Astrophysical Sciences and Technology Colloquium: Dr. Jack Gallimore

Astrophysical Sciences and Technology Colloquium
The Peculiar Water MegamaserDisk of NGC 1068
Dr. Jack Gallimore
Bucknell University

We are viewing in person in 1125 Carlson Hall, but there is a Zoom Link for those unable to attend in person.

Abstract: Water megamasersare found primarily in active galaxies. They are associated with molecular disks surrounding the central black hole or molecular clouds impacted by a radio jet. Unusual for water maser galaxies, the Seyfert2 galaxy NGC 1068 harbors both disk and jet masers. Dr. Gallimore will present new HSA observations with precise absolute astrometry confirming the disk masers' association with the nuclear radio continuum source S1. The kinematics are consistent with Keplerian rotation and low turbulent speeds and suggest the presence of spiral arms. On smaller scales, the disk masers resolve into filamentary structures suggesting an ordered magnetic field threading the maser disk. Stability arguments suggest magnetic field strengths of order 100 mG.We compare the location of the disk masers to infrared sources resolved by VLTI and consider an anisotropic heating model for the molecular disk and torus. We also detect the fainter jet masers, which appear to trace an expanding ring of molecular gas with a kinematic age of a few thousand years.

Speaker Bio: Dr. Jack Gallimore is a professor at Bucknell University in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Dr. Gallimore’s main research interests focus on understanding the nature of violent astrophysical phenomena located at the centers of galaxies. The most energetic forms of "active galaxies" produce as much power as 10,000 billion Suns, all from a volume comparable to the size of the solar system. He employs radio-wave and Hubble Space Telescope observations in an effort tounderstand the origin and workings of these extraordinary objects.
 

Intended Audience: All are welcome. Those with interest in the topic.

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