重系盘中的磁重平衡：星系贮留原初磁场的观测证据

邻近旋涡星系中观测到的磁场被理论学家解释为发电机作用的结果，而我们发现，在邻近的星系中，磁的强度与中性氢的柱密度紧密相关，星系盘中的磁场处于磁重平衡状态。这一结果与发电机放大机制相悖，从而支持星系磁场是原初起源的假说。     

星系磁场的射电观测方法

本文主要介绍星系磁场的观测方法，认为射电连续谱的多波段偏振观测可以很好地描绘出星系磁场的总体特和分布结构。     

星系中巨分子云的形成与演化

星系中的巨分子云(GMCs)是恒星形成的主要区域,因此它的形成和演化对于星系的演化是至关重要的。本文中将介绍分子云的基本特性、分子云之间的碰撞和巨分子云的形成、碎裂和寿命以及其他环境因素,如旋臂扰动、较差自转等在巨分子云的形成和演化中的作用。同时也探讨在采用数值模拟研究巨分子云演化时所取分子云数目的影响。     

脉冲星的星系磁场

脉冲星的偏振信息是理解脉冲星辐射区的重要手段，利用澳大利亚的64m射电望远镜进行大量的脉冲星观测，得到了一批脉冲星的偏振轮廓和偏振参数，编辑了几乎所有发表的脉冲星轮廓资料，系统总结了脉冲星圆偏辐射的规律，为理论上解释脉冲星辐射这一重要难题提供观测依据和物理限制，利用脉冲星作为探针，研究了银河系磁场结构和模型，确定了银河系BS磁场模型，发现了银河系上下反对称的环向磁场，并首次对星系尺度的发电机类型进行判别，证认出A0型发电机运行于银河系，发现了银晕中的垂直磁场和M31及银盘中的非常延展的磁场，探测到NGC2997星系中由内到外的旋涡磁场，并提出可能有两种发电机在这个星系的不同区域运行。     

近邻星系恒星形成区光谱观测研究

近年来随着国际8~10 m口径望远镜数目的不断增加,4 m及以下口径望远镜已成为中小型望远镜.如何利用中、小口径望远镜做出有影响的科学成果,须做到"有所为,有所不为".为此,自2013年开始针对国家天文台2.16 m望远镜推出了重点课题支持计划.介绍的"近邻星系恒星形成区光谱观测研究"为2.16 m望远镜支持的3个重点课题之一.它将利用2.16 m望远镜3 yr、每年30个暗夜或灰夜的观测时间,开展20个近邻、大星系中多个恒星形成区、平行星系主轴方向和垂直主轴方向的光谱观测,获得一个有显示度的、科学意义重要的近邻星系恒星形成区和径向分布的光谱样本.同时该课题还利用6.5 m多镜面望远镜(MMT)的观测时间,开展近邻、特大星系的恒星形成区的光谱观测.利用2.16 m望远镜和MMT望远镜观测得到的星系不同区域的光谱数据,结合已有的紫外、光学、红外波段宽带滤光片数据和BATC(Beijing-Arizona-Taiwan-Connecticut)15个中带滤光片数据,可开展星系尘埃消光、恒星形成率、金属丰度和星族特性二维分布等方面的研究;开展星系二维特性和星系形态、星系环境关系的研究.将介绍这个重点课题的科学意义、星系样本的选取、光谱观测策略和星系NGC 2403的光谱观测和初步研究结果.     

星系群HCG 95中的星系群内光观测研究

星系团/群内光(ICL (Intra-Cluster Light)/IGL (Intra-Group Light))可以用来研究星系群和星系团的动力学演化. Hickson致密星系群密度高并且速度弥散低,其致密的环境可以用来研究星系并合和相互作用星系的性质,是研究IGL理想场所之一.利用中国近地天体巡天望远镜(Chinese Near Object Survey Telescope,CNEOST)的观测,获得了星系群HCG 95的g波段和r波段深度成像数据.采用模型拟合方法来测量HCG 95星系群中的IGL光度,并计算了IGL的光度占星系群总光度的比例fIGL,在g和r波段的结果分别为3.55%±0.38%和3.78%±0.59%.此外,利用常规的表面亮度阈值截取方法,在g和r波段的结果分别为1.9%–10%和1.5%–10%,与前述结果一致.估算的IGL颜色(g-r=0.78±0.37)与星系群中的HCG 95A和HCG 95C星系的颜色(g-r=0.82–0.85)一致,属于年老星族,表明HCG 95星系群中的IGL可能来自HCG 95A和HCG 95C相互作用剥离出来的物质,也有...     

星系中恒星形成率指针的比较研究

利用赫歇尔空间望远镜的H-ATLAS(Herschel Astrophysical Terahertz Large Area Survey)SDP(Science Demonstration Phase)天区从紫外到亚毫米波段数据,结合星族合成方法和尘埃模型,计算了星系的红外总光度.在此基础上,分别针对强恒星形成星系和弱恒星形成星系,研究了利用紫外光度、红外光度和Hα谱线计算得到的恒星形成率(Star Formation Rate,SFR)的差异以及导致差异的内在物理起因.发现对于恒星形成活动强的星系,这3种恒星形成率指针给出的结果基本一致,弥散较小、只是在高恒星形成率端,利用紫外光度算得的恒星形成率比利用Hα谱线流量算得的恒星形成率略微偏小;而在低恒星形成率端,紫外光度指针偏大于Hα谱线指针;红外光度指针与Hα谱线指针在两端无明显偏差.对弱恒星形成星系,紫外光度、Hα谱线和红外光度3种恒星形成率指针存在明显的差异,且弥散较大.利用紫外光度和Hα谱线计算得到的恒星形成率的弥散和系统偏差随着星系年龄、质量的增加而增大.系统偏差增大的主要原因是利用紫外连续谱斜率β定标恒星形成活动较弱星系的消光时,高估了这些星系的紫外消光,使得消光改正后的紫外光度偏大.另外,MPA/JHU(Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics/Johns Hopkins University)数据库中弱恒星形成星系的恒星形成率SFR(Hα)比真实值偏低.     

发射线星系[OⅡ]λ3727/Hα谱线流量比的研究

利用从斯隆数字巡天(Sloan Digital Sky Survey,简称SDSS)第4次释放的光谱数据中选取的10~5个发射线星系样本,研究了[O_Ⅱ]λ3727/Hα流量比与星系尘埃消光、气体电离态和金属丰度的关系.发现尘埃消光改正对[O_Ⅱ]λ3727/Hα谱线流量比影响显著,消光改正前、后的[O_Ⅱ]λ3727/Hα谱线流量比的中值分别为0.48和0.89;尘埃消光改正后,F([O_Ⅱ]λ3727)-F(Hα)的弥散显著减小.贫金属星系的[O_Ⅱ]λ3727/Hα谱线流量比随星系气体的电离度增高而减小,而富金属星系不存在这种关系.另外,[O_Ⅱ]λ3727/Hα流量比与星系金属丰度相关.当12+lg(O/H)8.5时,星系[O_Ⅱ]λ3727/Hα流量比随金属丰度增加而下降;12+lg(O/H)8.5的星系,谱线流量比与金属丰度正相关.最后,利用气体电离度参数和星系的金属丰度,给出了计算不同类型星系[O_Ⅱ]λ3727/Hα流量比的公式.LAMOST望远镜将观测到大量红移z0.4的星系光谱,利用该公式可以给出星系的[O_Ⅱ]λ3727/Hα流量比,从而可以利用[O_Ⅱ]λ3727谱线流量计算z0.4星系的恒星形成率.     

星系中分子气体与恒星形成的研究进展

星系中气体转化为恒星的过程决定了星系的结构和演化,因此研究恒星形成最直接的原料——分子气体的含量、分子气体形成恒星的规律以及会受哪些物理机制的影响,对于理解星系的形成和演化具有重要意义。近年来,随着观测技术和设备(尤其是射电望远镜)的发展,天文学家可以在不同尺度上探测到越来越多星系的多种分子多种能级跃迁的谱线。首先,介绍了探测分子气体的多种方法和新的发现;然后基于CO巡天数据和致密分子气体数据,分别在统计上讨论了分子气体分布及分子气体含量与恒星形成率之间的紧密关系,并与小尺度上的恒星形成理论进行了比较;最后,结合影响星系演化的物理过程,讨论活动星系核、星系形态以及星系所处环境对分子气体的影响。     

快速射电暴寄主星系色散量的估计

定位快速射电暴(Fast Radio Burst, FRB)以及确认其寄主星系至今仍是一个具有挑战性的难题,截至2021年4月已确认13个快速射电暴的寄主星系,其中只有3个重复暴,其余都是非重复暴.快速射电暴的寄主星系对快速射电暴起源的探索起着非常重要的作用,约束着快速射电暴前身星模型.对这些已确认寄主星系的FRB进行研究,发现FRB寄主星系对色散量(Dispersion Measure, DM)的贡献在一定范围内波动(0–240 pc·cm-3),并且寄主星系对DM的贡献与寄主星系的性质(恒星形成率、金属丰度)也可能具有关联性.寄主星系恒星形成率、金属丰度与色散量的统计关系对FRB邻近环境的研究有着重要意义.     

Turbulence and Magnetic Fields in Clusters of Galaxies

We consider turbulence generated by galaxies moving transonically through the intracluster gas. We show that neither the gravitational drag nor the gas stripping from the galaxies are able, by themselves, to generate turbulence at a level required to feed the dynamo in the intracluster gas. Some implications for cluster radio halos are discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Role of Magnetic Fields in Spiral Galaxies

Interstellar magnetic fields are strong: up to 25μG in spiralarms and 40μG in nuclear regions.In the spiral galaxy NGC 6946 the average magnetic energy densityexceeds that of the thermal gas. Magnetic fields control the evolution of denseclouds and possibly the global star formation efficiency in galaxies.Gas flows and shocks in spiral arms and bars are modified by magneticfields. Magnetic forces instar-forming circumnuclear regions are able to drive mass inflow towardsthe active nucleus. Magnetic fields are essential for the propagationof cosmic rays and the formation of galactic winds and halos.     

晚型旋涡星系盘的颜色梯度

从Sloan巡天第二批释放的数据(Sloan Digital Sky Survey, Data Release Two)中选择了395个在r波段亮于15 mag的晚型旋涡星系作为样本，对样本星系的表面亮度轮廓进行一维两成分(核球与盘)拟合，并着重讨论了盘的颜色梯度，分别用Δc／ΔR和Δc／Δlg R两种形式来拟合。结果表明，对于波长相距较大的颜色r-z和g-z，颜色梯度更符合Δc／ΔR为常数的线性变化形式，而g-r则符合Δc／ΔlgR为线性的情形；用Δc／ΔlgR拟合的梯度值分别为Δ(9-r)／ΔlgR=-0.152±0.010，Δ(r-z)／ΔlgR=-0.377±0.019，Δ(g-z)／ΔlgR=-0.590±0.026，均与前人的研究结果一致。     

Magnetic Flux Imbalance of the Solar and Heliospheric Magnetic Fields

A comparative analysis of solar and heliospheric magnetic fields in terms of their cumulative sums reveals cyclic and long-term changes that appear as a magnetic flux imbalance and alternations of dominant magnetic polarities. The global magnetic flux imbalance of the Sun manifests itself in the solar mean magnetic field (SMMF) signal. The north – south asymmetry of solar activity and the quadrupole mode of the solar magnetic field contribute the most to the observed magnetic flux imbalance. The polarity asymmetry exhibits the Hale magnetic cycle in both the radial and azimuthal components of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). Analysis of the cumulative sums of the IMF components clearly reveals cyclic changes in the IMF geometry. The accumulated deviations in the IMF spiral angle from its nominal value also demonstrate long-term changes resulting from a slow increase of the solar wind speed over 1965 – 2006. A predominance of the positive IMF B _z with a significant linear trend in its cumulative signal is interpreted as a manifestation of the relic magnetic field of the Sun. Long-term changes in the IMF B _z are revealed. They demonstrate decadal changes owing to the 11/22-year solar cycle. Long-duration time intervals with a dominant negative B _z component were found in temporal patterns of the cumulative sum of the IMF B _z .     

On the Lynden-Bell Bar Formation Mechanism in Galactic Disks

One of the possible bar formation mechanisms in the disks of galaxies was proposed by Lynden-Bell (1979). The presumed amplification of a weak seed oval stellar surface density perturbation in the central regions of the galaxy through the alignment of the major axes of precessing elliptical orbits underlies it. According to his qualitative reasoning, the orbits are aligned along the perturbation if the precession rate diminishes with decreasing angular momentum at a constant adiabatic invariant. Using a rigorous approach based on finding the system’s stable stationary points, we show that this condition is not the only one that determines the orbit alignment orientation. The orbit precession direction in the unperturbed potential and the rate of decrease of the bar potential amplitude with radius also turn out to be important. In some cases, the latter can even be more important.     

Evidence of the Link between Broad Emission Line Regions and Accretion Disks in Active Galactic Nuclei

1 INTRODUCTION Most bright active galactic nuclei (AGNs) exhibit broad emission lines, with full width at half maximum (FWHM ≥ 103 km s?1) (Peterson et al. 1999). Some type 1 AGNs could have very broad emission lines (FWHM≥ 20 000 km s?1). Type 2 AGNs s…     

Observational Evidence for Rising Penumbral Flux Tubes?

On 13 May 2000 parts of a penumbra were observed in an active region NOAA 8990 with the La Palma Stokes Polarimeter attached to the Swedish Vacuum Solar Telescope. The stratification over the solar atmosphere of different physical parameters is retrieved from these data by using the Stokes inversion based on response functions. The results confirm the previous findings of the penumbral structure. In general, the magnetic field becomes weaker and more horizontal with increasing distance from the umbra and the line-of-sight velocities are increasing towards the outer boundary of the penumbra. The results also suggest the existence of the unresolved fine structure of the penumbra. The stratifications of the temperature and of the magnetic field strength indicate the presence of rising flux tubes, which were predicted theoretically by Schlichenmaier, Jahn and Schmidt (1998, Astron. Astrophys. 337, 897).     

Observational Evidence for a Double-Helix Structure in CMEs and Magnetic Clouds

We compare recent observations of a solar eruptive prominence as seen in extreme-UV light on 30 March 2010 by the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) with the multi-tube model for interplanetary magnetic clouds (Osherovich, Fainberg, Stone, Geophys. Res. Lett. 26, 2597, 1999). Our model is based on an exact analytical solution of the plasma equilibrium with magnetic force balanced by a gradient of scalar gas pressure. Topologically, this solution describes two magnetic helices with opposite magnetic polarity embedded in a cylindrical magnetic flux tube that creates magnetic flux inequality between the two helices by enhancing one helix and suppressing the other. The magnetic field in this model is continuous everywhere and has a finite magnetic energy per unit length of the tube. These configurations have been introduced as MHD bounded states (Osherovich, Soln. Dannye 5, 70, 1975). Apparently, the SDO observations depict two non-equal magnetically interacting helices described by this analytical model. We consider magnetic and thermodynamic signatures of multiple magnetic flux ropes inside the same magnetic cloud, using in situ observations. The ratio of magnetic energy density to bulk speed solar wind energy density has been defined as a solar wind quasi-invariant (QI). We analyze the structure of the QI profile to probe the topology of the internal structure of magnetic clouds. From the superposition of 12 magnetically isolated clouds observed by Ulysses, we have found that the corresponding QI is consistent with our double helix model.