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  • Bremer, Michael  (34)
  • Unknown  (34)
  • 1
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    First Sagittarius A* Event Horizon Telescope Results. I. The Shadow of the Supermassive Black Hole in the Center of the Milky Way
    American Astronomical Society ; 2022
    In:  The Astrophysical Journal Letters Vol. 930, No. 2 ( 2022-05-01), p. L12-
    Details
    In: The Astrophysical Journal Letters, American Astronomical Society, Vol. 930, No. 2 ( 2022-05-01), p. L12-
    Abstract: We present the first Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) observations of Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*), the Galactic center source associated with a supermassive black hole. These observations were conducted in 2017 using a global interferometric array of eight telescopes operating at a wavelength of λ = 1.3 mm. The EHT data resolve a compact emission region with intrahour variability. A variety of imaging and modeling analyses all support an image that is dominated by a bright, thick ring with a diameter of 51.8 ± 2.3 μ as (68% credible interval). The ring has modest azimuthal brightness asymmetry and a comparatively dim interior. Using a large suite of numerical simulations, we demonstrate that the EHT images of Sgr A* are consistent with the expected appearance of a Kerr black hole with mass ∼4 × 10 6 M ⊙ , which is inferred to exist at this location based on previous infrared observations of individual stellar orbits, as well as maser proper-motion studies. Our model comparisons disfavor scenarios where the black hole is viewed at high inclination ( i 〉 50°), as well as nonspinning black holes and those with retrograde accretion disks. Our results provide direct evidence for the presence of a supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, and for the first time we connect the predictions from dynamical measurements of stellar orbits on scales of 10 3 –10 5 gravitational radii to event-horizon-scale images and variability. Furthermore, a comparison with the EHT results for the supermassive black hole M87* shows consistency with the predictions of general relativity spanning over three orders of magnitude in central mass.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2041-8205 , 2041-8213
    URL: Article
    DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/ac6674
    Language: Unknown
    Publisher: American Astronomical Society
    Publication Date: 2022
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 7233-3
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2006858-X
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  • 2
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    First M87 Event Horizon Telescope Results. I. The Shadow of the Supermassive Black Hole
    American Astronomical Society ; 2019
    In:  The Astrophysical Journal Letters Vol. 875, No. 1 ( 2019-04-10), p. L1-
    Details
    In: The Astrophysical Journal Letters, American Astronomical Society, Vol. 875, No. 1 ( 2019-04-10), p. L1-
    Abstract: When surrounded by a transparent emission region, black holes are expected to reveal a dark shadow caused by gravitational light bending and photon capture at the event horizon. To image and study this phenomenon, we have assembled the Event Horizon Telescope, a global very long baseline interferometry array observing at a wavelength of 1.3 mm. This allows us to reconstruct event-horizon-scale images of the supermassive black hole candidate in the center of the giant elliptical galaxy M87. We have resolved the central compact radio source as an asymmetric bright emission ring with a diameter of 42 ± 3 μ as, which is circular and encompasses a central depression in brightness with a flux ratio ≳10:1. The emission ring is recovered using different calibration and imaging schemes, with its diameter and width remaining stable over four different observations carried out in different days. Overall, the observed image is consistent with expectations for the shadow of a Kerr black hole as predicted by general relativity. The asymmetry in brightness in the ring can be explained in terms of relativistic beaming of the emission from a plasma rotating close to the speed of light around a black hole. We compare our images to an extensive library of ray-traced general-relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations of black holes and derive a central mass of M  = (6.5 ± 0.7) × 10 9 M ⊙ . Our radio-wave observations thus provide powerful evidence for the presence of supermassive black holes in centers of galaxies and as the central engines of active galactic nuclei. They also present a new tool to explore gravity in its most extreme limit and on a mass scale that was so far not accessible.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2041-8205 , 2041-8213
    URL: Article
    DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/ab0ec7
    Language: Unknown
    Publisher: American Astronomical Society
    Publication Date: 2019
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 7233-3
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2006858-X
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  • 3
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    First M87 Event Horizon Telescope Results. II. Array and Instrumentation
    American Astronomical Society ; 2019
    In:  The Astrophysical Journal Letters Vol. 875, No. 1 ( 2019-04-10), p. L2-
    Details
    In: The Astrophysical Journal Letters, American Astronomical Society, Vol. 875, No. 1 ( 2019-04-10), p. L2-
    Abstract: The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) is a very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) array that comprises millimeter- and submillimeter-wavelength telescopes separated by distances comparable to the diameter of the Earth. At a nominal operating wavelength of ∼1.3 mm, EHT angular resolution ( λ / D ) is ∼25 μ as, which is sufficient to resolve nearby supermassive black hole candidates on spatial and temporal scales that correspond to their event horizons. With this capability, the EHT scientific goals are to probe general relativistic effects in the strong-field regime and to study accretion and relativistic jet formation near the black hole boundary. In this Letter we describe the system design of the EHT, detail the technology and instrumentation that enable observations, and provide measures of its performance. Meeting the EHT science objectives has required several key developments that have facilitated the robust extension of the VLBI technique to EHT observing wavelengths and the production of instrumentation that can be deployed on a heterogeneous array of existing telescopes and facilities. To meet sensitivity requirements, high-bandwidth digital systems were developed that process data at rates of 64 gigabit s −1 , exceeding those of currently operating cm-wavelength VLBI arrays by more than an order of magnitude. Associated improvements include the development of phasing systems at array facilities, new receiver installation at several sites, and the deployment of hydrogen maser frequency standards to ensure coherent data capture across the array. These efforts led to the coordination and execution of the first Global EHT observations in 2017 April, and to event-horizon-scale imaging of the supermassive black hole candidate in M87.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2041-8205 , 2041-8213
    URL: Article
    DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/ab0c96
    Language: Unknown
    Publisher: American Astronomical Society
    Publication Date: 2019
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 7233-3
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2006858-X
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  • 4
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    A Search for Pulsars around Sgr A* in the First Event Horizon Telescope Data Set
    American Astronomical Society ; 2023
    In:  The Astrophysical Journal Vol. 959, No. 1 ( 2023-12-01), p. 14-
    Details
    In: The Astrophysical Journal, American Astronomical Society, Vol. 959, No. 1 ( 2023-12-01), p. 14-
    Abstract: In 2017 the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) observed the supermassive black hole at the center of the Milky Way, Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*), at a frequency of 228.1 GHz ( λ = 1.3 mm). The fundamental physics tests that even a single pulsar orbiting Sgr A* would enable motivate searching for pulsars in EHT data sets. The high observing frequency means that pulsars—which typically exhibit steep emission spectra—are expected to be very faint. However, it also negates pulse scattering, an effect that could hinder pulsar detections in the Galactic center. Additionally, magnetars or a secondary inverse Compton emission could be stronger at millimeter wavelengths than at lower frequencies. We present a search for pulsars close to Sgr A* using the data from the three most sensitive stations in the EHT 2017 campaign: the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, the Large Millimeter Telescope, and the IRAM 30 m Telescope. We apply three detection methods based on Fourier-domain analysis, the fast folding algorithm, and single-pulse searches targeting both pulsars and burst-like transient emission. We use the simultaneity of the observations to confirm potential candidates. No new pulsars or significant bursts were found. Being the first pulsar search ever carried out at such high radio frequencies, we detail our analysis methods and give a detailed estimation of the sensitivity of the search. We conclude that the EHT 2017 observations are only sensitive to a small fraction (≲2.2%) of the pulsars that may exist close to Sgr A*, motivating further searches for fainter pulsars in the region.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 0004-637X , 1538-4357
    URL: Article
    DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/acf4f2
    RVK:
    UA 1000
    Language: Unknown
    Publisher: American Astronomical Society
    Publication Date: 2023
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2960-9
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 1473835-1
    SSG: 16,12
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  • 5
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    Broadband Multi-wavelength Properties of M87 during the 2017 Event Horizon Telescope Campaign
    American Astronomical Society ; 2021
    In:  The Astrophysical Journal Letters Vol. 911, No. 1 ( 2021-04-01), p. L11-
    Details
    In: The Astrophysical Journal Letters, American Astronomical Society, Vol. 911, No. 1 ( 2021-04-01), p. L11-
    Abstract: In 2017, the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) Collaboration succeeded in capturing the first direct image of the center of the M87 galaxy. The asymmetric ring morphology and size are consistent with theoretical expectations for a weakly accreting supermassive black hole of mass ∼6.5 × 10 9 M ⊙ . The EHTC also partnered with several international facilities in space and on the ground, to arrange an extensive, quasi-simultaneous multi-wavelength campaign. This Letter presents the results and analysis of this campaign, as well as the multi-wavelength data as a legacy data repository. We captured M87 in a historically low state, and the core flux dominates over HST-1 at high energies, making it possible to combine core flux constraints with the more spatially precise very long baseline interferometry data. We present the most complete simultaneous multi-wavelength spectrum of the active nucleus to date, and discuss the complexity and caveats of combining data from different spatial scales into one broadband spectrum. We apply two heuristic, isotropic leptonic single-zone models to provide insight into the basic source properties, but conclude that a structured jet is necessary to explain M87’s spectrum. We can exclude that the simultaneous γ -ray emission is produced via inverse Compton emission in the same region producing the EHT mm-band emission, and further conclude that the γ -rays can only be produced in the inner jets (inward of HST-1) if there are strongly particle-dominated regions. Direct synchrotron emission from accelerated protons and secondaries cannot yet be excluded.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2041-8205 , 2041-8213
    URL: Article
    DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/abef71
    Language: Unknown
    Publisher: American Astronomical Society
    Publication Date: 2021
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 7233-3
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2006858-X
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  • 6
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    Polarimetric Geometric Modeling for mm-VLBI Observations of Black Holes
    American Astronomical Society ; 2023
    In:  The Astrophysical Journal Letters Vol. 957, No. 2 ( 2023-11-01), p. L21-
    Details
    In: The Astrophysical Journal Letters, American Astronomical Society, Vol. 957, No. 2 ( 2023-11-01), p. L21-
    Abstract: The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) is a millimeter very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) array that has imaged the apparent shadows of the supermassive black holes M87* and Sagittarius A*. Polarimetric data from these observations contain a wealth of information on the black hole and accretion flow properties. In this work, we develop polarimetric geometric modeling methods for mm-VLBI data, focusing on approaches that fit data products with differing degrees of invariance to broad classes of calibration errors. We establish a fitting procedure using a polarimetric “m-ring” model to approximate the image structure near a black hole. By fitting this model to synthetic EHT data from general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic models, we show that the linear and circular polarization structure can be successfully approximated with relatively few model parameters. We then fit this model to EHT observations of M87* taken in 2017. In total intensity and linear polarization, the m-ring fits are consistent with previous results from imaging methods. In circular polarization, the m-ring fits indicate the presence of event-horizon-scale circular polarization structure, with a persistent dipolar asymmetry and orientation across several days. The same structure was recovered independently of observing band, used data products, and model assumptions. Despite this broad agreement, imaging methods do not produce similarly consistent results. Our circular polarization results, which imposed additional assumptions on the source structure, should thus be interpreted with some caution. Polarimetric geometric modeling provides a useful and powerful method to constrain the properties of horizon-scale polarized emission, particularly for sparse arrays like the EHT.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2041-8205 , 2041-8213
    URL: Article
    DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/acff6f
    Language: Unknown
    Publisher: American Astronomical Society
    Publication Date: 2023
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 7233-3
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2006858-X
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  • 7
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    Comparison of Polarized Radiative Transfer Codes Used by the EHT Collaboration
    American Astronomical Society ; 2023
    In:  The Astrophysical Journal Vol. 950, No. 1 ( 2023-06-01), p. 35-
    Details
    In: The Astrophysical Journal, American Astronomical Society, Vol. 950, No. 1 ( 2023-06-01), p. 35-
    Abstract: Interpretation of resolved polarized images of black holes by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) requires predictions of the polarized emission observable by an Earth-based instrument for a particular model of the black hole accretion system. Such predictions are generated by general relativistic radiative transfer (GRRT) codes, which integrate the equations of polarized radiative transfer in curved spacetime. A selection of ray-tracing GRRT codes used within the EHT Collaboration is evaluated for accuracy and consistency in producing a selection of test images, demonstrating that the various methods and implementations of radiative transfer calculations are highly consistent. When imaging an analytic accretion model, we find that all codes produce images similar within a pixel-wise normalized mean squared error (NMSE) of 0.012 in the worst case. When imaging a snapshot from a cell-based magnetohydrodynamic simulation, we find all test images to be similar within NMSEs of 0.02, 0.04, 0.04, and 0.12 in Stokes I , Q , U , and V , respectively. We additionally find the values of several image metrics relevant to published EHT results to be in agreement to much better precision than measurement uncertainties.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 0004-637X , 1538-4357
    URL: Article
    DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/acc586
    RVK:
    UA 1000
    Language: Unknown
    Publisher: American Astronomical Society
    Publication Date: 2023
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2960-9
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 1473835-1
    SSG: 16,12
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  • 8
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    First Sagittarius A* Event Horizon Telescope Results. VIII. Physical Interpretation of the Polarized Ring
    American Astronomical Society ; 2024
    In:  The Astrophysical Journal Letters Vol. 964, No. 2 ( 2024-04-01), p. L26-
    Details
    In: The Astrophysical Journal Letters, American Astronomical Society, Vol. 964, No. 2 ( 2024-04-01), p. L26-
    Abstract: In a companion paper, we present the first spatially resolved polarized image of Sagittarius A* on event horizon scales, captured using the Event Horizon Telescope, a global very long baseline interferometric array operating at a wavelength of 1.3 mm. Here we interpret this image using both simple analytic models and numerical general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) simulations. The large spatially resolved linear polarization fraction (24%–28%, peaking at ∼40%) is the most stringent constraint on parameter space, disfavoring models that are too Faraday depolarized. Similar to our studies of M87*, polarimetric constraints reinforce a preference for GRMHD models with dynamically important magnetic fields. Although the spiral morphology of the polarization pattern is known to constrain the spin and inclination angle, the time-variable rotation measure (RM) of Sgr A* (equivalent to ≈46° ± 12° rotation at 228 GHz) limits its present utility as a constraint. If we attribute the RM to internal Faraday rotation, then the motion of accreting material is inferred to be counterclockwise, contrary to inferences based on historical polarized flares, and no model satisfies all polarimetric and total intensity constraints. On the other hand, if we attribute the mean RM to an external Faraday screen, then the motion of accreting material is inferred to be clockwise, and one model passes all applied total intensity and polarimetric constraints: a model with strong magnetic fields, a spin parameter of 0.94, and an inclination of 150°. We discuss how future 345 GHz and dynamical imaging will mitigate our present uncertainties and provide additional constraints on the black hole and its accretion flow.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2041-8205 , 2041-8213
    URL: Article
    DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/ad2df1
    Language: Unknown
    Publisher: American Astronomical Society
    Publication Date: 2024
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 7233-3
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2006858-X
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  • 9
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    First M87 Event Horizon Telescope Results. IX. Detection of Near-horizon Circular Polarization
    American Astronomical Society ; 2023
    In:  The Astrophysical Journal Letters Vol. 957, No. 2 ( 2023-11-01), p. L20-
    Details
    In: The Astrophysical Journal Letters, American Astronomical Society, Vol. 957, No. 2 ( 2023-11-01), p. L20-
    Abstract: Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) observations have revealed a bright ring of emission around the supermassive black hole at the center of the M87 galaxy. EHT images in linear polarization have further identified a coherent spiral pattern around the black hole, produced from ordered magnetic fields threading the emitting plasma. Here we present the first analysis of circular polarization using EHT data, acquired in 2017, which can potentially provide additional insights into the magnetic fields and plasma composition near the black hole. Interferometric closure quantities provide convincing evidence for the presence of circularly polarized emission on event-horizon scales. We produce images of the circular polarization using both traditional and newly developed methods. All methods find a moderate level of resolved circular polarization across the image (〈∣ v ∣〉 〈 3.7%), consistent with the low image-integrated circular polarization fraction measured by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (∣ v int ∣ 〈 1%). Despite this broad agreement, the methods show substantial variation in the morphology of the circularly polarized emission, indicating that our conclusions are strongly dependent on the imaging assumptions because of the limited baseline coverage, uncertain telescope gain calibration, and weakly polarized signal. We include this upper limit in an updated comparison to general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulation models. This analysis reinforces the previously reported preference for magnetically arrested accretion flow models. We find that most simulations naturally produce a low level of circular polarization consistent with our upper limit and that Faraday conversion is likely the dominant production mechanism for circular polarization at 230 GHz in M87*.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2041-8205 , 2041-8213
    URL: Article
    DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/acff70
    Language: Unknown
    Publisher: American Astronomical Society
    Publication Date: 2023
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 7233-3
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2006858-X
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  • 10
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    First Sagittarius A* Event Horizon Telescope Results. II. EHT and Multiwavelength Observations, Data Processing, and Calibration
    American Astronomical Society ; 2022
    In:  The Astrophysical Journal Letters Vol. 930, No. 2 ( 2022-05-01), p. L13-
    Details
    In: The Astrophysical Journal Letters, American Astronomical Society, Vol. 930, No. 2 ( 2022-05-01), p. L13-
    Abstract: We present Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) 1.3 mm measurements of the radio source located at the position of the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*), collected during the 2017 April 5–11 campaign. The observations were carried out with eight facilities at six locations across the globe. Novel calibration methods are employed to account for Sgr A*'s flux variability. The majority of the 1.3 mm emission arises from horizon scales, where intrinsic structural source variability is detected on timescales of minutes to hours. The effects of interstellar scattering on the image and its variability are found to be subdominant to intrinsic source structure. The calibrated visibility amplitudes, particularly the locations of the visibility minima, are broadly consistent with a blurred ring with a diameter of ∼50 μ as, as determined in later works in this series. Contemporaneous multiwavelength monitoring of Sgr A* was performed at 22, 43, and 86 GHz and at near-infrared and X-ray wavelengths. Several X-ray flares from Sgr A* are detected by Chandra, one at low significance jointly with Swift on 2017 April 7 and the other at higher significance jointly with NuSTAR on 2017 April 11. The brighter April 11 flare is not observed simultaneously by the EHT but is followed by a significant increase in millimeter flux variability immediately after the X-ray outburst, indicating a likely connection in the emission physics near the event horizon. We compare Sgr A*’s broadband flux during the EHT campaign to its historical spectral energy distribution and find that both the quiescent emission and flare emission are consistent with its long-term behavior.
    Type of Medium: Online Resource
    ISSN: 2041-8205 , 2041-8213
    URL: Article
    DOI: 10.3847/2041-8213/ac6675
    Language: Unknown
    Publisher: American Astronomical Society
    Publication Date: 2022
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 7233-3
    detail.hit.zdb_id: 2006858-X
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