levels under photoionisation equilibrium conditions and determine for which parameter range they can have a significant population. We find that resonance line trapping plays an important role in reducing the critical densities above which the metastable population becomes important. We investigate the K-shell absorption lines from these metastable levels. Provided that there is a sufficient population of the metastable levels, the corresponding K-shell absorption lines are detectable and are well separated from the main absorption line originating from the ground state. We then present the Chandra LETGS spectrum of the Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 279 that may show for the first time the presence of these metastable level absorption lines. A firm identification is not yet possible due to both uncertainties in the observed wavelength of the strongest line as well as uncertainties in the predicted wavelength. If the line is indeed due to absorption from O V, then we deduce a distance to the central source of one light week to a few light months, depending upon the importance of additional heating processes.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

X-ray/UV campaign on the Mrk 279 outflow: density diagnostics in Active Galactic Nuclei using O V K-shell absorption lines 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 X-ray/UV campaign on the Mrk 279 outflow: density diagnostics in Active Galactic Nuclei using O V K-shell absorption lines, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and X-ray/UV campaign on the Mrk 279 outflow: density diagnostics in Active Galactic Nuclei using O V K-shell absorption lines will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-719146