Engineering topics

Tuohy, I. R.

Publications and source records attributed to Tuohy, I. R..

At least 19 records

NASA NTRS1994

The X-ray selected cataclysmic variables H0459 + 246 and H0857 - 242

We report the discovery of two cataclysmic variables located with the assistance of X-ray positions from the HEAO 1 Modulation Collimator and the Large-Area Sky Survey. Each case is distinguished by evidence of two periodic modulations that appear to represent the orbital period and the spin period of the white dwarf, respectively. The first case, H0459 + 246, has been observed optically during faint states (V approximately 16), in which there are spectral features of both an accretion disk and a K star. The light curves in the V and I bands are consistent with ellipsoidal variations in the secondary stars with a binary period of 9.952 hr. X-ray observations with EXOSAT reveal a strong pulsation with a period approximately 62 minutes. This result confirms an 'intermediate polar' classification for H0459 + 246. The pulsation is observed at 63.2 minutes in the optical I band. The long orbital period opens the possibility that H0459 + 246 is a relatively young intermediate polar that might evolve into a polar. The second case, H0857--242, shows radial velocity modulations at 1.78 hr along with photometric variations at a period approximately 49 minutes. The latter are observed only during the decay phase of dwarf nova outbursts (13 less than V less than 17), which apparently recur frequently. Given the lack of X-ray monitoring observations and the absence of proof that the 49 minute periodicity is coherent over long time-scales, we regard H0857--242 as a candidate intermediate polar. Photographic records from th e Harvard Observatory Plate Library further reveal superoutbursts for H0857--242 (V approximately 11). A bright X-ray source that is both an intermediate polar and a continually cycling dwarf nova may provide an effective means of measuring the time delay for the arrival of accreting matter at the white dwarf surface, relative to the onset of optical brightening.

Remillard, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Twenty-two emission-line AGNs from the HEAO-1 X-ray survey

We report 22 emission-line AGN as bright, hard X-ray sources. All of them appear to be new classifications with the exception of one peculiar IRAS source which is a known quasar and has no published spectrum. This sample exhibits a rich diversity in optical spectral properties and luminosities, ranging from a powerful broad-absorption-line quasar to a weak nucleus embedded in a nearby NGC galaxy. Two cases confer X-ray luminosities in excess of 10 exp 47 erg/s. However, there is a degree of uncertainty in the X-ray identification for the AGN fainter than V about 16.5. Optically, several AGN exhibit very strong Fe II emission. One Seyfert galaxy with substantial radio flux is an exception to the common association of strong Fe II emission and radio-quiet AGN. The previously recognized IRAS quasar shows extreme velocities in the profiles of the forbidden lines; the 0 III pair is broadened to the point that the lines are blended. Several of these AGN show evidence of intrinsic obscuration, illustrating the effectiveness of hard X-ray surveys in locating AGN through high column density.

Remillard, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

S-154 in the Large Magellanic Cloud - Spectral evolution from a luminous Fe II variable to a symbiotic-like star

The evolution of the emission-line Star S-154, between February and December 1988, from a low-excitation 'Fe II star' into a high-excitation state that resembles symbiotic stars, is traced. It is inferred that the spectral type of central stars do not always dominate the physical conditions in the circumstellar material and thereby determine the nebular classification. The membership of S-154 in the LMC was confirmed with a radial velocity measurement of +274 km/s. The historical light curve (1880-1990) obtained from 346 photograph plates of the Harvard Plate Library exhibits about 4 mag of variations, with an MB range of -6 to -2. No evidence was found for coherent modulations that would represent the orbital period of a symbiotic binary.

Remillard, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1991

The X-ray cooling flow in the cluster of galaxies around PKS 2354-35

The identification of the bright, hard X-ray source 4U 0009-33 = 3A 2356-341 = 1H 2355-350 is presently confirmed on the basis of Exosat CMA detector measurements of position and spatial extent. On the basis of these X-ray observations, a strong accretion flow is deduced; the luminosity and core radius imply a central density of at least 0.008/cu cm. The central cooling time is not greater than 5 billion yr, and the mass accretion rate is about 320 solar masses/yr.

Schwartz, Daniel A.↗

NASA NTRS1990

1H 0709-360 - A cataclysmic variable with an orbital period inside the 'period gap'

The discovery is reported of the second cataclysmic variable with a binary period lying well inside the nominal 2-3 hr period gap. The object, 1H 0709-360, is an X-ray source which has been identified on the basis of positional data from the instruments of the HEAO 1 survey. The X-ray source was also detected by the Uhuru and Ariel 5 surveys. Multicolor photometry has revealed eclipsing behavior at an orbital period of 2.444 hr. Radial velocity measurements show modulations at the same period, with an offset between the spectroscopic and photometric conjunctions. Both the eclipse profile and a clear rotational disturbance in the radial velocities of emission lines during eclipse provide unambiguous evidence for the existence of an accretion disk. Thus the object cannot be an AM Herculis variable, a conclusion supported by the absence of circular polarization. Instead, the evidence suggests that the object could be a DQ Herculis magnetic variable that is close to synchronism. The evolutionary implications of this rare object are discussed.

Tuohy, I. R.↗

NASA NTRS1990

LB 1800 - A bright eclipsing cataclysmic variable and a transient X-ray source

The star LB 1800 has been discovered to be a 13th mag high-excitation cataclysmic variable exhibiting novalike characteristics and partial eclipses in its light curve. It has subsequently been identified as the optical counterpart of the transient hard X-ray source 4U 0608-49 following analysis of HEAO 1 data. Both the radial velocity and photometric variations have a period of 5.56 hr, while the K-velocity of the relatively uncomplicated radial velocity curves is 134 + or - 9 km/s, leading to a mass function of 0.058 + or - 0.003 solar mass. The dynamical and eclipse solutions point to an orbital inclination of 87 deg + or - 3 deg and a mass ratio of 0.46 + or - 0.04 for the empirical secondary mass 0.55 solar mass. The implied white dwarf mass is therefore quite high at about 1.2 solar mass. The disk size, from timings of first and last contact, was estimated to be very close to that of the secondary star. Phase-dependent, double-peak emission lines are sometimes observed. It is argued that the orbital variations in the relative strengths of the red and blue peaks arise from changing hot-spot visibility.

Buckley, D. A. H.↗

NASA NTRS1990

H1722 + 119 - A highly polarized X-ray-selected BL Lacertae object

A 15th-mag, X-ray-selected BL Lac object, H1722 + 119, has been discovered to possess a steep X-ray spectrum with power-law energy index near 1.3; radio measurements indicate a variable, compact source with 1.4-4.9 GHz power-law energy index of 0.04. The optical-IR polarization of H1722 + 119 reaches a maximum of 17 percent, which is much higher than other X-ray-selected BL Lac objects. The degree of polarization is found to be wavelength-dependent, decreasing monotonically toward the IR.

Brissenden, R. J. V.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Two X-ray-selected BL Lacertae objects observed with the HEAO 1 scanning modulation collimator

Two 16th magnitude BL Lac objects, H1101 - 232 and H1426 + 428, have been discovered. Each is a persistent and relatively bright X-ray source. A 2.7 percent linear polarization is measured in the optical emission or H101 - 232. The X-ray identification of H1426 + 428 is confirmed in an Exosat observation. The X-ray spectrum is well-modeled by a power law with an energy index of 1.19. Both BL Lac objects exhibit high f(x)/f(opt) ratios and they show a distinct resemblance to other X-ray selected BL Lac objects. The host galaxies are about 18th mag with angular diameters of about 20 arcsec and each may be the dominant member of a cluster of galaxies. Additional wide-slit spectroscopy reveals faint absorption features with redshifts of 0.129 for H1426 + 428 and 0.186 for H1101 - 232. The implied X-ray and optical luminosities exceed 10 to the 45th ergs/s for both BL Lac nuclei, assuming isotropic emission.

Remillard, R. A.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Discovery of three new RS Canum Venaticorum-like counterparts to HEAO I X-ray sources

The identification of three high-latitude HEAO I Scanning Modulation Collimator X-ray sources with the chromospherically active RS CVn-like stars HD 113816, HD 146413, and HD 39576 is reported. Optical observations, including coude spectroscopy and broad-band and narrow band photoelectric photometry are presented. The Ca II emission strength of all three stars shows that they are chromospherically active. HD 146413 and HD 39576 exhibit variable X-ray emission in the 1-13 keV energy range, while HD 113816 is a softer and steadier source. The level of X-ray flux detected from these three stars is some one to two orders of magnitude higher than predicted empirically from the Ca II emission fluxes. It is proposed that this emission results from flarelike activity.

Buckley, D. A. H.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Identification of two southern X-ray emitting cataclysmic variables

The optical identification of two faint HEAO 1 X-ray sources with previously uncataloged cataclysmic variables is reported. The two cataclysmic variables, 1H 0542 - 407 and H0534 - 581, have average V magnitudes of about 15.7 and about 14.9, and have similar high excitation spectra with moderate to strong He II 4686 A emission. X-ray measurements and multicolor optical photometry for both objects establish 1H 0542 - 407 as a new DQ Herculis magnetic variable having a white dwarf rotation period of about 1920 s and an orbital period near 6.2 hr. 1H 0542 - 407 is unusual among DQ Her systems in having a large soft X-ray pulse fraction of about 70 percent semiamplitude below 1 keV. No definitive X-ray or optical periodicities were detected from H0534 - 581, but it appears to be either a nova-like variable or a DQ Her system. Both cataclysmic variables have very hard X-ray spectra, with evidence for iron line emission at about 6.7 keV from 1H 0542 - 407.

Tuohy, I. R.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Optical observations of new X-ray emitting cataclysmic variables

Two X-ray emitting cataclysmic variables were discovered as a result of a program to identify faint X-ray sources located by the HEAO-A3 modulation collimator experiment. The objects, H0534-581 and 1H0542-407, have similar high excitation spectra with intense emission lines showing broad and narrow components. Photometry shows that H0534-581 and 1H0542-407 have average magnitudes of V=14.9 and 15.7 respectively, leading to Lx/Lopt ratios of 1.5 (typical of dwarf novae in quiescence). While pronounced variability of delta B or = 1.5 mag is observed from both systems, there is no clear evidence for repeatable orbital periods between 1 and 4 hr.

Tuohy, I. R.↗

NASA NTRS1984

X-ray emission from supernova remnants MSH 14 - 63 and RCW 103

Electron-ion collisions, heavy element enrichment of emissions from reverse-shocked ejecta, abundances in the interstellar medium (ISM), the correspondence between the projected and measured age, ISM particle density, and distance, and classification factors for Type I or II supernovae are examined using a nonequilibrium ionization (NEI) model. The NEI model accounts for the absence of collisional ionization equilibrium and possibly thermal equilibrium between electrons and ions behind the shock fronts, and describes the emission spectra from ejecta and the shocked ISM. When applied to data from the SNR MSH 14 - 63 a non-Coulomb, ion-electron interaction is obtained that is consistent with a shocked ISM. For the SNR RCW 103, however, the processes behind the shock front are not discernable, although the elemental abundances will have solar values if the interactions are non-Coulomb. The age of RCW 103 must be approximated from physical data, as Chinese astronomers would not have been able to see the event from their position on earth two millenia ago.

Nugent, J. J.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Supernova remnants in the Magellanic Clouds

The present updated catalog of SNRs in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds (LMC and SMC) incorporates remnants recently discovered as a result of coordinated X-ray, optical, and radio surveys, and contains 25 confirmed SNRs in the LMC and six in the SMC. Optical images are included for all of the new SNRs, together with X-ray isophotes for 24 of the SNRs in the LMC which have been obtained with the high resolution imager and imaging proportional counter of the Einstein Observatory. The cumulative number-diameter relation for Type II SNRs with D smaller than 50 pc in the LMC is N(D)= 0.36 D exp 1.0 + or 0.2, suggesting that the SNRs have evolved much faster than expected from Sedov theory and that the free expansion phase dominates their evolution up to diameters of 30-40 pc. SNR production frequencies in the LMC and SMC are calculated to be 1/275 and 1/800 years, respectively, or nearly equal to the galaxies' luminosity ratios.

Mathewson, D. S.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Optical identification of Balmer-dominated supernova remnants in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Optical emission-line images are presented for four SNR's that are luminous X-ray sources and that were recently discovered during an X-ray survey of the LMC. The images reveal distinct filamentary shells that are prominent in the Balmer lines of H but are either absent or very weak in forbidden O III and forbidden S II emission. One remnant exhibits clear evidence for velocity-broadened H-alpha emission, and all four are expanding into regions with a relatively low H I density. It is shown that both the broad H-alpha emission and the Balmer-dominated spectra can be understood in terms of a very high-velocity nonradiative shock encountering gas that is partially neutral. The optical, X-ray, and radio properties of the LMC remnants are compared with those of relatively young galactic SNR's. It is concluded that all four LMC remnants resulted from Type I supernovae.

Tuohy, I. R.↗

NASA NTRS1982

The effects of ejecta on the X-ray luminosities of supernova remnants

Because X-ray luminosities of most SNRs are dominated by emission from heavy elements, estimates of the X-ray emitting mass based on cosmic abundances may be incorrect. Here we investigate the apparent density evolution of a SNR when substantial amounts of processed material are ejected by the supernova. If this material is shock heated, it will dominate X-ray emission from the remnant long after the SNR has swept up the equivalent amount of interstellar matter (ISM). Emission from metal-rich ejecta may explain why ISM densities of young remnants far from the galactic plane, deduced from standard analysis, are higher than expected, as well as why larger SNRs appear to be lying in regions of lower ISM density. It should be included in detailed calculations of SNR surface brightness distributions, along with effects due to departures from ionization equilibrium and cloudlet evaporation in a multiphase ISM which may also contribute to the apparent evolution of density with radius.

Long, K. S.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Phase resolved optical spectroscopy of the compact X-ray binary 2A1822-371

The optical, X-ray, and ultraviolet emissions of the X-ray system 2A1822-371 are modulated with a period of 5.57 hr. The 5.57 hr modulation is believed to reflect orbital motion about a mass donating companion star. The modulation at high energies is caused by the combined effects of an occultation by the companion and by a bulge on the accretion disk. The present investigation is concerned with an extension of the study of 2A1822-371, taking into account medium resolution optical spectroscopy of the system covering the 5.57 hr cycle. Broad shallow absorption lines are observed in the optical spectrum of 2A1822-371. These lines are similar to the rotationally broadened lines which are found in the spectra of disk accreting cataclysmic variables. Their presence in 2A1822-371 is, therefore, strong confirmation that it is a disk accreting star. The He II 4686 A and H-alpha emission lines have a breadth comparable to the absorption lines at all phases in the 5.57 hr cycle.

Mason, K. O.↗

NASA NTRS1982

X-ray spectral classification of supernova remnants in the Large Magellanic Cloud

The solid state spectrometer on the Einstein Observatory was used to measure the 0.6-4.5 keV X-ray spectra of six prominent supernova remnants in the Large Magellanic Cloud, namely, N132D, N63A, N49, 0525-66.0, N157B, and 0540-69.3. Thermal emission is detected from the first four remnants and is similar in nature to that observed from young galactic SNRs. In contrast, N157B and 0540-69.3 have featureless X-ray spectra which are well described by power-law models. The present data support a synchrotron origin for the X-rays from N157B and 0540-69.3, although an alternative emission mechanism is considered for the latter object.

Clark, D. H.↗

NASA NTRS1981

The X-ray spectrum of AM Herculis from 0.1 to 150 keV

No significant flux at 100 keV was detected in the observations by the HEAO 1 satellite (March and April of 1978) and in several OSO 7 observations. The spectrum above 2 keV can be fitted by a composite thermal bremsstrahlung model that includes an approximation to the albedo expected from the white dwarf. The bremsstrahlung kT sub e from this model (30.9 + or - 4.5 keV) implies a white dwarf mass in excess of 0.6 solar mass. An emission feature at 6.5 + or - 0.15 keV and equivalent width of 0.8 + or - 0.1 keV is confirmed; it is thought that this might be due to fluorescence from the white dwarf by the bremsstrahlung from a small thin shocked region. It is noted that the continuum could also have been steepened at high energy in scattering in the accretion column, but the line photons cannot have gone through the same optical depths.

Rothschild, R. E.↗