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NASA NTRS1985

Radio and infrared observations of OH/IR stars at the tangential point and near the galactic center

Unambiguous infrared identifications of a sample of OH/IR stars in the galactic disk and in the vicinity of the galactic center are presented. Simultaneous OH and broadband infrared photometric measurements are used to derive quantitative relations between the infrared and OH fluxes and the properties of the circumstellar shells, providing observational evidence that these stars represent an evolutionary sequence of increasing mass loss rate. These relations are used to explain the observed time variations of the silicate absorption feature with changing bolometric luminosity in OH/IR stars. It appears that the ratio of the OH flux to the number of pump photons is not constant, but is also a function of the mass loss rate.

Baud, B.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Ultraviolet absorption by highly ionized halo gas near the Galactic center

Initial results are presented for a program to survey highly ionized gas in the Milky Way disk and halo. High-resolution IUE (International Ultraviolet Explorer) far-UV spectra were obtained for 12 stars at galactocentric distances less than 6 kpc. The stars are 0.7-2.2 kpc away from the plane. Most of the spectra contain exceedingly strong and broad interstellar absorption lines of weakly and highly ionized atoms. In addition to the normally strong lines of Si IV and C IV, strong interstellar NV lines have been detected in the spectra of eight stars. The detection of NV absorption (amounting to more than 10 times the predicted NV) provides an important new constraint on models for the origin of Galactic halo gas. A Galactic fountain operating in the presence of known UV and EUV radiation might explain the observations.

Savage, B. D.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Galactic bulge X-ray burst sources from disrupted globular clusters?

The origin of the bright galactic bulge X-ray sources, or GX sources, is unclear despite intensive study for the past 15 years. It is suggested that the fact that many (or most) of the GX sources are X-ray burst sources (GXRBS) and are otherwise apparently identical to the luminous X-ray sources found in globular cluster cores implies that they too may have a globular cluster origin. The possibility that the compact X-ray binaries found in globulars are ejected is constrained by observations of CVs in and out of clusters. The GXRBS are instead hypothesized to have been formed by capture processes in globular clusters which have now largely been disrupted by repeated tidal stripping and shocking in the galactic plane. A statistical analysis of the 12 GXRBS which have precise positions from Einstein and/or optical (or radio) observations indicate that it is probably significant that a bright, of less than about 19, G or K star is found within the error circle (3 arcmin radius) in four cases. These may be surviving giants in a disrupted globular cluster core. Implications for globular cluster evolution and the GXRBS themselves are discussed.

Grindlay, J. E.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Estimated number of field stars toward Galactic globular clusters and Local Group Galaxies

Field star densities are estimated for 89 fields with /b/ greater than 10 degrees based on the Galaxy model of Bahcall and Soneira (1980, 1984; Bahcall et al. 1985). Calculated tables are presented for 76 of the fields toward Galactic globular clusters, and 16 Local Group Galaxies in 13 fields. The estimates can be used as an initial guide for planning both ground-based and Space Telescope observations of globular clusters at intermediate-to-high Galactic latitudes.

Ratnatunga, K. U.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Electromagnetic dissociation effects in galactic heavy-ion fragmentation

Methods for calculating cross sections for the breakup of galactic heavy ions by the Coulomb fields of the interacting nuclei are presented. By using the Weizsacker-Williams method of virtual quanta, estimates of electromagnetic dissociation cross sections for a variety of reactions applicable to galactic cosmic ray shielding studies are presented and compared with other predictions and with available experimental data.

Norbury, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Using the IRAS data to search in the asteroid belt for any potential evidence of galactic colonization

The end product of the biological evolution seems to be the appearance of technological civilizations, which are characterized by superior technology that supercedes biological capabilities. The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) has gained scientific recognition in recent years. The concept of galactic colonization is debated extensively, with opinions ranging from the impossible to the inevitable, but without a clear resolution. Answers can be obtained only with experimental tests and not with endless debates. A search for large space colonies in the asteroid belt, an ideal source of raw materials for a spaceborne civilization, is a test of the galactic colonization theory. The catalogue of solar system objects obtained form the Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS) observations at 12, 25, 60, and 100 microns, is an ideal source for such a search. The catalog is expected to be ready at the end of 1985 and will contain more than 10,000 objects.

Papagiannis, M. D.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Galactic cosmic ray composition

An assessment is given of the galactic cosmic ray source (GCRS) elemental composition and its correlation with first ionization potential. The isotopic composition of heavy nuclei; spallation cross sections; energy spectra of primary nuclei; electrons; positrons; local galactic reference abundances; comparison of solar energetic particles and solar coronal compositions; the hydrogen; lead; nitrogen; helium; and germanium deficiency problems; and the excess of elements are among the topics covered.

Meyer, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1986

On the relationship between optically selected and X-ray-selected active galactic nuclei

Available information on the optically selected active galactic nuclei (AGNs) (luminosity function, cosmological evolution, etc.), together with the knowledge of their X-ray to optical luminosity ratio, are used to predict the overall properties of X-ray-selected active galactic nuclei (number counts, evolution, luminosity and redshift distributions, etc.). The predicted properties are then compared with those observed. Similarly, predictions are carried out for the optical properties of the X-ray-selected AGN parent population. In the search for a possibility explanation for discrepancies, preliminary results are reported.

Franceschini, A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The Columbia CO survey of molecular clouds in the first galactic quadrant

A systematic, unbiased survey of CO emission from much of the first Galactic quadrant has been completed using the Columbia-Goddard millimeter wave telescope. The velocity resolution is 1.3 km/s and the coverage is from -13 to 153 km/s at latitude less than 55 deg and from -55 to 111 km/s at latitudes of 55 deg and higher. The noise is 0.45 K rms per 1/3 km/s resolution element. The instrument and observing technique are described and the instrument's calibration is compared with that of other telescopes. When the different beams are taken into account, the calibration agrees well with measurements of individual molecular clouds and the Galactic plane done with both the Bell Laboratories 7 m and the NRAO 11 m telescopes. The entire collection of over 3000 spectra are presented along with spatial and longitude-velocity maps.

Cohen, R. S.↗
NASA NTRS1985

8.3 and 12.4 micron imaging of the Galactic Center source complex with the Goddard infrared array camera

A 30 x 30 arcsec field at the Galactic Center (1.5 x 1.5 parsec) was mapped at 8.3 microns and 12.41 microns with high spatial resolution and accurate relative astrometry, using the 16 x 16 Si:Bi accumulation mode charge injection device Goddard infrared array camera. The design and performance of the array camera detector electronics system and image data processing techniques are discussed. Color temperature and dust opacity distributions derived from the spatially accurate images indicate that the compact infrared sources and the large scale ridge structure are bounded by warmer, more diffuse material. None of the objects appear to be heated appreciably by internal luminosity sources. These results are consistent with the model proposing that the complex is heated externally by a strong luminosity source at the Galactic Center, which dominates the energetics of the inner few parsecs of the galaxy.

Gezari, D. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Secondary production of neutral pi-mesons and the diffuse galactic gamma radiation

Isobaric and scaling model predictions of the secondary spectra of neutral pi-mesons produced in proton-proton collisions, at energies between threshold and a few GeV, are compared on the basis of accelerator data and found to show the isobaric model to be superior. This model is accordingly used, in conjuction with a scaling model representation at high energies, in a recalculation of the pi exp (0) gamma-radiation's contribution to the diffuse galactic gamma background; the cosmic ray-induced production of photons (whose energy exceeds 100 MeV) by such radiation occurs at a rate of 1.53 x 10 to the -25 photons/(s-H atom). These results are compared with previous calculations of this process as well as with COS-B observations of the diffuse galactic gamma-radiation.

Dermer, C. D.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Observations of the 157.7 micron (C II) emission from the galactic H II regions W3 and W51

The 157.7 micron ground-state fine-structure transition of singly ionized carbon was detected from three positions, each in galactic H II region W3 and W51. These findings show that this emission goes beyond the H II regions and the carbon recombination region in each source. In addition these observations establish a lower limit to the luminosity in the 157.7 micron (C II) line of 360 solar luminosity from W3 and 41 solar luminosity from W51. Mechanisms for 157.7 micron-line excitation are discussed, and it is noted that a substantial part of the observed emission originates in the thin carbon recombination line-emitting region which borders on the H II regions and the warm atomic and molecular gas at the surface of neighboring molecular clouds. It is proposed that excitation by electrons present in the diffuse gas surrounding W51 contributes to the extended 157.7 micron (C II) line emission from this region. It was found that the (C II)FIR continuum ratios for W3 and W51 are in agreement with those of other galactic H II regions.

Melnick, G.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Studies of IRAS sources at high galactic latitudes. I - Source counts at /b/greater than 60 deg and evidence for a north-south anisotropy of cosmological significance

A study of the IRAS sky at b with an absolute value greater than 60 deg is conducted. Source counts at 12, 25, 60 and 100 microns are presented, and it is shown that emission from interstellar dust at 100 microns is localized to a few small areas of tathe galactic polar caps. At 12 and 25 microns, the sky is dominated by stars; at 60 and 100 microns, by galaxies. Comparison with the minisurvey source counts indicates the 12and 25-micron source denstiy is lower at the present latitude than at a latitude whereby the absolute value of b equals 10-40 deg. Due to the greatly reduced effects of emission from interstellar dust, the 100 micron survey reaches a factor 1.6 deeper in flux at the present latitude than the minisurvey. An anisotropy significant at the 4-sigma level was found between the north and south galactic polar caps at 60 and 100 microns, after exclusion of the Virgo cluster and of the few remaining areas significantly affected by interstellar-dust emission. It is suggested that this anisotropy represents a cosmologically significant anisotropy in the galaxy distribution. The scale of associated inhomogeneity is of the order of at least 100(50/H)Mpc.

Rowan-Robinson, M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Ammonia in the hot galactic centre cloud G 1.6-0.025

As part of an extensive southern survey of interstellar NH3 with the Parkes 64-m radio telescope (with a beamwidth of 81 arcsec), the (1,1), (2,2), and (3,3) transitions have been observed towards the galactic centre molecular cloud Gl.6-0.025. The cloud has an overall size of 10 arcmin, and contains several concentrations with differing velocities. It has several features also observed in other galactic centre clouds, e.g. high optical depths and kinetic temperatures above 50 K.

Gardner, F. F.↗
NASA NTRS1986

On the biological hazard of galactic antinuclei

The interaction of antinuclei in the galactic cosmic-ray beam with biological systems is studied. A nuclei-antinuclei annihilation event observed in nuclear emulsion near the end of the slowing-down trajectories of singly charged particle is discussed. An annihilation event that occurred by capture of the antinucleus into an atomic orbital followed by cascade to or near the ground atomic state and subsequent annihilation with the nuclear material of the atom is described. Microdosimetric quantities relevant to potential biological hazards are estimated. The average linear-energy-transfer spectrum for galactic cosmic ray antinuclei annihilation events in tissues is presented. It is observed that the annihilation in tissues occurs mainly in O and the heavier elements around K.

Wilson, J. W.↗
NASA NTRS1986

An intermediate-sensitivity survey at high Galactic latitude with HEAO A-1

A 314 square degree region of sky at high galactic latitude was mapped in 0.5-20 keV X-rays using summed data from the HEAO A-1 experiment. 21 sources are detected above a 5 sigma threshold corresponding to a limiting flux of about 0.2 UFU. This limit is at a decade intermediate to those achieved in the full-sky surveys, Uhuru, Ariel 5, and the HEAO A-2 experiment, and to those achieved in the Einstein partial-sky surveys. The HEAO A-1 detectors also complement these other instruments in terms of spectral response characteristics. A table of source intensities and positional error boxes for the 21 source detections is presented. A graphical representation of the positional error boxes is also presented. Identifications for 14 sources are proposed. A number-flux curve representing all high galactic latitude X-ray sources detected with HEAO A-1 has been constructed. The number-flux curve appears to be consistent with d log N/d log S = -1.5.

Shrader, C. R.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A CS J = 2 1 survey of the galactic center region

A CS map of the galactic center region is presented consisting of 15,000 spectra covering -1 deg. less than 3. deg. 6 min., -0 deg.4 min. less than b less than 0 deg. 4 min., each having an rms noise of 0.15 K in 1 MHz filters. CS is a high-excitation molecule, meaning that it is excited into emission only when the ambient density is less than n much greater than or approx. 2 x 10 to the 4th power/cu cm CS emission in the inner 2 deg. of the galaxy is nearly as pervasive as CO emission, in stark contrast to the outer galaxy where CS emission is confined to cloud cores. Galactic center clouds are on average much more dense than outer Galaxy clouds. This can be understood as a necessary consequence of the strong tidal stresses in the inner galaxy.

Stark, A. A.↗
NASA NTRS1987

The Arp Ring: Galactic or extragalactic?

The Arp Ring is a faint, loop-like structure around the northern end of M81 which becomes apparent only on deep optical photographs of the galaxy. The nature of the Ring and its proximity to M81 are uncertain. Is it simply foreground structure, part of this galaxy, or is it within the M81 system? Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS) maps of the region show a far-infrared counterpart of the Ring. The infrared data are compared with previous optical and radio observations to try to ascertain its physical nature. The poor correlation found between the common infrared/optical structure and the distribution of extragalactic neutral hydrogen, and the fact that its infrared properties are indistinguishable from those of nearby galactic cirrus, imply that the Arp Ring is simply a ring structure in the galactic cirrus.

Abolins, J. A.↗