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At least 757 records · Page 42

M51's spiral structure

The M51 system (NGC 5194/5195) provides an excellent problem both in spiral structure and in galaxy interactions. The authors present an analytic study of a computer experiment on the excitation mechanisms for M51's spiral arms and whether or not a halo is important for these mechanisms. This work extends previous numerical studies of the M51 system by including self-gravitation in a two component disk: gas and stars, and a dark halo. The analytic study provides two new observational constraints: the time (approx. 70 to 84 million years ago) and position angle of perigalacticon (300 degrees). By using these constraints and a simple conic approximation, the search for the companion's possible orbit is greatly simplified. This requires fewer N-body simulations than a fully self-gravitating orbit search.

Howard, S.↗

Low dielectric fluorinated poly(phenylene ether ketone) film and coating

The present invention relates to film and coating materials prepared from novel fluorinated poly(phenylene ether ketones). A fluorinated poly(phenylene ether ketone) is prepared by reacting a bisphenol with 1,1,1,3,3,3 hexafluoro-2,2-bis 4-(4-halobenzoyl) phenyl propane (wherein halo is fluoro or chloro), which is a novel monomer formed as the reaction product of halobenzene (wherein halo is fluoro or chloro) and 1,1,1,3,3,3 hexafluoro-2,2-bis (p-chloro formyl phenyl) propane. Especially beneficial results of this invention are that films and coating materials prepared from the novel fluorinated poly(phenylene ether ketone) are essentially optically transparent/colorless and have a lower dielectric constant than otherwise comparable, commercially available poly(phenylene ether ketones). Moreover, unlike the otherwise comparable commercially available materials, the novel fluorinated poly(phenylene ether ketones) of the present invention can be solution cast or sprayed to produce the films and coatings. Furthermore, the long term thermal stability of the polymers of the present invention is superior to that of the commercially available materials.

Cassidy, Patrick E.↗

Shedding light on baryonic dark matter

Halo dark matter, if it is baryonic, may plausibly consist of compact stellar remnants. Jeans mass clouds containing 10 to the 6th to 10 to the 8th solar masses could have efficiently formed stars in the early universe and could plausibly have generated, for a suitably top-heavy stellar initial mass function, a high abundance of neutron stars as well as a small admixture of long-lived low mass stars. Within the resulting clusters of dark remnants, which eventually are tidally disrupted when halos eventually form, captures of neutron stars by nondegenerate stars resulted in formation of close binaries. These evolve to produce, by the present epoch, an observable X-ray signal associated with dark matter aggregations in galaxy cluster cores.

Silk, Joseph↗

Stellar photometry with the Hubble Space Telescope Wide-field/Planetary camera - A progress report

The prospects for the use of the Wide-Field/Planetary Camera (WFPC) for stellar photometry are described. The large halos of the point-spread function (PSF) resulting from spherical aberration and from spatial, temporal, and color variations of the PSF are the main limitations to accurate photometry. Degradations caused by crowding are exacerbated by the halos of the PSF. An attempt is made to quantify these effects and determine the current accuracy of stellar photometry with the WFPC. In realistic cases, the brighter stars in crowded fields have 0.09 mag errors; fainter stars have larger errors depending on the degree of crowding. It is shown that measuring Cepheids in Virgo Cluster galaxies is not currently possible without inordinate increases in exposure times.

Holtzman, Jon A.↗

The small-scale clustering properties of dwarf galaxies

Two results on the small-scale clustering properties of dwarf galaxies are reported, which were identified in the vicinity of early-type Shapley-Ames galaxies on high-resolution photographic plates. The first result indicates that dwarf galaxies display the same trend of stronger clustering toward earlier morphological type on small scales as their giant counterparts on larger scales. It is suggested that early-type dwarfs can be used as dynamical probes of dark halos around early-type giant galaxies and as tracers of the dynamical evolution of such halos in dense environments. The second result pertains to the trend of increasing early-type dwarf frequency per early-type giant with environment richness previously established for rich groups. It is found that a minimum value of isolated early-type galaxies is approximately 0.25, as compared to a maximum of approximately 8 in rich environments like the Virgo Cluster.

Vader, J. P.↗

Evaluated rate constants for selected HCFC's and HFC's with OH and O((sup)1D)

The chemistry of HCFC's and HFC's in the troposphere is controlled by reactions with OH in which a hydrogen atom is abstracted from the halocarbon to form water and a halo-alkyl radical. The halo-alkyl radical subsequently reacts with molecular oxygen to form a peroxy radical. The reactions of HCFC's and HFC's with O(exp1D) atoms are unimportant in the troposphere, but may be important in producing active chlorine of OH in the stratosphere. Here, the rate constants for the reactions of OH and O(exp1D) with many HFC's and HCFC's are evaluated. Recommendations are given for the five HCFC's and three HFC's specified by AFEAS as primary alternatives as well as for all other isomers of C1 and C2 HCFC's and HFC's where rate data exist. In addition, recommendations are included for CH3CCl3, CH2Cl2, and CH4.

Hampson, Robert F.↗

On the galactic origin of gamma ray bursts

If gamma ray bursters are in the galactic disk, then the average value of the V/Vmax parameter cannot be lower than 0.4, no matter what is the source luminosity function or what is the disk thickness. The value of 0.4 is reached only asymptotically when the range of observations is much larger than the disk scale height, and almost all sources are within a very thin galactic equatorial belt. This distribution is in a direct conflict with the BATSE results as presented. If the bursters have a galactic halo distribution similar to that of any other known class of objects, then a strong dipole moment in their angular distribution should be seen, i.e., a strong concentration towards the galactic center. To make the dipole moment unmeasurable, the hypothetical burster's halo must have a core radius of at least 14 kpc (a 3 sigma limit) to be consistent with the BATSE results as presented.

Paczynski, Bohdan↗

Gamma rays from clusters of galaxies

The possibility that Coma-type radio halos are powered by secondary electrons produced during the decay of energetic charge pions is examined. These pions are generated by the collision of cosmic ray protons with thermal ions in the intracluster medium. A calculation of both the cosmic ray concentration and the spectrum needed to power the halo in the Coma cluster is presented. The gamma-ray flux is predicted and it is shown that this model can be tested with the Gamma Ray Observatory Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope.

Vestrand, W. Thomas↗

Alphonsus crater - Floor fracture and dark-mantle deposit distribution from new 3.0-cm radar images

The lunar crater Alphonsus is characterized by numerous fractures or graben, and by endogenic dark-halo craters. Existing maps of fractures from analysis of lunar photography may be biased by the east-west solar illumination. This paper presents new high-resolution, dual-polarization 3.0-cm wavelength radar images of Alphonsus with radar illumination from northerly directions, and uses these data to better map the locations of both the graben and a variety of dark-mantle deposits. The distribution of fractures, and several graben which cut the crater floor and central ridge, are cited as possible evidence for simultaneous, post-Imbrium uplift of both structures. Some of the endogenic dark halo deposits are more extensive in depolarized radar images than in photographs; these extensions are attributed in some cases to more distant emplacement of pyroclastic material, and in others to fortuitous connections with smoother, less cratered portions of the Alphonsus floor.

Zisk, Stanley H.↗

Magnetic fields in damped Ly-alpha systems

The probability of Faraday rotation in various types of metal-line absorbers is computed by combining the incidence of Faraday rotation in a sample of radio-selected QSOs with the incidence of foreground metal-line absorption. The sample is divided into subsets with and without damped Ly-alpha absorption. The probability of Faraday rotation is significantly higher in the damped subset. The probability is higher in the damped subset than in nondamped subsets selected on the basis of Mg II or C IV absorption. From evidence linking damped systems to the progenitors of galactic disks and the Mg II systems to the progenitors of galactic halos, it is concluded that magnetic fields were significantly higher in protogalactic disks than in protogalactic halos. It is estimated that the B fields in two damped Ly-alpha systems with z of about 2 are a few micro-Gauss.

Wolfe, A. M.↗

Can accretion onto isolated neutron stars produce gamma-ray bursts?

It is shown here that, if slow accretion onto high-velocity neutron stars from the interstellar medium is to be the origin of gamma-ray bursts, the accretion physics is very different from what applies for local low-velocity neutron stars. For halo neutron stars with high magnetic fields and velocities, electromagnetic dipole radiation pressure prevents accretion unless the period is longer than tens of seconds; the centrifugal barrier will then prevent accretion until the period reaches several thousand seconds. For periods as long as this, accretion may proceed through Kelvin-Helmholtz instability at the magnetopause boundary. At interstellar densities and neutron-star magnetic fields of about 10 exp 12 G, the accretion rate by this process can be much larger than the Bondi-Hoyle accretion rate, but is still well below what is needed for slow-accretion burst models. It is concluded that slow accretion onto high-velocity neutron stars in the halo cannot be the origin of gamma-ray bursts.

Harding, Alice K.↗

Transfer trajectory design for the SOHO libration-point mission

It is shown that transfer trajectories to the halo orbit exist throughout the year, with a one week closure of the launch window each month because of unfavorable lunar perturbations that cannot be corrected in the case of transfer trajectory insertion errors. The launch window for transfers to large-amplitude Lissajous orbits is virtually the same as that for transfers to the baseline halo orbit. Details of these trajectories are described and questions about groundstation coverage are discussed.

Dunham, D. W.↗

The evolution of the intergalactic medium and the origin of the galaxy luminosity function

The coupling of the Press and Schechter prescription with the CDM scenario and the Hoyle-Rees-Ostriker cooling criterion leads to a galaxy formation scenario in which galaxies are overproduced by a large factor. Although star formation might be suppressed in the smaller halos, a large amount of energy per galactic mass is needed to account for the present number density of galaxies. The evolution of the intergalactic medium (IGM) provides a simple criterion to prevent galaxy formation without requiring feedback, since halos with small virial temperatures are not able to retain the infalling hot gas of the IGM. If the ionizing background has decreased since z is approximately 1 - 2, then this criterion explains the slope of the luminosity function at the faint end. In addition, this scenario predicts two populations of dwarf galaxies, well differentiated in age, gas content, stellar populations, and clustering properties, which can be identified with dE and dIm galaxies.

Valls-Gabaud, David↗

Interstellar Mg II and C IV absorption by 1 1/2 galaxies along the sightline to MrK 205

The first results of our HST survey designed to search for Mg 2 and C 4 absorption lines from the disks and halos of low-redshift galaxies using background QSO's and supernovae as probes are presented. Our survey utilizes the high resolution of the Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph enabling us to calculate the column densities and doppler parameters of individual components within an absorption complex, and hence determine the physical conditions of the absorbing gas. Observing the complexity of the absorption line profiles i.e., the velocity distribution and total velocity extent of the constituent components, offers an important description of the kinematics of the absorbing gas, and hence an understanding of its origin. Focus is on one sight line in particular, that towards Mrk 205, which passes 3-5 kpc from the intervening galaxy NGC 4319. Mg 2 and C 4 absorption from both local Milky Way halo gas and from NGC 4319 is detected.

Bowen, David V.↗

A radio continuum survey of edge-on spiral galaxies at 90 cm

Accurate spectral indices of the radio emission from both the thin disk and thick disk or halo components are critical to understanding the propagation mechanisms of electrons within spiral galaxies. The spectral indices give information of relative importance of diffusion and synchrotron energy loss in the propagation of electrons in the disk. Our goal of this survey is to locate a larger sample of spiral galaxies that exhibit halo phenomena so that a statistical analysis will be possible.

Heikkila, B.↗

Spokes in ring galaxies

We examine the response of self-gravitating primary galaxies consisting of dark matter halos and disks containing both stars and gas to collisions with less massive companions. The primaries were constructed using a technique which makes it possible to realize multi-component systems that are stable and virtually in precise equilibrium. A total of 65,536 particles were employed to represent the primary and 4096 to represent the companion. Half the particles in the primary comprise its halo and the other half its disk. Gas makes up 10 percent of the disk mass and is represented by 8192 of the disk particles. A system of units is used where the gravitational constant, total disk mass, and disk exponential scale length are unity. The primary motivation of the present study is to determine whether effects associated with dissipation and self-gravity can account for the unusual morphology of the Cartwheel galaxy.

Hernquist, Lars↗

The spatial and kinematic structure of QSO metal-line absorption systems

Recent attempts to infer the spatial and kinematic distributions of the material responsible for absorption lines observed in the spectra of background QSOs are presented. Current models of the absorbing regions are compared, and initial observational results are described. This research is expected to lead eventually to a detailed picture of the extended gaseous halo regions of galaxies at early evolutionary stages and to an understanding of the physical processes at work in these halos.

Lanzetta, Kenneth M.↗

Synchrotron emission as a tracer of the outflow in M82

The discovery of radio synchrotron emission from the outflow in M82 is reported. It is found that the outflow in M82 is visible in synchrotron radiation. IC losses are evident in the steepening of the radio spectrum, though this process is not a major contributor to the observed halo X-ray emission. Particle acceleration and/or diffusion in the wind may be important. Outflow speeds of 1000-3000 km/s are inferred from the spectral index profiles, which significantly exceeds the optically determined values. The fraction of the wind energy in the form of relativistic particles is consistent with a supernova origin. A termination shock produced by the intergalactic medium may be shaping the observed halo of M82.

Seaquist, E. R.↗