arXiv subjects

Junhui Fan

Publications and source records attributed to Junhui Fan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Extreme Multiwavelength Variability in the Recurrent Intermediate-type Changing-look Seyfert Galaxy SDSS J234728.73+242745.7

We report the discovery of the Seyfert galaxy J234728.73+242745.7 as a recurrent intermediate-type CLAGN with extreme optical/UV variability. Optical spectra spanning nearly three decades reveal Type 1.0$\rightarrow$1.5$\rightarrow$1.2 transitions, accompanied by the disappearance and reappearance of broad He II $\lambda4686$ and a broad-line Balmer decrement evolving from 4.5 to 7.2 and then 2.4. Monitoring reveals coordinated variability from X-rays to the MIR. SED decomposition yields a host-corrected g-band high-to-low-state flux ratio of $5.4\pm0.4$, exceeding the Swift/XRT ratio of $2.7\pm0.8$ across the changing-look transition. This discrepancy may arise from reduced dust extinction, as correcting for the low-state continuum reddening ($A_V^{\rm cont}=0.66\pm0.23$ mag) brings the optical/UV ratios close to the X-ray value, although the correction is model-dependent and intrinsically weaker X-ray variability may also contribute. However, X-ray spectra show no compelling evidence for intrinsic gas absorption or its variability ($N_{\rm H}^{\rm intr}\lesssim5\times10^{20}$ cm$^{-2}$). In contrast, EP/WXT monitoring during the recent high state reveals order-of-magnitude X-ray fluctuations on monthly-to-sub-year timescales, exceeding contemporaneous optical variations. Meanwhile, the radio flux density remains stable at $\sim2$ mJy across all ASKAP observations since mid-2020. Together with optical/UV and MIR variability and the broad He II transition, these results favor intrinsic accretion-state changes as the primary driver, while allowing a secondary contribution from variable obscuration. The source displays a loop-like MIR color--magnitude evolution, likely driven by the delayed response of an extended torus. This recurrent CLAGN offers a laboratory for probing the dynamic response of the broad-line region and circumnuclear dust to accretion-state transitions.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

X-ray Emission Study of TeV Blazars

In this work, we present a systematic X-ray study of 85 TeV-detected blazars based on archival \emph{Swift}-XRT and \emph{NuSTAR} observations available up to May 2024. We derive unabsorbed X-ray fluxes and photon indices through spectral fitting, and investigate their light curves, spectral energy distributions, flux distributions, power spectral densities, and flux-index correlations. Using the fractional variability method, we identify 78 sources as variable in the soft X-ray band and 14 sources as variable in the hard X-ray band. For well-sampled soft X-ray light curves, the flux distributions are generally better described by log-normal functions, while the PSD slopes span $β_{\rm PSD}=0.1$--$1.6$, with most values between 1.0 and 1.6, where the PSD is defined as $P(f)\propto f^{-β_{\rm PSD}}$. We find positive correlations between TeV and X-ray luminosities, supporting a leptonic emission scenario. We also find a correlation between X-ray and disk luminosities, whereas no significant correlation is found between X-ray luminosity and black hole mass.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

A GeV Gamma-Ray Spectral Excess in the Fermi Blazar 4FGL J0136.5+3906

We report the detection of a $\sim${19} GeV gamma-ray spectral excess (peak energy in observer frame) at $\sim$5.7$σ$ significance (3 degrees of freedom, without correction for trials and the look-elsewhere effect) in the Fermi-LAT data of the blazar 4FGL J0136.5$+$3906, based on $\sim${17} years of observations. The excess manifests as a distinct bump-like feature in the 100 MeV$-$1 TeV spectrum, with a flux of $\sim$3.6$\rm \times10^{-10}~ph~cm^{-2}~s^{-1}$. No similar feature is detected in nearby sources or background regions. The origin of this signal cannot be explained by standard blazar emission models and remains unknown. This Letter presents the observational finding without providing a definitive physical interpretation.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

Exceptional Gamma-Ray Flaring Activity of the Blazar S4 0954+65 in Early 2025

S4 0954+65 (4FGL J0958.7+6534) is a TeV-detected blazar at a redshift of $z = 0.3694 \pm 0.0011$, classified as an intermediate-synchrotron-peaked BL Lac object. In early 2025, it entered an exceptional $γ$-ray high state. We aim to investigate the origin and physical properties of the exceptional 2025 flare, and to constrain the emission processes responsible for this flaring activity. We performed a multi-wavelength analysis using $γ$-ray, X-ray, optical/UV, radio, and 43 GHz Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) observations. We examined multi-band correlations with the z-transformed discrete correlation function (zDCF), analyzed the spectral evolution and parsec-scale jet kinematics, and modeled the broadband spectral energy distributions (SEDs). The $γ$-ray variations lead the optical and radio emission by 3.22 days and possibly 18.26 days, respectively, while no significant correlation is found between the $γ$-ray and X-ray emission. The $γ$-ray spectra show a harder-when-brighter behavior, consistent with enhanced particle acceleration during the active state. A similar spectral trend is also observed in the X-ray band, where the photon index is anti-correlated with flux. During the major $γ$-ray flare, VLBA images reveal the emergence of a new superluminal radio knot from the core, whose extrapolated ejection time is consistent with the peak of the $γ$-ray flare. The temporal and structural evolution during the 2025 flare is consistent with a shock-in-jet scenario, in which a newly emerging disturbance propagates downstream and drives the flare. Broadband SED modeling shows that a leptonic synchrotron self-Compton plus external Compton model with dusty torus seed photons reproduces the multi-wavelength observations with physically plausible parameters. A lepto-hadronic interpretation remains possible but requires substantially higher jet power.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

A Helical Trajectory Interpretation of a Multi-wavelength Event in a Blazar S5 0716+714

Relativistic jets in blazars exhibit strong variability across multiple timescales, but the connection between temporal variability and the evolution of jet structures remains poorly understood. In this work, we investigate the $γ$-ray variability of the BL Lac object S5 0716+714 from July 2014 to June 2015 and explore its possible connection with the parsec-scale jet evolution. We identify an escalating periodic oscillation (EPO) in the $γ$-ray light curve, characterized by a sequence of successive flux enhancements with progressively increasing temporal separations. Combining \textit{Fermi}-LAT data with contemporaneous 43 GHz Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) observations, we find a temporal association between the EPO and the downstream propagation of a superluminal knot. A helical trajectory model simultaneously fitting the $γ$-ray variability and the two-dimensional VLBA component positions reproduces the observed flux modulation and component motion. These results suggest that geometric Doppler modulation caused by the changing viewing angle of a moving jet component provides a possible explanation for the observed EPO. This work provides a framework of connecting blazar variability to the knot evolution of relativistic jets.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

Changing-look Active Galactic Nuclei from SDSS, LAMOST and DESI Surveys

Results. We identify 45 CLAGNs, of which 40 are newly reported. The sample is dominated by turn-off events, comprising 43 turn-off and 2 turn-on sources. This may be because Type 2 AGNs either lack a detectable broad-line region or have their broad emission lines obscured by circumnuclear dust, making turn-on events more difficult to identify. Using DESI spectra as a third spectroscopic epoch, we identified 12 RCLAGNs. Of the 14 newly identified CLAGNs with three-epoch spectroscopic coverage, 7 objects, i.e. 50%, are confirmed as RCLAGNs. In the previously reported sample, 5 out of 16 objects with available DESI spectra, corresponding to ~31%, exhibit repeating CL behaviour. The relatively high incidence of repeated CL behaviour suggests that CL transitions are associated with recurrent physical processes, such as accretion-rate fluctuations or accretion-disk instabilities. In the logM_BH--log(L_bol/L_Edd) plane, the RCLAGNs display a clear high--low--high accretion-state evolution, indicating a close connection between repeated CL behaviour and recurrent variations in accretion power. The rest-frame upper limits on the transition timescales are ~10 yr for the first transition and 4 yr for the second transition.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2026

Jet Power, Bulk Lorentz Factor, Black Hole Spin, and Magnetic Field of Accretion Disk in Jetted Active Galactic Nuclei: A Large Gamma-Ray Emission Sample

We present a catalog of physical parameters for powerful jet-accretion disk-black hole systems in one of the largest samples of gamma-ray emitting jetted active galactic nuclei (AGNs), including jet kinetic and radiative powers, jet radiative efficiencies, bulk Lorentz factors, black hole spins, accretion-disk magnetic fields and Compton dominance. Comparing jet kinetic power estimators for blazars, values derived from spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting tend to exceed those estimated via cavity power and other scaling relations. For radiatively efficient AGNs, most sources are inferred to possess high spins; for radiatively inefficient AGNs, many potentially have high spins, though some may differ. This indicates that black hole spin does not effectively distinguish radiatively efficient from inefficient jetted AGNs. Our results suggest accretion-disk magnetic field strength as a key discriminator, proposing a tentative dividing value of $\approx 10^{3.9}$ Gauss between radiatively efficient and inefficient populations. Jet power and bulk Lorentz factor exhibit significant correlations with black hole mass in radiatively efficient AGNs, while weak-to-moderate correlations are observed in radiatively inefficient AGNs within narrow accretion-rate bins. Our analysis reveals that jet power correlates with both disk luminosity and magnetic field strength. Furthermore, correlations linking Eddington ratio and Compton dominance with jet properties are consistent with the jet-accretion connection. Finally, jet radiative power and bulk Lorentz factor show a potential dependence on black hole spin. These results are consistent with the scenario in which jets are powered and accelerated by energy extraction from rapidly spinning black holes via accretion-disk magnetic fields.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

Characterizing the origins of gamma-ray variability of the jetted active galactic nuclei observed with the Fermi-LAT

We conducted an analysis of gamma-ray variability in a large sample of jetted active galactic nuclei (AGNs) by utilizing archival Fermi-LAT light curves and applying damped random walk modeling to obtain variability amplitude. Our primary findings are summarized as follows: (1) The mean variability damping timescales of our sources are approximately 100 days. This damping timescale may imply that the diffusive shock acceleration plays an important role in the variability of gamma-ray emission. (2) Flat-spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) demonstrate greater variability amplitude compared to BL Lacertae objects (BL Lacs). (3) The ratio of the distance of the emission region from the central supermassive black hole to the dusty torus radius for our sources is $R\approx2-4.5R_{\rm DT}$. In contrast, the ratio of the distance of the emission region from the central supermassive black hole to the BLR radius for our sources is $R\approx135-295R_{\rm BLR-in}$ and $R\approx123-270R_{\rm BLR-out}$. These findings indicate that the $γ$-ray emission region in jetted AGNs is likely located beyond the BLR, potentially could be associated with the dusty torus. (4) A statistical correlation is observed between variability amplitude and radio luminosity, radio loudness, X-ray luminosity, X-ray loudness, gamma-ray luminosity, and gamma-ray loudness, indicating a potential relationship between gamma-ray variability and jet activity. (5) Variability amplitude also shows a statistical correlations with synchrotron peak frequency luminosity, inverse Compton peak frequency luminosity, and Compton dominance. (6) Variability amplitude also correlates with black hole mass, accretion disk luminosity, and Eddington ratio, implying that the accretion disk may also contribute to gamma-ray variability.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

Chasing the neutrino blazar candidates II: SED modeling with hadronic model

Blazars are promising candidates for high energy neutrino sources, yet the physical origin of their neutrino emission remains uncertain. In this work, we extend our previous study by modeling the broadband spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of 103 neutrino blazar candidates (NBCs) within a hadronic framework. To estimate the maximum possible neutrino output, we adopt an assumption in which the high energy emission is dominated by p gamma interactions and the contribution from leptonic inverse Compton scattering is strongly suppressed. From the SED modeling, we constrain nine key parameters describing the emission region and particle energy distributions. We perform a partial correlation analysis to investigate the relationship between neutrino luminosity and electromagnetic emission, and we found a weak or moderate correlation between optical R band and neutrino emission. Our model predicts prominent proton synchrotron emission peaking in the MeV band for most sources, with 99 out of 103 NBCs exhibiting proton synchrotron peaks within 0.1 to 100 MeV, highlighting the MeV band as a key window for distinguishing between leptonic and hadronic scenarios. Based on the model-predicted maximum neutrino fluxes, we find that three NBCs are potentially detectable by IceCube, while up to 22, 45, and 62 sources may be detectable by KM3NeT, NEON, and TRIDENT, respectively. These results provide testable predictions for future multi-messenger observations and offer new insights into the composition and radiation mechanisms of blazar jets.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

A Radio Changing-state Jet in the Narrow-line Seyfert 1 Galaxy J1105+1452

We report the discovery of a radio-quiet to radio-loud transition in the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy J1105+1452. The source has undergone a long-term evolution from a radio-quiet state in the 1990s to a persistently radio-bright state after 2017. Post-2017 flux densities in the $0.8$-$7$ GHz range cluster between $32$ and $43$ mJy, whereas the $144$ MHz flux density is only $1.94 \pm 0.23$ mJy. This indicates strong low-frequency suppression from a compact, absorbed component. Modeling the radio spectral energy distribution with a synchrotron self-absorption model yields a turnover frequency $ν_{\rm p} = 0.48 \pm 0.03$ GHz and a peak flux density $S_{\rm p} = 38.9 \pm 4.7$ mJy. These parameters classify J1105+1452 as a megahertz peaked-spectrum source, consistent with the new episode of an early-stage compact jet. Under the assumption of equipartition, we derive an intrinsic physical radius $R \sim 0.68$ pc and an average apparent expansion velocity $β_{\rm app} \approx 0.64$. The observed brightness temperature $T_b \approx 6.0 \times 10^{11}$ K necessitates a Doppler factor $δ\approx 12$, implying a relativistic jet viewed at $θ\lesssim 5^\circ$. Despite the dramatic radio evolution, the X-ray spectrum remains stable and steep ($Γ\simeq 3.0$), suggesting that the X-ray emission remains dominated by the disk-corona, while the radio band has become jet-dominated. Our results identify J1105+1452 as a rare radio changing-state NLSy1, providing a unique laboratory for studying the birth and early evolution of relativistic jets at high Eddington ratios.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

A universal relationship between the variability timescale and black hole mass in black hole jetted and non-jetted accreting systems

A long-term variability study spanning a range of black hole mass systems, from microquasars hosting stellar-mass black holes to active galactic nuclei (AGNs) harboring supermassive black holes, provides new insights into the physics of relativistic jets. In this work, we investigate the optical variability of both jetted and nonjetted AGNs. We apply a stochastic process known as the Damped Random Walk (DRW) to model light curves from the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) DR23. Our results show that the mass-scaled characteristic timescales across the black hole mass exhibit a linear relationship with a slope of 0.35-0.50. This analysis confirms a previously observed correlation between the damping timescales and black hole mass and extends it by incorporating 125 newly identified non-jetted AGNs selected from the Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) AGN catalogue. The derived slope of the relation between the damping timescales and black hole mass aligns with recent theoretical predictions, supporting the presence of a universal accretion mechanism in AGNs across different mass scales. Furthermore, our findings suggest a novel implication: the properties and production mechanisms of relativistic jets may be largely independent of black hole mass.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

The cold molecular gas regulates the activity of active galactic nuclei in massive galaxies

The physical quantities that directly regulate AGN feedback in massive galaxies remain poorly understood. Observations of molecular gas surrounding AGNs suggest that this gas serves as a fuel source for AGN activity. Accordingly, we study the relationship between AGN activity and molecular gas properties. In this study, we analyze a large sample of nearby AGNs with available measurements of molecular gas mass, radio luminosity, and \oiii~luminosity. Our results show that radio luminosity and \oiii~luminosity exhibit stronger correlations with molecular gas mass than with other physical parameters such as black hole mass, stellar mass, and bulge mass. Moreover, when controlling for the correlations between radio luminosity, \oiii~luminosity, and molecular gas mass, the relationships between these luminosities and other key physical parameters become significantly weaker or disappear entirely. This suggests that, of all the properties we have considered, it is the molecular gas mass that is most tightly correlated with radio and \oiii~luminosity, and may thus be the most important driver of nuclear activity.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Long-term Mid-infrared Color Variations of Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 Galaxies

We present a systematic investigation of long-term mid-infrared (MIR) color variability in 1,718 Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLSy1s) using 14-year \textit{WISE}/NEOWISE monitoring data. Through Pearson correlation analysis between photometric magnitude and color, we identify: (1) a radio-quiet NLSy1 (RQ-NLSy1) population comprising 230 bluer-when-brighter (BWB) sources, 131 redder-when-brighter (RWB) sources, and 1,323 objects showing weak or statistically insignificant color variations; and (2) a radio-loud NLSy1 (RL-NLSy1) population containing 5 BWBs, 2 RWBs, and 27 sources with weak/no color variations. Our analysis reveals that the BWB tendency strengthens significantly in galaxies with redder mean MIR colors $\rm \left $ and lower starlight contamination. Furthermore, this color-change pattern demonstrates that the most bolometric luminous sources exhibit the most pronounced BWB behavior. While similar trends exist for black hole mass and Eddington ratio, bolometric luminosity appears to be the primary physical driver. Potential origins of these variations (e.g., host galaxy contribution, accretion disk variability, and dust reprocessing) are discussed. We conclude that temperature-dependent dust reprocessing dominates the observed BWB, RWB, and no/weak variation patterns. This interpretation may also apply to similar MIR color variations observed in other extragalactic MIR transients, such as tidal disruption events, ambiguous nuclear transients, and changing-look AGNs. In addition, we find no significant difference in long-term MIR color variations between RL-NLSy1s and RQ-NLSy1s, however, RL-NLSy1s show significantly greater dispersion in intrinsic variability amplitude compared to RQ-NLSy1s due to jet-induced complexity, where non-thermal synchrotron emission from relativistic jets obscures thermal dust signatures.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

A Giant Peanut-shaped Ultra-High-Energy Gamma-Ray Emitter Off the Galactic Plane

Ultra-high-energy (UHE), exceeding 100 TeV (10^12 electronvolts), γ-rays manifests extreme particle acceleration in astrophysical sources. Recent observations by γ-ray telescopes, particularly by the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO), have revealed a few tens of UHE sources, indicating numerous Galactic sources capable of accelerating particles to PeV (10^15 electronvolts) energies. However, discerning the dominant acceleration mechanisms (leptonic versus hadronic), the relative contributions of specific source classes, and the role of particle transport in shaping their observed emission are central goals of modern UHE astrophysics. Here we report the discovery of a giant UHE γ-ray emitter at -17.5° off the Galactic plane - a region where UHE γ-ray sources are rarely found. The emitter exhibits a distinctive asymmetric shape, resembling a giant "Peanut" spanning 0.45° \times 4.6°, indicative of anisotropic particle distribution over a large area. A highly aged millisecond pulsar (MSP) J0218+4232 is the sole candidate accelerator positionally coincident with the Peanut region. Its association with UHE γ-rays extending to 0.7 PeV, if confirmed, would provide the first evidence of a millisecond pulsar powering PeV particles. Such a finding challenges prevailing models, which posit that millisecond pulsars cannot sustain acceleration to PeV energies. The detection reveals fundamental gaps in understanding particle acceleration, cosmic-ray transport, and interstellar magnetic field effects, potentially revealing new PeV accelerator (PeVatron) classes.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Detection of Quasi-periodic Oscillations in the $γ$-Ray Light Curve of 4FGL J0309.9-6058

In this work, we report, for the first time, a quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) in the $γ$-ray band of 4FGL J0309.9-6058, also known as PKS 0308-611. We employed three analytical methods (the Lomb-Scargle periodogram, REDFIT, and the weighted wavelet Z-transform) to analyze the QPO signal using \textit{Fermi} $γ$-ray light curve data. The analysis reveals a potential QPO during MJD 57983$-$60503, with a period of approximately 550 days and a maximum local significance of 3.72$σ$ and global significance of 2.72$σ$ derived from the WWZ analysis. To validate this result, we applied Gaussian Process (GP) to the same light curve, which independently confirms the presence of QPO signal consistent with our Fourier-based results. We further extended the analysis to the full duration of the \textit{Fermi} observations, and the results consistently support and strengthen the presence of this QPO signal. Additionally, a time lag between the optical and $γ$-ray bands indicates separate emission regions for these two bands. Given the year-like timescale of the QPO signal and the fact that a QPO signal with local significance over 3$σ$ for full \textit{Fermi}-LAT observed time, we suggest that the QPO is most likely caused by a precessing jet.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

The relation between the optical variability timescale, magnetic field of jets and black hole spin in active galactic nuclei

We investigate the relationship among the jet magnetic field, black hole spin, black hole mass, Eddington ratio, and optical variability timescales in jetted active galactic nuclei (AGNs). By fitting a damped random walk (DRW) model to the g-band light curves, we obtain the characteristic variability timescale ($τ_{\rm DRW}$) for 41 jetted AGNs with precise supermassive black hole (SMBH) mass measurements. Our main results are as follows: (i) Our analysis reveals a significant correlation between the jet magnetic field ($B_{\rm 1pc}$), black hole spin ($j$) and the characteristic variability timescale within our sample. These findings suggest that the optical variability of jetted AGNs is influenced by the jet magnetic field and black hole spin. Furthermore, the characteristic variability timescale aligns with the electron escape timescale, as evidenced by the relationship between the characteristic variability timescale and jet magnetic field ($τ_{\rm DRW}\propto B_{\rm 1pc}^{0.76\pm0.22}$). (ii) We confirm a significant correlation between the characteristic variability timescale and SMBH mass, expressed as: $\log \rm τ_{\rm DRW} = 0.52(\pm0.21)\log M _{\rm BH}/M_{\rm \odot}-3.12(\pm1.90)$, with an intrinsic scatter of 0.08 dex. The slope of this relationship is consistent with that between the thermal timescale and black hole mass. Our results support the hypothesis that magnetorotational instability (MRI) fluctuations drive the intrinsic variability observed in the light curves emitted by the AGNs accretion disk.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Asymmetric Information Enhanced Mapping Framework for Multirobot Exploration based on Deep Reinforcement Learning

Despite the great development of multirobot technologies, efficiently and collaboratively exploring an unknown environment is still a big challenge. In this paper, we propose AIM-Mapping, a Asymmetric InforMation Enhanced Mapping framework. The framework fully utilizes the privilege information in the training process to help construct the environment representation as well as the supervised signal in an asymmetric actor-critic training framework. Specifically, privilege information is used to evaluate the exploration performance through an asymmetric feature representation module and a mutual information evaluation module. The decision-making network uses the trained feature encoder to extract structure information from the environment and combines it with a topological map constructed based on geometric distance. Utilizing this kind of topological map representation, we employ topological graph matching to assign corresponding boundary points to each robot as long-term goal points. We conduct experiments in real-world-like scenarios using the Gibson simulation environments. It validates that the proposed method, when compared to existing methods, achieves great performance improvement.

cs.MA↗

arXiv2025

Introduction to the Chinese Space Station Survey Telescope (CSST)

The Chinese Space Station Survey Telescope (CSST) is an upcoming Stage-IV sky survey telescope, distinguished by its large field of view (FoV), high image quality, and multi-band observation capabilities. It can simultaneously conduct precise measurements of the Universe by performing multi-color photometric imaging and slitless spectroscopic surveys. The CSST is equipped with five scientific instruments, i.e. Multi-band Imaging and Slitless Spectroscopy Survey Camera (SC), Multi-Channel Imager (MCI), Integral Field Spectrograph (IFS), Cool Planet Imaging Coronagraph (CPI-C), and THz Spectrometer (TS). Using these instruments, CSST is expected to make significant contributions and discoveries across various astronomical fields, including cosmology, galaxies and active galactic nuclei (AGN), the Milky Way and nearby galaxies, stars, exoplanets, Solar System objects, astrometry, and transients and variable sources. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the CSST instruments, observational capabilities, data products, and scientific potential.

astro-ph.IM↗