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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.

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NASA NTRS1991

Bremsstrahlung emission of the SN1987A interior

The down-scattering of gamma photons stores a significant fraction of the total energy in recoil electrons. This paper presents the bremsstrahlung emission of those recoil electrons in SN1987A. If the bolometric luminosity derives from radioactive decay, the bremsstrahlung emissivity must be present, but has not previously been treated. Initially it was our hope to account for the Ginga 16-28 keV measurement of SN1987A or to find a detectable X-ray luminosity near 1 keV for ROSAT. Although this bremsstrahlung emission fails to explain Ginga fluxes, it dominates the X-ray fluxes below 20 keV and can have detectable consequences for the X-ray lines from circumstellar matter. Results for day 175, 500, 1000, and 1500 are shown.

The, Lih-Sin↗
NASA NTRS1978

Radio and X-ray variability of the nucleus of Centaurus A /NGC 5128/

Centaurus A (NGC 5128) has been observed at radio frequencies of 10.7, 31.4, 85.2, and 89 GHz and at X-ray energies greater than 20 keV. These observations, together with results reported by other workers, are interpreted in terms of models of the nucleus of this radio galaxy. The radio observations cover the period from 1973 through early 1977. The X-ray observations cover two 10-day intervals, one in July and August (1975) and the other in July and August 1976. The source exhibits significant variability in all the observed radio frequencies. The observed radio and X-ray intensities show some concurrent variations but do not track one another throughout the observations. A model of the source in which X-rays are produced by inverse Compton scattering of blackbody photons by relativistic electrons is proposed to explain these observations. The observed variations in the electromagnetic spectrum are shown to be consistent with adiabatic expansion of a trapped plasma in conjunction with turbulent accelerations of the relativistic electrons. Upper limits obtained with the model indicate that there may be sufficient energy available in the nucleus to form radio lobes with the same total energy as those already present.

Beall, J. H.↗
NASA NTRS1976

A return to the pre-1971 intensity level and a 5.6-d modulation for Cyg X-1

A 5-day modulation in the 'high-state' X-ray intensity data obtained by the Ariel V all-sky monitor for November 1975-January 1976 is reported. The light curve decrement (the fraction of the total source emission over one 5-day cycle which is deficient at superior conjunction) is 0.019 plus or minus 0.003, compared with 0.029 plus or minus 0.004 for a similar 5.6-day modulation observed before the April 1975 flare. The results are most easily explained by scattering from ionized material between the two stellar components which extends outside the orbital plane.

Holt, S. S.↗
NASA NTRS1994

The radio emission from the ultraluminous far-infrared galaxy NGC 6240

We present new radio observations of the 'prototypical' ultraluminous far-infrared galaxy NGC 6240, obtained using the Very Large Array (VLA) at lambda = 20 cm in B-configuration and at lambda = 3.6 cm in A-configuration. These data, along with those from four previous VLA observations, are used to perform a comprehensive study of the radio emission from NGC 6240. Approximately 70% (approximately 3 x 10(exp 23) W/Hz) of the total radio power at 20 cm originates from the nuclear region (approximately less than 1.5 kpc), of which half is emitted by two unresolved (R approximately less than 36 pc) cores and half by a diffuse component. The radio spectrum of the nuclear emission is relatively flat (alpha approximately equals 0.6; S(sub nu) proportional to nu(exp -alpha). The supernova rate required to power the diffuse component is consistent with that predicted by the stellar evolution models of Rieke et al. (1985). If the radio emission from the two compact cores is powered by supernova remnants, then either the remnants overlap and form hot bubbles in the cores, or they are very young (approximately less than 100 yr.) Nearly all of the remaining 30% of the total radio power comes from an 'armlike' region extending westward from the nuclear region. The western arm emission has a steep spectrum (alpha approximately equals 1.0), suggestive of aging effects from synchrotron or inverse-Compton losses, and is not correlated with starlight; we suggest that it is synchrotron emission from a shell of material driven by a galactic superwind. Inverse Compton scattering of far-infrared photons in the radio sources is expected to produce an X-ray flux of approximately 2 - 6 x 10(exp -14) ergs/s/sq cm in the 2 - 10 keV band. No significant radio emission is detected from or near the possible ultramassive 'dark core'.

Colbert, Edward J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1995

The origin of the soft X-ray excess in the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 2110

We present and discuss an X-ray image and a medium-resolution X-ray spectrum of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 2110 obtained with the high-resolution imager (HRI) on ROSAT (0.1-2.4 keV) and Goddard's Broad Band X-ray Telescope (BBXRT; 0.3-11 keV), respectively. Spatially resolved soft X-ray emission, which peaks 4 arcsecs to the north of the nucleus and near the position of the highest excitation optical emission line gas is seen in the HRI observation. The extent has a flux of approximately 3 x 10(exp -13) ergs/sq cm/s and accounts for 11% +/- 3% of the total 0.1-2.4 keV flux. To model the BBXRT spectrum, a soft excess component is required which has a flux of approximately 3.5 x 10(exp -13) ergs/sq cm/s and accounts for approximately 14% +/- 6% of the total 0.1-2.4 keV flux. In addition, BBXRT confirms the presence of an approximately 175 eV equivalent width Fe K alpha flourescence line in NGC 2110. Because of the good agreement between their fluxes, we propose that the soft excess in NGC 2110 is due to leakage of the X-ray continuum through a patchy absorber. The temperature of the gas responsible for the soft excess is too high to be accounted for by local shock heating. In order to explain the soft excess and extent as either scattered continuum X-rays or flourescence from gas photoionized by the nuclear source, the hard X-rays must be emitted anisotropically. However, the soft excess and extent can be well modeled as thermal emission from a hot, outflowing wind, which may also be responsible for confirming at least some portion of the optical narrow line-emitting clouds.

Weaver, K. A.↗
NASA NTRS1998

PCA/HEXTE Observations of Coma and A2319

The Coma cluster was observed in 1996 for 90 ks by the PCA and HEXTE instruments aboard the RXTE satellite, the first simultaneous, pointing measurement of Coma in the broad, 2-250 keV, energy band. The high sensitivity achieved during this long observation allows precise determination of the spectrum. Our analysis of the measurements clearly indicates that in addition to the main thermal emission from hot intracluster gas at kT=7.5 keV, a second spectral component is required to best-fit the data. If thermal, it can be described with a temperature of 4.7 keV contributing about 20% of the total flux. The additional spectral component can also be described by a power-law, possibly due to Compton scattering of relativistic electrons by the CMB. This interpretation is based on the diffuse radio synchrotron emission, which has a spectral index of 2.34, within the range allowed by fits to the RXTE spectral data. A Compton origin of the measured nonthermal component would imply that the volume-averaged magnetic field in the central region of Coma is B =0.2 micro-Gauss, a value deduced directly from the radio and X-ray measurements (and thus free of the usual assumption of energy equipartition). Barring the presence of unknown systematic errors in the RXTE source or background measurements, our spectral analysis yields considerable evidence for Compton X-ray emission in the Coma cluster.

Rephaeli, Yoel↗
NASA NTRS1981

Reduction of the one-dimensional X-ray scattering data on mirror flats at NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center

Data on the scattering of X-rays from various mirror flats obtained from different vendors. The scattering data discussed in this section is obtained by a one dimensional proportional counter at X-ray energies of 8.06, 6.4 and 2.99 keV. X-rays are generated at one end of a 312.4m long tube which is under vacuum. This long tube provides a parallel beam of X-rays which is then collimated by a slit and allowed to scatter from a pair of mirror flats at small grazing angles of incidence. The slit and mirrors assembly is placed 182.4 meters from the other end of the tube where the proportional counter detector is located. The detector is sitting on an optical table which is pivoted so that it can rotate to intercept X-rays at a range of spatial locations. The optical table pivot is located 2.78 meters in front of the detector, and has an operational angular range of 350 arc minutes. Measured from the position of the mirror, this total angular range of the data is (350) (2.78/182.4) = 5.33 arcminutes.

Williams, A. C.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Soft X-rays from the sunlit earth's atmosphere

Observations of soft X-ray emission from the sunlit earth atmosphere are presented and compared with the predictions of an earth albedo X-ray theory. The exact theory accounts for the flux of Thomson scattered solar X rays and fluorescently excited K X rays that arise following the absorption of incident X rays as a function of observing geometry. Observations were made at widely separated geometries with the two low-energy detectors of the A-2 experiment on the HEAO-1 satellite. Fitting of the model to the observed spectra results in values for the solar coronal temperature and emission measure that are in good agreement with expected values for the nonflaring sun, indicating that X-ray observations of the sunlit atmosphere may be a useful monitor of solar activity for satellites unable to view the sun directly. The total measured fluorescent line flux is also in agreement with calculations, although the N/O line ratio is not. X-ray fluorescence measurements from the sunlit atmosphere will thus be useful in monitoring atmospheric composition only to the extent that the total line counting rates depend upon the composition.

Mckenzie, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1989

X ray emission from relativistic jets in AGNs and statistical implications

Calculations of the Compton scattering interaction between an ultrarelativistic jet and a thermal radiation field, in an Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), are presented. This process can be effective in decelerating ultrarelativistic jets that are accelerated by electromagnetic or hydromagnetic forces closer in to the central black hole. A narrow distribution of terminal Lorentz factors gamma sub infinity, consistent with the values inferred in superluminal radio sources, arises naturally in this model. The hard X-ray component detected in the spectra of 3C273 and several BL Lac objects may be due to the inverse Compton radiation produced in the course of the initial deceleration of their relativistic jets. The requirement that the luminosity of the hard X-ray component must exceed the total power in the associated jet is considered.

Melia, Fulvio↗
NASA NTRS1992

Coronal abundances in solar active regions measured by the Solar Maximum Mission flat crystal spectrometer

High resolution soft X-ray spectra acquired by the Flat Crystal Spectrometer (FCS) on solar Maximum Mission provide an excellent data base to study the relative abundances of O, Ne, Mg, and Fe in solar active regions. The FCS data show significant variability for all combinations of these elements. The largest variation occurs for Fe:Ne, which shows region to region changes of up to a factor of 7, and frequent factor of 2 variations in day to day samples of a given region. The atomic data and the ionization balance calculations used to interpret the line ratios affect the actual abundance values obtained, but have little effect on the magnitude of the total range of variation inferred. Resonance scattering of Fe XVII could cause a systematic offset in the abundances determined, but cannot be responsbile for the bulk of the observed variability. While abundance variability complicates the derivation of plasma parameters from spectroscopic measurements, it should offer exciting new clues to the processes which form and heat the corona.

Saba, Julia L. R.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Evidence of circumstellar matter surrounding the Hercules X-1 system

We analyze data from two eclipse ingresses of Her X-1 observed with Ginga on 1989 April 30 and May 19. These observations occur, respectively, during the MAIN HIGH and SHORT HIGH states in the 35 day modulation of Her X-1 intensity. We find significant residual X-ray flux during eclipse, with a gradual decrease in flux following the occultation of the neutron star by the atmosphere of HZ Her. During the central part of the eclipse the count rate becomes nearly constant, at 0.5 mCrab in the energy range 1.7-36.8 keV. From a spectral analysis of the residual emission during the total eclipse of the central source in the MAIN HIGH state, we determine the energy spectral index, alpha = 0.8, similar to that before eclipse. A remarkable feature of the eclipse spectrum is that it does not show a significant iron line feature in contrast to massive wind-fed pulsars, such as Vela X-1 and Cen X-3. From a timing analysis of the same eclipse data, we show that there are no pulses. These results imply that the emission comes from the scattering of continuum X-rays by material in a region considerably larger than the companion star. An extended accretion disk corona may be responsible for this scattering. However, partial eclipse of an extended accretion disk corona may be responsible for this scattering. However, partial eclipse of an extended accretion disk corona is insufficient to account for the count rates in mid-eclipse, when known parameters of the binary system are used. Based on the present results, we suggest that scattering occurs not only in the accretion disk corona but also in the circumstellar matter surrounding the system of Her X-1/HZ Her.

Choi, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Evidence of Circumstellar Matter Surrounding the Hercules X-1 System

We analyze data from two eclipse ingresses of Her X-1 observed with Ginga on 1989 April 30 and May 19. These observations occur, respectively, during the MAIN HIGH and SHORT HIGH states in the 35 day modulation of Her X-1 intensity. We find significant residual X-ray flux during eclipse, with a gradual decrease in flux following the occultation of the neutron star by the atmosphere of HZ Her. During the central part of the eclipse the count rate becomes nearly constant, at 0.5 mcrab in the energy range 1.7-36.8 keV. From a spec- tral analysis of the residual emission during the total eclipse of the central source in the MAIN MGH state, we determine the energy spectral index, alpha = 0.8, similar to that before eclipse. A remarkable feature of the eclipse spectrum is that it does not show a significant iron line feature in contrast to massive wind-fed pulsars, such as Vela X-1 and Cen X-3. From a timing analysis of the same eclipse data, we show that there are no pulses. These results imply that the emission comes from the scattering of continuum X-rays by material in a region considerably larger than the companion star. An extended accretion disk corona may be responsible for this scattering. However, partial eclipse of an extended accretion disk corona is insufficient to account for the count rates in mid-eclipse, when known parameters of the binary system are used. Based on the present results, we suggest that scattering occurs not only in the accretion disk corona but also in the circumstellar matter surrounding the system of Her X-1/HZ Her.

Choi, C. S.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Non-relativistic solar electrons

Summary of both the direct spacecraft observations of nonrelativistic solar electrons, and observations of the X-ray and radio emission generated by these particles at the sun and in the interplanetary medium. These observations bear on three physical processes basic to energetic particle phenomena: (1) the acceleration of particles in tenuous plasmas; (2) the propagation of energetic charged particles in a disordered magnetic field, and (3) the interaction of energetic charged particles with tenuous plasmas to produce electromagnetic radiation. Because these electrons are frequently accelerated and emitted by the sun, mostly in small and relatively simple flares, it is possible to define a detailed physical picture of these processes. In many small solar flares nonrelativistic electrons accelerated during flash phase constitute the bulk of the total flare energy. Thus the basic flare mechanism in these flares essentially converts the available flare energy into fast electrons. Nonrelativistic electrons exhibit a wide variety of propagation modes in the interplanetary medium, ranging from diffusive to essentially scatter-free. This variability in the propagation may be explained in terms of the distribution of interplanetary magnetic field fluctuations.

Lin, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Radio continuum polarimetric imaging of high redshift radio galaxies

Multifrequency images of total and polarized radio continuum emission from the two high redshift radio galaxies 0902+343 (z = 3.40) and 0647+415 (4C 41.17, z = 3.80) are presented. These images represent the most sensitive polarimetric study of high redshift ratio galaxies to date. The emission from both galaxies is substantially polarized, up to 30% in some regions, and both sources sit behind deep 'Faraday screens,' producing large rotation measures, over 10(exp 3) rad/sq. m in magnitude, and large rotation measure gradients across the sources. Such large rotation measures provide further evidence that high redshift radio galaxies are situated in very dense environments. Drawing the analogy to a class of low redshift powerful radio galaxies with similarly large rotation measures, we suggest that 0902+343 and 0647+415 are situated at the centers of dense, x-ray 'colling flow' clusters, and that the cluster gas is substantially magnetized. The remarkable similarity between the optical and radio morphologies of 0647+415 on scales as small as 0.1 sec is presented. We consider, and reject, both synchrotron and inverse Compton radiation as possible sources of the optical emission. We also consider both scattering of light out of a 'cone' of radiation from an obscured nucleus, and jet-induced star formation, and find that both models encounter difficulties in explaining this remarkably close radio-optical alignment. High resolution spectral index images reveal compact, flat spectrum components in both sources. We suggest that these components are the active nuclei of the galaxies. Lastly, high resolution images of 0902+343 show that the southernmost component forms a 'ring' of 0.2 sec radius. We discuss the possibility that this ring is the result of gravitational lensing, along the lines proposed by Kochanek & Lawrence (1990).

Carilli, C. L.↗
NASA NTRS1997

Simultaneous X-ray and Far-Ultraviolet Spectra of AGN with ASCA and HUT

We obtained ASCA spectra of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 3516 in March 1995. Simultaneous far-UV observations were obtained with the Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope on the Astro-2 shuttle mission. The ASCA spectrum shows a lightly absorbed power law of energy index 0.78. The low energy absorbing column is significantly less than previously seen. Prominent 0 VII and 0 VIII absorption edges are visible, but, consistent with the much lower total absorbing column, no Fe K absorption edge is detectable. A weak, narrow Fe K(alpha) emission line from cold material is present as well as a broad Fe K(alpha) line. These features are similar to those reported in other Seyfert 1 galaxies. A single warm absorber model provides only an imperfect description of the low energy absorption. In addition to a highly ionized absorber with ionization parameter U = 1.66 and a total column density of 1.4 x 10(exp 22)/sq cm, adding a lower ionization absorber with U = 0.32 and a total column of 6.9 x 10(exp 21)/sq cm significantly improves the fit. The contribution of resonant line scattering to our warm absorber models limits the Doppler parameter to less than 160 km/s at 90% confidence. Turbulence at the sound speed of the photoionized gas provides the best fit. None of the warm absorber models fit to the X-ray spectrum can match the observed equivalent widths of all the UV absorption lines. Accounting for the X-ray and UV absorption simultaneously requires an absorbing region with a broad range of ionization parameters and column densities.

Kriss, Gerard A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

The propagation of solar flare particles in a turbulent coronal loop

Energetic solar flare particles, both electrons and protons, must survive the turbulent environment of a flaring loop and propogate to the lower corona or chromosphere in order to produce hard X-ray and gamma ray bursts. This plasma turbulence, often observed in soft X-ray line widths to be in excess of 100 km/s, is presumably capable of efficiently scattering the fast flare particles. This prevents to some degree the free streaming of accelerated particles and depending on the amplitude of the turbulence, restricts the particles to diffusive propagation along the length of the loop to the target chromosphere. In addition this turbulence is capable of performing additional acceleration of the fast particles by the second order Fermi mechanism. For compact flares with rise times 10s, the acceleration effect is small and the propagation of the particles is governed by spatial diffusion and energy loss in the ambient medium. The solution of the time dependent diffusion equation with velocity dependent diffusion and energy loss coefficients yields for the case of nonrelativistic protons particle precipitation rates which are necessary for calculating thick target gamma ray emission and also yields the total thin target emissivity.

Ryan, J. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Variation of the pulse profile of Hercules X-1

The X-ray pulsar Her X-1 was observed in an on-state during its 35th cycle of activity in May, 1983 using the gas scintillation proportional counter (GSPC) array of the Tenma X-ray astronomy satellite. The outstanding features observed during the declining phase of the on-state included: a sharp decrease in the main X-ray pulse amplitude; and a steady increase in the column density of cool matter. On the basis of the spectral shape of the pulses, it is suggested that the main phase was attenuated due to electron scattering of the X-ray beam in a highly ionized medium located 3 x 10 to the 8th cm from the neutron star. Near the end of the on-state, the main pulse totally disappeared and a plain sinusoidal profile was observed. The observed pulse profiles are reproduced in graphic form.

Ohashi, T.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Radiation from magnetized accretion disks in active galactic nuclei

We present a model of AGN based on accretion disks around 10 exp 8 solar mass black holes, which incorporates a strong magnetic field in the disk, with loops above the disk in which B is about 100 G. The magnetic energy in the loops dissipates, accelerating electrons to relativistic energies. The electrons emit synchrotron and inverse-Compton radiation, much of which is reflected or scattered by gas in the disk. We calculate the emitted spectrum from infrared to gamma rays. Of the total emission, 23 percent goes into a nu exp -1 power law and 77 percent into thermal radiation at 24,000 K (due to the disk, which is heated by nonthermal radiation and energetic ions). The model accounts quantitatively for the X-ray and gamma-ray backgrounds, and it accounts qualitatively for certain features observed in individual AGNs: a far-infrared cutoff, a minimum at a few microns, the ultraviolet bump, the Compton reflection bump at about 30 keV, and a gamma-ray tail.

Field, G. B.↗