High-resolution bispectrum speckle interferometry and two-dimensional radiative transfer modeling of the Red Rectangle

We present the first diffraction-limited K-band image of the Red Rectangle with 76 mas resolution, an H-band image with 75 mas resolution, and an RG 715 filter image ( 800 nm wavelength) with 78 mas resolution (corresponding to 25 AU for a distance of 330 pc). The H and K images were reconstructed from 6 m telescope speckle data and the RG 715 image from 2.2 m telescope data using the speckle masking bispectrum method. At all wavelengths the images show a compact, highly symmetric bipolar nebula, suggesting a toroidal density distribution of the circumstellar material. No direct light from the central binary can be seen as it is obscured by a dust disk or circumbinary torus. Our first high-resolution H−K color image of the nebula shows a broad red plateau of H−K≈ 2^m in the bright inner regions.The optical and near-infrared images and the available photometric continuum observations in a wide range of ultraviolet to centimeter wavelengths enabled us to model the Red Rectangle in detail using a two-dimensional radiative transfer code. Our model matches both the high-resolution images and the spectral energy distribution of this object very well, making the following picture much more certain. The central close binary system with a total luminosity of 3000 L is embedded in a very dense, compact circumbinary torus which has an average number density n_H ≈5×10¹² cm⁻³, an outer radius of the dense inner region of R≈30 AU (91 mas), and a ρ∝r⁻² density distribution. The full opening angle of the bipolar outflow cavities in our model is 70°. By comparing the observed and theoretical images, we derived an inclination angle of the torus to the line of sight of 7°±1°.The radiative transfer calculations show that the dust properties in the Red Rectangle are spatially inhomogeneous. The modeling confirms that the idea of large grains in the long-lived disk around the Red Rectangle (Jura et al., 1997 [ApJ, 474, 741]) is quantitatively consistent with the observations. In our models, unusually large, approximately millimeter-sized grains dominate the emission of the compact, massive torus. Models with smaller average grain sizes can possibly be found in future studies, for instance, if it turns out that the radio spectrum is not mainly caused by continuum dust emission. Therefore, the large grains suggested by our models require further confirmation by both new observations and radiative transfer calculations. Assuming a dust-to-gas ratio ρ_d/ρ_g of 0.005, the dense torus mass is 0.25 M. The model gives a lower limit of 0.0018 M, for the mass of the large particles, which produce a gray extinction of A≈ 28^m, towards the center. A much smaller mass of submicron-sized dust grains is presumably located in the polar outflow cavities, their conical surface layers, and in the outer low-density parts of the torus (where ρ∝r⁻⁴, in the region of 30 AUr 2000 AU corresponding to 0.^′′09–6^′′).     

UBV photometry, UV spectroscopy and radio observations of the peculiar binary V Sagittae

We have performed high-speed UBV photometric observations on the peculiar binary V Sagittae. Using three new eclipse timings we update the orbital ephemeris and convert it to a dynamical time-scale (TDB). We also searched for quasi-periodic oscillations but did not detect them. Using the Wilson–Devinney algorithm we have modelled the light curve to find the stellar parameters of V Sge. We find that the system is a detached binary but that the primary star is very close to filling its Roche lobe, while the secondary star fills 90 per cent of its Roche lobe volume. We find temperatures of the primary and the secondary star to be T ₁=41 000 K and T ₂=22 000 K. We find i =72° and masses of 0.8 M_⊙ and 3.3 M_⊙ for the primary and secondary stars respectively. De-archived Hubble Space Telescope ( HST ) spectroscopy of V Sge shows evidence of mass loss via a wind or winds. In addition we report radio observations of V Sge during an optical high state at 2 cm, 3.6 cm and 6 cm wavelengths. The 3.6 cm emission is increased by a factor of more than six compared with an earlier detection in a previous optical high state.     

XMM-Newton observations of the nearby brown dwarf LP 944-20

The nearby (d=5.0 pc) brown dwarf LP 944-20 was observed with the XMM-Newton satellite on 07 January 2001. The target was detected with the Optical Monitor (V=16.736±0.081), but it was not detected during the ≈48 ks observation with the X-ray telescopes. We determine a 3σ upper limit for the X-ray emission from this object of L_X<3.1×10²³ ergs·s⁻¹, equivalent to a luminosity ratio upper limit of log(L_X/L_bol)≤−6.28. This measurement improves by a factor of three the previous Chandra limit on the quiescent X-ray flux. This is the most sensitive limit ever obtained on the quiescent X-ray emission of a brown dwarf. Combining the XMM-Newton data with previous ROSAT and Chandra data, we derive flare duty cycles as a function of their luminosities. We find that very strong flares [Log(L_X/L_bol)>−2.5] are very rare (less than 0.7% of the time). Flares like the one detected by Chandra [Log(L_X/L_bol)=−4.1] have a duty cycle of about 6%, which is lower than the radio flare duty cycle (13%). When compared with other M dwarfs, LP 944-20 appears to be rather inactive in X-rays despite of its relative youth, fast rotation and its moderately strong activity at radio wavelengths.     

Radio observations of IRAS-selected Southern hemisphere classical Be stars

We present the first radio observations of a sample of 13 optically and IR-bright Southern hemisphere classical Be stars made from the Australian Telescope Compact Array at 3.5 and 6.3 cm simultaneously. One star, δ Cen, was detected at 3.5 cm, and a second, μ Cen, was also thought to have been detected; further observations of this source are required to confirm this detection. No sources were detected at 6.3 cm, although δ Cen was previously detected at this wavelength by other observers at a higher flux than our detection limit. The radio observations show that the spectral energy distribution undergoes a turnover between the far-IR and radio wavelengths, as was seen in previous studies. Likewise we find no simple correlation between far-IR and radio flux. Lower limits to the outer disc radius were found to be of the order of a few hundred solar radii i.e. of the order of those found previously by Taylor et al.     

VLA observations of extreme hydrogen deficient stars

VLA observations at 2 and 6 cm have been obtained for six hydrogen-deficient stars R CrB, HD 160641, BD — 9°4395, V348 Sgr, MV Sgr and Sgrv Upper limits to the massloss rates have been estimated for some of these using the upper limits to the radio flux density. National Radio Astronomy Observatory’s Very Large Array is operated by Associated Universities Inc. under contract with National Science Foundation, USA     

Initial low/hard state, multiple jet ejections and X-ray/radio correlations during the outburst of XTE J1859+226

We have studied the 1999 soft X-ray transient outburst of XTE J1859+226 at radio and X-ray wavelengths. The event was characterized by strong variability in the disc, corona and jet – in particular, a number of radio flares (ejections) took place and seemed well-correlated with hard X-ray events. Apparently unusual for the canonical 'soft' X-ray transient, there was an initial period of low/hard state behaviour during the rise from quiescence but prior to the peak of the main outburst – we show that not only could this initial low/hard state be a ubiquitous feature of soft X-ray transient outbursts, but also it could be extremely important in our study of outburst mechanisms.     

The anatomy of a magnetar: XMM monitoring of the transient anomalous X-ray pulsar XTE J1810–197

We present the latest results from a multi-epoch timing and spectral study of the Transient Anomalous X-ray Pulsar XTE J1810–197. We have acquired seven observations of this pulsar with the Newton X-ray Multi-mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) over the course of two and a half years, to follow the spectral evolution as the source fades from outburst. The spectrum is arguably best characterized by a two-temperature blackbody whose luminosities are decreasing exponentially with τ ₁=870 d and τ ₂=280 d, respectively. The temperatures of these components are currently cooling at a rate of 22% per year from a nearly constant value recorded at earlier epochs of kT ₁=0.25 keV and kT ₂=0.67 keV, respectively. The new data show that the temperature T ₁ and luminosity of that component have nearly returned to their historic quiescent levels and that its pulsed fraction, which has steadily decreased with time, is now consistent with the previous lack of detected pulsations in quiescence. We also summarize the detections of radio emission from XTE J1810–197, the first confirmed for any AXP. We consider possible models for the emission geometry and mechanisms of XTE J1810–197. XMM-Newton is an ESA science mission with instruments and contributions directly funded by ESA Member States and NASA. This research is supported by XMM-Newton grant NNG05GJ61G and NASA ADP grant ADP04-0059-0024.     

Radio images of four luminous blue variable stars

We have used the Australia Telescope Compact Array to image four southern luminous blue variable stars: AG Car, He3-519, HR Car and WRA 751, at wavelengths of 3 and 6 cm, and resolutions of 1 and 2 arcsec respectively. With the partial exception of HR Car, all radio images show an unresolved stellar core surrounded by a large ionized gaseous nebula, and agree well with published H α and [N  ii ] optical images. The image of WRA 751 shows a stellar torus or disc. HR Car's radio image is unusual, and seems best explained by the presence of a hot binary companion.     

The 1997 hard-state outburst of the X-ray transient GS 1354−64/BW Cir

We present observations of the 1997 outburst of the X-ray transient GS 1354−64 (BW Cir) at X-ray, optical and, for the first time, radio wavelengths; our results include upper limits to the linear and circular polarization for the radio data. The X-ray outburst was unusual in that the source remained in the low/hard X-ray state throughout; the X-ray peak was also preceded by at least one optical outburst, suggesting that it was an 'outside-in' outburst – similar to those observed in dwarf novae systems, although possibly taking place on a viscous time-scale in this case. It therefore indicates that the optical emission was not dominated by the reprocessing of X-rays, but that instead we see the instability directly. While the radio source was too faint to detect any extended structure, spectral analysis of the radio data and a comparison with other similar systems suggest that mass ejections, probably in the form of a jet, took place and that the emitted synchrotron spectrum may have extended as far as infrared wavelengths. Finally, we compare this 1997 outburst of GS 1354−64 with possible previous outbursts and also with other hard-state objects, both transient and persistent. It appears that a set of characteristics – such as a weak, flat-spectrum radio jet, a mHz QPO increasing in frequency, a surprisingly high optical/X-ray luminosity ratio, and the observed optical peak preceding the X-ray peak – may be common to all hard-state X-ray transients.     

Diffuse Component Spectra of Solar Active Regions at Submillimeter Wavelengths

Solar maps at 212 and 405 GHz obtained by the Solar Submillimetric Telescope (SST) show regions of enhanced brightness temperature, which coincide with the location of active regions. A statistical study of the radio emission from these active regions was performed for the first time at such high frequencies during 23 days on June and July 2002, when the atmospheric opacity was low. The brightest regions on the maps were chosen for this study, where the brightness excess observed varies from 3 to 20% above quiet Sun levels (i.e., 200–1000 K) at both wavelengths. Sizes of the regions of enhanced emission calculated at half the maximum value were estimated to be between 2′ and 7′. These sizes agree with observed sizes of active regions at other wavelengths such as Hα and ultraviolet. An important result is that the flux density spectra of all sources increase toward submillimeter frequencies, yielding flux density spectral index with an average value of 2.0. The flux density of the active region sources were complemented with that from maps at 17 and 34 GHz from the Nobeyama Radio Heliograph. The resulting spectra at all four frequencies were fit considering the flux density to be due to thermal bremsstrahlung from the active region. In the calculations, the source radius was assumed to be the mean of the measured values at 212 and 405 K. The effective temperatures of the radio emitting source, assumed homogeneous, obtained from this fit were 0.6–2.9 × 10⁴ K, for source diameters of 2′–7′.     

HD 101065, the most peculiar star: First results from precise radial velocity study

In this paper we discuss the prospects for asteroseismology with spatial resolution and motivate studies of the most chemically peculiar roAp star HD 101065. We present the first results from a high-precision radial velocity (RV) study of HD 101065 based on data spanning four nights that were acquired using the HARPS echelle-spectrometer at the ESO 3.6 m telescope. The analysis of individual nights showed the amplitude and phase modulation of the dominant mode. The analysis of the whole data set showed the presence of multi-periodic oscillations with two groups of equally-spaced modes. We find Δυ = 65.2μHz and δυ = 7.3μHz for the large and the small spacing, respectively. HD 101065 is the only roAp star to show the existence of two groups ofl = 0, 2 andl = 1, 3 excited modes.     

J06587−5558: a very unusual polarized radio source

We present observations of the X-ray transient XTE J1118+480 during its low/hard X-ray state outburst in 2000, at radio and submillimetre wavelengths with the VLA, Ryle Telescope, MERLIN and JCMT. The high-resolution MERLIN observations reveal all the radio emission (at 5 GHz) to come from a compact core with physical dimensions smaller than 65 d (kpc) au. The combined radio data reveal a persistent and inverted radio spectrum, with spectral index ∼ +0.5. The source is also detected at 350 GHz, on an extrapolation of the radio spectrum. Flat or inverted radio spectra are now known to be typical of the low/hard X-ray state, and are believed to arise in synchrotron emission from a partially self-absorbed jet. Comparison of the radio and submillimetre data with reported near-infrared observations suggest that the synchrotron emission from the jet extends to the near-infrared, or possibly even optical regimes. In this case the ratio of jet power to total X-ray luminosity is likely to be P _J L _X≫0.01, depending on the radiative efficiency and relativistic Doppler factor of the jet. Based on these arguments we conclude that during the period of our observations XTE J1118+480 was producing a powerful outflow which extracted a large fraction of the total accretion power.     

Chandra smells a RRAT

“Rotating RAdio Transients” (RRATs) are a newly discovered astronomical phenomenon, characterised by occasional brief radio bursts, with average intervals between bursts ranging from minutes to hours. The burst spacings allow identification of periodicities, which fall in the range 0.4 to 7 seconds. The RRATs thus seem to be rotating neutron stars, albeit with properties very different from the rest of the population. We here present the serendipitous detection with the Chandra X-ray Observatory of a bright point-like X-ray source coincident with one of the RRATs. We discuss the temporal and spectral properties of this X-ray emission, consider counterparts in other wavebands, and interpret these results in the context of possible explanations for the RRAT population. B.M.G. acknowledges the support of NASA through LTSA grant NAG5-13023 and of an Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship.     

The stellar populations within theρ Oph cloud cores

We have obtained infrared colors and limiting magnitudes from 1.25–4.8µm for a sample of 26 of the cm continuum radio sources located in the core of the Oph molecular cloud. Their colors demonstrate that the majority of the sources appear to be heavily reddened objects surrounded by circumstellar accretion disks. In these cases the radio emission most likely diagnoses accretion driven energetic outflow phenomena: either ionized winds or possibly synchrotron emission from shocked gas associated with stellar jets.     

A search for electron cyclotron maser emission from compact binaries

Unipolar induction (UI) is a fundamental physical process, which occurs when a conducting body transverses a magnetic field. It has been suggested that UI is operating in RX J0806+15 and RX J1914+24, which are believed to be ultracompact binaries with orbital periods of 5.4 and 9.6 min, respectively. The UI model predicts that those two sources may be electron cyclotron maser sources at radio wavelengths. Other systems in which UI has been predicted to occur are short period extrasolar terrestrial planets with conducting cores. If UI is present, circularly polarized radio emission is predicted to be emitted. We have searched for this predicted radio emission from short period binaries using the Very Large Array (VLA) and Australian Telescope Compact Array (ATCA). In one epoch, we find evidence for a radio source, coincident in position with the optical position of RX J0806+15. Although we cannot completely exclude that this is a chance alignment between the position of RX J0806+15 and an artefact in the data reduction process, the fact that it was detected at a significance level of 5.8σ and found to be transient suggests that it is more likely that RX J0806+15 is a transient radio source. We find an upper limit on the degree of circular polarization to be ∼50 per cent. The inferred brightness temperature exceeds 10¹⁸ K, which is too high for any known incoherent process, but is consistent with maser emission and UI being the driving mechanism. We did not detect radio emission from ES Cet, RX J1914+24 or Gliese 876.     

XMM-Newton observations of the isolated neutron star 1RXS J214303.7+065419/RBS1774

We report XMM-Newton observations of the isolated neutron star RBS1774 and confirm its membership as an XDINS. The X-ray spectrum is best fit with an absorbed blackbody with temperature kT=101 eV and absorption edge at 0.7 keV. No power law component is required. An absorption feature in the RGS data at 0.4 keV is not evident in the EPIC data, but it is not possible to resolve this inconsistency. The star is not seen in the UV OM data to m _AB ∼21. There is a sinusoidal variation in the X-ray flux at a period of 9.437 s with an amplitude of 4%. The age as determined from cooling and magnetic field decay arguments is 10⁵–10⁶ yr for a neutron star mass of 1.35–1.5 M_⊙.      

Non-thermal emission processes in massive binaries

In this paper, I present a general discussion of several astrophysical processes likely to play a role in the production of non-thermal emission in massive stars, with emphasis on massive binaries. Even though the discussion will start in the radio domain where the non-thermal emission was first detected, the census of physical processes involved in the non-thermal emission from massive stars shows that many spectral domains are concerned, from the radio to the very high energies. First, the theoretical aspects of the non-thermal emission from early-type stars will be addressed. The main topics that will be discussed are respectively the physics of individual stellar winds and their interaction in binary systems, the acceleration of relativistic electrons, the magnetic field of massive stars, and finally the non-thermal emission processes relevant to the case of massive stars. Second, this general qualitative discussion will be followed by a more quantitative one, devoted to the most probable scenario where non-thermal radio emitters are massive binaries. I will show how several stellar, wind and orbital parameters can be combined in order to make some semi-quantitative predictions on the high-energy counterpart to the non-thermal emission detected in the radio domain. These theoretical considerations will be followed by a census of results obtained so far, and related to this topic. These results concern the radio, the visible, the X-ray and the γ-ray domains. Prospects for the very high energy γ-ray emission from massive stars will also be addressed. Two particularly interesting examples—one O-type and one Wolf-Rayet binary—will be considered in details. Finally, strategies for future developments in this field will be discussed.     

Ultracompact HII regions: the impact of newly formed massive stars on their environment

Summary Ultracompact (UC)HII regions are manifestations of newly formed massive stars that are still embedded in their natal molecular cloud. They are among the brightest and most luminous single objects in the Galaxy at far infrared and radio wavelengths. Recent high spatial resolution studies, particularly at radio wavelengths, have greatly contributed to our understanding of these dynamic objects and the impact they have on their environment. A summary is given of our current understanding of the physical properties, morphologies, dynamics, number and distribution in the Galaxy, and molecular environments of UCHII regions. Recent models of the circumnebular dust imply that the graphite/silicate abundance ratio is about half that of dust in the diffuse interstellar medium. The dust cocoons are large, cool, and optically thick shortward of a few microns. There are apparently between 1700 and 3000 UCHII regions in the Galaxy. This represents 10–20% of the total O star population. There are too many UCHII regions (just counting those studied with the VLA) to be consistent with the short dynamical lifetimes of this very compact stage of evolution. Both the morphologies and the large number can be understood if UC HII regions are bow shocks. Models of stellar wind supported bow shocks are discussed and consequences for the dynamics and morphologies of the ionized and molecular gas are explored.     

The XMM-Newton view of the yellow hypergiant IRC + 10420 and its surroundings

Among evolved massive stars likely in transition to the Wolf–Rayet phase, IRC + 10420 is probably one of the most enigmatic. It belongs to the category of yellow hypergiants and it is characterized by quite high mass loss episodes. Even though IRC + 10420 benefited of many observations in several wavelength domains, it has never been a target for an X-ray observatory. We report here on the very first dedicated observation of IRC + 10420 in X-rays, using the XMM-Newton satellite. Even though the target is not detected, we derive X-ray flux upper limits of the order of 1–3 × 10⁻¹⁴ erg cm⁻² s⁻¹ (between 0.3 and 10.0 keV), and we discuss the case of IRC + 10420 in the framework of emission models likely to be adequate for such an object. Using the Optical/UV Monitor on board XMM-Newton, we present the very first upper limits of the flux density of IRC + 10420 in the UV domain (between 1800 and 2250 Å and between 2050 and 2450 Å). Finally, we also report on the detection in this field of 10 X-ray and 7 UV point sources, and we briefly discuss their properties and potential counterparts at longer wavelengths.     

The environment of Hercules A

We have made VLA radio total intensity and polarisation observations in the A, B and C configurations at 1665, 1435, 1365 and 1295 MHz and in the B, C and D configurations at 8465 and 8415 MHz to study the environment of the powerful radio galaxy Hercules A. We have also made ROSAT PSPC and HRI X-ray observations to study the intracluster gas in the Hercules A cluster. We have mapped the Faraday rotation field with high resolution (1.′′42.5 h⁻¹₁₀₀ kpc for q₀=0), and combined this with the X-ray data on the gas distribution in order to map the magnetic field of the cluster. We have found that Hercules A exhibits a strong Laing-Garrington effect: the western side of the radio emission is more depolarised than the eastern side. The X-ray observations have revealed an extended X-ray emission elongated along the radio galaxy axis and a weak nuclear component. The Hercules A cluster is a cooling flow cluster, which appears isothermal at large radii. Comparing the Faraday dispersion profile with the X-ray estimated density profile, we found that the magnetic field is decreasing with radius and we have estimated a central value of 3B₀ (μG) 9. The estimated core electron density of n₀6.6×10³ m⁻³ reveals a dense environment in which Hercules A is situated.