Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to York, D. G..
Recent ultraviolet and optical observations of high latitude gas are reviewed. Hydrogen 21 cm observations of high latitude gas and extended disks of spiral galaxies are used to formulate a picture of the gaseous halo which may be relevant to the origin of quasi stellar object absorption lines.
Results are presented from a high-resolution, ultraviolet study of interstellar gas situated away from the plane of the Milky Way Galaxy, using the nuclei of Seyfert galaxies Mkn 509 and F9 as background probes. In these directions, low-velocity, galactic gas were detected as well as two extragalactic clouds, one probably associated with the Magellanic Stream and the other with Mkn 509. These data were combined with results from other lines of sight to show that the ultraviolet species extend about 10 kpc from the plane, assuming the high-latitude gas corotates with the galactic disk. Complimentary observations of the optical Ca II and Na I species suggests that these do not extend as far - perhaps 2 to 3 kpc from the plane. Further, the exceedingly complex velocity structure found only in Magellanic Cloud directions suggests that these sight-lines are not typical of high-latitude gas in general.
Observations are presented of a semiforbidden transition of C II at lambda 2325 toward Delta Scorpii. This line is intrinsically so weak that saturation and blending problems are completely absent, allowing the C II column density to be determined unambiguously. Furthermore, since C II is the dominant ionization state of carbon in H I regions, the total carbon abundance follows directly. While the detection of weak, semiforbidden interstellar lines requires high resolution and high photometric accuracy, observations of these lines promise substantial improvements concerning the knowledge of gas-phase abundances and, consequently, of the composition and structure of grains. The reported results represent the first direct evidence from absorption measurements that carbon is depleted from the interstellar gas by amounts sufficient to provide a substantial fraction of the mass of interstellar grains.
The evidence that gas exists in the halo of the Galaxy is examined. The likely properties of halo gas intervening between QSOs and the Galaxy are extracted from observations of the galactic halo. The available data discussed include 21-cm observations, optical absorption lines, ultraviolet lines, and X-ray observations. The possible existence of a cosmic ray halo is assessed, and the relationship of galactic size to the extent of the halo is examined. The main physical constraints on the gas in the halo are detailed, including the radiation field, particle density, temperature, mass in the halo gas, and abundances. Models for the gas in the halo are summarized. It appears that the distribution of gas in the galactic halo is an expanded disk not more than 10 kpc thick. At low column densities, the Galaxy could extend out to several times the Holmberg radius. The disk may be photoionized on the outside by the QSO background radiation.
The results of a search for giant, rapidly expanding shells of gas surrounding OB associations are recorded. Two out of thirteen nearby associations (Orion and Carina) show supershells of gas with radii of about 100 pc, expansion velocities of about 100 km/sec, and ages of about 400,000 years. Observations of the newly discovered Carina supershell are presented. It is suggested that these features are formed by supernova explosions in the associations. The birthrate of association supernovae than lies between 1.5 x 10 to the -14th/cu pc per/year and 10 to the -13th/cu pc per/year.
A status report is given on an ongoing survey of narrow-line, visual absorption components, which has been expanded to include lines of sight to the 3C 273 quasar, the nucleus of M87, and the NGC 1851, NGC 2808, and 47 Tuc globular cluster cores. The number density of components of the halo is calculated to lie between one-third and one per 100 kpc, though with substantial uncertainty. This estimate is held to be consistent with the galactic halo interpretation of the origin of high column density, quasar absorption-line systems.
IUE spectrometer observational data are reported on the C IV, Si IV, and N V absorption lines in 46 distant stars at FWHM resolution of 30 km/sec. A simple analytic theory is given for these contributions, including the effects of ionization by a soft X-ray background. While for some of the most distant field stars a photoionized contribution may be ruled out, C IV absorption lines are detected which are shallow and broad. It is suggested that what are being detected in these cases are contributions from the hot interstellar gas that is responsible for the O VI absorption lines. Most of the Si IV and C IV lines probably arise in the H II regions surrounding the observed star or its neighbors.
The resonance line of F I at 954.825 A is detected in the interstellar spectra of Delta Sco, and possibly Delta Ori, and upper limits are obtained toward five other stars. It is noted that the equivalent width for Delta Sco of 10.9(+4.5, -3.1) in milliangstroms corresponds to a column density of 1.52(+0.60, -0.43) x 10 to the 13th/sq cm and a depletion of -0.53(+0.15, -0.14) dex. For the other lines of sight, depletions of at least 0.1-0.5 dex are inferred. The results are discussed in the context of current theories of the depletion process.
It is pointed out that the line of sight to 3C 273 is unique because of the possibility of obtaining both radio and optical absorption line measurements. This information may make it possible to understand in detail the structure of the interstellar medium along the line of sight. To take advantage of this possibility, high-resolution optical spectra were obtained of 3C 273. The observations were made using the echelle spectrograph at the Cassegrain focus of the 4 m telescope at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in 1980 January. Both Na D and Ca K lines were obtained on the same plate. In the visual lines, the galactic disk absorption shows a main component at 20 km/sec with a trailing wing in the negative velocities.
Si II oscillator strengths for eight resonance lines from the ground state have been determined using a curve-of-growth analysis of interstellar data from the Copernicus and International Ultraviolet Explorer satellites. The oscillator strengths for 1526 A and 1808 A increase by factors of 3.0 and 1.5, respectively, from previously tabulated values; those for 989 A and 1020 A decrease by factors of 0.55 and 0.60, respectively. These new values result in better silicon abundances for interstellar clouds and resolve a long-standing puzzle in the interpretation of quasar absorption line data.
New ultraviolet colors are presented for 110 hot stars. These data are combined with infrared colors and diffuse-band measurements to study the relationship of diffuse interstellar bands (4430, 5780, 6284 A) to the overall extinction curve. Equivalent widths of 5780 A and 6284 A are not well correlated with infrared, visible, or ultraviolet extinction measurements for stars in this sample. The central depth of 4430 A is well correlated with visible and infrared extinction, but less well correlated with UV extinction at 1800 A. The wavelength 4430 A is strongly correlated with the strength of the 2200-A bump. The data suggest that if small grains account for the general rise in UV extinction, the diffuse bands are not formed in these grains. The wavelength 4430 A may well arise in large grains and/or in the material responsible for the 2200-A bump. Correlations with UV extinctions derived by other authors are discussed in detail. It is suggested that definitions of extinction parameters and band shapes, as well as selection effects in small samples of stars, may still compromise conclusions based on correlation studies such as are being attempted.
A description is presented of the use of a CCD imaging spectrometer which has been employed at a 2.1 m telescope to obtain monochromatic images in the red and near infrared. The system studied was Jupiter's plasma torus which circles the planet with radial extent about 5 RJ and 7 RJ (RJ is the radius of Jupiter). In ground based measurements the torus has been observed in the forbidden emission lines of S(plus) at 6716 A and 6731 A and S(plus plus) at 9531 A. Attention is given to aspects of instrumentation, observations, and performance. It is felt that the particular significance of the obtained results from the instrumental point of view is the demonstration that the CCD is an excellent detector for monochromatic imaging in the near infrared out to at least 10830 A and that pixel binning before readout can produce significantly improved S/N ratios for the study of faint, diffuse sources in cases where readout noise is dominant.
The recent availability of large format CCD's with high quantum efficiency makes it possible to achieve significant advances in high dispersion astronomical spectroscopy. An echelle CCD combination excels or equals other techniques presently available, and offers the advantage of complete spectral coverage of several thousand Angstroms in a single exposure. Attention is given to experiments which were conducted with a CCD camera head and an echelle spectrograph on a 4-meter telescope. It was found possible to achieve a signal-to-noise ratio of 150/1 on a 13th magnitude star at 6000 A in a two-hour exposure at 0.16 A/pixel, limited primarily by photon statistics. For fainter objects, readout noise is the limiting factor in precision. For 20 electron rms readout noise, an S/N = 15/1 at 18th magnitude is expected, all other things being equal.
The interstellar medium on the Gamma Cas line of sight is studied through the observations of O I, H2, H I, D I, and Ar I absorption features with the Copernicus satellite. By using the velocity structure of the line of sight previously determined through atomic nitrogen, it is demonstrated that these neutrals are located in the same physical regions and that the O I and Ar I abundances could be solar, on the average, relative to N I in all components. The 1066.660 A Ar I line profile is contaminated by an unidentified line, already detected in the spectrum of Zeta Pup. Furthermore, a peculiar behavior of the Ar I abundance in the different components is reported, possibly associated with high-velocity interstellar gas present on the line of sight. It is concluded that the Gamma Cas line of sight could intercept a dense cloud which has been engulfed and disrupted by a shock.
The detection of interstellar boron in the direction of kappa Ori, obtained with the Copernicus satellite telescope by observing the B II 1362.46-A resonance line is reported. A B/H concentration ratio of (1.5 + or - 0.7) x 10 to the -10th (2 standard deviation error bar) is obtained. The main uncertainty lies in the determination of the continuum of the star in that wavelength region, dominated by a broad stellar absorption feature. The value inferred for B/H in the interstellar medium is consistent with the solar and stellar values, believed to be the galactic value, and with the theory of the production of B by cosmic rays in the interstellar medium.
The results of general abundance studies, using the Copernicus satellite are reviewed. The general pattern of depletion of some elements such as Si, Al, Mn, Fe, and Mg, near the sun is described. Techniques for obtaining abundances for various species are discussed, as are the aspects of the analysis which are uncertain. Variations in gas phase abundance from region to region are found for Fe and Si, similar to variations now known to exist for Ca and Ti based on visible spectra. A new generation of space instruments, with higher efficiency and resolution, in particular for 920-1400 A, can provide detailed interstellar line profiles.
The velocity profiles of O VI absorption lines of 24 stars, observed in early Copernicus surveys, have been compared with the line profiles of Si III (1206.51 A) and N II (1083.99 A). The velocity structures of the O VI lines appear to be correlated with those of the material in the lower ionization stages. It is argued that the O VI absorption arises in the coronal gas of the conductive interface between hot gas, responsible for extended, soft X-ray emission, and cooler interstellar clouds. The velocity broadening of both sets of lines is attributed to motions of the cloud surfaces induced by pressure fluctuations in the interstellar medium.
The structure of the interstellar gas surrounding the Orion OB1 association and the neighboring lambda Orionis association is detailed. UV absorption lime spectra of various ionization stages of C, N, Si and S in the directions of 12 stars were obtained by means of the spectrometer on board the Copernicus satellite. The presence of a shell of material surrounding the two associations and expanding at 100 to 120 km/sec, designated Orion's Cloak, was revealed, together with sporadically occurring higher column density matter at lower velocities. Results are interpreted to indicate the presence of a rapidly moving radiative shock outside the H II region of the association stars and inside this feature, a lower velocity, higher column density cloud which appears to be directly ionized by association stars. It is suggested that the gas features are caused by the effects of a recent supernova and of multiple supernovae, stellar winds and rocket-accelerated clouds in addition to stellar ionization.