Alessandro Caccianiga

National Institute of Astrophysics | INAF · Astronomical Observatory of Brera

We present a multi-wavelength study of three new $z quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) identified from dedicated spectroscopic observations. The three sources were selected as high-$z$ candidates based on their radio and optical/near-infrared properties as reported in the Rapid ASKAP Continuum Survey (RACS), the Dark Energy Survey (DES), and the Panorami...

The optical spectroscopic classification of active galactic nuclei (AGN) into type 1 and type 2 can be understood in the frame of the AGN unification models. However, it remains unclear which physical properties are driving the classification into intermediate sub-types (1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 1.9). To shed light on this issue, we present an analysis...

We present a multi-wavelength study on three new $z\sim5.6$ quasi stellar objects (QSOs) selected based on their radio and optical/near-infrared properties in publicly available surveys and then identified with dedicated spectroscopic observations. These are among the radio-brightest QSOs currently known at $z>5.5$, having $\rm R=S_{\rm 5GHz}/S_{\r...

We present a multi-wavelength analysis, from the radio to the X-ray band, of the redshift $z=6.44$ VIK J2318$-$31 radio-loud quasi-stellar object, one of the most distant currently known of this class. The work is based on newly obtained observations (uGMRT, ATCA, and Chandra ) as well as dedicated archival observations that have not yet been publi...

The optical spectroscopic classification of active galactic nuclei (AGN) into type 1 and type 2 can be understood in the frame of the AGN unification models. However, it remains unclear which physical properties are driving the classification into intermediate sub-types (1.0,1.2,1.5,1.8,1.9). To shed light on this issue, we present an analysis of t...

Context. Obscuration in high-redshift quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) has a profound impact on our understanding of the evolution of supermassive black holes across cosmic time. An accurate quantification of its relevance is therefore mandatory. Aims. We present a study aimed at evaluating the importance of obscuration in high-redshift jetted QSOs, th...

We took profit of the availability of large catalogs of active galact nuclei (AGNs) selected in the hard X-ray from satellite missions (e. g., INTEGRAL, Swift/BAT) to investigate the relation between the occurrence of water maser emission and the X-ray properties of the nuclei on a statistically meaningful basis. Our studies demonstrate that the ha...

Context. Obscuration in high-redshift quasi-stellar objects (QSO) has a profound impact on our understanding of the evolution of supermassive black holes across the cosmic time. An accurate quantification of its relevance is therefore mandatory. Aims. We present a study aimed at evaluating the importance of obscuration in high redshift jetted QSO,...

We present the selection of high-redshift (z ≳ 5.7) radio-loud (RL) quasi-stellar object (QSO) candidates from the combination of the radio Rapid ASKAP Continuum Survey (RACS; at 888 MHz) and the optical/near-infrared Dark Energy Survey (DES). In particular, we selected six candidates brighter than S888 MHz > 1 mJy beam−1 and mag(zDES) < 21.3 using...

We present the selection of high-redshift ($z\gtrsim5.7$) radio-loud (RL) quasi-stellar object (QSO) candidates from the combination of the radio Rapid ASKAP Continuum Survey (RACS; at 888 MHz) and the optical/near-infrared Dark Energy Survey (DES). In particular, we selected six candidates brighter than $S_{\rm 888MHz}>1$ mJy beam$^{-1}$ and ${\rm...

We present the discovery of PSO J191.05696+86.43172 (hereafter PSO J191+86), a new powerful radio-loud quasar (QSO) in the early Universe ( z = 5.32). We discovered it by cross-matching the NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS) radio catalog at 1.4 GHz with the first data release of the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS PS1) in...

We present the discovery of PSO J191.05696$+$86.43172 (hereafter PSO J191$+$86), a new powerful radio-loud quasar (QSO) in the early Universe (z = 5.32). We discovered it by cross-matching the NRAO VLA Sky Survey (NVSS) radio catalog at 1.4 GHz with the first data release of the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS PS1)...

The ASTRI Mini-Array is a next-generation system of nine imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes that is going to be built at the Observatorio del Teide site. After a first phase, in which the instrument will be operated as an experiment prioritizing a schedule of primary science cases, an observatory phase is foreseen in which other significant t...

The recent detection of the quasi-stellar object (QSO) VIKING J231818.3−311346 (hereafter VIK J2318−3113) at redshift z = 6.44 in the Rapid ASKAP Continuum Survey (RACS) uncovered its radio-loud nature, making it one of the most distant known to date in this class. By using data from several radio surveys of the Galaxy And Mass Assembly 23 h field...

The ASTRI Mini-Array is a next-generation system of nine imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes that is going to be built at the Observatorio del Teide site. After a first phase, in which the instrument will be operated as an experiment prioritizing a schedule of primary science cases, an observatory phase is foreseen in which other significant t...

The recent detection of the quasi-stellar object (QSO) VIKING J231818.3$-$311346 (hereafter VIK J2318$-$3113) at redshift $z=6.44$ in the Rapid ASKAP Continuum Survey (RACS) uncovered its radio-loud nature, making it one of the most distant known to date in this class. By using data from several radio surveys of the Galaxy and Mass Assembly 23$^\ma...

We present the space density evolution, from z = 1.5 up to z = 5.5, of the most massive (M ≥ 109 M⊙) black holes hosted in jetted Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs). The analysis is based on a sample of 380 luminosity-selected (λL1350 ≥ 1046 erg s−1 and P5 GHz ≥ 1027 W Hz−1) Flat Spectrum Radio Quasars (FSRQs) obtained from the Cosmic Lens All Sky Surve...

We present the space density evolution, from z=1.5 up to z=5.5, of the most massive (M$\geq10^9$M$_{\odot}$) black holes hosted in jetted Active Galactic Nuclei(AGNs). The analysis is based on a sample of 380 luminosity-selected ($\lambda$L$_{1350}\geq10^{46}$ erg s$^{-1}$ and P$_{5\text{GHz}}\geq10^{27}$ W Hz$^{-1}$) Flat Spectrum Radio Quasars (F...

We present the results of a new LUCI/Large Binocular Telescope near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic observation of PSO J030947.49+271757.31 (hereafter PSO J0309+27), the highest redshift blazar known to date ( z ∼ 6.1). From the CIV λ 1549 broad emission line, we found that PSO J0309+27 is powered by a 1.45 −0.85 +1.89 × 10 ⁹ M ⊙ supermassive black ho...

We report on the direct observation of an extended X-ray jet in the z = 6.1 radio-loud active galactic nucleus PSO J030947.49+271757.31 from a deep Chandra X-ray observation (128 ksec). This detection represents the most distant kiloparsec-scale off-nuclear emission resolved in X-rays to date. The angular distance of the emission is ∼4″ (correspond...

We report on a LUCI/Large Binocular Telescope near-infrared (NIR) spectrum of PSO J030947.49+271757.31 (hereafter PSO J0309+27), the highest redshift blazar known to date (z$\sim$6.1). From the C$\rm IV$$\lambda$1549 broad emission line we found that PSO J0309+27 is powered by a 1.45$^{+1.89}_{-0.85}$$\times$10$^9$M$_{\odot}$ supermassive black hol...

We report on the direct observation of an extended X-ray jet in the $z$=6.1 radio-loud Active Galactic Nucleus PSO J030947.49+271757.31 from a deep Chandra X-ray observation (128 ksec). This detection represents the most distant kpc off-nuclear emission resolved in the X-rays to date. The angular distance of the emission is $\sim$4" (corresponding...

We report on two Chandra observations of the quasar PSO J0309+27, the most distant blazar observed so far ( z = 6.1), performed eight months apart, in 2020 March and November. Previous Swift-XRT observations showed that this object is one of the brightest X-ray sources beyond redshift 6.0 ever observed so far. This new dataset confirmed the high fl...

We report on two Chandra observations of the quasar PSO J0309+27, the most distant blazar observed so far (z=6.1), performed eight months apart, in March and November 2020. Previous Swift-XRT observation showed that this object is one of the brightest X-ray sources beyond redshift 6.0 ever observed so far. This new data-set confirmed the high flux...

Different works have recently found an increase of the average X-ray-to-radio luminosity ratio with redshift in the blazar population. We evaluate here whether the inverse Compton interaction between the relativistic electrons within the jet and the photons of the Cosmic Microwave Background (IC/CMB) can explain this trend. Moreover, we test whethe...

Different works have recently found an increase of the average X-ray-to-radio luminosity ratio with redshift in the blazar population. We evaluate here whether the inverse Compton interaction between the relativistic electrons within the jet and the photons of the Cosmic Microwave Background (IC/CMB) can explain this trend. Moreover, we test whethe...

The γ-ray-emitting galaxy SBS 0846+513 has been classified as a narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) from its spectroscopy, and on that basis would be thought likely to have a small central black hole hosted in a spiral galaxy. However, very few of the γ-ray NLS1s have high-resolution imaging of their hosts, so it is unknown how the morphology expectation...

We report the 888 MHz radio detection in the Rapid ASKAP Continuum Survey (RACS) of VIK J2318−3113, a z = 6.44 quasar. Its radio luminosity (1.2 × 10 ²⁶ W Hz ⁻¹ at 5 GHz) compared to the optical luminosity (1.8 × 10 ²⁴ W Hz ⁻¹ at 4400 Å) makes it the most distant radio-loud quasar observed so far, with a radio loudness R ∼ 70 ( R = L 5 GHz / L 4400...

The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), the new-generation ground-based observatory for γ astronomy, provides unique capabilities to address significant open questions in astrophysics, cosmology, and fundamental physics. We study some of the salient areas of γ cosmology that can be explored as part of the Key Science Projects of CTA, through simulated...

We report the 888 MHz radio detection in the Rapid ASKAP Continuum Survey (RACS) of VIK J2318$-$3113, a z=6.44 quasar. Its radio luminosity (1.2 $\times 10^{26}$ W Hz$^{-1}$ at 5 GHz) compared to the optical one (1.8 $\times 10^{24}$ W Hz$^{-1}$ at 4400 A) makes it the most distant radio-loud quasar observed so far, with a radio loudness R$\sim$70...

In this paper, we present the analysis of new radio and optical observations of the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 783. 1.6 GHz observations performed with the e-MERLIN interferometer confirm the presence of the diffuse emission previously observed. The Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) also detects the nuclear source both at 1.6 GHz (L-Band) and 5...

The gamma-ray emitting galaxy SBS 0846+513 has been classified as a Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 from its spectroscopy, and on that basis it was thought likely to have a small central black hole hosted in a spiral galaxy. But very few of the gamma-ray Narrow-Line Seyfert 1s have high-resolution imaging of their hosts, so it is unknown how those expectatio...

We present Director’s Discretionary Time multi-frequency observations obtained with the Jansky Very Large Array and the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) of the blazar PSO J030947.49+271757.31 (hereafter PSO J0309+27) at z = 6.10 ± 0.03. The milliarcsecond angular resolution of our VLBA observations at 1.5, 5, and 8.4 GHz unveils a bright one-sided j...

We present Director's Discretionary Time multi-frequency observations obtained with the Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) and the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) of the blazar PSO J030947.49+271757.31 (hereafter PSO J0309+27) at $z = 6.10\pm0.03$. The milliarcsecond angular resolution of our VLBA observations at 1.5, 5 and 8.4 GHz unveils a bright one-...

In this paper, we present the analysis of new radio and optical observations of the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 783. 1.6 GHz observations performed with the e-MERLIN interferometer confirm the presence of the diffuse emission previously observed. The Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) also detects the nuclear source both at 1.6 GHz (L-Band) and 5...

ASTRI is a project aiming at the realization of a γ-ray imaging Cherenkov telescope that observes the sky in the TeV band. Recently, the development of a mini-array (MA) of ASTRI telescopes has been funded by the Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica. The ASTRI Comprehensive Data Challenge (ACDC) project aims at optimizing the scientific exploitation a...

ASTRI is a project aiming at the realization of a gamma-ray imaging Cherenkov telescope that observes the sky in the TeV band. Recently, the development of a mini-array (MA) of ASTRI telescopes has been funded by the Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica. The ASTRI Comprehensive Data Challenge (ACDC) project aims at optimizing the scientific exploitati...

The REX (Radio-Emitting X-ray sources) is a catalogue produced by cross-matching X-ray data from the ROSAT-PSPC archive of pointed observations and radio data from the NRAO VLA Sky Survey, aimed at the selection of blazars. From the REX catalogue, we select a well-defined and statistically complete sample of high-energy peaked BL Lac (HBL). HBL are...

We present the discovery of PSO J030947.49+271757.31, the radio brightest (23.7 mJy at 1.4 GHz) active galactic nucleus (AGN) at z > 6.0. It was selected by cross-matching the NRAO VLA Sky Survey and the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System PS1 databases and its high- z nature was confirmed by a dedicated spectroscopic observation a...

We present the discovery of PSO J030947.49+271757.31, the radio brightest (23.7 mJy at 1.4 GHz) active galactic nucleus (AGN) at z>6.0. It was selected by cross-matching the NRAO VLA Sky Survey and the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System PS1 databases and its high-z nature was confirmed by a dedicated spectroscopic observation at t...

The REX (Radio-Emitting X-ray sources) is a catalogue produced by cross-matching X-ray data from the ROSAT-PSPC archive of pointed observations and radio data from the NRAO VLA Sky Survey, aimed at the selection of blazars. From the REX catalogue, we select a well defined and statistically complete sample of high-energy peaked BL Lac (HBL). HBL are...

We present the X-ray analysis of the largest flux-limited complete sample of blazar candidates at z > 4 selected from the Cosmic Lens All Sky Survey (CLASS). After obtaining a nearly complete (24/25) X-ray coverage of the sample (from Swift-XRT, XMM–Newton, and Chandra), we analysed the spectra in order to identify the bona fide blazars. We classif...

We present the discovery and properties of DES J014132.4−542749.9 (DES0141−54), a new powerful radio-loud active galactic nucleus (AGN) in the early Universe ( z = 5.0). It was discovered by cross-matching the first data release of the Dark Energy Survey (DES DR1) with the Sidney University Molonglo Survey (SUMSS) radio catalog at 0.843 GHz. This o...

We present the discovery and properties of DESJ014132.4-542749.9 (DES0141-54), a new powerful radio-loud active galactic nucleus (AGN) in the early Universe (z=5.0). It was discovered by cross-matching the first data release of the Dark Energy Survey (DES DR1) with the Sidney University Molonglo Survey (SUMSS) radio catalog at 0.843 GHz. This objec...

We present the X-ray analysis of the largest flux-limited complete sample of blazar candidates at z>4 selected from the Cosmic Lens All Sky Survey (CLASS). After obtaining a nearly complete (24/25) X-ray coverage of the sample (from Swift-XRT, XMM-Newton and Chandra), we analysed the spectra in order to identify the bona-fide blazars. We classified...

Aims. Investigations of H 2 O maser galaxies at X-ray energies reveal that most active galactic nuclei (AGN) associated with water masers are characterized by high levels of absorption. With the aim of finding new maser sources for possible interferometric follow-ups, we have searched for water maser emission in a well-defined sample of heavily abs...

Investigations of H$_2$O maser galaxies at X-ray energies reveal that most AGN associated with water masers are characterized by high levels of absorption. With the aim of finding new maser sources for possible interferometric follow-ups, we have searched for water maser emission in a well-defined sample of heavily absorbed AGN ($N_{\rm H} > 10^{23...

We report the results of a detailed analysis of a deep simultaneous |$130\, \rm ks$|XMM–Newton and NuSTAR observation of the nearby (⁠|$z$| = 0.0315) and bright (⁠|$L_{\rm bol}\sim 3\times 10^{45}\,\rm erg\, s^{-1}$|⁠) starburst–active galactic nucleus (AGN) Seyfert 2 system: MCG–03–58–007. From the broad-band fitting we show that most of the obscu...

Narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) are a class of active galactic nuclei that are known to be one of the few sources of γ-rays, which originate in a relativistic beamed jet. Because of their relatively large distance, a poorly investigated aspect of these jetted NLS1s is their environment, and in particular, their host galaxy. In this work, we...

High redshift blazars are an important class of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) that can provide an independent estimate of the supermassive black-hole mass function in high redshift radio-loud AGN without the bias due to absorption along the line-of-sight. Using the Cosmic Lens All Sky Survey (CLASS) we built a complete radio flux-limited sample of h...

We report the results of a detailed analysis of a deep simultaneous $130\,\rm ks$ \textit{XMM-Newton & NuSTAR} observation of the nearby ($z=0.0315$) and bright ($L_{\rm bol}\sim3\times10^{45}\,\rm erg\,s^{-1}$) starburst-AGN Seyfert\,2 system: MCG--03--58--007. From the broadband fitting we show that most of the obscuration needs to be modeled wit...

We present the discovery of a new candidate for a fast disc wind, in the nearby Seyfert 2 galaxy MCG-03-58-007. This wind is discovered in a deep Suzaku observation that was performed in 2010. Overall the X-ray spectrum of MCG-03-58-007 is highly absorbed by a neutral column density of NH ~10²³ cm⁻², in agreement with the optical classification as...

A fraction of Narrow Line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1) are hosted by galaxies that present a disturbed morphology, in some cases hinting for merger processes, that are putative sources of gas replenishment. We have been investigating the poorly studied population of radio loud NLS1 (RL-NLS1) showing a flat radio spectrum, assumed to be the manifestati...

Narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) are a class of active galactic nuclei (AGN). Their physical properties can be either interpreted in terms of evolution, suggesting that they are a young phase of AGN life, or inclination, under the hypothesis of a disk-like broad-line region observed pole-on. To distinguish between these two hypotheses, host g...

We present the discovery of a new candidate for a fast disk wind, in the nearby Seyfert 2 galaxy MCG-03-58-007. This wind is discovered in a deep Suzaku observation that was performed in 2010. Overall the X-ray spectrum of MCG-03-58-007 is highly absorbed by a neutral column density of NH~10^23 cm^-2, in agreement with the optical classification as...

e-ASTROGAM (‘enhanced ASTROGAM’) is a breakthrough Observatory space mission, with a detector composed by a Silicon tracker, a calorimeter, and an anticoincidence system, dedicated to the study of the non-thermal Universe in the photon energy range from 0.3 MeV to 3 GeV – the lower energy limit can be pushed to energies as low as 150 keV for the tr...

e-ASTROGAM (‘enhanced ASTROGAM’) is a breakthrough Observatory space mission, with a detector composed by a Silicon tracker, a calorimeter, and an anticoincidence system, dedicated to the study of the non-thermal Universe in the photon energy range from 0.3 MeV to 3 GeV – the lower energy limit can be pushed to energies as low as 150 keV for the tr...

Dual/binary Supermassive Black Hole (SMBH) systems are the inevitable consequence of the current Lambda Cold Dark Matter cosmological paradigm. In this context, we discuss here the properties of MCG+11-11-032, a local (z=0.0362) Seyfert 2 galaxy. This source was proposed as a dual AGN candidate on the basis of the presence of double-peaked [OIII] e...

We report the first results of a survey on 74 narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) carried out in 2015 with the Karl J. Jansky Very Large Array (JVLA) at 5 GHz in A-configuration. So far, this is the largest survey aimed to image the radio continuum of NLS1s. We produced radio maps in order to compare the general properties of three different sam...

We report the first results of a survey on 74 narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) carried out in 2015 with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (JVLA) at 5 GHz in A-configuration. So far, this is the largest survey aimed to image the radio continuum of NLS1s. We produced radio maps in order to compare the general properties of three different sam...

e-ASTROGAM (enhanced ASTROGAM) is a breakthrough Observatory space mission, with a detector composed by a Silicon tracker, a calorimeter, and an anticoincidence system, dedicated to the study of the non-thermal Universe in the photon energy range from 0.3 MeV to 3 GeV - the lower energy limit can be pushed to energies as low as 150 keV for the trac...

Investigations of H 2 O maser galaxies at X-ray energies reveal that most harbor highly absorbed AGN. Possible correlations between the intrinsic X-ray luminosity and the properties of water maser emission have been suggested. With the aim of looking into these correlations on a more solid statistical basis, we have search for maser emission in a w...

In recent years, the old paradigm according to which only high-mass black holes can launch powerful relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei (AGN) has begun to crumble. The discovery of $\gamma$-rays coming from narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s), usually considered young and growing AGN harboring a central black hole with mass typically low...