Determination of the chemical composition in HII regions of Blue Compact Dwarf Galaxies using an optimized photoionization modeling method

Optimized photoionization models of selected HII regions in Blue Compact Dwarf Galaxies are calculated with the aim of determining their chemical composition. The stability of the optimized-photoionization calculations and means of deriving the most accurate chemical abundances are checked. Initialization of the free physical parameters using different data sets, deviations from spherical geometry, and the introduction of gas-density fluctuations in an HII region do not affect the accuracy of the derived chemical compositions. The chemical abundances found for 12 HII regions using the optimized-photoionization models are used to derive the primordial helium abundance Y _p and its enrichment dY/dZ. The obtained values of Y _p and dY/dZ are close to values found previously using ionization-correction factors.     

On the Formation of Spiral Arms in Dwarf Galaxies

Astronomy Reports - Spiral structure (both flocculent and Grand Design types) is very rarely observed in dwarf galaxies because the formation of spiral arms requires special conditions. In this...     

Galaxies with anomalously high abundances of molecular hydrogen

A sample of 66 galaxies from the catalog of Bettoni et al. (CISM) with anomalously high molecular-to-atomic hydrogen mass ratios (M _mol/M _HI > 2) is analyzed. The sample galaxies do not differ systematically from the other galaxies in the catalog with the same morphological types, in terms of their photometric parameters, rotational velocities, dust contents, or the integrated masses of gas (for galaxies with the same linear sizes and disk angular momenta). This suggests that the overabundances of H₂ are due to the molecularization of HI. Galaxies with bars and active nuclei are found more frequently among galaxies with M _mol estimates in CISM. In a small fraction of cases, high M _mol/M _HI ratios are due to overestimation of M _mol due to overstimating of the conversion factor for the translation of CO-line intensities into the number of H₂ molecules along the line of sight. It is argued that the molecularization of the bulk of the gas mass could be due to the concentration of gas in the inner regions of the galactic disks and the resulting high gas pressures and relative low star-formation efficiencies, as is indeed observed in galaxies with high M _mol/M _HI ratios.     

Infrared emission and the destruction of dust in HII regions

The generation of infrared (IR) radiation and the observed IR-intensity distribution at wavelengths of 8, 24, and 100 µm in the ionized hydrogen region around a young, massive star is investigated. The evolution of the HII region is treated using a self-consistent chemical-dynamical model in which three dust populations are included—large silicate grains, small graphite grains, and polycyclic, aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). A radiative transfer model taking into account stochastic heating of small grains and macromolecules is used to model the IR spectral energy distribution. The computational results are compared with Spitzer and Herschel observations of the RCW 120 nebula. The contributions of collisions with gas particles and the radiation field of the star to stochastic heating of small grains are investigated. It is shown that a model with a homogeneous PAH content cannot reproduce the ring-like IR-intensity distribution at 8 µm. A model in which PAHs are destroyed by ultraviolet radiation of the star, generating region HII, provides a means to explain this intensity distribution. This model is in agreement with observations for realistic characteristic destruction times for the PAHs.     

The chemical composition of HII regions in blue compact dwarf galaxies

A set of empirical relationships for the ionization correction factors used by various authors to determine the chemical compositions of the gas in nebular objects is tested. New expressions for the ionization correction factors are used to find the nebular-gas compositions in HII regions in blue compact dwarf galaxies. The abundances of He, N, O, Ne, S, and Ar in 41 HII regions are determined. The derived elemental abundances are compared with the results of other studies. The Y-O/H, Y-N/H, and Y-Z dependences are analyzed in detail. The primordial helium abundance Y _p and its enrichment dY/dZ are also determined.     

Star formation in extragalactic HII regions. Determination of parameters of the initial mass function

A method for using the colors of star-forming complexes to derive the slope and upper mass limit of the initial mass function (IMF) and the age of the complex is proposed in the framework of synthetic evolutionary models of star-cluster populations. The star-formation parameters of 105 complexes in 20 spiral and irregular galaxies are determined. The IMF slopes in different star-forming complexes differ appreciably, and their dependence on the luminosities and masses of the complexes is derived. The duration of the star-formation period increases with the luminosity of the complex, and complexes with longer star-formation periods are richer in metals. The slope of the integrated IMF in a Galaxy depends on the mass spectrum of its complexes, and the upper mass limit of the IMF is lower in early-type spirals.     

Thermal radio emission and absorption in HII regions in the vicinity of remnants of type II supernovae

Data on thermal radio emission and absorption in and near the directions towards supernova remnants are used to estimate the distribution of ionized gas surrounding remnants of type II supernovae. The amount of absorption and emission toward the supernova remnants are determined by two types of HII regions. The first are extended HII regions around the supernova remnants (Strömgren spheres), while the second are more compact and bright HII regions surrounding early-type stars. In the early stages of evolution of the supernova remnants (1000–3000 yrs), the amount of thermal absorption and emission is minimum, apparently indicating that only the supernova Strömgren zones contribute in these stages, while there is an absence of absorption or emission from the compact HII regions. Possible mechanisms for this scenario are discussed.     

Determination of the physical parameters, Lyman continua, and chemical compositions of HII regions in blue compact dwarf galaxies

A new method for determining the physical parameters, ionizing Lyman continua (Lyc) and chemical compositions of HII regions in blue compact dwarf galaxies is developed. We propose our modified NLEHII method, which is independent on the initial mass function (IMF) for the determination of the Lyc spectra of the ionizing nuclei of HII regions. This method is based on the assumptions of ionization-recombination and thermal equilibria in the HII regions. It is used to calculate the Lyc spectra for optimization photoionization models (OPhMs) of HII regions in an iterative way, since the Lyc spectrum depends on parameters that can be found from photoionization modeling. We apply this method to determine the chemical composition of an HII region in the blue compact dwarf galaxy SBS 0940+544 and, in particular, the helium mass fraction Y. Published in Russian in Astronomicheskiĭ Zhurnal. 2008, Vol. 85, No. 3, pp. 213–229. The article was translated by the authors.     

Galaxies and Clusters of Galaxies in Observations and Numerical Models

Astronomy Reports - An analysis of the properties of 1157 galaxies, groups and clusters of galaxies confirms the dependence of the virial velocity on the halo mass $${{v}_{{{text{vir}}}}} =...     

Redetermination of the Crystal Structure of Vesignieite

Vesignieite, Cu_3Ba(VO_4)_2(OH)_2, crystallizes in space group C_2 / m with a°=1.0270(2), b°=0.5911(1),c°=0.7711(2)nm and β=116.42(3)°. The intensity data were collected with the RIGAKU RASA-IISsingle-crystal four-circle diffractometer. The structure was determined by Patterson and Fourier methods andrefined by the least-square technique to a final R index of 0.051 for 614 independent diffraction points with|F? |>3σ|F?|. The crystal structure analysis shows that vesignieite has a layer structure parallel to (001). The powder diffraction lines were reindexed.     

Solar-system abundances of the elements

A new abundance table has been compiled, based on a critical review of all C1 chondrite analyses up to mid-1982. Where C1 data were inaccurate or lacking, data for other meteorite classes were used, but with allowance for fractionation among classes. In a number of cases, interelement ratios from meteorites or lunar and terrestrial rocks as well as solar wind were used to check and constrain abundances. A few elements were interpolated (Ar, Kr, Xe, Hg) or estimated from astronomical data (H, C, N, O, He, Ne).For most elements, the new abundances differ by less than 20% from those of Cameron (1982a). In 14 cases, the change is between 20 and 50% (He, Ne, Be, Br, Nb, Te, I, Xe, La, Gd, Tb, Yb, Ta and Pb) and in 5 others, it exceeds 50% (B, P, Mo, W, Hg). Some important interelement ratios ($\text{Na}\text{K}$, $\text{Se}\text{Te}$, $\text{Rb}\text{Sr}$, $\text{Kr}\text{Xe}$, $\text{La}\text{W}$, $\text{Th}\text{U}$, $\text{Pb}\text{U}$, etc.) are significantly affected by these changes.Three tests were carried out, to see how closely C1 chondrites approximate primordial solar system abundances. (1) A plot of solar vs Cl abundances shows only 7 discrepancies by more than twice the nominal error of the solar abundance: Ga, Ge, Nb, Ag, Lu, W and Os. Most or all apparently reflect errors in the solar data or f-values. (2) The major cosmochemical groups (refractories, siderophiles, volatiles, etc.) show no significant fractionation between the Sun and C1's, except possibly for a slight enrichment of volatiles in Cl's. (3) Abundances of odd-A nuclides between A = 65 and 209 show an almost perfectly smooth trend, with elemental abundances conforming to the slope defined by isotopic abundances. There is no evidence for systematic fractionation of the major cosmochemical groups from each other. Small irregularities (10–15%) show up in the Ag-Cd-In and Sm-Eu regions; the former may be due to a ~ 15% error in the Ag abundance and the latter, to a 10–20% fractionation of Eu during condensation, to contamination of C1 chondrites with interplanetary dust during regolith exposure, or to a change from s-process to r-process dominance.It appears that the new set of abundances is accurate to at least 10%, as irregularities of 5–10% are readily detectable. Accordingly, Cl chondrites seem to match primordial solar-system matter to ? 10%, with only four exceptions. Br and I are definitely and B is possibly fractionated by hydrothermal alteration, whereas Eu seems to be enriched by nebular condensation or regolith contamination.     

大连地区中—新生代构造格架厘定

中国东部地处欧亚大陆板块的东南边缘地带 ,经历了漫长而又特殊的地质构造演化过程。从叠加构造解析入手 ,详细划分了大连地区中、新生代的韧—脆性变形构造期次、变形机制 ,重新厘定了该区的中、新生代构造格架 ,并进行了区域动力学问题的讨论。     

Redetermination of lead isotopic composition in Canyon Diablo troilite

Redetermination of the lead isotopic composition in Canyon Diablo troilite shows that the original analysis was overcorrected for analytical fractionation. The new analysis indicates that the lead in nodule CDN-1 is a mixture of primordial lead plus a small amount of common lead.     

一种冻土区天然气水合物地球化学勘查新技术——惰性气体氦氖分析

开发不受沼泽微生物影响的地球化学勘查技术是提高中纬度冻土区天然气水合物探井预测成功率的重要课题之一。本文选择在祁连山聚乎更天然气水合物已知区进行惰性气体勘查技术实验,研究了氦氖的测试方法,实验区为高寒沼泽景观,面积150km~2,采样密度2点/km~2,采样深度60cm,采集土壤顶空气样品300件和DK-3井岩芯样品400件,应用色谱反吹技术对顶空气样品进行了惰性气体氦氖的分析。结合地质和地球化学勘查成果进行了综合解释,认为惰性气体异常与天然气水合物矿藏关系密切,与烃类异常浓度范围一致,为顶部异常模式。实验区天然气水合物矿藏11个水合物发现井有10个位于He、Ne异常内,1个井位于异常外。分析了天然气水合物岩芯顶空气轻烃和氦氖指标的垂向分布特征,提出了天然气水合物矿藏上方土壤惰性气体的地气迁移机理。研究区近地表氦氖异常源于深部水合物矿藏和断裂构造,不受沼泽微生物的影响,是冻土区天然气水合物勘查的一种有效技术。     

Galaxies with Abnormally High Gas Content in the Disk

Astronomy Reports - The content of gas in galaxies with an anomalously high relative mass of hydrogen $${{M}_{{{\text{HI}}}}}{\text{/}}{{M}_{*}}$$ for a given mass of the stellar population...     

Absolute isotopic abundances of Ti in meteorites

The absolute isotope abundance of Ti has been determined in Ca-Al-rich inclusions from the Allende and Leoville meteorites and in samples of whole meteorites. The absolute Ti isotope abundances differ by a significant mass dependent isotope fractionation transformation from the previously reported abundances, which were normalized for fractionation using ${}^{46}\text{Ti}{}^{48}\text{Ti}$. Therefore, the absolute compositions define distinct nucleosynthetic components from those previously identified or reflect the existence of significant mass dependent isotope fractionation in nature. We provide a general formalism for determining the possible isotope compositions of the exotic Ti from the measured composition, for different values of isotope fractionation in nature and for different mixing ratios of the exotic and normal components. The absolute Ti and Ca isotopic compositions still support the correlation of ⁵⁰Ti and ⁴⁸Ca effects in the FUN inclusions and imply contributions from neutron-rich equilibrium or quasi-equilibrium nucleosynthesis. The present identification of endemic effects at ⁴⁶Ti, for the absolute composition, implies a shortfall of an explosive-oxygen component or reflects significant isotope fractionation. Additional nucleosynthetic components are required by ⁴⁷Ti and ⁴⁹Ti effects. Components are also defined in which ⁴⁸Ti is enhanced.Bulk samples of carbonaceous meteorites (C2 and C3 types) show distinct excesses at ⁵⁰Ti but no nonlinear effects at the other Ti isotopes. Other chondrites, including Orgueil (Cl), show no nonlinear effects. Relative to terrestrial Ti, a small isotope fractionation is found for only an enstatite chondrite. The Ti absolute compositions in Ca-Al-rich inclusions show significant isotope fractionation effects corresponding to an enhancement in the heavier isotopes relative to the lighter isotopes as compared to Ti in a TiO₂ standard and in chondrites. The absence of a correlation of Ti isotope fractionation effects with those for Ca and Mg is indicative of multiple processes of condensation, volatilization and recondensation; however, the mechanisms causing the isotope fractionation are not well understood.     

Dynamical Models and Anisotropy of the Velocity Dispersions in Elliptical Galaxies

Models for 12 elliptical galaxies are constructed based on the second-order tensor virial theorem. This method takes into account the spatial shape and structure of the internal density layers for each galaxy. New data for the surface brightness and isophote structure of the E galaxies derived from deep photometric observations are used. A system of equations is used to find the components of the gravitational-energy, rotational-energy, and velocity-dispersion tensors. This makes it possible to calculate the anisotropy index β of the velocity dispersion of each galaxy. The values for the entire sample lie in the range 0.012 ? β ? 0.246. It is shown that taking into account variations in the mass-to-light ratio M/L (for the stellar component) can reduce the value of β by roughly 20%. The results are compared with those from other studies. Our values of β for small E galaxies (rapid rotators) agree with those found in the ATLAS^3D project based on Jeans anisotropy models. However, our models for giant E galaxies (slow rotators) taking into account the triaxial shape and realistic structure of the density layers provide a much better agreement with observations than the simple axially symmetrical models from the SAURON project.

     

Motion of Stars in Layered Inhomogeneous Elliptical Galaxies

Astronomy Reports - The problem of the spatial motion of a passively gravitating body (PGB) in the gravitational field of a layered inhomogeneous elliptical galaxy (LIEG) is considered on the basis...     

Analysis of chemical abundances in the atmospheres of moderate barium stars

We used high-resolution spectra to compute model atmospheres to derive the atmospheric abundances of moderate barium stars. Comparing our results with analogous data for normal red giants, we find that the moderate barium stars appear to not differ systematically from normal red giants. Their chemical abundance anomalies show the same patterns and can be interpreted in terms of evolutionary effects: the evolutionary stage, mass, luminosity, and metallicity of the objects.     

Peculiarities of the abundances of neutron-capture elements in Galactic open clusters

The properties of the relative abundances of rapid and slow neutron-capture elements are studied using a catalog containing spectroscopic abundance determinations for 14 elements produced in various nuclear-synthesis processes for 90 open clusters. The catalog also contains the positions, ages, velocities, and elements of the Galactic orbits of the clusters. The relative abundances of both r-elements (Eu) and s-elements (Y, Ba, La, and Ce) in clusters with high, elongated orbits and in field stars of the Galactic thin disk display different dependences on metallicity, age, Galactocentric distance, and the elements of the Galactic orbits, supporting the view that these objects have different natures. In young clusters, not only barium, but also the three other studied s-elements display significantly higher relative abundances than field stars of the same metallicity. The relative abundances of Eu are lower in highmetallicity clusters ([Fe/H] > -0.1) with high, elongated orbits than in field giants, on average, while the [Eu/Fe] ratios in lower-metallicity clusters are the same as those in field stars, on average, although with a large scatter. The metallicity dependence of the [O, Mg/Eu] ratios in clusters with high, elongated orbits and in field stars are substantially different. These and other described properties of the Eu abundances, together with the properties of the abundances of primary a-elements, can be understood in a natural way if clusters with high, elongated orbits with different metallicities formed as a result of interactions of two types of high-velocity clouds with the interstellar medium of the Galactic disk: low-metallicity highvelocity clouds that formed from “primordial” gas, and high-metallicity clouds with intermediate velocities that formed in “Galactic fountains.”