Identification of X-ray lines in the spectrum of the arcsec-scale precessing jets of SS 433

The extended X-ray emission observed at arcsec scales along the propagation trajectory of the precessing relativistic jets of the Galactic microquasar SS 433 features a broad emission line, with the position of the centroid being significantly different for the approaching and receding jets (≈7.3 and ≈6.4 keV, respectively). These observed line positions are at odds with the predictions of the kinematic model for any of the plausible bright spectral lines in this band, raising the question of their identification. Here we address this issue by taking into account time delays of the emission coming from the receding regions of the jets relative to that from the approaching ones, which cause a substantial phase shift and distortion of the predicted line positions for the extended (~10¹⁷ cm) emission compared to the X-ray and optical lines observed from the central source (emitted at distances ~10¹¹ and ~10¹⁵ cm, respectively). We demonstrate that the observed line positions are fully consistent with the Fe XXVI Lyα (E ₀ = 6.96 keV) line emerging from a region of size ~6 × 10¹⁶ cm along the jet. This supports the idea that intensive reheating of the jets up to temperatures >10 keV takes place at these distances, probably as a result of partial deceleration of the jets due to interaction with the surrounding medium, which might cause collisions between discrete dense blobs inside the jets.     

Zahn’s theory of dynamical tides and its application to stars

Zahn’s theory of dynamical tides is analyzed critically. We compare the results of this theory with our numerical calculations for stars with a convective core and a radiative envelope and with masses of one and a half and two solar masses. We show that for a binary system consisting of stars of one and a half or two solar masses and a point object with a mass equal to the solar mass and with an orbital period of one day under the assumption of a dense spectrum and moderately rapid dissipation, the evolution time scales of the semimajor axis will be shorter than those in Zahn’s theory by several orders of magnitude.     

The Cryogenic AntiCoincidence detector for ATHENA X-IFU: a scientific assessment of the observational capabilities in the hard X-ray band

ATHENA is a large X-ray observatory, planned to be launched by ESA in 2028 towards an L2 orbit. One of the two instruments of the payload is the X-IFU: a cryogenic spectrometer based on a large array of TES microcalorimeters, able to perform integral field spectrography in the 0.2–12 keV band (2.5 eV FWHM at 6 keV). The X-IFU sensitivity is highly degraded by the particle background expected in the L2 orbit, which is induced by primary protons of both galactic and solar origin, and mostly by secondary electrons. To reduce the particle background level and enable the mission science goals, the instrument incorporates a Cryogenic AntiCoincidence detector (CryoAC). It is a 4 pixel TES based detector, placed < 1 mm below the main array. In this paper we report a scientific assessment of the CryoAC observational capabilities in the hard X-ray band (E > 10 keV). The aim of the study has been to understand if the present detector design can be improved in order to enlarge the X-IFU scientific capability on an energy band wider than the TES array. This is beyond the CryoAC baseline, being this instrument aimed to operate as anticoincidence particle detector and not conceived to perform X-ray observations.     

Scientific prospects for spectroscopy of the gamma-ray burst prompt emission with SVOM

SVOM (Space-based multi-band astronomical Variable Objects Monitor) is a Sino-French space mission dedicated to the study of Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) in the next decade, capable to detect and localise the GRB emission, and to follow its evolution in the high-energy and X-ray domains, and in the visible and NIR bands. The satellite carries two wide-field high-energy instruments: a coded-mask gamma-ray imager (ECLAIRs; 4–150 keV), and a gamma-ray spectrometer (GRM; 15–5500 keV) that, together, will characterise the GRB prompt emission spectrum over a wide energy range. In this paper we describe the performances of the ECLAIRs and GRM system with different populations of GRBs from existing catalogues, from the classical ones to those with a possible thermal component superimposed to their non-thermal emission. The combination of ECLAIRs and the GRM will provide new insights also on other GRB properties, as for example the spectral characterisation of the subclass of short GRBs showing an extended emission after the initial spike.     

Calibration of the ART-XC mirror modules at MSFC

The Astronomical Röntgen Telescope X-ray Concentrator (ART-XC) is a hard X-ray telescope with energy response up to 30 keV, to be launched on board the Spectrum Röntgen Gamma (SRG) spacecraft in 2018. ART-XC consists of seven identical co-aligned mirror modules. Each mirror assembly is coupled with a CdTe double-sided strip (DSS) focal-plane detector. Eight X-ray mirror modules (seven flight and one spare units) for ART-XC were developed and fabricated at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), NASA, USA. We present results of testing procedures performed with an X-ray beam facility at MSFC to calibrate the point spread function (PSF) of the mirror modules. The shape of the PSF was measured with a high-resolution CCD camera installed in the focal plane with defocusing of 7 mm, as required by the ART-XC design. For each module, we performed a parametrization of the PSF at various angular distances Θ. We used a King function to approximate the radial profile of the near on-axis PSF (Θ < 9 arcmin) and an ellipse fitting procedure to describe the morphology of the far off-axis angular response (9 < Θ < 24 arcmin). We found a good agreement between the seven ART-XC flight mirror modules at the level of 10%. The on-axis angular resolution of the ART-XC optics varies between 27 and 33 arcsec (half-power diameter), except for the spare module.     

Spectroscopic studies of the unique yellow supergiant α Aqr in the Cepheid instability strip

Based on 21 spectra with resolutions from 12 000 to 42 000 taken in 1997–2016 for the yellow supergiant α Aqr (which is believed to be nonvariable in the Cepheid instability strip), we have determined its effective temperature T^eff and radial velocities from metal and hydrogen absorption lines. Blue and red components that account for 20–25% of the total number of lines used have been detected in the profiles of these lines. The effective temperature and radial velocities estimated from metal lines and their components do not show any noticeable variations, while the radial velocities determined from hydrogen lines show variations that are largest for the Hα line, with an amplitude of more than 10 km s^?1. These variations resemble periodic (～100 days) and sporadic ones. The presence of variable red components in the hydrogen line cores confirms that there is a circumstellar envelope around the supergiant. The radial velocities of these components exhibit a behavior similar to that of the hydrogen lines but with larger amplitudes (it is twice that for the R component of the Hα line). Such an unusual variability as well as the presence of blue components in metal lines and the star’s position at the red edge of the Cepheid instability strip can be explained by a possible residual pulsational activity in the upper atmospheric layers of the star, which “swings” the envelope with a larger amplitude when passing into a less dense medium. The multicomponent structure of the Na I D doublet lines and their variations over long time intervals may be indicative of a chromospheric activity and a change in the stellar wind intensity. These processes can affect the sporadic variations of the radial velocities in the upper atmospheric layers of the star and its envelope. We raise the question about a revision of the classification of α Aqr as a yellow nonvariable supergiant.     

Search for evidence of source event grouping among ureilites

We use cosmic‐ray exposure (CRE) ages of ureilites, combined with magnesium numbers of olivine, and oxygen isotopes, to search for evidence of specific source events initiating exposure for groups of ureilites. This technique can also be used to investigate the heterogeneity of the body from which the samples were derived. There are a total of 39 ureilites included in our work, which represents the largest collection of ureilite CRE age data used to date. Although we find some evidence of possible clusters, it is clear that most ureilites did not originate in one or two events on a homogeneous parent body.     

An improved model of radiative transfer for the NLTE problem in the NIR bands of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and CO molecules in the daytime atmosphere of Mars. 2. Population of vibrational states

The near-infrared (NIR) emission of the Martian atmosphere in the CO2 bands at 4.3, 2.7, 2.0, 1.6, 1.4, 1.3, 1.2, and 1.05 µm and in the CO bands at 4.7, 2.3, 1.6, and 1.2 µm is mainly generated under nonlocal thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) conditions for vibrational states, the transitions from which form the specified bands. The paper presents the results of simulations of the population of these states under NLTE for daytime conditions. In the cold high-latitude troposphere, the NLTE takes place much lower than in the troposphere under typical temperature conditions. If the NIR-radiation reflection from the surface is ignored, the population of high vibrational states substantially decreases, at least, in some layer of the lower atmosphere. However, inelastic collisions of CO₂ and CO molecules with O atoms produce no considerable influence on the values of populations. The population of vibrational states, the transitions from which form NIR bands, is also almost insensitive to possible large values of the quenching-in-collision rate constants of vibrational states higher than CO₂(00⁰1). However, very large errors in the estimates of the population of vibrational states of the CO₂ molecule (rather than the CO molecule!) can be caused by the uncertainty in the values of the rate constant of exchange between CO² molecules by the energy quantum of the asymmetric stretching vibrational mode. For this intermolecular exchange, we recommend a possible way to restrict the vibrational excitation degree of the molecule that is a collision partner and to maintain simultaneously a sufficiently high accuracy in the population estimate.     

Estimates of the radii,masses, and luminosities of LAMOST stars

Based on the spectral observations of the LAMOST (DR2) survey, the radii, masses, and luminosities of 700 481 stars were estimated. These stars belong to spectral types A, F, G, and K, and have metallicities between ?0.845 and 0.0. To determine the properties of the stars, we used up-to-date models of the stellar interior structure, computed with account for the stellar evolution rate and the initial mass function. The use of evolutionary estimates for two types of stars—with and without rotation—allowed us to account for the uncertainty associated with the lack of data on the rotation velocity of the stars under consideration. The obtained stellar radii, together with the photometric estimates of interstellar extinction and angular diameters can be used to study the dependence of interstellar extinction on distance as well as to estimate the stellar distances.     

SPEXTRA: Optimal extraction code for long-slit spectra in crowded fields

We present a code for the optimal extraction of long-slit 2D spectra in crowded stellar fields. Its main advantage and difference from the existing spectrum extraction codes is the presence of a graphical user interface (GUI) and a convenient visualization system of data and extraction parameters. On the whole, the package is designed to study stars in crowded fields of nearby galaxies and star clusters in galaxies. Apart from the spectrum extraction for several stars which are closely located or superimposed, it allows the spectra of objects to be extracted with subtraction of superimposed nebulae of different shapes and different degrees of ionization. The package can also be used to study single stars in the case of a strong background. In the current version, the optimal extraction of 2D spectra with an aperture and the Gaussian function as PSF (point spread function) is proposed. In the future, the package will be supplemented with the possibility to build a PSF based on a Moffat function. We present the details of GUI, illustrate main features of the package, and show results of extraction of the several interesting spectra of objects from different telescopes.