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At least 181 records · Page 10

Astronomical ultraviolet radiation.

Astronomical UV radiation noting galactic composition and extragalactic systems, stellar emission and molecular and atomic H

ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION↗

Integration methods where force is obtained from the smoothed gravitational field.

Discussion of the possibilities to study the dynamics of collisionless stellar systems by condensing the large number of stars that such systems may contain into a smaller number of superparticles and using numerical or computer models to perform computer experiments simulating Vlasov phenomena by following the simultaneous motion of a large number of superparticles. A computer model for disks of stars and a two-dimensional rod model are considered.

Hohl, F.↗

What is special about Cygnus X-1 - Black holes in theory and observation: X-ray observations

Of the eight X-ray sources now known which may be associated with binary stellar systems, Cygnus X-1 is the most likely candidate for being a black hole. The X-ray evidence from several experiments is reviewed, with special emphasis on those characteristics which appear to distinguish Cygnus X-1 from other compact X-ray emitting objects. Data are examined within the context of a model in which millisecond bursts (Rothschild et al., 1974) are superposed on shot-noise fluctuations (Terrell, 1972) arising from 'events' of durations on the order of a second. Possible spectral-temporal correlations are investigated which indicate new measurements that need to be made in future experiments.

Boldt, E.↗

Collisionless galaxy simulations

Three-dimensional fully self-consistent computer models were used to determine the evolution of galaxies consisting of 100 000 simulation stars. Comparison of two-dimensional simulations with three-dimensional simulations showed only a very slight stabilizing effect due to the additional degree of freedom. The addition of a fully self-consistent, nonrotating, exponential core/halo component resulted in considerable stabilization. A second series of computer experiments was performed to determine the collapse and relaxation of initially spherical, uniform density and uniform velocity dispersion stellar systems. The evolution of the system was followed for various amounts of angular momentum in solid body rotation. For initally low values of the angular momentum satisfying the Ostriker-Peebles stability criterion, the systems quickly relax to an axisymmetric shape and resemble elliptical galaxies in appearance. For larger values of the initial angular momentum bars develop and the systems undergo a much more drastic evolution.

Hohl, F.↗

Gamma-ray astrophysics - A new look at the universe

Gamma-ray astronomy, which may be defined to include the spectral region from above 100 keV to about 1000 GeV, permits investigation of the most energetic photons originating in the Galaxy and beyond. These observations provide the most direct means of studying the largest transfers of energy occurring in astrophysical processes, including the dynamic effects of the energetic charged cosmic-ray particles, element synthesis, and particle acceleration. Further, gamma-rays suffer negligible absorption or scattering as they travel in straight paths. Hence they may survive billions of years. Studies of the spatial, temporal, and energy distribution of cosmic gamma-rays will, therefore, provide fundamental new information for resolving some of the major problems in astrophysics today. Attention is given to the gamma-ray observations of the solar system, stellar objects, diffuse gamma-ray emission from the Galaxy, other galaxies and cosmology, and future prospects.

Trombka, J.↗

Synchronous rotation in magnetic X-ray binaries

AM Herculis is thought to be a binary stellar system that contains an accreting magnetic degenerate dwarf whose rotation is synchronous with the orbital period. This synchronism is remarkable, particularly because of the small moment of inertia of a degenerate dwarf and the large specific angular momentum of the accreted matter. This paper demonstrates that ohmic dissipation from the magnetic interaction of the stars is capable of bringing about exact synchronism, provided that some other process has brought the rotation period of the degenerate dwarf to the same order of magnitude as the orbital period. It is also shown that magnetostatic interaction in the synchronous state leads to oscillatory drifts in phase about exact synchronism with periods of approximately 1-10 yr. These phase drifts could manifest themselves in long-term periodic variability in the X-ray or optical properties of the source. Accretion torques could excite such oscillatory motions but need not disrupt synchronism once it has been established.

Joss, P. C.↗

Gravitational lens of the sun - Its potential for observations and communications over interstellar distances

The gravitational field of the sun acts as a spherical lens to magnify the intensity of radiation from a distant source along a semi-infinite focal line. A spacecraft anywhere on that line in principle could observe, eavesdrop, and communicate over interstellar distances, using equipment comparable in size and power with what is now used for interplanetary distances. If one neglects coronal effects, the maximum magnification factor for coherent radiation is inversely proportional to the wavelength, being 100 million at 1 millimeter. The principal difficulties are that the nearest point on the focal half-line is about 550 times the sun-earth distance, separate spacecraft would be needed to work with each stellar system of interest, and the solar corona would severely limit the intensity of coherent radiation while also restricting operations to relatively short wavelengths.

Eshleman, V. R.↗

X-ray astronomical spectroscopy

The current status of the X-ray spectroscopy of celestial X-ray sources, ranging from nearby stars to distant quasars, is reviewed. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of such spectroscopy as a useful and unique tool in the elucidation of the physical parameters of the sources. The spectroscopic analysis of degenerate and nondegenerate stellar systems, galactic clusters and active galactic nuclei, and supernova remnants is discussed.

Holt, S. S.↗

X-ray bursters and the X-ray sources of the galactic bulge

Type 1 X-ray bursts, optical, infrared, and radio properties of the galactic bulge sources, are discussed. It was proven that these burst sources are neutron stars in low mass, close binary stellar systems. Several burst sources are found in globular clusters with high central densities. Optical type 1 X-ray bursts were observed from three sources. Type 2 X-ray bursts, observed from the Rapid Burster, are due to an accretion instability which converts gravitational potential energy into heat and radiation, which makes them of a fundamentally different nature from Type 1 bursts.

Lewin, W. H. G.↗

X-ray astronomical spectroscopy

The elementary spectral signatures of fundamental physical processes that might be operable in galactic and extragalactic X-ray sources are reviewed. Some of the instrument limitations of experimental techniques used in X-ray astronomical spectroscopy are described. X-ray spectroscopic measurements are examined for various types of X-ray-emitting objects, including degenerate and nondegenerate stellar systems, supernova remnants, clusters of galaxies, active galactic nuclei, and quasars.

Holt, S. S.↗

A new technique for calculations of binary stellar evolution, with application to magnetic braking

The development of appropriate computer programs has made it possible to conduct studies of stellar evolution which are more detailed and accurate than the investigations previously feasible. However, the use of such programs can also entail some serious drawbacks which are related to the time and expense required for the work. One approach for overcoming these drawbacks involves the employment of simplified stellar evolution codes which incorporate the essential physics of the problem of interest without attempting either great generality or maximal accuracy. Rappaport et al. (1982) have developed a simplified code to study the evolution of close binary stellar systems composed of a collapsed object and a low-mass secondary. The present investigation is concerned with a more general, but still simplified, technique for calculating the evolution of close binary systems with collapsed binaries and mass-losing secondaries.

Rappaport, S.↗

Discovery of the first carbon star in NGC 6822

A new photometric technique has been developed for detecting carbon and M stars in distant stellar systems, leading to isolation of carbon-star candidates in a number of Local-Group galaxies. One of the brighter candidates in NGC 6822 has been confirmed spectroscopically; at a distance of approximately 0.5 Mpc, it is the first truly extragalactic carbon star to be positively identified. The star has M(I) = about -5.7 mag, placing it near the upper-luminosity end of known carbon stars in the Magellanic Clouds.

Aaronson, M.↗

X-ray emission from normal galaxies

The results of Einstein Observatory studies of X-ray emission from normal galaxies, including the LMC and SMC, M31, M33, M101, NGC 247, M81 and M100, and N253 are surveyed. The X-ray luminosity of normal galaxies is proportional to their optical luminosity, revealing no strong dependence on galaxy type. The number of individual sources detected are comparable to the number of sources expected on mass considerations. There are substantial numbers of X-ray sources in the Magellanic Clouds with luminosities in the range 10 to the 35th-36th ergs/s, lower than most X-ray binaries but higher than known uncollapsed stellar systems. About seven X-ray sources with luminosities of at least 10 to the 39th ergs/s in the 0.5-3.0 keV band have been found in the arms of nearby spiral galaxies.

Long, K. S.↗

On the nature of the material surrounding Vega

Observations of Vega at 193 microns indicate that the far-infrared emission from the circumstellar material discovered by IRAS (Aumann et al. 1984) may decline more rapidly than a Planck spectrum at wavelengths greater than 100 microns. This suggests that the emitting particles may be smaller than the millimeter-sized objects proposed by Aumann et al. (1984). Small grains would be driven from the stellar system by radiation pressure, or their orbits would decay as a result of Poynting -Robertson drag. In order to maintain a state of dynamic equilibrium, a continuous supply of new particles would be required. It is hypothesized that the small grains are ejected by sublimation of volatile material from larger comet-like bodies in a partially coalesced preplanetary disk. A reservoir containing less than a few hundred earth masses could sustain the source over the lifetime of the star.

Harper, D. A.↗

Radio emission from RS CVn binaries. I - VLA survey and period-radio luminosity relationship

A VLA survey of radio emission from 36 close binary stellar systems with RS CVn properties is reported. Eight new sources were detected. A summary of all published reports of radio emission from RS CVn systems is presented. There appears to be a correlation between maximum radio luminosity and rotational period, with a tentative functional form L(R) varies as P to the (-0.7) power. Rapid rotators (periods approximately 2 days) may be underluminous compared with the extrapolated trend from longer-period systems. The luminosity-period correlation probably results from a dynamo mechanism which produces strong magnetic fields and, in turn, enhances the nonthermal radio emission. The decrease in radio luminosity at short periods may be caused by a saturation of energy deposition in the chromosphere, possibly because the surface of the active star has become covered with spotted regions.

Mutel, R. L.↗

On the binary nature of cosmic gamma-ray burst sources

The binary model of gamma ray burst sources wherein the bursts are emitted by a collapsed object in a close-binary stellar system and a small fraction of the gamma radiation is reprocessed into optical radiation in the surface layers of a companion star is considered, and it is concluded that the model is viable. In particular, under the assumption that the optical flashes discovered by Schaefer (1981) and Schaefer et al. (1984) were produced by gamma-ray bursts of about the same intensity as those observed, it is found that nearby binary systems with secondaries whose masses are less than about 0.06 solar mass can fit all the observational constraints for the three optical/gamma-ray pair events.

Rappaport, S. A.↗

The cores of elliptical galaxies

An analysis of the apparent core radii and seeing profiles of seeing-deconvolved high resolution CCD surface photometry profiles for 42 nearby elliptical galaxies indicates that 14 galaxies have resolvable cores between 1.5 and 5.0 arcsec. Half of the resolved galaxies match the core profile of M87 over an extended radial change, indicating the possible existence of massive nuclear black holes or radially anisotropic velocity fields in these objects. The remaining half show even larger deviations from isothermality. These and other results presented support the formation of elliptical galaxies from photogalactic gas clouds, rather than as products of a dissipationless merger hierarchy or repeated cannibalization of less massive stellar systems.

Lauer, T. R.↗