2,220 research outputs found
The absence of rapid X-ray variability in active galaxies
Variations on time scales ranging from minutes to several hours in the X-ray flux from 54 observations of 38 active galaxies are identified. The sample is composed mostly of Seyfert I galaxies but also includes radio galaxies, NELG's BL Lacs and 3C 273. Only NGC 6814 varied on time scales as short as 100 sec. No other source was observed to vary with a time scale of less than 12 hours. Large amplitude short term variations are not a characteristic of the X-ray emission from active galaxies. Upper limits on sigma sub I/I ranged from 2% for Cen A, 5% for NGC 4151, to approximately 20% for sources giving 1 ct/sec in the detector. Three objects NGC 3227, NGC 4151 and MCG 5-23-16 show variability consistent with a time scale of approximately 1 day. Ways to reconcile the rapid variability seen for NGC 6814 (and NGC 4051) with the general stability observed for the other objects are considered
Scattering and Iron Fluorescence Revealed During Absorption Dips in Circinus X-1
We show that dramatic spectral evolution associated with dips occurring near
phase zero in RXTE observations of Cir X-1 is well-fit by variable and at times
heavy absorption (N_H > 10^24 cm^-2) of a bright component, plus an underlying
faint component which is not attenuated by the variable column and whose flux
is ~10% of that of the unabsorbed bright component. A prominent Fe emission
line at ~6.5 keV is evident during the dips. The absolute line flux outside the
dips is similar to that during the dips, indicating that the line is associated
with the faint component. These results are consistent with a model in which
the bright component is radiation received directly from a compact source while
the faint component may be attributed to scattered radiation. Our results are
also generally consistent with those of Brandt et al., who found that a
partial- covering model could explain ASCA spectra of a low-to-high transition
in Cir X-1. The relative brightness of the two components in our model requires
a column density of ~2*10^23 cm^-2 if the faint component is due to Thomson
scattering in material that mostly surrounds the source. We find that
illumination of such a scattering cloud by the observed direct component would
produce an Fe K-alpha fluorescence flux that is in rough agreement with the
flux of the observed emission line. We also conclude that if the scattering
medium is not highly ionized, our line of sight to the compact source does not
pass through it. Finally, we discuss simple pictures of the absorbers
responsible for the dips themselves.Comment: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal (23 pages,
including 11 figures
Medieval Islamic Architecture, Quasicrystals, and Penrose and Girih Tiles: Questions from the Classroom
Tiling Theory studies how one might cover the plane with various shapes. Medieval Islamic artisans developed intricate geometric tilings to decorate their mosques, mausoleums, and shrines. Some of these patterns, called girih tilings, first appeared in the 12 th Century AD. Recent investigations show these medieval tilings contain symmetries similar to those found in aperiodic Penrose tilings first investigated in the West in the 1970\u27s. These intriguing discoveries may suggest that the mathematical understanding of these artisans was much deeper than originally thought. Connections like these, made across the centuries, provide a wonderful opportunity for students to discover the beauty of Islamic architecture in a mathematical and historical context. This paper describes several geometric constructions for Islamic tilings for use in the classroom along with projects utilizing girih tiles as construction templates. Open questions, observations, and conjectures raised in seminars across the United Arab Emirates are described including what the medieval artisans may have known as well as how girih tiles might have been used as tools in the actual construction of intricate patterns
Business and production solutions: closing loops and the circular economy
Traditional production frameworks and business models are now being challenged by alternatives that are informed by biology. The alternative paradigm, based on ecosystem models, argues that shifting from linear modes of production to a circular system can address material and energy efficiency by reducing the total volume of raw materials needed when manufacturing consumer products. This chapter introduces frameworks that apply closed-loop models at the product level namely; the Performance Economy, Cradle-to-CradleTM design, The Blue Economy and the Circular Economy.
We discuss the historic development of these ideas and their main contributions. Through the use of examples we explore both practical challenges associated with realising circular strategies as well as their business model implications. We conclude by highlighting some of the theoretical challenges associated with adopting closed-loop models advocating for a critical approach to sustainable resource management which includes circular strategies as part of a toolbox of options
Spectral Evolution of Circinus X-1 Along its Orbit
We report on the spectral analysis of Circinus X-1 observed by the ASCA
satellite in March 1998 along one orbital period. The luminosity of the source
(in the 0.1-100 keV band) ranges from erg s at the
periastron (orbital phase 0.01) to erg s at orbital
phase 0.3. From the spectral analysis and the lightcurve we argue that Cir X-1
shows three states along the orbital evolution. The first state is at the
orbital phase interval 0.97-0.3: the luminosity becames super-Eddington and a
strong flaring activity is present. In this state a shock could form in the
inner region of the system due to the super-Eddington accretion rate, producing
an outflow of ionized matter whose observational signature could be the
prominent absorption edge at keV observed in the energy spectrum at
these phases. In the second state, corresponding to the orbital phase interval
between 0.3 and 0.7, the accretion rate is sub-Eddington and we observe a
weaker outflow, with smaller hydrogen column: the absorption edge is now at
keV with an optical depth a factor of 2.5 to 6 smaller. The third
state corresponds to the orbital phase interval 0.78-0.97. In this state the
best fit model to the spectrum requires the presence of a partial covering
component, indicating that the emission from the compact object is partially
absorbed by neutral matter, probably the atmosphere of the companion star
and/or the accreting matter from the companion.Comment: 18 pages, 3 figures. Accepted by Ap
Statistical Uncertainties in Temperature Diagnostics for Hot Coronal Plasma Using the ASCA SIS
Statistical uncertainties in determining the temperatures of hot (0.5 keV to
10 keV) coronal plasmas are investigated. The statistical precision of various
spectral temperature diagnostics is established by analyzing synthetic ASCA
Solid-state Imaging Spectrometer (SIS) CCD spectra. The diagnostics considered
are the ratio of hydrogen-like to helium-like line complexes of
elements, line-free portions of the continuum, and the entire spectrum. While
fits to the entire spectrum yield the highest statistical precision, it is
argued that fits to the line-free continuum are less susceptible to atomic data
uncertainties but lead to a modest increase in statistical uncertainty over
full spectral fits. Temperatures deduced from line ratios can have similar
accuracy but only over a narrow range of temperatures. Convenient estimates of
statistical accuracies for the various temperature diagnostics are provided
which may be used in planning ASCA SIS observations.Comment: postscript file of 8 pages+3 figures; 4 files tarred, compressed and
uuencoded. To appear in the Astrophysical Journal Letters; contents copyright
1994 American Astronomical Societ
Rapid X-ray variability in the Seyfert galaxy NGC 6814
The HEAO-1 A-2 high time resolution X-ray observations of the X-ray emitting Seyfert I Galaxy NGC 6814 are reported. In sharp distinction with a sample of over 30 active galactic nuclei this object showed strong X-ray variability on timescales less than 3 hours. The mean flux on a timescale of 90 minutes varied by a factor of approximately 2.5 corresponding to Delta L sub x being approximately 1 x 10 to the 43rd power ergs/sec. An autocorrelation analysis shows a characteristic time for variability of 100 (+60 or -25) seconds. There is no indication of spectral variability with an upper limit on a change in the power law spectral index of the absolute value of Delta gamma .37, for a factor two change in intensity. The constraints of such rapid variability on a wide variety of X-ray source mechanisms are considered
A Novel Longitudinal Mode in the Coupled Quantum Chain Compound KCuF3
Inelastic neutron scattering measurements are reported that show a new
longitudinal mode in the antiferromagnetically ordered phase of the spin-1/2
quasi-one-dimensional antiferromagnet KCuF3. This mode signals the cross-over
from one-dimensional to three-dimensional behavior and indicates a reduction in
the ordered spin moment of a spin-1/2 antiferromagnet. The measurements are
compared with recent quantum field theory results and are found to be in
excellent agreement. A feature of the data not predicted by theory is a damping
of the mode by decay processes to the transverse spin-wave branches.Comment: 9 pages of text plus 4 postscript figures (1 color
Rapid X-Ray Variability of Active Galaxies
Active galactic nuclei are luminous sources of X-rays. The thesis that the X-rays are generated within 10 gravitational radii from the central object is tested. A very sensitive search for rapid ( 1 day) X-ray variability from active galaxies was made
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