The spatially resolved broad line region of IRAS 09149−6206 Journal Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • We present new near-infrared VLTI/GRAVITY interferometric spectra that spatially resolve the broad Brγ emission line in the nucleus of the active galaxy IRAS 09149−6206. We use these data to measure the size of the broad line region (BLR) and estimate the mass of the central black hole. Using an improved phase calibration method that reduces the differential phase uncertainty to 0.05° per baseline across the spectrum, we detect a differential phase signal that reaches a maximum of ∼0.5° between the line and continuum. This represents an offset of ∼120 μas (0.14 pc) between the BLR and the centroid of the hot dust distribution traced by the 2.3 μm continuum. The offset is well within the dust sublimation region, which matches the measured ∼0.6 mas (0.7 pc) diameter of the continuum. A clear velocity gradient, almost perpendicular to the offset, is traced by the reconstructed photocentres of the spectral channels of the Brγ line. We infer the radius of the BLR to be ∼65 μas (0.075 pc), which is consistent with the radius–luminosity relation of nearby active galactic nuclei derived based on the time lag of the Hβ line from reverberation mapping campaigns. Our dynamical modelling indicates the black hole mass is ∼1 × 108M, which is a little below, but consistent with, the standard MBHσ* relation.

publication date

  • November 1, 2020

has restriction

  • hybrid

Date in CU Experts

  • January 7, 2021 10:00 AM

Full Author List

  • Amorim A; Bauböck M; Brandner W; Clénet Y; Davies R; de Zeeuw PT; Dexter J; Eckart A; Eisenhauer F; Förster Schreiber NM

author count

  • 45

Other Profiles

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0004-6361

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1432-0746

Additional Document Info

start page

  • A154

end page

  • A154

volume

  • 643