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At least 1,027 records · Page 57

The collisionless magnetoviscous-thermal instability

It is likely that nearly all central galactic massive and supermassive black holes are nonradiative: their accretion luminosities are orders of magnitude below what can be explained by efficient black hole accretion within their ambient environments. These objects, of which Sagittarius A* is the best-known example, are also dilute (mildly collisional to highly collisionless) and optically thin. In order for accretion to occur, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities must develop that not only transport angular momentum, but also gravitational energy generated through matter infall, outward. A class of new magnetohydrodynamical fluid instabilities—the magnetoviscous-thermal instability (MVTI)—was found to transport angular momentum and energy along magnetic field lines through large (fluid) viscosities and thermal conductivities. This paper describes the analog to the MVTI, the collisionless MVTI (CMVTI), that similarly transports energy and angular momentum outward, expected to be important in describing the flow properties of hot, dilute, and radiatively inefficient accretion flows around black holes. We construct a local equilibrium for MHD stability analysis in this differentially rotating disk. We then find and characterize specific instabilities expected to be important in describing their flow properties, and show their qualitative similarities to instabilities derived using the fluid formalism. We conclude with further work needed in modeling this class of accretion flow.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Low- to Mid-Latitude X-Ray Emission from Jupiter

The Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO) observed Jupiter during the period 2003 February 24-26 for approx.40 hours (4 Jupiter rotations), using both the spectroscopy array of the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS-S) and the imaging array of the High-Resolution Camera (HRC-I). Two ACIS-S exposures, each approx.8.5 hr long, were separated by an HRC-I exposure of approx.20 hr. The low- to mid-latitude non-auroral disk X-ray emission is much more spatially uniform than the auroral emission. However, the low- to mid-latitude X-ray count rate shows a small but statistically significant hour angle dependence, and is higher in regions of relatively low surface magnetic field strength, confirming ROSAT results. In addition, the spectrum from the low surface field region shows an enhancement in the energy band 1.14- 1.38 keV, perhaps partly due to line emission from that region. Correlation of surface magnetic field strength with count rate is not found for the 2000 December HRC-I data, at a time when solar activity was high. The low- to mid-latitude disk X-ray count rate observed by the HRC-I in the 2003 February observation is about 50% of that observed in 2000 December, roughly consistent with a decrease in the solar activity index (F10.7 cm flux) by a similar amount over the same time period. The low- to mid-latitude X-ray emission does not show any oscillations similar to the -45 minute oscillations sometimes seen from the northern auroral zone. The temporal variation in Jupiter's non-auroral X-ray emission exhibits similarities to variations in solar X-ray flux observed by GOES and TIMED/SEE. The two ACIS-S 0.3-2 keV low- to mid-latitude X-ray spectra are harder than the auroral spectrum, and are different from each other at energies above 0.7 keV, showing variability in Jupiter s non-auroral X-ray emission on a time scale of a day. The 0.3-2.0 keV X-ray power emitted at low- to mid-latitudes is 0.21 GW and 0.39 GW for the first and second ACIS-S exposures, respectively. We suggest that X-ray emission from Jupiter's disk may be largely generated by solar X-rays resonantly and fluorescently scattered in its upper atmosphere, especially at times of high incident solar X-ray flux. However, the correlation of higher count rate with low surface magnetic-field strength indicates the presence of some secondary component, possibly ion precipitation from radiation belts closer to the planet than elsewhere at low- to mid-latitudes.

Bhardwaj, Anil↗

( NuSTAR NuSTAR) and XMM-Newton observations of the neutron star X-ray binary 1RXS J180408.9-34205

We report on observations of the neutron star (NS) residing in the low-mass X-ray binary 1RXS J180408.9-34205 taken 2015 March by NuSTAR and XMM-Newton while the source was in the hard spectral state. We find multiple reflection features (Fe K{sub α} detected with NuSTAR; N vii, O vii, and O viii detected in the RGS) from different ionization zones. Through joint fits using the self-consistent relativistic reflection model relxill, we determine the inner radius to be ≤11.1 R {sub g}. For a 1.4 M{sub ⊙} NS with a spin of a{sub ∗}=0, this is an inner disk radius of ⩽22.2 km. We find the inclination of the system to be between 18° and 29°. If the disk is truncated at a radius greater than the NS radius, it could be truncated by a boundary layer on the NS surface. It is also possible that the disk is truncated at the magnetospheric radius; conservative estimates would then imply B⩽(0.3--1.0)×10{sup 9} G at the magnetic poles, though coherent pulsations have not been detected and the source is not identified as a pulsar.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

GMC Collisions as Triggers of Star Formation. II. 3D Turbulent, Magnetized Simulations

We investigate giant molecular cloud collisions and their ability to induce gravitational instability and thus star formation. This mechanism may be a major driver of star formation activity in galactic disks. We carry out a series of 3D, magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), adaptive mesh refinement simulations to study how cloud collisions trigger formation of dense filaments and clumps. Heating and cooling functions are implemented based on photo-dissociation region models that span the atomic-to-molecular transition and can return detailed diagnostic information. The clouds are initialized with supersonic turbulence and a range of magnetic field strengths and orientations. Collisions at various velocities and impact parameters are investigated. Comparing and contrasting colliding and non-colliding cases, we characterize morphologies of dense gas, magnetic field structure, cloud kinematic signatures, and cloud dynamics. We present key observational diagnostics of cloud collisions, especially: relative orientations between magnetic fields and density structures, like filaments; {sup 13}CO( J = 2-1), {sup 13}CO( J = 3-2), and {sup 12}CO( J = 8-7) integrated intensity maps and spectra; and cloud virial parameters. We compare these results to observed Galactic clouds.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Mass outflows associated with young stellar objects

Properties of optical and molecular outflows associated with young stellar objects are discussed with emphasis placed on new results concerning outflow energetics, collimating structures, and the relationship between the outflow properties and the magnetic field geometry characterizing the host molecular clouds. Particular consideration is given to the IRAS observations of YSO mass outflows, which reveal extended far-IR emission associated with high-velocity molecular gas and in which a number of disk-like structures associated with YSO outflow sources were resolved. The disk axes appeared to lie along the direction of molecular outflows or stellar jets. The mass outflows showed a remarkable tendency to align along the direction of the magnetic fields which thread their host molecular clouds, suggesting that the cloud magnetic field must play an important role in determining the flattening (and perhaps the rotation) of protostellar structures.

Strom, Stephen E.↗

Magnetohydrodynamic numerical simulation of wind production from hot accretion flows around black holes at very large radii

Numerical simulations of hot accretion flows around black holes have shown the existence of strong wind. Those works focused only on the region close to the black hole and thus it is unknown whether or where the wind production stops at large radii. To address this question, we have recently performed hydrodynamic (HD) simulations by taking into account the gravitational potential of both the black hole and the nuclear star cluster. The latter is assumed to be proportional to σ{sup 2}ln(r), with σ being the velocity dispersion of stars and r the distance from the center of the galaxy. It was found that when the gravity is dominated by nuclear stars, i.e., outside a radius R{sub A}≡GM{sub BH}/σ{sup 2}, winds can no longer be produced. That work, however, neglects the magnetic field, which is believed to play a crucial dynamical role in the accretion and thus must be taken into account. In this paper, we revisit this problem by performing magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations. We confirm the result of our previous paper, namely that wind cannot be produced in the region R>R{sub A}. Our result, combined with recent results of Yuan et al., indicates that the formula describing the mass flux of wind, M-dot {sub wind}= M-dot {sub BH}(r/20r{sub s}), can only be applied to the region where the black hole potential is dominant. Here M-dot {sub BH} is the mass accretion rate at the black hole horizon and the value of R {sub A} is similar to the Bondi radius.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Nature of the wiggle instability of galactic spiral shocks

Gas in disk galaxies interacts nonlinearly with an underlying stellar spiral potential to form galactic spiral shocks. While numerical simulations typically show that spiral shocks are unstable to wiggle instability (WI) even in the absence of magnetic fields and self-gravity, its physical nature has remained uncertain. To clarify the mechanism behind the WI, we conduct a normal-mode linear stability analysis and nonlinear simulations assuming that the disk is isothermal and infinitesimally thin. We find that the WI is physical, originating from the generation of potential vorticity at a deformed shock front, rather than Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities as previously thought. Since gas in galaxy rotation periodically passes through the shocks multiple times, the potential vorticity can accumulate successively, setting up a normal mode that grows exponentially with time. Eigenfunctions of the WI decay exponentially downstream from the shock front. Both shock compression of acoustic waves and a discontinuity of shear across the shock stabilize the WI. The wavelength and growth time of the WI depend on the arm strength quite sensitively. When the stellar-arm forcing is moderate at 5%, the wavelength of the most unstable mode is about 0.07 times the arm-to-arm spacing, with the growth rate comparable to the orbital angular frequency, which is found to be in good agreement with the results of numerical simulations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

The quiescent counterpart of the peculiar X-ray burster SAX J2224.9+5421

SAX J2224.9+5421 is an extraordinary neutron star low-mass X-ray binary. It was discovered when it was exhibiting a ≅ 10 s long thermonuclear X-ray burst, but it had faded to a 0.5-10 keV luminosity of L {sub X} ≲ 8 × 10{sup 32}(D/7.1 kpc){sup 2} erg s{sup –1} only ≅ 8 hr later. It is generally assumed that neutron stars are quiescent (i.e., not accreting) at such intensity, raising questions about the trigger conditions of the X-ray burst and the origin of the faint persistent emission. We report on a ≅51 ks XMM-Newton observation aimed at finding clues explaining the unusual behavior of SAX J2224.9+5421. We identify a likely counterpart that is detected at L {sub X} ≅ 5 × 10{sup 31}(D/7.1 kpc){sup 2} erg s{sup –1} (0.5-10 keV) and has a soft X-ray spectrum that can be described by a neutron star atmosphere model with a temperature of kT {sup ∞} ≅ 50 eV. This would suggest that SAX J2224.9+5421 is a transient source that was in quiescence during our XMM-Newton observation and experienced a very faint (ceasing) accretion outburst at the time of the X-ray burst detection. We consider one other potential counterpart that is detected at L {sub X} ≅ 5 × 10{sup 32}(D/7.1 kpc){sup 2} erg s{sup –1} and displays an X-ray spectrum that is best described by a power law with a photon index of Γ ≅ 1.7. Similarly hard X-ray spectra are seen for a few quiescent neutron stars and may be indicative of a relatively strong magnetic field or the occurrence of low-level accretion.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

3C 279 IN OUTBURST IN 2015 JUNE: A BROADBAND SED STUDY BASED ON THE INTEGRAL DETECTION

Blazars radiate from radio through gamma-ray frequencies and thereby make ideal targets for multifrequency studies. Such studies allow the properties of the emitting jet to be constrained. 3C 279 is among the most notable blazars and therefore subject to extensive multifrequency campaigns. We report the results of a campaign ranging from near-IR to gamma-ray energies that targeted an outburst of 3C 279 in 2015 June. The campaign pivots around the detection in only 50 ks by INTEGRAL , whose IBIS/ISGRI data pin down the high-energy component of the spectral energy distribution (SED) between Swift -XRT data and Fermi -LAT data. The overall SED from near-IR to gamma rays can be well represented by either a leptonic or a lepto-hadronic radiation transfer model. Even though the data are equally well represented by the two models, their inferred parameters challenge the physical conditions in the jet. In fact, the leptonic model requires parameters with a magnetic field far below equipartition with the relativistic particle energy density. In contrast, equipartition may be achieved with the lepto-hadronic model, although this implies an extreme total jet power close to the Eddington luminosity.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

On the inversion of the scattering polarization and the Hanle effect signals in the hydrogen Lyα line

Magnetic field measurements in the upper chromosphere and above, where the gas-to-magnetic pressure ratio β is lower than unity, are essential for understanding the thermal structure and dynamical activity of the solar atmosphere. Recent developments in the theory and numerical modeling of polarization in spectral lines have suggested that information on the magnetic field of the chromosphere-corona transition region could be obtained by measuring the linear polarization of the solar disk radiation at the core of the hydrogen Lyα line at 121.6 nm, which is produced by scattering processes and the Hanle effect. The Chromospheric Lyman-Alpha SpectroPolarimeter (CLASP) sounding rocket experiment aims to measure the intensity (Stokes I) and the linear polarization profiles (Q/I and U/I) of the hydrogen Lyα line. In this paper, we clarify the information that the Hanle effect can provide by applying a Stokes inversion technique based on a database search. The database contains all theoretical Q/I and U/I profiles calculated in a one-dimensional semi-empirical model of the solar atmosphere for all possible values of the strength, inclination, and azimuth of the magnetic field vector, though this atmospheric region is highly inhomogeneous and dynamic. We focus on understanding the sensitivity of the inversion results to the noise and spectral resolution of the synthetic observations as well as the ambiguities and limitation inherent to the Hanle effect when only the hydrogen Lyα is used. We conclude that spectropolarimetric observations with CLASP can indeed be a suitable diagnostic tool for probing the magnetism of the transition region, especially when complemented with information on the magnetic field azimuth that can be obtained from other instruments.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Effects of Magnetic Fields on Gas Dynamics and Star Formation in Nuclear Rings

Nuclear rings at the centers of barred galaxies are known to be strongly magnetized. To explore the effects of magnetic fields on star formation in these rings and nuclear gas flows, we run magnetohydrodynamic simulations in which there is a temporally constant magnetized inflow to the ring, representing a bar-driven inflow. The mass inflow rate is 1M ⊙ yr –1 , and we explore models with a range of field strength in the inflow. We adopt the TIGRESS framework developed by Kim & Ostriker to handle radiative heating and cooling, star formation, and resulting supernova (SN) feedback. We find that magnetic fields are efficiently amplified in the ring due to rotational shear and SN feedback. Within a few 100 Myr, the turbulent component Btrb in the ring saturates at ~35 μG (in rough equipartition with the turbulent kinetic energy density), while the regular component Breg exceeds 50 μG. Expanding superbubbles created by clustered SN explosions vertically drag predominantly toroidal fields from near the midplane to produce poloidal fields in high-altitude regions. The growth of magnetic fields greatly suppresses star formation at late times. Simultaneously, strong magnetic tension in the ring drives radially inward accretion flows from the ring to form a circumnuclear disk in the central region; this feature is absent in the unmagnetized model.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Global Non-axisymmetric Hall Instabilities in a Rotating Plasma

Non-axisymmetric, flow-driven instabilities in the incompressible Hall-MHD model are studied in a differentially rotating cylindrical plasma. It is found that, in the Hall-MHD regime, both whistler waves and ion-cyclotron waves can extract energy from the flow shear, resulting in two distinct branches of global instability. The non-axisymmetric whistler modes grow significantly faster than non-axisymmetric, ideal MHD modes. A discussion of the global whistler instability mechanism is presented in the large-ion-skin-depth, “electron-MHD” limit. When the magnetic field is azimuthal, a subset of the whistler modes having zero axial wave number are uncovered to be destabilized by the “corotation amplifier” mechanism. It is observed that the effect of the Hall term on the non-axisymmetric modes can be appreciable when d i is on the order of a few percent of the width of the cylindrical annulus. Distinct global modes emerge in the strong Hall-MHD regime at significantly stronger magnetic fields than those required for unstable global MHD modes, as the Hall effect weakens the stabilizing “field-line bending” by decoupling ion motion from the magnetic field. These global non-axisymmetric modes may play an important role in weakly ionized accretion disks.

Alfven waves↗

IMPLICATIONS OF THE TENTATIVE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN GW150914 AND A FERMI -GBM TRANSIENT

The merger-driven gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and their associated gravitational-wave (GW) radiation, if both are successfully detected, have some far-reaching implications, including, for instance: (i) the statistical comparison of the physical properties of the short/long-short GRBs with and without GW detection can test the general origin model; (ii) revealing the physical processes taking place at the central engine; (iii) measuring the velocity of the gravitational wave directly/accurately. In this work, we discuss these implications in the case of a possible association of GW150914/Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) transient 150914. We compared GBM transient 150914 with other SGRBs and found that such an event may be a distinct outlier in some statistical diagrams, possibly due to its specific binary black hole merger origin. However, the presence of a “new” group of SGRBs with “unusual” physical parameters is also possible. If the outflow of GBM transient 150914 was launched by the accretion onto the nascent black hole, the magnetic activity rather than the neutrino process is likely responsible for the energy extraction, and the accretion disk mass is estimated to be ∼10{sup −5} M {sub ⊙}. The GW150914/GBM transient 150914 association, if confirmed, would provide the first opportunity to directly measure the GW velocity, and its departure from the speed of the light should be within a factor of ∼10{sup −17}.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Magnetic fields on the Sun

Synoptic observations of solar magnetic fields are discussed. Seen in long-term averages, the magnetic fields of the Sun show distinctive behavior. The active-region latitudes are characterized by magnetic fields of preceding polarity. The flow of following polarity fields to make up the polar fields is episodic, not continuous. This field motion is a directed poleward flow and is not due to diffusion. The total magnetic flux on the solar surface, which is related linearly to the calcium emission in integrated sunlight, varies from activity minimum to maximum by a factor of 2 or 3. Nearly all this flux is seen at active-region latitudes-only about 1% is at the poles. The total flux of the Sun disappears from the surface at a very rapid rate and is replaced by new flux. All the field and flux patterns that we see originate in active-region latitudes. The polar magnetic fields of the Sun were observed to change polarity recently. The variations of the full-disk solar flux are shown to lead to the proper rotation rate of the Sun, but the phase of the variations is constant for only a year or two at most.

Howard, R.↗

High temperature superconductors: A technological revolution

The objectives are to demonstrate the Meissner effect through magnetic levitation, to demonstrate one application of the Meissner effect, the low friction magnetic rotation bearing, and to demonstrate magnetic flux penetration and the Type II nature of ceramic superconductors via the stacking of the superconductor disks. Experimental equipment and procedures are described.

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Large-scale gas dynamical processes affecting the origin and evolution of gaseous galactic halos

Observations of galactic halo gas are consistent with an interpretation in terms of the galactic fountain model in which supernova heated gas in the galactic disk escapes into the halo, radiatively cools and forms clouds which fall back to the disk. The results of a new study of several large-scale gas dynamical effects which are expected to occur in such a model for the origin and evolution of galactic halo gas will be summarized, including the following: (1) nonequilibrium absorption line and emission spectrum diagnostics for radiatively cooling halo gas in our own galaxy, as well the implications of such absorption line diagnostics for the origin of quasar absorption lines in galactic halo clouds of high redshift galaxies; (2) numerical MHD simulations and analytical analysis of large-scale explosions ad superbubbles in the galactic disk and halo; (3) numerical MHD simulations of halo cloud formation by thermal instability, with and without magnetic field; and (4) the effect of the galactic fountain on the galactic dynamo.

Shapiro, Paul R.↗

Cosmic Journeys. To the Edge of Gravity, Space and Time: Structure and Evolution of the Universe Roadmap: 2003-2023

The Roadmap for the Structure and Evolution of the Universe (SEU) Theme embraces three fundamental, scientific quests: (1) To explain structure in the Universe and forecast our cosmic destiny, (2) To explore the cycles of matter and energy in the evolving Universe, (3) To examine the ultimate limits of gravity and energy in the Universe. We develop these quests into six focused research campaigns: (1) Identify dark matter and learn how it shapes galaxies and systems of galaxies, (2) Explore where and when the chemical elements were made (3) Understand the cycles in which matter, energy, and magnetic field are exchanged between stars and the gas between stars, (4) Discover how gas flows in disks and how cosmic jets are formed, (5) Identify the sources of gamma-ray bursts and high-energy cosmic rays, (6) Measure how strong gravity operates near black holes and how it affects the early Universe. These campaigns lead to a portfolio of future major missions of great scientific interest and popular appeal, strongly endorsed by the scientific community. Many have undergone significant initial study. Some are in a state of readiness that make them ideal candidates for the present Office of Space Science Strategic Plan; others may well feature in the next Plan. Each provides a golden scientific opportunity to advance our understanding of the Universe. We have identified three top-priority near-term science objectives together with missions to accomplish these goals. The three problems span a diverse range of subdisciplines, of observational technique, of timescales, and of cost, and are thus complementary, forming a coherent core program for the SEU theme in the 2003-2007 timeframe.These are : (1) Obtain precise measures of the chemical composition and physical conditions in objects ranging from the closest stars to the most distant quasars, (2) Utilize gravitational radiation as a probe of supermassive blackholes throughout the universe, (3) determine the nature of the highest energy cosmic rays. We also describe a small number of exciting missions which are strong candidates for new start status in the midterm, 2008-2013, pending technology development. These missions tackle fundamental problems through the entire electromagnetic spectrum, from the radio through gamma rays, and in many cases develop fascinating technologies with applicability not only elsewhere in NASA but outside of space science as well. Finally, we describe a set of "vision missions," which stretch our scientific imagination and set technology challenges for our field.

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PheniX: A New Vision for the Hard X-ray Sky

We are proposing a mission devoted to high energy X-ray astronomy that is based on a focusing telescope operating in the 1-200 keV energy range but optimized for the hard X-ray range. The main scientific topics concern: Physics of compact objects: The proximity of compact objects provides a unique laboratory to study matter and radiation in extreme conditions of temperature and density in strong gravitational environment. The emission of high energy photons from these objects is far from being understood. The unprecedented sensitivity in the high energy domain will allow a precise determination of the non-thermal processes at work in the vicinity of compact objects. The full 1-200 keV energy coverage will be ideal to disentangle the emission processes produced in the spacetime regions most affected by strong-gravity, as well as the physical links: disk-thermal emission-iron line-comptonisation-reflection-non-thermal emission-jets. Neutron stars-magnetic field-cyclotron lines: Time resolved spectroscopy (and polarimetry) at ultra-high sensitivity of AXP, milliseconds pulsars and magnetars will give new tools to study the role of the synchrotron processes at work in these objects. Cyclotron lines-direct measurement of magnetic filed-equation of state constraints-short bursts-giant flares could all be studied with great details. AGN: The large sensitivity improvement will provide detailed spectral properties of the high energy emission of AGN's. This will give a fresh look to the connection between accretion and jet emission and will provide a new understanding of the physical processes at work. Detection of high-redshift active nuclei in this energy range will allow to introduce an evolutionary aspect to high-energy studies of AGN, probing directly the origin of the Cosmic X-ray Background also in the non-thermal range (> 20 keV). Element formation-Supernovae: The energy resolution achievable for this mission (<0.5 keV) and a large high energy effective area are ideally suited for the 44Ti line study (68 and 78 keV). This radioactive nuclei emission will give an estimate of their quantities and speed in their environment. In addition the study of the spatial structure and spectral emission of SNR will advance our knowledge of the dynamics of supernovae explosions, of particles acceleration mechanisms and how the elements are released in the interstellar medium. Instrumental design: The progress of X-ray focusing optics techniques allows a major step in the instrumental design: the collecting area becomes independent of the detection area. This drastically reduces the instrumental background and will open a new era. The optics will be based on depth-graded multi-layer mirrors in a Wolter I configuration. To obtain a significant effective area in the hundred of keV range a focal length in the 40-50 meters range (attainable with a deployable mast) is needed. In addition such a mission could benefit from recent progress made on mirror coating. We propose to cover the 1-200 keV energy range with a single detector, a double-sided Germanium strip detector operating at 80 K. The main features will be: (a) good energy resolution (.150 keV at 5 keV and <.5 keV at 100 keV), (b) 3 dimensional event localization with a low number of electronic chains, (c) background rejection by the 3D localization, (d) polarisation capabilities in the Compton regime.

PHENIX↗