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We report on the discovery of one of the most extreme cases of high-frequency radio variability ever measured in active galactic nuclei (AGNs), observed on time-scales of days and exhibiting variability amplitudes of 3–4 orders of magnitude. These sources, all radio-weak narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxies, were discovered some years ago at Aalto University Metsähovi Radio Observatory (MRO) based on recurring flaring at 37 GHz, strongly indicating the presence of relativistic jets. In subsequent observations with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (JVLA) at 1.6, 5.2, and 9.0 GHz no signs of jets were seen. To determine the cause of their extraordinary behaviour, we observed them with the JVLA at 10, 15, 22, 33, and 45 GHz, and with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) at 15 GHz. These observations were complemented with single-dish monitoring at 37 GHz at MRO, and at 15 GHz at Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO). Intriguingly, all but one source either have a steep radio spectrum up to 45 GHz, or were not detected at all. Based on the 37 GHz data, the time-scales of the radio flares are a few days, and the derived variability brightness temperatures and variability Doppler factors are comparable to those seen in blazars. We discuss alternative explanations for their extreme behaviour, but so far no definite conclusions can be made. These sources exhibit radio variability at a level rarely, if ever, seen in AGN. They might represent a new type of jetted AGN, or a new variability phenomenon, and thus deserve our continued attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using stacking of images obtained at different epochs, we studied the variability properties of linear polarization of active galactic nucleus (AGN) jets on parsec-scales. Our sample is drawn from the MOJAVE programme, and consists of 436 AGNs manifesting core-jet morphology and having at least five VLBA observing epochs at 15 GHz from 1996 January through 2019 August, with some additional archival VLBA data reduced by us. We employed a stacking procedure and constructed maps of (i) standard deviation of fractional polarization and electric vector position angle (EVPA) over epochs as the measure of variability and (ii) median polarization degree to quantify typical values in time. The distributions of these values along and across the jet were analysed for the whole sample for the first time. We found that core EVPA variability is typically higher than that of the jet, presumably due to component blending and outflow bends in the core. The BL Lacertae object cores have lower EVPA variability, compared to that of quasars, possibly due to lower Faraday rotation measure, suggesting a stronger ordered magnetic field component. The EVPA becomes more stable down the jet. Most of the sources showing this trend have a time coverage of more than 12 yr and at least 15 epochs. The possible cause could be the increase of stability in the magnetic field direction, reflecting an increase in the fraction of the magnetic field that is ordered. There are no significant optical-class-dependent or spectral-class-dependent relations in the EVPA variability properties in AGN jets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analysed the parsec-scale linear polarization properties of 436 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) based on 15 GHz polarimetric Very Long Baseline Array observations. We present polarization and total intensity images averaged over at least five epochs since 1996 January 19 through 2019 August 4. Stacking improves the image sensitivity down to ∼30 μJy beam−1 and effectively fills out the jet cross-section both in total intensity and linear polarization. It delineates the long-term persistent magnetic field configuration and its regularity by restoring spatial distributions of the electric vector position angle (EVPA) and fractional polarization, respectively. On average, about 10 yr of stacking period is needed to reveal the stable and most-complete polarization distribution of a source. We find that the degree of polarization significantly increases down and across the jet towards its edges, typically manifesting U or W-shaped transverse profiles, suggesting a presence of a large-scale helical magnetic field associated with the outflow. In some AGN jets, mainly BL Lacs, we detect quasi-constant fractional polarization profiles across the jet, accompanied by EVPAs that closely follow the outflow. BL Lacs show higher fractional polarization values in their cores and jets than those in quasars up to hectoparsec de-projected scales, while on larger scales, they become comparable. High-synchrotron-peaked BL Lac jets are found to be less polarized than intermediate and low-synchrotron-peaked BL Lacs. The spatial distribution of the EVPAs in BL Lacs tend to align with the local jet direction, while quasars show an excess of orthogonal polarization orientation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the MOJAVE VLBA programme (Monitoring of Jets in AGN with VLBA Experiments), we have accumulated observational data at 15 GHz for hundreds of jets in gamma-ray bright active galactic nuclei since the beginning of the Fermi scientific observations in 2008 August. We investigated a time delay between the flux density of AGN parsec-scale radio emission at 15 GHz and 0.1–300 GeV Fermi LAT photon flux, taken from constructed light curves using weekly and adaptive binning. The correlation analysis shows that radio is lagging gamma-ray radiation by up to 8 months in the observer's frame, while in the source frame, the typical delay is about 2–3 months. If the jet radio emission, excluding the opaque core, is considered, significant correlation is found at greater time lags. We supplement these results with VLBI kinematics and core shift data to conclude that the dominant high-energy production zone is typically located at a distance of several parsecs from the central nucleus. We also found that quasars have on average more significant correlation peak, more distant gamma-ray emission region from the central engine and shorter variability time-scale compared to those of BL Lacertae objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observational studies of collimation in jets in active galactic nuclei (AGN) are a key to understanding their formation and acceleration processes. We have performed an automated search for jet shape transitions in a sample of 367 AGN using VLBA data at 15 and 1.4 GHz. This search has found 10 out of 29 nearby jets at redshifts z  < 0.07 with a transition from a parabolic to conical shape, while the full analysed sample is dominated by distant AGN with a typical z  ≈ 1. The ten AGN are UGC 00773, NGC 1052, 3C 111, 3C 120, TXS 0815−094, Mrk 180, PKS 1514+00, NGC 6251, 3C 371, and BL Lac. We conclude that the geometry transition may be a common effect in AGN jets. It can be observed only when sufficient linear resolution is obtained. Supplementing these results with previously reported shape breaks in the nearby AGN 1H 0323+342 and M87, we estimate that the break occurs at 105–106 gravitational radii from the nucleus. We suggest that the jet shape transition happens when the bulk plasma kinetic energy flux becomes equal to the Poynting energy flux, while the ambient medium pressure is assumed to be governed by Bondi accretion. In general, the break point may not coincide with the Bondi radius. The observational data support our model predictions on the jet acceleration and properties of the break point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present 15 GHz stacked VLBA images of 373 jets associated with active galactic nuclei (AGNs) having at least five observing epochs within a 20 yr time interval 1994-2015 from the Monitoring Of Jets in Active galactic nuclei with VLBA Experiments (MOJAVE) programme and/or its precursor, the 2-cm VLBA Survey. These data are supplemented by 1.4 GHz singleepoch VLBA observations of 135 MOJAVE AGNs to probe larger scale jet structures. The typical jet geometry is found to be close to conical on scales from hundreds to thousands of parsecs, while a number of galaxies show quasi-parabolic streamlines on smaller scales. A true jet geometry in a considerable fraction ofAGNs appears only after stacking epochs over several years. The jets with significant radial accelerated motion undergo more active collimation. We have analysed total intensity jet profiles transverse to the local jet ridgeline and derived both apparent and intrinsic opening angles of the flows, with medians of 21.°5 and 1.°3, respectively. The Fermi LAT-detected gamma-rayAGNs in our sample have, on average, wider apparent and narrower intrinsic opening angle, and smaller viewing angle than non-LAT-detected AGNs. We have established a highly significant correlation between the apparent opening angle and gamma-ray luminosity, driven by Doppler beaming and projection effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a comprehensive 5-43 GHz VLBA study of the blazar 3C 273 initiated after an onset of a strong γ -ray flare in this source. We have analysed the kinematics of newborn components, light curves and position of the apparent core to pinpoint the location of the γ -ray emission. Estimated location of the γ -ray emission zone is close to the jet apex, 2-7 pc upstream from the observed 7mmcore. This is supported by ejection of a new component. The apparent core position was found to be inversely proportional to frequency. The brightness temperature in the 7 mm core reached values up to at least 1013 K during the flare. This supports the dominance of particle energy density over that of magnetic field in the 7 mm core. Particle density increased during the radio flare at the apparent jet base, affecting synchrotron opacity. This manifested itself as an apparent core shuttle along the jet during the 7 mm flare. It is also shown that a region where optical depth decreases from τ ∼ 1 to τ ⪡ 1 spans over several parsecs along the jet. The jet bulk flow speed estimated at the level of 12c on the basis of time lags between 7 mm light curves of stationary jet features is 1.5 times higher than that derived from very long baseline interferometry apparent kinematics analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the discovery of high-energy (HE; E > 10 MeV) and very-high-energy (VHE; E > 100 GeV) γ-ray emission from the low-frequency-peaked BL Lac (LBL) object AP Librae, its electromagnetic spectrum is studied over 60 octaves in energy. Contemporaneous data in radio, optical and UV together with the (non-simultaneous) γ-ray data are used to construct the most precise spectral energy distribution of this source. The data have been found to be modelled with difficulties with single-zone homogeneous leptonic synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) radiative scenarios due to the unprecedented width of the HE component when compared to the lower-energy component. The two other LBL objects also detected at VHE appear to have similar modelling difficulties. Nevertheless, VHE γ-rays produced in the extended jet could account for the VHE flux observed by HESS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]