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At least 253 records · Page 14

The X-ray structure of Centaurus A

The Einstein X-ray observatory imaging detectors have found X-ray emission associated with several components of the nearby radio galaxy Cen A = NGC 5128: (1) the compact nucleus; (2) an X-ray jet pointed toward the NE radio lobes; (3) the middle NE radio lobe; (4) the disk or dust lane; and (5) diffuse emission extending several arcmin around the nucleus. The intensity of the nucleus changed by a factor of seven over six months. The X-ray jet is considered in terms of thermal, inverse Compton, and synchrotron models. The emission of the NE radio lobe is greater than that expected from inverse Compton or synchrotron processes. Two ridges of emission are found along each edge of the dust lane, within several arcmin of the nucleus. The diffuse X-ray component has a luminosity which is too high to be due to bulge population X-ray sources, but which may be produced by main sequence stars under appropriate circumstances.

Feigelson, E. D.↗

Discovery of carbon stars in the Draco dwarf spheroidal galaxy

A grating prism survey of the Draco dwarf spheroidal galaxy that is 97% areally complete has led to the discovery of three carbon stars. Membership of these stars in Draco is firmly established from luminosity, proper motion, and radial velocity considerations. Optical and preliminary infrared photometry suggest that the Draco carbon stars are more closely related to the CH stars in omega Cen than to the luminous carbon stars found in the Fornax and Carina dwarfs. One of the carbon stars possesses an unusual emission line spectrum which might be indicative of either a very hot degenerate companion or a preplanetary evolutionary stage. Carbon stars have now been located in all four of the dwarf spheroidals that have been examined using transmission grating prism techniques. The rarity of these stars in galactic globulars, systems with which the dwarf spheroidals are often compared, indicates a fundamental population difference whose cause is not yet fully understood.

Aaronson, M.↗

Hard X-ray observations of fast pulsars from HEAO-1

A favorable combination of sensitive area and viewing time for the UCSD/MIT Hard X-Ray and Gamma-Ray Telescope on satellite HEAO-1 permitted significant contributions to the study of binary systems. Results are reviewed for five fast pulsars: Her X-1, 4U0115+63, LMC X-4, SMC X-1 and Cen X-3.

Gruber, D. E.↗

Goddard X-ray astronomy contributions to the IAU/COSPAR (1982)

The relation of X-ray flux to both the continuum flux in the optical and radio bands, and to the line emission properties of these objects were studied. The Einstein Observatory, because of increased sensitivity and improved angular resolution, increased substantially the number of known X-ray emitting active galactic nuclei. The Einstein imaging instruments detected morphology in AGN X-ray emission, in particular from jetlike structures in Cen-A, M87, and 3C273. The improved energy resolution and sensitivity of the spectrometers onboard the Observatory provide information on the geometry and ionization structure of the region responsible for the broad optical emission lines in a few AGN's. This information, combined with theoretical modeling and IUE and optical observations, allows the construction of a moderately detailed picture of the broad line region in these objects.

Holt, S. S.↗

Active galaxies and the diffuse Gamma-Ray background

A model for the origin of relativistic particles and gamma rays in active galactic nuclei and quasars, together with recent HEAO-1 observations of the spectra of active galaxies from 2 to 165 keV, provide the basis for a reexamination of the nature of the extragalactic gamma ray background. Active galaxies account for the observed background if their X-ray spectra steepen to E.021 above 100 keV, as observed in Cen-A, together with a further steepening to E.021 as a result of absorption of gamma rays by photon-photon pair production interactions with X-ray photons. The compactness of active galaxies required to give this steepening is consistent with estimates of their typical luminosity and radius.

Kazanas, D.↗

The gamma-ray spectrum of Centaurus A: A high-resolution observation between 70 keV and 8 MeV

The NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Low Energy Gamma ray Spectrometer (LEGS) observed the nearby active nucleus galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) during a balloon flight on 1981 November 19. There is no evidence of a break in the spectrum or of any line features. The 1.6 MeV limit is a factor of 8 lower than the 1974 line flux, indicating that, if the 1974 feature was real, and, if it was narrow, then the line intensity decreased significantly between 1974 and 1981. The lack of observed annihilation radiation from Cen A, combined with the temporal variations that are seen in the X-ray and gamma-ray intensities, constrain the size of the emission region to be between 10 to the 13th power and 5 x 10 to the 17th power cm.

Gehrels, N.↗

X-ray observations of Be stars

Be star binaries with neutron star companions are shown to constitute a major class of X-ray sources. Some general observational and interpretive techniques of X-ray astronomy are reviewed. Data for 12 Be/X-ray binary systems are summarized. The Be/X-ray binaries are found to be systematically wider systems, with lower-mass primaries, and with significantly more transient behavior than the 'standard' massive X-ray binaries such as Cen X-3 and SMC X-1. The difference between the two types of X-ray binaries is explained in the context of slightly different evolutionary scenarios for the progenitor binaries. The 'standard' massive X-ray binaries result from wind-mass-loss dominated evolution of very massive close binaries, while Be/X-ray binaries probably result from mass-transfer dominated evolution of systems with primary masses less than approximately 20 solar masses. The implications of the X-ray observations of Be/X-ray binaries for Be stars in general are discussed.

Rappaport, S.↗

Coordinated Einstein and IUE observations of a disparitions brusques type flare event and quiescent emission from Proxima Centauri

The Einstein Imaging Particle Counter observed a major X-ray flare in its entirety during a 5-hr period of simultaneous observations, with the IUE, of the dM5e flare star Proxima Centauri in August, 1980. The detailed X-ray light curve, temperature determinations during various intervals, and UV line fluxes obtained before, during, and after the flare indirectly indicate a 'two-ribbon flare' prominence eruption. The calculated ratio of coronal to bolometric luminosity for the event is about 100 times the solar ratio. The Proxima Cen corona is analyzed in the context of static loop models, in light of which it is concluded that less than 6% of the stellar surface seems to be covered by X-ray emitting active regions.

Haisch, B. M.↗

Einstein Observatory results on active galactic nuclei

The results of Einstein Observatory surveys of active galactic nuclei (AGN) are reviewed. The ubiquity of X-ray emission from AGNs was confirmed. The relations between X-ray and optical luminosities, between X-ray and radio properties, and between X-ray and optical-UV line emission found by the surveys are summarized and briefly discussed. The possible causes of observed X-ray emission from jets in Cen-A, 3C273, and M87 are considered. The active nucleus discovered in the optically 'dull' galaxy NGC 4156 is covered, and a model for NGC 4151 based on detailed spectral studies is briefly discussed. This model establishes the global symmetry of the AGN clouds, their approximate sizes, and their ionization state. Difficulties encountered in attempting to explain the cosmic X-ray background in terms of AGN contributions are addressed.

Mushotzky, R. F.↗

Orbital period changes in Centaurus X-3

Two new times of mid-X-ray eclipse for Cen X-3 are presented on the basis of pulse arrival time analyses of pointed observations with SAS 3. When combined with all other published eclipse times based on Doppler delay measurements, the results show that the 2.1d binary period is decreasing at an average rate of 1.8 x 10 to the -6th/yr. The decrease, however, is seen as having significant fluctuations about a smooth, linear decrease. The changes observed in the orbital period can be accounted for by mass loss from the system through the L2 point, although the rates required are implausibly high. It is also shown that the long-term overall orbital decay can readily be interpreted as the result of torques exerted by the tidally distorted companion star (Krzeminski's star) on the orbiting neutron star. It is noted that the inferred asynchronism between the orbital frequency and the rotation frequency of the companion star may be maintained by mass and angular momentum loss in a stellar wind or by a tidal instability related to the Darwin effect. However, this would not provide a natural explanation for any short-term deviations from a constant rate of orbital decay.

Kelley, R. L.↗

HEAO 1 high-energy X-ray observations of Centaurus X-3

Pulsations of 4.8 sec were detected up to energies above 38 keV by the present High Energy X-ray and Low Energy Gamma-Ray HEAO 1 satellite experiment observations of Cen X-3, and an analysis of the X-ray spectrum as a function of pulse phase indicates that the spectrum hardens during an interval of about 1.2 sec which lags the pulse peak by about 0.6 sec. The results of correlated observations of pulse period and X-ray intensity include (1) the detection of a high intensity state during which the pulse period is on the average increasing, (2) the measurement of comparable high intensities during episodes of both period increase and decrease, (3) the detection of X-ray pulsations at a much reduced level during a period of low intensity, and (4) the detection of a transition between spin-down, and spin-up episodes that coincides with a rapid decrease in X-ray intensity.

Howe, S. K.↗

The inner radio structure of Centaurus A - Clues to the origin of the jet X-ray emission

VLA observations at 1.4 and 4.9 GHz of the jet and inner lobes of the nearby radio galaxy Centaurus A have been used to construct maps of total intensity and polarization at resolutions of 31 x 10 and 3.6 x 1.1 arcsec. Surface brightness and pressure distributions in the jet, combined with the apparent X-ray emission from the ISM of NGC 5128, indicate that it is thermally confined. A comparison of the radio structure and the optical galaxy shows that the jet in Cen A emerges nearly along the major axis of the elliptical stellar component that is parallel to the angular momentum vector of the dust lane. The outer radio structure bends toward the galaxy minor axis. Evidence is found for a common synchrotron radiation origin of the full spectrum jet emission.

Burns, J. O.↗

X-rays from jets and lobes

The current status of X-ray detections (and non-detections) of radio jets and lobes is presented. High resolution images obtained with the Einstein Observatory reveal X-ray emission associated with jet and lobe components of Virgo A, Centaurus A, 3C273, and possibly other radio structures. The Vir A and Cen A jet emission is probably s ynchrotron in origin, requiring in situ particle acceleration to extremely high energies. Inverse Compton emission is the likely cause of asymmetrical X-ray features in the halo of Vir A, supporting the assumption of equipartition.

Feigelson, E. D.↗

The gamma-ray spectrum of Centaurus A - A high-resolution observation between 70 keV and 8 MeV

The NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Low Energy Energy Gamma ray Spectrometer (LEGS) observed the nearby active nucleus galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128) during a balloon flight on 1981 November 19. There is no evidence of a break in the spectrum or of any line features. The 1.6 MeV limit is a factor of 8 lower than the 1974 line flux, indicating that, if the 1974 feature was real, and, if it was narrow, then the line intensity decreased significantly between 1974 and 1981. The lack of observed annihilation radiation from Cen A, combined with the temporal variations that are seen in the X-ray and gamma-ray intensities, constrain the size of the emission region to be between 10 to the 13th power and 5 x 10 to the 17th power cm. Previously announced in STAR as N83-35990

Gehrels, N.↗

Comparison of variations in the visible and ultraviolet spectra of a Centauri

Short and long wavelength, high resolution IUE spectrographs of the He I spectrum variable star a Cen are the basis of the present equivalent width and central depth measurements of UV absorption lines. The period for cyclic intensity variations is determined by means of a four-parameter, least squares fit to a sinusoid. Other spectrographic and photometric intensity determinations of the He I 4026 A line are combined with the present data to yield a period of 8.81620 + or - 0.00006 days.

Fahey, R. P.↗

Do the Arching HI Filaments Show in Local Reddening Data?

Probable dust counterparts of arching structures are investigated in two cases: (1) the Eridanus expanding shell; and (2) the extended Sco-Cen feature. Color excess data may be used to derive distance and dimension estimates of these structures. Color excesses from two areas SA 121 and SA 144 situated on the position of the 3.2 to 6.3 km/s velocity-slice are applied. Some stratification of the color excesses is noticed for both areas but extreme patchiness typifies particularly the dust in the SA 144 region.

Knude, J.↗

Search for TeV gamma rays from extragalactic sources and the Galactic Center

The Ooty atmospheric Cerenkov array was used in 1982-83 to see if the galactic center and the extra-galactic sources 3C 273, Centaurus A emit gamma rays at TeV energies. The ON/OFF method was used wherein the source was tracked for 16 minutes and immediately afterwards, a background region in the same zenith angle range was tracked for the next 16 minutes. Data were taken for approx 15 hours (55 scans) on 3C273, approx 7 hours (26 scans) on Cen A and 5 hours (19 scans) on galactic center. A preliminary analysis involving direct comparison of total rates on and off the source shows no significant excess from any of these orbits. Results of detailed analysis using different energy thresholds are presented.

Bhat, P. N.↗

Observations of interstellar hydrogen and deuterium toward Alpha Centauri A

A composite profile is presented of the Ly-alpha emission line of Alpha Cen A, obtained from 10 individual spectra with the high-resolution spectrograph aboard the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite. There is excellent overall agreement with two previous Copernicus observations. Interstellar deuterium is detected, and a lower limit is set on the deuterium to hydrogen ratio of nDI/nHI greater than 8 x 10 to the -6th. In addition, the deuterium bulk velocity appears blueshifted by 8 + or - 2 km/s with respect to interstellar hydrogen, suggesting a nonuniform medium along the line of sight.

Landsman, W. B.↗