The remarkable stability of probable black hole low-mass X-ray binaries in nearby galaxies

The most luminous X-ray sources in nearby elliptical galaxies are likely black hole low-mass X-ray binaries (BHLMXBs). In the Milky Way, such systems are always transient, and with the exception of GRS 1915+105 have burst durations on the order of weeks or months. However, the low duty cycle of short-duration outburst BHLMXBs makes it improbable that any one source would be caught in an outburst during a single snapshot observation. Long-duration outburst BHLMXBs, although much rarer, would be detectable in a series of snapshot observations separated by several years. Our analysis of multi-epoch Chandra observations of the giant elliptical galaxies NGC 1399 and M87 separated by 3.3 and 5.3 yr, respectively, finds that all 37 luminous (>8 × 10³⁸ erg s⁻¹) X-ray sources that were present in the first epoch observations were still in outburst in all of the following observations. Many of these probable long-duration outburst BHLMXBs reside within globular clusters of the galaxies. Conversely, no definitive short-duration outburst BHLMXBs were detected in any of the observations. This places an upper limit on the ratio of short-to-long-duration outbursters that is slightly lower, but consistent with what is seen in the Milky Way. The fact that none of the luminous sources turned off between the first and last epochs places a 95 per cent lower limit of 50 yr on the mean burst duration of the long-duration outburst sources. The most likely scenario for the origin of these sources is that they are long-period (>30 d) black hole binaries with a red giant donor, much like GRS 1915+105. However, unlike GRS 1915+105, most of the sources show only modest variability from epoch to epoch.     

A new population of extended, luminous star clusters in the halo of M31

We present three new clusters discovered in the halo of M31 which, although having globular-like colours and luminosities, have unusually large half-light radii, ∼30 pc. They lie at projected galactocentric distances of ≈15 to ≈35 kpc. These objects begin to fill the gap in parameter space between globular clusters and dwarf spheroidals, and are unlike any clusters found in the Milky Way, or elsewhere to date. Colour–magnitude diagrams, integrated photometric properties and derived King profile fit parameters are given, and we discuss possible origins of these clusters and their relationships to other populations.     

Serendipitous Asteroid Lightcurve Survey Using SuperWASP

The SuperWASP project is an ultra-wide angle search for extra solar planetary transits. However, it can also serendipitously detect solar system objects, such as asteroids and comets. Each SuperWASP instrument consists of up to eight cameras, combined with high-quality peltier-cooled CCDs, which photometrically survey large numbers of stars in the magnitude range 7–15. Each camera covers a 7.8 × 7.8 degree field of view. Located on La Palma, the SuperWASP-I instrument has been observing the Northern Hemisphere with five cameras since its inauguration in April 2004.The ultra-wide angle field of view gives SuperWASP the possibility of discovering new fast moving (near to Earth) asteroids that could have been missed by other instruments. However, it provides an excellent opportunity to produce a magnitude-limited lightcurve survey of known main belt asteroids. As slow moving asteroids stay within a single SuperWASP field for several weeks, and may be seen in many fields, a survey of all objects brighter than magnitude 15 is possible. This will provide a significant increase in the total number of lightcurves available for statistical studies without the inherent bias against longer periods present in the current data sets.We present the methodology used in the automated collection of asteroid data from SuperWASP and some of the first examples of lightcurves from numbered asteroids.     

The impact of correlated noise on SuperWASP detection rates for transiting extrasolar planets

The evolution of the Alfvén turbulence due to three-wave interactions is discussed using kinetic theory for a collisionless, thermal plasma. There are three low-frequency modes, analogous to the three modes of compressible magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). When only Alfvén waves are considered, the known anisotropy of turbulence in incompressible MHD theory is reproduced. Inclusion of a fast mode wave leads to the separation of turbulence into two regimes: small wave numbers where three-wave processes involving a fast mode are dominant, and large wave numbers where the three Alfvén wave process is dominant. Possible application of the anisotropic Alfvén turbulence to the interstellar medium and dissipation of magnetic energy in magnetars are discussed.     

Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope observations of NGC 3079

We present new observations at three frequencies (326, 615 and 1281 MHz) of the radio lobe spiral galaxy, NGC 3079, using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope. These observations are consistent with previous data obtained at other telescopes and reveal the structure of the nuclear radio lobes in exquisite detail. In addition, new features are observed, some with H  i counterparts, showing broad-scale radio continuum emission and extensions. The galaxy is surrounded by a radio halo that is at least 4.8 kpc in height. Two giant radio extensions/loops are seen on either side of the galaxy out to ∼11 kpc from the major axis, only slightly offset from the direction of the smaller nuclear radio lobes. If these are associated with the nuclear outflow, then the galaxy has experienced episodic nuclear activity. Emission along the southern major axis suggests motion through a local intergalactic medium (not yet detected), and it may be that NGC 3079 is itself creating this local intergalactic gas via outflows. We also present maps of the minimum energy parameters for this galaxy, including cosmic ray energy density, electron diffusion length, magnetic field strength, particle lifetime and power.