11,755 research outputs found
Global CO_2 fluxes inferred from surface air-sample measurements and from TCCON retrievals of the CO_2 total column
We present the first estimate of the global distribution of CO_2 surface fluxes from 14 stations of the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON). The evaluation of this inversion is based on 1) comparison with the fluxes from a classical inversion of surface air-sample-measurements, and 2) comparison of CO_2 mixing ratios calculated from the inverted fluxes with independent aircraft measurements made during the two years analyzed here, 2009 and 2010. The former test shows similar seasonal cycles in the northern hemisphere and consistent regional carbon budgets between inversions from the two datasets, even though the TCCON inversion appears to be less precise than the classical inversion. The latter test confirms that the TCCON inversion has improved the quality (i.e., reduced the uncertainty) of the surface fluxes compared to the assumed or prior fluxes. The consistency between the surface-air-sample-based and the TCCON-based inversions despite remaining flaws in transport models opens the possibility of increased accuracy and robustness of flux inversions based on the combination of both data sources and confirms the usefulness of space-borne monitoring of the CO_2 column
The origin of the high velocity circumstellar gas around SN 1998S
Modelling of high resolution Balmer line profiles in the early-time spectra
of SN 1998S shows that the inferred fast (roughly 400 km/s) circumstellar (CS)
gas on days 23 and 42 post-explosion is confined to a narrow, negative velocity
gradient shell just above the photosphere. This gas may be identified with a
slow (v < 40 km/s) progenitor wind accelerated at the ejecta-wind interface. In
this scenario, the photosphere coincides with a cool dense shell formed in the
reverse shock. Acceleration by radiation from the supernova or by a
shock-accelerated relativistic particle precursor are both possible
explanations for the observed fast CS gas. An alternative, equally plausible
scenario is that the fast CS gas is accelerated within shocked clouds engulfed
by the outer shock, as it propagates through the intercloud wind.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures. MNRAS, accepted. Typos added, acknowledgments
correcte
Instabilities and Clumping in Type Ia Supernova Remnants
We present two-dimensional high-resolution hydrodynamical simulations in
spherical polar coordinates of a Type Ia supernova interacting with a constant
density interstellar medium. The ejecta are assumed to be freely expanding with
an exponential density profile. The interaction gives rise to a double-shocked
structure susceptible to hydrodynamic instabilities. The Rayleigh-Taylor
instability initially grows, but the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability takes over,
producing vortex rings. The nonlinear instability initially evolves toward
longer wavelengths and eventually fades away when the reverse shock front is in
the flatter part of the supernova density distribution. Based on observations
of X-ray knots and the protrusion in the southeast outlin of Tycho's supernova
remnant, we include clumping in the ejecta. The clump interaction with the
reverse shock induces Rayleigh-Taylor and Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities on the
clump surface that facilitate fragmentation. In order to survive crushing and
to have a bulging effect on the forward shock, the clump's initial density
ratio to the surrounding ejecta must be at least 100 for the conditions in
Tycho's remnant. The 56Ni bubble effect may be important for the development of
clumpiness in the ejecta. The observed presence of an Fe clump would then
require a non-radioactive origin for this Fe, possibly 54Fe. The large radial
distance of the X-ray emitting Si and S ejecta from the remnant center
indicates that they were initially in clumps.Comment: 27 pages, 4 postscript figures, 5 GIF figures submitted to
Astrophysical Journa
X-ray Spectroscopy of Candidate Ultracompact X-ray Binaries
We present high-resolution spectroscopy of the neutron star/low-mass X-ray
binaries (LMXBs) 4U 1850-087 and 4U 0513-40 as part of our continuing study of
known and candidate ultracompact binaries. The LMXB 4U 1850-087 is one of four
systems in which we had previously inferred an unusual Ne/O ratio in the
absorption along the line of sight, most likely from material local to the
binaries. However, our recent Chandra X-ray Observatory LETGS spectrum of 4U
1850-087 finds a Ne/O ratio by number of 0.22+/-0.05, smaller than previously
measured and consistent with the expected interstellar value. We propose that
variations in the Ne/O ratio due to source variability, as previously observed
in these sources, can explain the difference between the low- and
high-resolution spectral results for 4U 1850-087. Our XMM-Newton RGS
observation of 4U 0513-40 also shows no unusual abundance ratios in the
absorption along the line of sight. We also present spectral results from a
third candidate ultracompact binary, 4U 1822-000, whose spectrum is well fit by
an absorbed power-law + blackbody model with absorption consistent with the
expected interstellar value. Finally, we present the non-detection of a fourth
candidate ultracompact binary, 4U 1905+000, with an upper limit on the source
luminosity of < 1 x 10^{32} erg s^{-1}. Using archival data, we show that the
source has entered an extended quiescent state.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication to the Astrophysical
Journa
Optical Signatures of Circumstellar Interaction in Type IIP Supernovae
We propose new diagnostics for circumstellar interaction in Type IIP
supernovae by the detection of high velocity (HV) absorption features in Halpha
and He I 10830 A lines during the photospheric stage. To demonstrate the
method, we compute the ionization and excitation of H and He in supernova
ejecta taking into account time-dependent effects and X-ray irradiation. We
find that the interaction with a typical red supergiant wind should result in
the enhanced excitation of the outer layers of unshocked ejecta and the
emergence of corresponding HV absorption, i.e. a depression in the blue
absorption wing of Halpha and a pronounced absorption of He I 10830 A at a
radial velocity of about -10,000 km/s. We identify HV absorption in Halpha and
He I 10830 A lines of SN 1999em and in Halpha of SN 2004dj as being due to this
effect. The derived mass loss rate is close to 10^{-6} Msun/yr for both
supernovae, assuming a wind velocity 10 km/s. We argue that, in addition to the
HV absorption formed in the unshocked ejecta, spectra of SN 2004dj and SN
1999em show a HV notch feature that is formed in the cool dense shell (CDS)
modified by the Rayleigh-Taylor instability. The CDS results from both shock
breakout and radiative cooling of gas that has passed through the reverse shock
wave. The notch becomes dominant in the HV absorption during the late
photospheric phase, ~60 d. The wind density deduced from the velocity of the
CDS is consistent with the wind density found from the HV absorption produced
by unshocked ejecta.Comment: 38 pages, 12 figures, ApJ, in pres
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