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NASA NTRS2010

First Detection of the [O(sub III)] 88 Micrometers Line at High Redshifts: Characterizing the Starburst and Narrow-Line Regions in Extreme Luminosity Systems

We have made the first detections of the 88 micrometers [O(sub III)] line from galaxies in the early universe, detecting the line from the lensed active galactic nucleus (AGN)/starburst composite systems APM 08279+5255 at z 3.911 and SMM J02399-0136 at z = 2.8076. The line is exceptionally bright from both systems, with apparent (lensed) luminosities approx.10(exp 11) Solar Luminosity, For APM 08279, the [O(sub III)] line flux can be modeled in a star formation paradigm, with the stellar radiation field dominated by stars with effective temperatures, T(sub eff) > 36,000 K, similar to the starburst found in M82. The model implies approx.35% of the total far-IR luminosity of the system is generated by the starburst, with the remainder arising from dust heated by the AGN. The 881,tm line can also be generated in the narrow-line region of the AGN if gas densities are around a few 1000 cu cm. For SMM J02399, the [O(sub III)] line likely arises from HII regions formed by hot (T(sub eff) > 40,000 K) young stars in a massive starburst that dominates the far-IR luminosity of the system. The present work demonstrates the utility of the [O(sub III)] line for characterizing starbursts and AGN within galaxies in the early universe. These are the first detections of this astrophysically important line from galaxies beyond a redshift of 0.05.s

Ferkinhoff, C.↗
NASA NTRS1993

Mergers, cooling flows, and evaporation

Mergers (the capture of cold gas, especially) can have a profound influence on the hot coronal gas of early-type galaxies and clusters, potentially inducing symptoms hitherto attributed to a cooling flow, if thermal conduction is operative in the coronal plasma. Heat can be conducted from the hot phase into the cold phase, simultaneously ionizing the cold gas to make optical filaments, while locally cooling the coronal gas to mimic a cooling-flow. If there is heat conduction, though, there is no standard cooling-flow since radiative losses are balanced by conduction and not mass deposition. Amongst the strongest observational support for the existence of cooling-flows is the presence of intermediate temperature gas with x-ray emission-line strengths in agreement with cooling-flow models. Here, x-ray line strengths are calculated for this alternative model, in which mergers are responsible for the observed optical and x-ray properties. Since gas around 10(exp 4) K is thermally stable, the cold cloud need not necessarily evaporate and hydrostatic solutions exist. Good agreement with the x-ray data is obtained. The relative strengths of intermediate temperature x-ray emission lines are in significantly better agreement with a simple conduction model than with published cooling-flow models. The good agreement of the conduction model with optical, infrared and x-ray data indicates that significantly more theoretical effort into this type of solution would be profitable.

Sparks, W. B.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Spectroscopy of the young cluster Blanco 1

We present spectroscopic observations of some 115 stars of the cluster Blanco 1, extending from the Ca II(H,K) region to the Ca II(I-R) triplet, supporting an age similar to that of the young cluster alpha Persei. The H-alpha absorption equivalent with vs (B - V) diagram forms a well-defined locus, with decreasing absorption equivalent width for decreasing effective temperature, akin to solar neighborhood dwarfs. A large spread in the Ca II surface flux, as a function of (B - V), also indicates the presence of a high degree of surface inhomogeneity, synonymous with high magnetic activity in young stars. A drop-off in the Ca II flux at (B - V) = 1.0 is also similar to the solar neighborhood stars, and shows that the primary chromospheric cooling changes from the Ca II and Mg II lines to the Balmer lines. The mean chromospheric temperature for stars at 4800 K lies between 8000 K and 10,000 K, based on theoretical models, which is somewhat higher than the older solar neighborhood dwarfs. The high mean Ca II surface flux of the sample is also consistent with that of other young clusters. We were able to measure the equivalent width of the Li(6708) line, whose strength as a function of (B - V) indicates an age similar to the young cluster alpha Persei. The lithium abundance decreases with decreasing effective temperature, consistent with the premise of lithium depletion in stars with larger convection zones. Using published photometry and a recent Zero Age Main Sequence (ZAMS) fitting method, we also re-define the distance to the cluster to be 246 pc.

Panagi, P. M.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Dynamic processes in Be star atmospheres. 2: He I 2P-nD line formation in lambda Eridani (outburst)

The He I lambda 6678 line of early Be stars generally shows violet (V) and red (R) emission whenever hydrogen alpha emission is present, but its use as a diagnostic has been handicapped by a poor understanding of the processes that drive it into emission. In an attempt to address this problem we obtained three series of eschelle spectra of the first two members of the singlet and triplet 2P-nD series of lambda Eri (B2e) during 1992 November 3-5 at Kitt Peak. During these observations lambda 6678 showed substantial emission variability in both the wings and central profile, providing an opportunity to compare its behavior with that of the lambda 4922, lambda 5876, and lambda 4471 lines. We found that the responses of the lines were different in several respects. Whereas the emissions in the V wings of all four lines scaled together, the R wing of the lambda 4922 line invariably responded with increased absorption whenever the R wing of lambda 6678 line showed increased emission. These same trends occurred within the central photospheric profiles. The R-wing behavior shows that much, but not all of the emission in lambda 6678 is caused by matter projected against the stellar disk. The excitation temperatures of the neighboring 2(sup 1) P transitions, lambda 6678 and lambda 4922 must be greater than and less than the photospheric continuum temperature, respectively. We have investigated departures from local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) for the He I spectrum in a variety of ad hoc, perturbed model atmospheres. We have found only one way to cause the source function of lambda 6678 to increase so strongly, namely, by increasing the atmospheric temperature in the line formation region to 30,000 - 40,000 K. This effect was discovered by Auer and Mihalas for O3-O4 atmospheric models, but it has not been applied to active B stars. Our models suggest that lambda 6678 emission in Be stars can be used as a sensitive monitor of localized hot spots on these stars' surfaces. The energies involved in heating the active portions of the atmosphere are too high to be produced by gravitational infall. This leaves magnetically induced flares among the few known processes on the surfaces of stars capable of sustaining this energy level.

Smith, Myron A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

A grid of model atmospheres for metal-deficient giant stars. I

A grid of flux-constant model atmospheres for stars with effective temperatures between 3750 and 6000 K, log g between 0.75 and 3.0, and (A/H) between -3.0 and 0.0 has been constructed. The line absorption is approximated by opacity distribution functions. Metal lines and molecular lines, including those from the infrared bands of CO and CN, are taken into account. The variation of the structure of the models with metal abundance and microturbulence parameter is found to be quite regular and not very drastic. The surface cooling produced by CO is important for all the models with a maximum temperature of 5000 K, while CN mainly causes a backwarming effect but is not very important for solar CNO abundances. The effects of convection, estimated by using the mixing-length approximation, are important only for the coldest models. The models compare very well with models from overlapping regions of other grids. A solar model consistent with the grid models is found to agree satisfactorily with empirical solar model atmospheres. The careful use of scaled solar models for stars with (A/H) approximately equal to zero is justified.

Gustafsson, B.↗
NASA NTRS2007

The Symbiotic System SS73 17 seen with Suzaku

We observed with Suzaku the symbiotic star SS73 17, motivated by the discovery by the INTEGRAL satellite and the Swift BAT survey that it emits hard X-rays. Our observations showed a highly-absorbed X-ray spectrum with NH > loz3 emp2, equivalent to Av > 26, although the source has B magnitude 11.3 and is also bright in UV. The source also shows strong, narrow iron lines including fluorescent Fe K as well as Fe xxv and Fe XXVI. The X-ray spectrum can be fit with a thermal model including an absorption component that partially covers the source. Most of the equivalent width of the iron fluorescent line in this model can be explained as a combination of reprocessing in a dense absorber plus reflection off a white dwarf surface, but it is likely that the continuum is partially seen in reflection as well. Unlike other symbiotic systems that show hard X-ray emission (CH Cyg, RT Cru, T CrB, GX1+4), SS73 17 is not known to have shown nova-like optical variability, X-ray flashes, or pulsations, and has always shown faint soft X-ray emission. As a result, although it is likely a white dwarf, the nature of the compact object in SS73 17 is still uncertain. SS73 17 is probably an extreme example of the recently discovered and relatively small class of hard X-ray emitting symbiotic systems.

Smith, Randall K.↗
NASA NTRS2004

MGS MAG/ER Data Analysis Using a Time and Magnetic Field Dependent Electron Transport Model

The goal of that project was to examine certain details about the dayside electron environment at Mars as seen by the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) magnetometer/electron reflectometer (MAG/ER) instrument. Specifically, we stated that we would use the Khazanov and Liemohn (K&L) kinetic electron transport model to analyze features in the observations. This code includes a non-uniform magnetic field and time-dependence in the result (different from most other models of this type). It was originally developed for electron motion along field lines in the Earth's magnetosphere (between conjugate ionospheres), and is thus quite appropriate for application to the Mars magnetic field scenario. Numerous code developments were implemented and the Mars version of the K&L model is fully operational. Initial results from this code have focused on the examination of MGS MAG/ER observations in the crustal field region when it is on the dayside. After several presentations at scientific meetings, this study culminated in a JGR publication last year.

Liemohn, Michael W.↗
NASA NTRS1978

Origin of the coronal line emission from novae

It is proposed that the coronal line emission from V1500 Cyg and other fast novae originates in gas shocked to about 10 to the 6th power K as a result of supersonic random motions within the principal ejecta. This model simultaneously explains the similar widths of the coronal and nebular lines, the temperature and luminosity of the coronal line region, the gradual decrease in ionization, the variability of the coronal line profiles, and the progressive sharpening of velocity structure in the nebular line profiles. The ejecta are characterized by approximately 10 to the 3rd power clouds with a relative velocity dispersion of about 10 to the 2.2 power km/s, compared with an expansion velocity about 10 to the 3.2 power km/s. Alternative models for the coronal lines involving photoionization or interaction of the principal shell with circumstellar gas or with a fast wind from the central object are considered and rejected.

Shields, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Effects of Mg II and Ca II ionization on ab-initio solar chromosphere models

Acoustically heated solar chromosphere models are computed considering radiation damping by (non-LTE) emission from H(-) and by Mg II and Ca II emission lines. The radiative transfer equations for the Mg II k and Ca II K emission lines are solved using the core-saturation method with complete redistribution. The Mg II k and Ca II K cooling rates are compared with the VAL model C. Several substantial improvements over the work of Ulmschneider et al. (1987) are included. It is found that the rapid temperature rises caused by the ionization of Mg II are not formed in the middle chromosphere, but occur at larger atmospheric heights. These models represent the temperature structure of the 'real' solar chromosphere much better. This result is a major precondition for the study of ab-initio models for solar flux tubes based on MHD wave propagation and also for ab-initio models for the solar transition layer.

Rammacher, W.↗
NASA NTRS1980

HEAO A-2 observations of the X-ray spectra of the Centaurus and A1060 clusters of galaxies

X-ray spectral observations of two nearby low-luminosity clusters of galaxies are presented. For the Centaurus cluster an emission feature at 7.9 keV is detected at about one-third of the strength of the 6.7 keV line. This higher energy line represents K-beta emission from highly ionized iron. In addition, it is demonstrated that for neither the Centaurus nor the A1060 cluster can an isothermal model with an Fe emission line adequately fit the data. Instead, the simplest models which provide acceptable fits include a second, harder component which may be either a second exponential or a power law. The implications of the two-component nature of the continuum on the Fe abundance and the X-ray surface-brightness distribution are discussed.

Mitchell, R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

Mapping transformations for broadband atmospheric radiation calculations

Two methods of mapping the line-by-line absorption coefficient (k) spectrum onto a new variable to produce a set of k coefficients which can be used for accurate and efficient broadband radiative transfer calculations in vertically inhomogeneous, nongray scattering atmospheres are described. These methods are intended for applications for which the less accurate correlated-k method is inadequate. These methods are tested for model atmospheres containing CO2 and H2O, with pressure in the range 0.05-0.9 bar. The results obtained differed by no more than 1 or 2 percent from the line-by-line results if the number of k coefficients was about 100 times less than the number required for the line-by-line calculation. These algorithms can be used for gas mixtures and for a variety of pressure-temperature profiles.

West, Robert↗
NASA NTRS2004

Discovery of Extremely Embedded X-ray Sources in the R Coronae Australis Star Forming Core

We detected three extremely embedded X-ray sources in the R Corona Australis (R CrA) star forming core, IRS 7 region. Two weak X-ray sources are associated with the VLA centimeter radio sources 10E & W, whereas the third brightest source detected in the two XMM-Newton observations on March 2003 has no counterpart at any wavelengths. The large K-band upper-limit (19.4m) measured with the University of Hawaii 88-inch Telescope and strong absorption derived in X-rays (N(sub H) approx. 2.8 x 10(exp 23)/sq cm equivalent to A(sub v) approx. 180 m) indicate that the source is younger than typical Class I protostars, i.e. a Class 0 protostar or an intermittent phase between Class 0 and Class I protostars. The X-ray luminosity was less than one thirtieth (log L(sub x) less than or approx. equals 29.3 ergs/s) in the former Chandra observation in October 2000, which suggests that the X-ray activity, probably generated by magnetic activity, is triggered by an intermittent mass accretion episode such as FU Ori type outbursts. Because the source was detected at high significance in the XMM-Newton observations (approx. 2,000 cnts), X-ray properties of such young protostars can be well investigated for the first time. The light curves were constant in the 1st observation and increased linearly by a factor of two during 30 ksec in the 2nd observation. Both spectra showed iron K lines originated in hot thin-thermal plasma and fluorescence by cold gas. They can be reproduced by an absorbed thin-thermal plasma model with a Gaussian component at 6.4 keV (kT approx. 3-4 keV, L(sub x) approx. 7-20 x 10(exp 30) ergs/s). The rising timescale of the light curves in the 2nd observation was too slow for magnetically generated X-ray flares, whereas large equivalent width of the fluorescence iron K line in the 1st observation (approx. 810 eV) requires strong partial covering of the X-ray source. These results suggest that a confined hot (perhaps accretion) spot on the protostellar core was behind the star in the 1st observation and just appeared in the 2nd observation due to the core rotation with period of greater than or approx. 22.8 days, which is much slower than the break-up velocity previously assumed for young protostars. This means that the source had quiescent X-ray activity during the observations with an order of magnitude stronger level than Class I (older) protostars. We also consider whether the X-ray source associated with 10E could be shock heated plasma by a collision of a jet emanating from the tentative Class 0 object.

Hamaguchi, Ken-Ji↗
NASA NTRS1994

The ultraviolet pulsations of the cataclysmic variable AE Aquarii as observed with the Hubble Space Telescope

We present the results of high time resolution UV spectroscopy and simultaneous high-speed UBVR photometry of AE Aqr. The UV spectra were obtained with the Faint Object Spectrograph aboard the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), and the photometry was carried out with the 82 sec telescope at McDonald Observatory. Our study focuses on the coherent 33 sceond oscillations, whose amplitude is found to be very large in the UV (40% of the mean quiescent level). The mean pulse profile has two broad unequal peaks spaced by half an oscillation cycle. The pulse profiles in the UV and optical bands appear quite similar in shape, with no discernible shifts. The orbital delay curve of the UV pulses establishes the white dwarf as their origin. The (UV+optical) spectrum of the pulsations is well described by a white dwarf atmosphere model with a temperature of about 26,000 K. We find no oscillations in the UV emission-line fluxes, nor in their velocities, down to a limit of 800 km/s. Based on the properties of the UV and optical pulsations we suggest that they originate in the X-ray heated magnetic polar caps of the white dwarf. Under this assumption we produce maximum entropy maps of the brightness distribution of the white dwarf surface. Using this model we are able to reproduce the observed mean pulse profile and interpret fluctuations in the oscillation amplitude as small fluctuations in the accretion rate. We find that the amplitudes and profiles of the pulses are not strongly affectd by the large aperiodic flares exhibited by the system. This suggests that the large flares are not related to the process of depositing material onto the white dwarf and argues against models that place their origin at the white dwarf magnetosphere.

Eracleous, Michael↗
NASA NTRS1993

Infrared coronal emission lines and the possibility of their maser emission in Seyfert nuclei

Energetic emitting regions have traditionally been studied via x-ray, UV and optical emission lines of highly ionized intermediate mass elements. Such lines are often referred to as 'coronal lines' since the ions, when produced by collisional ionization, reach maximum abundance at electron temperatures of approx. 10(exp 5) - 10(exp 6) K typical of the sun's upper atmosphere. However, optical and UV coronal lines are also observed in a wide variety of Galactic and extragalactic sources including the Galactic interstellar medium, nova shells, supernova remnants, galaxies and QSOs. Infrared coronal lines are providing a new window for observation of energetic emitting regions in heavily dust obscured sources such as infrared bright merging galaxies and Seyfert nuclei and new opportunities for model constraints on physical conditions in these sources. Unlike their UV and optical counterparts, infrared coronal lines can be primary coolants of collisionally ionized plasmas with 10(exp 4) less than T(sub e)(K) less than 10(exp 6) which produce little or no optical or shorter wavelength coronal line emission. In addition, they provide a means to probe heavily dust obscured emitting regions which are often inaccessible to optical or UV line studies. In this poster, we provide results from new model calculations to support upcoming Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) and current ground-based observing programs involving infrared coronal emission lines in AGN. We present a complete list of infrared (lambda greater than 1 micron) lines due to transitions within the ground configurations 2s(2)2p(k) and 3s(2)3p(k) (k = 1 to 5) or the first excited configurations 2s2p and 3s3p of highly ionized (x greater than or equal to 100 eV) astrophysically abundant (n(X)/n(H) greater than or equal to 10(exp -6)) elements. Included are approximately 74 lines in ions of O, Ne, Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, Ar, Ca, Fe, and Ni spanning a wavelength range of approximately 1 - 280 microns. We present new results from detailed balance calculations, new critical densities for collisional de-excitation, intrinsic photon rates, branching ratios, and excitation temperatures for the majority of the compiled transitions. The temperature and density parameter space for dominant cooling via infrared coronal lines is presented, and the relationship of infrared to optical coronal lines is discussed.

Greenhouse, Matthew A.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Spectral study of GX 339-4 in the low-intensity state observed with Ginga

The energy spectra of the black-hole candidate GX 339-4 in the low-intensity state were observed on four occasions through 1989 to 1991 with the Large Area Counter on board the Ginga satellite. The spectra showed significant deviations from a power-law, with an iron K(sub alpha) emission line at approximetaly 6.4 keV and a broad iron K-edge structure above approximately 7 keV. The enrgy spectra above approximately 4 keV were successfully explained with a reflection model, in which part of the incident X-rays with a power-law spectrum is Compton reflected by optically thick matter, resulting in a harder continuum component with iron K-edge absorption and an iron flourescent line. The line equivalent width with respect to the reflection component decreases as the source flux increases. This is consistent with an increase in the ionization state of the material, so that resonant absorption followed by Auger ionization depletes the line. The photon-index of the power-law component was clearly variable, and it correlated with the relative amount of the reflection component. Such a correlation may be explained in the context of the anisotropic Comptonization models of Haardt et al. (1993), or by a variation of the relative geometry of the source and disk.

Ueda, Yoshihiro↗
NASA NTRS1993

A new X-ray spectral observation of NGC 1068

A new X-ray observation of NGC 1068, in which improved spectral resolution (R is approximately equal to 40) and broad energy range provide important new constraints on models for this galaxy, is reported. The observed X-ray continuum of NGC 1068 from 0.3 to 10 keV is well fitted as the sum of two power-law spectra with no evidence for absorption intrinsic to the source. Strong Fe K emission lines with a total equivalent width of 2700 eV were detected due to iron less ionized than Fe XX and to iron more ionized than Fe XXIII. No evidence was seen for lines due to the recombination of highly ionized oxygen with an upper limit for the O Ly-alpha emission line of 40 eV. The discovery of multiple Fe K and Fe L emission lines indicates a broad range of ionization states for this gas. The X-ray emission from the two components is modeled for various geometries using a photoionization code that calculates the temperature and ionization state of the gas. Typical model parameters are a total Compton depth of a few percent, an inner boundary of the hot component of about 1 pc, and an inner boundary of the warm component of about 20 pc.

Marshall, F. E.↗
NASA NTRS1992

What we learn about cooling flows through the study of the 10,000 K gas in clusters

The physical properties of the emission-line nebulae associated with central dominant galaxies in clusters are explored within the context of standard cooling-flow models of the hot ICM. It is pointed out that the properties of the 10,000 K gas are inconsistent with simple theories in which this gas has accreted out of the hot ICM in thermal instabilities within a standard cooling flow atmosphere. Several possible ramifications for our understanding of the properties of clusters and the hot intracluster medium are discussed.

Baum, Stefi A.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Statistical equilibrium calculations for silicon in early-type model stellar atmospheres

Line profiles of 36 multiplets of silicon (Si) II, III, and IV were computed for a grid of model atmospheres covering the range from 15,000 to 35,000 K in effective temperature and 2.5 to 4.5 in log (gravity). The computations involved simultaneous solution of the steady-state statistical equilibrium equations for the populations and of the equation of radiative transfer in the lines. The variables were linearized, and successive corrections were computed until a minimal accuracy of 1/1000 in the line intensities was reached. The common assumption of local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) was dropped. The model atmospheres used also were computed by non-LTE methods. Some effects that were incorporated into the calculations were the depression of the continuum by free electrons, hydrogen and ionized helium line blocking, and auto-ionization and dielectronic recombination, which later were found to be insignificant. Use of radiation damping and detailed electron (quadratic Stark) damping constants had small but significant effects on the strong resonance lines of Si III and IV. For weak and intermediate-strength lines, large differences with respect to LTE computations, the results of which are also presented, were found in line shapes and strengths. For the strong lines the differences are generally small, except for the models at the hot, low-gravity extreme of our range. These computations should be useful in the interpretation of the spectra of stars in the spectral range B0-B5, luminosity classes III, IV, and V.

Kamp, L. W.↗