Spectral studies with the Special Astrophysical Observatory 6 m and RATAN-600 telescopes

We present optical identifications, classifications, and radio spectra for 19 radio sources from a complete sample in flux density with declinations 10°–12°30′ (J2000) obtained with the 6-m optical telescope (4000–9000 Å) and RATAN-600 radio telescope (0.97–21.7 GHz) of the Special Astrophysical Observatory. Twelve objects with redshifts from 0.573 to 2.694 have been classiffied as quasars, and two objects with featureless spectra as BL Lac objects. Four objects are emission-line radio galaxies with redshifts from 0.204 to 0.311 (one also displaying absorption lines), and one object is an absorption-line galaxy with a redshift of 0.214. Radio flux densities have been obtained at six frequencies for all the sources except for two extended objects. The radio spectra of five of the sources can be separated into extended and compact components. Three objects display substantial rapid (on time scales from several days to several weeks) and long-term variability of their flux densities.     

Giant pulses—The main component of the radio emission of the crab pulsar

The paper presents an analysis of dual-polarization observations of the Crab pulsar obtained on the 64-m Kalyazin radio telescope at 600 MHz with a time resolution of 250 ns. A lower limit for the intensities of giant pulses is estimated by assuming that the pulsar radio emission in the main pulse and interpulse consists entirely of giant radio pulses; this yields estimates of 100 and 35 Jy for the peak flux densities of giant pulses arising in the main pulse and interpulse, respectively. This assumes that the normal radio emission of the pulse occurs in the precursor pulse. In this case, the longitudes of the giant radio pulses relative to the profile of the normal radio emission turn out to be the same for the Crab pulsar and the millisecond pulsar B1937+21, namely, the giant pulses arise at the trailing edge of the profile of the normal radio emission. Analysis of the distribution of the degree of circular polarization for the giant pulses suggests that they can consist of a random mixture of nanopulses with 100% circular polarization of either sign, with, on average, hundreds of such nanopulses within a single giant pulse.     

Spectropolarimetric Observations of Magnetic White Dwarfs with the SAO 6-m Telescope

The results of spectropolarimetric observations of a number of magnetic white dwarfs obtained on the 6-m optical telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory are presented. The observations were carried out using the SCORPIO focal aperture-ratio reducer in a spectropolarimetric regime. Two characteristic dependences of the degree of polarization on the wavelength are observed. For one group of objects, the degree of linear polarization grows with wavelength, suggesting that the alignment of atoms and molecules in Rydberg states in the atmosphere of the white dwarf due to the action of its magnetic field influences scattering processes. The second group of objects displays an increase in the degrees of both linear and circular polarization with wavelength, providing evidence for the presence of protoplanetary disks around these magnetic white dwarfs, in which the alignment of circumstellar grains leads to the observed behavior.     

Measurement of the integrated Faraday rotations of BL Lac objects

We present the results of multi-frequency polarization VLA observations of radio sources from the complete sample of northern, radio-bright BL Lac objects compiled by H. Kühr and G. Schmidt. These were used to determine the integrated rotation measures of 18 sources, 15 of which had never been measured previously, which hindered analysis of the intrinsic polarization properties of objects in the complete sample. These measurements make it possible to correct the observed orientations of the linear polarizations of these sources for the effect of Faraday rotation. The most probable origin for Faraday rotation in these objects is the Galactic interstellar medium. The results presented complete measurements of the integrated rotation measures for all 34 sources in the complete sample of BL Lac objects.     

Spectral characteristics and variability of radio sources near the north celestial pole

We present the results of our observations of compact extragalactic radio sources near the north celestial pole (+75° ≤ δ ≤ +88°) obtained on the RATAN-600 radio telescope. Our sample consists of 51 radio sources with spectra that are either flat or inverted (growing toward shorter wavelengths) and with flux densities at 1.4 GHz S _ν ≥ 200 mJy. We observed the sources at 1–21.7 GHz. Multi-frequency instantaneous spectra are presented for 1999–2007. We observed 33 of our sample source daily for 30 days in August 2007. As a result, we revealed 15 objects exhibiting rapid variations on time scales of a day. The multi-frequency instantaneous spectra of these sources indicate that radio flux variations on one-day timescales are characteristic of objects of various spectral types. More than half the sources exhibiting rapid variations demonstrate a growth in the variability amplitude with increasing frequency. For some of the objects, the variability amplitude is virtually independent of frequency.     

Detection of prolonged, extremely faint decimeter bursts on the sun

We report the detection of long-lived sources of radio bursts accompanied by polarized background emission in solar active regions. Both types of radio sources were detected at several decimeter wavelengths in observations on the RATAN-600 radio telescope in one-dimensional scans in intensity and circular polarization with a sensitivity of about 5–10 Jy. The degree of polarization is from 70 to 100%. The microburst and background sources exist for several days and appear at sites of prolonged energy release. The typical duration of an individual microburst is about 1–2 s, and the time interval between microbursts is about 3–5 s. A negative microburst frequency drift of about 100 MHz/s or more is also observed. Some interpretations of the microburst and background sources are discussed. The most probable microburst model involves the generation of radio emission via the plasma mechanism, with the upward propagation of fast electrons above an active region. In this case, the required energy of the Langmuir waves is 2×10^?8 of the heat energy of the background plasma. Microbursts appear in different places in an active region. New methods for determining the magnetic-field intensity in the regions of generation of the decimeter-wavelength emission are proposed.     

Radio and optical spectra of objects from two complete samples of radio sources

We present optical identifications and radio spectra for ten radio sources from two flux-density-complete samples. Radio variability characteristics are presented for four objects. The observations were obtained on the RATAN-600 radio telescope at 0.97–21.7 GHz and the 2.1 m telescope of the Haro Observatory in Cananea, Mexico at 4200–9000 Å. Among the ten objects studied, three are quasars, four are BL Lac objects, two are radio galaxies, and one is a Sy 1 galaxy. Two of the sources identified with BL Lac objects, 0509+0541 and 0527+0331, show rapid variability on time scales of 7–50 days.     

Long-term optical and radio monitoring of the quasars S5 0716+714 and 4C 38.41 on various time scales

We present the results of long-term radio and optical monitoring of two radio-loud quasars. The aim of the work was to study the objects?? variability on various time scales and search for correlations between the radio and optical emission. The monitoring was performed in 2002?C2010. The radio observations were carried out using the 22-m telescope of the Crimean AstrophysicalObservatory, 26-m telescope of the University of Michigan Radio Astronomy Observatory, and 14-m telescope of the Metsahovi Radio Observatory at 4.8, 8.0, 14.5, 22.2, and 36.8 GHz. The optical observations were obtained in the B, V,R bands using the Zeiss-1000 telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory with a CCD photometer. Light curves of the quasars 4C 38.41 (1633+382) and S5 0716+714 are presented. Radio flares of 4C 38.41 with amplitudes of 0.5?C1.0 Jy at 4.8 and 8 GHz and 1?C3 Jy at 22.2 and 36.8 GHz were detected on time scales of about 100 days. The amplitude of the optical brightness variations varied between 0.5 ^m and 1.5 ^m over about 200 days. The amplitudes of the flux variations for S5 0716+714 for the period of two months were 0.5?C1.6 Jy at centimeter and 1?C7 Jy at millimeter wavelengths. The amplitudes of flares in the optical reached 2 ^m in the B and V filters and 2.5 ^m in the R filter, on time scales of 200 days. The color indices of these objects did not change during the period covered by observations, i.e., the objects did not become bluer when they brightened. The detected delays between the variations atmillimeter and centimeter wavelengths are several days, which is within the interval between observations during the long-term monitoring. The absence of a distinct correlation between the optical and radio brightness variations was probably due to the presence of substantial time delays between the phenomena occurring in these different wavelength ranges.     

Flux density variability of radio sources at declinations 10°–12°30′ (J2000) on time scales less than a month

Results of a search for and study of variability in a complete sample of flat-spectrum radio sources (83 objects) on time scales longer than a day are reported. The data were obtained in six series of daily observations on the RATAN-600 radio telescope made over 77–103 days at six frequencies from 0.97 to 21.7 GHz and at declinations of 10°–12°30′ (J2000). Variability on time scales of 3–30 days with significance levels below 1% was detected for 19 sources. The time scales, modulation indices, and spectra of the variability derived from an analysis of the light curves, structure functions, and autocorrelation functions are presented for these sources. For a number of them, intrinsic variability and extrinsic variability due to scintillations in the turbulent interstellar medium have been separated. The obtained source characteristics are compared with those for sources at declinations 4°–6° (B1950).     

Objects from a cross-identification of the IRAS and low-frequency Texas radio catalogs

A cross-identification of objects in the low-frequency (365 MHz) Texas radio catalog and in IRAS catalogs at four infrared wavelengths has yielded a list of 715 objects for further studies. Objects with steep spectra for which the difference in the centers of gravity of the radio and infrared sources was less than 3″ were selected from this list. Seventeen of the objects have been observed at six wavelengths using the RATAN-600 radio telescope. Spectra of nine objects from the initial list for which there were candidate optical counterparts were obtained using the 2.1-m telescope of the INAOE. The results of these observations are discussed. The presence of steep spectral indices for the radio sources is confirmed. The possible optical counterparts include interacting galaxies, an infrared galaxy, two emission-line galaxies, and a candidate BL Lac object. Optical images of the optical counterparts are presented together with radio and optical spectra.     

Sources of the RCR catalog with normal and flat spectra according to data from the Planck microwave survey

Fields of the Planck cosmic-microwave background maps in the regions of radio sources of the RCR catalog have been studied. Using measurements from the Planck catalog, calibration curves have been plotted in order to determine the objects’ luminosities. The flux densities at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths of 83 objects with normal radio spectra have been estimated for the first time; their spectra have also been constructed, they have been optically identified, and information available in various databases has been collected. A statistical comparison with a sample of sources with steep radio spectra has been carried out. Faint, difficult to characterize microwave sources make an additional contribution to the secondary anisotropy on angular scales < 7′. An algorithm for selecting candidate objects with the Sunyaev–Zel’dovich effect has been proposed, based on the use of data on the radio spectral indices and the signal in cosmic-microwave background maps.     

Circular polarization—Another difference between quasars and BL Lac objects?

Analysis of VLBI data obtained on the VLBA reveals an absence of BL Lac objects with high degrees of circular polarization (>0.4%) detected among quasars. This cannot be due to observational selection effects: such objects should have been detected if the distributions of the degree of circular polarization for BL Lac objects and quasars were the same. This observational result provides new evidence for the existence of fundamental differences in the “central engines“ of objects in these two optical classes, which lead to different physical properties of their relativistic jets, such as the composition of the jet plasma (e ^??e ⁺ or e ^??p); the energy spectra of the particles; the magnitude, geometry and degree of order of the jet magnetic field; the angular momentum of the black hole; etc.     

Radio and optical spectra of objects from three complete samples of radio sources

We present classifications, optical identifications, and radio spectra for 19 radio sources from three complete samples, with declinations 4°–6° (B1950, S _{3.9 GHz} > 200 mJy), 10°–12°30′ (J2000, S _{4.85 GHz} > 200 mJy), and 74°–75° (J2000, S _{4.85 GHz} > 100 mJy). We also present corresponding information for the radio source J0527+0331. The right ascensions are 0–24^h and the Galactic latitudes |b| > 15° for all the samples. Our observations were obtained with the 6 m telescope from the Special Astrophysical Observatory in the range 4000–9000 Å or 4000–7500 Å and the RATAN-600 radio telescope at frequencies in the range 0.97–21.7 GHz. We obtained flux densities for the radio sources and optical spectra for their optical counterparts. Nine objects were classified as quasars with redshifts from z = 1.029 to 3.212; nine objects are emission-line galaxies with redshifts from 0.172 to 0.546, and one is a galaxy with burstlike star formation at z = 0.156, and one is a BL Lac object with z = 0.509. The spectra of five radio sources were decomposed into extended and compact components. The radio source J0527+0331, identified with a BL Lac object, displays significant variations of time scales from several days to several years. Data on flux variations are presented for 11 radio sources, as well as their spectra at several epochs.     

Parameters of giant pulses from the Crab pulsar measured with the Mark5A VLBI system

Radio observations of the Crab pulsar were performed on the 100-m radio telescope of the Green Bank Observatory at a frequency of 2100 MHz in a 64-MHz band in two channels with right-and left-circular polarization. The Mark5A recording system was used. During 15 min of observing time, 609 giant pulses were recorded; the brightest had a peak flux density of 670 kJy. The energy distribution has been constructed, polarization properties have been analyzed, and the characteristic temporal and frequency scales in the radio emission of the detected giant pulses have been found. Comparison of these parameters indicates that the properties of giant pulses detected at the main-pulse and interpulse longitudes do not differ, as is clearly observed at frequencies above 4 GHz. Probable origins of the frequency evolution of the properties of giant pulses are discussed.     

Relative variations of the physical parameters of variable extragalactic radio sources

A method for studying the physical conditions in compact components of extragalactic radio sources displaying variability on time scales of hundreds of days is proposed. The method can be used to estimate the relative variations of the magnetic-field strength and number density of relativistic electrons in superluminal jets from the cores of quasars and radio galaxies. Results are presented for the jets of the quasars 3C 120, 3C 273, 3C 279, and 3C 345. The energies of the magnetic field and relativistic particles in these objects are not in equipartition. As a rule, the magnetic-field strength decreases appreciably during the evolution of an expanding jet, while the number of relativistic electrons grows.     

The “X component” of the radio background

The recent publication of evidence for a new mechanism producing background radio emission of the Galaxy at centimeter wavelengths (in addition to synchrotron radiation, free—free transitions in ionized gas, and the weak radio emission of standard dust) gave rise to a strong reaction among observers, and requires independent experimental verification. This signal is of special concern in connection with studies of the polarization of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) using new-generation experiments. We have derived independent estimates of the validity of the “spinning-dust” hypothesis (dipole emission of macromolecules) using multi-frequency RATAN-600 observations. Test studies in the Perseus molecular cloud show evidence for anomalous extended emission in the absence of strong radio sources (compact HII regions) that could imitate an anomalous radio spectrum in this region. A statistical analysis at centimeter wavelengths over the Ratan Zenith Field shows that the upper limit for the polarized noise from this new component in the spinning-dust hypothesis is unlikely to exceed 1 µK at wavelengths of 1 cm or shorter on the main scales of the EE mode of Sakharov oscillations. Thus, this emission should not hinder studies of this mode, at least to within several percent of the predicted level of polarization of the CMB emission.     

A comparative analysis of zebra-pattern structures at frequencies from 20 to 7000 MHz

A joint analysis of several recent solar type IV radio outbursts with zebra structures and fiber bursts in their dynamical radio spectra is carried out using all available ground-based and satellite data (Yohkoh, SOHO, TRACE). Zebra structures and fiber bursts were observed at frequencies from 20 to 6500 MHz. The main relative spectral parameters and degree of circular polarization of the zebra structures and fiber bursts are nearly the same. The relative width of the zebra structures varies only slightly with frequency (≈0.003–0.005); the radio emission is radiated in the ordinary mode. New data on centimeter-wavelength zebra structures and fiber bursts testifies that they are analogous to similar structures observed at meter wavelengths. A double-plasma-resonance model for the zebra structures based on the observational dependences for the electron density and magnetic field yields a frequency dependence for the frequency separation between stripes that does not agree with the observations. Fine structure was observed together with the rise into the corona of new, hot magnetic loops, in which instabilities associated with high-frequency and low-frequency plasma waves develop. The frequency range of the fine structure in the dynamical spectra is probably determined by the extent of these new loops in the corona. The continuous transition of the fiber bursts into zebra structures and vice versa testifies to a single origin for these two structures. All the main properties of the stripes in emission and absorption can be explained if they are associated with interactions between electrostatic plasma waves and whistlers. It is possible to obtain realistic values for the magnetic-field strength of B≈160 G at a plasma level of about 3 GHz in this model.     

Color redshifts and the age of the stellar population of distant RC radio galaxies

BV RI data are presented for the majority of steep-spectrum objects in the RC catalog with m _R <23.5^m. Previously developed programs are applied to these data to estimate the redshifts and ages of the stellar systems of the host galaxies. Applying this program to the color data (BV RI JHK) for distant radio galaxies with spectroscopic redshifts indicates that this approach provides accurate estimates of the redshifts of such radio galaxies, close to those obtained using field galaxies (～20%). The age estimates are much less trustworthy, but a lower limit to the ages of objects that are not very distant (z<1.5) can be determined with certainty. We have identi fied several galaxies whose formal ages exceed the age of the Universe at the corresponding z in simple Cold Dark Matter models for the Universe. The possibility of using such objects to elucidate the role of “dark energy” is discussed. This paradox disappears in models with cosmological constants (Λ terms) equal to 0.6–0.8.     

Radio Sources in the Central Section of the RZF Catalog. Search for Objects with Ultra-Steep Spectra

Results of reducing and selecting data from the Ratan Zenith Field (RZF) are presented. A deep survey in the region 0^h ≤ R.A. ≤ 24^h, 40.5° ≤ DEC ≤ 42.5° carried out on the RATAN-600 radio telescope was used. Within +2′ of the center of the survey region, 448 objects were detected, 69 of them with ultra-steep spectra (USS). The SDSS digital optical survey (DR12), NVSS radio maps, and the FIRST catalogs have been used to cross-identify 208 radio sources from the RZF catalog, obtained as part of the “Genetic Code of the Universe” project. The characteristics of these objects are studied, and the distribution of the SDSS galaxies in a two-color diagram is obtained. Photometric redshifts and radio luminosities at 3940 and 1400 MHz are determined for 27 objects with spectral indices α < −1.1 (S ∝ ν^α) for which magnitudes in various filters are presented in the SDSS. In the sample of USS objects, 12 galaxies have redshifts z < 0.5, are detected at wavelength λ = 7.6 cm, and have relatively high radio luminosities (type FR II or intermediate type FR I–FR II). Only one radio galaxy proved to be a rare nearby galaxy with relatively low radio luminosity L_{1400 MHz} = 1.51 × 10²⁴ W/Hz (type FR I). Two objects are candidate GHz-Peaked Spectrum objects.