An Analysis of the Broadband (22-3900 MHz) Radio Spectrum of HB3 (G132.7+1.3): The Detection of Thermal Radio Emission from an Evolved Supernova Remnant?

We present an analysis of the broadband radio spectrum (from 22 to 3900 MHz) of the Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) HB3 (G132.7+1.3). Published observations have revealed that a curvature is present in the radio spectrum of this SNR, indicating that a single synchrotron component appears is insufficient to adequately fit the spectrum. We present here a fit to this spectrum using a combination of a synchrotron component and a thermal bremsstrahlung component. We discuss properties of this latter component and estimate the ambient density implied by the presence of this component to be n \~ 10 cm^-3. We have also analyzed extracted X-ray spectra from archived {\it ASCA} GIS observations of different regions of HB3 to obtain independent estimates of the density of the surrounding interstellar medium (ISM). From this analysis, we have derived electron densities of 0.1-0.4 f^-1/2 cm^-3 for the ISM for the three different regions of the SNR, where f is the volume filling factor. By comparing these density estimates with the estimate derived from the thermal bremsstrahlung component, we argue that the radio thermal bremsstrahlung emission is emitted from a thin shell enclosing HB3. The presence of this thermal bremsstrahlung component in the radio spectrum of HB3 suggests that this SNR is in fact interacting with an adjacent molecular cloud associated with the HII region W3. By extension, we argue that the presence of thermal emission at radio wavelengths may be a useful tool for identifying interactions between SNRs and molecular clouds, and for estimating the ambient density near SNRs using radio continuum data.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, accepted for ApJ

Analyzing Thermal and Non-thermal X-ray Emission from Supernova Remnant RCW 86

https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/student_scholarship_posters/1148/thumbnail.jp

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$\alpha$ 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$^{-1}$) 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$^{-3}$. 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&

The Physical Parameters of the Micro-quasar S26 in the Sculptor Group Galaxy NGC 7793

NGC 7793 - S26 is an extended source (350 pc $\times$ 185 pc) previously studied in the radio, optical and x-ray domains. It has been identified as a micro-quasar which has inflated a super bubble. We used Integral Field Spectra from the Wide Field Spectrograph on the ANU 2.3 m telescope to analyse spectra between 3600--7000 \AA. This allowed us to derive fluxes and line ratios for selected nebular lines. Applying radiative shock model diagnostics, we estimate shock velocities, densities, radiative ages and pressures across the object. We show that S26 is just entering its radiative phase, and that the northern and western regions are dominated by partially-radiative shocks due to a lower density ISM in these directions. We determine a velocity of expansion along the jet of 330 km s$^{-1}$, and a velocity of expansion of the bubble in the minor axis direction of 132 km s$^{-1}$. We determine the age of the structure to be $4.1\times10^5$ yr, and the jet energy flux to be $(4-10)\times10^{40}$ erg s$^{-1}$ The jet appears to be collimated within $\sim0.25$ deg, and to undergo very little precession. If the relativistic $\beta \sim 1/3$, then some 4 M$_{\odot}$ of relativistic matter has already been processed through the jet. We conclude that the central object in S26 is probably a Black Hole with a mass typical of the ultra-luminous X-ray source population which is currently consuming a fairly massive companion through Roche Lobe accretion.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS; 12 pages, 7 figures and 3 table

On the Expansion Rate, Age, and Distance of the Supernova Remnant G266.2-1.2 (Vela Jr.)

An analysis of Chandra ACIS data for two relatively bright and narrow portions of the northwestern rim of G266.2-1.2 (a.k.a. RX J0852.0-4622 or Vela Jr.) reveal evidence of a radial displacement of 2.40 +/- 0.56 arcsec between 2003 and 2008. The corresponding expansion rate (0.42 +/- 0.10 arcsec/yr or 13.6 +/- 4.2%/kyr) is about half the rate reported for an analysis of XMM-Newton data from a similar, but not identical, portion of the rim over a similar, but not identical, time interval (0.84 +/- 0.23 arcsec/yr, Katsuda et al. 2008a). If the Chandra rate is representative of the remnant as a whole, then the results of a hydrodynamic analysis suggest that G266.2-1.2 is between 2.4 and 5.1 kyr old if it is expanding into a uniform ambient medium (whether or not it was produced by a Type Ia or Type II event). If the remnant is expanding into the material shed by a steady stellar wind, then the age could be as much as 50% higher. The Chandra expansion rate and a requirement that the shock speed be greater than or equal to 1000 km/s yields a lower limit on the distance of 0.5 kpc. An analysis of previously-published distance estimates and constraints suggests G266.2-1.2 is no further than 1.0 kpc. This range of distances is consistent with the distance to the nearer of two groups of material in the Vela Molecular Ridge (0.7 +/- 0.2 kpc, Liseau et al. 1992) and to the Vel OB1 association (0.8 kpc, Eggen 1982).Comment: 30 pages, 7 figure

Radio-Continuum study of the Nearby Sculptor Group Galaxies. Part 1: NGC 300 at lambda = 20 cm

A series of new radio-continuum (lambda=20 cm) mosaic images focused on the NGC 300 galactic system were produced using archived observational data from the VLA and/or ATCA. These new images are both very sensitive (rms=60 microJy) and feature high angular resolution (<10"). The most prominent new feature is the galaxy's extended radio-continuum emission, which does not match its optical appearance. Using these newly created images a number of previously unidentified discrete sources have been discovered. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a joint deconvolution approach to imaging this complete data-set is inferior when compared to an immerge approach.Comment: 13 pages, 12 figures, accepted to APSS, new version to correct the missing reference

Searching for the pulsar in G18.95-1.1: Discovery of an X-ray point source and associated synchrotron nebula with Chandra

Using the Chandra X-ray Observatory, we have pinpointed the location of a faint X-ray point source (CXOUJ182913.1-125113) and an associated diffuse nebula in the composite supernova remnant G18.95-1.1. These objects appear to be the long-sought pulsar and its wind nebula. The X-ray spectrum of the point source is best described by an absorbed powerlaw model with Gamma=1.6 and an N_H of ~1x10^(22) cm^(-2). This model predicts a relatively low unabsorbed X-ray luminosity of about L_X (0.5-8.0keV) = 4.1x10^(31)D_2^2 erg s^(-1), where D_2 is the distance in units of 2kpc. The best-fitted model of the diffuse nebula is a combination of thermal (kT = 0.48keV) and non-thermal (1.4 < Gamma < 1.9) emission. The unabsorbed X-ray luminosity of L_X = 5.4x10^(33)D_2^2 erg s^(-1) in the 0.5-8keV energy band seems to be largely dominated by the thermal component from the SNR, providing 87% of L_X in this band. No radio or X-ray pulsations have been reported for CXOUJ182913.1-125113. If we assume an age of ~5300yr for G18.95-1.1 and use the X-ray luminosity for the pulsar and the wind nebula together with the relationship between spin-down luminosity (via magnetic dipole radiation) and period, we estimate the pulsar's period to be P = 0.4s. Compared to other rotation-powered pulsars, a magnetic field of 2.2x10^(13)G is implied by its location in the P-Pdot diagram, a value which is close to that of the quantum critical field.Comment: 8 pages, 3 Figures, accepted for publication in Ap

Optical observations of the nearby galaxy IC342 with narrow band [SII] and Hα\alpha filters. I

We present observations of the portion of the nearby spiral galaxy IC342 using narrow band [SII] and H$\alpha$ filters. These observations were carried out in November 2011 with the 2m RCC telescope at Rozhen National Astronomical Observatory in Bulgaria. In this paper we report coordinates, diameters, H$\alpha$ and [SII] fluxes for 203 HII regions detected in two fields of view in IC342 galaxy. The number of detected HII regions is 5 times higher than previously known in these two parts of the galaxy.Comment: 9 pages, 3 tables, 4 figures. Table 3 corrected + small corrections in the tex

The Chandra ACIS Survey of M33 (ChASeM33): Transient X-ray Sources Discovered in M33

The Chandra ACIS Survey of M33 (ChASeM33) has acquired 7 fields of ACIS data covering M33 with 200 ks of exposure in each field. A catalog from the first 10 months of data, along with archival Chandra observations dating back to the year 2000, is currently available. We have searched these data for transient sources that are measured to have a 0.35-8.0 keV unabsorbed luminosity of at least 4$\times10^{35}$ erg s$^{-1}$ in one epoch and are not detected in another epoch. This set of the survey data has yielded seven such sources, including one previously-known supersoft source. We analyzed XMM-Newton data from the archive distributed over the years 2000 to 2003 to search for recurrent outbursts and to get a spectrum for the supersoft transient. We find only one recurrent transient in our sample. The X-ray spectra, light curves, and optical counterpart candidates of two of the other sources suggest that they are high-mass X-ray binaries. Archival Spitzer photometry and high X-ray absorption suggest that one of the sources is a highly variable background active galactic nucleus. The other three sources are more difficult to classify. The bright transient population of M33 appears to contain a large fraction of high-mass X-ray binaries compared with the transient populations of M31 and the Galaxy, reflecting the later morphology of M33.Comment: 33 pages, 2 tables, 10 figures, accepted for publication in Ap