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NASA NTRS1992

Probing the galactic halo with ROSAT

We discuss the current status of ROSAT shadowing observations designed to search for emission from million degree gas in the halo of the Milky Way galaxy. Preliminary results indicate that million degree halo gas is observed in the 1/4 keV band in some directions, most notably toward the Draco cloud at (l,b) = (92 deg, +38 deg), but that the halo emission is patchy and highly anisotropic. Our current understanding of this halo emission is based on a small handful of observations which have been analyzed to date. Many more observations are currently being analyzed or are scheduled for observation within the next year, and we expect our understanding of this component of the galactic halo to improve dramatically in the near future.

Burrows, David N.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Cape Photographic Durchmusterung, volume 1

The Cape Photographic Durchmusterung (CPD Gill and Kapteyn 1895-1900) is a photographic survey of southern stars in the declination range -18 to -90 degrees. This volume covers the declination range -18 through -37 degrees. Positions are given for the 1875 equinox. The summary of the positional uncertainties quoted in the third volume of the published catalog gives +/- 0.28 sec (R.A.) +/- 0.044 arcmin (Dec.) for zones -18 to -57 degrees. The probable error of a photographic magnitude as determined by combining results for different magnitudes and weighting proportionately according to the numbers of stars in each class of magnitude is given as +/- 0.055 mag. From an analysis of the taint magnitude limits on the plates discussed in the third volume introduction, the catalog as a whole can be considered complete to photographic magnitude 9.2 but it is stated that it will be found practically complete in or near the Milky Way, to magnitude 9.5.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1993

Cape Photographic Durchmusterung, volume 2

The Cape Photographic Durchmusterung (CPD, Gill and Kapteyn 1895-1900) is a Photographic survey of southern stars in the declination range -18 to -90 degrees. This volume covers the declination range -53 through -89 degrees. Positions are given for 1875 equinox. The summary of the positional uncertainties quoted in the third volume of the published catalog gives +/- 0.28 sec (R.A.), +/- 0.044 arcmin (Dec.) for zones - 18 to -57 degrees, + 0.157 sec + 0.0764/cos(delta) sec (R.A.), +/- 0.056 arcmin (Dec.) for zones -58 to -85 degrees, +0.157 sec + 0.0353/cos (delta) sec (R.A.), + 0.0127 arcmin (Dec.) for the polar plate where, as explained in the introduction to the third volume, many positions were derived from rectangular coordinates (these are positions reported to 0.1 SCC (R.A.) and 0.001 arcmin (Dec.) in the -86 to -89 degree zones in the catalog). The probable error of a photographic magnitude, as determined by combining results for different magnitudes and weighting proportionately according to the numbers of stars in each class of magnitude, is given as +0.055 mag. From an analysis of the faint magnitude limits on the plates discussed in the third volume introduction, the catalog as a whole can be considered complete to photographic magnitude 9.2, but it is stated that it will be found practically complete, in or near the Milky Way, to magnitude 9.5.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1993

Cape Photographic Durchmusterung, volume 3

The Cape Photographic Durchmusterung (CPD, Gill and Kapleyn 1895-1900) is a photographic survey of southern stars in the declination range -18 to -90 degrees. This volume covers the declination range -53 through -89 degrees. Positions are given for the 1875 equinox. The summary of the positional uncertainties quoted in the third volume of the published catalog gives +/- 0.28 sec (R.A.), + 0.044 arcmin (Dec.) for zones -18 to -57 degrees, + 0.157 sec + 0.0764/cos(delta) sec (R.A.), +/- 0.056 arcmin (Dec.) for zones -58 to -85 degrees, +0.157 sec + 0.0353/cos(delta) sec (R.A.), +/- 0.0127 arcmin (Dec.) for the polar plate where, as explained in the introduction to the third volume, many positions were derived from rectangular coordinates (these are positions reported to 0.1 sec (R.A.) and 0.001 arcmin (Dec.) in the -86 to -89 degree zones in the catalog). The probable error of a photographic magnitude, as determined by combining results for different magnitudes and weighting proportionately according to the numbers of stars in each class of magnitude, is given as +0.055 mag. From an analysis of the faint magnitude limits on the plates discussed in the third volume introduction, the catalog as a whole can be considered complete to photographic magnitude 9.2, but it is stated that it will be found practically complete, in or near the Milky Way, to magnitude 9.5.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS1993

Chemical abundances in low surface brightness galaxies: Implications for their evolution

Low Surface Brightness (LSB) galaxies are an important but often neglected part of the galaxy content of the universe. Their importance stems both from the selection effects which cause them to be under-represented in galaxy catalogs, and from what they can tell us about the physical processes of galaxy evolution that has resulted in something other than the traditional Hubble sequence of spirals. An important constraint for any evolutionary model is the present day chemical abundances of LSB disks. Towards this end, spectra for a sample of 75 H 2 regions distributed in 20 LSB disks galaxies were obtained. Structurally, this sample is defined as having B(0) fainter than 23.0 mag arcsec(sup -2) and scale lengths that cluster either around 3 kpc or 10 kpc. In fact, structurally, these galaxies are very similar to the high surface brightness spirals which define the Hubble sequence. Thus, our sample galaxies are not dwarf galaxies but instead have masses comparable to or in excess of the Milky Way. The basic results from these observations are summarized.

Mcgaugh, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Interstellar Mg II and C IV absorption by 1 1/2 galaxies along the sightline to MrK 205

The first results of our HST survey designed to search for Mg 2 and C 4 absorption lines from the disks and halos of low-redshift galaxies using background QSO's and supernovae as probes are presented. Our survey utilizes the high resolution of the Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph enabling us to calculate the column densities and doppler parameters of individual components within an absorption complex, and hence determine the physical conditions of the absorbing gas. Observing the complexity of the absorption line profiles i.e., the velocity distribution and total velocity extent of the constituent components, offers an important description of the kinematics of the absorbing gas, and hence an understanding of its origin. Focus is on one sight line in particular, that towards Mrk 205, which passes 3-5 kpc from the intervening galaxy NGC 4319. Mg 2 and C 4 absorption from both local Milky Way halo gas and from NGC 4319 is detected.

Bowen, David V.↗
NASA NTRS1993

The ring around SN1987A

Stars in the 9-40 solar mass range play a prominent role in the hydrodynamical and chemical evolution of galaxies. Their stellar winds and supernova explosions are believed to create the hot component of the interstellar medium (ISM). In some galactic disks, the kiloparsec sized super bubbles formed around clusters of massive stars may blow out of the disk plane and release hot, metal enriched gas into the galaxy's halo. Additionally, the expanding shock front of a super bubble in the disk may trigger additional star formation. Furthermore, similar processes probably drive the galactic winds associated with star burst nuclei that enrich the intracluster and intergalactic mediums. Nonetheless, the explosion of a blue super giant in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), SN1987A, illuminated the incompleteness of our understanding of massive stars. Evolutionary models of massive stars do not synthesize the observed super giant populations in either the Milky Way or LMC. Our modeling of the formation of SN1987A's ring will improve our knowledge of both the post-main-sequence evolution of massive stars and their coupling to the ISM in galaxies.

Martin, Crystal L.↗
NASA NTRS1993

The ISM in the M82 starburst

We have observed (O 1) (63 microns) and (Si 2) (35 microns) in the central 700 pc of the starburst galaxy M82. The luminosities in these transitions are 7.1 x 10(exp 7) solar luminosity and 6.2 x 10(exp 7) solar luminosity, respectively, which are each approx. 0.15% of the bolometric luminosity from this region. The ratios of (O 1) line luminosity to (O 3), (Si 2) (35 microns), and to bolometric luminosities in M82 are similar to those in M42, M17, and Sgr A. These similarities, and the association of the bulk of the (O 1) and (Si 2) emission with the ionized emission, suggest that the dominant emission mechanism for (O 1) and (Si 2) in M82 is the same as in these Galactic regions, namely warm gas photodissociated by UV flux from the OB stars responsible for the nearby H 2 regions. We argue that shock or x ray heated gas or H 2 plasma is a minor contributor to the intensities of these fine structure lines. Both the (O 1) (53 microns) and the (Si 2) (35 microns) spectrum show an asymmetric line profile indistinguishable in shape from those of the (O 3) (52 and 88 microns) and (N 3) (57 microns) lines and similar to that of the more extended (C 2) 158 micron line measured previously in M82. We detect two distinct velocity components, which we attribute to emission from two regions at either end of the central bar, where the bar connects to an orbiting torus of neutral gas seen in H 1 and CO J = 1-0. We model separately the two velocity components and derive the physical conditions in these two regions. The clouds in these regions are small, R approx. 1-2 pc, have warm neutral gas surfaces, T approx. 200 K, and are concentrated with volume filling factors of approx. 0.02 and area filling factors of 1-5. The entire central region (R approx. 700 pc) is characterized by a large number, approx. 5 x 10(exp 4), of 2 x 10(exp 3) solar mass clouds with surface densities of approx. 3 x 10(exp 4) cm(exp -3), illuminated by FUV fluxes 10(exp 4) times the average local interstellar value for the Milky Way. These clouds reside in the harsh conditions of a starburst nucleus, with photoevaporation times of 10(exp 6) yr, and collision timescales only about an order of magnitude longer.

Lord, Steven↗
NASA NTRS1992

Observations of the Large Magellanic Cloud in high-energy gamma rays

The LMC provides a valuable site to study gamma-ray production, intensity, and distribution in an external galaxy. Using 4 weeks of data from the Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) aboard the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, high-energy gamma-ray emission was detected for the first time from the LMC region. These gamma rays are believed to be produced primarily through the interaction of cosmic rays with interstellar matter. Hence, combined with a knowledge of the interstellar matter distribution, they can provide a direct measure of the cosmic-ray density in an external galaxy. The results obtained from EGRET observations indicate that the level of cosmic rays in the LMC is comparable to that in our Galaxy. The integrated flux above 100 MeV is (1.9 +/- 0.4) x 10 exp -7 photons/(sq cm s). The measured flux suggests a cosmic-ray density level consistent with that expected from a quasi-stable equilibrium model. This is the first detection of a normal galaxy outside the Milky Way in high-energy gamma rays.

Sreekumar, P.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Molecular gas in elliptical galaxies with dust lanes

We have searched for CO(1-0) line emission in eight dust lane elliptical and lenticular galaxies using the Nobeyama 45 m telescope. Five of the eight galaxies, including the well-studied elliptical NGC 1052, have CO emission at above the 5-sigma level, with inferred molecular gas masses ranging from 10 exp 8 to a few times 10 exp 9 solar masses. Our selection criterion differs from previous surveys in that it does not depend on the FIR fluxes, and thus is less sensitive to the sizes and distances of the host galaxies or to the degree to which dust is heated. The relatively high detection rate of CO in these ellipticals suggests a close correlation between molecular mass and cold dust. Compared with previously studied samples of FIR selected early-type galaxies, our sample has on average four times more CO emission per unit FIR (40-120 microns) luminosity. If the intrinsic gas-to-dust ratio of these galaxies as similar to that of the Milky Way, then only about 5 percent of the dust mass in dust lane ellipticals radiates substantially at 60 and 100 microns, and the remaining dust must be colder than about 30 K.

Wang, Zhong↗
NASA NTRS1993

Interstellar Mg II and C IV absorption toward Markarian 205 by NGC 4319 - An 'optically thick' QSO absorption system

We have used the Goddard High-Resolution Spectrograph aboard HST to detect interstellar Mg II and C IV absorption lines toward Mrk 205, a QSO whose sightline passes within 3/h kpc of the foreground galaxy NGC 4319. Absorption is detected from both local Milky Way gas and from NGC 4319, making this the first observation of an isolated, low-redshift galaxy causing an 'optically thick' QSO absorption system. We also observed for the first time Mg II absorption from two local High Velocity Clouds along this same sightline. The data support the premise that metal absorption lines seen at higher redshift in QSO spectra originate in gas associated with intervening galaxies. However, neither the strong absorption by (half) of our own Galaxy, nor the weak absorption by NGC 4319, may be typical of absorbers in general.

Bowen, David V.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Observations of the gaseous Galactic halo toward 3C 273 with the Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph

An analysis of observations of 24 absorption lines produced near zero redshift by Milky Way disk and halo gas along the sight line to 3C 273 is presented. The reduced spectra have a resolution of about 20 km/s (FWHM) with broad wings and an SNR of 13 to 20. The species detected include C II, C II*, C IV, O I, Mg II, Si II, Si IV, S II, Mn II, Fe II, and Ni II. The O I absorption is blended with earth atmospheric emission, and one of the Si IV doublet lines is blended with an intergalactic Lyman-alpha line. Column densities are determined for C II*, C IV, Si II, Si IV, N V, S II, Mn II, and Ni II using standard curve-of-growth techniques and the apparent optical depth method. The column density for S II and a measure of N(H I) from FOS observations of Lyman-alpha reveal a 45-percent overabundance of sulfur compared with neutral hydrogen which is probably due to the presence of S II in ionized gas toward 3C 273.

Savage, Blair D.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Far-ultraviolet astronomy on the Astro-1 space shuttle mission

The Astro-1 mission obtained observations related to a wide variety of current problems in astronomy during a 9-day flight of the space shuttle Columbia. Early results from one of the instruments, the Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope, are reviewed here. Among these are new insights concerning the origin of the ultraviolet light from the old stellar population in elliptical galaxies, new evidence for a hot, gaseous corona surrounding the Milky Way, improved views of the physical conditions in active galactic nuclei, and a measurement of the ionization state of the local interstellar medium.

Davidsen, Arthur F.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Testing the AGN paradigm; Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Topical Astrophysics Conference, Univ. of Maryland, College Park, Oct. 14-16, 1991

The present volume on testing the AGN paradigm discusses black holes, accretion disks, high-energy continuum jets, AGN geometry, and the broad-line region. Attention is given to the search for black holes in galaxy nuclei, the structure of M32 at red wavelengths, testing the AGN paradigm for the Milky Way, and relativistic fluid flows in the magnetized Schwarzschild spacetime. Topics addressed include orbital models for the periodic X-ray flares of NGC 6814, observational evidence for thin AGN disks, X-ray Fe line studies, and the role of the UV bump in line emission. Also discussed are signatures of black hole accretion disks, rapid variability in AGN and accretion disk hot spots, relativistic jets in AGN, and the radiation field in astrophysical jets.

Holt, Stephen S.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Diagnostics of a putative black hole at the Galactic center

A review is given of methods to constrain the mass of a putative black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. These approaches are based on: (1) tidal disruption of stars by a massive black hole; (2) displacement between Sgr A* and either of the IRS 16 components; (3) electron-positron pair production by a black hole, and (4) mass outflow centered on IRS 16/Sgr A* complex.

Ozernoy, Leonid↗
NASA NTRS1993

Satellites of spiral galaxies

We present a survey of satellites around a homogeneous set of late-type spirals with luminosity similar to that of the Milky Way. On average, we find fewer than 1.5 satellites per primary, but we argue that we can treat the survey as an ensemble and so derive the properties of the halo of a 'typical' isolated spiral. The projected density profile of the ensemble falls off approximately as 1/r. Within 50 kpc the azimuthal distribution of satellites shows some evidence for the 'Holmberg effect', an excess near the minor axis of the primary; however, at larger projected distances, the distribution appears isotropic. There is a weak but significant correlation between the size of a satellite and its distance from its primary, as expected if satellites are tidally truncated. Neither Hubble type nor spectral characteristics correlate with apparent separation. The ensemble of satellites appears to be rotating at about 30 km/s in the same direction as the galactic disk. Satellites on prograde orbits tend to be brighter than those on retrograde orbits. The typical velocity difference between a satellite and its primary shows no clear dependence either on apparent separation, or on the rotation speed of the primary. Thus our survey demonstrates that isolated spiral galaxies have massive halos that extend to many optical radii.

Zaritsky, Dennis↗
NASA NTRS1993

Bright near-infrared sources within 1 deg of the Galactic center. I - Survey and 1-20 micron photometry

Results of a near-IR survey of 0.55 sq deg toward the Galactic center are reported. Additional IR photometry of 50 objects found in this survey was made in order to investigate the nature of luminous stars in the central region of the Milky Way including all sources with K less than 7.6 and H-K not less than 1.4. In addition to candidates for normal M-type stars and long-period variables, four objects whose energy spectra peak at about 5 microns have been detected in a small region around (l, b) = (0.15, 0.0 deg), near the crossing of the 6-cm radio arc with the Galactic plane. These four might be young stellar objects near the Galactic center. It is suggested that the relative depth change in the silicate absorption is localized to a fairly small region around the Galactic center.

Nagata, Tetsuya↗
NASA NTRS1993

Turbulent mixing layers in the interstellar medium of galaxies

It is proposed that turbulent mixing layers are common in the ISM of the Milky Way and selected external galaxies, with many layers per kiloparsec along typical lines of sight. All of the diffuse C I 1550-A background emission and a significant fraction of the diffuse H-alpha background at high latitude can be explained by mixing layers cooling at pressure of about 3000/cu cm K. These models also produce the correct ratio of semiforbidden C IV 15500 III 1663-A emission. Only 10 percent of the disk H-alpha is likely to arise from mixing layers. The observed Galactic absorption-line column densities of C IV, N V, Si IV, and O VI are roughly consistent with mixing-layer models with an intermediate temperature of about 10 exp 5.3 K and depleted abundances.

Slavin, Jonathan D.↗