The absorption lines in the spectra of high redshift qsos

Based on the spectra of 4 high-redshift quasars (resolution 2A) obtained by us [1–5] using IPCS on the RGO Cassegrain spectrograph of the AAT, we point out the following. 1. Auto-correlation peaks at in PKS 0805+046 and PKS 1442+101 suggest that the large number of absorption lines shortward of L_α in high redshift quasars are due to absorption by hydrogen clouds. 2. The distribution of absorption lines and the correlation function of indicate that PKS 0528-250 may be an exception, requiring further observation. 3. Absorption redshift systems containing metallic lines may be produced by either matter ejected from the quasar, or an associated galaxy cluster or an intervening galaxy. 4. The randomness in the column density and the dispersion velocity deduced from the curve of growth of the pair supports the hypothesis that the pure L_α absorption comes from primitive hydrogen clouds in the early, exploding universe. 5. The number of hydrogen clouds per unit redshift interval is determined by the data of absorption lines of quasars with Z > 3.     

Distribution of quasars and formation of large-scale structures

According to the proposal developed by Fanget al. (1984, referred to as Paper I) on formation of large-scale structure in the Universe, we should expect that:

1. The distributions of quasars should be different from that of galaxies by no strong inhomogeneity on the scale of 10–100 Mpc.
2. The distributions of quasars withZ>2 andZ<2 should be different from each other with no large-scale structure in the former, and conversely in the latter.

Our various statistical results obtained from quasar distributions are consistent with these predictions. Particularly, the nearest neighbour test for the complete quasar sample given by Savage and Bolton (1979) clearly shows that the distribution ofZ>2 quasars is rather homogeneous while theZ<2 quasars have a tendency to cluster.     

Investigation of galaxy and quasar luminosity evolution in the model of standard cosmology

It is shown that the Hubble curvem(z) for galaxies and quasars averaged over a large volume of data forms in the first approximation a single continuous curve in the interval of red shifts 10^–2.5z4.5, which is satisfactorily described by the dependence .A large deviation of the observed mean dependence from the theoretical one predicted by the standard cosmology is explained by the evolution of the galaxy and especially quasar luminosity. The corresponding mid-statistical function of the absolute luminosity variation for the last 4/5 times of existence in the Universe is equal toM(z)–M(z ₀)=logz/z ₀+2z–0.4z ².The luminosity of the most far distant from the observed quasars on the average by 5–6 stellar magnitudes high than the luminosity of near galaxies and quasars. It is obtained that even the most far distant quasars atz5 are in the maximum of luminosity, or their extinction has just began, thus the quasar formation should be expected forz>(5–6). The relative rate of the luminosity decrease of galaxies and near quasars is rather accurately amounts in the recent epoch 7% per 10⁹ years. The obtained average Hubble curve of galaxies and quasars is evidently the main cause of their evolution in the Universe.     

The peaks and gaps in the redshift distributions of active galactic nuclei and quasars

The distributionsf(z) of the redshifts for active galaxies (Seyfert galaxies, radio galaxies, and quasars) have been studied. Some statistically-significant maxima and minima are observed in the distributionsf(z) for these objects. The significance of peaks and gaps increases for the brighter objects, for which the samples are more complete. The clustering of the Seyfert galaxies is significantly different from that of the nearby normal galaxies. The distributionf(z) for the radio galaxies is similar to the analogous distribution for the galaxy clusters. Three of the five peaks in the distributionf(z) for the radio quasars may be caused by the selection effects. Two peaks within the intervalsz (0.5, 0.7) and (1.0, 1.1) are probably real. The corresponding scales of the QSO clustering along the line-of-sight are about 100h ^–1 Mpc (h is the Hubble constant in the units of 75 km s^–1 Mpc^–1). The possibility of some global quasi-periodical cycles for the processes of activity is discussed. The period of a cycle for the Seyfert and radio galaxies is about 1×10⁸ years that corresponds to the distances of about 30h ^–1 Mpc between the shells.     

The pair of X-ray sources across NGC 4258: Its relation to intrinsic redshifts,ejection and quantization

The chance that the pair of X-ray sources observed across NGC 4258 is accidental can be calculated as 5×10^–6. The recent confirmation as quasars, and determination of the redshifts of the pair, atz=0.40 and 0.65 by E.M. Burbidge enables the final accidental probability of the configuration to be calculated as <4×10^–7. In addition there are a number of observations which indicate the central Seyfert galaxy is ejecting material from its active nucleus.The NGC 4258 association is compared to four other examples of close association of pairs of X-ray quasars with low redshift galaxies. It is concluded that in each of these five cases the chance of accidental association is less than one in a million. The ejection speed calculated from the redshift differences of the X-ray quasars is 0.12c. This agrees with the ejection velocity of 0.1c calculated in 1968 from radio quasars associated with low redshift peaks become narrower—simultaneously strengthening the ejection origin for quasars and the quantization property of their redshift     

On the age difference between the oldest Population I and the extreme Population II stars

The age difference between the oldest Population I stars and the extreme Population II stars is investigated by comparison of observational H-R diagrams with theoretical results using the common input physics and computer program for both Populations. Chemical compositions adopted for Population I and II stars are,X=0.7 andZ=0.02, andX=2×10^–4, respectively. Evidence collected indicates that the open cluster NGC 188 and the globular cluster M92 are the representative samples of the oldest Population I and extreme Population II stars, respectively. Comparison between the observed H-R diagrams and theoretical isochrones in terms of the luminosity of the subgiant region and the turnoff point for NGC 188 and M92, respectively, then suggests that there is a significant age difference between Population I and II objects. The uncertainty of the oxygen abundance in the extreme Population II stars and its effect on their age determination is briefly discussed.     

The G-dwarf problem: A tentative analytical approach,relaxing instantaneous recycling

Starting from a general solution for the birth functionB(m, t) of stars described in detail in Casusoet al. (1989), we have obtained a first-order analytical approximation to this function as a function of metallicityZ. Using this, we obtained a fit to the observational curve compiled by Tinsley (1980) for the cumulative function of stars with metallicity lower than a given value in the solar neighbourhood. In addition, using the same expression, with its numerical fit to previous data, we obtain a good fit to the differential distributions of stars at low metallicity given in the review by Pagel (1987), given a bifurcation in the birth function at low values ofZ, which would correspond to two distinct epochs of onset of star formation. The analysis gives an infall of gas towards the solar neighbourhood up to the epoch of metallicityZ=6.7×10^–3 with a correspondingly increased star formation rate, which subsequently stabilized, and another similar inflow up toZ=1.2×10^–3, followed again by a steady star formation rate for largerZ. Although the assumptions made are still relatively crude, and the numbers should be considered tentative, the flexibility of the model in handling the problem is that we wish to show here.     

Relativistic beaming effects in the spectra of cores and hotspots in radio galaxies and quasars

We present the results of multiwavelength observations of cores and hotspots, at L , C , X and U bands with the Very Large Array, of a matched sample of radio galaxies and quasars selected from the Molonglo Reference Catalogue . We use these observations to determine the spectra of cores and hotspots, and test the unified scheme for radio galaxies and quasars. Radio cores have been detected at all wavelengths in all of the quasars in our sample, whereas only ∼50 per cent of the galaxies have cores detected in at least one of the wavelengths . The degree of core prominence in this sample is consistent with the unified scheme for radio galaxies and quasars. A comparison of the distributions of the two-point spectral index of the cores in our sample of lobe-dominated quasars, with the distributions in a matched sample of core-dominated quasars, shows that the distributions for these two classes are significantly different, and this is consistent with the expectations of the unified scheme. The difference in the spectral indices of the two hotspots on opposite sides is also significantly larger for quasars than for radio galaxies, as is expected in the unified scheme. We also investigate the relationship between the spectral index of the hotspots and the redshift or luminosity for our sample of sources.     

The system of old clusters in the magellanic clouds

IntegratedUBV colours have been computed for synthetic clusters older than one billion years and for two chemical composition: (a)Y=0.30;Z=10^–4 and (b)Y=0.30;Z=10^–2, taking into account the contribution to the integrated light of Main Sequence, subgiant, red giant and horizontal branch stars. It has been found that integrated colours depend onZ and allow an estimate of the metal content, however not generally. Horizontal branch stars contribute to the integrated colours of clusters not significantly and the contribution of stars in more advanced phases (e.g., asymptotic branch stars) is almost negligible.Old clusters in LMC and SMC have been studied in terms of colour calibrations and this analysis has been supplemented, when possible, by photometric and spectroscopic data of individual stars. It was found that in the LMC clusters withZ=10^–2 andt>5×10⁹ yr are lacking, clusters with relatively blue colours are similar, both in age and chemical composition, to the halo galactic globular clusters. Moreover, there is a group of clusters with 1×10⁹t5×10⁹. In the SMC clusters withZ=10^–2 andt>5×10⁹ yr are lacking and clusters with 1×10⁹t5×10⁹ are rare. Clusters with relatively blue colours are interpreted with the following parameters:t=5×10⁹ yr, 10^–4Z10^–3 andY=0.20.The implication of these results on the chemical history of the two galaxies is discussed.     

The properties of molecular clouds with high redshifts (z=2–3)

This paper deals with molecular clouds discovered in the absorption spectra (z=2–3) of distant quasars. It is argued that these clouds belong to the gaseous subsystems of young galaxies. We estimate the gas concentration to ben<10⁴ cm^–3 in the cloud observed in the direction of the quasar PHL957. It is shown that this cloud is exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The UV-energy flux does not exceed the value typical for our Galaxy by an order of magnitude (F2×10^–6 ergs cm^–2 s^–1 Å^–1 at =2000 Å). The mechanisms maintaining the thermal balance in this cloud are discussed.     

Size Distrtibutions of the >10 MeV Solar Proton Events

As has been recognized recently, data on size (frequency) distributions for different sets of solar flare parameters are very helpful in modeling flare and acceleration processes. Relying upon a new arising paradigm of particle acceleration at different sources at/near the Sun (flares, shock waves, etc.), in this paper, we analyze long-term data (1955–1996) from several Catalogues of Solar Proton Events (SPEs). Above 1 p.f.u. (proton cm^–2 s^–1 sr^–1) of the >10 MeV protons, we have separated in all 320 events associated with identified sources (flares). Then, within this database of flare-related events, a second group (a subgroup) has been formed of the 159 events, additionally having a certain or probable sudden storm commencement (SSC) association (SSC-related events). The basic result is that the power-law slope of size distribution for the 320 flare-related events at integral energy intensities is about 1.37 ± 0.05 over the entire range of the proton intensities, from 1.0 to 10⁵ p.f.u. This slope is in general agreement with earlier analyses of integral energy distributions, but steeper than that for differential energy distributions. A second result is that the SSC-associated events have a double power-law distribution with two different exponents, near 1.00 ± 0.04 and 1.53 ± 0.03 below and above 10³ p.f.u., respectively. The longitude distributions of the proper sources for these two groups display different behaviour suggesting different origins of the two particle populations. A certain difference was also found to exist in the slopes of integral size distributions at >10 MeV and >500 MeV. This may point to a dependence of slope on the proton energy under consideration.     

A deconvolved structure of the nebulosity associated with 3C 206

The published photographic profile of 3C 206 (reported in the low redshift sample of quasars by Wyckoffet al., 1981) has been deconvolved from the PSF by means of an effective restoration procedure. The deconvolved photometric structure of the quasar consists of a central point-like source, containing 68% of the integrated luminosity, an intermediate region of about 10 kpc radius (H ₀=60 km s^–1 Mpc^–1,q ₀=0) and an external region with nearly-linear slope and brightness level of the profile similar to those of the corresponding regions in giant elliptical and cD galaxies. The result confirms the previous findings in 3C 273, PKS 2135+147, and PKS 0812+020 obtained in the same way.     

A comparison of the spectral characteristics of the Wolf Sunspot Number (R Z) and Group Sunspot Number (R G)

The objective of this paper is to compare the spectral features of the recently derived Group Sunspot Numbers (R _G) and the traditional Wolf Sunspot Numbers (R _Z) for the 1700–1995 period. In order to study the spectral features of both time series, two methods were used, including: (a) the multitaper analysis and (b) the wavelet analysis. Well-known features of the solar variability, such as the 98.6-yr (Gleissberg cycle), 10–11-yr (Schwabe cycle) and 5-yr (second solar harmonic) periodicities were identified with high confidence using the multitaper analysis. Also observed was a larger amount of power spread in high frequencies for R _Z than for R _G spectra. Furthermore, a multitaper analysis of two subsets, A (1700–1850) and B (1851–1995), has indicated that the main differences occurred in the first subset and seem to be due to uncertainties in the early observations. The wavelet transform, which allows observing the spectra evolution of both series, showed a strong and persistent 10–11-yr signal that remained during the whole period. The Meyer Wavelet Transform was applied to both R _Z and R _G. This study indicates that the main spectral characteristics of both series are similar and that their long-term variability has the same behavior.     

类星体团演化的证据

本文讨论了类星体成团随红移的变化。利用Hewitt-Burbidge类星体星表和寻找类星体对的统计方法,分析结果表明类星体成团主要是由于小红移类星体的贡献,大红移类星体没有成团分布的证据。进一步分析表明不同红移类星体在成团分布上的区别并不是由于样品的绝对光度不同而引起的选择效应,而是反映了类星体团随宇宙时间变化的演化效应。     

Color indices of hydrogen gas

Theoretical values are determined for the color indices U-B, B-V, V-R, and R-I of the radiation of a plane layer of hot hydrogen gas at temperatures from 10,000 to 100,000K and for various optical thicknesses. Two cases are examined: an isothermal medium and a layer, one surface of which is heated by an external energy flux. Diffuse radiation of the layer is taken into account. Tables and diagrams of the color indices are given. Possible applications to flare stars and quasars are discussed.Translated fromAstrofizika, Vol. 39, No. 2, pp. 251–262, April–June, 1996.     

A comparison of the spectral characteristics of the Wolf Sunspot Number (RZ) and Group Sunspot Number (RG)

The objective of this paper is to compare the spectral features of the recently derived Group Sunspot Numbers (R _G) and the traditional Wolf Sunspot Numbers (R _Z) for the 1700–1995 period. In order to study the spectral features of both time series, two methods were used, including: (a) the multitaper analysis and (b) the wavelet analysis. Well-known features of the solar variability, such as the 98.6-yr (Gleissberg cycle), 10–11-yr (Schwabe cycle) and 5-yr (second solar harmonic) periodicities were identified with high confidence using the multitaper analysis. Also observed was a larger amount of power spread in high frequencies for R _Z than for R _G spectra. Furthermore, a multitaper analysis of two subsets, A (1700–1850) and B (1851–1995), has indicated that the main differences occurred in the first subset and seem to be due to uncertainties in the early observations. The wavelet transform, which allows observing the spectra evolution of both series, showed a strong and persistent 10–11-yr signal that remained during the whole period. The Meyer Wavelet Transform was applied to both R _Z and R _G. This study indicates that the main spectral characteristics of both series are similar and that their long-term variability has the same behavior.     

Evolution of Quasar Host Galaxies

Near-IR images, obtained at the ESO-VLT during excellent seeing conditions, of a sample of 17 radio-loud and radio-quiet quasars in the redshift range 1 < z < 2 are presented. The host galaxies of both types of quasars appear to follow the expected trend in luminosity of massive ellipticals undergoing simple passive evolution. We find a systematic difference by a factor ∼2 in the host luminosity between RLQs and RQQs that does not change significantly from z = 2 to the present epoch. Quasar hosts appear thus to be already well formed at z ∼ 2 and similar to massive inactive spheroids. These findings are in disagreement with the predictions of models for the joint formation and evolution of galaxies and active nuclei based on the hierarchical structure formation scenario.     

Intergalactic Extinction and the Quasar Cut-off

The intergalactic extinction in FRIEDMANN (with A = o) universes homogeneously filled with dust grains is calculated assuming the extinction to be 0.5 mag at z = 1 and a λ⁻¹ wavelength dependence. With the resulting intergalactic extinction the number of quasars which should be observed at different redshifts are estimated assuming two different luminosity functions and a density evolution of the quasars according to M. SCHMIDT (1970, 1972). The expected number of quasars decreases rapidly with increasing redshift between z = 2 and z = 3. The observed number-magnitude relation by G. A. RICHTER (1975) is well represented.     

Spin-orbit electric dipole transmissions in beryllium-like ions

We have used configuration interaction wavefunctions to calculate energy levels, wavelengths, oscillator strengths and transition probabilities for spin-orbit electric dipole transitions between the 2s ², 2s2p, and 2p ² states in beryllium-like ions (Z = 6–10). Some significant differences with previous calculations are obtained. A common set of radial functions is used.     

Dependence of the U-B and B-V colors of quasars and Seyfert galaxies on their redshifts

We show that the strong emission lines(Mg II, C III, C IV, and Ly and the absorption lineO VI (1035 A) of quasars, when passed through the maximum transmission ofU, B, V, andR light filters, leads to a continuous, and sometimes periodic variation in the dependence ofU-B onB-V. The correlation between the(U-B) and(B-V) colors in quasars with z<1.5 is expressed by the relation(U-B)=–0.92+1.15(B-V). We also give the dependence ofU-B onB-V for Seyfert galaxies of typeS1. We determine the mean variation of the(U-B, B-V) colors due to the strongest emission lines (Mg II, C IV, Ly). It amounts to magnitude0 _. ^m 15.Translated fromAstrofizika, Vol. 38, No. 2, 1995.