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The biconical radiation pattern extending from an active galactic nucleus (AGN) may strongly photoionize the circumnuclear interstellar medium (ISM) and stimulate emission from the narrow-line region (NLR). Observations of the NLR may provide clues to the structure of dense material that preferentially obscures the bicone at certain angles, and may reveal the presence of processes in the ISM tied to AGN accretion and feedback. Ground-based integral field units may study these processes via well-understood forbidden diagnostic lines such as [O iii ] and [S ii ], but scales of ∼tens of parsecs remain challenging to spatially resolve at these wavelengths for all but the nearest AGN. We present recent narrow-filter Hubble Space Telescope observations of diagnostic forbidden ([O iii ], [S ii ]) and Balmer (Hα, Hβ) lines in the NLR of IC 5063. This AGN's jet inclination into the plane of the galaxy provides an important laboratory for strong AGN–host interactions. We find evidence for a low-ionization loop which emits brightly in [S ii ] and [N ii ], and which may arise from plume-like hot outflows that ablate ISM from the galactic plane before escaping laterally. We also present spatially resolved Baldwin–Phillips–Terlevich diagnostic maps of the IC 5063 NLR. These maps suggest a sharp transition to lower-ionization states outside the jet path, and that such emission is dominated by ∼10–40 pc clumps and filamentary structure at large (≫25°) angles from the bicone axis. Such emission may arise from precursorless shocks when AGN outflows impact low-density hot plasma in the cross cone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present imaging and spectral analysis of the combined ∼48 ks Chandra observations of Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 4388. Compared with previous studies, three prominent extended X-ray structures around the nucleus on a kiloparsec-scale are well imaged, allowing an in-depth spatially resolved study. Both the extended hard continuum (4–6 keV) and the Fe Kα line (6.2–6.7 keV) show similar morphology, consistent with a scenario where the ionizing emission from the nucleus is reprocessed by circumnuclear cold gas, resulting in a weak reflection continuum and an associated neutral Fe Kα line. This has been seen in other Compton-thick active galactic nuclei (AGN), but NGC 4388 is one of the rare cases with a lower column density (NH < 1.25 × 1024 cm−2) along the line of sight. Significant differences in equivalent width of the Fe Kα emission line (up to a factor of 3) are found for the nuclear and extended regions. Such a difference could be ascribed to different column densities or scattering angles with respect to the line of sight, rather than variations in iron abundances. The northeast and west extended structures appear to be aligned with the larger-scale galactic disk and dust lane in the HST V − H color map, and are located at the peak of molecular gas distribution. The morphology of remaining extended features likely traces edges of a known radio jet, indicating that the outflow at the kiloparsec-scale may have compressed the interstellar gas and produced clumps working as the reflector to enhance line emission. In addition, using [O iv ] emission as a proxy of the AGN intrinsic luminosity, we find that both of the extended Fe Kα emission and reflection continuum are linearly correlated with the [O iv ] luminosity, which indicates a connection between the central AGN and the extended emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a comprehensive high spatial resolution imaging study of globular clusters (GCs) in NGC 1399, the central giant elliptical cD galaxy in the Fornax galaxy cluster, conducted with the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) aboard the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Using a novel technique to construct drizzled point-spread function libraries for HST/ACS data, we accurately determine the fidelity of GC structural parameter measurements from detailed artificial star cluster experiments and show the superior robustness of the GC half-light radius, rh, compared with other GC structural parameters, such as King core and tidal radius. The measurement of rh for the major fraction of the NGC 1399 GC system reveals a trend of increasing rh versus galactocentric distance, Rgal, out to about 10 kpc and a flat relation beyond. This trend is very similar for blue and red GCs, which are found to have a mean size ratio of rh, red/rh, blue = 0.82 ± 0.11 at all galactocentric radii from the core regions of the galaxy out to ∼40 kpc. This suggests that the size difference between blue and red GCs is due to internal mechanisms related to the evolution of their constituent stellar populations. Modeling the mass density profile of NGC 1399 shows that additional external dynamical mechanisms are required to limit the GC size in the galaxy halo regions to rh ≈ 2 pc. We suggest that this may be realized by an exotic GC orbit distribution function, an extended dark matter halo, and/or tidal stress induced by the increased stochasticity in the dwarf halo substructure at larger galactocentric distances. We compare our results with the GC rh distribution functions in various galaxies and find that the fraction of extended GCs with rh ⩾ 5 pc is systematically larger in late-type galaxies compared with GC systems in early-type galaxies. This is likely due to the dynamically more violent evolution of early-type galaxies. We match our GC rh measurements with radial velocity data from the literature and split the resulting sample at the median rh value into compact and extended GCs. We find that compact GCs show a significantly smaller line-of-sight velocity dispersion, 〈 σcmp〉 = 225 ± 25 km s–1, than their extended counterparts, 〈 σext〉 = 317 ± 21 km s–1. Considering the weaker statistical correlation in the GC rh color and the GC rh-Rgal relations, the more significant GC size-dynamics relation appears to be astrophysically more relevant and hints at the dominant influence of the GC orbit distribution function on the evolution of GC structural parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have obtained a deep, subarcsecond resolution X-ray image of the nuclear region of the luminous galaxy merger NGC 6240 with Chandra, which resolves the X-ray emission from the pair of active nuclei and the diffuse hot gas in great detail. We detect extended hard X-ray emission from kT ∼ 6 keV (∼70 MK) hot gas over a spatial scale of 5 kpc, indicating the presence of fast shocks with a velocity of ∼2200 km s–1. For the first time, we obtain the spatial distribution of this highly ionized gas emitting Fe XXV, which shows a remarkable correspondence to the large-scale morphology of H2(1-0) S(1) line emission and Hα filaments. Propagation of fast shocks originating in the starburst-driven wind into the ambient dense gas can account for this morphological correspondence. With an observed L0.5-8 keV = 5.3 × 1041 erg s–1, the diffuse hard X-ray emission is ∼100 times more luminous than that observed in the classic starburst galaxy M82. Assuming a filling factor of 1% for the 70 MK temperature gas, we estimate its total mass (Mhot = 1.8 × 108M☼) and thermal energy (Eth = 6.5 × 1057 erg). The total iron mass in the highly ionized plasma is MFe = 4.6 × 105M☼. Both the energetics and the iron mass in the hot gas are consistent with the expected injection from the supernovae explosion during the starburst that is commensurate with its high star formation rate. No evidence for fluorescent Fe I emission is found in the CO filament connecting the two nuclei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have revisited the X-ray scaling relations of early-type galaxies (ETG) by investigating, for the first time, the LX,Gas-MTotal relation in a sample of 14 ETGs. In contrast to the large scatter (a factor of 102-103) in the LX,Total-LB relation, we found a tight correlation between these physically motivated quantities with an rms deviation of a factor of three in LX,Gas = 1038-1043 erg s–1 or MTotal = a few × 1010 to a few × 1012M☼. More striking, this relation becomes even tighter with an rms deviation of a factor of 1.3 among the gas-rich galaxies (with LX,Gas > 1040 erg s–1). In a simple power-law form, the new relation is (LX,Gas/1040 erg s–1) = (MTotal/3.2 × 1011M☼)3. This relation is also consistent with the steep relation between the gas luminosity and temperature, LX,Gas ∼ TGas4.5, identified by Boroson et al., if the gas is virialized. Our results indicate that the total mass of an ETG is the primary factor in regulating the amount of hot gas. Among the gas-poor galaxies (with LX,Gas < a few × 1039 erg s–1), the scatter in the LX,Gas-MTotal (and LX,Gas-TGas) relation increases, suggesting that secondary factors (e.g., rotation, flattening, star formation history, cold gas, environment, etc.) may become important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is the third in a series in which we present deep Chandra ACIS-S imaging spectroscopy of the Seyfert l galaxy NGC 4151, devoted to study its complex circumnuclear X-ray emission. Emission features in the soft X-ray spectrum of the bright extended emission (L0.3-2 keV ~ 1040 erg s-1) at r > 130 pc (2") are consistent with blended brighter O VII, O VIII, and Ne IX lines seen in the Chandra HETGS and XMM-Newton RGS spectra below 2 eV. We construct emission line images of these features and find good morphological correlations with the narrow-line region clouds mapped in [O III] λ5007. Self-consistent photoionization models provide good descriptions of the spectra of the large-scale emission, as well as resolved structures, supporting the dominant role of nuclear photoionization, although displacement of optical and X-ray features implies a more complex medium. Collisionally ionized emission is estimated to be ≾12% of the extended emission. Presence of both low- and high-ionization spectral components and extended emission in the X-ray image perpendicular to the bicone indicates leakage of nuclear ionization, likely filtered through warm absorbers, instead of being blocked by a continuous obscuring torus. The ratios of [O III]/soft X-ray flux are approximately constant (~ 15) tor the 1.5 kpc radius spanned by these measurements, indicating similar relative contributions from the low- and high-ionization gas phases at different radial distances from the nucleus. If the [O III] and X-ray emission arise from a single photoionized medium, this further implies an outflow with a wind-like density profile. Using spatially resolved X-ray features, we estimate that the mass outflow rate in NGC 4151 is ~2 M⊙ yr-1 at 130 pc and the kinematic power of the ionized outflow is 1.7 x 1041 erg s-1, approximately 0.3% of the bolometric luminosity of the active nucleus in NGC 4151. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a wide-field study of the globular cluster (GC)/low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) connection in the giant elliptical NGC 1399. The large field of view of the Advanced Camera for Surveys/WFC, combined with Hubble Space Telescope and Chandra high resolution, allow us to constrain the LMXB formation scenarios in elliptical galaxies. We confirm that NGC 1399 has the highest LMXB fraction in GCs of all nearby elliptical galaxies studied so far, even though the exact value depends on galactocentric distance due to the interplay of a differential GC versus galaxy light distribution and the GC color dependence. In fact, LMXBs are preferentially hosted by bright, red GCs out to >5 Reff of the galaxy light. The finding that GCs hosting LMXBs follow the radial distribution of their parent GC population argues against the hypothesis that the external dynamical influence of the galaxy affects the LMXB formation in GCs. On the other hand, field-LMXBs closely match the host galaxy light, thus indicating that they are originally formed in situ and not inside GCs. We measure GC structural parameters, finding that the LMXB formation likelihood is influenced independently by mass, metallicity, and GC structural parameters. In particular, the GC central density plays a major role in predicting which GCs host accreting binaries. Finally, our analysis shows that LMXBs in GCs are marginally brighter than those in the field, and in particular the only color-confirmed GC with Lx > 1039 erg s-1 shows no variability, which may indicate a superposition of multiple LMXBs in these systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have studied the X-ray emission within the inner ~150 pc radius of NGC 4151 by constructing high spatial resolution emission line images of blended O VII, O VIII, and Ne IX. These maps show extended structures that are spatially correlated with the radio outflow and optical [O III] emission. We find strong evidence for jet-gas cloud interaction, including morphological correspondences with regions of X-ray enhancement, peaks of near-infrared [Fe II] emission, and optical clouds. In these regions, moreover, we find evidence of elevated Ne IX/O VII ratios; the X-ray emission of these regions also exceeds that expected from nuclear photoionization. Spectral fitting reveals the presence of a collisionally ionized component. The thermal energy of the hot gas suggests that ≳0.1% of the estimated jet power is deposited into the host interstellar medium through interaction between the radio jet and the dense medium of the circumnuclear region. We find possible pressure equilibrium between the collisionaily ionized hot gas and the photoionized line-emitting cool clouds. We also obtain constraints on the extended iron and silicon fluorescent emission. Both lines are spatially unresolved. The upper limit on the contribution of an extended emission region to the Fe Kα emission is ≲5% of the total, in disagreement with a previous claim that 65% of the Fe Kα emission originates in the extended narrow line region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the deepest available Chandra observations of NGC 4649, we find strong evidences of cavities, ripples, and ring-like structures in the hot interstellar medium that appear to be morphologically related with the central radio emission. These structures show no significant temperature variations in correspondence with higher pressure regions (0.5 kpc < r < 3 kpc). On the same spatial scale, a discrepancy between the mass profiles obtained from stellar dynamic and Chandra data represents the telltale evidence of a significant nonthermal pressure component in this hot gas, which is related to the radio jet and lobes. On a larger scale we find agreement between the mass profile obtained from Chandra data and planetary nebulae and globular cluster dynamics. The nucleus of NGC 4649 appears to be extremely radiatively inefficient, with highly sub-Bondi accretion flow. Consistent with this finding, the jet power evaluated from the observed X-ray cavities implies that a small fraction of the accretion power calculated for the Bondi mass accretion rate emerges as kinetic energy. Comparing the jet power to radio and nuclear X-ray luminosity, the observed cavities show behavior similar to those of other giant elliptical galaxies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present g and z photometry and size estimates for globular clusters (GCs) in the massive Virgo elliptical NGC 4649 (M60) using a five-pointing Hubble Space Telescope/Advanced Camera for Surveys mosaic. The metal-poor GCs show a monotonic negative metallicity gradient of –0.43 ± 0.10 dex per dex in radius over the full radial range of the data, out to ∼24 kpc. There is evidence for substantial color substructure among the metal-rich GCs. The metal-poor GCs have typical sizes ∼0.4 pc larger than the metal-rich GCs out to large galactocentric distances (≳ 20 kpc), favoring an intrinsic explanation for the size difference rather than projection effects. There is no clear relation between half-light radius and galactocentric distance beyond ∼15 kpc, suggesting that the sizes of GCs are not generically set by tidal limitation. Finally, we identify ∼20 candidate ultracompact dwarfs that extend down to surprisingly faint absolute magnitudes (Mz ∼ –8.5), and may bridge the gap between this class and “extended clusters” in the Local Group. Three of the brighter candidates have published radial velocities and can be confirmed as bona fide ultracompact dwarfs; follow-up spectroscopy will determine the nature of the remainder of the candidates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of a deep (579 ks) Chandra ACIS pointing of the elliptical galaxy NGC 4278, which hosts a low-luminosity active galactic nucleus (AGN) and compact radio emission, allowed us to detect extended emission from hot gas out to a radius of ∼5 kpc, with 0.5-8 keV luminosity of 2.4 × 1039 erg s–1. The emission is elongated in the NE-SW direction, misaligned with respect to the stellar body, and aligned with the ionized gas and with the Spitzer IRAC 8 μm non-stellar emission. The nuclear X-ray luminosity decreased by a factor of ∼18 since the first Chandra observation in 2005, a dimming that enabled the detection of hot gas even at the position of the nucleus. The gas shows a significantly larger temperature (kT = 0.75 keV) in both the projected and deprojected profiles in the inner ∼300 pc than in the surrounding region, where it stays at ∼0.3 keV, a value lower than expected from standard gas heating assumptions. The nuclear X-ray emission is consistent with that of a low radiative efficiency accretion flow, accreting mass at a rate close to the Bondi rate; estimates of the power of the nuclear jets require that the accretion rate is not largely reduced with respect to the Bondi rate. Among possible origins for the central large hot gas temperature, such as gravitational heating from the central massive black hole and a recent AGN outburst, interaction with the nuclear jets seems more likely, especially if the latter remain confined, and heat the nuclear region frequently. The unusual hot gas distribution on the galactic scale could be due to the accreting cold gas triggering the cooling of the hot phase, a process also contributing to the observed line emission from ionized gas, and to the hot gas temperature being lower than expected; alternatively, the latter could be due to the efficiency of the Type Ia supernova heating that is lower than usually adopted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have obtained a high spatial resolution X-ray image of the nucleus of NGC 1068 using the High Resolution Camera (HRC-I) on board the Chandra X-ray Observatory, which provides an unprecedented view of the innermost 1 arcsec radius region of this galaxy. The HRC image resolves the narrow-line region into X-ray emission clumps matching bright emission-line clouds in the HST [OIII] λ5007 images and allows comparison with subarcsecond-scale radio jet for the first time. Two distinct X-ray knots are revealed at 1.3-1.4 arcsec northeast and southwest of the nucleus. Based on the combined X-ray, [O III], and radio continuum morphology, we identify the locations of intense radio jet-cloud interaction. The [O III] to soft X-ray ratios show that some of these clouds are strongly affected by shock heating, whereas in other locations the jet simply thrusts through with no signs of strong interaction. This is further strengthened by the presence of a kT ∼ 1 keV collisionally ionized component in the ACIS spectrum of a shock-heated cloud HST-G. We estimate that the kinematic luminosity of the jet-driven shocks is 6 × 1038 erg s–1, a negligible fraction (10–4) of the estimated total jet power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present results on Mrk 573 obtained as part of the CHandra survey of Extended Emission-line Regions in nearby Seyfert galaxies (CHEERS). Previous studies showed that this source features a biconical emission in the soft X-ray band closely related to the narrow-line region as mapped by the [O III] emission line and the radio emission, though on a smaller scale; we investigate the properties of soft X-ray emission from this source with new deep Chandra observations. Making use of the subpixel resolution of the Chandra/ACIS image and point-spread function deconvolution, we resolve and study substructures in each ionizing cone. The two cone spectra are fitted with a photoionization model, showing a mildly photoionized phase diffused over the bicone. Thermal collisional gas at about ∼1.1 keV and ∼0.8 keV appears to be located between the nucleus and the “knots” resolved in radio observations, and between the “arcs” resolved in the optical images, respectively; this can be interpreted in terms of shock interaction with the host galactic plane. The nucleus shows a significant flux decrease across the observations indicating variability of the active galactic nucleus (AGN), with the nuclear region featuring a higher ionization parameter with respect to the bicone region. The long exposure allows us to find extended emission up to ∼7 kpc from the nucleus along the bicone axis. Significant emission is also detected in the direction perpendicular to the ionizing cones, disagreeing with the fully obscuring torus prescribed in the AGN unified model and suggesting instead the presence of a clumpy structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using Chandra X-ray observations of young, post-merger elliptical galaxies, we present X-ray characteristics of age-related observational results by comparing them with typical old elliptical galaxies in terms of metal abundances in the hot interstellar matter (ISM). While the absolute element abundances may be uncertain because of unknown systematic errors and partly because of the smaller amount of hot gas in young ellipticals, the relative abundance ratios (e.g., the α-element to Fe ratio, and most importantly the Si/Fe ratio) can be relatively well constrained. In two young elliptical galaxies (NGC 720 and NGC 3923) we find that the Si to Fe abundance ratio is super-solar (at a 99% significance level), in contrast to typical old elliptical galaxies where the Si to Fe abundance ratio is close to solar. Also, the O/Mg ratio is close to solar in the two young elliptical galaxies, as opposed to the sub-solar O/Mg ratio reported in old elliptical galaxies. Both features appear to be less significant outside the effective radius (roughly 30″ for the galaxies under study), consistent with the observations that confine to the centermost regions the signatures of recent star formation in elliptical galaxies. Observed differences between young and old elliptical galaxies can be explained by the additional contribution from SNe II ejecta in the former. In young elliptical galaxies, the later star formation associated with recent mergers would have a dual effect, resulting both in galaxy scale winds—and therefore smaller observed amounts of hot ISM—because of the additional SN II heating, and in different metal abundances, because of the additional SN II yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]