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At least 469 records · Page 26

A 1.4 GHz source survey in an area without nearby rich galaxy clusters

The paper reports on 1.4 GHz continuum observations for 56 contiguous VLA fields, using the D configuration, in a region devoid of nearby, rich galaxy clusters (at z less than 0.4). 354 continuum sources are tabulated, with fluxes down to about 1.5 mJy, in an area of about 12 sq deg. Only about seven of the 354 radio sources are associated with known rich galaxy clusters at z greater than 0.4 (tabulated by Gunn, Hoessel, and Oke, 1986). Source positions are compared with those from an optical catalog and mild correlations on angular scales of order 1 arcmin are found. This suggests some association of radio sources with galaxy groups (sizes of order 200 kpc) at redshifts of order z = 0.1, even though there are no rich galaxy clusters in this redshift range.

Condon, J. J.↗

Relativistic jets and the continuum emission in QSOs

The radio through optical, and possibly X-ray, emission of QSOs and active galactic nuclei is analytically interpreted in terms of a relativistic jet containing high-energy particles and a magnetic field. Parallel to the jet axis, a strong, compact radio source and strongly polarized radiation are detected, while larger viewing angles relative to the jet axis result in spectral dominance by the central region containing the 'energy machine' which drives the energy flux in the jet. It is shown that the relativistic jet model can explain the association of OVVs with strong, variable radio sources, strong optical polarization, and continuity of the radio to optical spectra.

Marscher, A. P.↗

Hectometer and kilometer solar observations

Three dimensional 'snapshots' of the large scale solar magnetic field topology as well as the solar wind electron density distribution from about 0.1 to 1 AU are obtained by tracking traveling solar radio bursts at the hectometer and kilometer wavelengths with instruments aboard the ISEE-3 satellite and the HELIOS-2 solar probe. Both instruments observe in the frequency range from 30 kHz to a 1 MHz and both are equipped with dipole antennas located in the vehicle spin plane. ISEE-3 also has a dipole along the spin axis and the signals from the two ISEE-3 antennas are combined to give the aximuth and elevation angles of the radio source. Triangulation between HELIOS-2 and ISEE-3 provides the additional observation necessary to determine uniquely the position of the radio source in space at each observing frequency.

Stone, R. G.↗

Radial Variations in Solar Type III Radio Bursts

Type III radio bursts are generated by electron beams accelerated at reconnection sites in the corona. This study, utilizing data from the Parker Solar Probe's first 17 encounters, closely examines these bursts down to 13 solar radii. A focal point of our analysis is the near-radial alignment (within 5°) of the Parker Solar Probe, STEREO-A, and Wind spacecraft relative to the Sun. This alignment, facilitating simultaneous observations of 52 and 27 bursts by STEREO-A and Wind respectively, allows for a detailed differentiation of radial and longitudinal burst variations. Our observations reveal no significant radial variations in electron beam speeds, radio fluxes, or exponential decay times for events below 50 solar radii. In contrast, closer to the Sun we noted a decrease in beam speeds and radio fluxes. This suggests potential effects of radio beaming or alterations in radio source sizes in this region. Importantly, our results underscore the necessity of considering spacecraft distance in multispacecraft observations for accurate radio burst analysis. A critical threshold of 50 solar radii emerges, beyond which beaming effects and changes in beam speeds and radio fluxes become significant. Furthermore, the consistent decay times across varying radial distances point toward a stable trend extending from 13 solar radii into the inner heliosphere. Our statistical results provide valuable insights into the propagation mechanisms of type III radio bursts, particularly highlighting the role of scattering near the radio source when the frequency aligns with the local electron plasma frequency.

Vratislav Krupar↗

Centaurus A, the core of the problem

The bright, peculiar elliptical galaxy Centaurus A (NGC 5128, PKS 1322-427) was one of the first extragalactic radio sources to be optically identified (Bolton et al. 1949). At a distance of 4 Mpc, Centaurus A is the closest active radio galaxy and affords the highest linear imaging resolution (1 mas approximately equal to 0.02 pc) and hence the best prospects for studying an active nucleus close to the central radio source. We present the results of multi-epoch, 8.4-GHz, very long baseline interferometry (VLBI), imaging observations of the nucleus made over the past three years. The nucleus possesses a core-jet structure where the inner portion of the jet shows apparent linear motion with a velocity substantially less than the speed of light.

Tingay, S. J.↗

Radio jet refraction in galactic atmospheres with static pressure gradients

A theory based on the refraction of radio jets in the extended atmosphere of an elliptical galaxy, is proposed for double radio sources with a Z or S morphology. The model describes a collimated jet of supersonic material that bends self-consistently under the influence of external static pressure gradients, and may alternatively be seen as a continuous-jet version of the buoyancy model proposed by Gull (1973). Emphasis is placed on (1) S-shaped radio sources identified with isolated galaxies, such as 3C 293, whose radio structures should be free of distortions resulting from motion relative to a cluster medium, and (2) small-scale, galaxy-dominated rather than environment-dominated S-shaped sources such as the inner jet structure of Fornax A.

Henriksen, R. N.↗

1934-638 revisited

A red CCD image of the galaxy identified with the compact southern radio source 1934-638 shows it to consist of two compact components enclosed within a low-surface-brightness nebulosity. Comparison of accurate radio and optical positions shows that the radio source is coincident with the brighter of the two components and that 1934-638 is unlikely to be a dust-lane galaxy like Centaurus A.

Jauncey, David L.↗

A sensitive 1.5 GHz radio survey around the north ecliptic pole

A 29.3 sq deg region surrounding the north ecliptic pole (NEP; alpha = 18h00m, delta = +66 deg 30 min) was mapped with the Very Large Array at 1.5 GHz to support the deepest portion of the ROSAT all-sky soft X-ray survey. The resulting VLA-NEP survey catalog contains 2435 radio sources with flux densities in the range of 0.3-1000 mJy, including over 200 fainter than 1 mJy. The 28 fields of the inner 1.5 deg have noise levels sigma approximately equals 60 mu-Jy, and the 85 fields centered between 1.5 and 3.0 deg from the NEP have sigma approximately equals 120 mu-Jy. The typical spatial resolution is 20 sec HPBW, and most positions are accurate to less than 2 sec. Approximately 6% of the sources are found to be extended with size greater than 30 sec. We have compared the VLA-NEP catalog with four other radio catalogs made at lower resolution, as well as with the NASA Extragalactic Database and find counterparts for approximately 18% of the VLA-NEP objects. The normalized, differential radio source count is in agreement with previous studies. Between 1 and 150 mJy the slope of the log N-log S relation is 0.68 +/- 0.03. The catalog and related tables are available electronically.

Kollgaard, Ronald I.↗

VLBI observations of galactic nuclei at 18 centimeters - NGC 1052, NGC 4278, M82, and M104

Compact radio sources about a light year in size have been detected in the nuclei of the galaxies NGC 1052, NGC 3034 (M82), NGC 4278, and NGC 4594 (M104) at a wavelength of 18 cm. The compact nucleus detected in M81 at 6 cm was not seen at 18 cm. The compact source in M82 is unique among extragalactic sources in its size-spectrum relationship. It is either broadened by scattering within M82 or it lies behind, and is absorbed by, an H II region. In these galaxies, the size of the nuclear radio source at 18 cm is larger than it is at higher frequencies. The nucleus of the giant radio galaxy DA 240 was not detected.

Shaffer, D. B.↗

Scientific instrumentation of the Radio-Astronomy-Explorer-2 satellite

The instrumentation of the RAE-2 spacecraft is described. The instruments include a pair of long travelling-wave antennas, a 37-m dipole, two radiometers making one frequency scan every 144 sec, and two rapid-sampling total-power burst receivers which cover the range from 0.025 to 13.1 MHz in 32 discrete steps. Effects of terrestrial noise on RAE-1 and RAE-2 observations are discussed, and it is noted that RAE-2 is uniquely capable of observing repeated lunar occultations of strong radio sources at very low frequencies. Some observational programs are briefly noted, including observations of the galactic background distribution, measurements of lunar occultations of solar radio bursts, and searches for more radio sources among the planets, galactic objects, and extragalactic sources.

Alexander, J. K.↗

A non-thermal axially symmetric radio wake towards the Galactic centre

A highly unusual radio source lying within 1 deg of the Galactic center has been discovered whose 'cometary' morphology suggests that it is a wake produced by a radio source moving supersonically with respect to the ambient interstellar medium. Maps of the source are shown, and its characteristics are discussed. Two possible models which might explain the wake are suggested.

Yusef-Zadeh, Farhad↗

A preliminary summary of the observations of the 16 February 1984 solar flare (STIP Interval XV, 12-21 February 1984)

The solar flare on 16 Feb. 1984 (0900 UT) and the associated photon and particle emissions were perhaps the most interesting solar and interplanetary phenomena during STIP Interval XV, 12 to 21 Feb. 1984. The X-ray and microwave radio emissions, as observed from the Earth, were relatively weak and no optical flare was reported. However, the hard X-ray and low energy gamma-ray observations made with the Pioneer Venus Orbiter spacecraft behind the west limb of the Sun indicate that the flare was, in reality, very intense. There is evidence that the flare was located approx 40 deg behind the west limb of the Sun and hence, for instruments located near the Earth, the most intense parts of the X-ray and microwave radio sources were occulted by the photosphere. However, the effect of occultation on the metric type II, type III, and type IV and decimetric (type DCIM) radio sources appeared to be relatively small. Following the flare, a large increase in the counting rates was recorded by several ground level neutron monitors and energetic particle detectors located in interplanetary space. A preliminary analysis of the 16 Feb. 1984 flare observations follows.

Kane, S. R.↗

Celestial reference frames - Definitions and accuracies

The paper examines the accuracies of the three most prominent celestial reference frames: stellar catalogs, lunar and planetary ephemerides, and radio source catalogs. Among other findings, it is shown that the stellar reference systems presently shows uncertainties up to nearly a tenth of an arcsec. Radio-source catalogs have internal consistencies of 0.001 arcsec or less.

Standish, E. M.↗

Determination of radio-frame position for Earth and Jupiter from Ulysses encounter tracking

Radio metric tracking data acquired from the Ulysses spacecraft about its encounter with Jupiter in February 1992 allow an accurate measurement of some components of the orbital elements describing the positions of the Earth and Jupiter with respect to extragalactic radio sources. Range and Doppler data acquired from the Earth while the spacecraft is far from any planet provide an estimate of the spacecraft trajectory relative to the orbit of the Earth. Doppler data near Jupiter provide an accurate position determination of the spacecraft with respect to Jupiter. Very Long Baseline Interferometry observations of the spacecraft with respect to the distant radio sources provide a direct measure of the spacecraft position in the radio reference frame. Combining these measurements provides a means to estimate the locations of the Earth and Jupiter in the radio reference frame. One of the three Euler angles describing the orientation of the Earth's orbit in the radio frame has been determined to an accuracy of 50 nanoradians; the result agrees with other recent determinations of this orientation. The position of Jupiter at the time of Ulysses encounter has been determined to 15 nanoradians in ecliptic latitude and longitude.

Folkner, W. M.↗

Determination of Radio-Frame Position for Earth and Jupiter from Ulysses Encounter Tracking

Radio metric tracking data acquired from the Ulysses spacecraft about its encounter with Jupiter in February 1992 allow an accurate measurement of some components of the orbital elements describing the positions of the Earth and Jupiter with respect to extragalactic radio sources. Range and Doppler data acquired from the Earth while the spacecraft is far from any planet provide an estimate of the spacecraft trajectory relative to the orbit of the Earth. Doppler data near Jupiter provide an accurate position determination of the spacecraft with respect to Jupiter. Very Long Baseline Interferometry observations of the spacecraft with respect to the distant radio sources provide a direct measure of the spacecraft position in the radio reference frame. Combining these measurements provides a means to estimate the locations of the Earth and Jupiter in the radio reference frame.

McElrath, T.P.↗

X-ray observations of H1908+050 (=SS433?)

The X-ray source H1908+50 (=4U1908+05=A1909+4) was observed for three 6 day periods in 1977 and 1978 with the HEAO A-2 experiment. The unusual emission line object and variable radio source SS433 was suggested as the optical counterpart. The X-ray of the source varied by a factor of about 2 on a time scale of 6 months, and the spectrum of the object is consistent with either a power law of photon index of 2.1 or with 14.3 keV thermal bremsstrahlung emission with about 575 eV equivalent width iron line. These X-ray characteristics argue against the source being extragalactic. The measurements are consistent with emission from a white dwarf, but are also similar to the X-ray emission sometimes seen from Cir X-1. A search was made for X-ray emission from similar radio sources.

Marshall, F. E.↗