Estimates of proton energies in extragalactic radio sources

It is shown that inelastic proton collisions in extragalactic radio sources can account for their radio and -ray emissions. The proton Lorentz-factor _p responsible for -ray emission is estimated to lie between 1.4 and 86. But for the radio emission (with _e ~ 10³-10⁴) the estimated _p values lie between 7 to 300. The estimates of total particle and magnetic energy for a typical radio source is in agreement with equipartition theory.     

Symmetric periodic orbits in Størmer's problem

The hypothesis on the -ray burst generation in the process of the collapse of surpermassive bodies in the nuclei of active galaxies is considered. It is shown that -ray burst properties observed may be interpreted within the frames of the given model. A statistical test for choosing a hypotheses on -ray burst nature is discussed.     

Damping constant and turbulence in the solar atmosphere

In the region of the formation of weak and medium-strong lines, the microturbulence increases with height (V _ver=0.7–0.9 km s^-1, V _hor= 1.1–1.5 km s^-1), the macroturbulence decreases (V _ver=1.6–1.4 km s^-1, V _hor= 2.4–1.5 km s^-1), and the total velocity field (vertical component) is depth-independent (1.7 km s^-1). The empirical damping constants for Fe, Ti, Cr, Ni lines are equal 1.3₆, 1.7₆, 1.6₆, 1.6₆, respectively. The correlation length (the Kubo-Anderson process has been used) in the solar photosphere is 520–550 km.     

High velocity neutron stars and γ-ray bursts

The observations of the BATSE instrument on the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory show that the spatial distribution of -ray burst sources is isotropic but radially non-uniform. As is well known, the spectral features, the time histories and the X-ray tails present in some -ray bursts suggest that they may arise from galactic neutron stars. But, low velocity neutron stars born in the Galactic disk would concentrate toward the galactic plane and center, and could not fit the BATSE results. However, the high velocity neutron stars with velocity 1000 km s^–1 may escape from the Galactic gravitational field and form a nearly isotropic distribution. Here we calculate the three statistical values of V/V _max, sin² b and cos as functions of the intensitiesC _max/C _min and find that they could be fitted by the distribution of high velocity neutron stars under the assumption that the high velocity neutron stars should turn on as -ray burst sources only after some time (perhaps after they have ceased to be radio pulsars). Our calculation shows that the statistical value of cos is more sensitive than sin² b to the angular distribution of high velocity neutron stars, i.e. the deviation of cos from 0 is more readily detected than the deviation of sin² b from 1/3, so we expect that with the increasing sensitivity of instrument and the more exact value of cos , it is possible to determine whether this high velocity neutron star model is correct. Some results are discussed in the text.     

Immediate reports of GRBs in progress from HETE

The High Energy Transient Experiment (HETE) will be able to perform multiwavelength observations of-ray and X-ray bursts. HETE will potentially be able to localize-ray bursts to a precision of 20 arc-minutes if significant X-ray flux is detected from the burst; a precision of 20 arc-seconds is possible if there is also significant UV radiation from the burst. HETE will broadcast information about bursts detected within seconds of their detection. This VHF-band broadcast will be received at a number of secondary ground stations (SGS) dedicated to HETE, and forwarded to a central distribution site at MIT, from which it is sent to interested observers via Internet.     

Gamma-ray bursts from high velocity neutron stars

We investigate the viability of the Galactic corona model of -ray bursts by calculating the spatial distribution of neutron stars born with high velocities in the Galactic disk, and comparing the resulting brightness and angular distribution with the BATSE data. We find that the Galactic corona model can reproduce the BATSE peak flux and angular distribution data for neutron star kick velocities 800 km s^–1, source turn-on ages 10 Myrs, and sampling depths 100 kpc d _max 400 kpc.     

A momentum distribution of high energy particles around Crab pulsar

We determine the momentum distribution of the relativistic particles near the Crab pulsar from the observed X- and -ray spectra (10³10⁹ eV), provided that the curvature radiation is responsible for it. The power law spectrum for the relativistic electrons,f() ^–5, reproduces a close fit to the observed high-energy photon spectrum. The theoretically determined upper limit to the momentum (due to radiation damping), _M 8×10⁶, corresponds to the upper cut-off energy of the -ray spectrum, 10⁹ eV. The lower limit to the momentum, _m 1.8×10⁵, is chosen such that flattening of the X-ray spectrum below 10 keV is simulated. The number density of these electrons is found to be much higher than the Goldreich-Julian density. We also discuss pulse shape and polarization of high-energy photons. The extremely high density of particles and the steep momentum spectrum are difficult to understand. This may imply that another, more efficient, mechanism is in operation.     

A search for gamma-ray signals from NGC 4151, 3C 273, and Cen-A by bootstrap sampling the SAS-2 data

Bootstrap sampling is a method that can be used to generate a large number of simulated samples (bootstrap samples) from the data of the measured sample. By working out the statistic of interest in each bootstrap sample and then calculating the frequency distribution of the statistic over the bootstrap samples, we can derive the probability distribution of the parameter required. A bootstrap sample is a subset of the measured data formed by randomly drawing data from the measured sample with replacement. In this paper, we have made use of the bootstrap sampling technique to identify the -ray signals for the 3 extragalactic -ray sources NGC 4151, 3C 273, and Cen-A.     

Nonpotential waves in the auroral electrojet

An ionospheric plasma instability in the auroral electrojet region believed to be responsible for electromagnetic waves with angular frequency smaller thanv _i is discussed. The threshold current velocityU _t and oscillation growth rate are found for the realistic physical situation when a nonuniform plasma density and an ionization function are considered. It is found that the gradient of plasma density n may be neglected in the expressions forU _t and and that the spectral density of fluctuations in the density of the plasma agrees well with the experimental data.     

RevisedV/V max test with incompleteness-compensated factors and its application to X-ray quasar sample

Both density- and luminosity-evolution of quasars proceed sumultaneously. If only one of them is considered, the value of V/V _max would be too high. Here we present an idea that the quasar luminosity-redshift relationship curve can be obtained by statistics, from which the incompleteness-compensated factorK(Z|l _min) for each source will be given, and then theV/V _max test for density law can be carried out. We use this revisedV/V _max test in investigating 3CR and 4C samples including the 3CR sources detected in X-ray. The result is that the space density distribution of quasars is relative toq _o.     

Observations of GRBs with the Explosive Transient Camera

The Explosive Transient Camera (ETC) has been performing automatic observations of the night sky since 1990. Since the launch of the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory, the times and localizations of-ray bursts detected by the Burst and Transient Source Experiment (BATSE) have been compared with ETC observations to determine whether the ETC had observed a -ray burst in progress. To date, six temporal and spatial correlations have been found, but no new optical radiation has been detected. In this paper, we present current results of ETC/BATSE correlated observations and describe plans for future observations.     

Estimates of the γ-ray flux from Sagittarius A

Analysis of the anisotropy of the -ray background observed by Clarket al. (1968) has lead to the suggestion that part of the anisotropy be due to a source at the Galactic Centre. The complex structure of radio and infrared emission of the region of Sgr A is considered. The -ray flux arising from Compton scattering and ₀ decay is calculated. For a value of the magnetic field H10^–4 Gauss, corresponding to equipartition, the -ray flux above 100 MeV at Earth from the Sgr A source is expected to lie between 10^–6 and 10^–5 gamma/cm² sec. Such a source should be detectable in the near future.     

Possible discovery of threeγ-ray pulsars

The possible discovery of three-ray pulsars 0656 + 14, 0950 + 08, and 1822 - 09 based on COS-B data analysis is reported. Their light curves, the other related features, and the methods leading to these results are also given. Among these three pulsars, PSR 0656 + 14 is the most significant one for being a-ray pulsar.     

A theory for gamma ray and X-ray burst sources

A common mechanism for both X-ray and-ray bursters is proposed on the basis that a window can be created transiently in the polar cap of a degenerate star, a white dwarf for X-ray bursts and a neutron star for-ray bursts. The window exposes transiently a hot degenerate sub-layer of the star at shallow depth, from which escapes blackbody flux for a source at temperature 3 kev with window radius 10 km in the case of X-ray bursts and for a source at temperature 300 kev with window radius 0.5 km in the case of-ray bursts.     

Binary star model of the γ-ray burst with special reference to that on 5 March, 1979 and subsequent bursts on 6 March, 4 April,and 24 April, 1979

The peculiar -ray burst phenomenon of 5 March, 1979, and the other subsequent bursts on 6 March, 4 April, and 24 April, 1979, are studied, using the physically more realistic exponentially increasing accretion rate on a highly magnetized neutron star from its companion, and the conclusions that pycnonuclear reaction flash for the first and thermonuclear flashes for the subsequent bursts as the most probable model for this series of bursts, are made.We further conclude that a huge -ray burst is a sequel to rapid X-ray transient or type-I X-ray bursts, i.e., an almost exactly similar burst as on 5 April, 1979 will never repeat from the same source, instead rapid X-ray transient burst, or type-I X-ray burst will be occured. A rough estimate gives that the next burst will occur within 0.5 yr since 24 April, 1979.     

Alfvén turbulence and the time dependence of non-thermal line broadening in flares

Alfvén wave turbulence is considered as the source of the non-thermal line broadenings observed in soft X-rays in solar flares. The waves are assumed to lose energy to particle acceleration and the temporal development for the case of Fermi acceleration,W(k)k ^–2, is investigated. The decay of the wave energy density is compared to that of the non-thermal velocity for the event of 1980 June 29. The wave energy densities required to explain the degree of non-thermal broadening and its temporal characteristics are consistent with those typically inferred from-ray observations. A relationship between the degree of non-thermal broadening and-ray fluxes is predicted. In general, the larger the-ray flux the shorter the time scales for the decay of the wave energy.     

Are PSR 0656+14, PSR 0950+08, and PSR 1822-09 gamma-ray pulsars?

The possible discovery of three new -ray pulsars PSR 0656+14, PSR 0950+08, and PSR 1822-09 (Ma, Lu, Yu, and Young, 1993) in data obtained with the COS-B experiment is reinvestigated using a refined technique for pulsar light curve analysis. The results of this study do not confirm the previously claimed -ray pulsar nature of any of these pulsars. Even when using the standard epoch folding technique in conjunction with energy-dependent acceptance cones, we do not detect pulsed -ray emission from these sources. We suspect that insufficient position accuracy is the cause for the discrepancy between our results and those of Maet al. (1993). We do not rule out that any one of the three candidates, or all of them, is in fact a -ray pulsar, but their spin properties must differ from those derived by Maet al. (1993). More work is needed to determine the correct high-energy properties of these three sources.     

Special Families of Orbits in the Direct Problem of Dynamics

The direct problem of dynamics in two dimensions is modeled by a nonlinear second-order partial differential equation, which is therefore difficult to be solved. The task may be made easier by adding some constraints on the unknown function = f _y /f _x , where f(x, y) = c is the monoparametric family of orbits traced in the xy Cartesian plane by a material point of unit mass, under the action of a given potential V(x, y). If the function is supposed to verify a linear first-order partial differential equation, for potentials V satisfying a differential condition, can be found as a common solution of certain polynomial equations.The various situations which can appear are discussed and are then illustrated by some examples, for which the energy on the members of the family, as well as the region where the motion takes place, are determined. One example is dedicated to a Hénon—Heiles type potential, while another one gives rise to families of isothermal curves (a special case of orthogonal families). The connection between the inverse/direct problem of dynamics and the possibility of detecting integrability of a given potential is briefly discussed.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The UV cameras on the High Energy Transient Experiment (HETE)

The High Energy Transient Experiment (HETE), scheduled for launch this year, is a small satellite dedicated to multiwavelength observations of -ray and X-ray bursts. The HETE spacecraft will be equipped with gamma-ray detectors, X-ray detectors with a coded mask, and ultraviolet-sensitive CCD cameras. The UV cameras on HETE are wide-field imagers which will a) provide UV images of the regions in which -ray or X-ray bursts are detected, before, duringand after the burst, b) detect UV transients, whether associated with a high-energy transient or not, c) monitor the brightnesses of field stars for variability over a wide range of timescales, and d) serve as star trackers for HETE. In this poster, we describe the HETE UV instrumentation, control software, and data products.     

Γ-rays from 3C273: scaling the orion cloud complex

The Orion cloud complex in the Milky Way is a source of-rays attributable to cosmic-ray interactions with ambient thermal gas. Quantities upon which the-ray flux depends can be scaled to the QSO 3C273. This result supports the hypothesis that at least some of the-rays from this object and other QSOs may also be attributed to a similarpp-interaction scenario.