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Canizares, C.

Publications and source records attributed to Canizares, C..

A Census of X-ray Gas in NGC 1068: Results From 450 ks of CHANDRA High Energy Transmisson Grating Observations

We present models for the X-ray spectrum of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 1068. These are fitted to data obtained using the High Energy Transmission Grating on Chandra. The data show line and radiative recombination continuum emission from a broad range of ions and elements. The models explore the importance of excitation processes for these lines including photoionization followed by recombination, radiative excitation by absorption of continuum radiation, and inner shell fluorescence. The models show that the relative importance of these processes depends on the conditions in the emitting gas and that no single emitting component can fit the entire spectrum. In particular, the relative importance of radiative excitation and photoionization/recombination differs according to the element and ion stage emitting the line. This in turn implies a diversity of values for the ionization parameter of the various components of gas responsible for the emission, ranging from log(E ) = 1 to 3. Using this, we obtain an estimate for the total amount of gas responsible for the observed emission. The mass flux through the region included in the HETG extraction region is approximately 0.3M/yr, assuming ordered flow at the speed characterizing the line widths. This can be compared with what is known about this object from other techniques.

galaxies: Seyfert↗

On Overview of the Performance and Scientific Results from the Chandra X-Ray Observatory

The Chandra X-Ray Observatory (CXO) was launched on 1999 July 23 by the Columbia Space Shuttle. The first X-rays focused by the telescope were seen on 1999 August 12 after the satellite systems were activated. Beginning with the first observation, it was clear that the telescope was not damaged by the launch environment and was operating as planned. After the early surprise due to the discovery that the telescope concentrated CCD-damaging low-energy protons far more efficiently than had been expected, the observatory is performing optimally and is returning excellent scientific data. Together with other space observatories, especially XMM-Newton, it is obvious that we have entered a new era of discovery in high-energy astrophysics.

Weisskopf, M. C.↗

An Overview of the Performance and Scientific Results From the Chandra X-Ray Observatory (CXO)

The Chandra X-Ray Observatory (CXO), the x-ray component of NASA's Great Observatories, was launched on 1999, July 23 by the Space Shuttle Columbia. After satellite systems activation, the first x-rays focused by the telescope were observed on 1999, August 12. Beginning with the initial observation it was clear that the telescope had survived the launch environment and was operating as expected. Despite an initial surprise due to the discovery that the telescope was far more efficient for concentrating CCD-damaging low-energy protons than had been anticipated, the observatory is performing well and is returning superb scientific data. Together with other space observatories, most notably XMM-Newton, it is clear that we have entered a new era of discovery in high-energy astrophysics.

Weisskopf, M. C.↗

The AXAF CCD imaging spectrometer

The AXAF CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS) is currently being defined as a possible focal plane instrument to be flown on the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF). The imaging spectrometer consists of an array of charge coupled devices (CCD's) to be placed at the focus of the AXAF mirrors. The array will provide high angular resolution (0.5 arc seconds), moderate spectral resolution (150 eV) over the energy range 0.1 to 10 keV, temporal resolution down to 60 microseconds, and single photon quantum detection efficiencies of up to 90 percent. X-ray sensitivity for a point source exceeds 10 to the -15th ergs/sq cm sec for a 10 to the 5th sec exposure. When used in conjunction with the objective gratings, the array will yield wavelength resolution of up to 200.

Garmire, G. P.↗

Recurrent brief X-ray bursts from the globular cluster NGC 6624

Observational data are presented on ten brief X-ray bursts, recurrent at nearly equal time intervals, recorded during a two-day observation of 3U 1820-30 in the globular cluster NGC 6624 with the wide-field modulation collimator detectors on the SAS-3 X-ray observatory. The occurrence times were fitted by least squares to a linear sequence with an rms deviation of 621 sec, corresponding to a phase jitter of 3.9%. The bursts were observed in two energy channels. For a sequence of five of the most clearly observed bursts, the 2-6 keV rate rose to its peak value in about 1 sec and then decayed to preburst level in about 10 sec. The 6-11 keV rate rose more slowly and decayed similarly. The smooth decay of their averaged light curve suggests the temporal evolution may have a geometrical origin, where Compton scattering in a surrounding cloud of hot plasma stretches the pulse out and causes a progressive hardening of the spectrum.

Clark, G. W.↗