Project title: Joint Latvian-Ukrainian study of peculiar radio galaxy “Perseus A” in radio and optical bands

Project's No: lzp-2020/2-0121

Project acronym: Perseus

Funded by: Latvian Science Council, Fundamental and Applied Research Projects

Project's duration: 01.12.2020. – 31.12.2021.

Project's total budget: 100389 EUR

 

Project's summary:

The lenticular Seyfert galaxy Perseus A (3C 84) (Sy II) is a very interesting, and little-studied, extragalactic object. 3C 84 differs from other Sy II galaxies by its quite high flux, about 20 Jy at a frequency 15 GHz, and assumed presence of a double supermassive black hole (which explains the observed jet precession and long-term radio variability). The aim of this work is to accurate study the properties (search for intra-day and inter-day low-amplitude radio variability, analysis of a radio spectra evolution, and optical variability) based on joint multifrequency radio observations on the 32-m and 16-m VIRAC antennas (Latvia) and the 32-m antenna of Institute of Radio Astronomy NAS of Ukraine, with additional involving UBVRI optical observations from observatories Mayaki (Ukraine) and Baldone (Latvia). Through the use of several, radio and optical, telescopes (located on the same meridian) for quasi-simultaneous observations, the work will highlight new, previously unknown features of Perseus A radio galaxy. This will make the base for long-term scientific and technical cooperation between large scientific centers in Latvia and Ukraine.

 

Keywords:

AGN, Seyfert galaxy, AGN variability, multicolor photometry, light curve.

 

Main scientific field and sub-fields of the project: Physical sciences (Primary field)

Smart specialization area: Advanced ICT

Research type: Fundamental research

 

Project Goal:

To comprehensively investigate the rapid radio and optical variability, structural characteristics, and physical processes in the Seyfert II galaxy Perseus A (3C 84), including the search for molecular maser emissions, through long-term, multifrequency, and international collaborative observations using advanced Latvian and Ukrainian astronomical infrastructure.

 

Project Objectives:

1.    Conduct Coordinated Radio Observations:

• Perform long-term monitoring of Perseus A using 16-m and 32-m VIRAC (Latvia) and 32-m NSFSTC (Ukraine) radio telescopes at multiple frequencies (C and K bands).
• Analyze intra-day and inter-day variability and investigate relativistic jet behavior.

2.    Perform Optical Photometry:

• Obtain high-precision UBVRI photometric data using the Baldone (Latvia) and Mayaki (Ukraine) observatories.
• Analyze rapid optical variability and its correlation with radio data.

3.    Study Spectral Variability:

• Investigate spectral indices and dynamic variability in both radio and optical ranges.
• Determine time delays between frequencies and estimate sizes of emission regions.

4.    Correlate Radio and Optical Variability:

• Explore possible connections between observed light curves to infer the activity of the AGN core and its environment.
• Study the influence of a potential secondary black hole and environmental interactions.

5.    Disseminate Results and Build Capacity:

• Publish five scientific papers (three SCOPUS-indexed), present at international conferences, and create an open-access database of results.
• Train students and young researchers in advanced observational and data analysis methods, enhancing regional astrophysical expertise.

 

Planned Project Results:

• Original scientific articles in WSCC or SCOPUS-indexed journals – 3
• Other anonymously peer-reviewed scientific articles – 2
• New product or technology (incl. method or prototype) – 1
• Applications to international or national R&D project calls – 1
• Successfully defended academic theses (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral) – 1
• Policy recommendation reports – 2
• Other results: 3 conference presentations, 3 interviews, 3 press releases, 1 popular science article, 1 dataset

 

The final project report, including results and appendices, is available at the following Google Drive link: HERE.

 

Contacts:

Project PI – Dr. Oleg Ulyanov oulyanov@rian.kharkov.ua

Project researcher - MSc Vladislavs Bezrukovs, vladislavs.bezrukovs@venta.lv

Project coordinator for administrative matters - Ieva Rozenberga, ieva.rozenberga@venta.lv