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At least 1,009 records · Page 56
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2023

Is the M81 fast radio burst host globular cluster special?

We use multiband archival Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations to measure the photometric and structural parameters of the M81 globular cluster (GC) that hosts the fast radio burst FRB 20200120E. Our best-fitting King model has an effective radius rh = 3.06 pc with a moderate King model concentration of c = 53, and an inferred core radius of 0.81 pc. We revisit the exact astrometric location of the FRB within the cluster, and find that FRB 20200120E is located 1.92 pc from the center, but within the projected half-light radius. We estimate the relative encounter rate of the FRB host, along with the corresponding rates of 210 other GCs in M81, and compare these values with the encounter rates of Galactic GCs. The FRB resides in a GC with an encounter rate that is moderately higher than the median stellar encounter rate in our two comparison samples. While the estimated encounter rate of the FRB host cluster (e.g., ∼50% of a cluster like 47 Tuc) is sufficient to allow the possibility that the FRB formed dynamically, our results do not place strong constraints on this scenario due to the limitations of the available HST data and the possible systematic uncertainties and selection effects in the comparison data.

Kristen C. Dage↗
DOE OSTI2021

Measuring the Mass of the Large Magellanic Cloud with Stellar Streams Observed by S $^{5}$

Stellar streams are excellent probes of the underlying gravitational potential in which they evolve. In this work, we fit dynamical models to five streams in the Southern Galactic hemisphere, combining observations from the Southern Stellar Stream Spectroscopic Survey (S $^{5}$), Gaia EDR3, and the Dark Energy Survey, to measure the mass of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). With an ensemble of streams, we find a mass of the LMC ranging from ∼14–19 × 10$^{10}$ M $_{⊙}$, probed over a range of closest approach times and distances. With the most constraining stream (Orphan–Chenab), we measure an LMC mass of , probed at a closest approach time of 310 Myr and a closest approach distance of 25.4 kpc. This mass is compatible with previous measurements, showing that a consistent picture is emerging of the LMC’s influence on structures in the Milky Way. Using this sample of streams, we find that the LMC’s effect depends on the relative orientation of the stream and LMC at their point of closest approach. To better understand this, we present a simple model based on the impulse approximation and we show that the LMC’s effect depends both on the magnitude of the velocity kick imparted to the stream and the direction of this kick.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1986

The collision of high-velocity clouds with a galactic disk

Two-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations for the interaction of high-velocity clouds with a galactic disk are presented. The impinging clouds are assumed to be spherical and the target disk is represented by a constant density slab, n(g) = 1/cu cm, with a total width W(g) = 200 pc. The numerical experiments cover a wide range of cloud densities, between 0.1 and 100/cu cm, and velocities between 100 and 300 km/s. At a time approximately 10 to the 7th yr after impact, two types of final configurations are found. In the first case, the infalling cloud is completely shocked in a time short compared with the crossing time of the disk. Then, the generated cavity has time to grow sideways and large scale structures with a round shape, and in some cases nearly spherical, are produced. In the second case, which occurs for high density clouds, the cloud is shocked on a time scale longer than or comparable to the crossing time. The resultant cylindrical holes drilled across the entire disk have the dimensions of the impinging cloud. Cloud-galaxy interactions are compared with other energy sources and the morphologies of the resultant structures are suggested to resemble the large scale structures observed in H I.

Tenorio-Tagle, G.↗
NASA NTRS1993

CCD mosaic images of the supernova remnant 3C 400.2

We have constructed CCD mosaic images of the old Galactic supernova remnant 3C 400.2 in lines of H-alpha + forbidden N II, forbidden S II, and forbidden O III, plus a continuum band. These are the first CCD images covering the full extent of this remnant, and they reveal significantly more nebulosity than the deepest photographic plates. Comparison with radio and X-ray images indicates dramatically different morphology in the three regimes. The optical images both in H-alpha + forbidden N II and in forbidden S II show an almost complete, irregular shell of emission, with a diameter of about 16 arcmin, little over half that of the radio shell, while the X-ray structure is a centrally peaked ellipsoid. Approximate values for optical line fluxes are obtained; we estimate L(H-alpha) about 3 x 10 exp 35 ergs/s, roughly three times the X-ray luminosity. We also report a previously uncataloged planetary nebula southwest of 3C 400.2.

Winkler, P. F.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Comparison of Spitzer/IRAC Galactic Center Mid-IR Survey Results with X-ray and Radio Emission Due to High-Energy Processes in the Central 100 Parsecs

We compare the results of a small region from our 3.6 - 8.0 micron Spitzer/IRAC imaging survey of 2 x 1.5 deg around the Galactic Center with x-ray and radio emission due to high energy processes. The region we studied covers 100 x 100 parsecs, and was chosen to include a rich collection of sources, including Sgr A* and the bright Sgr AWest infrared/radio source complex, the non-thermal radio filaments and the thermal: radio arches. In a 40 x 40 parsec subset of that region we also make a preliminary analysis of the correlation between approx.2300 x-ray sources identified by Muno et al. (2003) and 20,000 infrared sources from our survey. We also investigate the correlation between infrared and radio emission in the large-scale structures including the thermal radio arches and non-thermal radio filaments. We set constrictions on the synchrotron spectrum observed at radio and millimeter wavelengths extrapolated to 8 micons, and set limits on the midinfrared variability of Sgr A* during and after the coordinated multi-wavelength observing campaign in September 2004.

Gezari, D. Y.↗
NASA NTRS2021

Photoionization Models for High Density Gas

Relativistically broadened and redshifted 6.4 – 6.9 keV iron K lines are observed from many accretion powered objects, including X-ray binaries and active galactic nuclei(AGN). Existence of gas close to the central engine implies large radiation intensities and correspondingly large gas densities if the gas is to remain partially ionized. Simple estimates indicate that high gas densities are needed to allow survival of iron against ionization. These are high enough that rates for many atomic processes are affected by mechanisms related to interactions with nearby ions and electrons. Radiation intensities are high enough that stimulated processes can be important. Most models currently in use for interpreting relativistic lines use atomic rate coefficients designed for use at low densities and neglect stimulated processes. In our work so far we have presented atomic structure calculations with the goal of providing physically appropriate models at densities consistent with line-emitting gas near compact objects. In this paper we apply these rates to photoionization calculations, and produce ionization balance curves and X-ray emissivities and opacities which are appropriate for high densities and high radiation intensities. The final step in our program will be presented in a subsequent paper: Model atmosphere calculations which incorporate these rates into synthetic spectra.

T Kallman↗
DOE OSTI2021

Evidence of a Dwarf Galaxy Stream Populating the Inner Milky Way Halo

Stellar streams produced from dwarf galaxies provide direct evidence of the hierarchical formation of the Milky Way. Here, we present the first comprehensive study of the LMS-1 stellar stream, that we detect by searching for wide streams in the Gaia EDR3 data set using the STREAMFINDER algorithm. This stream was recently discovered by Yuan et al. We detect LMS-1 as a 60° long stream to the north of the galactic bulge, at a distance of ~20 kpc from the Sun, together with additional components that suggest that the overall stream is completely wrapped around the inner Galaxy. Using spectroscopic measurements from the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, and the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment, we infer that the stream is very metal-poor (<[Fe/H]> = –2.1) with a significant metallicity dispersion (σ [Fe/H] = 0.4), and it possesses a large radial velocity dispersion (σ v = 20 ± 4 km s–1 ). These estimates together imply that LMS-1 is a dwarf galaxy stream. The orbit of LMS-1 is close to polar, with an inclination of 75° to the galactic plane. Both the orbit and metallicity of LMS-1 are remarkably similar to the globular clusters NGC 5053, NGC 5024, and the stellar stream Indus. As a result, these findings make LMS-1 an important contributor to the stellar population of the inner Milky Way halo.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1984

Spiral structure and star formation. II - Stellar lifetimes and cloud kinematics

The reliability studies using continuum gas dynamical calculations becomes questionable in connection with the apparent clumpiness of the Galaxy's interstellar medium (ISM). Roberts and Hausman (1984) have, therefore, presented a detailed model of a disk galaxy in which the ISM consists entirely of 'cloud particles', which orbit ballistically in the galaxy's gravitational field, collide inelastically with one another, and give birth to and subsequently interact with young star associations. The effects of changing the clouds's collisional mean free path have been examined, and the variations in the young star system's spiral morphology have been explored. The present investigation is concerned with a further study of this clumpy, cloudy ISM model, taking into account longer mean free path models likely to be appropriate for systems of molecular clouds. Attention is also given to the kinematics of clouds as they orbit under the influence of galactic gravity, collisions, and supernova remnants.

Hausman, M. A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

The far-infrared and optical structure of Arp 220

The spatial structure of the luminous peculiar galaxy Arp 220 has been investigated in the far infrared. The results reveal that most of the luminosity is from a source less than 3 kpc in extent, located in the nuclear region of the galaxy. The size constraints yield a lower limit of 0.05 for the 100 micron optical depth, implying a hydrogen column density over 5 x 10 to the 22nd/sq cm. New optical images confirm that the double-lobed optical appearance results from strong absorption across the true nucleus. Arp 220 exhibits three primary features which provide strong evidence for an external source of energy: (1) a chaotic and highly asymmetric galactic halo; (2) a large internal velocity dispersion in CO and H I; and (3) extreme compression of gas and dust. These features are natural consequences of previously proposed models which invoke a direct galactic collision and merger, and are unlikely to result from a long-range tidal interaction with the neighboring galaxy IC 4554.

Joy, M.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Oscillator strengths for Si II

New accurate results are presented for absorption oscillator strengths of Si II resonance lines. In these ab initio calculations, an extensive basis set of 67 electronic configuration are employed, including fine-structure states and relativistic effects in the Breit-Pauli approximation. For the strong Si II lines, good agreement is found with previous LS-coupling f-values of Dufton et al. (1983). Oscillator strengths of selected weaker lines disagree in some cases with empirically determined f-values by Shull, Snow, and York (1981) and by Van Buren (1986). The theoretical results are combined with curve-of-growth analyses of Copernicus and IUE data to yield a list of recommended Si II oscillator strengths consistent with the errors in both theoretical and observational analyses. These f-values have been used (Van Steenberg and Shull) for a Galactic survey of interstellar silicon abundances with the International Ultraviolet Explorer satellite.

Luo, Ding↗
NASA NTRS1993

Population II Li-6 as a probe of nucleosynthesis and stellar structure and evolution

We discuss the importance of Population II Li-6 as a diagnostic for models of primordial nucleosynthesis, cosmic-ray nucleosyntheses in the early Galaxy, and the structure and evolution of metal-poor solar-type stars. The observation of Li-6 in the subdwarf HD 84937 is shown to be consistent with the existing Population II LiBeB data within the context of a simple three-component model: (1) standard big bang nucleosynthesis, (2) Population II cosmic-ray nucleosynthesis, (3) standard (nonrotating) stellar LiBeB depletion. If this interpretation is correct, we predict a potentially detectable boron abundance for this star: about 2 x 10 exp -12. Subsequent Population II LiBeB observations, and in particular further observations of Population II Li-6, are shown to be crucial to our understanding of the primordial and early galactic creation and destruction mechanisms for light elements.

Steigman, Gary↗
NASA NTRS1987

The role of orbital dynamics and cloud-cloud collisions in the formation of giant molecular clouds in global spiral structures

The role of orbit crowding and cloud-cloud collisions in the formation of GMCs and their organization in global spiral structure is investigated. Both N-body simulations of the cloud system and a detailed analysis of individual particle orbits are used to develop a conceptual understanding of how individual clouds participate in the collective density response. Detailed comparisons are made between a representative cloud-particle simulation in which the cloud particles collide inelastically with one another and give birth to and subsequently interact with young star associations and stripped down simulations in which the cloud particles are allowed to follow ballistic orbits in the absence of cloud-cloud collisions or any star formation processes. Orbit crowding is then related to the behavior of individual particle trajectories in the galactic potential field. The conceptual picture of how GMCs are formed in the clumpy ISMs of spiral galaxies is formulated, and the results are compared in detail with those published by other authors.

Roberts, William W., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Counter-rotating populations in a disk galaxy

Galactic absorption-line spectra can now yield valuable information about the internal kinematics beyond the classical measures of mean velocity and (Gaussian) velocity dispersion. An application of a new algorithm to the photometrically normal disk galaxy NGC 7217 has revealed that around 30 percent of the stars circulate in the opposite sense to the majority. The subtle serendipitous nature of the discovery raises the possibility that this situation may not be uncommon. NGC 7217 and the previously discovered case of NGC 4550 point towards substantial secondary infall of material with variable angular momentum and suggest a possible explanation of the decrease of bulge-to-disk ratio with strengthening spiral structure along the Hubble sequence.

Kuijken, Konrad↗
NASA NTRS2006

Rapid Compton-thick/Compton-thin Transitions in the Seyfert 2 Galaxy NGC 1365

We present multiple Chandra and XMM-Newton observations of the type 1.8 Seyfert galaxy NGC 1365, which shows the most dramatic X-ray spectral changes observed so far in an active galactic nucleus: the source switched from reflection-dominated to transmission-dominated and back in just 6 weeks. During this time the soft thermal component, arising from a approx. 1 kpc region around the center, remained constant. The reflection component is constant at all timescales, and its high flux relative to the primary component implies the presence of thick gas covering a large fraction of the solid angle. The presence of this gas, and the fast variability timescale, suggest that the Compton-thick to Compton-thin change is due to variation in the line-of-sight absorber rather than to extreme intrinsic emission variability. We discuss a structure of the circumuclear absorber/reflector that can explain the observed X-ray spectral and temporal properties.

Risaliti, G.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Copernicus observations of the N v resonance doublet in 53 early-type stars

UV spectra in the wavelength interval 1170-1270 A are presented for 53 early-type stars ranging in spectral type from O6.5 V to B2.5 IV. The sample includes four Wolf-Rayet stars, seven known Oe-Be stars, and six galactic halo OB stars. A qualitative analysis of the stellar N v doublet reveals that: (1) N v is present in all stars hotter and more luminous than type B0 for the main sequence, B1 for giants, and B2 for supergiants; (2) shell components of N v and an unidentified absorption feature at 1230 A are present in about half of the stars; (3) the column density of N v is well correlated with bolometric luminosity over the spectral range O6 to B2; and (4) the ratio of emission to absorption equivalent width is a factor of 2 smaller in the main sequence stars than in supergiants, which suggests that the wind structure changes as a star evolves. For several stars, this ratio is too small to be explained by traditional wind models.

Abbott, D. C.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Summary of ionizing radiation analysis on the Long Duration Exposure Facility

The ionizing radiation measurements flown on the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) were contained in 15 experiments which utilized passive detectors to pursue objectives in astrophysics and to measure the radiation environment and dosimetric quantities. The spacecraft structure became sufficiently radioactive to permit additional important studies. The induced activity allows extensive radiation mapping in the structure, and independent comparison with experiment dosimetric techniques, and significant studies of secondary effects. The long exposure time, attitude stability, and number and types of measurements produced a unique and critical set of data for low Earth orbit that will not be duplicated for more than a decade. The data allow an unprecedented test, and improvement if required, of models of the radiation environment and the radiation transport methods that are used to calculate the internal radiation and its effects in spacecraft. Results of measurements in the experiments, as well as from radioactivity in the structure, have clearly shown effects from the directional properties of the radiation environment, and progress was made in the dosimetric mapping of LDEF. These measurements have already influenced some Space Station Freedom design requirements. Preliminary results from experiments, reported at this symposium and in earlier papers, show that the 5.8 years exposure considerably enhanced the scientific return of the radiation measurements. The early results give confidence that the experiments will make significant advances in the knowledge of ultra heavy cosmic rays, anomalous cosmic rays, and heavy ions trapped in the radiation belts. Unexpected phenomena were observed, which require explanation. These include stopping iron group ions between the energy ranges anticipated for anomalous and galactic cosmic rays in the LDEF orbit. A surprising concentration of the Be-7 nuclide was discovered on the 'front' surface of LDEF, apparently transported up from the stratosphere with exceptional efficiency.

Parnell, T. A.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Spatially Resolved Outflows in a Seyfert Galaxy at z=2.39

We present the first spatially resolved analysis of rest-frame optical and UV (UltraViolet) imaging and spectroscopy for a lensed galaxy at z equals 2.39 hosting a Seyfert active galactic nucleus (AGN). Proximity to a natural guide star has enabled observations with high signal-to-noise ratio using Very Large Telescope SINFONI (Spectrograph for INtegral Field Observations in the Near Infrared) plus adaptive optics (AO) of rest-frame optical diagnostic emission lines, which exhibit an underlying broad component with full width at half maximum approximately 700 kilometers per second in both the Balmer and forbidden lines. Measured line ratios place the outflow robustly in the region of the ionization diagnostic diagrams associated with AGNs. This unique opportunity - combining gravitational lensing, AO guiding, redshift, and AGN activity - allows for a magnified view of two main tracers of the physical conditions and structure of the interstellar medium in a star-forming galaxy hosting a weak AGN at Cosmic Noon. By analyzing the spatial extent and morphology of the Lyman alpha spectral line and dust-corrected Hydrogen spectral line emission, disentangling the effects of star formation and AGN ionization on each tracer, and comparing the AGN-induced mass outflow rate to the host star formation rate, we find that the AGN does not significantly impact the star formation within its host galaxy.

Fischer, Travis C.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Ionized carbon in the Large Magellanic Cloud

The 158 micron 2P3/2-2P1/2 fine-structure transition of C(+) at selected locations in the LMC. The C II emission is most intense toward far-infrared continuum peaks and generally is not seen in positions exhibiting strong CO J = 2-1 radiation. Where both C II and CO emission are detected, the V(LSR) centroids are similar but the C II line is wider. The differences in spatial distribution and spectral shape suggest a more pronounced physical separation between the predominantly neutral atomic and molecular gas regions than is the case in the Galaxy. In the LMC, the intense and extended C II emission near 30 Dor implies a total amount of C(+) several times greater than that of Galactic molecular cloud complexes. An attempt was made to detect the 289 micron J = 9-8 transition of (C-12)O in a few locations. The observed upper intensity limit for N159 implies that moderate density molecular gas fills less than 5 percent of the beam and that most of the low J CO emission comes from lower density gas.

Boreiko, R. T.↗