Anomalous mixing of the w2Po3/2 and x6Po3/2 levels in Fe ii

The neighbouring lines a ⁶D_5/2– x ⁶P^o_3/2 (1272.617 Å) and a ⁶D_5/2– w ²P^o_3/2 (1272.657 Å) have been observed in the UV spectrum of χ Lupi to be of comparable intensity. The latter, Δ S  = 2, transition would be expected to be very weak. The two upper states should display negligible mixing. We give a detailed, quantitative discussion of how the two upper states are in fact strongly mixed through their mixing with 3d⁶(³D)4p ⁴P^o_3/2, and hence we explain the relative strengths of the two UV lines.     

Effective collision strengths for fine-structure forbidden transitions among the 2s22p3 levels of Ne iv

Effective collision strengths for electron-impact excitation of the N-like ion Ne  iv are calculated in the close-coupling approximation using the multichannel R-matrix method. Specific attention is given to the 10 astrophysically important fine-structure forbidden transitions among the ⁴S^o, ²D^o and ²P^o levels in the 2s²2p³ ground-state configuration. The expansion of the total wavefunction incorporates the lowest 11 LS eigenstates of Ne  iv , consisting of eight n  = 2 terms with configurations 2s²2p³, 2s2p⁴ and 2p⁵, together with three n  = 3 states of configuration 2s²2p²3s. We present in graphical form the effective collision strengths obtained by thermally averaging the collision strengths over a Maxwellian distribution of velocities, for all 10 fine-structure transitions, over the range of electron temperatures log T (K) = 3.6 to log T (K) = 6.1 (the range appropriate for astrophysical applications). Comparisons are made with the earlier, less sophisticated close-coupling calculation of Giles, and excellent agreement is found in the limited temperature region where a comparison is possible [log T (K) = 3.7 to log T (K) = 4.3]. At higher temperatures the present data are the only reliable results currently available.     

Effective collision strengths for fine-structure forbidden transitions among the 2s22p3 levels of S x

Effective collision strengths for electron-impact excitation of the N-like ion S  x are calculated in the close-coupling approximation using the multichannel R -matrix method. Specific attention is given to the 10 astrophysically important fine-structure forbidden transitions among the ⁴S^o, ²D^o and ²P^o levels in the 2s²2p³ ground configuration. The total (e⁻+ion) wavefunction is expanded in terms of the 11 lowest LS eigenstates of S  x , and each eigenstate is represented by extensive configuration-interaction wavefunctions. The collision strengths obtained are thermally averaged over a Maxwellian distribution of velocities, for all 10 fine-structure transitions, over the range of electron temperatures log  T (K)=4.6–6.7 (the range appropriate for astrophysical applications). The present effective collision strengths are the only results currently available for these fine-structure transition rates.     

Effective collision strengths for forbidden transitions among the 3s23p3 fine-structure levels of Cl IIIIII

Effective collision strengths for the 10 astrophysically important fine-structure forbidden transitions among the ⁴S^o, ²D^o and ²P^o levels in the 3s²3p³ configuration of Cl  iii are presented. The calculation employs the multichannel R-matrix method to compute the electron-impact excitation collision strengths in a close-coupling expansion, which incorporates the lowest 23 LS target eigenstates of Cl  iii . These states are formed from the 3s²3p³, 3s3p⁴, 3s²3p²3d and 3s²3p²4s configurations. The Maxwellian-averaged effective collision strengths are presented graphically for all 10 fine-structure transitions over a wide range of electron temperatures appropriate for astrophysical applications [log  T (K)=3.3−log  T (K)=5.9]. Comparisons are made with the earlier seven-state close-coupling calculation of Butler & Zeippen, and in general excellent agreement is found in the low-temperature region where a comparison is possible [log  T (K)=3.3−log  T (K)=4.7]. However, discrepancies of up to 30 per cent are found to occur for the forbidden transitions which involve the ⁴S^o ground state level, particularly for the lowest temperatures considered. At the higher temperatures, the present data are the only reliable results currently available.     

Exact optics: a unification of optical telescope design

A strong emission line at 2.8935 μm discovered by Rubin et al. in an ISO SWS02 spectrum of the Orion Nebula is identified as the     multiplet of O  i . Line formation is due to de-excitation cascades following UV-pumping of high ³S^o and ³D^o terms and occurs in the O  i zone immediately behind the hydrogen ionization front. This cascade mechanism also accounts for permitted O  i triplet lines in the optical spectrum of the Nebula, as shown by Grandi. An escape probability treatment of the O  i cascades accounts for the strength of the λ 2.89-μm line and suggests interesting diagnostic possibilities for the optical lines.     

Distance estimate and progenitor characteristics of SN 2005cs in M51

We present the excitation energies and lifetimes for the  3 s 3 p 3 d  ⁴ F  _7/2,9/2  levels for five aluminium-like ions of the iron group. Apart from the wavelengths, this also includes the transition probabilities and branching ratios for the electric-dipole allowed (E1) and forbidden (M1, E2, M2) lines into the energetically lower lying levels of the  3 s ²3 d , 3 s 3 p ²  and  3 s 3 p 3 d   configurations. Applying systematically enlarged multiconfiguration Dirac–Fock (MCDF) wavefunctions, here the effects of relativity and the electron–electron correlation are treated within the same (computational) model.     

Radiative decay data for highly excited Zr i levels

Radiative lifetimes of 17 excited levels in Zr  i , in the energy interval 29 000–40 974 cm⁻¹, have been investigated using the time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence method. The levels belong to the 4d²5s5p, 4d³5p and 4d5s²5p electronic configurations and were excited in a single-step process from either the ground term, 4d²5s² a ³F, or from the low-lying 4d²5s² a ³P and a ⁵F terms. For three levels, we confirm previous measurements while for 14 of the levels the lifetimes have been measured for the first time. The experimental results are compared to theoretical calculations performed with a multiconfiguration relativistic Hartree–Fock method including core-polarization effects. Theoretical transition probabilities of astrophysical interest, scaled by the experimental lifetimes, for the depopulating channels of the investigated levels are also presented.     

Hyperfine splitting of [Al vi] 3.66 μm and the Al isotopic ratio in NGC 6302

The core of planetary nebula NGC 6302 is filled with high-excitation photoionized gas at low expansion velocities. It represents a unique astrophysical situation in which to search for hyperfine structure (HFS) in coronal emission lines from highly ionized species. HFS is otherwise blended by thermal or velocity broadening. Spectra containing  [Al  vi ] 3.66 μm ³P₂←³P₁  , obtained with Phoenix on Gemini South at resolving powers of up to 75 000, resolve the line into five hyperfine components separated by 20–60 km s⁻¹ as a result of the coupling of the   I = 5/2  nuclear spin of ²⁷Al with the total electronic angular momentum J . The isotope ²⁶Al has a different nuclear spin of   I = 5  , and a different HFS, which allows us to place a 3σ upper limit on the ²⁶Al/²⁷Al abundance ratio of 1/33. We measure the HFS magnetic dipole coupling constants for [Al  vi ], and provide the first estimates of the electric quadrupole HFS coupling constants obtained through astronomical observations of an atomic transition.     

Strong helium 10 830-Å absorption in Sakurai's object (V4334 Sgr)

We report the appearance and evolution during 1998 of strong neutral helium ³S–³P^o absorption at ∼10 830 Å in Sakurai's Object (V4334 Sgr), which is believed to be a planetary nebula nucleus (PNN) undergoing a final helium shell-flash. First detected on 1998 March 18, the profile of the He  i feature is P Cygni-like. The absorption depth has increased in three subsequent spectra in 1998. If this is owing to a wind, the profile indicates a wind velocity of ∼670±50 km s⁻¹. The strong C  i 10 690-Å line seen prior to the appearance of the helium feature has disappeared; however Sr  ii and CN absorption features remain present. We tentatively identify several new features as Si  i . Taken together with other observations we suggest that the data are consistent with Sakurai's Object entering a phase in which it seems to have become a member of the R Coronae Borealis-type class of stars.     

The 'Carina Flare' supershell: probing the atomic and molecular ISM in a Galactic chimney

The 'Carina Flare' supershell, GSH 287+04−17, is a molecular supershell originally discovered in  ¹²CO( J = 1–0)  with the NANTEN 4 m telescope. We present the first study of the shell's atomic ISM, using H  i 21-cm line data from the Parkes 64-m telescope Southern Galactic Plane Survey. The data reveal a gently expanding,  ∼230 × 360  pc H  i supershell that shows strong evidence of Galactic Plane blowout, with a break in its main body at   z ∼ 280  pc and a capped high-latitude extension reaching   z ∼ 450  pc. The molecular clouds form comoving parts of the atomic shell, and the morphology of the two phases reflects the supershell's influence on the structure of the ISM. We also report the first discovery of an ionized component of the supershell, in the form of delicate, streamer-like filaments aligned with the proposed direction of blowout. The distance estimate to the shell is re-examined, and we find strong evidence to support the original suggestion that it is located in the Carina Arm at a distance of  2.6 ± 0.4 kpc  . Associated H  i and H₂ masses are estimated as   M _H I≈ 7 ± 3 × 10⁵ M_⊙  and     , and the kinetic energy of the expanding shell as   E _K ∼ 1 × 10⁵¹  erg. We examine the results of analytical and numerical models to estimate a required formation energy of several 10⁵¹ to  ∼10⁵²  erg, and an age of  ∼10⁷ yr  . This age is compatible with molecular cloud formation time-scales, and we briefly consider the viability of a supershell-triggered origin for the molecular component.     

Calculated spectra for HeH+ and its effect on the opacity of cool metal-poor stars

The wavelength and Einstein A coefficient are calculated for all rotation–vibration transitions of  ⁴He¹H⁺, ³He¹H⁺, ⁴He²H⁺  and  ³ He²H⁺  , giving a complete line list and the partition function for  ⁴HeH⁺  and its isotopologues. This opacity is included in the calculation of the total opacity of low-metallicity stars and its effect is analysed for different conditions of temperature, density and hydrogen number fraction. For a low helium number fraction (as in the Sun), it is found that HeH⁺ has a visible but small effect for very low densities  (ρ≤ 10⁻¹⁰ g cm⁻³)  , at temperatures around 3500 K. However, for high helium number fraction, the effect of HeH⁺ becomes important for higher densities  (ρ≤ 10⁻⁶ g cm⁻³)  , its effect being most important for a temperature around 3500 K. Synthetic spectra for a variety of different conditions are presented.     

Magnetic hydrogen atmosphere models and the neutron star RX J1856.5–3754

RX J1856.5−3754 is one of the brightest nearby isolated neutron stars (INSs), and considerable observational resources have been devoted to it. However, current models are unable to satisfactorily explain the data. We show that our latest models of a thin, magnetic, partially ionized hydrogen atmosphere on top of a condensed surface can fit the entire spectrum, from X-rays to optical, of RX J1856.5−3754, within the uncertainties. In our simplest model, the best-fitting parameters are an interstellar column density   N _H≈ 1 × 10²⁰ cm⁻²  and an emitting area with   R ^∞≈ 17 km  (assuming a distance to RX J1856.5−3754 of 140 pc), temperature   T ^∞≈ 4.3 × 10⁵ K  , gravitational redshift   z _g ∼ 0.22  , atmospheric hydrogen column   y _H≈ 1 g cm⁻²  , and magnetic field   B ≈ (3–4) × 10¹² G  ; the values for the temperature and magnetic field indicate an effective average over the surface. We also calculate a more realistic model, which accounts for magnetic field and temperature variations over the NS surface as well as general relativistic effects, to determine pulsations; we find that there exist viewing geometries that produce pulsations near the currently observed limits. The origin of the thin atmospheres required to fit the data is an important question, and we briefly discuss mechanisms for producing these atmospheres. Our model thus represents the most self-consistent picture to date for explaining all the observations of RX J1856.5−3754.     

A limit on the number density of bright z≈ 7 galaxies

We present a survey of bright optical dropout sources in two deep, multiwavelength surveys comprising 11 widely separated fields, aimed at constraining the galaxy luminosity function at   z ≈ 7  for sources at  5–10  L * ( z = 6)  . Our combined survey area is 225 arcmin² to a depth of   J _AB= 24.2  (3σ) and 135 arcmin² to   J = 25.3  (4σ). We find that infrared data longwards of 2 μm are essential for classifying optical dropout sources, and in particular for identifying cool Galactic star contaminants. Our limits on the number density of high-redshift sources are consistent with current estimates of the Lyman break galaxy luminosity function at   z = 6  .     

ZEN2: a narrow J-band search for z∼ 9 Lyα emitting galaxies directed towards three lensing clusters

We present the results of a continuing survey to detect Lyα emitting galaxies at redshifts   z ∼ 9  : the ' z equals nine' (ZEN) survey. We have obtained deep VLT Infrared Spectrometer and Array Camera observations in the narrow J -band filter NB119 directed towards three massive lensing clusters: Abell clusters 1689, 1835 and 114. The foreground clusters provide a magnified view of the distant Universe and permit a sensitive test for the presence of very high redshift galaxies. We search for   z ∼ 9 Lyα  emitting galaxies displaying a significant narrow-band excess relative to accompanying J -band observations that remain undetected in Hubble Space Telescope ( HST )/Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) optical images of each field. No sources consistent with this criterion are detected above the unlensed 90 per cent point-source flux limit of the narrow-band image,   F _NB= 3.7 × 10⁻¹⁸ erg s⁻¹ cm⁻²  . To date, the total coverage of the ZEN survey has sampled a volume at   z ∼ 9  of approximately 1700 comoving Mpc³ to a Lyα emission luminosity of  10⁴³ erg s⁻¹  . We conclude by considering the prospects for detecting   z ∼ 9 Lyα  emitting galaxies in light of both observed galaxy properties at   z < 7  and simulated populations at   z > 7  .     

Neutralino annihilations and the gas temperature in the dark ages

Assuming that the dark matter is entirely made up of neutralinos, we re-visit the role of their annihilation on the temperature of diffuse gas in the high-redshift universe  ( z > 10)  , before the formation of luminous structures. We consider neutralinos of particle mass 36 and 100 GeV. The former is able to produce  ∼7  e ⁻ e ⁺  particles per annihilation through the fremionic channel, and the latter ∼53 particles assuming a purely bosonic channel. High-energy   e ⁻ e ⁺  particles up-scatter the cosmic microwave background (CMB) photons into higher energies via the inverse-Compton scattering. The process produces a power-law   e ⁻ e ⁺  energy spectrum of index −1 in the energy range of interest, independent of the initial energy distribution. The corresponding energy spectrum of the up-scattered photons is a power law of index −1/2, if absorption by the gas is not included. The scattered photons photoheat the gas by releasing electrons which deposit a fraction (14 per cent) of their energy as heat into the ambient medium. For uniformly distributed neutralinos, the heating is insignificant. The effect is greatly enhanced by the clumping of neutralinos into dense haloes. We use a time-dependent clumping model which takes into account the damping of density fluctuations on mass-scales smaller than  ∼10⁻⁶ M_⊙  . With this clumping model, the heating mechanism boosts the gas temperature above that of the CMB after a redshift of   z ∼ 30  . By   z ≈ 10  , the gas temperature is nearly 100 times its temperature when no heating is invoked. Similar increase is obtained for the two neutralino masses considered.     

Angular momentum and clustering properties of early dark matter haloes

In this paper, we study the angular momentum properties of simulated dark matter haloes at high redshifts that likely host the first stars in the Universe. Calculating the spin distributions of these  10⁶– 10⁷ M_⊙  haloes in redshift slices from   z = 15  to 6, we find that they are well fit by a lognormal distribution as is found for lower redshift and more massive haloes in earlier work. We find that both the mean value of the spin and dispersion are largely unchanged with redshift for all haloes. Our key result is that subsamples of low- and high-spin, 10⁶ and  10⁷ M_⊙  , haloes show difference in clustering strength. In both mass bins, higher spin haloes are more strongly clustered in concordance with a tidal torquing picture for the growth of angular momentum in dark matter haloes in the cold dark matter paradigm.     

What is the nature of RX J0720.4–3125?

RX J0720.4–3125 has recently been identified as a pulsating soft X-ray source in the ROSAT all-sky survey with a period of 8.391 s. Its spectrum is well characterized by a blackbody with a temperature of 8 × 10⁵ K. We propose that the radiation from this object is thermal emission from a cooling neutron star. For this blackbody temperature we can obtain a robust estimate of the object's age of ∼ 3 × 10⁵ yr, yielding a polar field ∼ 10¹⁴ G for magnetic dipole spin-down and a value of P compatible with current observations.     

On the possibility of observing H2 emission from primordial molecular cloud kernels

We study the prospects for observing H₂ emission during the assembly of primordial molecular cloud kernels. The primordial molecular cloud cores, which resemble those at the present epoch, can emerge around  1+ z ∼20  according to recent numerical simulations. The kernels form inside the cores, and the first stars will appear inside the kernels. A kernel typically contracts to form one of the first generation stars with an accretion rate that is as large as ∼0.01 M_⊙ yr⁻¹. This occurs owing to the primordial abundances, which result in a kernel temperature of order 1000 K, and the collapsing kernel emits H₂ line radiation at a rate ∼10³⁵ erg s⁻¹. Predominantly   J =5-3   ( v =0)  rotational emission of H₂ is expected. At redshift  1+ z ∼20  , the expected flux is ∼0.01 μJy for a single kernel. While an individual object is not observable by any facilities available in the near future, the expected assembly of primordial star clusters on subgalactic scales can result in fluxes at the sub-mJy level. This is marginally observable with ASTRO-F and ALMA. We also examine the rotational   J =2-0   ( v =0)  and vibrational   δv =1  emission lines. The former may possibly be detectable with ALMA.     

ASCA observations of deep ROSAT fields — III. The discovery of an obscured Type 2 AGN at z = 0.67

We report on the discovery of a narrow-emission-line object at z  = 0.672 detected in a deep ASCA survey. The object, AXJ 0341.4–4453, has a flux in the 2–10 keV band of 1.1 ± 0.27 × 10⁻¹³ erg s⁻¹ cm⁻², corresponding to a luminosity of 1.8 × 10⁴⁴ erg s⁻¹ ( q ₀ = 0.5, H ₀ = 50 km s⁻¹ Mpc⁻¹). It is also marginally detected in the ROSAT 0.5–2 keV band with a flux 5.8 × 10⁻¹⁵ erg s⁻¹ cm⁻². Both the ASCA data alone and the combined ROSAT/ASCA data show a very hard X-ray spectrum, consistent with either a flat power law (α < 0.1) or photoelectric absorption with a column of n _H > 4 × 10²² cm⁻² (α = 1). The optical spectrum shows the high-ionization, narrow emission lines typical of a Seyfert 2 galaxy. We suggest that this object may be typical of the hard sources required to explain the remainder of the X-ray background at hard energies.     

The Gunn–Peterson effect and the Lyman alpha forest

We show that spatial correlations in a stochastic large-scale velocity field in an otherwise smooth intergalactic medium (homogeneous comoving density) superposed on the general Hubble flow may cause a 'line-like' structure in QSO spectra similar to the population of unsaturated Lyα forest lines which usually are attributed to individual clouds with 10¹¹ ≲ N _{H i}  5 × 10¹³ cm⁻². Therefore there is no clear observational distinction between a diffuse intergalactic medium and discrete intergalactic clouds. It follows that the H  i density in the diffuse intergalactic medium might be substantially underestimated if it is determined from the observed intensity distribution near the apparent continuum in high-resolution spectra of QSOs. Our tentative estimate implies a diffuse neutral hydrogen opacity τ_GP ∼ 0.3 at z  ∼ 3 and a current baryon density Ω_IGM ≃ 0.08, assuming a Hubble constant H ₀ = 70 km s⁻¹ Mpc⁻¹.