Exploring Compact Symmetric Objects Using VLBA and Fermi-LAT

  • CART Astrophysics Seminar Series

April 17, 2025 2:00 PM
PAIS 3205

Host:
Greg Taylor
Presenter:
Evan Sheldahl (UNM)
Compact symmetric objects (CSOs) are a unique class of jetted active galactic nuclei (AGN) defined by sub-kpc radio emission, showing radio structure on both sides of the central engine. CSOs tend to exhibit little to no relativistic beaming, thereby allowing us to determine their physical characteristics, and differentiating them from the vast majority of known jetted AGN. I will describe our sample selection criteria, VLBA observations, imaging, and analyses of 167 CSO candidates, in which we identified 65 new bona fide CSOs, thus almost doubling the number of known bona fide CSOs to 144. In the course of our study, we observed a number of CSOs with complex morphologies, including CSOs that appear to have morphologies akin to wide-angle tail (WAT) galaxies and candidates for supermassive binary black holes (SBBHs). I will also touch on current efforts using the Fermi Large Area Telescope (Fermi-LAT) to look for gamma-ray emission co-located with CSOs , which we would expect to see from radio galaxies with newly birthed jets.

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