Angular fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background owing to initial perturbations in the radiation temperature

A new method is proposed to account for multiple scattering by electrons in calculations of the correlation functions describing the angular fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR). The apparatus of the theory of radiative transport with Rayleigh scattering is used. The problem is reduced to solving an integral equation for the vector source function (dependent only on time), along with differential equations for the other quantities (scalar potentials, baryon velocities, etc.) which show up in the problem. The quantities which describe the angular fluctuations in the CMBR (in the temperature and in the polarization) are then calculated by integrating the vector source function along the line of sight. As an illustration, the correlation functions and power spectra are calculated for the case where the fluctuations are produced by some initial gaussian perturbations of the CMBR. __________ Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 50, No. 4, pp. 621–631 (November 2007).     

Weighing the black holes in ultraluminous X-ray sources through timing

We describe a new method to estimate the mass of black holes in Ultraluminous X-ray Sources (ULXs). The method is based on the recently discovered 'variability plane', populated by Galactic stellar-mass black-hole candidates (BHCs) and supermassive active galactic nuclei (AGNs), in the parameter space defined by the black-hole mass, accretion rate and characteristic frequency. We apply this method to the two ULXs from which low-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations have been discovered, M82 X-1 and NGC 5408 X-1. For both sources we obtain a black-hole mass in the range  100–1300 M_⊙  , thus providing evidence for these two sources to host an intermediate-mass black hole.     

The observability of topological defects with ground-based interferometers

Topological defect theories lead to non-Gaussian features on maps of fluctuations of the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR), which enable us to distinguish them from maps predicted by standard inflationary models. We have recently presented a maximum entropy method (MEM) which simultaneously deconvolves interferometer maps of CMBR fluctuations, and separates out foreground contaminants. By applying this method to simulated observations using a realistic ground-based interferometer, we demonstrate that it is possible to recover the prominent hotspots in the CMBR maps which delineate individual defects, even in the presence of a significant Galactic foreground.     

Formation mechanisms of “Negative”-intensity spots in the cosmic microwave background radiation and distant objects

We consider the formation mechanisms of “negative”-intensity spots in the radio band for various astrophysical conditions. For wavelengths λ<1.5 mm, the regions of reduced temperature (relative to the cosmic microwave background radiation, CMBR) are shown to be produced only by high-redshift objects moving at peculiar velocities. The main processes are CMBR Thomson scattering and bremsstrahlung. We show that the effect δT/T can be ～10^?5 in magnitude. We derive simple analytic expressions, which allow the redshifts, electron densities, and linear sizes of these regions to be estimated from observed spectral and spatial parameters. Additional observational methods for refining these parameters are outlined.     

Qualitative analysis of two-fluid FRW cosmological models

This paper focuses attention on a qualitative analysis of the evolution of two-fluid flat FRW cosmological models.In the first model one of the fluid represents matter content of the universe comoving with respect to the another fluid that is the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR), these two fluids are interacting.The first model is most relevant to describe the scenario before the recombination epoch when matter and radiation were in an interactive phase and the photons was bound to electron through Thomson scattering. The second model describe two noninteracting fluids where the matter is comoving to the space-time coordinates and the CMBR is moving axially, relative to the matter thus modeling the relative velocity between galaxies and the CMBR (Phys. Rev. Lett. 39:898–901, 1977). This model portray the cosmic evolution in the postrecombination epoch when the two-fluid are noninteracting.In this epoch the photons got themselves free to form the CMBR being observed presently.      

Combining the baryon budget with cosmic microwave background radiation measurements

Measurements of the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) provide a powerful tool with which to measure the primary cosmological parameters. However, there is a large degree of parameter degeneracy in simultaneous measurements of the matter density, Ω_m, and the Hubble parameter, H ₀. In the present paper we use the currently available CMBR data together with measurements of the cosmological baryon-to-photon ratio, η , from big bang nucleosynthesis, and the relative mass fraction of baryons in clusters to break the parameter degeneracy in measuring Ω_m and H ₀. We find that present data are inconsistent with the standard Ω=1, matter-dominated model. Our analysis favours a medium-density universe with a rather low Hubble parameter. This is compatible with new measurements of Type Ia supernovae, and the joint estimate of the two parameters is     and     . We stress that the upper bound on the Hubble parameter is likely to be much more uncertain than indicated here, because of the limited number of free parameters in our analysis.     

Parameters of the ultrastable expansive nondecelerative universe

The measurement of the temperature of the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) with the Far InfraRed Absolute Spectrophotometer (FIRAS) on the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) satellite gives a possibility for determination of all mutually related parameters of the ultrastable expansive nondecelerative Universe (ENU) with deviations smaller than 0.4%.The measurement of the large-scale anisotropy of the CMBR with the Differential Microwave Radiometers (DMR) on the COBE satellite allows us to determine the mass density of gravitationally bound systems of large-scale structures of the ENU.     

Foreground separation methods for satellite observations of the cosmic microwave background

A maximum entropy method (MEM) is presented for separating the emission resulting from different foreground components from simulated satellite observations of the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR). In particular, the method is applied to simulated observations by the proposed Planck Surveyor satellite. The simulations, performed by Bouchet &38; Gispert, include emission from the CMBR and the kinetic and thermal Sunyaev–Zel'dovich (SZ) effects from galaxy clusters, as well as Galactic dust, free–free and synchrotron emission. We find that the MEM technique performs well and produces faithful reconstructions of the main input components. The method is also compared with traditional Wiener filtering and is shown to produce consistently better results, particularly in the recovery of the thermal SZ effect.     

黑洞吸积盘内边缘半径的演化

本文用广义相对论讨论了黑洞吸积盘内边缘半径ｒ（ｍｓ）的演化规律。结果表明，吸积盘的中心黑洞在由Ｓｃｈｗａｒｚｓｃｈｉｌｄ型向极端Ｋｅｒｒ型演化的过程中，黑洞的角动量变化对ｒ（ｍｓ）的影响始终比黑洞的质量变化对ｒ（ｍｓ）的影响大。在此过程中ｒ（ｍｓ）始终是连续、单调减小的。本文得出ｒ（ｍｓ）对时间变化率的取值范围，并对其物理意义作了讨论。     

Is there a black hole among the black-hole candidates?

None of the tentative black-hole identifications has remained without serious difficulties. As a class, the black-hole candidates differ in no obvious property from neutron-star binaries other than in their estimated high mass. We favour an interpretation of the black-hole candidates as binary neutron stars surrounded by a more or less massive accretion disc     

CN rotational excitation

We demonstrate, using a sample of high quality spectra, that the average equivalent width ratio of the unsaturated R(0) and R(1) lines of the CN B²Σ⁺ – X²Σ⁺ (0, 0) band near 3875 Å equals π instead of 3.73 – calculated for the CMBR temperature T = 2.725 K and the already published oscillator strengths of both transitions, i.e. the excitation temperature of CN is slightly higher than it should be expected if CMBR is the only excitation mechanism. Taking into account the saturation effects by means of profile fitting during the column density calculations does not remove the revealed temperature excess. Possible interpretations of the effect are discussed (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Deuterated hydrogen molecule and search for early structure-formation signatures in the Universe

Possible detection of signatures of structure formation at the end of the 'dark age' epoch  ( z ∼ 40–20)  is examined. We discuss the spectral–spatial fluctuations in the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) temperature produced by elastic resonant scattering of CMBR photons on deuterated hydrogen (HD) molecules located in protostructures moving with peculiar velocity. Detailed chemical kinematic evolution of HD molecules in the expanding homogeneous medium is calculated. Then, the HD abundances are linked to protostructures at their maximum expansion, whose properties are estimated by using the top-hat spherical approach and the Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM) cosmology. We find that the optical depths in the HD three lowest pure rotational lines for high-peak protohaloes at their maximum expansion are much higher than those in LiH molecule. The corresponding spectral–spatial fluctuation amplitudes, however, are probably too weak to be detected by current and forthcoming millimetre telescope facilities. We extend our estimates of spectral–spatial fluctuations to gas clouds inside collapsed CDM haloes by using results from a crude model of HD production in these clouds. The fluctuations for the highest peak CDM haloes at redshifts ∼20–30 could be detected in the future. Observations will be important to test model predictions of early structure formation in the Universe.     

Black hole stability in multidimensional gravity theory

Exact static, spherically symmetric solutions to the Einstein-Maxwell-scalar equations, with a dilatonic-type scalar-vector coupling, in D-dimensional gravity with a chain of n Ricci-flat internal spaces are considered. Their properties and special cases are discussed. A family of multidimensional dilatonic black-hole solutions is singled out, depending on two integration constants (related to black hole mass and charge) and three free parameters of the theory (the coordinate sphere, internal space dimensions, and the coupling constant). The behaviour of the solutions under small perturbations preserving spherical symmetry, is studied. It is shown that the black-hole solutions without a dilaton field are stable, while other solutions, possessing naked singularities, are catastrophically unstable.     

Primordial Angular Gradients In The Temperature Of The CMBR And The Density Fluctuations

A non-conventional approach is developed and used to find the primordial angular gradient, anisotropy, of the temperature of the Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR), as well as the density fluctuations in an adiabatic expanding universe. The obtained results is a consequence of considering the magnitude of the angular gradient of the temperature of the CMBR as a constant function with respect to the proper time of the spatially perturbed FRW expanding universe. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Low-mass X-ray binaries in the LMC

We report results on three low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXB) in the LMC, obtained with EXOSAT, IUE and ground-based (ESO) telescopes: LMC X-2 which appears to be Sco X-1-like, LHG 83 and LHG 87. The latter are two weaker sources first detected in the course of the HEAO-B LMC survey. They have faint optical counterparts of which LHG 87 was only recently identified by us. In X-rays, they are characterized by ultrasoft X-ray spectra possibly characteristic of black-hole primaries. LHG 83 furthermore shows evidence for X-ray ionization of the surrounding interstellar medium, similar to the He III region around the black-hole candidate LMC X-1. X-ray binaries with masses of compact objects in excess of 3 M and ultrasoft X-ray spectra are comparatively frequent in the LMC. We suggest that subcritical accretion onto black holes takes place in LHG 83 and LHG 87.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

The growth and decay of sunspot groups

Digitized Mount Wilson sunspot data from 1917 to 1985 are analyzed to examine the growth and decay rates of sunspot group umbral areas. These rates are distributed roughly symmetrically about a median rate of decay of a few hemisphere day^-1. Percentage area change rates average 502% day^-1 for growing groups and -45% day^-1 for decaying groups. These values are significantly higher than the comparable rates for plage magnetic fields because spot groups have shorter lifetimes than do plages. The distribution of percentage decay rates also differs from that of plage magnetic fields. Small spot groups grow at faster rates on average than they decay, and large spot groups decay on average at faster rates than they grow. Near solar minimum there is a marked decrease in daily percentage spot area growth rates. This decrease is not related to group area, nor is it due to latitude effects. Sunspot groups with rotation rates close to the average (for each latitude) have markedly slower average rates of daily group growth and decay than do those groups with rotation rates faster or slower than the average. Similarly, sunspot groups with latitude drift rates near zero have markedly slower average rates of daily group growth and decay than do groups with significant latitude drifts in either direction. Both of these findings are similar to results for plage magnetic fields. These various correlations are discussed in the light of our views of the connection of the magnetic fields of spot groups to subsurface magnetic flux tubes. It is suggested that a factor in the rates of growth or decay of spot groups and plages may be the inclination angle to the vertical of the magnetic fields of the spots or plages. Larger inclination angles may result in faster growth and decay rates.Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under Cooperative Agreement with the National Science Foundation.     

自引力辐射体系的熵与引力坍缩

本文利用李立新和刘辽导出的黑洞视界附近的辐射态方程，计算了约束在一个球形盒子中的目引力辐射体系的墙（不含中心黑洞和含有中心黑洞两种情况）．与Sorkin等人的计算比较，本文的结果不会出现发散困难，而且体系的总摘（包括中心黑洞的墙）的上阳正好等于坍缩后形成的同质量的黑洞嫡．作者认为，自引力辐射体系坍绩的合理模式是先形成中心黑洞，然后中心黑洞逐渐长大直至整个体系全部坍缩为黑洞．在坍缩过程中，任一中间态的媳总是比末态的黑洞墙小，到坍缩过程结束总熵才等于对应的黑洞摘．这一结果为黑洞滴的起源提供了一个合理的解释．     

Can non-linear structure form at the era of decoupling?

The effects of large-scale fluctuations on small-scale isothermal modes at the epoch of recombination are analysed. We find the following. (a) Albeit the fact that primordial fluctuations were at this epoch still well in the linear regime, a significant non-linear radiation hydrodynamic interaction could have taken place. (b) Short-wavelength isothermal fluctuations are unstable. Their growth rate is an exponential function of the amplitude of the large-scale fluctuations and is therefore very sensitive to the initial conditions. (c) The observed cosmic microwave background radiation (CMBR) fluctuations are of order of the limit above which the effect should be significant. Thus, depending on their exact value, the effect may be negligible or lead to structure formation out of the isothermal fluctuations within the period of recombination. (d) If the cosmological parameters are within the prescribed regime, the effect should be detectable through induced deviations in the Planck spectrum. (e) The sensitivity of the effect to the initial conditions provides a tool to set limits on various cosmological parameters with emphasis on the type and amplitude of the primordial fluctuation spectrum. (f) Under proper conditions, the effect may be responsible for the formation of sub-globular-cluster sized objects at particularly high redshifts. (g) Under certain circumstances, it can also affect horizon-sized large-scale structure.     

Some factors affecting the growth and decay of plages

The Mount Wilson coarse array magnetograph data set is analyzed to examine the dependence of growth and decay rates on the tilt angles of the magnetic axes of the regions. It is found that there is a relationship between these quantities which is similar to that found earlier for sunspot groups. Regions near the average tilt angle show larger average (absolute) growth and decay rates. Thepercentage growth and decay rates show minima (in absolute values) at the average tilt angles because the average areas of regions are largest near this angle. This result is similar to that derived earlier for sunspot groups. As in the case of spot groups, this suggests that, for decay, the effect results from the fact that the average tilt angle may represent the simplest subsurface configuration of the flux loop or loops that make up the region. In the case of region growth, it was suggested that the more complicated loop configuration should result in increased magnetic tension in the flux loop, and thus in a slower ascent of the loop to the surface, and thus a slower growth rate. In order to examine this further, the growth and decay rates of plage regions were examined as functions of the magnetic complexity of the regions. In the case of decay, the result was as expected from the model suggested above - that is, the more complex regions decayed more slowly. But for growing regions the effect is the opposite to that expected (more complex regions grow faster, even in terms of percentage growth), so the explanation of the tilt angle effect for growing regions proposed earlier may not be valid.Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under Cooperative Agreement with the National Science Foundation.