X-rays from the Symbiotic Star RX Pup

We describe X-ray and optical observations of the symbiotic star RX Pup. From low resolution optical spectra, we obtain a reddening for RX Pup of E(B−V)=0.79. We use the neutral column density corresponding to this reddening as a lower limit for the X-ray spectra fits. The X-ray spectra can be fitted with either a two-temperarure thermal plasma model or a single-temperature plasma plus a narrow line at ≈0.55 keV, each modified by interstellar absorption. The RX Pup X-ray flux is not variable within the observation exposure time, suggesting that unlike in most CVs, an accretion disk boundary layer does not contribute significantly to the X-ray flux. Instead, the X-ray emission may come from shock-heated gas further away from the compact object.     

The XMM-Newton Bright Serendipitous Survey: First Extragalactic Results

We present here some initial results from the ongoing XMM-Newton bright serendipitous survey. The survey is aimed at selecting and spectroscopically identifying a large and statistically representative sample of bright (f _x ≳ 7× 10⁻¹⁴ c.g.s) serendipitous X-ray sources in the 0.5–4.5 keV energy band (BSS) and a complementary (smaller) sample in the 4.5–7.5 keV energy band (HBSS). The work is partly based on observations obtained with XMM-Newton, an ESA science mission with instruments and contributors directly founded by ESA member states and the USA(NASA) and on observations collected at TNG. The TNG telescope is operated on the island of La Palma by the Centro Galileo Galilei of the INAF in the Spanish Observatorio del Roque de Los Muchachos of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias. On behalf of the XMM-Newton Survey Science Center.     

The Density and Masses of Obscured Black Holes

Recent Chandra and XMM-Newton surveys have uncovered a large fraction of the obscured AGN responsible of the hard X-ray background. One of the most intriguing results of extensive programs of follow-up observations concerns the optical and near-infrared properties of the hard X-ray sources counterparts. More specifically, for a significant fraction of hard X-ray obscured sources the AGN responsible of the high X-ray luminosity remains elusive over a wide range of wavelengths from soft X-rays to near-infrared. This very observational result opens the possibility to investigate the host of bright obscured quasars in some detail. Here we briefly report on some preliminar results obtained for a small sample of elusive AGN in the HELLAS2XMM survey.     

Optical and X-ray observations of thermonuclear bursts from GS 1826-24 during September–October 2003

The results of optical (the RTT-150 telescope) and X-ray (the RXTE observatory) observations of the burster GS 1826-24 are presented. Emphasis was placed on analyzing the emissions during thermonuclear bursts. The results obtained allowed the size of the accretion disk in GS 1826-24 and the inclination of this binary to be estimated.     

射电天球参考架指向维持方法讨论

依据河外射电源天球参考架的现状与建立射电天球参考架的最终目的，本文提出了以共同基本源维持参考架指向的观点。对实际资料的归算结果表明，在确保参考架指向长期稳定性方面，共同基本源指向维持模型优于ＩＥＲＳ维持模型。依据验算结果，文中同时讨论了选源标准与参考架指向稳定性的关系，指出基本源一次性变更的比例不能过高。一方面应完善选源标准；另一方面，一旦此标准发生性？上的改变时，应对在旧标准下选出的基本源进行复核，并作相应的指向调整，否则将可能造成参考架指向的跳变。     

Effects of Interference and Oxidation on the UV/Visible Rejection Properties of Filters for Soft X-ray Detectors

We report on UV/Visible transmission measurements of aluminum coated Lexan filters designed as UV blocking filters for soft x-ray detectors. Transmission of the filters in the 2300-8000 Å wavelength range is significantly higher than expected. It cannot be accounted for applying a simple slab model of the transmission and adopting material properties reported in the literature. We show that this is due to interference effects which are strongly dependent on the filter geometry, and to oxidation of exposed aluminum surfaces and/or chemical interaction with the plastic support. The results of this work have led to the redesign of the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility High Resolution Camera UV blocking filters.     

On the Nature of the Variable Gamma-Ray Sources at Low Galactic Latitudes

Population studies of EGRET gamma-ray sources indicate that there is a distinctive population of bright sources at low galactic latitudes. The sources have a distribution consistent with that of young galactic objects, with a concentration toward the inner spiral arms. There is a subgroup that displays strong variability with timescales from days to months. Following an earlier suggestion by Kaufman Bernadó et al. (2002), we explore the possibility that these sources could be high-mass microquasars. Detailed models for the gamma-ray emission that include inverse Compton interactions of electrons in the relativistic jets and photons from all local fields (stellar UV photons, synchrotron photons, soft X-ray photons from the accretion disk, and hard X-ray photons from a corona) are presented. We conclude that microquasars are excellent candidates for the parent population of the subgroup of variable low-latitude EGRET sources.     

Outburst of the X-ray transient SAX J1818.6-1703 detected by the INTEGRAL observatory in September 2003

During the observation of the Galactic-center field by the INTEGRAL observatory on September 9, 2003, the IBIS/ISGRI gamma-ray telescope detected a short (several-hours-long) intense (～380 mCrab at the peak) outburst of hard radiation from the X-ray transient SAX J1818.6-1703. Previously, this source was observed only once in 1998 during a similar short outburst. We present the results of our localization, spectral and timing analyses of the object and briefly discuss the possible causes of the outburst. The release time of the bulk of the energy in such an outburst is appreciably shorter than the accretion (viscous) time that characterizes the flow of matter through a standard accretion disk.     

试谈利用科技手段鉴别古玉器

鉴别古玉的真伪,传统的方法主要是通过玉器的加工工艺、艺术风格(器型、文饰等)等时代特征来加以确认.然而,现代科技发展使古玉仿制已达到以假乱真的地步,仅凭经验难以做出有说服力的判断,需要借助科学仪器的帮助.本文通过对一兽面环的鉴定为例,用传统的宝石学测试,再经现代科学仪器、X射线衍射分析,经JCPDF检索,两者结合,最终得出了准确的结论.     

内蒙古沙章土锡铜多金属矿床成矿年代学及成因探讨

沙章土锡铜多金属矿位于内蒙古中部,近年来区内锡矿找矿工作的新发现,锡矿体为呈脉状、浸染状分布的电气石脉、电英岩及电英岩化蚀变岩,含锡矿物主要为锡石;铜矿体为浸染状分布的黄铜矿化电英岩化蚀变岩、方铅矿-闪锌矿-黄铜矿化蚀变岩,含铜矿物主要为黄铜矿,同时,经由钻探工程在矿床深部发现有闪长玢岩岩体。为了查清锡铜矿体成矿年龄及成矿物质来源,明确矿床成因类型,进一步指导找矿工作,文章在野外调查和室内综合研究基础上,对锡石开展了LA-MC-ICP-MS U-Pb定年及电子探针分析工作,并对共生的硫化物进行了硫同位素测试。测试结果显示,锡石成矿年龄为(316.3±8.9)Ma,为海西期晚石炭世阶段的产物;探针数据显示其成因为热液型锡石;硫同位素测试结果,δ³⁴S值为0.43‰～7.34‰,平均值4.39‰,具混合硫源特征。综上所述,笔者初步认为沙章土锡铜矿床的成因类型是与闪长玢岩有关的岩浆热液型。