Effect of nearby supernova remnants on local cosmic rays

We study in detail the effect of different particle release times from sources on the cosmic ray (CR) spectrum below 10¹⁵ eV in the Galaxy. We discuss different possible forms of particle injection such as burst-like injection, continuous injection for a finite time, injection from a stationary source and energy-dependent injection. When applied to the nearby known supernova remnants, we find that the observed CR anisotropy data favour the burst-like particle injection model for the CR diffusion coefficient   D ( E ) ∝ E ^a   with   a = 0.3 –0.6  in the local region. In this study we have also found that the contribution of the sources G114.3+0.3 and Monogem dominate if the observed anisotropy is a result of the effect of the nearby sources. Further study shows that we should not neglect the contribution of the undetected old sources to the local CR anisotropy.     

Impact of cosmic rays on Population III star formation

We explore the implications of a possible cosmic-ray (CR) background generated during the first supernova explosions that end the brief lives of massive Population III stars. We show that such a CR background could have significantly influenced the cooling and collapse of primordial gas clouds in minihaloes around redshifts of   z ∼ 15–20  , provided the CR flux was sufficient to yield an ionization rate greater than about 10⁻¹⁹ s⁻¹ near the centre of the minihalo. The presence of CRs with energies  ≲10⁷  eV would indirectly enhance the molecular cooling in these regions, and we estimate that the resulting lower temperatures in these minihaloes would yield a characteristic stellar mass as low as  ∼10 M_⊙  . CRs have a less-pronounced effect on the cooling and collapse of primordial gas clouds inside more massive dark matter haloes with virial masses  ≳10⁸ M_⊙  at the later stages of cosmological structure formation around   z ∼ 10–15  . In these clouds, even without CR flux the molecular abundance is already sufficient to allow cooling to the floor set by the temperature of the cosmic microwave background.     

Early evolution of newly born magnetars with a strong toroidal field

We present a state-of-the-art scenario for newly born magnetars as strong sources of gravitational waves (GWs) in the early days after formation. We address several aspects of the astrophysics of rapidly rotating, ultra-magnetized neutron stars (NSs), including early cooling before transition to superfluidity, the effects of the magnetic field on the equilibrium shape of NSs, the internal dynamical state of a fully degenerate, oblique rotator and the strength of the electromagnetic torque on the newly born NS. We show that our scenario is consistent with recent studies of supernova remnant surrounding Anomalous X-ray Pulsars (AXPs) and Soft Gamma-Ray Repeaters (SGRs) in the Galaxy that constrains the electromagnetic energy input from the central NS to be  ≤ 10⁵¹  erg. We further show that if this condition is met, then the GW signal from such sources is potentially detectable with the forthcoming generation of GW detectors up to Virgo cluster distances where an event rate ∼1 yr⁻¹ can be estimated. Finally, we point out that the decay of an internal magnetic field in the 10¹⁶ G range couples strongly with the NS cooling at very early stages, thus significantly slowing down both processes: the field can remain this strong for at least 10³ yr, during which the core temperature stays higher than several times 10⁸ K.     

Cosmic rays and the primordial gas

One of the most-outstanding problems in the gravitational collapse scenario of early structure formation is the cooling of primordial gas to allow for small-mass objects to form. As the neutral primordial gas is a poor radiator at temperatures   T ≤ 10⁴ K  , molecular hydrogen is needed for further cooling down to temperatures   T ∼ 100 K  . The formation of molecular hydrogen is catalyzed by the presence of free electrons, which could be provided by the ionization due to an early population of cosmic rays (CRs). In order to investigate this possibility, we developed a code to study the effects of ionizing CRs on the thermal and chemical evolution of primordial gas. We found that CRs can provide enough free electrons needed for the formation of molecular hydrogen, and therefore can increase the cooling ability of such primordial gas under following conditions. A dissociating photon flux with   F < 10⁻¹⁸ erg cm⁻² Hz⁻¹ s⁻¹  , initial temperature of the gas  ∼10³ K  , total gas number densities   n ≥ 1 cm⁻³  , and cosmic-ray sources with     .     

Optical photometry and spectroscopy of the Type Ibn supernova SN 2006jc until the onset of dust formation

We present optical UBVRI photometric and spectroscopic data of the Type Ibn supernova SN 2006jc, until the onset of the dust-forming phase. The optical spectrum shows a blue continuum and is dominated by the presence of moderately narrow (velocity ∼2500 km s⁻¹) He  i emission lines superimposed over a relatively weak supernova spectrum. The helium lines are produced in a pre-existing He-rich circumstellar shell. The observed helium line fluxes indicate the circumstellar shell is dense, with a density of  ∼10⁹–10¹⁰ cm⁻³  . The helium mass in this shell is estimated to be  ≲0.07 M_⊙  . The optical light curves show a clear signature of dust formation, indicated by a sharp decrease in the magnitudes around day 50, accompanied by a reddening of the colours. The evolution of the optical light curves during the early phase and that of the uvoir bolometric light curve at all phases is reasonably similar to normal Ib/c supernovae.     

Soft gamma repeaters outside the Local Group

We propose that the best sites to search for soft gamma repeaters (SGRs) outside the Local Group are galaxies with active massive-star formation. Different possibilities to observe SGR activity from these sites are discussed. In particular, we have searched for giant flares from the nearby galaxies (∼2–4 Mpc away) M82, M83, NGC 253 and 4945 in the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) data. No candidate giant SGR flares were found. The absence of such detections implies that the rate of giant flares with energy release in the initial spike above  0.5 × 10⁴⁴ erg  is less than 1/30 yr⁻¹ in our Galaxy. However, hyperflares similar to that of 2004 December 27 can be observed from larger distances. Nevertheless, we do not see any significant excess of short GRBs from the Virgo galaxy cluster or from the galaxies Arp 299 and NGC 3256 (both with extremely high star formation rates). This implies that the Galactic rate of hyperflares with energy release  ∼10⁴⁶ erg  is less than ∼10⁻³ yr⁻¹. With this constraint the fraction of possible extragalactic SGR hyperflares among BATSE's short GRBs should not exceed a few per cent. We present the list of short GRBs coincident with the galaxies mentioned above, and discuss the possibility that some of them are SGR giant flares. We propose that the best target for the observations of extragalactic SGR flares with Swift is the Virgo cluster.     

Production of neutrons, neutrinos and gamma-rays by a very fast pulsar in the Galactic Centre region

We consider the possibility that the excess of cosmic rays near ∼10¹⁸ eV, reported by the AGASA and SUGAR groups from the direction of the Galactic Centre, is caused by a young, very fast pulsar in the high-density medium. The pulsar accelerates iron nuclei to energies ∼10²⁰ eV, as postulated by the Galactic models for the origin of the highest-energy cosmic rays. The iron nuclei, about 1 yr after pulsar formation, leave the supernova envelope without energy losses and diffuse through the dense central region of the Galaxy. Some of them collide with the background matter creating neutrons (from disintegration of Fe), neutrinos and gamma-rays (in inelastic collisions). We suggest that neutrons produced at a specific time after the pulsar formation are responsible for the observed excess of cosmic rays at ∼10¹⁸ eV. From normalization of the calculated neutron flux to the one observed in the cosmic ray excess, we predict the neutrino and gamma-ray fluxes. It has been found that the 1 km² neutrino detector of the IceCube type should detect from a few up to several events per year from the Galactic Centre, depending on the parameters of the considered model. Moreover, future systems of Cherenkov telescopes (CANGAROO III, HESS, VERITAS) should be able to observe  1–10 TeV  gamma-rays from the Galactic Centre if the pulsar was created inside a huge molecular cloud about  3–10×10³ yr  ago.     

Radio emission from the Sy 1.5 galaxy NGC 5033

We present new continuum VLA observations of the nearby Sy 1.5 galaxy NGC 5033, made at 4.9 and 8.4 GHz on 2003 April 8. Combined with VLA archival observations at 1.4- and 4.9-GHz made on 1993 August 7, 1999 August 29 and 1999 October 31, we sample the galaxy radio emission at scales ranging from the nuclear regions (≲100 pc) to the outer regions of the disc (∼40 kpc). The high-resolution VLA images show a core–jet structure for the Sy 1.5 nucleus. While the core has a moderately steep non-thermal radio spectrum ( S _ν∝ν^α; α^4.9_1.5≈−0.4), the inner kpc region shows a steeper spectrum (α^8.4_1.5≈−0.9). This latter spectrum is typical of galaxies where energy losses are high, indicating that the escape rate of cosmic ray electrons in NGC 5033 is low. The nucleus contributes little to the total 1.4-GHz radio power of NGC 5033 and, based on the radio to far-infrared (FIR) relation, it appears that the radio and FIR emission from NGC 5033 are dominated by a starburst that during the last 10 Myr produced stars at a rate of 2.8 M_⊙ yr⁻¹ yielding a supernova (type Ib/c and II) rate of 0.045 yr⁻¹. This supernova rate corresponds to about 1 SN event every 22 yr. Finally, from our deep 8.4-GHz VLA-D image, we suggest the existence of a radio spur in NGC 5033, which could have been due to a hot superbubble formed as a consequence of sequential supernova explosions occurring during the lifetime of a giant molecular cloud.     

The circumstellar medium of the peculiar supernova SN1997ab

We report the detection of the slow-moving wind into which the compact supernova remnant SN 1997ab is expanding. Echelle spectroscopy provides clear evidence for a well-resolved narrow (full width at zero intensity, FWZI ∼180 km s⁻¹) P Cygni profile, both in Hα and Hβ, superimposed on the broad emission lines of this compact supernova remnant. From theoretical arguments we know that the broad and strong emission lines imply a circumstellar density ( n  ≥ 10⁷ cm⁻³). This, together with our detection, implies a massive and slow stellar wind experienced by the progenitor star shortly prior to the explosion.     

Neutral hydrogen absorption observations of the central region of NGC 3628

Using MERLIN with 0.2-arcsec resolution we have observed neutral hydrogen absorption against the central region of the starburst galaxy NGC 3628. The central region resolves into ∼16 continuum components at 1.4 GHz. From comparison with published 15-GHz data, we infer that these components are supernova remnants, although three components may be consistent with a weak active galactic nucleus. Neutral hydrogen absorption is seen against the continuum emission with column densities ∼10²² cm⁻². The absorption appears to be from two separate absorbing structures. Assuming a simple morphology, the main velocity structure can be attributed to a ring of neutral gas with a radius 130 pc rotating around a central starburst with a velocity gradient of 1270 km s⁻¹ kpc⁻¹. From simple assumptions, the mass interior to this ring is 0.9 × 10⁹ M_⊙. The second absorption structure may represent outflow from the starburst region or a large-scale galactic structure. Alternatively the absorption structure may be non-axisymmetric, such as a bar.     

The high-velocity molecular stream in W51B: a ring structure with compact H ii regions

We present ¹³ CO J  = 1 − 0 line observations of the H  ii region complex W51B located in the high-velocity (HV) stream. These observations reveal a filamentary and clumpy structure in the molecular gas. The mean local standard of rest (LSR) velocity ∼ + 65 km s⁻¹ of the molecular gas in this region is greater than the maximum velocities allowed by kinematic Galactic rotation curves. The size and mass of the molecular clouds are ∼ 48 × 17 pc² and ∼ 2.4 × 10⁵ M⊙ respectively. In a position–velocity diagram, molecular gas in the southern part comprises a redshifted ring structure with v _LSR=+ 60 to +73 km s⁻¹. The velocity gradient of this ring is ∼ 0.5 km s⁻¹ pc⁻¹, and the mass is ∼ 6.2 × 10⁴ M⊙. If we assume that the ring is expanding with a uniform velocity, the expansion velocity, radius and kinetic energy are ∼ 7 km s⁻¹, ∼ 13 pc and ∼ 3.0 × 10 ⁴⁹ erg respectively. The kinetic energy and mass spectrum of the ring could be explained by an expanding cylindrical cloud with a centrally condensed mass distribution. The locations of two compact H  ii regions, G49.0−0.3 and G48.9−0.3, coincide with the two molecular clumps in this ring. We discuss star formation, and the mechanism that produced the ring structure.     

Radio galaxies in the 2SLAQ Luminous Red Galaxy survey – II. The stellar populations of radio-loud and radio-quiet LRGs

We present an analysis of the optical spectra of a volume-limited sample of 375 radio galaxies at redshift  0.4 < z < 0.7  from the 2dF-SDSS (Sloan Digital Sky Survey) Luminous Red Galaxy (LRG) and QSO (quasi-stellar object) (2SLAQ) redshift survey. We investigate the evolution of the stellar populations and emission-line properties of these galaxies. By constructing composite spectra and comparing with a matched sample of radio-quiet sources from the same survey, we also investigate the effect on the galaxy of the presence of an active nucleus.
The composite spectra, binned by redshift and radio luminosity, all require two components to describe them, which we interpret as an old and a younger population. We found no evolution with redshift of the age of the younger population in radio galaxies, nor were they different from the radio-quiet comparison sample. Similarly, there is no correlation with radio power, with the exception that the most powerful radio sources  ( P _1.4 > 10²⁶  W Hz⁻¹) have younger stars and stronger emission lines than the less powerful sources. This suggests that we have located the threshold in radio power where strong emission lines 'switch on', at radio powers of around 10²⁶ W Hz⁻¹. Except for the very powerful radio galaxies, the presence of a currently active radio active galactic nucleus (AGN) does not appear to be correlated with any change in the observed stellar population of a luminous red galaxy at   z ∼ 0.5  .     

TeV γ-rays from old supernova remnants

We study the emission from an old supernova remnant (SNR) with an age of around 10⁵ yr and that from a giant molecular cloud (GMC) encountered by the SNR. When the SNR age is around 10⁵ yr, proton acceleration is efficient enough to emit TeV γ-rays both at the shock of the SNR and that in the GMC. The maximum energy of primarily accelerated electrons is so small that TeV γ-rays and X-rays are dominated by hadronic processes,  π⁰  -decay and synchrotron radiation from secondary electrons, respectively. However, if the SNR is older than several 10⁵ yr, there are few high-energy particles emitting TeV γ-rays because of the energy-loss effect and/or the wave-damping effect occurring at low-velocity isothermal shocks. For old SNRs or SNR–GMC interacting systems capable of generating TeV γ-ray emitting particles, we calculated the ratio of TeV γ-ray (1–10 TeV) to X-ray (2–10 keV) energy flux and found that it can be more than  ∼10²  . Such a source showing large flux ratio may be a possible origin of recently discovered unidentified TeV sources.     

Near-infrared [Fe ii] emission from supernova remnants and the supernova rate of starburst galaxies

In an effort better to calibrate the supernova rate of starburst galaxies as determined from near-infrared [Fe  ii ] features, we report on a [Fe  ii ] λ 1.644 μm line-imaging survey of a sample of 42 optically selected supernova remnants (SNRs) in M33. A wide range of [Fe  ii ] luminosities are observed within our sample (from less than 6 to 695 L_⊙). Our data suggest that the bright [Fe  ii ] SNRs are entering the radiative phase and that the density of the local interstellar medium (ISM) largely controls the amount of [Fe  ii ] emission. We derive the following relation between the [Fe  ii ] λ 1.644 μm line luminosity of radiative SNRs and the electronic density of the post-shock gas, n _e: L _{[Fe  ii ]}     (cm⁻³). We also find a correlation in our data between L _{[Fe  ii ]} and the metallicity of the shock-heated gas, but the physical interpretation of this result remains inconclusive, as our data also show a correlation between the metallicity and n _e. The dramatically higher level of [Fe  ii ] emission from SNRs in the central regions of starburst galaxies is most likely due to their dense environments, although metallicity effects might also be important. The typical [Fe  ii ]-emitting lifetime of a SNR in the central regions of starburst galaxies is found to be of the order of 10⁴ yr. On the basis of these results, we provide a new empirical relation allowing the determination of the current supernova rate of starburst galaxies from their integrated near-infrared [Fe  ii ] luminosity.     

The Durham/UKST Galaxy Redshift Survey – III. Large-scale structure via the two-point correlation function

We have investigated the statistical clustering properties of galaxies by calculating the two-point galaxy correlation function from the optically selected Durham/UKST Galaxy Redshift Survey. This survey is magnitude-limited to b _J∼17, contains ∼2500 galaxies sampled at a rate of one-in-three and surveys a ∼4×10⁶ ( h ⁻¹ Mpc)³ volume of space. We have empirically determined the optimal method of estimating the two-point correlation function from just such a magnitude-limited survey. Applying our methods to this survey, we find that our redshift-space results agree well with those from previous optical surveys. In particular, we confirm the previously claimed detections of large-scale power out to ∼40 h ⁻¹ Mpc scales. We compare with two common models of cosmological structure formation and find that our two-point correlation function has power significantly in excess of the standard cold dark matter model in the 10–30 h ⁻¹ Mpc region. We therefore support the observational results of the APM galaxy survey. Given that only the redshift-space clustering can be measured directly, we use standard modelling methods and indirectly estimate the real-space two-point correlation function from the projected two-point correlation function. We then invert this projected correlation function to obtain an estimate of the spatial two-point correlation function in real space. This correlation function in real space has a lower amplitude than that in redshift space, but a steeper slope.     

GeV emission from neutron-rich internal shocks of some long γ-ray bursts

In the neutron-rich internal shocks model for γ-ray bursts (GRBs), the Lorentz factors (LFs) of ion shells are variable, and so are the LFs of accompanying neutron shells. For slow neutron shells with a typical LF of approximate tens, the typical β-decay radius is  ∼10¹⁴–10¹⁵ cm  . As GRBs last long enough  [ T ₉₀ > 14(1 + z ) s]  , one earlier but slower ejected neutron shell will be swept successively by later ejected ion shells in the range  ∼10¹³–10¹⁵ cm  , where slow neutrons have decayed significantly. Part of the thermal energy released in the interaction will be given to the electrons. These accelerated electrons will mainly be cooled by the prompt soft γ-rays and give rise to GeV emission. This kind of GeV emission is particularly important for some very long GRBs and is detectable for the upcoming satellite Gamma-Ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST).     

Type IIP supernova SN 2004et: a multiwavelength study in X-ray, optical and radio

We present X-ray, broad-band optical and low-frequency radio observations of the bright type IIP supernova SN 2004et. The Chandra X-ray Observatory observed the supernova at three epochs, and the optical coverage spans a period of ∼470 d since explosion. The X-ray emission softens with time, and we characterize the X-ray luminosity evolution as   L _X∝ t ^−0.4  . We use the observed X-ray luminosity to estimate a mass-loss rate for the progenitor star of  ∼2 × 10⁻⁶ M_⊙ yr⁻¹  . The optical light curve shows a pronounced plateau lasting for about 110 d. Temporal evolution of photospheric radius and colour temperature during the plateau phase is determined by making blackbody fits. We estimate the ejected mass of ⁵⁶Ni to be  0.06 ± 0.03 M_⊙  . Using the expressions of Litvinova & Nadëzhin we estimate an explosion energy of  (0.98 ± 0.25) × 10⁵¹ erg  . We also present a single epoch radio observation of SN 2004et. We compare this with the predictions of the model proposed by Chevalier, Fransson & Nymark. These multiwavelength studies suggest a main-sequence progenitor mass of  ∼20 M_⊙  for SN 2004et.     

Gamma-rays and cosmic rays from a pulsar in Cygnus OB2

We argue that γ-ray sources observed in the direction of the Cygnus OB2 association in the GeV and TeV energy range are due to a pulsar that was created by a supernova a few tens of thousands of years ago. The GeV emission is produced by a middle-aged pulsar, a factor of 2 older than the Vela pulsar. The TeV emission is produced by high-energy hadrons and/or leptons accelerated in pulsar wind nebulae. We suggest, moreover, that the excess of cosmic rays at ∼10¹⁸ eV observed from the direction of the Cygnus region can also be related to the appearance of this very energetic pulsar in the Cyg OB2 association. Some of the relativistic hadrons, captured in strong magnetic fields of a high-density region of Cyg OB2, produce neutrons and γ-rays in collisions with matter. These neutrons can arrive from Cyg OB2, creating an excess of cosmic rays.     

High-redshift voids in the excursion set formalism

Voids are a dominant feature of the low-redshift galaxy distribution. Several recent surveys have found evidence for the existence of large-scale structure at high redshifts as well. We present analytic estimates of galaxy void sizes at redshifts   z ∼ 5–10  using the excursion set formalism. We find that recent narrow-band surveys at   z ∼ 5–6.5  should find voids with characteristic scales of roughly 20 comoving Mpc and maximum diameters approaching 40 Mpc. This is consistent with existing surveys, but a precise comparison is difficult because of the relatively small volumes probed so far. At   z ∼ 7–10  , we expect characteristic void scales of ∼14–20 comoving Mpc assuming that all galaxies within dark matter haloes more massive than  10¹⁰ M_⊙  are observable. We find that these characteristic scales are similar to the sizes of empty regions resulting from purely random fluctuations in the galaxy counts. As a result, true large-scale structure will be difficult to observe at   z ∼ 7–10  , unless galaxies in haloes with masses  ≲10⁹ M_⊙  are visible. Galaxy surveys must be deep and only the largest voids will provide meaningful information. Our model provides a convenient picture for estimating the 'worst-case' effects of cosmic variance on high-redshift galaxy surveys with limited volumes.     

Dust formation and survival in supernova ejecta

The presence of dust at high redshift requires efficient condensation of grains in supernova (SN) ejecta, in accordance with current theoretical models. Yet observations of the few well-studied supernovae (SNe) and supernova remnants (SNRs) imply condensation efficiencies which are about two orders of magnitude smaller. Motivated by this tension, we have (i) revisited the model of Todini & Ferrara for dust formation in the ejecta of core collapse SNe, and (ii) followed, for the first time, the evolution of newly condensed grains from the time of formation to their survival – through the passage of the reverse shock – in the SNR. We find that  0.1–0.6  M_⊙  of dust form in the ejecta of 12–40 M_⊙ stellar progenitors. Depending on the density of the surrounding interstellar medium, between 2 and 20 per cent of the initial dust mass survives the passage of the reverse shock, on time-scales of about  4–8 × 10⁴  yr  from the stellar explosion. Sputtering by the hot gas induces a shift of the dust size distribution towards smaller grains. The resulting dust extinction curve shows a good agreement with that derived by observations of a reddened QSO at   z = 6.2  . Stochastic heating of small grains leads to a wide distribution of dust temperatures. This supports the idea that large amounts (∼0.1 M_⊙) of cold dust  ( T ∼ 40   K)  can be present in SNRs, without being in conflict with the observed infrared emission.