Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Bruhweiler, F. C..
Helium and hydrogen backscattering; ultraviolet and EUV absorption spectra; optical extinction and polarization; hot gases; soft X-ray observations; infrared and millimeter wavelengths; radio wavelengths and theoretical models of the interstellar matter within about 150 parsecs of the Sun were examined.
Previous published absorption line studies performed at ultraviolet and visual wavelengths are combined with new ultraviolet data in order to map out the distribution of HI within 150 pc of the Sun. Newly presented data for distances less than 50 pc further support the local cloud model as presented by Bruhweiler (1982). The Sun is embedded, near the edge of a diffuse cloud with total column density 2 x 10 to the 19th power/sq cm. Most observed directions within 50 pc away from the cloud body reveal trace amounts of gas (N)HI) approximately 10 to the 18th power/sq cm presumably arising in the outer skin of the local cloud. At greater distances (50 approximately or d approximately or 150 pc) most directions show significant absorption with N(HI) 10(19)/sq cm. Two directions, one toward the northern galactic pole (NGP), the other toward beta CMa exhibit unusually low HI column densities out to distances of 150 to 200 pc. However, substantial amounts of gas N(HI) 10 to the 19th power/sq cm, are seen toward the NGP at greater distances. The implicatons of these results on astronomy at wavelengths shortward of 912A are discussed.
Copernicus and IUE observations of 5 stars within 50 pc of the Sun were combined to study the ionization of magnesium in the local interstellar medium (LISM). The high resolution Copernicus spectrometer was used to detect interstellar MG I 2852 in the spectra of alpha Gru, alpha Eri, and alpha Lyr, while placing upper limits on Mg I in the spectra of alpha CMa and alpha PsA. Observations of Mg II 2795, 2802 for these stars were also obtained with IUE and Copernicus. The column densities of Mg I and Mg II are used to place constraints on the temperature of the LISM.
Spectral measurements of the two BL Lac objects OQ 530 and ON 325 are presented. The measurements were taken at frequencies ranging from radio to ultraviolet. Both sources show spectral curvature between the infrared and ultraviolet frequencies. The intensity and spectral shape of OQ 530 vary, but the spectral shape of ON 325 appears to remain constant during intensity variability. A nonthermal theoretical model of jet emission is developed which incorporates both the spectral and time variability data. The model predicts that ON 325 radiates at X-ray frequencies with Compton radiation dominating over synchrotron emission. The angular size of the jet emission is predicted to be less than 0.1 milli-arcsec at high radio frequencies.
Single-epoch multifrequency data are presented for the radio-quiet low-redshift QSO Ton 1542, spanning radio through ultraviolet wavelengths. A 3 Sigma upper limit of 9.2 mJy is obtained for the 20.3 GHz flux density; the first ultraviolet spectrum of this object is presented and discussed. A particularly strong excess of flux density is found at about 3000 A, which is likely to be dominated by Balmer continuum emission. An L-alpha/beta-hydrogen flux ratio of about 17 is also found, which is higher than that usually observed in QSOs.
Preliminary inspection of archival high-dispersion ultraviolet spectra obtained by the International Ultraviolet Explorer reveal sharp shortward-shifted features in the spectra of O subdwarfs. In three examples presented here, BD + 75.325 deg, HD 128220 B, and BD + 28.4211 deg, stable, multiple, discrete shortward-shifted components of the N V, C IV, and Si IV resonance doublets are seen. The available data suggest that some of these features are persistent, being relatively stable in velocity and intensity over at least 9 months. It is tentatively suggested that the mechanism, or mechanisms, producing these discrete features operates universally in hot stars, from luminous O and B stars down through the O subdwarfs to include the hot white dwarfs. If true, this has important ramifications for current knowledge of mass loss in hot stars.
Obsrvations and theoretical investigations of the Gum nebula (GN) since about 1971 are reviewed. Direct observations of the GN, the Vela X supernova remnant (SNR), the Vela pulsar, and other stars in or near the GN are discussed with those of related phenomena such as the radio loops and known SNRs; the emphasis is on studies of the interstellar absorption lines, the evidence for hot gas in the GN, and the extended diffuse emission. The four basic models proposed for the GN are considered: a fossil Stromgren sphere, an old SNR, an H II region, or a superbubble. The GN physical parameters predicted by each model are listed in a table and compared. A minimum explanation which attributes the 36 x 36-deg filamentary structure and the 125-pc radius structure to the action of the stellar winds from Zeta Pup and Gamma-2 Vel (and perhaps the effect of a Vel X supernova explosion 20,000 years ago) is found most appropriate, at least until the questions of the net expansion rate of the GN (about 20 km/sec or about zero?) and the existence of the diffuse emission beyond the filamentary structure are resolved by observations.
A study has been conducted of eight white dwarfs, including seven DA and one He-rich types. The study is based on high-resolution observations conducted with the aid of the International Ultraviolet Explorer. Four of the dwarfs show features related to heavy elements which are not interstellar in origin. It is tentatively suggested that, at least in the hottest low-gravity DA white dwarfs, the observed narrow-lined features are formed in expanding halos or winds associated with the white dwarfs. Theoretically, stable white dwarf halos should actually be coronae with temperatures in excess of 1,000,000 K. However, the observed narrow-lined features do not suggest such high temperatures. The observed radial velocities suggest weak stellar winds in two hot white dwarfs, namely, G191-B2B and 2111+49. It is tentatively proposed that radiative levitation can explain the appearance of the observed metallic lines in the hot DA white dwarfs.
Results are reported for various sets of X-ray, UV, visual, IR, millimeter, and radio observations of OJ 287. The spectral information is used to constrain nonthermal energy production models for the source, and three possible models are considered. It is found that, in order to describe all the observed flux in the radio to X-ray bands with a synchrotron self-Compton model, a high degree of relativistic beaming is required such that the equivalent Doppler factor ranges from about 20 to 165. It is concluded that submillimeter flux and X-ray spectral measurements could distinguish between the two possible models that fit the present observations.
Multiple stacked IUE spectra reveal the presence of interstellar C I 1657 in the trough of a corresponding photospheric feature in the nearby star, Alpha PsA (d = 7 pc). This represents the first detection of this neutral atom in the interstellar medium within the immediate vicinity of the sun. It is suggested that C I may be a much better diagnostic tool in studying the local interstellar medium than the neutral species K I and Na I, which are observable at visual wavelengths. Variations in C I column density, coupled with b-values deduced from the Mg II doublet ratio, may prove to be an important means to unravel density and temperature fluctuations in the very local interstellar medium. Comparison of the line of sight toward Alpha PsA with previous Copernicus interstellar Mg II results for that of Alpha Leo tentatively indicates that the distribution of Mg II in the local cloud is not homogeneous about the sun. Rough constraints on the ionization fraction of hydrogen toward Alpha PsA do not conflict with previous data, implying that the very local interstellar medium is significantly ionized.
IUE low-resolution spectra of 11 OB stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud reveal considerably lower wind velocities than corresponding galactic stars. The reduced effectiveness of radiative acceleration due to lower abundances of heavy elements in the SMC is believed to be responsible for this effect. The absorption strengths of the SMC P Cygni profiles are somewhat weaker in Si IV and much weaker in C IV. Crude estimates of relative mass-loss rates suggest that the observed differences may be dominated by the differing relative abundances of Si and C, although a lower degree of wind ionization or lower mass-loss rates for the SMC stars cannot be ruled out.
The low-excitation Fe II lines in the spectral region 2000-3000 A are studied in the spectrum of alpha-Cyg. The profiles of the resonance lines are described by four representative parameters, and a preliminary model is derived from the dependence of these parameters on theoretical line strength, taking into account the influence of blending photospheric lines in an overall and qualitative way. At least 11% of all iron in the wind is once ionized, unless a non-thermal heating source enhances the fraction Fe(++) without destroying much Al(+). It is shown that the contribution of blending photospheric absorption lines to weaker P Cygni profiles has been previously largely underestimated. The mass loss rate corresponding to the model is derived, and is smaller by a factor of 500 than the one derived from the infrared excess by Barlow and Cohen (1977).
Previous Copernicus determinations of H I column densities in nearby stars are reviewed. These results are compared with recent ultraviolet (IUE) data and data acquired at other wavelengths. From this combined data set a coherent picture for the distribution of neutral hydrogen within 50pc of the Sun emerges. For directions away from the galactic center, the total H I column density for a 50pc line of sight is typically approximately 10 to the 18th power/sq cm, while toward the galactic center it may be 1 to 2 x 10 to the 19th power/sq cm or higher. A tentative model is proposed which suggests that the bulk of the H I resides in a cloud in a direction toward L(II) approximately 0 deg. The data are consistent with the Sun being embedded, but near the edge of the cloud.
Spectral fits to IUE observations of four BL Lacertae-type objects are presented. Combined with near-simultaneous measurements at longer wavelengths, positive spectra curvature within the infrared to ultraviolet energy range were found. It is shown that the data provide strong evidence for relativistic beaming in the sources. Lyman alpha emission and possible C IV and N V absorption features in the spectrum of 3C 371 are discussed.
A comprehensive narrow band emission line survey of the Milky Way is used in searching for nebulosities surrounding Wolf-Rayet stars. Fifteen ring nebulae are definitely identified, including five previously unreported shell structures. An additional 30 nebulosities are classified as 'probable' or 'possible' ring nebulae. Angular diameter, sharpness or diffuseness, and level of brightness in three emission line bandpasses are determined for each nebulosity detected. Five selected shell structures are discussed in detail. Analysis of these data reveals a tendency for nebulae surrounding early WN stars to be brighter in the forbidden O III than in H-alpha plus the forbidden N II, whereas nebulae surrounding late WN stars tend to be brighter in H-alpha plus the forbidden N II than in the forbidden O III.
High-resolution spectra of the nearby (48 pc) white dwarf G191-B2B, obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer, reveal sharp resonance lines of N V, C IV, and Si IV. The origin of these features is most likely linked to the white dwarf, possibly being formed in an expanding halo around the star. Interstellar lines of C II, N I, Mg II, Si II, and Fe II are also seen in the spectrum. Analysis of these features indicates an average neutral hydrogen number density of 0.064 for this line of sight. In combination with the recent EUV and soft X-ray results, this is interpreted to mean that the interstellar medium in the most immediate solar vicinity is of the normal density n approximately equal to 0.1/cu cm of lower ionization, while just beyond it, at least in some directions, is a hot lower density plasma. These results are apparently in conflict with the model of the interstellar medium by McKee and Ostriker (1977) in its present form.
The O-type subdwarf (O6p) single-lined spectroscopic binary HD 49798, with an orbital period of 1.5477 d, has been observed by the International Ultraviolet Explorer satellite, to aid in analyses of O type photospheres. Four high resolution (0.1A) spectra are found in the far-ultraviolet region, and two high resolution (0.2A) spectra are found in the mid-ultraviolet region. Numerous absorption lines are identified in the spectra of the star, most of which are attributable to Fe V lines at wavelengths of 1270 to 1500 A. Fe IV lines are also identified at wavelengths of 1500 to 1860 A. The strong Fe V features are found to have no corresponding analogs in the Kurucz and Peytremann (1975) list, and the total line blanketing for stars of spectral type O6 to B0 is discovered to be underestimated by at least a factor of four. In addition, mass loss from the subdwarf observed in the N V resonance doublet at wavelengths of 1238 A and 1242 A is discussed, indicating the existence of a hot stellar wind.
It is shown that the H I shells and supershells, recently reported by Heiles, are a natural by-product of the interaction of the stellar winds and supernovae, originating from stars in typical OB associations, with the surrounding interstellar medium. The validity of this model is supported by its ability to reproduce observed characteristics of the shells such as the shell sizes and shapes as a function of their distances from the galactic center. This process may also be responsible for injecting synthesized elements into the galactic halo.