General dynamical effects of cosmic rays in the galaxy.
Dynamical behavior of cosmic ray gases, noting modes of hydromagnetic wave propagation and static equilibrium configurations for thermal interstellar gas and field
INTERPLANETARY GAS↗
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Ionization of interstellar H2 clouds by supernovae
Two destruction mechanisms for molecular hydrogen in the H I regions of the interstellar medium were given by Stecher and Williams (1967). The first is dominant in weak radiation fields and involves photon excitation (at about 1000 A) to the first excited electronic state with a subsequent decay into the vibrational continuum of the ground state. The second destruction mechanism is dominant in the strong photon fields that exist when a supernova explosion occurs. It involves photoionization (at about 1000 A) from metastable high vibrational levels produced by photon excitation (in the same wavelength range) to an excited electronic state and subsequent decay to bound vibrational levels. It is shown that ionization of molecular hydrogen can occur at considerable distances from such supernova events while the atomic hydrogen remains neutral. The effect should be observable in the dispersion measures of new pulsars.
Stecher, T. P.↗
Cosmic gamma-ray lines - Theory
The various processes that lead to gamma-ray line emission and the possible astrophysical sources of such emission are reviewed. The processes of nuclear excitation, radiative capture, positron annihilation, and cyclotron radiation, which may produce gamma-ray line emission from such diverse sources as the interstellar medium, novas, supernovas, pulsars, accreting compact objects, the galactic nucleus and the nuclei of active galaxies are considered. The significance of the relative intensities, widths, and frequency shifts of the lines are also discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding those gamma-ray lines that have already been observed from astrophysical sources.
Lingenfelter, R. E.↗
Cometary NH - Ultraviolet and submillimeter emission
A description is presented of the results of computer calculations on the molecule NH, which is an important constituent of cometary comae, and a probable, but an as yet undetected, interstellar species. Attention is given to spectroscopic properties, the treatment of solar spectral data, and radiative transfer calculations. The results of calculations for the Einstein A-coefficients are given in an appendix, where the entries for the X-X and A-A transitions depend on the assumed permanent electric-dipole moment squared. Rotational-spin-Lambda-doublet energy levels used for statistical equilibrium population densities are listed in a table.
Litvak, M. M.↗
Onion-shell model for cosmic ray electrons and radio synchrotron emission in supernova remnants
The spectrum of cosmic ray electrons, accelerated in the shock front of a supernova remnant (SNR), is calculated in the test-particle approximation using an onion-shell model. Particle diffusion within the evolving remnant is explicity taken into account. The particle spectrum becomes steeper with increasing radius as well as SNR age. Simple models of the magnetic field distribution allow a prediction of the intensity and spectrum of radio synchrotron emission and their radial variation. The agreement with existing observations is satisfactory in several SNR's but fails in other cases. Radiative cooling may be an important effect, especially in SNR's exploding in a dense interstellar medium.
Beck, R.↗
Models for infrared emission from IRAS galaxies
Models for the infrared emission from Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS) galaxies by Rowan-Robinson and Crawford, by deJong and Brink, and by Helou, are reviewed. Rowan-Robinson and Crawford model the 12 to 100 micron radiation from IRAS galaxies in terms of 3 components: a normal disk component, due to interstellar cirrus; a starburst component, modeled as hot stars in an optically thick dust cloud; and a Seyfert component, modeled as a power-law continuum immersed in an n(r) variation r sup -1 dust cloud associated with the narrow-line region of the Seyfert nucleus. The correlations between the luminosities in the different components, the blue luminosity, and the X-ray luminosity of the galaxies are consistent with the model. Spectra from 0.1 to 1000 microns are predicted and compared with available observations. The de Jong and Brink, and Helou, model IRAS non-Seyfert galaxies in terms of a cool (cirrus) component and a warm (starburst) component. The de Jong and Brink estimate the face-on internal extinction in the galaxies and find that it is higher in galaxies with more luminous starbursts. In Helou's model the spectrum of the warm component varies strongly with the luminosity in that component. The three models are briefly compared.
Rowan-Robinson, M.↗
Spectroscopy of the Kleinmann-Low nebula - Scattering in a solid absorption band
Spectroscopic observations (2.4-3.6 microns) of BN, IRc 2, 3, and 4, and three scattering locations in the KL reflection nebula are reported. A previous report (Knacke et al., 1982) of a 2.97-micron spectral feature in the BN object is not confirmed in the new data. The 2.97-micron feature is observed in sources in the KL nebula, and the spectrum is distorted by a nearby hydrogen line. All the spectra are dominated by absorption along the radiation path, making scattering effects difficult to separate. Scattering could broaden the 3.1-micron interstellar-ice feature, but the effects appear to be small. Except for a long-wavelength wing, the spectra can be modeled reasonably well with core-mantle, silicate-water-ice grains. The wing position and intensity indicate bands of C-H groups of ammonia-ice mixtures.
Knacke, R. F.↗
Why galactic gamma-ray bursts might depend on environment: Blast waves around neutron stars
Although galactic models for gamma-ray bursts are hard to reconcile with the isotropy data, the issue is still sufficiently open that both options should be explored. The most likely 'triggers' for bursts in our Galaxy would be violent disturbances in the magnetospheres of neutron stars. Any event of this kind is likely to expel magnetic flux and plasma at relativistic speed. Such ejecta would be braked by the interstellar medium (ISM), and a gamma-ray flash may result from this interaction. The radiative efficiency, of this mechanism would depend on the density of the circumstellar ISM. Therefore, even if neutron stars were uniformly distributed in space (at least within 1-2 kpc of the Sun), the observed locations of bursts would correlate with regions of above-average ISM density.
Rees, Martin J.↗
Massive stars and the energy balance of the ISM: I. The imapct of an isolated 60 M star
We present results of numerical simulations carried out with a 2D radiation hydrodynamics code in order to study the impact of massive stars on their surrounding interstellar medium. This first paper deals with the evolution of the circumstellar gas around an isolated 60 M star.
galaxies evolution HII regions hydsodynamics inter↗
The Gaseous Disks of Young Stellar Objects
Disks represent a crucial stage in the formation of stars and planets. They are novel astrophysical systems with attributes intermediate between the interstellar medium and stars. Their physical properties are inhomogeneous and are affected by hard stellar radiation and by dynamical evolution. Observing disk structure is difficult because of the small sizes, ranging from as little as 0.05 AU at the inner edge to 100-1000 AU at large radial distances. Nonetheless, substantial progress has been made by observing the radiation emitted by the dust from near infrared to mm wavelengths, i.e., the spectral energy distribution of an unresolved disk. Many fewer results are available for the gas, which is the main mass component of disks over much of their lifetime. The inner disk gas of young stellar objects (henceforth YSOs) have been studied using the near infrared rovibrational transitions of CO and a few other molecules, while the outer regions have been explored with the mm and sub-mm lines of CO and other species. Further progress can be expected in understanding the physical properties of disks from observations with sub-mm arrays like SMA, CARMA and ALMA, with mid infrared measurements using Spitzer, and near infrared spectroscopy with large ground-based telescopes. Intense efforts are also being made to model the observations using complex thermal-chemical models. After a brief review of the existing observations and modeling results, some of the weaknesses of the models will be discussed, including the absence of good laboratory and theoretical calculations for essential microscopic processes.
Glassgold, A. E.↗
Vacuum ultraviolet detection of the VLISM-heliosphere interaction
As the neutral components of the interstellar gas flow through the heliosphere their spatial distribution is modified by charge exchange with the solar plasma, photoionization, and radiation pressure. The deep space probes Pioneers 10/11 and Voyagers 1/2 have provided an opportunity to investigate this distribution through VUV observations of the heliospheric glow. Since the interactions of the inflowing neutrals with the heliosphere depend on both space and time it is particularly useful to have multiple spacecraft observations. Pioneer 10 is in the downstream region of the inflowing interstellar breeze at 50 AU while Pioneer 11 and Voyager 2 are upstream at about 30 AU. Voyager 1 is also upstream at about 40 AU but at a heliographic latitude of + 30 deg. Both temporal and spatial effects are expected to be quite different for the upstream and downstream regions. Some of the recent VUV data and its implications with respect to the heliospheric structure will be presented.
Judge, D. L.↗
Gas absorption cell photometer for rocket observations of local interstellar helium
A photometer sensitive in the 584-A line of He I, incorporating a helium-gas absorption cell, has been developed. The helium is confined at a pressure of 0.2 torr between thin-metal-foil broad-band ultraviolet filters. The cell contains sufficient helium to absorb 584-A radiation scattered from atmospheric helium. The ratio of fluxes seen with the cell full and empty provides a valuable datum for fitting models of the local interstellar medium, which is independent of solar 584-A flux, interstellar helium density, and photometer sensitivity.-
Freeman, J.↗
Shock processing of interstellar grains
Shock processing plays an important role in the life of a typical interstellar grain. Shocks of 100 km/s-l or greater can destroy about 50% of the grain material under appropriate preshock conditions of density and magnetic field. The destruction occurs by grain-grain collisions and nonthermal sputtering for steady state radiative shocks and by thermal sputtering for fast adiabatic shocks. The evaluation of the lifetime of grains against shock destruction depends on models of the interstellar medium (ISM) structure and on supernova remnants (SNR) evolution. Results from various authors give lifetimes between 10 to the 8th and 10 to the 9th power years, compared to typical injection times for new grains of a few times 10 to the 9th power years. These numbers require that a major portion of the interstellar silicon bearing grain material must be formed by grain growth in the ISM. At the same time, the presence of isotopic anomalies in some meteorites implies that at least some grains must survive from their formation in SNRs or red giant winds through incorporation into the solar system.
Seab, C. G.↗
Chemically anomalous, pre-accretionally irradiated grains in interplanetary dust -- interstellar grains?
Ultrafine-grained matrix is a unique and fundamental building block of chondritic porous (CP) interplanetary dust particles. Most IDPs so far determined to be of cometary origin belong to the CP class. The matrix in CP IDPs is not homogeneous but rather a loose mixture of discrete single crystals (e.g., olivine, pyroxene, Fe sulfides) and polyphase grains. The petrographic diversity observed among the polyphase grains suggest that they were formed under variable physiochemical conditions. One particular class of polyphase grains are a dominant component in cometary IDPs. Although their occurrence is well documented, the terminology used to describe them is confused. They have been called many names. Here they are simply called GEMS (Glass with Embedded Metal and Sulfides). The bulk compositions of GEMS are within a factor of 3 chondritic (solar) for all major elements except C. Quantitative thin-film X-ray (EDS) analyses have shown that GEMS are systematically depleted in Mg and Si, enriched in S, Fe, and Ni, and stoichiometrically enriched in O. Electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) suggests that the excess O is present as hydroxyl (-OH) groups. These same chemical 'anomalies' were observed in solar-wind-irradiated amorphous rims on the surfaces of IDPs, suggesting that the compositions of GEMS reflect prior exposure to ionizing radiation. In order to test this hypothesis, a sample of Allende (CV3) matrix was exposed to proton flux. Radiation-damaged amorphous rims on olivine and pyroxene crystals in the Allende sample were found to be depleted in Mg and Ca, enriched in S, Fe, and Ni, and stoichiometrically enriched in O. Thus, the compositions of GEMS are indeed consistent with exposure to ionizing radiation. This study suggests that chemical as well as isotopic anomalies may be used to identify presolar interstellar grains in primitive meteoritic materials.
Bradley, J. P.↗
A precise measurement of the cosmic microwave background radiation temperature from CN observations toward Zeta Persei
High-SNR high-resolution (R = 150,000-170,000) optical spectra of interstellar CN toward Zeta Per are presented. Fits to the data yield a value of 1.25 + or - 0.02 km/s for the R(O) linewidth parameter b along this line of sight. The column densities of the level populations are directly determined from the convolution of the instrument response function with a model which is then fitted to the data. Tex = 2.79 + or - 0.03 K is obtained along this line of sight.
Kaiser, Mary Elizabeth↗
Isotopic abundance of CO in interstellar clouds
The fractional abundances of the isotopic species of carbon monoxide in interstellar clouds are calculated on a basis of gas-phase ion-molecule reactions. The (C-13)O/(C-12)O ratio varies significantly with extinction of the ultraviolet radiation field, and in the outer regions of dark dense clouds (C-13)O may be enhanced by a factor of 10. The observational interpretation of the CO to H2 or interstellar-reddening relation and the isotopic abundances of carbon are complicated by these effects.
Langer, W. D.↗
Collisional excitation of carbon monoxide in interstellar clouds.
Investigation of different models for the collisional excitation of carbon monoxide (CO) by solving the rate equations for the ten lowest energy levels, including stimulated emission and absorption by 3 K isotropic radiation, spontaneous emission, and collisions. The results are qualitatively applicable to other linear molecules. They show that a wide range of rotational excitation temperatures, including population inversions, can be produced by the various kinetic temperatures and particle densities which are likely to occur in the interstellar regions containing molecules.
Goldsmith, P. F.↗
Numerical solution of the radiation transport equation in disk geometry
An efficient numerical method for solving the problem of radiation transport in a dusty medium with two dimensional (2-D) disk geometry is described. It is a generalization of the one-dimensional quasi-diffusion method in which the transport equation is cast in diffusion form and then solved as a boundary value problem. The method should be applicable to a variety of astronomical sources, the dynamics of which are angular-momentum dominated and hence not accurately treated by spherical geometry, e.g., protoplanetary nebulae, circumstellar disks, interstellar molecular clouds, accretion disks, and disk galaxies. The computational procedure and practical considerations for implementing the method are described in detail. To illustrate the effects of 2-D radiation transport, some model results (dust temperature distributions and IR flux spectra) for externally heated, interstellar dust clouds with spherically symmetric and disk geometry are compared.
Spagna, George F., Jr.↗