Hunting misaligned radio-loud AGN (MAGN) candidates among the uncertain $\gamma$-ray sources of the third Fermi-LAT Catalogue

TL;DR

This study uses machine learning to identify new gamma-ray MAGN candidates among uncertain AGNs, aiming to better understand their emission mechanisms and address detection disparities in gamma-ray astronomy.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel machine learning approach to find previously unrecognized gamma-ray MAGN candidates among uncertain AGNs.

Findings

Identified 10 new gamma-ray MAGN candidates.

Candidates exhibit features consistent with misaligned jets.

Highlights the need for systematic MAGN studies in gamma-ray astronomy.

Abstract

BL Lac Objects (BL Lacs) and Flat Spectrum Radio Quasars (FSRQs) are radio-loud active galaxies (AGNs) whose jets are seen at a small viewing angle (blazars), while Misaligned Active Galactic Nuclei (MAGNs) are mainly radiogalaxies of type FRI or FRII and Steep Spectrum Radio Quasars (SSRQs), which show jets of radiation oriented away from the observer's line of sight. MAGNs are very numerous and well studied in the lower energies of the electromagnetic spectrum but are not commonly observed in the gamma-ray energy range, because their inclination leads to the loss of relativistic boosting of the jet emission. The Large Area Telescope (LAT) on board the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope in the 100 MeV -300 GeV energy range detected only 18 MAGNs (15 radio galaxies and 3 SSRQs) compared to 1144 blazars. Studying MAGNs and their environment in the gamma-ray sky is extremely interesting, because FRI and FRII radio galaxies are respectively considered the parent populations of BL Lacs and FSRQs, and these account for more than 50% of the known gamma-ray sources. The aim of this study is to hunt new gamma-ray MAGN candidates among the remaining blazars of uncertain type and unassociated AGNs, using machine learning techniques and other physical constraints when strict classifications are not available. We found 10 new MAGN candidates associated with gamma-ray sources. Their features are consistent with a source with a misaligned jet of radiation. This study reinforces the need for more systematic investigation of MAGNs in order to improve understanding of the radiation emission mechanisms and and the disparity of detection between more powerful and weaker gamma-ray AGNs.