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Ostriker, J. P.

Publications and source records attributed to Ostriker, J. P..

At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1983

High energy spectrum of spherically accreting black holes

Spherically accreting black holes may sustain strong collisionless shocks, downstream of which the fluid approximation is not valid. The proton-electron Coulomb exchange provides for the downstream matter diffusion into the hole. Energy conversion efficiencies upward of 10-30 percent are obtained, with most of the luminosity in hard X-rays and gamma-rays. The whole spectrum and its application for radio-quiet QSO's and galactic X- and gamma-ray sources are discussed.

Meszaros, P.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The dynamics of the nucleus of M31

Self-consistent dynamic models of the M31 nucleus were constructed which satisfy Stratoscope II and ground-based photometry, as well as ground-based velocity dispersion measurements. Two models designed to yield the highest and lowest mass-to-light ratios (M/L) consistent with observations are concentrated on. It is found that self-consistent static models of the M31 nucleus can be constructed with a nuclear mass-to-blue magnitude ratio between 0 and 50, and that it is very difficult to construct high M/L models with plausible evolutionary histories. The low values of M/L that were found suggest that the nucleus must be composed of stars on nearly radial orbits whose apocenters lie well outside the observable part of the nucleus. Such nuclei may be formed either during core collapse of a preexisting dense nucleus or by orbital decay of globular clusters in a triaxial bulge.

Tremaine, S.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Supernovae and the formation of galaxies

Attention is given to the cumulative effect of many SNs in a galaxy, especially a young galaxy, as well as the effect of the blast wave resulting from the combination of all individual SNs on the intergalactic medium (IGM). It is suggested that the IGM can be shock-heated by this process, so that in the late stages of an individual expanding galaxy's shock a shell may form whose mass is many times greater than that of the seed galaxy. If this shell fragments, due to gravitational instability, it will give rise to a new generation of galaxies. SN explosions may thereby provide a hydrodynamic amplifier of some significance in the process of galaxy formation.

Ostriker, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Supernova remnant revolution in an inhomogeneous medium. I - Numerical models

The first numerical simulations of supernova remnant evolution in an inhomogeneous gas are presented. Evolution in the lowest density substrate (the intercloud) is assumed to be spherically symmetric with a large intercloud filling factor and many dense regions (clouds) within the remnant; however, mass momentum and energy transfer between cloud and intercloud are included and the position and morphology of individual clouds tracked. Evolution is considered in several different models of the interstellar medium, both those in which the intercloud gas is diffuse (0.001 to 0.01/cu cm) and those in which it is relatively dense (n approximately 0.3/cu cm) under a variety of assumptions about the efficiency of thermal evaporation from the clouds into the intercloud medium.

Cowie, L. L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Galaxy formation in an intergalactic medium dominated by explosions

The evolution of galaxies in an intergalactic medium dominated by explosions of star systems is considered analogously to star formation by nonlinearly interacting processes in the interstellar medium. Conditions for the existence of a hydrodynamic instability by which galaxy formation leads to more galaxy formation due to the propagation of the energy released at the death of massive stars are examined, and it is shown that such an explosive amplification is possible at redshifts less than about 5 and stellar system masses between 10 to the 8th and 10 to the 12th solar masses. Explosions before a redshift of about 5 are found to lead primarily to the formation of massive stars rather than galaxies, while those at a redshift close to 5 will result in objects of normal galactic scale. The model also predicts a dusty interstellar medium preventing the detection of objects of redshift greater than 3, numbers and luminosities of protogalaxies comparable to present observations, unvirialized groups of galaxies lying on two-dimensional surfaces, and a significant number of black holes in the mass range 1000-10,000 solar masses.

Ostriker, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Variations on a spherically symmetrical accretion flow

Spherically symmetrical accretion onto a compact gravitating object is considered from a purely hydrodynamical viewpoint while disregarding heating and cooling processes. The study derives the radial perturbation equation, expresses it in a Eulerian form which is simpler than the Lagrangian form considered, for example, by Balazs (1972), and discusses the relation between the two formulations. This perturbation equation is used for the stability analysis of standing waves as well as for the study of short wavelength traveling waves which are a generalization of Parker's (1966) traveling wave solutions in the sense that they are not restricted to isothermal flows. These traveling waves can cause fluctuations in the mass accretion rate to grow large, but will not drive the unperturbed solution away from its assumed stationary profile. The waves conserve the total energy contained in the perturbation.

Petterson, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The contribution of young galaxies to the X-ray background

The contribution of young galaxies to the diffuse X-ray background is estimated and two mechanisms by which young galaxies may emit hard X-rays are considered. The first mechanism is direct thermal bremsstrahlung emission from a hot galactic wind powered by supernovae. Estimating mass-loss rates from galaxies by arguments based on metallicity and on the X-ray spectroscopic observations of rich clusters, it is shown that galactic winds may contribute substantially to the background. The second mechanism relies on the decreased metallicity of young galaxies to increase the number of supergiant stars and hence the numbers of hard X-ray binaries. This effect quantitatively explains the relatively large X-ray luminosity of the Magellanic clouds and also indicates that binaries in young galaxies may contribute a significant fraction of the diffuse X-ray background. Both mechanisms require that the epoch of galaxy formation be recent (redshift less than 2-3) in order to account for the observed spectral temperature (45 keV) of the hard X-ray background.

Bookbinder, J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Time-dependent spherically symmetric accretion onto compact X-ray sources

Analytical arguments and a numerical hydrodynamic code are used to investigate spherically symmetric accretion onto a compact object, in an attempt to provide some insight into gas flows heated by an outgoing X-ray flux. It is shown that preheating of spherically symmetric accretion flows by energetic radiation from an X-ray source results in time-dependent behavior for a much wider range of source parameters than was determined previously and that there are two distinct types of instability. The results are compared with observations of X-ray bursters and transients as well as with theories on quasars and active galactic nuclei that involve quasi-spherically symmetric accretion onto massive black holes. Models based on spherically symmetric accretion are found to be inconsistent with observations of bursters and transients.

Cowie, L. L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

The acceleration of high-velocity clouds in supernova remnants

Interstellar clouds passed by blast waves emanating from supernova explosions will be accelerated by the ram pressure of the expanding interior shocked gas. We present numerical and analytical solutions for cloud acceleration in this environment, comparing the results with recent observations of faint, high-velocity (greater than 100 km/sec) filaments observed in Cygnus and Vela. Photons from the conductive interface between the clouds and the surrounding medium can provide the ionizing flux necessary for observable optical emission. Several predictions are made, the most important of which is that fast clouds of neutral hydrogen with column densities of about 10 quintillion per sq cm should be observable in 21 cm studies of SNRs.

Mckee, C. F.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A new luminosity limit for spherical accretion onto compact X-ray sources

Preheating of infalling gas by emergent X-rays can suppress accretion on to a compact X-ray source. For spherically symmetric accretion, the effect results in a new luminosity limit, orders of magnitude less than the Eddington limit, above which steady flow is impossible. The model may apply to the globular-cluster X-ray sources.

Ostriker, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Galactic evolution. II - Disk galaxies with massive halos

Models of galactic evolution are computed in which matter shed by dying halo stars accumulates in a smaller, more rapidly rotating disk. The models are simpler and more successful than one-zone (pure disk) models in that (1) the observed absence of low-metal-abundance low-mass dwarfs is expected, not anomalous and (2) the relative birthrate function (or IMF) need not be a strongly variable function of time in agreement with recent interpretations of observed stellar populations and neutral hydrogen in our own and other galaxies. Even a simple 'Salpeter' IMF for both disk and halo will produce an acceptable model. The model with a halo 'Salpeter' IMF, roughly one-quarter of the mass in the secondary disk, and approximately half the metals produced in the halo seems most compatible with observations of the metal abundance in low-mass stars, the deuterium abundance, halo planetary nebulae, and light from Population II stars, as well as with arguments on the stability of the disk.

Ostriker, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Galactic evolution. I - Single-zone models

The two basic approaches of physical theory required to calculate the evolution of a galactic system are considered, taking into account stellar evolution theory and the dynamics of a gas-star system. Attention is given to intrinsic (stellar) physics, extrinsic (dynamical) physics, and computations concerning the fractionation of an initial mass of gas into stars. The characteristics of a 'standard' model and its variants are discussed along with the results obtained with the aid of these models.

Thuan, T. X.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Gravitational radiation from stellar collapse

The collapse of a uniformly rotating dust cloud of uniform density is considered. The collapsing 'star' maintains spatially uniform density and angular velocity together with spheroidal shape. The analogous case of a nonrotating spheroid which starts at rest at infinity with infinitesimal eccentricity is also examined. Factors which appear to be important in the efficient production of the gravitational radiation are discussed.

Thuan, T. X.↗
NASA NTRS1974

The nature of Cygnus X-3 - A prototype for old population binary X-ray sources

Description of a model for Cyg X-3 based on a short-lived phase in the evolution of a U Geminorum-type binary where rapid mass transfer and mass loss occurs. X rays are generated by accretion on the white dwarf component, while both stars are enveloped in a thick stellar wind emanating from the red dwarf. Electron scattering in the cloud is responsible for the modulation of the X rays with the orbital period of 4.8 hours. Ultraviolet radiation and low-energy X rays absorbed in the cloud are reradiated in the optical and infrared, which, it is predicted, will display a 4.8-hr modulation in phase with the X-ray light curve. The X-ray absorption cutoff should also vary with phase, appearing at minimum energy when the source is at maximum light. The model also provides a framework in which certain aspects of the associated nonthermal radio source may be understood. Finally, it is suggested that the model may be applicable to Sco X-1 as well.

Davidsen, A.↗
NASA NTRS1973

The luminosity function of galactic X-ray sources - A cutoff and a 'standard candle'

Analysis of the 2- to 10-kev luminosity distribution of 36 X-ray sources in the Local Group having known or estimated distances, showing that there exists a luminosity cutoff of approximately 10 to the 37.7th ergs/sec in agreement with the theoretical (Eddington) limit for the luminosity of an approximately 1 solar mass star. Furthermore, among the complete sample of high-luminosity sources, there appears to be a statistically significant group of X-ray 'standard candles' at (within less than 0.8 mag) the critical luminosity. This finding (which is in agreement with the self-consistent mass flow accretion models) presents the possibility that X-ray sources may be used as extragalactic distance indicators in the next generation of X-ray astronomy experiments.

Margon, B.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Dust cooling of hot gas.

The cooling rates of a hot gas by ion-grain collisions are shown to be significant at temperatures above 1 million K. The importance of this cooling mechanism in certain phases of supernova explosions is noted. High-temperature modifications of this cooling mechanism in astronomical sources are discussed. A cooling curve is plotted for collisionally ionized gas containing cosmic abundances of heavy elements and graphite grains.

Ostriker, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1973

Neutron-star accretion in a stellar wind - Model for a pulsed X-ray source.

Description of a relatively simple stellar-wind-driven accretion model that appears to satisfactorily account for many of the observed features of the pulsing X-ray sources Cen X-3 and Her X-1. A rotating magnetized neutron star orbits a more massive slightly evolved star and accretes mass from the stellar wind emanating from that star. Some of the implications of the model are discussed.

Davidson, K.↗