21 research outputs found
Inverse-Compton emission from the lobes of 3C 353
âThe definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.com.â Copyright Blackwell Publishing DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2008.13028.xX-ray emission due to inverse-Compton scattering of microwave background photons by electrons in the lobes of powerful radio galaxies has now been seen in a large number of objects. Combining an inverse-Compton model for the lobe X-ray emission with information obtained from radio synchrotron emission provides a method of constraining the electron population and magnetic field energy density, which cannot be accomplished using the radio data alone. Using six frequencies of new and archival radio data and new XMM-Newton observations of the Fanaroff & Riley class II radio galaxy 3C353, we show that inverse-Compton emission is detected in the radio lobes of this source at a level consistent with what is seen in other objects. We argue that variations in the X-ray/radio ratio in the brighter eastern lobe require positionally varying magnetic field strength. We also examine the X-ray nucleus and the cluster, Zw1819.1-0108, spatially and spectrally.Peer reviewe
Presence of a predator image in potential breeding sites and oviposition responses of a dengue vector
In dengue vector control, attempts to minimize or replace the use of pesticides have mostly involved use of predators, but success has been severely impeded by difficulties associated with financial and environmental costs, predator mass production, and persistence in target habitats. Visual deterrents have been used successfully to control animal pests, in some cases in an effort to replace pesticide use. Despite evidence that visual signals are crucial in site choice for egg deposition by dengue vectors, and that female mosquitoes respond to artificial predation, the role of predator intimidation as it affects the oviposition behavior of dengue vectors remains largely unexplored. Here, we examined the oviposition responses of Aedes aegypti exposed to various mosquito predator pictures. Gravid females were presented with equal opportunities to oviposit in two cups with predator images [Toxorhynchites splendensâTXI, Goldfish (Carassius auratus)âsmall (SFI) and large (LFI) and Tx. splendens + GoldfishâTXFI] and two others without pictures. Differences in egg deposition were examined between sites with and without these images. When given a chance to oviposit in cups with and without TXI, Ae. aegypti females were similarly attracted to both sites. When provided an opportunity to oviposit in cups displaying pictures of fish (SFI or LFI) and blank cups, egg deposition rates were much lower in the fish picture sites. Females showed a preference for blank cups over TXFI for egg deposition. They also equally avoided cups with pictures of fish, regardless of the size of the picture. Our results indicate that the presence of images of goldfish and their association with Tx. larvae significantly reduced egg deposition by Ae. aegypti, and this was not the case with the predatory larvae alone. The observations that the images of natural predators can repel gravid females of a dengue vector provide novel possibilities to develop effective and inexpensive alternative tools to harmful insecticides
X-Ray and Radio Observations of Bright GeV Sources
We present X-ray and radio studies of sources which are brightabove 1 GeV
(F_{>1GeV} > 4e-8 ph/cm^2/s. Only 11 out of ~30 of these gamma-ray sources have
been identified with lower energy counterparts: 5 blazars and 6 pulsars. Three
of these pulsars are surrounded by radio pulsar wind nebulae (PWN), two of
which are also seen as bright, extended X-ray synchrotron nebulae. The ASCA
X-ray telescope has observed 28 of the bright GeV sources, revealing an excess
of F_{2-10keV} > 10e-12 ergs/cm^2/s sources within the {\it EGRET} error
contours of the unidentified sources. Although several supernova remnants are
positionally coincident with these sources, we find no X-ray evidence of high
energy particle production in SNR shell shocks consistent with the GeV
positions. We also present initial results from follow on radio imaging studies
of several fields containing unidentified sources. We have discovered new
X-ray/radio nebulae in three of these fields which are strong candidates for
PWN. These sources, along with a similar nebula in CTA 1 and the PWN around PSR
B1853+01 in W44, are all positionally coincident with variable EGRET sources.
This suggests a class of variable gamma-ray sources associated with synchrotron
emitting regions powered by the winds of young pulsars.Comment: 18 pages, 26 figures, To appear in the proceedings of the workshop:
"The Nature of the Unidentified Galactic Gamma-Ray Sources" held at INAOE,
Mexico, October 2000, (A.Carraminana, O. Reiner and D. Thompson,
Active Galactic Nuclei at the Crossroads of Astrophysics
Over the last five decades, AGN studies have produced a number of spectacular
examples of synergies and multifaceted approaches in astrophysics. The field of
AGN research now spans the entire spectral range and covers more than twelve
orders of magnitude in the spatial and temporal domains. The next generation of
astrophysical facilities will open up new possibilities for AGN studies,
especially in the areas of high-resolution and high-fidelity imaging and
spectroscopy of nuclear regions in the X-ray, optical, and radio bands. These
studies will address in detail a number of critical issues in AGN research such
as processes in the immediate vicinity of supermassive black holes, physical
conditions of broad-line and narrow-line regions, formation and evolution of
accretion disks and relativistic outflows, and the connection between nuclear
activity and galaxy evolution.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figures; review contribution; "Exploring the Cosmic
Frontier: Astrophysical Instruments for the 21st Century", ESO Astrophysical
Symposia Serie
Origin of the ring structures in Hercules A.: Sub-arcsecond 144 MHz to 7 GHz observations
Large scale structure and cosmologyGalaxie
Near-infrared K-band imaging of a sample of ultra-steep-spectrum radio sources selected at 74 MHz
Peer reviewe
The Low-Frequency Radio Counterpart of the XMM Large-Scale Structure Survey
The XMM Large Scale Structure Survey (XMM-LSS) is a major project to map the
large scale structure of the universe out to cosmological distances. An 8
degree by 8 degree region will be surveyed by XMM with planned optical
follow-up to produce a three-dimensional map of many hundreds of clusters out
to a redshift of z = 1. To explore the relation of the large scale structure to
the location and properties of extragalactic radio sources, the XMM-LSS project
also includes a low frequency radio survey of this region. This combination
will provide unprecedented insight into how the radio source formation and
evolution are affected by the local environment. Here, we present preliminary
results from our 325 MHz and 74 MHz surveys in this region. At 325 MHz, we have
a flux limit of 4 mJy/beam, a resolution of 6.3", and a total of 256 source
detections over 5.6 square degrees. At 74 MHz, we have a flux limit of 275
mJy/beam, a resolution of 30", and a total of 211 source detections over 110
square degrees. We describe these results and explore what they tell us about
the population of extra-galactic low frequency radio sources. The 74 MHz survey
represents the first presentation of a deep, sub-arcminute resolution survey at
such a low frequency. This was made possible by recent advances in both
hardware and data reduction algorithms which we describe in detail.Comment: 41 pages, 11 figures, 4 tables: Accepted for publication in Ap