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A Multimessenger View of Supermassive Black Holes and the Quasar...
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A Multimessenger View of Supermassive Black Holes and the Quasar Main Sequence

A special issue of Universe (ISSN 2218-1997). This special issue belongs to the section "Galaxies and Clusters".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 June 2025 | Viewed by 12263

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ascension Del Olmo

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia (IAA-CSIC), Spanish National Research Council, 18008 Granada, Spain
Interests: AGN; groups of galaxies; extra-galactic astronomy
Dr. Paola Marziani

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF), Astronomical Observatory of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy
Interests: quasars and Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN); photoionization and dynamical modelling of gaseous regions producing emission lines in a variety of contexts (from emission line stars to the most powerful quasars); small and large scale structures in the Universe and observational cosmology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The last 30 years has seen a major step forward in the analysis of optical and UV spectroscopic data of large quasar samples. It is an important achievement that the main empirical correlates can now be organized along what has become known as the Eigenvector 1 “main sequence” (MS) of quasars. The current research is oriented toward the definition and the expansion of the MS correlates, as well as to the exploitation of the MS systematic trends as a basic input to physical and dynamical modelling of the quasar structure, including the accretion disk structure. Nowadays, it has become widely accepted that the main physical parameter governing the sequence is Eddington ratio, i.e., the ratio between AGN luminosity and black hole mass or equivalently, between radiation and gravitation forces—a parameter that for AGN takes the role of mass for stars. This means that a number of applications have become possible, among them the estimate of the accretion disk wind properties and of the metal enrichment in large samples of AGN, and, finally, the use of quasars as high-redshift distance indicators. The present Special Issue is aimed to host several contributions (both theoretical and observational) dealing with diverse aspects related to the main sequence at the frontier of research on AGN.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

  • The quasar Eigenvector 1/main sequence;
  • Accretion disk structure and connection with observational multi-frequency properties;
  • The broad line emitting region;
  • AGN winds at all frequencies and powers;
  • The host-galaxy/active nucleus connection: star formation and metal enrichment;
  • The radio loud/radio quiet dichotomy;
  • The evolution of accreting black holes across cosmic times;
  • Intrinsic luminosity effects and quasars as cosmological standard candles. 

Dr. Ascension Del Olmo
Dr. Paola Marziani
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Universe is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • quasars
  • active galactic nuclei
  • supermassive black holes
  • quasar main sequence

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 487 KiB  
Article
On the Nature of the Radio Calibrator and Gamma-Ray Emitting NLS1 Galaxy 3C 286 and Its Multiwavelength Variability
by S. Komossa, S. Yao, D. Grupe and A. Kraus
Universe 2024, 10(7), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe10070289 - 2 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1161
Abstract
The quasar 3C 286, a well-known calibrator source in radio astronomy, was found to exhibit exceptional multiwavelength properties. Its rich and complex optical emission-line spectrum revealed its narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) nature. Given its strong radio emission, this makes 3C 286 one of [...] Read more.
The quasar 3C 286, a well-known calibrator source in radio astronomy, was found to exhibit exceptional multiwavelength properties. Its rich and complex optical emission-line spectrum revealed its narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) nature. Given its strong radio emission, this makes 3C 286 one of the radio-loudest NLS1 galaxies known to date. 3C 286 is also one of very few known compact steep-spectrum (CSS) sources detected in the gamma-ray regime. Observations in the X-ray regime, rarely carried out so far, revealed evidence for variability, raising the question whether it is driven by the accretion disk or jet. 3C 286 is also well known for its damped Lyman alpha system from an intervening absorber at z = 0.692, triggering a search for the corresponding X-ray absorption along the line-of-sight. Here, we present new observations in the radio, X-ray, optical, and UV bands. The nature of the X-ray variability is addressed. Spectral evidence suggests that it is primarily driven by the accretion disk (not the jet), and the X-ray spectrum is well fit by a powerlaw plus soft excess model. The radio flux density and polarization remain constant at the Effelsberg telescope resolution, reconfirming the use of 3C 286 as radio calibrator. The amount of reddening/absorption along the line-of-sight intrinsic to 3C 286 is rigorously assessed. None is found, validating the derivation of a high Eddington ratio (L/LEdd ∼ 1) and of the very high radio-loudness index of 3C 286. Based on the first deep Chandra image of 3C 286, tentative evidence for hard X-ray emission from the SW radio lobe is reported. A large variety of models for the gamma-ray emission of 3C 286 are briefly discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Multimessenger View of Supermassive Black Holes and the Quasar Main Sequence)
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14 pages, 646 KiB  
Article
Changing-Look Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 Galaxies, their Detection with SVOM, and the Case of NGC 1566
by D. W. Xu, S. Komossa, D. Grupe, J. Wang, L. P. Xin, X. H. Han, J. Y. Wei, J. Y. Bai, E. Bon, F. Cangemi, B. Cordier, M. Dennefeld, L. C. Gallo, W. Kollatschny, De-Feng Kong, M. W. Ochmann, Y. L. Qiu and N. Schartel
Universe 2024, 10(2), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe10020061 - 29 Jan 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1409
Abstract
We discuss applications of the study of the new and barely explored class of changing-look (CL) narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxies and comment on their detection with the space mission SVOM (Space Variable Objects Monitor). We highlight the case of NGC 1566, which [...] Read more.
We discuss applications of the study of the new and barely explored class of changing-look (CL) narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxies and comment on their detection with the space mission SVOM (Space Variable Objects Monitor). We highlight the case of NGC 1566, which is outstanding in many respects, for instance as one of the nearest known CL AGN undergoing exceptional outbursts. Its NLS1 nature is discussed, and we take it as a nearby prototype for systems that could be discovered and studied in the near future, including with SVOM. Finally, we briefly examine the broader implications and applications of CL events in NLS1 galaxies and show that such systems, once discovered in larger numbers, will greatly advance our understanding of the physics of the environment of rapidly growing supermassive black holes. This White Paper is part of a sequence of publications which explore aspects of our understanding of (CL) NLS1 galaxy physics with future missions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Multimessenger View of Supermassive Black Holes and the Quasar Main Sequence)
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13 pages, 942 KiB  
Article
Multi-Epoch Optical Spectroscopy Variability of the Changing-Look AGN Mrk 883
by Erika Benítez, Castalia Alenka Negrete, Héctor Ibarra-Medel, Irene Cruz-González and José Miguel Rodríguez-Espinosa
Universe 2024, 10(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe10010021 - 3 Jan 2024
Viewed by 1468
Abstract
In this work, we present multi-epoch optical spectra of the Seyfert 1.9 galaxy Mrk 883. Data were obtained with the Gran Telescopio Canarias and the MEGARA Integral Field Unit mode, archival data from the SDSS-IV MaNGA Survey and the SDSS-I Legacy Survey, and [...] Read more.
In this work, we present multi-epoch optical spectra of the Seyfert 1.9 galaxy Mrk 883. Data were obtained with the Gran Telescopio Canarias and the MEGARA Integral Field Unit mode, archival data from the SDSS-IV MaNGA Survey and the SDSS-I Legacy Survey, and new spectroscopic observations obtained at San Pedro Mártir Observatory. We report the appearance of the broad component of Hβ emission line, showing a maximum FWHM ∼ 5927 ± 481 km s−1 in the MaNGA spectra, finding evidence for a change from Seyfert 1.9 (23 June 2003) to Seyfert 1.8 (18 May 2018). The observed changing-look variation from Sy1.9 to Sy1.8 has a timescale Δt ∼15 y. In addition, we observe profile and flux broad emission line variability from 2018 to 2023, and a wind component in [OIII]5007 Å, with a maximum FWHM = 1758 ± 178 km s−1, detected on 15 April 2023. In all epochs, variability of the broad lines was found to be disconnected from the optical continuum emission, which shows little or no variations. These results suggest that an ionized-driven wind in the polar direction could be a possible scenario to explain the observed changing-look variations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Multimessenger View of Supermassive Black Holes and the Quasar Main Sequence)
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54 pages, 14340 KiB  
Article
Deep Learning of Quasar Lightcurves in the LSST Era
by Andjelka B. Kovačević, Dragana Ilić, Luka Č. Popović, Nikola Andrić Mitrović, Mladen Nikolić, Marina S. Pavlović, Iva Čvorović-Hajdinjak, Miljan Knežević and Djordje V. Savić
Universe 2023, 9(6), 287; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe9060287 - 11 Jun 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1822
Abstract
Deep learning techniques are required for the analysis of synoptic (multi-band and multi-epoch) light curves in massive data of quasars, as expected from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). In this follow-up study, we introduce an upgraded [...] Read more.
Deep learning techniques are required for the analysis of synoptic (multi-band and multi-epoch) light curves in massive data of quasars, as expected from the Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). In this follow-up study, we introduce an upgraded version of a conditional neural process (CNP) embedded in a multi-step approach for the analysis of large data of quasars in the LSST Active Galactic Nuclei Scientific Collaboration data challenge database. We present a case study of a stratified set of u-band light curves for 283 quasars with very low variability ∼0.03. In this sample, the CNP average mean square error is found to be ∼5% (∼0.5 mag). Interestingly, besides similar levels of variability, there are indications that individual light curves show flare-like features. According to the preliminary structure–function analysis, these occurrences may be associated with microlensing events with larger time scales of 5–10 years. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Multimessenger View of Supermassive Black Holes and the Quasar Main Sequence)
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11 pages, 533 KiB  
Article
Gas and Stars in the Teacup Quasar Looking with the 6-m Telescope
by Alexei V. Moiseev and Alina I. Ikhsanova
Universe 2023, 9(2), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe9020066 - 27 Jan 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1288
Abstract
New results on the radio-quiet type 2 quasar, known as the Teacup galaxy (SDSSJ1430+1339), based on the long-slit and 3D spectroscopic data obtained at the Russian 6-m telescope, are presented. The ionized gas giant nebula, which extends up to r=56 kpc [...] Read more.
New results on the radio-quiet type 2 quasar, known as the Teacup galaxy (SDSSJ1430+1339), based on the long-slit and 3D spectroscopic data obtained at the Russian 6-m telescope, are presented. The ionized gas giant nebula, which extends up to r=56 kpc in the [O iii] emission line, was mapped with the scanning Fabry–Perot interferometer. The direct estimation of the emission line ratios confirmed that the giant nebula is ionized by the AGN. Stars in the inner r<5 kpc are significantly younger than the outer host galaxy and have a solar metallicity. The central starburst age (∼1 Gyr) agrees with possible ages for the galactic merger events and the previous episode of the quasar outflow produced two symmetric arcs visible in the [O iii] emission at the distances r= 50–55 kpc. The ionized gas velocity field can be fitted by the model of a circular rotating disk significantly inclined or even polar to the stellar host galaxy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Multimessenger View of Supermassive Black Holes and the Quasar Main Sequence)
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21 pages, 908 KiB  
Article
Polarimetric Reverberation Mapping in Medium-Band Filters
by Elena Shablovinskaya, Luka Č. Popović, Roman Uklein, Eugene Malygin, Dragana Ilić, Stefano Ciroi, Dmitry Oparin, Luca Crepaldi, Lyuba Slavcheva-Mihova, Boyko Mihov and Yanko Nikolov
Universe 2023, 9(1), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe9010052 - 12 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1596
Abstract
Earlier, we suggested the “reload” concept of the polarimetric reverberation mapping of active galactic nuclei (AGN), proposed for the first time more than 10 years ago. We have successfully tested this approach of reverberation mapping of the broad emission line on the galaxy [...] Read more.
Earlier, we suggested the “reload” concept of the polarimetric reverberation mapping of active galactic nuclei (AGN), proposed for the first time more than 10 years ago. We have successfully tested this approach of reverberation mapping of the broad emission line on the galaxy Mrk 6. It was shown that such an idea allows one to look at the AGN central parsec structure literally in a new light. However, the method originally assumed the use of spectropolarimetric observations, expensive in terms of telescope time, and implemented on rare large telescopes. Currently, we propose an adaptation of the polarimetric reverberation mapping of broad lines in medium-band filters following the idea of the photometric reverberation mapping, when filters are selected so that their bandwidth is oriented to the broad line and the surrounding continuum near. In this paper, we present the progress status of such monitoring conducted jointly at the Special astrophysical observatory and Asiago Cima Ekar observatory (OAPd/INAF) with support from Rozhen National Astronomical Observatory (NAO), some first results for the most frequently observed AGNs Mrk 335, Mrk 509, and Mrk 817, and the discussion of the future perspectives of the campaign. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Multimessenger View of Supermassive Black Holes and the Quasar Main Sequence)
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Review

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32 pages, 3130 KiB  
Review
Spectral Variability Studies in Active Galactic Nuclei: Exploring Continuum and Emission Line Regions in the Age of LSST and JWST
by Swayamtrupta Panda, Paola Marziani, Bożena Czerny, Alberto Rodríguez-Ardila and Francisco Pozo Nuñez
Universe 2023, 9(12), 492; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe9120492 - 24 Nov 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1826
Abstract
The investigation of emission line regions within active galaxies (AGNs) has a rich and extensive history, now extending to the use of AGNs and quasars as “standardizable” cosmological indicators, shedding light on the evolution of our universe. As we enter the era of [...] Read more.
The investigation of emission line regions within active galaxies (AGNs) has a rich and extensive history, now extending to the use of AGNs and quasars as “standardizable” cosmological indicators, shedding light on the evolution of our universe. As we enter the era of advanced observatories, such as the successful launch of the JWST and the forthcoming Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), the landscape of AGN exploration across cosmic epochs is poised for exciting advancements. In this work, we delve into recent developments in AGN variability research, anticipating the substantial influx of data facilitated by LSST. The article highlights recent strides made by the AGN Polish Consortium in their contributions to LSST. The piece emphasizes the role of quasars in cosmology, dissecting the intricacies of their calibration as standard candles. The primary focus centers on the relationship between the broad-line region size and luminosity, showcasing recent breakthroughs that enhance our comprehension of this correlation. These breakthroughs encompass a range of perspectives, including spectroscopic analyses, photoionization modeling, and collaborative investigations with other cosmological tools. The study further touches on select studies, underlining how the synergy of theoretical insights and advancements in observational capabilities has yielded deeper insights into these captivating cosmic entities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Multimessenger View of Supermassive Black Holes and the Quasar Main Sequence)
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