1,418 research outputs found
Revealing the nature of central emission nebulae in the dwarf galaxy NGC 185
In this paper we present new optical observations of the galaxy NGC 185
intended to reveal the status of supernova remnants (SNRs) in this dwarf
companion of the Andromeda galaxy. Previously, it was reported that this galaxy
hosts one SNR. Our deep photometric study with the 2m telescope at Rozhen
National Astronomical Observatory using narrow-band H and [SII] filters
revealed complex structure of the interstellar medium in the center of the
galaxy. To confirm the classification and to study the kinematics of the
detected nebulae, we carried out spectroscopic observations using the SCORPIO
multi-mode spectrograph at the 6m telescope at the Special Astrophysical
Observatory of the Russian Academy of Science, both in low- and high-resolution
modes. We also searched the archival X-ray and radio data for counterparts of
the candidate SNRs identified by our optical observations. Our observations
imply the presence of one more SNR, one possible HII region previously
cataloged as part of an SNR, and the presence of an additional source of shock
ionization in one low-brightness PN. We detected enhanced [SII]/H_alpha and
[NII]/H_alpha line ratios, as well as relatively high (up to 90 km s)
expansion velocities of the two observed nebulae, motivating their
classification as SNRs (with diameters of 45 pc and 50 pc), confirmed by both
photometric and spectral observations. The estimated electron density of
emission nebulae is 30 - 200 cm. Archival XMM-Newton observations
indicate the presence of an extended, low-brightness, soft source in projection
of one of the optical SNRs, whereas the archival VLA radio image shows weak,
unresolved emission in the center of NGC 185.Comment: 15 pages, 14 figures, accepted for publication in A&
RXJ 0921+4529: a binary quasar or gravitational lens?
We report the new spectroscopic observations of the gravitational lens RXJ
021+4529 with the multi-mode focal reducer SCORPIO of the SAO RAS 6-m
telescope. The new spectral observations were compared with the previously
observed spectra of components A and B of RXJ 0921+4529, i.e. the same
components observed in different epochs. We found a significant difference in
the spectrum between the components that cannot be explained with microlensing
and/or spectral variation. We conclude that RXJ 0921+4529 is a binary quasar
system, where redshifts of quasars A and B are 1.6535 +/- 0.0005 and 1.6625 +/-
0.0015, respectively.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical
Journal Letter
Interstellar low-energy anti-protons as a probe of dark matter and primordial black holes
Cosmic ray antiprotons can originate from dark matter annihilating into quarks that subsequently decay into antiprotons. Evaporation of primordial black holes also can produce a significant antiproton flux. Since the spectrum of secondary antiprotons from cosmic ray interactions peaks at ~ 2 GeV and goes down sharply at lower energy, there is a window at energies < 1 GeV in which to look for excess antiprotons as a signature of these exotic antiproton sources. However, in the vicinity of the Earth low energy particles are strongly modulated by the solar wind, which makes any analysis ambiguous. The adverse effects of the solar wind can be avoided by placing a low energy antiproton spectrometer aboard an interstellar probe. The theoretical predictions are reviewed and the preliminary design of a light-weight, low-power instrument to make the measurements and a summary of the anticipated results are given in this paper
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