The distribution of infrared sources in the galactic plane

A study of the galactic structure has been made by deriving the brightness distribution of the galactic plane at 2.2 m and 4.2 m near infrared region using infrared objects detected by ground-based sky surveys. The infrared brightness distribution shows distinct peaks at every 8–12° galactic longitude and indicates a periodic structure. The one-to-one positional correlation observed between the periodic structure in 2.2 m infrared brightness and the 2.6 mm CO emission line suggests that the near-infrared sources are strongly associated with dense clouds of molecular hydrogen distributed in the galactic plane.     

Dust blobs in the solar nebula — primary distended atmosphere

When planetary accretion proceeds in the gas disk-solar nebula, a protoplanet attracts surrounding gas to form a distended H₂-He atmosphere. The blanketing effect of the atmosphere, hampering the escape of accretional energy, enhances the surface temperature of planets. Furthermore, evaporation of ice or reduction of surface silicate and metallic oxide can supply a huge amount of water vapor into the atmosphere, which would raise the temperature and promote evaporation. Evaporated materials can be efficiently conveyed outward by vigorous convection, and condensed dust particles should keep the atmosphere opaque during accretion. The size of this opaque atmosphere dust blob is defined by the gravitational radius, which exceeds 3 × 10⁸ m when the planetary mass is the Earth's mass (5.97 × 10²⁴ kg). This is larger than the radii of present Jovian planets and so-called brown dwarfs. The expected lifetime of dust blobs is 10⁶–10⁷ yr, which is longer than that of the later gas accreting and cooling stages of Jovian planets. The number of dust blobs could exceed that of Jovian planets. If the gas disk is rather transparent, the possibility of observing such objects with a distended atmosphere may be higher than that of detecting Jovian planets. Contamination of the gas disk by the dust from primary atmospheres is negligible.Paper presented at the Conference on Planetary Systems: Formation, Evolution, and Detection held 7–10 December, 1992 at CalTech, Pasadena, California, U.S.A.     

Circumstellar dust shells around very young and massive stars

In this paper we investigate the properties of dust in circumstellar shells around very young massive compact IR sources (Becklin-Neugebauer objects).We found no correlation between the optical depth in the centre of the 10-m band and the 3.1-m ice band. An inverse correlation between the strength of the silicate feature and the colour temperature for the 8–13 m interval was detected. Our sample of BN objects extends this kind of relation already known for Mira stars and OH/IR stars to higher optical depths.We present a radiative transfer model for BN objects and discuss its main properties. Using this model, the interpretation of the observations led to the conclusion that the type of silicates present in the dust shells of very young stellar objects is different from that type around oxygen-rich giants and supergiants. These different silicates may be tentatively identified with pyroxenes and olivines, respectively.We studied the influence of the adopted dust model in deriving source parameters of BN objects. The object W3-IRS5 was discussed in some detail.Paper presented at a Workshop on The Role of Dust in Dense Regions of Interstellar Matter, held at Georgenthal, G.D.R., in March 1986.     

Astronomical imaging with InSb arrays

Ten years ago, Forrest presented the first astronomical images with an SBRC 32×32 InSb array camera at the first NASA-Ames Infrared Detector Technology Workshop. Soon after, SBRC began development of 58×62 InSb arrays, both for ground-based astronomy and for SIRTF. By the time of the 1987 Hilo workshop Ground-based Astronomical Observations with Infrared Array Detectors astronomical results from cameras based on SBRC 32×32 and 58×62 InSb arrays, a CE linear InSb array, and a French 32×32 InSb CID array were presented. And at the Tucson 1990 meeting Astrophysics with Infrared Arrays, it was clear that this new technology was no longer the province of IR pundits, but provided a tool for all astronomers. At this meeting, the first astronomical observations with SBRC's new, gateless passivation 256×256 InSb arrays will be presented: they perform spectacularly!In this review, I can only broadly brush on the interesting science completed with InSb array cameras. Because of the broad wavelength coverage (1–5.5 m) of InSb, and the extremely high performance levels throughout the band, InSb cameras are used not only in the near IR, but also from 3–5.5 m, where unique science is achieved. For example, the point-like central engines of AGNs are delineated at L and M, and Br and 3.29 m dust emission images of galactic and extragalactic objects yield excitation conditions. Examples of imaging spectroscopy, high spatial resolution imaging, as well as deep, broad-band imaging with InSb cameras at this meeting illustrate the power of InSb array cameras.     

Sub-arcsecond 10 micron imaging of newly-formed stars

We describe initial results of a program to image massive newly-formed stars with sub-arc second spatial resolution. We discuss high-precision diffraction-limited size measurements at =10 m made using the 3 m Lick telescope. The point-spread function has FWHM 0.7; deconvolution yields a spatial resolution of 0.35. We find that the core component of one such object, LkH 101, is unresolved at these scales, and we are able to set a 95%-confidence upper limit of 270 AU for the diameter of the circumstellar dust shell. This places the dust at the same radial scale as a strong ionized stellar wind region seen at radio wavelengths. Our observations, when combined with published spectral observations, rule out an optically thick circumstellar disk but allow a radially thin, anisotropic distribution of dust, or alternatively an isotropic distribution of dust with a narrow range of large grain sizes.     

Small grains in nebulae: The case of IC 418

We present near infrared maps of the planetary nebula IC 418 taken at 5 arc sec spatial resolution. These show an extremely compact source structure at 1.65 m, and very much broader and more elliptical emission distributions at 2.2 and 3.6 m. The possibility that the near infrared continuum derives from small grains with low thermal capacity is discussed, and synthetic spectra are derived. These indicate a very much slower variation of flux with wavelength than would be deduced for grains at unitary temperature, and imply a near infrared continuum which is significantly cooler than maximum grain temperatures. Fits to the spectrum of IC 418 suggest that peak grain temperatures may approachT _p010³ K (for ^–2), for instance, compared to the observed colour temperature of 650 K.Finally, the relevant grains are required to be refractory and, given the large C/O ratio in this nebula, probably consist of graphite. Their mass is also required to be small, and is probably of order 2×10^–7 M . This compares with the probable total mass for large dust grains of 10^–4 M . Although they are both small and warm, such grains would be expected to persist over the lifetime of the nebula, and may also be responsible for various NIR band emission features.     

A study of the far infrared counterparts of new candidates for planetary nebulae

A search (using the Infrared Astronomical Satellite IRAS point source catalogue) for infrared counterparts of the fourteen new candidates for planetary nebulae of low surface brightness detected by Hartl and Tritton (1985), resulted in only five identifications. The infrared sources of four of these candidate nebulae are found within 5 are sec of their optical position and the fifth one within 1 are min. Two of the five nebulae identified with infrared sources are classified as true, one as probable and two as possible by Hartl and Tritton (1985). All the five nebulae are found in regions of high cirrus flux at 100 m. These nebulae are all found to have both point sources as well as small size extended sources (in the IRAS scan windows centred on the sources), with numbers varying from field to field. The infrared emission from these nebulae have dust temperatures 100K (characteristic of planetary nebulae). Four of the nebulae appear to be faint in the infrared (just as in the optical band) with total infrared flux of 2×10^–13 W m^–2. Only the PN candidate No. 12 appears to be very bright in the infrared. It is likely that part of the emission is from extraneous sources in the line-of-sight to the nebula.     

Infrared emission of dust grains in the clusters of galaxies

The observations of the reddening of the distant galaxies and the weak diffuse radiation in the clusters of galaxies can be interpreted as a consequence of the presence of dust grains in the intergalactic medium. When allowance is made for the destruction of the grains in collision with particles of the hot gas, its lifetime is about 10⁷–10⁸ yr at a gas concentrationn _g 10^–3 cm^–3. The detection of the infrared (IR) emission from the galaxy clusters might be the test for the proof of the presence of dust grains in the intergalactic medium. In this paper the estimates of the expected intensities and fluxes of IR emission for the spectral region 50–300 are presented for two galaxy clusters in Coma and Perseus. The parameters of the hot gas spatial distribution are chosen from X-ray observations. Having assumed that intergalactic dust can be ejected only from the galaxies, we used such a model for intergalactic dust grains which explains very well the interstellar dust effects. It is shown that the dust temperature, which is determined from the general energetic balance of the dust grains, can achieve some scores of degrees of Kelvin. Two models of the dust spatial distribution are considered. It is found that the maximum of IR flux for the Coma cluster lies near =100 and the same for the Perseus cluster near 50–70. The total fluxes of IR emission from these clusters are about 10⁵–10⁶ Jy and can be detected by modern observational methods.     

The first Byurakan Spectral Sky Survey. Stars of later spectral classes. V. The zone +65°⩽δ⩽+69°

We give the fifth list of red stars of the First Byurakan Spectral Sky Survey. The objects are located in the zone 5^h 18^h 30^m and +65 +69. The list contains the data on 18 new objects, one of which is a star of class R. We also give the first determination of the spectral class of 11 variable objects, for four of which we give the spectrograms in the range of wavelengths 4700–6700å.Translated fromAstrofizika, Vol. 37, No. 4, 1994.     

Polarimetric Studies of Stars with an Infrared Emission Excess

The results of polarimetric and IR (IRAS) observations of 24 B-A-F stars are given. Intrinsic polarization of the light from 11 of the 24 stars is observed. The degree of polarization for the other 13 stars is within the measurement errors. Two-color diagrams are also constructed. From a comparison of the degree of polarization with the color index on the two-color diagrams it is seen that 8 of these 13 stars probably are of the Vega type, while 5 are stars with gas—dust shells and/or disk—shells. It is shown that 6 of the aforementioned 11 stars with intrinsic polarization evidently are stars with gas—dust shells and/or disk—shells, while 5 of them (also including No. 24) are of the Vega type. It is also shown that the IR emission from 10 of the stars corresponds to a power-law distribution F . This fact may be explained both by free—free transitions of electrons and by thermal emission from dust grains in circumstellar gas—dust shells (disks).     

Formation of Planetesimals in the Trans-Neptunian Region of the Protoplanetary Disk

We consider the formation of cometlike and larger bodies in the trans-Neptunian region of the protoplanetary gas–dust disk. Once the particles have reached 1–10 cm in size through mutual collisions, they compact and concentrate toward the midplane of the disk to form a dust subdisk there. We show that after the subdisk has reached a critical density, its inner, equatorial layer that, in contrast to the two subsurface layers, contains no shear turbulence can be gravitationally unstable. The layer breaks up into 10¹²-cm clumps whose small fragments (10⁹ cm) can rapidly contract to form bodies 10 km in size. We consider the sunward drift of dust particles at a velocity that decreases with decreasing radial distance as the mechanism of radial contraction and compaction of the layer that contributes to its gravitational instability and the formation of larger (100 km) planetesimals. Given all of the above processes, it takes 10⁶ yr for planetesimals to form, which is an order of magnitude shorter than the lifetime of the gas–dust protoplanetary disk. We discuss peculiarities of the structure of planetesimals.     

Optical Identifications of IRAS Point Sources Based on Low-Dispersion FBS Spectra. Stars. V

A fifth list of point sources from the IRAS Point Source Catalog (PSC) that are optically identified with stars of late spectral types is given. The list contains data on 75 objects. The identifications were based on the Digital Sky Survey (DSS), the First Byurakan Survey, blue and red maps of the Palomar Observatory Sky Survey, and infrared fluxes at the wavelengths 12, 25, 60, and 100 m in the regions of +73° +80° and 03^h30^m 18^h30^m and of +80° +90° and 00^h00^m 20^h00^m. Of the 99 objects, which are given in the IRAS PSC as unidentified sources of infrared emission, 24 are associated with known stars in existing catalogs while 75 sources proved to be unknown in the optical range. The optical coordinates, their departures from the IR coordinates, the V stellar magnitudes, the color indices CI, and the preliminary spectral subtypes have been determined. The objects have optical magnitudes in the range of 6 ^m .5-17 ^m .2. Finder charts from the DSS are given for the 69 new objects.     

The photogravitational restricted three-body problem

The photogravitational restricted three-body problem is reviewed and the case of the out-of-plane equilibrium points is analysed. It is found that, when the motion of an infinitesimal body is determined only by the gravitational forces and effects of the radiation pressure, there are no out-of-plane stable equilibrium points.     

The spectral indices in the optical continuum of the QSOs,BL Lacertae objects and the nuclei of Seyfert,N and normal galaxies

The hypothesis that the optical continua of QSOs, BL Lac objects and the nuclei of Seyfert, N and normal galaxies arise due to incoherent synchrotron radiation from electrons and consequently the flux of radiation in the optical continua of these objects is given by the power law:F(v)v is examined. Following Kinman, spectral indices _B–V and _U–B in(B-V) and(U-B) colours as well as their average and difference have been defined and calculated for samples of 227 QSOs, 32 BL Lac objects and nuclei of 62 Seyfert, 12 N and 7 normal galaxies. Here has been assumed to be an estimate of the spectral index . On the other hand, has been regarded as a measure of departure from the power law. On the basis of this, the distributions of and in QSOs, BL Lac objects and the nuclei of Seyfert, N and normal galaxies have been studied. The value of depends mainly on the balance of the energy loss due to synchrotron radiation and the rate of replenishment of energy by injection of high energy electrons in the radiating region. The increase in the value of and therefore that of indicates that the activity in the object is slowing down and the object is growing older. Assuming that the QSOs, BL Lac objects and the nuclei of Seyfert, N and normal galaxies essentially represent different phases in the evolutionary sequence of extragalactic objects, we suggest that they may be arranged in the sequence: QSOsBL Lac objects Seyferts 1N galaxies Seyferts 2 Normal galaxies in the decreasing order of activity in the core or nuclei of these objects.On leave of absence from the Government Science College, Rajpur, M.P., India.     

Massive accretion disks

Recent high resolution near infrared (HST-NICMOS) and mm-interferometric imaging have revealed dense gas and dust accretion disks in nearby ultra-luminous galactic nuclei. In the best studied ultraluminousIR galaxy, Arp 220, the 2m imaging shows dust disks in both of the merging galactic nuclei and mm-CO line imaging indicates molecular gasmasses 10⁹M for each disk. The two gas disks in Arp 220 are counterrotating and their dynamical masses are 2×10⁹ M , that is, only slightly largerthan the gas masses. These disks have radii 100 pc and thickness 10-50 pc. The high brightness temperatures of the CO lines indicatethat the gas in the disks has area filling factors 25-50% and mean densitiesof 10⁴ cm^-3. Within these nuclear disks, the rate of massive star formation is undoubtedly prodigious and, given the high viscosity of the gas, there will also be high radial accretion rates, perhaps 10 M yr ^-1. If this inflow persists to very small radii, it is enough to feed even the highest luminosity AGNs.     

Optical Identifications of IRAS Point Sources. Galaxies. VII

A seventh list of objects from the BIG (Byurakan-IRAS galaxies) sample is given: 95 galaxies identified with 63 point sources from the IRAS Point Source Catalog. The identifications were based on the Digital Sky Survey (DSS), the First Byurakan Survey, blue and red maps from the Palomar Observatory Sky Survey, and infrared fluxes at 12, 25, 60, and 100 m in the region of +65° 69° and 14^h00^m 18^h05^m with an area of 96 deg². For the identified galaxies the optical coordinates, their departures from the IR coordinates, the stellar V magnitudes, morphological types, angular sizes, and position angles were determined. The objects have optical magnitudes in the range of 13 ^m .8-21 ^m .5 and angular sizes in the range of 4-38. Finder charts from the DSS are given for these objects.     

Optical identification of the IRAS point sources based on the first Byurakan survey

Optical identification of infrared sources from the IRAS Point Source Catalogue (PSC) is made by means of low-dispersion spectra of the First Byurakan Survey (FBS) and Palomar Observatory Sky Survey (POSS) red and blue images. The purpose of this work is to examine the composition of the PSC sample of fainter sources at high galactic latitudes and to reveal QSOs, infrared galaxies, red stars (C and M), planetary nebulae, for their further investigation at the optical range. 100 of 108 unknown IRAS sources in the region with 3^h50^m 7^h40^m and + 69° + 73° are optically identified. Optical coordinates, V magnitudes, color indices, and preliminary classes are determined. According to preliminary classification 3 objects turned out to be QSOs, 36 are galaxies with very interesting morphology, 5 are faint planetary nebulae, 9 are carbon stars, and 47 are late M-type stars.Published in Astrofizika, Vol. 38, No. 4, pp. 625–629, October–December, 1995.     

New results on the strato-mesospheric cooling of the Northern Hemisphere (1969–1978)

Rocketsonde — derived temperature trends within the Northern hemisphere are examined for the stratosphere and lower mesosphere for the period 1969–1978. The rocketsonde records presented here are homogeneous because of are mostly based on the Datasonde system. It appears that stratospheric and lower mesospheric temperature fluctuations in some cases, are about one order of magnitude larger than observed by previous workers. The main features for the temperature trends throughout the decade 1969–1978 are notably: (a) 15 C cooling at 60 km, (b) 5.5 C at 50 km, (c) 5 C at 40 km, (d) 4 C at 30 km, and (e) 3.5 C at 20 km.     

Sub-arcsec 10 μm imaging of β pictoris and other star disk candidates

We have used the ESO 10 m camera, TIMMI, to image with a very high angular resolution (PFoV: 0.3; FWHM:0.9) several main-sequence star disk candidates. Information on the -Pictoris dust disk has been obtained in a region largely inaccessible to previous observations: 0–80 AU, with a resolution of about 5 AU after deconvolution. Another promising target for 10 m imaging, 51 Ophiuchi, appears point-like.based on data collected at the European Southern Observatory (ESO), La Silla, Chile