135 research outputs found
HST Measurements of the Expansion of NGC 6543: Parallax Distance and Nebular Evolution
The optical expansion parallax of NGC 6543 has been detected and measured
using two epochs of HST images separated by a time baseline of only three
years. We have utilized three separate methods of deriving the angular
expansion of bright fiducials, the results of which are in excellent agreement.
We combine our angular expansion estimates with spectroscopically obtained
expansion velocities to derive a distance to NGC 6543 of 1001269 pc. The
deduced kinematic age of the inner bright core of the nebula is 1039259
years; however, the kinematic age of the polar caps that surround the core is
larger - perhaps the result of deceleration or earlier mass ejection. The
morphology and expansion patterns of NGC 6543 provide insight into a complex
history of axisymmetric, interacting stellar mass ejections.Comment: Accepted for publication in AJ. 18 pages. 6 figure
Confirmation of SBS 1150+599A As An Extremely Metal-Poor Planetary Nebula
SBS 1150+599A is a blue stellar object at high galactic latitude discovered
in the Second Byurakan Survey. New high-resolution images of SBS 1150+599A are
presented, demonstrating that it is very likely to be an old planetary nebula
in the galactic halo, as suggested by Tovmassian et al (2001). An H-alpha image
taken with the WIYN 3.5-m telescope and its "tip/tilt" module reveals the
diameter of the nebula to be 9.2", comparable to that estimated from spectra by
Tovmassian et al. Lower limits to the central star temperature were derived
using the Zanstra hydrogen and helium methods to determine that the star's
effective temperature must be > 68,000K and that the nebula is optically thin.
New spectra from the MMT and FLWO telescopes are presented, revealing the
presence of strong [Ne V] lambda 3425, indicating that the central star
temperature must be > 100,000K. With the revised diameter, new central star
temperature, and an improved central star luminosity, we can constrain
photoionization models for the nebula significantly better than before. Because
the emission-line data set is sparse, the models are still not conclusive.
Nevertheless, we confirm that this nebula is an extremely metal-poor planetary
nebula, having a value for O/H that is less than 1/100 solar, and possibly as
low as 1/500 solar.Comment: 19 pages, 6 figures. Accepted for publication in the Astronomical
Journa
Multi-wavelength study of a new Galactic SNR G332.5-5.6
We present compelling evidence for confirmation of a Galactic supernova
remnant (SNR) candidate, G332.5-5.6, based initially on identification of new,
filamentary, optical emission line nebulosity seen in the arcsecond resolution
images from the AAO/UKST HAlpha survey. The extant radio observations and X-ray
data which we have independently re-reduced, together with new optical
spectroscopy of the large-scale fragmented nebulosity, confirms the
identification. Optical spectra, taken across five different, widely separated
nebula regions of the remnant as seen on the HAlpha images, show average ratios
of [NII]/HAlpha =2.42, [SII]/HAlpha = 2.10, and [SII] 6717/6731 = 1.23, as well
as strong [OI] 6300, 6364A and [OII] 3727A emission. These ratios are firmly
within those typical of SNRs. Here, we also present the radio-continuum
detection of the SNR at 20/13cm from observations with the Australia Telescope
Compact Array (ATCA). Radio emission is also seen at 4850 MHz, in the PMN
survey (Griffith and Wright 1993) and at 843 MHz from the SUMSS survey (Bock,
Large and Sadler 1999). We estimate an angular diameter of ~30 arcmin and
obtain an average radio spectral index of alpha = -0.6 +- 0.1 which indicates
the non-thermal nature of G332.5-5.6. Fresh analysis of existing ROSAT X-ray
data in the vicinity also confirms the existence of the SNR. The distance to
G332.5-5.6 has been independently estimated by Reynoso and Green (2007) as 3.4
kpc based on measurements of the HI lambda21 cm line seen in absorption against
the continuum emission. Our cruder estimates via assumptions on the height of
the dust layer (3.1 kpc) and using the Sigma-D relation (4 kpc) are in good
agreement.Comment: 14 pages, 18 figures. Accepted for publishing in the MNRA
Many-worlds interpretation of quantum theory and mesoscopic anthropic principle
We suggest to combine the Anthropic Principle with Many-Worlds Interpretation
of Quantum Theory. Realizing the multiplicity of worlds it provides an
opportunity of explanation of some important events which are assumed to be
extremely improbable. The Mesoscopic Anthropic Principle suggested here is
aimed to explain appearance of such events which are necessary for emergence of
Life and Mind. It is complementary to Cosmological Anthropic Principle
explaining the fine tuning of fundamental constants. We briefly discuss various
possible applications of Mesoscopic Anthropic Principle including the Solar
Eclipses and assembling of complex molecules. Besides, we address the problem
of Time's Arrow in the framework of Many-World Interpretation. We suggest the
recipe for disentangling of quantities defined by fundamental physical laws and
by an anthropic selection.Comment: 11 page
Ergs: The Evolution of Shell Supernova Remnants
This paper reports on a workshop hosted by the University of Minnesota, March
23-26, 1997. It addressed fundamental dynamical issues associated with the
evolution of shell supernova remnants and the relationships between supernova
remnants and their environments. The workshop considered, in addition to
classical shell SNRs, dynamical issues involving X-ray filled composite
remnants and pulsar driven shells, such as that in the Crab Nebula.
Approximately 75 participants with wide ranging interests attended the
workshop. An even larger community helped through extensive on-line debates
prior to the meeting. Each of the several sessions, organized mostly around
chronological labels, also addressed some underlying, general physical themes:
How are SNR dynamics and structures modified by the character of the CSM and
the ISM and vice versa? How are magnetic fields generated in SNRs and how do
magnetic fields influence SNRs? Where and how are cosmic-rays (electrons and
ions) produced in SNRs and how does their presence influence or reveal SNR
dynamics? How does SNR blast energy partition into various components over time
and what controls conversion between components? In lieu of a proceedings
volume, we present here a synopsis of the workshop in the form of brief
summaries of the workshop sessions. The sharpest impressions from the workshop
were the crucial and under-appreciated roles that environments have on SNR
appearance and dynamics and the critical need for broad-based studies to
understand these beautiful, but enigmatic objects. \\Comment: 54 pages text, no figures, Latex (aasms4.sty). submitted to the PAS
Pulsar PSR B0656+14, the Monogem Ring, and the Origin of the `Knee' in the Primary Cosmic Ray Spectrum
The Monogem ring is a bright, diffuse, 25-degree-diameter supernova remnant
easily visible in soft X-ray images of the sky. Projected within the ring is a
young radio pulsar, PSR B0656+14. An association between the remnant and pulsar
has been considered, but was seemingly ruled out by the direction and magnitude
of the pulsar proper motion and by a distance estimate that placed the pulsar
twice as far from Earth as the remnant. Here we show that in fact the pulsar
was born very close to the center of the expanding remnant, both in distance
and projection. The inferred pulsar and remnant ages are in good agreement. The
conclusion that the pulsar and remnant were born in the same supernova
explosion is nearly inescapable. The remnant distance and age are in remarkable
concordance with the predictions of a model for the primary cosmic ray energy
spectrum in which the `knee' feature is produced by a single dominant source.Comment: 4 pages, to appear in the Astrophys. J. Lett. Full size color figure
can be found at http://www.thorsett.org/researc
The Distance Scale of Planetary Nebulae
By collecting distances from the literature, a set of 73 planetary nebulae
with mean distances of high accuracy is derived. This sample is used for
recalibration of the mass-radius relationship, used by many statistical
distance methods. An attempt to correct for a statistical peculiarity, where
errors in the distances influences the mass--radius relationship by increasing
its slope, has been made for the first time. Distances to PNe in the Galactic
Bulge, derived by this new method as well as other statistical methods from the
last decade, are then used for the evaluation of these methods as distance
indicators. In order of achieving a Bulge sample that is free from outliers we
derive new criteria for Bulge membership. These criteria are much more
stringent than those used hitherto, in the sense that they also discriminate
against background objects. By splitting our Bulge sample in two, one with
optically thick (small) PNe and one with optically thin (large) PNe, we find
that our calibration is of higher accuracy than most other calibrations.
Differences between the two subsamples, we believe, are due to the
incompleteness of the Bulge sample, as well as the dominance of optical
diameters in the ``thin'' sample and radio diameters in the ``thick'' sample.
Our final conclusion is that statistical methods give distances that are at
least as accurate as the ones obtained from many individual methods. Also, the
`long' distance scale of Galactic PNe is confirmed.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in A&
Evidence for Reionization at z ~ 6: Detection of a Gunn-Peterson Trough in a z=6.28 Quasar
We present moderate resolution Keck spectroscopy of quasars at z=5.82, 5.99
and 6.28, discovered by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). We find that the
Ly Alpha absorption in the spectra of these quasars evolves strongly with
redshift. To z~5.7, the Ly Alpha absorption evolves as expected from an
extrapolation from lower redshifts. However, in the highest redshift object,
SDSSp J103027.10+052455.0 (z=6.28), the average transmitted flux is
0.0038+-0.0026 times that of the continuum level over 8450 A < lambda < 8710 A
(5.95<z(abs)<6.16), consistent with zero flux. Thus the flux level drops by a
factor of >150, and is consistent with zero flux in the Ly Alpha forest region
immediately blueward of the Ly Alpha emission line, compared with a drop by a
factor of ~10 at z(abs)~5.3. A similar break is seen at Ly Beta; because of the
decreased oscillator strength of this transition, this allows us to put a
considerably stronger limit, tau(eff) > 20, on the optical depth to Ly Alpha
absorption at z=6.
This is a clear detection of a complete Gunn-Peterson trough, caused by
neutral hydrogen in the intergalactic medium. Even a small neutral hydrogen
fraction in the intergalactic medium would result in an undetectable flux in
the Ly Alpha forest region. Therefore, the existence of the Gunn-Peterson
trough by itself does not indicate that the quasar is observed prior to the
reionization epoch. However, the fast evolution of the mean absorption in these
high-redshift quasars suggests that the mean ionizing background along the line
of sight to this quasar has declined significantly from z~5 to 6, and the
universe is approaching the reionization epoch at z~6.Comment: Revised version (2001 Sep 4) accepted by the Astronomical Journal
(minor changes
Search for Pairs of Isolated Radio Pulsars - Components in Disrupted Binary Systems
We have developed a method for analyzing the kinematic association of
isolated relativistic objects - possible remnants of disrupted close binary
systems. We investigate pairs of fairly young radio pulsars with known proper
motions and estimated distances (dispersion measures) that are spaced no more
than 2-3 kpc apart. Using a specified radial velocity distribution for these
objects, we have constructed 100-300 thousand trajectories of their possible
motion in the Galactic gravitational field on a time scale of several million
years. The probabilities of their close encounters at epochs consistent with
the age of the younger pulsar in the pair are analyzed. When these
probabilities exceed considerably their reference values obtained by assuming a
purely random encounter between the pulsars under consideration, we conclude
that the objects may have been gravitationally bound in the past. As a result,
we have detected six pulsar pairs (J0543+2329/J0528+2200,
J1453-6413/J1430-6623, J2354+6155/J2321+6024, J1915+1009/J1909+1102,
J1832-0827/J1836-1008, and J1917+1353/J1926+1648) that are companions in
disrupted binary systems with a high probability. Estimates of their kinematic
ages and velocities at binary disruption and at the present epoch are provided
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