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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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At least 1,045 records · Page 58
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DOE OSTI2018

A Likely Detection of a Two-planet System in a Low-magnification Microlensing Event

We report on the analysis of a microlensing event, OGLE-2014-BLG-1722, that showed two distinct short-term anomalies. The best-fit model to the observed light curves shows that the two anomalies are explained with two planetary mass ratio companions to the primary lens. Although a binary-source model is also able to explain the second anomaly, it is marginally ruled out by 3.1σ. The two-planet model indicates that the first anomaly was caused by planet “b” with a mass ratio of q=(4.5{sub −0.6}{sup +0.7})×10{sup −4} and projected separation in units of the Einstein radius, s = 0.753 ± 0.004. The second anomaly reveals planet “c” with a mass ratio of q{sub 2}=(7.0{sub −1.7}{sup +2.3})×10{sup −4} with Δχ {sup 2} ∼ 170 compared to the single-planet model. Its separation has two degenerated solutions: the separation of planet c is s {sub 2} = 0.84 ± 0.03 and 1.37 ± 0.04 for the close and wide models, respectively. Unfortunately, this event does not show clear finite-source and microlensing parallax effects; thus, we estimated the physical parameters of the lens system from Bayesian analysis. This gives the masses of planets b and c as m{sub b}=56{sub −33}{sup +51} and m{sub c}=85{sub −51}{sup +86} M{sub ⊕}, respectively, and they orbit a late-type star with a mass of M{sub host} =0.40{sub −0.24}{sup +0.36} M{sub ⊙} located at D{sub L}=6.4{sub −1.8}{sup +1.3} kpc from us. The projected distances between the host and planets are r{sub ⊥,b}=1.5±0.6 au for planet b and r{sub ⊥,c}=1.7{sub −0.6}{sup +0.7} au and r{sub ⊥,c}=2.7{sub −1.0}{sup +1.1} au for the close and wide models of planet c. If the two-planet model is true, then this is the third multiple-planet system detected using the microlensing method and the first multiple-planet system detected in low-magnification events, which are dominant in the microlensing survey data. The occurrence rate of multiple cold gas giant systems is estimated using the two such detections and a simple extrapolation of the survey sensitivity of the 6 yr MOA microlensing survey combined with the 4 yr μFUN detection efficiency. It is estimated that 6% ± 2% of stars host two cold giant planets.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

The ALMA spectroscopic survey in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field: search for [C II] line and dust emission in 6 < z < 8 galaxies

We present a search for [C ii] line and dust continuum emission from optical dropout galaxies at z > 6 using ASPECS, our Atacama Large Millimeter submillimeter Array Spectroscopic Survey in the Hubble Ultra-deep Field (UDF). Our observations, which cover the frequency range of 212–272 GHz, encompass approximately the range of 6 < z < 8 for [C ii] line emission and reach a limiting luminosity of L {sub [C ii]} ∼ (1.6–2.5) × 10{sup 8} L {sub ⊙}. We identify 14 [C ii] line emitting candidates in this redshift range with significances >4.5σ, two of which correspond to blind detections with no optical counterparts. At this significance level, our statistical analysis shows that about 60% of our candidates are expected to be spurious. For one of our blindly selected [C ii] line candidates, we tentatively detect the CO(6-5) line in our parallel 3 mm line scan. None of the line candidates are individually detected in the 1.2 mm continuum. A stack of all [C ii] candidates results in a tentative detection with S {sub 1.2 mm} = 14 ± 5 μJy. This implies a dust-obscured star-formation rate (SFR) of (3 ± 1) M {sub ⊙} yr{sup −1}. We find that the two highest-SFR objects have candidate [C ii] lines with luminosities that are consistent with the low-redshift L {sub [C ii]} versus SFR relation. The other candidates have significantly higher [C ii] luminosities than expected from their UV-based SFR. At the current sensitivity, it is unclear whether the majority of these sources are intrinsically bright [C ii] emitters, or spurious sources. If only one of our line candidates was real (a scenario greatly favored by our statistical analysis), we find a source density for [C ii] emitters at 6 < z < 8 that is significantly higher than predicted by current models and some extrapolations from galaxies in the local universe.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

UNRAVELLING THE COMPONENTS OF A MULTI-THERMAL CORONAL LOOP USING MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC SEISMOLOGY

Coronal loops, constituting the basic building blocks of the active Sun, serve as primary targets to help understand the mechanisms responsible for maintaining multi-million Kelvin temperatures in the solar and stellar coronae. Despite significant advances in observations and theory, our knowledge on the fundamental properties of these structures is limited. Here, we present unprecedented observations of accelerating slow magnetoacoustic waves along a coronal loop that show differential propagation speeds in two distinct temperature channels, revealing the multi-stranded and multithermal nature of the loop. Utilizing the observed speeds and employing nonlinear force-free magnetic field extrapolations, we derive the actual temperature variation along the loop in both channels, and thus are able to resolve two individual components of the multithermal loop for the first time. The obtained positive temperature gradients indicate uniform heating along the loop, rather than isolated footpoint heating.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

GALAXY EVOLUTION AT HIGH REDSHIFT: OBSCURED STAR FORMATION, GRB RATES, COSMIC REIONIZATION, AND MISSING SATELLITES

We provide a holistic view of galaxy evolution at high redshifts z ≳ 4, which incorporates the constraints from various astrophysical/cosmological probes, including the estimate of the cosmic star formation rate (SFR) density from UV/IR surveys and long gamma-ray burst (GRBs) rates, the cosmic reionization history following the latest Planck measurements, and the missing satellites issue. We achieve this goal in a model-independent way by exploiting the SFR functions derived by Mancuso et al. on the basis of an educated extrapolation of the latest UV/far-IR data from HST / Herschel , and already tested against a number of independent observables. Our SFR functions integrated down to a UV magnitude limit M {sub UV} ≲ −13 (or SFR limit around 10{sup −2} M {sub ⊙} yr{sup −1}) produce a cosmic SFR density in excellent agreement with recent determinations from IR surveys and, taking into account a metallicity ceiling Z ≲ Z {sub ⊙}/2, with the estimates from long GRB rates. They also yield a cosmic reionization history consistent with that implied by the recent measurements of the Planck mission of the electron scattering optical depth τ {sub es} ≈ 0.058; remarkably, this result is obtained under a conceivable assumption regarding the average value f {sub esc} ≈ 0.1 of the escape fraction for ionizing photons. We demonstrate via the abundance-matching technique that the above constraints concurrently imply galaxy formation becoming inefficient within dark matter halos of mass below a few 10{sup 8} M {sub ⊙}; pleasingly, such a limit is also required so as not to run into the missing satellites issue. Finally, we predict a downturn of the Galaxy luminosity function faintward of M {sub UV} ≲ −12, and stress that its detailed shape, to be plausibly probed in the near future by the JWST , will be extremely informative on the astrophysics of galaxy formation in small halos, or even on the microscopic nature of the dark matter.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Testing the Universality of the Stellar IMF with Chandra and HST

The stellar initial mass function (IMF), which is often assumed to be universal across unresolved stellar populations, has recently been suggested to be “bottom-heavy” for massive ellipticals. In these galaxies, the prevalence of gravity-sensitive absorption lines (e.g., Na i and Ca ii) in their near-IR spectra implies an excess of low-mass (m≲0.5 M{sub ⊙}) stars over that expected from a canonical IMF observed in low-mass ellipticals. A direct extrapolation of such a bottom-heavy IMF to high stellar masses (m≳8 M{sub ⊙}) would lead to a corresponding deficit of neutron stars and black holes, and therefore of low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs), per unit near-IR luminosity in these galaxies. Peacock et al. searched for evidence of this trend and found that the observed number of LMXBs per unit K-band luminosity (N/L{sub K}) was nearly constant. We extend this work using new and archival Chandra X-ray Observatory and Hubble Space Telescope observations of seven low-mass ellipticals where N/L{sub K} is expected to be the largest and compare these data with a variety of IMF models to test which are consistent with the observed N/L{sub K}. We reproduce the result of Peacock et al., strengthening the constraint that the slope of the IMF at m≳8 M{sub ⊙} must be consistent with a Kroupa-like IMF. We construct an IMF model that is a linear combination of a Milky Way-like IMF and a broken power-law IMF, with a steep slope (α{sub 1}=3.84) for stars <0.5 M{sub ⊙} (as suggested by near-IR indices), and that flattens out (α{sub 2}=2.14) for stars >0.5 M{sub ⊙}, and discuss its wider ramifications and limitations.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

The Relation Between Globular Cluster Systems and Supermassive Black Holes in Spiral Galaxies: The Case Study of NGC 4258

We aim to explore the relationship between globular cluster total number, N{sub GC}, and central black hole mass, M {sub •}, in spiral galaxies, and compare it with that recently reported for ellipticals. We present results for the Sbc galaxy NGC 4258, from Canada–France–Hawaii Telescope data. Thanks to water masers with Keplerian rotation in a circumnuclear disk, NGC 4258 has the most precisely measured extragalactic distance and supermassive black hole mass to date. The globular cluster (GC) candidate selection is based on the (u{sup ∗}−i{sup ′}) versus (i{sup ′}−K{sub s}) diagram, which is a superb tool to distinguish GCs from foreground stars, background galaxies, and young stellar clusters, and hence can provide the best number counts of GCs from photometry alone, virtually free of contamination, even if the galaxy is not completely edge-on. The mean optical and optical-near-infrared colors of the clusters are consistent with those of the Milky Way and M 31, after extinction is taken into account. We directly identify 39 GC candidates; after completeness correction, GC luminosity function extrapolation, and correction for spatial coverage, we calculate a total N{sub GC}=144±31{sub −36}{sup +38} (random and systematic uncertainties, respectively). We have thus increased to six the sample of spiral galaxies with measurements of both M {sub •} and N{sub GC}. NGC 4258 has a specific frequency S{sub N}=0.4±0.1 (random uncertainty), and is consistent within 2σ with the N{sub GC} versus M {sub •} correlation followed by elliptical galaxies. The Milky Way continues to be the only spiral that deviates significantly from the relation.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Rotating Magnetic Structures Associated with a Quasi-circular Ribbon Flare

We present the detection of a small eruption and the associated quasi-circular ribbon flare during the emergence of a bipole occurring on 2015 February 3. Under a fan dome, a sigmoid was rooted in a single magnetic bipole, which was encircled by negative polarity. The nonlinear force-free field extrapolation shows the presence of twisted field lines, which can represent a sigmoid structure. The rotation of the magnetic bipole may cause the twisting of magnetic field lines. An initial brightening appeared at one of the footpoints of the sigmoid, where the positive polarity slides toward a nearby negative polarity field region. The sigmoid displayed an ascending motion and then interacted intensively with the spine-like field. This type of null point reconnection in corona led to a violent blowout jet, and a quasi-circular flare ribbon was also produced. The magnetic emergence and rotational motion are the main contributors to the energy buildup for the flare, while the cancellation and collision might act as a trigger.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

A Multiple Flux-tube Solar Wind Model

We present a new model, MULTI-VP, which computes the three-dimensional structure of the solar wind and includes the chromosphere, the transition region, and the corona and low heliosphere. MULTI-VP calculates a large ensemble of wind profiles flowing along open magnetic field lines that sample the entire three-dimensional atmosphere or, alternatively, a given region of interest. The radial domain starts from the photosphere and typically extends to about 30 R{sub ⊙}. The elementary uni-dimensional wind solutions are based on a mature numerical scheme that was adapted in order to accept any flux-tube geometry. We discuss here the first results obtained with this model. We use Potential Field Source-surface extrapolations of magnetograms from the Wilcox Solar Observatory to determine the structure of the background magnetic field. Our results support the hypothesis that the geometry of the magnetic flux-tubes in the lower corona controls the distribution of slow and fast wind flows. The inverse correlation between density and speed far away from the Sun is a global effect resulting from small readjustments of the flux-tube cross-sections in the high corona (necessary to achieve global pressure balance and a uniform open flux distribution). In comparison to current global MHD models, MULTI-VP performs much faster and does not suffer from spurious cross-field diffusion effects. We show that MULTI-VP has the capability to predict correctly the dynamical and thermal properties of the background solar wind (wind speed, density, temperature, magnetic field amplitude, and other derived quantities) and to approach real-time operation requirements.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Observation of a 3D Magnetic Null Point

We describe high-resolution observations of a GOES B-class flare characterized by a circular ribbon at the chromospheric level, corresponding to the network at the photospheric level. We interpret the flare as a consequence of a magnetic reconnection event that occurred at a three-dimensional (3D) coronal null point located above the supergranular cell. The potential field extrapolation of the photospheric magnetic field indicates that the circular chromospheric ribbon is cospatial with the fan footpoints, while the ribbons of the inner and outer spines look like compact kernels. We found new interesting observational aspects that need to be explained by models: (1) a loop corresponding to the outer spine became brighter a few minutes before the onset of the flare; (2) the circular ribbon was formed by several adjacent compact kernels characterized by a size of 1″–2″; (3) the kernels with a stronger intensity emission were located at the outer footpoint of the darker filaments, departing radially from the center of the supergranular cell; (4) these kernels started to brighten sequentially in clockwise direction; and (5) the site of the 3D null point and the shape of the outer spine were detected by RHESSI in the low-energy channel between 6.0 and 12.0 keV. Taking into account all these features and the length scales of the magnetic systems involved in the event, we argue that the low intensity of the flare may be ascribed to the low amount of magnetic flux and to its symmetric configuration.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Flare Energy Release in the Lower Solar Atmosphere near the Magnetic Field Polarity Inversion Line

We study flare processes in the solar atmosphere using observational data for an M1-class flare of 2014 June 12, obtained by the New Solar Telescope (NST/BBSO) and Helioseismic Magnetic Imager (HMI/SDO). The main goal is to understand triggers and manifestations of the flare energy release in the photosphere and chromosphere using high-resolution optical observations and magnetic field measurements. We analyze optical images, HMI Dopplergrams, and vector magnetograms, and use nonlinear force-free field (NLFFF) extrapolations for reconstruction of the magnetic topology and electric currents. The NLFFF modeling reveals the interaction of two magnetic flux ropes with oppositely directed magnetic fields in the polarity inversion line (PIL). These flux ropes are observed as a compact sheared arcade along the PIL in the high-resolution broadband continuum images from NST. In the vicinity of the PIL, the NST Hα observations reveal the formation of a thin three-ribbon structure corresponding to a small-scale photospheric magnetic arcade. The observational results are evidence in favor of the primary energy release site located in the chromospheric plasma with strong electric currents concentrated near the PIL. In this case, magnetic reconnection is triggered by the interacting magnetic flux ropes forming a current sheet elongated along the PIL.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Small Coronal Holes Near Active Regions as Sources of Slow Solar Wind

We discuss the nature of the small areas of rapidly diverging, open magnetic flux that form in the strong unipolar fields at the peripheries of active regions (ARs), according to coronal extrapolations of photospheric field measurements. Because such regions usually have dark counterparts in extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) images, we refer to them as coronal holes, even when they appear as narrow lanes or contain sunspots. Revisiting previously identified “AR sources” of slow solar wind from 1998 and 1999, we find that they are all associated with EUV coronal holes; the absence of well-defined He i 1083.0 nm counterparts to some of these holes is attributed to the large flux of photoionizing radiation from neighboring AR loops. Examining a number of AR-associated EUV holes during the 2014 activity maximum, we confirm that they are characterized by wind speeds of ∼300–450 km s{sup −1}, O{sup 7+}/O{sup 6+} ratios of ∼0.05–0.4, and footpoint field strengths typically of order 30 G. The close spacing between ARs at sunspot maximum limits the widths of unipolar regions and their embedded holes, while the continual emergence of new flux leads to rapid changes in the hole boundaries. Because of the highly nonradial nature of AR fields, the smaller EUV holes are often masked by the overlying canopy of loops, and may be more visible toward one solar limb than at central meridian. As sunspot activity declines, the AR remnants merge to form much larger, weaker, and longer-lived unipolar regions, which harbor the “classical” coronal holes that produce recurrent high-speed streams.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Optical and Near-infrared Spectra of σ Orionis Isolated Planetary-mass Objects

We have obtained low-resolution optical (0.7–0.98 μ m) and near-infrared (1.11–1.34 μ m and 0.8–2.5 μ m) spectra of 12 isolated planetary-mass candidates ( J = 18.2–19.9 mag) of the 3 Myr σ Orionis star cluster with the aim of determining the spectroscopic properties of very young, substellar dwarfs and assembling a complete cluster mass function. We have classified our targets by visual comparison with high- and low-gravity standards and by measuring newly defined spectroscopic indices. We derived L0–L4.5 and M9–L2.5 using high- and low-gravity standards, respectively. Our targets reveal clear signposts of youth, thus corroborating their cluster membership and planetary masses (6–13 M {sub Jup}). These observations complete the σ Orionis mass function by spectroscopically confirming the planetary-mass domain to a confidence level of ∼75%. The comparison of our spectra with BT-Settl solar metallicity model atmospheres yields a temperature scale of 2350–1800 K and a low surface gravity of log g ≈ 4.0 [cm s{sup −2}], as would be expected for young planetary-mass objects. We discuss the properties of the cluster’s least-massive population as a function of spectral type. We have also obtained the first optical spectrum of S Ori 70, a T dwarf in the direction of σ Orionis. Our data provide reference optical and near-infrared spectra of very young L dwarfs and a mass function that may be used as templates for future studies of low-mass substellar objects and exoplanets. The extrapolation of the σ Orionis mass function to the solar neighborhood may indicate that isolated planetary-mass objects with temperatures of ∼200–300 K and masses in the interval 6–13 M {sub Jup} may be as numerous as very low-mass stars.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

The Plasma Parameters and Geometry of Cool and Warm Active Region Loops

How the solar corona is heated to high temperatures remains an unsolved mystery in solar physics. In the present study we analyze observations of 50 whole active region loops taken with the Extreme-ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer on board the Hinode satellite. Eleven loops were classified as cool loops (<1 MK) and 39 as warm loops (1–2 MK). We study their plasma parameters, such as densities, temperatures, filling factors, nonthermal velocities, and Doppler velocities. We combine spectroscopic analysis with linear force-free magnetic field extrapolation to derive the 3D structure and positioning of the loops, their lengths and heights, and the magnetic field strength along the loops. We use density-sensitive line pairs from Fe xii, Fe xiii, Si x, and Mg vii ions to obtain electron densities by taking special care of intensity background subtraction. The emission measure loci method is used to obtain the loop temperatures. We find that the loops are nearly isothermal along the line of sight. Their filling factors are between 8% and 89%. We also compare the observed parameters with the theoretical Rosner–Tucker–Vaiana (RTV) scaling law. We find that most of the loops are in an overpressure state relative to the RTV predictions. In a follow-up study, we will report a heating model of a parallel-cascade-based mechanism and will compare the model parameters with the loop plasma and structural parameters derived here.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Constraining the Physical State of the Hot Gas Halos in NGC 4649 and NGC 5846

We present results of a joint Chandra/XMM-Newton analysis of the early-type galaxies NGC 4649 and NGC 5846 aimed at investigating differences between mass profiles derived from X-ray data and those from optical data, to probe the state of the hot interstellar medium (ISM) in these galaxies. If the hot ISM is at a given radius in hydrostatic equilibrium (HE), the X-ray data can be used to measure the total enclosed mass of the galaxy. Differences from optically derived mass distributions therefore yield information about departures from HE in the hot halos. The X-ray mass profiles in different angular sectors of NGC 4649 are generally smooth with no significant azimuthal asymmetries within 12 kpc. Extrapolation of these profiles beyond this scale yields results consistent with the optical estimate. However, in the central region (r<3 kpc) the X-ray data underpredict the enclosed mass, when compared with the optical mass profiles. Consistent with previous results, we estimate a nonthermal pressure component accounting for 30% of the gas pressure, likely linked to nuclear activity. In NGC 5846 the X-ray mass profiles show significant azimuthal asymmetries, especially in the NE direction. Comparison with optical mass profiles in this direction suggests significant departures from HE, consistent with bulk gas compression and decompression due to sloshing on ∼15 kpc scales; this effect disappears in the NW direction, where the emission is smooth and extended. In this sector we find consistent X-ray and optical mass profiles, suggesting that the hot halo is not responding to strong nongravitational forces.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

New Improved Indirect Measurement of the {sup 19}F( p , α ){sup 16}O Reaction at Energies of Astrophysical Relevance

Fluorine abundance determination is of great importance in stellar physics to understand s-elements production and mixing processes in asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. Up to now, theoretical models overproduce F abundances in AGB stars with respect to the observed values, thus calling for further investigation of the reactions involving fluorine. In particular, the {sup 19}F( p , α ){sup 16}O reaction is the main destruction channel of fluorine at the bottom of the convective envelope in AGB stars, an H-rich environment where it can experience temperatures high enough to determine its destruction, owing to additional mixing processes. In this paper the Trojan horse method (THM) was used to extract the {sup 19}F( p , α {sub 0}){sup 16}O S-factor in the energy range of astrophysical interest ( E {sub cm} ≈ 0–1 MeV). This is the most relevant channel at the low temperatures (few 10{sup 7} K) characterizing the bottom of the convective envelope, according to current knowledge. A previous indirect experiment using the THM has observed three resonances in the energy regions below E {sub cm} ≈ 450 keV. These energies correspond to typical AGB temperatures, thus implying a significant increase in the reaction rate. Statistics are scarce for performing an accurate separation between resonances, preventing one from drawing a quantitative conclusion about their total widths and spin parities. Before THM measurement, only extrapolations were available below about 500 keV, showing a non-resonant behavior that sharply contradicts the trend of the astrophysical factor at higher energies. A new experiment has been performed to verify the measured TH astrophysical factor and to perform more accurate spectroscopy of the involved resonances.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

The Eruption of a Small-scale Emerging Flux Rope as the Driver of an M-class Flare and of a Coronal Mass Ejection

Solar flares and coronal mass ejections are the most powerful explosions in the Sun. They are major sources of potentially destructive space weather conditions. However, the possible causes of their initiation remain controversial. Using high-resolution data observed by the New Solar Telescope of Big Bear Solar Observatory, supplemented by Solar Dynamics Observatory observations, we present unusual observations of a small-scale emerging flux rope near a large sunspot, whose eruption produced an M-class flare and a coronal mass ejection. The presence of the small-scale flux rope was indicated by static nonlinear force-free field extrapolation as well as data-driven magnetohydrodynamics modeling of the dynamic evolution of the coronal three-dimensional magnetic field. During the emergence of the flux rope, rotation of satellite sunspots at the footpoints of the flux rope was observed. Meanwhile, the Lorentz force, magnetic energy, vertical current, and transverse fields were increasing during this phase. The free energy from the magnetic flux emergence and twisting magnetic fields is sufficient to power the M-class flare. These observations present, for the first time, the complete process, from the emergence of the small-scale flux rope, to the production of solar eruptions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

NuSTAR Hard X-Ray Observations of the Energetic Millisecond Pulsars PSR B1821-24, PSR B1937+21, and PSR J0218+4232

We present Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) hard X-ray timing and spectroscopy of the three exceptionally energetic rotation-powered millisecond pulsars PSRs B1821-24, B1937+21, and J0218+4232. By correcting for the frequency and phase drifts of the NuSTAR onboard clock, we are able to recover the intrinsic hard X-ray pulse profiles of all three pulsars with a resolution down to ⩽15 μs. The substantial reduction of background emission relative to previous broadband X-ray observations allows us to detect for the first time pulsed emission up to ∼50 keV, ∼20 keV, and ∼25 keV for the three pulsars, respectively. We conduct phase-resolved spectroscopy in the 0.5–79 keV range for all three objects, obtaining the best measurements yet of the broadband spectral shape and high-energy pulsed emission to date. We find extensions of the same power-law continua seen at lower energies, with no conclusive evidence for a spectral turnover or break. Extrapolation of the X-ray power-law spectrum to higher energies reveals that a turnover in the 100 keV to 100 MeV range is required to accommodate the high-energy γ-ray emission observed with Fermi-LAT, similar to the spectral energy distribution observed for the Crab pulsar.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

A Large-scale Plume in an X-class Solar Flare

Ever-increasing multi-frequency imaging of solar observations suggests that solar flares often involve more than one magnetic fluxtube. Some of the fluxtubes are closed, while others can contain open fields. The relative proportion of nonthermal electrons among those distinct loops is highly important for understanding energy release, particle acceleration, and transport. The access of nonthermal electrons to the open field is also important because the open field facilitates the solar energetic particle (SEP) escape from the flaring site, and thus controls the SEP fluxes in the solar system, both directly and as seed particles for further acceleration. The large-scale fluxtubes are often filled with a tenuous plasma, which is difficult to detect in either EUV or X-ray wavelengths; however, they can dominate at low radio frequencies, where a modest component of nonthermal electrons can render the source optically thick and, thus, bright enough to be observed. Here we report the detection of a large-scale “plume” at the impulsive phase of an X-class solar flare, SOL2001-08-25T16:23, using multi-frequency radio data from Owens Valley Solar Array. To quantify the flare’s spatial structure, we employ 3D modeling utilizing force-free-field extrapolations from the line of sight SOHO /MDI magnetograms with our modeling tool GX-Simulator. We found that a significant fraction of the nonthermal electrons that accelerated at the flare site low in the corona escapes to the plume, which contains both closed and open fields. We propose that the proportion between the closed and open fields at the plume is what determines the SEP population escaping into interplanetary space.

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