Pregalactic metal enrichment

I review recent results concerning the metal enrichment of the intergalactic medium and give arguments which allow to conclude that the heavy elements detected in the Lyα forest absorbers must have been produced and injected by a population of protogalaxies with typical mass ≈ 10⁸ M_⊙ at redshift z ≈ 10. In addition, I will discuss the existence of a metallicity-induced shift in the Initial Mass Function of first stars from an extrely top-heavy distribution to a `normal' one and bring observational support to this idea. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Association of the supernova remnant G 65.3+5.7 with ambient neutral hydrogen and a possible nature of the remnant

The neutral hydrogen at 21 cm has been investigated with the RATAN-600 radio telescope around the supernova remnant G 65.3+5.7, which has the largest angular sizes in the group of shell remnants. An expanding HI shell left after an old supernova explosion with an energy of ∼10⁵¹ erg and an age of 440 000 yr coincident in coordinates with the radio and optical remnant has been discovered. Since an X-ray emission from a much younger (27 000 yr) supernova remnant is observed in the same region and the shells detected by nebular lines have probably intermediate ages, we suggest that several successive supernova explosions have occurred here.     

Σ-D Relations and Main Galactic Radio Loops

This paper represents the updated empirical Galactic andextragalactic Σ-D relations (relations between the surface brightness Σ and the diameter D) for supernova remnants(SNRs), with checking the connection of the main Galactic radio loops (Loop I, II, III and IV) with these relations. We present results which suggest, once again, that the radio loops may have an SNR origin. The updated relations for old SNRs have been measured to have slopes, β ≈ 2 in log-log space. The best Σ-D relations for M31 and M33 galaxies were derived and these relations are shown to be flatter (β ≲2) than those for Galactic SNRs alone. A Σ-D relation with168 reliable calibrators (both Galactic and extragalactic) is derived. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Relation of pulsars to the remnants of supernova bursts

Based on a large volume of statistical data it is shown that the spatial distributions of radio pulsars in the galaxy with characteristic ages T ≤ 10 ⁶ years and T > 10⁶ years differ significantly. The overwhelming majority of the pulsars with T ≤ 10 ⁶ years lie within a narrow band of width 400 pc around the galactic plane. A large portion of the pulsars with T > 10⁶ years is concentrated outside this zone. In the case of younger pulsars, a larger fraction of them lies within the confines of the above mentioned zone. It is also shown that pulsars with T ≤ 10 ⁶ years and the remnants of supernova explosions have essentially the same spatial distribution. These facts support the existence of a relationship between pulsars and supernova remnants, as well as the acquisition of high spatial velocities by pulsars during their birth. __________ Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 49, No. 1, pp. 103–110 (February 2006).     

Search for possible connections between isolated radio pulsars and supernova remnants

We have developed a method of searching for the connections between the isolated radio pulsars and supernova remnants, based on the analysis of their kinematic characteristics. We investigate fairly young (τ _ch ≲ 10⁶ yr) radio pulsars with known proper motions and estimated distances (dispersion measures), and supernova remnants located no more than 1–2 kpc away from them. Using a standard empirical radial velocity distribution, we have constructed 100–200 thousand trajectories for each of these pulsars, tracing back their possible motion in the Galactic gravitational field on a time-scale of a few million years. The probabilities of their close encounters with the SNRs at epochs consistent with the age of the pulsar are analyzed. When these probabilities exceed considerably their reference values, obtained by assuming a purely random encounter between the objects, we conclude that the pulsars may have originated in the SNRs under consideration. Out of eight preselected pairs of pulsar-SNR association candidates, two pairs, J 1829-1751 / G16.2-2.7 and J 1833-0827 / G24.7-0.6 may have a common origin with a high probability.     

The mass distribution in the galaxy cluster Abell 2744

The mass distribution for the galaxy cluster Abell 2744 (z = 0.308) is investigated on the base of the archival X-ray data of the Chandra observatory. The temperature of the hot gas in the cluster (kT = 9.82_−0.41^+0.43 keV) and the cluster total mass (M ₂₀₀ = 2.22_−0.12^+0.13 × 10¹⁵ M _⊙) for the radius R ₂₀₀ = 2.38_−0.31^+0.36 Mpc are estimated. The density and mass profiles for the intergalactic gas and dark matter are obtained. The fractions of the intergalactic gas and dark matter in the total mass of the cluster are 15.4_−1.3^+1.3% and 84.6_−1.3^+1.4%, respectively.     

Chromospheric Height and Density Measurements in a Solar Flare Observed with RHESSI – II. Data Analysis

We present an analysis of hard X-ray imaging observations from one of the first solar flares observed with the Reuven Ramaty High-Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) spacecraft, launched on 5 February 2002. The data were obtained from the 22 February 2002, 11:06 UT flare, which occurred close to the northwest limb. Thanks to the high energy resolution of the germanium-cooled hard X-ray detectors on RHESSI we can measure the flare source positions with a high accuracy as a function of energy. Using a forward-fitting algorithm for image reconstruction, we find a systematic decrease in the altitudes of the source centroids z(ε) as a function of increasing hard X-ray energy ε, as expected in the thick-target bremsstrahlung model of Brown. The altitude of hard X-ray emission as a function of photon energy ε can be characterized by a power-law function in the ε=15–50 keV energy range, viz., z(ε)≈2.3(ε/20 keV)^−1.3 Mm. Based on a purely collisional 1-D thick-target model, this height dependence can be inverted into a chromospheric density model n(z), as derived in Paper I, which follows the power-law function n _e(z)=1.25×10¹³(z/1 Mm)^−2.5 cm⁻³. This density is comparable with models based on optical/UV spectrometry in the chromospheric height range of h≲1000 km, suggesting that the collisional thick-target model is a reasonable first approximation to hard X-ray footpoint sources. At h≈1000–2500 km, the hard X-ray based density model, however, is more consistent with the `spicular extended-chromosphere model' inferred from radio sub-mm observations, than with standard models based on hydrostatic equilibrium. At coronal heights, h≈2.5–12.4 Mm, the average flare loop density inferred from RHESSI is comparable with values from hydrodynamic simulations of flare chromospheric evaporation, soft X-ray, and radio-based measurements, but below the upper limits set by filling-factor insensitive iron line pairs.     

Using HI to probe large scale structures at z∼3

The redshifted 1420 MHz emission from the HI in unresolved damped Lyman-α clouds at high z will appear as a background radiation in low frequency radio observations. This holds the possibility of a new tool for studying the universe at high-z, using the mean brightness temperature to probe the HI content and its fluctuations to probe power spectrum. Existing estimates of the HI density atz−3 imply a mean brightness temperature of 1 mK at 320 MHz. The cross-correlation between the temperature fluctuation across different frequencies and sight lines is predicted to vary from 10⁻⁷ K² to 10⁻⁸ K² over intervals corresponding to spatial scales from 10 Mpc to 40 Mpc for some of the currently favoured cosmological models. Comparing this with the expected sensitivity of the GMRT, we find that this can be detected with ∼ 10 hrs of integration, provided we can distinguish it from the galactic and extragalactic foregrounds which will swamp this signal. We discuss a strategy based on the very distinct spectral properties of the foregrounds as against the HI emission, possibly allowing the removal of the foregrounds from the observed maps.     

Supernova remnants in the starburst galaxy M82

We have used the enhanced MERLIN at 1.5 and 5 GHz to image the central 700pc of the nearby starburst galaxy M82. Of order 40 discrete sources are detected and it appears that most of these sources are supernova remnants. Not only do many show shell structure and have a non-thermal radio spectrum, but they also follow a surface brightness/diameter relation consistent with that found in the LMC and Galactic supernova remnants. The detected M82 remnants are more compact and brighter than Galactic remnants which implies that they must be less than a few hundred years old and hence supernova rates are of order 0.05 per year. The 1.5 GHz measurements have shown that many of the remnants have low-frequency spectral turnovers which are probably due to free-free absorption in localised ionised gas with emission measures > 10⁶ pc cm^–6.     

The secular behavior of X-ray and radio emission from supernova remnants

General models for the secular behavior of the radio and X-ray emission from supernova remnants are examined and compared with the observations. Hot plasma and synchrotron models for the X-ray emission are considered. Among other things, it is concluded that (1) the total kinetic energy released in most supernova outbursts is probably less than about 10⁵¹ ergs; (2) continuous injection probably occurs for at least 10 yr in every case and about 1000 yr in most supernova remnants, in which case the supernova remnants 3C392, W28, Pup A and IC443 should produce 1–10 keV X-ray fluxes 10^–10 ergs/cm² sec; and (3) the X-ray sources in the Crab Nebula, Cas A and Tycho can be explained in terms of a model wherein continuous injection occurs for 300 yr for the Crab Nebula, much less than 250 yr for Cas A and much longer than 400 yr for Tycho. Finally, it is shown that if Tycho and Cas A contain an X-ray star such as NP0532, it is quite possible that the X-ray emission from those sources is predominantly due to the X-ray star.Supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under Contract No. F44620-67-C-0065.     

Relativistic and non-relativistic gas flows in astrophysical media: The general symmetric solution in the low pressure limit

The dynamical expansion and motion of supernova remnants, double radio galaxies, etc., into and through the surrounding interstellar and/or intergalactic gas are processes of some importance in astrophysics for inferring energy, magnetic fields, particle pressure, etc. in a wide variety of astrophysical situations. We are usually hampered by the fact that it is often difficult to obtain a solution to the equations describing the flow of a gas into a surrounding medium starting from a postulated equation of state. The present paper shows how, by starting with a fluid flow that one believes adequately describes the gas, it is possible to solveby quadratures for the associated pressure and density. And in making these remarks we are implicitly assuming plane, cylindrical or spherically symmetric flow velocities which may be unsteady in time. The fluid speed can be chosen to be either non-relativistic or relativistic, but the method is valid only when the resulting gas pressurep, is small compared to c ², where is the mass density. We illustrate the method by solving a simple problem. In view of the ever increasing number of astrophysical situations where some measure of the fluid flow through an object is becoming available (often from Doppler shifted lines) we believe the present technique shou'd be of some use in helping to unravel the internal dynamical properties of the flowing gas.     

On the existence and the density of intergalactic dust

A relation between the redshift z of QSO's and their colour index (B–V)' corrected for line emission and galactic absorption is interpreted in terms of an intergalactic selective extinction. The observed amount of extinction corresponds to a density of intergalactic dust grains of about 10⁻³⁴ to 10⁻³³ g cm⁻³ at z = 0. The life-time of these particles are estimated to be longer than the Hubble -time at present. But at large z the life-time of the grains considerably depends on the flux density of cosmic rays. Some implications of the existence of intergalactic dust are discussed.     

Magnetic field of the young star RW Aur

Results of ourmeasurements of the longitudinal magnetic field B _z for the young star RWAur A are presented. B _z measured from the so-called narrow component of the He I 5876 line varies in the range from −1.47 ± 0.15 to +1.10 ± 0.15 kG. Our data are consistent with a stellar rotation period of }~5.6 days and the model of two hot spots with opposite magnetic field polarities spaced about 180° apart in longitude. Relative to the Earth, the spot with B _z < 0 lies in the hemisphere above the midplane of the accretion disk, while the spot with B _z > 0 is below the midplane. The upper limit for B _z (at the 3σ level) obtained by averaging all observations is 180 G for the photosphere and 220 and 230 G for the Hα and [OI] 6300 line formation regions, respectively. We have also failed to detect a field in the formation region of broad emission line components: the upper limit for B _z is 600 G. In two of 11 cases, we have detected a magnetic field in the formation region of the blue absorption wing of the Na I D doublet lines, i.e., in the wind from RW Aur A: B _z = −180 ± 50 and −810 ± 80 G. The radial velocity of the photospheric lines in RW Aur A averaged over all our observations is }~+10.5 km s⁻¹, i.e., a value lower than that obtained by Petrov et al. (2001) ten years earlier by 5.5 km s⁻¹. Therefore, we discuss the possibility that RW Aur is not a binary but a triple system.     

Radiation Properties of High-Energy Astrophysical Plasmas

We discuss radiation properties of plasmas in high-energy astrophysics with a keyword nonequilibrium: non-LTE level populations, nonequilibrium ionization, and non-Maxwellian distribution function, beginning with radiative transfer. We focus particularly on supernova remnants interacting with the circumstellar/interstellar matter, and also mention line emission processes in accretion gas onto a neutron star or black hole, and in the X-ray afterglow of γ-ray bursts.     

On the relationship between pulsars and supernova remnants

We propose that single stars in the mass range 4–6·5M _⊙, that explode as Supernovae of Type I, are totally disrupted by the explosion and form shell-type remnants. More massive single stars which explode as Supernovae of Type II also give rise to shell-type remnants, but in this case a neutron star or a black hole is left behind. The first supernova explosion in a close binary also gives rise to a shell-type supernova remnant. The Crab-like filled-centre supernova remnants are formed by the second supernova explosion in a close binary. The hybrid supernova remnants, consisting of a filled centre surrounded by a shell, are formed if there is an active neutron star inside the shell.     

Illuminating protogalaxies? The discovery of extended Lyman-α emission around a QSO at z=4.5

We have discovered extended Lyman-α emission around a z=4.5 QSO in a deep long-slit spectrum with Keck/LRIS at moderate spectral resolution (R≈ 1000). The line emission extends 5 arcsec beyond the continuum of the QSO and is spatially asymmetric. This extended line emission has a spectral extent of 1000km/s, much narrower in velocity spread than the broad Lyman-α from the QSO itself and slightly offset in redshift. No evidence of continuum is seen for the extended emission line region, suggesting that this recombination line is powered by reprocessed QSO Lyman continuum flux rather than by local star formation. This phenomenon is rare in QSOs which are not radio loud, and this is the first time it has been observed at z>4. It seems likely that the QSO is illuminating the surrounding cold gas of the host galaxy, with the ionizing photons producing Lyman-α fluorescence. As suggested by Haiman and Rees (2001), this `fuzz' around a distant quasar may place strong constraints on galaxy formation and the extended distribution of cold, neutral gas. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

HST/NICMOS Observations of M82

The irregular galaxy M82 is known as the archetypal starburst galaxy. Its proximity (3.5 Mpc) makes this galaxy an ideal laboratory for studying the properties of its starburst. The detailed morphology of the [FeII] 1.644 μm and emission Pa_α (at 1.87 μm) is revealed by the NICMOS images. The peak of the 2.2 μm continuum brightness(evolved population) lies very close to the dynamical centre. Most of the Pa_α emission (which traces the young population) is distributed in a ring of star formation (with a `hole' lacking line emission at the centre of the galaxy). These observations support the scenario in which the starburst in M82 is propagating outwards. It has long been suggested that the [FeII] emission in starburst galaxies can be used as a measure of supernova (SN) activity. M82 shows a large number of radio supernova remnants (SNRs), approximately 50, lying in the plane of the galaxy. The comparison of the positions of the bright compact [FeII] emitting regions with the location of the radio SNRs shows that there is no one-to-one spatial correspondence between the two emissions, suggesting that the radio and [FeII] emissions trace two populations of SNRs with different ages. Young (a few hundred years) SNRs are best traced by their radio emission, whereas the [FeII] stage lasts for at least a few 10⁴ yr. The compact [FeII] sources contribute only some 20 % of the total [FeII] emission observed in M82. However, much of the remaining unresolved [FeII] emission in the plane of the galaxy may arise from SNRs that expanded and merged into a general interstellar medium within a few 10⁴ yr. Presumably, as much as 70% of the total extinction-corrected [FeII]1.644 μm in M82 is associated with SNRs. The extended and diffuse [FeII] component in M82 seems to be related with the superwind above and below the disc of the galaxy. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

An atlas of predicted exotic gravitational lenses

We present an investigation of the relationships between the radio properties of a giant radio galaxy MRC B0319−454 and the surrounding galaxy distribution with the aim of examining the influence of intergalactic gas and gravity associated with the large-scale structure on the evolution in the radio morphology. Our new radio continuum observations of the radio source, with high surface brightness sensitivity, images the asymmetries in the megaparsec-scale radio structure in total intensity and polarization. We compare these with the three-dimensional galaxy distribution derived from galaxy redshift surveys. Galaxy density gradients are observed along and perpendicular to the radio axis: the large-scale structure is consistent with a model wherein the galaxies trace the ambient intergalactic gas and the evolution of the radio structures are ram-pressure limited by this associated gas. Additionally, we have modelled the off-axis evolution of the south-west radio lobe as deflection of a buoyant jet backflow by a transverse gravitational field: the model is plausible if entrainment is small. The case study presented here is a demonstration that giant radio galaxies may be useful probes of the warm-hot intergalactic medium believed to be associated with moderately over dense galaxy distributions.     

The Radio Recombination Line Intensities Of Atoms And Ions: Helium,Carbon And Oxygen

The radio recombination line intensities of heavy elements of helium, carbon and oxygen are calculated with accounting for dielectronic recombination. Dielectronic recombination rates are determined accurate to the second order of a perturbation theory and the rates are described as function of principal quantum number for helium-like atom or ion. Balance equations are solved for the departure coefficients from LTE b_n. The collision and spontaneous transition rates are accounted for the balance equations, in which non-equilibrium distribution source is dielectronic recombination. Non-equilibrium amplification coefficients are found as functions of a medium temperature, density and ion charge z = 1–3 for radio recombination lines. Optical depths are calculated for the heavy element low-frequency lines with the numbers 300 > n > 1200. For the chosen electronic temperatures and densities T_e = 0.8× 10⁴–10× 10⁴ K, N_e = 0.05–0.1 cm⁻³ the line optical depth is determined by the values τ_L∼ 0.1× 10⁻⁴–100× 10⁻⁴. Calculated for free-free transition rates, the optical depth is given by using the value τ_ff∼ 10⁻²τ_L.     

Gamma-ray emission expected from Kepler’s SNR

Nonlinear kinetic theory of cosmic ray (CR) acceleration in supernova remnants (SNRs) is used to investigate the properties of Kepler’s SNR and, in particular, to predict the γ-eay spectrum expected from this SNR. Observations of the nonthermal radio and X-ray emission spectra as well as theoretical constraints for the total supernova (SN) explosion energy E _sn are used to constrain the astronomical and particle acceleration parameters of the system. Under the assumption that Kepler’s SN is a type Ia SN we determine for any given explosion energy E _sn and source distance d the mass density of the ambient interstellar medium (ISM) from a fit to the observed SNR size and expansion speed. This makes it possible to make predictions for the expected γ-eay flux. Exploring the expected distance range we find that for a typical explosion energy E _sn=10⁵¹ erg the expected energy flux of TeV γ-rays varies from 2×10⁻¹¹ to 10⁻¹³ erg/(cm² s) when the distance changes from d=3.4 kpc to 7 kpc. In all cases the γ-eay emission is dominated by π ⁰-decay γ-rays due to nuclear CRs. Therefore Kepler’s SNR represents a very promising target for instruments like H.E.S.S., CANGAROO and GLAST. A non-detection of γ-rays would mean that the actual source distance is larger than 7 kpc.