205 research outputs found
Large and small-scale structures and the dust energy balance problem in spiral galaxies
The interstellar dust content in galaxies can be traced in extinction at
optical wavelengths, or in emission in the far-infrared. Several studies have
found that radiative transfer models that successfully explain the optical
extinction in edge-on spiral galaxies generally underestimate the observed
FIR/submm fluxes by a factor of about three. In order to investigate this
so-called dust energy balance problem, we use two Milky Way-like galaxies
produced by high-resolution hydrodynamical simulations. We create mock optical
edge-on views of these simulated galaxies (using the radiative transfer code
SKIRT), and we then fit the parameters of a basic spiral galaxy model to these
images (using the fitting code FitSKIRT). The basic model includes smooth
axisymmetric distributions along a S\'ersic bulge and exponential disc for the
stars, and a second exponential disc for the dust. We find that the dust mass
recovered by the fitted models is about three times smaller than the known dust
mass of the hydrodynamical input models. This factor is in agreement with
previous energy balance studies of real edge-on spiral galaxies. On the other
hand, fitting the same basic model to less complex input models (e.g. a smooth
exponential disc with a spiral perturbation or with random clumps), does
recover the dust mass of the input model almost perfectly. Thus it seems that
the complex asymmetries and the inhomogeneous structure of real and
hydrodynamically simulated galaxies are a lot more efficient at hiding dust
than the rather contrived geometries in typical quasi-analytical models. This
effect may help explain the discrepancy between the dust emission predicted by
radiative transfer models and the observed emission in energy balance studies
for edge-on spiral galaxies.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in A&
The Shape of Dark Matter Haloes IV. The Structure of Stellar Discs in Edge-on Galaxies
We present optical and near-infrared archival observations of eight edge-on
galaxies. These observations are used to model the stellar content of each
galaxy using the FitSKIRT software package. Using FitSKIRT, we can
self-consistently model a galaxy in each band simultaneously while treating for
dust. This allows us to accurately measure both the scale length and scale
height of the stellar disc, plus the shape parameters of the bulge. By
combining this data with the previously reported integrated magnitudes of each
galaxy, we can infer their true luminosities. We have successfully modelled
seven out of the eight galaxies in our sample. We find that stellar discs can
be modelled correctly, but have not been able to model the stellar bulge
reliably. Our sample consists for the most part of slow rotating galaxies, and
we find that the average dust layer is much thicker than what is reported for
faster rotating galaxies.Comment: Accepted for publication by Monthly Notices RAS. Hi-res. version
available at www.astro.rug.nl/~vdkruit/Petersetal-IV.pd
Three-dimensional dynamic MR-hysterosalpingography; a new, low invasive, radiation-free and less painful radiological approach to female infertility
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to propose a new method for imaging the uterine cavity and Fallopian tube patency by three-dimensional dynamic magnetic resonance hysterosalpingography (3D dMR-HSG) and to analyse if, by using a higher viscosity contrast solution, direct visualization of the Fallopian tubes may be achieved by this new technique. METHODS: 10 consecutive infertile women underwent 3D dMR-HSG and conventional HSG as gold standard. 3D dMR-HSG consisted of injection of 20 ml of a gadolinium-polyvidone solution into the uterine cavity while acquiring five consecutive three-dimensional (3D) T1-weighted MR-sequences. RESULTS: In three patients the catheter became dislodged during 3D dMR-HSG. However, in one of these patients the examination was still partially diagnostic. Imaging findings of 3D dMR-HSG showed good correlation with conventional hysterosalpingography and allowed 3D imaging of the uterine cavity and of Fallopian tube patency in 8/10 patients and direct visualization of the Fallopian tubes in 5/7 patients. CONCLUSION: 3D dMR-HSG represents a new and promising imaging approach to female infertility causing less pain and avoiding exposure of the ovaries to ionizing radiation. By using a higher viscosity MR-contrast agent it allows not only visualization of uterine cavity and Fallopian tube patency but also direct visualization of Fallopian tube
HERschel Observations of Edge-on Spirals (HEROES). II: Tilted-ring modelling of the atomic gas disks
Context. Edge-on galaxies can offer important insights in galaxy evolution as
they are the only systems where the distribution of the different components
can be studied both radially and vertically. The HEROES project was designed to
investigate the interplay between the gas, dust, stars and dark matter (DM) in
a sample of 7 massive edge-on spiral galaxies.
Aims. In this second HEROES paper we present an analysis of the atomic gas
content of 6 out of 7 galaxies in our sample. The remaining galaxy was recently
analysed according to the same strategy. The primary aim of this work is to
constrain the surface density distribution, the rotation curve and the geometry
of the gas disks in a homogeneous way. In addition we identify peculiar
features and signs of recent interactions.
Methods. We construct detailed tilted-ring models of the atomic gas disks
based on new GMRT 21-cm observations of NGC 973 and UGC 4277 and re-reduced
archival HI data of NGC 5907, NGC 5529, IC 2531 and NGC 4217. Potential
degeneracies between different models are resolved by requiring a good
agreement with the data in various representations of the data cubes.
Results. From our modelling we find that all but one galaxy are warped along
the major axis. In addition, we identify warps along the line of sight in three
galaxies. A flaring gas layer is required to reproduce the data only for one
galaxy, but (moderate) flares cannot be ruled for the other galaxies either. A
coplanar ring-like structure is detected outside the main disk of NGC 4217,
which we suggest could be the remnant of a recent minor merger event. We also
find evidence for a radial inflow of 15 +- 5 km/s in the disk of NGC 5529,
which might be related to the ongoing interaction with two nearby companions.
(Abridged)Comment: 39 pages, 38 figures, Accepted for publication in Astronomy &
Astrophysic
Disused Paleogene regional stages from Belgium: Montian, Heersian, Landenian, Paniselian, Bruxellian, Laekenian, Ledian, Wemmelian and Tongrian
An overview of nine disused Paleogene regional stages from Belgium is presented. Some of these regional chronostratigraphic units were already brought into use in the nineteenth century, but are nowadays considered ill defined and of no use in the light of the modern stratigraphic concepts. An overview of their definition and history is given, together with the argumentation for the abandonment of each unit and its present status. The disused chronostratigraphic units belong to the Paleocene, Eocene and Oligocene series
Quantum Rod Emission Coupled to Plasmonic Lattice Resonances: A Collective Directional Source of Polarized Light
We demonstrate that an array of optical antennas may render a thin layer of
randomly oriented semiconductor nanocrystals into an enhanced and highly
directional source of polarized light. The array sustains collective plasmonic
lattice resonances which are in spectral overlap with the emission of the
nanocrystals over narrow angular regions. Consequently, different photon
energies of visible light are enhanced and beamed into definite directions.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
HERschel Observations of Edge-on Spirals (HEROES). I: Far-infrared morphology and dust mass determination
Context. Edge-on spiral galaxies with prominent dust lanes provide us with an
excellent opportunity to study the distribution and properties of the dust
within them. The HEROES project was set up to observe a sample of seven large
edge-on galaxies across various wavelengths for this investigation.
Aims. Within this first paper, we present the Herschel observations and
perform a qualitative and quantitative analysis on them, and we derive some
global properties of the far infrared and submillimetre emission.
Methods. We determine horizontal and vertical profiles from the Herschel
observations of the galaxies in the sample and describe the morphology.
Modified black-body fits to the global fluxes, measured using aperture
photometry, result in dust temperatures and dust masses. The latter values are
compared to those that are derived from radiative transfer models taken from
the literature.
Results. On the whole, our Herschel flux measurements agree well with
archival values. We find that the exponential horizontal dust distribution
model often used in the literature generally provides a good description of the
observed horizontal profiles. Three out of the seven galaxies show signatures
of extended vertical emission at 100 and 160 {\mu}m at the 5{\sigma} level, but
in two of these it is probably due to deviations from an exactly edge-on
orientation. Only for NGC 4013, a galaxy in which vertically extended dust has
already been detected in optical images, we can detect vertically extended
dust, and the derived scaleheight agrees with the value estimated through
radiative transfer modelling. Our analysis hints at a correlation between the
dust scaleheight and its degree of clumpiness, which we infer from the
difference between the dust masses as calculated from modelling of optical data
and from fitting the spectral energy distribution of Herschel datapoints.Comment: 21 pages, 12 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy &
Astrophysic
The dust energy balance in the edge-on spiral galaxy NGC 4565
We combine new dust continuum observations of the edge-on spiral galaxy NGC
4565 in all Herschel/SPIRE (250, 350, 500 micron) wavebands, obtained as part
of the Herschel Reference Survey, and a large set of ancillary data (Spitzer,
SDSS, GALEX) to analyze its dust energy balance. We fit a radiative transfer
model for the stars and dust to the optical maps with the fitting algorithm
FitSKIRT. To account for the observed UV and mid-infrared emission, this
initial model was supplemented with both obscured and unobscured star-forming
regions. Even though these star-forming complexes provide an additional heating
source for the dust, the far-infrared/submillimeter emission long wards of 100
micron is underestimated by a factor of 3-4. This inconsistency in the dust
energy budget of NGC 4565 suggests that a sizable fraction (two-thirds) of the
total dust reservoir (Mdust ~ 2.9e+8 Msun) consists of a clumpy distribution
with no associated young stellar sources. The distribution of those dense dust
clouds would be in such a way that they remain unresolved in current
far-infrared/submillimeter observations and hardly comtribute to the
attenuation at optical wavelengths. More than two-thirds of the dust heating in
NGC 4565 is powered by the old stellar population, with localized embedded
sources supplying the remaining dust heating in NGC 4565. The results from this
detailed dust energy balance study in NGC 4565 is consistent with that of
similar analyses of other edge-on spirals.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA
From fabrication to mode mapping in silicon nitride microdisks with embedded colloidal quantum dots
We report on the fabrication of free-standing and optically active microdisks with cadmium-based colloidal quantum dots embedded directly into silicon nitride. We show that the process optimization results in low-loss silicon nitride microdisks. The Si 3 N 4 matrix provides the stability necessary to preserve the optical properties of the quantum dots and observe efficient coupling of the photoluminescence to the resonating microdisk modes. Using a spectrally and spatially resolved microphotoluminescence measurement, we map the emission pattern from the microdisk. This technique allows us to identify the resonant modes. The results show good agreement with numerical mode simulations. © 2012 American Institute of Physics.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe
M & L Jaargang 3/5
Roger Deneef De Demervallei tussen Aarschot en Werchter. Deel 1. [The Demer valley between Aarchot and Werchter (part 1).]R. Nijs en G. De Geyter Het kwartsiet van Tienen: petrografische kenmerken en gebruik als bouwsteen. [The quartzite of Tienen: petrographic characteristics and use as building stone.]Dirk Van Eenhooge Het Rood Kloosterken een archeologisch vooronderzoek. [The Rood Kloosterken (Red Monastery) a preliminary archaelogical inquiry.]Jos Vandenbreeden In Memoriam-Patrimonium [In Memoriam-Patrimonium (Decay of Brussels architectural heritage.]SummaryM&L Binnenkran
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