Galactic scattering and discrete sources as possible origins of the diffuse galactic X- ray background
Diffuse galactic X ray background intensity as function of galactic scattering and discrete sources
Mack, J. E.↗
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The galactic halo question: New size constraints from galactic gamma-ray data
The SAS-2 gamma-ray data is analyzed making use of recent CO line emission and other data for determining the large-scale distribution of galactic gas. A nonuniform distribution of cosmic rays in the galaxy is implied. This fact rules out large trapping halo models and extragalactic origin models. Detailed models of diffusion halos of various sizes perpendicular to the galactic plane are considered. In such models, the scale perpendicular to the plane has a strong effect in determining the radial distribution of cosmic rays. Such radial distributions are calculated for cylindrical coordinate models. The implied gamma-ray longitude distributions are then calculated and compared with the SAS-2 data for goodness-of-fit. Assuming the sources to be supernova remnants or pulsars, cosmic ray nucleon halo models with scale heights greater than 3 kpc are found to provide a poor fit to the gamma-ray longitude data (probability of 6% or less). Thin halo, or source dominated diffusion models are found to provide a good fit to the gamma-ray data, with an upper limit scale height of approximately 3 kpc.
Stecker, F. W.↗
The galactic halo question - New size constraints from galactic gamma-ray data
Recent satellite observations of the distribution of galactic 100-MeV gamma rays and their interpretation are used as an independent test of the existence and extent of a cosmic-ray halo around the Galaxy. The cosmic-ray halo is defined, uniform and diffusion halo models are described, and the flat diffusion model is employed to investigate the effect of a diffusion halo on the galactic cosmic-ray distribution. Cosmic-ray source distributions that are perpendicularly uniform functions of galactocentric distance are adopted in the analysis. Possible longitudinal distributions of the gamma-ray line flux from neutral-pion decay are evaluated and compared with the fluxes observed by SAS-2 for goodness of fit. The results are shown to be consistent with a thick-disk or thin-halo model having a mean half-thickness of 1 to 3 kpc.
Stecker, F. W.↗
Positions of galactic X-ray sources - Galactic latitudes between zero and 20 deg
Precise (to 20 or 25 arcsec) positions of six X-ray sources located in the galactic bulge are reported which were obtained as part of a survey of the galactic plane performed with the SAS-3 rotating modulation collimators. The sources include GX1+4, GX9+9, GX3+1, GX9+1, GX13+1, and GX17+2. The error radii and X-ray intensities (2 to 11 keV) determined for the sources are also presented along with finding charts and proposed optical and radio counterparts. The results are compared with those of previous satellite and sounding-rocket experiments. The status of each source with respect to optical or radio identifications is briefly discussed.
Doxsey, R. E.↗
The galactic gamma-ray distribution: Implications for galactic structure and the radial cosmic ray gradient
The radial distribution of gamma ray emissivity in the Galaxy was derived from flux longitude profiles, using both the final SAS-2 results and the recently corrected COS-B results and analyzing the northern and southern galactic regions separately. The recent CO surveys of the Southern Hemisphere, were used in conjunction with the Northern Hemisphere data, to derive the radial distribution of cosmic rays on both sides of the galactic plane. In addition to the 5 kpc ring, there is evidence from the radial asymmetry for spiral features which are consistent with those derived from the distribution of bright HII regions. Positive evidence was also found for a strong increase in the cosmic ray flux in the inner Galaxy, particularly in the 5 kpc region in both halves of the plane.
Harding, A. K.↗
The galactic gamma-ray distribution - Implications for galactic structure and the radial cosmic-ray gradient
The radial distribution of gamma ray emissivity in the Galaxy was derived from flux longitude profiles, using both the final SAS-2 results and the recently corrected COS-B results and analyzing the northern and southern galactic regions separately. The recent CO surveys of the Southern Hemisphere were used in conjunction with the Northern Hemisphere data, to derive the radial distribution of cosmic rays on both sides of the galactic plane. In addition to the 5 kpc ring, there is evidence from the radial asymmetry for spiral features which are consistent with those derived from the distribution of bright H II regions. Positive evidence was also found for a strong increase in the cosmic ray flux in the inner Galaxy, particularly in the 5 kpc region in both halves of the plane.
Harding, A. K.↗
Gamma-ray observations of the Galactic center - Removing the Galactic ridge contribution
Spectral measurements of the emission from the disk of the Galaxy from keV to GeV energies are combined. It is found that this emission has a similar spatial distribution at all energies: a longitude extent of about +/-40 deg and a latitude extent of about less than 5 deg. The emission over most of the energy range is dominated by cosmic-ray electrons and protons interacting with interstellar matter. The ridge spectrum is estimated to be near 100 keV using observations by HEAO A-4 from 1977 to 1979. To determine the emission from point sources in the region the diffuse component is substracted from Galactic center observations made by wide-field gamma-ray instruments over the past 20 years. The Galactic ridge accounts for between one-third and one-half of the observed flux for most of the measurements. Substracting the diffuse emission and GRS 1758-258 emission from the HEXAGONE observations on May 22 gives a spectrum that is dominated by lines from positron annihilation.
Gehrels, Neil↗
The Hubble Space Telescope Quasar Absorption Line Key Project. 10: Galactic H I 21 centimeter emission toward 143 quasars and active Galactic nuclei
Sensitive H I 21 cm emission line spectra have been measured for the directions to 143 quasars and active galactic nuclei (AGNs) chosen from the observing lists for the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Quasar Absorption Line Key Project. Narrow-band and wide-band data were obtained with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) 43 m radio telescope for each object. The narrow-band data have a velocity resolution of 1 km/s, extend from -220 to +170 km/s, and are corrected for stray 21 cm radiation. The wide-band data have a resolution of 4 km/s and extend from -1000 to +1000 km/s. The data are important for the interpretation of ultraviolet absorption lines near zero redshift in Key Project spectra. Twenty-two percent of the quasars lie behind Galactic high-velocity H I clouds with absolute value of V(sub LSR) greater than 100 km/s whose presence can increase the equivalent width of interstellar absorption lines significantly. This paper contains the emission spectra and measures of the H I velocities and column densities along the sight line to each quasar. We discuss how the measurements can be used to estimate the visual and ultraviolet extinction toward each quasar and to predict the approximate strength of the strong ultraviolet resonance lines of neutral gas species in the HST Key Project spectra.
Lockman, Felix J.↗
The Galactic nucleus: A unique region in the Galactic ecosystem
The nucleus is a unique region in the Galactic ecosystem. It is also superb laboratory of modern astrophysics where astronomers can study, at unprecedented spatial resolution and across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, physical processes that may also happen at the cores of other galaxies. Infrared observations from the Kuiper Airborne Observatory have made important contributions to unraveling the mysteries of the Galactic nucleus and this review highlights some of these measurements, as well as recent results regarding the central parsec.
Genzel, Reinhard↗
Suzaku View of the Swift/BAT Active Galactic Nuclei. V. Torus Structure of Two Luminous Radio-Loud Active Galactic Nuclei (3C 206 and PKS 0707-35)
We present the results from broadband X-ray spectral analysis of 3C 206 and PKS 0707−35 with Suzaku and Swift/BAT, two of the most luminous unobscured and obscured radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with hard X-ray luminosities of 10(sup 45.5) erg per second and 10(sup 44.9) erg per second (14-195 keV), respectively. Based on the radio core luminosity, we estimate that the X-ray spectrum of 3C 206 contains a significant (∼60% in the 14-195 keV band) contribution from the jet, while it is negligible in PKS 0707−35.We can successfully model the spectra with the jet component (for 3C 206), the transmitted emission, and two reflection components from the torus and the accretion disk. The reflection strengths from the torus are found to be R(sub torus)(≡Omega/2pi) = 0.29 +/- 0.18 and 0.41 +/- 0.18 for 3C 206 and PKS 0707−35, respectively, which are smaller than those in typical Seyfert galaxies. Utilizing the torus model by Ikeda et al., we quantify the relation between the half-opening angle of a torus (theta(sub oa)) and the equivalent width of an iron-K line. The observed equivalent width of 3C 206, less than 71 eV, constrains the column density in the equatorial plane to N(sup eq)(sub H) lesst han 10(sup 23) per square centimeter, or the half-opening angle to theta(sub oa) greater than 80 deg. if N(sup eq)(sub H) = 10(sup 24) per square centimeter is assumed. That of PKS 0707−35, 72 +/- 36 eV, is consistent with N(sup eq)(sub H) ∼ 10(sup 23) per square centimeter. Our results suggest that the tori in luminous radio-loud AGNs are only poorly developed. The trend is similar to that seen in radio-quiet AGNs, implying that the torus structure is not different between AGNs with jets and without jets.
Suzaku↗
The environmental dependence of the stellar mass of active galactic nucleus host galaxies and dependence of the clustering properties of active galactic nucleus host galaxies on the stellar mass
Abstract We used two volume‐limited active galactic nucleus (AGN) host galaxy samples constructed by Deng & Wen (2020, RMxAA , 56, 87), and explored the environmental dependence of the stellar mass of AGN host galaxies. In the luminous volume‐limited AGN host galaxy sample, the stellar mass of AGN host galaxies apparently depends on local environments: high mass AGN host galaxies exist preferentially in the dense regions of the universe, while low mass AGN host galaxies are located preferentially in low density regions. But in the faint volume‐limited AGN host galaxy sample, this dependence is fairly weak. We also examined the dependence of the clustering properties of AGN host galaxies on the stellar mass by cluster analysis, and found that in the luminous volume‐limited AGN host galaxy sample, low mass AGN host galaxies preferentially form isolated galaxies, close pairs, and small groups, while high mass AGN host galaxies preferentially inhabit the dense groups and clusters. A substantial dependence of the clustering properties of AGN host galaxies on the stellar mass is also observed in the faint volume‐limited AGN host galaxy sample, which is inconsistent with the environmental dependence of the stellar mass of AGN host galaxies in the faint volume‐limited AGN host galaxy sample. This is likely due to the galaxy number of the faint volume‐limited AGN host galaxy sample being too small to ensure an ideal statistical analysis.
Deng, Xin‐Fa↗
Galactic Rain: Cool Gas Inflows in Red Geyser Galaxies and Their Connection to Active Galactic Nuclei Activity and Interactions
Red geysers are a population of massive (logM/M ⊙ ~ 10.5), quiescent galaxies with large-scale but weak, bisymmetric ionized gas outflows, interpreted as signatures of ongoing, low-level active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback. We investigate the kinematics and prevalence of cool (T ∼ 100–1000 K) neutral gas traced by Na I D absorption, and its connection to galaxy environment and AGN activity. Using 140 red geyser galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey-IV Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory (or MaNGA), we measure spatially resolved velocities and dispersions via double-Gaussian fits to the Na I D doublet. We find that ∼70% of the cool gas is inflowing, with a median velocity of ∼47 km s −1 (∼10% of the expected freefall velocity), and that it also exhibits kinematically ordered motions with σ NaD /σ* ∼ 0.4. Additionally, the Na I D absorption is more prevalent in red geysers than in a matched control sample, with a higher detection fraction (63% versus 40%) and reservoir areas ∼1.6 times larger. Acceleration (∼1 Myr) and accretion (∼20 Myr) timescales indicate that the Na I D-absorbing clouds are likely young and short-lived. Another intriguing result is that radio-detected red geysers (30% of the sample) show inflowing gas reservoirs ∼7 times larger than in non-radio systems. Similarly, galaxies subject to environmental effects host inflowing gas reservoirs ∼2.7 times larger than isolated red geysers. We take this as evidence that galaxy environments play a key role in replenishing the cool gas reservoirs of red geysers, fueling central AGN activity, sustaining radio emission, and regulating long-term quiescence. These findings reveal that quiescent systems are governed by cycles of inflow, feedback, and regulation.
Moghni, Arian [Univ. of California, Santa Cruz, CA↗
Positions of galactic X-ray sources - Galactic longitude between 20 and 55 deg
Precise positions, determined with data from the SAS-3 X-ray observatory, are presented for eight galactic plane X-ray sources (Aql X-1, Ser X-1, 3U 1956+11, 3U 1822-00, 3U 1915-05, A 1845-02, A 1850-08, A 1905+00). Error radii for the positions range from 20 to 50 arc s. Previously proposed optical identifications of three of the sources (Ser X-1, 3U 1956+11, A 1850-08) are supported by these results. Three (Ser X-1, A 1905+00, 3U 1915-05) have been identified as X-ray burst sources.
Doxsey, R. E.↗
Is the galactic corona produced by galactic flares?
The effect of the differential rotation of the disk of the Galaxy on magnetic field which penetrates the disk is considered. The magnetic field will be progressively distorted from a potential (current-free) form and will at some stage become unstable. It is expected that an MHD instability, a resistive instability, or a combination of the two, will result in the release of the excess magnetic energy and that part of the released energy will be converted into heat. By estimating the energy release and the rate at which this process will occur and by assuming that this energy input is balanced by radiation, estimates were obtained of the parameters of the resulting plasma. It appears that this process alone can heat a galactic corona to temperatures of order 10 to the 6th power K.
Sturrock, P. A.↗
Is the galactic corona produced by galactic flares
The effect of the differential rotation of the disk of the galaxy on magnetic field which penetrates the disk is considered. The magnetic field will be progressively distorted from a potential (current-free) form and will at some stage become unstable. We expect, from knowledge of solar flares, that an MHD instability, a resistive instability, or a combination of the two, will result in the release of the excess magnetic energy, and that part of the released energy will be converted into heat. By estimating the energy release and the rate at which this process will occur and by assuming that this energy input is balanced by radiation, we obtain estimates of the parameters of the resulting plasma. It appears that this process alone can heat a galactic corona to temperatures of order one-million K.
Sturrock, P. A.↗
The diffuse galactic gamma radiation: The Compton contribution and component separation by energy interval and galactic coordinates
The radiation to be expected from cosmic ray interactions with matter and photons was examined. Particular emphasis is placed on the Compton emission. Both the photon density in and near the visible region and that in the region are deduced from the estimates of the emission functions throughout the Galaxy. The blackbody radiation is also included in the estimate of the total Compton emission. The result suggests that the gamma ray Compton radiation from cosmic ray ineractions with galactic visible and infrared photons is substantially larger than previously believed.
Kniffen, D. A.↗
Biological effects and physics of solar and galactic cosmic radiation, Part B; Proceedings of a NATO Advanced Study Institute on Biological Effects and Physics of Solar and Galactic Cosmic Radiation, Algarve, Portugal, Oct. 13-23, 1991
Since there is an increasing interest in establishing lunar bases and exploring Mars by manned missions, it is important to develop appropriate risk estimates and radiation protection guidelines. The biological effects and physics of solar and galactic cosmic radiation are examined with respect to the following: the radiation environment of interplanetary space, the biological responses to radiation in space, and the risk estimates for deep space missions. There is a need for a long-term program where ground-based studies can be augmented by flight experiments and an international standardization with respect to data collection, protocol comparison, and formulation of guidelines for future missions.
Swenberg, Charles E.↗
A comparative analysis of Galactic extinction at low Galactic latitudes
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A C Schröder↗