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At least 703 records · Page 39

Search for gamma-rays from M31 and other extragalactic objects

Although the existence of fluxes of gamma-rays of energies 10 to the 12th power eV is now established for galactic sources, the detection of such gamma-rays from extragalactic sources has yet to be independently confirmed in any case. The detection and confirmation of such energetic photons is of great astrophysical importance in the study of production mechanisms for cosmic rays, and other high energy processes in extragalactic objects. Observations of m31 are discussed. It is reported as a 10 to the 12th power eV gamma-ray source. Flux limits on a number of other extragalactic objects chosen for study are given.

Cawley, M. F.↗

Gravitational lens effects of a cosmological density of compact objects

Amplification of quasar light by a cosmological density of compact objects causes significant effects on many quasars in magnitude-limited samples. For lens masses solar mass less than 100,000 solar mass the continuum would be amplified by a magnitude or more but the line emission would not. Examination of the UV selected sample of Marshall et al. (1983) gives limits to more than 90 percent statistical confidence of Omega(c) less than 0.1 for a mass between 200 and 100,000 solar mass, where Omega(c) is the mean density of objects of mass M relative to the closure density. Preliminary results from an X-ray selected sample may probe to more than 0.1 solar mass and give a value for Omega(c) of less than one. These limits indicate that the remnants of an early population of massive stars cannot make a cosmologically significant contribution to the mass density of the universe. On a separate topic, recent work on the enhanced surface density of quasars near galaxies due to lensing by stars in the galaxy halos is reviewed.

Canizares, C. R.↗

X-ray variability of BL Lac objects - H2155-304 and PKS 0548-322

X-ray emission from two BL Lacertae objects (H2155-304 and PKS 0548-322) has been studied with the High-Resolution Imager and Monitor Proportional Counter (MPC) on the Einstein Observatory. The high-spatial-resolution observations confirm the identification of these X-ray sources with the BL Lac objects and give a source size less than about 2 arcsec. Variations in the X-ray intensity and spectrum of these sources were detected over time scales of a few hours from analysis of the MPC observations.

Agrawal, P. C.↗

Maximum mass of objects that constitute unseen disk material

It is suggested that the mass of the individual unseen 'disk things' which furnish unseen mass satisfies an inequality that is based on the demonstrated existence of a large number of wide binary stars in the Galaxy whose projected separations are as large as 0.1 pc. Since these binaries are weakly bound, with orbital velocities of 0.3 km/sec and periods of the order of 1 million years, they can be disrupted by passing stars or other pointlike objects. This implies that the mass of the unseen disk objects, which provide about half the local mass density, must be less than 2 solar masses.

Bahcall, J. N.↗

Optical and radio observations for the BL Lacertae objects 1219 + 28, 0851 + 202, and 1400 + 162

Radio- and visible-wavelength observations for the BL Lac object 1219 + 28 (ON 231, W Com) are reported along with optical observations of 0851 + 202 (OJ 287), and radio data for 1400 + 162 (4C 16.39, OQ 100). The obtained data consist of imaging and surface photometry for both 1219 + 28 and 0851 + 202, as well as spectra for 1219 + 28, and Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) observations for 1219 + 28 and 1400 + 162. Two emission features have been observed in the spectrum of 1219 + 28. Radio observations of 1219 + 28 in three frequencies reveal the presence of a radio jet with at least three components. The obtained results for 1219 + 28 support previous conclusions that at least some BL Lac objects are located at the center of elliptical galaxies.

Weistrop, D.↗

Detection of radio continuum emission from Herbig-Haro objects 1 and 2 and from their central exciting source

The region in Orion containing HH 1 and HH 2 was observed with the VLA at 20, 6, and 2 cm on several occasions from 1981 to 1984. At lower resolution, four continuum sources were detected. Two of these sources coincide positionally with HH 1 and HH 2. At 6 cm and higher resolution, HH 1 is resolved into at least two components. The emission is probably bremsstrahlung originating in the same region where the visible line emission is produced. This is the first detection of radio continuum from classic Herbig-Haro objects. At a position closely centered between HH 1 and HH 2, an object that can be interpreted as the energy source of the system was detected. The central source spectrum is S(nu) of about nu to the alpha power, where alpha = 0.4 + or - 0.2, suggesting a stellar wind. Finally, the fourth radio continuum source coincides positionally with an H2O maser and is probably excited by an independent star. There is evidence of time variability in its radio flux. No emission was detected from the Cohen-Schwartz (1979) star at the 0.1 mJy level.

Pravdo, S. H.↗

Mass outflows from young stellar objects

The process of mass loss from young stellar objects is examined in a review of recent observational investigations and theoretical models. Consideration is given to the interaction of the stellar wind with surrounding molecular clouds, the high degree of collimation seen in some embedded objects, alignment of outflows from stars embedded in the same cloud complex, initially isotropic and intrinsically anisotropic models of mass outflow, and the kinds of observations needed to determine the actual mechanisms involved.

Strom, S. E.↗

Spacelab 1 - Scientific objectives, life sciences, space plasma physics, astronomy and solar physics

A general overview of the accomplishments of the Spacelab 1 complement to the Shuttle mission of Nov. 28, 1983, is presented. Consideration is given to scientific results in the fields of life sciences, materials sciences, atmospheric physics, and earth observations. A table is given which lists the scientific objectives and the percentage of objectives accomplished in each field.

Chappell, C. R.↗

An atlas of X-ray-selected quasi-stellar objects

Coordinates, finding charts, photometry, and spectroscopy are presented for 55 X-ray selected QSOs. The selection technique, optical identification of X-ray sources observed serendipitously by the Einstein Observatory was used to find QSOs projected near bright galaxies, pairs of QSOs with similar redshifts; and low-redshift QSOs (z less than 0.5) which are well suited for imaging. Very luminous QSOs of more than 10 to the 46th ergs/s, and a very-high redshift X-ray-selected object were also found. It is suggested that most efforts to identify optically faint QSO counterparts to X-ray sources may yield intrinsically less luminous objects at redshifts less than 1 due to the weak influence of the limiting magnitude on the mean redshift of the sample. A complete list of the QSOs is given.

Margon, B.↗

Soft X-ray observations of two BL Lacertae objects - Markarian 421 and 501

This paper reports on the soft X-ray (0.15-2.8 keV) observations of two BL Lacertae-type objects, viz., Mrk 421 and Mrk 501. The observations were made with the low-energy detectors on the HEAO 1 satellite during the period 1977 August-1978 December. Steep, soft X-ray power-law spectra with photon index Gamma = 3 are found for both Mrk 421 and Mrk 501. The power-law models are found to give a significantly better fit than the thermal models to the observed pulse-height spectra of Mrk 421 and Mrk 501. Day-to-day soft X-ray (0.25 keV band) intensity variations are observed only in Mrk 501. No significant change is found in Gamma from both the BL Lac objects during the period of observations. However, the sum of all the X-ray observations from 1976 until 1980 can be understood in terms of two spectral components of variable intensity to account for the X-ray emission observed between 0.15 and 20 keV from Mrk 421 and Mrk 501.

Singh, K. P.↗

The nature and origin of Herbig-Haro objects

A brief description of the nature of Herbig-Haro nebulae is given, and the shock-wave origin of the nebulae is discussed. Kinematical evidence suggests that Herbig-Haro objects are ejected in bipolar flows from young stars. Evidence from infrared observations of the stars that excite Herbig-Haro objects is summarized; these stars appear to be T Tauri stars. The origin of these nebulae is discussed emphasizing energy required to power them, and a number of questions are posed pertaining to outflow mechanisms associated with the exciting stars.

Schwartz, R. D.↗

Selecting and implementing scientific objectives

The procedures used to select and implement scientific objectives for the Voyager 1 and 2 planetary encounters are described. Attention is given to the scientific tradeoffs and engineering considerations must be addressed at various stages in the mission planning process, including: the limitations of ground and spacecraft communications systems, ageing of instruments in flight, and instrument calibration over long distances. The contribution of planetary science workshops to the definition of scientific objectives for deep space missions is emphasized.

Miner, E. D.↗

The impact of data boundaries upon a successive corrections objective analysis of limited-area datasets

The effects of data boundaries on objective analysis are examined. Data from limited-area networks are studied using the objective analysis technique of Barnes (1964). The impact of the data boundaries on the amplitudes of long waves and phases of short waves is described. The relation between the weight function shape parameter and the distance that boundary effects intrude into the interior of the grid is investigated. Examples displaying the influence of data field boundaries on the analyses of limited-area data sets are presented.

Achtemeier, G. L.↗

Application of a relativistic jet model to the study of BL Lacertae objects

The development of a relativistic jet model and its use in fitting coordinated observations of the BL Lacertae objects Mrk 180, Mrk 421, and Mrk 501 are described. This model is a modified version of one by Koenigl (1981). The present model fits show that the properties of the jets in all three objects are similar. The variation in the angle between the jet axis and the observer's line of sight accounts for the differing degrees of variability of the sources. For the case where the jet is seen close to the line of sight (Mrk 421), the Doppler enhanced nonthermal radiation dominates the optical flux. The variation of particle density and magnetic field strength along the jets is similar in all three sources, and suggests that the energy flux is dominated by the magnetic field in the inner regions and by the particle energy at large distances from the jet apex. This result is consistent with models of jets in which the Poynting flux drives particle acceleration at large jet radii.

Hutter, D. J.↗

1E 1415.6+2557 - An X-ray-selected BL Lacertae object in a luminous galaxy

The identification of a fifth serendipitous Einstein source with a new BL Lac object in a very luminous galaxy is reported. The resolved component is well fitted by an exponential disk with scale length 18 kpc and absolute magnitude of roughly -24.2. A redshift of 0.237 is derived from stellar absorption features. No emission lines are seen in the 3200-9000 A wavelength range. Decomposition of the optical spectrum into a standard galaxy plus a power law yields a spectral index of 0.5 + or - 0.5, significantly flatter than in the average BL Lac object. Linear polarization of the nonstellar component is about 6 percent in the 4500-7000 A wavelength range. The X-ray flux in the 0.3-3.5 keV band is 1.16 x 10 to the -11th ergs/sq cm/s, corresponding to a luminosity of 3.5 x 10 to the 45th ergs/s . The radio flux density is 85.6 mJy at 20 cm and 54.5 mJy at 6 cm.

Halpern, J. P.↗

Observations of three BL Lacertae objects - Constraints on inhomogeneous relativistically beamed jet models

Multifrequency observations are presented of three BL Lac objects, including the first UV measurements of 0912 + 297 and 1219 + 285. An eight day optical flare was measured from 0422 = 004 in which a doubling in visual flux density was noted; other sources displayed smaller daily fluctuations. The 5-15 GHz radio flux from these three objects remained constant for two months, although the 15-20 GHz emission from 0912 + 297 varied slightly over a period of a month. Constraints which are provided by these and other Bl Lac data are discussed for inhomogeneous relativistically beamed jet models. It is concluded that a tapered jet model is in good agreement with the data for each source and that additional emission regions are not required.

Worrall, D. M.↗

SiO and H2O maser emission in OH/IR objects and late-type variable stars

A four-year search for 86-GHz SiO and H2O maser emission towards about 20 unidentified OH/IR objects and about 35 optically identified variable stars has yielded information on the temporal variations of many of these sources. The SiO maser emission is noted to behave differently in OH/IR objects as compared with Mira variables. An attempt is made to explain the appearance of strong masers in both vibrational states solely at the 43 GHz transition, under the assumption that an intrinsically weak pump mechanism generates weak (v=1, J=2-1) emission.

Nyman, L.-A.↗

The dynamics of Herbig-Haro objects

Radial-velocity and proper-motion information on Herbig-Haro (HH) objects is analyzed for clues to the character of the supersonic flows that produce the objects. The correlations among space velocities, excitation states, internal velocity dispersions, electron densities, and positions relative to the exciting stars for the emission knots of HH 1 and HH 2 is examined. Whereas the interstellar-bullet model may account for most of the phenomena in the HH 1-HH 2 system, HH 43 is found to show characteristics of a stellar wind shock against an obstacle cloudlet. By contrast, the HH 46-HH 47 system exhibits a continuous, well-collimated jet of emission with knots that may be due to instabilities in the confined, supersonic flow.

Schwartz, R. D.↗