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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2021

Probing Systematic Bias in Low-redshift Type Ia Supernova Measurements by Cross Analyzing Surface Brightness and Hubble Residuals

For low-redshift (z < 0.1) SN Ia samples used in several cosmological analyses over the past decade, we probe for systematic bias by looking for correlations between surface brightness (SB) measurements and Hubble residuals (HR). For 292 SNe Ia, we measure SB at the location of the SN Ia from publicly available Pan-STARRS (PS1) images. The Hubble residuals are from two recent measurements with low-z SNe Ia that overlap the PS1 footprint: (1) the DES 3 yr cosmology analysis, with 120 overlapping low-z SNe Ia from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics surveys and Carnegie Supernova Project, and (2) the PS1 single-telescope analysis, with 172 overlapping low-z SNe Ia from the Foundation Supernova Survey. This study is motivated by previous reports of anomalous inefficiencies and flux scatter for transients on bright galaxies. Here, we compare HR distributions of the bright and faint halves of the SB distribution: the mean HR values differ by ${\rm{\Delta }}\overline{\mathrm{HR}}$ = 0.031 ± 0.018, consistent with no difference at the 2σ level. We also perform a Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) test for the bright and faint half HR distributions, and conclude that the two distributions are statistically consistent with a KS p-value of 0.07. However, if future studies with larger data sets find ${\rm{\Delta }}\overline{\mathrm{HR}}\sim 0.03$ with high significance, this difference would be a leading systematic uncertainty in measurements of the dark energy equation of state, w.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1994

The Hubble Space Telescope Medium Deep Survey with the Wide Field and Planetary Camera. 1: Methodology and results on the field near 3C 273

We present results from the Medium Deep Survey (MDS), a Key Project using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Wide Field Camera (WFC) images of random fields have been taken in 'parallel mode' with an effective resolution of 0.2 sec full width at half maximum (FWHM) in the V(F555W) and I(F785LP) filters. The exposures presented here were targeted on a field away from 3C 273, and resulted in approximately 5 hr integration time in each filter. Detailed morphological structure is seen in galaxy images with total integrated magnitudes down to V approximately = 22.5 and I approximately = 21.5. Parameters are estimated that best fit the observed galaxy images, and 143 objects are identified (including 23 stars) in the field to a fainter limiting magnitude of I approximately = 23.5. We outline the extragalactic goals of the HST Medium Deep Survey, summarize our basic data reduction procedures, and present number (magnitude) counts, a color-magnitude diagram for the field, surface brightness profiles for the brighter galaxies, and best-fit half-light radii for the fainter galaxies as a function of apparent magnitude. A median galaxy half-light radius of 0.4 sec is measured, and the distribution of galaxy sizes versus magnitude is presented. We observe an apparent deficit of galaxies with half-light radii between approximately 0.6 sec and 1.5 sec, with respect to standard no-evolution or mild evolution cosmological models. An apparent excess of compact objects (half-light radii approximately 0.1 sec) is also observed with respect to those models. Finally, we find a small excess in the number of faint galaxy pairs and groups with respect to a random low-redshift field sample.

Griffiths, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS2012

The Atacama Cosmology Telescope: ACT-CL J0102-4915 'EL GORDO', A Massive Merging Cluster at Redshift 0.87

We present a detailed analysis from new multi-wavelength observations of the exceptional galaxy cluster ACT-CL J0102−4915, likely the most massive, hottest, most X-ray luminous and brightest Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) effect cluster known at redshifts greater than 0.6. The Atacama Cosmology Telescope (ACT) collaboration discovered ACT-CL J0102−4915 as the most significant Sunyaev-Zeldovich (SZ) decrement in a sky survey area of 755 square degrees. Our VLT/FORS2 spectra of 89 member galaxies yield a cluster redshift, z = 0.870, and velocity dispersion, sigma(sub gal) = 1321+/-106 km s−1. Our Chandra observations reveal a hot and X-ray luminous system with an integrated temperature of T(sub X) = 14.5+/-1.0 keV and 0.5-2.0 keV band luminosity of L(sub X) = (2.19+/-0.11)×10(sup 45) h(sup −2)(sub 70) erg s−1. We obtain several statistically consistent cluster mass estimates; using empirical mass scaling relations with velocity dispersion, X-ray Y(sub X), and integrated SZ distortion, we estimate a cluster mass of M(sub 200a) = (2.16+/-0.32)×1015 h(sup −1)(sub 70) solar mass. We constrain the stellar content of the cluster to be less than 1% of the total mass, using Spitzer IRAC and optical imaging. The Chandra and VLT/FORS2 optical data also reveal that ACT-CL J0102−4915 is undergoing a major merger between components with a mass ratio of approximately 2 to 1. The X-ray data show significant temperature variations from a low of 6.6+/-0.7 keV at the merging low-entropy, high-metallicity, cool core to a high of 22+/-6 keV. We also see a wake in the X-ray surface brightness and deprojected gas density caused by the passage of one cluster through the other. Archival radio data at 843 MHz reveal diffuse radio emission that, if associated with the cluster, indicates the presence of an intense double radio relic, hosted by the highest redshift cluster yet. ACT-CL J0102−4915 is possibly a high-redshift analog of the famous Bullet Cluster. Such a massive cluster at this redshift is rare, although consistent with the standard ΛCDM cosmology in the lower part of its allowed mass range. Massive, highredshift mergers like ACT-CL J0102−4915 are unlikely to be reproduced in the current generation of numerical N-body cosmological simulations.

cosmology observations↗
NASA NTRS1980

HEAO A-2 observations of the X-ray spectra of the Centaurus and A1060 clusters of galaxies

X-ray spectral observations of two nearby low-luminosity clusters of galaxies are presented. For the Centaurus cluster an emission feature at 7.9 keV is detected at about one-third of the strength of the 6.7 keV line. This higher energy line represents K-beta emission from highly ionized iron. In addition, it is demonstrated that for neither the Centaurus nor the A1060 cluster can an isothermal model with an Fe emission line adequately fit the data. Instead, the simplest models which provide acceptable fits include a second, harder component which may be either a second exponential or a power law. The implications of the two-component nature of the continuum on the Fe abundance and the X-ray surface-brightness distribution are discussed.

Mitchell, R.↗
DOE OSTI2021

Is diffuse intracluster light a good tracer of the galaxy cluster matter distribution?

We explore the relation between diffuse intracluster light (central galaxy included) and the galaxy cluster (baryonic and dark) matter distribution using a sample of 528 clusters at 0.2 ≤ z ≤ 0.35 found in the Dark Energy Survey (DES) Year 1 data. The surface brightness of the diffuse light shows an increasing dependence on cluster total mass at larger radius, and appears to be self-similar with a universal radial dependence after scaling by cluster radius. We also compare the diffuse light radial profiles to the cluster (baryonic and dark) matter distribution measured through weak lensing and find them to be comparable. The IllustrisTNG galaxy formation simulation, TNG300, offers further insight into the connection between diffuse stellar mass and cluster matter distributions – the simulation radial profile of the diffuse stellar component does not have a similar slope with the total cluster matter content, although that of the cluster satellite galaxies does. Regardless of the radial trends, the amount of diffuse stellar mass has a low-scatter scaling relation with cluster’s total mass in the simulation, out-performing the total stellar mass of cluster satellite galaxies. We conclude that there is no consistent evidence yet on whether or not diffuse light is a faithful radial tracer of the cluster matter distribution. Nevertheless, both observational and simulation results reveal that diffuse light is an excellent indicator of the cluster’s total mass.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1994

ROSAT PSPC observations of two X-ray-faint early-type galaxies: NGC 4365 and NGC 4382

We present the results of ROSAT Positive Sensitive Proportional Counter (PSPC) observations of the two early-type galaxies NGC 4365 and NGC 4382. These galaxies are among those observed with Einstein to have the lowest X-ray to optical flux ratios of early-type galaxies. The PSCP data show that for radii r greater than 50 arcsec the radial distributions of the X-ray surface brightness are consistent with the optical distributions of King (1978). We also find that these galaxies have X-ray spectra significantly different from those observed in X-ray-bright ellipticals, with a relative excess of counts detected in the softest spectral channels. This confirms earlier Einstein results. The characteristics of the ROSAT PSPC do not allow us to discriminate between possible spectral models. If we adopt a two-component thermal model on the grounds of physical plausibility, we find that the spectral data can be fitted with a very soft optically thin component, with kT approximately 0.2 keV, and a hard component with kT greater than (1.0-1.5) keV. The hard component has a luminosity consistent with that expected from the integrated emission of a population of low mass-X-ray binaries in these galaxies; the nature of the very soft component is more speculative. Candidates include the coronal emission of late-type stars, supersoft X-ray sources, RS CVn, and perhaps a hot Interstellar Medium (ISM). Alternatively, the spectal data may be fitted with a 0.6-1 keV bremsstrahlung spectrum (expontential plus Gaunt), and may suggest the presence of a totally new population of X-ray sources.

Fabbiano, G.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Tracing the Cosmological Evolution of Stars and Cold Gas with CMB Spectral Surveys

A full account of galaxy evolution in the context of ΛCDM cosmology requires measurements of the average star-formation rate (SFR) and cold gas abundance across cosmic time. Emission from the CO ladder traces cold gas, and [C II] fine structure emission at 158 μm traces the SFR. Intensity mapping surveys the cumulative surface brightness of emitting lines as a function of redshift, rather than individual galaxies. CMB spectral distortion instruments are sensitive to both the mean and anisotropy of the intensity of redshifted CO and [C II] emission. Large-scale anisotropy is proportional to the product of the mean surface brightness and the line luminosity-weighted bias. The bias provides a connection between galaxy evolution and its cosmological context, and is a unique asset of intensity mapping. Cross-correlation with galaxy redshift surveys allows unambiguous measurements of redshifted line brightness despite residual continuum contamination and interlopers. Measurement of line brightness through cross-correlation also evades cosmic variance and suggests new observation strategies. Galactic foreground emission is ≈10(exp 3) times larger than the expected signals, and this places stringent requirements on instrument calibration and stability. Under a range of assumptions, a linear combination of bands cleans continuum contamination sufficiently that residuals produce a modest penalty over the instrumental noise. For PIXIE, the 2σ sensitivity to CO and [C II] emission scales from »5 ´ 10-2 kJy sr-1 at low redshift to ≈2 kJy sr(exp -1) by reionization.

Switzer, Eric R.↗
NASA NTRS2000

Wide-Field Imaging of Galactic Halos with a Near-Infrared Rocket-Borne Telescope

We successfully completed both of the proposed flights by May of 1998, on schedule and on budget. In both flights the instrument worked flawlessly, achieving sensitivities slightly better than the specification (1 nW/sq m sr per pixel). The payload was recovered with only minor damage after both flights. The results from the first flight, which targeted the nearby edge-on spiral NCG 4565, have been published. Analysis of the data failed to detect any significant emission, from the halo around the galaxy, and set a very stringent 2 sigma lower limit on the M/L ratio of the halo of greater than 260 in solar units. The results from the second flight, which targeted the infamous NGC 5907, have taken longer to analyze because of an offset in the absolute pointing of the payload which broke the symmetry of the scan pattern about the galaxy, thus complicating the analysis, After careful analysis, Caltech graduate student, Sarah Yost, has recovered the full sensitivity of the experiment, setting a 2 sigma lower limit on the M/L ratio of the halo of greater than 280 in solar units. This result rules out the hypothesis that a significant portion of the halo around NGC 5907 is composed of low-mass stars, as previous observations had suggested. NITE probes directly the halo at 10 to 30 kpc from the disk, a region far too dim for other experiments. Our conclusion is that observations of a significant IR signature associated with the halo at less than approximately 5kpc radius where contaminated by tidally disrupted disk population of stars. In order to test the idea that we could study faint surface-brightness fluctuations in the diffuse background using NITE, we have analyzed the data from the 1997 flight which targeted NCG 4565 (this target is in a region of lower stellar confusion than is NGC 5907). We have detected a significant correlation in the noise at zero-lag, with an amplitude that corresponds to brightness fluctuations of 3.04 plus or minus 0.16 nW/sq m sr. This work will be submitted for publication later this year. An important accomplishment of our sub-orbital program is the training graduate students and postdocs who will become future leaders in NASA's space astrophysics program. The PI has mentored 7 scientists that now hold tenure-track faculty positions or the equivalent at NASA research centers.

Lange, Andrew E.↗
DOE OSTI2021

SDSS-IV DR17: final release of MaNGA PyMorph photometric and deep-learning morphological catalogues

ABSTRACT We present the MaNGA PyMorph photometric Value Added Catalogue (MPP-VAC-DR17) and the MaNGA Deep Learning Morphological VAC (MDLM-VAC-DR17) for the final data release of the MaNGA survey, which is part of the SDSS Data Release 17 (DR17). The MPP-VAC-DR17 provides photometric parameters from Sérsic and Sérsic+Exponential fits to the two-dimensional surface brightness profiles of the MaNGA DR17 galaxy sample in the g, r, and i bands (e.g. total fluxes, half-light radii, bulge-disc fractions, ellipticities, position angles, etc.). The MDLM-VAC-DR17 provides deep-learning-based morphological classifications for the same galaxies. The MDLM-VAC-DR17 includes a number of morphological properties, for example, a T-Type, a finer separation between elliptical and S0, as well as the identification of edge-on and barred galaxies. While the MPP-VAC-DR17 simply extends the MaNGA PyMorph photometric VAC published in the SDSS Data Release 15 (MPP-VAC-DR15) to now include galaxies that were added to make the final DR17, the MDLM-VAC-DR17 implements some changes and improvements compared to the previous release (MDLM-VAC-DR15): Namely, the low end of the T-Types is better recovered in this new version. The catalogue also includes a separation between early or late type, which classifies the two populations in a complementary way to the T-Type, especially at the intermediate types (−1 < T-Type < 2), where the T-Type values show a large scatter. In addition, k-fold-based uncertainties on the classifications are also provided. To ensure robustness and reliability, we have also visually inspected all the images. We describe the content of the catalogues and show some interesting ways in which they can be combined.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1994

Surface Brightness Profiles and Energetics of Intracluster Gas in Cool Galaxy Clusters and ROSAT Observations of Bright, Early-Type Galaxies

Preliminary results on the elliptical galaxy NGC 1407 were published in the proceedings of the first ROSAT symposium. NGC 1407 is embedded in diffuse X-ray-emitting gas which is extensive enough that it is likely to be related to the surrounding group of galaxies, rather than just NGC 1407. Spectral data for NGC 1407 (AO2) and IC 1459 (AO3) are also included in a complete sample of elliptical galaxies I compiled in collaboration with David Davis. This allowed us to construct the first complete X-ray sample of optically-selected elliptical galaxies. The complete sample allows us to apply Malmquist bias corrections to the observed correlation between X-ray and optical luminosities. I continue to work on the implications of this first complete X-ray sample of elliptical galaxies. Paul Eskridge Dave Davis and I also analyzed three long ROSAT PSPC observations of the small (but not dwarf) elliptical galaxy M32. We found the X-ray spectra and variability to be consistent with either a Low Mass X-Ray Binary (LMXRB) or a putative 'micro"-AGN.

White, Raymond E., III↗
NASA NTRS1995

The reliability of X-ray constraints of intrinsic cluster shapes

Using the simulation of Katz & White (1993) we have tested the viability of X-ray analysis for constraining the intrinsic shapes of clusters of galaxies considering the effects of both substructure and steep temperature gradients. We restrict our analysis to the aggregate shapes of clusters on scales of r approximately 1-2 Mpc in order to reduce our sensitivity to subclustering in the core. For low redshifts (z less than or approximately = 0.25) the X-ray method accurately measures the true ellipticity of the three-dimensional cluster dark matter provided the inclination of the cluster is known to within approximately 30 deg; assuming the gas is isothermal adds only small errors to the derived shapes. At higher redshifts the X-ray method yields unreliable results since the gas does not trace the cluster gravitational potential. We proffer some necessary conditions for the reliability of X-ray methods characterized by both the amount of substructure in the X-ray surface brightness images and the shapes of the isophotes. We conclude that measurements of the aggregate shapes of clusters on scales r approximately 1-2 Mpc are insensitive to core substructure representing scales of a few hundred kpc. Therefore our results suggest that the X-ray measurements of aggregate cluster shapes by Fabricant, Rybicki, & Gorenstein (1984) and Buote & Canizares (1992) are valid provided that they do not suffer from serious projection effects. A substantial number of Abell clusters observed with the ROSAT PSPC will be amenable to X-ray shape analysis.

Buote, David A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Observation of the Coma cluster of galaxies with ROSAT during the all-sky survey

The Coma cluster of galaxies was observed with the position sensitive proportional counter (PSPC) during the ROSAT all sky survey. We find evidence for substructure in this cluster. Diffuse X-ray emission is detected from the regions of the NGC 4839 and 4911 subgroups at 6 percent and 1 percent of the total cluster emission respectively. There may be emission associated with the NGC 4874 and 4889 subgroups as well. The NGC 4839 group appears to be in the process of merging with the cluster. These X-ray data show that at least some of the groups previously found in projection are in fact physical objects possessing potential wells deep enough to trap their own X-ray gas. Because of the unlimited field of view of the all sky survey and the low background of the PSPC, we were able to measure the azimuthally averaged surface brightness of Coma out to approximately 100 arcmin, twice as far as was previously possible. Given the validity of our mass models, these new X-ray data imply that within 5/h(50) Mpc the binding mass of the Coma cluster is 1.8 +/- 0.6 x 10 exp 15/h(50) solar mass, and the fraction of cluster mass contained in hot gas is 0.30 +/- 0.14h(50) exp -3/2. Furthermore, the binding mass is more centrally concentrated than is the X-ray gas.

Briel, U. G.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Physical properties of neutral gas in M31 and the Galaxy

The present study analyzes, in parallel with published data for the Galaxy, neutral hydrogen (H I) absorption and deduced emission detected along seven lines of sight through the disk of M31. It is shown that the brightness temperature of H I emission is coupled to the opacity of the gas. The Galactic relationship shows asymptotic trends at both large and small opacities. A simple yet effective physical model which accounts for this behavior consists of only two independent components: a high-opacity cool component of fixed mean temperature, and a low-opacity warm component of fixed mean brightness. A lower mean gas pressure by a factor of about 2 is argued to be the most plausible mechanism for accounting for a higher cool-component H I temperature in M31. Deduced volume filling factors of the Galactic H I are about 1 and 15 percent, respectively, for the cool and warm components, while for M31 they are 8 and 30 percent. The large ratio of surface to volume filling factors for both cool and warm H I suggests that these components are distributed predominantly as large sheet- or shell-like structures.

Braun, Robert↗
NASA NTRS1994

The RSA survey of dwarf galaxies, 1: Optical photometry

We present detailed surface photometry, based on broad B-band charge coupled device (CCD) images, of about 80 dwarf galaxies. Our sample represents approximately 10% of all dwarf galaxies identified in the vicinity of Revised Shapley-Ames (RSA) galaxies on high resolution blue photographic plates, referred to as the RSA survey of dwarf galaxies. We derive global properties and radial surface brightness profiles, and examine the morphologies. The radial surface brightness profiles of dwarf galaxies, whether early or late type, display the same varieties in shape and complexity as those of classical giant galaxies. Only a few are well described by a pure r(exp 1/4) law. Exponential profiles prevail. Features typical of giant disk galaxies, such as exponential profiles with a central depression, lenses, and even, in one case (IC 2041), a relatively prominent bulge are also found in dwarf galaxies. Our data suggest that the central region evolves from being bulge-like, with an r(exp 1/4) law profile, in bright galaxies to a lens-like structure in dwarf galaxies. We prove detailed surface photometry to be a helpful if not always sufficient tool in investigating the structure of dwarf galaxies. In many cases kinematic information is needed to complete the picture. We find the shapes of the surface brightness profiles to be loosely associated with morphological type. Our sample contains several new galaxies with properties intermediate between those of giant and dwarf ellipticals (but no M32-like objects). This shows that such intermediate galaxies exist so that at least a fraction of early-type dwarf ellipticals is structurally related to early-type giants instead of belonging to a totally unrelated, disjunct family. This supports an origin of early-type dwarf galaxies as originally more massive systems that acquired their current morphology as a result of substantial, presumable supernova-driven, mass loss. On the other hand, several early-type dwarfs in our sample are merger candidates. Merger events may lead to anisotropic velocity distributions in systems of any luminosity, including dwarfs. The RSA sample of dwarf galaxies is more likely to contain mergers because, in contrast to earlier dwarf galaxy surveys that have focused on clusters and rich groups of galaxies, the RSA dwarfs are typically located in low density environments. The occurrence of mergers among dwarf galaxies is of interest in connection with the rapid evolution of faint blue galaxy counts at redshift z less than 1 which suggests that dwarf galaxies were about five times more numerous in the recent past. Finally, our sample contains several examples of late-type dwarfs and 'transition' types that are potential precursors of nucleated early-type dwarfs. All the above processes--mass loss, mergers, astration--are likely to have contributed to the formation of the current population of diffuse early-type dwarfs. A few new redshifts of dwarf galaxies are reported in this paper.

Vader, J. Patricia↗
DOE OSTI2024

PROVABGS: The Probabilistic Stellar Mass Function of the BGS One-percent Survey

We present the probabilistic stellar mass function (pSMF) of galaxies in the DESI Bright Galaxy Survey (BGS), observed during the One-percent Survey. The One-percent Survey was one of DESI's survey validation programs conducted from 2021 April to May, before the start of the main survey. It used the same target selection and similar observing strategy as the main survey and successfully observed the spectra and redshifts of 143,017 galaxies in the r < 19.5 magnitude-limited BGS Bright sample and 95,499 galaxies in the fainter surface-brightness- and color-selected BGS Faint sample over z < 0.6. We derive pSMFs from posteriors of stellar mass, M*, inferred from DESI photometry and spectroscopy using the Hahn et al. PRObabilistic Value-Added BGS (PROVABGS) Bayesian spectral energy distribution modeling framework. We use a hierarchical population inference framework that statistically and rigorously propagates the M* uncertainties. Furthermore, we include correction weights that account for the selection effects and incompleteness of the BGS observations. We present the redshift evolution of the pSMF in BGS, as well as the pSMFs of star-forming and quiescent galaxies classified using average specific star formation rates from PROVABGS. Overall, the pSMFs show good agreement with previous stellar mass function measurements in the literature. Our pSMFs showcase the potential and statistical power of BGS, which in its main survey will observe >100 × more galaxies. Moreover, we present the statistical framework for subsequent population statistics measurements using BGS, which will characterize the global galaxy population and scaling relations at low redshifts with unprecedented precision.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS2000

An Ultraviolet/Optical Atlas of Bright Galaxies

We present wide-field, imagery and photometry of 43 selected nearby galaxies of all morphology types at ultraviolet and optical wavelengths. The ultraviolet images, in two broad bands at 1500 Angstroms and 2500 Angstroms, were obtained by the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UIT) during the Astro-1 Spacelab mission. The UV images have approx. 3" resolution, and the comparison sets of ground-based, CCD images (in one or more of B, V, R, and H alpha ) have pixel scales and fields of view closely matching the UV frames. The atlas consists of multiband images together with plots of UV/optical radial surface brightnesses, colors and other associated photometric parameters such as half-light radii. In an appendix, we discuss the sensitivity of different wavebands to a galaxy's star formation history in the form of "history weighting functions" and the importance of UV observations as probes of evolution during the past 10-1000 Myr. We find that UV galaxy morphologies are usually significantly different from visible band morphologies as a consequence of spatially inhomogeneous stellar populations. Differences are quite pronounced for systems in the middle range of Hubble types, Sa through Sc, but less so for ellipticals or late-type disks. Normal ellipticals and large spiral bulges are fainter and more compact in the UV. They typically exhibit smooth and unresolved far-UV profiles with, however, far-UV/optical color gradients which are larger than any at optical/IR wavelengths. The far-UV light in these cases is probably produced by extreme horizontal branch stars and their descendants in the dominant, low-mass, metal-rich population.

Stecher, Theodore↗
NASA NTRS1993

Helium-Like Iron Line Temperature Diagnostics in Clusters of Galaxies

The emission complex around 6.7 keV, arising from He-like Fe lines and their dielectronic satellites, has been observed at low resolution in a number of clusters of galaxies. With sufficient spectral resolution as in, e.g., solar flare observations, the ratio, G = (x + y + z)/w, of the intercombination (x and y) and forbidden (z) to the resonance (w) lines arising from the n = 2 level of the He-like ion, is a sensitive temperature diagnostic. We examine this role for G in the context of spatially and spectrally resolved observations of clusters of galaxies. The temperature behavior of this ratio is strongly dependent on the spectral resolution. We introduce an alternative definition for G that includes the contribution of satellite lines and improves the temperature fidelity of this diagnostic. We find that deprojection of the observed value of G along a line of sight through the cluster can yield accurate temperature profiles for temperatures in the range 10(exp 7)-10(exp 8) K that do not suffer from the cluster model uncertainties inherent in deconvolution of broad-band X-ray surface brightness profiles.

Swartz, Douglas A.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Gas Sloshing and Radio Galaxy Dynamics in the Core of the 3C 449 Group

We present results from a 140 ks Chandra/ACIS-S observation of the hot gas around the canonical FR I radio galaxy 3C 449. An earlier, shorter 30 ks Chandra observation of the group gas showed an unusual entropy distribution and a surface brightness edge in the gas that could be a strong shock around the inner radio lobes. In our deeper data we find no evidence for a temperature increase inside of the brightness edge, but a temperature decrease across part of the edge. This suggests that the edge is a "sloshing" cold front due to a merger within the last 1.3-1.6 Gyr. Both the northern and southern inner jets are bent slightly to the west in projection as they enter their respective lobes, suggesting that the sloshing core is moving to the east. The straight inner jet flares at approximately the position where it crosses the contact edge, suggesting that the jet is entraining and thermalizing some of the hot gas as it crosses the edge.We also detect filaments of X-ray emission around the southern inner radio jet and lobe which we attribute to low entropy entrained gas. The lobe flaring and gas entrainment were originally predicted in simulations of Loken et al. and are confirmed in our deep observation.

Lal, Dharam V.↗