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At least 1,135 records · Page 63

Positions of galactic X-ray sources - l/II/ between 320 and 340 deg

The precise (20-40 sec) positions of seven X-ray sources in the celestial region corresponding to the galactic longitude range from 320 to 340 deg are reported. The sources include a recurrent transient X-ray source (MX1608-52) and a source 2S1553-542 coincident with a gamma-ray source within the given errors of position. The positions reported reduce the previously reported areas of the error region for six of the sources by factors ranging from 10 to 100. The presented results add confidence to the proposed radio candidates for 4U1624-49 and 4U1642-45 considered by Sanduleak and Dolan (1974) and Seaquist (1977).

Apparao, K. M. V.↗

Infrared observations of the galactic center. II - Forbidden Ne II emission

The forbidden Ne II line flux has been measured with a 5-arcsec diaphragm at eight positions in the galactic-center (Sgr A-West) region. The line fluxes - and hence the density of ionized gas - are not correlated with the presence of discrete compact sources of 10-micron continuum radiation. The discrete sources probably contain sources of energy that heat nearby dust instead of being regions of enhanced dust density.

Willner, S. P.↗

Evidence that cosmic gamma-ray bursts are galactic

Balloon observations registering scatter angles in a liquid scintillator have revealed gamma-ray bursts having energies as low as 10 to the -7th ergs per square cm. The burst distribution is graphed according to energy and frequency. The hypothesis that the bursts are galactic in origin is in good agreement with their small recorded energies and their predicted distribution on the graph.

White, R. S.↗

The infrared emission of the Galactic center

Ground-based and airborne infrared observations of the Galactic center near Sgr A are presented. The principal results include: (1) A map at 56 microns (28-arcsec beam FWHM) which shows a ridge of emission in which are immersed two peaks, one at the infrared cluster and another 1 arcmin to the southwest. Early-type stars may produce much of the luminosity seen as thermally reradiated far-infrared flux. (2) A map of the infrared cluster at 34 microns (8.5-arcsec beam) which indicates that the distribution at this wavelength is similar to that at 21 microns, with most of the compact sources which emit at wavelengths shorter than 20 microns emitting relatively weakly at 34 microns. (3) A map at 10 microns which combines observations obtained with 1.5-, 2.3-, 3-, 5.5-, and 20-arcsec beams and shows for the first time the extended 10-micron structure, including the southwestern component, in relation to the cluster of compact sources. Most of the compact 10-micron sources have the structure and spectra to be expected if a luminous object is embedded in a tenuous dust cloud.

Rieke, G. H.↗

Positions of galactic X-ray sources - At longitudes /l-II/ of 55-320 deg

Rotating modulation collimeter detectors on the SAS-3 X-ray observatory were used to supply precise (20-40 sec) positional data on 10 galactic X-ray sources in the l super II region between 55 and 320 deg. It is noted that the position for 2S0114+650 has led to the discovery of an optical counterpart. Attention is given to the temperature dependence of the experiments, and it is found that position measurements made at low temperatures are consistent with those obtained at normal (0 C) temperatures. Positions, error radii, and intensities (2-11 keV) are listed for each of the ten sources.

Dower, R. G.↗

High-resolution observations of X-ray sources at the galactic center

A region about 1 deg of arc in radius and centered on the galactic nucleus has been surveyed during a rocket flight, using X-ray detectors equipped with 10-arcmin by 4-deg (FWHM) collimators. The extended source 4U 1743-29 has been resolved into at least four discrete sources having luminosities (2-10 KeV) between 4 by 10 to the 36th power and 3.5 by 10 to the 37th power erg/s.

Cruddace, R. G.↗

2.2-micron field stars at the North Galactic Pole

The properties of the 2.2-micron field stars seen near the North Galactic Pole by the Two Micron Sky Survey and by surveys at higher sensitivity are discussed. All the 2.2-micron sources found in these surveys can be identified with stars with known spectral types. The distribution of the 2.2-micron field stars appears to be well-understood.

Elias, J. H.↗

Diffuse galactic emission

A very large portion of the observed diffuse X-ray intensity below 1 keV is of galactic origin. Observational evidence indicates that the radiation is truly diffuse, is from interstellar gas near 1 million K that is overpressured relative to the nominal interstellar pressure, and is probably from regions close to the solar system.

Kraushaar, W. L.↗

A search for X-ray pulsations from the galactic center

Data from the SAS-3 satellite were used in a search for X-ray pulsations from the direction of the galactic center. No periodic X-ray behavior was detected in the frequency interval 0.6 Hz to 0.0006 Hz and energy range 2.5 - 35 keV. For periods less than 60 sec, the upper limit to the amplitude of any pulsation in the 2.5 - 10 keV band is approximately .0017 cts/sq cm/s. This corresponds to a pulsed fraction of approximately 1.3 percent of the total GCX flux. Somewhat higher limits apply for longer periods and for energies greater than 10 keV.

Cordova, F. A.↗

Galactic civilizations: Population dynamics and interstellar diffusion

The interstellar diffusion of galactic civilizations is reexamined by potential theory; both numerical and analytical solutions are derived for the nonlinear partial differential equations which specify a range of relevant models, drawn from blast wave physics, soil science, and, especially, population biology. An essential feature of these models is that, for all civilizations, population growth must be limited by the carrying capacity of the environment. Dispersal is fundamentally a diffusion process; a density-dependent diffusivity describes interstellar emigration. Two models are considered: the first describing zero population growth (ZPG), and the second which also includes local growth and saturation of a planetary population, and for which an asymptotic traveling wave solution is found.

Newman, W. I.↗

Far-infrared observations of H 2 regions and associated galactic and extragalactic sources

Using imaging techniques maps were made at 50 and 100 micrometers with one foot resolution of a region around the galactic center about one-half degree in extent. Higher resolution maps were made of the central portion of the galaxy at 30, 50, and 100 micrometers. Resolution maps of a reflection nebula were also made. Infrared sources associated with molecular clouds were investigated.

Source record↗

On the variability of extragalactic sources in the decimeter range and their correlation with galactic structures

It is shown that all of the extragalactic radio sources presently known are variable in the decimeter range (lambda or = 30 cm) and are projected on the large continuum radio structure of the galaxy: loops, spurs, ridges. Probability that coordinates could coincide is or = 10 to the minus 7 power. The variations in the intensity are explained by scintillations (regime of focusing radiation) on the large-scale irregularities of electron density in the medium of loops, spurs and ridges with the dimension a magnitude of approximately 10 to the 13th power cm. A correlation of the characteristics of radiation of the sources with their position relative to the galactic loop is considered. Based on the known experimental data, it is shown that the angle of scattering of extragalactic radiation and the dispersion measures of pulsars projecting on the loops is considerably larger than those of the sources lying outside the loops.

Shapirovskaya, N. Y.↗

Observations of medium-energy gamma-ray emission from the galactic center region

Measurements of the gamma-ray emission in the medium-energy range between 15 and 100 MeV, obtained during two balloon flights from Brazil, are presented. The importance of this energy region in determining whether neutral-pion decay or electron bremsstrahlung is the most likely dominant source mechanism is discussed, along with the implications of such observations. Specifically, the data from this experiment suggest that emission from the galactic plane is similar to the theoretical spectrum calculated by Fichtel et al. (1976), including both source mechanisms but with the bremsstrahlung component enhanced by a factor of about 2. A spectral distribution of gamma-rays produced in the residual atmosphere above the instrument is also presented and compared with other data. A rather smooth spectral variation from high to low energies is found for the atmospheric spectrum.

Kniffen, D. A.↗

On the formation and confinement of dense clouds in QSOs and active galactic nuclei

A model for the formation and confinement of dense (at least about 1 billion per cu cm) clouds in QSOs and active galactic nuclei is presented wherein thermal instabilities behind radiative shocks cause the collapse of regions where the preshock density is enhanced over that of the surrounding medium. Such shocks (of total energy around 10 to the 51st ergs) are likely to occur if the frequent optical outbursts observed in many of these objects are accompanied by mass ejections of comparable energy. It is found that clouds quite similar to those thought to exist in QSOs etc. can be created in this manner at radii of the order of 10 to the 17th cm. The clouds can be subsequently accelerated to observed bulk velocities by either radiation pressure or a collision with a much stronger (total energy around 10 to the 53 ergs) shock. Alternatively, their high observed velocities could be caused by gravitational infall or rotation. The mass production required at inner radii by the outflow models can be supplied through a mechanism previously discussed by Shields (1977).

Marscher, A. P.↗

Acceleration and transport of galactic cosmic rays

A recently proposed cosmic-ray acceleration mechanism is combined with a model of transport and loss from the Galaxy to construct a model for galactic cosmic rays. Various aspects of the cosmic-ray spectrum, including the secondary-to-primary ratio as a function of energy, are found to fit naturally into the overall picture. A solution to the dynamical-halo model with energy-dependent diffusion coefficient (kappa) is presented. This model is consistent with the observed spectra if kappa is proportional to the square root of the kinetic energy. The observed flattening of the secondary-to-primary ratio below about 1-2 GeV per nucleon is shown to be a natural consequence of the model. Similarly, the primary electron spectrum is predicted to flatten below about 1-2 GeV, which is consistent with deconvolution of the local nonthermal radio spectrum, although the flattening is not quite as much as indicated by the observations.

Jokipii, J. R.↗

Penrose pair production as a power source of quasars and active galactic nuclei

Penrose pair production in massive canonical Kerr black holes (those with a/M equal to 0.998) is proposed as a way to explain the nature of the vast fluctuating energy production associated with active galactic nuclei and quasars. It is assumed that a Kerr black hole with a mass of the order of 100 million solar masses lies at the center of an active nucleus and that an accretion disk is formed. Penrose pair production in the inner ergosphere of such a massive canonical Kerr black hole is analyzed. The results indicate that: (1) particle pairs are ejected within a 40 deg angle relative to the equator; (2) the particle energy is of the order of 1 GeV per pair; (3) the pressure of the electron-positron relativistic gas is proportional to the electron-positron number density; (4) pair production may occur in bursts; and (5) the overall lifetime of an active nucleus would depend on the time required to exhaust the disk of its matter content. A test of the theory is suggested which involves observation of the 0.5-MeV pair-annihilation gamma rays that would be generated by annihilating particle pairs.

Kafatos, M.↗

The relative abundances of the elements silicon through nickel in the low energy galactic cosmic rays

Measurements of the relative abundances of the elements Si through Ni in galactic cosmic rays in the energy interval 72 to 450 MeV/nucleon are reported based on data collected by a cosmic-ray telescope on the IMP 8 satellite. The measured abundances are compared with propagation calculations using various distributions of path lengths. It is found that the measurements favor an exponential distribution of path lengths truncated at short path lengths. The source abundances of Si, Ca, Fe, and Ni derived by extrapolating the measured abundances back to the source are shown to be comparable to the solar-system abundances. The relevance of the measurements of Sc through Mn to the Mn-54 radioactive decay is examined.

Garcia-Munoz, M.↗