Transient Relativistically-Shifted Lines as a Probe of Black Hole Systems

X-ray spectra of Seyfert galaxies have revealed a new type of X-ray spectral feature, one which appears to offer important new insight into the black hole system. XMM/Chandra revealed several narrow emission lines redward of Fe Kalpha in NGC 3516. Since that discovery the phenomenon has been observed in other Seyfert galaxies, e.g. NGC 7314 and ESO 198-G24. We present new evidence for a redshifted Fe line in XMM spectra of Mrk 766. These data reveal the first evidence for a significant shift in the energy of such a line, occurring over a few tens of kiloseconds. This shift may be interpreted as deceleration of an ejected blob of gas traveling close to the escape velocity.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures (4 color) accepted by Ap

Remarkable Spectral Variability of PDS 456

We report on the highest to date signal-to-noise-ratio X-ray spectrum of the luminous quasar PDS 456, as obtained during two XMM-Newton orbits in September 2007. The present spectrum is considerably different from several previous X-ray spectra recorded for PDS 456 since 1998. The ultra-high-velocity outflow seen as recently as February 2007 is not detected in absorption. Conversely, a significant reflection component is detected. The reflection model suggests the reflecting medium may be outflowing at a velocity v/c = -0.06 +/- 0.02. The present spectrum is analyzed in the context of the previous ones in an attempt to understand all spectra within the framework of a single model. We examine whether an outflow with variable partial covering of the X-ray source along the line of sight that also reflects the source from other lines of sight can explain the dramatic variations in the broad-band spectral curvature of PDS 456. It is established that absorption plays a major role in shaping the spectrum of other epochs, while the 2007 XMM-Newton spectrum is dominated by reflection, and the coverage of the source by the putative outflow is small (< 20%).Comment: submitted to Ap

The Global Implications of the Hard X-ray Excess in Type 1 AGN

Recent evidence for a strong 'hard excess' of flux at energies > 20 keV in some Suzaku observations of type 1 Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) has motivated an exploratory study of the phenomenon in the local type 1 AGN population. We have selected all type 1 AGN in the Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) 58-month catalog and cross-correlated them with the holdings of the Suzaku public archive. We find the hard excess phenomenon to be a ubiquitous property of type 1 AGN. Taken together, the spectral hardness and equivalent width of Fe K alpha emission are consistent with reprocessing by an ensemble of Compton-thick clouds that partially cover the continuum source. In the context of such a model, ~ 80 % of the sample has a hardness ratio consistent with > 50% covering of the continuum by low-ionization, Compton-thick gas. More detailed study of the three hardest X-ray spectra in our sample reveal a sharp Fe K absorption edge at ~ 7 keV in each of them, indicating that blurred reflection is not responsible for the very hard spectral forms. Simple considerations place the distribution of Compton-thick clouds at or within the optical broad line region.Comment: Accepted for publication in Ap

Cereal variety trials, 1961-62

DURING the 1961-62 season cereal variety trials were sown at eight research stations in the medium and low rainfall areas of Western Australia

Linseed variety trials, 1963-64 season

RESULTS of 1963-64 linseed variety trials are available for four trials on research stations and for four trials on farmers\u27 properties. These are shown in the table below. Excellent yields were obtained at some sites, while disappointing results were obtained at Chapman and Esperance. Poor results at Esperance were due to the poor finish to the season

Oats and barley in Western Australia

Over the five seasons 1948/49 to 1952/53, the latest for which figures are available, the acreages sown to oats and barley in Western Australia, have considerably expanded. Steady progress in clearing and land settlement and reasonably good export prices have been important factors in these increases

The Variable X-ray Spectrum of Markarian 766 - II. Time-Resolved Spectroscopy

CONTEXT: The variable X-ray spectra of AGN systematically show steep power-law high states and hard-spectrum low states. The hard low state has previously been found to be a component with only weak variability. The origin of this component and the relative importance of effects such as absorption and relativistic blurring are currently not clear. AIMS: In a follow-up of previous principal components analysis, we aim to determine the relative importance of scattering and absorption effects on the time-varying X-ray spectrum of the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk~766. METHODS: Time-resolved spectroscopy, slicing XMM and Suzaku data down to 25 ks elements, is used to investigate whether absorption or scattering components dominate the spectral variations in Mrk 766.Time-resolved spectroscopy confirms that spectral variability in Mrk 766 can be explained by either of two interpretations of principal components analysis. Detailed investigation confirm rapid changes in the relative strengths of scattered and direct emission or rapid changes in absorber covering fraction provide good explanations of most of the spectral variability. However, a strong correlation between the 6.97 keV absorption line and the primary continuum together with rapid opacity changes show that variations in a complex and multi-layered absorber, most likely a disk wind, are the dominant source of spectral variability in Mrk 76

Trends in wheat area and production in W.A. since 1946

Statistical examination of data associated with wheat grown in Western Australia during the 29- year period ending in 1974 shows that areas sown and total production increased substantially. Average yields and protein per hectare both increased significantly, while wheat protein percentage increased slightly, but not significantly

Wheat breeding and variety trials, 1963-64

A review of the wheat breeding and pedigree seed production by the Department of Agriculture. Yields from the wheat variety trials at agricultural research stations during the 1963-64 season are presented and discussed