The Gaseous Environments of Quasars: Outflows, Feedback & Cold Mode Accretion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Chen; Hamann, Fred

2018-06-01

The early stages of massive galaxy evolution can involve galaxy-scale outflows driven by a starburst or a central quasar and cold-mode accretion (infall) that adds to the mass buildup in the galaxies. I will describe three related studies that use quasar absorption lines to measure outflows, infall, and the general gaseous environments of quasars across a range of spatial scales. The three studies are: 1) High-resolution spectroscopy with Keck-HIRES and VLT-UVES to study associated absorption lines (AALs) that have redshifts greater than the emission redshifts indicating infall and/or rich multi-component AAL complexes that might be interstellar clouds in the host galaxies that have been shredded and dispersed by a fast unseen quasar-driven wind. The data provide strong constraints on the gas kinematics, spatial structure, column densities, metallicities, and energetics. 2) A complete inventory of high-velocity CIV 1548,1550 mini-BAL outflows in quasars using high-resolution high signal-to-noise spectra in the public VLT-UVES and Keck-HIRES archives. This sensitive mini-BAL survey fills an important niche between previous work on narrow absorption lines (NALs) and the much-studied broad absorption lines (BALs) to build a more complete picture of quasar outflows. I will report of the mini-BAL statistics, the diversity of lines detected, and some tests for correlations with the quasar properties. We find, for example, that mini-BALs at v > 4000 km/s in at least 10% of 511 quasars studied, including 1% at v > 0.1 c. Finally, 3) Use the much larger database of NALs measured in 262,449 BOSS quasars by York et al. (in prep.) to study their potential relationships to the quasars and, specifically, their origins in quasar outflows. This involves primarily comparisons of the incidence and properties of NALs at different velocity shifts to other measured properties of the quasars such as BAL outflows, emission line characteristics, radio-loudness, and red colors. We find

Quasar Feedback in the Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxy F11119+3257: Connecting the Accretion Disk Wind with the Large-scale Molecular Outflow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Veilleux, S.; Bolatto, A.; Tombesi, F.; Meléndez, M.; Sturm, E.; González-Alfonso, E.; Fischer, J.; Rupke, D. S. N.

2017-07-01

In Tombesi et al., we reported the first direct evidence for a quasar accretion disk wind driving a massive (>100 M ⊙ yr-1) molecular outflow. The target was F11119+3257, an ultraluminous infrared galaxy (ULIRG) with unambiguous type 1 quasar optical broad emission lines. The energetics of the accretion disk wind and molecular outflow were found to be consistent with the predictions of quasar feedback models where the molecular outflow is driven by a hot energy-conserving bubble inflated by the inner quasar accretion disk wind. However, this conclusion was uncertain because the mass outflow rate, momentum flux, and mechanical power of the outflowing molecular gas were estimated from the optically thick OH 119 μm transition profile observed with Herschel. Here, we independently confirm the presence of the molecular outflow in F11119+3257, based on the detection of ˜±1000 km s-1 blue- and redshifted wings in the CO(1-0) emission line profile derived from deep ALMA observations obtained in the compact array configuration (˜2.″8 resolution). The broad CO(1-0) line emission appears to be spatially extended on a scale of at least ˜7 kpc from the center. Mass outflow rate, momentum flux, and mechanical power of (80-200) {R}7-1 M ⊙ yr-1, (1.5-3.0) {R}7-1 L AGN/c, and (0.15-0.40)% {R}7-1 {L}{AGN}, respectively, are inferred from these data, assuming a CO-to-H2 conversion factor appropriate for a ULIRG (R 7 is the radius of the outflow normalized to 7 kpc, and L AGN is the AGN luminosity). These rates are time-averaged over a flow timescale of 7 × 106 yr. They are similar to the OH-based rates time-averaged over a flow timescale of 4 × 105 yr, but about a factor of 4 smaller than the local (“instantaneous” ≲105 yr) OH-based estimates cited in Tombesi et al. The implications of these new results are discussed in the context of time-variable quasar-mode feedback and galaxy evolution. The need for an energy-conserving bubble to explain the molecular outflow

Accretion and Outflows in X-ray Binaries: What's Really Going on During X-ray Quiescence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

MacDonald, Rachel K. D.; Bailyn, Charles D.; Buxton, Michelle

2015-01-01

X-ray binaries, consisting of a star and a stellar-mass black hole, are wonderful laboratories for studying accretion and outflows. They evolve on timescales quite accessible to us, unlike their supermassive cousins, and allow the possibility of gaining a deeper understanding of these two common astrophysical processes. Different wavelength regimes reveal different aspects of the systems: radio emission is largely generated by outflows and jets, X-ray emission by inner accretion flows, and optical/infrared (OIR) emission by the outer disk and companion star. The search for relationships between these different wavelengths is thus an area of active research, aiming to reveal deeper connections between accretion and outflows.Initial evidence for a strong, tight correlation between radio and X-ray emission has weakened as further observations and newly-discovered sources have been obtained. This has led to discussions of multiple tracks or clusters, or the possibility that no overall relation exists for the currently-known population of X-ray binaries. Our ability to distinguish among these options is hampered by a relative lack of observations at lower luminosities, and especially of truly X-ray quiescent (non-outbursting) systems. Although X-ray binaries spend the bulk of their existence in quiescence, few quiescent sources have been observed and multiple observations of individual sources are largely nonexistent. Here we discuss new observations of the lowest-luminosity quiescent X-ray binary, A0620-00, and the place this object occupies in investigations of the radio/X-ray plane. For the first time, we also incorporate simultaneous OIR data with the radio and X-ray data.In December 2013 we took simultaneous observations of A0620-00 in the X-ray (Chandra), the radio (EVLA), and the OIR (SMARTS 1.3m). These X-ray and radio data allowed us to investigate similarities among quiescent X-ray binaries, and changes over time for this individual object, in the radio

Probing the connection between the accretion disk, outflows and the jet in 3C111

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tombesi, Francesco

2011-10-01

Recent XMM-Newton and Suzaku observations of 3C111 demonstrated the presence of ultra-fast outflows (UFOs) with v~0.1c and their relation with the accretion disk. Independent studies found that X-ray dips are followed by ejection of superluminal radio knots, therefore providing a proof of the disk-jet connection. We acquired evidence that UFOs are preferentially present between X-ray dips and new knots, possibly indicating also a link between disk outflows and the jet. The goal of this XMM-Newton proposal is to confirm this evidence. Given the strong correlation with X-rays, we will use an ongoing optical monitoring campaign to trigger a 90ks observation within two days of a dip to detect a UFO and we request a possible additional 60ks >15 days after to compare with the non-dipped state.

Relativistic Outflows from ADAFs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becker, Peter; Subramanian, Prasad; Kazanas, Demosthenes

2001-04-01

Advection-dominated accretion flows (ADAFs) have a positive Bernoulli parameter, and are therefore gravitationally bound. The Newtonian ADAF model has been generalized recently to obtain the ADIOS model that includes outflows of energy and angular momentum, thereby allowing accretion to proceed self-consistently. However, the utilization of a Newtonian gravitational potential limits the ability of this model to describe the inner region of the disk, where any relativistic outflows are likely to originate. In this paper we modify the ADIOS scenario to incorporate a seudo - Newtonian potential, which approximates the effects of general relativity. The analysis yields a unique, self - similar solution for the structure of the coupled disk/wind system. Interesting features of the new solution include the relativistic character of the outflow in the vicinity of the radius of marginal stability, which represents the inner edge of the quasi-Keplerian disk in our model. Our self - similar model may therefore help to explain the origin of relativistic jets in active galaxies. At large distances the radial dependence of the accretion rate approachs the unique form dot M ∝ r^1/2, with an associated density variation given by ρ ∝ r-1. This density variation agrees with that implied by the dependence of the X-ray hard time lags on the Fourier frequency for a number of accreting galactic black hole candidates. While intriguing, the results of our self-similar model need to be confirmed in the future by incorporating a detailed physical description of the energization mechanism that drives the outflow, which is likely to be powered by the shear of the underlying accretion disk.

Compact binary merger and kilonova: outflows from remnant disc

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yi, Tuan; Gu, Wei-Min; Liu, Tong; Kumar, Rajiv; Mu, Hui-Jun; Song, Cui-Ying

2018-05-01

Outflows launched from a remnant disc of compact binary merger may have essential contribution to the kilonova emission. Numerical calculations are conducted in this work to study the structure of accretion flows and outflows. By the incorporation of limited-energy advection in the hyper-accretion discs, outflows occur naturally from accretion flows due to imbalance between the viscous heating and the sum of the advective and radiative cooling. Following this spirit, we revisit the properties of the merger outflow ejecta. Our results show that around 10-3 ˜ 10-1 M⊙ of the disc mass can be launched as powerful outflows. The amount of unbound mass varies with the disc mass and the viscosity. The outflow-contributed peak luminosity is around 1040 ˜ 1041 erg s-1. Such a scenario can account for the observed kilonovae associated with short gamma-ray bursts, including the recent event AT2017gfo (GW170817).

Accreting CO material onto ONe white dwarfs towards accretion-induced collapse

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Cheng-Yuan; Wang, Bo

2018-03-01

The final outcomes of accreting ONe white dwarfs (ONe WDs) have been studied for several decades, but there are still some issues that are not resolved. Recently, some studies suggested that the deflagration of oxygen would occur for accreting ONe WDs with Chandrasekhar masses. In this paper, we aim to investigate whether ONe WDs can experience accretion-induced collapse (AIC) or explosions when their masses approach the Chandrasekhar limit. Employing the stellar evolution code Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics (MESA), we simulate the long-term evolution of ONe WDs with accreting CO material. The ONe WDs undergo weak multicycle carbon flashes during the mass-accretion process, leading to mass increase of the WDs. We found that different initial WD masses and mass-accretion rates influence the evolution of central density and temperature. However, the central temperature cannot reach the explosive oxygen ignition temperature due to neutrino cooling. This work implies that the final outcome of accreting ONe WDs is electron-capture induced collapse rather than thermonuclear explosion.

Bipolar outflows and Jets From Young Stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bally, J.

2000-05-01

Stars produce powerful jets and winds during their birth. These primary outflows power shock waves (Herbig-Haro objects) and entrain surrounding gas to produce molecular outflows. Many outflows reach parsec-scale dimensions whose dynamical ages can become comparable to the accretion age of the source star. Thus, these giant outflows provide fossil records of the mass loss histories of their parent stars. Jet symmetries provide tantalizing clues about the violent history of stellar accretion and dynamical interactions with nearby companions. These flows inject sufficient energy and momentum into the surrounding medium to alter the physical and chemical state of the gas, generate turbulence, disrupt the parent cloud, and self-regulate the rate of star formation. Recent observations have revealed a new class of externally irradiated jets which are rendered visible by the light of nearby massive stars. Some of these jets appear to be millions of years old, indicating that outflow activity can persist for much longer than previously thought. Stellar jets provide ideal laboratories for the investigation of accretion powered outflows and associated shocks since their time-dependent behavior can be observed with a rich variety of spectral line diagnostics.

Outflows in X-ray binaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Diaz Trigo, M.

2017-10-01

Accretion onto neutron stars and black holes powers the most luminous phenomena in the Universe. Associated to it is the existence of outflows, in the form of uncollimated winds or highly collimated relativistic jets. The origin of outflows and their feedback to the environment is one of the most debated topics in astrophysics today. In this talk I will review the current understanding of accretion disc winds in X-ray binaries, their launching mechanism and their relation to specific accretion states. I will also discuss the potential interplay between the appearance/disappearance of such winds and relativistic jets and the insight gained with ongoing multi-wavelength observational programmes focused on the variability of such phenomena.

Swift observations of V404 Cyg during the 2015 outburst: X-ray outflows from super-Eddington accretion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Motta, S. E.; Kajava, J. J. E.; Sánchez-Fernández, C.; Beardmore, A. P.; Sanna, A.; Page, K. L.; Fender, R.; Altamirano, D.; Charles, P.; Giustini, M.; Knigge, C.; Kuulkers, E.; Oates, S.; Osborne, J. P.

2017-10-01

The black hole (BH) binary V404 Cyg entered the outburst phase in 2015 June after 26 yr of X-ray quiescence, and with its behaviour broke the outburst evolution pattern typical of most BH binaries. We observed the entire outburst with the Swift satellite and performed time-resolved spectroscopy of its most active phase, obtaining over a thousand spectra with exposures from tens to hundreds of seconds. All the spectra can be fitted with an absorbed power-law model, which most of the time required the presence of a partial covering. A blueshifted iron-Kα line appears in 10 per cent of the spectra together with the signature of high column densities, and about 20 per cent of the spectra seem to show signatures of reflection. None of the spectra showed the unambiguous presence of soft disc-blackbody emission, while the observed bolometric flux exceeded the Eddington value in 3 per cent of the spectra. Our results can be explained assuming that the inner part of the accretion flow is inflated into a slim disc that both hides the innermost (and brightest) regions of the flow, and produces a cold, clumpy, high-density outflow that introduces the high absorption and fast spectral variability observed. We argue that the BH in V404 Cyg might have been accreting erratically or even continuously at Eddington/super-Eddington rates - thus sustaining a surrounding slim disc - while being partly or completely obscured by the inflated disc and its outflow. Hence, the largest flares produced by the source might not be accretion-driven events, but instead the effects of the unveiling of the extremely bright source hidden within the system.

Discovery of very high velocity outflow in V Hydra - Wind from an accretion disk in a binary?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sahai, R.; Wannier, P. G.

1988-01-01

High-resolution observations of lines from the CO v = 1-0 vibration-rotation band at 4.6 microns, taken with the FTS/KPNO 4-m telescope, are reported for the carbon-rich red giant V Hydra, which is surrounded by an extended expanding molecular envelope resulting from extensive mass loss. The spectrum shows, in addition to the expected absorption at the outflow velocity of the envelope, absorption extending up to 120 km/s bluewards of the stellar velocity. A comparison of the spectrum observed at two epochs shows that the high-velocity absorption features change with time. It is suggested that the observed high-velocity features in V Hydra arise in a high-velocity polar outflow from an accretion disk in a binary system, as proposed in the mass-loss model for bipolar envelopes by Morris (1988).

Can a Wind Model Mimic a Convection-Dominated Accretion Flow Model?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chang, Heon-Young

2001-06-01

In this paper we investigate the properties of advection-dominated accretion flows(ADAFs) in case that outflows carry away infalling matter with its angular momentum and energy. Positive Bernoulli numbers in ADAFs allow a fraction of the gas to be ex-pelled in a form of outflows. The ADAFs are also unstable to convection. We present self-similar solutions for advection-dominated accretion flows in the presence of out-flows from the accretion flows (ADIOS). The axisymmetric flow is treated in variables integrated over polar sections and the effects of outflows on the accretion rlow are parameterized for possible configurations compatible with the one dimensional self-similar ADAF solution. We explicitly derive self-similar solutions of ADAFs in the presence of outflows and show that the strong outflows in the accretion flows result in a flatter density profile, which is similar to that of the convection-dominated accretion flows (CDAFs) in which convection transports the a! ngular momentum inward and the energy outward. These two different versions of the ADAF model should show similar behaviors in X-ray spectrum to some extent. Even though the two models may show similar behaviors, they should be distinguishable due to different physical properties. We suggest that for a central object of which mass is known these two different accretion flows should have different X-ray flux value due to deficient matter in the wind model.

Massive star formation by accretion. I. Disc accretion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haemmerlé, L.; Eggenberger, P.; Meynet, G.; Maeder, A.; Charbonnel, C.

2016-01-01

Context. Massive stars likely form by accretion and the evolutionary track of an accreting forming star corresponds to what is called the birthline in the Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram. The shape of this birthline is quite sensitive to the evolution of the entropy in the accreting star. Aims: We first study the reasons why some birthlines published in past years present different behaviours for a given accretion rate. We then revisit the question of the accretion rate, which allows us to understand the distribution of the observed pre-main-sequence (pre-MS) stars in the HR diagram. Finally, we identify the conditions needed to obtain a large inflation of the star along its pre-MS evolution that may push the birthline towards the Hayashi line in the upper part of the HR diagram. Methods: We present new pre-MS models including accretion at various rates and for different initial structures of the accreting core. We compare them with previously published equivalent models. From the observed upper envelope of pre-MS stars in the HR diagram, we deduce the accretion law that best matches the accretion history of most of the intermediate-mass stars. Results: In the numerical computation of the time derivative of the entropy, some treatment leads to an artificial loss of entropy and thus reduces the inflation that the accreting star undergoes along the birthline. In the case of cold disc accretion, the existence of a significant swelling during the accretion phase, which leads to radii ≳ 100 R⊙ and brings the star back to the red part of the HR diagram, depends sensitively on the initial conditions. For an accretion rate of 10-3M⊙ yr-1, only models starting from a core with a significant radiative region evolve back to the red part of the HR diagram. We also obtain that, in order to reproduce the observed upper envelope of pre-MS stars in the HR diagram with an accretion law deduced from the observed mass outflows in ultra-compact HII regions, the fraction of the

Production of the entire range of r-process nuclides by black hole accretion disc outflows from neutron star mergers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Meng-Ru; Fernández, Rodrigo; Martínez-Pinedo, Gabriel; Metzger, Brian D.

2016-12-01

We consider r-process nucleosynthesis in outflows from black hole accretion discs formed in double neutron star and neutron star-black hole mergers. These outflows, powered by angular momentum transport processes and nuclear recombination, represent an important - and in some cases dominant - contribution to the total mass ejected by the merger. Here we calculate the nucleosynthesis yields from disc outflows using thermodynamic trajectories from hydrodynamic simulations, coupled to a nuclear reaction network. We find that outflows produce a robust abundance pattern around the second r-process peak (mass number A ˜ 130), independent of model parameters, with significant production of A < 130 nuclei. This implies that dynamical ejecta with high electron fraction may not be required to explain the observed abundances of r-process elements in metal poor stars. Disc outflows reach the third peak (A ˜ 195) in most of our simulations, although the amounts produced depend sensitively on the disc viscosity, initial mass or entropy of the torus, and nuclear physics inputs. Some of our models produce an abundance spike at A = 132 that is absent in the Solar system r-process distribution. The spike arises from convection in the disc and depends on the treatment of nuclear heating in the simulations. We conclude that disc outflows provide an important - and perhaps dominant - contribution to the r-process yields of compact binary mergers, and hence must be included when assessing the contribution of these systems to the inventory of r-process elements in the Galaxy.

Radiative GRMHD simulations of accretion and outflow in non-magnetized neutron stars and ultraluminous X-ray sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abarca, David; Kluźniak, Wlodek; Sądowski, Aleksander

2018-06-01

We run two GRRMHD simulations of super-Eddington accretion disks around a black hole and a non-magnetized, non-rotating neutron star. The neutron star was modeled using a reflective inner boundary condition. We observe the formation of a transition layer in the inner region of the disk in the neutron star simulation which leads to a larger mass outflow rate and a lower radiative luminosity over the black hole case. Sphereization of the flow leads to an observable luminosity at infinity around the Eddington value when viewed from all directions for the neutron star case, contrasting to the black hole case where collimation of the emission leads to observable luminosities about an order of magnitude higher when observed along the disk axis. We find the outflow to be optically thick to scattering, which would lead to the obscuring of any neutron star pulsations observed in corresponding ULXs.

Comparison of Ejection Events in the Jet and Accretion Disc Outflows in 3C 111

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tombesi, F.; Sambruna, R. M.; Marscher, A. P.; Jorstad, S. G.; Reynolds, C. S.; Markowtiz, A.

2012-01-01

We present a comparison of the parameters of accretion disc outflows and the jet of the broad-line radio galaxy 3C 111 on sub-pc scales. We make use of published X-ray observations of ultra-fast outflows (UFOs) and new 43 GHz VLBA images to track the jet knots ejection. We find that the superluminal jet coexists with the mildly relativistic outflows on sub-pc scales, possibly indicating a transverse stratification of a global flow. The two are roughly in pressure equilibrium, with the UFOs potentially providing additional support for the initial jet collimation. The UFOs are much more massive than the jet, but their kinetic power is probably about an order of magnitude lower, at least for the observations considered here. However, their momentum flux is equivalent and both of them are powerful enough to exert a concurrent feedback impact on the surrounding environment. A link between these components is naturally predicted in the context of MHD models for jet/outflow formation. However, given the high radiation throughput of AGNs, radiation pressure should also be taken into account. From the comparison with the long-term 2-10 keV RXTE light curve we find that the UFOs are preferentially detected during periods of increasing flux. We also find the possibility to place the UFOs within the known X-ray dips-jet ejection cycles, which has been shown to be a strong proof of the disc-jet connection, in analogue with stellar-mass black holes. However, given the limited number of observations presently available, these relations are only tentative and additional spectral monitoring is needed to test them conclusively.

Evidence for ultrafast outflows in radio-quiet AGNs - III. Location and energetics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tombesi, F.; Cappi, M.; Reeves, J. N.; Braito, V.

2012-05-01

Using the results of a previous X-ray photoionization modelling of blueshifted Fe K absorption lines on a sample of 42 local radio-quiet AGNs observed with XMM-Newton, in this Letter we estimate the location and energetics of the associated ultrafast outflows (UFOs). Due to significant uncertainties, we are essentially able to place only lower/upper limits. On average, their location is in the interval ˜0.0003-0.03 pc (˜ 102-104rs) from the central black hole, consistent with what is expected for accretion disc winds/outflows. The mass outflow rates are constrained between ˜0.01 and 1 M⊙ yr-1, corresponding to >rsim5-10 per cent of the accretion rates. The average lower/upper limits on the mechanical power are log? 42.6-44.6 erg s-1. However, the minimum possible value of the ratio between the mechanical power and bolometric luminosity is constrained to be comparable or higher than the minimum required by simulations of feedback induced by winds/outflows. Therefore, this work demonstrates that UFOs are indeed capable to provide a significant contribution to the AGN cosmological feedback, in agreement with theoretical expectations and the recent observation of interactions between AGN outflows and the interstellar medium in several Seyfert galaxies.

A resolved outflow of matter from a brown dwarf.

PubMed

Whelan, Emma T; Ray, Thomas P; Bacciotti, Francesca; Natta, Antonella; Testi, Leonardo; Randich, Sofia

2005-06-02

The birth of stars involves not only accretion but also, counter-intuitively, the expulsion of matter in the form of highly supersonic outflows. Although this phenomenon has been seen in young stars, a fundamental question is whether it also occurs among newborn brown dwarfs: these are the so-called 'failed stars', with masses between stars and planets, that never manage to reach temperatures high enough for normal hydrogen fusion to occur. Recently, evidence for accretion in young brown dwarfs has mounted, and their spectra show lines that are suggestive of outflows. Here we report spectro-astrometric data that spatially resolve an outflow from a brown dwarf. The outflow's characteristics appear similar to, but on a smaller scale than, outflows from normal young stars. This result suggests that the outflow mechanism is universal, and perhaps relevant even to the formation of planets.

Massive Outflows Associated with ATLASGAL Clumps

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, A. Y.; Thompson, M. A.; Urquhart, J. S.; Tian, W. W.

2018-03-01

We have undertaken the largest survey for outflows within the Galactic plane using simultaneously observed {}13{CO} and {{{C}}}18{{O}} data. Out of a total of 919 ATLASGAL clumps, 325 have data suitable to identify outflows, and 225 (69% ± 3%) show high-velocity outflows. The clumps with detected outflows show significantly higher clump masses ({M}clump}), bolometric luminosities ({L}bol}), luminosity-to-mass ratios ({L}bol}/{M}clump}), and peak H2 column densities ({N}{{{H}}2}) compared to those without outflows. Outflow activity has been detected within the youngest quiescent clump (i.e., 70 μ {{m}} weak) in this sample, and we find that the outflow detection rate increases with {M}clump}, {L}bol}, {L}bol}/{M}clump}, and {N}{{{H}}2}, approaching 90% in some cases (UC H II regions = 93% ± 3%; masers = 86% ± 4%; HC H II regions = 100%). This high detection rate suggests that outflows are ubiquitous phenomena of massive star formation (MSF). The mean outflow mass entrainment rate implies a mean accretion rate of ∼ {10}-4 {M}ȯ {yr}}-1, in full agreement with the accretion rate predicted by theoretical models of MSF. Outflow properties are tightly correlated with {M}clump}, {L}bol}, and {L}bol}/{M}clump} and show the strongest relation with the bolometric clump luminosity. This suggests that outflows might be driven by the most massive and luminous source within the clump. The correlations are similar for both low-mass and high-mass outflows over 7 orders of magnitude, indicating that they may share a similar outflow mechanism. Outflow energy is comparable to the turbulent energy within the clump; however, we find no evidence that outflows increase the level of clump turbulence as the clumps evolve. This implies that the origin of turbulence within clumps is fixed before the onset of star formation.

Comparison of ejection events in the jet and accretion disc outflows in 3C 111

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tombesi, F.; Sambruna, R. M.; Marscher, A. P.; Jorstad, S. G.; Reynolds, C. S.; Markowitz, A.

2012-07-01

We present a comparison of the parameters of accretion disc outflows and the jet of the broad-line radio galaxy 3C 111 on subparsec (sub-pc) scales. We make use of published X-ray observations of ultra-fast outflows (UFOs) and new 43-GHz Very Long Baseline Array images to track the jet knot ejection. We find that the superluminal jet coexists with the mildly relativistic outflows on sub-pc scales, possibly indicating a transverse stratification of a global flow. The two are roughly in pressure equilibrium, with the UFOs potentially providing additional support for the initial jet collimation. The UFOs are much more massive than the jet, but their kinetic power is probably about an order of magnitude lower, at least for the observations considered here. However, their momentum flux is equivalent and both of them are powerful enough to exert a concurrent feedback impact on the surrounding environment. A link between these components is naturally predicted in the context of magnetohydrodynamic models for jet/outflow formation. However, given the high radiation throughput of active galactic nuclei, radiation pressure should also be taken into account. From the comparison with the long-term 2-10 keV Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer light curve, we find that the UFOs are preferentially detected during periods of increasing flux. We also find the possibility to place the UFOs within the known X-ray dips-jet ejection cycles, which has been shown to be a strong proof of the disc-jet connection, in analogue with stellar mass black holes. However, given the limited number of observations presently available, these relations are only tentative and additional spectral monitoring is needed to test them conclusively.

Evidence for Ultra-Fast Outflows in Radio-Quiet AGNs: III - Location and Energetics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tombesi, F.; Cappi, M.; Reeves, J. N.; Braito, V.

2012-01-01

Using the results of a previous X-ray photo-ionization modelling of blue-shifted Fe K absorption lines on a sample of 42 local radio-quiet AGNs observed with XMM-Newton, in this letter we estimate the location and energetics of the associated ultrafast outflows (UFOs). Due to significant uncertainties, we are essentially able to place only lower/upper limits. On average, their location is in the interval approx.0.0003-0.03pc (approx.10(exp 2)-10(exp 4)tau(sub s) from the central black hole, consistent with what is expected for accretion disk winds/outflows. The mass outflow rates are constrained between approx.0.01- 1 Stellar Mass/y, corresponding to approx. or >5-10% of the accretion rates. The average lower-upper limits on the mechanical power are logE(sub K) approx. or = 42.6-44.6 erg/s. However, the minimum possible value of the ratio between the mechanical power and bolometric luminosity is constrained to be comparable or higher than the minimum required by simulations of feedback induced by winds/outflows. Therefore, this work demonstrates that UFOs are indeed capable to provide a significant contribution to the AGN r.osmological feedback, in agreement with theoretical expectations and the recent observation of interactions between AGN outflows and the interstellar medium in several Seyferts galaxies .

Mass-loss from advective accretion disc around rotating black holes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aktar, Ramiz; Das, Santabrata; Nandi, Anuj

2015-11-01

We examine the properties of the outflowing matter from an advective accretion disc around a spinning black hole. During accretion, rotating matter experiences centrifugal pressure-supported shock transition that effectively produces a virtual barrier around the black hole in the form of post-shock corona (hereafter PSC). Due to shock compression, PSC becomes hot and dense that eventually deflects a part of the inflowing matter as bipolar outflows because of the presence of extra thermal gradient force. In our approach, we study the outflow properties in terms of the inflow parameters, namely specific energy (E) and specific angular momentum (λ) considering the realistic outflow geometry around the rotating black holes. We find that spin of the black hole (ak) plays an important role in deciding the outflow rate R_{dot{m}} (ratio of mass flux of outflow to inflow); in particular, R_{dot{m}} is directly correlated with ak for the same set of inflow parameters. It is found that a large range of the inflow parameters allows global accretion-ejection solutions, and the effective area of the parameter space (E, λ) with and without outflow decreases with black hole spin (ak). We compute the maximum outflow rate (R^{max}_{dot{m}}) as a function of black hole spin (ak) and observe that R^{max}_{dot{m}} weakly depends on ak that lies in the range ˜10-18 per cent of the inflow rate for the adiabatic index (γ) with 1.5 ≥ γ ≥ 4/3. We present the observational implication of our approach while studying the steady/persistent jet activities based on the accretion states of black holes. We discuss that our formalism seems to have the potential to explain the observed jet kinetic power for several Galactic black hole sources and active galactic nuclei.

Spin Evolution of Accreting Young Stars. II. Effect of Accretion-powered Stellar Winds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matt, Sean P.; Pinzón, Giovanni; Greene, Thomas P.; Pudritz, Ralph E.

2012-01-01

We present a model for the rotational evolution of a young, solar-mass star interacting magnetically with an accretion disk. As in a previous paper (Paper I), the model includes changes in the star's mass and radius as it descends the Hayashi track, a decreasing accretion rate, and a prescription for the angular momentum transfer between the star and disk. Paper I concluded that, for the relatively strong magnetic coupling expected in real systems, additional processes are necessary to explain the existence of slowly rotating pre-main-sequence stars. In the present paper, we extend the stellar spin model to include the effect of a spin-down torque that arises from an accretion-powered stellar wind (APSW). For a range of magnetic field strengths, accretion rates, initial spin rates, and mass outflow rates, the modeled stars exhibit rotation periods within the range of 1-10 days in the age range of 1-3 Myr. This range coincides with the bulk of the observed rotation periods, with the slow rotators corresponding to stars with the lowest accretion rates, strongest magnetic fields, and/or highest stellar wind mass outflow rates. We also make a direct, quantitative comparison between the APSW scenario and the two types of disk-locking models (namely, the X-wind and Ghosh & Lamb type models) and identify some remaining theoretical issues for understanding young star spins.

Numerical Study on Outflows in Seyfert Galaxies I: Narrow Line Region Outflows in NGC 4151

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mou, Guobin; Wang, Tinggui; Yang, Chenwei

2017-07-01

The origin of narrow line region (NLR) outflows remains unknown. In this paper, we explore the scenario in which these outflows are circumnuclear clouds driven by energetic accretion disk winds. We choose the well-studied nearby Seyfert galaxy NGC 4151 as an example. By performing 3D hydrodynamical simulations, we are able to reproduce the radial distributions of velocity, mass outflow rate, and kinetic luminosity of NLR outflows in the inner 100 pc deduced from spatial resolved spectroscopic observations. The demanded kinetic luminosity of disk winds is about two orders of magnitude higher than that inferred from the NLR outflows, but is close to the ultrafast outflows (UFO) detected in the X-ray spectrum and a few times lower than the bolometric luminosity of the Seyfert. Our simulations imply that the scenario is viable for NGC 4151. The existence of the underlying disk winds can be confirmed by their impacts on higher density ISM, e.g., shock excitation signs, and the pressure in NLR.

SPIN EVOLUTION OF ACCRETING YOUNG STARS. II. EFFECT OF ACCRETION-POWERED STELLAR WINDS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Matt, Sean P.; Pinzon, Giovanni; Greene, Thomas P.

2012-01-20

We present a model for the rotational evolution of a young, solar-mass star interacting magnetically with an accretion disk. As in a previous paper (Paper I), the model includes changes in the star's mass and radius as it descends the Hayashi track, a decreasing accretion rate, and a prescription for the angular momentum transfer between the star and disk. Paper I concluded that, for the relatively strong magnetic coupling expected in real systems, additional processes are necessary to explain the existence of slowly rotating pre-main-sequence stars. In the present paper, we extend the stellar spin model to include the effectmore » of a spin-down torque that arises from an accretion-powered stellar wind (APSW). For a range of magnetic field strengths, accretion rates, initial spin rates, and mass outflow rates, the modeled stars exhibit rotation periods within the range of 1-10 days in the age range of 1-3 Myr. This range coincides with the bulk of the observed rotation periods, with the slow rotators corresponding to stars with the lowest accretion rates, strongest magnetic fields, and/or highest stellar wind mass outflow rates. We also make a direct, quantitative comparison between the APSW scenario and the two types of disk-locking models (namely, the X-wind and Ghosh and Lamb type models) and identify some remaining theoretical issues for understanding young star spins.« less

A distance-limited sample of massive molecular outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maud, L. T.; Moore, T. J. T.; Lumsden, S. L.; Mottram, J. C.; Urquhart, J. S.; Hoare, M. G.

2015-10-01

We have observed 99 mid-infrared-bright, massive young stellar objects and compact H II regions drawn from the Red MSX source survey in the J = 3-2 transition of 12CO and 13CO, using the James Clerk Maxwell Telescope. 89 targets are within 6 kpc of the Sun, covering a representative range of luminosities and core masses. These constitute a relatively unbiased sample of bipolar molecular outflows associated with massive star formation. Of these, 59, 17 and 13 sources (66, 19 and 15 per cent) are found to have outflows, show some evidence of outflow, and have no evidence of outflow, respectively. The time-dependent parameters of the high-velocity molecular flows are calculated using a spatially variable dynamic time-scale. The canonical correlations between the outflow parameters and source luminosity are recovered and shown to scale with those of low-mass sources. For coeval star formation, we find the scaling is consistent with all the protostars in an embedded cluster providing the outflow force, with massive stars up to ˜30 M⊙ generating outflows. Taken at face value, the results support the model of a scaled-up version of the accretion-related outflow-generation mechanism associated with discs and jets in low-mass objects with time-averaged accretion rates of ˜10-3 M⊙ yr-1 on to the cores. However, we also suggest an alternative model, in which the molecular outflow dynamics are dominated by the entrained mass and are unrelated to the details of the acceleration mechanism. We find no evidence that outflows contribute significantly to the turbulent kinetic energy of the surrounding dense cores.

Outflow-driven Transients from the Birth of Binary Black Holes. II. Primary-induced Accretion Transients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kimura, Shigeo S.; Murase, Kohta; Mészáros, Peter

2017-12-01

We discuss the electromagnetic radiation from newborn binary black holes (BBHs). As a consequence of the evolution of massive stellar binaries, a binary consisting of a primary black hole (BH) and a secondary Wolf–Rayet star is expected as a BBH progenitor system. We investigate optical transients from the birth of BBHs powered by the Bondi–Hoyle–Lyttleton accretion onto the primary BH, which occur ∼1–10 Gyr earlier than gravitational-wave signals at the BH–BH merger. When the secondary massive star collapses into a BH, it may eject a fraction of its outer material and may form a disk around the primary BH and induces a powerful disk wind. These primary-induced winds can lead to optical transients with a kinetic energy of ∼1047–3 × 1048 erg, an ejecta velocity of 108–109 cm s‑1, a duration of a few days, and an absolute magnitude ranging from about ‑11 to ‑14. The light curves and late-time spectra of these transients are distinctive from those of ordinary supernovae, and detection of this type of transient is possible by future optical transient surveys if the event rate of this transient is comparable to the merger rate of BBHs. This paper focuses on the emissions from disk-driven transients induced by the primary BH, different from Paper I, which focuses on wind-driven transients from the tidally locked secondary massive star.

New Insights on the Accretion Disk-Winds Connection in Radio-Loud AGNs from Suzaku

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tombesi, F.; Sambruna, R. M.; Reeves, J. N.; Braito, V.; Cappi, M.; Reynolds, S.; Mushotzky, R. F.

2011-01-01

From the spectral analysis of long Suzaku observations of five radio-loud AGNs we have been able to discover the presence of ultra-fast outflows with velocities ,,approx.0.1 c in three of them, namely 3C III, 3C 120 and 3C 390.3. They are consistent with being accretion disk winds/outflows. We also performed a follow-up on 3C III to monitor its outflow on approx.7 days time-scales and detected an anti-correlated variability of a possible relativistic emission line with respect to blue-shifted Fe K features, following a flux increase. This provides the first direct evidence for an accretion disc-wind connection in an AGN. The mass outflow rate of these outflows can be comparable to the accretion rate and their mechanical power can correspond to a significant fraction of the bolometric luminosity and is comparable to their typical jet power. Therefore, they can possibly play a significant role in the expected feedback from AGNs and can give us further clues on the relation between the accretion disk and the formation of winds/jets.

Constraining Engine Paradigms of Pre-Planetary Nebulae Using Kinematic Properties of their Outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blackman, E.

2014-04-01

Binary interactions and accretion plausibly conspire to produce the ubiquitous collimated outflows from planetary nebulae (PN) and their presumed pre-planetary nebulae (PPN) progenitors. But which accretion engines are viable? The difficulty in observationally resolving the engines warrants indirect constraints. I discuss how momentum outflow data for PPN can be used to determine the minimum required accretion rate for presumed main sequence (MS) or white dwarf (WD) accretors by comparing to several example accretion rates inferred from published models. While the main goal is to show the method in anticipation of more data and better theoretical constraints, taking the present results at face value already rule out modes of accretion: Bondi-Hoyle Lyttleton (BHL) wind accretion and wind Roche lobe overflow (M-WRLOF, based on Mira parameters) are too feeble for all 19/19 objects for a MS accretor. For a WD accretor, BHL is ruled out for 18/19 objects and M-WRLOF for 15/19 objects. Roche lobe overflow from the primary can accommodate 7/19 objects but only common envelope evolution accretion modes seem to be able to accommodate all 19 objects. Sub-Eddington rates for a MS accretor are acceptable but 8/19 would require super-Eddington rates for a WD. I also briefly discuss a possible anti-correlation between age and maximum observed outflow speed, and the role of magnetic fields.

Regulation of black-hole accretion by a disk wind during a violent outburst of V404 Cygni.

PubMed

Muñoz-Darias, T; Casares, J; Mata Sánchez, D; Fender, R P; Armas Padilla, M; Linares, M; Ponti, G; Charles, P A; Mooley, K P; Rodriguez, J

2016-06-02

Accretion of matter onto black holes is universally associated with strong radiative feedback and powerful outflows. In particular, black-hole transients have outflows whose properties are strongly coupled to those of the accretion flow. This includes X-ray winds of ionized material, expelled from the accretion disk encircling the black hole, and collimated radio jets. Very recently, a distinct optical variability pattern has been reported in the transient stellar-mass black hole V404 Cygni, and interpreted as disrupted mass flow into the inner regions of its large accretion disk. Here we report observations of a sustained outer accretion disk wind in V404 Cyg, which is unlike any seen hitherto. We find that the outflowing wind is neutral, has a large covering factor, expands at one per cent of the speed of light and triggers a nebular phase once accretion drops sharply and the ejecta become optically thin. The large expelled mass (>10(-8) solar masses) indicates that the outburst was prematurely ended when a sizeable fraction of the outer disk was depleted by the wind, detaching the inner regions from the rest of the disk. The luminous, but brief, accretion phases shown by transients with large accretion disks imply that this outflow is probably a fundamental ingredient in regulating mass accretion onto black holes.

Regulation of black-hole accretion by a disk wind during a violent outburst of V404 Cygni

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muñoz-Darias, T.; Casares, J.; Mata Sánchez, D.; Fender, R. P.; Armas Padilla, M.; Linares, M.; Ponti, G.; Charles, P. A.; Mooley, K. P.; Rodriguez, J.

2016-06-01

Accretion of matter onto black holes is universally associated with strong radiative feedback and powerful outflows. In particular, black-hole transients have outflows whose properties are strongly coupled to those of the accretion flow. This includes X-ray winds of ionized material, expelled from the accretion disk encircling the black hole, and collimated radio jets. Very recently, a distinct optical variability pattern has been reported in the transient stellar-mass black hole V404 Cygni, and interpreted as disrupted mass flow into the inner regions of its large accretion disk. Here we report observations of a sustained outer accretion disk wind in V404 Cyg, which is unlike any seen hitherto. We find that the outflowing wind is neutral, has a large covering factor, expands at one per cent of the speed of light and triggers a nebular phase once accretion drops sharply and the ejecta become optically thin. The large expelled mass (>10-8 solar masses) indicates that the outburst was prematurely ended when a sizeable fraction of the outer disk was depleted by the wind, detaching the inner regions from the rest of the disk. The luminous, but brief, accretion phases shown by transients with large accretion disks imply that this outflow is probably a fundamental ingredient in regulating mass accretion onto black holes.

Jet launching radius in low-power radio-loud AGNs in advection-dominated accretion flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Le, Truong; Newman, William; Edge, Brinkley

2018-06-01

Using our theory for the production of relativistic outflows, we estimate the jet launching radius and the inferred mass accretion rate for 52 low-power radio-loud AGNs based on the observed jet powers. Our analysis indicates that (1) a significant fraction of the accreted energy is required to convert the accreted mass to relativistic energy particles for the production of the jets near the event horizon, (2) the jet's launching radius moves radially towards the horizon as the mass accretion rate or jet's power increases, and (3) no jet/outflow formation is possible beyond 44 gravitational radii.

Numerical Study on Outflows in Seyfert Galaxies I: Narrow Line Region Outflows in NGC 4151

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mou, Guobin; Wang, Tinggui; Yang, Chenwei, E-mail: gbmou@ustc.edu.cn

The origin of narrow line region (NLR) outflows remains unknown. In this paper, we explore the scenario in which these outflows are circumnuclear clouds driven by energetic accretion disk winds. We choose the well-studied nearby Seyfert galaxy NGC 4151 as an example. By performing 3D hydrodynamical simulations, we are able to reproduce the radial distributions of velocity, mass outflow rate, and kinetic luminosity of NLR outflows in the inner 100 pc deduced from spatial resolved spectroscopic observations. The demanded kinetic luminosity of disk winds is about two orders of magnitude higher than that inferred from the NLR outflows, but ismore » close to the ultrafast outflows (UFO) detected in the X-ray spectrum and a few times lower than the bolometric luminosity of the Seyfert. Our simulations imply that the scenario is viable for NGC 4151. The existence of the underlying disk winds can be confirmed by their impacts on higher density ISM, e.g., shock excitation signs, and the pressure in NLR.« less

Three-Dimensional General-Relativistic Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations of Remnant Accretion Disks from Neutron Star Mergers: Outflows and r -Process Nucleosynthesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siegel, Daniel M.; Metzger, Brian D.

2017-12-01

The merger of binary neutron stars, or of a neutron star and a stellar-mass black hole, can result in the formation of a massive rotating torus around a spinning black hole. In addition to providing collimating media for γ -ray burst jets, unbound outflows from these disks are an important source of mass ejection and rapid neutron capture (r -process) nucleosynthesis. We present the first three-dimensional general-relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) simulations of neutrino-cooled accretion disks in neutron star mergers, including a realistic equation of state valid at low densities and temperatures, self-consistent evolution of the electron fraction, and neutrino cooling through an approximate leakage scheme. After initial magnetic field amplification by magnetic winding, we witness the vigorous onset of turbulence driven by the magnetorotational instability (MRI). The disk quickly reaches a balance between heating from MRI-driven turbulence and neutrino cooling, which regulates the midplane electron fraction to a low equilibrium value Ye≈0.1 . Over the 380-ms duration of the simulation, we find that a fraction ≈20 % of the initial torus mass is unbound in powerful outflows with asymptotic velocities v ≈0.1 c and electron fractions Ye≈0.1 - 0.25 . Postprocessing the outflows through a nuclear reaction network shows the production of a robust second- and third-peak r process. Though broadly consistent with the results of previous axisymmetric hydrodynamical simulations, extrapolation of our results to late times suggests that the total ejecta mass from GRMHD disks is significantly higher. Our results provide strong evidence that postmerger disk outflows are an important site for the r process.

Three-Dimensional General-Relativistic Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations of Remnant Accretion Disks from Neutron Star Mergers: Outflows and r-Process Nucleosynthesis.

PubMed

Siegel, Daniel M; Metzger, Brian D

2017-12-08

The merger of binary neutron stars, or of a neutron star and a stellar-mass black hole, can result in the formation of a massive rotating torus around a spinning black hole. In addition to providing collimating media for γ-ray burst jets, unbound outflows from these disks are an important source of mass ejection and rapid neutron capture (r-process) nucleosynthesis. We present the first three-dimensional general-relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) simulations of neutrino-cooled accretion disks in neutron star mergers, including a realistic equation of state valid at low densities and temperatures, self-consistent evolution of the electron fraction, and neutrino cooling through an approximate leakage scheme. After initial magnetic field amplification by magnetic winding, we witness the vigorous onset of turbulence driven by the magnetorotational instability (MRI). The disk quickly reaches a balance between heating from MRI-driven turbulence and neutrino cooling, which regulates the midplane electron fraction to a low equilibrium value Y_{e}≈0.1. Over the 380-ms duration of the simulation, we find that a fraction ≈20% of the initial torus mass is unbound in powerful outflows with asymptotic velocities v≈0.1c and electron fractions Y_{e}≈0.1-0.25. Postprocessing the outflows through a nuclear reaction network shows the production of a robust second- and third-peak r process. Though broadly consistent with the results of previous axisymmetric hydrodynamical simulations, extrapolation of our results to late times suggests that the total ejecta mass from GRMHD disks is significantly higher. Our results provide strong evidence that postmerger disk outflows are an important site for the r process.

Propeller-driven outflows from an MRI disc

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lii, Patrick S.; Romanova, Marina M.; Ustyugova, Galina V.; Koldoba, Alexander V.; Lovelace, Richard V. E.

2014-06-01

Accreting magnetized stars may be in the propeller regime of disc accretion in which the angular velocity of the stellar magnetosphere exceeds that of the inner disc. In these systems, the stellar magnetosphere acts as a centrifugal barrier and plays a dominant role in the inner disc dynamics by inhibiting matter accretion on to the star. In this work, we investigate the dynamics of the propeller regime using axisymmetric MHD simulations of MRI-driven accretion on to a rapidly rotating magnetized star. The disc matter is inhibited from accreting on to the star and instead accumulates at the disc-magnetosphere boundary, slowly building up a reservoir of matter. Some of this matter diffuses into the outer magnetosphere where it picks up angular momentum and is ejected as an outflow which gradually collimates at larger distances from the star. If the ejection rate is smaller than the disc's accretion rate, then the matter accumulates at the disc-magnetosphere boundary faster than it can be ejected. In this situation, accretion on to the propelling star proceeds through the episodic accretion cycle in which episodes of matter accumulation are followed by a brief episode of simultaneous ejection and accretion on to the star. In addition to the matter-dominated wind component, the propeller also drives a well-collimated, magnetically dominated Poynting jet which transports energy and angular momentum away from the star. The propelling stars undergo strong spin-down due to the outflow of angular momentum in the wind and jet. We measure spin-down time-scales of ˜1.2 Myr for a cTTs in the strong propeller regime of accretion. The propeller mechanism may explain some of the jets and winds observed around some T Tauri stars as well as the nature of their ejections. It may also explain some of the quasi-periodic variability observed in cataclysmic variables, millisecond pulsars and other magnetized stars.

Dynamically important magnetic fields near accreting supermassive black holes.

PubMed

Zamaninasab, M; Clausen-Brown, E; Savolainen, T; Tchekhovskoy, A

2014-06-05

Accreting supermassive black holes at the centres of active galaxies often produce 'jets'--collimated bipolar outflows of relativistic particles. Magnetic fields probably play a critical role in jet formation and in accretion disk physics. A dynamically important magnetic field was recently found near the Galactic Centre black hole. If this is common and if the field continues to near the black hole event horizon, disk structures will be affected, invalidating assumptions made in standard models. Here we report that jet magnetic field and accretion disk luminosity are tightly correlated over seven orders of magnitude for a sample of 76 radio-loud active galaxies. We conclude that the jet-launching regions of these radio-loud galaxies are threaded by dynamically important fields, which will affect the disk properties. These fields obstruct gas infall, compress the accretion disk vertically, slow down the disk rotation by carrying away its angular momentum in an outflow and determine the directionality of jets.

Momentum-driven Winds from Radiatively Efficient Black Hole Accretion and Their Impact on Galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brennan, Ryan; Choi, Ena; Somerville, Rachel S.; Hirschmann, Michaela; Naab, Thorsten; Ostriker, Jeremiah P.

2018-06-01

We explore the effect of momentum-driven winds representing radiation-pressure-driven outflows from accretion onto supermassive black holes in a set of numerical hydrodynamical simulations. We explore two matched sets of cosmological zoom-in runs of 24 halos with masses ∼1012.0–1013.4 M ⊙ run with two different feedback models. Our “NoAGN” model includes stellar feedback via UV heating, stellar winds and supernovae, photoelectric heating, and cosmic X-ray background heating from a metagalactic background. Our fiducial “MrAGN” model is identical except that it also includes a model for black hole seeding and accretion, as well as heating and momentum injection associated with the radiation from black hole accretion. Our MrAGN model launches galactic outflows, which result in both “ejective” feedback—the outflows themselves that drive gas out of galaxies—and “preventative” feedback, which suppresses the inflow of new and recycling gas. As much as 80% of outflowing galactic gas can be expelled, and accretion can be suppressed by as much as a factor of 30 in the MrAGN runs when compared with the NoAGN runs. The histories of NoAGN galaxies are recycling dominated, with ∼70% of material that leaves the galaxy eventually returning, and the majority of outflowing gas reaccretes on 1 Gyr timescales without AGN feedback. Outflowing gas in the MrAGN runs has a higher characteristic velocity (500–1000 km s‑1 versus 100–300 km s‑1 for outflowing NoAGN gas) and travels as far as a few megaparsecs. Only ∼10% of ejected material is reaccreted in the MrAGN galaxies.

Mass Accretion Processes in Young Stellar Objects: Role of Intense Flaring Activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orlando, Salvatore; Reale, Fabio; Peres, Giovanni; Mignone, Andrea

2014-11-01

According to the magnetospheric accretion scenario, young low-mass stars are surrounded by circumstellar disks which they interact with through accretion of mass. The accretion builds up the star to its final mass and is also believed to power the mass outflows, which may in turn have a signicant role in removing the excess angular momentum from the star-disk system. Although the process of mass accretion is a critical aspect of star formation, some of its mechanisms are still to be fully understood. On the other hand, strong flaring activity is a common feature of young stellar objects (YSOs). In the Sun, such events give rise to perturbations of the interplanetary medium. Similar but more energetic phenomena occur in YSOs and may influence the circumstellar environment. In fact, a recent study has shown that an intense flaring activity close to the disk may strongly perturb the stability of circumstellar disks, thus inducing mass accretion episodes (Orlando et al. 2011). Here we review the main results obtained in the field and the future perspectives.

Tracking the Iron Kα line and the Ultra Fast Outflow in NGC 2992 at different accretion states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marinucci, A.; Bianchi, S.; Braito, V.; Matt, G.; Nardini, E.; Reeves, J.

2018-06-01

The Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 2992 has been monitored eight times by XMM-Newton in 2010 and then observed again in 2013, while in 2015 it was simultaneously targeted by Swift and NuSTAR. XMM-Newton always caught the source in a faint state (2-10 keV fluxes ranging from 0.3 to 1.6× 10-11 erg cm-2 s-1) but NuSTAR showed an increase in the 2-10 keV flux up to 6× 10-11 erg cm-2 s-1. We find possible evidence of an Ultra Fast Outflow with velocity v1 = 0.21 ± 0.01c (detected at about 99% confidence level) in such a flux state. The UFO in NGC 2992 is consistent with being ejected at a few tens of gravitational radii only at accretion rates greater than 2% of the Eddington luminosity. The analysis of the low flux 2010/2013 XMM data allowed us to determine that the Iron Kα emission line complex in this object is likely the sum of three distinct components: a constant, narrow one due to reflection from cold, distant material (likely the molecular torus); a narrow, but variable one which is more intense in brighter observations and a broad relativistic one emitted in the innermost regions of the accretion disk, which has been detected only in the 2003 XMM observation.

Ultrafast outflows in Super-Eddington Tidal Disruption Events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kara, Erin

2017-08-01

The disruption of a star from the strong tidal forces of a supermassive black hole can cause the stellar debris to fall back towards the black hole at super Eddington rates. Efficient circularization of the debris can lead to the formation of an accretion disc with luminosities close to or potentially exceeding Eddington limit. Most super-Eddington accretion flow models (including recent magnetohydrodynamic simulations) predict large scale height, optically thick equatorial winds at relativistic velocities. In this talk, we will present observational results from two of the most well-observed X-ray emitting Tidal Disruption Events, Swift J1644+57 and ASASSN-14li. Both of these objects show evidence for massive outflows at tens of percent of the speed of light. The outflow in Swift J1644+57 was detected via blue shifted emission and reverberation of the iron K alpha line, and ASASSN-14li shows a potential P Cygni profile of the OVIII line. We will discuss the constraints that these observations put on the geometry of the super-Eddington accretion flows in tidal disruption events.

The angular momentum of disc galaxies: implications for gas accretion, outflows, and dynamical friction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dutton, Aaron A.; van den Bosch, Frank C.

2012-03-01

We combine constraints on the galaxy-dark matter connection with structural and dynamical scaling relations to investigate the angular momentum content of disc galaxies. For haloes with masses in the interval 1011.3 M⊙≲Mvir≲ 1012.7 M⊙ we find that the galaxy spin parameters are basically independent of halo mass with ?. This is significantly lower than for relaxed Λcold dark matter (ΛCDM) haloes, which have an average spin parameter ?. The average ratio between the specific angular momentum of disc galaxies and their host dark matter haloes is therefore ?. This calls into question a standard assumption made in the majority of all (semi-analytical) models for (disc) galaxy formation, namely that ?. Using simple disc formation models we show that it is particularly challenging to understand why ? is independent of halo mass, while the galaxy formation efficiency (ɛGF; proportional to the ratio of galaxy mass to halo mass) reveals a strong halo mass dependence. We argue that the empirical scaling relations between ɛGF, ? and halo mass require both feedback (i.e. galactic outflows) and angular momentum transfer from the baryons to the dark matter (i.e. dynamical friction). Most importantly, the efficiency of angular momentum loss needs to decrease with increasing halo mass. Such a mass dependence may reflect a bias against forming stable discs in high-mass, low-spin haloes or a transition from cold-mode accretion in low-mass haloes to hot-mode accretion at the massive end. However, current hydrodynamical simulations of galaxy formation, which should include these processes, seem unable to reproduce the empirical relation between ɛGF and ?. We conclude that the angular momentum build-up of galactic discs remains poorly understood.

Acromegaly-induced cardiomyopathy with dobutamine-induced outflow tract obstruction.

PubMed

Abdelsalam, Mahmoud A; Nippoldt, Todd B; Geske, Jeffrey B

2016-03-09

A 50-year-old man with a history of acromegaly was referred for preoperative cardiac evaluation preceding trans-sphenoidal resection of a pituitary macroadenoma. Dobutamine stress echocardiography was negative for myocardial ischaemia. Resting left ventricular (LV) LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was 64% and there was hypertrophy of ventricular septum (18 mm) without resting LV outflow tract obstruction. With 40 µg/kg/min of dobutamine, the LVEF became hyperdynamic at 80%, and there was a maximal instantaneous LV outflow tract gradient of 77 mm Hg. There was no delayed myocardial enhancement on cardiac MRI and the pattern of hypertrophy was concentric. Acromegaly-induced cardiomyopathy can mimic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in the setting of dobutamine provocation. Because cardiomyopathy is an important cause of mortality in acromegaly, diagnosis and appropriate management are critical to improve survival. 2016 BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.

On the Fraction of Quasars with Outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ganguly, Rajib; Brotherton, Michael S.

2008-01-01

Outflows from active galactic nuclei (AGNs) seem to be common and are thought to be important from a variety of perspectives: as an agent of chemical enhancement of the interstellar and intergalactic media, as an agent of angular momentum removal from the accreting central engine, and as an agent limiting star formation in starbursting systems by blowing out gas and dust from the host galaxy. To understand these processes, we must determine what fraction of AGNs feature outflows and understand what forms they take. We examine recent surveys of quasar absorption lines, reviewing the best means to determine if systems are intrinsic and result from outflowing material, and the limitations of approaches taken to date. The surveys reveal that, while the fraction of specific forms of outflows depends on AGN properties, the overall fraction displaying outflows is fairly constant, approximately 60%, over many orders of magnitude in luminosity. We emphasize some issues concerning classification of outflows driven by data type rather than necessarily the physical nature of outflows and illustrate how understanding outflows probably requires a more comprehensive approach than has usually been taken in the past.

Chandra Survey of Nearby Galaxies: Testing the Accretion Model for Low-luminosity AGNs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

She, Rui; Ho, Luis C.; Feng, Hua; Cui, Can

2018-06-01

From a Chandra sample of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) in nearby galaxies, we find that for low-luminosity AGNs, either the intrinsic absorption column density, or the fraction of absorbed AGNs, positively scales with the Eddington ratio for L bol/L Edd ≲ 10‑2. Such a behavior, along with the softness of the X-ray spectrum at low luminosities, is in good agreement with the picture that they are powered by hot accretion flows surrounding supermassive black holes. Numerical simulations find that outflows are inevitable with hot accretion flows, and the outflow rate is correlated with the innermost accretion rate in the low-luminosity regime. This agrees well with our results, suggesting that the X-ray absorption originates from, or is associated with, the outflow material. Gas and dust on larger scales may also produce the observed correlation. Future correlation analyses may help differentiate the two scenarios.

A New Look at Speeding Outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kohler, Susanna

2018-02-01

The compact centers of active galaxies known as active galactic nuclei, or AGN are known for the dynamic behavior they exhibit as the supermassive black holes at their centers accrete matter. New observations of outflows from a nearby AGN provide a more detailed look at what happens in these extreme environments.Outflows from GiantsThe powerful radio jets of Cygnus A, which extend far beyond the galaxy. [NRAO/AUI]AGN consist of a supermassive black hole of millions to tens of billions of solar masses surrounded by an accretion disk of in-falling matter. But not all the material falling toward the black hole accretes! Some of it is flung from the AGN via various types of outflows.The most well-known of these outflows are powerful radio jets collimated and incredibly fast-moving streams of particles that blast their way out of the host galaxy and into space. Only around 10% of AGN are observed to host such jets, however and theres another outflow thats more ubiquitous.Fast-Moving AbsorbersPerhaps 30% of AGN both those with and without observed radio jets host wider-angle, highly ionized gaseous outflows known as ultra-fast outflows (UFOs). Ultraviolet and X-ray radiation emitted from the AGN is absorbed by the UFO, revealing the outflows presence: absorption lines appear in the ultraviolet and X-ray spectra of the AGN, blue-shifted due to the high speeds of the absorbing gas in the outflow.Quasar PG 1211+143, indicated by the crosshairs at the center of the image, in the color context of its surroundings. [SDSS/S. Karge]But what is the nature of UFOs? Are they disk winds? Or are they somehow related to the radio jets? And what impact do they have on the AGNs host galaxy?X-ray and Ultraviolet CooperationNew observations are now providing fresh information about one particular UFO. A team of scientists led by Ashkbiz Danehkar (Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics) recently used the Chandra and Hubble space telescopes to make the first simultaneous observations

X-ray Evidence for Ultra-Fast Outflows in Local AGNs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tombesi, F.; Cappi, M.; Sambruna, R. M.; Reeves, J. N.; Reynolds, C. S.; Braito, V.; Dadina, M.

2012-08-01

X-ray evidence for ultra-fast outflows (UFOs) has been recently reported in a number of local AGNs through the detection of blue-shifted Fe XXV/XXVI absorption lines. We present the results of a comprehensive spectral analysis of a large sample of 42 local Seyferts and 5 Broad-Line Radio Galaxies (BLRGs) observed with XMM-Newton and Suzaku. We detect UFOs in ga 40% of the sources. Their outflow velocities are in the range ˜ 0.03-0.3c, with a mean value of ˜ 0.14c. The ionization is high, in the range logℰ ˜3-6rm erg s-1 cm, and also the associated column densities are large, in the interval ˜ 1022-1024rm cm-2. Overall, these results point to the presence of highly ionized and massive outflowing material in the innermost regions of AGNs. Their variability and location on sub-pc scales favor a direct association with accretion disk winds/outflows. This also suggests that UFOs may potentially play a significant role in the AGN cosmological feedback besides jets, and their study can provide important clues on the connection between accretion disks, winds, and jets.

The Large-scale Magnetic Fields of Thin Accretion Disks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cao, Xinwu; Spruit, Hendrik C.

2013-03-01

Large-scale magnetic field threading an accretion disk is a key ingredient in the jet formation model. The most attractive scenario for the origin of such a large-scale field is the advection of the field by the gas in the accretion disk from the interstellar medium or a companion star. However, it is realized that outward diffusion of the accreted field is fast compared with the inward accretion velocity in a geometrically thin accretion disk if the value of the Prandtl number P m is around unity. In this work, we revisit this problem considering the angular momentum of the disk to be removed predominantly by the magnetically driven outflows. The radial velocity of the disk is significantly increased due to the presence of the outflows. Using a simplified model for the vertical disk structure, we find that even moderately weak fields can cause sufficient angular momentum loss via a magnetic wind to balance outward diffusion. There are two equilibrium points, one at low field strengths corresponding to a plasma-beta at the midplane of order several hundred, and one for strong accreted fields, β ~ 1. We surmise that the first is relevant for the accretion of weak, possibly external, fields through the outer parts of the disk, while the latter one could explain the tendency, observed in full three-dimensional numerical simulations, of strong flux bundles at the centers of disk to stay confined in spite of strong magnetororational instability turbulence surrounding them.

MHD Simulations of Magnetized Stars in the Propeller Regime of Accretion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lii, Patrick; Romanova, Marina; Lovelace, Richard

2014-01-01

Accreting magnetized stars may be in the propeller regime of disc accretion in which the angular velocity of the stellar magnetosphere exceeds that of the inner disc. In these systems, the stellar magnetosphere acts as a centrifugal barrier and inhibits matter accretion onto the rapidly rotating star. Instead, the matter accreting through the disc accumulates at the disc-magnetosphere interface where it picks up angular momentum and is ejected from the system as a wide-angled outflow which gradually collimates at larger distances from the star. If the ejection rate is lower than the accretion rate, the matter will accumulate at the boundary faster than it can be ejected; in this case, accretion onto the star proceeds through an episodic accretion instability in which the episodes of matter accumulation are followed by a brief episode of simultaneous ejection and accretion of matter onto the star. In addition to the matter dominated wind component, the propeller outflow also exhibits a well-collimated, magnetically-dominated Poynting jet which transports energy and angular momentum away from the star. The propeller mechanism may explain some of the weakly-collimated jets and winds observed around some T Tauri stars as well as the episodic variability present in their light curves. It may also explain some of the quasi-periodic variability observed in cataclysmic variables, millisecond pulsars and other magnetized stars.

Ultra-fast outflows (aka UFOs) from AGNs and QSOs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cappi, M.; Tombesi, F.; Giustini, M.

During the last decade, strong observational evidence has been accumulated for the existence of massive, high velocity winds/outflows (aka Ultra Fast Outflows, UFOs) in nearby AGNs and in more distant quasars. Here we briefly review some of the most recent developments in this field and discuss the relevance of UFOs for both understanding the physics of accretion disk winds in AGNs, and for quantifying the global amount of AGN feedback on the surrounding medium.

Comparison between Radiation-Hydrodynamic Simulation of Supercritical Accretion Flows and a Steady Model with Outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiao, Cheng-Liang; Mineshige, Shin; Takeuchi, Shun; Ohsuga, Ken

2015-06-01

We apply our two-dimensional (2D), radially self-similar steady-state accretion flow model to the analysis of hydrodynamic simulation results of supercritical accretion flows. Self-similarity is checked and the input parameters for the model calculation, such as advective factor and heat capacity ratio, are obtained from time-averaged simulation data. Solutions of the model are then calculated and compared with the simulation results. We find that in the converged region of the simulation, excluding the part too close to the black hole, the radial distributions of azimuthal velocity {{v}φ }, density ρ and pressure p basically follow the self-similar assumptions, i.e., they are roughly proportional to {{r}-0.5}, {{r}-n}, and {{r}-(n+1)}, respectively, where n∼ 0.85 for the mass injection rate of 1000{{L}E}/{{c}2}, and n∼ 0.74 for 3000{{L}E}/{{c}2}. The distribution of vr and {{v}θ } agrees less with self-similarity, possibly due to convective motions in the rθ plane. The distribution of velocity, density, and pressure in the θ direction obtained by the steady model agrees well with the simulation results within the calculation boundary of the steady model. Outward mass flux in the simulations is overall directed toward a polar angle of 0.8382 rad (∼ 48\\buildrel{\\circ}\\over{.} 0) for 1000{{L}E}/{{c}2} and 0.7852 rad (∼ 43\\buildrel{\\circ}\\over{.} 4) for 3000{{L}E}/{{c}2}, and ∼94% of the mass inflow is driven away as outflow, while outward momentum and energy fluxes are focused around the polar axis. Parts of these fluxes lie in the region that is not calculated by the steady model, and special attention should be paid when the model is applied.

Quasars Outflows As A Function of SED - An Empirical Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richmond, Joseph M.; Ganguly, Rajib

2015-08-01

Feedback from quasars (jets, outflows, and luminosity) is now recognized as a vital phase in describing galaxy evolution, growth, and star formation efficiency. Regarding outflows, roughly 60% are observed to have outflowing gas appearing at large velocities and with a variety of velocity dispersions. The most extreme observed form of these outflows appears in the ultraviolet spectrum of 15-20% of objects. Understanding the physics of these outflows is important for both astrophysical and cosmological reasons. Establishing empirical relationships to test the theoretical models of how these outflows are driven (and hence, how they impact their surroundings) is currently plagued by having too few objects, where other parameters like the black hole mass or accretion rate, may add to the scatter. We aim to fix this by using a systematic study of a large sample of objects. As a follow up to a previous study, we have identified a sample of nearly 11000 z=1.7-2 quasars using archived data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (Data Release 7), of which roughly 4400 appear to show outflows according to the visual inspection. The specific redshift range is chosen to feature both the Mg II 2800 emission line as well as wavelengths extending to nearly 20,000 km/s blueward of the C IV 1549 emission line. Our goals for this study are: (1) To temper our visual inspection schemes with a more automated, computer-driven scheme; (2) To measure the properties of the outflows (velocity, velocity dispersion, equivalent width, ionization); (3) To supplement the SDSS spectra with photometric measurements from GALEX, 2MASS, and WISE to further characterize the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) and dust content; (4) To form spectral composites to investigate possible SED changes with outflow properties; and (5) To use published estimates of the quasar physical properties (black hole mass, accretion rate, etc.) to fully establish in an empirical way the complex dependencies between the

MHD Simulations of Magnetospheric Accretion, Ejection and Plasma-field Interaction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Romanova, M. M.; Lovelace, R. V. E.; Bachetti, M.; Blinova, A. A.; Koldoba, A. V.; Kurosawa, R.; Lii, P. S.; Ustyugova, G. V.

2014-01-01

We review recent axisymmetric and three-dimensional (3D) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) numerical simulations of magnetospheric accretion, plasma-field interaction and outflows from the disk-magnetosphere boundary.

What Fraction of Active Galaxies Actually Show Outflows?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ganguly, Rajib; Brotherton, M. S.

2007-12-01

Outflows from active galactic nuclei (AGNs) seem to be common and are thought to be important from a variety of perspectives: as an agent of chemical enhancement of the interstellar and intergalactic media, as an agent of angular momentum removal from the accreting central engine, and as an agent limiting star formation in starbursting systems by blowing out gas and dust from the host galaxy. To understand these processes, we must determine what fraction of AGNs feature outflows and understand what forms they take. We examine recent surveys of outflows detected in ultraviolet absorption over the entire range of velocities and velocity widths (i.e., broad absorption lines, associated absorption lines, and high-velocity narrow absorption lines). While the fraction of specific forms of outflows depends on AGN properties, the overall fraction displaying outflows is fairly constant, approximately 60%, over many orders of magnitude in luminosity. We discuss implications of this result and ways to refine our understanding of outflows. We acknowledge support from the US National Science Foundation through grant AST 05-07781.

Spin properties of supermassive black holes with powerful outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daly, Ruth. A.

2016-05-01

Relationships between beam power and accretion disc luminosity are studied for a sample of 55 high excitation radio galaxies (HERG), 13 low excitation radio galaxies (LERG), and 29 radio loud quasars (RLQ) with powerful outflows. The ratio of beam power to disc luminosity tends to be high for LERG, low for RLQ, and spans the full range of values for HERG. Writing general expressions for the disc luminosity and beam power and applying the empirically determined relationships allows a function that parametrizes the spins of the holes to be estimated. Interestingly, one of the solutions that is consistent with the data has a functional form that is remarkably similar to that expected in the generalized Blandford-Znajek model with a magnetic field that is similar in form to that expected in magnetically arrested disk (MAD) and advection-dominated accretion flow (ADAF) models. Values of the spin function, obtained independent of specific outflow models, suggest that spin and active galactic nucleus type are not related for these types of sources. The spin function can be used to solve for black hole spin in the context of particular outflow models, and one example is provided.

Gas Accretion onto a Supermassive Black Hole: A Step to Model AGN Feedback

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagamine, K.; Barai, P.; Proga, D.

2012-08-01

We study gas accretion onto a supermassive black hole (SMBH) using the 3D SPH code GADGET-3 on scales of 0.1-200 pc. First we test our code with the spherically symmetric, adiabatic Bondi accretion problem. We find that our simulation can reproduce the expected Bondi accretion flow very well for a limited amount of time until the effect of the outer boundary starts to be visible. We also find artificial heating of gas near the inner accretion boundary due to the artificial viscosity of SPH. Second, we implement radiative cooling and heating due to X-rays, and examine the impact of thermal feedback by the central X-ray source. The accretion flow roughly follows the Bondi solution for low central X-ray luminosities; however, the flow starts to exhibit non-spherical fragmentation due to the thermal instability for a certain range of central LX, and a strong overall outflow develops for greater LX. The cold gas develops filamentary structures that fall into the central SMBH, whereas the hot gas tries to escape through the channels in between the cold filaments. Such fragmentation of accreting gas can assist in the formation of clouds around AGN, induce star-formation, and contribute to the observed variability of narrow-line regions.

CO outflows from high-mass Class 0 protostars in Cygnus-X

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Duarte-Cabral, A.; Bontemps, S.; Motte, F.; Hennemann, M.; Schneider, N.; André, Ph.

2013-10-01

Context. The earliest phases of the formation of high-mass stars are not well known. It is unclear whether high-mass cores in monolithic collapse exist or not, and what the accretion process and origin of the material feeding the precursors of high-mass stars are. As outflows are natural consequences of the accretion process, they represent one of the few (indirect) tracers of accretion. Aims: We aim to search for individual outflows from high-mass cores in Cygnus X and to study the characteristics of the detected ejections. We compare these to what has been found for the low-mass protostars, to understand how ejection and accretion change and behave with final stellar mass. Methods: We used CO (2-1) PdBI observations towards six massive dense clumps, containing a total of 9 high-mass cores. We estimated the bolometric luminosities and masses of the 9 high-mass cores and measured the energetics of outflows. We compared our sample to low-mass objects studied in the literature and developed simple evolutionary models to reproduce the observables. Results: We find that 8 out of 9 high-mass cores are driving clear individual outflows. They are therefore true equivalents of Class 0 protostars in the high-mass regime. The remaining core, CygX-N53 MM2, has only a tentative outflow detection. It could be one of the first examples of a true individual high-mass prestellar core. We also find that the momentum flux of high-mass objects has a linear relation to the reservoir of mass in the envelope, as a scale up of the relations previously found for low-mass protostars. This suggests a fundamental proportionality between accretion rates and envelope masses. The linear dependency implies that the timescale for accretion is similar for high- and low-mass stars. Conclusions: The existence of strong outflows driven by high-mass cores in Cygnus X clearly indicates that high-mass Class 0 protostars exist. The collapsing envelopes of these Class 0 objects have similar sizes and a

On the origin of jets from disc-accreting magnetized stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lovelace, Richard V. E.; Romanova, Marina M.; Lii, Patrick; Dyda, Sergei

2014-09-01

A brief review of the origin of jets from disc-accreting rotating magnetized stars is given. In most models, the interior of the disc is characterized by a turbulent viscosity and magnetic diffusivity ("alpha" discs) whereas the coronal region outside the disc is treated using ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). Extensive MHD simulations have established the occurrence of long-lasting outflows in the case of both slowly and rapidly rotating stars. (1) Slowly rotating stars exhibit a new type of outflow, conical winds. Conical winds are generated when stellar magnetic flux is bunched up by the inward motion of the accretion disc. Near their region of origin, the winds have a thin conical shell shape with half opening angle of ˜30°. At large distances, their toroidal magnetic field collimates the outflow forming current carrying, matter dominated jets. These winds are predominantly magnetically and not centrifugally driven. About 10-30% of the disc matter from the inner disc is launched in the conical wind. Conical winds may be responsible for episodic as well as long lasting outflows in different types of stars. (2) Rapidly rotating stars in the "propeller regime" exhibit two-component outflows. One component is similar to the matter dominated conical wind, where a large fraction of the disc matter may be ejected in this regime. The second component is a high-velocity, low-density magnetically dominated axial jet where matter flows along the open polar field lines of the star. The axial jet has a mass flux of about 10% that of the conical wind, but its energy flux, due to the Poynting flux, can be as large as for the conical wind. The jet's magnetically dominated angular momentum flux causes the star to spin down rapidly. Propeller-driven outflows may be responsible for protostellar jets and their rapid spin-down. When the artificial requirement of symmetry about the equatorial plane is dropped, the conical winds are found to come alternately from one side of the

Outflows in low-mass galaxies at z >1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maseda, Michael V.; MUSE GTO Consortium

2017-03-01

Star formation histories of local dwarf galaxies, derived through resolved stellar populations, appear complex and varied. The general picture derived from hydrodynamical simulations is one of cold gas accretion and bursty star formation, followed by feedback from supernovae and winds that heat and eject the central gas reservoirs. This ejection halts star formation until the material cools and re-accretes, resulting in an episodic SFH, particularly at stellar masses below ~ 109 M⊙. Such feedback has often been cited as the driving force behind the observed slowly-rising rotation curves in local dwarfs, due to an under-density of dark matter compared to theoretical models, which is one of the primary challenges to LCDM cosmology. However, these events have not yet been directly observed at high-redshift. Recently, using HST imaging and grism spectroscopy, we have uncovered an abundant population of low-mass galaxies (M* < 109 M⊙) at z = 1 - 2 that are undergoing strong bursts of star formation, in agreement with the theoretical predictions. These Extreme Emission Line Galaxies, with high specific SFRs and shallow gravitational potential wells, are ideal places to test the theoretical prediction of strong feedback-driven outflows. Here we use deep MUSE spectroscopy to search these galaxies for signatures of outflowing material, namely kinematic offsets between absorption lines (in the restframe optical and UV), which trace cool gas, and the nebular emission lines, which define the systemic redshift of the galaxy. Although the EELGs are intrinsically very faint, stacked spectra reveal blueshifted velocity centroids for Fe II absorption, which is indicative of outflowing cold gas. This represents the first constraint on outflows in M* < 109 M⊙ galaxies at z = 1 - 2. These outflows should regulate the star formation histories of low-mass galaxies at early cosmic times and thus play a crucial role in galaxy growth and evolution.

X-ray evidence for ultra-fast outflows in AGNs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tombesi, Francesco; Sambruna, Rita; Braito, Valentina; Reeves, James; Reynolds, Christopher; Cappi, Massimo

2012-07-01

X-ray evidence for massive, highly ionized, ultra-fast outflows (UFOs) has been recently reported in a number of AGNs through the detection of blue-shifted Fe XXV/XXVI absorption lines. We present the results of a comprehensive spectral analysis of a large sample of 42 local Seyferts and 5 radio galaxies observed with XMM-Newton and Suzaku. We assessed the global detection significance of the absorption lines and performed a detailed photo-ionization modeling. We find that UFOs are common phenomena, being present in >40% of the sources. Their outflow velocity distribution is in the range ˜0.03--0.3c, with mean value of ˜0.14c. The ionization parameter is very high, in the range logξ˜3--6 erg~s^{-1}~cm, and the associated column densities are also large, in the range ˜10^{22}--10^{24} cm^{-2}. Their location is constrained at ˜0.0003--0.03pc (˜10^2--10^4 r_s) from the central black hole, consistent with what is expected for accretion disk winds/outflows. The mass outflow rates are in the interval ˜0.01--1M_{⊙}~yr^{-1} and the associated mechanical power is high, in the range ˜10^{43}--10^{45} erg/s. Therefore, UFOs are capable to provide a significant contribution to the AGN cosmological feedback and their study can provide important clues on the connection between accretion disks, winds and jets.

Super-Eddington Accretion in the Ultraluminous X-Ray Source NGC 1313 X-2: An Ephemeral Feast

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weng, Shan-Shan; Zhang, Shuang-Nan; Zhao, Hai-Hui

2014-01-01

We investigate the X-ray spectrum, variability, and the surrounding ionized bubble of NGC 1313 X-2 to explore the physics of super-Eddington accretion. Beyond the Eddington luminosity, the accretion disk of NGC 1313 X-2 is truncated at a large radius (~50 times the innermost stable circular orbit), and displays the similar evolution track with both luminous Galactic black-hole and neutron star X-ray binaries (XRBs). In super-critical accretion, the speed of radiatively driven outflows from the inner disk is mildly relativistic. Such ultra-fast outflows would be overionized and might produce weak Fe K absorption lines, which may be detected by the coming X-ray mission Astro-H. If NGC 1313 X-2 is a massive stellar XRB, the high luminosity indicates that an ephemeral feast is held in the source. That is, the source must be accreting at a hyper-Eddington mass rate to give the super-Eddington emission over ~104-105 yr. The expansion of the surrounding bubble nebula with a velocity of ~100 km s-1 might indicate that it has existed over ~106 yr and is inflated by the radiatively driven outflows from the transient with a duty cycle of activity of ~ a few percent. Alternatively, if the surrounding bubble nebula is produced by line-driven winds, less energy is required than the radiatively driven outflow scenario, and the radius of the Strömgren radius agrees with the nebula size. Our results are in favor of the line-driven winds scenario, which can avoid the conflict between the short accretion age and the apparently much longer bubble age inferred from the expansion velocity in the nebula.

Influence of matter geometry on shocked flows-I: Accretion in the Schwarzschild metric

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tarafdar, Pratik; Das, Tapas K.

2018-07-01

This work presents a comprehensive and extensive study to illustrate how the geometrical configurations of low angular momentum axially symmetric general relativistic matter flow in the Schwarzschild metric may influence the formation of energy-preserving shocks for adiabatic/polytropic accretion as well as of temperature-preserving dissipative shocks for the isothermal accretion onto non-rotating astrophysical black holes. The dynamical and thermodynamic states of post-shock polytropic and isothermal flow have been studied extensively for three possible matter geometries, and it has been thoroughly discussed about how such states depend on the flow structure, even when the self gravity and the back reaction on the metric are not taken into account. Main purpose of this paper is thus to mathematically demonstrate that for non-self gravitating accretion, various matter geometries, in addition to the corresponding space-time geometry, control the shock induced phenomena as observed within the black hole accretion discs. This work is expected to reveal how the shock generated phenomena (emergence of the outflows/flare in the associated light curves) observed at the close proximity of the horizon depend on the physical environment of the source harbouring a supermassive black hole.

Quasar feedback revealed by giant molecular outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feruglio, C.; Maiolino, R.; Piconcelli, E.; Menci, N.; Aussel, H.; Lamastra, A.; Fiore, F.

2010-07-01

In the standard scenario for galaxy evolution young star-forming galaxies transform into red bulge-dominated spheroids, where star formation has been quenched. To explain this transformation, a strong negative feedback generated by accretion onto a central super-massive black hole is often invoked. The depletion of gas resulting from quasar-driven outflows should eventually stop star-formation across the host galaxy and lead the black hole to “suicide” by starvation. Direct observational evidence for a major quasar feedback onto the host galaxy is still missing, because outflows previously observed in quasars are generally associated with the ionized component of the gas, which only accounts for a minor fraction of the total gas content, and typically occurrs in the central regions. We used the IRAM PdB Interferometer to observe the CO(1-0) transition in Mrk 231, the closest quasar known. Thanks to the wide band we detected broad wings of the CO line, with velocities of up to 750 km s-1 and spatially resolved on the kpc scale. These broad CO wings trace a giant molecular outflow of about 700 M_⊙/year, far larger than the ongoing star-formation rate (~200 M_⊙/year) observed in the host galaxy. This wind will totally expel the cold gas reservoir in Mrk 231 in about 107 yrs, therefore halting the star-formation activity on the same timescale. The inferred kinetic energy in the molecular outflow is ~1.2 × 1044 erg/s, corresponding to a few percent of the AGN bolometric luminosity, which is very close to the fraction expected by models ascribing quasar feedback to highly supersonic shocks generated by radiatively accelerated nuclear winds. Instead, the contribution by the SNe associated with the starburst fall short by several orders of magnitude to account for the kinetic energy observed in the outflow. The direct observational evidence for quasar feedback reported here provides solid support to the scenarios ascribing the observed properties of local massive

Recent Observational Progress on Accretion Disks Around Compact Objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miller, Jon M.

2016-04-01

Studies of accretion disks around black holes and neutron stars over the last ten years have made remarkable progress. Our understanding of disk evolution as a function of mass accretion rate is pushing toward a consensus on thin/thick disk transitions; an apparent switching between disk-driven outflow modes has emerged; and monitoring observations have revealed complex spectral energy distributions wherein disk reprocessing must be important. Detailed studies of disk winds, in particular, have the potential to reveal the basic physical processes that mediate disk accretion, and to connect with numerical simulations. This talk will review these developments and look ahead to the potential of Astro-H.

The COS revolution of AGN outflow science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arav, Nahum

2016-10-01

HST/COS has opened a new discovery space for quasar outflow science. Specifically, it provides high quality FUV spectra covering the diagnostic-rich 500A-1050A rest-frame of medium redshift objects. We have published three refereed papers based on the analysis of such data that were supported by our concluded COS archive program, in which we reported: a) a new population of very high ionization outflows, b) robust cases of two-ionization-phase outflows, which are the missing link between UV AGN outflows and x-ray warm absorbers, and most importantly c) spectral diagnostics that allowed us to determine the distance of the outflows from the central source. The latter is a cardinal issue in the field as many researchers believe that most outflows are situated close to the accretion disk ( 0.01 pc) while the few reliable measurements show distances of 10-10,000 pc. Therefore, every empirical distance measurement is of importance. Our archive based publication also demonstrates that quasar outflows have sufficient energy to match theoretical predictions for AGN feedback influencing galaxy evolution.We propose to continue this successful archive program. Thus far we've analyzed about 300 COS G130M and G160M orbits of AGN observations. There are roughly 900 additional orbits that satisfy our criteria and will be available within a year. Based on our published survey, we expect that these 900 orbits will yield about 20-30 additional very-high ionization outflows and 4-6 cases of distance and kinetic luminosity determinations, all in cosmologically important luminous-quasars.

DIFFUSIVE PARTICLE ACCELERATION IN SHOCKED, VISCOUS ACCRETION DISKS: GREEN'S FUNCTION ENERGY DISTRIBUTION

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Becker, Peter A.; Das, Santabrata; Le, Truong, E-mail: pbecker@gmu.edu, E-mail: sbdas@iitg.ernet.in, E-mail: truong.le@nhrec.org

2011-12-10

The acceleration of relativistic particles in a viscous accretion disk containing a standing shock is investigated as a possible explanation for the energetic outflows observed around radio-loud black holes. The energy/space distribution of the accelerated particles is computed by solving a transport equation that includes the effects of first-order Fermi acceleration, bulk advection, spatial diffusion, and particle escape. The velocity profile of the accreting gas is described using a model for shocked viscous disks recently developed by the authors, and the corresponding Green's function distribution for the accelerated particles in the disk and the outflow is obtained using a classicalmore » method based on eigenfunction analysis. The accretion-driven, diffusive shock acceleration scenario explored here is conceptually similar to the standard model for the acceleration of cosmic rays at supernova-driven shocks. However, in the disk application, the distribution of the accelerated particles is much harder than would be expected for a plane-parallel shock with the same compression ratio. Hence the disk environment plays a key role in enhancing the efficiency of the shock acceleration process. The presence of the shock helps to stabilize the disk by reducing the Bernoulli parameter, while channeling the excess binding energy into the escaping relativistic particles. In applications to M87 and Sgr A*, we find that the kinetic power in the jet is {approx}0.01 M-dot c{sup 2}, and the outflowing relativistic particles have a mean energy {approx}300 times larger than that of the thermal gas in the disk at the shock radius. Our results suggest that a standing shock may be an essential ingredient in accretion onto underfed black holes, helping to resolve the long-standing problem of the stability of advection-dominated accretion disks.« less

Resolved atomic lines reveal outflows in two ultraluminous X-ray sources.

PubMed

Pinto, Ciro; Middleton, Matthew J; Fabian, Andrew C

2016-05-05

Ultraluminous X-ray sources are extragalactic, off-nucleus, point sources in galaxies, and have X-ray luminosities in excess of 3 × 10(39) ergs per second. They are thought to be powered by accretion onto a compact object. Possible explanations include accretion onto neutron stars with strong magnetic fields, onto stellar-mass black holes (of up to 20 solar masses) at or in excess of the classical Eddington limit, or onto intermediate-mass black holes (10(3)-10(5) solar masses). The lack of sufficient energy resolution in previous analyses has prevented an unambiguous identification of any emission or absorption lines in the X-ray band, thereby precluding a detailed analysis of the accretion flow. Here we report the presence of X-ray emission lines arising from highly ionized iron, oxygen and neon with a cumulative significance in excess of five standard deviations, together with blueshifted (about 0.2 times light velocity) absorption lines of similar significance, in the high-resolution X-ray spectra of the ultraluminous X-ray sources NGC 1313 X-1 and NGC 5408 X-1. The blueshifted absorption lines must occur in a fast-outflowing gas, whereas the emission lines originate in slow-moving gas around the source. We conclude that the compact object in each source is surrounded by powerful winds with an outflow velocity of about 0.2 times that of light, as predicted by models of accreting supermassive black holes and hyper-accreting stellar-mass black holes.

Circumstellar Structure Properties of Young Stellar Objects: Envelopes, Bipolar Outflows, and Disks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kwon, Woojin

2009-12-01

Physical properties of the three main structures in young stellar objects (YSOs), envelopes, bipolar outflows, and circumstellar disks, have been studied using radio interferometers: the Berkeley-Illinois-Maryland Association (BIMA) array and the Combined Array for Research in Millimeter-wave Astronomy (CARMA). (1) Envelopes. Three Class 0 YSOs (L1448 IRS 2, L1448 IRS 3, and L1157) have been observed by CARMA at λ = 1.3 mm and 2.7 mm continuum. Through visibility modeling to fit the two wavelength continuum data simultaneously, we found that the dust opacity spectral index (β) of Class 0 YSOs is around unity, which implies that dust grains have significantly grown already at the earliest stage. In addition, we discussed the radial dependence of β detected in L1448 IRS 3B and also estimated the density distribution of the three targets. (2) Bipolar outflows. Polarimetric observations in the λ = 1.3 mm continuum and CO, as well as spectral line observations in 13CO and C18O have been carried out toward L1448 IRS 3, which has three Class 0 YSOs, using BIMA. We clearly identified two interacting bipolar outflows from the "binary system" of IRS 3A and 3B and estimated the velocity, inclination, and opening angle of the 3B bipolar outflow, using Bayesian inference. Also, we showed that the "binary system" can be bound gravitationally and we estimated the specific angular momentum, which is between those of binary stars and molecular cloud cores. In addition, we marginally detected linear polarizations at the center of IRS 3B (implying a toroidal magnetic field) in continuum and at the bipolar outflow region in CO. (3) Circumstellar disks. We present the results of 6 objects (CI Tau, DL Tau, DO Tau, FT Tau, Haro 6-13, and HL Tau) in our T Tauri disk survey using CARMA. The data consist of λ = 1.3 mm and 2.7 mm continuum with an angular resolution up to 0.13". Through visibility modeling of two disk models (power-law disk with a Gaussian edge and viscous accretion

Effect of amiodarone-induced hyperthyroidism on left ventricular outflow obstruction after septal myectomy for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

PubMed

Pokorney, Sean D; Stone, Neil J; Passman, Rod; Oyer, David; Rigolin, Vera H; Bonow, Robert O

2010-12-01

Patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy who undergo septal myectomy are at risk for developing postoperative atrial fibrillation. Amiodarone is effective in treating this arrhythmia but is associated with multiple adverse effects, often with delayed onset. A novel case is described of a patient who developed type 2 amiodarone-induced hyperthyroidism that presented as recurrence of outflow obstruction after septal myectomy. The patient's symptoms and echocardiographic findings of outflow obstruction resolved substantially with the treatment of the amiodarone-induced hyperthyroidism. Amiodarone-induced hyperthyroidism of delayed onset can be a subtle diagnosis, requiring a high index of suspicion. In conclusion, recognition of this diagnosis in patients with recurrence of outflow obstruction by symptoms and cardiac imaging after septal myectomy may avoid unnecessary repeat surgical intervention. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Magnetically Controlled Spasmodic Accretion during Star Formation. II. Results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tassis, Konstantinos; Mouschovias, Telemachos Ch.

2005-01-01

The problem of the late accretion phase of the evolution of an axisymmetric, isothermal magnetic disk surrounding a forming star has been formulated in a companion paper. The ``central sink approximation'' is used to circumvent the problem of describing the evolution inside the opaque central region for densities greater than 1011 cm-3 and radii smaller than a few AU. Only the electrons are assumed to be attached to the magnetic field lines, and the effects of both negatively and positively charged grains are accounted for. After a mass of 0.1 Msolar accumulates in the central cell (forming star), a series of magnetically driven outflows and associated outward-propagating shocks form in a quasi-periodic fashion. As a result, mass accretion onto the protostar occurs in magnetically controlled bursts. We refer to this process as spasmodic accretion. The shocks propagate outward with supermagnetosonic speeds. The period of dissipation and revival of the outflow decreases in time, as the mass accumulated in the central sink increases. We evaluate the contribution of ambipolar diffusion to the resolution of the magnetic flux problem of star formation during the accretion phase, and we find it to be very significant albeit not sufficient to resolve the entire problem yet. Ohmic dissipation is completely negligible in the disk during this phase of the evolution. The protostellar disk is found to be stable against interchange-like instabilities, despite the fact that the mass-to-flux ratio has temporary local maxima.

Three-dimensional GRMHD Simulations of Neutrino-cooled Accretion Disks from Neutron Star Mergers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Siegel, Daniel M.; Metzger, Brian D.

2018-05-01

Merging binaries consisting of two neutron stars (NSs) or an NS and a stellar-mass black hole typically form a massive accretion torus around the remnant black hole or long-lived NS. Outflows from these neutrino-cooled accretion disks represent an important site for r-process nucleosynthesis and the generation of kilonovae. We present the first three-dimensional, general-relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) simulations including weak interactions and a realistic equation of state of such accretion disks over viscous timescales (380 ms). We witness the emergence of steady-state MHD turbulence, a magnetic dynamo with an ∼20 ms cycle, and the generation of a “hot” disk corona that launches powerful thermal outflows aided by the energy released as free nucleons recombine into α-particles. We identify a self-regulation mechanism that keeps the midplane electron fraction low (Y e ∼ 0.1) over viscous timescales. This neutron-rich reservoir, in turn, feeds outflows that retain a sufficiently low value of Y e ≈ 0.2 to robustly synthesize third-peak r-process elements. The quasi-spherical outflows are projected to unbind 40% of the initial disk mass with typical asymptotic escape velocities of 0.1c and may thus represent the dominant mass ejection mechanism in NS–NS mergers. Including neutrino absorption, our findings agree with previous hydrodynamical α-disk simulations that the entire range of r-process nuclei from the first to the third r-process peak can be synthesized in the outflows, in good agreement with observed solar system abundances. The asymptotic escape velocities and quantity of ejecta, when extrapolated to moderately higher disk masses, are consistent with those needed to explain the red kilonova emission following the NS merger GW170817.

HYPERCRITICAL ACCRETION, INDUCED GRAVITATIONAL COLLAPSE, AND BINARY-DRIVEN HYPERNOVAE

DOE PAGES

Fryer, Chris L.; Rueda, Jorge A.; Ruffini, Remo

2014-09-16

We successfully, applied the induced gravitational collapse (IGC) paradigm to the explanation of GRB-SNe. The progenitor is a tight binary system composed of a CO core and a NS companion. Furthermore, the explosion of the SN leads to hypercritical accretion onto the NS companion, which reaches the critical mass, gravitationally collapsing to a BH with consequent emission of the GRB. The first estimates of this process were based on a simplified model of the binary parameters and the Bondi-Hoyle-Lyttleton accretion rate. We present the first full numerical simulations of the IGC process. We simulate the core-collapse, the SN explosion, andmore » the hydrodynamic evolution of the accreting material falling into the Bondi-Hoyle surface of the NS. For appropriate binary parameters, the IGC occurs in short timescale 102–103 s due to the combined action of photon trapping and neutrino cooling near the NS surface. We also address the observational features of this process.« less

Characterizing Quasar Outflows II: The Incidence of the Highest Velocity Outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stark, Michele A.; Ganguly, R.; Christenson, D. H.; Richmond, J. M.; Derseweh, J. A.; Robbins, J. M.; Townsend, S. L.

2012-05-01

Galaxy evolution models have shown that quasars are a crucial ingredient in the evolution of massive galaxies. Outflows play a key role in the story of quasars and their host galaxies, by helping regulate the accretion process, the star-formation rate and mass of the host galaxy (i.e., feedback). The prescription for modeling outflows as a contributor to feedback requires knowledge of the outflow velocity, geometry, and column density. In particular, we need to understand how these depend on physical parameters and how much is determined stochastically (and with what distribution). For this purpose, we are examining a sample of 11000 z=1.7-2.0 quasars from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. This redshift range permits the following from the SDSS spectra: (1) separation of objects that do and do not exhibit outflows; (2) classification/measurement of outflow properties (ionization, velocity, velocity width); and (3) measurements of UV emission line and continuum parameters. In an accompanying poster, we subjectively divide these quasars into four categories (broad absorption-line quasars, associated absorption-line quasars, reddened quasars, and unabsorbed/unreddened quasars). This subjective scheme is limited with regard to classifying narrow absorption-line systems (NALs). With single epoch, low dispersion SDSS spectra, we cannot distinguish between cosmologically intervening NALs, and intrinsic NALs that appear at large velocity offsets. In this poster, we tackle this uncertainty statistically by considering the incidence of both CIV and MgII NALs as a function of velocity, and how this distribution changes with quasar properties. We expect that absorption by intervening structures should not vary with quasar property. Other accompanying posters add photometry from rest-frame X-ray through the infrared (WISE) to complete the SED, which we utilize in these efforts. This material is based upon work supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under

Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations of Black Hole Accretion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Avara, Mark J.

Black holes embody one of the few, simple, solutions to the Einstein field equations that describe our modern understanding of gravitation. In isolation they are small, dark, and elusive. However, when a gas cloud or star wanders too close, they light up our universe in a way no other cosmic object can. The processes of magnetohydrodynamics which describe the accretion inflow and outflows of plasma around black holes are highly coupled and nonlinear and so require numerical experiments for elucidation. These processes are at the heart of astrophysics since black holes, once they somehow reach super-massive status, influence the evolution of the largest structures in the universe. It has been my goal, with the body of work comprising this thesis, to explore the ways in which the influence of black holes on their surroundings differs from the predictions of standard accretion models. I have especially focused on how magnetization of the greater black hole environment can impact accretion systems.

Highly Accreting Quasars at High Redshift

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Martínez-Aldama, Mary L.; Del Olmo, Ascensión; Marziani, Paola; Sulentic, Jack W.; Negrete, C. Alenka; Dultzin, Deborah; Perea, Jaime; D'Onofrio, Mauro

2017-12-01

We present preliminary results of a spectroscopic analysis for a sample of type 1 highly accreting quasars (LLedd>0.2) at high redshift, z 2-3. The quasars were observed with the OSIRIS spectrograph on the GTC 10.4 m telescope located at the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos in La Palma. The highly accreting quasars were identified using the 4D Eigenvector 1 formalism, which is able to organize type 1 quasars over a broad range of redshift and luminosity. The kinematic and physical properties of the broad line region have been derived by fitting the profiles of strong UV emission lines such as AlIII, SiIII and CIII. The majority of our sources show strong blueshifts in the high-ionization lines and high Eddington ratios which are related with the productions of outflows. The importance of highly accreting quasars goes beyond a detailed understanding of their physics: their extreme Eddington ratio makes them candidates standard candles for cosmological studies.

Transient jet formation and state transitions from large-scale magnetic reconnection in black hole accretion discs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dexter, Jason; McKinney, Jonathan C.; Markoff, Sera; Tchekhovskoy, Alexander

2014-05-01

Magnetically arrested accretion discs (MADs), where the magnetic pressure in the inner disc is dynamically important, provide an alternative mechanism for regulating accretion to what is commonly assumed in black hole systems. We show that a global magnetic field inversion in the MAD state can destroy the jet, significantly increase the accretion rate, and move the effective inner disc edge in to the marginally stable orbit. Reconnection of the MAD field in the inner radii launches a new type of transient outflow containing hot plasma generated by magnetic dissipation. This transient outflow can be as powerful as the steady magnetically dominated Blandford-Znajek jet in the MAD state. The field inversion qualitatively describes many of the observational features associated with the high-luminosity hard-to-soft state transition in black hole X-ray binaries: the jet line, the transient ballistic jet, and the drop in rms variability. These results demonstrate that the magnetic field configuration can influence the accretion state directly, and hence the magnetic field structure is an important second parameter in explaining observations of accreting black holes across the mass and luminosity scales.

The nature of ULX source M101 X-1: optically thick outflow from a stellar mass black hole

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Rong-Feng; Barniol Duran, Rodolfo; Nakar, Ehud; Piran, Tsvi

2015-02-01

The nature of ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) has long been plagued by an ambiguity about whether the central compact objects are intermediate-mass (IMBH, ≳103 M⊙) or stellar-mass (a few tens M⊙) black holes (BHs). The high-luminosity (≃1039 erg s-1) and supersoft spectrum (T ≃ 0.1 keV) during the high state of the ULX source X-1 in the galaxy M101 suggest a large emission radius (≳109 cm), consistent with being an IMBH accreting at a sub-Eddington rate. However, recent kinematic measurement of the binary orbit of this source and identification of the secondary as a Wolf-Rayet star suggest a stellar-mass BH primary with a super-Eddington accretion. If that is the case, a hot, optically thick outflow from the BH can account for the large emission radius and the soft spectrum. By considering the interplay of photons' absorption and scattering opacities, we determine the radius and mass density of the emission region of the outflow and constrain the outflow mass-loss rate. The analysis presented here can be potentially applied to other ULXs with thermally dominated spectra, and to other super-Eddington accreting sources.

Accretion Rate: An Axis Of Agn Unification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trump, Jonathan R.; Impey, C. D.; Kelly, B. C.

2011-01-01

We show how accretion rate governs the physical properties of broad-line, narrow-line, and lineless active galactic nuclei (AGNs). We avoid the systematic errors plaguing previous studies of AGN accretion rate by using accurate accretion luminosities from well-sampled multiwavelength SEDs from the Cosmic Evolution Survey (COSMOS), and accurate black hole masses derived from virial scaling relations (for broad-line AGNs) or host-AGN relations (for narrow-line and lineless AGNs). In general, broad emission lines are present only at the highest accretion rates (L/L_Edd>0.01), and these rapidly accreting AGNs are observed as broad-line AGNs or possibly as obscured narrow-line AGNs. Narrow-line and lineless AGNs at lower specific accretion rates (L/L_Edd<0.01) are unobscured and yet lack a broad line region. The disappearance of the broad emission lines is caused by an expanding radiatively inefficient accretion flow (RIAF) at the inner radius of the accretion disk. The presence of the RIAF also drives L/L_Edd<0.01 narrow-line and lineless AGNs to be 10-100 times more radio-luminous than broad-line AGNs, since the unbound nature of the RIAF means it is easier to form a radio outflow. The IR torus signature also tends to become weaker or disappear from L/L_Edd<0.01 AGNs, although there may be additional mid-IR synchrotron emission associated with the RIAF. Together these results suggest that specific accretion rate is an important physical "axis" of AGN unification, described by a simple model.

Ionised outflows in z ~ 2.4 quasar host galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carniani, S.; Marconi, A.; Maiolino, R.; Balmaverde, B.; Brusa, M.; Cano-Díaz, M.; Cicone, C.; Comastri, A.; Cresci, G.; Fiore, F.; Feruglio, C.; La Franca, F.; Mainieri, V.; Mannucci, F.; Nagao, T.; Netzer, H.; Piconcelli, E.; Risaliti, G.; Schneider, R.; Shemmer, O.

2015-08-01

Aims: Outflows driven by active galactic nuclei (AGN) are invoked by galaxy evolutionary models to quench star formation and to explain the origin of the relations observed locally between super-massive black holes and their host galaxies. We here aim to detect extended ionised outflows in luminous quasars, where we expect the highest activity both in star formation and in black-hole accretion. Currently, there are only a few studies based on spatially resolved observations of outflows at high redshift, z > 2. Methods: We analysed a sample of six luminous (L > 1047 erg/s) quasars at z ~ 2.4, observed in H-band using the near-IR integral field spectrometer SINFONI at the VLT. We performed a kinematic analysis of the [Oiii] emission line at λ = 5007 Å. Results: We detect fast, spatially extended outflows in five out of six targets. [Oiii]λ5007 has a complex gas kinematic, with blue-shifted velocities of a few hundreds of km s-1 and line widths up to 1500 km s-1. Using the spectroastrometric method, we infer a size of the ionised outflows of up to ~2 kpc. The properties of the ionised outflows, mass outflow rate, momentum rate, and kinetic power, are correlated with the AGN luminosity. The increase in outflow rate with increasing AGN luminosity is consistent with the idea that a luminous AGN pushes away the surrounding gas through fast outflows that are driven by radiation pressure, which depends on the emitted luminosity. Conclusions: We derive mass outflow rates of about 6-700 M⊙ yr-1 for our sample, which are lower than those observed in molecular outflows. The physical properties of ionised outflows show dependences on AGN luminosity that are similar to those of molecular outflows, but indicate that the mass of ionised gas is lower than that of molecular outflows. Alternatively, this discrepancy between ionised and molecular outflows could be explained with different acceleration mechanisms. Based on Observations collected at the European Organisation for

Quantifying Feedback from Narrow Line Region Outflows in Nearby Active Galaxies. I. Spatially Resolved Mass Outflow Rates for the Seyfert 2 Galaxy Markarian 573

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Revalski, M.; Crenshaw, D. M.; Kraemer, S. B.; Fischer, T. C.; Schmitt, H. R.; Machuca, C.

2018-03-01

We present the first spatially resolved mass outflow rate measurements ({\\dot{M}}out}) of the optical emission line gas in the narrow line region (NLR) of a Seyfert 2 galaxy, Markarian 573. Using long slit spectra and [O III] imaging from the Hubble Space Telescope and Apache Point Observatory in conjunction with emission line diagnostics and Cloudy photoionization models, we find a peak outflow rate of {\\dot{M}}out}≈ 3.4 +/- 0.5 {M}ȯ {yr}}-1 at a distance of 210 pc from the central supermassive black hole (SMBH). The outflow extends to distances of 600 pc from the nucleus with a total mass and kinetic energy of M ≈ 2.2 × 106 M ⊙ and E ≈ 5.1 × 1054 erg, revealing the outflows to be more energetic than those in the lower luminosity Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 4151. The peak outflow rate is an order of magnitude larger than the mass accretion and nuclear outflow rates, indicating local in situ acceleration of the circumnuclear NLR gas. We compare these results to global techniques that quantify an average outflow rate across the NLR, and find the latter are subject to larger uncertainties. These results indicate that spatially resolved observations are critical for probing AGN feedback on scales where circumnuclear star formation occurs.

Super-Eddington Mechanical Power of an Accreting Black Hole in M83

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Soria, R.; Long, K. S.; Blair, W. P.; Godfrey, L.; Kuntz, K. D.; Lenc, E.; Stockdale, C.; Winkler, P. F.

2014-01-01

Mass accretion onto black holes releases energy in the form of radiation and outflows. Although the radiative flux cannot substantially exceed the Eddington limit, at which the outgoing radiation pressure impedes the inflow of matter, it remains unclear whether the kinetic energy flux is bounded by this same limit. Here, we present the detection of a radio-optical structure, powered by outflows from a non-nuclear black hole. Its accretion disk properties indicate that this black hole is less than 100 solar masses. The optical-infrared line emission implies an average kinetic power of 3 × 10(exp 40) erg second(exp -1), higher than the Eddington luminosity of the black hole. These results demonstrate kinetic power exceeding the Eddington limit over a sustained period, which implies greater ability to influence the evolution of the black hole's environment.

Super-Eddington mechanical power of an accreting black hole in M83.

PubMed

Soria, R; Long, K S; Blair, W P; Godfrey, L; Kuntz, K D; Lenc, E; Stockdale, C; Winkler, P F

2014-03-21

Mass accretion onto black holes releases energy in the form of radiation and outflows. Although the radiative flux cannot substantially exceed the Eddington limit, at which the outgoing radiation pressure impedes the inflow of matter, it remains unclear whether the kinetic energy flux is bounded by this same limit. Here, we present the detection of a radio-optical structure, powered by outflows from a non-nuclear black hole. Its accretion disk properties indicate that this black hole is less than 100 solar masses. The optical-infrared line emission implies an average kinetic power of 3 × 10(40) erg second(-1), higher than the Eddington luminosity of the black hole. These results demonstrate kinetic power exceeding the Eddington limit over a sustained period, which implies greater ability to influence the evolution of the black hole's environment.

Protostellar Outflows Mapped with ALMA and Techniques to Include Short Spacings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Plunkett, Adele

2018-01-01

Protostellar outflows are early signs of star formation, yet in cluster environments - common sites of star formation - their role and interaction with surrounding gas are complicated. Protostellar outflows are interesting and complex because they connect protostars (scales 10s au) to the surrounding gas environment (few pc), and their morphology constrains launching and/or accretion modes. A complete outflow study must use observing methods that recover several orders of magnitude of spatial scales, ideally with sub-arcsecond resolution and mapping over a few parsecs. ALMA provides high-resolution observations of outflows, and in some cases outflows have been mapped in clusters. Combining with observations using the Total Power array is possible, but challenging, and a large single dish telescope providing more overlap in uv space is advantageous. In this presentation I show protostellar outflows observed with ALMA using 12m, 7m, and To tal Power arrays. With a new CASA tool TP2VIS we create total power ``visibility'' data and perform joint imaging and deconvolution of interferometry and single dish data. TP2VIS will ultimately provide synergy between ALMA and AtLAST data.

The role of anisotropic thermal conduction in a collisionless magnetized hot accretion flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghasemnezhad, Maryam

2018-06-01

We study the importance and the effects of anisotropic thermal conduction in a collisionless magnetized advection dominated accretion flow in the presence of discontinuity of mass, angular momentum and energy between inflow and outflow. In this paper, we have considered that the thermal conduction is a heating mechanism like viscosity and leads to an increase in the temperature of the gas. A set of self similar solutions are used for steady state and axisymmetric structure of such hot accretion disc to solve the MHD equations in our model. Based on these solutions, we have found that increasing the level of two parts of anisotropic thermal conduction (parallel & transverse) results in increasing the mass accretion rate or radial velocity but decreasing the rotational velocity. Also both radial and rotational velocities are sub-Keplerian. Also we have shown that the anisotropic thermal conduction can be effective in the parameter space of specific energy of outflow, toroidal and vertical components of magnetic field according to a physical constraint tinfall ≥ t⊥, conduction.

Observational diagnostics of accretion on young stars and brown dwarfs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stelzer, Beate; Argiroffi, Costanza

I present a summary of recent observational constraints on the accretion properties of young stars and brown dwarfs with focus on the high-energy emission. In their T Tauri phase young stars assemble a few percent of their mass by accretion from a disk. Various observational signatures of disks around pre-main sequence stars and the ensuing accretion process are found in the IR and optical regime: e.g. excess emission above the stellar photosphere, strong and broad emission lines, optical veiling. At high energies evidence for accretion is less obvious, and the X-ray emission from stars has historically been ascribed to magnetically confined coronal plasmas. While being true for the bulk of the emission, new insight obtained from XMM-Newton and Chandra observations has unveiled contributions from accretion and outflow processes to the X-ray emission from young stars. Their smaller siblings, the brown dwarfs, have been shown to undergo a T Tauri phase on the basis of optical/IR observations of disks and measurements of accretion rates. Most re-cently, first evidence was found for X-rays produced by accretion in a young brown dwarf, complementing the suspected analogy between stars and substellar objects.

Rethinking Black Hole Accretion Discs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salvesen, Greg

Accretion discs are staples of astrophysics. Tapping into the gravitational potential energy of the accreting material, these discs are highly efficient machines that produce copious radiation and extreme outflows. While interesting in their own right, accretion discs also act as tools to study black holes and directly influence the properties of the Universe. Black hole X-ray binaries are fantastic natural laboratories for studying accretion disc physics and black hole phenomena. Among many of the curious behaviors exhibited by these systems are black hole state transitions -- complicated cycles of dramatic brightening and dimming. Using X-ray observations with high temporal cadence, we show that the evolution of the accretion disc spectrum during black hole state transitions can be described by a variable disc atmospheric structure without invoking a radially truncated disc geometry. The accretion disc spectrum can be a powerful diagnostic for measuring black hole spin if the effects of the disc atmosphere on the emergent spectrum are well-understood; however, properties of the disc atmosphere are largely unconstrained. Using statistical methods, we decompose this black hole spin measurement technique and show that modest uncertainties regarding the disc atmosphere can lead to erroneous spin measurements. The vertical structure of the disc is difficult to constrain due to our ignorance of the contribution to hydrostatic balance by magnetic fields, which are fundamental to the accretion process. Observations of black hole X-ray binaries and the accretion environments near supermassive black holes provide mounting evidence for strong magnetization. Performing numerical simulations of accretion discs in the shearing box approximation, we impose a net vertical magnetic flux that allows us to effectively control the level of disc magnetization. We study how dynamo activity and the properties of turbulence driven by the magnetorotational instability depend on the

Ultra-Fast Outflows in Radio-Loud AGN: New Constraints on Jet-Disk Connection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sambruna, Rita

There is strong observational and theoretical evidence that outflows/jets are coupled to accretion disks in black hole accreting systems, from Galactic to extragalactic sizes. While in radio-quiet AGN there is ample evidence for the presence of Ultra-Fast Outflows (UFOs) from the presence of blue-shifted absorption features in their 4-10~keV spectra, sub-relativistic winds are expected on theoretical basis in radio-loud AGN but have not been observed until now. Our recent Suzaku observations of 5 bright Broad- Line Radio Galaxies (BLRGs, the radio-loud counterparts of Seyferts) has started to change this picture. We found strong evidence for UFOs in 3 out of 5 BLRGs, with ionization parameters, column densities, and velocities of the absorber similar to Seyferts. Moreover, the outflows in BLRGs are likely to be energetically very significant: from the Suzaku data of the three sources, outflow masses similar to the accretion masses and kinetic energies of the wind similar to the X-ray luminosity and radio power of the jet are inferred. Clearly, UFOs in radio-loud AGN represent a new key ingredient to understand their central engines and in particular, the jet-disk linkage. Our discovery of UFOs in a handful of BLRGs raises the questions of how common disk winds are in radio-loud AGN, what the absorber physical and dynamical characteristics are, and what is the outflow role in broader picture of galaxy-black hole connection for radio sources, i.e., for large-scale feedback models. To address these and other issues, we propose to use archival XMM-Newton and Suzaku spectra to search for Ultra-Fast Outflows in a large number of radio sources. Over a period of two years, we will conduct a systematic, uniform analysis of the archival X-ray data, building on our extensive experience with a similar previous project for Seyferts, and using robust analysis and statistical methodologies. As an important side product, we will also obtain accurate, self- consistent measurements

OUTFLOW AND METALLICITY IN THE BROAD-LINE REGION OF LOW-REDSHIFT ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shin, Jaejin; Woo, Jong-Hak; Nagao, Tohru

2017-01-20

Outflows in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) are crucial to understand in investigating the co-evolution of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) and their host galaxies since outflows may play an important role as an AGN feedback mechanism. Based on archival UV spectra obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope and IUE , we investigate outflows in the broad-line region (BLR) in low-redshift AGNs ( z < 0.4) through detailed analysis of the velocity profile of the C iv emission line. We find a dependence of the outflow strength on the Eddington ratio and the BLR metallicity in our low-redshift AGN sample, which ismore » consistent with earlier results obtained for high-redshift quasars. These results suggest that BLR outflows, gas accretion onto SMBHs, and past star formation activity in host galaxies are physically related in low-redshift AGNs as in powerful high-redshift quasars.« less

Toward a Prescription for Feedback from Quasar Outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ganguly, Rajib; Bourjaily, M.; Munsell, J.; Brotherton, M. S.; Bhattacharjee, A.; Runnoe, J.; Charlton, J. C.; Eracleous, M.

2011-01-01

Models have shown that quasars are a crucial ingredient in the evolution of massive galaxies. Outflows play a key role in the story of quasars and their host galaxies, by helping regulate the accretion process, the star-formation rate and mass of the host galaxy (i.e., feedback). The prescription for modeling outflows as a contributor to feedback requires knowledge of the outflow velocity, distance, geometry, and column density. In particular, we need to understand how these depend on physical parameters and how much is determined stochastically (and with what distribution). For this purpose, we are examining a sample of 14000 z=1.7-2.0 quasars from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. This redshift range permits the following from the SDSS spectra: (1) separation of objects that do and do not exhibit outflows; (2) classification/measurement of outflow properties (ionization, velocity, velocity width); and (3) estimates of the quasar black hole mass. To this, we are adding photometry from GALEX, 2MASS, and ROSAT in an effort to characterize more fully the quasar SEDs. ROSAT photometry provides estimates of the level of soft X-ray absorption, which helps regulate the velocity of outflows. GALEX photometry samples the extreme ultraviolet range where several high ionization species, that may be present in the outflows, absorb light. 2MASS photometry samples the rest-frame optical, where the effects of absorption and dust reddening are minimal, yield better estimates of the bolometric luminosity (hence, Eddington ratio). In this poster, we will present preliminary measurements of the amount of absorption in the soft X-ray and extreme ultraviolet bands as a function of both outflow properties and quasar physical properties. This material is based upon work supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under Grant No. 09-ADP09-0016 issued through the Astrophysics Data Analysis Program.

Evidence for a Variable Ultrafast Outflow in the Newly Discovered Ultraluminous Pulsar NGC 300 ULX-1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kosec, P.; Pinto, C.; Walton, D. J.; Fabian, A. C.; Bachetti, M.; Brightman, M.; Fürst, F.; Grefenstette, B. W.

2018-06-01

Ultraluminous pulsars are a definite proof that persistent super-Eddington accretion occurs in nature. They support the scenario according to which most Ultraluminous X-ray Sources (ULXs) are super-Eddington accretors of stellar mass rather than sub-Eddington intermediate mass black holes. An important prediction of theories of supercritical accretion is the existence of powerful outflows of moderately ionized gas at mildly relativistic speeds. In practice, the spectral resolution of X-ray gratings such as RGS onboard XMM-Newton is required to resolve their observational signatures in ULXs. Using RGS, outflows have been discovered in the spectra of 3 ULXs (none of which are currently known to be pulsars). Most recently, the fourth ultraluminous pulsar was discovered in NGC 300. Here we report detection of an ultrafast outflow (UFO) in the X-ray spectrum of the object, with a significance of more than 3σ, during one of the two simultaneous observations of the source by XMM-Newton and NuSTAR in December 2016. The outflow has a projected velocity of 65000 km/s (0.22c) and a high ionisation factor with a log value of 3.9. This is the first direct evidence for a UFO in a neutron star ULX and also the first time that this its evidence in a ULX spectrum is seen in both soft and hard X-ray data simultaneously. We find no evidence of the UFO during the other observation of the object, which could be explained by either clumpy nature of the absorber or a slight change in our viewing angle of the accretion flow.

Effects of Fallback Accretion on Protomagnetar Outflows in Gamma-Ray Bursts and Superluminous Supernovae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Metzger, Brian D.; Beniamini, Paz; Giannios, Dimitrios

2018-04-01

Rapidly spinning, strongly magnetized protoneutron stars (“millisecond protomagnetars”) are candidate central engines of long-duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), superluminous supernovae (SLSNe), and binary neutron star mergers. Magnetar birth may be accompanied by the fallback of stellar debris, lasting for seconds or longer following the explosion. Accretion alters the magnetar evolution by (1) providing an additional source of rotational energy (or a potential sink, if the propeller mechanism operates), (2) enhancing the spin-down luminosity above the dipole rate by compressing the magnetosphere and expanding the polar cap region of open magnetic field lines, and (3) supplying an additional accretion-powered neutrino luminosity that sustains the wind baryon loading, even after the magnetar’s internal neutrino luminosity has subsided. The more complex evolution of the jet power and magnetization of an accreting magnetar more readily accounts for the high 56Ni yields of GRB SNe and the irregular time evolution of some GRB light curves (e.g., bursts with precursors followed by a long quiescent interval before the main emission episode). Additional baryon loading from accretion-powered neutrino irradiation of the polar cap lengthens the time frame over which the jet magnetization is in the requisite range σ ≲ 103 for efficient gamma-ray emission, thereby accommodating GRBs with ultralong durations. Though accretion does not significantly raise the maximum energy budget from the limit of ≲ few × 1052 erg for an isolated magnetar, it greatly expands the range of magnetic field strengths and birth spin periods capable of powering GRB jets, reducing the differences between the magnetar properties normally invoked to explain GRBs versus SLSNe.

The Interplay of Star formation and Accretion in the Local Universe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Green, Paul

2010-09-01

Galaxy evolution and supermassive black hole growth are closely linked, but the inter-relationships between active accretion and star formation, AGN outflows, and host morphological trends remain poorly understood. We propose to study an unprecedented sample of 615 low redshift SDSS galaxies and AGN detected in archival Chandra fields. We will measure diverse optical and X-ray spectroscopic properties spanning the artificial galaxy/AGN divide, and provide detailed results of our model fitting. We highlight tests of (1) an evolutionary sequence from star-forming through AGN to passive galaxy modes (2) narrow line Sy1 galaxies and new parallels between the accretion modes of AGN and stellar mass X-ray binaries and (3) the relationship of host morphology and mergers to accretion.

X-ray emitting MHD accretion shocks in classical T Tauri stars. Case for moderate to high plasma-β values

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orlando, S.; Sacco, G. G.; Argiroffi, C.; Reale, F.; Peres, G.; Maggio, A.

2010-02-01

Context. Plasma accreting onto classical T Tauri stars (CTTS) is believed to impact the stellar surface at free-fall velocities, generating a shock. Current time-dependent models describing accretion shocks in CTTSs are one-dimensional, assuming that the plasma moves and transports energy only along magnetic field lines (β ≪ 1). Aims: We investigate the stability and dynamics of accretion shocks in CTTSs, considering the case of β ⪆ 1 in the post-shock region. In these cases the 1D approximation is not valid and a multi-dimensional MHD approach is necessary. Methods: We model an accretion stream propagating through the atmosphere of a CTTS and impacting onto its chromosphere by performing 2D axisymmetric MHD simulations. The model takes into account the stellar magnetic field, the gravity, the radiative cooling, and the thermal conduction (including the effects of heat flux saturation). Results: The dynamics and stability of the accretion shock strongly depend on the plasma β. In the case of shocks with β > 10, violent outflows of shock-heated material (and possibly MHD waves) are generated at the base of the accretion column and intensely perturb the surrounding stellar atmosphere and the accretion column itself (therefore modifying the dynamics of the shock). In shocks with β ≈ 1, the post-shock region is efficiently confined by the magnetic field. The shock oscillations induced by cooling instability are strongly influenced by β: for β > 10, the oscillations may be rapidly dumped by the magnetic field, approaching a quasi-stationary state, or may be chaotic with no obvious periodicity due to perturbation of the stream induced by the post-shock plasma itself; for β≈ 1 the oscillations are quasi-periodic, although their amplitude is smaller and the frequency higher than those predicted by 1D models. Three movies are only available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org

Discovery of Ultra-fast Outflows in a Sample of Broad-line Radio Galaxies Observed with Suzaku

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tombesi, F.; Sambruna, R. M.; Reeves, J. N.; Braito, V.; Ballo, L.; Gofford, J.; Cappi, M.; Mushotzky, R. F.

2010-08-01

We present the results of a uniform and systematic search for blueshifted Fe K absorption lines in the X-ray spectra of five bright broad-line radio galaxies observed with Suzaku. We detect, for the first time in radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGNs) at X-rays, several absorption lines at energies greater than 7 keV in three out of five sources, namely, 3C 111, 3C 120, and 3C 390.3. The lines are detected with high significance according to both the F-test and extensive Monte Carlo simulations. Their likely interpretation as blueshifted Fe XXV and Fe XXVI K-shell resonance lines implies an origin from highly ionized gas outflowing with mildly relativistic velocities, in the range v ~= 0.04-0.15c. A fit with specific photoionization models gives ionization parameters in the range log ξ ~= 4-5.6 erg s-1 cm and column densities of N H ~= 1022-1023 cm-2. These characteristics are very similar to those of the ultra-fast outflows (UFOs) previously observed in radio-quiet AGNs. Their estimated location within ~0.01-0.3 pc of the central super-massive black hole suggests a likely origin related with accretion disk winds/outflows. Depending on the absorber covering fraction, the mass outflow rate of these UFOs can be comparable to the accretion rate and their kinetic power can correspond to a significant fraction of the bolometric luminosity and is comparable to their typical jet power. Therefore, these UFOs can play a significant role in the expected feedback from the AGN to the surrounding environment and can give us further clues on the relation between the accretion disk and the formation of winds/jets in both radio-quiet and radio-loud AGNs.

Characterizing Quasar Outflows I: Sample, Spectral Measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ganguly, Rajib; Christenson, D. H.; Richmond, J. M.; Derseweh, J. A.; Robbins, J. M.; Townsend, S. L.; Stark, M. A.

2012-05-01

Galaxy evolution models have shown that quasars are a crucial ingredient in the evolution of massive galaxies. Outflows play a key role in the story of quasars and their host galaxies, by helping regulate the accretion process, the star-formation rate and mass of the host galaxy (i.e., feedback). The prescription for modeling outflows as a contributor to feedback requires knowledge of the outflow velocity, geometry, and column density. In particular, we need to understand how these depend on physical parameters and how much is determined stochastically (and with what distribution). For this purpose, we are examining a sample of 11000 z=1.7-2.0 quasars from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. This redshift range permits the following from the SDSS spectra: (1) separation of objects that do and do not exhibit outflows; (2) classification/measurement of outflow properties (ionization, velocity, velocity width); and (3) measurements of UV emission line and continuum parameters. In this poster, we subjectively divide these quasars into four categories: broad absorption-line quasars (2700 objects), associated absorption-line quasars (1700 objects), reddened quasars (160 objects), and unabsorbed/unreddened quasars (6300 objects). We present measurements of the absorption (velocities, velocity widths, equivalent widths), composite spectral profiles of outflows as a function of velocity, as well as measurements of the continuum and CIV, MgII, and FeII emission-line properties. In accompanying posters, we add photometry from the rest-frame X-ray (ROSAT and Chandra), EUV (GALEX), optical (2MASS), and infrared (WISE) bands to complete the SED. The continuum and emission-line measurements from the SDSS spectra and accompanying photometry provides estimates on the black hole masses, bolometric luminsosities, and SED. We consider empirically how these affect the outflow properties. This material is based upon work supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under

The very faint X-ray binary IGR J17062-6143: a truncated disc, no pulsations, and a possible outflow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van den Eijnden, J.; Degenaar, N.; Pinto, C.; Patruno, A.; Wette, K.; Messenger, C.; Hernández Santisteban, J. V.; Wijnands, R.; Miller, J. M.; Altamirano, D.; Paerels, F.; Chakrabarty, D.; Fabian, A. C.

2018-04-01

We present a comprehensive X-ray study of the neutron star low-mass X-ray binary IGR J17062-6143, which has been accreting at low luminosities since its discovery in 2006. Analysing NuSTAR, XMM-Newton, and Swift observations, we investigate the very faint nature of this source through three approaches: modelling the relativistic reflection spectrum to constrain the accretion geometry, performing high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy to search for an outflow, and searching for the recently reported millisecond X-ray pulsations. We find a strongly truncated accretion disc at 77^{+22}_{-18} gravitational radii (˜164 km) assuming a high inclination, although a low inclination and a disc extending to the neutron star cannot be excluded. The high-resolution spectroscopy reveals evidence for oxygen-rich circumbinary material, possibly resulting from a blueshifted, collisionally ionized outflow. Finally, we do not detect any pulsations. We discuss these results in the broader context of possible explanations for the persistent faint nature of weakly accreting neutron stars. The results are consistent with both an ultra-compact binary orbit and a magnetically truncated accretion flow, although both cannot be unambiguously inferred. We also discuss the nature of the donor star and conclude that it is likely a CO or O-Ne-Mg white dwarf, consistent with recent multiwavelength modelling.

Transitional millisecond pulsars in the low-level accretion state

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jaodard, Amruta D.; Hessels, Jason W. T.; Archibald, Anne; Bogdanov, Slavko; Deller, Adam; Hernandez Santisteban, Juan; Patruno, Alessandro; D'Angelo, Caroline; Bassa, Cees; Amruta Jaodand

2018-01-01

In the canonical pulsar recycling scenario, a slowly spinning neutron star can be rejuvenated to rapid spin rates by the transfer of angular momentum and mass from a binary companion star. Over the last decade, the discovery of three transitional millisecond pulsars (tMSPs) has allowed us to study recycling in detail. These systems transition between accretion-powered (X-ray) and rotation-powered (radio) pulsar states within just a few days, raising questions such as: what triggers the state transition, when does the recycling process truly end, and what will the radio pulsar’s final spin rate be? Systematic multi-wavelength campaigns over the last decade have provided critical insights: multi-year-long, low-level accretion states showing coherent X-ray pulsations; extremely stable, bi-modal X-ray light curves; outflows probed by radio continuum emission; a surprising gamma-ray brightening during accretion, etc. In my thesis I am trying to bring these clues together to understand the low-level accretion process that recycles a pulsar. For example, recently we timed PSR J1023+0038 in the accretion state and found it to be spinning down ~26% faster compared to the non-accreting radio pulsar state. We are currently conducting simultaneous multi-wavelength campaigns (XMM, HST, Kepler and VLA) to understand the global variability of the accretion flow, as well as high-energy Fermi-LAT observations to probe the gamma-ray emission mechanism. I will highlight these recent developments, while also presenting a broad overview of tMSPs as exciting new laboratories to test low-level accretion onto magnetized neutron stars.

Accretion and Outflow from a Magnetized, Neutrino Cooled Torus around the Gamma Ray Burst Central Engine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Janiuk, Agnieszka; Moscibrodzka, Monika

Gamma Ray Bursts (GRB) are the extremely energetic transient events, visible from the most distant parts of the Universe. They are most likely powered by accretion on the hyper-Eddington rates that proceeds onto a newly born stellar mass black hole. This central engine gives rise to the most powerful, high Lorentz factor jets that are responsible for energetic gamma ray emission. We investigate the accretion flow evolution in GRB central engine, using the 2D MHD simulations in General Relativity. We compute the structure and evolution of the extremely hot and dense torus accreting onto the fast spinning black hole, which launches the magnetized jets. We calculate the chemical structure of the disk and account for neutrino cooling. Our preliminary runs apply to the short GRB case (remnant torus accreted after NS-NS or NS-BH merger). We estimate the neutrino luminosity of such an event for chosen disk and central BH mass.

Compact objects at the heart of outflows in large and small systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sell, Paul Harrison

2013-12-01

This thesis focuses on studying and assessing high-energy feedback generated by both stellar mass and supermassive compact objects. From these two perspectives, I help bridge the gap in understanding how jets and winds can transform their much larger environments in thousands to millions of years, astronomically short timescales. I have acquired X-ray and optical data that aim to elucidate the role these objects play in powering parsec-scale shockwaves in the ISM and in driving kiloparsec-scale outflows in galaxies. I present Chandra X-ray imaging, Hubble Space Telescope imaging, and WIYN Hydra multi-object optical spectroscopic observations. The data reveal the morphologies of the systems and constrain on a range of interesting parameters: power, outflow velocity, density, accretion efficiency, and timescale. My analysis provides perspective on the importance of black holes, both large and small, and neutron stars for driving outflows into the interstellar and intergalactic medium. On kiloparsec scales, I explore the nature of what appear to be merging or recently merging post-starburst galaxies with very high-velocity winds. This work is part of a multiwavelength effort to characterize the niche these galaxies fill in the larger scheme of galaxy evolution. My focus is on the accretion activity of the coalescing supermassive black holes in their cores. This work leads us to compare the relative importance of a massive starburst to the supermassive black holes in the cores of the galaxies. On parsec scales, I present case studies of two prominent microquasars, Galactic X-ray binaries with jets, Circinus X-1 and Cygnus X-1. In the case of Circinus X-1, I present very deep follow-up observations of parsec-scale shock plumes driven by a powerful, bipolar jet. In the case of Cygnus X-1, I present follow-up observations to probe a recently discovered outflow near the binary. I calculate robust, physically motivated limits on the total power needed to drive the outflows

Centrifugally driven winds from protostellar accretion discs - I. Formulation and initial results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nolan, C. A.; Salmeron, R.; Federrath, C.; Bicknell, G. V.; Sutherland, R. S.

2017-10-01

Protostellar discs play an important role in star formation, acting as the primary mass reservoir for accretion on to young stars and regulating the extent to which angular momentum and gas is released back into stellar nurseries through the launching of powerful disc winds. In this study, we explore how disc structure relates to the properties of the wind-launching region, mapping out the regions of protostellar discs where wind launching could be viable. We combine a series of 1.5D semi-analytic, steady-state, vertical disc-wind solutions into a radially extended 1+1.5D model, incorporating all three diffusion mechanisms (Ohm, Hall and ambipolar). We observe that the majority of mass outflow via disc winds occurs over a radial width of a fraction of an astronomical unit, with outflow rates attenuating rapidly on either side. We also find that the mass accretion rate, magnetic field strength and surface density profile each have significant effects on both the location of the wind-launching region and the ejection/accretion ratio \\dot{M}_out/\\dot{M}_in. Increasing either the accretion rate or the magnetic field strength corresponds to a shift of the wind-launching region to smaller radii and a decrease in \\dot{M}_out/\\dot{M}_in, while increasing the surface density corresponds to launching regions at larger radii with increased \\dot{M}_out/\\dot{M}_in. Finally, we discover a class of disc winds containing an ineffective launching configuration at intermediate radii, leading to two radially separated regions of wind launching and diminished \\dot{M}_out/\\dot{M}_in. We find that the wind locations and ejection/accretion ratio are consistent with current observational and theoretical estimates.

Jet Launching in Resistive GR-MHD Black Hole–Accretion Disk Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qian, Qian; Fendt, Christian; Vourellis, Christos

2018-05-01

We investigate the launching mechanism of relativistic jets from black hole sources, in particular the strong winds from the surrounding accretion disk. Numerical investigations of the disk wind launching—the simulation of the accretion–ejection transition—have so far almost only been done for nonrelativistic systems. From these simulations we know that resistivity, or magnetic diffusivity, plays an important role for the launching process. Here we extend this treatment to general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics (GR-MHD), applying the resistive GR-MHD code rHARM. Our model setup considers a thin accretion disk threaded by a large-scale open magnetic field. We run a series of simulations with different Kerr parameter, field strength, and diffusivity level. Indeed, we find strong disk winds with, however, mildly relativistic speed, the latter most probably due to our limited computational domain. Further, we find that magnetic diffusivity lowers the efficiency of accretion and ejection, as it weakens the efficiency of the magnetic lever arm of the disk wind. As a major driving force of the disk wind we disentangle the toroidal magnetic field pressure gradient; however, magnetocentrifugal driving may also contribute. Black hole rotation in our simulations suppresses the accretion rate owing to an enhanced toroidal magnetic field pressure that seems to be induced by frame dragging. Comparing the energy fluxes from the Blandford–Znajek-driven central spine and the surrounding disk wind, we find that the total electromagnetic energy flux is dominated by the total matter energy flux of the disk wind (by a factor of 20). The kinetic energy flux of the matter outflow is comparatively small and comparable to the Blandford–Znajek electromagnetic energy flux.

Quasar outflows at z ≥ 6: the impact on the host galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barai, Paramita; Gallerani, Simona; Pallottini, Andrea; Ferrara, Andrea; Marconi, Alessandro; Cicone, Claudia; Maiolino, Roberto; Carniani, Stefano

2018-01-01

We investigate quasar outflows at z ≥ 6 by performing zoom-in cosmological hydrodynamical simulations. By employing the smoothed particle hydrodynamics code GADGET-3, we zoom in the 2R200 region around a 2 × 1012 M⊙ halo at z = 6, inside a (500 Mpc)3 comoving volume. We compare the results of our active galactic nuclei (AGN) runs with a control simulation in which only stellar/SN feedback is considered. Seeding 105 M⊙ black holes (BHs) at the centres of 109 M⊙ haloes, we find the following results. BHs accrete gas at the Eddington rate over z = 9-6. At z = 6, our most-massive BH has grown to MBH = 4 × 109 M⊙. Fast (vr > 1000 km s-1), powerful (\\dot{M}_out ˜ 2000 M_{⊙} yr-1) outflows of shock-heated low-density gas form at z ∼ 7, and propagate up to hundreds kpc. Star formation is quenched over z = 8-6, and the total star formation rate (SFR surface density near the galaxy centre) is reduced by a factor of 5 (1000). We analyse the relative contribution of multiple physical process: (i) disrupting cosmic filamentary cold gas inflows, (ii) reducing central gas density, (iii) ejecting gas outside the galaxy; and find that AGN feedback has the following effects at z = 6. The inflowing gas mass fraction is reduced by ∼ 12 per cent, the high-density gas fraction is lowered by ∼ 13 per cent, and ∼ 20 per cent of the gas outflows at a speed larger than the escape velocity (500 km s-1). We conclude that quasar-host galaxies at z ≥ 6 are accreting non-negligible amount of cosmic gas, nevertheless AGN feedback quenches their star formation dominantly by powerful outflows ejecting gas out of the host galaxy halo.

Investigations of protostellar outflow launching and gas entrainment: Hydrodynamic simulations and molecular emission

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Offner, Stella S. R.; Arce, Héctor G., E-mail: stella.offner@yale.edu

2014-03-20

We investigate protostellar outflow evolution, gas entrainment, and star formation efficiency using radiation-hydrodynamic simulations of isolated, turbulent low-mass cores. We adopt an X-wind launching model, in which the outflow rate is coupled to the instantaneous protostellar accretion rate and evolution. We vary the outflow collimation angle from θ = 0.01-0.1 and find that even well-collimated outflows effectively sweep up and entrain significant core mass. The Stage 0 lifetime ranges from 0.14-0.19 Myr, which is similar to the observed Class 0 lifetime. The star formation efficiency of the cores spans 0.41-0.51. In all cases, the outflows drive strong turbulence in themore » surrounding material. Although the initial core turbulence is purely solenoidal by construction, the simulations converge to approximate equipartition between solenoidal and compressive motions due to a combination of outflow driving and collapse. When compared to simulation of a cluster of protostars, which is not gravitationally centrally condensed, we find that the outflows drive motions that are mainly solenoidal. The final turbulent velocity dispersion is about twice the initial value of the cores, indicating that an individual outflow is easily able to replenish turbulent motions on sub-parsec scales. We post-process the simulations to produce synthetic molecular line emission maps of {sup 12}CO, {sup 13}CO, and C{sup 18}O and evaluate how well these tracers reproduce the underlying mass and velocity structure.« less

Quenching star formation with quasar outflows launched by trapped IR radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Costa, Tiago; Rosdahl, Joakim; Sijacki, Debora; Haehnelt, Martin G.

2018-06-01

We present cosmological radiation-hydrodynamic simulations, performed with the code RAMSES-RT, of radiatively-driven outflows in a massive quasar host halo at z = 6. Our simulations include both single- and multi-scattered radiation pressure on dust from a quasar and are compared against simulations performed with thermal feedback. For radiation pressure-driving, we show that there is a critical quasar luminosity above which a galactic outflow is launched, set by the equilibrium of gravitational and radiation forces. While this critical luminosity is unrealistically high in the single-scattering limit for plausible black hole masses, it is in line with a ≈ 3 × 10^9 M_⊙ black hole accreting at its Eddington limit, if infrared (IR) multi-scattering radiation pressure is included. The outflows are fast (v ≳ 1000 km s^{-1}) and strongly mass-loaded with peak mass outflow rates ≈ 10^3 - 10^4 M_⊙ yr^{-1}, but short-lived (< 10 Myr). Outflowing material is multi-phase, though predominantly composed of cool gas, forming via a thermal instability in the shocked swept-up component. Radiation pressure- and thermally-driven outflows both affect their host galaxies significantly, but in different, complementary ways. Thermally-driven outflows couple more efficiently to diffuse halo gas, generating more powerful, hotter and more volume-filling outflows. IR radiation, through its ability to penetrate dense gas via diffusion, is more efficient at ejecting gas from the bulge. The combination of gas ejection through outflows with internal pressurisation by trapped IR radiation leads to a complete shut down of star formation in the bulge. We hence argue that radiation pressure-driven feedback may be an important ingredient in regulating star formation in compact starbursts, especially during the quasar's `obscured' phase.

Consequences of Relativistic Neutron Outflow beyond the Accretion Disks of Active Galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ekejiuba, I. E.; Okeke, P. N.

1993-05-01

Three channels of relativistic electron injection in the jets of extragalactic radio sources (EGRSs) are discussed. With the assumption that an active galactic nucleus (AGN) is powered by a spinning supermassive black hole of mass ~ 10(8) M_⊙ which sits at the center of the nucleus and ingests matter and energy through an accretion disk, a model for extracting relativistic neutrons from the AGN is forged. In this model, the inelastic proton--proton and proton--photon interactions within the accretion disk, of relativistic protons with background thermal protons and photons, respectively, produce copious amounts of relativistic neutrons. These neutrons travel ballistically for ~ 10(3gamma_n ) seconds and escape from the disk before they decay. The secondary particles produced from the neutron decays then interact with the ambient magnetic field and/or other particles to produce the radio emissions observed in the jets of EGRSs. IEE acknowledges the support of the World Bank and the Federal University of Technology, Yola, Nigeria as well as the hospitality of Georgia State University.

SPECTROSCOPY ALONG MULTIPLE, LENSED SIGHT LINES THROUGH OUTFLOWING WINDS IN THE QUASAR SDSS J1029+2623

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Misawa, Toru; Inada, Naohisa; Ohsuga, Ken

2013-02-01

We study the origin of absorption features on the blue side of the C IV broad emission line of the large-separation lensed quasar SDSS J1029+2623 at z{sub em} {approx} 2.197. The quasar images, produced by a foreground cluster of galaxies, have a maximum separation angle of {theta} {approx} 22.''5. The large angular separation suggests that the sight lines to the quasar central source can go through different regions of outflowing winds from the accretion disk of the quasar, providing a unique opportunity to study the structure of outflows from the accretion disk, a key ingredient for the evolution of quasarsmore » as well as for galaxy formation and evolution. Based on medium- and high-resolution spectroscopy of the two brightest images conducted at the Subaru telescope, we find that each image has different intrinsic levels of absorptions, which can be attributed either to variability of absorption features over the time delay between the lensed images, {Delta}t {approx} 744 days, or to the fine structure of quasar outflows probed by the multiple sight lines toward the quasar. While both these scenarios are consistent with the current data, we argue that they can be distinguished with additional spectroscopic monitoring observations.« less

Riverbank erosion induced by gravel bar accretion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Klösch, Mario; Habersack, Helmut

2010-05-01

Riverbank erosion is known to be strongly fluvially controlled and determination of shear stresses at the bank surface and at the bank toe is a crucial point in bank erosion modeling. In many modeling attempts hydraulics are simulated separately in a hydrodynamic-numerical model and the simulated shear stresses are further applied onto the bank surface in a bank erosion model. Hydrodynamics are usually simulated at a constant geometry. However, in some cases bed geometry may vary strongly during the event, changing the conditions for hydrodynamics along the bank. This research seeks to investigate the effect of gravel bar accretion during high discharges on final bank retreat. At a restored section of the Drava River bed widenings have been implemented to counter bed degradation. There, in an initiated side-arm, self-dynamic widening strongly affects bed development and long-term connectivity to the main channel. Understanding the riverbank erosion processes there would help to improve planning of future restoration measures. At one riverbank section in the side-arm large bank retreat was measured repeatedly after several flow events. This section is situated between two groins with a distance of 60 m, which act as lateral boundaries to the self-widening channel. In front of this bank section a gravel bar developed. During low flow condition most discharge of the side-arm flows beside the gravel bar along the bank, but shear stresses are too low for triggering bank erosion. For higher discharges results from a two-dimensional hydrodynamic-numerical model suggested shear stresses there to be generally low during the entire events. At some discharges the modeled flow velocities even showed to be recirculating along the bank. These results didn't explain the observed bank retreat. Based on the modeled shear stresses, bank erosion models would have greatly underestimated the bank retreat induced by the investigated events. Repeated surveys after events applying

Searching for outflows in ultraluminous X-ray sources through high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kosec, P.; Pinto, C.; Fabian, A. C.; Walton, D. J.

2018-02-01

Ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) are non-nuclear point sources exceeding the Eddington luminosity of a 10 M⊙ black hole. Modern consensus for a majority of the ULX population is that they are powered by stellar-mass black holes or neutron stars accreting well above the Eddington limit. Theoretical models of super-Eddington accretion predict existence of powerful outflows of moderately ionized gas at mildly relativistic velocities. So far, these winds have been found in three systems: NGC 1313 X-1, NGC 5408 X-1 and NGC 55 ULX. In this work, we create a sample of all ULXs with usable archival high-resolution X-ray data, with 10 sources in total, in which we aim to find more signatures of outflows. We perform Gaussian line scans to find any narrow spectral signatures, and physical wind model scans where possible. We tentatively identify an outflow in NGC 5204 X-1, blueshifted to 0.34c, which produces emission features with a total significance of at least 3σ. Next we compare ULXs with similar hardness ratios. Holmberg IX X-1 shows absorption features that could be associated with a photoionized outflowing absorber, similar to that seen in NGC 1313 X-1. The spectrum of Holmberg II X-1 possesses features similar to NGC 5408 X-1 and NGC 6946 X-1 shows O VIII rest-frame emission. All other sources from the sample also show tentative evidence of spectral features in their high-resolution spectra. Further observations with the XMM-Newton and Chandra gratings will place stronger constraints. Future missions like XARM and Athena will be able to detect them at larger distances and increase our sample.

Ubiquitous equatorial accretion disc winds in black hole soft states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ponti, G.; Fender, R. P.; Begelman, M. C.; Dunn, R. J. H.; Neilsen, J.; Coriat, M.

2012-05-01

High-resolution spectra of Galactic black holes (GBHs) reveal the presence of highly ionized absorbers. In one GBH, accreting close to the Eddington limit for more than a decade, a powerful accretion disc wind is observed to be present in softer X-ray states and it has been suggested that it can carry away enough mass and energy to quench the radio jet. Here we report that these winds, which may have mass outflow rates of the order of the inner accretion rate or higher, are a ubiquitous component of the jet-free soft states of all GBHs. We furthermore demonstrate that these winds have an equatorial geometry with opening angles of few tens of degrees, and so are only observed in sources in which the disc is inclined at a large angle to the line of sight. The decrease in Fe XXV/Fe XXVI line ratio with Compton temperature, observed in the soft state, suggests a link between higher wind ionization and harder spectral shapes. Although the physical interaction between the wind, accretion flow and jet is still not fully understood, the mass flux and power of these winds and their presence ubiquitously during the soft X-ray states suggest they are fundamental components of the accretion phenomenon.

Discovery of an Outflow from Radio Observations of the Tidal Disruption Event ASASSN-14li

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alexander, K. D.; Berger, E.; Guillochon, J.; Zauderer, B. A.; Williams, P. K. G.

2016-03-01

We report the discovery of transient radio emission from the nearby optically discovered tidal disruption event (TDE) ASASSN-14li (distance of 90 Mpc), making it the first typical TDE detected in the radio, and unambiguously pointing to the formation of a non-relativistic outflow with a kinetic energy of ≈(4-10) × 1047 erg, a velocity of ≈12,000-36,000 km s-1, and a mass of ≈3 × 10-5-7 × 10-4 M⊙. We show that the outflow was ejected on 2014 August 11-25, in agreement with an independent estimate of the timing of super-Eddington accretion based on the optical, ultraviolet, and X-ray observations, and that the ejected mass corresponds to about 1%-10% of the mass accreted in the super-Eddington phase. The temporal evolution of the radio emission also uncovers the circumnuclear density profile, ρ (R)\\propto {R}-2.5 on a scale of about 0.01 pc, a scale that cannot be probed via direct measurements even in the nearest supermassive black holes. Our discovery of radio emission from the nearest well-studied TDE to date, with a radio luminosity lower than all previous limits, indicates that non-relativistic outflows are ubiquitous in TDEs, and that future, more sensitive, radio surveys will uncover similar events.

Numerical Simulations of Wind Accretion in Symbiotic Binaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Val-Borro, M.; Karovska, M.; Sasselov, D.

2009-08-01

About half of the binary systems are close enough to each other for mass to be exchanged between them at some point in their evolution, yet the accretion mechanism in wind accreting binaries is not well understood. We study the dynamical effects of gravitational focusing by a binary companion on winds from late-type stars. In particular, we investigate the mass transfer and formation of accretion disks around the secondary in detached systems consisting of an asymptotic giant branch (AGB) mass-losing star and an accreting companion. The presence of mass outflows is studied as a function of mass-loss rate, wind temperature, and binary orbital parameters. A two-dimensional hydrodynamical model is used to study the stability of mass transfer in wind accreting symbiotic binary systems. In our simulations we use an adiabatic equation of state and a modified version of the isothermal approximation, where the temperature depends on the distance from the mass losing star and its companion. The code uses a block-structured adaptive mesh refinement method that allows us to have high resolution at the position of the secondary and resolve the formation of bow shocks and accretion disks. We explore the accretion flow between the components and formation of accretion disks for a range of orbital separations and wind parameters. Our results show the formation of stream flow between the stars and accretion disks of various sizes for certain orbital configurations. For a typical slow and massive wind from an AGB star the flow pattern is similar to a Roche lobe overflow with accretion rates of 10% of the mass loss from the primary. Stable disks with exponentially decreasing density profiles and masses of the order 10-4 solar masses are formed when wind acceleration occurs at several stellar radii. The disks are geometrically thin with eccentric streamlines and close to Keplerian velocity profiles. The formation of tidal streams and accretion disks is found to be weakly dependent on

Ultra-fast outflows (aka UFOs) in AGNs and their relevance for feedback

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cappi, Massimo; Tombesi, F.; Giustini, M.; Dadina, M.; Braito, V.; Kaastra, J.; Reeves, J.; Chartas, G.; Gaspari, M.; Vignali, C.; Gofford, J.; Lanzuisi, G.

2012-09-01

During the last decade, several observational evidences have been accumulated for the existence of massive, high velocity winds/outflows (aka UFOs) in nearby AGNs and, possibly, distant quasars. I will review here such evidences, present some of the latest results in this field, and discuss the relevance of UFOs for both understanding the physics of accretion/ejection flows on supermassive black holes, and for quantifying the amount of AGN feedback.

Binarity and Accretion in AGB Stars: HST/STIS Observations of UV Flickering in Y Gem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahai, R.; Sánchez Contreras, C.; Mangan, A. S.; Sanz-Forcada, J.; Muthumariappan, C.; Claussen, M. J.

2018-06-01

Binarity is believed to dramatically affect the history and geometry of mass loss in AGB and post-AGB stars, but observational evidence of binarity is sorely lacking. As part of a project to search for hot binary companions to cool AGB stars using the GALEX archive, we discovered a late-M star, Y Gem, to be a source of strong and variable UV and X-ray emission. Here we report UV spectroscopic observations of Y Gem obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope that show strong flickering in the UV continuum on timescales of ≲20 s, characteristic of an active accretion disk. Several UV lines with P-Cygni-type profiles from species such as Si IV and C IV are also observed, with emission and absorption features that are red- and blueshifted by velocities of ∼500 {km} {{{s}}}-1 from the systemic velocity. Our model for these (and previous) observations is that material from the primary star is gravitationally captured by a companion, producing a hot accretion disk. The latter powers a fast outflow that produces blueshifted features due to the absorption of UV continuum emitted by the disk, whereas the redshifted emission features arise in heated infalling material from the primary. The outflow velocities support a previous inference by Sahai et al. that Y Gem’s companion is a low-mass main-sequence star. Blackbody fitting of the UV continuum implies an accretion luminosity of about 13 L ⊙, and thus a mass-accretion rate >5 × 10‑7 M ⊙ yr‑1 we infer that Roche-lobe overflow is the most likely binary accretion mode for Y Gem.

Inhibition of agonist-induced smooth muscle contraction by picotamide in the male human lower urinary tract outflow region.

PubMed

Hennenberg, Martin; Tamalunas, Alexander; Wang, Yiming; Keller, Patrick; Schott, Melanie; Strittmatter, Frank; Herlemann, Annika; Yu, Qingfeng; Rutz, Beata; Ciotkowska, Anna; Stief, Christian G; Gratzke, Christian

2017-05-15

Male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to bladder outlet obstruction are characterized by abnormal smooth muscle contractions in the lower urinary tract. Alpha 1 -adrenoceptor antagonists may induce smooth muscle relaxation in the outflow region and represent the current gold standard of medical treatment. However, results may be unsatisfactory or inadequate. Apart from α 1 -adrenoceptor agonists, smooth muscle contraction in the outflow region may be induced by thromboxane A 2 (TXA 2 ), endothelins, or muscarinic receptor agonists. Here, we studied effects of the thromboxane A 2 receptor (TP receptor) antagonist picotamide on contraction in the human male bladder trigone and prostate. Carbachol, the α 1 -adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine, the thromboxane A 2 analog U46619, and electric field stimulation (EFS) induced concentration- or frequency-dependent contractions of trigone tissues in an organ bath. Picotamide (300µM) inhibited carbachol-, phenylephrine-, U46619-, and EFS-induced contractions. Endothelins 1-3 induced concentration-dependent contractions of prostate tissues, which were inhibited by picotamide. Analyses using real time polymerase chain reaction and antibodies suggested expression of thromboxane A 2 receptors and synthase in trigone smooth muscle cells. Thromboxane B 2 (the stable metabolite of thromboxane A 2 ) was detectable by enzyme immune assay in trigone samples, with most values ranging between 50 and 150pg/mg trigone protein. Picotamide inhibits contractions induced by different stimuli in the human lower urinary tract, including cholinergic, adrenergic, thromboxane A 2 - and endothelin-induced, and neurogenic contractions in different locations of the outflow region. This distinguishes picotamide from current medical treatments for LUTS, and suggests that picotamide may induce urodynamic effects in vivo. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Magnetic Field Transport in Accretion Disks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jafari, Amir; Vishniac, Ethan T.

2018-02-01

The leading models for launching astrophysical jets rely on strong poloidal magnetic fields threading the central parts of their host accretion disks. Numerical simulations of magneto-rotationally turbulent disks suggest that such fields are actually advected from the environment by the accreting matter rather than generated by internal dynamos. This is puzzling from a theoretical point of view, since the reconnection of the radial field across the midplane should cause an outward drift on timescales much shorter than the accretion time. We suggest that a combination of effects are responsible for reducing the radial field near the midplane, causing efficient inward advection of the poloidal field. Magnetic buoyancy in subsonic turbulence pushes the field lines away from the midplane, decreasing the large-scale radial field in the main body of the disk. In magneto-rotationally driven turbulence, magnetic buoyancy dominates over the effects of turbulent pumping, which works against it, and turbulent diamagnetism, which works with it, in determining the vertical drift of the magnetic field. Balancing buoyancy with diffusion implies that the bending angle of the large-scale poloidal field can be very large near the surface, as required for outflows, but vanishes near the midplane, which impedes turbulent reconnection and outward diffusion. This effect becomes less efficient as the poloidal flux increases. This suggests that accretion disks are less likely to form jets if they have a modest ratio of outer to inner radii or if the ambient field is very weak. The former effect is probably responsible for the scarcity of jets in cataclysmic variable systems.

AN IONIZED OUTFLOW FROM AB AUR, A HERBIG AE STAR WITH A TRANSITIONAL DISK

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rodríguez, Luis F.; Zapata, Luis A.; Ortiz-León, Gisela N.

AB Aur is a Herbig Ae star with a transitional disk. Transitional disks present substantial dust clearing in their inner regions, most probably because of the formation of one or more planets, although other explanations are still viable. In transitional objects, accretion is found to be about an order of magnitude smaller than in classical full disks. Since accretion is believed to be correlated with outflow activity, centimeter free-free jets are expected to be present in association with these systems, at weaker levels than in classical protoplanetary (full) systems. We present new observations of the centimeter radio emission associated withmore » the inner regions of AB Aur and conclude that the morphology, orientation, spectral index, and lack of temporal variability of the centimeter source imply the presence of a collimated, ionized outflow. The radio luminosity of this radio jet is, however, about 20 times smaller than that expected for a classical system of similar bolometric luminosity. We conclude that centimeter continuum emission is present in association with stars with transitional disks, but at levels than are becoming detectable only with the upgraded radio arrays. On the other hand, assuming that the jet velocity is 300 km s{sup –1}, we find that the ratio of mass loss rate to accretion rate in AB Aur is ∼0.1, similar to that found for less evolved systems.« less

A Massive X-ray Outflow From The Quasar PDS 456

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reeves, J. N.; O'Brien, P. T.; Ward, M. J.

2003-01-01

We report on XMM-Newton spectroscopic observations of the luminous, radio-quiet quasar PDS 456. The hard X-ray spectrum of PDS 456 shows a deep absorption trough (constituting 50% of the continuum) at energies above 7 keV in the quasar rest frame, which can be attributed to a series of blue-shifted K-shell absorption edges due to highly ionized iron. The higher resolution soft X-ray grating RGS spectrum exhibits a broad absorption line feature near 1 keV, which can be modeled by a blend of L-shell transitions from highly ionized iron (Fe XVII - XXIV). An extreme outflow velocity of approx. 50000 km/s is required to model the K and L shell iron absorption present in the XMM-Newton data. Overall, a large column density (N(sub H) = 5 x 10(exp 23)/sq cm) of highly ionized gas (log xi = 2.5) is required in PDS 456. A large mass outflow rate of approx. 10 solar mass/year (assuming a conservative outflow covering factor of 0.1 steradian) is derived, which is of the same order as the overall mass accretion rate in PDS 456. This represents a substantial fraction (approx. 10%) of the quasar energy budget, whilst the large column and outflow velocity place PDS 456 towards the extreme end of the broad absorption line quasar population.

X-ray evidence for ultra-fast outflows in Seyfert galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tombesi, Francesco; Braito, Valentina; Reeves, James; Cappi, Massimo; Dadina, Mauro

2012-07-01

X-ray evidence for massive, highly ionized, ultra-fast outflows (UFOs) has been recently reported in a number of AGNs through the detection of blue-shifted Fe XXV/XXVI absorption lines. We present the results of a comprehensive spectral analysis of a large sample of 42 local Seyferts observed with XMM-Newton. Similar results are also obtained from a Suzaku analysis of 5 radio galaxies. We find that UFOs are common phenomena, being present in >40% of the sources. Their outflow velocity distribution is in the range ˜0.03--0.3c, with mean value of ˜0.14c. The ionization parameter is very high, in the range logξ˜3--6 erg~s^{-1}~cm, and the associated column densities are also large, in the range ˜10^{22}--10^{24} cm^{-2}. Their location is constrained at ˜0.0003--0.03pc (˜10^2--10^4 r_s) from the central black hole, consistent with what is expected for accretion disk winds/outflows. The mass outflow rates are in the interval ˜0.01--1M_{⊙}~yr^{-1}. The associated mechanical power is also high, in the range ˜10^{43}--10^{45} erg/s, which indicates that UFOs are capable to provide a significant contribution to the AGN cosmological feedback.

Collimated Outflow Formation via Binary Stars: Three-Dimensional Simulations of Asymptotic Giant Branch Wind and Disk Wind Interactions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

García-Arredondo, F.; Frank, Adam

2004-01-01

We present three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations of the interaction of a slow wind from an asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star and a jet blown by an orbiting companion. The jet or ``collimated fast wind'' is assumed to originate from an accretion disk that forms via Bondi accretion of the AGB wind or Roche lobe overflow. We present two distinct regimes in the wind-jet interaction determined by the ratio of the AGB wind to jet momentum flux. Our results show that when the wind momentum flux overwhelms the flux in the jet, a more disordered outflow results with the jet assuming a corkscrew pattern and multiple shock structures driven into the AGB wind. In the opposite regime, the jet dominates and will drive a highly collimated, narrow-waisted outflow. We compare our results with scenarios described by Soker & Rappaport and extrapolate to the structures observed in planetary nebulae (PNs) and symbiotic stars.

Dynamical structure of magnetized dissipative accretion flow around black holes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarkar, Biplob; Das, Santabrata

2016-09-01

We study the global structure of optically thin, advection dominated, magnetized accretion flow around black holes. We consider the magnetic field to be turbulent in nature and dominated by the toroidal component. With this, we obtain the complete set of accretion solutions for dissipative flows where bremsstrahlung process is regarded as the dominant cooling mechanism. We show that rotating magnetized accretion flow experiences virtual barrier around black hole due to centrifugal repulsion that can trigger the discontinuous transition of the flow variables in the form of shock waves. We examine the properties of the shock waves and find that the dynamics of the post-shock corona (PSC) is controlled by the flow parameters, namely viscosity, cooling rate and strength of the magnetic field, respectively. We separate the effective region of the parameter space for standing shock and observe that shock can form for wide range of flow parameters. We obtain the critical viscosity parameter that allows global accretion solutions including shocks. We estimate the energy dissipation at the PSC from where a part of the accreting matter can deflect as outflows and jets. We compare the maximum energy that could be extracted from the PSC and the observed radio luminosity values for several supermassive black hole sources and the observational implications of our present analysis are discussed.

Rapid growth of black holes accompanied with hot or warm outflows exposed to anisotropic super-Eddington radiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takeo, Eishun; Inayoshi, Kohei; Ohsuga, Ken; Takahashi, Hiroyuki R.; Mineshige, Shin

2018-05-01

We perform two-dimensional radiation hydrodynamical simulations of accretion flows on to a black hole (BH) with a mass of 103 ≤ MBH/ M⊙ ≲ 106 in order to study rapid growth of BHs in the early Universe. For spherically symmetric flows, hyper-Eddington accretion from outside the Bondi radius can occur unimpeded by radiation feedback when MBH ≳ 104 M⊙(n∞/105 cm - 3) - 1(T∞/104 K)3/2, where the density and temperature of ambient gas are initially set to n∞ = 105 cm-3 and T∞ = 104 K. Here, we study accretion flows exposed to anisotropic radiation from a nuclear accretion disc with a luminosity higher than the Eddington value (LEdd) due to collimation towards the bipolar directions. We find that, unlike the spherically symmetric case, even less massive BHs with MBH < 104 M⊙ can be fed at high accretion rates of ≳ LEdd/c2 through the equatorial region, while ionized regions expand towards the poles producing hot outflows with T ˜ 105 K. For more massive BHs with MBH ≳ 5 × 105 M⊙, intense inflows of neutral gas through the equator totally cover the central radiating region due to the non-radial gas motions. Because of efficient recombination by hydrogen, the entire flow settles in neutral and warm gas with T ≃ 8000 K. The BH is fed at a rate of ˜5 × 104LEdd/c2 (a half of the inflow rate from the Bondi radius). Moreover, radiation momentum absorbed by neutral hydrogen produces warm outflows towards the bipolar directions at ˜ 10 per cent of the BH feeding rate and with a velocity several times higher than the escaping value.

Study of the Outflow and Disk surrounding a Post-Outburst FU-Orionis Star

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mellon, Samuel N.; Perez, L. M.

2014-01-01

PP 13 is a fan-shaped cometary nebula located in the constellation of Perseus and embedded in the L1473 dark cloud. At optical wavelengths this region is obscured by the surrounding dark cloud, while at infrared and longer wavelengths two northern objects (PP13Na & PP13Nb) and one southern object (PP13S) are revealed. In the past, the young stellar object inside PP13S, called PP13S*, experienced an FU-Orionis type outburst due to a massive accretion episode and is currently returning to its quiescent state. Studying the FU-Orionis phase is crucial to our understanding of how low mass stars form; it is theorized that all low-mass stars go through this outburst phase while they are forming. I used CARMA 3mm interferometric observations of the PP13 region to study the continuum and molecular line emissions from PP13. With these observations, I determined the source of the previously detected outflow and learned new information about the double star system PP13Na and PP13Nb. Although I was not able to detect the accretion disk in the gas emissions, I plan to use computer modeling to help provide constraints on the properties of PP13S* and its outflow.

Anatomy of the AGN in NGC 5548: Discovery of a fast and massive outflow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kaastra, J.; Kriss, G.; Cappi, M.; Mehdipour, M.; Petrucci, P.; Steenbrugge, K.; Arav, N.; Behar, E.; Bianchi, S.; Boissay, R.; Branduardi-Raymont, G.; Chamberlain, C.; Costantini, E.; Ely, J.; Ebrero, J.; Di Gesu, L.; Harrison, F.; kaspi, S.; Malzac, J.; De Marco, B.; Matt, G.; Nandra, K.; Paltani, S.; Person, R.; Peterson, B.; Pinto, C.; Ponti, G.; Pozo Nuñez, F.; De Rosa, A.; Seta, H.; Ursini, F.; De Vries, C.; Walton, D.; Whewell, M.

2014-07-01

After a very succesfull multi-satellite campaign on Mrk 509 in 2009, we conducted a similar campaign on the AGN NGC 5548 in 2013. This archetype Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548 has been studied for decades, and high-resolution X-ray and UV observations have previously shown an outflow with standard physical characteristics. However, our recent observing campaign with six space observatories (XMM-Newton, HST, Swift, NuSTAR, Chandra and INTEGRAL) shows the nucleus to be obscured by a stream of new ionized gas never seen before in this source. The gas with hydrogen column densities of 1E26-1E27 per m2 blocks 90% of the soft X-ray emission and causes deep and broad UV absorption troughs. The outflow velocities are up to five times faster than the persistent normal outflow. It is located at a distance of only a few light days from the nucleus close to the broad line region; this might indicate an origin from the accretion disk.

Novel molecular insights into RhoA GTPase-induced resistance to aqueous humor outflow through the trabecular meshwork

PubMed Central

Zhang, Min; Maddala, Rupalatha; Rao, Ponugoti Vasantha

2008-01-01

Impaired drainage of aqueous humor through the trabecular meshwork (TM) culminating in increased intraocular pressure is a major risk factor for glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Regulation of aqueous humor drainage through the TM, however, is poorly understood. The role of RhoA GTPase-mediated actomyosin organization, cell adhesive interactions, and gene expression in regulation of aqueous humor outflow was investigated using adenoviral vector-driven expression of constitutively active mutant of RhoA (RhoAV14). Organ-cultured anterior segments from porcine eyes expressing RhoAV14 exhibited significant reduction of aqueous humor outflow. Cultured TM cells expressing RhoAV14 exhibited a pronounced contractile morphology, increased actin stress fibers, and focal adhesions and increased levels of phosphorylated myosin light chain (MLC), collagen IV, fibronectin, and laminin. cDNA microarray analysis of RNA extracted from RhoAV14-expressing human TM cells revealed a significant increase in the expression of genes encoding extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, cytokines, integrins, cytoskeletal proteins, and signaling proteins. Conversely, various ECM proteins stimulated robust increases in phosphorylation of MLC, paxillin, and focal adhesion kinase and activated Rho GTPase and actin stress fiber formation in TM cells, indicating a potential regulatory feedback interaction between ECM-induced mechanical strain and Rho GTPase-induced isometric tension in TM cells. Collectively, these data demonstrate that sustained activation of Rho GTPase signaling in the aqueous humor outflow pathway increases resistance to aqueous humor outflow through the trabecular pathway by influencing the actomyosin assembly, cell adhesive interactions, and the expression of ECM proteins and cytokines in TM cells. PMID:18799648

Flares, Magnetic Reconnections and Accretion Disk Viscosity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Welsh, William

2001-07-01

Accretion disks are invoked to explain a host of astrophysical phenomena, from protostellar objects to AGN. And yet the mechanism allowing accretion disks to operate are completely unknown. This proposal seeks to observe the ``smoking gun'' signature of magnetically-driven viscosity in accretion disks. Magnetically-induced viscosity is a plausible and generally accepted hypothesis {for esthetic reasons}, but it is completely untested. Determining the cause of accretion disk viscosity is of major significance to all accretion-disk powered systems {e.g. CVs, X-ray binaries, AGN and protostellar disks}. These data will also firmly establish the importance of magnetic fields in accretion disks. Because of its known flaring properites, we will observe the accretion disk in EM Cyg simulataneously with STIS/FUV and CHANDRA. The simultaneous X-rays are absolutely necessary for the unambiguous detection of accretion disk magnetic reconnection flares.

Characterizing Quasar Outflows III: SEDs, and Bolometric Luminosity Estimates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richmond, Joseph; Robbins, J. M.; Ganguly, R.; Stark, M. A.; Christenson, D. H.; Derseweh, J. A.; Townsend, S. L.

2012-05-01

Galaxy evolution models have shown that quasars are a crucial ingredient in the evolution of massive galaxies. Outflows play a key role in the story of quasars and their host galaxies, by helping regulate the accretion process, the star-formation rate and mass of the host galaxy (i.e., feedback). The prescription for modeling outflows as a contributor to feedback requires knowledge of the outflow velocity, geometry, and column density. In particular, we need to understand how these depend on physical parameters and how much is determined stochastically (and with what distribution). For this purpose, we are examining a sample of 11000 z=1.7-2.0 quasars from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. This redshift range permits the following from the SDSS spectra: (1) separation of objects that do and do not exhibit outflows; (2) classification/measurement of outflow properties (ionization, velocity, velocity width); and (3) measurements of UV emission line and continuum parameters. In this poster, we add photometry from both the Two Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS) and from the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE). 2MASS photometry covers the rest-frame optical regime of these qusars, while the WISE W1, W2, and W3 bands cover the rest-frame wavelength ranges 0.9-1.27 micron, 1.35-1.75 micron, and 2.52-5.51 micron, respectively. The preliminary release of WISE data cover 3800 of our quasars. In an accompnying poster, we have subjectively divided these quasars into four categories: broad absorption-line quasars (2700 objects), associated absorption-line quasars (1700 objects), reddened quasars (160 objects), and unabsorbed/unreddened quasars (6300 objects). Here, we present average SEDs for these subsamples, estimates of bolometric luminosity, and explore changes in SED based on both outflow properties and quasar physical properties. This material is based upon work supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under Grant No. 09-ADP09-0016 issued through the

Low-density, radiatively inefficient rotating-accretion flow on to a black hole

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inayoshi, Kohei; Ostriker, Jeremiah P.; Haiman, Zoltán; Kuiper, Rolf

2018-05-01

We study low-density axisymmetric accretion flows on to black holes (BHs) with two-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations, adopting the α-viscosity prescription. When the gas angular momentum is low enough to form a rotationally supported disc within the Bondi radius (RB), we find a global steady accretion solution. The solution consists of a rotational equilibrium distribution around r ˜ RB, where the density follows ρ ∝ (1 + RB/r)3/2, surrounding a geometrically thick and optically thin accretion disc at the centrifugal radius RC(accretion flows (ρ ∝ r-1/2). In the inner solution, the gas inflow rate decreases towards the centre due to convection (\\dot{M}∝ r), and the net accretion rate (including both inflows and outflows) is strongly suppressed by several orders of magnitude from the Bondi accretion rate \\dot{M}_B. The net accretion rate depends on the viscous strength, following \\dot{M}/\\dot{M}_B∝ (α /0.01)^{0.6}. This solution holds for low accretion rates of \\dot{M}_B/\\dot{M}_Edd≲ 10^{-3} having minimal radiation cooling, where \\dot{M}_Edd is the Eddington accretion rate. In a hot plasma at the bottom (r < 10-3 RB), thermal conduction would dominate the convective energy flux. Since suppression of the accretion by convection ceases, the final BH feeding rate is found to be \\dot{M}/\\dot{M}_B˜ 10^{-3}-10-2. This rate is as low as \\dot{M}/\\dot{M}_Edd˜ 10^{-7}-10-6 inferred for SgrA* and the nuclear BHs in M31 and M87, and can explain their low luminosities, without invoking any feedback mechanism.

Modeling MHD accretion-ejection: episodic ejections of jets triggered by a mean-field disk dynamo

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stepanovs, Deniss; Fendt, Christian; Sheikhnezami, Somayeh, E-mail: deniss@stepanovs.org, E-mail: fendt@mpia.de

2014-11-20

We present MHD simulations exploring the launching, acceleration, and collimation of jets and disk winds. The evolution of the disk structure is consistently taken into account. Extending our earlier studies, we now consider the self-generation of the magnetic field by an α{sup 2}Ω mean-field dynamo. The disk magnetization remains on a rather low level, which helps to evolve the simulations for T > 10, 000 dynamical time steps on a domain extending 1500 inner disk radii. We find the magnetic field of the inner disk to be similar to the commonly found open field structure, favoring magneto-centrifugal launching. The outermore » disk field is highly inclined and predominantly radial. Here, differential rotation induces a strong toroidal component, which plays a key role in outflow launching. These outflows from the outer disk are slower, denser, and less collimated. If the dynamo action is not quenched, magnetic flux is continuously generated, diffuses outward through the disk, and fills the entire disk. We have invented a toy model triggering a time-dependent mean-field dynamo. The duty cycles of this dynamo lead to episodic ejections on similar timescales. When the dynamo is suppressed as the magnetization falls below a critical value, the generation of the outflows and also accretion is inhibited. The general result is that we can steer episodic ejection and large-scale jet knots by a disk-intrinsic dynamo that is time-dependent and regenerates the jet-launching magnetic field.« less

Brain RVD-haemopressin, a haemoglobin-derived peptide, inhibits bombesin-induced central activation of adrenomedullary outflow in the rat.

PubMed

Tanaka, Kenjiro; Shimizu, Takahiro; Yanagita, Toshihiko; Nemoto, Takayuki; Nakamura, Kumiko; Taniuchi, Keisuke; Dimitriadis, Fotios; Yokotani, Kunihiko; Saito, Motoaki

2014-01-01

Haemopressin and RVD-haemopressin, derived from the haemoglobin α-chain, are bioactive peptides found in brain and are ligands for cannabinoid CB1 receptors. Activation of brain CB1 receptors inhibited the secretion of adrenal catecholamines (noradrenaline and adrenaline) induced by i.c.v. bombesin in the rat. Here, we investigated the effects of two haemoglobin-derived peptides on this bombesin-induced response Anaesthetised male Wistar rats were pretreated with either haemoglobin-derived peptide, given i.c.v., 30 min before i.c.v. bombesin and plasma catecholamines were subsequently measured electrochemically after HPLC. Direct effects of bombesin on secretion of adrenal catecholamines were examined using bovine adrenal chromaffin cells. Furthermore, activation of haemoglobin α-positive spinally projecting neurons in the rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN, a regulatory centre of central adrenomedullary outflow) after i.c.v. bombesin was assessed by immunohistochemical techniques. Bombesin given i.c.v. dose-dependently elevated plasma catecholamines whereas incubation with bombesin had no effect on spontaneous and nicotine-induced secretion of catecholamines from chromaffin cells. The bombesin-induced increase in catecholamines was inhibited by pretreatment with i.c.v. RVD-haemopressin (CB1 receptor agonist) but not after pretreatment with haemopressin (CB1 receptor inverse agonist). Bombesin activated haemoglobin α-positive spinally projecting neurons in the PVN. The haemoglobin-derived peptide RVD-haemopressin in the brain plays an inhibitory role in bombesin-induced activation of central adrenomedullary outflow via brain CB1 receptors in the rat. These findings provide basic information for the therapeutic use of haemoglobin-derived peptides in the modulation of central adrenomedullary outflow. © 2013 The British Pharmacological Society.

Stellar physics. Observing the onset of outflow collimation in a massive protostar.

PubMed

Carrasco-González, C; Torrelles, J M; Cantó, J; Curiel, S; Surcis, G; Vlemmings, W H T; van Langevelde, H J; Goddi, C; Anglada, G; Kim, S-W; Kim, J-S; Gómez, J F

2015-04-03

The current paradigm of star formation through accretion disks, and magnetohydrodynamically driven gas ejections, predicts the development of collimated outflows, rather than expansion without any preferential direction. We present radio continuum observations of the massive protostar W75N(B)-VLA 2, showing that it is a thermal, collimated ionized wind and that it has evolved in 18 years from a compact source into an elongated one. This is consistent with the evolution of the associated expanding water-vapor maser shell, which changed from a nearly circular morphology, tracing an almost isotropic outflow, to an elliptical one outlining collimated motions. We model this behavior in terms of an episodic, short-lived, originally isotropic ionized wind whose morphology evolves as it moves within a toroidal density stratification. Copyright © 2015, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Relativistic MHD simulations of collision-induced magnetic dissipation in Poynting-flux-dominated jets/outflows

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Deng, Wei

2015-07-21

The question of the energy composition of the jets/outflows in high-energy astrophysical systems, e.g. GRBs, AGNs, is taken up first: Matter-flux-dominated (MFD), σ < 1, and/or Poynting-flux-dominated (PFD), σ >1? The standard fireball IS model and dissipative photosphere model are MFD, while the ICMART (Internal-Collision-induced MAgnetic Reconnection and Turbulence) model is PFD. Motivated by ICMART model and other relevant problems, such as “jets in a jet” model of AGNs, the author investigates the models from the EMF energy dissipation efficiency, relativistic outflow generation, and σ evolution points of view, and simulates collisions between high-σ blobs to mimic the situation ofmore » the interactions inside the PFD jets/outflows by using a 3D SRMHD code which solves the conservative form of the ideal MHD equations. σ b,f is calculated from the simulation results (threshold = 1). The efficiency obtained from this hybrid method is similar to the efficiency got from the energy evolution of the simulations (35.2%). Efficiency is nearly σ independent, which is also confirmed by the hybrid method. σ b,i - σ b,f provides an interesting linear relationship. Results of several parameter studies of EMF energy dissipation efficiency are shown.« less

Multiple outflows in the bipolar planetary nebula M1-16: A molecular line study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sahai, Raghvendra; Wootten, Alwyn; Schwarz, Hugo E.; Wild, W.

1994-06-01

enhancement of the CN and HCO(+) abundances due to photochemistry induced by the stellar UV. The CS J = 2-1, SiO J = 2-1 (v = 0), and SiS J = 6-5 lines were not detected to low levels. For the high-excitation molecules, adequate collisional excitation of rotational levels and survival against photodissociation by the UV radiation requires significant clumping of the molecular gas into clumps with H2 densities approximately 105/cu cm. The IRAS fluxes of M1-16, assuming negligible contribution from line emission, imply the presence of about (1.7-0.4) x 10-3 solar mass of cool dust (temperature around 50 K) and a smaller quantity, (2.7-3.1) x 10-6 solar mass, of warmer dust (temperature around 125 K) for a power-law emissivity index p = 1-2. The evolutionary nature of M1-16 cannot be explained by existing single-star models of post-AGB evolution. The very high (13)C/(12)C abundance ratio in M1-16 suggests a possible evolutionary connection between M1-16 and the rare class of J-type silicate-carbon stars which also have high (13)C/(12)C ratios and are thought to be binary systems with accretion disks.

Supercritical Accretion onto a Non-magnetized Neutron Star: Why is it Feasible?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takahashi, Hiroyuki R.; Mineshige, Shin; Ohsuga, Ken

2018-01-01

To understand why supercritical accretion is feasible onto a neutron star (NS), we carefully examine the accretion flow dynamics by 2.5-dimensional general relativistic radiation magnetohydrodynamic (RMHD) simulations, comparing the cases of accretion onto a non-magnetized NS and that onto a black hole (BH). Supercritical BH accretion is relatively easy, since BHs can swallow excess radiation energy, so that radiation flux can be inward in its vicinity. This mechanism can never work for an NS, which has a solid surface. In fact, we find that the radiation force is always outward. Instead, we found significant reduction in the mass accretion rate due to strong radiation-pressure-driven outflow. The radiation flux F rad is self-regulated such that the radiation force balances with the sum of gravity and centrifugal forces. Even when the radiation energy density greatly exceeds that expected from the Eddington luminosity {E}{rad}≃ {F}{rad}τ /c> {10}2{L}{Edd}/(4π {r}2c), the radiation flux is always kept below a certain value, which makes it possible not to blow all the gas away from the disk. These effects make supercritical accretion feasible. We also find that a settling region, where accretion is significantly decelerated by a radiation cushion, is formed around the NS surface. In the settling region, the radiation temperature and mass density roughly follow {T}{rad}\\propto {r}-1 and ρ \\propto {r}-3, respectively. No settling region appears around the BH, so matter can be directly swallowed by the BH with supersonic speed.

The Dynamics of Truncated Black Hole Accretion Disks. II. Magnetohydrodynamic Case

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hogg, J. Drew; Reynolds, Christopher S.

2018-02-01

We study a truncated accretion disk using a well-resolved, semi-global magnetohydrodynamic simulation that is evolved for many dynamical times (6096 inner disk orbits). The spectral properties of hard-state black hole binary systems and low-luminosity active galactic nuclei are regularly attributed to truncated accretion disks, but a detailed understanding of the flow dynamics is lacking. In these systems the truncation is expected to arise through thermal instability driven by sharp changes in the radiative efficiency. We emulate this behavior using a simple bistable cooling function with efficient and inefficient branches. The accretion flow takes on an arrangement where a “transition zone” exists in between hot gas in the innermost regions and a cold, Shakura & Sunyaev thin disk at larger radii. The thin disk is embedded in an atmosphere of hot gas that is fed by a gentle outflow originating from the transition zone. Despite the presence of hot gas in the inner disk, accretion is efficient. Our analysis focuses on the details of the angular momentum transport, energetics, and magnetic field properties. We find that the magnetic dynamo is suppressed in the hot, truncated inner region of the disk which lowers the effective α-parameter by 65%.

Figuring Out Gas and Galaxies in Enzo (FOGGIE): Simulating effects of feedback on galactic outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morris, Melissa Elizabeth; Corlies, Lauren; Peeples, Molly; Tumlinson, Jason; O'Shea, Brian; Smith, Britton

2018-01-01

The circumgalactic medium (CGM) is the region beyond the galactic disk in which gas is accreted through pristine inflows from the intergalactic medium and expelled from the galaxy by stellar feedback in large outflows that can then be recycled back onto the disk. These gas cycles connect the galactic disk with its cosmic environment, making the CGM a vital component of galaxy evolution. However, the CGM is primarily observed in absorption, which can be difficult to interpret. In this study, we use high resolution cosmological hydrodynamic simulations of a Milky Way mass halo evolved with the code Enzo to aid the interpretation of these observations. In our simulations, we vary feedback strength and observe the effect it has on galactic outflows and the evolution of the galaxy’s CGM. We compare the star formation rate of the galaxy with the velocity flux and mass outflow rate as a function of height above the plane of the galaxy in order to measure the strength of the outflows and how far they extend outside of the galaxy.This work was supported by The Space Astronomy Summer Program at STScI and NSF grant AST-1517908.

Accretion flow dynamics during 1999 outburst of XTE J1859+226—modeling of broadband spectra and constraining the source mass

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nandi, Anuj; Mandal, S.; Sreehari, H.; Radhika, D.; Das, Santabrata; Chattopadhyay, I.; Iyer, N.; Agrawal, V. K.; Aktar, R.

2018-05-01

We examine the dynamical behavior of accretion flow around XTE J1859+226 during the 1999 outburst by analyzing the entire outburst data (˜166 days) from RXTE Satellite. Towards this, we study the hysteresis behavior in the hardness intensity diagram (HID) based on the broadband (3-150 keV) spectral modeling, spectral signature of jet ejection and the evolution of Quasi-periodic Oscillation (QPO) frequencies using the two-component advective flow model around a black hole. We compute the flow parameters, namely Keplerian accretion rate (\\dot{m}d), sub-Keplerian accretion rate (\\dot{m}h), shock location (rs) and black hole mass (M_{bh}) from the spectral modeling and study their evolution along the q-diagram. Subsequently, the kinetic jet power is computed as L^{obs}_{jet} ˜3-6 ×10^{37} erg s^{-1} during one of the observed radio flares which indicates that jet power corresponds to 8-16% mass outflow rate from the disc. This estimate of mass outflow rate is in close agreement with the change in total accretion rate (˜14%) required for spectral modeling before and during the flare. Finally, we provide a mass estimate of the source XTE J1859+226 based on the spectral modeling that lies in the range of 5.2-7.9 M_{⊙} with 90% confidence.

Shocks and Molecules in Protostellar Outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Arce, Héctor

2014-06-01

As protostars form through the gravitational infall of material from their parent molecular cloud, they power energetic bipolar outflows that interact with the surrounding medium. Protostellar outflows are important to the chemical evolution of star forming regions, as the shocks produced by the interaction of the high-velocity protostellar wind and the ambient cloud can heat the surrounding medium and trigger chemical and physical processes that would otherwise not take place in a quiescent molecular cloud. Protostellar outflows, are therefore a great laboratory to study shock physics and shock-induced chemistry. I will present results from millimeter-wave observations of a small sample of outflow shocks. The spectra show clear evidence of the existence of complex organic molecules (e.g., methyl formate, ethanol, acetaldehyde) and high abundance of certain simple molecules (e.g., HCO^+, HCN, H_2O) in outflows. Results indicate that, most likely, the complex species formed on the surface of grains and were then ejected from the grain mantles by the shock. Spectral surveys of shocked regions using ALMA could therefore be used to probe the composition of dust in molecular clouds. Our results demonstrate that outflows modify the chemical composition of the surrounding gaseous environment and that this needs to be considered when using certain species to study active star forming regions.

Hydrodynamic simulations of viscous accretion flows around black holes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giri, Kinsuk; Chakrabarti, Sandip K.

2012-03-01

We study the time evolution of a rotating, axisymmetric, viscous accretion flow around black holes using a grid-based finite difference method. We use the Shakura-Sunyaev viscosity prescription. However, we compare with the results obtained when all the three independent components of the viscous stress are kept. We show that the centrifugal pressure supported shocks became weaker with the inclusion of viscosity. The shock is formed farther out when the viscosity is increased. When the viscosity is above a critical value, the shock disappears altogether and the flow becomes subsonic and Keplerian everywhere except in a region close to the horizon, where it remains supersonic. We also find that as the viscosity is increased, the amount of outflowing matter in the wind is decreased to less than a percentage of the inflow matter. Since the post-shock region could act as a reservoir of hot electrons or the so-called 'Compton cloud', the size of which changes with viscosity, the spectral properties are expected to depend on viscosity strongly: the harder states are dominated by low angular momentum and the low-viscosity flow with significant outflows while the softer states are dominated by the high-viscosity Keplerian flow having very few outflows.

Suzaku Discovery of Ultra-fast Outflows in Radio-loud AGN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sambruna, Rita M.; Tombesi, F.; Reeves, J.; Braito, V.; Gofford, J.; Cappi, M.

2010-03-01

We present the results of an analysis of the 3.5--10.5 keV spectra of five bright Broad-Line Radio Galaxies (BLRGs) using proprietary and archival Suzaku observations. In three sources -- 3C 111, 3C 120, and 3C 390.3 -- we find evidence, for the first time in a radio-loud AGN, for absorption features at observed energies 7 keV and 8--9 keV, with high significance according to both the F-test and extensive Monte Carlo simulations (99% or larger). In the remaining two BLRGs, 3C 382 and 3C 445, there is no evidence for such absorption features in the XIS spectra. If interpreted as due to Fe XXV and/or Fe XXVI K-shell resonance lines, the absorption features in 3C 111, 3C 120, and 3C 390.3 imply an origin from an ionized gas outflowing with velocities in the range v 0.04-0.15c, reminiscent of Ultra-Fast Outflows (UFOs) previously observed in radio-quiet Seyfert galaxies. A fit with specific photoionization models gives ionization parameters log ξ 4--5.6 erg s-1 cm and column densities of NH 1022-23 cm-2, similar to the values observed in Seyferts. Based on light travel time arguments, we estimate that the UFOs in the three BLRGs are located within 20--500 gravitational radii from the central black hole, and thus most likely are connected to disk winds/outflows. Our estimates show that the UFOs mass outflow rate is comparable to the accretion rate and their kinetic energy a significant fraction of the AGN bolometric luminosity, making these outflows significant for the global energetic of these systems, in particular for mechanisms of jet formation.

Plume-induced subduction and accretion on present-day Venus and Archean Earth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Davaille, A.; Smrekar, S. E.; Sibrant, A.; Mittelstaedt, E. L.

2017-12-01

Plate tectonics is responsible for the majority of Earth's heat loss, cycling of volatiles between the atmosphere and interior, recycling in the mantle of most of the surface plates, and possibly even for maintaining habitability. Despite its similarity in size and bulk density to Earth, Venus lacks plate tectonics today, and its mode of operation remains debated. Using laboratory experiments in colloidal dispersion which brittle viscosity-elasto-plastic rheology, we recently showed that plume-induced subduction could be operating nowadays on Venus. The experimental fluids were heated from below to produce upwelling plumes, which in turn produced tensile fractures in the lithosphere-like skin that formed on the upper surface. Plume material upwelling through the fractures then spread above the skin, analogous to volcanic flooding, and lead to bending and eventual subduction of the skin along arcuate segments. These segments are analogous to the semi-circular trenches seen on large coronae. Scaling analysis suggests that this regime with limited, plume-induced subduction is favored by a hot lithosphere, such as that found on early Earth or present-day Venus. Moreover, in this regime, subduction proceeds primarily by roll-back and the coronae expands through time at velocity that could reach 10 cm/yr. A second set of experiments focusing on accretion processes suggests that accretion dynamics depends on the strength of the lithosphere, as well as the spreading velocity. Venus hot surface temperature would act to decrease the lithosphere strength, and therefore weaken the ridge axis, that would become highly unstable, showing large sinuosity and producing a number of micro-plates. These plume, subduction, and accretion characteristics explain well the features seen in Artemis coronae, the largest coronae on Venus.

The multiwavelength spectrum of NGC 3115: hot accretion flow properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Almeida, Ivan; Nemmen, Rodrigo; Wong, Ka-Wah; Wu, Qingwen; Irwin, Jimmy A.

2018-04-01

NGC 3115 is the nearest galaxy hosting a billion solar mass black hole and is also a low-luminosity active galactic nucleus (LLAGN). X-ray observations of this LLAGN are able to spatially resolve the hot gas within the sphere of gravitational influence of the supermassive black hole. These observations make NGC 3115 an important test bed for black hole accretion theory in galactic nuclei since they constrain the outer boundary conditions of the hot accretion flow. We present a compilation of the multiwavelength spectral energy distribution (SED) of the nucleus of NGC 3115 from radio to X-rays. We report the results from modelling the observed SED with radiatively inefficient accretion flow (RIAF) models. The radio emission can be well-explained by synchrotron emission from the RIAF without the need for contribution from a relativistic jet. We obtain a tight constraint on the RIAF density profile, ρ (r) ∝ r^{-0.73 _{-0.02} ^{+0.01}}, implying that mass-loss through subrelativistic outflows from the RIAF is significant. The lower frequency radio observation requires the synchrotron emission from a non-thermal electron population in the RIAF, similarly to Sgr A*.

Ultraviolet line diagnostics of accretion disk winds in cataclysmic variables

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vitello, Peter; Shlosman, Isaac

1993-01-01

The IUE data base is used to analyze the UV line shapes of the cataclysmic variables RW Sex, RW Tri, and V Sge. Observed lines are compared to synthetic line profiles computed using a model of rotating biconical winds from accretion disks. The wind model calculates the wind ionization structure self-consistently including photoionization from the disk and boundary layer and treats 3D line radiation transfer in the Sobolev approximation. It is found that winds from accretion disks provide a good fit for reasonable parameters to the observed UV lines which include the P Cygni profiles for low-inclination systems and pure emission at large inclination. Disk winds are preferable to spherical winds which originate on the white dwarf because they: (1) require a much lower ratio of mass-loss rate to accretion rate and are therefore more plausible energetically; (2) provide a natural source for a biconical distribution of mass outflow which produces strong scattering far above the disk leading to P Cygni profiles for low-inclination systems and pure line emission profiles at high inclination with the absence of eclipses in UV lines; and (3) produce rotation-broadened pure emission lines at high inclination.

UV line diagnostics of accretion disk winds in cataclysmic variables

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vitello, Peter; Shlosman, Isaac

1992-01-01

The IUE data base is used to analyze the UV line shapes of cataclysmic variables RW Sex, RW Tri, and V Sge. Observed lines are compared to synthetic line profiles computed using a model of rotating bi-conical winds from accretion disks. The wind model calculates the wind ionization structure self-consistently including photoionization from the disk and boundary layer and treats 3-D line radiation transfer in the Sobolev approximation. It is found that winds from accretion disks provide a good fit for reasonable parameters to the observed UV lines which include the P Cygni profiles for low inclination systems and pure emission at large inclination. Disk winds are preferable to spherical winds which originate on the white dwarf because they (1) require a much lower ratio of mass loss rate to accretion rate and are therefore more plausible energetically, (2) provide a natural source for a bi-conical distribution of mass outflow which produces strong scattering far above the disk leading to P Cygni profiles for low inclination systems, and pure line emission profiles at high inclination with the absence of eclipses in UV lines, and (3) produce rotation broadened pure emission lines at high inclination.

General Relativistic Radiative Transfer and General Relativistic MHD Simulations of Accretion and Outflows of Black Holes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fuerst, Steven V.; Mizuno, Yosuke; Nishikawa, Ken-Ichi; Wu, Kinwah

2007-01-01

We have calculated the emission from relativistic flows in black hole systems using a fully general relativistic radiative transfer, with flow structures obtained by general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations. We consider thermal free-free emission and thermal synchrotron emission. Bright filament-like features are found protruding (visually) from the accretion disk surface, which are enhancements of synchrotron emission when the magnetic field is roughly aligned with the line-of-sight in the co-moving frame. The features move back and forth as the accretion flow evolves, but their visibility and morphology are robust. We propose that variations and location drifts of the features are responsible for certain X-ray quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) observed in black-hole X-ray binaries.

General Relativistic Radiative Transfer and GeneralRelativistic MHD Simulations of Accretion and Outflows of Black Holes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fuerst, Steven V.; /KIPAC, Menlo Park; Mizuno, Yosuke

2007-01-05

We calculate the emission from relativistic flows in black hole systems using a fully general relativistic radiative transfer formulation, with flow structures obtained by general relativistic magneto-hydrodynamic simulations. We consider thermal free-free emission and thermal synchrotron emission. Bright filament-like features protrude (visually) from the accretion disk surface, which are enhancements of synchrotron emission where the magnetic field roughly aligns with the line-of-sight in the co-moving frame. The features move back and forth as the accretion flow evolves, but their visibility and morphology are robust. We propose that variations and drifts of the features produce certain X-ray quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) observedmore » in black-hole X-ray binaries.« less

Outflows, infall and evolution of a sample of embedded low-mass protostars. The William Herschel Line Legacy (WILL) survey

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mottram, J. C.; van Dishoeck, E. F.; Kristensen, L. E.; Karska, A.; San José-García, I.; Khanna, S.; Herczeg, G. J.; André, Ph.; Bontemps, S.; Cabrit, S.; Carney, M. T.; Drozdovskaya, M. N.; Dunham, M. M.; Evans, N. J.; Fedele, D.; Green, J. D.; Harsono, D.; Johnstone, D.; Jørgensen, J. K.; Könyves, V.; Nisini, B.; Persson, M. V.; Tafalla, M.; Visser, R.; Yıldız, U. A.

2017-04-01

properties and evolutionary stage. The median value implies a velocity at the wind launching radius of 6.3 km s-1, which in turn suggests an entrainment efficiency of between 30 and 60% if the wind is launched at 1 AU, or close to 100% if launched further out. L[O I] is strongly correlated with Lbol but not with Menv, in contrast to low-J CO, which is more closely correlated with the latter than the former. This suggests that [O I] traces the present-day accretion activity of the source while CO traces time-averaged accretion over the dynamical timescale of the outflow. H2O is more strongly correlated with Menv than Lbol, but the difference is smaller than low-J CO, consistent with water emission primarily tracing actively shocked material between the wind, traced by [O I], and the entrained molecular outflow, traced by low-J CO. L[O I] does not vary from Class 0 to Class I, unlike CO and H2O. This is likely due to the ratio of atomic to molecular gas in the wind increasing as the source evolves, balancing out the decrease in mass accretion rate. Infall signatures are detected in HCO+ and H2O in a few sources, but still remain surprisingly illusive in single-dish observations. Herschel is an ESA space observatory with science instruments provided by European-led Principal Investigator consortia and with important participation from NASA.

Accretion Structures in Algol-Type Interacting Binary Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Peters, Geraldine

The physics of mass transfer in interacting binaries of the Algol type will be investigated through an analysis of an extensive collection of FUV spectra from the FUSE spacecraft, Kepler photometry, and FUV spectra from IUE and ORFEUS-SPAS II. The Algols range from close direct impact systems to wider systems that contain prominent accretion disks. Several components of the circumstellar (CS) material have been identified, including the gas stream, splash/outflow domains, a high temperature accretion region (HTAR), accretion disk, and magnetically-controlled flows (cf. Peters 2001, 2007, Richards et al. 2010). Hot spots are sometimes seen at the site where the gas stream impacts the mass gainer's photosphere. Collectively we call these components of mass transfer "accretion structures". The CS material will be studied from an analysis of both line-of-sight FUV absorption features and emission lines. The emission line regions will be mapped in and above/below the orbital plane with 2D and 3D Doppler tomography techniques. We will look for the presence of hot accretion spots in both the Kepler photometry of Algols in the Kepler fields and phase-dependent flux variability in the FUSE spectra. We will also search for evidence of microflaring at the impact site of the gas stream. An abundance study of the mass gainer will reveal the extent to which CNO-processed material from the core of the mass loser is being deposited on the primary. Analysis codes that will be used include 2D and 3D tomography codes, SHELLSPEC, light curve analysis programs such as PHOEBE and Wilson-Devinney, and the NLTE codes TLUSTY/SYNSPEC. This project will transform our understanding of the mass transfer process from a generic to a hydrodynamical one and provide important information on the degree of mass loss from the system which is needed for calculations of the evolution of Algol binaries.

Black Hole Accretion and Feedback Driven by Thermal Instability

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaspari, M.; Ruszkowski, M.; Oh, S. P.; Churazov, E.; Brighenti, F.; Ettori, S.; Sharma, P.; Temi, P.

2013-03-01

Multiwavelength data indicate that the cores of several galaxy clusters are moderately cooling, though not catastrophically, showing signs of filamentary extended multiphase gas. Through 3D AMR hydrodynamic simulations, we study the impact of thermal instability in the evolution of the intracluster medium. Common moderate turbulence of just over 100 km/s leads to the growth of nonlinear thermal instability within the central few tens kpc. In the presence of a global counterbalancing heating, the condensation of extended filamentary cold gas is violent, occurring when the cooling time falls below 10 times the free-fall time. The frequent stochastic collisions, fragmentations and shearing motions between the cold clouds, filaments and the central torus, efficiently reduce angular momentum. Tracking the accreting gas with a dynamical range of 10 million, we find that the accretion rate is boosted up to 100 times with respect to the Bondi rate. In a commonly turbulent and quasi-stable atmosphere, the mode of black accretion is cold and chaotic, substantially different from the classic idealized scenario. Only in the transonic regime, turbulent dissipation starts to inhibit thermal instability. On sub-parsec scales the cold phase is channeled via a funnel, triggering the black hole feedback likely linked to mechanical jets/outflows. As shown by long-term self-regulated simulations, the interplay of chaotic cold accretion and AGN feedback is crucial in order to avoid the cooling catastrophe and to reproduce the key thermodynamical features of observed clusters.

ROTATING ACCRETION FLOWS: FROM INFINITY TO THE BLACK HOLE

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Li, Jason; Ostriker, Jeremiah; Sunyaev, Rashid, E-mail: jgli@astro.princeton.edu

2013-04-20

Accretion onto a supermassive black hole of a rotating inflow is a particularly difficult problem to study because of the wide range of length scales involved. There have been broadly utilized analytic and numerical treatments of the global properties of accretion flows, but detailed numerical simulations are required to address certain critical aspects. We use the ZEUS code to run hydrodynamical simulations of rotating, axisymmetric accretion flows with Bremsstrahlung cooling, considering solutions for which the centrifugal balance radius significantly exceeds the Schwarzschild radius, with and without viscous angular momentum transport. Infalling gas is followed from well beyond the Bondi radiusmore » down to the vicinity of the black hole. We produce a continuum of solutions with respect to the single parameter M-dot{sub B}/ M-dot{sub Edd}, and there is a sharp transition between two general classes of solutions at an Eddington ratio of M-dot{sub B}/M-dot{sub Edd}{approx}few Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -2}. Our high inflow solutions are very similar to the standard Shakura and Sunyaev results. But our low inflow results are to zeroth order the stationary Papaloizou and Pringle solution, which has no accretion. To next order in the small, assumed viscosity they show circulation, with disk and conical wind outflows almost balancing inflow. These solutions are characterized by hot, vertically extended disks, and net accretion proceeds at an extremely low rate, only of order {alpha} times the inflow rate. Our simulations have converged with respect to spatial resolution and temporal duration, and they do not depend strongly on our choice of boundary conditions.« less

RADIO TRANSIENTS FROM ACCRETION-INDUCED COLLAPSE OF WHITE DWARFS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Moriya, Takashi J., E-mail: takashi.moriya@nao.ac.jp

2016-10-20

We investigate observational properties of accretion-induced collapse (AIC) of white dwarfs (WDs) in radio frequencies. If AIC is triggered by accretion from a companion star, a dense circumstellar medium can be formed around the progenitor system. Then, the ejecta from AIC collide with the dense circumstellar medium, creating a strong shock. The strong shock can produce synchrotron emission that can be observed in radio frequencies. Even if AIC occurs as a result of WD mergers, we argue that AIC may cause fast radio bursts (FRBs) if a certain condition is satisfied. If AIC forms neutron stars (NSs) that are somore » massive that rotation is required to support themselves (i.e., supramassive NSs), the supramassive NSs may immediately lose their rotational energy by the r-mode instability and collapse to black holes. If the collapsing supramassive NSs are strongly magnetized, they may emit FRBs, as previously proposed. The AIC radio transients from single-degenerate systems may be detected in future radio transient surveys like the Very Large Array Sky Survey or the Square Kilometer Array transient survey. Because AIC has been proposed as a source of gravitational waves (GWs), GWs from AIC may be accompanied by radio-bright transients that can be used to confirm the AIC origin of observed GWs.« less

How does an asymmetric magnetic field change the vertical structure of a hot accretion flow?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samadi, M.; Abbassi, S.; Lovelace, R. V. E.

2017-09-01

This paper explores the effects of large-scale magnetic fields in hot accretion flows for asymmetric configurations with respect to the equatorial plane. The solutions that we have found show that the large-scale asymmetric magnetic field can significantly affect the dynamics of the flow and also cause notable outflows in the outer parts. Previously, we treated a viscous resistive accreting disc in the presence of an odd symmetric B-field about the equatorial plane. Now, we extend our earlier work by taking into account another configuration of large-scale magnetic field that is no longer symmetric. We provide asymmetric field structures with small deviations from even and odd symmetric B-field. Our results show that the disc's dynamics and appearance become different above and below the equatorial plane. The set of solutions also predicts that even a small deviation in a symmetric field causes the disc to compress on one side and expand on the other. In some cases, our solution represents a very strong outflow from just one side of the disc. Therefore, the solution may potentially explain the origin of one-sided jets in radio galaxies.

Radio Observations as a Tool to Investigate Shocks and Asymmetries in Accreting White Dwarf Binaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weston, Jennifer Helen Seng; E-Nova Project

2017-01-01

In this dissertation, I use radio observations with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) to reveal that colliding flows within the ejecta from nova explosions can lead to shocks that accelerate particles and produce radio synchrotron emission. In both novae V1723 Aql and V5589 Sgr, radio emission within the first one to two months deviated strongly from the classic thermal model for radio emission from novae. Three years of radio observations of V1723 Aql show that multiple outflows from the system collided to create non-thermal shocks with a brightness temperature of >106 K. After these shocks faded, the radio light curve became roughly consistent with an expanding thermal shell. However, resolved images of V1723 Aql show elongated material that apparently rotates its major axis over the course of 15 months. In the case of nova V5589 Sgr, I show that the early radio emission is dominated by a shock-powered non-thermal flare that produces strong (kTx > 33 keV) X-rays. These findings have important implications for understanding how normal novae generate GeV gamma-rays.Additionally, I present VLA observations of the symbiotic star CH Cyg and two small surveys of symbiotic binaries. Radio observations of CH Cyg tie the ejection of a collimated jet to a change of state in the accretion disk, strengthening the link between bipolar outflows from accreting white dwarfs and other types of accreting compact objects. Next, I use a survey of eleven accretion-driven symbiotic binaries to determine that the radio brightness of a symbiotic system could potentially be used as an indicator of whether it is powered predominantly by shell burning on the surface of the white dwarf or by accretion. This survey also produces the first radio detections of seven of the target systems. In the second survey of seventeen symbiotic binaries, I spatially resolve extended radio emission in several systems for the first time. The results from these surveys provide some support for the

Smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations of black hole accretion: a step to model black hole feedback in galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barai, Paramita; Proga, Daniel; Nagamine, Kentaro

2011-11-01

We test how accurately the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) numerical technique can follow spherically symmetric Bondi accretion. Using the 3D SPH code GADGET-3, we perform simulations of gas accretion on to a central supermassive black hole of mass 108 M⊙ within the radial range of 0.1-200 pc. We carry out simulations without and with radiative heating by a central X-ray corona and radiative cooling. For an adiabatic case, the radial profiles of hydrodynamical properties match the Bondi solution, except near the inner and outer radius of the computational domain. The deviation from the Bondi solution close to the inner radius is caused by the combination of numerical resolution, artificial viscosity and our inner boundary condition. Near the outer radius (≤200 pc), we observe either an outflow or development of a non-spherical inflow unless the outer boundary conditions are very stringently implemented. Despite these issues related to the boundary conditions, we find that adiabatic Bondi accretion can be reproduced for durations of a few dynamical times at the Bondi radius, and for longer times if the outer radius is increased. In particular, the mass inflow rate at the inner boundary, which we measure, is within 3-4 per cent of the Bondi accretion rate. With radiative heating and cooling included, the spherically accreting gas takes a longer time to reach a steady state than the adiabatic Bondi accretion runs, and in some cases does not reach a steady state even within several hundred dynamical times. We find that artificial viscosity causes excessive heating near the inner radius, making the thermal properties of the gas inconsistent with a physical solution. This overheating occurs typically only in the supersonic part of the flow, so that it does not affect the mass accretion rate. We see that increasing the X-ray luminosity produces a lower central mass inflow rate, implying that feedback due to radiative heating is operational in our simulations

Formation and pre-MS Evolution of Massive Stars with Growing Accretion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maeder, A.; Behrend, R.

2002-10-01

We briefly describe the three existing scenarios for forming massive stars and emphasize that the arguments often used to reject the accretion scenario for massive stars are misleading. It is usually not accounted for the fact that the turbulent pressure associated to large turbulent velocities in clouds necessarily imply relatively high accretion rates for massive stars. We show the basic difference between the formation of low and high mass stars based on the values of the free fall time and of the Kelvin-Helmholtz timescale, and define the concept of birthline for massive stars. Due to D-burning, the radius and location of the birthline in the HR diagram, as well as the lifetimes are very sensitive to the accretion rate dM/dt(accr). If a form dM/dt(accr) propto A(M/Msun)phi is adopted, the observations in the HR diagram and the lifetimes support a value of A approx 10-5 Msun/yr and a value of phi > 1. Remarkably, such a law is consistent with the relation found by Churchwell and Henning et al. between the outflow rates and the luminosities of ultracompact HII regions, if we assume that a fraction 0.15 to 0.3 of the global inflow is accreted. The above relation implies high dM/dt(accr) approx 10-3 Msun/yr for the most massive stars. The physical possibility of such high dM/dt(accr) is supported by current numerical models. Finally, we give simple analytical arguments in favour of the growth of dM/dt(accr) with the already accreted mass. We also suggest that due to Bondi-Hoyle accretion, the formation of binary stars is largely favoured among massive stars in the accretion scenario.

Implosive accretion and outbursts of active galactic nuclei

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lovelace, R. V. E.; Romanova, M. M.; Newman, W. I.

1994-01-01

A model and simulation code have been developed for time-dependent axisymmetric disk accretion onto a compact object including for the first time the influence of an ordered magnetic field. The accretion rate and radiative luminosity of the disk are naturally coupled to the rate of outflow of energy and angular momentum in magnetically driven (+/- z) winds. The magnetic field of the wind is treated in a phenomenological way suggested by self-consistent wind solutions. The radial accretion speed u(r, t) of the disk matter is shown to be the sum of the usual viscous contribution and a magnetic contribution proportional to r(exp 3/2)(B(sub p exp 2))/sigma, where B(sub p)(r,t) is the poloidal field threading the disk and sigma(r,t) is the disk's surface mass density. An enhancement or variation in B(sub p) at a large radial distance leads to the formation of a soliton-like structure in the disk density, temperature, and B-field which propagates implosively inward. The implosion gives a burst in the power output in winds or jets and a simultaneous burst in the disk radiation. The model is pertinent to the formation of discrete fast-moving components in jets observed by very long baseline interferometry. These components appear to originate at times of optical outbursts of the active galactic nucleus.

YSO jets in the Galactic plane from UWISH2 - V. Jets and outflows in M17

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Samal, M. R.; Chen, W. P.; Takami, M.; Jose, J.; Froebrich, D.

2018-07-01

Jets and outflows are the first signposts of stellar birth. Emission in the H2 1-0 S(1) line at 2.122- μm is a powerful tracer of shock excitation in these objects. Here we present the analysis of 2.0 × 0.8 deg2 data from the UK Wide-field Infrared Survey for H2 (UWISH2) in the 1-0 S(1) line to identify and characterize the outflows of the M17 complex. We uncover 48 probable outflows, of which 93 per cent are new discoveries. We identified driving source candidates for 60 per cent of outflows. Among the driving source candidate young stellar objects (YSOs), 90 per cent are protostars and the remaining 10 per cent are Class II YSOs. In comparison with results from other surveys, we suggest that H2 emission fades very quickly as the objects evolve from protostars to pre-main-sequence stars. We fit spectral energy distribution (SED) models to 14 candidate outflow-driving sources and conclude that the outflows of our sample are mostly driven by moderate-mass YSOs that are still actively accreting from their protoplanetary disc. We examined the spatial distribution of the outflows with the gas and dust distribution of the complex and observed that the filamentary dark cloud M17SWex, located on the south-western side of the complex, is associated with a greater number of outflows. We find that our results corroborate previous suggestions that, in the M17 complex, M17SWex is the most active site of star formation. Several of our newly identified outflow candidates are excellent targets for follow-up studies to understand better the very early phase of protostellar evolution.

Accretion Rate and the Physical Nature of Unobscured Active Galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trump, Jonathan R.; Impey, Christopher D.; Kelly, Brandon C.; Civano, Francesca; Gabor, Jared M.; Diamond-Stanic, Aleksandar M.; Merloni, Andrea; Urry, C. Megan; Hao, Heng; Jahnke, Knud; Nagao, Tohru; Taniguchi, Yoshi; Koekemoer, Anton M.; Lanzuisi, Giorgio; Liu, Charles; Mainieri, Vincenzo; Salvato, Mara; Scoville, Nick Z.

2011-05-01

We show how accretion rate governs the physical properties of a sample of unobscured broad-line, narrow-line, and lineless active galactic nuclei (AGNs). We avoid the systematic errors plaguing previous studies of AGN accretion rates by using accurate intrinsic accretion luminosities (L int) from well-sampled multiwavelength spectral energy distributions from the Cosmic Evolution Survey, and accurate black hole masses derived from virial scaling relations (for broad-line AGNs) or host-AGN relations (for narrow-line and lineless AGNs). In general, broad emission lines are present only at the highest accretion rates (L int/L Edd > 10-2), and these rapidly accreting AGNs are observed as broad-line AGNs or possibly as obscured narrow-line AGNs. Narrow-line and lineless AGNs at lower specific accretion rates (L int/L Edd < 10-2) are unobscured and yet lack a broad-line region. The disappearance of the broad emission lines is caused by an expanding radiatively inefficient accretion flow (RIAF) at the inner radius of the accretion disk. The presence of the RIAF also drives L int/L Edd < 10-2 narrow-line and lineless AGNs to have ratios of radio-to-optical/UV emission that are 10 times higher than L int/L Edd > 10-2 broad-line AGNs, since the unbound nature of the RIAF means it is easier to form a radio outflow. The IR torus signature also tends to become weaker or disappear from L int/L Edd < 10-2 AGNs, although there may be additional mid-IR synchrotron emission associated with the RIAF. Together, these results suggest that specific accretion rate is an important physical "axis" of AGN unification, as described by a simple model. Based on observations with the XMM-Newton satellite, an ESA science mission with instruments and contributions directly funded by ESA member states and NASA; the Magellan telescope, operated by the Carnegie Observatories; the ESO Very Large Telescope; and the MMT Observatory, a joint facility of the University of Arizona and the Smithsonian

Estimation of bipolar jets from accretion discs around Kerr black holes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Rajiv; Chattopadhyay, Indranil

2017-08-01

We analyse flows around a rotating black hole and obtain self-consistent accretion-ejection solutions in full general relativistic prescription. Entire energy-angular momentum parameter space is investigated in the advective regime to obtain shocked and shock-free accretion solutions. Jet equations of motion are solved along the von Zeipel surfaces computed from the post-shock disc, simultaneously with the equations of accretion disc along the equatorial plane. For a given spin parameter, the mass outflow rate increases as the shock moves closer to the black hole, but eventually decreases, maximizing at some intermediate value of shock location. Interestingly, we obtain all types of possible jet solutions, for example, steady shock solution with multiple critical points, bound solution with two critical points and smooth solution with single critical point. Multiple critical points may exist in jet solution for spin parameter as ≥ 0.5. The jet terminal speed generally increases if the accretion shock forms closer to the horizon and is higher for corotating black hole than the counter-rotating and the non-rotating one. Quantitatively speaking, shocks in jet may form for spin parameter as > 0.6 and jet shocks range between 6rg and 130rg above the equatorial plane, while the jet terminal speed vj∞ > 0.35 c if Bernoulli parameter E≥1.01 for as > 0.99.

Accretion disks around black holes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abramowicz, M. A.

1994-01-01

The physics of accretion flow very close to a black hole is dominated by several general relativistic effects. It cannot be described by the standard Shakura Sunyaev model or by its relativistic version developed by Novikov and Thome. The most important of these effects is a dynamical mass loss from the inner edge of the disk (Roche lobe overflow). The relativistic Roche lobe overflow induces a strong advective cooling, which is sufficient to stabilize local, axially symmetric thermal and viscous modes. It also stabilizes the non-axially-symmetric global modes discovered by Papaloizou and Pringle. The Roche lobe overflow, however, destabilizes sufficiently self-gravitating accretion disks with respect to a catastrophic runaway of mass due to minute changes of the gravitational field induced by the changes in the mass and angular momentum of the central black hole. One of the two acoustic modes may become trapped near the inner edge of the disk. All these effects, absent in the standard model, have dramatic implications for time-dependent behavior of the accretion disks around black holes.

Evidence for Fluorescent Fe II Emission from Extended Low Ionization Outflows in Obscured Quasars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Tinggui; Ferland, Gary J.; Yang, Chenwei; Wang, Huiyuan; Zhang, Shaohua

2016-06-01

Recent studies have shown that outflows in at least some broad absorption line (BAL) quasars are extended well beyond the putative dusty torus. Such outflows should be detectable in obscured quasars. We present four WISE selected infrared red quasars with very strong and peculiar ultraviolet Fe II emission lines: strong UV Fe II UV arising from transitions to ground/low excitation levels, and very weak Fe II at wavelengths longer than 2800 Å. The spectra of these quasars display strong resonant emission lines, such as C IV, Al III and Mg II but sometimes, a lack of non-resonant lines such as C III], S III and He II. We interpret the Fe II lines as resonantly scattered light from the extended outflows that are viewed nearly edge-on, so that the accretion disk and broad line region are obscured by the dusty torus, while the extended outflows are not. We show that dust free gas exposed to strong radiation longward of 912 Å produces Fe II emission very similar to that observed. The gas is too cool to collisionally excite Fe II lines, accounting for the lack of optical emission. The spectral energy distribution from the UV to the mid-infrared can be modeled as emission from a clumpy dusty torus, with UV emission being reflected/scattered light either by the dusty torus or the outflow. Within this scenario, we estimate a minimum covering factor of the outflows from a few to 20% for the Fe II scattering region, suggesting that Fe II BAL quasars are at a special stage of quasar evolution.

Sub-millimeter detected z ~ 2 radio-quiet QSOs. Accurate redshifts, black hole masses, and inflow/outflow velocities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orellana, G.; Nagar, N. M.; Isaak, K. G.; Priddey, R.; Maiolino, R.; McMahon, R.; Marconi, A.; Oliva, E.

2011-07-01

Context. We present near-IR spectroscopy of a sample of luminous (MB - 27.5; Lbol > 1014 L⊙), sub-millimeter-detected, dusty (Md ~ 109 M⊙), radio-quiet quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) at z ~ 2. Aims: A primary aim is to provide a more accurate QSO redshift determination in order to trace kinematics and inflows/outflows in these sub-mm bright QSOs. Additionally, the Hα and continuum properties allow an estimation of the black hole mass and accretion rate, offering insights into the starburst-AGN connection in sub-mm bright QSOs. Methods: We measure the redshift, width, and luminosity of the Hα line, and the continuum luminosity near Hα. Relative velocity differences between Hα and rest-frame UV emission lines are used to study the presence and strength of outflows/inflows. Luminosities and line widths are used to estimate the black hole masses, bolometric luminosities, Eddington fractions, and accretion rates; these are compared to the star-formation-rate (SFR), estimated from the sub-mm derived far-infrared (FIR) luminosity. Finally our sub-mm-bright QSO sample is compared with other QSO samples at similar redshifts. Results: The Hα emission line was strongly detected in all sources. Two components - a very broad (≳5000 km s-1) Gaussian and an intermediate-width (≳1500 km s-1) Gaussian, were required to fit the Hα profile of all observed QSOs. Narrow (≲1000 km s-1) lines were not detected in the sample QSOs. The rest-frame UV emission lines in these sub-mm bright QSOs show larger than average blue-shifted velocities, potentially tracing strong - up to 3000 km s-1 - outflows in the broad line region. With the exception of the one QSO which shows exceptionally broad Hα lines, the black hole masses of the QSO sample are in the range log MBH = 9.0-9.7 and the Eddington fractions are between 0.5 and ~1. In black hole mass and accretion rate, this sub-mm bright QSO sample is indistinguishable from the Shemmer et al. (2004, ApJ, 614, 547) optically

The WISSH quasars project. I. Powerful ionised outflows in hyper-luminous quasars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bischetti, M.; Piconcelli, E.; Vietri, G.; Bongiorno, A.; Fiore, F.; Sani, E.; Marconi, A.; Duras, F.; Zappacosta, L.; Brusa, M.; Comastri, A.; Cresci, G.; Feruglio, C.; Giallongo, E.; La Franca, F.; Mainieri, V.; Mannucci, F.; Martocchia, S.; Ricci, F.; Schneider, R.; Testa, V.; Vignali, C.

2017-02-01

Models and observations suggest that both the power and effects of AGN feedback should be maximised in hyper-luminous (LBol > 1047 erg s-1) quasars, I.e. objects at the brightest end of the AGN luminosity function. In this paper, we present the first results of a multiwavelength observing programme, focusing on a sample of WISE/SDSS selected hyper-luminous (WISSH) broad-line quasars at z ≈ 1.5-5. The WISSH quasars project has been designed to reveal the most energetic AGN-driven outflows, estimate their occurrence at the peak of quasar activity, and extend the study of correlations between outflows and nuclear properties up to poorly investigated, extreme AGN luminosities, I.e. LBol 1047 - 1048 erg s-1. We present near-infrared, long-slit LBT/LUCI1 spectroscopy of five WISSH quasars at z ≈ 2.3 - 3.5, showing prominent [OIII] emission lines with broad (FWHM 1200-2200 km s-1) and skewed profiles. The luminosities of these broad [OIII] wings are the highest measured so far, with L[OIII]broad ≳ 5 × 1044 erg s-1, and reveal the presence of powerful ionised outflows with associated mass outflow rates Ṁ ≳ 1700M⊙ yr-1 and kinetic powers Ėkin ≳ 1045 erg s-1. Although these estimates are affected by large uncertainties because of the use of [OIII] as a tracer of ionised outflows and the very basic outflow model adopted here, these results suggest that in our hyper-luminous targets the AGN is highly efficient at pushing large amounts of ionised gas outwards. Furthermore, the mechanical outflow luminosities measured for WISSH quasars correspond to higher percentages ( 1-3%) of LBol than those derived for AGN with lower LBol. Our targets host very massive (MBH ≳ 2 × 109M⊙) black holes that are still accreting at a high rate (I.e. a factor of 0.4-3 of the Eddington limit). These findings clearly demonstrate that WISSH quasars offer the opportunity to probe the extreme end of both luminosity and supermassive black holes (SMBH) mass functions and revealing

Shining a light on galactic outflows: photoionized outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chisholm, John; Tremonti, Christy A.; Leitherer, Claus; Chen, Yanmei; Wofford, Aida

2016-04-01

We study the ionization structure of galactic outflows in 37 nearby, star-forming galaxies with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph on the Hubble Space Telescope. We use the O I, Si II, Si III, and Si IV ultraviolet absorption lines to characterize the different ionization states of outflowing gas. We measure the equivalent widths, line widths, and outflow velocities of the four transitions, and find shallow scaling relations between them and galactic stellar mass and star formation rate. Regardless of the ionization potential, lines of similar strength have similar velocities and line widths, indicating that the four transitions can be modelled as a comoving phase. The Si equivalent width ratios (e.g. Si IV/Si II) have low dispersion, and little variation with stellar mass; while ratios with O I and Si vary by a factor of 2 for a given stellar mass. Photoionization models reproduce these equivalent width ratios, while shock models under predict the relative amount of high ionization gas. The photoionization models constrain the ionization parameter (U) between -2.25 < log (U) < -1.5, and require that the outflow metallicities are greater than 0.5 Z⊙. We derive ionization fractions for the transitions, and show that the range of ionization parameters and stellar metallicities leads to a factor of 1.15-10 variation in the ionization fractions. Historically, mass outflow rates are calculated by converting a column density measurement from a single metal ion into a total hydrogen column density using an ionization fraction, thus mass outflow rates are sensitive to the assumed ionization structure of the outflow.

A CONNECTION BETWEEN PLASMA CONDITIONS NEAR BLACK HOLE EVENT HORIZONS AND OUTFLOW PROPERTIES

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Koljonen, K. I. I.; Russell, D. M.; Bernardini, F.

Accreting black holes are responsible for producing the fastest, most powerful outflows of matter in the universe. The formation process of powerful jets close to black holes is poorly understood, and the conditions leading to jet formation are currently hotly debated. In this paper, we report an unambiguous empirical correlation between the properties of the plasma close to the black hole and the particle acceleration properties within jets launched from the central regions of accreting stellar-mass and supermassive black holes. In these sources the emission of the plasma near the black hole is characterized by a power law at X-raymore » energies during times when the jets are produced. We find that the photon index of this power law, which gives information on the underlying particle distribution, correlates with the characteristic break frequency in the jet spectrum, which is dependent on magnetohydrodynamical processes in the outflow. The observed range in break frequencies varies by five orders of magnitude in sources that span nine orders of magnitude in black hole mass, revealing a similarity of jet properties over a large range of black hole masses powering these jets. This correlation demonstrates that the internal properties of the jet rely most critically on the conditions of the plasma close to the black hole, rather than other parameters such as the black hole mass or spin, and will provide a benchmark that should be reproduced by the jet formation models.« less

The black hole binary V404 Cygni: a highly accreting obscured AGN analogue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Motta, S. E.; Kajava, J. J. E.; Sánchez-Fernández, C.; Giustini, M.; Kuulkers, E.

2017-06-01

Typical black hole binaries in outburst show spectral states and transitions, characterized by a clear connection between the inflow on to the black hole and outflows from its vicinity. The transient stellar mass black hole binary V404 Cyg apparently does not fit in this picture. Its outbursts are characterized by intense flares and intermittent plateau and low-luminosity states, with a dynamical intensity range of several orders of magnitude on time-scales of hours. During the 2015 June-July X-ray outburst a joint Swift and INTEGRAL observing campaign captured V404 Cyg in one of these plateau states. The simultaneous Swift/XRT + INTRGRAL/JEM-X + INTEGRAL/IBIS-ISGRI spectrum is reminiscent of that of obscured/absorbed active galactic nuclei (AGN). It can be modelled as a Comptonization spectrum, heavily absorbed by a partial covering, high column density material (NH ≈ 1-3 × 1024 cm-2), and a dominant reprocessed component, including a narrow iron Kα line. Such spectral distribution can be produced by a geometrically thick accretion flow able to launch a clumpy outflow, likely responsible for both the high intrinsic absorption and the intense reprocessed emission observed. Similarly to what happens in certain obscured AGN, the low-flux states might not be (solely) related to a decrease in the intrinsic luminosity, but could instead be caused by an almost complete obscuration of the inner accretion flow.

Multiple outflows in the bipolar planetary nebula M1-16: A molecular line study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sahai, Raghvendra; Wootten, Alwyn; Schwarz, Hugo E.; Wild, W.

1994-01-01

stars, probably as a result of enhancement of the CN and HCO(+) abundances due to photochemistry induced by the stellar UV. The CS J = 2-1, SiO J = 2-1 (v = 0), and SiS J = 6-5 lines were not detected to low levels. For the high-excitation molecules, adequate collisional excitation of rotational levels and survival against photodissociation by the UV radiation requires significant clumping of the molecular gas into clumps with H2 densities approximately 10(exp 5)/cu cm. The IRAS fluxes of M1-16, assuming negligible contribution from line emission, imply the presence of about (1.7-0.4) x 10(exp -3) solar mass of cool dust (temperature around 50 K) and a smaller quantity, (2.7-3.1) x 10(exp -6) solar mass, of warmer dust (temperature around 125 K) for a power-law emissivity index p = 1-2. The evolutionary nature of M1-16 cannot be explained by existing single-star models of post-AGB evolution. The very high (13)C/(12)C abundance ratio in M1-16 suggests a possible evolutionary connection between M1-16 and the rare class of J-type silicate-carbon stars which also have high (13)C/(12)C ratios and are thought to be binary systems with accretion disks.

The close environments of accreting massive black holes are shaped by radiative feedback

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ricci, Claudio; Trakhtenbrot, Benny; Koss, Michael J.; Ueda, Yoshihiro; Schawinski, Kevin; Oh, Kyuseok; Lamperti, Isabella; Mushotzky, Richard; Treister, Ezequiel; Ho, Luis C.; Weigel, Anna; Bauer, Franz E.; Paltani, Stephane; Fabian, Andrew C.; Xie, Yanxia; Gehrels, Neil

2017-09-01

The majority of the accreting supermassive black holes in the Universe are obscured by large columns of gas and dust. The location and evolution of this obscuring material have been the subject of intense research in the past decades, and are still debated. A decrease in the covering factor of the circumnuclear material with increasing accretion rates has been found by studies across the electromagnetic spectrum. The origin of this trend may be driven by the increase in the inner radius of the obscuring material with incident luminosity, which arises from the sublimation of dust; by the gravitational potential of the black hole; by radiative feedback; or by the interplay between outflows and inflows. However, the lack of a large, unbiased and complete sample of accreting black holes, with reliable information on gas column density, luminosity and mass, has left the main physical mechanism that regulates obscuration unclear. Here we report a systematic multi-wavelength survey of hard-X-ray-selected black holes that reveals that radiative feedback on dusty gas is the main physical mechanism that regulates the distribution of the circumnuclear material. Our results imply that the bulk of the obscuring dust and gas is located within a few to tens of parsecs of the accreting supermassive black hole (within the sphere of influence of the black hole), and that it can be swept away even at low radiative output rates. The main physical driver of the differences between obscured and unobscured accreting black holes is therefore their mass-normalized accretion rate.

The close environments of accreting massive black holes are shaped by radiative feedback.

PubMed

Ricci, Claudio; Trakhtenbrot, Benny; Koss, Michael J; Ueda, Yoshihiro; Schawinski, Kevin; Oh, Kyuseok; Lamperti, Isabella; Mushotzky, Richard; Treister, Ezequiel; Ho, Luis C; Weigel, Anna; Bauer, Franz E; Paltani, Stephane; Fabian, Andrew C; Xie, Yanxia; Gehrels, Neil

2017-09-27

The majority of the accreting supermassive black holes in the Universe are obscured by large columns of gas and dust. The location and evolution of this obscuring material have been the subject of intense research in the past decades, and are still debated. A decrease in the covering factor of the circumnuclear material with increasing accretion rates has been found by studies across the electromagnetic spectrum. The origin of this trend may be driven by the increase in the inner radius of the obscuring material with incident luminosity, which arises from the sublimation of dust; by the gravitational potential of the black hole; by radiative feedback; or by the interplay between outflows and inflows. However, the lack of a large, unbiased and complete sample of accreting black holes, with reliable information on gas column density, luminosity and mass, has left the main physical mechanism that regulates obscuration unclear. Here we report a systematic multi-wavelength survey of hard-X-ray-selected black holes that reveals that radiative feedback on dusty gas is the main physical mechanism that regulates the distribution of the circumnuclear material. Our results imply that the bulk of the obscuring dust and gas is located within a few to tens of parsecs of the accreting supermassive black hole (within the sphere of influence of the black hole), and that it can be swept away even at low radiative output rates. The main physical driver of the differences between obscured and unobscured accreting black holes is therefore their mass-normalized accretion rate.

The Dynamics of Truncated Black Hole Accretion Disks. I. Viscous Hydrodynamic Case

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hogg, J. Drew; Reynolds, Christopher S.

2017-07-01

Truncated accretion disks are commonly invoked to explain the spectro-temporal variability in accreting black holes in both small systems, I.e., state transitions in galactic black hole binaries (GBHBs), and large systems, I.e., low-luminosity active galactic nuclei (LLAGNs). In the canonical truncated disk model of moderately low accretion rate systems, gas in the inner region of the accretion disk occupies a hot, radiatively inefficient phase, which leads to a geometrically thick disk, while the gas in the outer region occupies a cooler, radiatively efficient phase that resides in the standard geometrically thin disk. Observationally, there is strong empirical evidence to support this phenomenological model, but a detailed understanding of the dynamics of truncated disks is lacking. We present a well-resolved viscous, hydrodynamic simulation that uses an ad hoc cooling prescription to drive a thermal instability and, hence, produce the first sustained truncated accretion disk. With this simulation, we perform a study of the dynamics, angular momentum transport, and energetics of a truncated disk. We find that the time variability introduced by the quasi-periodic transition of gas from efficient cooling to inefficient cooling impacts the evolution of the simulated disk. A consequence of the thermal instability is that an outflow is launched from the hot/cold gas interface, which drives large, sub-Keplerian convective cells into the disk atmosphere. The convective cells introduce a viscous θ - ϕ stress that is less than the generic r - ϕ viscous stress component, but greatly influences the evolution of the disk. In the truncated disk, we find that the bulk of the accreted gas is in the hot phase.

The Dynamics of Truncated Black Hole Accretion Disks. I. Viscous Hydrodynamic Case

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hogg, J. Drew; Reynolds, Christopher S.

Truncated accretion disks are commonly invoked to explain the spectro-temporal variability in accreting black holes in both small systems, i.e., state transitions in galactic black hole binaries (GBHBs), and large systems, i.e., low-luminosity active galactic nuclei (LLAGNs). In the canonical truncated disk model of moderately low accretion rate systems, gas in the inner region of the accretion disk occupies a hot, radiatively inefficient phase, which leads to a geometrically thick disk, while the gas in the outer region occupies a cooler, radiatively efficient phase that resides in the standard geometrically thin disk. Observationally, there is strong empirical evidence to supportmore » this phenomenological model, but a detailed understanding of the dynamics of truncated disks is lacking. We present a well-resolved viscous, hydrodynamic simulation that uses an ad hoc cooling prescription to drive a thermal instability and, hence, produce the first sustained truncated accretion disk. With this simulation, we perform a study of the dynamics, angular momentum transport, and energetics of a truncated disk. We find that the time variability introduced by the quasi-periodic transition of gas from efficient cooling to inefficient cooling impacts the evolution of the simulated disk. A consequence of the thermal instability is that an outflow is launched from the hot/cold gas interface, which drives large, sub-Keplerian convective cells into the disk atmosphere. The convective cells introduce a viscous θ − ϕ stress that is less than the generic r − ϕ viscous stress component, but greatly influences the evolution of the disk. In the truncated disk, we find that the bulk of the accreted gas is in the hot phase.« less

Locating the Accretion Footprint on a Herbig Ae Star: MWC 480

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grady, C. A.; Hamaguchi, K.; Schneider, G.; Stecklum, B.; Woodgate, B. E.; McCleary, J. E.; Williger, G. M.; Sitko, M. L.; Menard, F.; Henning, Th.;

Accretion-induced variability links young stellar objects, white dwarfs, and black holes.

PubMed

Scaringi, Simone; Maccarone, Thomas J; Körding, Elmar; Knigge, Christian; Vaughan, Simon; Marsh, Thomas R; Aranzana, Ester; Dhillon, Vikram S; Barros, Susana C C

2015-10-01

The central engines of disc-accreting stellar-mass black holes appear to be scaled down versions of the supermassive black holes that power active galactic nuclei. However, if the physics of accretion is universal, it should also be possible to extend this scaling to other types of accreting systems, irrespective of accretor mass, size, or type. We examine new observations, obtained with Kepler/K2 and ULTRACAM, regarding accreting white dwarfs and young stellar objects. Every object in the sample displays the same linear correlation between the brightness of the source and its amplitude of variability (rms-flux relation) and obeys the same quantitative scaling relation as stellar-mass black holes and active galactic nuclei. We also show that the most important parameter in this scaling relation is the physical size of the accreting object. This establishes the universality of accretion physics from proto-stars still in the star-forming process to the supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies.

Accretion-induced variability links young stellar objects, white dwarfs, and black holes

PubMed Central

Scaringi, Simone; Maccarone, Thomas J.; Körding, Elmar; Knigge, Christian; Vaughan, Simon; Marsh, Thomas R.; Aranzana, Ester; Dhillon, Vikram S.; Barros, Susana C. C.

2015-01-01

The central engines of disc-accreting stellar-mass black holes appear to be scaled down versions of the supermassive black holes that power active galactic nuclei. However, if the physics of accretion is universal, it should also be possible to extend this scaling to other types of accreting systems, irrespective of accretor mass, size, or type. We examine new observations, obtained with Kepler/K2 and ULTRACAM, regarding accreting white dwarfs and young stellar objects. Every object in the sample displays the same linear correlation between the brightness of the source and its amplitude of variability (rms-flux relation) and obeys the same quantitative scaling relation as stellar-mass black holes and active galactic nuclei. We also show that the most important parameter in this scaling relation is the physical size of the accreting object. This establishes the universality of accretion physics from proto-stars still in the star-forming process to the supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies. PMID:26601307

The SILCC project - III. Regulation of star formation and outflows by stellar winds and supernovae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gatto, Andrea; Walch, Stefanie; Naab, Thorsten; Girichidis, Philipp; Wünsch, Richard; Glover, Simon C. O.; Klessen, Ralf S.; Clark, Paul C.; Peters, Thomas; Derigs, Dominik; Baczynski, Christian; Puls, Joachim

2017-04-01

We study the impact of stellar winds and supernovae on the multiphase interstellar medium using three-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations carried out with FLASH. The selected galactic disc region has a size of (500 pc)2 × ±5 kpc and a gas surface density of 10 M⊙ pc-2. The simulations include an external stellar potential and gas self-gravity, radiative cooling and diffuse heating, sink particles representing star clusters, stellar winds from these clusters that combine the winds from individual massive stars by following their evolution tracks, and subsequent supernova explosions. Dust and gas (self-) shielding is followed to compute the chemical state of the gas with a chemical network. We find that stellar winds can regulate star (cluster) formation. Since the winds suppress the accretion of fresh gas soon after the cluster has formed, they lead to clusters that have lower average masses (102-104.3 M⊙) and form on shorter time-scales (10-3-10 Myr). In particular, we find an anticorrelation of cluster mass and accretion time-scale. Without winds, the star clusters easily grow to larger masses for ˜5 Myr until the first supernova explodes. Overall, the most massive stars provide the most wind energy input, while objects beginning their evolution as B-type stars contribute most of the supernova energy input. A significant outflow from the disc (mass loading ≳1 at 1 kpc) can be launched by thermal gas pressure if more than 50 per cent of the volume near the disc mid-plane can be heated to T > 3 × 105 K. Stellar winds alone cannot create a hot volume-filling phase. The models that are in best agreement with observed star formation rates drive either no outflows or weak outflows.

Cosmic Rays and Non-thermal Emission Induced by Accretion of Cool Gas onto the Galactic Disk

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Inoue, Susumu; Uchiyama, Yasunobu; Arakawa, Masanori; Renaud, Matthieu; Wada, Keiichi

2017-11-01

On both observational and theoretical grounds, the disk of our Galaxy should be accreting cool gas with temperature ≲ {10}5 K via the halo at a rate ˜1 {{M}⊙ {yr}}-1. At least some of this accretion is mediated by high-velocity clouds (HVCs), observed to be traveling in the halo with velocities of a few 100 km s-1 and occasionally impacting the disk at such velocities, especially in the outer regions of the Galaxy. We address the possibility of particle acceleration in shocks triggered by such HVC accretion events, and the detectability of consequent non-thermal emission in the radio to gamma-ray bands and high-energy neutrinos. For plausible shock velocities ˜ 300 {km} {{{s}}}-1 and magnetic field strengths ˜ 0.3{--}10 μ {{G}}, electrons and protons may be accelerated up to ˜1-10 TeV and ˜ 30{--}{10}3 TeV, respectively, in sufficiently strong adiabatic shocks during their lifetime of ˜ {10}6 {{yr}}. The resultant pion decay and inverse Compton gamma-rays may be the origin of some unidentified Galactic GeV-TeV sources, particularly the “dark” source HESS J1503-582 that is spatially coincident with the anomalous H I structure known as “forbidden-velocity wings.” Correlation of their locations with star-forming regions may be weak, absent, or even opposite. Non-thermal radio and X-ray emission from primary and/or secondary electrons may be detectable with deeper observations. The contribution of HVC accretion to Galactic cosmic rays is subdominant, but could be non-negligible in the outer Galaxy. As the thermal emission induced by HVC accretion is likely difficult to detect, observations of such phenomena may offer a unique perspective on probing gas accretion onto the Milky Way and other galaxies.

New Insights into AGN Mass Outflows: Detailed Study of the Spectral Properties of NGC 4151

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Denes Couto, Jullianna

2017-08-01

Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) exist in a few percent of all massive galaxies. It is believed that AGNs are powered by accretion of matter onto a supermassive black hole (SMBH), generating in the process huge amounts of radiation that span the entire electromagnetic spectrum. In turn, this also triggers the so-called AGN Feedback phenomenon, by inducing the formation of accretion disk winds (or outflows) that accelerate highly ionized gas outwards and affect the intergalactic medium of the host galaxy, reducing star formation rates and preventing bulge growth. It has been suggested that a dominant component of mass outflows is observable in the X-rays, and there are a limited number of detailed studies of single objects for which the relation between outflows and power of the central engine can be determined directly. The Seyfert 1.5 galaxy NGC 4151 is a great study candidate, given its proximity (14.077 Mpc, z = 0.0033), X-ray brightness and orientation. Over the past decades, it has been the target of many single and multiwavelength observations, and its heavily absorbed X-ray spectrum and complex absorption features have been extensively stud- ied and characterized. I have investigated the relationship between the long term X-ray spectral variability in and its intrinsic absorption, by comparing our 2014 simultaneous ultraviolet/X-Ray observations taken with Hubble Space Telescope Imaging Spectrometer (STIS) Echelle and Chandra High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (HETGS) with archival observations from Chandra, XMM-Newton and Suzaku. The observations were divided into "high" and "low" flux states, with the low states showing strong and unabsorbed extended emission at energies below 2 keV. The X-ray model consists of a broken powerlaw, neutral reflection and two dominant absorption components, a high and a low ionization component, which are present in all epochs. The model fittings suggest that the absorbers are very stable, with the principal changes

How do accretion discs break?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dogan, Suzan

2016-07-01

Accretion discs are common in binary systems, and they are often found to be misaligned with respect to the binary orbit. The gravitational torque from a companion induces nodal precession in misaligned disc orbits. In this study, we first calculate whether this precession is strong enough to overcome the internal disc torques communicating angular momentum. We compare the disc precession torque with the disc viscous torque to determine whether the disc should warp or break. For typical parameters precession wins: the disc breaks into distinct planes that precess effectively independently. To check our analytical findings, we perform 3D hydrodynamical numerical simulations using the PHANTOM smoothed particle hydrodynamics code, and confirm that disc breaking is widespread and enhances accretion on to the central object. For some inclinations, the disc goes through strong Kozai cycles. Disc breaking promotes markedly enhanced and variable accretion and potentially produces high-energy particles or radiation through shocks. This would have significant implications for all binary systems: e.g. accretion outbursts in X-ray binaries and fuelling supermassive black hole (SMBH) binaries. The behaviour we have discussed in this work is relevant to a variety of astrophysical systems, for example X-ray binaries, where the disc plane may be tilted by radiation warping, SMBH binaries, where accretion of misaligned gas can create effectively random inclinations and protostellar binaries, where a disc may be misaligned by a variety of effects such as binary capture/exchange, accretion after binary formation.

Structure and Dynamics of the Accretion Process and Wind in TW Hya

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dupree, A. K.; Brickhouse, N. S.; Cranmer, S. R.; Berlind, P.; Strader, Jay; Smith, Graeme H.

2014-07-01

Time-domain spectroscopy of the classical accreting T Tauri star, TW Hya, covering a decade and spanning the far UV to the near-infrared spectral regions can identify the radiation sources, the atmospheric structure produced by accretion, and properties of the stellar wind. On timescales from days to years, substantial changes occur in emission line profiles and line strengths. Our extensive time-domain spectroscopy suggests that the broad near-IR, optical, and far-uv emission lines, centered on the star, originate in a turbulent post-shock region and can undergo scattering by the overlying stellar wind as well as some absorption from infalling material. Stable absorption features appear in Hα, apparently caused by an accreting column silhouetted in the stellar wind. Inflow of material onto the star is revealed by the near-IR He I 10830 Å line, and its free-fall velocity correlates inversely with the strength of the post-shock emission, consistent with a dipole accretion model. However, the predictions of hydrogen line profiles based on accretion stream models are not well-matched by these observations. Evidence of an accelerating warm to hot stellar wind is shown by the near-IR He I line, and emission profiles of C II, C III, C IV, N V, and O VI. The outflow of material changes substantially in both speed and opacity in the yearly sampling of the near-IR He I line over a decade. Terminal outflow velocities that range from 200 km s-1 to almost 400 km s-1 in He I appear to be directly related to the amount of post-shock emission, giving evidence for an accretion-driven stellar wind. Calculations of the emission from realistic post-shock regions are needed. Data presented herein were obtained at the W. M. Keck Observatory, which is operated as a scientific partnership among the California Institute of Technology, the University of California, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Observatory was made possible by the generous financial support

Bipolar Jets Launched by a Mean-field Accretion Disk Dynamo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fendt, Christian; Gaßmann, Dennis

2018-03-01

By applying magnetohydrodynamic simulations, we investigate the launching of jets driven by a disk magnetic field generated by a mean-field disk dynamo. Extending our earlier studies, we explore the bipolar evolution of the disk α 2Ω-dynamo and the outflow. We confirm that a negative dynamo-α leads to a dipolar field geometry, whereas positive values generate quadrupolar fields. The latter remain mainly confined to the disk and cannot launch outflows. We investigate a parameter range for the dynamo-α ranging from a critical value below which field generation is negligible, {α }0,{crit}=-0.0005, to α 0 = ‑1.0. For weak | {α }0| ≤slant 0.07, two magnetic loop structures with opposite polarity may arise, which leads to reconnection and disturbs the field evolution and accretion-ejection process. For a strong dynamo-α, a higher poloidal magnetic energy is reached, roughly scaling with {E}mag}∼ | {α }0| , which also leads to higher accretion and ejection rates. The terminal jet speed is governed by the available magnetic energy and increases with the dynamo-α. We find jet velocities on the order of the inner disk Keplerian velocity. For a strong dynamo-α, oscillating dynamo modes may occur that can lead to a pulsed ejection. This is triggered by an oscillating mode in the toroidal field component. The oscillation period is comparable to the Keplerian timescale in the launching region, thus too short to be associated with the knots in observed jets. We find a hemispherically asymmetric evolution for the jet and counter-jet in the mass flux and field structure.

Circumstellar Disks and Outflows in Turbulent Molecular Cloud Cores: Possible Formation Mechanism for Misaligned Systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Matsumoto, Tomoaki; Machida, Masahiro N.; Inutsuka, Shu-ichiro, E-mail: matsu@hosei.ac.jp

2017-04-10

We investigate the formation of circumstellar disks and outflows subsequent to the collapse of molecular cloud cores with the magnetic field and turbulence. Numerical simulations are performed by using an adaptive mesh refinement to follow the evolution up to ∼1000 years after the formation of a protostar. In the simulations, circumstellar disks are formed around the protostars; those in magnetized models are considerably smaller than those in nonmagnetized models, but their size increases with time. The models with stronger magnetic fields tend to produce smaller disks. During evolution in the magnetized models, the mass ratios of a disk to amore » protostar is approximately constant at ∼1%–10%. The circumstellar disks are aligned according to their angular momentum, and the outflows accelerate along the magnetic field on the 10–100 au scale; this produces a disk that is misaligned with the outflow. The outflows are classified into two types: a magnetocentrifugal wind and a spiral flow. In the latter, because of the geometry, the axis of rotation is misaligned with the magnetic field. The magnetic field has an internal structure in the cloud cores, which also causes misalignment between the outflows and the magnetic field on the scale of the cloud core. The distribution of the angular momentum vectors in a core also has a non-monotonic internal structure. This should create a time-dependent accretion of angular momenta onto the circumstellar disk. Therefore, the circumstellar disks are expected to change their orientation as well as their sizes in the long-term evolutions.« less

Numerical Simulation of Hot Accretion Flows. III. Revisiting Wind Properties Using the Trajectory Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Feng; Gan, Zhaoming; Narayan, Ramesh; Sadowski, Aleksander; Bu, Defu; Bai, Xue-Ning

2015-05-01

Previous MHD simulations have shown that wind must exist in black hole hot accretion flows. In this paper, we continue our study by investigating the detailed properties of wind and the mechanism of wind production. For this aim, we make use of a 3D general relativistic MHD simulation of hot accretion flows around a Schwarzschild black hole. To distinguish real wind from turbulent outflows, we track the trajectories of the virtual Lagrangian particles from simulation data. We find two types of real outflows, i.e., a jet and a wind. The mass flux of wind is very significant, and its radial profile can be described by {{\\dot{M}}wind}≈ {{\\dot{M}}BH}≤ft( r/20 {{r}s} \\right), with {{\\dot{M}}BH} being the mass accretion rate at the black hole horizon and rs being the Schwarzschild radius. The poloidal wind speed almost remains constant once they are produced, but the flux-weighted wind speed roughly follows {{v}p,wind}(r)≈ 0.25{{v}k}(r), with vk(r) being the Keplerian speed at radius r. The mass flux of the jet is much lower, but the speed is much higher, {{v}p,jet} ˜ (0.3-0.4)c. Consequently, both the energy and momentum fluxes of the wind are much larger than those of the jet. The wind is produced and accelerated primarily by the combination of centrifugal force and magnetic pressure gradient, while the jet is mainly accelerated by the magnetic pressure gradient. Finally, we find that the wind production efficiency {{ɛ }wind}\\equiv {{\\dot{E}}wind}/{{\\dot{M}}BH}{{c}2}˜ 1/1000 is in good agreement with the value required from large-scale galaxy simulations with active galactic nucleus feedback.

A Global Three-Dimensional Radiation Hydrodynamic Simulation of a Self-Gravitating Accretion Disk

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phillipson, Rebecca; Vogeley, Michael S.; McMillan, Stephen; Boyd, Patricia

2018-01-01

We present three-dimensional, radiation hydrodynamic simulations of initially thin accretion disks with self-gravity using the grid-based code PLUTO. We produce simulated light curves and spectral energy distributions and compare to observational data of X-ray binary (XRB) and active galactic nuclei (AGN) variability. These simulations are of interest for modeling the role of radiation in accretion physics across decades of mass and frequency. In particular, the characteristics of the time variability in various bandwidths can probe the timescales over which different physical processes dominate the accretion flow. For example, in the case of some XRBs, superorbital periods much longer than the companion orbital period have been observed. Smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) calculations have shown that irradiation-driven warping could be the mechanism underlying these long periods. In the case of AGN, irradiation-driven warping is also predicted to occur in addition to strong outflows originating from thermal and radiation pressure driving forces, which are important processes in understanding feedback and star formation in active galaxies. We compare our simulations to various toy models via traditional time series analysis of our synthetic and observed light curves.

Embedded Outflows from Herbig-Haro 46/47

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2003-01-01

jets arising from these protostars can reach sizes of trillions of miles and velocities of hundreds of thousands miles per hour. Outflows are clear evidence of the presence of a process that creates supersonic beams of gas. This mechanism is tightly bound to the presence of circumstellar discs which surround the young stars. Such discs are likely to contain the materials from which planetary systems form. Our Sun probably underwent a similar process some 4.5 billion years ago. Hence the interest in understanding how quickly and efficiently this mass accretion and loss process takes place in protostars.

Low-radiative efficiency accretion: Microphysics and applications to low-luminosity AGN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Quataert, Eliot James Leo

such estimates for the Galactic Center. The Bondi accretion rate estimates reflect the gas properties far from the black hole, rather than near the event horizon where most of the radiation originates. Part of the explanation for LLAGN may therefore be that most of the mass supplied to the accretion flow does not reach the central object, but is lost to an outflow/wind. I explore the observational consequences of this proposal and argue that current observations of all low luminosity accreting systems are consistent with significant mass loss from the accretion flow, provided that the electrons receive a reasonable fraction (~30%) of the turbulent energy. I give a detailed discussion of future observations which can assess the importance of mass loss in LLAGN. I conclude this thesis by analyzing the constraints on the physics of accretion imposed by broad-band spectral observations of four well-known LLAGN (M81, M87, NGC 4579, and NGC 4594).

Magnetized advective accretion flows: formation of magnetic barriers in magnetically arrested discs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mondal, Tushar; Mukhopadhyay, Banibrata

2018-05-01

We discuss the importance of large-scale strong magnetic field in the removal of angular momentum outward, as well as the possible origin of different kinds of magnetic barrier in advective, geometrically thick, sub-Keplerian accretion flows around black holes. The origin of this large-scale strong magnetic field near the event horizon is due to the advection of the magnetic flux by the accreting gas from the environment, say, the interstellar medium or a companion star, because of flux freezing. In this simplest vertically averaged, 1.5-dimensional disc model, we choose the maximum upper limit of the magnetic field, which the disc around a black hole can sustain. In this so called magnetically arrested disc model, the accreting gas either decelerates or faces the magnetic barrier near the event horizon by the accumulated magnetic field depending on the geometry. The magnetic barrier may knock the matter to infinity. We suggest that these types of flow are the building block to produce jets and outflows in the accreting system. We also find that in some cases, when matter is trying to go back to infinity after knocking the barrier, matter is prevented being escaped by the cumulative action of strong gravity and the magnetic tension, hence by another barrier. In this way, magnetic field can lock the matter in between these two barriers and it might be a possible explanation for the formation of episodic jet.

Massive Molecular Outflows Toward Methanol Masers: by Eye and Machine Learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Villiers, Helena

2013-07-01

The best known evolutionary state of massive stars is that of the UC HII region, occurring a few 10^5 years after the initial formation of a massive YSO. Currently objects in the "hot core" phase, occurring prior to the UC HII region, are studied with great interest. Because the YSO is still supposed to be accreting at this stage, one would expect outflows from the central object to develop during this phase, entraining surrounding cold molecular gas in their wake. During this time, 6.7 GHz (Class II) methanol masers will also turn on. They are uniquely associated with massive YSO's, thus serve as a useful signpost. We searched for molecular outflows with the JCMT and HARP focal plane array in a sample of targets toward 6.7 GHz methanol maser coordinates within 20 < Glon < 34. We found 58 CO clumps but only 47 of them were closely associated with the methanol masers. Their spectra were analyzed for broadened line wings, which were found to be present in 46 of the spectra, indicating either bi- or mono-polar outflows. This is a 98% detection frequency. The velocity ranges of these spectrum wings were used to create two dimensional blue and red maps. The out flows' physical parameters were calculated and compared with literature. We created a catalog of kinematic distances and properties of all the 13CO outflows associated with Class II methanol masers, as well as their associated H_2 core and virial masses as derived from the C18O data. In the the light of our results we emphasize the need for an automated detection process, especially with the increasing number of wide-area surveys. We are currently exploring the use of machine learning algorithms (specifically Support Vector Machines) in the detection of high velocity structures in p-p-v cubes.

Do Circumnuclear Dense Gas Disks Drive Mass Accretion onto Supermassive Black Holes?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Izumi, Takuma; Kawakatu, Nozomu; Kohno, Kotaro

2016-08-01

We present a positive correlation between the mass of dense molecular gas ({M}{{dense}}) of ˜100 pc scale circumnuclear disks (CNDs) and the black hole mass accretion rate ({\\dot{M}}{{BH}}) in a total of 10 Seyfert galaxies, based on data compiled from the literature and an archive (median aperture θ med = 220 pc). A typical {M}{{dense}} of CNDs is 107-8 {M}⊙ , estimated from the luminosity of the dense gas tracer, the HCN(1-0) emission line. Because dense molecular gas is the site of star formation, this correlation is virtually equivalent to the one between the nuclear star-formation rate and {\\dot{M}}{{BH}} revealed previously. Moreover, the {M}{{dense}}{--}{\\dot{M}}{{BH}} correlation was tighter for CND-scale gas than for the gas on kiloparsec or larger scales. This indicates that CNDs likely play an important role in fueling black holes, whereas greater than kiloparesec scale gas does not. To demonstrate a possible approach for studying the CND-scale accretion process with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, we used a mass accretion model where angular momentum loss due to supernova explosions is vital. Based on the model prediction, we suggest that only the partial fraction of the mass accreted from the CND ({\\dot{M}}{{acc}}) is consumed as {\\dot{M}}{{BH}}. However, {\\dot{M}}{{acc}} agrees well with the total nuclear mass flow rate (I.e., {\\dot{M}}{{BH}} + outflow rate). Although these results are still tentative with large uncertainties, they support the view that star formation in CNDs can drive mass accretion onto supermassive black holes in Seyfert galaxies.

Suppression of Self-Induced Flavor Conversion in the Supernova Accretion Phase

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarikas, Srdjan; Raffelt, Georg G.; Hüdepohl, Lorenz; Janka, Hans-Thomas

2012-02-01

Self-induced flavor conversions of supernova (SN) neutrinos can strongly modify the flavor-dependent fluxes. We perform a linearized flavor stability analysis with accretion-phase matter profiles of a 15M⊙ spherically symmetric model and corresponding neutrino fluxes. We use realistic energy and angle distributions, the latter deviating strongly from quasi-isotropic emission, thus accounting for both multiangle and multienergy effects. For our matter and neutrino density profile we always find stable conditions: flavor conversions are limited to the usual Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein effect. In this case one may distinguish the neutrino mass hierarchy in a SN neutrino signal if the mixing angle θ13 is as large as suggested by recent experiments.

Suppression of self-induced flavor conversion in the supernova accretion phase.

PubMed

Sarikas, Srdjan; Raffelt, Georg G; Hüdepohl, Lorenz; Janka, Hans-Thomas

2012-02-10

Self-induced flavor conversions of supernova (SN) neutrinos can strongly modify the flavor-dependent fluxes. We perform a linearized flavor stability analysis with accretion-phase matter profiles of a 15M[symbol: see text] spherically symmetric model and corresponding neutrino fluxes. We use realistic energy and angle distributions, the latter deviating strongly from quasi-isotropic emission, thus accounting for both multiangle and multienergy effects. For our matter and neutrino density profile we always find stable conditions: flavor conversions are limited to the usual Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein effect. In this case one may distinguish the neutrino mass hierarchy in a SN neutrino signal if the mixing angle θ13 is as large as suggested by recent experiments.

Accretion, winds and jets: High-energy emission from young stellar objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Günther, Hans Moritz

2009-03-01

Stars form by gravitational collapse from giant molecular clouds. Due to the conservation of angular momentum this collapse does not happen radially, but the matter forms circumstellar disk first and is consequently accreted from the disk onto the star. This thesis deals with the high-energy emission from young stellar objects, which are on the one hand still actively accreting from their disk, and on the other hand are no longer deeply obscured by their natal cloud. Stars of spectral type B and A are called Herbig Ae/Be (HAeBe) stars in this stage, all stars of later spectral type are termed classical T Tauri stars (CTTS); strictly speaking both types are defined by spectroscopic signatures, which are equivalent to the evolutionary stage described above. In this thesis CTTS and HAeBes are studied through high-resolution X-ray and UV spectroscopy and through detailed physical simulations. Spectroscopic X-ray data is reduced and presented for two targets: The CTTS V4046 Sgr was observed with Chandra for 100 ks, using a high-resolution grating spectrometer. The lightcurve contains one flare and the He-like triplets of SiXIII, NeIX and OVII indicate high densities in the X-ray emitting regions. The second target is the HAeBe HD 163296, which was observed with XMM-Newton for 130 ks. The lightcurve shows only moderate variability, the elemental abundance follows a pattern, that is usual for active stars. The He-like triplet of OVII exhibits line ratios similar to coronal sources, indicating that neither a high density nor a strong UV-field is present in the region of the X-ray emission. Using these and similar observations, it can be concluded that at least three mechanisms contribute to the observed high-energy emission from CTTS: First, those stars have active coronae similar to main-sequence stars, second, the accreted material passes through a strong accretion shock at the stellar surface, which heats it to a few MK, and, third, some CTTS drive powerful outflows

A movie of accretion/ejection of material in a high-mass YSO in Orion BN/KL at radii comparable to the Solar System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goddi, C.; Greenhill, L.; Humphreys, E.; Matthews, L.; Chandler, C.

2010-11-01

Around high-mass Young Stellar Objects (YSOs), outflows are expected to be launched and collimated by accretion disks inside radii of 100 AU. Strong observational constraints on disk-mediated accretion in this context have been scarce, largely owing to difficulties in probing the circumstellar gas at scales 10-100 AU around high-mass YSOs, which are on average distant (>1 Kpc), form in clusters, and ignite quickly whilst still enshrouded in dusty envelopes. Radio Source I in Orion BN/KL is the nearest example of a high-mass YSO, and only one of three YSOs known to power SiO masers. Using VLA and VLBA observations of different SiO maser transitions, the KaLYPSO project (http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/kalypso/) aims to overcome past observational limitations by mapping the structure, 3-D velocity field, and dynamical evolution of the circumstellar gas within 1000 AU from Source I. Based on 19 epochs of VLBA observations of v=1,2 SiO masers over ~2 years, we produced a movie of bulk gas flow tracing the compact disk and the base of the protostellar wind at radii < 100 AU from Source I. In addition, we have used the VLA to map 7mm SiO v=0 emission and track proper motions over 10 years. We identify a narrowly collimated outflow with a mean motion of 18 km/s at radii 100-1000 AU, along a NE-SW axis perpendicular to that of the disk traced by the v=1,2 masers. The VLBA and VLA data exclude alternate models that place outflow from Source I along a NW-SE axis. The analysis of the complete (VLBA and VLA) dataset provides the most detailed evidence to date that high-mass star formation occurs via disk-mediated accretion.

Jet creation in post-AGB binaries: the circum-companion accretion disk around BD+46°442

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bollen, Dylan; Van Winckel, Hans; Kamath, Devika

2017-11-01

Aims: We aim at describing and understanding binary interaction processes in systems with very evolved companions. Here, we focus on understanding the origin and determining the properties of the high-velocity outflow observed in one such system. Methods: We present a quantitative analysis of BD+46°442, a post-AGB binary that shows active mass transfer that leads to the creation of a disk-driven outflow or jet. We obtained high-resolution optical spectra from the HERMES spectrograph, mounted on the 1.2 m Flemish Mercator Telescope. By performing a time-series analysis of the Hα profile, we identified the different components of the system. We deduced the jet geometry by comparing the orbital phased data with our jet model. In order to image the accretion disk around the companion of BD+46°442, we applied the technique of Doppler tomography. Results: The orbital phase-dependent variations in the Hα profile can be related to an accretion disk around the companion, from which a high-velocity outflow or jet is launched. Our model shows that there is a clear correlation between the inclination angle and the jet opening angle. The latitudinally dependent velocity structure of our jet model shows a good correspondence to the data, with outflow velocities higher than at least 400 km s-1. The intensity peak in the Doppler map might be partly caused by a hot spot in the disk, or by a larger asymmetrical structure in the disk. Conclusions: We show that BD+46°442 is a result of a binary interaction channel. The origin of the fast outflow in this system might be to a gaseous disk around the secondary component, which is most likely a main-sequence star. Our analysis suggests that the outflow has a rather wide opening angle and is not strongly collimated. Our time-resolved spectral monitoring reveals the launching site of the jet in the binary BD+46°442. Similar orbital phase-dependent Hα profiles are commonly observed in post-AGB binaries. Post-AGB binaries provide ideal

Modeling X-ray Absorbers in AGNs with MHD-Driven Accretion-Disk Winds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fukumura, Keigo; Kazanas, D.; Shrader, C. R.; Tombesi, F.; Contopoulos, J.; Behar, E.

2013-04-01

We have proposed a systematic view of the observed X-ray absorbers, namely warm absorbers (WAs) in soft X-ray and highly-ionized ultra-fast outflows (UFOs), in the context of magnetically-driven accretion-disk wind models. While potentially complicated by variability and thermal instability in these energetic outflows, in this simplistic model we have calculated 2D kinematic field as well as density and ionization structure of the wind with density profile of 1/r corresponding to a constant column distribution per decade of ionization parameter. In particular we show semi-analytically that the inner layer of the disk-wind manifests itself as the strongly-ionized fast outflows while the outer layer is identified as the moderately-ionized absorbers. The computed characteristics of these two apparently distinct absorbers are consistent with X-ray data (i.e. a factor of ~100 difference in column and ionization parameters as well as low wind velocity vs. near-relativistic flow). With the predicted contour curves for these wind parameters one can constrain allowed regions for the presence of WAs and UFOs.The model further implies that the UFO's gas pressure is comparable to that of the observed radio jet in 3C111 suggesting that the magnetized disk-wind with density profile of 1/r is a viable agent to help sustain such a self-collimated jet at small radii.

A New Relativistic Component of the Accretion Disk Wind in PDS 456

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reeves, J. N.; Braito, V.; Nardini, E.; Lobban, A. P.; Matzeu, G. A.; Costa, M. T.

2018-02-01

Past X-ray observations of the nearby luminous quasar PDS 456 (at z = 0.184) have revealed a wide angle accretion disk wind, with an outflow velocity of ∼‑0.25c. Here, we unveil a new, relativistic component of the wind through hard X-ray observations with NuSTAR and XMM-Newton, obtained in 2017 March when the quasar was in a low-flux state. This very fast wind component, with an outflow velocity of ‑0.46 ± 0.02c, is detected in the iron K band, in addition to the ‑0.25c wind zone. The relativistic component may arise from the innermost disk wind, launched from close to the black hole at a radius of ∼10 gravitational radii. The opacity of the fast wind also increases during a possible obscuration event lasting for 50 ks. We suggest that the very fast wind may only be apparent during the lowest X-ray flux states of PDS 456, becoming overly ionized as the luminosity increases. Overall, the total wind power may even approach the Eddington value.

Two-dimensional adiabatic flows on to a black hole - I. Fluid accretion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Blandford, Roger D.; Begelman, Mitchell C.

2004-03-01

When gas accretes on to a black hole, at a rate either much less than or much greater than the Eddington rate, it is likely to do so in an `adiabatic' or radiatively inefficient manner. Under fluid (as opposed to magnetohydrodynamic) conditions, the disc should become convective and evolve toward a state of marginal instability. We model the resulting disc structure as `gyrentropic', with convection proceeding along common surfaces of constant angular momentum, Bernouilli function and entropy, called `gyrentropes'. We present a family of two-dimensional, self-similar models that describes the time-averaged disc structure. We then suppose that there is a self-similar, Newtonian torque, which dominates the angular momentum transport and that the Prandtl number is large so that convection dominates the heat transport. The torque drives inflow and meridional circulation and the resulting flow is computed. Convective transport will become ineffectual near the disc surface. It is conjectured that this will lead to a large increase of entropy across a `thermal front', which we identify as the effective disc surface and the base of an outflow. The conservation of mass, momentum and energy across this thermal front permits a matching of the disc models to self-similar outflow solutions. We then demonstrate that self-similar disc solutions can be matched smoothly on to relativistic flows at small radius and thin discs at large radius. This model of adiabatic accretion is contrasted with some alternative models that have been discussed recently. The disc models developed in this paper should be useful for interpreting numerical, fluid dynamical simulations. Related principles to those described here may govern the behaviour of astrophysically relevant, magnetohydrodynamic disc models.

Gas Accretion and Star Formation Rates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sánchez Almeida, Jorge

Cosmological numerical simulations of galaxy evolution show that accretion of metal-poor gas from the cosmic web drives the star formation in galaxy disks. Unfortunately, the observational support for this theoretical prediction is still indirect, and modeling and analysis are required to identify hints as actual signs of star formation feeding from metal-poor gas accretion. Thus, a meticulous interpretation of the observations is crucial, and this observational review begins with a simple theoretical description of the physical process and the key ingredients it involves, including the properties of the accreted gas and of the star formation that it induces. A number of observations pointing out the connection between metal-poor gas accretion and star formation are analyzed, specifically, the short gas-consumption time-scale compared to the age of the stellar populations, the fundamental metallicity relationship, the relationship between disk morphology and gas metallicity, the existence of metallicity drops in starbursts of star-forming galaxies, the so-called G dwarf problem, the existence of a minimum metallicity for the star-forming gas in the local universe, the origin of the α-enhanced gas forming stars in the local universe, the metallicity of the quiescent BCDs, and the direct measurements of gas accretion onto galaxies. A final section discusses intrinsic difficulties to obtain direct observational evidence, and points out alternative observational pathways to further consolidate the current ideas.

An Accretion Model for the Growth of the Central Black Holes Associated with Ionization Instability in Quasars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lu, Y.; Cheng, K. S.; Zhang, S. N.

2003-01-01

A possible accretion model associated with the ionization instability of quasar disks is proposed to address the growth of the central black hole (BH) harbored in the host galaxy. The evolution of quasars in cosmic time is assumed to change from a highly active state to a quiescent state triggered by the S-shaped ionization instability of the quasar accretion disk. For a given external mass transfer rate supplied by the quasar host galaxy, ionization instability can modify the accretion rate in the disk and separate the accretion flows of the disk into three different phases, like an S-shape. We suggest that the bright quasars observed today are those quasars with disks in the upper branch of the S-shaped instability, and the faint or 'dormant' quasars are simply these systems in the lower branch. The middle branch is the transition state, which is unstable. We assume the quasar disk evolves according to the advection-dominated inflow-outflow solution (ADIOS) configuration in the stable lower branch of the S-shaped instability, and the Eddington accretion rate is used to constrain the accretion rate in the highly active phase. The mass ratio between a BH and its host galactic bulge is a natural consequence of an ADIOS. Our model also demonstrates that a seed BH approx. 2 x 10(exp 6) solar masses similar to those found in spiral galaxies today is needed to produce a BH with a final mass of approx. 2 x 10(exp 8) solar masses.

Interaction of the accretion flows in corona and disk near the black hole in active galactic nuclei

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meyer-Hofmeister, E.; Liu, B. F.; Qiao, E.

2017-11-01

Context. Accretion flows toward black holes can be of a quite different nature, described as an optically thick cool gas flow in a disk for high accretion rates or as a hot coronal optically thin gas flow for low accretion rates, possibly affected by outflowing gas. Aims: The detection of broad iron emission lines in active galactic nuclei (AGN) indicates the coexistence of corona and disk. The appearance and relative strength of such flows essentially depends on their interaction. Liu et al. suggested that condensation of gas from the corona to the disk allows to understand accretion flows of comparable strength of emission. Matter inflow due to gravitational capture of gas is important for the condensation process. We discuss observational features predicted by the model. Methods: Data from simultaneous observations of AGN with Swift's X-ray and UV-optical telescopes are compared with the theoretical predictions. Results: The frequent detection of broad iron Kα emission lines and the dependence of the emitted spectra on the Eddington ratio, described by the values of the photon index Γ and the two-point spectral index αox are in approximate agreement with the predictions of the condensation model; the latter, however, with a large scatter. The model further yields a coronal emission concentrated in a narrow inner region as is also deduced from the analysis of emissivity profiles. Conclusions: The accretion flows in bright AGN could be described by the accretion of stellar wind or interstellar medium and its condensation into a thin disk.

CSI 2264: Accretion process in classical T Tauri stars in the young cluster NGC 2264

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sousa, A. P.; Alencar, S. H. P.; Bouvier, J.; Stauffer, J.; Venuti, L.; Hillenbrand, L.; Cody, A. M.; Teixeira, P. S.; Guimarães, M. M.; McGinnis, P. T.; Rebull, L.; Flaccomio, E.; Fürész, G.; Micela, G.; Gameiro, J. F.

2016-02-01

accretion and outflow models, including variations from stable to unstable accretion regimes on timescales of a few years. Full Tables 2 and 3 are only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (ftp://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/586/A47

Helicopter rotor noise investigation during ice accretion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cheng, Baofeng

measured high-frequency broadband noise increases significantly with increasing surface roughness heights, which indicates that it is feasible to quantify helicopter rotor ice-induced surface roughness through acoustic measurements. Comprehensive broadband noise measurements based on different accreted ice roughness at AERTS are then used to form the data base from which a correlation between the ice-induced surface roughness and the broadband noise level is developed. Two parameters, the arithmetic average roughness height, Ra, and the averaged roughness height, based on the integrated ice thickness at the blade tip, are introduced to describe the ice-induced surface roughness at the early stage of the ice accretion. The ice roughness measurements are correlated to the measured broadband noise level. Strong correlations (absolute mean deviations of 9.3% and 11.2% for correlation using Ra and the averaged roughness height respectively) between the ice roughness and the broadband noise level are obtained, which can be used as a tool to determine the accreted ice roughness in the AERTS facility through acoustic measurement. It might be possible to use a similar approach to develop an early ice accretion detection tool for helicopters, as well as to quantify the ice-induced roughness at the early stage of rotor ice accretion. Rotor broadband noise source identification is conducted and the broadband noise related to ice accretion is argued to be turbulent boundary layer - trailing edge (TBL-TE) noise. Theory suggests TBL-TE noise scales with Mach number to the fifth power, which is also observed in the experimental data. The trailing edge noise theories developed by Ffowcs Williams and Hall, and Howe both identify two important parameters: boundary layer thickness and turbulence intensity. Numerical studies of 2-D airfoils with different ice-induced surface roughness heights are conducted to investigate the extent that surface roughness impacts the boundary layer thickness

Magnetically gated accretion in an accreting 'non-magnetic' white dwarf.

PubMed

Scaringi, S; Maccarone, T J; D'Angelo, C; Knigge, C; Groot, P J

2017-12-13

White dwarfs are often found in binary systems with orbital periods ranging from tens of minutes to hours in which they can accrete gas from their companion stars. In about 15 per cent of these binaries, the magnetic field of the white dwarf is strong enough (at 10 6 gauss or more) to channel the accreted matter along field lines onto the magnetic poles. The remaining systems are referred to as 'non-magnetic', because until now there has been no evidence that they have a magnetic field that is strong enough to affect the accretion dynamics. Here we report an analysis of archival optical observations of the 'non-magnetic' accreting white dwarf in the binary system MV Lyrae, whose light curve displays quasi-periodic bursts of about 30 minutes duration roughly every 2 hours. The timescale and amplitude of these bursts indicate the presence of an unstable, magnetically regulated accretion mode, which in turn implies the existence of magnetically gated accretion, in which disk material builds up around the magnetospheric boundary (at the co-rotation radius) and then accretes onto the white dwarf, producing bursts powered by the release of gravitational potential energy. We infer a surface magnetic field strength for the white dwarf in MV Lyrae of between 2 × 10 4 gauss and 1 × 10 5 gauss, too low to be detectable by other current methods. Our discovery provides a new way of studying the strength and evolution of magnetic fields in accreting white dwarfs and extends the connections between accretion onto white dwarfs, young stellar objects and neutron stars, for which similar magnetically gated accretion cycles have been identified.

An accreting black hole model for Sagittarius A

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Melia, Fulvio

1992-01-01

Several observations, notably of broad He I, Br-alpha, and Br-gamma emission lines from the vicinity of IRS 16, indicate the presence of a strong circumnuclear wind near the dynamical center of the Galaxy. Sgr A, a hypothesized supermassive object situated about 0.06 pc to the west of IRS 16, should be accreting from this wind if it is not itself a source of gaseous outflow, for which there is currently no observational evidence. Here, the spectrum and flux of radiation resulting from this process are calculated, and it is shown that they are consistent with the data over at least 12 decades of frequency. Together with the kinematic studies of the stellar and gas distributions in this region, the model argues strongly in favor of Sgr A being a black hole with mass over a million solar masses.

Spherical accretion in giant elliptical galaxies: multi-transonicity, shocks, and implications on AGN feedback

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Raychaudhuri, Sananda; Ghosh, Shubhrangshu; Joarder, Partha S.

2018-06-01

Isolated massive elliptical galaxies, or that are present at the center of cool-core clusters, are believed to be powered by hot gas accretion directly from their surrounding hot X-ray emitting gaseous medium. This leads to a giant Bondi-type spherical/quasi-spherical accretion flow onto their host SMBHs, with the accretion flow region extending well beyond the Bondi radius. In this work, we present a detailed study of Bondi-type spherical flow in the context of these massive ellipticals by incorporating the effect of entire gravitational potential of the host galaxy in the presence of cosmological constant Λ, considering a five-component galactic system (SMBH + stellar + dark matter + hot gas + Λ). The current work is an extension of Ghosh & Banik (2015), who studied only the cosmological aspect of the problem. The galactic contribution to the potential renders the (adiabatic) spherical flow to become multi-transonic in nature, with the flow topology and flow structure significantly deviating from that of classical Bondi solution. More notably, corresponding to moderate to higher values of galactic mass-to-light ratios, we obtain Rankine-Hugoniot shocks in spherical wind flows. Galactic potential enhances the Bondi accretion rate. Our study reveals that there is a strict lower limit of ambient temperature below which no Bondi accretion can be triggered; which is as high as ˜9 × 106 K for flows from hot ISM-phase, indicating that the hot phase tightly regulates the fueling of host nucleus. Our findings may have wider implications, particularly in the context of outflow/jet dynamics, and radio-AGN feedback, associated with these massive galaxies in the contemporary Universe.

Does mass accretion lead to field decay in neutron stars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shibazaki, N.; Murakami, T.; Shaham, Jacob; Nomoto, K.

1989-01-01

The recent discovery of cyclotron lines from gamma-ray bursts indicates that the strong magnetic fields of isolated neutron stars might not decay. The possible inverse correlation between the strength of the magnetic field and the mass accreted by the neutron star suggests that mass accretion itself may lead to the decay of the magnetic field. The spin and magnetic field evolution of the neutron star was calculated under the hypothesis of the accretion-induced field decay. It is shown that the calculated results are consistent with the observations of binary and millisecond radio pulsars.

Radiative cooling of swept up gas in AGN-driven galactic winds and its implications for molecular outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Richings, Alexander J.; Faucher-Giguére, Claude-André

2018-05-01

We recently used hydro-chemical simulations to demonstrate that molecular outflows observed in luminous quasars can be explained by molecule formation within the AGN wind. However, these simulations cover a limited parameter space, due to their computational cost. We have therefore developed an analytic model to follow cooling in the shocked ISM layer of an AGN wind. We explore different ambient densities (1-104 {cm}^{-3}), density profile slopes (0-1.5), AGN luminosities (1044-10^{47} {erg} {s}^{-1}), and metallicities (0.1-3 Z⊙). The swept up gas mostly cools within ˜1 Myr. Based on our previous simulations, we predict that this gas would produce observable molecular outflows. The instantaneous momentum boost initially increases as the outflow decelerates. However, it reaches a maximum of ≈20, due to work done against the gravitational potential. The predicted time-averaged observational estimate of the molecular outflow momentum boost reaches a maximum of ≈1 -2, partly due to our assumed molecular fraction, 0.2, but also because the instantaneous and observational, time-averaged definitions are not equivalent. Thus recent observational estimates of order unity momentum boosts do not necessarily rule out energy-driven outflows. Finally, we find that dust grains are likely to re-form by accretion of metals after the shocked ISM layer has cooled, assuming that a small fraction of dust grains swept up after this layer has cooled are able to mix into the cool phase, and assuming that grain growth remains efficient in the presence of the strong AGN radiation field. This would enable rapid molecule formation, as assumed in our models.

Supernova-driven outflows and chemical evolution of dwarf spheroidal galaxies

PubMed Central

Qian, Yong-Zhong; Wasserburg, G. J.

2012-01-01

We present a general phenomenological model for the metallicity distribution (MD) in terms of [Fe/H] for dwarf spheroidal galaxies (dSphs). These galaxies appear to have stopped accreting gas from the intergalactic medium and are fossilized systems with their stars undergoing slow internal evolution. For a wide variety of infall histories of unprocessed baryonic matter to feed star formation, most of the observed MDs can be well described by our model. The key requirement is that the fraction of the gas mass lost by supernova-driven outflows is close to unity. This model also predicts a relationship between the total stellar mass and the mean metallicity for dSphs in accord with properties of their dark matter halos. The model further predicts as a natural consequence that the abundance ratios [E/Fe] for elements such as O, Mg, and Si decrease for stellar populations at the higher end of the [Fe/H] range in a dSph. We show that, for infall rates far below the net rate of gas loss to star formation and outflows, the MD in our model is very sharply peaked at one [Fe/H] value, similar to what is observed in most globular clusters. This result suggests that globular clusters may be end members of the same family as dSphs. PMID:22411827

Supernova-driven outflows and chemical evolution of dwarf spheroidal galaxies.

PubMed

Qian, Yong-Zhong; Wasserburg, G J

2012-03-27

We present a general phenomenological model for the metallicity distribution (MD) in terms of [Fe/H] for dwarf spheroidal galaxies (dSphs). These galaxies appear to have stopped accreting gas from the intergalactic medium and are fossilized systems with their stars undergoing slow internal evolution. For a wide variety of infall histories of unprocessed baryonic matter to feed star formation, most of the observed MDs can be well described by our model. The key requirement is that the fraction of the gas mass lost by supernova-driven outflows is close to unity. This model also predicts a relationship between the total stellar mass and the mean metallicity for dSphs in accord with properties of their dark matter halos. The model further predicts as a natural consequence that the abundance ratios [E/Fe] for elements such as O, Mg, and Si decrease for stellar populations at the higher end of the [Fe/H] range in a dSph. We show that, for infall rates far below the net rate of gas loss to star formation and outflows, the MD in our model is very sharply peaked at one [Fe/H] value, similar to what is observed in most globular clusters. This result suggests that globular clusters may be end members of the same family as dSphs.

Failed Radiatively Accelerated Dusty Outflow Model of the Broad Line Region in Active Galactic Nuclei. I. Analytical Solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Czerny, B.; Li, Yan-Rong; Hryniewicz, K.; Panda, S.; Wildy, C.; Sniegowska, M.; Wang, J.-M.; Sredzinska, J.; Karas, V.

2017-09-01

The physical origin of the broad line region in active galactic nuclei is still unclear despite many years of observational studies. The reason is that the region is unresolved, and the reverberation mapping results imply a complex velocity field. We adopt a theory-motivated approach to identify the principal mechanism responsible for this complex phenomenon. We consider the possibility that the role of dust is essential. We assume that the local radiation pressure acting on the dust in the accretion disk atmosphere launches the outflow of material, but higher above the disk the irradiation from the central parts causes dust evaporation and a subsequent fallback. This failed radiatively accelerated dusty outflow is expected to represent the material forming low ionization lines. In this paper we formulate simple analytical equations to describe the cloud motion, including the evaporation phase. The model is fully described just by the basic parameters of black hole mass, accretion rate, black hole spin, and viewing angle. We study how the spectral line generic profiles correspond to this dynamic. We show that the virial factor calculated from our model strongly depends on the black hole mass in the case of enhanced dust opacity, and thus it then correlates with the line width. This could explain why the virial factor measured in galaxies with pseudobulges differs from that obtained from objects with classical bulges, although the trend predicted by the current version of the model is opposite to the observed trend.

Studying the outflow-core interaction with ALMA Cycle 1 observations of the HH 46/47 molecular outflow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yichen; Arce, Hector G.; Mardones, Diego; Dunham, Michael; Garay, Guido; Noriega-Crespo, Alberto; Corder, Stuartt; Offner, Stella; Cabrit, Sylvie

2016-01-01

We present ALMA Cycle 1 observations of the HH 46/47 molecular outflow which is driven by a low-mass Class 0/I protostar. Previous ALMA Cycle 0 12CO observation showed outflow cavities produced by the entrainment of ambient gas by the protostellar jet and wide-angle wind. Here we present analysis of observation of 12CO, 13CO, C18O and other species using combined 12m array and ACA observations. The improved angular resolution and sensitivity allow us to detect details of the outflow structure. Specially, we see that the outflow cavity wall is composed of two or more layers of outflowing gas, which separately connect to different shocked regions along the outflow axis inside the cavity, suggesting the outflow cavity wall is composed of multiple shells entrained by a series of jet bow-shock events. The new 13CO and C18O data also allow us to trace relatively denser and slower outflow material than that traced by the 12CO. These species are only detected within about 1 to 2 km/s from the cloud velocity, tracing the outflow to lower velocities than what is possible using only the 12CO emission. Interestingly, the cavity wall of the red lobe appears at very low outflow velocities (as low as ~0.2 km/s). In addition, 13CO and C18O allow us to correct for the CO optical depth, allowing us to obtain more accurate estimates of the outflow mass, momentum and kinetic energy. Applying the optical depth correction significantly increases the previous mass estimate by a factor of 14. The outflow kinetic energy distribution shows that even though the red lobe is mainly entrained by jet bow-shocks, most of the outflow energy is being deposited into the cloud at the base of the outflow cavity rather than around the heads of the bow shocks. The estimated total mass, momentum, and energy of the outflow indicate that the outflow has the ability to disperse the parent core. We found possible evidence for a slowly moving rotating outflow in CS. Our 13CO and C18O observations also trace a

Is there any evidence that ionized outflows quench star formation in type 1 quasars at z < 1?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Balmaverde, B.; Marconi, A.; Brusa, M.; Carniani, S.; Cresci, G.; Lusso, E.; Maiolino, R.; Mannucci, F.; Nagao, T.

2016-01-01

Aims: The aim of this paper is to test the basic model of negative active galactic nuclei (AGN) feedback. According to this model, once the central black hole accretes at the Eddington limit and reaches a certain critical mass, AGN driven outflows blow out gas, suppressing star formation in the host galaxy and self-regulating black hole growth. Methods: We consider a sample of 224 quasars selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) at z< 1 observed in the infrared band by the Herschel Space Observatory in point source photometry mode. We evaluate the star formation rate in relation to several outflow signatures traced by the [O III] λ4959, 5007 and [O II] λ3726, 3729 emission lines in about half of the sample with high quality spectra. Results: Most of the quasars show asymmetric and broad wings in [O III], which we interpret as outflow signatures. We separate the quasars in two groups, "weakly" and "strongly" outflowing, using three different criteria. When we compare the mean star formation rate in five redshift bins in the two groups, we find that the star formation rate (SFR) are comparable or slightly larger in the strongly outflowing quasars. We estimate the stellar mass from spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting and the quasars are distributed along the star formation main sequence, although with a large scatter. The scatter from this relation is uncorrelated with respect to the kinematic properties of the outflow. Moreover, for quasars dominated in the infrared by starburst or by AGN emission, we do not find any correlation between the star formation rate and the velocity of the outflow, a trend previously reported in the literature for pure starburst galaxies. Conclusions: We conclude that the basic AGN negative feedback scenario seems not to agree with our results. Although we use a large sample of quasars, we did not find any evidence that the star formation rate is suppressed in the presence of AGN driven outflows on large scale. A

Recent Chandra/HETGS and NuSTAR observations of the quasar PDS 456 and its Ultra-Fast Outflow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Boissay Malaquin, Rozenn; Marshall, Herman L.; Nowak, Michael A.

2018-01-01

Evidence is growing that the interaction between outflows from active galactic nuclei (AGN) and their surrounding medium may play an important role in galaxy evolution, i.e. in the regulation of star formation in galaxies, through AGN feedback processes. Indeed, powerful outflows, such as the ultra-fast outflows (UFOs) that can reach mildly relativistic velocities of 0.2-0.4c, could blow away a galaxy’s reservoir of star-forming gas and hence quench the star formation in host galaxies. The low-redshift (z=0.184) radio-quiet quasar PDS 456 has showed the presence of a strong and blueshifted absorption trough in the Fe K band above 7 keV, that has been associated with the signature of such a fast and highly ionized accretion disk wind of a velocity of 0.25-0.3c. This persistent and variable feature has been detected in many observations of PDS 456, in particular by XMM-Newton, Suzaku and NuSTAR, together with other blueshifted absorption lines in the soft energy band (e.g. Nardini et al. 2015, Reeves et al. 2016). I will present here the results of the analysis of recent and contemporaneous high-resolution Chandra/HETGS and NuSTAR observations of PDS 456, and compare them with the previous findings.

An In Vitro Perfusion System to Enhance Outflow Studies in Mouse Eyes

PubMed Central

Kizhatil, Krishnakumar; Chlebowski, Arthur; Tolman, Nicholas G.; Freeburg, Nelson F.; Ryan, Margaret M.; Shaw, Nicholas N.; Kokini, Alexander D. M.; Marchant, Jeffrey K.; John, Simon W. M.

2016-01-01

Purpose The molecular mechanisms controlling aqueous humor (AQH) outflow and IOP need much further definition. The mouse is a powerful system for characterizing the mechanistic basis of AQH outflow. To enhance outflow studies in mice, we developed a perfusion system that is based on human anterior chamber perfusion culture systems. Our mouse system permits previously impractical experiments. Methods We engineered a computer-controlled, pump-based perfusion system with a platform for mounting whole dissected mouse eyes (minus lens and iris, ∼45% of drainage tissue is perfused). We tested the system's ability to monitor outflow and tested the effects of the outflow-elevating drug, Y27632, a rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor. Finally, we tested the system's ability to detect genetically determined decreases in outflow by determining if deficiency of the candidate genes Nos3 and Cav1 alter outflow. Results Using our system, the outflow facility (C) of C57BL/6J mouse eyes was found to range between 7.7 and 10.4 nl/minutes/mm Hg (corrected for whole eye). Our system readily detected a 74.4% Y27632-induced increase in C. The NOS3 inhibitor L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and a Nos3 null mutation reduced C by 28.3% and 35.8%, respectively. Similarly, in Cav1 null eyes C was reduced by 47.8%. Conclusions We engineered a unique perfusion system that can accurately measure changes in C. We then used the system to show that NOS3 and CAV1 are key components of mechanism(s) controlling outflow. PMID:27701632

Minidisks in Binary Black Hole Accretion

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ryan, Geoffrey; MacFadyen, Andrew, E-mail: gsr257@nyu.edu

Newtonian simulations have demonstrated that accretion onto binary black holes produces accretion disks around each black hole (“minidisks”), fed by gas streams flowing through the circumbinary cavity from the surrounding circumbinary disk. We study the dynamics and radiation of an individual black hole minidisk using 2D hydrodynamical simulations performed with a new general relativistic version of the moving-mesh code Disco. We introduce a comoving energy variable that enables highly accurate integration of these high Mach number flows. Tidally induced spiral shock waves are excited in the disk and propagate through the innermost stable circular orbit, providing a Reynolds stress thatmore » causes efficient accretion by purely hydrodynamic means and producing a radiative signature brighter in hard X-rays than the Novikov–Thorne model. Disk cooling is provided by a local blackbody prescription that allows the disk to evolve self-consistently to a temperature profile where hydrodynamic heating is balanced by radiative cooling. We find that the spiral shock structure is in agreement with the relativistic dispersion relation for tightly wound linear waves. We measure the shock-induced dissipation and find outward angular momentum transport corresponding to an effective alpha parameter of order 0.01. We perform ray-tracing image calculations from the simulations to produce theoretical minidisk spectra and viewing-angle-dependent images for comparison with observations.« less

Holocene reef accretion: southwest Molokai, Hawaii, U.S.A.

USGS Publications Warehouse

Engels, Mary S.; Fletcher, Charles H.; Field, Michael E.; Storlazzi, Curt D.; Grossman, Eric E.; Rooney, John J.B.; Conger, Christopher L.; Glenn, Craig

2004-01-01

Two reef systems off south Molokai, Hale O Lono and Hikauhi (separated by only 10 km), show strong and fundamental differences in modern ecosystem structure and Holocene accretion history that reflect the influence of wave-induced near-bed shear stresses on reef development in Hawaii. Both sites are exposed to similar impacts from south, Kona, and trade-wind swell. However, the Hale O Lono site is exposed to north swell and the Hikuahi site is not. As a result, the reef at Hale O Lono records no late Holocene net accretion while the reef at Hikauhi records consistent and robust accretion over late Holocene time. Analysis and dating of 24 cores from Hale O Lono and Hikauhi reveal the presence of five major lithofacies that reflect paleo-environmental conditions. In order of decreasing depositional energy they are: (1) coral-algal bindstone; (2) mixed skeletal rudstone; (3) massive coral framestone; (4) unconsolidated floatstone; and (5) branching coral framestone-bafflestone. At Hale O Lono, 10 cores document a backstepping reef ranging from ∼ 8,100 cal yr BP (offshore) to ∼ 4,800 cal yr BP (nearshore). A depauperate community of modern coral diminishes shoreward and seaward of ∼ 15 m depth due to wave energy, disrupted recruitment activities, and physical abrasion. Evidence suggests a change from conditions conducive to accretion during the early Holocene to conditions detrimental to accretion in the late Holocene. Reef structure at Hikauhi, reconstructed from 14 cores, reveals a thick, rapidly accreting and young reef (maximum age ∼ 900 cal yr BP). Living coral cover on this reef increases seaward with distance from the reef crest but terminates at a depth of ∼ 20 m where the reef ends in a large sand field. The primary limitation on vertical reef growth is accommodation space under wave base, not recruitment activities or energy conditions. Interpretations of cored lithofacies suggest that modern reef growth on the southwest corner of Molokai, and by

The effect of accretion environment at large radius on hot accretion flows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Xiao-Hong; Bu, De-Fu

2018-05-01

We study the effects of accretion environment (gas density, temperature, and angular momentum) at large radii (˜10 pc) on luminosity of hot accretion flows. The radiative feedback effects from the accretion flow on the accretion environment are also self-consistently taken into account. We find that the slowly rotating flows at large radii can significantly deviate from Bondi accretion when radiation heating and cooling are considered. We further find that when the temperature of environment gas is low (e.g. T = 2 × 107 K), the luminosity of hot accretion flows is high. When the temperature of gas is high (e.g. T ≥ 4 × 107 K), the luminosity of hot accretion flow significantly deceases. The environment gas density can also significantly influence the luminosity of accretion flows. When density is higher than ˜4 × 10-22 g cm-3 and temperature is lower than 2 × 107 K, hot accretion flow with luminosity lower than 2 per cent LEdd is not present. Therefore, the parsec-scale environment density and temperature are two important parameters to determine the luminosity. The results are also useful for the subgrid models adopted by the cosmological simulations.

To accrete or not accrete, that is the question

USGS Publications Warehouse

von Huene, Roland E.

1986-01-01

Along modern convergent margins tectonic processes span a spectrum from accretion to erosion. The process of accretion is generally recognized because it leaves a geologic record, whereas the process of erosion is generally hypothetical because it produces a geologic hiatus. Major conditions that determine the dominance of accretion or erosion at modern convergent margins are: 1) rate and direction of plate convergence, 2) sediment supply and type in the trench, and 3) topography of the subducting ocean floor. Most change in structure has been ascribed to plate motion, but both erosion and accretion are observed along the same convergence margin. Thus sediment supply and topography are probably of equivalent importance to plate motion because both erosion and accretion are observed under constant conditions of plate convergence. The dominance of accretion or erosion at a margin varies with the thickness of trench sediment. In a sediment flooded trench, the proportions of subducted and accreted sediment are commonly established by the position of a decollement along a weak horizon in the sediment section. Thus, the vertical variation of sediment strength and the distribution of horizontal stress are important factors. Once deformation begins, the original sediment strength is decreased by sediment remolding and where sediment thickens rapidly, increases in pore fluid pressure can be pronounced. In sediment-starved trenches, where the relief of the subducting ocean floor is not smoothed over, the front of the margin must respond to the topography subducted as well as that accreted. The hypothesized erosion by the drag of positive features against the underside of the upper plate (a high stress environment) may alternate with erosion due to the collapse of a margin front into voids such as graben (a low stress environment). ?? 1986 Ferdinand Enke Verlag Stuttgart.

Magnetically gated accretion in an accreting ‘non-magnetic’ white dwarf

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scaringi, S.; Maccarone, T. J.; D’Angelo, C.; Knigge, C.; Groot, P. J.

2017-12-01

White dwarfs are often found in binary systems with orbital periods ranging from tens of minutes to hours in which they can accrete gas from their companion stars. In about 15 per cent of these binaries, the magnetic field of the white dwarf is strong enough (at 106 gauss or more) to channel the accreted matter along field lines onto the magnetic poles. The remaining systems are referred to as ‘non-magnetic’, because until now there has been no evidence that they have a magnetic field that is strong enough to affect the accretion dynamics. Here we report an analysis of archival optical observations of the ‘non-magnetic’ accreting white dwarf in the binary system MV Lyrae, whose light curve displays quasi-periodic bursts of about 30 minutes duration roughly every 2 hours. The timescale and amplitude of these bursts indicate the presence of an unstable, magnetically regulated accretion mode, which in turn implies the existence of magnetically gated accretion, in which disk material builds up around the magnetospheric boundary (at the co-rotation radius) and then accretes onto the white dwarf, producing bursts powered by the release of gravitational potential energy. We infer a surface magnetic field strength for the white dwarf in MV Lyrae of between 2 × 104 gauss and 1 × 105 gauss, too low to be detectable by other current methods. Our discovery provides a new way of studying the strength and evolution of magnetic fields in accreting white dwarfs and extends the connections between accretion onto white dwarfs, young stellar objects and neutron stars, for which similar magnetically gated accretion cycles have been identified.

Accretion and outflow activity on the late phases of pre-main-sequence evolution. The case of RZ Piscium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Potravnov, I. S.; Mkrtichian, D. E.; Grinin, V. P.; Ilyin, I. V.; Shakhovskoy, D. N.

2017-03-01

RZ Psc is an isolated high-latitude post-T Tauri star that demonstrates a UX Ori-type photometric activity. The star shows very weak spectroscopic signatures of accretion, but at the same time possesses the unusual footprints of the wind in Na I D lines. In the present work we investigate new spectroscopic observations of RZ Psc obtained in 2014 during two observation runs. We found variable blueshifted absorption components (BACs) in lines of the other alcali metals, K I 7699 Å and Ca II IR triplet. We also confirmed the presence of a weak emission component in the Hα line, which allowed us to estimate the mass accretion rate on the star as Ṁ ≤ 7 × 10-12M⊙ yr-1. We could not reveal any clear periodicity in the appearance of BACs in sodium lines. Nevertheless, the exact coincidence of the structure and velocities of the Na I D absorptions observed with the interval of about one year suggests that such a periodicity should exist.

Understanding the Accretion Engine in Pre-main Sequence Stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gómez de Castro, Ana I.

2009-05-01

Planetary systems are angular momentum reservoirs generated during star formation as a result of the joint action of gravity and angular momentum conservation. The accretion process drives to the generation of powerful engines able to drive the optical jets and the molecular outflows. A fraction of the engine energy is released into heating the circumstellar plasma to temperatures between 3000 K to 10 MK depending on the plasma location and density. There are very important unsolved problems concerning the nature of the engine, its evolution and its impact in the chemical evolution of the disk. Of special relevance is the understanding of the shear layer between the stellar photosphere and the disk; this layer controls a significant fraction of the magnetic field building up and the subsequent dissipative processes ought to be studied in the UV.

An impact-induced terrestrial atmosphere and iron-water reactions during accretion of the Earth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lange, M. A.; Ahrens, T. J.

1985-01-01

Shock wave data and theoretical calculations were used to derive models of an impact-generated terrestrial atmosphere during accretion of the Earth. The models showed that impacts of infalling planetesimals not only provided the entire budget of terrestrial water but also led to a continuous depletion of near-surface layers of water-bearing minerals of their structural water. This resulted in a final atmospheric water reservoir comparable to the present day total water budget of the Earth. The interaction of metallic iron with free water at the surface of the accreting Earth is considered. We carried out model calcualtions simulating these processes during accretion. It is assumed that these processes are the prime source of the terrestrial FeO component of silicates and oxides. It is demonstrated that the iron-water reaction would result in the absence of atmospheric/hydrospheric water, if homogeneous accretion is assumed. In order to obtain the necessary amount of terrestrial water, slightly heterogeneous accretion with initially 36 wt% iron planetesimals, as compared with a homogeneous value of 34 wt% is required.

Self-similar hot accretion flow onto a neutron star

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Medvedev, Mikhail V.

2001-10-01

We present analytical and numerical solutions which describe a hot, viscous, two-temperature accretion flow onto a neutron star or any other compact star with a surface. We assume Coulomb coupling between the protons and electrons, and free-free cooling from the electrons. Outside a thin boundary layer, where the accretion flow meets the star, we show that there is an extended settling region which is well-described by two self-similar solutions: (1) a two-temperature solution which is valid in an inner zone r<=102.5 (r is in Schwarzchild units), and (2) a one-temperature solution at larger radii. In both zones, ρ~r-2, Ω~r-3/2, v~r0, Tp~r-1 in the two-temperature zone, Te~r-1/2. The luminosity of the settling zone arises from the rotational energy of the star as the star is braked by viscosity; hence the luminosity is independent of Ṁ. The settling solution is convectively and viscously stable and is unlikely to have strong winds or outflows. The flow is thermally unstable, but the instability may be stabilized by thermal conduction. The settling solution described here is not advection-dominated, and is thus different from the self-similar ADAF found around black holes. When the spin of the star is small enough, however, the present solution transforms smoothly to a (settling) ADAF. .

Evolution of Post-accretion-induced Collapse Binaries: The Effect of Evaporation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Wei-Min; Li, Xiang-Dong

2017-12-01

Accretion-induced collapse (AIC) is widely accepted to be one of the formation channels for millisecond pulsars (MSPs). Since the MSPs have high spin-down luminosities, they can immediately start to evaporate their companion stars after birth. In this paper, we present a detailed investigation on the evolution of the post-AIC binaries, taking into account the effect of evaporation both before and during the Roche-lobe overflow process. We discuss the possible influence of the input parameters including the evaporation efficiency, the initial spin period, and the initial surface magnetic field of the newborn neutron star. We compare the calculated results with the traditional low-mass X-ray binary evolution and suggest that they may reproduce at least part of the observed redbacks and black widows in the companion mass–orbital period plane depending on the mechanisms of angular momentum loss associated with evaporation.

Velocity Space Evolution of Dayside Reconnection Outflow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Broll, J. M.; Fuselier, S. A.; Trattner, K. J.

2015-12-01

Magnetic reconnection is a universal phenomenon occurring when energy stored in a complicated magnetic field topology is released into the surrounding plasma as the field simplifies its configuration. At Earth's dayside magnetopause, reconnection is responsible for mass and energy input from the solar wind into the magnetosphere. We describe the evolution of the velocity-space evolution of plasma outflow from a dayside magnetic reconnection region. We analyze Cluster magnetopause crossings between 1 and 10 Earth radii from the reconnection X-line predicted by the maximum magnetic shear model. The effects of nonadiabatic processes, such as deformation of the profile due to finite-gyroradius-induced pitch-angle scattering and wave-particle interactions, are described. We compare observations and simulation results to describe the outflow evolution and infer the field-aligned distance between an observation and the reconnection site producing it.

Self-similar Hot Accretion Flow onto a Neutron Star

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Medvedev, Mikhail V.; Narayan, Ramesh

2001-06-01

We consider hot, two-temperature, viscous accretion onto a rotating, unmagnetized neutron star. We assume Coulomb coupling between the protons and electrons, as well as free-free cooling from the electrons. We show that the accretion flow has an extended settling region that can be described by means of two analytical self-similar solutions: a two-temperature solution that is valid in an inner zone, r<~102.5, where r is the radius in Schwarzschild units; and a one-temperature solution that is valid in an outer zone, r>~102.5. In both zones the density varies as ρ~r-2 and the angular velocity as Ω~r-3/2. We solve the flow equations numerically and confirm that the analytical solutions are accurate. Except for the radial velocity, all gas properties in the self-similar settling zone, such as density, angular velocity, temperature, luminosity, and angular momentum flux, are independent of the mass accretion rate; these quantities do depend sensitively on the spin of the neutron star. The angular momentum flux is outward under most conditions; therefore, the central star is nearly always spun down. The luminosity of the settling zone arises from the rotational energy that is released as the star is braked by viscosity, and the contribution from gravity is small; hence, the radiative efficiency, η=Lacc/Mc2, is arbitrarily large at low M. For reasonable values of the gas adiabatic index γ, the Bernoulli parameter is negative; therefore, in the absence of dynamically important magnetic fields, a strong outflow or wind is not expected. The flow is also convectively stable but may be thermally unstable. The described solution is not advection dominated; however, when the spin of the star is small enough, the flow transforms smoothly to an advection-dominated branch of solution.

Directly Driven Ion Outflow

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Elliott, H. A.; Comfort, R. H.; Craven, P. D.; Moore, T. E.; Russell, C. T.; Rose, M. Franklin (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

We examine ionospheric outflows in the high altitude magnetospheric polar cap during the POLAR satellite's apogee on April 19, 1996 using the Thermal Ion Dynamics Experiment (TIDE) instrument. The elevated levels of O(+) observed in this pass may be due to the geophysical conditions during and prior to the apogee pass. In addition to the high abundance of O(+) relative to H(+), several other aspects of this data are noteworthy. We observe relationships between the density, velocity, and temperature which appear to be associated with perpendicular heating and the mirror force, rather than adiabatic expansion. The H(+) outflow is at a fairly constant flux which is consistent with being source limited by charge exchange at lower altitudes. Local centrifugal acceleration in the polar cap is found to be insufficient to account for the main variations we observe in the outflow velocity. The solar wind speed is high during this pass approximately 700 kilometers per second, and there are Alfve'n waves present in the solar wind such that the solar wind speed and IMF Bx are correlated. In this pass both the H(+) and O(+) outflow velocities correlate with both the solar wind speed and IMF fluctuations. Polar cap magnetometer and Hydra electron data show the same long period wave structure as found in the solar wind and polar cap ion outflow. In addition, the polar cap Poynting flux along the magnetic field direction correlates well with the H(+) temperature (R=0.84). We conclude that the solar wind can drive polar cap ion outflow particularly during polar squalls by setting up a parallel drop that is tens of eV which then causes the ion outflow velocity of O(+) and H(+), the electrons, and magnetic perturbations to vary in a similar fashion.

Unconventional Aqueous Humor Outflow: A Review

PubMed Central

Johnson, Mark; McLaren, Jay W.; Overby, Darryl R.

2016-01-01

Aqueous humor flows out of the eye primarily through the conventional outflow pathway that includes the trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal. However, a fraction of aqueous humor passes through an alternative or ‘unconventional’ route that includes the ciliary muscle, supraciliary and suprachoroidal spaces. From there, unconventional outflow may drain through two pathways: a uveoscleral pathway where aqueous drains across the sclera to be resorbed by orbital vessels, and a uveovortex pathway where aqueous humor enters the choroid to drain through the vortex veins. We review the anatomy, physiology and pharmacology of these pathways. We also discuss methods to determine unconventional outflow rate, including direct techniques that use radioactive or fluorescent tracers recovered from tissues in the unconventional pathway and indirect methods that estimate unconventional outflow based on total outflow over a range of pressures. Indirect methods are subject to a number of assumptions and generally give poor agreement with tracer measurements. We review the variety of animal models that have been used to study conventional and unconventional outflow. The mouse appears to be a promising model because it captures several aspects of conventional and unconventional outflow dynamics common to humans, although questions remain regarding the magnitude of unconventional outflow in mice. Finally, we review future directions. There is a clear need to develop improved methods for measuring unconventional outflow in both animals and humans. PMID:26850315

Upper Limit of the Viscosity Parameter in Accretion Flows around a Black Hole with Shock Waves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nagarkoti, Shreeram; Chakrabarti, Sandip K.

2016-01-01

Black hole accretion is necessarily transonic; thus, flows must become supersonic and, therefore, sub-Keplerian before they enter into the black hole. The viscous timescale is much longer than the infall timescale close to a black hole. Hence, the angular momentum remains almost constant and the centrifugal force ˜ {l}2/{r}3 becomes increasingly dominant over the gravitational force ˜ 1/{r}2. The slowed down matter piles creating an accretion shock. The flow between shock and inner sonic point is puffed up and behaves like a boundary layer. This so-called Comptonizing cloud/corona produces hard X-rays and jets/outflows and, therefore, is an important component of black hole astrophysics. In this paper, we study steady state viscous, axisymmetric, transonic accretion flows around a Schwarzschild black hole. We adopt a viscosity parameter α and compute the highest possible value of α (namely, {α }{cr}) for each pair of two inner boundary parameters (namely, specific angular momentum carried to horizon, lin and specific energy at inner sonic point, E({x}{in})) which is still capable of producing a standing or oscillating shock. We find that while such possibilities exist for α as high as {α }{cr}=0.3 in very small regions of the flow parameter space, typical {α }{cr} appears to be about ˜0.05-0.1. Coincidentally, this also happens to be the typical viscosity parameter achieved by simulations of magnetorotational instabilities in accretion flows. We therefore believe that all realistic accretion flows are likely to have centrifugal pressure supported shocks unless the viscosity parameter everywhere is higher than {α }{cr}.

Magnetocentrifugally Driven Flows from Young Stars and Disks. IV. The Accretion Funnel and Dead Zone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ostriker, Eve C.; Shu, Frank H.

1995-07-01

We formulate the time-steady, axisymmetric problem of stellar magnetospheric inflow of gas from a surrounding accretion disk. The computational domain is bounded on the outside by a surface of given shape containing the open field lines associated with an induced disk wind. The mechanism for this wind has been investigated in previous publications in this journal. Our zeroth-order solution incorporates an acceptable accounting of the pressure balance between the magnetic field lines loaded with accreting gas (funnel flow) and those empty of matter (dead zone). In comparison with previous models, our funnel-flow/dead-zone solution has the following novel features: (1) Because of a natural tendency for the trapped stellar magnetic flux to pinch toward the corotation radius Rx (X-point of the effective potential), most of the interesting magnetohydrodynamics is initiated within a small neighborhood of Rx (X-region), where the Keplerian angular speed of rotation in the disk equals the spin rate of the star. (2) Unimpeded funnel flow from the inner portion of the X-region to the star can occur when the amount of trapped magnetic flux equals or exceeds 1.5 times the unperturbed dipole flux that would lie outside Rx in the absence of an accretion disk. (3). Near the equatorial plane, radial infall from the X-point is terminated at a "kink" point Rk = 0.74Rx that deflects the flow away from the midplane, mediating thereby between the field topology imposed by a magnetic fan of trapped flux at Rx and the geometry of a strong stellar dipole. (4) The excess angular momentum of accretion that would otherwise spin up the star rapidly is deposited by the magnetic torques of the funnel flow into the inner portion of the X-region of the disk. (5) An induced disk wind arises in the outer portion of the .X-region, where the stellar field lines have been blown open, and removes whatever excess angular momentum that viscous torques do not transport to the outer disk. (6) The interface

Failed Radiatively Accelerated Dusty Outflow Model of the Broad Line Region in Active Galactic Nuclei. I. Analytical Solution

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Czerny, B.; Panda, S.; Wildy, C.

2017-09-10

The physical origin of the broad line region in active galactic nuclei is still unclear despite many years of observational studies. The reason is that the region is unresolved, and the reverberation mapping results imply a complex velocity field. We adopt a theory-motivated approach to identify the principal mechanism responsible for this complex phenomenon. We consider the possibility that the role of dust is essential. We assume that the local radiation pressure acting on the dust in the accretion disk atmosphere launches the outflow of material, but higher above the disk the irradiation from the central parts causes dust evaporationmore » and a subsequent fallback. This failed radiatively accelerated dusty outflow is expected to represent the material forming low ionization lines. In this paper we formulate simple analytical equations to describe the cloud motion, including the evaporation phase. The model is fully described just by the basic parameters of black hole mass, accretion rate, black hole spin, and viewing angle. We study how the spectral line generic profiles correspond to this dynamic. We show that the virial factor calculated from our model strongly depends on the black hole mass in the case of enhanced dust opacity, and thus it then correlates with the line width. This could explain why the virial factor measured in galaxies with pseudobulges differs from that obtained from objects with classical bulges, although the trend predicted by the current version of the model is opposite to the observed trend.« less

Understanding Satellite-based Monthly-to-Seasonal Reservoir Outflow Estimation as a function of Hydrologic Controls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonnema, M.; Sikder, M. S.; Hossain, F.; Chen, X.; Miao, Y.; Lee, H.

2015-12-01

Growing population and increased demand for water in developing nations is causing an increase in dam construction in these regions. Entities and stakeholders downstream of dams experience drastically altered river flows. When rivers cross international boundaries, these downstream stakeholders often have little knowledge of upstream reservoir operation practices. Satellite remote sensing in the form of radar altimetry and multi-sensor precipitation products can be used as a way to provide downstream stakeholders with the upstream information needed to make important water management decisions. This study uses a mass balance between three hydraulic controls, precipitation induced inflow, evaporation, and reservoir storage change, to estimate reservoir outflow at a monthly time scale. Two reservoirs were examined in differing regions of the world, the Hungry Horse Reservoir in a mountainous region in northwest U.S. and the Kaptai Reservoir in a low-lying, forested region of Bangladesh. It was found that this mass balance method estimated the outflow of Kaptai Reservoir with reasonable skill when compared with observed flows. The estimation of outflow from Hungry Horse Reservoir was similarly skillful for outflows in winter and fall months, but summer and spring outflow estimates had high errors due to snowmelt effects. Furthermore, it was found that the important hydrologic controls for reservoir outflow estimation at the monthly time scale differs between the two reservoirs, with precipitation induced inflow being the most important control for the Kaptai Reservoir and storage change being the most important for Hungry Horse Reservoir. In both cases, a standard energy balance approach of evaporation estimation appeared to have little effect on the accuracy of outflow estimation.

Identification of the High-energy Gamma-Ray Source 3FGL J1544.6-1125 as a Transitional Millisecond Pulsar Binary in an Accreting State

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bogdanov, Slavko; Halpern, Jules P.

2015-04-01

We present X-ray, ultraviolet, and optical observations of 1RXS J154439.4-112820, the most probable counterpart of the unassociated Fermi-LAT source 3FGL J1544.6-1125. The optical data reveal rapid variability, which is a feature of accreting systems. The X-rays exhibit large-amplitude variations in the form of fast switching (within ˜10 s) between two distinct flux levels that differ by a factor of ≈10. The detailed optical and X-ray behavior is virtually identical to that seen in the accretion-disk-dominated states of the transitional millisecond pulsar (MSP) binaries PSR J1023+0038 and XSS J12270-4859, which are also associated with γ-ray sources. Based on the available observational evidence, we conclude that 1RXS J154439.4-112820 and 3FGL J1544.6-1125 are the same object, with the X-rays arising from intermittent low-luminosity accretion onto an MSP and the γ-rays originating from an accretion-driven outflow. 1RXS J154439.4-112820 is only the fourth γ-ray-emitting low-mass X-ray binary system to be identified and is likely to sporadically undergo transformations to a non-accreting rotation-powered pulsar system.

The small observed scale of AGN-driven outflows, and inside-out disc quenching

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zubovas, Kastytis; King, Andrew

2016-11-01

Observations of massive outflows with detectable central active galactic nuclei (AGN) typically find them within radii ≲10 kpc. We show that this apparent size restriction is a natural result of AGN driving if this process injects total energy only of the order of the gas binding energy to the outflow, and the AGN varies over time (`flickers') as suggested in recent work. After the end of all AGN activity, the outflow continues to expand to larger radii, powered by the thermal expansion of the remnant-shocked AGN wind. We suggest that on average, outflows should be detected further from the nucleus in more massive galaxies. In massive gas-rich galaxies, these could be several tens of kpc in radius. We also consider the effect that pressure of such outflows has on a galaxy disc. In moderately gas-rich discs, with gas-to-baryon fraction <0.2, the outflow may induce star formation significant enough to be distinguished from quiescent by an apparently different normalization of the Kennicutt-Schmidt law. The star formation enhancement is probably stronger in the outskirts of galaxy discs, so coasting outflows might be detected by their effects upon the disc even after the driving AGN has shut off. We compare our results to the recent inference of inside-out quenching of star formation in galaxy discs.

Morphological and Hydrodynamic Correlations with Increasing Outflow Facility by Rho-Kinase Inhibitor Y-27632

PubMed Central

Yang, Chen-Yuan Charlie

2014-01-01

Abstract Rho-kinase inhibitors affect actomyosin cytoskeletal networks and have been shown to significantly increase outflow facility and lower intraocular pressure in various animal models and human eyes. This article summarizes common morphological changes in the trabecular meshwork induced by Rho-kinase inhibitors and specifically compares the morphological and hydrodynamic correlations with increased outflow facility by Rho-kinase inhibitor, Y-27632, in bovine, monkey, and human eyes under similar experimental conditions. Interspecies comparison has shown that morphological changes in the juxtacanalicular connective tissue (JCT) of these 3 species were different. However, these different morphological changes in the JCT, no matter if it's separation between the JCT and inner wall in bovine eyes, or separation between the JCT cells or between the JCT cells and their matrix in monkey eyes, or even no separation between the inner wall and the JCT but a more subtle expansion of the JCT in human eyes, appear to correlate with the increased percent change of outflow facility. More importantly, these different morphological changes all resulted in an increase in effective filtration area, which was positively correlated with increased outflow facility in all 3 species. These results suggest a link among changes in outflow facility, tissue architecture, and aqueous outflow pattern. Y-27632 increases outflow facility by redistributing aqueous outflow through a looser and larger area in the JCT. PMID:24460021

Episodic accretion: the interplay of infall and disc instabilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuffmeier, Michael; Frimann, Søren; Jensen, Sigurd S.; Haugbølle, Troels

2018-04-01

Using zoom-simulations carried out with the adaptive mesh-refinement code RAMSES with a dynamic range of up to 227 ≈ 1.34 × 108 we investigate the accretion profiles around six stars embedded in different environments inside a (40 pc)3 giant molecular cloud, the role of mass infall and disc instabilities on the accretion profile, and thus on the luminosity of the forming protostar. Our results show that the environment in which the protostar is embedded determines the overall accretion profile of the protostar. Infall on to the circumstellar disc may trigger gravitational disc instabilities in the disc at distances of around ˜10 to ˜50 au leading to rapid transport of angular momentum and strong accretion bursts. These bursts typically last for about ˜10 to a ˜100 yr, consistent with typical orbital times at the location of the instability, and enhance the luminosity of the protostar. Calculations with the stellar evolution code MESA show that the accretion bursts induce significant changes in the protostellar properties, such as the stellar temperature and radius. We apply the obtained protostellar properties to produce synthetic observables with RADMC3D and predict that accretion bursts lead to observable enhancements around 20 to 200 μm in the spectral energy distribution of Class 0 type young stellar objects.

Ionospheric Outflow in the Magnetosphere: Circulation and Consequences

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Welling, D. T.; Liemohn, M. W.

2017-12-01

Including ionospheric outflow in global magnetohydrodynamic models of near-Earth outer space has become an important step towards understanding the role of this plasma source in the magnetosphere. Such simulations have revealed the importance of outflow in populating the plasma sheet and inner magnetosphere as a function of outflow source characteristics. More importantly, these experiments have shown how outflow can control global dynamics, including tail dynamics and dayside reconnection rate. The broad impact of light and heavy ion outflow can create non-linear feedback loops between outflow and the magnetosphere. This paper reviews some of the most important revelations from global magnetospheric modeling that includes ionospheric outflow of light and heavy ions. It also introduces new advances in outflow modeling and coupling outflow to the magnetosphere.

Bright crater outflows: Possible emplacement mechanisms

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chadwick, D. John; Schaber, Gerald G.; Strom, Robert G.; Duval, Darla M.

1992-01-01

Lobate features with a strong backscatter are associated with 43 percent of the impact craters cataloged in Magellan's cycle 1. Their apparent thinness and great lengths are consistent with a low-viscosity material. The longest outflow yet identified is about 600 km in length and flows from the 90-km-diameter crater Addams. There is strong evidence that the outflows are largely composed of impact melt, although the mechanisms of their emplacement are not clearly understood. High temperatures and pressures of target rocks on Venus allow for more melt to be produced than on other terrestrial planets because lower shock pressures are required for melting. The percentage of impact craters with outflows increases with increasing crater diameter. The mean diameter of craters without outflows is 14.4 km, compared with 27.8 km for craters with outflows. No craters smaller than 3 km, 43 percent of craters in the 10- to 30-km-diameter range, and 90 percent in the 80- to 100-km-diameter range have associated bright outflows. More melt is produced in the more energetic impact events that produce larger craters. However, three of the four largest craters have no outflows. We present four possible mechanisms for the emplacement of bright outflows. We believe this 'shotgun' approach is justified because all four mechanisms may indeed have operated to some degree.

Star formation inside a galactic outflow.

PubMed

Maiolino, R; Russell, H R; Fabian, A C; Carniani, S; Gallagher, R; Cazzoli, S; Arribas, S; Belfiore, F; Bellocchi, E; Colina, L; Cresci, G; Ishibashi, W; Marconi, A; Mannucci, F; Oliva, E; Sturm, E

2017-04-13

Recent observations have revealed massive galactic molecular outflows that may have the physical conditions (high gas densities) required to form stars. Indeed, several recent models predict that such massive outflows may ignite star formation within the outflow itself. This star-formation mode, in which stars form with high radial velocities, could contribute to the morphological evolution of galaxies, to the evolution in size and velocity dispersion of the spheroidal component of galaxies, and would contribute to the population of high-velocity stars, which could even escape the galaxy. Such star formation could provide in situ chemical enrichment of the circumgalactic and intergalactic medium (through supernova explosions of young stars on large orbits), and some models also predict it to contribute substantially to the star-formation rate observed in distant galaxies. Although there exists observational evidence for star formation triggered by outflows or jets into their host galaxy, as a consequence of gas compression, evidence for star formation occurring within galactic outflows is still missing. Here we report spectroscopic observations that unambiguously reveal star formation occurring in a galactic outflow at a redshift of 0.0448. The inferred star-formation rate in the outflow is larger than 15 solar masses per year. Star formation may also be occurring in other galactic outflows, but may have been missed by previous observations owing to the lack of adequate diagnostics.

Jet-induced star formation by accreting black holes: impact on stellar, galaxy, and cosmic evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mirabel, Igor Felix

2016-07-01

Evidence that relativistic jets trigger star formation along their axis has been found associated to low redshift and high redshift accreting supermassive black holes. However, the physical processes by which jet-cloud interaction may trigger star formation has so far not been elucidated. To gain insight into this potentially important star formation mechanism during reionization, when microquasars were form prolifically before AGN, our international team is carrying out a muliwavelength study of a microquasar jet-induced star formation region in the Milky Way using data from space missions (Chandra, Integral, ISO, Herschel) and from the ground (at cm and mm wavelengths with the VLA and IRAM, and IR with Gemini and VLT). I will show that this relative nearby star forming region is an ideal laboratory to test models of jet-induced star formation elsewhere in the universe.

IDENTIFICATION OF THE HIGH-ENERGY GAMMA-RAY SOURCE 3FGL J1544.6–1125 AS A TRANSITIONAL MILLISECOND PULSAR BINARY IN AN ACCRETING STATE

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bogdanov, Slavko; Halpern, Jules P.

We present X-ray, ultraviolet, and optical observations of 1RXS J154439.4–112820, the most probable counterpart of the unassociated Fermi-LAT source 3FGL J1544.6–1125. The optical data reveal rapid variability, which is a feature of accreting systems. The X-rays exhibit large-amplitude variations in the form of fast switching (within ∼10 s) between two distinct flux levels that differ by a factor of ≈10. The detailed optical and X-ray behavior is virtually identical to that seen in the accretion-disk-dominated states of the transitional millisecond pulsar (MSP) binaries PSR J1023+0038 and XSS J12270–4859, which are also associated with γ-ray sources. Based on the available observationalmore » evidence, we conclude that 1RXS J154439.4–112820 and 3FGL J1544.6–1125 are the same object, with the X-rays arising from intermittent low-luminosity accretion onto an MSP and the γ-rays originating from an accretion-driven outflow. 1RXS J154439.4–112820 is only the fourth γ-ray-emitting low-mass X-ray binary system to be identified and is likely to sporadically undergo transformations to a non-accreting rotation-powered pulsar system.« less

Blowin' in the wind: both `negative' and `positive' feedback in an outflowing quasar at z~1.6

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cresci, Giovanni

2015-02-01

Quasar feedback in the form of powerful outflows is invoked as a key mechanism to quench star formation, preventing massive galaxies to over-grow and producing the red colors of ellipticals. On the other hand, some models are also requiring `positive' AGN feedback, inducing star formation in the host galaxy through enhanced gas pressure in the interstellar medium. However, finding observational evidence of the effects of both types of feedback is still one of the main challenges of extragalactic astronomy, as few observations of energetic and extended radiatively-driven winds are available. We present SINFONI near infrared integral field spectroscopy of XID2028, an obscured, radio-quiet z=1.59 QSO, in which we clearly resolve a fast (1500 km/s) and extended (up to 13 kpc from the black hole) outflow in the [OIII] lines emitting gas, whose large velocity and outflow rate are not sustainable by star formation only. The narrow component of Hα emission and the rest frame U band flux show that the outflow position lies in the center of an empty cavity surrounded by star forming regions on its edge. The outflow is therefore removing the gas from the host galaxy (`negative feedback'), but also triggering star formation by outflow induced pressure at the edges (`positive feedback'). XID2028 represents the first example of a host galaxy showing both types of feedback simultaneously at work.

Understanding satellite-based monthly-to-seasonal reservoir outflow estimation as a function of hydrologic controls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonnema, Matthew; Sikder, Safat; Miao, Yabin; Chen, Xiaodong; Hossain, Faisal; Ara Pervin, Ismat; Mahbubur Rahman, S. M.; Lee, Hyongki

2016-05-01

Growing population and increased demand for water is causing an increase in dam and reservoir construction in developing nations. When rivers cross international boundaries, the downstream stakeholders often have little knowledge of upstream reservoir operation practices. Satellite remote sensing in the form of radar altimetry and multisensor precipitation products can be used as a practical way to provide downstream stakeholders with the fundamentally elusive upstream information on reservoir outflow needed to make important and proactive water management decisions. This study uses a mass balance approach of three hydrologic controls to estimate reservoir outflow from satellite data at monthly and annual time scales: precipitation-induced inflow, evaporation, and reservoir storage change. Furthermore, this study explores the importance of each of these hydrologic controls to the accuracy of outflow estimation. The hydrologic controls found to be unimportant could potentially be neglected from similar future studies. Two reservoirs were examined in contrasting regions of the world, the Hungry Horse Reservoir in a mountainous region in northwest U.S. and the Kaptai Reservoir in a low-lying, forested region of Bangladesh. It was found that this mass balance method estimated the annual outflow of both reservoirs with reasonable skill. The estimation of monthly outflow from both reservoirs was however less accurate. The Kaptai basin exhibited a shift in basin behavior resulting in variable accuracy across the 9 year study period. Monthly outflow estimation from Hungry Horse Reservoir was compounded by snow accumulation and melt processes, reflected by relatively low accuracy in summer and fall, when snow processes control runoff. Furthermore, it was found that the important hydrologic controls for reservoir outflow estimation at the monthly time scale differs between the two reservoirs, with precipitation-induced inflow being the most important control for the Kaptai

Simulating Supernovae Driven Outflows in Dwarf Galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rodriguez, Jaimee-Ian

2018-01-01

Galactic outflows, or winds, prove to be a necessary input for galactic simulations to produce results comparable to observation, for it solves issues caused by what previous literature dubbed the “angular momentum catastrophe.” While it is known that the nature of outflows depends on the nature of the Interstellar Medium (ISM), the mechanisms behind outflows are still not completely understood. We investigate the driving force behind galactic outflows and the factors that influence their behavior, hypothesizing that supernovae within the galaxy drive these winds. We study isolated, high-resolution, smooth particle hydrodynamic simulations, focusing specifically on dwarf galaxies due to their shallow potential wells, which allow for more significant outflows. We find that outflows follow star formation (and associated supernovae) suggesting the causal relationship between the two. Furthermore, simulations with higher diffusivity differ little in star formation rate, but show significantly lower outflow rates, suggesting that environmental factors that have little effect on regulating star formation can greatly influence outflows, and so efficient outflows can be driven by a constant rate of supernovae, depending on ISM behavior. We are currently analyzing disk morphology and ambient density in order to comprehend the effect of supernovae on the immediate interstellar gas. By attaining greater understanding of the origin of galactic outflows, we will be able to not only improve the accuracy of simulations, we will also be able to gain greater insight into galactic formation and evolution, as outflows and resultant inflows may be vital to the regulation of galaxies throughout their lifetimes.

Brain Circuitry Supporting Multi-Organ Autonomic Outflow in Response to Nausea.

PubMed

Sclocco, Roberta; Kim, Jieun; Garcia, Ronald G; Sheehan, James D; Beissner, Florian; Bianchi, Anna M; Cerutti, Sergio; Kuo, Braden; Barbieri, Riccardo; Napadow, Vitaly

2016-02-01

While autonomic outflow is an important co-factor of nausea physiology, central control of this outflow is poorly understood. We evaluated sympathetic (skin conductance level) and cardiovagal (high-frequency heart rate variability) modulation, collected synchronously with functional MRI (fMRI) data during nauseogenic visual stimulation aimed to induce vection in susceptible individuals. Autonomic data guided analysis of neuroimaging data, using a stimulus-based (analysis windows set by visual stimulation protocol) and percept-based (windows set by subjects' ratings) approach. Increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic modulation was associated with robust and anti-correlated brain activity in response to nausea. Specifically, greater autonomic response was associated with reduced fMRI signal in brain regions such as the insula, suggesting an inhibitory relationship with premotor brainstem nuclei. Interestingly, some sympathetic/parasympathetic specificity was noted. Activity in default mode network and visual motion areas was anti-correlated with parasympathetic outflow at peak nausea. In contrast, lateral prefrontal cortical activity was anti-correlated with sympathetic outflow during recovery, soon after cessation of nauseogenic stimulation. These results suggest divergent central autonomic control for sympathetic and parasympathetic response to nausea. Autonomic outflow and the central autonomic network underlying ANS response to nausea may be an important determinant of overall nausea intensity and, ultimately, a potential therapeutic target. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Filling a SMBH accretion disk atmosphere at small and intermediate radii

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karas, Vladimir; Czerny, Bozena; Kunneriath, Devaky

2017-08-01

The medium above an accretion disk is highly diluted and hot. An efficient mechanism to deliver particles and dust grains is an open question; apparently, different processes must be in operation. We discuss an interplay of two different scenarios, where the material is elevated from the plane of an equatorial accretion disk into a corona near a supermassive black hole: (i) an electromagnetically induced transport, which can be driven by magnetic field of stars passing across an accretion disk (Karas et al., 2017); and (ii) radiatively driven acceleration by radiation emerging from the disk (Czerny et al 2015), which can launch a dusty wind near above the dust sublimation radius. The former process can operate in the vicinity of a supermassive black hole (SMBH) surrounded by a dense nuclear star-cluster. The latter process involves the effect of radiation pressure from various sources - stars, accretion disc, and the central accreting SMBH; it can help filling the Broad-Line Region against the vertical component of the black hole gravitational attraction and the accretion disk self-gravity at radius about a few $\\times 10^3 R_g$.

Massive outflow properties suggest AGN fade slowly

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zubovas, Kastytis

2018-01-01

Massive large-scale active galactic nucleus (AGN) outflows are an important element of galaxy evolution, being a way through which the AGN can affect most of the host galaxy. However, outflows evolve on time-scales much longer than typical AGN episode durations, therefore most AGN outflows are not observed simultaneously with the AGN episode that inflated them. It is therefore remarkable that rather tight correlations between outflow properties and AGN luminosity exist. In this paper, I show that such correlations can be preserved during the fading phase of the AGN episode, provided that the AGN luminosity evolves as a power law with exponent αd ∼ 1 at late times. I also show that subsequent AGN episodes that illuminate an ongoing outflow are unlikely to produce outflow momentum or energy rates rising above the observed correlations. However, there may be many difficult-to-detect outflows with momentum and energy rates lower than expected from the current AGN luminosity. Detailed observations of AGN outflow properties might help constrain the activity histories of typical and/or individual AGN.

Relativistic MHD simulations of collision-induced magnetic dissipation in poynting-flux-dominated jets/outflows

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Deng, Wei; Li, Hui; Zhang, Bing

We perform 3D relativistic ideal MHD simulations to study the collisions between high-σ (Poynting- ux-dominated) blobs which contain both poloidal and toroidal magnetic field components. This is meant to mimic the interactions inside a highly variable Poynting- ux-dominated jet. We discover a significant electromagnetic field (EMF) energy dissipation with an Alfvenic rate with the efficiency around 35%. Detailed analyses show that this dissipation is mostly facilitated by the collision-induced magnetic reconnection. Additional resolution and parameter studies show a robust result that the relative EMF energy dissipation efficiency is nearly independent of the numerical resolution or most physical parameters in themore » relevant parameter range. The reconnection outflows in our simulation can potentially form the multi-orientation relativistic mini-jets as needed for several analytical models. We also find a linear relationship between the σ values before and after the major EMF energy dissipation process. In conclusion, our results give support to the proposed astrophysical models that invoke signi cant magnetic energy dissipation in Poynting- ux-dominated jets, such as the internal collision-induced magnetic reconnection and turbulence (ICMART) model for GRBs, and reconnection triggered mini-jets model for AGNs.« less

Relativistic MHD simulations of collision-induced magnetic dissipation in poynting-flux-dominated jets/outflows

DOE PAGES

Deng, Wei; Li, Hui; Zhang, Bing; ...

2015-05-29

We perform 3D relativistic ideal MHD simulations to study the collisions between high-σ (Poynting- ux-dominated) blobs which contain both poloidal and toroidal magnetic field components. This is meant to mimic the interactions inside a highly variable Poynting- ux-dominated jet. We discover a significant electromagnetic field (EMF) energy dissipation with an Alfvenic rate with the efficiency around 35%. Detailed analyses show that this dissipation is mostly facilitated by the collision-induced magnetic reconnection. Additional resolution and parameter studies show a robust result that the relative EMF energy dissipation efficiency is nearly independent of the numerical resolution or most physical parameters in themore » relevant parameter range. The reconnection outflows in our simulation can potentially form the multi-orientation relativistic mini-jets as needed for several analytical models. We also find a linear relationship between the σ values before and after the major EMF energy dissipation process. In conclusion, our results give support to the proposed astrophysical models that invoke signi cant magnetic energy dissipation in Poynting- ux-dominated jets, such as the internal collision-induced magnetic reconnection and turbulence (ICMART) model for GRBs, and reconnection triggered mini-jets model for AGNs.« less

Evolution of an accretion disc in binary black hole systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kimura, Shigeo S.; Takahashi, Sanemichi Z.; Toma, Kenji

2017-03-01

We investigate evolution of an accretion disc in binary black hole (BBH) systems and possible electromagnetic counterparts of the gravitational waves from mergers of BBHs. Perna et al. proposed a novel evolutionary scenario of an accretion disc in BBHs in which a disc eventually becomes 'dead', I.e. the magnetorotational instability (MRI) becomes inactive. In their scenario, the dead disc survives until a few seconds before the merger event. We improve the dead disc model and propose another scenario, taking account of effects of the tidal torque from the companion and the critical ionization degree for MRI activation more carefully. We find that the mass of the dead disc is much lower than that in the Perna's scenario. When the binary separation sufficiently becomes small, the mass inflow induced by the tidal torque reactivates MRI, restarting mass accretion on to the black hole. We also find that this disc 'revival' happens more than thousands of years before the merger. The mass accretion induced by the tidal torque increases as the separation decreases, and a relativistic jet could be launched before the merger. The emissions from these jets are too faint compared to gamma-ray bursts, but detectable if the merger events happen within ≲10 Mpc or if the masses of the black holes are as massive as ˜105 M⊙.

Equilibrium configuration of a stratus floating above accretion disks: Full-disk calculation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Itanishi, Yusuke; Fukue, Jun

2017-06-01

We examine floating strati above a luminous accretion disk, supported by the radiative force from the entire disk, and calculate the equilibrium locus, which depends on the disk luminosity and the optical depth of the stratus. Due to the radiative transfer effect (albedo effect), the floating height of the stratus with a finite optical depth generally becomes high, compared with the particle case. In contrast to the case of the near-disk approximation, moreover, the floating height becomes yet higher in the present full-disk calculation, since the intense radiation from the inner disk is taken into account. As a result, when the disk luminosity normalized by the Eddington luminosity is ˜0.3 and the stratus optical depth is around unity, the stable configuration disappears at around r ˜ 50 rg, rg being the Schwarzschild radius, and the stratus would be blown off as a cloudy wind consisting of many strati with appropriate conditions. This luminosity is sufficiently smaller than the Eddington one, and the present results suggest that the radiation-driven cloudy wind can be easily blown off from the sub-Eddington disk, and this can explain various outflows observed in ultra-fast outflow objects as well as in broad-absorption-line quasars.

Impact-induced devolatilization and hydrogen isotopic fractionation of serpentine: Implications for planetary accretion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tyburczy, James A.; Krishnamurthy, R. V.; Epstein, Samuel; Ahrens, Thomas J.

1988-01-01

Impact-induced devolatilization of porous serpentine was investigated using two independent experimental methods, the gas recovery and the solid recovery method, each yielding nearly identical results. For shock pressures near incipient devolatilization, the hydrogen isotopic composition of the evolved H2O is very close to that of the starting material. For shock pressures at which up to 12 percent impact-induced devolatilization occurs, the bulk evolved gas is significantly lower in deuterium than the starting material. There is also significant reduction of H2O to H2 in gases recovered at these higher shock pressures, probably caused by reaction of evolved H2O with the metal gas recovery fixture. Gaseous H2O-H2 isotopic fractionation suggests high temperature isotopic equilibrium between the gaseous species, indicating initiation of devolatilization at sites of greater than average energy deposition. Bulk gas-residual solid isotopic fractionations indicate nonequilibrium, kinetic control of gas-solid isotopic ratios. Impact-induced hydrogen isotopic fractionation of hydrous silicates during accretion can strongly affect the long-term planetary isotopic ratios of planetary bodies, leaving the interiors enriched in deuterium. Depending on the model used for extrapolation of the isotopic fractionation to devolatilization fractions greater than those investigated experimentally can result from this process.

On the wind production from hot accretion flows with different accretion rates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bu, De-Fu; Gan, Zhao-Ming

2018-02-01

We perform two-dimensional simulations to study how the wind strength changes with accretion rate. We take into account bremsstrahlung, synchrotron radiation and the Comptonization. We find that when the accretion rate is low, radiative cooling is not important, and the accretion flow is hot. For the hot accretion flow, wind is very strong. The mass flux of wind can be ˜ 50 per cent of the mass inflow rate. When the accretion rate increases to a value at which radiative cooling rate is roughly equal to or slightly larger than viscous heating rate, cold clumps can form around the equatorial plane. In this case, the gas pressure gradient force is small and wind is very weak. Our results may be useful for the sub-grid model of active galactic nuclear feedback study.

The multi-phase winds of Markarian 231: from the hot, nuclear, ultra-fast wind to the galaxy-scale, molecular outflow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feruglio, C.; Fiore, F.; Carniani, S.; Piconcelli, E.; Zappacosta, L.; Bongiorno, A.; Cicone, C.; Maiolino, R.; Marconi, A.; Menci, N.; Puccetti, S.; Veilleux, S.

2015-11-01

kinetic energy is transferred to mechanical energy of the kpc-scale outflow, strongly supporting that the energy released during accretion of matter onto super-massive black holes is the ultimate driver of giant massive outflows. The momentum flux dot {P}OF derived for the large scale outflows in Mrk 231 enables us to estimate a momentum boost dot {P}OF/ dot {P} UFO ≈ [30-60]. The ratios Ėkin,UFO/Lbol,AGN = [1-5] % and Ėkin,OF/Lbol,AGN = [1-3] % agree with the requirements of the most popular models of AGN feedback. Based on observations carried out with the IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer. IRAM is supported by INSU/CNRS (France), MPG (Germany) and IGN (Spain), and with Chandra and NuSTAR observatories.

Triamcinolone Acetonide Decreases Outflow Facility in C57BL/6 Mouse Eyes

PubMed Central

Kumar, Sandeep; Shah, Shaily; Deutsch, Emily Rose; Tang, Hai Michael; Danias, John

2013-01-01

Purpose. To determine the effect of triamcinolone acetonide (TA) on outflow facility in mice. Methods. Animals received 20 μL of TA (40 mg/mL) suspension subconjunctivally either bilaterally or unilaterally and were euthanized after either 1 week or 3 weeks. Before mice were killed, IOP was measured with a rebound tonometer. Outflow facility was determined using simultaneous pressure and flow measurements. Another set of animals received bilateral injection of anecortave acetate (AA) with or without bilateral TA injection and their outflow facility was also determined. Myocilin expression was investigated in a subset of eyes using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Results. Outflow facility of eyes in animals receiving bilateral TA injection (TABL) and TA-treated eyes of animals receiving unilateral injection (TAUL) was significantly decreased compared to naïve control eyes (Cnaive) after 1 week and 3 weeks of TA treatment (ANOVA P < 0.01, P < 0.001, respectively). Eyes treated with AA (with or without TA) had higher outflow facility than animals treated with TA (P < 0.05). IOP data did not show any significant difference between groups. qPCR analysis revealed significant decrease in myocilin expression in eyes receiving AA compared to naïve control and TA-treated eyes (ANOVA P < 0.001). Conclusions. Steroid treatment significantly decreases outflow facility in C57BL/6 mice despite having small effect on IOP. This animal model can be useful for studying the pathogenesis of steroid-induced glaucoma. PMID:23322580

Outflow-driven Transients from the Birth of Binary Black Holes. I. Tidally Locked Secondary Supernovae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kimura, Shigeo S.; Murase, Kohta; Mészáros, Peter

2017-12-01

We propose a new type of electromagnetic transient associated with the birth of binary black holes (BBHs), which may lead to merger events accompanied by gravitational waves in ∼ 0.1{--}1 {Gyr}. We consider the newborn BBHs formed through the evolution of isolated massive stellar binaries. For a close massive binary, consisting of a primary black hole (BH) and a secondary Wolf–Rayet (WR) star that are orbiting around each other, the spin period of the WR star can be tidally synchronized to its orbital period. Then the angular momentum of the outer material of the WR star is large enough to form an accretion disk around a newborn, secondary BH, following its core-collapse. This disk may produce an energetic outflow with a kinetic energy of ∼ {10}50{--}{10}52 {erg} and an outflow velocity of ∼ {10}10 {cm} {{{s}}}-1, resulting in an optical transient with an absolute magnitude from approximately ‑14 to approximatley ‑17 with a duration of around a day. This type of transient also produces detectable radio signals ∼ 1{--}10 years after the birth of BBHs, via synchrotron emission from nonthermal electrons accelerated at external shocks. The predicted optical transients have a shorter duration than ordinary core-collapse supernovae. Dedicated optical transient surveys can detect them and distinguish them from ordinary SNe using the different features of its light curve and late-time spectrum. In this paper (Paper I), we investigate disk-driven outflows from the secondary BH, whereas possible signals from the primary BH will be discussed in Paper II.

Broad absorption line symbiotic stars: highly ionized species in the fast outflow from MWC 560

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lucy, Adrian B.; Knigge, Christian; Sokoloski, J. L.

2018-07-01

In symbiotic binaries, jets and disc winds may be integral to the physics of accretion on to white dwarfs from cool giants. The persistent outflow from symbiotic star MWC 560 (≡V694 Mon) is known to manifest as broad absorption lines (BALs), most prominently at the Balmer transitions. We report the detection of high-ionization BALs from C IV, Si IV, N V, and He II in International Ultraviolet Explorer spectra obtained on 1990 April 29-30, when an optical outburst temporarily erased the obscuring `iron curtain' of absorption troughs from Fe II and similar ions. The C IV and Si IV BALs reached maximum radial velocities at least 1000 km s-1 higher than contemporaneous Mg II and He II BALs; the same behaviours occur in the winds of quasars and cataclysmic variables. An iron curtain lifts to unveil high-ionization BALs during the P Cygni phase observed in some novae, suggesting by analogy a temporary switch in MWC 560 from persistent outflow to discrete mass ejection. At least three more symbiotic stars exhibit broad absorption with blue edges faster than 1500 km s-1; high-ionization BALs have been reported in AS 304 (≡V4018 Sgr), while transient Balmer BALs have been reported in Z And and CH Cyg. These BAL-producing fast outflows can have wider opening angles than has been previously supposed. BAL symbiotics are short-time-scale laboratories for their giga-scale analogues, broad absorption line quasars (BALQSOs), which display a similarly wide range of ionization states in their winds.

Broad absorption line symbiotic stars: highly ionized species in the fast outflow from MWC 560

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lucy, Adrian B.; Knigge, Christian; Sokoloski, J. L.

2018-04-01

In symbiotic binaries, jets and disk winds may be integral to the physics of accretion onto white dwarfs from cool giants. The persistent outflow from symbiotic star MWC 560 (≡V694 Mon) is known to manifest as broad absorption lines (BALs), most prominently at the Balmer transitions. We report the detection of high-ionization BALs from C IV, Si IV, N V, and He II in International Ultraviolet Explorer spectra obtained on 1990 April 29 - 30, when an optical outburst temporarily erased the obscuring `iron curtain' of absorption troughs from Fe II and similar ions. The C IV and Si IV BALs reached maximum radial velocities at least 1000 km s-1 higher than contemporaneous Mg II and He II BALs; the same behaviors occur in the winds of quasars and cataclysmic variables. An iron curtain lifts to unveil high-ionization BALs during the P Cygni phase observed in some novae, suggesting by analogy a temporary switch in MWC 560 from persistent outflow to discrete mass ejection. At least three more symbiotic stars exhibit broad absorption with blue edges faster than 1500 km s-1; high-ionization BALs have been reported in AS 304 (≡V4018 Sgr), while transient Balmer BALs have been reported in Z And and CH Cyg. These BAL-producing fast outflows can have wider opening angles than has been previously supposed. BAL symbiotics are short-timescale laboratories for their giga-scale analogs, broad absorption line quasars (BALQSOs), which display a similarly wide range of ionization states in their winds.

An outflow in the Seyfert ESO 362-G18 revealed by Gemini-GMOS/IFU observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Humire, Pedro K.; Nagar, Neil M.; Finlez, Carolina; Firpo, Verónica; Slater, Roy; Lena, Davide; Soto-Pinto, Pamela; Muñoz-Vergara, Dania; Riffel, Rogemar A.; Schmitt, Henrique R.; Kraemer, Steven B.; Schnorr-Müller, Allan; Fischer, Travis C.; Robinson, Andrew; Storchi-Bergmann, Thaisa; Crenshaw, Mike; Elvis, Martin S.

2018-06-01

We present two-dimensional stellar and gaseous kinematics of the inner 0.7 × 1.2 kpc2 of the Seyfert 1.5 galaxy ESO 362-G18, derived from optical (4092-7338 Å) spectra obtained with the GMOS integral field spectrograph on the Gemini South telescope at a spatial resolution of ≈170 pc and spectral resolution of 36 km s-1. ESO 362-G18 is a strongly perturbed galaxy of morphological type Sa or S0/a, with a minor merger approaching along the NE direction. Previous studies have shown that the [O III] emission shows a fan-shaped extension of ≈10'' to the SE. We detect the [O III] doublet, [N II] and Hα emission lines throughout our field of view. The stellar kinematics is dominated by circular motions in the galaxy plane, with a kinematic position angle of ≈137° and is centred approximately on the continuum peak. The gas kinematics is also dominated by rotation, with kinematic position angles ranging from 122° to 139°, projected velocity amplitudes of the order of 100 km s-1, and a mean velocity dispersion of 100 km s-1. A double-Gaussian fit to the [O III]λ5007 and Hα lines, which have the highest signal to noise ratios of the emission lines, reveal two kinematic components: (1) a component at lower radial velocities which we interpret as gas rotating in the galactic disk; and (2) a component with line of sight velocities 100-250 km s-1 higher than the systemic velocity, interpreted as originating in the outflowing gas within the AGN ionization cone. We estimate a mass outflow rate of 7.4 × 10-2 M⊙ yr-1 in the SE ionization cone (this rate doubles if we assume a biconical configuration), and a mass accretion rate on the supermassive black hole (SMBH) of 2.2 × 10-2 M⊙ yr-1. The total ionized gas mass within 84 pc of the nucleus is 3.3 × 105 M⊙; infall velocities of 34 km s-1 in this gas would be required to feed both the outflow and SMBH accretion. The reduced datacube (FITS file) is only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http

Supermassive Black Holes with High Accretion Rates in Active Galactic Nuclei. VI. Velocity-resolved Reverberation Mapping of the Hβ Line

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Du, Pu; Lu, Kai-Xing; Hu, Chen; Qiu, Jie; Li, Yan-Rong; Huang, Ying-Ke; Wang, Fang; Bai, Jin-Ming; Bian, Wei-Hao; Yuan, Ye-Fei; Ho, Luis C.; Wang, Jian-Min; SEAMBH Collaboration

2016-03-01

In the sixth of a series of papers reporting on a large reverberation mapping (RM) campaign of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with high accretion rates, we present velocity-resolved time lags of Hβ emission lines for nine objects observed in the campaign during 2012-2013. In order to correct the line broadening caused by seeing and instruments before analyzing the velocity-resolved RM, we adopt the Richardson-Lucy deconvolution to reconstruct their Hβ profiles. The validity and effectiveness of the deconvolution are checked using Monte Carlo simulation. Five among the nine objects show clear dependence of the time delay on velocity. Mrk 335 and Mrk 486 show signatures of gas inflow whereas the clouds in the broad-line regions (BLRs) of Mrk 142 and MCG +06-26-012 tend to be radial outflowing. Mrk 1044 is consistent with having virialized motions. The lags of the remaining four are not velocity-resolvable. The velocity-resolved RM of super-Eddington accreting massive black holes (SEAMBHs) shows that they have diverse kinematics in their BLRs. Comparing with the AGNs with sub-Eddington accretion rates, we do not find significant differences in the BLR kinematics of SEAMBHs.

SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLES WITH HIGH ACCRETION RATES IN ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI. VI. VELOCITY-RESOLVED REVERBERATION MAPPING OF THE Hβ LINE

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Du, Pu; Lu, Kai-Xing; Hu, Chen

In the sixth of a series of papers reporting on a large reverberation mapping (RM) campaign of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with high accretion rates, we present velocity-resolved time lags of Hβ emission lines for nine objects observed in the campaign during 2012–2013. In order to correct the line broadening caused by seeing and instruments before analyzing the velocity-resolved RM, we adopt the Richardson–Lucy deconvolution to reconstruct their Hβ profiles. The validity and effectiveness of the deconvolution are checked using Monte Carlo simulation. Five among the nine objects show clear dependence of the time delay on velocity. Mrk 335 andmore » Mrk 486 show signatures of gas inflow whereas the clouds in the broad-line regions (BLRs) of Mrk 142 and MCG +06-26-012 tend to be radial outflowing. Mrk 1044 is consistent with having virialized motions. The lags of the remaining four are not velocity-resolvable. The velocity-resolved RM of super-Eddington accreting massive black holes (SEAMBHs) shows that they have diverse kinematics in their BLRs. Comparing with the AGNs with sub-Eddington accretion rates, we do not find significant differences in the BLR kinematics of SEAMBHs.« less

Evidence for hot clumpy accretion flow in the transitional millisecond pulsar PSR J1023+0038

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shahbaz, T.; Dallilar, Y.; Garner, A.; Eikenberry, S.; Veledina, A.; Gandhi, P.

2018-06-01

We present simultaneous optical and near-infrared (IR) photometry of the millisecond pulsar PSR J1023+0038 during its low-mass X-ray binary phase. The r΄- and Ks-band light curves show rectangular, flat-bottomed dips, similar to the X-ray mode-switching (active-passive state transitions) behaviour observed previously. The cross-correlation function (CCF) of the optical and near-IR data reveals a strong, broad negative anticorrelation at negative lags, a broad positive correlation at positive lags, with a strong, positive narrow correlation superimposed. The shape of the CCF resembles the CCF of black hole X-ray binaries but the time-scales are different. The features can be explained by reprocessing and a hot accretion flow close to the neutron star's magnetospheric radius. The optical emission is dominated by the reprocessed component, whereas the near-IR emission contains the emission from plasmoids in the hot accretion flow and a reprocessed component. The rapid active-passive state transition occurs when the hot accretion flow material is channelled on to the neutron star and is expelled from its magnetosphere. During the transition the optical reprocessing component decreases resulting in the removal of a blue spectral component. The accretion of clumpy material through the magnetic barrier of the neutron star produces the observed near-IR/optical CCF and variability. The dip at negative lags corresponds to the suppression of the near-IR synchrotron component in the hot flow, whereas the broad positive correlation at positive lags is driven by the increased synchrotron emission of the outflowing plasmoids. The narrow peak in the CCF is due to the delayed reprocessed component, enhanced by the increased X-ray emission.

ULTRAFAST OUTFLOWS FROM BLACK HOLE MERGERS WITH A MINIDISK

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Murase, Kohta; Mészáros, Peter; Shoemaker, Ian

2016-05-01

Recently, the direct detection of gravitational waves from black hole (BH) mergers was announced by the Advanced LIGO Collaboration. Multi-messenger counterparts of stellar-mass BH mergers are of interest, and it had been suggested that a small disk or celestial body may be involved in the binary of two BHs. To test such possibilities, we consider the fate of a wind powered by an active minidisk in a relatively short, super-Eddington accretion episode onto a BH with ∼10–100 solar masses. We show that its thermal emission could be seen as a fast optical transient with the duration from hours to days.more » We also find that the coasting outflow forms external shocks due to interaction with the interstellar medium, whose synchrotron emission might be expected in the radio band on a timescale of years. Finally, we also discuss a possible jet component and the associated high-energy neutrino emission as well as ultra-high-energy cosmic-ray acceleration.« less

Quantifying the AGN-driven outflows in ULIRGs (QUADROS) II: evidence for compact outflow regions from HST [OIII] imaging observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tadhunter, C.; Zaurín, J. Rodríguez; Rose, M.; Spence, R. A. W.; Batcheldor, D.; Berg, M. A.; Ramos Almeida, C.; Spoon, H. W. W.; Sparks, W.; Chiaberge, M.

2018-05-01

The true importance of the warm, AGN-driven outflows for the evolution of galaxies remains uncertain. Measurements of the radial extents of the outflows are key for quantifying their masses and kinetic powers, and also establishing whether the AGN outflows are galaxy-wide. Therefore, as part of a larger project to investigate the significance of warm, AGN-driven outflows in the most rapidly evolving galaxies in the local universe, here we present deep Hubble Space Telescope (HST) narrow-band [OIII]λ5007 observations of a complete sample of 8 nearby ULIRGs with optical AGN nuclei. Combined with the complementary information provided by our ground-based spectroscopy, the HST images show that the warm gas outflows are relatively compact for most of the objects in the sample: in three objects the outflow regions are barely resolved at the resolution of HST (0.065 < R[OIII] < 0.12 kpc); in a further four cases the outflows are spatially resolved but with flux weighted mean radii in the range 0.65 < R[OIII] < 1.2 kpc; and in only one object (Mrk273) is there clear evidence for a more extended outflow, with a maximum extent of R[OIII] ˜ 5 kpc. Overall, our observations show little evidence for the galaxy-wide outflows predicted by some models of AGN feedback.

Modelling the multiwavelength emission of Ultraluminous X-ray sources accreting above Eddington

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ambrosi, E.; Zampieri, L.

2017-10-01

Understanding ULXs requires a comprehensive modelling of their multiwavelength emission properties. We compute the optical-through-X-ray emission of ULXs assuming that they are binary systems with stellar-mass or massive-stellar Black Holes and considering the possibility that a non-standard disc sets in when the mass transfer rate (\\dot{M}) becomes highly super-Eddington. The emission model is applied to self-consistent simulations of ULX binaries. We compare our color-magnitude diagrams (CMDs) with those in the literature and find significant differences in the post main sequence evolution. When the donor is on the main-sequence and \\dot{M} is mildly super-Eddington, the behaviour of the system is similar to that found in previous investigations. However, when the donor star leaves the main-sequence and \\dot{M} becomes highly super-Eddington, the optical luminosity of the system is systematically larger and the colours show a markedly different evolution. The emission properties depend on the variable shielding of the outer disc and donor induced by the changing inner disc structure. We determine also the effects caused by the onset of a strong optically thick outflow. CMDs in various photometric systems are compared to the observed properties of the optical counterparts of several ULXs, obtaining updated constraints on their donor mass and accretion rate.

Raman-scattered O VI λ1032 and He II λ1025 and Bipolar Outflow in the Symbiotic Star V455 Sco

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heo, Jeong-Eun; Angeloni, Rodolfo; Di Mille, Francesco; Palma, Tali; Chang, Seok-Jun; Hong, Chae-Lin; Lee, Hee-Won

2016-07-01

Raman-scattering by atomic hydrogen is a unique spectroscopic process that may probe the mass transfer and mass loss phenomena in symbiotic stars(SSs). In the optical high- resolution spectra of the S-type SS V455 Sco, we note the presence of two Raman-scattered features, one at around 6825 Å with a triple-peak profile formed from Raman-scattering of O VI λ1032 and the other Raman-scattered He II λ1025 at around 6545 Å. Adopting an accretion flow model with additional contribution from a collimated bipolar outflow, we propose that the blue and central peaks are contributed from the accretion flow and the bipolar flow is responsible for the remaining red peak. With the absence of [N II] λ6548, the Raman-scattered He II λ1025 at around 6545 Å is immersed in the broad Ha wings that appear to be formed by Raman-scattering of far-UV continuum near Lyman series.

Chaotic cold accretion on to black holes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaspari, M.; Ruszkowski, M.; Oh, S. Peng

2013-07-01

Bondi theory is often assumed to adequately describe the mode of accretion in astrophysical environments. However, the Bondi flow must be adiabatic, spherically symmetric, steady, unperturbed, with constant boundary conditions. Using 3D adaptive mesh refinement simulations, linking the 50 kpc to the sub-parsec (sub-pc) scales over the course of 40 Myr, we systematically relax the classic assumptions in a typical galaxy hosting a supermassive black hole. In the more realistic scenario, where the hot gas is cooling, while heated and stirred on large scales, the accretion rate is boosted up to two orders of magnitude compared with the Bondi prediction. The cause is the non-linear growth of thermal instabilities, leading to the condensation of cold clouds and filaments when tcool/tff ≲ 10. The clouds decouple from the hot gas, `raining' on to the centre. Subsonic turbulence of just over 100 km s-1 (M > 0.2) induces the formation of thermal instabilities, even in the absence of heating, while in the transonic regime turbulent dissipation inhibits their growth (tturb/tcool ≲ 1). When heating restores global thermodynamic balance, the formation of the multiphase medium is violent, and the mode of accretion is fully cold and chaotic. The recurrent collisions and tidal forces between clouds, filaments and the central clumpy torus promote angular momentum cancellation, hence boosting accretion. On sub-pc scales the clouds are channelled to the very centre via a funnel. In this study, we do not inject a fixed initial angular momentum, though vorticity is later seeded by turbulence. A good approximation to the accretion rate is the cooling rate, which can be used as subgrid model, physically reproducing the boost factor of 100 required by cosmological simulations, while accounting for the frequent fluctuations. Since our modelling is fairly general (turbulence/heating due to AGN feedback, galaxy motions, mergers, stellar evolution), chaotic cold accretion may be common in

Unification of X-ray Winds in Seyfert Galaxies: From Ultra-fast Outflows to Warm Absorbers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tombesi, F.; Cappi, M.; Reeves, J. N.; Nemmen, R. S.; Braito, V.; Gaspari, M.; Reynolds, C. S.

2013-01-01

The existence of ionized X-ray absorbing layers of gas along the line of sight to the nuclei of Seyfert galaxies is a well established observational fact. This material is systematically outflowing and shows a large range in parameters. However, its actual nature and dynamics are still not clear. In order to gain insights into these important issues we performed a literature search for papers reporting the parameters of the soft X-ray warm absorbers (WAs) in 35 type 1 Seyferts and compared their properties to those of the ultra-fast outflows (UFOs) detected in the same sample. The fraction of sources with WAs is >60 per cent, consistent with previous studies. The fraction of sources with UFOs is >34 per cent, >67 per cent of which also show WAs. The large dynamic range obtained when considering all the absorbers together, spanning several orders of magnitude in ionization, column, velocity and distance allows us, for the first time, to investigate general relations among them. In particular, we find significant correlations indicating that the closer the absorber is to the central black hole, the higher the ionization, column, outflow velocity and consequently the mechanical power. In all the cases, the absorbers continuously populate the whole parameter space, with the WAs and the UFOs lying always at the two ends of the distribution. These evidence strongly suggest that these absorbers, often considered of different types, could actually represent parts of a single large-scale stratified outflow observed at different locations from the black hole. The UFOs are likely launched from the inner accretion disc and the WAs at larger distances, such as the outer disc and/or torus. We argue that the observed parameters and correlations are, to date, consistent with both radiation pressure through Compton scattering and magnetohydrodynamic processes contributing to the outflow acceleration, the latter playing a major role. Most of the absorbers, especially the UFOs, show

Unification of X-ray winds in Seyfert galaxies: from ultra-fast outflows to warm absorbers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tombesi, F.; Cappi, M.; Reeves, J. N.; Nemmen, R. S.; Braito, V.; Gaspari, M.; Reynolds, C. S.

2013-04-01

The existence of ionized X-ray absorbing layers of gas along the line of sight to the nuclei of Seyfert galaxies is a well established observational fact. This material is systematically outflowing and shows a large range in parameters. However, its actual nature and dynamics are still not clear. In order to gain insights into these important issues we performed a literature search for papers reporting the parameters of the soft X-ray warm absorbers (WAs) in 35 type 1 Seyferts and compared their properties to those of the ultra-fast outflows (UFOs) detected in the same sample. The fraction of sources with WAs is >60 per cent, consistent with previous studies. The fraction of sources with UFOs is >34 per cent, >67 per cent of which also show WAs. The large dynamic range obtained when considering all the absorbers together, spanning several orders of magnitude in ionization, column, velocity and distance allows us, for the first time, to investigate general relations among them. In particular, we find significant correlations indicating that the closer the absorber is to the central black hole, the higher the ionization, column, outflow velocity and consequently the mechanical power. In all the cases, the absorbers continuously populate the whole parameter space, with the WAs and the UFOs lying always at the two ends of the distribution. These evidence strongly suggest that these absorbers, often considered of different types, could actually represent parts of a single large-scale stratified outflow observed at different locations from the black hole. The UFOs are likely launched from the inner accretion disc and the WAs at larger distances, such as the outer disc and/or torus. We argue that the observed parameters and correlations are, to date, consistent with both radiation pressure through Compton scattering and magnetohydrodynamic processes contributing to the outflow acceleration, the latter playing a major role. Most of the absorbers, especially the UFOs, show

Broad Absorption Line Quasars with Polar Outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Junxian

2005-10-01

It is widely accepted that the broad absorption line (BAL) outflow exists in most (if not all) quasars with a small covering factor. Various evidences show that equatorial outflows are responsible for the BALs in most BAL QSOs. By searching for radio variable quasars in SDSS, we built the first sample of 6 BAL QSOs with polar BAL outflows. It is very likely that polar outflows are associated with relativistic jets, and their origins should be different from the equatorial outflows in the majority of BAL QSOs. We propose an XMM snapshot survey to a) check whether strong X-ray absorption, one of the most prominent characteristics of most BAL QSOs, also exist in the polar outflows b) check whether face-on BAL QSOs are otherwise X-ray normal c) provide a baseline for future extensive X-ray studies.

Accretion-induced luminosity spreads in young clusters: evidence from stellar rotation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Littlefair, S. P.; Naylor, Tim; Mayne, N. J.; Saunders, Eric; Jeffries, R. D.

2011-05-01

We present an analysis of the rotation of young stars in the associations Cepheus OB3b, NGC 2264, 2362 and the Orion Nebula Cluster (ONC). We discover a correlation between rotation rate and position in a colour-magnitude diagram (CMD) such that stars which lie above an empirically determined median pre-main sequence rotate more rapidly than stars which lie below this sequence. The same correlation is seen, with a high degree of statistical significance, in each association studied here. If position within the CMD is interpreted as being due to genuine age spreads within a cluster, then the stars above the median pre-main sequence would be the youngest stars. This would in turn imply that the most rapidly rotating stars in an association are the youngest, and hence those with the largest moments of inertia and highest likelihood of ongoing accretion. Such a result does not fit naturally into the existing picture of angular momentum evolution in young stars, where the stars are braked effectively by their accretion discs until the disc disperses. Instead, we argue that, for a given association of young stars, position within the CMD is not primarily a function of age, but of accretion history. We show that this hypothesis could explain the correlation we observe between rotation rate and position within the CMD.

Large-Scale Outflows in Seyfert Galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Colbert, E. J. M.; Baum, S. A.

1995-12-01

\\catcode`\\@=11 \\ialign{m @th#1hfil ##hfil \\crcr#2\\crcr\\sim\\crcr}}} \\catcode`\\@=12 Highly collimated outflows extend out to Mpc scales in many radio-loud active galaxies. In Seyfert galaxies, which are radio-quiet, the outflows extend out to kpc scales and do not appear to be as highly collimated. In order to study the nature of large-scale (>~1 kpc) outflows in Seyferts, we have conducted optical, radio and X-ray surveys of a distance-limited sample of 22 edge-on Seyfert galaxies. Results of the optical emission-line imaging and spectroscopic survey imply that large-scale outflows are present in >~{{1} /{4}} of all Seyferts. The radio (VLA) and X-ray (ROSAT) surveys show that large-scale radio and X-ray emission is present at about the same frequency. Kinetic luminosities of the outflows in Seyferts are comparable to those in starburst-driven superwinds. Large-scale radio sources in Seyferts appear diffuse, but do not resemble radio halos found in some edge-on starburst galaxies (e.g. M82). We discuss the feasibility of the outflows being powered by the active nucleus (e.g. a jet) or a circumnuclear starburst.

Launching of Jets and the Vertical Structure of Accretion Disks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ogilvie, Gordon I.; Livio, Mario

2001-05-01

The launching of magnetohydrodynamic outflows from accretion disks is considered. We formulate a model for the local vertical structure of a thin disk threaded by a poloidal magnetic field of dipolar symmetry. The model consists of an optically thick disk matched to an isothermal atmosphere. The disk is supposed to be turbulent and possesses an effective viscosity and an effective magnetic diffusivity. In the atmosphere, if the magnetic field lines are inclined sufficiently to the vertical, a magnetocentrifugal outflow is driven and passes through a slow magnetosonic point close to the surface. We determine how the rate of mass loss varies with the strength and inclination of the magnetic field. In particular, we find that for disks in which the mean poloidal field is sufficiently strong to stabilize the disk against the magnetorotational instability, the mass-loss rate decreases extremely rapidly with increasing field strength and is maximal at an inclination angle of 40°-50°. For turbulent disks with weaker mean fields, the mass-loss rate increases monotonically with increasing strength and inclination of the field, but the solution branch terminates before achieving excessive mass-loss rates. Our results suggest that efficient jet launching occurs for a limited range of field strengths and a limited range of inclination angles in excess of 30°. In addition, we determine the direction and rate of radial migration of the poloidal magnetic flux and discuss whether configurations suitable for jet launching can be maintained against dissipation.

Molecular hydrogen fluorescence and accretion in far-ultraviolet spectra of classical T Tauri stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herczeg, Gregory J.

2005-11-01

Far-ultraviolet spectra of classical T Tauri stars reveal accretion, outflows, and H 2 fluorescence. The E140M echelle spectrograph on HST /STIS and the FUSE satellite offer high spectral resolution and broad wavelength coverage, and enables our unique and detailed analysis of the H 2 lines. A strong and broad Lya emission line excites warm H 2 into many levels of the B and C electronic states, from which we can detect as many as 200 H 2 emission lines. These H2 lines are narrow and often asymmetric, with excess blueshifted emission that can extend to 100 km s -1 from some sources. The fluorescent H 2 emission probes diverse environments around CTTSs. High spectral and spatial resolution are essential for identifying the location and studying the kinematics of the gas, which constrain the origin of the H 2 emission. Several other spectral characteristics, including absorption of H2 emission by the wind and H 2 absorption lines, also provide valuable diagnostics of the origin of this emission. The H 2 emission is most likely produced at the surface of a circumstellar disk in some sources, but is produced by outflows from other sources. DF Tau appears to show H 2 emission from both a disk and an outflow. The excitation of H 2 can be determined from relative line strengths by measuring self-absorption in lines with low-energy lower levels, or by reconstructing the Lya profile incident upon the warm H 2 using the total flux from a single upper level and the opacity in the pumping transition. Based on those diagnostics and the rich H 2 spectrum of TW Hya, the H 2 at the warm disk surface has a column density of log N (H 2 ) = [Special characters omitted.] , a temperature T = [Special characters omitted.] K, and a filling factor of H 2 , as seen by the source of Lya emission, of 0.25 +/- 0.08 (all 2s error bars). The total FUV luminosity from CTTSs ranges from 2 x 10 -3 to 3 x 10 -2 [Special characters omitted.] , much of which is in the Lya line. With the exception of

Incompressible Wind Accretion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tejeda, E.

2018-04-01

We present a simple, analytic model of an incompressible fluid accreting onto a moving gravitating object. This solution allows us to probe the highly subsonic regime of wind accretion. Moreover, it corresponds to the Newtonian limit of a previously known relativistic model of a stiff fluid accreting onto a black hole. Besides filling this blank in the literature, the new solution should be useful as a benchmark test for numerical hydrodynamics codes. Given its simplicity, it can also be used as an illustrative example in a gas dynamics course.

Bow shocks as tracers of the environment and stellar outflows near the supermassive black hole.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stofanova, L.; Zajaček, M.; Karas, V.

2017-10-01

Bow shocks develop near stars in the supersonic motion with respect to the surrounding interstellar environment. In particular, extended shocks emerge due to the interaction of stars with strong winds. We discuss the expected shape and orientation of bow shocks in the context of fast moving stars near a supermassive black hole (SMBH) embedded within Bondi-type accretion flow (Zajaček et al. 2016, MNRAS; Štofanová 2016, BSc. Thesis). We present models which take into account different velocities of the probe star and also consider various scenarios for the ambient medium near the vicinity of the black hole such as an inflow/outflow of the material towards/outwards SMBH or a model which considers inflow and outflow at the same time. Under suitable circumstances, a bow shock structure can be detected in infrared domain and their properties can trace the environment of the Galactic center. On the other hand, if density of the ambient medium is determined from mm/radio observations, bow shocks can be used to constrain mass-loss rates of massive OB/WR stars. X-rays can supplement the spectral evidence, though, the structures are below the angular resolution of the current instruments even in the most favourable case of the Milky Way's SMBH (Sgr A*).

The origin of ultrafast outflows in AGN: Monte Carlo simulations of the wind in PDS 456

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hagino, Kouichi; Odaka, Hirokazu; Done, Chris; Gandhi, Poshak; Watanabe, Shin; Sako, Masao; Takahashi, Tadayuki

2015-01-01

Ultrafast outflows (UFOs) are seen in many AGN, giving a possible mode for AGN feedback on to the host galaxy. However, the mechanism(s) for the launch and acceleration of these outflows are currently unknown, with UV line driving apparently strongly disfavoured as the material along the line of sight is so highly ionized that it has no UV transitions. We revisit this issue using the Suzaku X-ray data from PDS 456, an AGN with the most powerful UFO seen in the local Universe. We explore conditions in the wind by developing a new 3D Monte Carlo code for radiation transport. The code only handles highly ionized ions, but the data show the ionization state of the wind is high enough that this is appropriate, and this restriction makes it fast enough to explore parameter space. We reproduce the results of earlier work, confirming that the mass-loss rate in the wind is around 30 per cent of the inferred inflow rate through the outer disc. We show for the first time that UV line driving is likely to be a major contribution to the wind acceleration. The mass-loss rate in the wind matches that predicted from a purely line driven system, and this UV absorption can take place out of the line of sight. Continuum driving should also play a role as the source is close to Eddington. This predicts that the most extreme outflows will be produced from the highest mass accretion rate flows on to high-mass black holes, as observed.

Observations of accreting pulsars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prince, Thomas A.; Bildsten, Lars; Chakrabarty, Deepto; Wilson, Robert B.; Finger, Mark H.

1994-01-01

We discuss recent observations of accreting binary pulsars with the all-sky BATSE instrument on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. BATSE has detected and studied nearly half of the known accreting pulsar systems. Continuous timing studies over a two-year period have yielded accurate orbital parameters for 9 of these systems, as well as new insights into long-term accretion torque histories.

Solar forcing, and ionospheric ion outflow from Venus, Earth and Mars - A comparison

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lundin, R. N.

2012-12-01

Solar forcing by e.g. EUV radiation and the solar wind leads to outflow and escape of ionospheric ions from Earth, Venus and Mars. In-situ measurements in the Earth's space environment have demonstrated that the ion escape rate correlates with the magnitude of solar forcing, i.e. high solar EUV and solar wind forcing leads to enhanced escape rates. The Terrestrial outflow is dominated by H+ and O+ suggesting that the ultimate origin of outflowing ions is water. Recent measurements from the two arid planets Mars and Venus, their atmospheres dominated by CO2, display characteristics similar to that of the Earth - an outflow dominated by hydrogen (H+) and oxygen (O+, O2+) ions. Despite major differences in atmospheric composition, the composition of the ion outflow from Earth and Venus is very similar, i.e. H+ and O+ dominates and the outflow has a stoichiometric H/O ratio of close to 2. The latter implies escape of water. The ion outflow from Mars is dominated by O+, O2+, and H+. Here the stoichiometric ratio between hydrogen and oxygen ion is ≈1, implying that if the ion outflow originates from water, about half of the hydrogen mass disappears by other means. The primary origin of the ion outflow from Earth, Venus and Mars is a complex issue. Nevertheless, a predominant hydrogen and oxygen loss implies that water can easily escape planets orbiting close to the Sun, while Carbon-based molecules (e.g. CO2) resides more easily. Observations shows that the outflow of e.g. CO+ and CO2+ from Mars and Venus is minute compared to the outflow of hydrogen and oxygen ions. Magnetic shielding is an issue affecting the net ion outflow and escape from a planet, because acceleration processes are also the characteristics of magnetized plasmas. Recent findings suggests that, despite magnetic field pile-up at Mars and Venus, the stand-off distance is insufficient to prohibit a direct interaction between the solar wind and the magnetized ionospheric plasma in the induced

Properties of quasi-periodic oscillations in accreting magnetic white dwarfs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wu, Kinwah; Chanmugam, G.; Shaviv, G.

1992-01-01

Previous studies of time-dependent accretion onto magnetic white dwarfs, in which the cooling was assumed to be due to bremsstrahlung emission, have shown that the accretion shock undergoes oscillations. However, when cyclotron cooling is also included, the oscillations are damped for sufficiently strong magnetic fields. Here we demonstrate that the oscillations can be sustained by accretion-fluctuation-induced excitations. The frequency of the QPOs are shown to increase quadratically with the magnetic field strength. We interpret the oscillations as a two-phase process in which bremsstrahlung cooling dominates in one half-cycle and cyclotron cooling in the other. Such a process may have very different consequences compared to a single-phase process where the functional form of the cooling is essentially the same throughout the cycle. If in the two-phase process damping occurs mainly in the cyclotron cooling half-cycle, there will be a universal effective damping factor which tends to suppress all oscillation modes indiscriminately. The oscillations of the accretion shock also could be a limit cycle process in which the system vacillates between two branches.

Accretion Processes in Cosmic Sources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2016-10-01

Accretion is a universal phenomenon that takes place in the vast majority of astrophysical objects. The progress of ground-based and space-borne observational facilities has resulted in the great amount of information on various accreting astrophysical objects, collected within the last decades. The accretion is accompanied by the process of extensive energy release that takes place on the surface of an accreting object and in various gaseous envelopes, accretion disk, jets and other elements of the flow pattern. The results of observations inspired the intensive development of accretion theory, which, in turn, enabled us to study unique properties of accreting objects and physical conditions in the surrounding environment. One of the most interesting outcomes of this intensive study is the fact that accretion processes are, in a sense, self-similar on various spatial scales from planetary systems to galaxies. This fact gives us new opportunities to investigate objects that, by various reasons, are not available for direct study. Cataclysmic variable stars are unique natural laboratories where one can conduct the detailed observational study of accretion processes and accretion disks. This is the main reason why several participants and a few members of the Organizing Committee of the conference "The Golden Age of Cataclysmic Variables and Related Objects - III" (September 7-12, 2015, Palermo, Italy) have decided to hold a special conference, focused on accretion processes, as a branch of that series. Main topics: Young Stellar Objects, protoplanetary discs, exoplanets in binary stars Accretion on white dwarfs (Cataclysmic variables and related objects) Accretion on neutron stars (X-ray Binary Systems and related objects) Accretion on black holes (stellar BH and AGN) The workshop will include a few 35-minute general review talks to introduce the current problems, and 20-minute talks to discuss new experimental and theoretical results. A series of 15-minute talks

RELATIVISTIC MHD SIMULATIONS OF COLLISION-INDUCED MAGNETIC DISSIPATION IN POYNTING-FLUX-DOMINATED JETS/OUTFLOWS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Deng, Wei; Zhang, Bing; Li, Hui

We perform 3D relativistic ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) simulations to study the collisions between high-σ (Poynting-flux-dominated (PFD)) blobs which contain both poloidal and toroidal magnetic field components. This is meant to mimic the interactions inside a highly variable PFD jet. We discover a significant electromagnetic field (EMF) energy dissipation with an Alfvénic rate with the efficiency around 35%. Detailed analyses show that this dissipation is mostly facilitated by the collision-induced magnetic reconnection. Additional resolution and parameter studies show a robust result that the relative EMF energy dissipation efficiency is nearly independent of the numerical resolution or most physical parameters in themore » relevant parameter range. The reconnection outflows in our simulation can potentially form the multi-orientation relativistic mini jets as needed for several analytical models. We also find a linear relationship between the σ values before and after the major EMF energy dissipation process. Our results give support to the proposed astrophysical models that invoke significant magnetic energy dissipation in PFD jets, such as the internal collision-induced magnetic reconnection and turbulence model for gamma-ray bursts, and reconnection triggered mini jets model for active galactic nuclei. The simulation movies are shown in http://www.physics.unlv.edu/∼deng/simulation1.html.« less

He-accreting carbon-oxygen white dwarfs and Type Ia supernovae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Bo; Podsiadlowski, Philipp; Han, Zhanwen

2017-12-01

He accretion on to carbon-oxygen white dwarfs (CO WDs) plays a fundamental role when studying the formation of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). Employing the MESA stellar evolution code, we calculated the long-term evolution of He-accreting CO WDs. Previous studies usually supposed that a WD can grow in mass to the Chandrasekhar limit in the stable He burning region and finally produce an SN Ia. However, in this study, we find that off-centre carbon ignition occurs in the stable He burning region if the accretion rate is above a critical value (∼2.05 × 10-6 M⊙ yr-1), resulting in accretion-induced collapse rather than an SN Ia. If the accretion rate is below the critical value, explosive carbon ignition will eventually happen in the centre producing an SN Ia. Taking into account the possibility of off-centre carbon ignition, we have re-determined the initial parameter space that produces SNe Ia in the He star donor channel, one of the promising channels to produce SNe Ia in young populations. Since this parameter space is smaller than was found in the previous study of Wang et al. (2009), the SN Ia rates are also correspondingly smaller. We also determined the chemical abundance profile of the He-accreting WDs at the moment of explosive carbon ignition, which can be used as initial input for SN Ia explosion models.

Effect of distal Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta outflow on suspended-sediment flux in Lower South San Francisco Bay

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Livsey, D. N.; Downing-Kunz, M.; Schoellhamer, D. H.; Shellenbarger, G.; Wright, S. A.

2016-12-01

Tidal marshes are an important component of estuarine ecosystems. Within the San Francisco Bay Estuary (SFB) tidal marshes play an important role in food web dynamics, are home to an array of endemic mammals, birds, and fishes, filter pollutants, and dampen coastal flooding. With 80% of SFB tidal marshes lost to human development, numerous restoration efforts are underway. The largest tidal marsh restoration project in SFB, the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project, is underway in Lower South San Francisco Bay to restore 60,000 ha of this critical habitat; however, rising sea levels, could jeopardize these gains without concomitant vertical accretion rates of the marsh surface via organic matter accumulation and sediment deposition. Recent work in Lower South Bay using continuously collected data from water years (WY) 2009-11 indicates that the direction of net springtime residual sediment flux is related to the amount of springtime Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (Delta) outflow. Large outflow freshens the Central Bay, causing a density gradient and inverse gravitational circulation that flushes Lower South Bay. In this study we extend the sediment budget for Lower South Bay from WY 2011 to present using 15-minute turbidity and velocity data paired with Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler cross-sectional measurements and in situ suspended-sediment concentration samples to: 1) further examine the mechanisms controlling net springtime residual sediment flux, and 2) further test the hypothesis that Delta outflow controls the direction of net sediment flux for Lower South Bay.

Stellar explosions from accreting white dwarfs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Moore, Kevin L.

Unstable thermonuclear burning on accreting white dwarfs (WDs) can lead to a wide variety of outcomes, and induce shock waves in several contexts. In classical and recurrent novae, a WD accreting hydrogen-rich material from a binary companion can experience thermonuclear runaways, ejecting mass into the interstellar/circumbinary environment at ~1000 km/s. This highly supersonic ejecta drives shock waves into the interstellar gas which may be relevant for sweeping out gas from globular clusters or forming circumstellar absorption regions in interacting supernovae. While runaway nuclear burning in novae releases enough energy for these objects to brighten by a factor of ~10 4 over roughly a weeklong outburst, it does not become dynamically unstable. In contrast, certain helium accretion scenarios may allow for dynamical burning modes, in part due to the higher temperature sensitivity of helium burning reactions and larger accreted envelopes. The majority of this thesis involves such dynamical burning modes, specifically detonations - shock waves sustained by nuclear energy release behind the shock front. We investigate when steady-state detonations are realizable in accreted helium layers on WDs, and model their strength and burning products using both semi-analytic and numerical models. We find the minimum helium layer thickness that will sustain a steady laterally propagating detonation and show that it depends on the density and composition of the helium layer, specifically 12 C and 16O. Though gravitationally unbound, the ashes still have unburned helium (~80% in the thinnest cases) and only reach up to heavy elements such as 40Ca, 44Ti, 48Cr, and 52Fe. It is rare for these thin shells to generate large amounts of radioactive isotopes necessary to power light curves, such as 56Ni. This has important implications on whether the unbound helium burning ashes may create faint and fast peculiar supernovae or events with virtually no radioactivity, as well as on off

The Emerging Paradigm of Pebble Accretion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ormel, Chris W.

Pebble accretion is the mechanism in which small particles ("pebbles") accrete onto big bodies big (planetesimals or planetary embryos) in gas-rich environments. In pebble accretion accretion , accretion occurs by settling and depends only on the mass of the gravitating body gravitating , not its radius. I give the conditions under which pebble accretion operates and show that the collisional cross section can become much larger than in the gas-free, ballistic, limit. In particular, pebble accretion requires the pre-existence of a massive planetesimal seed. When pebbles experience strong orbital decay by drift motions or are stirred by turbulence, the accretion efficiency is low and a great number of pebbles are needed to form Earth-mass cores. Pebble accretion is in many ways a more natural and versatile process than the classical, planetesimal-driven paradigm, opening up avenues to understand planet formation in solar and exoplanetary systems.

The origin of blueshifted absorption features in the X-ray spectrum of PG 1211+143: outflow or disc

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gallo, L. C.; Fabian, A. C.

2013-07-01

In some radio-quiet active galactic nuclei (AGN), high-energy absorption features in the X-ray spectra have been interpreted as ultrafast outflows (UFOs) - highly ionized material (e.g. Fe XXV and Fe XXVI) ejected at mildly relativistic velocities. In some cases, these outflows can carry energy in excess of the binding energy of the host galaxy. Needless to say, these features demand our attention as they are strong signatures of AGN feedback and will influence galaxy evolution. For the same reason, alternative models need to be discussed and refuted or confirmed. Gallo and Fabian proposed that some of these features could arise from resonance absorption of the reflected spectrum in a layer of ionized material located above and corotating with the accretion disc. Therefore, the absorbing medium would be subjected to similar blurring effects as seen in the disc. A priori, the existence of such plasma above the disc is as plausible as a fast wind. In this work, we highlight the ambiguity by demonstrating that the absorption model can describe the ˜7.6 keV absorption feature (and possibly other features) in the quasar PG 1211+143, an AGN that is often described as a classic example of a UFO. In this model, the 2-10 keV spectrum would be largely reflection dominated (as opposed to power law dominated in the wind models) and the resonance absorption would be originating in a layer between about 6 and 60 gravitational radii. The studies of such features constitute a cornerstone for future X-ray observatories like Astro-H and Athena+. Should our model prove correct, or at least important in some cases, then absorption will provide another diagnostic tool with which to probe the inner accretion flow with future missions.

Molecular Outflows: Explosive versus Protostellar

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zapata, Luis A.; Rodríguez, Luis F.; Palau, Aina

2017-02-10

With the recent recognition of a second, distinctive class of molecular outflows, namely the explosive ones not directly connected to the accretion–ejection process in star formation, a juxtaposition of the morphological and kinematic properties of both classes is warranted. By applying the same method used in Zapata et al., and using {sup 12}CO( J = 2-1) archival data from the Submillimeter Array, we contrast two well-known explosive objects, Orion KL and DR21, to HH 211 and DG Tau B, two flows representative of classical low-mass protostellar outflows. At the moment, there are only two well-established cases of explosive outflows, butmore » with the full availability of ALMA we expect that more examples will be found in the near future. The main results are the largely different spatial distributions of the explosive flows, consisting of numerous narrow straight filament-like ejections with different orientations and in almost an isotropic configuration, the redshifted with respect to the blueshifted components of the flows (maximally separated in protostellar, largely overlapping in explosive outflows), the very-well-defined Hubble flow-like increase of velocity with distance from the origin in the explosive filaments versus the mostly non-organized CO velocity field in protostellar objects, and huge inequalities in mass, momentum, and energy of the two classes, at least for the case of low-mass flows. Finally, all the molecular filaments in the explosive outflows point back to approximately a central position (i.e., the place where its “exciting source” was located), contrary to the bulk of the molecular material within the protostellar outflows.« less

Observations of Accreting Pulsars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bildsten, Lars; Chakrabarty, Deepto; Chiu, John; Finger, Mark H.; Koh, Danny T.; Nelson, Robert W.; Prince, Thomas A.; Rubin, Bradley C.; Scott, D. Matthew; Stollberg, Mark;

The energetics of AGN radiation pressure-driven outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ishibashi, W.; Fabian, A. C.; Maiolino, R.

2018-05-01

The increasing observational evidence of galactic outflows is considered as a sign of active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback in action. However, the physical mechanism responsible for driving the observed outflows remains unclear, and whether it is due to momentum, energy, or radiation is still a matter of debate. The observed outflow energetics, in particular the large measured values of the momentum ratio (\\dot{p}/(L/c) ˜ 10) and energy ratio (\\dot{E}_k/L ˜ 0.05), seems to favour the energy-driving mechanism; and most observational works have focused their comparison with wind energy-driven models. Here, we show that AGN radiation pressure on dust can adequately reproduce the observed outflow energetics (mass outflow rate, momentum flux, and kinetic power), as well as the scalings with luminosity, provided that the effects of radiation trapping are properly taken into account. In particular, we predict a sublinear scaling for the mass outflow rate (\\dot{M} ∝ L^{1/2}) and a superlinear scaling for the kinetic power (\\dot{E}_k ∝ L^{3/2}), in agreement with the observational scaling relations reported in the most recent compilation of AGN outflow data. We conclude that AGN radiative feedback can account for the global outflow energetics, at least equally well as the wind energy-driving mechanism, and therefore both physical models should be considered in the interpretation of future AGN outflow observations.

HIGHLY VARIABLE EXTINCTION AND ACCRETION IN THE JET-DRIVING CLASS I-TYPE YOUNG STAR PTF 10nvg (V2492 Cyg, IRAS 20496+4354)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hillenbrand, Lynne A.; Carpenter, John M.; Muirhead, Philip S.

2013-03-15

We report extensive new photometry and spectroscopy of the highly variable young stellar object PTF 10nvg (also known as IRAS 20496+4354 and V2492 Cyg), including optical and near-infrared time-series data as well as mid-infrared and millimeter data. Following the previously reported 2010 rise to R{sub PTF} {approx}<13.{sup m}5 and subsequent fade, during 2011 and 2012 the source underwent additional episodes of brightening, followed by several magnitude dimming events including prolonged faint states at R{sub PTF} {approx}> 20{sup m}. The observed high-amplitude variations are largely consistent with extinction changes ({Delta}A{sub V} up to 30 mag) having a {approx}220 day quasi-periodic signal.more » However, photometry measured when the source was near maximum brightness in mid-2010 as well as in late-2012 does not phase well to this period. Spectral evolution includes not only changes in the spectral slope but also correlated variation in the prominence of TiO/VO/CO bands and atomic line emission, as well as anti-correlated variation in forbidden line emission which, along with H{sub 2}, dominates optical and infrared spectra at faint epochs. Notably, night-to-night variations in several forbidden doublet strengths and ratios are observed. High-dispersion spectra were obtained in a variety of photometric states and reveal time-variable line profiles. Neutral and singly ionized atomic species are likely formed in an accretion flow and/or impact while the origin of zero-velocity atomic Li I {lambda}6707 in emission is unknown. Forbidden lines, including several rare species, exhibit blueshifted emission profiles and likely arise from an outflow/jet. Several of these lines are also seen spatially offset from the continuum source position, presumably in a shocked region of an extended jet. Blueshifted absorption components of the Na I D doublet, K I {lambda}{lambda}7665, 7669 doublet, and the O I 7774 triplet, as well as blueshifted absorption components seen

MOLECULAR OUTFLOWS FROM THE PROTOCLUSTER SERPENS SOUTH

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nakamura, Fumitaka; Higuchi, Aya; Sugitani, Kohji

2011-08-20

We present the results of CO (J = 3-2) and HCO{sup +} (J = 4-3) mapping observations toward a nearby embedded cluster, Serpens South, using the ASTE 10 m telescope. Our CO (J = 3-2) map reveals that many outflows are crowded in the dense cluster-forming clump that can be recognized as an HCO{sup +} clump with a size of {approx}0.2 pc and mass of {approx}80 M{sub sun}. The clump contains several subfragments with sizes of {approx}0.05 pc. By comparing the CO (J = 3-2) map with the 1.1 mm dust continuum image taken by AzTEC on ASTE, we findmore » that the spatial extents of the outflow lobes are sometimes anti-correlated with the distribution of the dense gas, and some of the outflow lobes apparently collide with the dense gas. The total outflow mass, momentum, and energy are estimated to be 0.6 M{sub sun}, 8 M{sub sun} km s{sup -1}, and 64 M{sub sun} km{sup 2} s{sup -2}, respectively. The energy injection rate due to the outflows is comparable to the turbulence dissipation rate in the clump, implying that the protostellar outflows can maintain the supersonic turbulence in this region. The total outflow energy seems only about 10% of the clump gravitational energy. We conclude that the current outflow activity is not enough to destroy the whole cluster-forming clump, and therefore star formation is likely to continue for several or many local dynamical times.« less

Subchronic nandrolone administration reduces cocaine-induced dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine outflow in the rat nucleus accumbens.

PubMed

Kurling-Kailanto, Sanna; Kankaanpää, Aino; Seppälä, Timo

2010-04-01

The abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) is not only a problem in the world of sports but is associated with the polydrug use of nonathletes. Investigations of the neurochemical effects of AAS have focused in part on the monoaminergic systems, involving, among other things, the development of dependence. We have previously shown that pretreatment with nandrolone decanoate attenuates dose-dependently the increase in extracellular dopamine (DA) concentration evoked by amphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioyxymethamphetamine in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the nandrolone pre-exposure modulates the acute neurochemical and behavioral effects of cocaine in rats and whether the effects are long lasting. DA, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and their metabolites were measured from samples collected from the NAc by microdialysis. The behavior of the animals was recorded. The present study demonstrates that five injections of nandrolone (5 and 20 mg/kg) inhibited cocaine-evoked DA and 5-HT outflow in the NAc, locomotor activity (LMA), and stereotyped behavior in experimental animals, and that these effects are seen even after elimination of nandrolone from bloodstream. Given that accumbal outflow of DA and 5-HT, as well as LMA and stereotyped behavior, is related to gratification of stimulant drugs, this study suggests that nandrolone, at the doses tested, has a significant effect on the pleasurable properties of cocaine. Furthermore, because neurochemical and behavioral responses were still attenuated after a fairly long recovery period, it seems that nandrolone may induce long-lasting changes in the brains of rat.

Particle Acceleration in Relativistic Outflows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bykov, Andrei; Gehrels, Neil; Krawczynski, Henric; Lemoine, Martin; Pelletier, Guy; Pohl, Martin

2012-01-01

In this review we confront the current theoretical understanding of particle acceleration at relativistic outflows with recent observational results on various source classes thought to involve such outflows, e.g. gamma-ray bursts, active galactic nuclei, and pulsar wind nebulae. We highlight the possible contributions of these sources to ultra-high-energy cosmic rays.

AGN outflows and feedback twenty years on

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harrison, C. M.; Costa, T.; Tadhunter, C. N.; Flütsch, A.; Kakkad, D.; Perna, M.; Vietri, G.

2018-03-01

It is twenty years since the seminal works by Magorrian and co-authors and by Silk and Rees, which, along with other related work, ignited an explosion of publications connecting active galactic nucleus (AGN)-driven outflows to galaxy evolution. With a surge in observations of AGN outflows, studies are attempting to test AGN feedback models directly using the outflow properties. With a focus on outflows traced by optical and CO emission lines, we discuss significant challenges that greatly complicate this task, from both an observational and theoretical perspective. We highlight the observational uncertainties involved and the assumptions required when deriving kinetic coupling efficiencies (that is, outflow kinetic power as a fraction of AGN luminosity) from typical observations. Based on recent models we demonstrate that extreme caution should be taken when comparing observationally derived kinetic coupling efficiencies to coupling efficiencies from fiducial feedback models.

Super-Eddington QSO RX J0439.6-5311 - II. Multiwavelength constraints on the global structure of the accretion flow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Chichuan; Done, Chris; Ward, Martin; Gardner, Emma

2017-10-01

We present a detailed multiwavelength study of an unobscured, highly super-Eddington Type-1 QSO RX J0439.6-5311. We combine the latest XMM-Newton observation with all archival data from infrared to hard X-rays. The optical spectrum is very similar to that of 1H 0707-495 in having extremely weak [O III] and strong Fe II emission lines, although the black hole mass is probably slightly higher at 5-10 × 106 M⊙. The broad-band spectral energy distribution is uniquely well defined due to the extremely low Galactic and intrinsic absorption, so the bolometric luminosity is tightly constrained. The optical/UV accretion disc continuum is seen down to 900 Å, showing that there is a standard thin disc structure down to R ≥ 190-380 Rg and determining the mass accretion rate through the outer disc. This predicts a much higher bolometric luminosity than observed, indicating that there must be strong wind and/or advective energy losses from the inner disc, as expected for a highly super-Eddington accretion flow. Significant outflows are detected in both the narrow-line region (NLR) and broad-line region (BLR) emission lines, confirming the presence of a wind. We propose a global picture for the structure of a super-Eddington accretion flow where the inner disc puffs up, shielding much of the potential NLR material, and show how inclination angle with respect to this and the wind can explain very different X-ray properties of RX J0439.6-5311 and 1H 0707-495. Therefore, this source provides strong supporting evidence that 'simple' and 'complex' super-Eddington NLS1s can be unified within the same accretion flow scenario but with different inclination angles. We also propose that these extreme NLS1s could be the low-redshift analogues of weak emission-line quasars.

Shining a light on star formation driven outflows: the physical conditions within galactic outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chisholm, John P.; Tremonti, Christina A.; Leitherer, Claus; Wofford, Aida; Chen, Yanmei

2016-01-01

Stellar feedback drives energy and momentum into the surrounding gas, which drives gas and metals out of galaxies through a galactic outflow. Unfortunately, galactic outflows are difficult to observe and characterize because they are extremely diffuse, and contain gas at many different temperatures. Here we present results from a sample of 37 nearby (z < 0.27) star forming galaxies observed in the ultraviolet with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph on the Hubble Space Telescope. The sample covers over three decades in stellar mass and star formation rate, probing different morphologies such as dwarf irregulars and high-mass merging systems. Using four different UV absorption lines (O I, Si II, Si III and Si IV) that trace a wide range of temperatures (ionization potentials between 13.6 eV and 45 eV), we find shallow correlations between the outflow velocity or the equivalent width of absorption lines with stellar mass or star formation rate. Absorption lines probing different temperature phases have similar centroid velocities and line widths, indicating that they are comoving. Using the equivalent width ratios of the four different transitions, we find the ratios to be consistent with photo-ionized outflows, with moderately strong ionization parameters. By constraining the ionization mechanism we model the ionization fractions for each transition, but find the ionization fractions depend crucially on input model parameters. The shallow velocity scalings imply that low-mass galaxies launch outflows capable of escaping their galactic potential, while higher mass galaxies retain all of their gas, unless they undergo a merger.

AGN outflows as neutrino sources: an observational test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Padovani, P.; Turcati, A.; Resconi, E.

2018-04-01

We test the recently proposed idea that outflows associated with Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) could be neutrino emitters in two complementary ways. First, we cross-correlate a list of 94 "bona fide" AGN outflows with the most complete and updated repository of IceCube neutrinos currently publicly available, assembled by us for this purpose. It turns out that AGN with outflows matched to an IceCube neutrino have outflow and kinetic energy rates, and bolometric powers larger than those of AGN with outflows not matched to neutrinos. Second, we carry out a statistical analysis on a catalogue of [O III] λ5007 line profiles using a sample of 23,264 AGN at z < 0.4, a sub-sample of which includes mostly possible outflows sources. We find no significant evidence of an association between the AGN and the IceCube events, although we get the smallest p-values (˜6 and 18 per cent respectively, pre-trial) for relatively high velocities and luminosities. Our results are consistent with a scenario where AGN outflows are neutrino emitters but at present do not provide a significant signal. This can be tested with better statistics and source stacking. A predominant role of AGN outflows in explaining the IceCube data appears in any case to be ruled out.

AGN outflows as neutrino sources: an observational test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Padovani, P.; Turcati, A.; Resconi, E.

2018-07-01

We test the recently proposed idea that outflows associated with Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) could be neutrino emitters in two complementary ways. First, we cross-correlate a list of 94 'bona fide' AGN outflows with the most complete and updated repository of IceCube neutrinos currently publicly available, assembled by us for this purpose. It turns out that AGN with outflows matched to an IceCube neutrino have outflow and kinetic energy rates, and bolometric powers larger than those of AGN with outflows not matched to neutrinos. Secondly, we carry out a statistical analysis on a catalogue of [O III] λ5007 line profiles using a sample of 23 264 AGN at z < 0.4, a subsample of which includes mostly possible outflow sources. We find no significant evidence of an association between the AGN and the IceCube events, although we get the smallest p-values (˜6 and 18 per cent, respectively, pre-trial) for relatively high velocities and luminosities. Our results are consistent with a scenario where AGN outflows are neutrino emitters but at present do not provide a significant signal. This can be tested with better statistics and source stacking. A predominant role of AGN outflows in explaining the IceCube data appears in any case to be ruled out.

Accretion-driven turbulence in filaments - I. Non-gravitational accretion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Heigl, S.; Burkert, A.; Gritschneder, M.

2018-03-01

We study accretion-driven turbulence for different inflow velocities in star-forming filaments using the code RAMSES. Filaments are rarely isolated objects and their gravitational potential will lead to radially dominated accretion. In the non-gravitational case, accretion by itself can already provoke non-isotropic, radially dominated turbulent motions responsible for the complex structure and non-thermal line widths observed in filaments. We find that there is a direct linear relation between the absolute value of the total density-weighted velocity dispersion and the infall velocity. The turbulent velocity dispersion in the filaments is independent of sound speed or any net flow along the filament. We show that the density-weighted velocity dispersion acts as an additional pressure term, supporting the filament in hydrostatic equilibrium. Comparing to observations, we find that the projected non-thermal line width variation is generally subsonic independent of inflow velocity.

Key Issues in the Production of Ionospheric Outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lotko, W.

2017-12-01

Global models demonstrate that outflows of ionospheric ions can have profound effects on the dynamics of the solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere system, particularly during geomagnetic storms. Yet the processes that determine where and when outflows occur are poorly understood, in large part because a full complement of critical multivariable measurements of outflows and their causal drivers has yet to be assembled. Development of accurate regional and global predictive models of outflows has been hampered by this lack of empirical knowledge, but models are also challenged by the additional requirement of having to reduce the complex microphysics of ion energization into lumped relations that specify outflow characteristics through causal regulators. Opportunities to improve understanding of this problem are vast. This overview will focus on a limited set of priority questions that address how ions overcome gravity to leave the ionosphere; the timing, rate, spatial distribution and energetics of their exodus; how their flight impacts the ionosphere-thermosphere environment that spawns outflows; and the influence of magnetospheric feedback on outflow production.

THE PREVALENCE OF GAS OUTFLOWS IN TYPE 2 AGNs. II. 3D BICONICAL OUTFLOW MODELS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Bae, Hyun-Jin; Woo, Jong-Hak, E-mail: hjbae@galaxy.yonsei.ac.kr, E-mail: woo@astro.snu.ac.kr

We present 3D models of biconical outflows combined with a thin dust plane for investigating the physical properties of the ionized gas outflows and their effect on the observed gas kinematics in type 2 active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Using a set of input parameters, we construct a number of models in 3D and calculate the spatially integrated velocity and velocity dispersion for each model. We find that three primary parameters, i.e., intrinsic velocity, bicone inclination, and the amount of dust extinction, mainly determine the simulated velocity and velocity dispersion. Velocity dispersion increases as the intrinsic velocity or the bicone inclinationmore » increases, while velocity (i.e., velocity shifts with respect to systemic velocity) increases as the amount of dust extinction increases. Simulated emission-line profiles well reproduce the observed [O iii] line profiles, e.g., narrow core and broad wing components. By comparing model grids and Monte Carlo simulations with the observed [O iii] velocity–velocity dispersion distribution of ∼39,000 type 2 AGNs, we constrain the intrinsic velocity of gas outflows ranging from ∼500 to ∼1000 km s{sup −1} for the majority of AGNs, and up to ∼1500–2000 km s{sup −1} for extreme cases. The Monte Carlo simulations show that the number ratio of AGNs with negative [O iii] velocity to AGNs with positive [O iii] velocity correlates with the outflow opening angle, suggesting that outflows with higher intrinsic velocity tend to have wider opening angles. These results demonstrate the potential of our 3D models for studying the physical properties of gas outflows, applicable to various observations, including spatially integrated and resolved gas kinematics.« less

Accretion rates of protoplanets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Greenzweig, Yuval

The giant planets' solid cores must have formed prior to the dispersal of the primordial solar nebula, to allow the capture of their massive, gaseous envelopes from the nebula. Recent observations of disks of dust surrounding nearby solar-like stars lead to estimates of nebula lifetimes at 106 to 107 years. Thus, theories of solid particle accretion must explain how the solid cores of the giant planets may have formed within comparable timescales. Calculations are presented which support the sole currently hypothesized mechanism of planetary accretion in which the duration of the stage of growth from planetesimals (1 to 10 km size bodies) to moon- or planet-size bodies lies within the widely accepted time constraint mentioned above. It has been shown that under certain conditions a growth advantage is given to the larger bodies of a swarm of Sun-orbiting planetesimals, resulting in runaway growth of the largest body (or bodies) in the swarm. The gravitational cross section of the protoplanet (the largest body in the swarm) increases with its size, eventually requiring the inclusion of the effect of the solar tidal force on the interaction between it and a passing planetesimal. Thus, numerical integrations of the three-body problem (Sun, protoplanet and planetesimal) are needed to determine the accretion rates of protoplanets. Existing analytical formulas are refined for the two-body (no solar tidal force) accretion rates of planetesimals or small protoplanets, and numerically derives the three-body accretion rates of large protoplanets. The three-body accretion rates calculated span a wide range of protoplanetary orbital radii, masses, and densities, and a wide range of planetesimal orbital eccentricities and inclinations. The most useful numerical results are approximated by algebraic expressions, to facilitate their use in accretion calculations, particularly by numerical codes. Since planetary accretion rates depend strongly on planetesimal random velocities

Powerful Molecular Outflows in Nearby Active Galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Veilleux, Sylvain; Meléndez, Marcio

2014-07-01

We report the results from a systematic search for molecular (OH 119 μm) outflows with Herschel-PACS† in a sample of 43 nearby (z < 0.3) galaxy mergers, mostly ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) and QSOs. We find that the character of the OH feature (strength of the absorption relative to the emission) correlates with that of the 9.7-μm silicate feature, a measure of obscuration in ULIRGs. Unambiguous evidence for molecular outflows, based on the detection of OH absorption profiles with median velocities more blueshifted than -50 km s-1, is seen in 26 (70%) of the 37 OH-detected targets, suggesting a wide-angle (~ 145°) outflow geometry. Conversely, unambiguous evidence for molecular inflows, based on the detection of OH absorption profiles with median velocities more redshifted than +50 km s-1, is seen in only 4 objects, suggesting a planar or filamentary geometry for the inflowing gas. Terminal outflow velocities of ~ -1000 km s-1 are measured in several objects, but median outflow velocities are typically ~ -200 km s-1. While the outflow velocities show no statistically significant dependence on the star formation rate, they are distinctly more blueshifted among systems with large AGN fractions and luminosities [log (L AGN/L ⊙) >= 11.8 +/- 0.3]. The quasars in these systems play a dominant role in driving the molecular outflows. In contrast, the most AGN dominated systems, where OH is seen purely in emission, show relatively modest OH line widths, despite their large AGN luminosities, perhaps indicating that molecular outflows subside once the quasar has cleared a path through the obscuring material.

Global hydromagnetic simulations of a planet embedded in a dead zone: Gap opening, gas accretion, and formation of a protoplanetary jet

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gressel, O.; Nelson, R. P.; Turner, N. J.

We present global hydrodynamic (HD) and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations with mesh refinement of accreting planets embedded in protoplanetary disks (PPDs). The magnetized disk includes Ohmic resistivity that depends on the overlying mass column, leading to turbulent surface layers and a dead zone near the midplane. The main results are: (1) the accretion flow in the Hill sphere is intrinsically three-dimensional for HD and MHD models. Net inflow toward the planet is dominated by high-latitude flows. A circumplanetary disk (CPD) forms. Its midplane flows outward in a pattern whose details differ between models. (2) The opening of a gap magnetically couplesmore » and ignites the dead zone near the planet, leading to stochastic accretion, a quasi-turbulent flow in the Hill sphere, and a CPD whose structure displays high levels of variability. (3) Advection of magnetized gas onto the rotating CPD generates helical fields that launch magnetocentrifugally driven outflows. During one specific epoch, a highly collimated, one-sided jet is observed. (4) The CPD's surface density is ∼30 g cm{sup −2}, small enough for significant ionization and turbulence to develop. (5) The accretion rate onto the planet in the MHD simulation reaches a steady value 8 × 10{sup –3} M {sub ⊕} yr{sup –1} and is similar in the viscous HD runs. Our results suggest that gas accretion onto a forming giant planet within a magnetized PPD with a dead zone allows rapid growth from Saturnian to Jovian masses. As well as being relevant for giant planet formation, these results have important implications for the formation of regular satellites around gas giant planets.« less

Accretion dynamics of EX Lupi in quiescence. The star, the spot, and the accretion column

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sicilia-Aguilar, Aurora; Fang, Min; Roccatagliata, Veronica; Collier Cameron, Andrew; Kóspál, Ágnes; Henning, Thomas; Ábrahám, Peter; Sipos, Nikoletta

2015-08-01

Context. EX Lupi is a young, accreting M0 star and the prototype of EXor variable stars. Its spectrum is very rich in emission lines, including many metallic lines with narrow and broad components. The presence of a close companion has also been proposed, based on radial velocity signatures. Aims: We use the metallic emission lines to study the accretion structures and to test the companion hypothesis. Methods: We analyse 54 spectra obtained during five years of quiescence time. We study the line profile variability and the radial velocity of the narrow and broad metallic emission lines. We use the velocity signatures of different species with various excitation conditions and their time dependency to track the dynamics associated with accretion. Results: We observe periodic velocity variations in the broad and the narrow line components, consistent with rotational modulation. The modulation is stronger for lines with higher excitation potentials (e.g. He II), which are likely produced in a confined area very close to the accretion shock. Conclusions: We propose that the narrow line components are produced in the post-shock region, while the broad components originate in the more extended, pre-shock material in the accretion column. All the emission lines suffer velocity modulation due to the rotation of the star. The broad components are responsible for the line-dependent veiling observed in EX Lupi. We demonstrate that a rotationally modulated line-dependent veiling can explain the radial velocity signature of the photospheric absorption lines, making the close-in companion hypothesis unnecessary. The accretion structure is locked to the star and very stable during the five years of observations. Not all stars with similar spectral types and accretion rates show the same metallic emission lines, which could be related to differences in temperature and density in their accretion structure(s). The contamination of photospheric signatures by accretion

Radio Observations as a Tool to Investigate Shocks and Asymmetries in Accreting White Dwarf Binaries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weston, Jennifer H. S.

2016-07-01

This dissertation uses radio observations with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) to investigate the mechanisms that power and shape accreting white dwarfs (WD) and their ejecta. We test the predictions of both simple spherical and steady-state radio emission models by examining nova V1723 Aql, nova V5589 Sgr, symbiotic CH Cyg, and two small surveys of symbiotic binaries. First, we highlight classical nova V1723 Aql with three years of radio observations alongside optical and X-ray observations. We use these observations to show that multiple outflows from the system collided to create early non-thermal shocks with a brightness temperature of ≥106 K. While the late-time radio light curve is roughly consistent an expanding thermal shell of mass 2x10-4 M⊙ solar masses, resolved images of V1723 Aql show elongated material that apparently rotates its major axis over the course of 15 months, much like what is seen in gamma-ray producing nova V959 Mon, suggesting similar structures in the two systems. Next, we examine nova V5589 Sgr, where we find that the early radio emission is dominated by a shock-powered non-thermal flare that produces strong (kTx > 33 keV) X-rays. We additionally find roughly 10-5 M⊙ solar masses of thermal bremsstrahlung emitting material, all at a distance of ~4 kpc. The similarities in the evolution of both V1723 Aql and V5589 Sgr to that of nova V959 Mon suggest that these systems may all have dense equatorial tori shaping faster flows at their poles. Turning our focus to symbiotic binaries, we first use our radio observations of CH Cyg to link the ejection of a collimated jet to a change of state in the accretion disk. We additionally estimate the amount of mass ejected during this period (10-7 M⊙ masses), and improve measurements of the period of jet precession (P=12013 ± 74 days). We then use our survey of eleven accretion-driven symbiotic systems to determine that the radio brightness of a symbiotic system could potentially

Evidence for Ultra-Fast Outflows in Radio-Quiet AGNs. 2; Detailed Photoionization Modeling of Fe K-Shell Absorption Lines

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tombesi, Francesco; Clapp, M.; Reeves, J. N.; Palumbo, G. G. C.; Braito, V.; Dadina, M.

2011-01-01

X-ray absorption line spectroscopy has recently shown evidence for previously unknown Ultra-fast Outflows (UFOs) in radio-quiet AGNs. In the previous paper of this series we defined UFOs as those absorbers with an outflow velocity higher than 10,000km/s and assessed the statistical significance of the associated blue shifted FeK absorption lines in a large sample of 42 local radio-quiet AGNs observed with XMM-Newton. In the present paper we report a detailed curve of growth analysis and directly model the FeK absorbers with the Xstar photo-ionization code. We confirm that the frequency of sources in the radio-quiet sample showing UFOs is >35%. The outflow velocity distribution spans from \\sim10,000km/s (\\sim0.03c) up to \\siml00,000kmis (\\sim0.3c), with a peak and mean value of\\sim42,000km/s (\\sim0.14c). The ionization parameter is very high and in the range log\\xi 3-6 erg s/cm, with a mean value of log\\xi 4.2 erg s/cm. The associated column densities are also large, in the range N_H\\siml0(exp 22)-10(exp 24)/sq cm, with a mean value of N_H\\siml0(exp23)/sq cm. We discuss and estimate how selection effects, such as those related to the limited instrumental sensitivity at energies above 7keV, may hamper the detection of even higher velocities and higher ionization absorbers. We argue that, overall, these results point to the presence of extremely ionized and possibly almost Compton thick outflowing material in the innermost regions of AGNs. This also suggests that UFOs may potentially play a significant role in the expected cosmological feedback from AGNs and their study can provide important clues on the connection between accretion disks, winds and jets.

Neutron stars and millisecond pulsars from accretion-induced collapse in globular clusters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bailyn, Charles D.; Grindlay, Jonathan E.

1990-01-01

This paper examines the limits on the number of millisecond pulsars which could be formed in globular clusters by the generally accepted scenario (in which a neutron star is created by the supernova of an initially massive star and subsequently captures a companion to form a low-mass X-ray binary which eventually becomes a millisecond pulsar). It is found that, while the number of observed low-mass X-ray binaries can be adequately explained in this way, the reasonable assumption that the pulsar luminosity function in clusters extends below the current observational limits down to the luminosity of the faintest millisecond pulsars in the field suggests a cluster population of millisecond pulsars which is substantially larger than the standard model can produce. Alleviating this problem by postulating much shorter lifetimes for the X-ray binaries requires massive star populations sufficiently large that the mass loss resulting from their evolution would be likely to unbind the cluster. It is argued that neutron star formation in globular clusters by accretion-induced collapse of white dwarfs may resolve the discrepancy in birthrates.

The Red Sea outflow regulated by the Indian monsoon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Aiki, Hidenori; Takahashi, Keiko; Yamagata, Toshio

2006-08-01

To investigate why the Red Sea water overflows less in summer and more in winter, we have developed a locally high-resolution global OGCM with transposed poles in the Arabian peninsula and India. Based on a series of sensitivity experiments with different sets of idealized atmospheric forcing, the present study shows that the summer cessation of the strait outflow is remotely induced by the monsoonal wind over the Indian Ocean, in particular that over the western Arabian Sea. During the southwest monsoon (May-September), thermocline in the Gulf of Aden shoals as a result of coastal Ekman upwelling induced by the predominantly northeastward wind in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. Because this shoaling is maximum during the southwest summer monsoon, the Red Sea water is blocked at the Bab el Mandeb Strait by upwelling of the intermediate water of the Gulf of Aden in late summer. The simulation also shows the three-dimensional evolution of the Red Sea water tongue at the mid-depths in the Gulf of Aden. While the tongue meanders, the discharged Red Sea outflow water (RSOW) (incoming Indian Ocean intermediate water (IOIW)) is always characterized by anticyclonic (cyclonic) vorticity, as suggested from the potential vorticity difference.

Accretion onto CO White Dwarfs using MESA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Feng, Wanda; Starrfield, Sumner

2018-06-01

The nature of type Ia Supernovae (SNe Ia) progenitor systems and their underlying mechanism are not well understood. There are two competing progenitor scenarios: the single-degenerate scenario wherein a white dwarf (WD) star accretes material from a companion star, reaching the Chandrasekhar mass limit; and, the double-degenerate scenario wherein two WDs merge. In this study, we investigate the single-degenerate scenario by accretion onto carbon-oxygen (CO) WDs using the Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics (MESA). We vary the WD mass, composition of the accreting material, and accretion rate in our models. Mixing between the accreted material and the WD core is informed by multidimensional studies that suggest occurance after thermonuclear runaway (TNR) ensues. We compare the accretion of solar composition material onto CO WDs with the accretion of mixed solar and core material after TNR. As many of our models eject less material than accreted, our study supports that accretion onto CO WDs is a feasible channel for SNe I progenitors.

Ultrafast outflows in radio-loud active galactic nuclei

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tombesi, F.; Tazaki, F.; Mushotzky, R. F.; Ueda, Y.; Cappi, M.; Gofford, J.; Reeves, J. N.; Guainazzi, M.

2014-09-01

Recent X-ray observations show absorbing winds with velocities up to mildly relativistic values of the order of ˜0.1c in a limited sample of six broad-line radio galaxies. They are observed as blueshifted Fe XXV-XXVI K-shell absorption lines, similarly to the ultrafast outflows (UFOs) reported in Seyferts and quasars. In this work we extend the search for such Fe K absorption lines to a larger sample of 26 radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGN) observed with XMM-Newton and Suzaku. The sample is drawn from the Swift Burst Alert Telescope 58-month catalogue and blazars are excluded. X-ray bright Fanaroff-Riley Class II radio galaxies constitute the majority of the sources. Combining the results of this analysis with those in the literature we find that UFOs are detected in >27 per cent of the sources. However, correcting for the number of spectra with insufficient signal-to-noise ratio, we can estimate that the incidence of UFOs is this sample of radio-loud AGN is likely in the range f ≃ (50 ± 20) per cent. A photoionization modelling of the absorption lines with XSTAR allows us to estimate the distribution of their main parameters. The observed outflow velocities are broadly distributed between vout ≲ 1000 km s-1 and vout ≃ 0.4c, with mean and median values of vout ≃ 0.133c and vout ≃ 0.117c, respectively. The material is highly ionized, with an average ionization parameter of logξ ≃ 4.5 erg s-1 cm, and the column densities are larger than NH > 1022 cm-2. Overall, these characteristics are consistent with the presence of complex accretion disc winds in a significant fraction of radio-loud AGN and demonstrate that the presence of relativistic jets does not preclude the existence of winds, in accordance with several theoretical models.

Properties of two-temperature dissipative accretion flow around black holes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dihingia, Indu K.; Das, Santabrata; Mandal, Samir

2018-04-01

We study the properties of two-temperature accretion flow around a non-rotating black hole in presence of various dissipative processes where pseudo-Newtonian potential is adopted to mimic the effect of general relativity. The flow encounters energy loss by means of radiative processes acted on the electrons and at the same time, flow heats up as a consequence of viscous heating effective on ions. We assumed that the flow is exposed with the stochastic magnetic fields that leads to Synchrotron emission of electrons and these emissions are further strengthen by Compton scattering. We obtain the two-temperature global accretion solutions in terms of dissipation parameters, namely, viscosity (α) and accretion rate ({\\dot{m}}), and find for the first time in the literature that such solutions may contain standing shock waves. Solutions of this kind are multitransonic in nature, as they simultaneously pass through both inner critical point (xin) and outer critical point (xout) before crossing the black hole horizon. We calculate the properties of shock-induced global accretion solutions in terms of the flow parameters. We further show that two-temperature shocked accretion flow is not a discrete solution, instead such solution exists for wide range of flow parameters. We identify the effective domain of the parameter space for standing shock and observe that parameter space shrinks as the dissipation is increased. Since the post-shock region is hotter due to the effect of shock compression, it naturally emits hard X-rays, and therefore, the two-temperature shocked accretion solution has the potential to explain the spectral properties of the black hole sources.

Veiling and Accretion Around the Young Binary Stars S and VV Corona Australis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sullivan, Kendall; Prato, Lisa; Avilez, Ian

2018-01-01

S CrA and VV CrA are two young binary star systems with separations of 170 AU and 250 AU, respectively, in the southern star-forming region Corona Australis. The spectral types of the four stars in these two systems are similar, approximately K7 to M1, hence the stellar masses are also similar. The study of young stars just emerging from their natal cloud cores at the very limits of observability allows us to probe the extreme environments in which planet formation begins to occur. Stars in this early evolutionary stage can have circumstellar or circumbinary disks, and sometimes remnants of the envelopes which surrounded them during the protostellar stage. Envelopes accrete onto disks and disks in turn accrete onto the central stars, triggering elevated continuum emission, line emission, outflows, and stellar winds. This violent stage marks the onset of the epoch of planet formation. Using high-resolution near-infrared, H-band spectroscopy from the Keck II telescope using the NIRSPEC instrument over 4-6 epochs, we are probing the chaotic environment surrounding the four stars in these systems. We determine the spectral types for VV CrA A and B for the first time, and examine the variable veiling and emission occurring around each of these stars. This research was supported in part by NSF grants AST-1461200 and AST-1313399.

Compact Starburst Galaxies with Fast Outflows: Spatially Resolved Stellar Mass Profiles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gottlieb, Sophia; Diamond-Stanic, Aleksandar; Lipscomb, Charles; Ohene, Senyo; Rines, Josh; Moustakas, John; Sell, Paul; Tremonti, Christy; Coil, Alison; Rudnick, Gregory; Hickox, Ryan C.; Geach, James; Kepley, Amanda

2018-01-01

Powerful galactic winds driven by stellar feedback and black hole accretion are thought to play an important role in regulating star formation in galaxies. In particular, strong stellar feedback from supernovae, stellar winds, radiation pressure, and cosmic rays is required by simulations of star-forming galaxies to prevent the vast majority of baryons from cooling and collapsing to form stars. However, it remains unclear whether these stellar processes play a significant role in expelling gas and shutting down star formation in massive progenitors of quiescent galaxies. What are the limits of stellar feedback? We present multi-band photometry with HST/WFC3 (F475W, F814W, F160W) for a dozen compact starburst galaxies at z~0.6 with half-light radii that suggest incredibly large central escape velocities. These massive galaxies are driving fast (>1000 km/s) outflows that have been previously attributed to stellar feedback associated with the compact (r~100 pc) starburst. But how compact is the stellar mass? In the context of the stellar feedback hypothesis, it is unclear whether these fast outflows are being driven at velocities comparable to the escape velocity of an incredibly dense stellar system (as predicted by some models of radiation-pressure winds) or at velocities that exceed the central escape velocity by large factor. Our spatially resolved measurements with HST show that the stellar mass is more extended than the light, and this requires that the physical mechanism responsible for driving the winds must be able to launch gas at velocities that are factors of 5-10 beyond the central escape velocity.

Accretion onto a charged Kiselev black hole

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abbas, G.; Ditta, A.

2018-04-01

Accretion of matter onto a compact is one of the interesting astrophysical processes. Here, we study the accretion of matter onto a charged Kiselev black hole. The problem of static and spherically symmetric accretion of a polytropic fluid is explored for the analytic solution of equations of motion. We have investigated the necessary conditions for existence of the critical flow points and the mass accretion rate. Finally, we discuss the polytropic gas accretion in detail. It has been found that in the accretion process the quintessence and charge parameters play a dominant role.

Lessons from accretion disks in cataclysmic variables

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horne, Keith

1998-04-01

We survey recent progress in the interpretation of observations of cataclysmic variables, whose accretion disks are heated by viscous dissipation rather than irradiation. Many features of standard viscous accretion disk models are confirmed by tomographic imaging studies of dwarf novae. Eclipse maps indicate that steady disk temperature structures are established during outbursts. Doppler maps of double-peaked emission lines suggest disk chromospheres heated by magnetic activity. Gas streams impacting on the disk rim leave expected signatures both in the eclipses and emission lines. Doppler maps of dwarf nova IP Peg at the beginning of an outburst show evidence for tidally-induced spiral shocks. While enjoying these successes, we must still face up to the dreaded ``SW Sex syndrome'' which afflicts most if not all cataclysmic variables in high accretion states. The anomalies include single-peaked emission lines with skewed kinematics, flat temperature-radius profiles, shallow offset line eclipses, and narrow low-ionization absorption lines at phase 0.5. The enigmatic behavior of AE Aqr is now largely understood in terms of a magnetic propeller model in which the rapidly spinning white dwarf magnetosphere expels the gas stream out of the system before an accretion disk can form. A final piece in this puzzle is the realization that an internal shock zone occurs in the exit stream at just the right place to explain the anomalous kinematics and violent flaring of the single-peaked emission lines. Encouraged by this success, we propose that disk-anchored magnetic propellers operate in the high accretion rate systems afflicted by the SW Sex syndrome. Magnetic fields anchored in the Keplerian disk sweep forward and apply a boost that expels gas stream material flowing above the disk plane. This working hypothesis offers a framework on which we can hang all the SW Sex anomalies. The lesson for theorists is that magnetic links appear to be transporting energy and angular

Far-Ultraviolet Observations of Outflows from Infrared-Luminous Galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leitherer, Claus; Chandar, Rupali; Tremonti, Christy A.; Wofford, Aida

2013-03-01

We have obtained ultraviolet spectra between 1150 and 1450 Å of four ultraviolet-bright, infrared-luminous starburst galaxies. Our selected sight-lines towards the starburst nuclei probe the conditions in the starburst-driven outflows. We detect outflowing gas with velocities of up to ˜900 km s-1. It is likely that the outflows are a major source of metal enrichment of the galaxies' halos. The mass outflow rates of several tens of M⊙ yr-1 are similar to the star-formation rates. The outflows may quench star formation and ultimately regulate the starburst.

Studies of Quasar Outflows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arav, Nahum

2002-01-01

The main aim of this research program is to determine the ionization equilibrium and abundances in quasar outflows. Especially in the broad absorption line QSO PG 0946+301. We find that the outflow's metalicity is consistent with being solar, while the abundance ratio of phosphorus to other metals is at least ten times solar. These findings are based on diagnostics that are not sensitive to saturation and partial covering effects in the BALs (Broad Adsorption Lines), which considerably weakened previous claims for enhanced metalicity. Ample evidence for these effects is seen in the spectrum.

Probing Radiatively Inefficient Accretion Flow in the Neutron Star X-ray Binary System Aquila X-1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maitra, Dipankar

2016-09-01

The nature of radiatively inefficient accretion flows (RIAF) near neutron stars and black holes remains largely enshrouded in mystery, primarily due to their low luminosity. Long term monitoring of Aql X-1 has revealed that during certain outbursts, the system goes into a relatively bright RIAF state for periods lasting several weeks. These low-intensity states offer a unique opportunity to probe radiatively inefficient flows. We request a 75 ksec Chandra/HETG ToO observation of Aql X-1 during a low-intensity state. Emission line diagnostics of the observed spectrum will be used to test different RIAF models and constrain flow properties such as the radial temperature and density profile, existence of an outflowing wind, spatial extent of the RIAF, and gas dynamics within the flow.

Probing Radiatively Inefficient Accretion Flow in the Neutron Star X-ray Binary System Aquila X-1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maitra, Dipankar

2017-09-01

The nature of radiatively inefficient accretion flows (RIAF) near neutron stars and black holes remains largely enshrouded in mystery, primarily due to their low luminosity. Long term monitoring of Aql X-1 has revealed that during certain outbursts, the system goes into a relatively bright RIAF state for periods lasting several weeks. These low-intensity states offer a unique opportunity to probe radiatively inefficient flows. We request a 75 ksec Chandra/HETG ToO observation of Aql X-1 during a low-intensity state. Emission line diagnostics of the observed spectrum will be used to test different RIAF models and constrain flow properties such as the radial temperature and density profile, existence of an outflowing wind, spatial extent of the RIAF, and gas dynamics within the flow.

Does the X-ray outflow quasar PDS 456 have a UV outflow at 0.3c?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamann, Fred; Chartas, George; Reeves, James; Nardini, Emanuele

2018-05-01

The quasar PDS 456 (at redshift ˜0.184) has a prototype ultra-fast outflow (UFO) measured in X-rays. This outflow is highly ionized with relativistic speeds, large total column densities log NH(cm-2) > 23, and large kinetic energies that could be important for feedback to the host galaxy. A UV spectrum of PDS 456 obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope in 2000 contains one well-measured broad absorption line (BAL) at ˜1346 Å (observed) that might be Ly α at v ≈ 0.06c or N V λ1240 at v ≈ 0.08c. However, we use photoionization models and comparisons to other outflow quasars to show that these BAL identifications are problematic because other lines that should accompany them are not detected. We argue that the UV BAL is probably C IV at v ≈ 0.30c. This would be the fastest UV outflow ever reported, but its speed is similar to the X-ray outflow and its appearance overall is similar to relativistic UV BALs observed in other quasars. The C IV BAL identification is also supported indirectly by the tentative detection of another broad C IV line at v ≈ 0.19c. The high speeds suggest that the UV outflow originates with the X-ray UFO crudely 20-30 rg from the central black hole. We speculate that the C IV BAL might form in dense clumps embedded in the X-ray UFO, requiring density enhancements of only ≳0.4 dex compared to clumpy structures already inferred for the soft X-ray absorber in PDS 456. The C IV BAL might therefore be the first detection of low-ionization clumps proposed previously to boost the opacities in UFOs for radiative driving.

Gravity signatures of terrane accretion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Franco, Heather; Abbott, Dallas

1999-01-01

In modern collisional environments, accreted terranes are bracketed by forearc gravity lows, a gravitational feature which results from the abandonment of the original trench and the initiation of a new trench seaward of the accreted terrane. The size and shape of the gravity low depends on the type of accreted feature and the strength of the formerly subducting plate. Along the Central American trench, the accretion of Gorgona Island caused a seaward trench jump of 48 to 66 km. The relict trench axes show up as gravity lows behind the trench with minimum values of -78 mgal (N of Gorgona) and -49 mgal (S of Gorgona) respectively. These forearc gravity lows have little or no topographic expression. The active trench immediately seaward of these forearc gravity lows has minimum gravity values of -59 mgal (N of Gorgona) and -58 mgal (S of Gorgona), respectively. In the north, the active trench has a less pronounced gravity low than the sediment covered forearc. In the Mariana arc, two Cretaceous seamounts have been accreted to the Eocene arc. The northern seamount is most likely a large block, the southern seamount may be a thrust slice. These more recent accretion events have produced modest forearc topographic and gravity lows in comparison with the topographic and gravity lows within the active trench. However, the minimum values of the Mariana forearc gravity lows are modest only by comparison to the Mariana Trench (-216 mgal); their absolute values are more negative than at Gorgona Island (-145 to -146 mgal). We speculate that the forearc gravity lows and seaward trench jumps near Gorgona Island were produced by the accretion of a hotspot island from a strong plate. The Mariana gravity lows and seaward trench jumps (or thrust slices) were the result of breaking a relatively weak plate close to the seamount edifice. These gravity lows resulting from accretion events should be preserved in older accreted terranes.

A Three-dimensional Simulation of a Magnetized Accretion Disk: Fast Funnel Accretion onto a Weakly Magnetized Star

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Takasao, Shinsuke; Tomida, Kengo; Iwasaki, Kazunari; Suzuki, Takeru K.

2018-04-01

We present the results of a global, three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics simulation of an accretion disk with a rotating, weakly magnetized central star. The disk is threaded by a weak, large-scale poloidal magnetic field, and the central star has no strong stellar magnetosphere initially. Our simulation investigates the structure of the accretion flows from a turbulent accretion disk onto the star. The simulation reveals that fast accretion onto the star at high latitudes occurs even without a stellar magnetosphere. We find that the failed disk wind becomes the fast, high-latitude accretion as a result of angular momentum exchange mediated by magnetic fields well above the disk, where the Lorentz force that decelerates the rotational motion of gas can be comparable to the centrifugal force. Unlike the classical magnetospheric accretion scenario, fast accretion streams are not guided by magnetic fields of the stellar magnetosphere. Nevertheless, the accretion velocity reaches the free-fall velocity at the stellar surface due to the efficient angular momentum loss at a distant place from the star. This study provides a possible explanation why Herbig Ae/Be stars whose magnetic fields are generally not strong enough to form magnetospheres also show indications of fast accretion. A magnetically driven jet is not formed from the disk in our model. The differential rotation cannot generate sufficiently strong magnetic fields for the jet acceleration because the Parker instability interrupts the field amplification.

The Prevalence of Ionized Gas Outflow Signatures in SDSS-IV MaNGA Active Galactic Nuclei

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Flores, Anthony M.; Wylezalek, Dominika; Zakamska, Nadia

2018-01-01

Actively accreting supermassive black holes (AGN) can have a variety of effects on their host galaxies, from generating large regions of hot, photoionized gas, to driving AGN feedback in the form of galaxy wide outflows that may affect the evolution of the galaxy over time by quenching their star formation and by thus setting limits to the total mass of their host galaxy. The focus of this work is to assess the prevalence of AGN-driven outflows in low-redshift AGN of moderate power using IFU observations of 2778 galaxies available through SDSS-IV MaNGA.SDSS-IV MaNGA is an optical spectroscopic IFU survey which will have obtained spatially resolved spectroscopic observations of ~10,000 galaxies at z ≤ 0.1 and with stellar masses >10^9 solar masses over the next three years, allowing us to describe the kinematic properties of a large galaxy sample across different spatial regions.We have re-mapped the kinematics of the [O III] emission line to account for asymmetries and secondary kinematic components in the emission line brought on by potential AGN-driven outflows. Using all galaxies currently in the MaNGA survey, we implement a new fitting procedure to help determine the prevalence of these secondary components. Specifically, we use the non-parametric W80 value as a proxy for velocity dispersion, which we expect to be affected especially in the case of asymmetries and broadening of the emission lines. Separating these galaxies into two samples of independently identified AGN candidates and non-AGN, I will show that broad secondary components are twice as common in MaNGA-selected AGN compared to galaxies in MaNGA not classified as AGN. Moreover, when the underlying distribution of W80 values are compared between samples, I will show that the differences in these distributions are statistically significant. This demonstrates that large IFU survey like SDSS-IV MaNGA will uncover many previously unknown AGN and AGN feedback signatures. Outflows and feedback from low

Mixed ice accretion on aircraft wings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Janjua, Zaid A.; Turnbull, Barbara; Hibberd, Stephen; Choi, Kwing-So

2018-02-01

Ice accretion is a problematic natural phenomenon that affects a wide range of engineering applications including power cables, radio masts, and wind turbines. Accretion on aircraft wings occurs when supercooled water droplets freeze instantaneously on impact to form rime ice or runback as water along the wing to form glaze ice. Most models to date have ignored the accretion of mixed ice, which is a combination of rime and glaze. A parameter we term the "freezing fraction" is defined as the fraction of a supercooled droplet that freezes on impact with the top surface of the accretion ice to explore the concept of mixed ice accretion. Additionally we consider different "packing densities" of rime ice, mimicking the different bulk rime densities observed in nature. Ice accretion is considered in four stages: rime, primary mixed, secondary mixed, and glaze ice. Predictions match with existing models and experimental data in the limiting rime and glaze cases. The mixed ice formulation however provides additional insight into the composition of the overall ice structure, which ultimately influences adhesion and ice thickness, and shows that for similar atmospheric parameter ranges, this simple mixed ice description leads to very different accretion rates. A simple one-dimensional energy balance was solved to show how this freezing fraction parameter increases with decrease in atmospheric temperature, with lower freezing fraction promoting glaze ice accretion.

Northwestern Tharsis Latent Outflow Activity Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dohm, J. M.; Anderson, R. C.; Baker, V. R.; Ferris, J. C.; Hare, T. M.; Strom, R. G.; Rudd, L.; Rice, J. W., Jr.; Scott, D. H.

2000-01-01

Previously defined outflow channels, which are indicated by relict landforms similar to those observed on Earth, signify ancient catastrophic flood events on Mars. These conspicuous geomorphic features are some of the most remarkable yet profound discoveries made by geologists to date. These outflow channels, which debouched tremendous volumes of water into topographic lows such as Chryse, Utopia, Elysium, and Hellas Planitiae, may represent the beginning of warmer and wetter climatic periods unlike the present-day cold and dry Mars. In addition to the previously identified outflow channels, observations permitted by the newly acquired Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) data have revealed a system of gigantic valleys, referred to as the northwestern slope valleys (NSV), that are located to the northwest of a huge shield volcano, Arsia Mons, western hemisphere of Mars. These features generally correspond spatially to gravity lows similar to the easternmost, circum-Chryse outflow channel systems. Geologic investigations of the Tharsis region suggest that the large valley system pre-dates the construction of Arsia Mons and its extensive associated lava flows of mainly Late Hesperian and Amazonian age and coincides stratigraphically with the early development of the circum-Chryse outflow channel systems that debouch into Chryse Planitia. This newly identified system, the NSV, potentially signifies the largest flood event(s) ever recorded for the solar system. Additional information is contained in original extended abstract.

Possible inhibitory role of endogenous 2-arachidonoylglycerol as an endocannabinoid in (±)-epibatidine-induced activation of central adrenomedullary outflow in the rat.

PubMed

Shimizu, Takahiro; Tanaka, Kenjiro; Shimizu, Shogo; Higashi, Youichirou; Yawata, Toshio; Nakamura, Kumiko; Taniuchi, Keisuke; Ueba, Tetsuya; Yuri, Kazunari; Saito, Motoaki

2015-08-01

We previously reported that intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) administered (±)-epibatidine (1, 5 or 10 nmol/animal), a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist, dose-dependently induced secretion of noradrenaline and adrenaline (catecholamines) from the rat adrenal medulla by brain diacylglycerol lipase- (DGL), monoacylglycerol lipase- (MGL) and cyclooxygenase-mediated mechanisms. Diacylglycerol is hydrolyzed by DGL into 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), which is further hydrolyzed by MGL to arachidonic acid (AA), a cyclooxygenase substrate. These findings suggest that brain 2-AG-derived AA is involved in the (±)-epibatidine-induced response. This AA precursor 2-AG is also a major brain endocannabinoid, which inhibits synaptic transmission through presynaptic cannabinoid CB1 receptors. Released 2-AG into the synaptic cleft is rapidly inactivated by cellular uptake. Here, we examined a role of brain 2-AG as an endocannabinoid in the (±)-epibatidine-induced activation of central adrenomedullary outflow using anesthetized male Wistar rats. In central presence of AM251 (CB1 antagonist) (90 and 180 nmol/animal, i.c.v.), (±)-epibatidine elevated plasma catecholamines even at an ineffective dose (1 nmol/animal, i.c.v.). Central pretreatment with ACEA (CB1 agonist) (0.7 and 1.4 μmol/animal, i.c.v.), 2-AG ether (stable 2-AG analog for MGL) (0.5 and 1.0 μmol/animal, i.c.v.) or AM404 (endocannabinoid uptake inhibitor) (80 and 250 nmol/animal, i.c.v.) significantly reduced an effective dose of (±)-epibatidine- (5 nmol/animal, i.c.v.) induced elevation of plasma catecholamines, and AM251 (90 and 180 nmol/animal, i.c.v.) centrally abolished the reduction induced by 2-AG ether (1.0 μmol/animal, i.c.v.) or AM404 (250 nmol/animal, i.c.v.). Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that (±)-epibatidine (10 nmol/animal, i.c.v.) activated DGLα-positive spinally projecting neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, a control center of central adrenomedullary system

High energy power-law tail in X-ray binaries and bulk Comptonization due to an outflow from a disk

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Nagendra

2018-02-01

We study the high energy power-law tail emission of X-ray binaries (XRBs) by a bulk Comptonization process which is usually observed in the very high soft (VHS) state of black hole (BH) XRBs and the high soft (HS) state of the neutron star (NS) and BH XRBs. Earlier, to generate the power-law tail in bulk Comptonization framework, a free-fall converging flow into BH or NS had been considered as a bulk region. In this work, for a bulk region we consider mainly an outflow geometry from the accretion disk which is bounded by a torus surrounding the compact object. We have two choices for an outflow geometry: (i) collimated flow and (ii) conical flow of opening angle θ _b and the axis is perpendicular to the disk. We also consider an azimuthal velocity of the torus fluids as a bulk motion where the fluids are rotating around the compact object (a torus flow). We find that the power-law tail can be generated in a torus flow having large optical depth and bulk speed (>0.75 c), and in conical flow with θ _b > ˜ 30° for a low value of Comptonizing medium temperature. Particularly, in conical flow the low opening angle is more favourable to generate the power-law tail in both the HS state and the VHS state. We notice that when the outflow is collimated, then the emergent spectrum does not have power-law component for a low Comptonizing medium temperature.

Migration of accreting giant planets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Crida, A.; Bitsch, B.; Raibaldi, A.

2016-12-01

We present the results of 2D hydro simulations of giant planets in proto-planetary discs, which accrete gas at a more or less high rate. First, starting from a solid core of 20 Earth masses, we show that as soon as the runaway accretion of gas turns on, the planet is saved from type I migration : the gap opening mass is reached before the planet is lost into its host star. Furthermore, gas accretion helps opening the gap in low mass discs. Consequently, if the accretion rate is limited to the disc supply, then the planet is already inside a gap and in type II migration. We further show that the type II migration of a Jupiter mass planet actually depends on its accretion rate. Only when the accretion is high do we retrieve the classical picture where no gas crosses the gap and the planet follows the disc spreading. These results impact our understanding of planet migration and planet population synthesis models. The e-poster presenting these results in French can be found here: L'e-poster présentant ces résultats en français est disponible à cette adresse: http://sf2a.eu/semaine-sf2a/2016/posterpdfs/156_179_49.pdf.

Combined technetium radioisotope penile plethysmography and xenon washout: A technique for evaluating corpora cavernosal inflow and outflow during early tumescence

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Schwartz, A.N.; Graham, M.M.

1991-03-01

Combined technetium radioisotope penile plethysmography and xenon washout is a new technique that measures both corporal arterial inflow and venous sinusoidal outflow during early tumescence in patients with erectile dysfunction. Fourteen patients were studied using 99mTc-RBCs to measure inflow and 133Xe or 127Xe in saline to measure outflow. Tumescence was induced by injecting papaverine intracorporally. Peak corporal rates corrected for inflow (r = 0.88) and uncorrected for outflow (r = 0.91) and change in volume over 2 min centered around peak inflow (r = 0.96) all correlated with angiography. Outflow measurements did not correlate with intracorporal resistance. Thus, outflow ratesmore » alone could not be used to predict venous sinusoidal competence. Normal inflow rate is greater than 20 ml/min; probable normal 12-20; indeterminate inflow 7-12; and abnormal inflow less than 7 ml/min. Technetium-99m radioisotope penile plethysmography and xenon washout can be performed together and both provide a method for simultaneously evaluating the relationship between corporal inflow and outflow rates in patients with erectile dysfunction.« less

Broad Redshifted Line as a Signature of Outflow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Titarchuk, Lev; Kazanas, Demos; Becker, Peter A.

2003-11-01

We formulate and solve the diffusion problem of line photon propagation in a bulk outflow from a compact object (black hole or neutron star) using a generic assumption regarding the distribution of line photons within the outflow. Thomson scattering of the line photons within the expanding flow leads to a decrease of their energy which is of first order in v/c, where v is the outflow velocity and c is the speed of light. We demonstrate that the emergent line profile is closely related to the time distribution of photons diffusing through the flow (the light curve) and consists of a broad redshifted feature. We analyzed the line profiles for the general case of outflow density distribution. We emphasize that the redshifted lines are intrinsic properties of the powerful outflow that are supposed to be in many compact objects.

Myocardialization of the cardiac outflow tract

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

van den Hoff, M. J.; Moorman, A. F.; Ruijter, J. M.; Lamers, W. H.; Bennington, R. W.; Markwald, R. R.; Wessels, A.

1999-01-01

During development, the single-circuited cardiac tube transforms into a double-circuited four-chambered heart by a complex process of remodeling, differential growth, and septation. In this process the endocardial cushion tissues of the atrioventricular junction and outflow tract (OFT) play a crucial role as they contribute to the mesenchymal components of the developing septa and valves in the developing heart. After fusion, the endocardial ridges in the proximal portion of the OFT initially form a mesenchymal outlet septum. In the adult heart, however, this outlet septum is basically a muscular structure. Hence, the mesenchyme of the proximal outlet septum has to be replaced by cardiomyocytes. We have dubbed this process "myocardialization." Our immunohistochemical analysis of staged chicken hearts demonstrates that myocardialization takes place by ingrowth of existing myocardium into the mesenchymal outlet septum. Compared to other events in cardiac septation, it is a relatively late process, being initialized around stage H/H28 and being basically completed around stage H/H38. To unravel the molecular mechanisms that are responsible for the induction and regulation of myocardialization, an in vitro culture system in which myocardialization could be mimicked and manipulated was developed. Using this in vitro myocardialization assay it was observed that under the standard culture conditions (i) whole OFT explants from stage H/H20 and younger did not spontaneously myocardialize the collagen matrix, (ii) explants from stage H/H21 and older spontaneously formed extensive myocardial networks, (iii) the myocardium of the OFT could be induced to myocardialize and was therefore "myocardialization-competent" at all stages tested (H/H16-30), (iv) myocardialization was induced by factors produced by, most likely, the nonmyocardial component of the outflow tract, (v) at none of the embryonic stages analyzed was ventricular myocardium myocardialization-competent, and finally

Downscattering due to Wind Outflows in Compact X-ray Sources: Theory and Interpretation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Titarchuk, Lev; Shrader, Chris

2004-01-01

A number of recent lines of evidence point towards the presence of hot, outflowing plasma from the central regions of compact Galactic and extragalactic X-ray sources. Additionally, it has long been noted that many of these sources exhibit an "excess" continuum component, above approx. 10 keV, usually attributed to Compton Reflection from a static medium. Motivated by these facts, as well as by recent observational constraints on the Compton reflection models - specifically apparently discrepant variability timescales for line and continuum components in some cases - we consider possible of effects of out-flowing plasma on the high-energy continuum spectra of accretion powered compact objects. We present a general formulation for photon downscattering diffusion which includes recoil and Comptonization effects due to divergence of the flow. We then develop an analytical theory for the spectral formation in such systems that allows us to derive formulae for the emergent spectrum. Finally we perform the analytical model fitting on several Galactic X-ray binaries. Objects which have been modeled with high-covering-fraction Compton reflectors, such as GS1353-64 are included in our analysis. In addition, Cyg X-3, is which is widely believed to be characterized by dense circumstellar winds with temperature of order 10(exp 6) K, provides an interesting test case. Data from INTEGRAL and RXTE covering the approx. 3 - 300 keV range are used in our analysis. We further consider the possibility that the widely noted distortion of the power-law continuum above 10 keV may in some cases be explained by these spectral softening effects.

Foundations of Black Hole Accretion Disk Theory.

PubMed

Abramowicz, Marek A; Fragile, P Chris

2013-01-01

This review covers the main aspects of black hole accretion disk theory. We begin with the view that one of the main goals of the theory is to better understand the nature of black holes themselves. In this light we discuss how accretion disks might reveal some of the unique signatures of strong gravity: the event horizon, the innermost stable circular orbit, and the ergosphere. We then review, from a first-principles perspective, the physical processes at play in accretion disks. This leads us to the four primary accretion disk models that we review: Polish doughnuts (thick disks), Shakura-Sunyaev (thin) disks, slim disks, and advection-dominated accretion flows (ADAFs). After presenting the models we discuss issues of stability, oscillations, and jets. Following our review of the analytic work, we take a parallel approach in reviewing numerical studies of black hole accretion disks. We finish with a few select applications that highlight particular astrophysical applications: measurements of black hole mass and spin, black hole vs. neutron star accretion disks, black hole accretion disk spectral states, and quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs).

Accretion flows onto supermassive black holes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Begelman, Mitchell C.

1988-01-01

The radiative and hydrodynamic properties of an angular momentum-dominated accretion flow onto a supermassive black hole depend largely on the ratio of the accretion rate to the Eddington accretion rate. High values of this ratio favor optically thick flows which produce largely thermal radiation, while optically thin 'two-temperature' flows may be present in systems with small values of this ratio. Observations of some AGN suggest that thermal and nonthermal sources of radiation may be of comparable importance in the 'central engine'. Consideration is given to the possibilities for coexistence of different modes of accretion in a single flow. One intriguing possibility is that runaway pair production may cause an optically thick 'accretion annulus' to form at the center of a two-temperature inflow.

Winds from accretion disks - Ultraviolet line formation in cataclysmic variables

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shlosman, Isaac; Vitello, Peter

1993-01-01

Winds from accretion disks in cataclysmic variable stars are ubiquitous. Observations by IUE reveal P Cygni-shaped profiles of high-ionization lines which are attributed to these winds. We have studied the formation of UV emission lines in cataclysmic variables by constructing kinematical models of biconical rotating outflows from disks around white dwarfs. The photoionization in the wind is calculated taking into account the radiation fields of the disk, the boundary layer, and the white dwarf. The 3D radiative transfer is solved in the Sobolev approximation. Effects on the line shapes of varying basic physical parameters of the wind are shown explicitly. We identify and map the resonant scattering regions in the wind which have strongly biconical character regardless of the assumed velocity and radiation fields. Rotation at the base of the wind introduces a radial shear which decreases the line optical depth and reduces the line core intensity. We find that it is possible to reproduce the observed P Cygni line shapes and make some predictions to be verified in high-resolution observations.

Pebble Accretion in Turbulent Protoplanetary Disks

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xu, Ziyan; Bai, Xue-Ning; Murray-Clay, Ruth A.

2017-09-01

It has been realized in recent years that the accretion of pebble-sized dust particles onto planetary cores is an important mode of core growth, which enables the formation of giant planets at large distances and assists planet formation in general. The pebble accretion theory is built upon the orbit theory of dust particles in a laminar protoplanetary disk (PPD). For sufficiently large core mass (in the “Hill regime”), essentially all particles of appropriate sizes entering the Hill sphere can be captured. However, the outer regions of PPDs are expected to be weakly turbulent due to the magnetorotational instability (MRI), where turbulent stirring of particle orbits may affect the efficiency of pebble accretion. We conduct shearing-box simulations of pebble accretion with different levels of MRI turbulence (strongly turbulent assuming ideal magnetohydrodynamics, weakly turbulent in the presence of ambipolar diffusion, and laminar) and different core masses to test the efficiency of pebble accretion at a microphysical level. We find that accretion remains efficient for marginally coupled particles (dimensionless stopping time {τ }s˜ 0.1{--}1) even in the presence of strong MRI turbulence. Though more dust particles are brought toward the core by the turbulence, this effect is largely canceled by a reduction in accretion probability. As a result, the overall effect of turbulence on the accretion rate is mainly reflected in the changes in the thickness of the dust layer. On the other hand, we find that the efficiency of pebble accretion for strongly coupled particles (down to {τ }s˜ 0.01) can be modestly reduced by strong turbulence for low-mass cores.

Role of 5-HT7 receptors in the inhibition of the vasodepressor sensory CGRPergic outflow in pithed rats.

PubMed

Cuesta, Cristina; García-Pedraza, José Ángel; García, Mónica; Villalón, Carlos M; Morán, Asunción

2014-10-01

The role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the modulation of vascular tone has been widely documented. Indeed, electrical stimulation of the perivascular sensory outflow in pithed rats induces vasodepressor responses by activation of CGRP receptors. This study investigated the role of 5-HT7 receptors in the inhibition of the rat vasodepressor sensory outflow. Male Wistar pithed rats were pretreated with i.v. continuous infusions of hexamethonium and methoxamine, followed by physiological saline or AS-19 (a 5-HT7 receptor agonist). Then, electrical stimulation of the spinal cord resulted in frequency-dependent decreases in DBP. The infusions of AS-19, as compared to those of saline, inhibited the vasodepressor responses induced by electrical stimulation without affecting those to i.v. bolus injections of exogenous α-CGRP. This inhibition by AS-19 was abolished by the antagonists pimozide (5-HT7) or sulfisoxazole (ETA), but not by indomethacin (COX1/2) or losartan (AT1), at doses that did not affect per se the electrically-induced vasodepressor responses. Interestingly, glibenclamide (an ATP-dependent K(+) channel blocker) attenuated these vasodepressor responses. The present results suggest that AS-19-induced inhibition of the rat vasodepressor sensory CGRPergic outflow is mainly mediated by 5-HT7 receptors via endothelin release, with the possible involvement of ATP-dependent K(+) channels. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A Strong Shallow Heat Source in the Accreting Neutron Star MAXI J0556-332

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deibel, Alex; Cumming, Andrew; Brown, Edward F.; Page, Dany

2015-08-01

An accretion outburst in an X-ray transient deposits material onto the neutron star primary; this accumulation of matter induces reactions in the neutron star’s crust. During the accretion outburst these reactions heat the crust out of thermal equilibrium with the core. When accretion halts, the crust cools to its long-term equilibrium temperature on observable timescales. Here we examine the accreting neutron star transient MAXI J0556-332, which is the hottest transient, at the start of quiescence, observed to date. Models of the quiescent light curve require a large deposition of heat in the shallow outer crust from an unknown source. The additional heat injected is ≈4-10 MeV per accreted nucleon; when the observed decline in accretion rate at the end of the outburst is accounted for, the required heating increases to ≈6-16 MeV. This shallow heating is still required to fit the light curve even after taking into account a second accretion episode, uncertainties in distance, and different surface gravities. The amount of shallow heating is larger than that inferred for other neutron star transients and is larger than can be supplied by nuclear reactions or compositionally driven convection; but it is consistent with stored mechanical energy in the accretion disk. The high crust temperature ({T}b≳ {10}9 {{K}}) makes its cooling behavior in quiescence largely independent of the crust composition and envelope properties, so that future observations will probe the gravity of the source. Fits to the light curve disfavor the presence of Urca cooling pairs in the crust.

Global-scale Ionospheric Outflow: Major Processes and Unresolved Problems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liemohn, M. W.; Welling, D. T.; Ilie, R.; Khazanov, G. V.; Jahn, J. M.; Zou, S.; Ganushkina, N. Y.; Valek, P. W.; Elliott, H. A.; Gilchrist, B. E.; Hoegy, W. R.; Glocer, A.

2016-12-01

Outflow from the ionosphere is a major source of plasma to the magnetosphere. Its presence, especially that of ions heavier than He+, mass loads the magnetosphere and changes reconnection rates, current system configurations, plasma wave excitation and wave-particle interactions. It even impacts the propagation of information. We present a brief overview of the major processes and scientific history of this field. There are still major gaps, however, in our understanding of the global-scale nature of ionospheric outflow. We discuss these unresolved problems highlighting the leading questions still outstanding on this topic. First and foremost, since the measurements of ionospheric outflow have largely come from individual satellites and sounding rockets, the processes are best known on the local level, while the spatial distribution of outflow has never been simultaneously measured on more global scales. The spatial coherence and correlation of outflow across time and space have not been quantified. Furthermore, the composition of the outflow is often only measured at a coarse level of H+, He+, and O+, neglecting other species such as N+ or moleculars. However, resolving O+ from N+, as is customary in planetary research, aids in revealing the physics and altitude dependence of the energization processes in the ionosphere. Similarly, fine-resolution velocity space measurements of ionospheric outflow have been limited, yet such observations can also reveal energization processes driving the outflow. A final unresolved issue to mention is magnetically conjugate outflow and the full extent of hemispherically asymmetric outflow fluxes or fluence. Each of these open questions have substantial ramifications for magnetospheric physics; their resolution could yield sweeping changes in our understanding of nonlinear feedback and cross-scale physical interactions, magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling, and geospace system-level science.

Cumulative neutrino background from quasar-driven outflows

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Wang, Xiawei; Loeb, Abraham, E-mail: xiawei.wang@cfa.harvard.edu, E-mail: aloeb@cfa.harvard.edu

2016-12-01

Quasar-driven outflows naturally account for the missing component of the extragalactic γ-ray background through neutral pion production in interactions between protons accelerated by the forward outflow shock and interstellar protons. We study the simultaneous neutrino emission by the same protons. We adopt outflow parameters that best fit the extragalactic γ-ray background data and derive a cumulative neutrino background of ∼ 10{sup −7} GeV cm{sup −2} s{sup −1} sr{sup −1} at neutrino energies E {sub ν} ∼> 10 TeV, which naturally explains the most recent IceCube data without tuning any free parameters. The link between the γ-ray and neutrino emission frommore » quasar outflows can be used to constrain the high-energy physics of strong shocks at cosmological distances.« less

Interpreting MAD within multiple accretion regimes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mocz, Philip; Guo, Xinyi

2015-02-01

General relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) simulations of accreting black holes in the radiatively inefficient regime show that systems with sufficient magnetic poloidal flux become magnetically arrested disc (MAD) systems, with a well-defined relationship between the magnetic flux and the mass accretion rate. Recently, Zamaninasab et al. report that the jet magnetic flux and accretion disc luminosity are tightly correlated over 7 orders of magnitude for a sample of 76 radio-loud active galaxies, concluding that the data are explained by the MAD mode of accretion. Their analysis assumes radiatively efficient accretion, and their sample consists primarily of radiatively efficient sources, while GRMHD simulations of MAD thus far have been carried out in the radiatively inefficient regime. We propose a model to interpret MAD systems in the context of multiple accretion regimes, and apply it to the sample in Zamaninasab et al., along with additional radiatively inefficient sources from archival data. We show that most of the radiatively inefficient radio-loud galaxies are consistent with being MAD systems. Assuming the MAD relationship found in radiatively inefficient simulations holds at other accretion regimes, a significant fraction of our sample can be candidates for MAD systems. Future GRMHD simulations have yet to verify the validity of this assumption.

Super-Eddington Accretion in Tidal Disruption Events: the Impact of Realistic Fallback Rates on Accretion Rates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Samantha; Coughlin, Eric R.; Nixon, Chris

2018-04-01

After the tidal disruption of a star by a massive black hole, disrupted stellar debris can fall back to the hole at a rate significantly exceeding its Eddington limit. To understand how black hole mass affects the duration of super-Eddington accretion in tidal disruption events, we first run a suite of simulations of the disruption of a Solar-like star by a supermassive black hole of varying mass to directly measure the fallback rate onto the hole, and we compare these fallback rates to the analytic predictions of the "frozen-in" model. Then, adopting a Zero-Bernoulli Accretion flow as an analytic prescription for the accretion flow around the hole, we investigate how the accretion rate onto the black hole evolves with the more accurate fallback rates calculated from the simulations. We find that numerically-simulated fallback rates yield accretion rates onto the hole that can, depending on the black hole mass, be nearly an order of magnitude larger than those predicted by the frozen-in approximation. Our results place new limits on the maximum black hole mass for which super-Eddington accretion occurs in tidal disruption events.

High-mass Star Formation through Filamentary Collapse and Clump-fed Accretion in G22

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, Jinghua; Li, Jin-Zeng; Wu, Yuefang; Ellingsen, Simon P.; Henkel, Christian; Wang, Ke; Liu, Tie; Liu, Hong-Li; Zavagno, Annie; Ren, Zhiyuan; Huang, Ya-Fang

2018-01-01

How mass is accumulated from cloud-scale down to individual stars is a key open question in understanding high-mass star formation. Here, we present the mass accumulation process in a hub-filament cloud G22 that is composed of four supercritical filaments. Velocity gradients detected along three filaments indicate that they are collapsing with a total mass infall rate of about 440 M ⊙ Myr‑1, suggesting the hub mass would be doubled in six free-fall times, adding up to ∼2 Myr. A fraction of the masses in the central clumps C1 and C2 can be accounted for through large-scale filamentary collapse. Ubiquitous blue profiles in HCO+ (3–2) and 13CO (3–2) spectra suggest a clump-scale collapse scenario in the most massive and densest clump C1. The estimated infall velocity and mass infall rate are 0.31 km s‑1 and 7.2 × 10‑4 M ⊙ yr‑1, respectively. In clump C1, a hot molecular core (SMA1) is revealed by the Submillimeter Array observations and an outflow-driving high-mass protostar is located at the center of SMA1. The mass of the protostar is estimated to be 11–15 M ⊙ and it is still growing with an accretion rate of 7 × 10‑5 M ⊙ yr‑1. The coexistent infall in filaments, clump C1, and the central hot core in G22 suggests that pre-assembled mass reservoirs (i.e., high-mass starless cores) may not be required to form high-mass stars. In the course of high-mass star formation, the central protostar, the core, and the clump can simultaneously grow in mass via core-fed/disk accretion, clump-fed accretion, and filamentary/cloud collapse.

Density diagnostics of ionized outflows in active galacitc nuclei

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mao, J.; Kaastra, J.; Mehdipour, M.; Raassen, T.; Gu, L.

2017-10-01

Ionized outflows in Active Galactic Nuclei are thought to influence their nuclear and local galactic environment. However, the distance of outflows with respect to the central engine is poorly constrained, which limits our understanding of the kinetic power by the outflows. Therefore, the impact of AGN outflows on their host galaxies is uncertain. Given the density of the outflows, their distance can be immediately obtained by the definition of the ionization parameter. Here we carry out a theoretical study of density diagnostics of AGN outflows using absorption lines from metastable levels in Be-like to F-like ions. With the new self-consistent photoionization model (PION) in the SPEX code, we are able to calculate ground and metastable level populations. This enable us to determine under what physical conditions these levels are significantly populated. We then identify characteristic transitions from these metastable levels in the X-ray band. Firm detections of absorption lines from such metastable levels are challenging for current grating instruments. The next generation of spectrometers like X-IFU onboard Athena will certainly identify the presence/absence of these density- sensitive absorption lines, thus tightly constraining the location and the kinetic power of AGN outflows.

Images and Spectra of Time Dependent Two Component Advective Flow in Presence of Outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chatterjee, Arka; Chakrabarti, Sandip K.; Ghosh, Himadri; Garain, Sudip K.

2018-05-01

Two Component Advective Flow (TCAF) successfully explains the spectral and temporal properties of outbursting or persistent sources. Images of static TCAF with Compton cloud or CENtrifugal pressure supported Boundary Layer (CENBOL) due to gravitational bending of photons have been studied before. In this paper, we study time dependent images of advective flows around a Schwarzschild black hole which include cooling effects due to Comptonization of soft photons from a Keplerian disks well as the self-consistently produced jets and outflows. We show the overall image of the disk-jet system after convolving with a typical beamwidth. A long exposure image with time dependent system need not show the black hole horizon conspicuously, unless one is looking at a soft state with no jet or the system along the jet axis. Assuming these disk-jet configurations are relevant to radio emitting systems also, our results would be useful to look for event horizons in high accretion rate Supermassive Black Holes in Seyfert galaxies, RL Quasars.

Quantifying the AGN-driven outflows in ULIRGs (QUADROS) III: Measurements of the radii and kinetic powers of 8 near-nuclear outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spence, R. A. W.; Tadhunter, C. N.; Rose, M.; Rodríguez Zaurín, J.

2018-05-01

As part of the QUADROS project to quantify the impact of AGN-driven outflows in rapidly evolving galaxies in the local universe, we present observations of 8 nearby ULIRGs (0.04 < z < 0.2) taken with the ISIS spectrograph on the William Herschel Telescope (WHT), and also summarize the results of the project as a whole. Consistent with Rose et al. (2018), we find that the outflow regions are compact (0.08 < R_{[O III]} < 1.5 kpc), and the electron densities measured using the [S II], [O II] trans-auroral emission-line ratios are relatively high (2.5 < log ne (cm-3) < 4.5, median log ne (cm-3) ˜ 3.1). Many of the outflow regions are also significantly reddened (median E(B - V) ˜ 0.5). Assuming that the de-projected outflow velocities are represented by the 5^{th} percentile velocities (v05) of the broad, blueshifted components of [O III] λ5007, we calculate relatively modest mass outflow rates (0.1 < \\dot{M} < 20 M⊙ yr-1, median \\dot{M} ˜ 2 M⊙ yr-1), and find kinetic powers as a fraction of the AGN bolometric luminosity (\\dot{F} = \\dot{E}/L_bol) in the range 0.02 < \\dot{F} < 3 per cent, median \\dot{F} ˜ 0.3 per cent). The latter estimates are in line with the predictions of multi-stage outflow models, or single-stage models in which only a modest fraction of the initial kinetic power of the inner disk winds is transferred to the larger-scale outflows. Considering the QUADROS sample as a whole, we find no clear evidence for correlations between the properties of the outflows and the bolometric luminosities of the AGN, albeit based on a sample that covers a relatively small range in Lbol. Overall, our results suggest that there is a significant intrinsic scatter in outflow properties of ULIRGs for a given AGN luminosity.

A model for accretion of the terrestrial planets

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weidenschilling, S. J.

1974-01-01

One possible origin of the terrestrial planets involves their formation by gravitational accretion of particles originally in Keplerian orbits about the sun. Some implications of this theory are considered. A formal expression for the rate of mass accretion by a planet is developed. The formal singularity of the gravitational collision cross section for low relative velocities is shown to be without physical significance when the accreting bodies are in heliocentric orbits. The distribution of particle velocities relative to an accreting planet is considered; the mean velocity increases with time. The internal temperature of an accreting planet is shown to depend simply on the accretion rate. A simple and physically reasonable approximate expression for a planetary accretion rate is proposed.

Fast Outflow of Molecular Gas in the Seyfert Galaxy IC 5063

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morganti, Raffaella; Oosterloo, T.; Oonk, R.; Tadhunter, C.

2017-11-01

AGN-driven gas outflows may play an important role in the evolution of galaxies, as they impact on the growth on the central supermassive black hole as well on the star formation of the host galaxy. Much of the detailed physics of these gas outflows, and their actual impact on the host galaxy, is still not well understood. We present a detailed analysis, using ALMA observations, of the radio-jet driven outflow of molecular gas in the nearby radio-loud Seyfert galaxy IC 5063 which allows to derive important physical parameters of the gas and the outflow which, in turn, provide crucial input to numerical models. In recent years, a surprising result in the field of AGN-driven outflows has been that the cold phases of the gas (atomic and molecular) in some galaxies are the massive components of these outflows, despite the huge amounts of energy involved in driving these outflows. However, why most of the outflowing gas should be molecular/atomic, and in general, what are the physical conditions of the gas in the outflows and what really drives them, are still open questions. We present the results obtained from ALMA observations of multiple CO transitions and other molecules of what appears to be a textbook case of a jet-driven multi- phase outflow in the central regions of the Seyfert galaxy IC 5063. The data on multiple transitions allow us to derive the physical conditions in the different regions of the outflowing molecular gas. The signature of the impact of the radio jet is clearly seen in the spatial distribution of the excitation temperature and pressure of the outflowing gas, with the highest excitation and pressure found for the gas with the highest outflow velocities. We obtain a detailed three- dimensional picture of the outflow, and its kinematics, and find that outflowing molecular gas is present across the entire region co-spatial with the radio plasma, providing unambiguous evidence that the radio jets/cocoon are responsible for the outflow. The

Reversing cooling flows with AGN jets: shock waves, rarefaction waves and trailing outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guo, Fulai; Duan, Xiaodong; Yuan, Ye-Fei

2018-01-01

The cooling flow problem is one of the central problems in galaxy clusters, and active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback is considered to play a key role in offsetting cooling. However, how AGN jets heat and suppress cooling flows remains highly debated. Using an idealized simulation of a cool-core cluster, we study the development of central cooling catastrophe and how a subsequent powerful AGN jet event averts cooling flows, with a focus on complex gasdynamical processes involved. We find that the jet drives a bow shock, which reverses cooling inflows and overheats inner cool-core regions. The shocked gas moves outward in a rarefaction wave, which rarefies the dense core and adiabatically transports a significant fraction of heated energy to outer regions. As the rarefaction wave propagates away, inflows resume in the cluster core, but a trailing outflow is uplifted by the AGN bubble, preventing gas accumulation and catastrophic cooling in central regions. Inflows and trailing outflows constitute meridional circulations in the cluster core. At later times, trailing outflows fall back to the cluster centre, triggering central cooling catastrophe and potentially a new generation of AGN feedback. We thus envisage a picture of cool cluster cores going through cycles of cooling-induced contraction and AGN-induced expansion. This picture naturally predicts an anti-correlation between the gas fraction (or X-ray luminosity) of cool cores and the central gas entropy, which may be tested by X-ray observations.

Maja Valley and the Chryse outflow complex sites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rice, Jim W.

1994-01-01

This candidate landing site is located at 19 deg N, 53.5 deg W near the mouth of a major outflow channel. Maja Valles, and two 'valley network' channel systems, Maumee and Vedra Valles. The following objectives are to be analyzed in this region: (1) origin and paleohydrology of outflow and valley network channels; (2) fan delta complex composition (the deposit located in this area is one of the few identified at the mouth s of any channels on the planet); and (3) analysis of any paleolake sediments (carbonates, evaporites). The primary objectives of the Chryse Outflow Complex region (Ares, Tiu, Mawrth, Simud, and Shalbatana Valles) would be outflow channel dynamics (paleohydrology) of five different channel systems.

A Study of PG Quasar-Driven Outflows with COS

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hamann, Frederick

2013-10-01

Quasar outflows are an important part of the quasar phenomenon, but many questions remain about their energetics, physical properties and the role they might play in providing feedback to host galaxy evolution. We searched our own COS far-UV observations from the QUEST survey and other large COS programs to find a sample of 6 bright PG quasars with broad {FWHM > 400 km/s} high velocity {v > 1000 km/s} absorption lines that clearly form in quasar-driven winds. These quasars can fill an important gap in our understanding between local Seyferts with low-speed winds and high-redshift quasars with extreme BAL outflows. They are also well-studied at other wavelengths, with some evidence for the quasars driving galaxy-scale blowouts and shutting down star formation. But almost nothing is known about the quasar outflows themselves. We propose a detailed study of these 6 outflow quasars using new COS FUV observations to 1} expand the existing wavelength coverage across critical lines that are diagnostic of the outflow physical conditions, kinetic energies, and metallicities, and 2} check for line variability as an indicator of the outflow structure and locations. This quasar sample includes unusual cases with many low-abundance {PV 1118,1128 and SIV 1063} and excited-state lines {SIV 1073*, CIII* 1175, CII* 1335} that will provide unprecedented constraints on the outflow properties, plus the first known OVI-only mini-BAL outflow {no lower ions detected} for which we will cover NeVIII 770,780 to probe the highest ionization gas. The high FUV sensitivity of COS is uniquely able to measure this wide range of outflow lines in low-redshift quasars with no Lya forest contamination.

Physical Conditions in Ultra-fast Outflows in AGN

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kraemer, S. B.; Tombesi, F.; Bottorff, M. C.

2018-01-01

XMM-Newton and Suzaku spectra of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) have revealed highly ionized gas, in the form of absorption lines from H-like and He-like Fe. Some of these absorbers, ultra-fast outflows (UFOs), have radial velocities of up to 0.25c. We have undertaken a detailed photoionization study of high-ionization Fe absorbers, both UFOs and non-UFOs, in a sample of AGN observed by XMM-Newton. We find that the heating and cooling processes in UFOs are Compton-dominated, unlike the non-UFOs. Both types are characterized by force multipliers on the order of unity, which suggest that they cannot be radiatively accelerated in sub-Eddington AGN, unless they were much less ionized at their point of origin. However, such highly ionized gas can be accelerated via a magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) wind. We explore this possibility by applying a cold MHD flow model to the UFO in the well-studied Seyfert galaxy, NGC 4151. We find that the UFO can be accelerated along magnetic streamlines anchored in the accretion disk. In the process, we have been able to constrain the magnetic field strength and the magnetic pressure in the UFO and have determined that the system is not in magnetic/gravitational equipartition. Open questions include the variability of the UFOs and the apparent lack of non-UFOs in UFO sources.

The Mass Outflow Rate of the Milky Way

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fox, Andrew

2017-08-01

The balance between gaseous inflow and outflow regulates star formation in spiral galaxies. This paradigm can be tested in the Milky Way, but whereas the star formation rate and inflow rate have both been measured, the outflow rate has not. We propose an archival COS program to determine the Galactic outflow rate in cool gas ( 10^4 K) by surveying UV absorption line high-velocity clouds (HVCs). This project will make use of the newly updated Hubble Spectroscopic Legacy Archive, which contains a uniformly reduced sample of 233 COS G130M spectra of background AGN. The outflow rate will be determined by (1) searching for redshifted HVCs; (2) modeling the clouds with photoionization simulations to determine their masses and physical properties; (3) combining the cloud masses with their velocities and distances. We will measure how the outflow is distributed spatially across the sky, calculate its mass loading factor, and compare the line profiles to synthetic spectra extracted from new hydrodynamic simulations. The distribution of HVC velocities will inform us what fraction of the outflowing clouds will escape the halo and what fraction will circulate back to the disk, to better understand how and where gas enters and exits the Milky Way.

Quantification of Focal Outflow Enhancement Using Differential Canalograms

PubMed Central

Loewen, Ralitsa T.; Brown, Eric N.; Scott, Gordon; Parikh, Hardik; Schuman, Joel S.; Loewen, Nils A.

2016-01-01

Purpose To quantify regional changes of conventional outflow caused by ab interno trabeculectomy (AIT). Methods Gonioscopic, plasma-mediated AIT was established in enucleated pig eyes. We developed a program to automatically quantify outflow changes (R, package eye-canalogram, github.com) using a fluorescent tracer reperfusion technique. Trabecular meshwork (TM) ablation was demonstrated with fluorescent spheres in six eyes before formal outflow quantification with two-dye reperfusion canalograms in six additional eyes. Eyes were perfused with a central, intracameral needle at 15 mm Hg. Canalograms and histology were correlated for each eye. Results The pig eye provided a model with high similarity to AIT in human patients. Histology indicated ablation of TM and unroofing of most Schlemm's canal segments. Spheres highlighted additional circumferential and radial outflow beyond the immediate area of ablation. Differential canalograms showed that AIT caused an increase of outflow of 17 ± 5-fold inferonasally, 14 ± 3-fold superonasally, and also an increase in the opposite quadrants with a 2 ± 1-fold increase superotemporally, and 3 ± 3 inferotemporally. Perilimbal specific flow image analysis showed an accelerated nasal filling with an additional perilimbal flow direction into adjacent quadrants. Conclusions A quantitative, differential canalography technique was developed that allows us to quantify supraphysiological outflow enhancement by AIT. PMID:27227352

Probing the Inflow/Outflow and Accretion Disk of Cygnus X-1 in the High State with the Chandra High Energy Transmission Grating

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Feng, Y. X.; Tennant, A. F.; Zhang, S. N.

2003-01-01

Cygnus X-1 was observed in the high state at the conjunction orbital phase (0) with Chandra High Energy Transmission Grating (HETG). Strong and asymmetric absorption lines of highly ionized species were detected, such as Fe xxv, Fe xxiv, Fe xxiii, Si xiv, S xvi, Ne x, etc. In the high state the profile of the absorption lines is composed of an extended red wing and a less extended blue wing. The red wings of higher ionized species are more extended than those of lower ionized species. The detection of these lines provides a way to probe the properties of the flow around the companion and the black hole in Cyg X-1 during the high state. A broad emission feature around 6.5 keV was significantly detected from the spectra of both the Chandra/HETG and the RXTE/Proportional Counter Array. This feature appears to be symmetric and can be fitted with a Gaussian function rather than the Laor disk line model of the fluorescent Fe K(alpha) line from an accretion disk. The implications of these results on the structure of the accretion flow of Cyg X-1 in the high state are discussed.

Exploring the engines of molecular outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Testi, Leonardo

1995-03-01

Water vapour masers and CO outflows are well known to be associated with the youngest phases of evolution of massive stellar objects. Nevertheless, up to now there is a lack of high resolution multiwavelength study of the regions containing these objects. Using the VLA, the CSO and the TIRGO equipped with the new Near-Infrared (NIR) camera ARNICA, we have begun a systematic study of water maser/CO outflow regions. These new high resolution and high sensitivity data have proved to be very useful in probing the star formation activity and the connection between infrared and radio sources. Here we report the results obtained in a preliminary sub- sample of objects. The NIR data showed that both the maser spots and the large- scale outflows tend to be associated to the most embedded and probably younger sources of the infrared clusters. Infrared emission lines observed with narrow band filters show the presence of jet-like structures in most of the sources observed. Water masers, jet-like and Herbig-Haro-like infrared structures, and CO outflows enable to probe ejection phenomena at all spacial scales ranging from 0.01 to 1 parsec.

Outflow from a Nocturnal Thunderstorm.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-11-01

P AD-A093 796 ILLINOIS STATE WATER SURVEY URBANAF/ .2 OUTFLOW FROM A NOCTURNAL THUNDERSTORM. (U) NOV a0 R W SCOTT NSF-ATHN78-0a865 UNCLASSIFIED SWS...CR-242 ARO-15529.5-6S N I muuuuuuuuuuuu iDA0937 9 6 State Water Survey Division k istitute of METEOROLOGY SECTION 0 uJD AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS...SWS Contract Report 242 / F OUTFLOW FROM A NOCTURNAL THUNDERSTORM Robert W. Scott Meteorology Section Illinois State Water Survey -- DTIC ELECTE CD

No Sign of Strong Molecular Gas Outflow in an Infrared-bright Dust-obscured Galaxy with Strong Ionized-gas Outflow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Toba, Yoshiki; Komugi, Shinya; Nagao, Tohru; Yamashita, Takuji; Wang, Wei-Hao; Imanishi, Masatoshi; Sun, Ai-Lei

2017-12-01

We report the discovery of an infrared (IR)-bright dust-obscured galaxy (DOG) that shows a strong ionized-gas outflow but no significant molecular gas outflow. Based on detailed analysis of their optical spectra, we found some peculiar IR-bright DOGs that show strong ionized-gas outflow ([O III] λ5007) from the central active galactic nucleus (AGN). For one of these DOGs (WISE J102905.90+050132.4) at z spec = 0.493, we performed follow-up observations using ALMA to investigate their CO molecular gas properties. As a result, we successfully detected 12CO(J = 2–1) and 12CO(J = 4–3) lines and the continuum of this DOG. The intensity-weighted velocity map of both lines shows a gradient, and the line profile of those CO lines is well-fitted by a single narrow Gaussian, meaning that this DOG has no sign of strong molecular gas outflow. The IR luminosity of this object is log (L IR/L ⊙) = 12.40, which is classified as an ultraluminous IR galaxy (ULIRG). We found that (i) the stellar mass and star formation rate relation and (ii) the CO luminosity and far-IR luminosity relation are consistent with those of typical ULIRGs at similar redshifts. These results indicate that the molecular gas properties of this DOG are normal despite the fact that its optical spectrum shows a powerful AGN outflow. We conclude that a powerful ionized-gas outflow caused by the AGN does not necessarily affect the cold interstellar medium in the host galaxy, at least for this DOG.

HeI lambda 10830 line: a probe of the accretion/ejection activity in RU Lupi .

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Podio, L.; Garcia, P. J. V.; Bacciotti, F.

Most of the observed lines and continuum emission excesses from Classical T Tauri Stars (CTTSs) take place at the star-disk interface or in the inner disk region. These regions have a complex emission topology still largely unknown. The HeI lambda 10830 line showed to be a powerful instrument to trace both accreting matter, in emission, and outflowing gas via the frequently detected absorption features. To fully exploit the diagnostic potential of this line we performed a spectro-astrometric analysis of the spectra of the TTS RU Lupi, taken with ISAAC at the VLT. The analysis highlighted a displacement with respect to the source of the region where the absorption feature is generated. This indicates the presence of both an inner stellar wind and a collimated micro-jet in the circumstellar region of RU Lupi.

Propagation of tidal disturbance in gaseous accretion disks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lin, D. N. C.; Papaloizou, J. C. B.; Savonije, G. J.

1990-01-01

Linear wave propagation is studied in geometrically thin accretion disks where the equilibrium variables, such as density and temperature, are stratified in the direction normal to the plane of the disk; i.e., the vertical direction. It is shown, due to refraction effects, that waves excited by tidal disturbances induced by a satellite or a companion of the central object are not expected to reach the interior regions of the disk with a significant amplitude.

Chryse Outflow Channel

NASA Image and Video Library

1998-06-08

A color image of the south Chryse basin Valles Marineris outflow channels on Mars; north toward top. The scene shows on the southwest corner the chaotic terrain of the east part of Valles Marineris and two of its related canyons: Eos and Capri Chasmata (south to north). Ganges Chasma lies directly north. The chaos in the southern part of the image gives rise to several outflow channels, Shalbatana, Simud, Tiu, and Ares Valles (left to right), that drained north into the Chryse basin. The mouth of Ares Valles is the site of the Mars Pathfinder lander. This image is a composite of NASA's Viking medium-resolution images in black and white and low-resolution images in color. The image extends from latitude 20 degrees S. to 20 degrees N. and from longitude 15 degrees to 53 degrees; Mercator projection. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA00418

A scaling law for accretion zone sizes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Greenzweig, Yuval; Lissauer, Jack J.

1987-01-01

Current theories of runaway planetary accretion require small random velocities of the accreted particles. Two body gravitational accretion cross sections which ignore tidal perturbations of the Sun are not valid for the slow encounters which occur at low relative velocities. Wetherill and Cox have studied accretion cross sections for rocky protoplanets orbiting at 1 AU. Using analytic methods based on Hill's lunar theory, one can scale these results for protoplanets that occupy the same fraction of their Hill sphere as does a rocky body at 1 AU. Generalization to bodies of different sizes is achieved here by numerical integrations of the three-body problem. Starting at initial positions far from the accreting body, test particles are allowed to encounter the body once, and the cross section is computed. A power law is found relating the cross section to the radius of the accreting body (of fixed mass).

Extraplanar H II Regions in Spiral Galaxies. I. Low-metallicity Gas Accreting through the Disk-halo Interface of NGC 4013

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Howk, J. Christopher; Rueff, Katherine M.; Lehner, Nicolas; Wotta, Christopher B.; Croxall, Kevin; Savage, Blair D.

2018-04-01

The interstellar thick disks of galaxies serve as the interface between the thin star-forming disk, where feedback-driven outflows originate, and the distant halo, the repository for accreted gas. We present optical emission line spectroscopy of a luminous, thick disk H II region located at z = 860 pc above the plane of the spiral galaxy NGC 4013 taken with the Multi-Object Double Spectrograph on the Large Binocular Telescope. This nebula, with an Hα luminosity ∼4–7 times that of the Orion nebula, surrounds a luminous cluster of young, hot stars that ionize the surrounding interstellar gas of the thick disk, providing a measure of the properties of that gas. We demonstrate that strong emission line methods can provide accurate measures of relative abundances between pairs of H II regions. From our emission line spectroscopy, we show that the metal content of the thick disk H II region is a factor of ≈2 lower than gas in H II regions at the midplane of this galaxy (with the relative abundance of O in the thick disk lower by ‑0.32 ± 0.09 dex). This implies incomplete mixing of material in the thick disk on small scales (hundreds of parsecs) and that there is accretion of low-metallicity gas through the thick disks of spirals. The inclusion of low-metallicity gas this close to the plane of NGC 4013 is reminiscent of the recently proposed “fountain-driven” accretion models.

DISCOVERY OF RELATIVISTIC OUTFLOW IN THE SEYFERT GALAXY Ark 564

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gupta, A.; Mathur, S.; Krongold, Y.

2013-07-20

We present Chandra High Energy Transmission Grating Spectra of the narrow-line Seyfert-1 galaxy Ark 564. The spectrum shows numerous absorption lines which are well modeled with low-velocity outflow components usually observed in Seyfert galaxies. There are, however, some residual absorption lines which are not accounted for by low-velocity outflows. Here, we present identifications of the strongest lines as K{alpha} transitions of O VII (two lines) and O VI at outflow velocities of {approx}0.1c. These lines are detected at 6.9{sigma}, 6.2{sigma}, and 4.7{sigma}, respectively, and cannot be due to chance statistical fluctuations. Photoionization models with ultra-high velocity components improve the spectralmore » fit significantly, providing further support for the presence of relativistic outflow in this source. Without knowing the location of the absorber, its mass and energy outflow rates cannot be well constrained; we find E-dot (outflow)/L{sub bol} lower limit of {>=}0.006% assuming a bi-conical wind geometry. This is the first time that absorption lines with ultra-high velocities are unambiguously detected in the soft X-ray band. The presence of outflows with relativistic velocities in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with Seyfert-type luminosities is hard to understand and provides valuable constraints to models of AGN outflows. Radiation pressure is unlikely to be the driving mechanism for such outflows and magnetohydrodynamic may be involved.« less

Character and dynamics of the Red Sea and Persian Gulf outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bower, Amy S.; Hunt, Heather D.; Price, James F.

2000-03-01

Historical hydrographic data and a numerical plume model are used to investigate the initial transformation, dynamics, and spreading pathways of Red Sea and Persian Gulf outflow waters where they enter the Indian Ocean. The annual mean transport of these outflows is relatively small (<0.4 Sv), but they have a major impact on the hydrographic properties of the Indian Ocean at the thermocline level because of their high salinity. They are different from other outflows in that they flow over very shallow sills (depth < 200 m) into a highly stratified upper ocean environment and they are located at relatively low latitudes (12°N and 26°N). Furthermore, the Red Sea outflow exhibits strong seasonal variability in transport. The four main results of this study are as follows. First, on the basis of observed temperature-salinity (T-S) characteristics of the outflow source and product waters we estimate that the Red Sea and Persian Gulf outflows are diluted by factors of ˜2.5 and 4, respectively, as they descend from sill depth to their depth of neutral buoyancy. The high-dilution factor for the Persian Gulf outflow results from the combined effects of large initial density difference between the outflow source water and oceanic water and low outflow transport. Second, the combination of low latitude and low outflow transport (and associated low outflow thickness) results in Ekman numbers for both outflows that are O(1). This indicates that they should be thought of as frictional density currents modified by rotation rather than geostrophic density currents modified by friction. Third, different mixing histories along the two channels that direct Red Sea outflow water into the open ocean result in product waters with significantly different densities, which probably contributes to the multilayered structure of the Red Sea product waters. In both outflows, seasonal variations in source water and oceanic properties have some effect on the T-S of the product waters, but

The Role of Cosmic-Ray Pressure in Accelerating Galactic Outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simpson, Christine M.; Pakmor, Rüdiger; Marinacci, Federico; Pfrommer, Christoph; Springel, Volker; Glover, Simon C. O.; Clark, Paul C.; Smith, Rowan J.

2016-08-01

We study the formation of galactic outflows from supernova (SN) explosions with the moving-mesh code AREPO in a stratified column of gas with a surface density similar to the Milky Way disk at the solar circle. We compare different simulation models for SN placement and energy feedback, including cosmic rays (CRs), and find that models that place SNe in dense gas and account for CR diffusion are able to drive outflows with similar mass loading as obtained from a random placement of SNe with no CRs. Despite this similarity, CR-driven outflows differ in several other key properties including their overall clumpiness and velocity. Moreover, the forces driving these outflows originate in different sources of pressure, with the CR diffusion model relying on non-thermal pressure gradients to create an outflow driven by internal pressure and the random-placement model depending on kinetic pressure gradients to propel a ballistic outflow. CRs therefore appear to be non-negligible physics in the formation of outflows from the interstellar medium.

THE ROLE OF COSMIC-RAY PRESSURE IN ACCELERATING GALACTIC OUTFLOWS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Simpson, Christine M.; Pakmor, Rüdiger; Pfrommer, Christoph

We study the formation of galactic outflows from supernova (SN) explosions with the moving-mesh code AREPO in a stratified column of gas with a surface density similar to the Milky Way disk at the solar circle. We compare different simulation models for SN placement and energy feedback, including cosmic rays (CRs), and find that models that place SNe in dense gas and account for CR diffusion are able to drive outflows with similar mass loading as obtained from a random placement of SNe with no CRs. Despite this similarity, CR-driven outflows differ in several other key properties including their overallmore » clumpiness and velocity. Moreover, the forces driving these outflows originate in different sources of pressure, with the CR diffusion model relying on non-thermal pressure gradients to create an outflow driven by internal pressure and the random-placement model depending on kinetic pressure gradients to propel a ballistic outflow. CRs therefore appear to be non-negligible physics in the formation of outflows from the interstellar medium.« less

Formation and spatial distribution of hypervelocity stars in AGN outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Xiawei; Loeb, Abraham

2018-05-01

We study star formation within outflows driven by active galactic nuclei (AGN) as a new source of hypervelocity stars (HVSs). Recent observations revealed active star formation inside a galactic outflow at a rate of ∼ 15M⊙yr-1 . We verify that the shells swept up by an AGN outflow are capable of cooling and fragmentation into cold clumps embedded in a hot tenuous gas via thermal instabilities. We show that cold clumps of ∼ 103 M⊙ are formed within ∼ 105 yrs. As a result, stars are produced along outflow's path, endowed with the outflow speed at their formation site. These HVSs travel through the galactic halo and eventually escape into the intergalactic medium. The expected instantaneous rate of star formation inside the outflow is ∼ 4 - 5 orders of magnitude greater than the average rate associated with previously proposed mechanisms for producing HVSs, such as the Hills mechanism and three-body interaction between a star and a black hole binary. We predict the spatial distribution of HVSs formed in AGN outflows for future observational probe.

How Galaxies Acquire their Gas: A Map of Multiphase Accretion and Feedback in Gaseous Galaxy Halos

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tumlinson, Jason

2009-07-01

We propose to address two of the biggest open questions in galaxy formation - how galaxies acquire their gas and how they return it to the IGM - with a concentrated COS survey of diffuse multiphase gas in the halos of SDSS galaxies at z = 0.15 - 0.35. Our chief science goal is to establish a basic set of observational facts about the physical state, metallicity, and kinematics of halo gas, including the sky covering fraction of hot and cold material, the metallicity of infall and outflow, and correlations with galaxy stellar mass, type, and color - all as a function of impact parameter from 10 - 150 kpc. Theory suggests that the bimodality of galaxy colors, the shape of the luminosity function, and the mass-metallicity relation are all influenced at a fundamental level by accretion and feedback, yet these gas processes are poorly understood and cannot be predicted robustly from first principles. We lack even a basic observational assessment of the multiphase gaseous content of galaxy halos on 100 kpc scales, and we do not know how these processes vary with galaxy properties. This ignorance is presently one of the key impediments to understanding galaxy formation in general. We propose to use the high-resolution gratings G130M and G160M on the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph to obtain sensitive column density measurements of a comprehensive suite of multiphase ions in the spectra of 43 z < 1 QSOs lying behind 43 galaxies selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. In aggregate, these sightlines will constitute a statistically sound map of the physical state and metallicity of gaseous halos, and subsets of the data with cuts on galaxy mass, color, and SFR will seek out predicted variations of gas properties with galaxy properties. Our interpretation of these data will be aided by state-of-the-art hydrodynamic simulations of accretion and feedback, in turn providing information to refine and test such models. We will also use Keck, MMT, and Magellan {as needed} to obtain

Broad Red-Shifted Lines as a Signature of Outflow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kazanas, Demosthenes; Titarchuk, Lev; Becker, Peter A.

2004-07-01

We formulate and solve the diffusion problem of line photon propagation in a bulk outflow from a compact object (black hole or neutron star) using a generic assumption regarding the distribution of line photons within the outflow. Thomson scattering of the line photons within the expanding flow leads to a decrease of their energy which is of first order in v/c, where v is the outflow velocity and c the speed of light. We demonstrate that the emergent line profile is closely related to the time distribution of photons diffusing through the flow (the light curve) and consists of a broad redshifted feature. We analyzed the line profiles for the general case of outflow density distribution. We emphasize that the redshifted lines are intrinsic properties of the powerful outflow that are supposed to be in many compact objects.

Broad Red-Shifted Lines as a Signature of Outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Titarchuck, Lev; Kazanas, Demos; Becker, Peter A.

2006-02-01

We formulate and solve the diffusion problem of line photon propagation in a bulk outflow from a compact object (black hole or neutron star) using a generic assumption regarding the distribution of line photons within the outflow. Thomson scattering of the line photons within the expanding flow leads to a decrease of their energy which is of first order in υ/c, where υ the outflow velocity and c is the speed of light. We demonstrate that the emergent line profile is closely related to the time distribution of photons diffusing through the flow (the light curve) and consists of a broad redshifted feature. We analyzed the line profiles for the general case of outflow density distribution. We emphasize that the redshifted lines are intrinsic properties of the powerful outflow that are supposed to be in many compact objects.

Planet population synthesis driven by pebble accretion in cluster environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ndugu, N.; Bitsch, B.; Jurua, E.

2018-02-01

The evolution of protoplanetary discs embedded in stellar clusters depends on the age and the stellar density in which they are embedded. Stellar clusters of young age and high stellar surface density destroy protoplanetary discs by external photoevaporation and stellar encounters. Here, we consider the effect of background heating from newly formed stellar clusters on the structure of protoplanetary discs and how it affects the formation of planets in these discs. Our planet formation model is built on the core accretion scenario, where we take the reduction of the core growth time-scale due to pebble accretion into account. We synthesize planet populations that we compare to observations obtained by radial velocity measurements. The giant planets in our simulations migrate over large distances due to the fast type-II migration regime induced by a high disc viscosity (α = 5.4 × 10-3). Cold Jupiters (rp > 1 au) originate preferably from the outer disc, due to the large-scale planetary migration, while hot Jupiters (rp < 0.1 au) preferably form in the inner disc. We find that the formation of gas giants via pebble accretion is in agreement with the metallicity correlation, meaning that more gas giants are formed at larger metallicity. However, our synthetic population of isolated stars host a significant amount of giant planets even at low metallicity, in contradiction to observations where giant planets are preferably found around high metallicity stars, indicating that pebble accretion is very efficient in the standard pebble accretion framework. On the other hand, discs around stars embedded in cluster environments hardly form any giant planets at low metallicity in agreement with observations, where these changes originate from the increased temperature in the outer parts of the disc, which prolongs the core accretion time-scale of the planet. We therefore conclude that the outer disc structure and the planet's formation location determines the giant planet

Black Hole Hyperaccretion Inflow–Outflow Model. I. Long and Ultra-long Gamma-Ray Bursts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Tong; Song, Cui-Ying; Zhang, Bing; Gu, Wei-Min; Heger, Alexander

2018-01-01

Long-duration gamma-ray bursts (LGRBs) and ultra-LGRBs (ULGRBs) originate from collapsars, in the center of which a newborn rotating stellar-mass black hole (BH) surrounded by a massive accretion disk may form. In the scenario of the BH hyperaccretion inflow–outflow model and Blandford–Znajek (BZ) mechanism to trigger gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), the real accretion rate to power a BZ jet is far lower than the mass supply rate from the progenitor star. The characteristics of the progenitor stars can be constrained by GRB luminosity observations, and the results exceed usual expectations. LGRBs lasting from several seconds to tens of seconds in the rest frame may originate from solar-metallicity (Z∼ 1 {Z}ȯ , where Z and {Z}ȯ are the metallicities of progenitor stars and the Sun), massive (M≳ 34 {M}ȯ , where M and {M}ȯ are the masses of progenitor stars and the Sun) stars or some zero-metallicity (Z∼ 0) stars. A fraction of low-metallicity (Z≲ {10}-2 {Z}ȯ ) stars, including Population III stars, can produce ULGRBs such as GRB 111209A. The fraction of LGRBs lasting less than tens of seconds in the rest frame is more than 40%, which cannot conform to the fraction of the demanded type of progenitor star. It possibly implies that the activity timescale of the central engine may be much longer than the observed timescale of prompt emission phase, as indicated by X-ray late-time activities. Alternatively, LGRBs and ULGRBs may be powered by a millisecond magnetar central engine.

Accretion Discs Around Black Holes: Developement of Theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bisnovatyi-Kogan, G. S.

Standard accretion disk theory is formulated which is based on the local heat balance. The energy produced by a turbulent viscous heating is supposed to be emitted to the sides of the disc. Sources of turbulence in the accretion disc are connected with nonlinear hydrodynamic instability, convection, and magnetic field. In standard theory there are two branches of solution, optically thick, and optically thin. Advection in accretion disks is described by the differential equations what makes the theory nonlocal. Low-luminous optically thin accretion disc model with advection at some suggestions may become advectively dominated, carrying almost all the energy inside the black hole. The proper account of magnetic filed in the process of accretion limits the energy advected into a black hole, efficiency of accretion should exceed ˜ 1/4 of the standard accretion disk model efficiency.

The Accretion Disk Wind in the Black Hole GRS 1915 + 105

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Miller, J.M.; Raymond, J.; Fabian, A. C.; Gallo, E.; Kaastra, J.; Kallman, T.; King, A. L.; Proga, D.; Reynolds, C. S.; Zoghbi, A.

2016-01-01

We report on a 120 kiloseconds Chandra/HETG spectrum of the black hole GRS 1915+105. The observation was made during an extended and bright soft state in 2015 June. An extremely rich disk wind absorption spectrum is detected, similar to that observed at lower sensitivity in 2007. The very high resolution of the third-order spectrum reveals four components to the disk wind in the Fe K band alone; the fastest has a blueshift of v = 0.03 c (velocity equals 0.03 the speed of light). Broadened reemission from the wind is also detected in the first-order spectrum, giving rise to clear accretion disk P Cygni profiles. Dynamical modeling of the re-emission spectrum gives wind launching radii of r approximately equal to 10 (sup 2-4) GM (Gravitational constant times Mass) divided by c (sup 2) (the speed of light squared). Wind density values of n approximately equal to 10 (sup 13-16) per cubic centimeter are then required by the ionization parameter formalism. The small launching radii, high density values, and inferred high mass outflow rates signal a role for magnetic driving. With simple, reasonable assumptions, the wind properties constrain the magnitude of the emergent magnetic field to be B approximately equal to 10 (sup 3-4) G (Gravitational constant) if the wind is driven via magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) pressure from within the disk and B approximately equal to 10 (sup 4-5) G (Gravitational constant) if the wind is driven by magnetocentrifugal acceleration. The MHD estimates are below upper limits predicted by the canonical alpha-disk model. We discuss these results in terms of fundamental disk physics and black hole accretion modes.

On Noble Gas Processing in the Solar Accretion Disk

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pepin, R. O.

2003-04-01

Two fractionation models are applied to the problem of generating the widely distributed “Q-component” noble gases in meteorites from the solar-like isotopic and elemental compositions that presumably characterized the early solar accretion disk. Noble gas fractionation by mass-dependent dissipation of the solar nebula, as suggested by Ozima et al. (1998), is examined in the context of a model developed by Johnstone et al. (1998) for accretion disk photoevaporation driven by intense UV radiation from a neighboring giant star. Hydrodynamic escape of heavier species entrained in hydrogen outflow from the UV-heated outer regions of the disk can generate substantial noble gas fractionations, but they do not match the observed Q-component isotopic pattern and moreover require the physically unrealistic assumption that the fractionated gases are confined to the heated disk boundary zone, without mixing with the interior nebula, for long periods of time. It seems more likely that hydrodynamic outflow is actually established below this zone, in the body of the disk. In this case fractionations are governed by Rayleigh distillation of the entire remaining nebula, and are negligible at the time when disk erosion is halted by the gravitational potential of the young sun embedded in the disk. A “local” model of noble gas fractionation by hydrodynamic blowoff of transient, methane-rich atmospheres outgassed from the interiors of large primitive planetesimals (Pepin, 1991) is updated and assessed against current data. Degassed atmospheres are assumed to contain isotopically solar noble gases except for an additional nucleogenic Xe component that contributes primarily to the two heaviest isotopes; there is evidence that this same component is present at varying levels in other solar-system volatile reservoirs, possibly reflecting a compositional change with time in the solar nebula. Single fixed values for the two free parameters in the blowoff modeling equations can

Black Hole Disk Accretion in Supernovae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nomura, H.; Mineshige, S.; Hirose, M.; Nomoto, K.; Suzuki, T.

Hydrodynamical disk accretion flow onto a new-born black hole in a supernova is studied using the SPH (Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics) method. It has been suggested that a mass of ~0.1Modot falls back to a black hole by a reverse shock. If the progenitor was rotating before the explosion, the accreting material should have a certain amount of angular momentum, thus forming an accretion disk. Disk material will eventually accrete towards the central object via viscosity with a supercritical accretion rate, dotM / dotMc > 106, for first several tens of days. (Here, dotMc is the Eddington luminosity divided by c2.) We then expect that such an accretion disk is optically thick and advection-dominated; that is, the disk is so hot that produced energy and photons are advected inward rather than being radiated away. Thus, the disk luminosity is much less than the Eddington luminosity (~1038erg s-1). The disk becomes hot and dense; for dotM / dotMc ~106 and the viscosity parameter alphavis ~0.01, for example, T ~109K and rho ~103gcm-3 in the vicinity of the central object. Efficient nucleosynthesis is hence expected even for reasonable viscosity magnitudes, although produced elements may be swallowed by the black hole.

Modeling the response of a standard accretion disc to stochastic viscous fluctuations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmad, Naveel; Misra, Ranjeev; Iqbal, Naseer; Maqbool, Bari; Hamid, Mubashir

2018-01-01

The observed variability of X-ray binaries over a wide range of time-scales can be understood in the framework of a stochastic propagation model, where viscous fluctuations at different radii induce accretion rate variability that propagate inwards to the X-ray producing region. The scenario successfully explains the power spectra, the linear rms-flux relation as well as the time-lag between different energy photons. The predictions of this model have been obtained using approximate analytical solutions or empirically motivated models which take into account the effect of these propagating variability on the radiative process of complex accretion flows. Here, we study the variation of the accretion rate due to such viscous fluctuations using a hydro-dynamical code for the standard geometrically thin, gas pressure dominated α-disc with a zero torque boundary condition. Our results confirm earlier findings that the time-lag between a perturbation and the resultant inner accretion rate variation depends on the frequency (or time-period) of the perturbation. Here we have quantified that the time-lag tlag ∝f-0.54 , for time-periods less than the viscous time-scale of the perturbation radius and is nearly constant otherwise. This, coupled with radiative process would produce the observed frequency dependent time-lag between different energy bands. We also confirm that if there are random Gaussian fluctuations of the α-parameter at different radii, the resultant inner accretion rate has a power spectrum which is a power-law.

Accretion onto a higher dimensional black hole

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

John, Anslyn J.; Ghosh, Sushant G.; Maharaj, Sunil D.

2013-11-01

We examine the steady-state spherically symmetric accretion of relativistic fluids, with a polytropic equation of state, onto a higher-dimensional Schwarzschild black hole. The mass accretion rate, critical radius, and flow parameters are determined and compared with results obtained in standard four dimensions. The accretion rate, M˙, is an explicit function of the black hole mass, M, as well as the gas boundary conditions and the dimensionality, D, of the spacetime. We also find the asymptotic compression ratios and temperature profiles below the accretion radius and at the event horizon. This analysis is a generalization of Michel’s solution to higher dimensions and of the Newtonian expressions of Giddings and Mangano, which consider the accretion of TeV black holes.

Simulating X-ray bursts during a transient accretion event

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Johnston, Zac; Heger, Alexander; Galloway, Duncan K.

2018-06-01

Modelling of thermonuclear X-ray bursts on accreting neutron stars has to date focused on stable accretion rates. However, bursts are also observed during episodes of transient accretion. During such events, the accretion rate can evolve significantly between bursts, and this regime provides a unique test for burst models. The accretion-powered millisecond pulsar SAX J1808.4-3658 exhibits accretion outbursts every 2-3 yr. During the well-sampled month-long outburst of 2002 October, four helium-rich X-ray bursts were observed. Using this event as a test case, we present the first multizone simulations of X-ray bursts under a time-dependent accretion rate. We investigate the effect of using a time-dependent accretion rate in comparison to constant, averaged rates. Initial results suggest that using a constant, average accretion rate between bursts may underestimate the recurrence time when the accretion rate is decreasing, and overestimate it when the accretion rate is increasing. Our model, with an accreted hydrogen fraction of X = 0.44 and a CNO metallicity of ZCNO = 0.02, reproduces the observed burst arrival times and fluences with root mean square (rms) errors of 2.8 h, and 0.11× 10^{-6} erg cm^{-2}, respectively. Our results support previous modelling that predicted two unobserved bursts and indicate that additional bursts were also missed by observations.

Using He I λ10830 to Diagnose Mass Flows Around Herbig Ae/Be Stars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cauley, Paul W.; Johns-Krull, Christopher M.

2015-01-01

The pre-main sequence Herbig Ae/Be stars (HAEBES) are the intermediate mass cousins of the low mass T Tauri stars (TTSs). However, it is not clear that the same accretion and mass outflow mechanisms operate identically in both mass regimes. Classical TTSs (CTTSs) accrete material from their disks along stellar magnetic field lines in a scenario called magnetospheric accretion. Magnetospheric accretion requires a strong stellar dipole field in order to truncate the inner gas disk. These fields are either absent or very weak on a large majority of HAEBES, challenging the view that magnetospheric accretion is the dominant accretion mechanism. If magnetospheric accretion does not operate similarly around HAEBES as it does around CTTSs, then strong magnetocentrifugal outflows, which are directly linked to accretion and are ubiquitous around CTTSs, may be driven less efficiently from HAEBE systems. Here we present high resolution spectroscopic observations of the He I λ10830 line in a sample of 48 HAEBES. He I λ10830 is an excellent tracer of both mass infall and outflow which is directly manifested as red and blue-shifted absorption in the profile morphologies. These features, among others, are common in our sample. The occurrence of both red and blue-shifted absorption profiles is less frequent, however, than is found in CTTSs. Statistical contingency tests confirm this difference at a significant level. In addition, we find strong evidence for smaller disk truncation radii in the objects displaying red-shifted absorption profiles. This is expected for HAEBES experiencing magnetospheric accretion based on their large rotation rates and weak magnetic field strengths. Finally, the low incidence of blue-shifted absorption in our sample compared to CTTSs and the complete lack of simultaneous red and blue-shifted absorption features suggests that magnetospheric accretion in HAEBES is less efficient at driving strong outflows. The stellar wind-like outflows that are

Wind influence on a coastal buoyant outflow

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Whitney, Michael M.; Garvine, Richard W.

2005-03-01

This paper investigates the interplay between river discharge and winds in forcing coastal buoyant outflows. During light winds a plume influenced by the Earth's rotation will flow down shelf (in the direction of Kelvin wave propagation) as a slender buoyancy-driven coastal current. Downwelling favorable winds augment this down-shelf flow, narrow the plume, and mix the water column. Upwelling favorable winds drive currents that counter the buoyancy-driven flow, spread plume waters offshore, and rapidly mix buoyant waters. Two criteria are developed to assess the wind influence on a buoyant outflow. The wind strength index (Ws) determines whether a plume's along-shelf flow is in a wind-driven or buoyancy-driven state. Ws is the ratio of the wind-driven and buoyancy-driven along-shelf velocities. Wind influence on across-shelf plume structure is rated with a timescale (ttilt) for the isopycnal tilting caused by wind-driven Ekman circulation. These criteria are used to characterize wind influence on the Delaware Coastal Current and can be applied to other coastal buoyant outflows. The Delaware buoyant outflow is simulated for springtime high-river discharge conditions. Simulation results and Ws values reveal that the coastal current is buoyancy-driven most of the time (∣Ws∣ < 1 on average). Wind events, however, overwhelm the buoyancy-driven flow (∣Ws∣ > 1) several times during the high-discharge period. Strong upwelling events reverse the buoyant outflow; they constitute an important mechanism for transporting fresh water up shelf. Across-shelf plume structure is more sensitive to wind influence than the along-shelf flow. Values of ttilt indicate that moderate or strong winds persisting throughout a day can modify plume width significantly. Plume widening during upwelling events is accompanied by mixing that can erase the buoyant outflow.

Estimation of cold plasma outflow during geomagnetic storms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haaland, S.; Eriksson, A.; André, M.; Maes, L.; Baddeley, L.; Barakat, A.; Chappell, R.; Eccles, V.; Johnsen, C.; Lybekk, B.; Li, K.; Pedersen, A.; Schunk, R.; Welling, D.

2015-12-01

Low-energy ions of ionospheric origin constitute a significant contributor to the magnetospheric plasma population. Measuring cold ions is difficult though. Observations have to be done at sufficiently high altitudes and typically in regions of space where spacecraft attain a positive charge due to solar illumination. Cold ions are therefore shielded from the satellite particle detectors. Furthermore, spacecraft can only cover key regions of ion outflow during segments of their orbit, so additional complications arise if continuous longtime observations, such as during a geomagnetic storm, are needed. In this paper we suggest a new approach, based on a combination of synoptic observations and a novel technique to estimate the flux and total outflow during the various phases of geomagnetic storms. Our results indicate large variations in both outflow rates and transport throughout the storm. Prior to the storm main phase, outflow rates are moderate, and the cold ions are mainly emanating from moderately sized polar cap regions. Throughout the main phase of the storm, outflow rates increase and the polar cap source regions expand. Furthermore, faster transport, resulting from enhanced convection, leads to a much larger supply of cold ions to the near-Earth region during geomagnetic storms.

Estimation of cold plasma outflow during geomagnetic storms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Haaland, S.; Eriksson, A. I.; Andre, M.; Maes, L.; Baddeley, L. J.; Barakat, A. R.; Chappell, C. R.; Eccles, V.; Johnsen, C.; Lybekk, B.; Li, K.; Pedersen, A.; Schunk, R. W.; Welling, D. T.

2015-12-01

Low energy ions of ionospheric origin provide a significant contributon to the magnetospheric plasmapopulation. Measuring cold ions is difficult though. Observations have to be done at sufficiently high altitudes and typically in regions of space where spacecraft attain a positive charge due to solar illumination. Cold ions are therefore shielded from the satellite particle detectors. Furthermore, spacecraft can only cover key regions of ion outflow during segments of their orbit, so additional complications arise arise if continuous longtime observations such as the during a geomagnetic storms are needed. In this paper we suggest a new approach, based on a combination of synoptic observations and a novel technique to estimate the flux and total outflow during the various phases of geomagnetic storms. Our results indicate large variations in both outflow rates and transport throughout the storm. Prior to the storm main phase, outflow rates are moderate, and the cold ions are mainly emanating from moderately sized polar cap regions. Throughout the main phase of the storm, outflow rates increase and the polar cap source regions expand. Furthermore, faster transport, resulting from enhanced convection, leads to a much larger supply of cold ions to the near Earth region during gemagnetic storms.

Disk Accretion and the Stellar Birthline

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hartmann, Lee; Cassen, Patrick; Kenyon, Scott J.

1997-02-01

We present a simplified analysis of some effects of disk accretion on the early evolution of fully convective, low-mass pre-main-sequence stars. Our analysis builds on the previous seminal work of Stahler, but it differs in that the accretion of material occurs over a small area of the stellar surface, such as through a disk or magnetospheric accretion column, so that most of the stellar photosphere is free to radiate to space. This boundary condition is similar to the limiting case considered by Palla & Stahler for intermediate-mass stars. We argue that for a wide variety of disk mass accretion rates, material will be added to the star with relatively small amounts of thermal energy. Protostellar evolution calculated assuming this ``low-temperature'' limit of accretion generally follows the results of Stahler because of the thermostatic nature of deuterium fusion, which prevents protostars from contracting below a ``birthline'' in the H-R diagram. Our calculated protostellar radii tend to fall below Stahler's at higher masses; the additional energy loss from the stellar photosphere in the case of disk accretion tends to make the protostar contract. The low-temperature disk accretion evolutionary tracks never fall below the deuterium-fusion birthline until the internal deuterium is depleted, but protostellar tracks can lie above the birthline in the H-R diagram if the initial radius of the protostellar core is large enough or if rapid disk accretion (such as might occur during FU Ori outbursts) adds significant amounts of thermal energy to the star. These possibilities cannot be ruled out by either theoretical arguments or observational constraints at present, so that individual protostars might evolve along a multiplicity of birthlines with a modest range of luminosity at a given mass. Our results indicate that there are large uncertainties in assigning ages for the youngest stars from H-R diagram positions, given the uncertainty in birthline positions. Our

Increases to Inferred Rates of Planetesimal Accretion due to Thermohaline Mixing in Metal-accreting White Dwarfs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bauer, Evan B.; Bildsten, Lars

2018-06-01

Many isolated, old white dwarfs (WDs) show surprising evidence of metals in their photospheres. Given that the timescale for gravitational sedimentation is astronomically short, this is taken as evidence for ongoing accretion, likely of tidally disrupted planetesimals. The rate of such accretion, {\\dot{M}}acc}, is important to constrain, and most modeling of this process relies on assuming an equilibrium between diffusive sedimentation and metal accretion supplied to the WD’s surface convective envelope. Building on the earlier work of Deal and collaborators, we show that high {\\dot{M}}acc} models with only diffusive sedimentation are unstable to thermohaline mixing and that models that account for the enhanced mixing from the active thermohaline instability require larger accretion rates, sometimes reaching {\\dot{M}}acc}≈ {10}13 {{g}} {{{s}}}-1 to explain observed calcium abundances. We present results from a grid of MESA models that include both diffusion and thermohaline mixing. These results demonstrate that both mechanisms are essential for understanding metal pollution across the range of polluted WDs with hydrogen atmospheres. Another consequence of active thermohaline mixing is that the observed metal abundance ratios are identical to accreted material.

Ionized Outflows in 3-D Insights from Herbig-Haro Objects and Applications to Nearby AGN

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cecil, Gerald

1999-01-01

HST shows that the gas distributions of these objects are complex and clump at the limit of resolution. HST spectra have lumpy emission-line profiles, indicating unresolved sub-structure. The advantages of 3D over slits on gas so distributed are: robust flux estimates of various dynamical systems projected along lines of sight, sensitivity to fainter spectral lines that are physical diagnostics (reddening-gas density, T, excitation mechanisms, abundances), and improved prospects for recovery of unobserved dimensions of phase-space. These advantages al- low more confident modeling for more profound inquiry into underlying dynamics. The main complication is the effort required to link multi- frequency datasets that optimally track the energy flow through various phases of the ISM. This tedium has limited the number of objects that have been thoroughly analyzed to the a priori most spectacular systems. For HHO'S, proper-motions constrain the ambient B-field, shock velocity, gas abundances, mass-loss rates, source duty-cycle, and tie-ins with molecular flows. If the shock speed, hence ionization fraction, is indeed small then the ionized gas is a significant part of the flow energetics. For AGN'S, nuclear beaming is a source of ionization ambiguity. Establishing the energetics of the outflow is critical to determining how the accretion disk loses its energy. CXO will provide new constraints (especially spectral) on AGN outflows, and STIS UV-spectroscopy is also constraining cloud properties (although limited by extinction). HHO's show some of the things that we will find around AGN'S. I illustrate these points with results from ground-based and HST programs being pursued with collaborators.

Active galactic nucleus outflows in galaxy discs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hartwig, Tilman; Volonteri, Marta; Dashyan, Gohar

2018-05-01

Galactic outflows, driven by active galactic nuclei (AGNs), play a crucial role in galaxy formation and in the self-regulated growth of supermassive black holes (BHs). AGN feedback couples to and affects gas, rather than stars, and in many, if not most, gas-rich galaxies cold gas is rotationally supported and settles in a disc. We present a 2D analytical model for AGN-driven outflows in a gaseous disc and demonstrate the main improvements, compared to existing 1D solutions. We find significant differences for the outflow dynamics and wind efficiency. The outflow is energy-driven due to inefficient cooling up to a certain AGN luminosity (˜1043 erg s-1 in our fiducial model), above which the outflow remains momentum-driven in the disc up to galactic scales. We reproduce results of 3D simulations that gas is preferentially ejected perpendicular to the disc and find that the fraction of ejected interstellar medium is lower than in 1D models. The recovery time of gas in the disc, defined as the free-fall time from the radius to which the AGN pushes the ISM at most, is remarkably short, of the order 1 Myr. This indicates that AGN-driven winds cannot suppress BH growth for long. Without the inclusion of supernova feedback, we find a scaling of the BH mass with the halo velocity dispersion of MBH ∝ σ4.8.

Bondi-Hoyle accretion in an isothermal magnetized plasma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lee, Aaron T.; McKee, Christopher F.; Klein, Richard I.

2014-03-01

In regions of star formation, protostars and newborn stars will accrete mass from their natal clouds. These clouds are threaded by magnetic fields with a strength characterized by the plasma β—the ratio of thermal and magnetic pressures. Observations show that molecular clouds have β ≲ 1, so magnetic fields have the potential to play a significant role in the accretion process. We have carried out a numerical study of the effect of large-scale magnetic fields on the rate of accretion onto a uniformly moving point particle from a uniform, non-self-gravitating, isothermal gas. We consider gas moving with sonic Mach numbersmore » of up to M≈45; magnetic fields that are either parallel, perpendicular, or oriented 45° to the flow; and β as low as 0.01. Our simulations utilize adaptive mesh refinement in order to obtain high spatial resolution where it is needed; this also allows the boundaries to be far from the accreting object to avoid unphysical effects arising from boundary conditions. Additionally, we show that our results are independent of our exact prescription for accreting mass in the sink particle. We give simple expressions for the steady-state accretion rate as a function of β and M for the parallel and perpendicular orientations. Using typical molecular cloud values of M∼5 and β ∼ 0.04 from the literature, our fits suggest that a 0.4 M {sub ☉} star accretes ∼4 × 10{sup –9} M {sub ☉} yr{sup –1}, almost a factor of two less than accretion rates predicted by hydrodynamic models. This disparity can grow to orders of magnitude for stronger fields and lower Mach numbers. We also discuss the applicability of these accretion rates versus accretion rates expected from gravitational collapse, and under what conditions a steady state is possible. The reduction in the accretion rate in a magnetized medium leads to an increase in the time required to form stars in competitive accretion models, making such models less efficient than

Evidence for Neutron Star Formation from Accretion Induced Collapse of a White Dwarf

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Paradijis, J. Van; VanDenHeuvel, E. P. J.; Kouveliotou, C.; Fishman, G. J.; Finger, M. H.; Lewin, W. H. G.

1997-01-01

The orbital parameters of the recently discovered transient burster/pulsar GRO J1744-28 indicate that this system is a low-mass X-ray binary in an advanced stage of its mass transfer, with several tenths of a solar mass already transferred from the donor to the compact star. All neutron stars known to have accreted such an amount have very weak magnetic fields, and this has led to the idea that the magnetic fields of neutron stars decay as a result of accretion. The observation of a strongly magnetized neutron star in GRO J1744-28 then suggests that this neutron star was formed recently as a result of the collapse of a white dwarf during an earlier stage of the current phase of mass transfer. It is shown that this model can consistently explain the observed characteristics of GRO J1744-28. Attractive progenitors for such an evolution are the luminous supersoft X-ray sources detected with ROSAT.

(abstract) A Test of the Theoretical Models of Bipolar Outflows: The Bipolar Outflow in Mon R2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Xie, Taoling; Goldsmith, Paul; Patel, Nimesh

1993-01-01

We report some results of a study of the massive bipolar outflow in the central region of the relatively nearby giant molecular cloud Monoceros R2. We make a quantative comparison of our results with the Shu et al. outflow model which incorporates a radially directed wind sweeping up the ambient material into a shell. We find that this simple model naturally explains the shape of this thin shell. Although Shu's model in its simplest form predicts with reasonable parameters too much mass at very small polar angles, as previously pointed out by Masson and Chernin, it provides a reasonable good fit to the mass distribution at larger polar angles. It is possible that this discrepancy is due to inhomogeneities of the ambient molecular gas which is not considered by the model. We also discuss the constraints imposed by these results on recent jet-driven outflow models.

Scaling Relations Between Warm Galactic Outflows and Their Host Galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chisholm, John; Tremonti, Christy A.; Leitherer, Claus; Chen, Yanmei; Wofford, Aida; Lundgren, Britt

2015-10-01

We report on a sample of 48 nearby, star-forming galaxies observed with the Cosmic Origin Spectrograph on the Hubble Space Telescope. We measure the kinematics of warm gas in galactic outflows using a combination of four Si ii absorption lines. We use multi-wavelength ancillary data to estimate stellar masses (M*), star formation rates (SFR), circular velocities (vcirc), and morphologies. The galaxies cover four orders of magnitude in M* and SFR, and sample a wide range of morphologies from starbursting mergers to normal star-forming galaxies. We derive 3.0-3.5σ relations between outflow velocity and SFR, M*, and vcirc. The outflow velocities scale as SFR0.08-0.22, {M}*0.12-0.20 and {v}{circ}0.44-0.87, with the range depending on whether we use a maximum or a central velocity to quantify the outflow velocity. After accounting for their increased SFR, mergers drive 32% faster outflows than non-merging galaxies, with all of the highest velocity outflows arising from mergers. Low-mass galaxies (log(M*/ M⊙) < 10.5) lose some low-ionization gas through galactic outflows, while more massive galaxies retain all of their low-ionization gas, unless they undergo a merger.

The Simbol-X Perspective on the Physics of Quasar Outflows

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giustini, M.; Cappi, M.; Vignali, C.; Palumbo, G. G. C.; Fiore, F.; Malaguti, G.

2009-05-01

There is increasing evidence that quasar outflows may play a key role in providing the feedback between AGN/QSOs and their surrounding (and feeding) media, in regulating the central supermassive black hole growth and the galaxy formation and, on larger scales, in shaping the growth of cosmic structures (see e.g. [1]). X-ray observations of quasar outflows are crucial to probe their innermost parts and assess the global energetics entrained in the outflow by studying its most extreme (in terms of velocity, ionization state, mass outflow rate) phases. Simbol-X-with its high effective area in the Fe K energy band and above-will allow the detection and the characterization of powerful outflows in bright, nearby AGN and notably also in moderately faint AGN, thus shedding light on feedback processes in these objects.

Mass Accretion Rate of Very Low Luminosity Objects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sung, Ren-Shiang; Lai, Shih-Ping; Hsieh, Tien-Hao

2013-08-01

We propose to measure the mass accretion rate of six Very Low Luminosity Objects (VeLLOs) using Near-infrared Integral Spectrometer (NIFS). The extremely low luminosity of VeLLOs, L_int ≤ 0.1 L_⊙, was previously thought not existing in the nature because the typical accretion rate gives much larger accretion luminosity even for the lowest mass star (``Luminosity Problem''). The commonly accepted solution is that the accretion rate is not constant but episodic. Thus, VeLLOs could be interpreted as protostars being in the quiescent phase of accretion activities. However, there is no observational data directly measuring the mass accretion rate of VeLLOs. The main goal of this proposal is to examine such theory and directly measure the mass accretion rate of VeLLOs for the first time. We propose to measure the blue continuum excess (veiling) of the stellar spectrum, which is the most reliable method for measuring the accretion rate. The measurements have to be made in infrared due to the very high extinction for highly embedded protostars. Our proposal provide a first opportunity to explain the long time ``Luminosity Problem'' through the observational aspects, and Gemini is the only instrument that can provide accurate and high sensitivity infrared spectroscopy measurements within reasonably short time scale.

Accretion of magnetized matter into a black hole.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bisnovatyj-Kogan, G. S.

1999-12-01

Accretion is the main source of energy in binary X-ray sources inside the Galaxy, and most probably in active galactic nuclei, where numerous observational data for the existence of supermassive black holes have been obtained. Standard accretion disk theory is formulated which is based on local heat balance. The whole energy produced by turbulent viscous heating is supposed to be emitted to the sides of the disk. Sources of turbulence in the accretion disk are discussed, including nonlinear hydrodynamic turbulence, convection and magnetic field. In standard theory there are two branches of solution, optically thick, anti-optically thin, which are individually self-consistent. The choice between these solutions should be done on the basis of a stability analysis. Advection in the accretion disks is described by differential equations, which makes the theory nonlocal. The low-luminosity optically thin accretion disk model with advection under some conditions may become advectively dominated, carrying almost all the energy inside the black hole. A proper account for magnetic field in the process of accretion limits the energy advected into a black hole, and does not allow the radiative efficiency of accretion to become lower than about 1/4 of the standard accretion disk model efficiency.

A Doppler dimming determination of coronal outflow velocity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strachan, Leonard; Kohl, John L.; Weiser, Heinz; Withbroe, George L.; Munro, Richard H.

1993-01-01

Outflow velocities in a polar coronal hole are derived from observations made during a 1982 sounding rocket flight. The velocity results are derived from a Doppler dimming analysis of resonantly scattered H I Ly-alpha. This analysis indicates radial outflow velocities of 217 km/s at 2 solar radii from sun-center with an uncertainty range of 153 to 251 km/s at a confidence level of 67 percent. These results are best characterized as strong evidence for supersonic outflow within 2 solar radii of sun-center in a polar coronal hole. Several means for obtaining improved accuracy in future observations are discussed.

ALMA Studies of the Disk-Jet-Outflow Connection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dougados, Catherine; Louvet, F.; Mardones, D.; Cabrit, S.

2017-06-01

I will describe in this contribution recent results obtained with ALMA on the origin of the disk/jet/outflow connexion in T Tauri stars. I will first present ALMA observations of the disk associated with the jet source Th 28, which question previous jet rotation measurements in this source and the implications drawn from them. I will then discuss Cycle 2 ALMA observations of the disk and small scale CO outflow associated with the prototypical edge-on HH 30 source. The unprecedented angular resolution of this dataset brings new constraints on the origin of the CO outflows in young stars.

Nanoscale volcanoes: accretion of matter at ion-sculpted nanopores.

PubMed

Mitsui, Toshiyuki; Stein, Derek; Kim, Young-Rok; Hoogerheide, David; Golovchenko, J A

2006-01-27

We demonstrate the formation of nanoscale volcano-like structures induced by ion-beam irradiation of nanoscale pores in freestanding silicon nitride membranes. Accreted matter is delivered to the volcanoes from micrometer distances along the surface. Volcano formation accompanies nanopore shrinking and depends on geometrical factors and the presence of a conducting layer on the membrane's back surface. We argue that surface electric fields play an important role in accounting for the experimental observations.

Alignment between Protostellar Outflows and Filamentary Structure

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Stephens, Ian W.; Dunham, Michael M.; Myers, Philip C.

2017-09-01

We present new Submillimeter Array (SMA) observations of CO(2–1) outflows toward young, embedded protostars in the Perseus molecular cloud as part of the Mass Assembly of Stellar Systems and their Evolution with the SMA (MASSES) survey. For 57 Perseus protostars, we characterize the orientation of the outflow angles and compare them with the orientation of the local filaments as derived from Herschel observations. We find that the relative angles between outflows and filaments are inconsistent with purely parallel or purely perpendicular distributions. Instead, the observed distribution of outflow-filament angles are more consistent with either randomly aligned angles or a mixmore » of projected parallel and perpendicular angles. A mix of parallel and perpendicular angles requires perpendicular alignment to be more common by a factor of ∼3. Our results show that the observed distributions probably hold regardless of the protostar’s multiplicity, age, or the host core’s opacity. These observations indicate that the angular momentum axis of a protostar may be independent of the large-scale structure. We discuss the significance of independent protostellar rotation axes in the general picture of filament-based star formation.« less

Alignment between Protostellar Outflows and Filamentary Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stephens, Ian W.; Dunham, Michael M.; Myers, Philip C.; Pokhrel, Riwaj; Sadavoy, Sarah I.; Vorobyov, Eduard I.; Tobin, John J.; Pineda, Jaime E.; Offner, Stella S. R.; Lee, Katherine I.; Kristensen, Lars E.; Jørgensen, Jes K.; Goodman, Alyssa A.; Bourke, Tyler L.; Arce, Héctor G.; Plunkett, Adele L.

2017-09-01

We present new Submillimeter Array (SMA) observations of CO(2-1) outflows toward young, embedded protostars in the Perseus molecular cloud as part of the Mass Assembly of Stellar Systems and their Evolution with the SMA (MASSES) survey. For 57 Perseus protostars, we characterize the orientation of the outflow angles and compare them with the orientation of the local filaments as derived from Herschel observations. We find that the relative angles between outflows and filaments are inconsistent with purely parallel or purely perpendicular distributions. Instead, the observed distribution of outflow-filament angles are more consistent with either randomly aligned angles or a mix of projected parallel and perpendicular angles. A mix of parallel and perpendicular angles requires perpendicular alignment to be more common by a factor of ˜3. Our results show that the observed distributions probably hold regardless of the protostar’s multiplicity, age, or the host core’s opacity. These observations indicate that the angular momentum axis of a protostar may be independent of the large-scale structure. We discuss the significance of independent protostellar rotation axes in the general picture of filament-based star formation.

Accretion of the terrestrial planets. II

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Weidenschilling, S. J.

1976-01-01

The theory of gravitational accretion of the terrestrial planets is examined. The concept of a 'closed feeding zone' is somewhat unrealistic, but provides a lower bound on the accretion time. A velocity relation for planetesimals which includes an initial velocity component is suggested. The orbital parameters of the planetesimals and the dimensions of the feeding zone are related to their relative velocities. The assumption of an initial velocity does not seriously change the accretion time. Mercury, Venus, and the earth have accretion times on the order of 100 million years. Mars requires well over one billion years to accrete by the same assumptions. The lunar cratering history makes a late formation of Mars unlikely. If Mars is as old as the earth, nongravitational forces or a violation of the feeding zone concept is required. One such possibility is the removal of matter from the zone of Mars by Jupiter's influence. The final sweeping up by Mars would result in the scattering of a considerable mass among the other terrestrial planets. The late postaccretional bombardments inferred for the moon and Mercury may have had this source.

Classical Accreting Pulsars with NICER

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wilson-Hodge, Colleen A.

2014-01-01

Soft excesses are very common center dot Lx > 1038 erg/s - reprocessing by optically thick material at the inner edge of the accretion disk center dot Lx < 1036 erg/s - photoionized or collisionally heated diffuse gas or thermal emission from the NS surface center dot Lx 1037 erg/s - either or both types of emission center dot NICER observations of soft excesses in bright X-ray pulsars combined with reflection modeling will constrain the ionization state, metalicity and dynamics of the inner edge of the magnetically truncated accretion disk Reflection models of an accretion disk for a hard power law - Strong soft excess below 3 keV from hot X-ray heated disk - For weakly ionized case: strong recombination lines - Are we seeing changes in the disk ionization in 4U1626-26? 13 years of weekly monitoring with RXTE PCA center dot Revealed an unexpectedly large population of Be/X-ray binaries compared to the Milky Way center dot Plotted luminosities are typical of "normal" outbursts (once per orbit) center dot The SMC provides an excellent opportunity to study a homogenous population of HMXBs with low interstellar absorption for accretion disk studies. Monitoring with NICER will enable studies of accretion disk physics in X-ray pulsars center dot The SMC provides a potential homogeneous low-absorption population for this study center dot NICER monitoring and TOO observations will also provide measurements of spinfrequencies, QPOs, pulsed fluxes, and energy spectra.

Gamma-burst emission from neutron-star accretion

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Colgate, S. A.; Petschek, A. G.; Sarracino, R.

1983-01-01

A model for emission of the hard photons of gamma bursts is presented. The model assumes accretion at nearly the Eddington limited rate onto a neutron star without a magnetic field. Initially soft photons are heated as they are compressed between the accreting matter and the star. A large electric field due to relatively small charge separation is required to drag electrons into the star with the nuclei against the flux of photons leaking out through the accreting matter. The photon number is not increased substantially by Bremsstrahlung or any other process. It is suggested that instability in an accretion disc might provide the infalling matter required.

Simulation of California's Major Reservoirs Outflow Using Data Mining Technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, T.; Gao, X.; Sorooshian, S.

2014-12-01

The reservoir's outflow is controlled by reservoir operators, which is different from the upstream inflow. The outflow is more important than the reservoir's inflow for the downstream water users. In order to simulate the complicated reservoir operation and extract the outflow decision making patterns for California's 12 major reservoirs, we build a data-driven, computer-based ("artificial intelligent") reservoir decision making tool, using decision regression and classification tree approach. This is a well-developed statistical and graphical modeling methodology in the field of data mining. A shuffled cross validation approach is also employed to extract the outflow decision making patterns and rules based on the selected decision variables (inflow amount, precipitation, timing, water type year etc.). To show the accuracy of the model, a verification study is carried out comparing the model-generated outflow decisions ("artificial intelligent" decisions) with that made by reservoir operators (human decisions). The simulation results show that the machine-generated outflow decisions are very similar to the real reservoir operators' decisions. This conclusion is based on statistical evaluations using the Nash-Sutcliffe test. The proposed model is able to detect the most influential variables and their weights when the reservoir operators make an outflow decision. While the proposed approach was firstly applied and tested on California's 12 major reservoirs, the method is universally adaptable to other reservoir systems.

Quasispherical subsonic accretion in X-ray pulsars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shakura, Nikolai I.; Postnov, Konstantin A.; Kochetkova, A. Yu; Hjalmarsdotter, L.

2013-04-01

A theoretical model is considered for quasispherical subsonic accretion onto slowly rotating magnetized neutron stars. In this regime, the accreting matter settles down subsonically onto the rotating magnetosphere, forming an extended quasistatic shell. Angular momentum transfer in the shell occurs via large-scale convective motions resulting, for observed pulsars, in an almost iso-angular-momentum \\omega \\sim 1/R^2 rotation law inside the shell. The accretion rate through the shell is determined by the ability of the plasma to enter the magnetosphere due to Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities, with allowance for cooling. A settling accretion regime is possible for moderate accretion rates \\dot M \\lesssim \\dot M_* \\simeq 4\\times 10^{16} g s ^{-1}. At higher accretion rates, a free-fall gap above the neutron star magnetosphere appears due to rapid Compton cooling, and the accretion becomes highly nonstationary. Observations of spin-up/spin-down rates of quasispherically wind accreting equilibrium X-ray pulsars with known orbital periods (e.g., GX 301-2 and Vela X-1) enable us to determine the main dimensionless parameters of the model, as well as to estimate surface magnetic field of the neutron star. For equilibrium pulsars, the independent measurements of the neutron star magnetic field allow for an estimate of the stellar wind velocity of the optical companion without using complicated spectroscopic measurements. For nonequilibrium pulsars, a maximum value is shown to exist for the spin-down rate of the accreting neutron star. From observations of the spin-down rate and the X-ray luminosity in such pulsars (e.g., GX 1+4, SXP 1062, and 4U 2206+54), a lower limit can be put on the neutron star magnetic field, which in all cases turns out to be close to the standard value and which agrees with cyclotron line measurements. Furthermore, both explains the spin-up/spin-down of the pulsar frequency on large time-scales and also accounts for the irregular short

Heparan Sulfate Biosynthesis Enzyme, Ext1, Contributes to Outflow Tract Development of Mouse Heart via Modulation of FGF Signaling.

PubMed

Zhang, Rui; Cao, Peijuan; Yang, Zhongzhou; Wang, Zhenzhen; Wu, Jiu-Lin; Chen, Yan; Pan, Yi

2015-01-01

Glycosaminoglycans are important regulators of multiple signaling pathways. As a major constituent of the heart extracellular matrix, glycosaminoglycans are implicated in cardiac morphogenesis through interactions with different signaling morphogens. Ext1 is a glycosyltransferase responsible for heparan sulfate synthesis. Here, we evaluate the function of Ext1 in heart development by analyzing Ext1 hypomorphic mutant and conditional knockout mice. Outflow tract alignment is sensitive to the dosage of Ext1. Deletion of Ext1 in the mesoderm induces a cardiac phenotype similar to that of a mutant with conditional deletion of UDP-glucose dehydrogenase, a key enzyme responsible for synthesis of all glycosaminoglycans. The outflow tract defect in conditional Ext1 knockout(Ext1f/f:Mesp1Cre) mice is attributable to the reduced contribution of second heart field and neural crest cells. Ext1 deletion leads to downregulation of FGF signaling in the pharyngeal mesoderm. Exogenous FGF8 ameliorates the defects in the outflow tract and pharyngeal explants. In addition, Ext1 expression in second heart field and neural crest cells is required for outflow tract remodeling. Our results collectively indicate that Ext1 is crucial for outflow tract formation in distinct progenitor cells, and heparan sulfate modulates FGF signaling during early heart development.

Modeling Jet and Outflow Feedback during Star Cluster Formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Federrath, Christoph; Schrön, Martin; Banerjee, Robi; Klessen, Ralf S.

2014-08-01

Powerful jets and outflows are launched from the protostellar disks around newborn stars. These outflows carry enough mass and momentum to transform the structure of their parent molecular cloud and to potentially control star formation itself. Despite their importance, we have not been able to fully quantify the impact of jets and outflows during the formation of a star cluster. The main problem lies in limited computing power. We would have to resolve the magnetic jet-launching mechanism close to the protostar and at the same time follow the evolution of a parsec-size cloud for a million years. Current computer power and codes fall orders of magnitude short of achieving this. In order to overcome this problem, we implement a subgrid-scale (SGS) model for launching jets and outflows, which demonstrably converges and reproduces the mass, linear and angular momentum transfer, and the speed of real jets, with ~1000 times lower resolution than would be required without the SGS model. We apply the new SGS model to turbulent, magnetized star cluster formation and show that jets and outflows (1) eject about one-fourth of their parent molecular clump in high-speed jets, quickly reaching distances of more than a parsec, (2) reduce the star formation rate by about a factor of two, and (3) lead to the formation of ~1.5 times as many stars compared to the no-outflow case. Most importantly, we find that jets and outflows reduce the average star mass by a factor of ~ three and may thus be essential for understanding the characteristic mass of the stellar initial mass function.

Hysteresis and thermal limit cycles in MRI simulations of accretion discs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Latter, H. N.; Papaloizou, J. C. B.

2012-10-01

The recurrentoutbursts that characterize low-mass binary systems reflect thermal state changes in their associated accretion discs. The observed outbursts are connected to the strong variation in disc opacity as hydrogen ionizes near 5000 K. This physics leads to accretion disc models that exhibit bistability and thermal limit cycles, whereby the disc jumps between a family of cool and low-accreting states and a family of hot and efficiently accreting states. Previous models have parametrized the disc turbulence via an alpha (or 'eddy') viscosity. In this paper we treat the turbulence more realistically via a suite of numerical simulations of the magnetorotational instability (MRI) in local geometry. Radiative cooling is included via a simple but physically motivated prescription. We show the existence of bistable equilibria and thus the prospect of thermal limit cycles, and in so doing demonstrate that MRI-induced turbulence is compatible with the classical theory. Our simulations also show that the turbulent stress and pressure perturbations are only weakly dependent on each other on orbital times; as a consequence, thermal instability connected to variations in turbulent heating (as opposed to radiative cooling) is unlikely to operate, in agreement with previous numerical results. Our work presents a first step towards unifying simulations of full magnetohydrodynamic turbulence with the correct thermal and radiative physics of the outbursting discs associated with dwarf novae, low-mass X-ray binaries and possibly young stellar objects.

The Anatomy of the Young Protostellar Outflow HH 211

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tappe, A.; Forbrich, J.; Martín, S.; Yuan, Y.; Lada, C. J.

2012-05-01

We present Spitzer Space Telescope 5-36 μm mapping observations toward the southeastern lobe of the young protostellar outflow HH 211. The southeastern terminal shock of the outflow shows a rich mid-infrared spectrum including molecular emission lines from OH, H2O, HCO+, CO2, H2, and HD. The spectrum also shows a rising infrared continuum toward 5 μm, which we interpret as unresolved emission lines from highly excited rotational levels of the CO v = 1-0 fundamental band. This interpretation is supported by a strong excess flux observed in the Spitzer/IRAC 4-5 μm channel 2 image compared to the other IRAC channels. The extremely high critical densities of the CO v = 1-0 ro-vibrational lines and a comparison to H2 and CO excitation models suggest jet densities larger than 106 cm-3 in the terminal shock. We also observed the southeastern terminal outflow shock with the Submillimeter Array and detected pure rotational emission from CO 2-1, HCO+ 3-2, and HCN 3-2. The rotationally excited CO traces the collimated outflow backbone as well as the terminal shock. HCN traces individual dense knots along the outflow and in the terminal shock, whereas HCO+ solely appears in the terminal shock. The unique combination of our mid-infrared and submillimeter observations with previously published near-infrared observations allow us to study the interaction of one of the youngest known protostellar outflows with its surrounding molecular cloud. Our results help us to understand the nature of some of the so-called green fuzzies (Extended Green Objects), and elucidate the physical conditions that cause high OH excitation and affect the chemical OH/H2O balance in protostellar outflows and young stellar objects. In an appendix to this paper, we summarize our Spitzer follow-up survey of protostellar outflow shocks to find further examples of highly excited OH occurring together with H2O and H2.

Stochastic events lead to accretion in Saturn's rings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Esposito, Larry W.

2010-05-01

UVIS occultations indicate accretion is triggered at the B ring edge, in strong density waves in ring A and in the F ring. Moons may trigger accretion by streamline crowding (Lewis & Stewart); which enhances collisions, leading to accretion; increasing random velocities; leading to more collisions and more accretion. Cassini occultations of these strongly perturbed locations show not only accretion but also disaggregation, with time scales of hours to weeks. The collisions may lead to temporary aggregations via stochastic events: collisions can compress unconsolidated objects, trigger adhesion or bring small pieces into contact with larger or higher-density seeds. Disaggregation then can follow from disruptive collisions or tidal shedding. In the accretion/disruption balance, increased random motions could eventually give the upper hand to disruption… just as ‘irrational exuberance' can lead to financial panic in the economy; or the overpopulation of hares can lead to boom-and-bust in the population of foxes. This unstable equilibrium can similarly give rise to episodic cycles in accretion: explaining why the observable ring features that indicate embedded objects have been increasing since the beginning of Cassini's observations of Saturn in 2004.

Two separate outflows in the dual supermassive black hole system NGC 6240

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Müller-Sánchez, F.; Nevin, R.; Comerford, J. M.; Davies, R. I.; Privon, G. C.; Treister, E.

2018-04-01

Theoretical models and numerical simulations have established a framework of galaxy evolution in which galaxies merge and create dual supermassive black holes (with separations of one to ten kiloparsecs), which eventually sink into the centre of the merger remnant, emit gravitational waves and coalesce. The merger also triggers star formation and supermassive black hole growth, and gas outflows regulate the stellar content1-3. Although this theoretical picture is supported by recent observations of starburst-driven and supermassive black hole-driven outflows4-6, it remains unclear how these outflows interact with the interstellar medium. Furthermore, the relative contributions of star formation and black hole activity to galactic feedback remain unknown7-9. Here we report observations of dual outflows in the central region of the prototypical merger NGC 6240. We find a black-hole-driven outflow of [O iii] to the northeast and a starburst-driven outflow of Hα to the northwest. The orientations and positions of the outflows allow us to isolate them spatially and study their properties independently. We estimate mass outflow rates of 10 and 75 solar masses per year for the Hα bubble and the [O iii] cone, respectively. Their combined mass outflow is comparable to the star formation rate10, suggesting that negative feedback on star formation is occurring.

Two separate outflows in the dual supermassive black hole system NGC 6240.

PubMed

Müller-Sánchez, F; Nevin, R; Comerford, J M; Davies, R I; Privon, G C; Treister, E

2018-04-01

Theoretical models and numerical simulations have established a framework of galaxy evolution in which galaxies merge and create dual supermassive black holes (with separations of one to ten kiloparsecs), which eventually sink into the centre of the merger remnant, emit gravitational waves and coalesce. The merger also triggers star formation and supermassive black hole growth, and gas outflows regulate the stellar content 1-3 . Although this theoretical picture is supported by recent observations of starburst-driven and supermassive black hole-driven outflows 4-6 , it remains unclear how these outflows interact with the interstellar medium. Furthermore, the relative contributions of star formation and black hole activity to galactic feedback remain unknown 7-9 . Here we report observations of dual outflows in the central region of the prototypical merger NGC 6240. We find a black-hole-driven outflow of [O III] to the northeast and a starburst-driven outflow of Hα to the northwest. The orientations and positions of the outflows allow us to isolate them spatially and study their properties independently. We estimate mass outflow rates of 10 and 75 solar masses per year for the Hα bubble and the [O III] cone, respectively. Their combined mass outflow is comparable to the star formation rate 10 , suggesting that negative feedback on star formation is occurring.

Water in star-forming regions with Herschel (WISH). V. The physical conditions in low-mass protostellar outflows revealed by multi-transition water observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mottram, J. C.; Kristensen, L. E.; van Dishoeck, E. F.; Bruderer, S.; San José-García, I.; Karska, A.; Visser, R.; Santangelo, G.; Benz, A. O.; Bergin, E. A.; Caselli, P.; Herpin, F.; Hogerheijde, M. R.; Johnstone, D.; van Kempen, T. A.; Liseau, R.; Nisini, B.; Tafalla, M.; van der Tak, F. F. S.; Wyrowski, F.

2014-12-01

Context. Outflows are an important part of the star formation process as both the result of ongoing active accretion and one of the main sources of mechanical feedback on small scales. Water is the ideal tracer of these effects because it is present in high abundance for the conditions expected in various parts of the protostar, particularly the outflow. Aims: We constrain and quantify the physical conditions probed by water in the outflow-jet system for Class 0 and I sources. Methods: We present velocity-resolved Herschel HIFI spectra of multiple water-transitions observed towards 29 nearby Class 0/I protostars as part of the WISH guaranteed time key programme. The lines are decomposed into different Gaussian components, with each component related to one of three parts of the protostellar system; quiescent envelope, cavity shock and spot shocks in the jet and at the base of the outflow. We then use non-LTE radex models to constrain the excitation conditions present in the two outflow-related components. Results: Water emission at the source position is optically thick but effectively thin, with line ratios that do not vary with velocity, in contrast to CO. The physical conditions of the cavity and spot shocks are similar, with post-shock H2 densities of order 105 - 108 cm-3 and H2O column densities of order 1016 - 1018 cm-2. H2O emission originates in compact emitting regions: for the spot shocks these correspond to point sources with radii of order 10-200 AU, while for the cavity shocks these come from a thin layer along the outflow cavity wall with thickness of order 1-30 AU. Conclusions: Water emission at the source position traces two distinct kinematic components in the outflow; J shocks at the base of the outflow or in the jet, and C shocks in a thin layer in the cavity wall. The similarity of the physical conditions is in contrast to off-source determinations which show similar densities but lower column densities and larger filling factors. We propose

Time-dependent and outflow boundary conditions for Dissipative Particle Dynamics

PubMed Central

Lei, Huan; Fedosov, Dmitry A.; Karniadakis, George Em

2011-01-01

We propose a simple method to impose both no-slip boundary conditions at fluid-wall interfaces and at outflow boundaries in fully developed regions for Dissipative Particle Dynamics (DPD) fluid systems. The procedure to enforce the no-slip condition is based on a velocity-dependent shear force, which is a generalized force to represent the presence of the solid-wall particles and to maintain locally thermodynamic consistency. We show that this method can be implemented in both steady and time-dependent fluid systems and compare the DPD results with the continuum limit (Navier-Stokes) results. We also develop a force-adaptive method to impose the outflow boundary conditions for fully developed flow with unspecified outflow velocity profile or pressure value. We study flows over the backward-facing step and in idealized arterial bifurcations using a combination of the two new boundary methods with different flow rates. Finally, we explore the applicability of the outflow method in time-dependent flow systems. The outflow boundary method works well for systems with Womersley number of O(1), i.e., when the pressure and flowrate at the outflow are approximately in-phase. PMID:21499548

Cosmic ray driven outflows in an ultraluminous galaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fujita, Akimi; Mac Low, Mordecai-Mark

2018-06-01

In models of galaxy formation, feedback driven both by supernova (SN) and active galactic nucleus is not efficient enough to quench star formation in massive galaxies. Models of smaller galaxies have suggested that cosmic rays (CRs) play a major role in expelling material from the star-forming regions by diffusing SN energy to the lower density outskirts. We therefore run gas dynamical simulations of galactic outflows from a galaxy contained in a halo with 5 × 1012 M⊙ that resembles a local ultraluminous galaxy, including both SN thermal energy and a treatment of CRs using the same diffusion approximation as Salem & Bryan. We find that CR pressure drives a low-density bubble beyond the edge of the shell swept up by thermal pressure, but the main bubble driven by SN thermal pressure overtakes it later, which creates a large-scale biconical outflow. CRs diffusing into the disc are unable to entrain its gas in the outflows, yielding a mass-loading rate of only ˜ 0.1 per cent with varied CR diffusion coefficients. We find no significant difference in mass-loading rates in SN-driven outflows with or without CR pressure. Our simulations strongly suggest that it is hard to drive a heavily mass-loaded outflow with CRs from a massive halo potential, although more distributed star formation could lead to a different result.

THE ORION FINGERS: NEAR-IR SPECTRAL IMAGING OF AN EXPLOSIVE OUTFLOW

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)