54,143 research outputs found
X-ray reflection in accreting stellar-mass black hole systems
The X-ray spectra of accreting stellar-mass black hole systems exhibit
spectral features due to reflection, especially broad iron K alpha emission
lines. We investigate the reflection by the accretion disc that can be expected
in the high/soft state of such a system. First, we perform a self-consistent
calculation of the reflection that results from illumination of a hot, inner
portion of the disc with its atmosphere in hydrostatic equilibrium. Then we
present reflection spectra for a range of illumination strengths and disc
temperatures under the assumption of a constant-density atmosphere. Reflection
by a hot accretion disc differs in important ways from that of a much cooler
disc, such as that expected in an active galactic nucleus.Comment: 5 pages with 9 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA
On the interpretation of the multicolour disc model for black hole candidates
We present a critical analysis of the usual interpretation of the multicolour
disc model parameters for black hole candidates in terms of the inner radius
and temperature of the accretion disc. Using a self-consistent model for the
radiative transfer and the vertical temperature structure in a Shakura-Sunyaev
disc, we simulate the observed disc spectra, taking into account doppler
blurring and gravitational redshift, and fit them with multicolour models. We
show not only that such a model systematically underestimates the value of the
inner disc radius, but that when the accretion rate and/or the energy
dissipated in the corona are allowed to change the inner edge of the disc, as
inferred from the multicolour model, appears to move even when it is in fact
fixed at the innermost stable orbit.Comment: 4 pages including 2 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA
Iron line profiles including emission from within the innermost stable orbit of a black hole accretion disc
Reynolds & Begelman (1997) have recently proposed a model in which the broad
and extremely redshifted iron line seen during a deep minimum of the light
curve of the Seyfert 1 galaxy MCG-6-30-15 originates from matter spiralling
into a Schwarzschild black hole, contrary to previous claims that the black
hole may be spinning rapidly (Iwasawa et al 1996; Dabrowski et al 1997). Here
we calculate in detail the X-ray spectrum produced by their model using the
full reflected continuum emission, including absorption features. This
calculation takes into account the doppler and relativistic effects. For the
range of parameters we consider, we find that the spectrum should show a large
photoelectric absorption edge of iron, which is not seen in the data. The
absorption edge is a consequence of the line emitting matter within the
innermost stable orbit being highly ionized, and is largely independent of the
parameters chosen for their model. If we restrict our attention to the 3-10 keV
band we may effectively remove this absorption edge by fitting a steeper power
law, but this results in a significant underprediction of the 0.4-0.5 keV flux.
We conclude that the data on MCG-6-30-15 are more consistent with the Kerr than
the Schwarzschild model.Comment: 5 pages with 5 postscript figures. Accepted for publication in MNRA
Effects of fire on composition, biomass, and nutrients in oak scrub vegetation on John F. Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Four stands of oak scrub two, four, eight, and 25 years since fire were sampled with permanent 15 m line transects. Percent cover by species was determined. Plant samples were analyzed for a variety of substances. Transects were resurveyed in 1985 for vegetation parameters. Nutrient pools in biomass were calculated from biomass data and tissue nutrient concentrations. Soil nutrient pools were calculated from nutrient concentrations and bulk density. Species distribution and soil chemical properties were found to be closely related to water table depth. The following fire-related conclusions are reached: (1) major structural changes occur in scrub after fire in that shrub height is reduced and requires four to six years to exceed 1 m; (2) reduction in shrub height affects the suitability of scrub for the Florida scrub jay (3) live biomass increases with time since fire; (4) nutrient concentrations in live biomass do not change with time since fire; (5) species composition and richness are little changed after fire; and (6) imposition of a continued regime of burning on a three-year cycle may have adverse impacts not indicated by the recovery of scrub from a single fire
Species biology and potential for controlling four exotic plants (Ammophila arenaria, Carpobrotus edulis, Cortaderia jubata and Gasoul crystallinum) on Vandenberg Air Force Base, California
Invasive exotic plants can displace native flora and modify community and ecosystem structure and function. Ammophila arenaria, Corpobrotus edulis, Cortaderia jubata, and Gasoul crystallinum are invasive plants present on Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, designated for study by the Environmental Task Force because of the perceived threat they represent to the native flora. Each plant's native habitat, how they came to be at Vandenberg, their propagation, and how they can be controlled is discussed
Geology, geohydrology, and soils of NASA, Kennedy Space Center: A review
Sediments underlying Kennedy Space Center (KSC) have accumulated in alternating periods of deposition and erosion since the Eocene. Surface sediments are of Pleistocene and Recent ages. Fluctuating sea levels with the alternating glacial-interglacial cycles have shaped the formation of the barrier island. Merritt Island is an older landscape whose formation may have begun as much as 240,000 years ago, although most of the surface sediments are not that old. Cape Canaveral probably dates from less than 7,000 years B.P. (before present) as does the barrier strip separating Mosquito Lagoon from the Atlantic Ocean. Merritt Island and Cape Canaveral have been shaped by progradational processes but not continuously so, while the Mosquito Lagoon barrier has been migrating landward. Deep acquifers beneath KSC are recharged inland but are highly mineralized in the coastal region and interact little with surface vegetation. The Surficial acquifer has formed in the Pleistocene and Recent deposits and is recharged by local rainfall. Sand ridges in the center of Merritt Island are important to its recharge
Monitoring biological impacts of space shuttle launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base: Establishment of baseline conditions
Space shuttle launches produce environmental impacts resulting from the formation of an exhaust cloud containing hydrogen chloride aerosols and aluminum oxide particulates. Studies have shown that most impacts occur near-field (within 1.5 km) of the launch site while deposition from launches occurs far-field (as distant as 22 km). In order to establish baseline conditions of vegetation and soils in the areas likely to be impacted by shuttle launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), vegetation and soils in the vicinity of Space Launch Complex-6 (SLC-6) were sampled and a vegetation map prepared. The areas likely to be impacted by launches were determined considering the structure of the launch complex, the prevailing winds, the terrain, and predictions of the Rocket Exhaust Effluent Diffusion Model (REEDM). Fifty vegetation transects were established and sampled in March 1986 and resampled in September 1986. A vegetation map was prepared for six Master Planning maps surrounding SLC-6 using LANDSAT Thematic Mapper imagery as well as color and color infrared aerial photography. Soil samples were collected form the 0 to 7.5 cm layer at all transects in the wet season and at a subsample of the transects in the dry season and analyzed for pH, organic matter, conductivity, cation exchange capacity, exchangeable Ca, Mg, Na, K, and Al, available NH3-N, PO4-P, Cu, Fe, Mn, Zn, and TKN
Dissemination and implementation science for public health professionals: An overview and call to action
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