Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “Absorption lines”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 181 records · Page 10
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1998

Discovery of Associated Absorption Lines in an X-Ray Warm Absorber: Hubble Space Telescope Observations of PG 1114+445

The unified picture of X-ray/UV absorbers offers a unique opportunity to probe the nuclear environment of active galactic nuclei. To test the unified absorber scenario and to understand the physical properties of the absorber, we obtained the first UV spectrum of PG 1114+445 using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Faint Object Spectrograph. PG 1114+445 is known to have an X-ray ionized ('warm') absorber,so that UV absorption is predicted. The HST spectrum clearly shows strong UV absorption lines due to Lyalpha, C iv, and N v, blueshifted by approximately 530 km s(exp -1) with respect to the quasar redshift. Since both X-ray and UV absorbers are rare in radio-quiet quasars, these observations argue strongly that the X-ray and UV absorbers are closely physically related. perhaps identical. We place constraints on the parameters of the absorber and conclude that the mass outflow rate is comparable to the accretion rate in PG 1114+445.

Mathur, Smita↗
NASA NTRS2014

Nustar Reveals an Intrinsically X-ray Weak Broad Absorption Line Quasar in the Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxy Markarian 231

We present high-energy (3-30 keV) NuSTAR observations of the nearest quasar, the ultraluminous infrared galaxy (ULIRG) Markarian 231 (Mrk 231), supplemented with new and simultaneous low-energy (0.5-8 keV) data from Chandra. The source was detected, though at much fainter levels than previously reported, likely due to contamination in the large apertures of previous non-focusing hard X-ray telescopes. The full band (0.5-30 keV) X-ray spectrum suggests the active galactic nucleus (AGN) in Mrk 231 is absorbed by a patchy and Compton-thin N(sub H) approx. 1.2(sup +0.3) sub-0.3) x 10(exp 23) / sq cm) column. The intrinsic X-ray luminosity L(sub 0.5-30 Kev) approx. 1.0 x 10(exp 43) erg /s) is extremely weak relative to the bolometric luminosity where the 2-10 keV to bolometric luminosity ratio is approx. 0.03% compared to the typical values of 2-15%. Additionally, Mrk 231 has a low X-ray-to-optical power law slope alpha(sub 0X) approx. -1.7. It is a local example of a low-ionization broad absorption line (LoBAL) quasar that is intrinsically X-ray weak. The weak ionizing continuum may explain the lack of mid-infrared [O IV], [Ne V], and [Ne VI] fine-structure emission lines which are present in sources with otherwise similar AGN properties. We argue that the intrinsic X-ray weakness may be a result of the super-Eddington accretion occurring in the nucleus of this ULIRG, and may also be naturally related to the powerful wind event seen in Mrk 231, a merger remnant escaping from its dusty cocoon.

Reveals↗
NASA NTRS1983

Spectrophotometry of the broad absorption-line QSO PHL 5200

Spectrophotometric observations of PHL 5200 conducted from 1974 to 1979 are presented. The semiforbidden C III 1909 and Mg II 2799 emission lines give an emission redshift of 1.981 + or - 0.002 using the peak of the profile. The semiforbidden C III 1909/C IV 1549 emission line ratio, after correction for absorption, is more than the average for normal quasars. In addition, the spectrum shows more structure between C IV 1549 emission and semiforbidden C III 1909 emission than in the case of normal quasars. The absorption profiles are investigated by using symmetrical logarithmic profiles to model the emission lines. The residual intensities at different wavelengths in the absorption troughs are employed to map optical depth as a function of velocity, assuming that the absorption region covers a small part of the sky as seen from the central source. Spectra from five observing seasons are compared, and no apparent changes in the C IV and Si IV absorption troughs are found.

Junkkarinen, V. T.↗
NASA NTRS1973

The absorption line spectrum of 1331 + 170.

The absorption-rich optical and near-infrared spectrum of the quasi-stellar object 1331 + 170 is analyzed. The emission-line redshift is about 2.08, and at least three absorption systems are shown to be present; the absorption redshifts are 1.7755, 1.7851, and 1.9637. We conclude that the absorbing material giving rise to the three systems is intrinsic to the QSO despite the high velocity difference between emission and absorption systems and the low velocity dispersion within each absorption system.

Strittmatter, P. A.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Monochromatic calculations of atmospheric radiative transfer due to molecular line absorption

Sensitivity studies related to the effects of line cutoff, spectral resolution, and temperature and pressure interpolations in radiative transfer have been performed so that a data set of absorption coefficients for water vapor, CO2, and O3 may be created efficiently. Results show that computations of absorption coefficients are affected only slightly by cutting a line off at a wave number 190 times the Lorentz half width from the center, or equivalently, cutting off 0.33 percent of the line intensity from the wings. To achieve a relative cooling rate error smaller than 2 percent, it is sufficient to precompute the absorption coefficient at three temperatures (210, 250, and 290 K) and 19 pressures with Delta (log 10 p) = 0.2. The absorption coefficient at other conditions can be interpolated linearly with pressure and exponentially with a quadratic in temperature. For the spectral resolution the absorption coefficients can be adequately computed at 0.01, 0.002, 0.005, and 0.025/cm intervals in the thermal water vapor, the CO2 and O3 bands, and the solar water vapor bands, respectively, which limits the error to only a few percent in the cooling and heating rates. Using the precomputed absorption coefficients, repeated monochromatic calculations of atmospheric heating/cooling rates for radiation model developments and for comparison with less detailed calculations are no longer difficult.

Chou, M.-D.↗
NASA NTRS1988

An H I absorption line survey of Messier 31

The 21-cm absorption through the disk of M31 has been observed, using the VLA to study the cool atomic phase of the interstellar medium in this nearby spiral galaxy. It is found that the abundance of diffuse clouds with tau between 0.125 and 1 in M31 is no higher than in the solar neighborhood of the Milky Way. The mean spin temperature, 300 K, is similar to or higher than the local value. The fraction of the neutral atomic hydrogen in the cool phase is about 0.25 or less. These results imply that M31 has a mixture of warm and cool interstellar phases similar to that in our vicinity of the Milky Way, which suggests either that the heating and cooling balance occurs in a similar pressure environment, or that whatever dynamical processes determine the mixture of warm and cool gas reach a similar equilibrium in M31 as here. Specifically, the warm neutral medium seems to be a robust phase, with a much larger filling-factor than the cool clouds.

Dickey, John M.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Interpreting the convergence of Lyman series absorption lines

Spectra of quasars at high z often show absorption at the Lyman limit from intervening gas systems at intermediate z having N(H) approx. greater than 10(exp 7) cm(-2). In some circumstances, N(H) can be determined by measuring the strength of the Lyman limit absorption or the damping wings of Lyman - alpha. With a spectrum taken at low wavelength resolution, say, lambda/delta lambda approx. 10(exp 3), it is usually not possible to distinguish individual Lyman series lines near the limit, yet one can still discern how rapidly the average intensity drops off as the limit is approached from the long wavelength side. The purpose here is to point out the information which is available from measurements of this series convergence.

Jenkins, Edward B.↗
NASA NTRS1973

A summary of transition probabilities for atomic absorption lines formed in low-density clouds

A table of wavelengths, statistical weights, and excitation energies is given for 944 atomic spectral lines in 221 multiplets whose lower energy levels lie below 0.275 eV. Oscillator strengths were adopted for 635 lines in 155 multiplets from the available experimental and theoretical determinations. Radiation damping constants also were derived for most of these lines. This table contains the lines most likely to be observed in absorption in interstellar clouds, circumstellar shells, and the clouds in the direction of quasars where neither the particle density nor the radiation density is high enough to populate the higher levels. All ions of all elements from hydrogen to zinc are included which have resonance lines longward of 912 A, although a number of weaker lines of neutrals and first ions have been omitted.

Morton, D. C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Radiometric observations of the 752.033-GHz rotational absorption line of H2O from a laboratory jet

With the aid of a high-resolution two-stage heterodyne radiometer, spectral absorption measurements of the 752.033 GHz line of water vapor were carried out, using a blackbody continuum as a background radiation source for investigating the absorptive properties of the H2O content of high altitude rocket plumes. To simulate this physical situation in a laboratory environment, a small steam jet was operated within a large high-vacuum chamber, with the H2O jet plume traversing the radiometer line of sight. The experiments verified that this rotational line is optically thick, with excitation temperatures below 100 K, in the downstream part of the plume, as predicted by theoretical modelling.

Dionne, G. F.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Metal-line absorption at Z(sub abs) approximately Z(sub em) from associated galaxies

For a preliminary study of whether C IV absorption at Z(sub abs) approximately Z(sub em) is related to associated galaxy companions, we have collected data from a sample of 10 quasars with 0.15 less than z less than 0.65 for which high-resolution optical and UV spectroscopy is available from the literature, and for which we have deep optical images and limited spectroscopy. We also present new optical spectra for two of our samples. Four of these quasars have associated C IV absorption systems. In thes four fields, there are eight galaxies with M(sub r) less than -19.0 mag within 35 kpc of the quasar (projected distance, assuming they are at the quasar redshift), which may be candidates for the associated C IV absorption. This observed density of galaxies near quasars with associated C IV absorption is significantly greater than that for a control sample of quasars chosen from the literature. This result suggests that galaxies near the quasar line of sight may be linked with associated C IV absorption. None of these quasars show associated Mg II absorption, despite the presence of galaxies very near the line of sight, suggesting a Mg II 'proximity effect,' where ionizing flux from the quasar destroys the Mg(+) from at least the outer parts of the galaxies. Three quasars are located in rich galaxy clusters, but none of these quasars are found to have associated C IV absorption. This suggests that galaxies in rich clusters associated with quasars are less likely to be metal-line absorbers. It is plausible that the extended galaxy halos which may be responsible for the absorptions are stripped from galaxies in these dense environments. While it seems that at Z approximately 0.6 rich clusters do not cause them, associated C IV absorption systems at higher redshift may be explained by associated clusters if there has been evolution in the properties of galaxy halos in dense environments.

Ellingson, E.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Terminal velocity of wind, mass loss, and absorption lines of the central star of the planetary nebula 75 + 35.1 deg

The high-galactic latitude planetary nebula 75 + 35.1 deg was observed in the high-dispersion mode of the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellite in the wavelength range 1150-1950 A. The N V resonance doublet at 1240 A and O V subordinate line at 1371 A exhibit strong stellar P Cygni profiles with absorption extending to -2150 km/s and -1000 km/s, respectively. Application of the first moment method implies a mass-loss rate of M = (1-3) x 10 to the -8th solar mass/yr. The high ionization of the wind lines and the presence of strong Fe VI and Fe V lines in the stellar photosphere support that this object is quite hot. A Teff of 75,000 + or - 10,000 K was adopted, although Tc = 94,000 K was found previously from low-resolution IUE data.

Feibelman, Walter A.↗
NASA NTRS1979

A survey of ultraviolet circumstellar absorption lines in the spectra of early Be and shell stars

Copernicus UV data are used to examine the rich shell absorption spectra between 1120 and 1140 A in 17 Be and shell stars. Previous observations of the program stars are reviewed, the general appearance of the shell spectra between 1120 and 1140 A is described, and the shell spectra are compared with the spectra of four bright B-type supergiants in the same wavelength region. The line strengths are analyzed to determine quantitative shell strengths and shell column densities; the shell line velocities are discussed in the context of different models. It is shown that UV shell lines can exist in stars with no visible-wavelength shell features, that Fe III shell lines dominate the spectra between 1120 and 1140 A in Be and shell stars with circumstellar absorption features, and that the spectra of Be and shell stars in this region strongly resemble those of supergiants of similar effective temperature.

Snow, T. P., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Interstellar absorption lines in the spectrum of supernova Evans in M83 (NGC 5236)

It is pointed out that supernovae in other galaxies create spontaneous opportunities to probe spectroscopically the gaseous material in galactic halos. Because of their brightness, supernovae offer an unparalleled chance to obtain spectra with high wavelength resolution and/or signal-to-noise ratio. The present investigation is concerned with observations of visual interstellar lines in the spectrum of a supernova discovered on July 3, 1983, and identified as Type I. The supernova was located 124 arc sec south and 122 arc sec west of the nucleus of M83. Evidence is obtained that for velocities near that of M83, the line of sight toward the supernova contains a complex array of absorption features of Ca II. In both Ca II and Na I, the absorptions associated with M83 are far more prominent than those halfway through the disk (and halo) of the Milky Way Galaxy. It is felt that many of the displaced velocity components in the M83 system arise from a gaseous halo.

Rodgers, A. W.↗
NASA NTRS1997

What Drives the Outflows in Broad Absorption Line QSOs?

We have made progress in the areas related to the propulsion and confinement of gas responsible for broad absorption troughts in QSOs: Radiative Acceleration in BALQSOs; The "Ghost" of Lyman (alpha); and Magnetic Confinement of Absorbing Gas.

Begelman, Mitchell C.↗
NASA NTRS1980

Heterodyne detection of the 752.033-GHz H2O rotational absorption line

A tunable high resolution two stage heterodyne radiometer was developed for the purpose of investigating the intensity and lineshape of the 752.033 GHz rotational transition of water vapor. Single-sideband system noise temperatures of approximately 45,000 K were obtained using a sensitive GaAs Schottky diode as the first stage mixer. First local oscillator power was supplied by a CO2 laser pumped formic acid laser (761.61 GHz), generating an X-band IF signal with theoretical line center at 9.5744 GHz. Second local oscillator power was provided by means of a 3 GHz waveguide cavity filter with only 9 dB insertion loss. In absorption measurements of the H2O taken from a laboratory simulation of a high altitude rocket plume, the center frequency of the 752 GHz line was determined to within 1 MHz of the reported value. A rotational temperature 75 K, a linewidth 5 MHz and a Doppler shift 3 MHz were measured with the line-of-sight intersecting the simulated-plume axis at a distance downstream of 30 nozzle diameters. These absorption data were obtained against continuum background radiation sources at temperatures of 1175 and 300 K.

Dionne, G. F.↗