6,343 research outputs found
The tails in the Helix Nebula NGC 7293
We have examined a stream-source model for the production of the cometary
tails observed in the Helix Nebula NGC 7293 in which a transonic or moderately
supersonic stream of ionized gas overruns a source of ionized gas. Hydrodynamic
calculations reveal velocity structures which are in good agreement with the
observational data on tail velocities and are consistent with observations of
the nebular structure. The results also are indicative of a stellar atmosphere
origin for the cometary globules. Tail remnants persist for timescales long
enough for their identification with faint striations visible in the nebula gas
to be plausible.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in A&
The Color-Magnitude Relation in Coma: Clues to the Age and Metallicity of Cluster Populations
We have observed three fields of the Coma cluster of galaxies with a narrow
band (modified Stromgren) filter system. Observed galaxies include 31 in the
vicinity of NGC 4889, 48 near NGC 4874, and 60 near NGC 4839 complete to
M_5500=-18 in all three subclusters. Spectrophotometric classification finds
all three subclusters of Coma to be dominated by red, E type (ellipticals/S0's)
galaxies with a mean blue fraction, f_B, of 0.10. The blue fraction increases
to fainter luminosities, possible remnants of dwarf starburst population or the
effects of dynamical friction removing bright, blue galaxies from the cluster
population by mergers. We find the color-magnitude (CM) relation to be well
defined and linear over the range of M_5500=-13 to -22. After calibration to
multi-metallicity models, bright ellipticals are found to have luminosity
weighted mean [Fe/H] values between -0.5 and +0.5, whereas low luminosity
ellipticals have [Fe/H] values ranging from -2 to solar. The lack of CM
relation in our continuum color suggests that a systematic age effect cancels
the metallicity effects in this bandpass. This is confirmed with our age index
which finds a weak correlation between luminosity and mean stellar age in
ellipticals such that the stellar populations of bright ellipticals are 2 to 3
Gyrs younger than low luminosity ellipticals.Comment: 26 pages AAS LaTeX, 6 figures, accepted for publication in A
The x ray reflectivity of the AXAF VETA-I optics
The x-ray reflectivity of the VETA-I optic, the outermost shell of the AXAF x-ray telescope, with a bare Zerodur surface, is measured and compared with theoretical predictions. Measurements made at energies of 0.28, 0.9, 1.5, 2.1, and 2.3 keV are compared with predictions based on ray trace calculations. The data were obtained at the x-ray calibrations facility at Marshall Space Flight Center with an electron impact x-ray source located 528 m from the grazing incidence mirror. The source used photoelectric absorption filters to eliminate bremsstrahlung continuum. The mirror has a diameter of 1.2 m and a focal length of 10 m. The incident and reflected x-ray flux are detected using two proportional counters, one located in the incident beam of x-rays at the entrance aperture of the VETA-I, and the other in the focal plane behind an aperture of variable size. Results on the variation of the reflectivity with energy as well as the absolute value of the reflectivity are presented. We also present a synchrotron reflectivity measurement with high energy resolution over the range 0.26 to 1.8 keV on a flat Zerodur sample, done at NSLS. We present evidence for contamination of the flat by a thin layer of carbon on the surface, and the possibility of alteration of the surface composition of the VETA-I mirror perhaps by the polishing technique. The overall agreement between the measured and calculated effective area of VETA-I is between 2.6 percent and 10 percent, depending on which model for the surface composition is adopted. Measurements at individual energies deviate from the best-fitting calculation to 0.3 to 0.8 percent, averaging 0.6 percent at energies below the high energy cutoff of the mirror reflectivity, and are as high as 20.7 percent at the cutoff. We also discuss the approach to the final preflight calibration of the full AXAF flight mirror
Pressure Modulator Radiometer (PMR) tests
The pressure modulator technique was evaluated for monitoring pollutant gases in the Earth's atmosphere of altitude levels corresponding to the mid and lower troposphere. Using an experimental set up and a 110 cm sample cell, pressure modulator output signals resulting from a range of gas concentrations in the sample cell were examined. Then a 20 cm sample cell was modified so that trace gas properties in the atmosphere could be simulated in the laboratory. These gas properties were measured using an infrared sensor
The Age of Cluster Galaxies from Continuum Colors
We determine the age of 1,104 early-type galaxies in eight rich clusters ( to ) using a new continuum color technique. We find that
galaxies in clusters divide into two populations, an old population with a mean
age similar to the age of the Universe (12 Gyrs) and a younger population with
a mean age of 9 Gyrs. The older population follows the expected relations for
mass and metallicity that imply a classic monolithic collapse origin. Although
total galaxy metallicity is correlated with galaxy mass, it is uncorrelated
with age. It is impossible, with the current data, to distinguish between a
later epoch of star formation, longer duration of star formation or late bursts
of star formation to explain the difference between the old and young
populations. However, the global properties of this younger population are
correlated with cluster environmental factors, which implies secondary
processes, post-formation epoch, operate on the internal stellar population of
a significant fraction of cluster galaxies. In addition, the mean age of the
oldest galaxies in a cluster are correlated with cluster velocity dispersion
implying that galaxy formation in massive clusters begins at earlier epochs
than less massive clusters.Comment: 35 pages, 10 figures, accepted by Ap
The Prospects for X-ray Polarimetry and its Potential use for Understanding Neutron Stars
We review the state of the art for measuring the X-ray polarization of neutron stars. We discuss how valuable precision measurements of the degree and position angle of polarization as a function of energy and, where relevant, of pulse phase, would provide deeper insight into the details of the emission mechanisms. We then review the current state of instrumentation and its potential for obtaining relevant data. Finally, we conclude our discussion with some opinions as to future directions
Polyharmonic approximation on the sphere
The purpose of this article is to provide new error estimates for a popular
type of SBF approximation on the sphere: approximating by linear combinations
of Green's functions of polyharmonic differential operators. We show that the
approximation order for this kind of approximation is for
functions having smoothness (for up to the order of the
underlying differential operator, just as in univariate spline theory). This is
an improvement over previous error estimates, which penalized the approximation
order when measuring error in , p>2 and held only in a restrictive setting
when measuring error in , p<2.Comment: 16 pages; revised version; to appear in Constr. Appro
The role, function and identity of music therapists in the 21st century, including new research and thinking from a UK perspective
This article examines the identity of music therapy and music therapists, focussing upon the United Kingdom as a case study, but also considering international trends. Milestones in the history of music therapy in postwar United Kingdom and professional development in the 21st century are discussed, drawing upon research and clinical practice. Research outcomes across different specialities indicate that music therapy should be widely available to many populations, such as for people with dementia, autism, stroke and mental health problems and so on. These advancements mean that music therapists need to be clear about their role and identity in both doing the work and communicating about it. The article celebrates advances in research, thinking and provision and emphasis collaboration across multidisciplinary groups through an overview of different identities
Report from the PredictER Expert Panel Meeting, November 2, 2007
On November 2, 2007, the Indiana University Center for Bioethics convened an expert panel on predictive health research (PHR) as part of the Center’s Program in Predictive Health Ethics Research (http://www.bioethics.iu.edu/predicter.asp) which is supported by a grant from the Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation. The goal of this meeting was to identify the major obstacles and opportunities for engaging the community in PHR. PredictER intends to use the results of this meeting as a first step toward more fully engaging the Indianapolis community in discussions about PHR.Richard M. Fairbanks Foundatio
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