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At least 181 records · Page 10

Nonthermal galactic emission below 10 megahertz

The Radio Astronomy Explorer 2 (RAE 2) lunar-orbiting satellite has provided measurements of the nonthermal galactic radio emission at frequencies below 10 MHz. Measurements of the emission spectra are presented for the center, anticenter, north polar, and south polar directions at 22 frequencies between 0.25 and 9.18 MHz. Survey maps of the spatial distribution of the observed low-frequency Galactic emission at 1.31, 2.20, 3.93, 4.70, 6.55, and 9.18 MHz are presented. The observations were obtained with the 229-m traveling-wave V antenna on this lunar-orbiting spacecraft. The improved frequency coverage offers additional insights into the structure of the local Galactic neighborhood.

Milky Way↗

G306.3-0.9: A Newly Discovered Young Galactic Supernova Remnant

We present X-ray and radio observations of the new Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) G306.3−0.9, recently discovered by Swift. Chandra imaging reveals a complex morphology, dominated by a bright shock. The X-ray spectrum is broadly consistent with a young SNR in the Sedov phase, implying an age of 2500 yr for a distance of 8 kpc, plausibly identifying this as one of the 20 youngest Galactic SNRs. Australia Telescope Compact Array imaging reveals a prominent ridge of radio emission that correlates with the X-ray emission. We find a flux density of ∼160 mJy at 1 GHz, which is the lowest radio flux recorded for a Galactic SNR to date. The remnant is also detected at 24μm, indicating the presence of irradiated warm dust. The data reveal no compelling evidence for the presence of a compact stellar remnant.

remnant↗

NASA’s Galactic Cosmic Ray Simulator – How we study the effects of space radiation on Earth

Earth’s atmosphere and natural magnetic field do a good job protecting us from space radiation. Space radiation is different from radiation on Earth, which mostly comes from isotopes found in rock and soil or from medical procedures like an Xray. Ionizing space radiation comes from particles ejected from the Sun, or solar particle events, and from supernovae outside our solar system making up a background of galactic cosmic radiation. These particles, representing the elements of the periodic table, have been stripped of their electrons as they are accelerated in interstellar space to almost the speed of light. One of NASA’s biggest challenges is protecting astronauts from these high energy particles of galactic cosmic radiation which can cause cancer and other diseases. To understand the biological damage imparted to living systems and to develop protective countermeasures, NASA has built a galactic cosmic ray simulator on Earth.

Space Exploration Missions↗

The Canadian Galactic Emission Mapper (CGEM) A Cosmic Microwave Foreground Experiment

The Canadian Galactic Emission Mapper (CGEM) is a 4-meter single-dish radio telescope located at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO) in Penticton, Canada. CGEM is designed to map polarized Galactic synchrotron emission across the entire northern sky at 8-10 GHz with 1 MHz frequency resolution and ∼ 0.5 degree angular resolution. Its goal is to obtain high-fidelity, low-noise maps of polarized Galactic synchrotron radiation, at frequencies where synchrotron dominates, in order to provide a reliable template for CMB B−mode foreground cleaning. We will show on sky performance of CGEM’s single-pixel azimuthally-symmetric telescope, its coherent, dual-polarized radiometer, and show maps made from commissioning data from the first few months of operation.

Cosmic microwave background↗

A 100-micrometer (100-micron)map of the galactic center

The results of a survey made of the galactic center by a balloon-borne telescope are reported. The telescope mapped far infrared emission over a 5 degree portion of the sky with overlapping scans perpendicular to the plane. Data show emission is a continuous band along the galactic plane and emission perpendicular to the plane is on the order of 2 degrees. The map covers, for the first time, the distribution of dust in the galactic plane.

Hoffman, W.↗

100-micron survey of the galactic plane.

A survey of a portion of the galactic plane has been carried out at a wavelength of 100 micron with a beamwidth of 12 min. The survey covers 750 square degrees of the sky including most of the galactic plane between 335 and 88 deg galactic longitude and a number of other selected areas of interest. Seventy-two sources have been detected, 60 of which are identified with continuum radio sources, bright nebulae, dark nebulae, and infrared stars.

Hoffmann, W. F.↗

Interaction of solar and galactic cosmic-ray particles with the moon.

Calculation of the rates of formation of radionuclides as a function of depth in the moon for bombardments by galactic-cosmic-ray particles and by solar protons. The fluxes and spectra of galactic-cosmic-ray particles and of solar protons as a function of depth in the moon are first determined semiempirically. For galactic cosmic rays, the model emphasizes the production of secondary particles and the attenuation of particles by nuclear interactions. Solar proton calculations cover a range of observed spectral parameters, and only ionization energy losses need be considered. The excitation functions for the nuclear reactions used in these calculations are presented. The calculated production rates are given for a range of depths in the moon and are compared with experimental results and with earlier calculations. The model can also be applied to other effects of particle bombardment.

Reedy, R. C.↗

Galactic astronomy; Proceedings of the Second Summer Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics, State University of New York, Stony Brook, N.Y., June 19-July 17, 1968. Volumes 1 & 2.

Basic problems on the structure of our galaxy are presented. The essentially spiral structure of the galaxies is examined by a theory of the spiral shape, and by a study of the spiral structure with the 21-cm line of neutral hydrogen. Irregular spirals are discussed, and some problems that arise as a result of large deviations from the regular spiral structure are treated. The density wave theory of spiral structure is compared with the observed spiral structure of the galaxies. A section on the star migration technique, which is used to test the density wave theory of galactic spirals, is included. The interstellar medium is described in terms of such phenomena as supernova explosions and cosmic rays, both of which contribute to the energy balance of the medium. Other topics that are germaine to a description of the interstellar medium are the UV spectrum, kinematics of interstellar clouds, and ionization equilibrium. The implications of spiral galactic shock pattern on star formation along spiral arms are investigated, and by means of a blast wave model, it is shown that a hydrodynamic shock of galactic scale exists in galaxy M82.

Chiu, H.-Y.↗

Diffuse galactic X-rays from discrete sources.

The galactic ridge is interpreted as a population of intrinsically weak X-ray sources, and calculations are presented of the predicted intensity as a function of scale height and radial gradient. Observations of diffuse galactic X-radiation above 1 keV impose severe constraints on discrete-source interpretations of the galactic-plane excess observed at 0.25 keV.

Silk, J.↗

On a galactic origin for the soft X-ray background.

Previous observations and some new data with high angular resolution are considered in the discussion of the galactic origin for the X-ray background. Aspects of instrumentation are discussed together with the observational results, and the parameters of a possible galactic distribution of point sources that would explain essentially all of the soft X-ray background. The excess flux at the poles is accounted for by the fact that the galactic distribution has a larger scale height than the interstellar gas.

Gorenstein, P.↗

X-ray sources in the general direction of the galactic center

Spectra were measured in the range 1.5 to 35 keV from six low galactic latitude sources near the direction of the galactic center and were found to be generally consistent with thermal emission and, as a rule, to be depleted of low energy photons. An interpretation of the latter observation based on interstellar absorption places these sources toward the central region of the galaxy and sets their X-ray luminosity at or = 10 to the 38th power ergs/sec for each. The extended source 2U 1743-29 was observed in near coincidence with the galactic center; the observation supports a power law spectrum and rejects a blackbody interpretation of the emission from this source.

Serlemitsos, P. J.↗

Gamma ray emission from the region of the galactic center

A combination nuclear emulsion-spark chamber gamma ray (E=100 MeV) telescope was used to study the region of sky that includes the Galactic Center. 95% confidence upper limits on the flux from the reported sources G gamma 2 - 3 and Sgr gamma-1 were placed at 4.4 and 8.8 x 10 to the minus 5th power protons/sq cm-sec, and a similar limit on the emission from the Galactic Center as a point source (plus or minus .75 degrees) was placed at 3.3 x 10 to the minus 5th power protons/sq cm-sec. No enhanced emission was observed from the Galactic Plane (plus or minus 6 degrees) and an upper limit of 2 x 10 to the minus 4th power protons/sq cm-sec rad/ was obtained.

Dahlbacka, G. H.↗

The galactic radio spectrum between 130 and 2600 kHz.

The IMP-6 radio astronomy experiment has provided new measurements of the galactic background spectrum at 22 frequencies between 130 and 2600 kHz. A highly accurate spectrum is presented which corresponds to the minimum galactic radiation observed with a short dipole antenna. The estimated maximum spectrum is presented also. The data demonstrate the need to include the effect of the ambient plasma on synchrotron emission in low-frequency galactic models.

Brown, L. W.↗

Gamma-ray emission from the region of the Galactic center.

A combination nuclear-emulsion-spark-chamber gamma-ray telescope has been used to study the region of sky that includes the Galactic center. Ninety-five per cent confidence upper limits on the flux from the reported sources G-gamma 2+3 and Sgr gamma-1 were placed at .000044 and .000088 photons per sq cm per sec, and a similar limit on the emission from the Galactic center as a point source was placed at .000033 photons per sq cm per sec. No enhanced emission was observed from the Galactic plane. Three regions of enhanced emission were observed that had a combined Poisson probability of occurrence of less than .005. One of these is associated with a region of enhanced emission reported by other workers.

Dahlbacka, G. H.↗

Galactic gamma rays: Models involving variable cosmic-ray density

Mathematical models were developed to determine variable cosmic ray flux around the galactic plane. Data indicate point sources, molecular hydrogen concentration, increased cosmic ray density toward the galactic center, and neutral pion production combine to cause radiation density variables in the galactic plane.

Strong, A. W.↗

Midlatitude electron precipitation: A possible source of contamination of galactic X and gamma-ray measurements

The effect of trapped and precipitated particles in the magnetosphere on the measurement of galactic X-rays and gamma rays is discussed. To minimize contamination caused by electron precipitation, most galactic X-ray and gamma ray measurements are conducted at equatorial or relatively low to middle latitudes where the influence of auroral effects is expected to be small. Substorm-related VLF phase perturbations also affect the measurements. If such perturbation are indicative of electron precipitation at middle to low latitudes, then their relatively high frequency of occurrence, as many as 100 per year, is evidence that electron precipitation at these latitudes may pose a problem to some galactic X-ray and gamma ray measurements. Charts and maps are presented to show: (1) phase recordings from sixteen sub-ionospheric VLF propagation paths, (2) map of great circle propagation paths, (3) ionization rates in the nighttime ionosphere due to several sources, and (4) computer phase variation for the NLK-APL path versus electron flux for different e-folding energies.

Rosenberg, T. J.↗

Extragalactic cosmic rays and the galactic magnetic field

The origin and behavior of cosmic rays in the Galaxy depend crucially upon whether the galactic magnetic field has a closed topology, as does the field of earth, or whether a major fraction of the lines of force connect into extragalactic space. This paper examines the structure of a galactic field that opens initially into intergalactic space and, with the inclusion of turbulent diffusion, finds no possibility for maintaining a significant magnetic connection with an extragalactic field. Unless some mechanism can be found, we are forced to the conclusion that the field is closed, that cosmic rays are of galactic origin, and that cosmic rays escape from the Galaxy only by pushing their way out.

Parker, E. N.↗

Interstellar electron spectrum from the galactic non-thermal radio emission

A range of interstellar electron spectra at energies between 100 MeV and 5 GeV has been derived from an analysis of the observed galactic nonthermal radio spectrum and from consideration of the existing uncertainties in the other relevant physical parameters of the galaxy. We find that for energies larger than about 300 MeV the electron spectrum is uncertain to a factor of 4 due to uncertainties in the galactic magnetic field strength and the total line-of-sight emission length. The uncertainty in the electron spectrum increases towards lower energies, exceeding a factor of 50 near 100 MeV, primarily due to uncertainties in the galactic parameters affecting interstellar radio absorption.

Cummings, A. C.↗