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At least 487 records · Page 27
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1976

The 1.4-2.7 micron spectrum of the point source at the galactic center

The spectrum of the 2-micron point source at the galactic center is presented over the range from 1.4 to 2.7 microns. The two-level-transition CO band heads are seen near 2.3 microns, confirming that the radiation from this source is due to a cool supergiant star. The heliocentric radial velocity is found to be - 173 (+ or -90) km/s and is consistent with the star being in orbit about a dense galactic nucleus. No evidence is found for Brackett-gamma emission, and no interstellar absorption features are seen. Upper limits for the column densities of interstellar H2, CH4, CO, and NH3 are derived.

Treffers, R. R.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Ultrasoft X-rays from the southern galactic hemisphere

Results are reported for sounding-rocket measurements of the X-ray background at ultrasoft energies (90 to 280 eV) in selected regions of the southern galactic hemisphere. The spectrum of the background is found to be extremely soft, being characterized by a kinetic temperature of less than 100 eV in thermal models. A lower limit of about 0.2 per cu pc is set on the space density of stellar sources in a discrete-source model for the background. The results show that the observed background radiation in the southern galactic hemisphere is about 50% less intense than that sampled at corresponding northern latitudes, the intensity at energies less than 150 eV varies along the scan path and is strongest south of -60 deg, there is no evidence for the existence of any ultrasoft pointlike sources, and the background is probably diffuse in origin. A temperature of about 600,000 K and an electron density of the order of 0.007 per cu cm are derived from a simple model where the radiation originates in a hot interstellar plasma interspersed with cold gas along the line of sight.

Levine, A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Far-ultraviolet studies. II - Galactic-latitude dependence of the 1530 A interstellar radiation field

A 0.62-sq cm Geiger counter, sensitive between 1425 and 1640 A, was used to map the far-ultraviolet brightness of about half the sky, providing an experimental measurement of the far-ultraviolet interstellar radiation field. At 1530 A, the energy density is approximately 7.4 by 10 to the -17th power erg/cu cm per A. Comparison with integrations of star catalogs calibrated to the ultraviolet shows, as expected, that the bulk of the radiation comes directly from B- and A-type stars. The galactic-latitude dependence of the radiation is analyzed in an unsuccessful attempt to set limits on the absorbing and scattering properties of the interstellar grains in the far-ultraviolet. Excess radiation observed at the galactic pole is probably residual airglow from above the rocket altitude.

Henry, R. C.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Does electromagnetic radiation accelerate galactic cosmic rays

The 'reactor' theories of Tsytovich and collaborators (1973) of cosmic-ray acceleration by electromagnetic radiation are examined in the context of galactic cosmic rays. It is shown that any isotropic synchrotron or Compton reactors with reasonable astrophysical parameters can yield particles with a maximum relativistic factor of only about 10,000. If they are to produce particles with higher relativistic factors, the losses due to inverse Compton scattering of the electromagnetic radiation in them outweigh the acceleration, and this violates the assumptions of the theory. This is a critical restriction in the context of galactic cosmic rays, which have a power-law spectrum extending up to a relativistic factor of 1 million.

Eichler, D.↗
NASA NTRS1977

An interpretation of galactic observations of CNO isotopes

Nuclear network calculations are used to interpret observations of N-15/N-14 and O-17/O-18 abundance ratios in interstellar clouds. Recent observations of the N-15/N-14 abundance ratio in the galactic disk and the galactic center are consistent with the idea that N-15 is produced in intermediate-mass stars by means of the hot CNO tri-cycle. It is suggested that low-mass stars in the glactic center could be responsible for producing the local enhancement of O-17 by low-temperature (below 100 million K) CNO burning.

Cowan, J. J.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Rice University observations of the galactic center

The most sensitive of the four balloon fight observations of the galactic center made by Rice University was conducted in 1974 from Rio Cuarto, Argentina at a float altitude of 4 mbar. The count rate spectrum of the observed background and the energy spectrum of the galactic center region are discussed. The detector used consists of a 6 inch Nal(T 1ambda) central detector collimated to approximately 15 deg FWHM by a Nal(T lamdba) anticoincidence shield. The shield in at least two interaction mean free paths thick at all gamma ray energies. The instrumental resolution is approximately 11% FWHM at 662 keV. Pulses from the central detector are analyzed by two 256 channel PHA's covering the energy range approximately 20 keV to approximately 12 MeV. The detector is equatorially mounted and pointed by command from the ground. Observations are made by measuring source and background alternately for 10 minute periods. Background is measured by rotating the detector 180 deg about the azimuthal axis.

Meegan, C. A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Galactic center iron line emission

Data from the Goddard Space Flight Center experiment on HEAO 1 were examined for galactic center iron line emission. Evidence for a 6.8 keV line from the summed flux within 10 deg longitude and 10 deg latitude of the galactic center was found; however, firm limits cannot be put on the intrinsic line width. If the line emission is diffuse and cosmic-ray-induced, the calculations of Bussard et al (1978) yield an upper limit to c-12 4.44 MeV line emission, which is not inconsistent with the results of Haymes et al (1975). Significant contributions to the iron line from discrete sources can not be ruled out.

Worrall, D. M.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Soft diffuse X-rays in the southern galactic hemisphere

A map is presented of the soft X-ray diffuse background flux in the C band (approximately 0.13-0.28 keV) covering almost all of the southern galactic hemisphere. A comparison at constant galactic latitude of both C band and B band (about 0.1-0.18 keV) soft X-ray data with neutral-hydrogen maps shows that the intensity does decrease with increasing neutral-hydrogen column density but in a manner that is inconsistent with photoelectric absorption. It is suggested that the inverse correlation is a displacement effect. X-ray emission regions appear to be where the cool gas is not. Further, the evidence against photoelectric absorption implies that the bulk of the cool gas is beyond the X-ray emitting regions. Fewer than 10 to the 20th power H atoms per sq cm can be between the sun and the X-ray emitting regions. The sun appears to be surrounded by a soft X-ray emission region consisting of gas at a temperature of about 1 million K.

Sanders, W. T.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Observations of galactic X-ray sources by OSO-7

We present the MIT data from the OSO-7 satellite for observations of the galactic plane between 1971 and 1974. A number of sources discovered in the MIT all-sky survey are described in detail: MX 0049 + 59, MX 0836 - 42, MX 1353 - 64, MX 1406 - 61, MX 1418 - 61, MX 1709 - 40, and MX 1608 - 52 (the persistent source suggested to be associated with the X-ray burst source XB 1608 - 52). Upper limits to the X-ray emission from a number of interesting objects are also derived. General results describing all of our observations of galactic sources are presented. Specifically, we display the number-intensity diagrams, luminosity functions, and color-color diagrams for all of the sources we detected. The data are divided between disk and bulge populations, and the characteristics of the two groups are contrasted. Finally, the concept of X-ray source populations and the relationship of globular cluster sources and burst sources to the disk and bulge populations are discussed.

Markert, T. H.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Submillimeter observations of the galactic center

A 15 by 15 arcmin region surrounding Sgr A has been mapped at a mean wavelength of 540 microns. The principal feature is a ridge about 10 arcmin long running parallel to the galactic equator and approximately centered on Sgr A but with no peak at that point. The ridge coincides with the 25- and 55-km/s clouds seen in molecular line observations. The mass of the clouds is estimated, and their positions with respect to the galactic center are discussed.

Hildebrand, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Infrared observations of the galactic center. III - 2.2 micron spectroscopy

Observations of the B-gamma line at 2.17 microns are presented for the central few parsecs of the galactic-center region. The surface-brightness distribution of the line with 3.3- and 6.6-arcsec resolution has been sampled in 25 locations. The results show that the ionized gas is concentrated within the central parsec of the galactic-center region; the fine-scale structure seen at 10 microns does not appear to be present in the ionized gas. For the central parsec (20 arcsec) the equivalent width of the B-gamma line is, within large uncertainties, independent of the 2-micron continuum flux; for radial distances of the order of 30 arcsec the line equivalent width drops significantly. A comparison of the B-gamma line strength with radio observations shows that the 2.2-micron extinction is consistent with the 2.7 mag determined from the reddening of late-type stars. Observations of the CO band at 2.3 microns in the central 30 arcsec are also presented; they strengthen the interpretation that the 2-micron flux arises from late-type giant stars.

Neugebauer, G.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Infrared observations of the galactic center. IV - The interstellar extinction

Infrared observations of the compact sources and background in the galactic center are used to derive the 1.25-12.5-micron interstellar extinction law. The depth of the interstellar 10-micron silicate absorption feature is derived from observations of the M supergiant IRS 7. The ratio of visual to silicate extinction is found to be 8 + or - 3. From the colors of individual sources and the background, it is concluded that there are no more than 6 mag of visual extinction within the central 3 pc of the galactic center.

Becklin, E. E.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Positions of galactic X-ray sources with l/II/ between -20 deg and +6 deg

The precise positions of nine X-ray sources in the vicinity of the galactic center are reported. The data were obtained as part of the comprehensive survey of the galactic plane performed with the rotating modulation collimator detectors on the SAS-3 X-ray observatory. The sources include the binary X-ray source 4U 1700-37 which has a well established optical counterpart that lies 7 sec from the reported position. The other sources GX 349+2, 4U 1702-42, 4U 1705-44, MX 1716-31, A 1742-294, 4U 1755-33, GX 5-1, and 2S 1803-245 lack established counterparts in other wavelengths. The obtained position for GX 5-1 adds confidence to the radio counterpart proposed by Braes et al. (1972). The reported position for 4U 1755-33 excludes the optical counterpart proposed by Jones et al. (1974).

Jernigan, J. G.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Transient X-ray sources in the galactic plane

Uhuru observations of the galactic plane indicate the presence of four X-ray sources not previously characterized as transient: MX 0836-42, A1918+14, 4U 1730-22, and 4U 1807-10. X-ray light curves as well as positional and spectral information are presented for these sources and for 4U 1908+00, a recurrent transient source. The frequency, duration, and intensity of galactic-plane transients during the Uhuru lifetime are discussed. Transient X-ray sources appear to be divided into two classes based primarily on an observed bimodal spectral temperature distribution.

Cominsky, L.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Intensity and spectral variability of strong galactic X-ray sources observed by ANS

Hard X-ray observations by the ANS are used to analyze the energy spectrum and intensity fluctuations on time scales of seconds to days for 20 luminous galactic sources, of which 11 are galactic-bulge (GX) sources having no obvious identification with source categories. It is found that: (1) most GX sources are best fitted in the energy range from about 1 to 20 keV by exponential spectra with a source temperature (kT) of approximately 5 keV; (2) iron line emission around 6.7 keV is always detected as a persistent spectral feature of at least six and possibly seven of the sources studied; (3) most of the iron-line sources exhibit a direct correlation between kT and intensity (I) in the band from 1.4 to 7.2 keV; (4) no burst source counterparts or candidates show a direct correlation between kT and I, at least two show an inverse correlation, and no iron line emission is detected at a 3-sigma level from burster counterparts during burst-active states. A classification scheme for GX sources is proposed, and several observational tests for this scheme and for possible source models are described.

Parsignault, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Positions and identifications for galactic X-ray sources 2A1822-371 and 2S1254-690

Precise positions and optical identifications for the galactic X-ray sources 2A1822-371 (4U 1822-37) and 2S 1254-690 (4U 1254-69) were obtained by used of a described scanning modulation collimator on HEAO 1 and are reported. Neither is thought to be substantially reddened since both show strong ultraviolet excesses and are located at a relatively high galactic latitude. The distance of 4U 1254-69 is estimated to be approximately 10 kpc.

Griffiths, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1979

A search for X-ray pulsations from the Galactic Centre

A search has been conducted for periodic X-ray behavior in the Galactic Center, a region known to contain several point sources. No pulsations are detected in the range from about 2 sec to 2000 sec. The assumption that part of the steady flux from the Galactic Center is due to the steady contribution of bursters is discussed. It is also noted that the absence of pulsations does not necessarily undermine the proposed binary-neutron star models for the burst sources.

Cordova, F. A.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Gamma-rays of 3 to 25 MeV from the galactic anti-center and pulsar NP 0532

Gamma-rays of 3 to 25 MeV are reported from the galactic anticenter region and the Crab Pulsar, NP 0532. The observations were carried out from Palestine, Texas, on May 13, 1975. Gamma-rays from the galactic anticenter were observed as the Crab Nebula passed overhead within 10 deg of the zenith. Pulsed gamma-rays from NP 0532 were observed at a 4.4-sigma significance level. The total flux from 3-25 MeV is 0.0049 + or - 0.002 photon/sq cm-sec. The pulsed flux from NP 0532 from 3 to 25 MeV is 0.00043 + or - 0.00026 photon/sq cm-sec. The ratio of the total to the pulsed flux from 3 to 25 MeV is 11 + or - 8.

Wilson, R. B.↗