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NASA NTRS1985

The physical implications of an isothermal model for the hot intracluster medium

HEAO-1 A-2 and Einstein Observatory IPC observations of 15 clusters of galaxies have been used to measure the isothermal beta-model parameters, and the parameters are compared with those derived from model fits to the X-ray images. The physical constraints imposed on this model by existing optical data, the implied gas mass, and the gas contribution to the binding cluster mass are addressed. Values of beta less than unity are obtained, consistent with results from X-ray imaging data. This is interpreted to imply that the gas extends out to 8-10 core radii, about 2-3 Mpc. The isothermal gas mass can be as large as 60 percent of the virial mass for some clusters. This contradicts the fundamental assumption that the cluster potential is determined by an unseen mass which is given by the King approximation to an isothermal sphere, and it is concluded that the isothermal model is a nonphysical model.

Henriksen, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1981

HEAO A-2 observations of non-Abell Zwicky clusters containing extended radio sources

Burns and Owen's sample of 25 4C radio sources which coincide with Zwicky clusters of galaxies has been searched for X-ray emission using the HEAO 1 A-2 experiment. X-ray emission was detected from five sources at the 3sigma level, two of which exceeded 5sigma. Positions and 90% X-ray error boxes are given for each of the five sources detected. The clusters surveyed are non-Abell clusters which would generally not be expected to be detectable with the A-2 experiment. The search for X-ray emission was prompted by the knowledge of the existence of extended radio sources in the clusters. The relaxed structure of these sources implies the presence of a relatively dense intracluster medium which is expected to produce thermal bremsstrahlung X-ray emission.

Holman, G. D.↗
NASA NTRS1991

A model for the infrared emission from an OB star cluster environment

A model for the infrared emission from the neighborhood of an OB star cluster is described. The distribution of gas and dust around the stars, properties of the dust, and the cluster and interstellar radiation fields are variable. The model can be applied to regions around clusters embedded to various degrees in their parental molecular clouds (i.e., compact H II regions, blister-type H II regions, and the tenuous H II regions ionized by naked O stars). The model is used to simulate IRAS observations of a typical blister H II region. Infrared surface brightness and spectral energy distributions are predicted and the impact of limited spatial resolution is illustrated. The model results are shown to be consistent with observations of the exemplary outer Galaxy OB cluster NGC 7380. It is planned to use the model as a diagnostic tool to probe the physical conditions and dust properties in star-formation regions and, ultimately, in an interpretation of the spectral energy distributions of spiral galaxies.

Leisawitz, D.↗
NASA NTRS2012

Measuring the Redshift Dependence of The Cosmic Microwave Background Monopole Temperature With Planck Data

We study the capability of Planck data to constrain deviations of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) blackbody temperature from adiabatic evolution using the thermal Sunyaev-Zeldovich anisotropy induced by clusters of galaxies. We consider two types of data sets depending on how the cosmological signal is removed: using a CMB template or using the 217 GHz map. We apply two different statistical estimators, based on the ratio of temperature anisotropies at two different frequencies and on a fit to the spectral variation of the cluster signal with frequency. The ratio method is biased if CMB residuals with amplitude approximately 1 microK or larger are present in the data, while residuals are not so critical for the fit method. To test for systematics, we construct a template from clusters drawn from a hydro-simulation included in the pre-launch Planck Sky Model. We demonstrate that, using a proprietary catalog of X-ray-selected clusters with measured redshifts, electron densities, and X-ray temperatures, we can constrain deviations of adiabatic evolution, measured by the parameter α in the redshift scaling T (z) = T0(1 + z)(sup 1−alpha), with an accuracy of sigma(sub alpha) = 0.011 in the most optimal case and with sigma alpha = 0.018 for a less optimal case. These results represent a factor of 2-3 improvement over similar measurements carried out using quasar spectral lines and a factor 6-20 with respect to earlier results using smaller cluster samples.

cosmic background radiation↗
NASA NTRS2016

The Spectacular Radio-Near-IR-X-Ray Jet of 3C 111: the X-Ray Emission Mechanism and Jet Kinematics

Relativistic jets are the most energetic manifestation of the active galactic nucleus (AGN) phenomenon. AGN jets are observed from the radio through gamma-rays and carry copious amounts of matter and energy from the subparsec central regions out to the kiloparsec and often megaparsec scale galaxy and cluster environs. While most spatially resolved jets are seen in the radio, an increasing number have been discovered to emit in the optical/near- IR and/or X-ray bands. Here we discuss a spectacular example of this class, the 3C 111 jet, housed in one of the nearest, double-lobed FR II radio galaxies known. We discuss new, deep Chandra and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations that reveal both near-IR and X-ray emission from several components of the 3C 111 jet, as well as both the northern and southern hotspots. Important differences are seen between the morphologies in the radio, X-ray, and near-IR bands. The long (over 100 kpc on each side), straight nature of this jet makes it an excellent prototype for future, deep observations, as it is one of the longest such features seen in the radio, near-IR/optical, and X-ray bands. Several independent lines of evidence, including the X-ray and broadband spectral shape as well as the implied velocity of the approaching hotspot, lead us to strongly disfavor the EC/CMB model and instead favor a two-component synchrotron model to explain the observed X-ray emission for several jet components. Future observations with NuSTAR, HST, and Chandra will allow us to further constrain the emission mechanisms.

galaxies: active – galaxies: jets – radio cont↗
NASA NTRS1993

Cluster evolution as a probe of primordial density fluctuations

Although COBE's detection of large angle microwave background anisotropies fixes the amplitude of density fluctuations on length scales k exp -1 approximately = (300-6000) h(exp -1)Mpc, what is crucial for the level of large scale clustering is the amplitude of density fluctuations on scales (5-50) h(exp -1)Mpc. The level of dynamical clustering is usually parameterized by the size of the mass fluctuations in 8 h exp -1 Mpc spheres, sigma sub 8. For the cold dark matter model, COBE gives sigma sub 8 approximately = 1, while models with extra large scale power give sigma sub 8 approximately = 1/2. The most massive clusters of galaxies (greater than or approximately = 10 exp 15 solar mass) form from rare 'peak patches' found in the initial mass density distribution. Their abundance as a function of redshift is a sensitive probe of the wave number band k(exp -1) approx. (3-8) h(exp -1)Mpc, hence of sigma sub 8, and so cluster evolution can discriminate among models allowed by the COBE results. We use our Hierarchical Peaks Method, which accurately reproduces the results of P3M N-body simulations, to calculate the evolution of cluster x-ray flux counts, luminosity, and temperature functions as a function of sigma sub 8 for CDM models and those with more large scale power. We find that the EMSS and Edge et al. cluster samples support sigma sub 8 in the range from approx. 0.6-0.9, and that models with more large scale power (and hence flatter fluctuation spectra in the cluster regime) fit the x-ray bright end better.

Bond, J. Richard↗
NASA NTRS2021

Atacama Cosmology Telescope: Combined kinematic and thermal Sunyaev-Zel’dovich measurements from BOSS CMASS and LOWZ halos

The scattering of cosmic microwave background (CMB) photons off the free-electron gas in galaxies and clusters leaves detectable imprints on high resolution CMB maps: the thermal and kinematic Sunyaev-Zel’dovich effects (tSZ and kSZ respectively). We use combined microwave maps from the Atacama Cosmology Telescope DR5 and Planck in combination with the CMASS (mean redshifthzi¼0.55and host halo masshMviri¼3×1013M⊙) and LOWZ (hzi¼0.31,hMviri¼5×1013M⊙) galaxy catalogs from the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS DR10 and DR12), to study the gas associated with these galaxy groups. Using individual reconstructed velocities, we perform a stacking analysis and reject the no-kSZ hypothes is at 6.5σ, the highest significance to date. This directly translates into a measurement of the electron number density profile, and thus of the gas density profile. Despite the limited signal to noise, the measurement shows at high significance that the gas density profile is more extended than the dark matter density profile, for any reasonable baryon abundance (formally>90σfor the cosmic baryon abundance). We simultaneously measure the tSZ signal, i.e., the electron thermal pressure profile of the same CMASS objects, and reject theno-tSZ hypothesis at10σ. We combine tSZ and kSZ measurements to estimate the electron temperature to20% precision in several aperture bins, and find it comparable to the virial temperature. In a companion paper, we analyze these measurements to constrain the gas thermodynamics and the properties of feedback inside galaxy groups. We present the corresponding LOWZ measurements in this paper, ruling out a null kSZ (tSZ)signal at 2.9ð13.9Þσ, and leave their interpretation to future work. This paper and the companion paper demonstrate that current CMB experiments can detect and resolve gas profiles in low mass halos and at high redshifts, which are the most sensitive to feedback in galaxy formation and the most difficult to measure any other way. They will be a crucial input to cosmological hydrodynamical simulations, thus improving our understanding of galaxy formation. These precise gas profiles are already sufficient to reduce the main limiting theoretical systematic in galaxy-galaxy lensing: baryonic uncertainties. Future such measurements will thus unleash the statistical power of weak lensing from the Rubin, Euclid and Roman observatories. Our stacking software Thumb Stack is publicly available and directly applicable to future Simons Observatory andCMB-S4 data.

Emmanuel Schaan↗
NASA NTRS2014

New Worlds / New Horizons Science with an X-ray Astrophysics Probe

In 2013 NASA commenced a design study for an X-ray Astrophysics Probe to address the X-ray science goals and program prioritizations of the Decadal Survey New World New Horizons (NWNH) with a cost cap of approximately $1B. Both the NWNH report and 2011 NASA X-ray mission concept study found that high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy performed with an X-ray microcalorimeter would enable the most highly rated NWNH X-ray science. Here we highlight some potential science topics, namely: 1) a direct, strong-field test of General Relativity via the study of accretion onto black holes through relativistic broadened Fe lines and their reverberation in response to changing hard X-ray continuum, 2) understanding the evolution of galaxies and clusters by mapping temperatures, abundances and dynamics in hot gas, 3) revealing the physics of accretion onto stellar-mass black holes from companion stars and the equation of state of neutron stars through timing studies and time-resolved spectroscopy of X-ray binaries and 4) feedback from AGN and star formation shown in galaxy-scale winds and jets. In addition to these high-priority goals, an X-ray astrophysics probe would be a general-purpose observatory that will result in invaluable data for other NWNH topics such as stellar astrophysics, protostars and their impact on protoplanetary systems, X-ray spectroscopy of transient phenomena such as high-z gamma-ray bursts and tidal capture of stars by massive black holes, and searches for dark matter decay.

Smith, Randall K.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The center for astrophysics redshift survey

Major advances in the art of redshift measurements have improved the obtainable accuracy to better than 30 km/s. It is now posible to obtain a redshift for almost any galaxy brighter than 15th magnitude on a 60-inch telescope in 60 minutes or less. These advances were utilized in an observation program initiated in the spring of 1978. This program represents a survey of radial velocities for all 2400 galaxies brighter than 14.5 at high galactic latitude in the northern hemisphere. The obtained data set has been employed as a basis for a derivation of a good measure of the local mean mass density. In addition, information was obtained concerning the overdensity and the dynamics of the local supercluster, and an analysis was conducted of the dynamics of groups and clusters of galaxies within the sample volume.

Davis, M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Galaxy collisions - A preliminary study

Collisions of spherical galaxies were studied in a series of numerical experiments to see what happens when galaxies collide. Each experiment starts with two model galaxies, each consisting of 50,000 stars, moving toward each other along a specified orbit. The series of experiments provides a systematic sampling of the parameter space spanned by the initial orbital energy and the initial angular momentum. Deeply penetrating collisions are emphasized. The collisions reported here scale to relative velocities as great as 500 km/s, well into the range for collisions within clusters of galaxies. It is found that: (1) the galaxies contract momentarily to about half their original sizes shortly after close passage; and (2) the initial galaxies blend into a single dynamical system while they are near each other.

Miller, R. H.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Galactic winds driven by cosmic rays

Cosmic rays traveling through a magnetized plasma with mean velocity greater than the Alfven speed can become coupled to the plasma by the emission of magnetohydrodynamic waves. Using a time-independent, spherically symmetric, hydrodynamic treatment, we show that cosmic rays escaping from a galaxy can carry along thermal gas and produce a 'galactic wind'. Solutions indicate that a typical galaxy can lose mass at a rate of about 1 to 10 million solar masses per year and energy at a rate of about 10 to the 40th to 10 to the 42nd ergs per sec. The possible role of galactic winds in radio and X-ray sources is explored. A model is proposed to explain the X-ray emission observed from clusters of galaxies.

Ipavich, F. M.↗
NASA NTRS1979

Diffuse X-ray emission from Abell clusters

Abell clusters of galaxies, specifically Abell 401 and Abell 399 regions, are discussed. Two sets of satellite observations were made. One was a lunar occultation pointed observation where there were two orbits in which to look at the regions while the moon scanned over it. The other was a scanning observation through the area. Two diffuse models of the X-ray emission were developed. Also, during the investigation three binary cluster systems were found where at least one member was an X-ray source. They were Abell 508, 509, 2177, 2178, 2204, and 2210.

Ulmer, M.↗
NASA NTRS1980

The radius-dependence of velocity dispersion in elliptical galaxies

The equations of stellar hydrodynamics are used to derive the radial variation of velocity dispersion in galaxies whose mass-to-light ratios are constant and whose brightness profiles obey the r to the 1/4 law. It is found that the projected central velocity dispersion in such a system should be about 40 percent lower than the peak velocity dispersion. The observability and physical interpretation of this phenomenon is discussed. There is some evidence that a similar effect has been observed in the structure of rich clusters of galaxies.

Binney, J.↗
NASA NTRSDate not supplied

The Athena/X-IFU, from Detector Development to Scientific Feasibility Studies via Simulations

The investigation of the physical hot and energetic phenomena in the Universe will further improve our understanding of the assembly of the largest structures and massive halos of galaxies, and of the role of black holes in shaping the Universe as we see it. Spatially resolved X-ray high-resolution spectroscopy will be a crucial tool to achieve these scientific goals. The X-IFU instrument onboard the Athena observatory will provide us with these capabilities through the use of arrays of Transition edge microcalorimeters detectors. These superconducting devices will deliver the required exquisite spectral resolution needed to achieve the core science objectives, such as the characterization of turbulence and bulk motions in the hot gaseous atmospheres of groups and clusters of galaxies in order to unveil the process of large scale structures assembly. I will present the Transition Edge Sensors principle, the status of the instrumental development for the X-IFU instrument, and discuss their performance in view of the scientific objectives of the Athena mission. I will further present the case of a feasibility study and optimisation of the observing strategy for the characterization of the internal dynamics of the intra-cluster medium, through the use of mock simulations of observations with the X-IFU instrument.

Sophie Beaumont↗
NASA NTRS2006

NASA's Future X-ray Missions: From Constellation-X to Generation-X

Among the most important topics in modern astrophysics are the formation and evolution of supermassive black holes in concert with galaxy bulges, the nature of the dark energy equation of state, and the self-regulating symmetry imposed by both stellar and AGN feedback. All of these topics are readily addressed with observations at X-ray wavelengths. NASA's next major X-ray observatory is Constellation-X, which is being developed to perform spatially resolved high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy. Con-X will directly measure the physical properties of material near black holes' last stable orbits and the absolute element abundances and velocities of hot gas in clusters of galaxies. The Con-X mission will be described, as well as its successor, Generation-X (anticipated to fly approx.1 decade after Con-X). After describing these missions and their driving science areas, the talk will focus on areas in which Chandra observing programs may enable science with future X-ray observatories. These areas include a possible ultra-deep Chandra imaging survey as an early Universe pathfinder, a large program to spatially resolve the hot intracluster medium of massive clusters to aid dark energy measurements, and possible deep spectroscopic observations to aid in preparatory theoretical atomic physics work needed for interpreting Con-X spectra.

Hornschemeier, A.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Measuring the Radius of a Neutron Star; Origin of High X-Ray Luminosities in Optically Passive Galaxies; Resolving the Source of X-Rays in IC 1613"

This recently expired grant has supported the work of the PI, his students, and his collaborators on a variety of ROSAT projects over the past three years. Annual reports have summarized much of the work accomplished; here we provide a brief review of the work resulting from this effort, and a summary of the personnel who have benefited from its support. A high resolution ROSAT HRI X-ray image of the Local Group dwarf IC1613 revealed that the principal source of X-ray emission in this direction arises in a background cluster of galaxies, as first suggested by Eskridge (1995). In addition, however, we found a bright X-ray source coincident with the only known supernova remnant in this galaxy, S # 8. Extensive ground-based follow-up observations in the radio and optical regimes were conducted. We confirmed the nonthermal radio spectral index of the source and measured its extent to be approx. 3 sec at 20 cm. Imaging spectrophotometric observations taken with the multi-pupil spectrograph of the Special Astrophysical Observatory in the FSU allowed us to determine the density and velocity distribution of the gas in the remnant. The simultaneous presence of luminous X-ray and optical emission suggests a relatively young remnant in which the outward-moving shock has recently encountered dense material. Many of this object's properties are similar to those of the brightest optical remnant in the Large Magellanic Cloud, N49. Another potential source of X-rays in this galaxy which featured prominently in our original proposal, an Oxygen Wolf-Rayet star with a large surrounding wind-blown bubble, was not detected.

Helfand, David J.↗
NASA NTRS2002

The Anisotropy of the Microwave Background to l=3500: Mosaic Observations with the Cosmic Background Imager

Using the Cosmic Background Imager, a 13-element interferometer array operating in the 26-36 GHz frequency band, we have observed 40 deg (sup 2) of sky in three pairs of fields, each approximately 145 feet x 165 feet, using overlapping pointings: (mosaicing). We present images and power spectra of the cosmic microwave background radiation in these mosaic fields. We remove ground radiation and other low-level contaminating signals by differencing matched observations of the fields in each pair. The primary foreground contamination is due to point sources (radio galaxies and quasars). We have subtracted the strongest sources from the data using higher-resolution measurements, and we have projected out the response to other sources of known position in the power-spectrum analysis. The images show features on scales approximately 6 feet-15 feet, corresponding to masses approximately 5-80 x 10(exp 14) solar mass at the surface of last scattering, which are likely to be the seeds of clusters of galaxies. The power spectrum estimates have a resolution delta l approximately 200 and are consistent with earlier results in the multipole range l approximately less than 1000. The power spectrum is detected with high signal-to-noise ratio in the range 300 approximately less than l approximately less than 1700. For 1700 approximately less than l approximately less than 3000 the observations are consistent with the results from more sensitive CBI deep-field observations. The results agree with the extrapolation of cosmological models fitted to observations at lower l, and show the predicted drop at high l (the "damping tail").

Pearson, T. J.↗