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Probing the Obscuring Medium Around Active Nuclei Using Masers: The Case of 3C 403

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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 L⊙. 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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Istituto di Radioastronomia, CNR, Via Gobetti 101, Bologna, Italy

    A. Tarchi & M. Chiaberge

  2. INAF-Osservatorio Astronomico di Cagliari, Loc. Poggio dei Pini, Strada 54, Capoterra (CA), Italy

    A. Tarchi & L. Moscadelli

  3. Max-Planck-Institut für Radioastronomie, Auf dem Hügel 69, Bonn, Germany

    C. Henkel & K. M. Menten

  4. JIVE, Joint Institute for VLBI in Europe, AA Dwingeloo, The Netherlands

    A. Brunthaler

Authors
  1. A. Tarchi
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  2. C. Henkel
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  3. M. Chiaberge
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  4. K. M. Menten
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  5. A. Brunthaler
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  6. L. Moscadelli
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Correspondence to A. Tarchi.

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Tarchi, A., Henkel, C., Chiaberge, M. et al. Probing the Obscuring Medium Around Active Nuclei Using Masers: The Case of 3C 403. Astrophys Space Sci 295, 117–123 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10509-005-3669-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10509-005-3669-y

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