Photometric Mapping with ISOPHOT using the "P32" Astronomical Observation Template

The ``P32'' Astronomical Observation Template (AOT) provided a means to map large areas of sky (up to 45 x 45 arcmin) in the far-infrared (FIR) at high redundancy and with sampling close to the Nyquist limit using the ISOPHOT C100 (3 x 3) and C200 (2 x 2) detector arrays on board the Infrared Space Observatory (ISO). However, the transient response behaviour of the Ga:Ge detectors, if uncorrected, can lead to severe systematic photometric errors and distortions of source morphology on maps. We describe the basic concepts of an algorithm which can successfully correct for transient response artifacts in P32 observations. Examples are given to demonstrate the photometric and imaging performance of ISOPHOT P32 observations of point and extended sources corrected using the algorithm. For extended sources we give the integrated flux densities of the nearby galaxies NGC6946, M51 and M101 and an image of M101 at 100 micron.Comment: 15 pages, 16 figures, published in A&A 410, 107

Modelling the Pan-Spectral Energy Distributions of Starburst & Active Galaxies

We present results of a self-consistent model of the spectral energy distribution (SED) of starburst galaxies. Two parameters control the IR SED, the mean pressure in the ISM and the destruction timescale of molecular clouds. Adding a simplified AGN spectrum provides mixing lines on IRAS color : color diagrams. This reproduces the observed colors of both AGNs and starbursts.Comment: Poster Paper for IAU 222: The Interplay among Black Holes, Stars and ISM in Galactic Nucle

Evidence for Proportionate Partition Between the Magnetic Field and Hot Gas in Turbulent Cassiopeia A

We present a deep X-ray observation of the young Galactic supernova remnant Cas A, acquired with the ROSAT High Resolution Imager. This high dynamic range (232 ks) image reveals low-surface-brightness X-ray structure, which appears qualitatively similar to corresponding radio features. We consider the correlation between the X-ray and radio morphologies and its physical implications. After correcting for the inhomogeneous absorption across the remnant, we performed a point by point (4" resolution) surface brightness comparison between the X-ray and radio images. We find a strong (r = 0.75) log-log correlation, implying an overall relationship of $\log(\Sigma_{_{\rm X-ray}}) \propto (2.21\pm0.05) \times \log(\Sigma_{_{\rm radio}})$. This is consistent with proportionate partition (and possibly equipartition) between the local magnetic field and the hot gas --- implying that Cas A's plasma is fully turbulent and continuously amplifying the magnetic field.Comment: 8 pages with embedded bitmapped figures, Accepted by ApJ Letters 5/1/9

A radiation transfer model for the Milky-Way: I. Radiation fields and application to High Energy Astrophysics

We present a solution for the ultraviolet (UV) - submillimeter (submm) interstellar radiation fields (ISRFs) of the Milky Way, derived from modelling COBE, IRAS and Planck maps of the all-sky emission in the near-, mid-, far-infrared and submm. The analysis uses the axisymmetric radiative transfer (RT) model that we have previously implemented to model the panchromatic spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of star forming galaxies in the nearby universe, but with a new methodology allowing for optimisation of the radial and vertical geometry of stellar emissivity and dust opacity, as deduced from the highly resolved emission seen from the vantage point of the Sun. As such, this is the first self-consistent model of the broad-band continuum emission from the Milky Way. In this paper, we present model predictions for the spatially integrated SED of the Milky Way as seen from the Sun, showing good agreement with the data, and give a detailed description of the solutions for the distribution of ISRFs, as well as their physical origin, throughout the volume of the galaxy. We explore how the spatial and spectral distribution of our new predictions for the ISRF in the Milky Way affects the amplitude and spectral distribution of the gamma-rays produced via Inverse Compton scattering for cosmic ray electrons situated at different positions in the galaxy, as well as the attenuation of the gamma-rays due to interactions of the gamma-ray photons with photons of the ISRF. We also compare and contrast our solutions for the ISRF with those incorporated in the GALPROP package used for modelling the high energy emission from cosmic rays in the Milky Way

Chandra Detection of the Forward and Reverse Shocks in Cassiopeia-A

We report the localization of the forward and reversed shock fronts in the young supernova remnant Cas-A using X-ray data obtained with the Chandra Observatory. High resolution X-ray maps resolve a previously unseen X-ray feature encompassing the extremity of the remnant. This feature consists of thin, tangential wisps of emission bordering the outer edge of the thermal X-ray and radio remnant, forming a circular rim, approx. 2.7 in radius. Radio images show a sharp rise in brightness at this X-ray rim, along with a large jump in the synchrotron polarization angle. These characteristics suggest that these wisps are the previously unresolved signature of the forward, or outer, shock. Similarly, we identify the sharp rise in emissivity of the bright shell for both the radio and X-ray line emission associated with the reverse shock. The derived ratio of the averaged forward and reverse shock radii of approx. 3:2 constrains the remnant to have swept up roughly the same amount of mass as was ejected; this suggests that Cas-A is just entering the Sedov phase. Comparison of the X-ray spectra from the two shock regions shows that the equivalent widths of prominent emission lines are significantly lower exterior to the bright shell, as expected if they are respectively identified with the shocked circumstellar material and shocked ejecta. Furthermore, the spectrum of the outer rim itself is dominated by power-law emission, likely the counterpart of the non-thermal component previously seen at energies above 10 keV.Comment: 7 pages with 5 figures, LaTex, emulateapj.sty. To appear in the Astrophysical Journal Letter

The first detection of Far-Infrared emission associated with an extended HI disk. The case of NGC 891

Spiral galaxies in the Local Universe are commonly observed to be embedded in extended disks of neutral hydrogen - the so called ``extended HI disks''. Based on observations made using the ISOPHOT instrument on board the Infrared Space Observatory, we report the first detection of cold dust in the extended HI disk of a spiral galaxy. The detection was achieved through a dedicated deep Far-Infrared observation of a large field encompassing the entire HI disk of the edge-on spiral galaxy NGC 891. Our discovery indicates that the extended HI disk of NGC 891 is not primordial in origin.Comment: accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics Letter