We report a novel pilot project to characterise intra-night optical variability (INOV) of an extremely rare type of quasar, which has recently been caught in the act of transiting from a radio-quiet to radio-loud state, on a decadal time scale. Such rare transitions may signify a recurrence, or conceivably the first switch-on of jet activity in optically luminous quasars. The newly formed jet could well be jittery and unsteady, both in power and direction. The optically brightest among such radio-state transition candidates, the quasar J0950+5128 ($z = 0.2142$), was monitored by us with dense sampling in the R-band, during 2020-21 in 6 sessions, each lasting $ \gt $ 4 hours. This is the first attempt to characterise the INOV properties associated with this recently discovered, extremely rarely observed phenomenon of quasar radio-state transition. The non-detection of INOV in any of the 6 sessions, down to the 1-2% level, amounts to a lack of evidence for a blazar-like optical activity, $\sim$ 2 years after its transition to radio-loud state was found. The only INOV feature detected in J0950+5128 during our observational campaign was a $\sim$ 0.15-mag spike lasting < 6 minutes, seen at 13.97 UT on 18-March-2021. We also report the available optical light curves of this quasar from the Zwicky Transient Facility survey, which indicate that it had experienced a phase of INOV activity around the time its transition to the radio-loud state was detected, however that phase did not sustain until the launch of our INOV campaign $\sim$ 2 years later.

With high-sensitivity kiloparsec-scale radio polarimetry, we can examine the jet-medium interactions and get a better understanding of the blazar divide in radio-loud (RL) AGN. We are analyzing the radio polarimetric observations with the EVLA and GMRT of 24 quasars and BL Lacs belonging to the Palomar-Green (PG) sample. The RL quasars show extensive polarisation structures in their cores, jets, lobes, and hotspots, whereas preliminary results suggest that BL Lacs exhibit polarisation primarily in their cores and inner jet regions. These findings imply that both intrinsic (central engine-related) and extrinsic (environment-related) variables are important in the formation of the blazar subclasses. The Fanaroff-Riley (FR) dichotomy can also be studied assuming RL unification and looking through the lens of blazars. Due to the radio-unbiased nature of the optically/UV-selected PG sample, we find a large fraction of the PG quasars are restarted, distorted (S- or X-shaped), or have a hybrid FR morphology.

Blazars are a subclass of active galactic nuclei with extreme observation properties, which is caused by the beaming effect, expressed by a Doppler factor ( $\delta$ ), in a relativistic jet. Doppler factor is an important parameter in the blazars paradigm to indicate all of the observation properties, and many methods were proposed to estimate its value. In this paper, we present a method following Mattox et al. to calculate the lower limit on $\gamma$ -ray Doppler factor ( $\delta_{\gamma}$ ) for 809 selected Fermi/LAT-detected $\gamma$ -ray blazars by adopting the available $\gamma$ -ray and X-ray data. Our sample included 342 flat-spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) and 467 BL Lac objects (BL Lacs), out of which 507 sources are compiled with available radio core-dominance parameter (R) from our previous study. Our calculation shows that the average values of the lower limit on $\delta_{\gamma}$ for FSRQs and BL Lacs are $\left\langle\delta_{\gamma}|_{\textrm{FSRQ}}\right\rangle = 6.87 \pm 4.07$ and $\left\langle\delta_{\gamma}|_{\textrm{BL\ Lac}}\right\rangle=4.31 \pm 2.97$ , respectively. We compare and discuss our results with those from the literature. We found that the derived lower limit on $\delta_{\gamma}$ for some sources is higher than that from the radio estimation, which could be possibly explained by the jet bending within those blazars. Our results also suggest that the $\gamma$ -ray and radio regions perhaps share the same relativistic effects. The $\gamma$ -ray Doppler factor has been found to be correlated with both the $\gamma$ -ray luminosity and core-dominance parameter, implying that the jet is possibly continuous in the $\gamma$ -ray bands, and R is perhaps an indicator for a beaming effect.

We present ongoing work on the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of active galactic nuclei (AGNs), derived from X-ray, ultraviolet, optical, infrared and radio photometry and spectroscopy. Our work is motivated by new wide-field imaging surveys that will identify vast numbers of AGNs, and by the need to benchmark AGN SED fitting codes. We have constructed 41 SEDs of individual AGNs and 80 additional SEDs that mimic Seyfert spectra. All of our SEDs span 0.09 to 30μm, while some extend into the X-ray and/or radio. We have tested the utility of the SEDs by using them to generate AGN photometric redshifts, and they outperform SEDs from the prior literature, including reduced redshift errors and flux density residuals.

Using WISE data, we calibrated the W2-W3 colors in terms of star formation rates (SFRs) and applied this calibration to a sample of 1285 QSOs with the highest flux quality, covering a range in redshift from z ˜ 0.3 to z ˜ 3.8. According to our calibration, the SFR increases continuously, reaching a value at z ˜ 3.8 about 3 times higher on average than at lower redshift. This increase in SFR is accompanied by an increase of the BH mass by a factor 100 and a gradual increase of the mean Eddington ratio from 0.1 to 0.3 up to z ˜ 1.5 – 2.0, above which the ratio stays constant, despite a significant increase in BH mass. Therefore, QSOs at high redshifts have both more active BHs and higher levels of star formation activity.

Quasars with flat radio spectra and one-sided, arc-second scale, ≈ 100 mJy GHz radio jets are found to have similar scale X-ray jets in about 60% of such objects, even in short 5 to 10 ks Chandra observations. Jets emit in the GHz band via synchrotron radiation, as known from polarization measurements. The X-ray emission is explained most simply, i.e. with the fewest additional parameters, as inverse Compton (iC) scattering of cosmic microwave background (cmb) photons by the relativistic electrons in the jet. With physics based assumptions, one can estimate enthalpy fluxes upwards of 1046 erg s−1, sufficient to reverse cooling flows in clusters of galaxies, and play a significant role in the feedback process which correlates the masses of black holes and their host galaxy bulges. On a quasar-by-quasar basis, we can show that the total energy to power these jets can be supplied by the rotational energy of black holes with spin parameters as low as a = 0.3. For a few bright jets at redshifts less than 1, the Fermi gamma ray observatory shows upper limits at 10 Gev which fall below the fluxes predicted by the iC/cmb mechanism, proving the existence of multiple relativistic particle populations. At large redshifts, the cmb energy density is enhanced by a factor (1+z)4, so that iC/cmb must be the dominant mechanism for relativistic jets unless their rest frame magnetic field strength is hundreds of micro-Gauss.

As revealed by the Fermi-LAT, blazars represent the dominant population of γ-ray emitters. An essential step for understanding blazar physics and the emission mechanisms is the investigation of a possible connection between the observed low- and high-energy emission. A number of works report on the existence of a significant correlation between radio emission and 0.1-100 GeV γ rays. How does this correlation evolve when very high energy (VHE, E > 0.1 TeV) γ rays are considered? The possible radio-VHE emission connection is still elusive mainly because of the lack of a homogeneous VHE sky coverage. In this work we explore the connection between the parsec-scale radio emission and GeV-TeV γ rays by using two unbiased blazar samples extracted from the 1FHL ( E > 10 GeV) and 2FHL (E > 50 GeV) Fermi catalogs. For comparison, we perform the same analysis by using the 3FGL 0.1-300 GeV γ-ray energy flux. Overall, we find out that there is no significant connection between radio and γ-ray emission above 10 GeV for all the blazar sub-classes with the exception of high synchrotron peaked objects. Conversely, when 0.1-300 GeV γ-ray energies are considered, a strong and significant correlation is found for all of the blazar sub-classes. We interpret these results within the context of the blazar spectral energy distribution properties.

For examining possibilities and challenges in doing science with multi-band and non-simultaneous data from upcoming surveys like LSST, the Pan-STARRS1 (PS1) 3π can be used as a pilot survey. This is especially important to explore the possibilities in detection and classification of variable sources within the first years of LSST’s 10-year baseline. We had explored the capabilities of PS1 3π for carrying out time-domain science in a variety of applications. We had used structure function fitting as well as period fitting, to search for and classify high-latitude as well as low-latitude variable sources, in particular RR Lyrae, Cepheids and QSOs.

We describe an application of a solution to unconstrained Einstein’s field equations (Ni, 2011) as a qualitative model for a relativistic radiation sphere, an object that may resemble a quasar with an extended galactic-scale ‘corona’ that resembles behaviors explained by dark matter.

Feedback released during the growth of supermassive black holes is expected to play a key role in shaping black hole-host galaxy co-evolution. Powerful, accretion disc driven winds have been invoked to explain both observed scaling relations (e.g., M − σ) and large-scale outflows with mass outflow rates of ~ 100 − 1000 M⊙ yr−1 and momentum rates of up to ~ 30 LAGN/c. Critically, how these winds couple to the host galaxy depends on if they are momentum or energy conserving. I outline observational signatures that could distinguish between these regimes and discuss their roles in establishing galaxy properties. Furthermore, I discuss high-resolution simulations exploring feedback in a multi-phase medium, highlighting how structural properties of galaxies can impact feedback efficiency. Finally, feedback, in the form of collimated jets, is expected to regulate cooling in galaxy clusters. I discuss new simulations of jet feedback using the moving-mesh code AREPO and outline the scope of our new study.

Our understanding of the cosmic evolution of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) has been revolutionized by the advent of large multiwavelength extragalactic surveys, which have enabled detailed statistical studies of the host galaxies and large-scale structures of active galactic nuclei (AGN). We give an overview of some recent results on SMBH evolution, including the connection between AGN activity and star formation in galaxies, the role of galaxy mergers in fueling AGN activity, the nature of luminous obscured AGN, and the connection between AGN and their host dark matter halos. We conclude by looking to the future of large-scale extragalactic X-ray and spectroscopic surveys.

We have completed a Chandra snapshot survey of 54 radio jets that are extended on arcsec scales. These are associated with flat spectrum radio quasars spanning a redshift range z=0.3 to 2.1. X-ray emission is detected from the jet of approximately 60% of the sample objects. We assume minimum energy and apply conditions consistent with the original Felten-Morrison calculations in order to estimate the Lorentz factors and the apparent Doppler factors. This allows estimates of the enthalpy fluxes, which turn out to be comparable to the radiative luminosities.

In 1997 the IAU adopted the International Celestial Reference Frame (ICRF) built from S/X VLBI data. In response to IAU resolutions encouraging the extension of the ICRF to additional frequency bands, VLBI frames have been made at 24, 32, and 43 GHz. Meanwhile, the 8.4 GHz work has been greatly improved with the 2009 release of the ICRF-2. This paper discusses the motivations for extending the ICRF to these higher frequency radio bands. Results to date will be summarized including evidence that the high frequency frames are rapidly approaching the accuracy of the 8.4 GHz ICRF-2. We discuss current limiting errors and prospects for the future accuracy of radio reference frames. We note that comparison of multiple radio frames is characterizing the frequency dependent systematic noise floor from extended source morphology and core shift. Finally, given Gaia's potential for high accuracy optical astrometry, we have simulated the precision of a radio-optical frame tie to be ~10–15 μas (1-σ, per component).

Optical/UV photons and even harder radiation components in galaxies are absorbed and scattered by dust and re-emitted at infrared wavelengths. For a better understanding of the obscured regions of the galaxies detailed models of the interaction of photons with dust grains and the propagation of light are required. A problem which can only be solved by means of numerical solution of the radiative transfer equation. As a prologue we present high angular mid IR observations of galactic nuclei in the spirit of future ELT instrumentation. Dust models are discussed, which are suited to fit the extinction curves and relevant to compute the emission of external galaxies. Self-consistent radiative transfer models have been presented in spherical symmetry for starburst nuclei, in two dimensions for disk galaxies (spirals) and, more recently, in three dimensional configuration of the dust density distribution. For the latter, a highlighting example is the clumpy dust tori around AGN. Modern advances in the field are reviewed which are either based on a more detailed physical picture or progress in computational sciences.

The matter content of relativistic jets in AGNs is dominated by a mixture of protons, electrons, and positrons. During dissipative events these particles tap a significant portion of the internal and/or kinetic energy of the jet and convert it into electromagnetic radiation. While leptons – even those with only mildly relativistic energies – can radiate efficiently, protons need to be accelerated up to energies exceeding 1016–19 eV to dissipate radiatively a significant amount of energy via either trigerring pair cascades or direct synchrotron emission. Here I review various constraints imposed on the role of hadronic non-adiabatic cooling processes in shaping the high energy spectra of blazars. It will be argued that protons, despite being efficiently accelerated and presumably playing a crucial role in jet dynamics and dissipation of the jet kinetic energy to the internal energy of electrons and positrons, are more likely to remain radiatively passive in AGN jets.

We demonstrate that quantifying the intrinsic variability of quasars by fitting individual structure function data pairs with a 2-parameter power law model separates quasars from contaminating variable and non-variable point sources with a completeness of 93% and a purity of 99%. This approach can be used to select quasar samples in surveys like that being performed by Pan-STARRS1, where the usual color selection of quasars is not possible due to a filter system that is too red.

Recent observations of tight correlations between supermassive black hole masses and the properties of their host galaxies demonstrate that black holes and bulges are co-eval and have motivated theoretical models in which feedback from AGN activity regulates the black hole and host galaxy evolution. Combining simulations, analytic models, and recent observations, answers to a number of questions are starting to take shape: how do AGN get triggered? How long do they live? What are typical light curves and what sets them? Is feedback necessary and/or sufficient to regulate BH growth? What effects does that feedback have on the host galaxy? On the host halo? All of this also highlights questions that remain wide open: how does gas get from a few pc to the AGN? What are the actual microphysical mechanisms of feedback? What is the tradeoff between stellar and AGN feedback? And, if there are different “modes” of feedback, where/when are each important?

In this work, we present an analysis of a data cube obtained with the instrument IFU/GMOS Gemini North telescope centered on the nuclear region of the LINER galaxy NGC 4579. This galaxy is known to have a type 1 AGN (see Eracleous et al. 2002 for a review). The methodology used for the analysis of the data cube was PCA tomography (Steiner et al. 2009), which consists of applying the statistical tool known as principal component analysis (PCA) to extract information from data cubes. The analysis was performed in the following way: first, the data cube for this object was transformed into a data matrix, where each row corresponded to a spatial pixel and each column corresponded to a spectral pixel. We then applied the PCA to this matrix, obtaining eigenvectors as a function of spectral pixels (which correspond to the original coordinates). These eigenvectors, which have the appearance of spectra, are called eigenspectra. We also calculated the projection of the data corresponding to the spatial pixels on each one of the eigenvectors. These images were called tomograms. Figure 1 shows Eigenspectrum E2 and tomogram T2 superposed on T1.

Quasars are the choicest objects to define a quasi-inertial reference frame. At the same time, they are active galactic nuclei powered by a massive black hole. As the astrometric precision of ground-based optical observations approaches the limit set by the forthcoming GAIA mission, astrometric stability can be investigated. Though the optical emission from the core region usually exceeds the other components by a factor of a hundred, the variability of those components must surely imply some measure of variability of the astrometric baricenter. Whether this is confirmed or not, it puts important constraints on the relationship of the quasar's central engine to the surrounding distribution of matter. To investigate the correlation between long-term optical variability and what is dubbed as the “random walk” of the astrometric center, a program is being pursued at the WFI/ESO 2.2m. The sample was selected from quasars known to undergo large-amplitude and long-term optical variations (Smith et al. 1993; Teerikorpi 2000). The observations are typically made every two months. The treatment is differential, comparing the quasar position and brightness against a sample of selected stars for which the average relative distances and magnitudes remain constant. The provisional results for four objects bring strong support to the hypothesis of a relationship between astrometric and photometric variability. A full account is provided by Andrei et al. (2009).

Using HST WFPC2 and NICMOS observations, and our 2D image weighting and modelling technique (Floyd et al. 2004), we have reliably disentangled host from nucleus for nine optically matched radio-loud quasars (RLQ) and nine radio-quiet quasars (RQQ) at z = 1&2, in two bands spanning the 4000Å break. The resulting galaxy colours provide the first unbiased estimates of galaxy mass for a statistical sample of quasars at high redshift, and indicates a difference in the evolution of radio-loud and radio-quiet objects.