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At least 181 records · Page 10

Identification and denoising of radio signals from cosmic-ray air showers using convolutional neural networks

Radio pulses generated by cosmic-ray air showers can be used to reconstruct key properties like the energy and depth of the electromagnetic component of cosmic-ray air showers. Radio detection threshold, influenced by natural and anthropogenic radio background, can be reduced through various techniques. In this work, we demonstrate that convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are an effective way to lower the threshold. We developed two CNNs: a classifier to distinguish radio signal waveforms from background noise and a denoiser to clean contaminated radio signals. Following the training and testing phases, we applied the networks to air-shower data triggered by scintillation detectors of the prototype station for the enhancement of IceTop, IceCube’s surface array at the South Pole. Over a four-month period, we identified 554 cosmic-ray events in coincidence with IceTop, approximately five times more compared to a reference method based on a cut on the signal-to-noise ratio. Comparisons with IceTop measurements of the same air showers confirmed that the CNNs reliably identified cosmic-ray radio pulses and outperformed the reference method. Additionally, we find that CNNs reduce the false-positive rate of air-shower candidates and effectively denoise radio waveforms, thereby improving the accuracy of the power and arrival time reconstruction of radio pulses.

Abbasi, R↗

Radio emission in the directions of cD and related galaxies in poor clusters. III - VLA observations at 20 cm

VLA radio maps and optical identifications of a sample of sources in the directions of 21 Yerkes poor cluster fields are presented. The majority of the cluster radio sources are associated with the dominant D or cD galaxies (approximately 70 percent). Our analysis of dominant galaxies in rich and poor clusters indicates that these giant galaxies are much more often radio emitters (approximately 25 percent of cD's are radio active in the poor clusters), have steeper radio spectra, and have simpler radio morphologies (i.e., double or other linear structure) than other less bright ellipticals. A strong continuum of radio properties in cD galaxies is seen from rich to poor clusters. It is speculated that the location of these dominant galaxies at the cluster centers (i.e., at the bottom of a deep, isolated gravitational potential well) is the crucial factor in explaining their multifrequency activity. Galaxy cannibalism and gas infall models as fueling mechanisms for the observed radio and X-ray emission are discussed

Burns, J. O.↗

A search for X-ray emission from optically quiet, compact radio sources

A search for X-ray emission from optically quiet, compact radio sources reveals that such sources are significantly weaker X-ray emitters than are optically identified objects with comparable radio properties. For the radio samples examined here, the X-ray luminosity, relative to the radio, is typically at least 3 times lower in the optically quiet, compact radio sources than in the optically identified ones. Possible reasons for the distinction between optically quiet, compact radio sources and other compact radio sources are discussed. If strong nonthermal sources occur in the nuclei of dust-rich galaxies and do not eliminate the dust and gas of the interstellar medium, a few percent of such sources should be optically faint and red (due to extinction by dust) and X-ray weak (due to K-edge absorption). However, many optically quiet, compact radio sources are apparently 'blazars' with particularly sharp high-frequency breaks in their synchrotron spectra.

Ledden, J. E.↗

An X-ray survey of a complete sample of 3CR radio galaxies

The X-ray survey of the galaxies, 40 in all, was made with the Einstein Observatory. By comparing the distributions of X-ray luminosities, it is found that 3CR galaxies with double radio morphology (FR 2) and optical emission-line spectra tend to be the more powerful X-ray emitters, with broad-line galaxies at the top of the distribution. It is also found that the X-ray luminosity is strongly correlated with the 5 GHz radio nuclear luminosity. Through an analysis of the complete optical and radio sample with the Spearman partial rank correlation technique, it is determined that nuclear radio luminosity at 5 GHz is correlated with both total radio luminosity at 178 MHz and with galaxy optical luminosity. Other weaker correlations are found of the X-ray luminosity with the total radio luminosity at 178 MHz and the optical luminosity of the galaxy. The results are seen as underlining the importance of nuclear phenomena in radio galaxies and indicating a nuclear origin of their X-ray emission. In addition, it is found that the 3CR emission-line galaxies are similar to both Seyfert galaxies and quasars with double radio morphology in their X-ray properties, strongly reinforcing a unified picture of active nuclei.

Fabbiano, G.↗

X-ray studies of quasars with the Einstein Observatory. IV - X-ray dependence on radio emission

The X-ray properties of a sample of 114 radio-loud quasars observed with the Einstein Observatory are examined, and the results are compared with those obtained from a large sample of radio-quiet quasars. The results of statistical analysis of the dependence of X-ray luminosity on combined functions of optical and radio luminosity show that the dependence on both luminosities is important. However, statistically significant differences are found between subsamples of flat radio spectra quasars and steep radio spectra quasars with regard to dependence of X-ray luminosity on only radio luminosity. The data are consistent with radio-loud quasars having a physical component, not directly related to the optical luminosity, which produces the core radio luminosity plus 'extra' X-ray emission.

Worrall, D. M.↗

Superluminal radio sources - What does X-ray emission tell us?

In a study on superluminal radio sources, statistical relationships between X-ray, optical, and radio luminosities among different categories of active galactic nuclei are compared to search for common energy mechanisms. The X-ray versus optical and X-ray versus radio correlations of radio-loud QSOs and superluminal radio sources are found to be similar, arguing against a model in which the emission in only one or two of the three wave bands is relativistically boosted. A regression analysis shows that highly polarized QSOs and optically violently variable QSOs are more similar to other flat-spectrum, radio-loud QSOs than to BL Lac objects, and it is reasonable to assume that self-Compton emission dominates the X-ray emission from at least half of the sources in this class. The X-ray versus radio correlation for BL Lac objects is poor, and there is support for the hypothesis that their X-ray emission is dominated by an isotropic component which is not directly related to relativistically boosted radio emission.

Worrall, Diana M.↗

2.2 micron image of 3C 368 at z = 1.13, a galaxy with aligned radio and stellar axes

A K-band IR image of the z = 1.13 radio galaxy 3C 368, one of the brightest examples of the recently discovered phenomenon of alignment between the optical and radio axes of powerful distant radio galaxies, is presented. The observations show that the IR morphology is also elongated and aligned along the optical and radio axes, but is not coincident with the radio emission. Various mechanisms for producing the IR and optical flux and the resultant constraints on the origin of the alignment effect in high-redshift radio galaxies are discussed. The most likely explanation is that the emission is produced mainly by young stars formed by interaction of the radio source with the ISM. The IR flux is then interpreted as dominated by a population of red supergiants. Independent of the origin of the emission, the observed alignment implies that powerful radio galaxies at high redshifts are distant from giant ellipticals, even in the IR. Hence, attempts to derive a cosmological 'standard candle' using studies which combine these two types of galaxies are likely to be invalid.

Chambers, K. C.↗

The radio properties of cD galaxies in Abell clusters. I - An X-ray selected sample

The radio and X-ray properties of a sample of 27 cD galaxies in rich clusters are presented. The radio data consist of 6 cm VLA maps at a resolution of 1-2 arcsec. The X-ray data consist of images and surface-brightness profiles from the Einstein IPC and derived quantities such as cooling times, mass-accretion rates, and thermal pressures from Arnaud (1988). These data are used to explore the relationship between X-ray cooling cores, and the power and morphology of the radio emission. It is found that 71 percent of the cD's with X-ray cooling cores are radio loud, whereas a smaller but still significant 23 percent of cD's without cooling cores are detected at 6 cm above 0.2 mJy. Among the radio galaxies in noncooling core clusters are luminous and extended wide-angle tails. There is a weak correlation between the mass-accretion rate and the radio power for cD's. There is also an interesting class of cooling core cluster (e.g., A2052) with small diameter, amorphous radio emission that may be the result of diffusion along radial magnetic fields set up in cooling inflows. Finally, the relationships between optical emission-line luminosity with radio power and mass-accretion rate are examined.

Burns, Jack O.↗

The infrared properties of quasars and radio galaxies - Testing the unification schemes

The IRAS data base is used to compare the mid-FIR properties of two classes of radio-loud AGN whose LF radio emission arises in large-scale radio lobes. The two primary samples consist of 42 quasars and 75 narrow-line radio galaxies selected on the basis of their 178 MHz radio flux density from the 3 CR catalog and having redshifts of not less than 0.3 and Galactic latitudes of not less than 20 deg. The mid-FIR emission was found to be about four times stronger on average in the quasars than in the radio galaxies. Even though the radio galaxies are systematically weaker mid-FIR sources than the quasars, they are still exceptionally luminous (about 10 exp 12 solar luminosities) in the mid-FIR. These powerful radio galaxies contain potent sources of radiation that are either hidden or energetically unimportant at shorter wavelengths.

Heckman, Timothy M.↗

Evolution of luminous IRAS galaxies: Radio imaging

In a recent study of IRAS galaxies' optical morphologies, we found that luminous IR sources lie in the IR color-luminosity plane in groups which separate out by optical spectroscopic type and also by degree of tidal disturbance. We found that the most luminous steep-IR-spectrum sources are generally galaxies in the initial stages of a major tidal interaction. Galaxies with active nuclei were generally found to have flatter IR spectra, to cover a range of IR luminosity, and to be in the later stages of a tidal interaction. We proposed a sequence of events by which luminous IR sources evolve: they start as interacting or merging galaxies, some develop active nuclei, and most undergo extensive star-formation in their central regions. Another way to study these objects and their individual evolution is to study their radio morphologies. Radio emission may arise at a detectable level from supernovae in star-forming regions and/or the appearance of an active nucleus can be accompanied by a nuclear radio source (which may develop extended structure). Therefore, the compact radio structure may trace the evolution of the inner regions of IRAS-luminous sources. If the radio sources are triggered by the interactions, we would expect to find the radio morphology related to the optical 'interactivity' of the systems. Here, we explore using the radio emission of IRAS galaxies as a possible tracer of galaxy evolution. We present and discuss observations of the compact radio morphology of 111 luminous IRAS-selected active galaxies covering a wide range of IR and optical properties.

Neff, S. G.↗

Providing hydrogen maser timing stability to orbiting VLBI radio telescope observations by post-measurement compensation of linked frequency standard imperfections

Orbiting VLBI (OVLBI) astronomical observations are based upon measurements acquired simultaneously from ground-based and earth-orbiting radio telescopes. By the mid-1990s, two orbiting VLBI observatories, Russia's Radioastron and Japan's VSOP, will augment the worldwide VLBI network, providing baselines to earth radio telescopes as large as 80,000 km. The challenge for OVLBI is to effectuate space to ground radio telescope data cross-correlation (the observation) to a level of integrity currently achieved between ground radio telescopes. VLBI radio telescopes require ultrastable frequency and timing references in order that long term observations may be made without serious cross-correlation loss due to frequency source drift and phase noise. For this reason, such instruments make use of hydrogen maser frequency standards. Unfortunately, space-qualified hydrogen maser oscillators are currently not available for use on OVLBI satellites. Thus, the necessary long-term stability needed by the orbiting radio telescope may only be obtained by microwave uplinking a ground-based hydrogen maser derived frequency to the satellite. Although the idea of uplinking the frequency standard intrinsically seems simple, there are many 'contaminations' which degrade both the long and short term stability of the transmitted reference. Factors which corrupt frequency and timing accuracy include additive radio and electronic circuit thermal noise, slow or systematic phase migration due to changes of electronic circuit temporal operating conditions (especially temperature), ionosphere and troposphere induced scintillations, residual Doppler-incited components, and microwave signal multipath propagation. What is important, though, is to realize that ultimate stability does not have to be achieved in real-time. Instead, information needed to produce a high degree of coherence in the subsequent cross-correlation operation may be derived from a two-way coherent radio link, recorded and later introduced as compensations adjunct to the VLBI correlation process. Accordingly, this paper examines the technique for stable frequency/time transfer within the OVLBI system, together with a critique of the types of link degradation components which must be compensated, and the figures of merit known as coherence factors.

Springett, James C.↗

The radio emission from the ultraluminous far-infrared galaxy NGC 6240

We present new radio observations of the 'prototypical' ultraluminous far-infrared galaxy NGC 6240, obtained using the Very Large Array (VLA) at lambda = 20 cm in B-configuration and at lambda = 3.6 cm in A-configuration. These data, along with those from four previous VLA observations, are used to perform a comprehensive study of the radio emission from NGC 6240. Approximately 70% (approximately 3 x 10(exp 23) W/Hz) of the total radio power at 20 cm originates from the nuclear region (approximately less than 1.5 kpc), of which half is emitted by two unresolved (R approximately less than 36 pc) cores and half by a diffuse component. The radio spectrum of the nuclear emission is relatively flat (alpha approximately equals 0.6; S(sub nu) proportional to nu(exp -alpha). The supernova rate required to power the diffuse component is consistent with that predicted by the stellar evolution models of Rieke et al. (1985). If the radio emission from the two compact cores is powered by supernova remnants, then either the remnants overlap and form hot bubbles in the cores, or they are very young (approximately less than 100 yr.) Nearly all of the remaining 30% of the total radio power comes from an 'armlike' region extending westward from the nuclear region. The western arm emission has a steep spectrum (alpha approximately equals 1.0), suggestive of aging effects from synchrotron or inverse-Compton losses, and is not correlated with starlight; we suggest that it is synchrotron emission from a shell of material driven by a galactic superwind. Inverse Compton scattering of far-infrared photons in the radio sources is expected to produce an X-ray flux of approximately 2 - 6 x 10(exp -14) ergs/s/sq cm in the 2 - 10 keV band. No significant radio emission is detected from or near the possible ultramassive 'dark core'.

Colbert, Edward J. M.↗

Remote radio tracking of interplanetary CMEs

Two examples of type 2 radio emissions associated with the propagation of earth-directed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) through the interplanetary medium are illustrated and compared. The two type 2 radio events were observed by WIND/WAVES in January and May of 1997 and exhibit very different radio characteristics. The analyses presented here use the novel approach of presenting the radio data as a function of the inverse of the frequency and time, which facilitates remote radio tracking of the CME through the interplanetary medium. It is demonstrated unequivocally that for the May 1997 event, the radio emissions were generated at the fundamental, and harmonic of the plasma frequency in the ambient plasma upstream of the CME-driven shock. For the January 1997 event, evidence is presented that some of the radio emissions were generated while the CME-driven shock passed through a corotating interaction region (CIR). This is the first time that type 2 radio emissions were shown to originate in a specific interplanetary structure.

Reiner, M. J.↗

Discovery of Correlated Behavior Between the Hard X-Ray and the Radio Bands in Cygnus X-3

Using Compton Gamma Ray Observatory BATSE hard X-ray (HXR) data and GHz radio monitoring data from the Green Bank Interferometer, we have performed a long-term study (approx. 1800 days) of the unusual X-ray binary Cyg X-3, resulting in the discovery of a remarkable relationship between these two wavelength bands. We find that during quiescent radio states, the radio flux is strongly anticorrelated with the intensity of the HXR emission. The relationship switches to a correlation with the onset of major radio flaring activity. During major radio flaring activity, the HXR drops to a very low intensity during quenching in the radio and recovers during the radio flare. Injection of plasma into the radio jets of Cyg X-3 occurs during changes in the HXR emission and suggests that disk-related and jet-related components are responsible for the high energy emission.

McCollough, M. L.↗

Radio and X-Ray Observations of the 1998 Outburst of the Recurrent X-Ray Transient 4U 1630-47

We report radio (VLA and ATCA), soft X-ray (RXTE ASM), and hard X-ray (CGRO BATSE) observations of a 1998 outburst in the recurring X-ray transient 4U 1630-47 where radio emission was detected for the first time. The radio observations identify the position of 4U 1630-47 to within 1". Because the radio emission is optically thin with a spectral index of approximately -0.6 during the rise and approximately -1 during the peak and decay of the initial radio event, the emission is probably coming from an optically thin radio jet ejected over a period of time. The 20-100 keV emission first appeared 1998 January 28 (MJD 50841), the 2-12 keV emission first appeared February 3 (MJD 50847), and the first radio emission was detected February 12.6 (MJD 50856.6). The rise of the radio emission probably began about February 7 (MJD 50851) when the X-rays were in a very hard, fluctuating hardness state, just before changing to a softer, more stable hardness state.

Hjellming, R. M.↗

The Nearest GHz Peaked-Spectrum Radio Galaxy, PKS 1718-649

In this paper we identify PKS 1718-649, at a distance of 56 Mpc (z = 0.014; H(sub o) = 75 km/s/Mpc, q(sub o) = 0), as the nearest GHz peaked-spectrum (GPS) radio galaxy, more than four times closer than any previously known. Extensive observations at radio wavelengths with the Australia Telescope Compact Array, the Southern Hemisphere VLBI Experiment array, and the Swedish-ESO Submillimetre Telescope have allowed us to determine the properties of the radio source: PKS 1718-649 consists of two compact sub-pc-scale components separated by approximately 2 pc, the overall radio polarization is low, and the radio spectrum is peaked near 3 GHz. Order-of-magnitude agreement between the quantitative model for GPS sources of Bicknell et al. and the radio data we present, as well as data at optical wavelengths from the literature, raises the interesting possibility that PKS 1718-649 may be frustrated in its development by the nuclear environment of its host galaxy, NGC 6328. The model of Bicknell et al. suggests free-free absorption as an explanation of the PKS 1718-649 radio spectrum. However, both free-free absorption and synchrotron self-absorption mechanisms are plausible for this source and both may contribute to the overall radio spectrum. PKS 1718-649 provides evidence to strengthen the speculative suggestion that GPS sources arise as a consequence of galaxy merger activity.

Tingay, S. J.↗

High Resolution Radio Imaging of the Merging Galaxies NGC3256 and NGC4194

We present new 6cm and 4cm radio continuum images of the central regions of the merging galaxy systems NGC3256 and NGC4194. NGC3256 is imaged with a resolution of approx. 1 in. or approx. 190pc; NGC4194 is imaged with a resolution of approx. 0.3 in. or approx. 50pc. In both systems, we detect numerous compact radio sources embedded in more diffuse radio emission. We detect 65 compact sources in NGC3256 at 6cm and we detect 46 compact sources in NGC4194, both to a limiting luminosity of approx. 5 x 10(exp 18) W/ Hz or approx. 5 times the luminosity of Cas A. Most of the compact radio sources are loosely associated with active star forming regions but not with specific optical emission sources. Several compact radio sources in NGC3256 are near positions of compact X-ray sources detected by Lira et al.. In both NGC3256 and NGC4194, we are able to measure reliable spectral indices for the stronger sources. We find in NGC3256 approx. 20% have nominally flat radio spectral indices (indicating they are dominated by thermal radio emission from HII regions) while approx. 80% have nominally steep spectral indices (indicating they are dominated by nonthermal emission from supernova remnants). In NGC4194, half the compact radio sources have flat spectral indices and half have steep indices. For the flat-spectrum sources, we estimate the number of young massive stars and the associated ionized gas masses. For the steep-spectrum sources, we estimate supernova rates. We compare these results with those from other well-studied merging galaxy systems. We gratefully acknowledge use of the NRAO Very Large Array (VLA) and the VLA Archive. NRAO is a facility of the National Science Foundation, operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

Neff, S. G.↗

Obscured Star-Formation in Merging Galaxies: High Resolution Radio Imaging of a Time-Ordered Sequence

We present new, deep, high resolution 6cm and 4cm radio continuum images of the central regions of a time-ordered sequence of seven large galaxy mergers. The radio observations are able to detect star-forming re- gions that are completely obscured at optical wavelengths. In all systems, we detect numerous compact radio sources embedded in more diffuse ra- dio emission, with limiting luminosities of approx. 1-5 x 10(exp l8) W Hz or approx. 1-5 times the luminosity of Cas A. Many of the compact radio sources are loosely associated with active starforming regions but not with specific optical or W emission sources. Several of the compact radio sources are coincident with Ultra-luminous X-ray objects (ULX's). In most systems, we are able to measure reliable spectral indices for the stronger sources. We find that the fraction of compact radio cources with nominally flat radio spectral indices (indicating they ae dominated by thermal radio emission from HII regions) decreases with merger age, while the fraction of sources with nonimally steep spectral indices (indicating they are dominated by nonthermal emission from supernova remnants) increases. For the flat-spectrum sources, we estimate the numbers of young massive stars, associated ionized gas masses, we estimate supernova rates and required star-formation rates, We compare these results with those from other well-studied merging galaxy systems and from other determinations of star-formation rates. We gratefully acknowledge use of the NRAO Very Large Array (VLA) and the VLA Archive. NRAO is a facility of the National Science Foundation, operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

Neff, S. G.↗