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Results for “gravitational lensing”

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NASA NTRS1984

1E 0104.2 + 3153 - A broad absorption-line QSO viewed through a giant elliptical galaxy

The optical identification of the X-ray source 1E 0104.2 + 3153 is complicated by the close projection of a broad absorption-line (BAL) QSO (z = 2.027) 10 arcsec from a giant elliptical galaxy (z = 0.111) at the center of a compact group of galaxies. At only 1.2 de Vaucouleur radii (16 kpc for H sub 0 = 100 km/s Mpc) this QSO-galaxy projection is the closest yet discovered. Based upon current observations, the source of the X-ray emission cannot be conclusively determined. Present in the BAL QSO spectrum are extremely strong Ca II H and K absorption lines due to the intervening galaxy, the first optical detection of the cold interstellar medium in an elliptical galaxy. The strength of these lines (EW = 2 and 1 A) requires observation through several interstellar clouds in the line of sight to the QSO. By its proximity to the central regions of the elliptical galaxy and the relative distances of the galaxy and QSO, this QSO is a particularly good candidate for observing dramatic transient gravitational lensing phenomena due to halo stars in the foreground galaxy.

Stocke, J. T.↗
NASA NTRS1984

When clusters are superclusters

Recent research on substructure in clusters and superclusters of galaxies is critically surveyed, with an emphasis on the distinction (based on physical size and dynamic state) between the two classes of structures. The cosmological and large-scale structural implications of substructure in rich clusters are analyzed, using N-body-simulation results, and illustrated for the clusters A98 and A548. Consideration is also given to gravitational lensing of distant quasars by intervening clusters and the interpretation of the matter distribution on scales larger than about 5 Mpc. It is determined that A98 and A548 are superclusters.

Geller, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

New X-ray and optical observations of the X-ray discovered QSO-galaxy pair 1E 0104.2 + 3153

New X-ray and optical observations are presented of the QSO-galaxy pair 1E 0104.2 + 3153, originally discovered as a serendipitous source in the Einstein Observatory Medium Sensitivity Survey (Gioia et al., 1984). Results from an extremely deep Exosat observation are used to suggest that the QSO rather than the compact group of galaxies is the optical counterpart of the IPC source. High-resolution (1-A) spectroscopy of the broad-absorption-line QSO, which fails to confirm the Ca II H and K absorption features reported by Stocke et al., (1984), is presented and discussed. The presence of broad absorption lines in the QSO spectrum may indicate that intrinsic absorption is the cause of the nondetection of this source in the soft Exosat energy band. Optical monitoring of the QSO over a 2-yr period indicates variability. Possible interpretations of this phenomenon are intrinsic luminosity variation or a cessation of a gravitational lensing effect acting at the time of the Einstein observation.

Gioia, I. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Have burnt-out galaxies and galaxy clusters been detected?

It is shown here that an elevated rate of star formation may be responsible for burning out protogalaxies in the densest galaxy clusters, leading to the formation of candidate gravitational lenses and to an enhanced probability of close association of quasars in regions of apparently low galaxy density. Extreme tidal interactions occurring during the initial collapse of such clusters would stimulate the star formation and also could drive molecular clouds and stars onto radial orbits, fuelling massive black holes and leading to an enhanced frequency of occurrence of quasar pairs. It is argued that a fundamental bias exists against detecting luminous matter in the great galactic clusters.

Silk, Joseph↗
NASA NTRS1987

Multiepoch VLBI observations of 4C 39.25 - Superluminal motion amid stationary structure

Eight VLBI maps of the quasar 4C 39.25 are presented, covering the time interval November 1979 to July 1985. During this period the compact components at the eastern and western ends of the source remained roughly stationary with respect to each other. A third component emerged from the western component in 1982 and proceeded to move (relative to the other two components) eastward at a rate of 0.16 + or - 0.02 marcsec per year. This corresponds to an average apparent speed between 3.2c and 8.4c for Hubble's constant between 100 and 50 km/s Mpc and q0 between 1 and 0. This superluminal motion contrasts with the stationary structure observed in the 1970s and also still observed between the eastern and western ends of the source. Possible explanations include superluminal feeding of a stationary compact counterpart to a classical radio lobe, an obstacle in a relativistic jet, a relativistic jet which alternatively expands and contracts owing to gradients in the confining pressure, and gravitational lensing of the compact radio emission.

Shaffer, David B.↗
NASA NTRS1987

A VLA gravitational lens survey

A VLA survey designed to detect gravitational lensing on sub-arc second and arc second scales is described, and preliminary results of radio data are presented. In particular, it is found that the density of matter in the form of a uniform comoving number density of 10 to the 11th - 10 to the 12th solar mass compact objects, luminous or dark, must be substantially less than the critical density. Data obtained for the radio source 1042+178 are briefly examined.

Hewitt, J. N.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Unusual radio source MG1131+0456 - A possible Einstein ring

The discovery of extremely unusual structure in the radio source MG1131+0456 is reported. In a radio map with subsarcsecond resolution the object appears as an elliptical ring of emission accompanied by a pair of more compact sources, nearly diametrically opposed and offset by about 0.3 arcsec to the southwest of the ring. There is a faint, slightly extended, optical counterpart. A continuum but no emission lines is detected in its spectrum; therefore, the redshift of the counterpart is unknown. The radio morphology suggests that this source may be an example of an 'Einstein ring', a highly symmetric case of gravitational lensing in which the source is imaged into a ring. Other explanations are considered and excluded by the data. Another possibility is that MG1131+04565 represents a new type of astronomical object.

Hewitt, J. N.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Cosmic strings in the real sky

Observational strategies for finding effects associated with the gravitational lensing of distant objects by strings are discussed. In particular, a proposed search program at Steward Observatory to find chains of Galaxy image pairs is described.

Hogan, Craig J.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Quasar microlensing and dark matter

The amplification of quasar brightness due to gravitational lensing by foreground objects is discussed. It is shown that a recently published sample of X-ray-selected quasars behind foreground galaxies shows a statistically significant brightening compared to a control sample. Correlations with galaxy redshift and impact parameter predicted by microlensing are also demonstrated. A technique is described to measure the mean density of the lenses from a small number of identified cases of microlensing. It is shown that, in this sample, amplification bias is important in determining the mean intensity enhancement and must be included in the density estimate. Assuming that at least two of the four intrinsically brightest quasars behind galaxies are indeed microlensed, the present data yield a formal lower limit on the mean density parameter of lenses Omega(l) greater than 0.25 at 95 percent confidence. These data also imply that a considerable quantity of dark matter exists in macroscopic objects outside the visible parts of galaxies but is still highly correlated with them.

Rix, Hans-Walter↗
NASA NTRS1988

Cosmic strings

Cosmic strings are linear topological defects which are predicted by some grand unified theories to form during a spontaneous symmetry breaking phase transition in the early universe. They are the basis for the only theories of galaxy formation aside from quantum fluctuations from inflation based on fundamental physics. In contrast to inflation, they can also be observed directly through gravitational lensing and their characterisitc microwave background anisotropy. It was recently discovered that details of cosmic string evolution are very differnt from the so-called standard model that was assumed in most of the string-induced galaxy formation calculations. Therefore, the details of galaxy formation in the cosmic string models are currently very uncertain.

Bennett, David P.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Evolution of cosmic string networks

A discussion of the evolution and observable consequences of a network of cosmic strings is given. A simple model for the evolution of the string network is presented, and related to the statistical mechanics of string networks. The model predicts the long string density throughout the history of the universe from a single parameter, which researchers calculate in radiation era simulations. The statistical mechanics arguments indicate a particular thermal form for the spectrum of loops chopped off the network. Detailed numerical simulations of string networks in expanding backgrounds are performed to test the model. Consequences for large scale structure, the microwave and gravity wave backgrounds, nucleosynthesis and gravitational lensing are calculated.

Albrecht, Andreas↗
NASA NTRS1988

Spectroscopic evidence supporting the gravitational lens hypothesis for 1635+267 A,B

The gravitational lens hypothesis is tested for 1613+267 A,B by comparing the detailed line widths and shapes of the 2799-A Mg II and semiforbidden 1909-A C-III lines in each component. Following subtraction of an interpolating polynomial fit to the continua and the determination of a single optimum scaling factor (an amplification ratio of 2.83), reasonable agreement between the profiles of both lines in the two composites is obtained. Comparison of these lines to those in an unrelated quasar with a similar redshift and apparent magnitude does not produce a good match. It is suggested that the observed match in the 1635+267 A,B spectra arises from gravitational lensing.

Turner, Edwin L.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Patterns of the cosmic microwave background from evolving string networks

A network of cosmic strings generated in the early universe may still exist today. As the strings move across the sky, they produce, by gravitational lensing, a characteristic pattern of anisotropies in the temperature of the cosmic microwave background. The observed absence of such anisotropies places constraints on theories in which galaxy formation is seeded by strings, but it is anticipated that the next generation of experiments will detect them.

Bouchet, Francois R.↗
NASA NTRS1988

An analytic treatment of gravitational microlensing for sources of finite size at large optical depths

Statistical methods are developed for gravitational lensing in order to obtain analytic expressions for the average surface brightness that include the effects of microlensing by stellar (or other compact) masses within the lensing galaxy. The primary advance here is in utilizing a Markoff technique to obtain expressions that are valid for sources of finite size when the surface density of mass in the lensing galaxy is large. The finite size of the source is probably the key consideration for the occurrence of microlensing by individual stars. For the intensity from a particular location, the parameter which governs the importance of microlensing is determined. Statistical methods are also formulated to assess the time variation of the surface brightness due to the random motion of the masses that cause the microlensing.

Deguchi, Shuji↗
NASA NTRS1988

Cosmological gravitational waves

A cosmological background of gravitational waves would alter the propagation of radiation, inducing redshift fluctuations, apparent source position deflections, and luminosity variations. By comparing these astrophysical effects with observations, it is possible to deduce upper limits on the energy density present in gravitational waves. Emphasis is placed on microwave background anisotropy from the redshift deviations and galaxy clustering correlation functions from the angular deviations. Many of the gravitational wave effects are shown to be generalizations of the gravitational lensing formalism.

Linder, Eric V.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Gravitational lens models of arcs in clusters

It is now well established that the luminous arcs discovered in clusters of galaxies, in particular those in Abell 370 and Cluster 2244-02, are produced by gravitational lensing of background sources. The arcs are modeled and constraints are placed on the distribution of the mass in the clusters and the shape and size of the sources. The models require, as expected, a large amount of dark matter in the clusters and a mass-to blue-light ratio for the cluster which exceeds 100 solar mass/solar luminosity and could be as high as 1000 solar mass/solar luminosity depending on cosmological parameters and the distribution of the dark matter. Furthermore, it is found that in the case of the arc in A370 the dark matter must have a different distribution than the luminous galaxies, while for the arc in Cl 2244 the dark matter can have a distribution similar to that of the light matter (galaxies) or a separate distribution.

Bergmann, Anton G.↗
NASA NTRS1990

A technique for detecting massive collapsed objects in the dark halo of the Galaxy

If the Galaxy possesses a dark halo of massive objects, they will produce small but potentially detectable distortions in the images of distant, extended objects due to gravitational lensing effects. An illustrative analytic and a more realistic numerical model are presented for calculating the number and angular sizes of these distortions, and a specific example of a digital filter is described which could be used for the identification of such distortions. The sensitivity of possible searches for the effect in the image of M31 and the Galactic Center are discussed in some detail. Simulated images of distortions of various angular sizes in these fields as they would be expected to appear in ground-based and Space Telescope CCD frames are presented. A Galactic halo of black holes such as that proposed by Lacey and Ostriker might well be detectable ina practically realizable experiment.

Turner, Edwin L.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Interpretation of the microlensing event in QSO 2237 + 0305

A model of microlensing for image A of the gravitationally lensed QSO 2237 + 0305 for which Irwin et al. reported in 1989 an increase of the apparent luminosity by about 0.5 mag on a time scale of a few months is presented. The model, with the Salpeter mass function over the mass range of 0.1-1.0 solar mass and the transverse velocity of the lens (or observer) of 600 km/s, can reproduce the reported luminosity variation if the source of the optical continuum has a radius smaller than about 2 x 10 to the 15th cm. This size is compatible with the accretion disk interpretation of the big ultraviolet bump in quasar spectra. The model demonstrates a very large diversity of light curves while the source crosses individual microcaustics or clusters of microcaustics. It will take more than 100 yr before the full variety of light curves will be sampled by the observations.

Wambsganss, J.↗