A Deprojection Analysis of Abell 1650 with XMM-Newton

We revisit the XMM-Newton observation of the galaxy cluster Abell 1650 with a deprojection technique. We find that the radial deprojected spectra of Abell 1650 can be marginally fitted by a single-temperature model. In order to study the properties of the central gas, we fit the spectra of the central two regions with a two-temperature model. The fits then become significantly better and the cool gas about 1-2keV can be connected with the gas cooling. Fitting the central spectrum (r ≤ 1') by using a cooling flow model with an isothermal component yields a small mass deposition rate of 10-7 11 M⊙ yr-1, while the standard cooling flow model can not fit this spectrum satisfactorily except that there exists a cut-off temperature having a level of about 3 keV. From the isothermal model we derive the deprojected electron density profile ne(r), and then together with the deprojected temperature profile the total mass and gas mass fraction of cluster are also determined. We compare the properties of Abell 1650 with those of Abell 1835 (a large cooling flow cluster) and some other clusters, to explore the difference in properties between large and small cooling flow cluster, and what causes the difference in the cooling flow of different clusters. It has been shown that Abell 1835 has a steeper potential well and thus a higher electron density and a lower temperature in its center, indicating that the shape of the gravitational potential well in central region determines the cooling flow rates of clusters. We calculate the potential, internal and radiated energies of these two clusters, and find that the gas energies in both clusters are conserved during the collapsing stage.     

Merger Dynamics of the Pair of Galaxy Clusters——A399 and A401

Convincing evidence for a past interaction between the two rich clusters A399 and A401 was recently found in the X-ray imaging observations. We examine the structure and dynamics of this pair of galaxy clusters. A mixture-modeling algorithm was applied to obtain a robust partition into two clusters, which allowed us to discuss the virial mass and velocity distribution of each cluster. Assuming that these two clusters follow a linear orbit and they have once experienced a close encounter, we model the binary cluster as a two-body system. As a result, four gravitationally bound solutions are obtained. The recent X-ray observations seem to favor a scenario in which the two clusters with a true separation of 5.4h-1 Mpc are currently expanding at 583 km s-1 along a direction with a projection angle of 67.5°, and they will reach a maximum extent of 5.65 h-1 Mpc in about 1.0 h-1 Gyr.     

Star-Forming Galaxies at z - 2 in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field

Using a simple color selection based on B-, z- and K-band photometry, BzK =（z - K）AB - （B - Z）AB 〉 -0.2, we picked out 52 star-forming galaxies at 1.4 ≤z ≤ 2.5 （sBzKs） from a K-band selected sample （Kvega 〈 22.0） in an area of - 5.5 arcmin^2 of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field （UDF）. We develop a new photometric redshift method, and the error in our photometric redshifts is less than 0.02（1 ＋ z）. From the photometric redshift distribution, we find the BzK color criterion can be used to select star-forming galaxies at 1.4≤ z ≤ 2.5 with Kvega 〈 22.0. Down to Kvega 〈 22.0, the number counts of sBzKs increase linearly with the K magnitude; the sBzKs are strongly clustered, and most of them have irregular morphologies on the ACS images. They have a median reddening of E（B - V） - 0.28, an average star formation rate of - 36 M⊙ yr^-1 and a typical stellar mass of - 10^10 M⊙. The UV criterion for the galaxies at z - 2 can select most of the faint sBzKs in the UDF, but it does not work well for bright, massive, highly-reddened, actively star-forming galaxies.     

Star-Forming Galaxies at z～2 in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field

Using a simple color selection based on B-, z- and K-band photometry, BzK =(z - K)AB - (B - z)AB -0.2, we picked out 52 star-forming galaxies at 1.4 ≤ z ≤ 2.5(sBzKs) from a K-band selected sample (KVega < 22.0) in an area of ～ 5.5 arcmin2 of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field (UDF). We develop a new photometric redshift method, and the error in our photometric redshifts is less than 0.02(1 z). From the photometric redshift distribution, we find the BzK color criterion can be used to select star-forming galaxies at 1.4 ≤ z ≤ 2.5 with KVega < 22.0. Down to KVega < 22.0, the number counts of sBzKs increase linearly with the K magnitude; the sBzKs are strongly clustered, and most of them have irregular morphologies on the ACS images. They have a median reddening of E(B -V) ～ 0.28, an average star formation rate of ～ 36 M⊙ yr-1 and a typical stellar mass of ～ 1010M⊙. The UV criterion for the galaxies at z～2 can select most of the faint sBzKs in the UDF, but it does not work well for bright, massive, highly-reddened, actively star-forming galaxies.     

Old stellar population synthesis: new age and mass estimates for Mayall Ⅱ = G1

Mayall Ⅱ = G1 is one of the most luminous globular clusters (GCs) in M31. Here, we determine its age and mass by comparing multicolor photometry with theo-retical stellar population synthesis models. Based on far- and near-ultraviolet GALEX photometry, broad-band UBV RI, and infrared JHK8 2MASS data, we construct the most extensive spectral energy distribution of G1 to date, spanning the wavelength range from 1538 to 20000A. A quantitative comparison with a variety of simple stellar pop-ulation (SSP) models yields a mean age which is consistent with G1 being among the oldest building blocks of M31 and having formed within ～1.7Gyr after the Big Bang. Irrespective of the SSP model or stellar initial mass function adopted, the resulting mass estimates (of order 107M⊙) indicate that G1 is one of the most massive GCs in the Local Group. However, we speculate that the cluster's exceptionally high mass suggests that it may not be a genuine GC. Our results also suggest that G1 may contain, on average, (1.65±0.63) × 102L⊙ far-ultraviolet-bright, hot, extreme horizontal-branch stars, depend-ing on the adopted SSP model. In addition, we demonstrate that extensive multi-passband photometry coupled with SSP analysis enables one to obtain age estimates for old SSPs that have similar accuracies as those from integrated spectroscopy or resolved stellar pho-tometry, provided that some of the free parameters can be constrained independently.     

On the Black Hole - Bulge Mass Ratios in Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 Galaxies

We present estimated ratios of the central black hole mass to the bulge mass (Mbh/Mbulge) for 15 Narrow Line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s). It is found that NLS1s apparently have lower mass ratios: the average mass ratio is about 1 × 10-4 with a spread of 2, which is one order of magnitude lower than for Broad Line AGNs and quiescent galaxies. This lower value, as compared to that established essentially for all other types of galaxies, can be accounted for by an underestimation of the black hole masses and an overestimation of the bulge masses in the NLS1s.     

A modified stratified model for the 3C 273 jet

We present a modified stratified jet model to interpret the observed spectral energy distributions of knots in the 3C 273 jet. Based on the hypothesis of the single index of the particle energy spectrum at injection and identical emission processes among all the knots, the observed difference of spectral shape among different 3C 273 knots can be understood as a manifestation of the deviation of the equivalent Doppler factor of stratified emission regions in an individual knot from a characteristic one. The summed spectral energy distributions of all ten knots in the 3C 273 jet can be well fitted by two components: a low-energy component (radio to optical) dominated by synchrotron radiation and a high-energy component (UV, X-ray and γ-ray) dominated by inverse Compton scattering of the cosmic microwave background. This gives a consistent spectral index of α= 0.88 (Sv α v-α) and a characteristic Doppler factor of 7.4. Assuming the average of the summed spectrum as the characteristic spectrum of each knot in the 3C 273 jet, we further get a distribution of Doppler factors. We discuss the possible implications of these results for the physical properties in the 3C 273 jet. Future GeV observations with GLASTcould separate the γ-ray emission of 3C 273 from the large scale jet and the small scale jet (i.e.the core) through measuring the GeV spectrum.     

Simulated performance of dedicated Ge-strip Compton telescopes as γ-lens focal plane instrumentation

With focusing of gamma rays in the nuclear-line energy regime starting to establish itself as a feasible and very promising approach for high-sensitivity γ-ray (line) studies of individual sources, optimizing the focal plane instrumentation for γ-ray lens telescopes is a prime concern. Germanium detectors offer the best energy resolution available at ∼2 keV FWHM at 1 MeV and thus constitute the detector of choice for a spectroscopy mission in the MeV energy range. Using a Compton detector focal plane has three advantages over monolithic detectors: additional knowledge about (Compton) events enhances background rejection capabilities, the inherently finely pixellated detector naturally allows the selection of events according to the focal spot size and position, and Compton detectors are inherently sensitive to γ-ray polarization. We use the extensive simulation and analysis package assembled for the ACT vision mission study to explore achievable sensitivities for different Ge Compton focal plane configurations as a first step towards determining an optimum configuration.CBW thanks the Townes Fellowship at UCB and NASA Grant NNG05WC28G for Support.     

Turbulent viscosity and lifetime of Saturn's rings

The viscosity (the angular momentum flux) in the disk of mutually gravitating particles of Saturn's rings is investigated. The hydrodynamic theory of the gravitational Jeans-type instability of small gravity perturbations (e.g., those produced by spontaneous disturbances) of the disk is developed. It is suggested that in such a system the hydrodynamic turbulence may arise as a result of the instability. The turbulence is related to stochastic motions of “fluid” elements. The objective of this paper is to show that in the Jeans-unstable Saturnian ring disk the turbulent viscosity may exceed the ordinary microscopic viscosity substantially. The main result of local N-body simulations of planetary rings by Daisaka et al. (2001. Viscosity in a dense planetary ring with self-gravitating particles. Icarus 154, 296-312) is explained: in the presence of the gravitationally unstable density waves, the effective turbulent viscosity ν_eff is given as ν_eff=CG²Σ²/Ω³, where G, Σ, and Ω are the gravitational constant, the surface mass density of a ring, and the angular velocity, respectively, and the nondimensional correction factor C≈10. We argue that both Saturn's main rings and their irregular of the order of 100 m or even less fine-scale structure (being recurrently created and destroyed on the time scale of an order of Keplerian period ) are not likely much younger than the solar system.     

Kepler-9b、c的近2:1平运动共振分析

对多行星系统中行星周期比的统计发现,行星周期比在简单整数比2:1、3:2的右侧边缘处有明显聚集,而在其紧邻的左边有明显空缺.针对这一现象有各种不同的动力学解释. Kepler-9系统中已发现的3个行星中,行星b、c周期比约为2.03,是接近2:1共振的一个典型例子.利用关于偏心率的二阶哈密顿方程,针对只考虑长期作用和加入共振摄动两种情况,通过研究当前状态下系统在能量等高线图与相空间截面图中的位置,讨论了两行星可能的近共振状态.     

Effects of boundary conditions and viscous energy dissipation on carbon burning in thermonuclear supernova models

Based on a one-dimensional hydrodynamic model, we investigate carbon burning in a thermonuclear type-Ia supernova in the approximation of unsteady convection. The relatively broad range of convective parameters, 1×10^?3≤α_c≤2×10^?3, in which delayed detonation from the edge takes place was found to be preserved only for cases with a low boundary temperature at the presupernova stage, T _b ^(PS) = 6.4 × 10⁶ K, and with a high envelope mass, m_ex ? 2 × 10^?3M_⊙. In cases with a more realistic temperature, T _b ^(PS) = 2 × 10⁸ K, which corresponds to helium burning in the shell source, and with a lower mass m_ex, delayed detonation from the edge takes place only at α_c = 2 × 10^?3, while at α_c = 1 × 10^?3, numerous model pulsations occur during t?500 s. Artificial viscosity is shown to give a determining contribution to the increase in entropy in outer model shells, which is caused by the generation of weak shock waves during pulsations. We also show that the entropies calculated by two independent methods are equal.     

Type Ia supernovae: An explosion in the regime of a convergent delayed detonation wave

The model of a presupernova’s carbon-oxygen (C-O) core with an initial mass of 1.33 M _⊙, an initial carbon abundance X _C ⁽⁰⁾ =0.27, and a mean rate of increase in mass of 5 × 10^?7 M _⊙ yr^?1 through accretion in a binary system evolved from the central density and temperature ρ_c=10⁹ g cm^?3 and T _c=2.05 × 10⁸K, respectively, by forming a convective core and its subsequent expansion to an explosive fuel ignition at the center. The evolution and explosion equations included only the carbon burning reaction ¹²C+¹²C with energy release corresponding to the complete conversion of carbon and oxygen (at the same rate as that of carbon) into ⁵⁶Ni. The ratio of mixing length to convection-zone size α_c was chosen as the parameter. Although the model assumptions were crude, we obtained an acceptable (for the theory of supernovae) pattern of explosion with a strong dependence of its duration on α_c. In our calculations with sufficiently large values of this parameter, α_c=4.0 × 10^?3 and 3.0×10^?3, fuel burned in the regime of prompt detonation. In the range 2.0×10^?3≥α_c≥3.0×10^?4, there was initially a deflagration with the generation of model pulsations whose amplitude gradually increased. Eventually, the detonation regime of burning arose, which was triggered from the model surface layers (with m ? 1.33 M _⊙) and propagated deep into the model up to the deflagration front. The generation of model pulsations and the formation of a detonation front are described in detail for α_c=1.0 × 10^?3.     

New INTEGRAL sources and TeV emission

INTEGRAL is operational since more than three years and producing high quality data that allows to detect fainter new hard X-ray sources. The new sources, identified until now, are mostly active galactic nuclei and absorbed or transient high mass X-ray binaries. TeV emission could be expected from the new high mass X-ray binaries accreting dense clumps of stellar wind. INTEGRAL sources with TeV counterparts are discussed. Based on observations with INTEGRAL, an ESA project with instruments and science data centre funded by ESA member states (especially the PI countries: Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Spain), Czech Republic and Poland, and with the participation of Russia and the USA.     

Nearby young single black holes

We consider nearby young black holes formed after supernova explosions in close binaries whose secondary components are currently observed as the so-called runaway stars. Using data on runaway stars and making reasonable assumptions about the mechanisms of supernova explosion and binary breakup, we estimate the present positions of nearbyyoung black holes. For two objects, we obtained relatively small error regions (～50–100 deg²). The possibility of detecting these nearby young black holes is discussed.     

基于无量纲的轨道参数开展卫星性质统计研究

目前已发现了285颗围绕太阳系八大行星公转的卫星, 它们的轨道和物理性质呈现了丰富多样性. 目前为止, 几乎所有的卫星研究工作都基于单个卫星系统或者卫星群, 似乎缺少统一的研究. 提出了一个新的与行星性质无关、只与恒星半径有关的轨道参数n, 定义为以太阳半径为单位的轨道半长轴的自然对数. 不同行星的卫星的n值都存在双极分布, 绝大部分卫星在$n\gtrsim2$区间, 其次在$n\lesssim-1$区间, 位于中间区域的行星则很少. 从卫星物理参数和轨道参数与n的关系中发现, 分属六大行星的卫星有明显的共同特征. 首先, 轨道偏心率和轨道倾角偏大的卫星的n值都在3.5左右, 它们都是巨行星的不规则卫星. 其次, n值在-1和1之间的卫星绝大部分体积大、质量大、反照率高、自转速度慢. 从文献中找到11颗系外卫星候选体, 获得了它们轨道n值和卫星质量, 发现后者也是在-1< n< 1区间最大,其他区间偏小.这些统一的 规律暗示,太阳系内不同行星的卫星形成机制以及太阳系外卫星的形成机制可能一样或类似.     

The Rise of New Planets: Super-Earths and Sub-Neptunes

With the ceaseless progress of detecting technology, over 3500 exo-planets have been discovered. It is interesting but unexpected that the majority of the detected exoplanets are unlike any planets in our solar system. They have a size and mass between the Earth and the Neptune, and thus they are called as Super-Earths or Sub-Neptunes. In this article, I introduce these newly rising planets and review our current knowledge of their physical properties, orbital properties, and origins. Finally, I discuss the promising and exciting prospects.     

Mutual eclipses of J2 Europa by J1 Io observed at Yunnan Observatory in 2009

Mutual events between natural satellites include mutual occultation and mutual eclipse. Mutual eclipse is another kind of mutual occultation as viewed from the center of the Sun instead of the Earth. Two mutual eclipses of J2 Europa by J1 Io (2009 Aug. 28 and Sept. 12) were observed at Yunnan Observatory during the PHEMU09 international campaign. We will calculate the astrometric data of these Galilean satellites by analyzing and fitting the light curves we obtained. The limb-darkening was considered during...