A possible mechanism for the X-ray emission of Be/X stars

A new mechanism for the generation of X-ray emission in binary Be/X stars is proposed. It is shown that the mass-transfer rate through the point L₁ in a model in which the optical component of a Be/X star has an expanding envelope is sufficient to generate the observed X-ray luminosities of such stars. The results of computations indicate a dependence between the orbital periods and X-ray fluxes of these systems. The relationship between the orbital perod and the mass-transfer rate during flares obtained from modeling corresponds to the observed dependence of the maximum X-ray flux on the orbital period.     

Origin of prolonged X-ray flares on active late-type stars

Soft X-ray data for prolonged flares in subgiants in RS CVn binary systems and some other active late-type stars (AB Dor, Algol) are analyzed. During these nonstationary events, a large amount of hot plasma with temperatures exceeding 10⁸ K exists for many hours. Numerical simulations of gas-dynamical processes in the X-ray source—giant loops—can yield reliable estimates of the plasma parameters and flare-source size. This confirms that such phenomena exist while considerable energy is supplied to the top part of a giant loop or system of loops. Refined estimates of the flare energy (up to 10³⁷ erg) and scales contradict the widely accepted idea that prolonged X-ray flares are associated with the evolution of local magnetic fields. The energy of the current component of the large-scale magnetic field arising during the ejection of magnetic field by plasma jets or stellar wind is estimated. Two cases are considered: a global stellar field and fields connecting regions with oppositely directed unipolar magnetic fields. The inferred energy of the current component of the magnetic field associated with distortion of the initial MHD configuration is close to the total flare energy, suggesting that large-scale magnetic fields play an important role in prolonged flares. The flare process encompasses some portion of a streamer belt and may propagate along the entire magnetic equator of the star during the most powerful prolonged events.     

The plane of polarization of the solar coronal emission on August 11, 1999

A two-dimensional polarization image of the inner regions of the solar corona (R≤1.5R _?) during the total solar eclipse of August 11, 1999 is presented. This image clearly exhibits both small-and large-scale structure in the distribution of deviations of the plane of polarization from its theoretical direction for coronal emission in the near infrared (570–800 nm). An accuracy for the deviation angles of ≤1° was achieved by reducing the instrumental scattered light in the telescope, installing a continuously rotating polaroid near the image plane of the entrance pupil (i.e., the Lyot stop plane), and developing a special algorithm for constructing the polarization images based on the IDL software, in which the properties of the light are described in terms of the Stokes parameters. This algorithm was used to process 24 digitized polarization images of the corona, corresponding to one complete rotation of the polaroid. Analysis of the polarization image for angles of 0°–5° indicates the existence of significant deviations in the inner corona. The polar and equatorial coronal regions are characterized by diffuse and almost uniform structure of the deviation angles, 0.5° ± 0.5°, corresponding to Thomson scattering of the photospheric radiation by free electrons. Four large-scale structures over the NE, SE, NW, and SW limbs covering about 60° in position angle have deviations of 1°–3°. Numerous small-scale structures with dimensions up to 30″ and deviation angles of 3°–5° tracing strongly curved coronal streamers were detected in active coronal regions, especially over the NE limb. Interpretation of these deviations in terms of flows of moving electrons implies tangential velocities of up to 2.5×10⁴ km/s, i.e., electron energies of up to 2×10³ eV.     

The evolutionary status of ultraluminous X-ray sources

We analyze models for quasi-stationary, ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) with luminosities 10³⁸–10⁴⁰ erg/s exceeding the Eddington limit for a ～1.4M_⊙ neutron star. With the exception of relatively rare stationary ULXs that are associated with supernova remnants or background quasars, most ULXs are close binary systems containing a massive stellar black hole (BH) that accretes matter donated by a stellar companion. To explain the observed luminosities of ～10⁴⁰ erg/s, the mass of the BH must be ～40M_⊙ if the accreted matter is helium and ～60M_⊙ if the accreted matter has the solar chemical composition. We consider donors in the form of main-sequence stars, red giants, red supergiants, degenerate helium dwarfs, heavy disks that are the remnants of disrupted degenerate dwarfs, helium nondegenerate stars, and Wolf-Rayet stars. The most common ULXs in galaxies with active star formation are BHs with Roche-lobe-filling main-sequence companions with masses ～7M_⊙ or close Wolf-Rayet companions, which support the required mass-exchange rate via their strong stellar winds. The most probable candidate ULXs in old galaxies are BHs surrounded by massive disks and close binaries containing a BH and degenerate helium-dwarf, red-giant, or red-supergiant donor.     

Bright points and ejections observed on the sun by the KORONAS-FOTON instrument TESIS

Five-second observations of the solar corona carried out in the FeIX 171 Å line by the KORONAS-FOTON instrument TESIS are used to study the dynamics of small-scale coronal structures emitting in and around coronal bright points. The small-scale structures of the lower corona display complex dynamics similar to those of magnetic loops located at higher levels of the solar corona. Numerous detected oscillating structures with sizes below 10 000 km display oscillation periods from 50 to 350 s. The period distributions of these structures are different for P < 150 s and P > 150 s, which implies that different oscillation modes are excited at different periods. The small-scale structures generate numerous flare-like events with energies 10²⁴–10²⁶ erg (nanoflares) and with a spatial density of one event per arcsecond or more observed over an area of 4 × 10¹¹ km². Nanoflares are not associated with coronal bright points, and almost uniformly cover the solar disk in the observation region. The ejections of solar material from the coronal bright points demonstrate velocities of 80–110 km/s.     

Identification of sources of ultrahigh energy cosmic rays

The arrival directions of extensive air showers with energies 4×10¹⁹<E≤3×10²⁰ eV detected by the AGASA, Yakutsk, Haverah Park, and Fly’s Eye arrays are analyzed in order to identify possible sources of cosmic rays with these energies. We searched for active galactic nuclei, radio galaxies, and X-ray pulsars within 3-error boxes around the shower-arrival directions and calculated the probabilities of objects being in the 3 error boxes by chance. These probabilities are small in the case of Seyfert galaxies with redshifts z<0.01 and BL Lac objects, corresponding to P>3σ (σ is the parameter of Gaussian distribution). The Seyfert galaxies are characterized by moderate luminosities (L<10⁴⁶ erg/s) and weak radio and X-ray emission. We also analyzed gamma-ray emission at energies E>10¹⁴ eV recorded by the Bolivian and Tian Shan arrays. The source identifications suggest that the gamma rays could have been produced in interactions of cosmic rays with the microwave background radiation and subsequent electromagnetic cascades in intergalactic space. We estimate the strength of intergalactic magnetic fields outside galaxy clusters to be B≤8.7×10^?10 G.     

Detection of radio emission from the AXP 4U 0142+61

The detection of pulsed radio emission from the X-ray pulsar AXP 4U 0142+61 with a period of P = 8.68832935(6) s and a period derivative of $ \dot P $ \dot P = 18.713(4) × 10⁻¹³ s/s is reported. The observations were carried out on two high-sensitivity radio telescopes of the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory: the Large Phased Array at 111MHz and the DKR-1000 at 40MHz.Mean pulse profiles are presented; the measured flux density is S ₁₁₁ = 30 ± 20 mJy. The estimated distance derived from the dispersion measure, 27 pc/cm³, is 1.4 kpc, and the integrated radio luminosity is L _R = 1.5 × 10²⁷ erg/cm. Comparison with X-ray data shows an appreciable difference in the pulse duration (the radio pulse is about a factor of 20 more narrow) and strong variations in the flux density.     

The X-ray emission of magnetars

It is shown that cyclotron radiation by electrons near the surface of a neutron star with a magnetic field of ～10¹² G can easily provide the observed quiescent radiation of magnetars (Anomalous X-ray Pulsars and Soft Gamma-ray Repeaters). Pulsed emission is generated by the synchrotron mechanism at the periphery of the magnetosphere. Short-time-scale cataclysms on the neutron star could lead to flares of gamma-ray radiation with powers exceeding the power of the X-ray emission by a factor of 2γ², where γ is the Lorentz factor of the radiating particles. It is shown that an electron cyclotron line with an energy of roughly 1 MeV should be generated in the magnetar model. The detection of this line would serve as confirmation of the correctness of this model.     

Gamma-ray bursts—tracers of the history of star formation in the Universe

The rate of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) in the Galaxy is estimated assuming that these events result from the formation of rapidly rotating Kerr black holes during the core collapse of massive, helium, Wolf-Rayet secondary components in very close binary systems. This process brings about rapid rotation of the cores of such Wolf-Rayet stars, inevitably resulting in the formation of Kerr black holes during type Ib,c supernovae. The current rate of formation of Kerr black holes (GRBs) in the Galaxy is about 3×10^?5/year. Collimation of the gamma-ray radiation into a small solid angle (about 0.1–0.01 sr) brings this rate into consistency with the observed rate of GRBs, estimated to be 10^?6–10^?7/year. Possible immediate progenitors of GRBs are massive X-ray binaries with X-ray luminosities of 10³⁸–10⁴⁰ erg/s. Due to the short lifetimes of the progenitors and the very high brightnesses of GRBs, the GRB rate can provide information about the history of star formation in the Universe on the Hubble time scale. A model in which the star-formation rate is determined by the conditions for ionization of the interstellar gas, whose density and volume are determined by supernovae, yields a Galactic star-formation history that can be viewed as representing the history of star formation in the Universe. The theoretical history of star formation is in satisfactory agreement with the history reconstructed from observations. The theoretical model for the history of star formation in the Galaxy can also be used to assess the influence of dust on optical observations of supernovae and GRBs in galaxies of various ages.     

The total number of spicules on the solar surface and their role in heating and mass balanace in the solar corona

A critical review of determinations of the number of spicules is presented, and the role of both classical and Type 2 spicules in heating and mass balance in the corona is considered. The total number of Type 2 spicules is determined, together with the upward fluxes of energy and mass to which they give rise. The total number of Type 2 spicules on the solar surface is found to be ~10⁵, close to values obtained in other studies. The associated particle flux toward the corona is 2.5 × 10¹⁴ cm^?2 s^?1, an order of magnitude lower than the corresponding flux for classical spicules. The associated energy flux is 10⁴ erg cm^?2 s^?1, an order of magnaitude lower than estimates obtained in other studies. The results indicate that Type 2 spicules can supply the mass lost from the corona, but are not able to fully explain coronal energy losses.     

Masses of stellar black holes and testing theories of gravitation

The paper analyzes the mass distribution of stellar black holes derived from the light and radial-velocity curves of optical stars in close binary systems using dynamical methods. The systematic errors inherent in this approach are discussed. These are associated primarily with uncertainties in models for the contribution from gaseous structures to the optical brightness of the systems under consideration. The mass distribution is nearly flat in the range 4–15M _⊙. This is compared with the mass distribution for black holes in massive close binaries, which can be manifest as ultrabright X-ray sources (L _x >10³⁹ erg/s) observed in other galaxies. If the X-ray luminosities of these objects correspond to the Eddington limit, the black-hole mass distribution should be described by a power law, which is incompatible with the flat shape derived dynamically from observations of close binaries in our Galaxy. One possible explanation of this discrepancy is the rapid evaporation of stellar-mass black holes predicted in recent multi-dimensional models of gravity. This hypothesis can be verified by refining the stellar black-hole mass spectrum or finding isolated or binary black holes with masses below ～3M _⊙.     

Six-day modulation of the quiescent radio emission of SS 433

Two daily sets of monitoring data of the Galactic X-ray binary SS 433 (V1343 Aql) obtained on the RATAN-600 radio telescope (117 days in 1997 and 120 days in 1999) show variations in its quiescent radio emission with a period of 6.05±0.1 days at six frequencies from 0.96 to 22 GHz. This 10–15% modulation in the quiescent radio light curves differs significantly from the well-known 6.28-day periodicity in the emission of moving spectral features and in optical photometric data, which are related to nodding motions of the jets and accretion-disk wobble. This period coincides almost exactly with the theoretical value for the harmonic f=2(I _o+I _p), related to the orbital (T _o=13.08 days) and precessional (T _p=162.4 days) periods for slaved accretion-disk models. The 6.06-day period corresponds to the combined frequency. It is proved that the modulation of the radio flux of SS 433 may be associated with relativistic boosting of the jet emission due to periodic variation of the orientation of the jets, which are nodding with a period of six days. The synchrotron emission of the two jets contributes to the quiescent radio flux of SS 433, and the six-day harmonic has the same radio spectrum as the quiescent radio flux: S _v ～v ^?0.6.     

A new model of a magnetar

A new model is put forward to explain the observed features of anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs) and soft gamma-ray repeaters (SGRs). It is shown that drift waves can be excited in the magnetosphere of a neutron star with a rotational period of P～0.1 s, surface magnetic field B_s～10¹² G, and angle between the rotational axis and magnetic moment β<10°. These waves lead to the formation of radiation pulses with a period of P_dr～10 s. The rate of loss of rotational energy by such a star (～10³⁷ erg/s) is sufficient to produce the observed increase in the period \((\dot P \sim 10^{ - 10} )\), the X-ray luminosities of AXPs and SGRs (～10³⁴–10³⁶ erg/s), and an injection of relativistic particles into the surrounding supernova remnant. A modulation of the constant component of the radiation with a period of P～0.1 s is predicted. In order for SGRs to produce gamma-ray bursts, an additional source of energy must be invoked. Radio pulsars with periods of P_obs>5 s can be described by the proposed model; in this case, their rotational periods are considerably less than P_obs and the observed pulses are due to the drift waves.     

Integrated radio luminosities of pulsars

The integrated radio luminosities of 311 long-period (P > 0.1 s) and 27 short-period (P < 0.1 s) pulsars have been calculated using a new compilation of radio spectra. The luminosities are in the range 10²⁷ ? 10³⁰ erg/s for 88% of the long-period pulsars and 10²⁸ ? 10³¹ erg/s for 88% of the short-period pulsars. We find a high correlation between the luminosity L and the estimate L ₁ = S ₄₀₀ d ² from the catalog of Taylor et al. The factor η for the transformation of the rotational energy of the neutron star into radio emission increases-decreases with increasing period for long-period and short-period pulsars. The mean value of η is ?3.73 for the long-period and ?4.85 for short-period pulsars. No dependence was found between L and the pulsar’s kinematic age t _k = |z|/〈v _z〉, where |z| and 〈v _z〉 = 300 km/s are the pulsars’ height above the plane of the Galaxy and mean velocity. A dependence of L on the rate of rotational energy losses ? was found for both groups of pulsars. It is shown that L ∝ ? ^1/3 for the entire sample. The pulsar luminosity function is constructed, and the total number and birth rate of pulsars in the Galaxy are calculated.     

Dependence of the diffuse X-ray luminosities of virialized systems on the masses of their central objects

Based on the available observational data on the diffuse X-ray emission from hot gas in virialized systems (the central regions of clusters of galaxies or the coronas of spherical galaxies) and the masses of the central objects in these systems (the central galaxies in clusters or massive compact objects—supermassive black holes—in the galactic nuclei), we show that the X-ray luminosity is proportional to the square of the mass of the central object. This is consistent with the dependence obtained earlier between X-ray luminosities of systems and the square of their optical luminosities (i.e., the luminosity of stars in these systems). The existence of such dependences for virialized systems on various scales may provide evidence that they are all formed by a single mechanism, such as hierarchical gravitational clustering. Although the times to achieve hydrostatic equilibrium between the gaseous and stellar components in systems on various scales differ, the relation between certain internal parameters of these systems may remain the same. This enables us to estimate certain parameters of virialized systems in terms of others, in particular, to estimate the masses of their central objects based on the diffuse X-ray luminosity of their coronas.     

Variability of the photospheric radiation of active K-M dwarfs and their X-ray luminosities

Variability of the photospheric radiation of 40 (dKe-dMe) dwarfs in the solar neighborhood due to variations in the spottedness of their surfaces is analyzed based on the behavior of their mean annual brightnesses over long time intervals. The amplitudes and characteristic time scales of the variations of the mean annual brightness are taken to be indicators of photospheric activity and were used to infer the levels of photospheric activity in the stars studied. The influence of axial rotation on the development of cyclic activity in young red dwarfs and F-M main-sequence stars is analyzed. The durations and amplitudes of the photospheric variability of rapidly rotating (dK0e-dK5e) stars testifies to a higher level of photospheric activity among red dwarfs and solar-type stars. The X-ray luminosities of these stars grow with the amplitude of the variations of the mean annual brightness. However, this is not typical of rapidly rotating M dwarfs, for which the X-ray emission varies by more than two orders of magnitude, although their degrees of spottedness are all virtually the same. A linear relationship between the X-ray and bolometric luminosities is observed for young (dKe-dMe) stars, with their ratios log(L _x/L _bol) being about ?3. These properties can be used to determine whether a red dwarf is a young star or is already on the main sequence.     

Profile of the H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O supermaser emission: Structure of the ejector region in Orion KL

The structure of the ejector region in the active star-forming region Orion KL has been studied over a broad dynamic range with a high angular resolution of 0.1 milliarcsec, or 0.05 AU. The line profile of the H₂O supermaser emission has broad wings and can be represented as a superposition of two Gaussians with frequency widths Δf₁=31 kHz and Δf₂=163 kHz. The line intensities are I₁≈3×10⁵ Jy/beam and I₂≈400 Jy/beam, and the brightness temperatures, T_b1≈5×10¹⁶ K and T_b2≈6×10¹⁴ K. The broadband ejector emission is determined by a rotating bipolar outflow with a rotational period of 5 months. The ejector emission in the 31-kHz component at a velocity of 7.64 km/s is amplified by more than two orders of magnitude by the surrounding envelope. The maser amplification regime is partially saturated.     

Radio emission from two anomalous X-ray pulsars

Observations of the anomalous X-ray pulsar (AXP) 1E 2259+586 and the AXP candidate 1RXS J1308.6+212708 at 111, 87, and 61 MHz are reported. The observations were carried out on two high-sensitivity radio telescopes of the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory. Mean pulse profiles are presented, and the dispersion measures, distances, spectral indices, and integrated radio luminosities of both objects are estimated. Comparison with X-ray data shows large differences in the mean pulse widths and luminosities. The detection of radio emission from these two AXPs, together with other data, suggests the need to revise the radio-emission mechanisms in the magnetar model or the magnetar model itself.     

Identification of gamma-ray sources with Wolf-Rayet stars

An analysis of unidentified discrete sources of gamma-rays with energies E>100 MeV demonstrates that the spatial characteristics of this group of gamma-ray sources coincides with those of Wolf-Rayet stars. It is concluded that Wolf-Rayet stars are potential steady sources of high-energy gamma rays with mean luminosities L(>100 MeV)≈10³⁵ erg/s.     

The pulsar J1852+0040 in Kes 79 and the nature of central compact objects in supernova remnants

A possible model for the pulsar PSR J1852+0040 associated with the supernova remnant Kes 79 and detected in place of a central compact object in this remnant is discussed. The main observational properties of the pulsar can be understood as consequences of its weak surface magnetic field (B _s < 3 × 10¹¹ G) and short rotational period (P ～ 0.1 s). Its X-ray emission is thermal, and is generated in a small region near the surface of the neutron star due to cooling of the surface as the surface accretes matter from a relict disk surrounding the pulsar. The radio emission is generated in the outer layers of the pulsar magnetosphere by the synchrotron (cyclotron) mechanism. The optical luminosity of J1852+0040 is estimated to be L _opt < 10²⁸ erg/s. If the spectral features in another central compact object, 1E 1207.4+5209, are interpreted as electron cyclotron lines, this provides evidence for a weak surface magnetic field for this neutron star as well (B < 6 × 10¹⁰ G). The hypothesis that all central compact objects have weak surface fields makes it possible to explain the number of detected central compact objects, the absence of pulsar-wind nebulae associated with these objects, and the fact that no pulsar has yet been detected at the position of SN 1987a. We suggest that, after the supernova remnant has dissipated, the central compact object becomes a weak X-ray source (XDINS), whose weak emission is also due to the weakness of its magnetic field.