148 research outputs found
Computing Non- Gaussian Maps of the CMB
We discuss methods to compute maps of the CMB in models featuring active
causal sources and in non-Gaussian models ofinflation. We show our large angle
results as well as some preliminary results on small angles. We conclude by
discussing on-going work.Comment: To appear in the proceedings of the XVth Rencontres de Blois. Added 2
reference
Re-growth of stellar disks in mature galaxies: The two component nature of NGC 7217 revisited with VIRUS-W
Previous studies have reported the existence of two counter-rotating stellar
disks in the early-type spiral galaxy NGC7217. We have obtained high-resolution
optical spectroscopic data (R ~ 9000) with the new fiber-based Integral Field
Unit instrument VIRUS-W at the 2.7m telescope of the McDonald Observatory in
Texas. Our analysis confirms the existence of two components. However, we find
them to be co-rotating. The first component is the more luminous (~ 77% of the
total light), has the higher velocity dispersion (~ 170 km/s) and rotates
relatively slowly (projected = 50 km/s). The lower luminosity second
component, (~ 23% of the total light), has a low velocity dispersion (~ 20
km/s) and rotates quickly (projected = 150 km/s). The difference in
the kinematics of the two stellar components allows us to perform a kinematic
decomposition and to measure the strengths of their Mg and Fe Lick indices
separately. The rotational velocities and dispersions of the less luminous and
faster component are very similar to those of the interstellar gas as measured
from the [OIII] emission. Morphological evidence of active star formation in
this component further suggests that NGC7217 may be in the process of
(re)growing a disk inside a more massive and higher dispersion stellar halo.
The kinematically cold and regular structure of the gas disk in combination
with the central almost dust-free morphology allows us to compare the dynamical
mass inside of the central 500pc with predictions from a stellar population
analysis. We find agreement between the two if a Kroupa stellar initial mass
function is assumed.Comment: accepted for publication by MNRA
Scattering of a Long Cosmic String by a Rotating Black Hole
The scattering of a straight, infinitely long string by a rotating black hole
is considered. We assume that a string is moving with velocity v and that
initially the string is parallel to the axis of rotation of the black hole. We
demonstrate that as a result of scattering, the string is displaced in the
direction perpendicular to the velocity by an amount kappa(v,b), where b is the
impact parameter. The late-time solution is represented by a kink and
anti-kink, propagating in opposite directions at the speed of light, and
leaving behind them the string in a new ``phase''. We present the results of
the numerical study of the string scattering and their comparison with the
weak-field approximation, valid where the impact parameter is large, b/M >> 1,
and also with the scattering by a non-rotating black hole which was studied in
earlier works.Comment: 27 pages, 14 figures, to be published in Classical and Quantum
Gravit
The interplay between high energy physics and cosmology: an example
Cosmology and high energy physics are two closely connected areas. In this
lecture I present an example of their rich interplay.Comment: Invited talk at the DPU workshop: The density fluctuations in the
Universe: Beyond the inflationary paradigm (Dimokritos, Athens 2004) (see
http://physics.ntua.gr/dpu/). 8 two column page
The Revival of Cosmic Strings
Cosmic strings are one-dimensional topological defects which could have been
formed in the early stages of our Universe. They triggered a lot of interest,
mainly for their cosmological implications: they could offer an alternative to
inflation for the generation of density perturbations. It was shown however
that cosmic strings lead to inconsistencies with the measurements of the cosmic
microwave background temperature anisotropies. The picture is changed recently.
It was shown that, on the one hand, cosmic strings can be generically formed in
the framework of supersymmetric grand unified theories and that, on the other
hand, cosmic superstrings could play the r\^ole of cosmic strings. There is
also some possible observational support. All this lead to a revival of cosmic
strings research and this is the topic of my lecture.Comment: 13 pages, Invited Lecture in " Pomeranian Workshop in Fundamental
Cosmology" (Poland 2005), to be published in Annalen der Physi
WMAP constraints on inflationary models with global defects
We use the cosmic microwave background angular power spectra to place upper
limits on the degree to which global defects may have aided cosmic structure
formation. We explore this under the inflationary paradigm, but with the
addition of textures resulting from the breaking of a global O(4) symmetry
during the early stages of the Universe. As a measure of their contribution, we
use the fraction of the temperature power spectrum that is attributed to the
defects at a multipole of 10. However, we find a parameter degeneracy enabling
a fit to the first-year WMAP data to be made even with a significant defect
fraction. This degeneracy involves the baryon fraction and the Hubble constant,
plus the normalization and tilt of the primordial power spectrum. Hence,
constraints on these cosmological parameters are weakened. Combining the WMAP
data with a constraint on the physical baryon fraction from big bang
nucleosynthesis calculations and high-redshift deuterium abundance, limits the
extent of the degeneracy and gives an upper bound on the defect fraction of
0.13 (95% confidence).Comment: 10pp LaTeX/RevTeX, 6 eps figs; matches accepted versio
Production of topological defects at the end of inflation
Hybrid inflation within supersymmetric grand unified theories, as well as
inflation through brane collisions within braneworld cosmological models, lead
to the formation of one-dimensional defects. Observational data, mainly from
the cosmic microwave background temperature anisotropies but also from the
gravitational wave background, impose constraints on the free parameters of the
models. I review these inflationary models and discuss the constraints from the
currently available data.Comment: 9 pages, Invited talk in the Conference "Challenges in Particle
Astrophysics" -- 6th Rencontres du Vietnam, Hanoi (Vietnam) 6-12 Aug. 200
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