The force-free magnetosphere around an oblique rotator

The force-free magnetosphere around an obliquely rotating pulsar is studied. The basic equations reduce to two equations for two Euler potentials. One of the Euler potentials is regarded as a generalization of the stream function of the poloidal magnetic field lines in an axisymmetric rotator. Two divergence-free vectors become tangential to the surface on which this Euler potential is constant.     

Coulomb-trapped particles in the electromagnetic fields of an oblique magnetic rotator

An oblique, rotating magnetized sphere emits electromagnetic waves which, for large magnetization, can quickly accelerate charged particles to very high energies. A central, attractive Coulomb force can trap particles in the region beyond the light cylinder by balancing the accelerating influence of the radiation on the particles. We sample some of the particle orbits possible under these dynamical conditions. A general feature of these orbits is that non-interacting particles started with random initial conditions in the domain of attraction of these orbits will arrange themselves on a curve corotating with the axis of magnetization. Such particle configurations can be a source of pulsed radiation. In the idealized case of no interparticle interactions the spectral index for the radiation emitted by one frequently occurring configuration is found to be –2/3, for emission from radio to -ray frequencies. The dynamical conditions in this simple model closely match those prevalent in outer pulsar magnetospheres, making it possible that part of the radiation from pulsars is emitted by trapped plasma in the region beyond the light cylinder.     

Agegraphic Chameleon-Tachyon dark energy model: stability and observational tests

In this paper interacting chameleon-tachyon model with agegraphic dark energy is revisited. The model in two cases of matter and radiation dominated universe is best fitted with the observational data for distance modulus. Stability of the model is investigated. The model then tested against observational data for Hubble parameter. With respect to the best fitted model parameters, our results show that while both scenarios are in good match with the observational data in low redshifts, the model in radiation dominated case better fits the data in high redshifts.     

Galactic evolution of 7LI: observational clues for models

Different stellar sources may have contributed to the ⁷Li enrichmentof the Galaxy: type-II supernovae, novae, and AGB stars. In the latter case, the interplay between the Hot Bottom Burning (HBB) process (via the Cameron-Fowler mechanism) and a very high mass-loss rate before the evolution off the AGB (the so-called ‘superwind’ phase), can lead to a significant production of ⁷Li from low- and intermediate-mass AGB stars (Travaglio et al., 2001). We have now undertaken an observational campaign aimed at constraining our stellar and Galactic models, with a twofold goal: (i) to assemble a compilation of high-resolution spectra of Galactic, unevolved (i.e. dwarfs), warm(spectral type F) stars, in a selected metallicity range (-1.0 ≤>[Fe/H] ≤ -0.3), using the ESO 1.5m telescope and the FEROS spectrograph; (ii) to carry out a Li survey among a sample of selected AGB stars, to investigate the possible correlation between⁷Li abundance (when detected) and mass-loss rate. This revised version was published online in September 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Supermassive black holes, star formation and downsizing of elliptical galaxies

The overabundance of Mg relative to Fe, observed in the nuclei of bright ellipticals, and its increase with galactic mass, poses a serious problem for all current models of galaxy formation. Here, we improve on the one-zone chemical evolution models for elliptical galaxies by taking into account positive feedback produced in the early stages of supermassive central black hole growth. We can account for both the observed correlation and the scatter if the observed anti-hierarchical behaviour of the AGN population couples to galaxy assembly and results in an enhancement of the star formation efficiency which is proportional to galactic mass. At low and intermediate galactic masses, however, a slower mode for star formation suffices to account for the observational properties.     

Accretion in Strong Gravity: from Galactic to Supermassive Black Holes

The galactic black hole binary systems give an observational template showing how the accretion flow changes as a function of increasing mass accretion rate, or L/L_Edd. These data can be synthesised with theoretical models of the accretion flow to give a coherent picture of accretion in strong gravity, in which the major hard-soft spectral transition is triggered by a change in the nature and geometry of the inner accretion flow from a hot, optically thin plasma to a cool, optically thick accretion disc. However, a straightforward application of these models to AGN gives clear discrepancies in overall spectral shape. Either the underlying accretion model is wrong, despite its success in describing the Galactic systems and/or there is additional physics which breaks the simple scaling from stellar to supermassive black holes.     

An observational approach to the early stages of stellar evolution

During the last three decades an observational approach has been applied at the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory to the problems of the evolution of astronomical bodies and systems. In contradiction to the traditional point of view, assuming that the processes of condensation are dominant in the Universe, this approach makes use of the observed predominance of expansions, ejections, and explosions.In the past, the observational approach has led to the prediction of an expansion of some stellar associations confirmed later by the analysis of observations. It became clear that the stellar associations are very young systems where the star-formation process is still continuing. The new approach has also led to the concept of the activity of galactic nuclei. The observational approach considers as a phenomenon of primary importance the formation of nebulae as a consequence of the activity of dense bodies (nebulae surrounding the novae, planetary nebulae, supernova remnants, cometary nebulae, and the diffuse nebulae in OB-associations).The new approach in application to the early stages of stellar evolution is discussed. The T Tauri-stage is considered as a phase following the more dense protostellar state. The flare stars are regarded as the next phase of evolution. The phenomena of fuors (FU Ori-type brightenings) can be considered as an expression of the same tendency (the transformation of dense matter into a rarefied state).     

AGN Lifetimes in UV-selected Galaxies:A Clue to Supermassive Black Hole-galaxy Coevolution

The coevolution between supermassive black holes(SMBHs)and their host galaxies has been proposed for more than a decade,albeit with little direct evidence about...     

The observational program and research tests of an automatic PZT with prolonged exposure

The theory and instrumentation of the PZT have been described by several authors. In comparison to other techniques available for the determination of Earth Rotation Parameters (ERP), the PZT has many advantages. Among these are its rigid construction, elimination of levelling errors, minimization of refraction errors, ease of operation, etc. Among the disadvantages of a PZT are its limited field of view by which few stars can be observed.     

Non-linear hydrodynamical evolution of rotating relativistic stars: numerical methods and code tests

We present numerical hydrodynamical evolutions of rapidly rotating relativistic stars, using an axisymmetric, non-linear relativistic hydrodynamics code. We use four different high-resolution shock-capturing (HRSC) finite-difference schemes (based on approximate Riemann solvers) and compare their accuracy in preserving uniformly rotating stationary initial configurations in long-term evolutions. Among these four schemes, we find that the third-order piecewise parabolic method scheme is superior in maintaining the initial rotation law in long-term evolutions, especially near the surface of the star. It is further shown that HRSC schemes are suitable for the evolution of perturbed neutron stars and for the accurate identification (via Fourier transforms) of normal modes of oscillation. This is demonstrated for radial and quadrupolar pulsations in the non-rotating limit, where we find good agreement with frequencies obtained with a linear perturbation code. The code can be used for studying small-amplitude or non-linear pulsations of differentially rotating neutron stars, while our present results serve as testbed computations for three-dimensional general-relativistic evolution codes.     

Model pulsar magnetospheres: the perpendicular rotator

The simplest model illustrating the effect of the magnetospheric charge-current field on the structure of a pulsar magnetic field has the region within the light-cylinder filled with the GoldreichJulian charge density which corotates with the neutron star, but has no electric currents along the magnetic field lines. This model has previously been studied for the axisymmetric case, with the rotation and magnetic dipolar axes aligned. The analogous problem is now solved with the two axes mutually perpendicular, so that not only the material current arising from the rotating charges but also the displacement current contributes. Again, the constructed magnetic field B ₀ crosses the light-cylinder normally, and there is no energy flux to infinity. However, in a more realistic model there is a flow of current along B ₀, generating a field B ₁ which has a non-vanishing toroidal component at the light-cylinder, so yielding a finite integrated Poynting flux.     

Supershells: origin,evolution and fragmentation

The origin of HI shells in the Milky Way and nearby galaxies may be connected to the energy released by young and massive OB stars, supernova or hypernova explosions, or to the energy inputs related to gamma ray bursts. We describe the evolution of shells in spiral and dwarf galaxies and distinguish between different origins. We also discuss the conditions, when they fragment and trigger star formation.