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At least 739 records · Page 41

Lunar Occultation of 3C 132

Diameter and position of radio source 3C 132 determined by lunar occultation, confirming identification with red galaxy

LUNAR OCCULTATION↗

Synchro-Compton emission from superluminal sources

The application of synchro-Compton theory to real compact radio sources, the question of a self-Compton origin of the X-rays in radio-loud quasars and active galactic nuclei, and the phenomenology of superluminal motion are discussed in a review of research concerning synchro-Compton emission from superluminal sources. After examining the basic synchro-Compton theory of ideal sources, applications of the theory to real sources is discussed. It is concluded that the Compton problem and total energy requirements are not substantially mitigated by considering source structures more complicated than the multiple, uniform-component model used by most investigators. Also, alternatives to the standard model of superluminal motion are discussed, focusing on the assumptions usually made when interpreting superluminal sources.

Marscher, Alan P.↗

22 GHz VLBI Survey: Status Report and Preliminary Results

A ground-based VLBI survey to measure the visibilities and correlated flux densities in continuum at 22 GHz of more than 140 extragalactic radio sources has been conducted with baselines up to approximately 11 000 km. The project has been designed to help in preparation of target lists for VSOP and Radioastron Space VLBI missions as well as providing observational data for statistical study of structural properties at 22 GHz on sub-milliarcsecond scales for this large sample of extragalactic sources.

VLBI extragalactic radio sources survey↗

The Wide-field VLBA Calibrator Survey: WFCS

This paper presents the results of the largest very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) absolute astrometry campaign to date of 13,645 radio source observations with the Very Long Baseline Array. Of these, 7220 have been detected, including 6755 target sources that have never been observed with VLBI before. This makes the present VLBI catalog the largest ever published. The positions of the target sources have been determined with the median uncertainty of 1.7 mas, and 15,542 images of 7171 sources have been generated. Unlike previous absolute radio astrometry campaigns, observations were made at 4.3 and 7.6 GHz simultaneously using a single wide-band receiver. Because of the fine spectral and time resolutions, the field of view was 4'–8'—much greater than the 10''–20'' in previous surveys. This made possible the use of input catalogs with low position accuracy and the detection of a compact component in extended sources. Unlike previous absolute astrometry campaigns, both steep- and flat-spectrum sources were observed. The observations were scheduled in the so-called filler mode to fill the gaps between other high-priority programs. This was achieved by the development of the totally automatic scheduling procedure.

Leonid Petrov↗

The case for electron re-acceleration at galaxy cluster shocks

On the largest scales, the Universe consists of voids and filaments making up the cosmic web. Galaxy clusters are located at the knots in this web, at the intersection of filaments. Clusters grow through accretion from these large-scale filaments and by mergers with other clusters and groups. In a growing number of galaxy clusters, elongated Mpc-sized radio sources have been found. Also known as radio relics, these regions of diffuse radio emission are thought to trace relativistic electrons in the intracluster plasma accelerated by low-Mach-number shocks generated by cluster–cluster merger events. A long-standing problem is how low-Mach-number shocks can accelerate electrons so efficiently to explain the observed radio relics. Here, we report the discovery of a direct connection between a radio relic and a radio galaxy in the merging galaxy cluster Abell 3411–3412 by combining radio, X-ray and optical observations. This discovery indicates that fossil relativistic electrons from active galactic nuclei are re-accelerated at cluster shocks. Lastly, it also implies that radio galaxies play an important role in governing the non-thermal component of the intracluster medium in merging clusters.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

TURBULENCE AND RADIO MINI-HALOS IN THE SLOSHING CORES OF GALAXY CLUSTERS

A number of relaxed, cool-core galaxy clusters exhibit diffuse, steep-spectrum radio sources in their central regions, known as radio mini-halos. It has been proposed that the relativistic electrons responsible for the emission have been reaccelerated by turbulence generated by the sloshing of the cool core gas. We present a high-resolution MHD simulation of gas sloshing in a galaxy cluster coupled with subgrid simulations of relativistic electron acceleration to test this hypothesis. Our simulation shows that the sloshing motions generate turbulence on the order of {delta}v {approx} 50-200 km s{sup -1} on spatial scales of {approx}50-100 kpc and below in the cool core region within the envelope of the sloshing cold fronts, whereas outside the cold fronts, there is negligible turbulence. This turbulence is potentially strong enough to reaccelerate relativistic electron seeds (with initial {gamma} {approx} 100-500) to {gamma} {approx} 10{sup 4} via damping of magnetosonic waves and non-resonant compression. The seed electrons could remain in the cluster from, e.g., past active galactic nucleus activity. In combination with the magnetic field amplification in the core, these electrons then produce diffuse radio synchrotron emission that is coincident with the region bounded by the sloshing cold fronts, as indeed observed in X-rays and the radio. The result holds for different initial spatial distributions of pre-existing relativistic electrons. The power and the steep spectral index ({alpha} Almost-Equal-To 1-2) of the resulting radio emission are consistent with observations of mini-halos, though the theoretical uncertainties of the acceleration mechanisms are high. We also produce simulated maps of inverse-Compton hard X-ray emission from the same population of relativistic electrons.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A refracting radio telescope

Observations of extraterrestrial radio sources at the lower end of the radio frequency spectrum are limited by reflection of waves from the topside ionosphere and by the large size of antenna apertures necessary for the realization of narrow beamwidths. The use of the ionosphere as a lens is considered. The lens is formed by the release of chemicals such as H2 and H2O at the F2-layer peak. These chemicals promote dissociative recombination of O(+) in the ionosphere resulting in a local reduction in plasma density. Gradients in electron density in the vicinity of the gas release tend to focus rays propagating through the depleted region. Preliminary calculations indicate that a lens capable of focusing cosmic radio waves in the 1 to 10 MHz frequency range may be produced by the release of 100 kg of H2 at the peak of the nighttime F layer. The beamwidth of a refracting radio telescope using this lens may be less than 1/5 degree.

Bernhardt, P.↗

Discovery of Extremely Embedded X-ray Sources in the R Coronae Australis Star Forming Core

We detected three extremely embedded X-ray sources in the R Corona Australis (R CrA) star forming core, IRS 7 region. Two weak X-ray sources are associated with the VLA centimeter radio sources 10E & W, whereas the third brightest source detected in the two XMM-Newton observations on March 2003 has no counterpart at any wavelengths. The large K-band upper-limit (19.4m) measured with the University of Hawaii 88-inch Telescope and strong absorption derived in X-rays (N(sub H) approx. 2.8 x 10(exp 23)/sq cm equivalent to A(sub v) approx. 180 m) indicate that the source is younger than typical Class I protostars, i.e. a Class 0 protostar or an intermittent phase between Class 0 and Class I protostars. The X-ray luminosity was less than one thirtieth (log L(sub x) less than or approx. equals 29.3 ergs/s) in the former Chandra observation in October 2000, which suggests that the X-ray activity, probably generated by magnetic activity, is triggered by an intermittent mass accretion episode such as FU Ori type outbursts. Because the source was detected at high significance in the XMM-Newton observations (approx. 2,000 cnts), X-ray properties of such young protostars can be well investigated for the first time. The light curves were constant in the 1st observation and increased linearly by a factor of two during 30 ksec in the 2nd observation. Both spectra showed iron K lines originated in hot thin-thermal plasma and fluorescence by cold gas. They can be reproduced by an absorbed thin-thermal plasma model with a Gaussian component at 6.4 keV (kT approx. 3-4 keV, L(sub x) approx. 7-20 x 10(exp 30) ergs/s). The rising timescale of the light curves in the 2nd observation was too slow for magnetically generated X-ray flares, whereas large equivalent width of the fluorescence iron K line in the 1st observation (approx. 810 eV) requires strong partial covering of the X-ray source. These results suggest that a confined hot (perhaps accretion) spot on the protostellar core was behind the star in the 1st observation and just appeared in the 2nd observation due to the core rotation with period of greater than or approx. 22.8 days, which is much slower than the break-up velocity previously assumed for young protostars. This means that the source had quiescent X-ray activity during the observations with an order of magnitude stronger level than Class I (older) protostars. We also consider whether the X-ray source associated with 10E could be shock heated plasma by a collision of a jet emanating from the tentative Class 0 object.

Hamaguchi, Ken-Ji↗

ATTENUATION OF CORONAL MAGNETIC FIELDS IN SOLAR MICROWAVE BURSTS

Based on the observed data by the Nobeyama Radio Observatory and the nonthermal gyrosynchrotron theory, the calculated magnetic field in a loop-like radio source of the 2001 October 23 flare attenuates from hundreds to tens of Gauss, except in the region with very weak magnetic fields. Meanwhile, the viewing angle between the magnetic field and line of sight has a similar attenuation from tens to around ten degrees, implying that the transverse magnetic component attenuates much faster than the longitudinal one. All of these results can be understood by the magnetic energy release process in solar flares. Moreover, the column density of nonthermal electrons decreases from 10{sup 9−10} to 10{sup 7−8} cm{sup −2} during the flare, except in the region with very weak magnetic fields, where its value is larger than that with strong magnetic fields due to the mirroring effect. The calculated error and harmonic number of gyrofrequency better suit the region with strong magnetic fields.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

The southern hemisphere VLBI experiment (SHEVE)

Six radio telescopes were operated as the first southern hemisphere VLBI array in April and May 1982. Observations were made at 2.3 and 8.4 Ghz. This array produced VLBI images of 28 southern hemisphere radio sources, high accuracy VLBI geodesy between southern hemisphere sites, and sub-arcsecond radio astrometry of celestial sources south of declination -45 degrees. This paper discusses only the astrophysical aspects of the experiment.

Preston, R. A.↗

Theoretical Modeling in Very Long Baseline Interferometry

Interferometry at radio frequencies between Earth-based receivers separated by intercontinental distances had made significant contributins to astrometry and geophysics during the past three decades, Analyses of such very long baseline interferometric (VLBI) experiments now permit measurements of relative positions of points on the Earth's surface, and angles between celestial objects, at the levels of 1cm and 1 nanoradian, respectively. The relative angular positions of extragalactic radio sources inferred from this technique presently form the best ralization of an inertial reference frame. This review summarizes the current theoretical models that are needed to extract results from the VLBI observables at such levels of accuracy.

interferometric VLBI extragalactic radio sources↗