Probing the Obscuring Medium Around Active Nuclei Using Masers: The Case of 3C 403
Date Issued
2005
Author(s)
Abstract
We report the first detection of a water megamaser in a radio-loud galaxy, 3C 403, and present a follow-up study using the VLA. 3C 403 has been observed as a part of a small sample of FR II galaxies with evidence of nuclear obscuration. The isotropic luminosity of the maser is ∼1200 Lʘ. With a recessional velocity of cz ∼- 17680 km s-1 it is the most distant water maser so far reported. The line arises from the densest (>108 cm -3) interstellar gas component ever observed in a radio-loud galaxy. Two spectral features are identified, likely bracketing the systemic velocity of the galaxy. Our interferometric data clearly indicate that these arise from a location within 0.1″ (≈110 pc) from the active galactic nucleus. We conclude that the maser spots are most likely associated with the tangentially seen parts of a nuclear accretion disk, while an association with dense warm gas interacting with the radio jets cannot yet be ruled out entirely.
Coverage
Dense Molecular Gas Around Protostars and in Galactic Nuclei. European Workshop on Astronomical Molecules 2004
All editors
Baan, W.A.; Hagiwara, Y.; Langevelde, H.J.
Start page
117
Conferenece
Dense Molecular Gas Around Protostars and in Galactic Nuclei.
Conferenece place
Zwolle, the Netherlands
Conferenece date
February 18–20, 2004
Ads BibCode
2005dmgp.book..117T
Rights
open.access
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Format
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