Australia Telescope Compact Array 1.2-cm observations of the massive star-forming region G305.2+0.2

We report on Australia Telescope Compact Array observations of the massive star-forming region G305.2+0.2 at 1.2 cm. We detected emission in five molecules towards G305A, confirming its hot core nature. We determined a rotational temperature of 26 K for methanol. A non-local thermodynamic equilibrium excitation calculation suggests a kinematic temperature of the order of 200 K. A time-dependent chemical model is also used to model the gas-phase chemistry of the hot core associated with G305A. A comparison with the observations suggest an age of between  2 × 10⁴  and  1.5 × 10⁵ yr  . We also report on a feature to the south-east of G305A which may show weak Class I methanol maser emission in the line at 24.933 GHz. The more evolved source G305B does not show emission in any of the line tracers, but strong Class I methanol maser emission at 24.933 GHz is found 3 arcsec to the east. Radio continuum emission at 18.496 GHz is detected towards two H  ii regions. The implications of the non-detection of radio continuum emission towards G305A and G305B are also discussed.     

GMRT observations of four suspected supernova remnants near the Galactic Centre

We have observed two fields – Field I     ,     and Field II     ,     – with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) at 330 MHz. In the first field, we have studied the candidate supernova remnant (SNR) G3.1−0.6 and, based on its observed morphology, spectral index and polarization, confirmed it to be an SNR. We find this supernova to have a double ring appearance with a strip of emission on its western side passing through its centre.
We have discovered two extended curved objects in the second field, which appears to be part of a large shell-like structure. It is possibly the remains of an old supernova in the region. Three suspected SNRs, G356.3−0.3, G356.6+0.1 and G357.1−0.2, detected in the MOST 843-MHz survey of the GC region appear to be located on this shell-like structure. While both G356.3−0.3 and G356.6+0.1 seem to be parts of this shell, G357.1−0.2, which has a steeper spectrum above 1 GHz, could be a background SNR seen through the region. Our H  i absorption observation towards the candidate SNR G357.1−0.2 indicates that it is at a distance of more than 6 kpc from us.     

Characteristics of the supernova remnant G351.7+0.8 and a distance argument against its association with PSR J1721−3532

New images of the supernova remnant (SNR) G351.7+0.8 are presented based on 21-cm H  i -line emission and continuum emission data from the Southern Galactic Plane Survey. SNR G351.7+0.8 has a flux density of 8.4 ± 0.7 Jy at 1420 MHz. Its spectral index is 0.52 ± 0.25 ( S = v ^−α) between 1420 and 843 MHz, typical of adiabatically expanding shell-like remnants. H  i observations show structures possibly associated with the SNR in the radial velocity range of −10 to −18 km s⁻¹, and suggest a distance of 13.2 kpc and a radius of 30.7 pc. The estimated Sedov age for G351.7+0.8 is less than  6.8×10⁴ yr  . A young radio pulsar PSR J1721−3532 lies close to SNR G351.7+0.8 on the sky. The new distance and age of G351.7+0.8 and recent proper motion measurements of the pulsar strongly argue against an association between SNR G351.7+0.8 and PSR J1721−3532. There is an unidentified, faint X-ray point source 1RXS J172055.3−353937 which is close to G351.7+0.8. This may be a neutron star potentially associated with G351.7+0.8.     

The southern active-chromosphere star HD 6628

The star HD 6628, heretofore classified as a G5 subgiant, is shown to be a chromospherically active single-lined spectroscopic binary with a period of 27.332±0.008 d. From high-resolution spectra, the system is found to consist of a late F-type dwarf and an active G8–K1 bright subgiant, the latter having a rotation period of not more than 14.8±3.8 d derived from the width of metal lines. Further stellar and orbital parameters are derived and presented.     

Confirmation of three candidate Galactic supernova remnants from GMRT observations

We report 327-MHz observations of three large (>15 arcmin) candidate supernova remnants (SNRs) at high Galactic latitudes using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT). These objects were proposed by Duncan et al. as candidate SNRs in the Parkes 2.4-GHz survey. We detect extended 327-MHz emission in all three fields. G356.2+4.5 has a well-resolved shell of emission. This field also contains a 32-mJy pulsar situated at a distance of 1.4 kpc as derived from the dispersion measure of the pulsar. The field of G358.0+3.8 is highly confused and, although we confirm the presence of a partial ring, it has a lower signal-to-noise ratio detection. G004.8+6.2 (formerly G4.5+6.2) is located approximately 40 arcmin away from Kepler's SNR. Apart from GMRT observations of this field, this SNR lies in the field of view of a Very Large Array (VLA) D-array observation at 325 MHz and we detect a 17×18 arcmin SNR, possibly of shell morphology. All these fields show clear, well-resolved shells in the National Radio Astronomy Observatory/ VLA Sky Survey (NVSS) maps, which are also presented.     

Modelling the first probable two-plane lens system B2114+022: reproducing two compact radio cores A and D

We test possible lensing scenarios of the JVAS system B2114+022, in which two galaxies at different redshifts ('G1' at z ₁=0.3157 and 'G2' at z ₂=0.5883) are found within 2 arcsec of quadruple radio sources. For our investigation, we use possible lensing constraints derived from a wealth of data on the radio sources obtained with VLA, MERLIN, VLBA and EVN as well as HST imaging data on the two galaxies, which were presented recently in Augusto et al. In the present study, we focus on reproducing the widest separated, observationally similar radio components A and D as lensed images. We first treat G2 (which is the more distant one from the geometric centre) as a shear term, and then consider two-plane lensing explicitly including G2's potential at the z ₂ plane as the first case of two-plane lens modelling. Our modelling results not only support the hypothesis that the system includes gravitationally lensed images of a higher-redshift extragalactic object, but they also show that the explicit inclusion of G2's potential at the second lens plane is necessary in order to fit the data with astrophysically plausible galaxy parameters. Finally, we illustrate a natural consequence of a two-plane lens system, namely the prediction of distortion as well as shift and stretching of G2's isophotes by G1's potential, which can in principle be measured by subtracting out G1's light distribution in an image of high signal-to-noise ratio and good angular resolution, especially a multicolour one.     

Inhomogeneous gravity

We study the inhomogeneous cosmological evolution of the Newtonian gravitational 'constant' G in the framework of scalar–tensor theories. We investigate the differences that arise between the evolution of G in the background universes and in local inhomogeneities that have separated out from the global expansion. Exact inhomogeneous solutions are found which describe the effects of masses embedded in an expanding Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) Brans–Dicke universe. These are used to discuss possible spatial variations of G in different regions. We develop the technique of matching different scalar–tensor cosmologies of different spatial curvature at a boundary. This provides a model for the linear and non-linear evolution of spherical overdensities and inhomogeneities in G . This allows us to compare the evolution of G and     that occurs inside a collapsing overdense cluster with that in the background universe. We develop a simple virialization criterion and apply the method to a realistic ΛCDM cosmology containing spherical overdensities. Typically, far slower evolution of     will be found in the bound virialized cluster than in the cosmological background. We consider the behaviour that occurs in Brans–Dicke theory and in some other representative scalar–tensor theories.     

Non-linear behaviour of the pulsating white dwarf G29-38 – II. Analysis of the phase spectrum

An analysis of the phase spectrum of the DA pulsating white dwarf G29-38 over many seasons has been performed. This complements a companion paper which analyses the evolution of the temporal spectrum of G29-38.
We show that, with one exception, the relative phases of the harmonics and combination frequencies are all oscillating in phase with their parent modes. This not only suggests that these non-linear frequencies owe their presence to harmonic distortion and not to resonant mode coupling, but also explains the typical pulse shapes observed in the light curves of large-amplitude variable white dwarfs.
The one exceptional cross-frequency that does not show a phasing with its parent modes is thought to be a resonance.     

12-μm fine-structure emission line and continuum images of G333.6–0.2

We present high spatial resolution (∼0.8 arcsec) diffraction-limited 12.8-μm Ne  ii fine-structure emission line and 12.5-μm continuum images of the bright southern compact H  ii region G333.6–0.2, taken with the mid-infrared imaging polarimeter NIMPOL. The two images show remarkably similar, compact, yet asymmetric, flux distributions. The [Ne  ii ] image shows a complex structure near the ionizing source(s) which we interpret in terms of the ionization structure of the H  ii region. It is found that G333.6–0.2 is more likely to be excited by a cluster of O and B stars than by a single star.     

Large-scale magnetic field of the G8 dwarf ξ Bootis A

We investigate the magnetic geometry of the active G8 dwarf ξ Bootis A (ξ Boo A), from spectropolarimetric observations obtained in 2003 with the MuSiCoS échelle spectropolarimeter at the Télescope Bernard Lyot (Observatoire du Pic du Midi, France). We repeatedly detect a photospheric magnetic field, with periodic variations consistent with rotational modulation. Circularly polarized (Stokes V) line profiles present a systematic asymmetry, showing up as an excess in amplitude and area of the blue lobe of the profiles. Direct modelling of Stokes V profiles suggests that the global magnetic field is composed of two main components, with an inclined dipole and a large-scale toroidal field. We derive a dipole intensity of about 40 G, with an inclination of 35° of the dipole with respect to the rotation axis. The toroidal field strength is of the order of 120 G. A noticeable evolution of the field geometry is observed over the 40 nights of our observation window and results in an increase in field strength and dipole inclination.
This study is the first step of a long-term monitoring of ξ Boo A and other active solar-type stars, with the aim of investigating secular fluctuations of stellar magnetic geometries induced by activity cycles.     

G353.9−2.0, a new Galactic supernova remnant identified from the NRAO Very Large Array Sky Survey

G353.9−2.0 is a likely Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) identified from a visual inspection of the National Radio Astronomy Observations (NRAO) Very Large Array (VLA) Sky Survey (NVSS) observations in the Galactic plane. It shows a shell structure, about 13 arcmin in diameter, with a central extended source. VLA observations of G353.9−2.0 at 1.4 GHz, with a resolution of ≈40 arcsec, and a significantly better sensitivity than the NVSS observations, are presented here, together with observations at 327 MHz and observations of the central source at 8.4 GHz. These new observations and existing results from the literature are discussed. G353.9−2.0 is confirmed as a SNR, and the central source as a likely extragalactic double source.     

Re-identification of G35.6−0.4 as a supernova remnant

G35.6−0.4 is an extended radio source in the Galactic plane which has previously been identified as either a supernova remnant or an H  ii region. Observations from the Very Large Array Galactic Plane Survey at 1.4 GHz with a resolution of 1 arcmin allow the extent of G35.6−0.4 to be defined for the first time. Comparison with other radio survey observations show that this source has a non-thermal spectral index, with   S ∝ν^{−0.47±0.07}  . G35.6−0.4 does not have obvious associated infrared emission, so it is identified as a Galactic supernova remnant, not an H  ii region. It is  ≈15 × 11 arcmin²  in extent, showing partial limb brightening.     

Non-thermal emission from Vela X and PWN G0.9＋0.1

We study the multi-waveband non-thermal emission from the pulsar wind neb- ulae (PWNe) Vela X and G0.9 + 0.1 in the frame of a time-dependent model describing non-thermal radiation from the PWNe. In such a model, the relativistic wind of parti- cles driven by a central pulsar blows into the ambient medium and creates a termination shock that accelerates the particles to very high energy in a PWN. The non-thermal pho-tons in the PWN are produced both by synchrotron radiation and the inverse Compton process, with electrons coming directly from the pulsar magnetosphere and electrons be- ing accelerated at the termination shock. We apply this model to reproduce the observed multi-waveband photon spectra of Vela X and the G0.9+0.1, both of which have been detected emitting very high energy photons. Our results indicate that TeV photons are produced by the inverse Compton scattering of the high-energy electrons in the infrared photon field in both Vela X and PWN G0.9+0.1. The TeV photons from these two PWNe may have leptonic origins.     

Deciphering the pulsations of G 29-38 with optical time series spectroscopy

We present optical time series spectroscopy of the pulsating white dwarf star G 29-38 taken at the Very Large Telescope (VLT). By measuring the variations in brightness, Doppler shift and line shape of each spectrum, we explore the physics of pulsation and measure the spherical degree (ℓ) of each stellar pulsation mode. We measure the physical motion of the g modes correlated with the brightness variations for three of the eight pulsation modes in this data set. The varying line shape reveals the spherical degree of the pulsations, an important quantity for properly modelling the interior of the star with asteroseismology. Performing fits to the Hβ, Hγ and Hδ lines, we quantify the changing shape of the line and compare them to models and previous time series spectroscopy of G 29-38. These VLT data confirm several ℓ identifications and add four new values, including an additional ℓ= 2 and a possible ℓ= 4. In total, from both sets of spectroscopy of G 29-38, eleven modes now have known spherical degrees.     

Measurements of mean longitudinal magnetic fields in the Of?p stars HD 108 and HD 191612

Using polarimetric spectra obtained with the SOFIN spectrograph installed at the Nordic Optical Telescope, we detect a longitudinal magnetic field 〈B_z〉 = –168±35 G in the Of?p star HD 108. This result is in agreement with the longitudinal magnetic field measurement of the order of –150 G recently reported by the MiMeS team. The measurement of the longitudinal magnetic field in the Of?p star HD 191612 results in 〈B_z〉 = +450±153 G. The only previously published magnetic field measurement for this star showed a negative longitudinal magnetic field 〈B_z〉 = –220±38 G, indicating a change of polarity over ∼100 days. Further, we report the detection of distinct Zeeman features in the narrow Ca II and Na I doublet lines for both Of?p stars, hinting at the possible presence of material around these stars. The origin of these features is not yet clear and more work is needed to investigate how magnetic fields interact with stellar wind dynamics (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

超新星遗迹X射线研究

在此介绍我们基于ＡＳＣＡ 和ＲＯＳＡＴ 等Ｘ 射线天文卫星,对３Ｃ３９７ 、Ｇ３２７ ．１１ ．１ 、Ｇ２１ ．５０ ．９ 和ＲＸＪ１７１３ ．７３９４６ 等超新星遗迹的物理特性进行的分析,简要地讨论了３Ｃ３９７ 的非平衡电离双热分量和双极泡结构以及Ｇ３２７ ．１１ ．１ 和Ｇ２１ ．５０ ．９ 中隐匿脉冲星的性质,并提出ＲＸＪ１７１３ ．７３９４６ 和ＡＤ３９３ 客星之间可能的关系。     

G332.5−5.6, a new Galactic supernova remnant

We present radio observations of the source G332.5−5.6, a candidate supernova remnant (SNR). Observations have been performed with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) at two frequencies, 1.4 and 2.4 GHz. Our results confirm that G332.5−5.6 is an SNR, with a spectral index  α=−0.7 ± 0.2  for the whole source and an average fractional polarization of ∼35 per cent at 2.4 GHz. The central component is coincident with extended X-ray emission, and the distance to the SNR is estimated to be ∼3.4 kpc. Based on its radio and X-ray morphology, this SNR should be classified as a composite, and we suggest that it belongs to a trident-shaped subclass like G291.0−0.1.     

Non-linear behaviour of the pulsating white dwarf G29-38 – III. Relative amplitudes of the cross-frequencies

In each season when the DA pulsating white dwarf G29-38 has been observed, its period spectrum appears very different, but it always contains a forest of harmonics and cross-frequencies. The ratio of the amplitude of these non-linear frequencies A _c to the product of the amplitudes of the corresponding parent modes A ₁ A ₂ has been measured. The results are compared with the predictions given by three existing theoretical models. Our analysis shows that the non-linear frequencies present in the period spectrum of G29-38 owe their presence mostly to the inelastic response of the stellar medium to the perturbation travelling through it, rather than to the non-linear response of the emergent luminous flux to the surface temperature variation. This analysis also confirms that most identified modes are ℓ=1, as previously asserted by Kleinman et al.     

A planetary companion orbiting the intermediate-mass G Giant HD 173416

The discovery of a planetary companion to the intermediate-mass late-type giant star HD173416 from precise Doppler surveys of G and K giants at Xingiong station and Okayama Astrophysical Observatory (OAO) is presented in this letter. The planet has a minimum mass of 2.7 MJ an eccentricity of 0.21, a semimajor axis of 1.16 AU and an orbital period of 324 days.