Supermassive Black Hole Feedback

Understanding the processes that drive galaxy formation and shape the observed properties of galaxies is one of the most interesting and challenging frontier problems of modern astrophysics. We now know that the evolution of galaxies is critically shaped by the energy injection from accreting supermassive black holes (SMBHs). However, it is unclear how exactly the physics of this feedback process affects galaxy formation and evolution. In particular, a major challenge is unraveling how the energy released near the SMBHs is distributed over nine orders of magnitude in distance throughout galaxies and their immediate environments. The best place to study the impact of SMBH feedback is in the hot atmospheres of massive galaxies, groups, and galaxy clusters, which host the most massive black holes in the Universe, and where we can directly image the impact of black holes on their surroundings. We identify critical questions and potential measurements that will likely transform our understanding of the physics of SMBH feedback and how it shapes galaxies, through detailed measurements of (i) the thermodynamic and velocity fluctuations in the intracluster medium (ICM) as well as (ii) the composition of the bubbles inflated by SMBHs in the centers of galaxy clusters, and their influence on the cluster gas and galaxy growth, using the next generation of high spectral and spatial resolution X-ray and microwave telescopes.Comment: 10 pages, submitted to the Astro2020 decada

Design status of ASPIICS, an externally occulted coronagraph for PROBA-3

The "sonic region" of the Sun corona remains extremely difficult to observe with spatial resolution and sensitivity sufficient to understand the fine scale phenomena that govern the quiescent solar corona, as well as phenomena that lead to coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which influence space weather. Improvement on this front requires eclipse-like conditions over long observation times. The space-borne coronagraphs flown so far provided a continuous coverage of the external parts of the corona but their over-occulting system did not permit to analyse the part of the white-light corona where the main coronal mass is concentrated. The proposed PROBA-3 Coronagraph System, also known as ASPIICS (Association of Spacecraft for Polarimetric and Imaging Investigation of the Corona of the Sun), with its novel design, will be the first space coronagraph to cover the range of radial distances between ~1.08 and 3 solar radii where the magnetic field plays a crucial role in the coronal dynamics, thus providing continuous observational conditions very close to those during a total solar eclipse. PROBA-3 is first a mission devoted to the in-orbit demonstration of precise formation flying techniques and technologies for future European missions, which will fly ASPIICS as primary payload. The instrument is distributed over two satellites flying in formation (approx. 150m apart) to form a giant coronagraph capable of producing a nearly perfect eclipse allowing observing the sun corona closer to the rim than ever before. The coronagraph instrument is developed by a large European consortium including about 20 partners from 7 countries under the auspices of the European Space Agency. This paper is reviewing the recent improvements and design updates of the ASPIICS instrument as it is stepping into the detailed design phase

Czy wiosłowanie w kanadyjce powoduje asymetrię rozkładu masy mięśniowej i tłuszczu?

This work aims to investigate whether long-term canoeing causes asymmetry of muscle and fat distribution. It was assumed that long-term paddling would be reflected in the asymmetry of segmental body composition analysis. The research involved 40 competitors who train canoeing, among whom, 19 have the experience of 7 years minimum, and 21 of no longer than 3 years. The measurement of electrical bioimpedance was used as the research method, which allowed the authors to determine muscle mass and fat mass in the upper and lower limbs, and the torso. The asymmetry indicators were calculated and then the significance tests on differences between both groups were used. On the basis of the obtained results, it was discovered that statistically significant differences exist between the two groups regarding the asymmetry of muscle mass in the lower limbs. It was surprising that the newcomers revealed larger asymmetry. The asymmetry of fat tissue distribution in the lower limbs was bigger only in the advanced competitors, however, the differences were not statistically significant. On the basis of the obtained results, it was not possible to confirm the hypothesis that canoeing causes an increased level of muscle mass asymmetry.Celem pracy było sprawdzenie, czy wiosłowanie w kanadyjce powoduje asymetrię rozmieszczenia masy ciała. Założono, że długotrwałe nierównomierne obciążenie kończyn po prawej i lewej stronie ciała będzie dostrzegalne podczas analizy segmentowej składu ciała. Badaniom poddano 40 zawodników trenujących kajakarstwo, z tego 19 przez minimum 7 lat, oraz 21 nie dłużej niż 3 lata. Jako metodę badawczą wykorzystano pomiar bioimpedancji elektrycznej, co pozwoliło na określenie masy mięśniowej i masy tłuszczu w obrębie kończyn górnych i dolnych oraz tułowia. Obliczono wskaźniki asymetrii, a następnie zastosowano testy istotności różnic pomiędzy obiema grupami. Na podstawie uzyskanych wyników stwierdzono istotną statystycznie różnicę w zakresie asymetrii masy mięśniowej kończyn dolnych. Zaskakujące był fakt, że większą asymetrią cechowali się początkujący zawodnicy. Jedynie w zakresie asymetrii rozmieszczenia tkanki tłuszczowej kończyn dolnych zaobserwowano większą asymetrię u zaawansowanych zawodników, jednak różnice nie były istotne statystycznie. Na podstawie uzyskanych wyników nie udało się potwierdzić hipotezy, że wiosłowanie w kanadyjkach powoduje zwiększony poziom asymetrii masy mięśniowej

Recent achievements on ASPIICS, an externally occulted coronagraph for PROBA-3

This paper presents the current status of ASPIICS, a solar coronagraph that is the primary payload of ESA’s formation flying in-orbit demonstration mission PROBA-3. The “sonic region” of the Sun corona remains extremely difficult to observe with spatial resolution and sensitivity sufficient to understand the fine scale phenomena that govern the quiescent solar corona, as well as phenomena that lead to coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which influence space weather. Improvement on this front requires eclipse-like conditions over long observation times. The space-borne coronagraphs flown so far provided a continuous coverage of the external parts of the corona but their over-occulting system did not permit to analyse the part of the white-light corona where the main coronal mass is concentrated. The PROBA-3 Coronagraph System, also known as ASPIICS (Association of Spacecraft for Polarimetric and Imaging Investigation of the Corona of the Sun) is designed as a classical externally occulted Lyot coronagraph but it takes advantage of the opportunity to place the external occulter on a companion spacecraft, about 150m apart, to perform high resolution imaging of the inner corona of the Sun as close as similar to 1.1 solar radii. The images will be tiled and compressed on board in an FPGA before being down-linked to ground for scientific analyses. ASPIICS is built by a large European consortium including about 20 partners from 7 countries under the auspices of the European Space Agency. This paper is reviewing the recent development status of the ASPIICS instrument as it is approaching CDR

"SZ spectroscopy" in the coming decade: Galaxy cluster cosmology and astrophysics in the submillimeter

The Decadal Survey on Astronomy and Astrophysics (Astro2020) of the US National Academies of ScienceA white paper to describe the importance of submillimeter observations for accurate spectral modeling of the SZ effect and how this can transform astronomical research within the coming decade. We highlight some of the main science areas to be impacted by SZ spectral studies and outline the instrumental requirements

Design status of ASPIICS, an externally occulted coronagraph for PROBA-3.

The “sonic region” of the Sun corona remains extremely difficult to observe with spatial resolution and sensitivity sufficient to understand the fine scale phenomena that govern the quiescent solar corona, as well as phenomena that lead to coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which influence space weather. Improvement on this front requires eclipse-like conditions over long observation times. The space-borne coronagraphs flown so far provided a continuous coverage of the external parts of the corona but their over-occulting system did not permit to analyse the part of the white-light corona where the main coronal mass is concentrated. The proposed PROBA-3 Coronagraph System, also known as ASPIICS (Association of Spacecraft for Polarimetric and Imaging Investigation of the Corona of the Sun), with its novel design, will be the first space coronagraph to cover the range of radial distances between similar to 1.08 and 3 solar radii where the magnetic field plays a crucial role in the coronal dynamics, thus providing continuous observational conditions very close to those during a total solar eclipse. PROBA-3 is first a mission devoted to the in-orbit demonstration of precise formation flying techniques and technologies for future European missions, which will fly ASPIICS as primary payload. The instrument is distributed over two satellites flying in formation (approx. 150m apart) to form a giant coronagraph capable of producing a nearly perfect eclipse allowing observing the sun corona closer to the rim than ever before. The coronagraph instrument is developed by a large European consortium including about 20 partners from 7 countries under the auspices of the European Space Agency. This paper is reviewing the recent improvements and design updates of the ASPIICS instrument as it is stepping into the detailed design phase