Discovery of radio-loud quasars with z=4.72 and z=4.010

We report the discovery of two radio-loud quasars with redshifts greater than 4: GB1428+4217, with z =4.72, and GB1713+2148 with z =4.01. This doubles the number of published radio-selected quasars with z >4, bringing the total to 4. GB1428+4217 is the third most distant quasar known and the highest redshift radio and X-ray source currently known. It has a radio flux density at 5 GHz of 259±31 mJy and an optical magnitude of R ∼20.9. The rest frame absolute UV magnitude, M_v (1450 Å), is −26.7, similar to that of the archetypal radio-selected quasar 3C273 [ z =0.158; M_v (1450 Å)=−26.4]. GB1428+4217 is tentatively detected in ROSAT PSPC observations, which has been confirmed by more recent ROSAT observations described in a companion paper by Fabian et al. Both quasars were discovered during the CCD imaging phase of an investigation into the evolution of the space density of radio-loud quasars at high redshift. Combined with our earlier survey results, these objects give a lower limit on the space density of quasars with radio power P _{5 GHz}>5.8×10²⁶ W Hz⁻¹ sr⁻¹ between z =4 and z =5 of 1.4±0.9×10⁻¹⁰ Mpc⁻³. This can be compared to 2.9±0.2×10⁻¹⁰ Mpc⁻³ at z =2 from Dunlop & Peacock for flat-spectrum sources of the same luminosity.     

海尔—波普彗星的CO（J=1—0）谱线的观测

使用紫金山天文台青海观测站13．7米毫米波射电望远镜,于1996年12月10日至1997年1月2日和1997年3月25日至1997年4月4日对海尔－波普彗星的CO分子J＝1—0转动跃迁谱线（频率为115．27120GHz）进行了观测．观测谱线表明,CO分子相对于地心的速度比彗星整体相对于地心的速度要小些,即有蓝移现象．这反映了CO分子是由该彗星迎着太阳的面以一定的速度产生出来的．从观测谱线中还初步估算了该彗星CO分子的产生速率．     

Wide binaries in a hipparcos sample centered aroundb=0°,l=300°

Summary 3′×3′ pictures centered onHipparcos Input Catalog Objects (L3-2 INCA) have been produced in Leiden from measuring 87 plates of the Dutch glass copy of the ESO Quick Blue Survey by use of astroscan. We extract from this material our studied sample, consisting of 19825 regions around INCA objects brighter than 11 mag and outside open clusters. It enables to study in a statistical way wide binaries with apparent angular separations between 0′.1 and 1′.5 and with components within 3 mag (in the blue spectral region) of the pointed object. We present in this paper our first results on the observed characteristics of this population. Presented by H. Hensberge.     

Altitude distribution of vibrationally excited states of atmospheric hydroxyl at levels v = 2 to v = 7

An instrument for the measurement of three different infrared regions of the OH Meinel system was launched in night conditions from El Arenosillo Sounding Rocket Range (Spain). The instrument covered transitions between vibrational states from v = 2tov = 7 in the first overtone sequence. The altitude profiles of the concentration of OH¹ in the vibrational levels 2 to 7 are deduced. The individual profiles show that there is a dependence of the characteristics of the layers (altitude of the peak and half width) on the vibrational level. The lower levels extend to lower altitude than the higher ones. The obtained profiles are used, on the basis of a photochemical model, to investigate the values for the rate constants of the production and the chemical and collisional deactivation of atmospheric OH¹.     

Transitions between the n = 2 and n = 3 levels of Ne VII in the solar spectrum

Theoretical populations of the 2s3l levels of Ne vii are presented for electron temperatures from 2.5 × 10⁵ K to 4 × 10⁶ K and electron densities from 10⁸ cm^–3 to 10¹² cm^–3. These, in conjunction with intensities of previously observed solar Ne vii lines and wavelengths and intensities observed in the laboratory, are used to identify further Ne vii lines in the solar spectrum. The dependence on temperature of intensity ratios such as I(2s2p ¹ P – 2s3d ¹ D)/I(2s2p ³ P – 2s3d ³ D) is demonstrated and the advantages of the small wavelength separation of such lines for solar electron temperature diagnostics are discussed.     

A search for protocliisters atz = 3.3

We have used the Very Large Array to image a single field in a set of adjacent frequency bands around 333.0 MHz in an attempt to detect 21 cm emission from large scale H I inhomogeneities at a redshift of z = 3.3. Following the subtraction of continuum radio sources, the absence of any spectral signals apart from that expected due to the system thermal noise has been used to derive constraints on the evolutionary scenario leading to the formation of the present day clusters of galaxies. The observations rule out the existence of H I protoclusters atz = 3.3 with masses ≃3.5 × 10¹⁴ M _⊙ in H I gas and space density exceeding (74 Mpc)⁻³. This indicates that the present day rich clusters of galaxies either formed as gaseous protocluster condensates prior toz = 3.3 or else they formed through the clustering of their constituent galaxies.     

Small-scale anisotropy of microwave background radiation computed by means of the transfer function betweenz=2000 andz=800

We use the transfer function betweenz=2000 andz=800, to compute the small-scale anisotropy of the microwave background radiation (MBR). Then the numerical input is minimized and most physical effects are computed on analytical bases. The different slopes of the spectrum are used to account for different mass scales. The numerical results show that the dependence of T/T on the spectrum indexn is not monotonic but rather different for the two regimes ofn<2 andn>2: forn<2 the curves with largern will be higher than that with smallern, while forn>2 the curves with largern will go down. The highest curve corresponds ton=2.     

Clustering evolution between z=1 and today

We present results of an investigation of clustering evolution of field galaxies between a redshift of z ∼ 1 and the present epoch. The current analysis relies on a sample of ∼ 14000 galaxies in two fields of the COMBO 17 survey. The redshift distribution extends to z ∼ 1. The amplitude of the three-dimensional correlation function can be estimated by means of the projected correlation function w(r _p ). The validity of the deprojection was tested on the Las Campanas Redshift Survey (LCRS). In a flat cosmology with non-zero cosmological constant for bright galaxies (M _B ≤-18) the clustering growth is proportional to (1+z) ^-2. However, the measured clustering evolution clearly depends on Hubble type. While locally the clustering strength of early type galaxies is equal to that of the bright galaxies, at high redshifts they are much stronger clustered, and thus the clustering has to evolve much more slowly. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Variable 21-cm absorption at z=0.3127

We report multi-epoch Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) H  i observations of the z  = 0.3127 damped absorber towards the quasar PKS 1127−145, which reveal variability in both the absorption profile and the flux of the background source, over a time-scale of a few days.
The observed variations cannot be explained by simple interstellar scintillation (ISS) models where there are only one or two scintillating components and all of the ISS occurs in the Galaxy. More complicated models, where either there are more scintillating components or some of the ISS occurs in the interstellar medium of the z =0.3127 absorber, may be acceptable. However, the variability can probably be best explained in models incorporating motion (on sub-VLBI scales) of a component of the background continuum source, with or without some ISS.
All models producing the variable 21-cm absorption profile require small-scale variations in the 21-cm optical depth of the absorber. The length-scale for the opacity variations is ∼0.1 pc in pure superluminal motion models, and ∼10 pc in pure ISS models. Models involving subluminal motion, combined with scintillation of the moving component, require opacity variations on far smaller scales of ∼ 10–100 au .     

An approximate solution for the polytropen=3

In general, the Lane-Emden equation for an arbitrary polytropic indexn does not admit of an analytic solution. Simple approximation to the numerical results can, however, be found; and, in particular, affords a hitherto unreported good approximation to then=3 model. This term is accurate to within 10% of the tabulated values over 78% of the polytropic interior.     

Red companions to a z=2.15 radio-loud quasar

We have conducted observations of the environment around the z =2.15 radio-loud quasar 1550–269 in search of distant galaxies associated either with it or the z =2.09 C  iv absorber along its line of sight. Such objects will be distinguished by their red colours, R − K >4.5. We find five such objects in a 1.5 arcmin² field around the quasar, with typical K ' magnitudes of ∼20.4 and no detected R -band emission. We also find a sixth object with K =19.6±0.3, and undetected at R , just two arcsec from the quasar. The nature of all these objects is currently unclear, and will remain so until we have determined their redshifts. We suggest that it is likely that they are associated with either the quasar or the C  iv absorber, in which case their properties might be similar to those of the z =2.38 red Ly α emitting galaxies discovered by Francis et al. The small separation between the quasar and the brightest of our objects suggests that it may be the galaxy responsible for the C  iv metal line absorption system. The closeness to the quasar and the red colour might have precluded similar objects from being uncovered in previous searches for emission from C  iv and damped absorbers.     

GMRT and VLA observations at 49 cm and 20 cm of the HII region near <Emphasis Type="Italic">l</Emphasis> = 24.8°, <Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis> = 0.1°

We report multi-frequency radio continuum and hydrogen radio recombination line observations of HII regions near l = 24.8°, b = 0.1° using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) at 1.28 GHz (n = 172), 0.61 GHz (n = 220) and the Very Large Array (VLA) at 1.42 GHz (n = 166). The region consists of a large number of resolved HII regions and a few compact HII regions as seen in our continuum maps, many of which have associated infrared (IR) point sources. The largest HII region at l = 24.83° and b = 0.1° is a few arcmins in size and has a shell-type morphology. It is a massive HII region enclosing ∼550 M_⊙ with a linear size of 7 pc and an rms electron density of ∼110 cm⁻³ at a kinematic distance of 6 kpc. The required ionization can be provided by a single star of spectral type O5.5. We also report detection of hydrogen recombination lines from the HII region at l = 24.83° and b = 0.1° at all observed frequencies near V _lsr = 100 km s⁻¹. We model the observed integrated line flux density as arising in the diffuse HII region and find that the best fitting model has an electron density comparable to that derived from the continuum. We also report detection of hydrogen recombination lines from two other HII regions in the field.     

Gravitational Radiation of Relativistic <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 1 Polytropes

The gravitational radiation of n = 1 polytropes undergoing quasiradial pulsations is examined. The intensity of the gravitational radiation and the gravitational wave amplitudes are calculated for polytropic models of white dwarfs and neutron stars when the energy of rotation of the object serves as the source of the radiated energy. Calculations of h₀ show that objects with a polytropic equation of state can describe the expected gravitational radiation from white dwarfs and neutron stars. The gravitational radiation of polytropic models of galactic nuclei and quasars is also examined. These objects can create a high enough background of gravitational radiation at frequencies of 10^-8–10^-11 Hz for gravitational wave detectors operating in this frequency range. __________ Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 48, No. 4, pp. 603–612 (November 2005).     

Discovery of a Color-selected Quasar at z = 5.50

I show how the existing observational data on Local Group dwarf galaxies can be used to estimate the average star formation law during the first 3 Gyr of the history of the universe. I find that the observational data are consistent with the orthodox Schmidt law with a star formation efficiency of about 4% if the star formation is continuous (during the first 3 Gyr). The efficiency is proportionally higher if most of the gas in the dwarfs was consumed (and never replenished) in a short time interval well before the universe turned 3 Gyr.     

Far-Ultraviolet Emission from Elliptical Galaxies at z = 0.55

The rest-frame UV-to-optical flux ratio, which characterizes the "UV upturn" phenomenon, is potentially the most sensitive tracer of age in elliptical galaxies; models predict that it may change by orders of magnitude over the course of a few gigayears. In order to trace the evolution of the UV upturn as a function of redshift, we have used the far-UV camera on the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph to image the galaxy cluster CL 0016+16 at z=0.55. Our 25"x25" field includes four bright elliptical galaxies, spectroscopically confirmed to be passively evolving cluster members. The weak UV emission from the galaxies in our image demonstrates that the UV upturn is weaker at a look-back time approximately 5.6 Gyr earlier than our own, as compared to measurements of the UV upturn in cluster E and S0 galaxies at z=0 and z=0.375. These images are the first with sufficient depth to demonstrate the fading of the UV upturn expected at moderate redshifts. We discuss these observations and the implications for the formation history of galaxies.     

Searching for l = 1 modes of solar oscillations

An instrument to measure the non-full-disk low-order solar oscillations that uses a magneto-optical filter in Na-D lines is described. It has the advantage, over the resonant cells used by other observers, that it gives an image of the Sun and a higher photonic flux.Proceedings of the 14th ESLAB Symposium on Physics of Solar Variations, 16–19 September 1980, Scheveningen, The Netherlands.     

The galaxy luminosity function from MR=−25 to MR=−9

Redshift surveys such as the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) have given a very precise measurement of the galaxy luminosity function down to about   M_R =−17 (≈ M_B =−16)  . Fainter absolute magnitudes cannot be probed because of the flux limit required for spectroscopy. Wide-field surveys of nearby groups using mosaic CCDs on large telescopes are able to reach much fainter absolute magnitudes, about   M_R =−10  . These diffuse, spiral-rich groups are thought to be typical environments for galaxies, so their luminosity functions should be the same as the field luminosity function. The luminosity function of the groups at the bright end  ( M_R < −17)  is limited by Poisson statistics and is far less precise than that derived from redshift surveys. Here we combine the results of the SDSS and the surveys of nearby groups, and we supplement the results with studies of Local Group galaxies in order to determine the galaxy luminosity function over the entire range  −25 < M_R < −9  . The average logarithmic slope of the field luminosity function between   M_R =−19  and   M_R =−9  is  α=−1.26  , although a single power law is a poor fit to the data over the entire magnitude range. We also determine the luminosity function of galaxy clusters and demonstrate that it is different from the field luminosity function at a high level of significance; there are many more dwarf galaxies in clusters than in the field, due to a rise in the cluster luminosity function of  α∼−1.6  between   M_R =−17  and   M_R =−14  .     

Riometer absorption events at SANAE,L=4.0

The absorption of cosmic radio noise passing through the ionosphere may be described as a function of radio wave frequencyA(f _e ) f _e ^-n , with n 2.0 for spatially uniform precipitation of electrons and n < 2.0 for spatially nonuniform precipitation. Using multifrequency riometer recordings at SANAE, the following observations are reviewed: (1) The frequency distribution of the power index, n, obtained from 4 min averaged absorptions during 1983, shows a most probable value around n 1.5, indicating that mostly energetic electrons are precipitated spatially structured onto the upper atmosphere, as in optical aurora. (2) Multifrequency riometer recordings suggest that field-aligned ionospheric irregularities have scattered additional cosmic radio waves from the central region of the Galaxy into the fields of views of the riometer antennae during an auroral absorption event in the early morning hours of 27 July, 1982. With the power reflectivity by ionospheric irregularities inversely proportional to the fourth power of radio wave frequency, as required by the Bragg condition, an estimated 70% increase in the 20 MHz radio flux at 01:22 UT, at the strong absorption peak, can explain the strongly reduced absorption observed in 20 MHz relative to 30 and 51.4 MHz. (3) Gradual increases in absorptions observed at all three riometer frequencies from onset at 11:50 UT of the largest solar proton ground level enhancement on 29 September, 1989, until 18:00 UT, suggest diffusion of the much more intense low energy protons from the polar cap to the L=4.0 geomagnetic field shell and subsequent precipitation at SANAE due to the South Atlantic Geomagnetic Anomaly. (4) The flux of electron energy deposited per second at SANAE is closely related to geomagnetic activity, but has a lower maximum during the years 1971 and 1980 of solar polar magnetic reversals than in the years 1976 and 1986/87 of minimum solar activity. (5) A significant correlation has been found between the arrival of single-hop whistlers and 30 MHz riometer absorption events, using point statistics. The maximum absorption at 30 MHz was 0.04 dB with a delay of 3 ± 2 s relative to the whistler.     

Stellar evolution models for Z = 0.0001 to 0.03

We have calculated a grid of empirically well tested evolutionary tracks with masses M between 0.5 and 50 M⊙, spaced by approximately 0.1 in log M , and with metallicities Z  = 0.0001, 0.0003, 0.001, 0.004, 0.01, 0.02 and 0.03. We use a robust and fast evolution code with a self-adaptive non-Lagrangian mesh, which employs the mixing-length theory but treats convective mixing as a diffusion process, solving simultaneously for the structure and the chemical composition. The hydrogen and helium abundances are chosen as functions of the metallicity: X  = 0.76 − 3.0 Z Y  = 0.24 + 2.0 Z .   Two sets of models were computed, one without and one with a certain amount of enhanced mixing or 'overshooting'. This amount has been empirically chosen by means of various sensitive tests for overshooting: (1) the luminosity of core helium burning (blue loop) giants of well-known mass, (2) the width of the main sequence as defined by double-lined eclipsing binaries with well-measured masses and radii, and (3) the shape and implied stellar distribution of isochrones of various open clusters. The first two tests have been the subject of previous papers, the third test is discussed in this paper. On the basis of these tests, we recommend the use of the overshooting models for masses above about 1.5M ⊙.   We describe here the characteristics of the models, the procedure for constructing isochrones for arbitrary age and metallicity from the models, and the performance of these isochrones for several intermediate-age and old open clusters. All original models are available in electronic form and we describe the means by which they may be obtained.