Sample records for emission line objects

  1. Calibration of H-alpha/H-beta Indexes for Emission Line Objects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hintz, Eric G.; Joner, Michael D.

    2016-01-01

    In Joner and Hintz (2015) they report on a standard star system for calibration of H-alpha and H-beta observations. This work was based on data obtained with the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory 1.2-m telescope. As part of the data acquisition for that project, a large number of emission line objects were also observed. We will report on the preliminary results for the emission line data set. This will include a comparison of equivalent width measurements of each line with the matching index. We will also examine the relation between the absorption line objects previously published and the emission line objects, along with a discussion of the transition point. Object types included are Be stars, high mass x-ray binaries, one low mass x-ray binary, Herbig Ae/Be stars, pre-main sequence stars, T Tauri stars, young stellar objects, and one BY Draconis star. Some of these objects come from Cygnus OB-2, NGC 659, NGC 663, NGC 869 and NGC 884.

  2. A Calibrated H-alpha Index to Monitor Emission Line Objects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hintz, Eric G.; Joner, M. D.

    2013-06-01

    Over an 8 year period we have developed a calibrated H-alpha index, similar to the more traditional H-beta index, based on spectrophotometric observations (Joner & Hintz, 2013) from the DAO 1.2-m Telescope. While developing the calibration for this filter set we also obtained spectra of a number of emission line systems such as high mass x-ray binaries (HMXB), Be stars, and young stellar objects. From this work we find that the main sequence stars fill a very tight relation in the H-alpha/H-beta plane and that the emission line objects are easily detected. We will present the overall location of these emission line objects. We will also present the changes experiences by these objects over the course of the years of the project.

  3. Observations of two peculiar emission objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kafatos, M.; Michalitsianos, A. G.; Allen, D. A.; Stencel, R. E.

    1983-01-01

    Ultraviolet and visual wavelength spectra were obtained of two peculiar emission objects, Henize S63 and Sanduleak's star in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Previously not observed in the near- or far-ultraviolet, both objects exhibit strong permitted and semiforbidden line emissions. Estimates based on the absolute continuum flux of the hot companion star in Hen S63 indicate that it rivals the luminosity of the carbon star primary. The emission-line profile structure in both objects does not suggest Wolf-Rayet type emission. Carbon in Sanduleak's star (LMC anonymous) is conspicuously absent, while N V, semiforbidden N IV, and semiforbidden N III dominate the UV emission-line spectrum. Nitrogen is overabundant with respect to carbon and oxygen in both objects. The large overabundance of nitrogen in Sanduleak's star suggests evidence for CNO processes material similar to that seen in Nu Car.

  4. International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE)

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Boehm, Karl-Heinz

    1992-01-01

    The observation, data reduction, and interpretation of ultraviolet spectra (obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer) of Herbig-Haro objects, stellar jets, and (in a few cases) reflection nebulae in star-forming regions is discussed. Intermediate results have been reported in the required semi-annual reports. The observations for this research were obtained in 23 (US1) IUE shifts. The spectra were taken in the low resolution mode with the large aperture. The following topics were investigated: (1) detection of UV spectra of high excitation Herbig-Haro (HH) objects, identification of emission lines, and a preliminary study of the energy distribution of the ultraviolet continuum; (2) details of the continuum energy distribution of these spectra and their possible interpretation; (3) the properties of the reddening (extinction) of HH objects; (4) the possible time variation of strong emission lines in high excitation HH objects; (5) the ultraviolet emission of low excitation HH objects, especially in the fluorescent lines of the H2 molecule; (6) the ultraviolet emission in the peculiar object HH24; (7) the spatial emission distribution of different lines and different parts of the continuum in different HH objects; and (8) some properties of reflection nebula, in the environment of Herbig-Haro objects. Each topic is discussed.

  5. Shocked molecular hydrogen emission from Herbig-Haro objects and their exciting stars

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

    Wilking, B.A.; Schwartz, R.D.; Mundy, L.G.

    1990-01-01

    The results of an H2 emission-line survey of the 1-0 S(1) transition from 33 Herbig-Haro objects and suspected Herbig-Haro objects are presented. The survey focuses on Herbig-Haro objects that have been recently identified and/or lie at southern declinations. Data are also presented for the 2-1 S(3), 1-0 Q(1), and 1-0 Q(3) transitions of H2 for a subset of the sample. H2 emission has been detected toward 16 Herbig-Haro or nebulous objects; published optical spectra of 13 of these objects suggest that they are low-excitation nebulae associated with low-velocity shocks. H2 has also been detected toward the emission-line stars RU Lupmore » and LkH-alpha 234. Extended 1-0 S(1) emission has been mapped in the vicinity of gas outflows associated with the emission-line stars R CrA and LkH-alpha 234 and appears to delineate the blueshifted molecular gas in these bipolar outflows. A comparison of the data, in combination with the atomic line data from these HHs, is made with current C- and J-type shock models. 41 refs.« less

  6. The Analysis of Emission Lines; A Meeting in Honour of the 70th Birthdays of D. E. Osterbrock and M. J. Seaton

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Williams, Robert (Editor); Livio, Mario (Editor); Dufour, Reginald J.

    1994-01-01

    A review of the field of astronomical spectroscopy with emphasis on emission lines in astrophysical plasmas is presented. A brief history of UV spectroscopy instruments is given, following by a discussion and tabulation of major atlases of UV emission-line objects to date (mid-1994). A discussion of the major diagnostic UV emission lines in the approx. 912-3200 A spectral region that are useful for determining electron densities, temperatures, abundances, and extinction in low- to moderate density plasmas is given, with examples of applications to selected objects. The review concludes by presenting some recent results from HST, HUT, and IUE on UV emission-line spectroscopy of nebulae and active galaxies.

  7. Emission line galaxies and active galactic nuclei in WINGS clusters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Marziani, P.; D'Onofrio, M.; Bettoni, D.; Poggianti, B. M.; Moretti, A.; Fasano, G.; Fritz, J.; Cava, A.; Varela, J.; Omizzolo, A.

    2017-03-01

    We present the analysis of the emission line galaxies members of 46 low-redshift (0.04 < z < 0.07) clusters observed by WINGS (WIde-field Nearby Galaxy cluster Survey). Emission line galaxies were identified following criteria that are meant to minimize biases against non-star-forming galaxies and classified employing diagnostic diagrams. We examined the emission line properties and frequencies of star-forming galaxies, transition objects, and active galactic nuclei (AGNs: LINERs and Seyferts), unclassified galaxies with emission lines, and quiescent galaxies with no detectable line emission. A deficit of emission line galaxies in the cluster environment is indicated by both a lower frequency, and a systematically lower Balmer emission line equivalent width and luminosity with respect to control samples; this implies a lower amount of ionized gas per unit mass and a lower star formation rate if the source is classified as Hii region. A sizable population of transition objects and of low-luminosity LINERs (≈ 10-20% of all emission line galaxies) are detected among WINGS cluster galaxies. These sources are a factor of ≈1.5 more frequent, or at least as frequent, as in control samples with respect to Hii sources. Transition objects and LINERs in clusters are most affected in terms ofline equivalent width by the environment and appear predominantly consistent with so-called retired galaxies. Shock heating can be a possible gas excitation mechanism that is able to account for observed line ratios. Specific to the cluster environment, we suggest interaction between atomic and molecular gas and the intracluster medium as a possible physical cause of line-emitting shocks. The data whose description is provided in Table B.1, and emission line catalog of the WINGS database are only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (http://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/599/A83

  8. Spectroscopic CCD surveys for quasars at large redshift. 3: The Palomar Transit Grism Survey catalog

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Schneider, Donald P.; Schmidt, Maarten; Gunn, James E.

    1994-01-01

    This paper reports the initial results of the Palomar Transit Grism Survey (PTGS). The PTGS was designed to produce a sample of z greater than 2.7 quasars that were identified by well-defined selection criteria. The survey consists of six narrow (approximately equal to 8.5 min wide) strips of sky; the total effective area is 61.47 sq deg. Low-resolution slitless spectra, covering the wavelength range from 4400 to 7500 A, were obtained for approximately 600 000 objects. The wavelength- and flux-calibrated spectra were searched for emission lines with an automatic software algorithm. A total to 1655 emission features in the grism data satisfied our signal-to-noise ratio and equivalent width selection criteria; subsequent slit spectroscopy of the candidates confirmed the existence of 1052 lines (928 different objects). Six groups of emission lines were detected in the survey: Lyman alpha + N V, C IV, C III1, Mg II, H Beta + (O III), and H alpha + (S II). More than two-thirds of the candidates are low-redshift (z less than 0.45) emission-line galaxies; ninety objects are high-redshift quasars (z greater than 2.7) detected via their Lyman alpha + N V emission lines. The survey contains three previously unknown quasars brighter than 17th magnitude; all three have redshifts of approximately equal to 1.3. In this paper we present the observational properties of the survey, the algorithms used to select the emission-line candidates, and the catalog of emission-line objects.

  9. Survey of emission-line galaxies: Universidad Complutense de Madrid list

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Zamorano, J.; Rego, Gallego, J.; Gallego, J. G.; Vitores, A. G.RA, R.; Gonzalez-Riestra, R..; Rodriguez-Caderot, G.

    1994-01-01

    A low-dispersion objective-prism survey for low-redshift emission-line galaxies (ELGs) is being carried out by the University Complutense de Madrid with the Schmidt telescope at the German-Spanish Observatory of Calar Alto (Almeria, Spain). A 4 deg full aperture prism, which provides a dispersion of 1950 A/mm, and IIIaF emulsion combination has been used to search for ELGs selected by the presence of H-alpha emission in their spectra. Our survey has proved to be able to recover objects already found by similar surveys with different techniques and, what is more important, to discover new objects not previously cataloged. A compilation of descriptions and positions, along with finding charts when necessary, is presented for 160 extragalactic emission-line objects. This is the first list, which contains objects located in a region of the sky covering 270 sq deg in 10 fields near alpha = 0(sup h) and delta = 20 deg.

  10. Database of emission lines

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Binette, L.; Ortiz, P.; Joguet, B.; Rola, C.

    1998-11-01

    A widely accessible data bank (available through Netscape) and consiting of all (or most) of the emission lines reported in the litterature is being built. It will comprise objects as diverse as HII regions, PN, AGN, HHO. One of its use will be to define/refine existing diagnostic emission line diagrams.

  11. New T Tauri stars in Chamaeleon I and Chamaeleon II

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hartigan, Patrick

    1993-01-01

    A new objective prism survey of the entire Chamaeleon I dark cloud and 2/3 of the Chamaeleon II cloud has uncovered 26 new H-alpha emission line objects that were missed by previous H-alpha plate surveys. The new H-alpha emission line objects have similar IR colors and spatial distributions to the known T Tauri stars in these dark clouds, and could represent the very low mass end of the stellar population in these clouds or an older, less active component to the usual classical T Tauri star population. The new H-alpha survey identified 70 percent of the total known Young Stellar Objects (YSOs) in Cha I, compared with 35 percent for IRAS, and 25 percent from the Einstein X-ray survey. Ten of the new objects are weak-lined stars, with H-alpha equivalent widths less than 10 A. Weak-lined T Tauri stars make up about half of the total population of young stars in the Chamaeleon I cloud, a proportion similar to the Taurus-Auriga cloud. Presented are coordinates, finding charts, and optical and IR photometry of the new emission-line objects.

  12. A Narrowband Imaging Search for [O III] Emission from Galaxies at z > 3

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Teplitz, Harry I.; Malkan, Matthew A.; McLean, Ian S.

    1999-03-01

    We present the results of a narrowband survey of quasi-stellar-object (QSO) fields at redshifts that place the [O III] (5007 Å) emission line in the Δλ/λ~1% 2.16 μm filter. We have observed 3 arcmin2 and detected one emission-line candidate object in the field around PC 1109+4642. We discuss the possibilities that this object is a star-forming galaxy at the QSO redshift, zem=3.313, or a Seyfert galaxy. In the former case, we infer a star formation rate of 170 Msolar yr-1 for this K'=21.3 object. The galaxy has a compact but resolved morphology, with an FWHM=0.6" or 4.2 kpc at z=3.313 (H0=50 km s-1 Mpc-1 and q0=0.5). The comoving density of such objects in QSO environments appears to be 0.0033 Mpc-3, marginally lower (<=3 σ) than the density observed for Hα-emitters in absorption-line fields at z~2.5 but similar to the density of Lyman-break galaxies at z~3. If, on the other hand, most of the line emission is [O III] from a Seyfert 2 nucleus at z=3.31, then the high inferred volume density could imply a large evolution in the Seyfert 2 luminosity function from the current epoch. We find the field containing the object to also contain many faint extended objects in the K' image but little significant excess over the expected number-magnitude relation. We discuss the implication of the emission line being a longer wavelength line at a lower redshift.

  13. The nature of 50 Palermo Swift-BAT hard X-ray objects through optical spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rojas, A. F.; Masetti, N.; Minniti, D.; Jiménez-Bailón, E.; Chavushyan, V.; Hau, G.; McBride, V. A.; Bassani, L.; Bazzano, A.; Bird, A. J.; Galaz, G.; Gavignaud, I.; Landi, R.; Malizia, A.; Morelli, L.; Palazzi, E.; Patiño-Álvarez, V.; Stephen, J. B.; Ubertini, P.

    2017-06-01

    We present the nature of 50 hard X-ray emitting objects unveiled through an optical spectroscopy campaign performed at seven telescopes in the northern and southern hemispheres. These objects were detected with the Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) instrument onboard the Swift satellite and listed as of unidentified nature in the 54-month Palermo BAT catalogue. In detail, 45 sources in our sample are identified as active galactic nuclei of which, 27 are classified as type 1 (with broad and narrow emission lines) and 18 are classified as type 2 (with only narrow emission lines). Among the broad-line emission objects, one is a type 1 high-redshift quasi-stellar object, and among the narrow-line emission objects, one is a starburst galaxy, one is a X-ray bright optically normal galaxy, and one is a low ionization nuclear emission line region. We report 30 new redshift measurements, 13 confirmations and 2 more accurate redshift values. The remaining five objects are galactic sources: three are Cataclismic Variables, one is a X-ray Binary probably with a low mass secondary star, and one is an active star. Based on observations obtained from the following observatories: Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory (Chile); Astronomical Observatory of Bologna in Loiano (Italy); Observatorio Astronómico Nacional (San Pedro Mártir, Mexico); Radcliffe telescope of the South African Astronomical Observatory (Sutherland, South Africa); Sloan Digital Sky Survey; Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (Canary Islands, Spain) and New Technology Telescope (NTT) of La Silla Observatory, Chile.

  14. Far-Infrared Line Emission from High Redshift Quasars

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Benford, D. J.; Cox, P.; Hunter, T. R.; Malhotra, S.; Phillips, T. G.; Yun, M. S.

    2002-01-01

    Recent millimeter and submillimeter detections of line emission in high redshift objects have yielded new information and constraints on star formation at early epochs. Only CO transitions and atomic carbon transitions have been detected from these objects, yet bright far-infrared lines such as C+ at 158 microns and N+ at 205 microns should be fairly readily detectable when redshifted into a submillimeter atmospheric window. We have obtained upper limits for C+ emission &om two high redshift quasars, BR1202-0725 at z=4.69 and BRI1335-0415 at z=4.41. These limits show that the ratio of the C+ line luminosity to the total far-infrared luminosity is less than 0.0l%, ten times smaller than has been observed locally. Additionally, we have searched for emission in the N+ 205 micron line from the Cloverleaf quasar, H1413+117, and detected emission in CO J=7-6. The N+ emission is found to be below the amount predicted based on comparison to the only previous detection of this line, in the starburst galaxy M82.

  15. Observations of emission in bright, low redshift quasars

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1983-01-01

    Ultraviolet, infrared, and optical spectra were combined to obtain a data set sample as broad as possible in the range of hydrogen lines in individual quasars. From the measured Lyman fluxes, coupled with Balmer and Paschen line fluxes measured in these same objects, an effort was made to establish observational constraints that would guide models of the broad emission line regions of quasars. It was found that IUE spectra were generally of sufficiently high quality to derive line profiles of the ultraviolet lines Lyman alpha and CIV 1550 A, which were compared to the Balmer line profiles. The objects observed and the line fluxes are tabulated. Plots of line profiles are included.

  16. Ultraviolet continuum and H2 fluorescent emission in Herbig-Haro objects 43 and 47

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Schwartz, R. D.

    1983-01-01

    IUE short wavelength spectra are presented for the low excitation Herbig-Haro objects HH 43 and HH 47. In the former, several emission lines in the Lyman band of H2 from an excited state are observed which are due to fluorescence from the H Ly-alpha line pumping a lower state (that is in turn excited by a low-velocity shock wave). No evidence of highly ionized gas emission is found in the UV spectra, and both objects exhibit a UV continuum which peaks in the vicinity of 1500 A and is probably caused by H two-photon emission enhanced by low velocity shock collisional excitation.

  17. Investigating the Near-Infrared Properties of Planetary Nebulae II. Medium Resolution Spectra. 2; Medium Resolution Spectra

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hora, Joseph L.; Latter, William B.; Deutsch, Lynne K.

    1998-01-01

    We present medium-resolution (R approximately 700) near-infrared (lambda = 1 - 2.5 micrometers) spectra of a sample of planetary nebulae (PNe). A narrow slit was used which sampled discrete locations within the nebulae; observations were obtained at one or more positions in the 41 objects included in the survey. The PN spectra fall into one of four general categories: H1 emission line-dominated PNe, H1 and H2 emission line PNe, H2 emission line-dominated PNe, and continuum-dominated PNe. These categories correlate with morphological type, with the elliptical PNe falling into the first group, and the bipolar PNe primarily in the H2 and continuum emission groups. The categories also correlate with C/O ratio, with the O-rich objects falling into the first group and the C-rich objects in the groups. Other spectral features were observed in all catagories, such as continuum emission from the central star, and warm dust continuum emission towards the long wavelength end of the spectra. H2 was detected in four PNe in this survey for the first time. An analysis was performed using the H2 line ratios in all of the PN spectra in the survey where a sufficient number of lines were observed to determine the ortho-to-para ratio and the rotational and vibrational excitation temperatures of the H-2 in those objects. One unexpected result from this analysis is that the H-2 is excited by absorption of ultraviolet photons in most of the PNe, although there are several PNe in which collisional excitation plays an important role. The correlation between bipolar morphology and H2 emission has been strengthened with the new detections of H2 in this survey.

  18. VLT/X-shooter Spectroscopy of a dusty planetary nebula discovered with Spitzer/IRS

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Oliveira, I.; Overzier, R. A.; Pontoppidan, K. M.; van Dishoeck, E. F.; Spezzi, L.

    2011-02-01

    As part of a mid-infrared spectroscopic survey of young stars with the Spitzer Space Telescope, an unclassified red emission line object was discovered. Based on its high ionization state indicated by the Spitzer spectrum, this object could either be a dusty supernova remnant (SNR) or a planetary nebula (PN). In this research note, the object is classified and the available spectroscopic data are presented to the community for further analysis. UV/optical/NIR spectra were obtained during the science verification run of the VLT/X-shooter. A large number of emission lines are identified allowing the determination of the nature of this object. The presence of strong, narrow (Δv ~8 - 74 km s-1) emission lines, combined with very low line ratios of, e.g., [N ii]/Hα and [S ii]/Hα show that the object is a PN that lies at an undetermined distance behind the Serpens Molecular Cloud. This illustrates the potential of X-shooter as an efficient tool for constraining the nature of faint sources with unknown spectral properties or colors.

  19. DISSECTING THE POWER SOURCES OF LOW-LUMINOSITY EMISSION-LINE GALAXY NUCLEI VIA COMPARISON OF HST-STIS AND GROUND-BASED SPECTRA

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

    Constantin, Anca; Castillo, Christopher A.; Shields, Joseph C.

    Using a sample of ∼100 nearby line-emitting galaxy nuclei, we have built the currently definitive atlas of spectroscopic measurements of Hα and neighboring emission lines at subarcsecond scales. We employ these data in a quantitative comparison of the nebular emission in Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and ground-based apertures, which offer an order-of-magnitude difference in contrast, and provide new statistical constraints on the degree to which transition objects and low-ionization nuclear emission-line regions (LINERs) are powered by an accreting black hole at ≲10 pc. We show that while the small-aperture observations clearly resolve the nebular emission, the aperture dependence in themore » line ratios is generally weak, and this can be explained by gradients in the density of the line-emitting gas: the higher densities in the more nuclear regions potentially flatten the excitation gradients, suppressing the forbidden emission. The transition objects show a threefold increase in the incidence of broad Hα emission in the high-resolution data, as well as the strongest density gradients, supporting the composite model for these systems as accreting sources surrounded by star-forming activity. The narrow-line LINERs appear to be the weaker counterparts of the Type 1 LINERs, where the low accretion rates cause the disappearance of the broad-line component. The enhanced sensitivity of the HST observations reveals a 30% increase in the incidence of accretion-powered systems at z ≈ 0. A comparison of the strength of the broad-line emission detected at different epochs implies potential broad-line variability on a decade-long timescale, with at least a factor of three in amplitude.« less

  20. The Micro-Arcsecond Scintillation-Induced Variability (MASIV) Survey III. Optical Identifications and New Redshifts

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pursimo, Tapio; Ojha, Roopesh; Jauncey, David L.; Rickett, Barney J.; Dutka, Michael S.; Koay, Jun Yi; Lovell, James E. J.; Bignall, Hayley E.; Kedziora-Chudczer, Lucyna; Macquart, Jean-Pierre

    2013-01-01

    Intraday variability (IDV) of the radio emission from active galactic nuclei is now known to be predominantly due to interstellar scintillation (ISS). The MASIV (The Microarcsecond Scintillation Induced Variability) survey of 443 at spectrum sources revealed that the IDV is related to the radio flux density and redshift. A study of the physical properties of these sources has been severely handicapped by the absence of reliable redshift measurements for many of these objects. This paper presents 79 new redshifts and a critical evaluation of 233 redshifts obtained from the literature. We classify spectroscopic identifications based on emission line properties, finding that 78% of the sources have broad emission lines and are mainly FSRQs. About 16% are weak lined objects, chiefly BL Lacs, and the remaining 6% are narrow line objects. The gross properties (redshift, spectroscopic class) of the MASIV sample are similar to those of other blazar surveys. However, the extreme compactness implied by ISS favors FSRQs and BL Lacs in the MASIV sample as these are the most compact object classes. We confirm that the level of IDV depends on the 5 GHz flux density for all optical spectral types. We find that BL Lac objects tend to be more variable than broad line quasars. The level of ISS decreases substantially above a redshift of about two. The decrease is found to be generally consistent with ISS expected for beamed emission from a jet that is limited to a fixed maximum brightness temperature in the source rest frame.

  1. Bayesian Redshift Classification of Emission-line Galaxies with Photometric Equivalent Widths

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Leung, Andrew S.; Acquaviva, Viviana; Gawiser, Eric; Ciardullo, Robin; Komatsu, Eiichiro; Malz, A. I.; Zeimann, Gregory R.; Bridge, Joanna S.; Drory, Niv; Feldmeier, John J.; Finkelstein, Steven L.; Gebhardt, Karl; Gronwall, Caryl; Hagen, Alex; Hill, Gary J.; Schneider, Donald P.

    2017-07-01

    We present a Bayesian approach to the redshift classification of emission-line galaxies when only a single emission line is detected spectroscopically. We consider the case of surveys for high-redshift Lyα-emitting galaxies (LAEs), which have traditionally been classified via an inferred rest-frame equivalent width (EW {W}{Lyα }) greater than 20 Å. Our Bayesian method relies on known prior probabilities in measured emission-line luminosity functions and EW distributions for the galaxy populations, and returns the probability that an object in question is an LAE given the characteristics observed. This approach will be directly relevant for the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment (HETDEX), which seeks to classify ˜106 emission-line galaxies into LAEs and low-redshift [{{O}} {{II}}] emitters. For a simulated HETDEX catalog with realistic measurement noise, our Bayesian method recovers 86% of LAEs missed by the traditional {W}{Lyα } > 20 Å cutoff over 2 < z < 3, outperforming the EW cut in both contamination and incompleteness. This is due to the method’s ability to trade off between the two types of binary classification error by adjusting the stringency of the probability requirement for classifying an observed object as an LAE. In our simulations of HETDEX, this method reduces the uncertainty in cosmological distance measurements by 14% with respect to the EW cut, equivalent to recovering 29% more cosmological information. Rather than using binary object labels, this method enables the use of classification probabilities in large-scale structure analyses. It can be applied to narrowband emission-line surveys as well as upcoming large spectroscopic surveys including Euclid and WFIRST.

  2. Constraining the Accretion Mode in LINER 1.9s

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sabra, Bassem; Der Sahaguian, Elias; Badr, Elie

    2016-01-01

    The accretion mode and the dominant power source in low-ionization nuclear emission-line regions (LINERs), a class of active galactic nuclei (AGN), are still elusive. We focus on a sample of 22 LINER 1.9s (Ho et al. 1997), a subclass of LINERs that show broad Halpha lines, a signature of blackhole-powered accretion, to test the hypothesis that the ionizing continuum emitted by a radiatively inefficient accretion flow (RIAF) could lead to the LINER ultraviolet (UV) emission-line ratios. Optical line-ratio diagrams are a weak diagnostic tool in distinguishing between possible power sources (Sabra et al. 2003). We search the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes (MAST) for UV spectra of the objects in the above sample and also perform photoionization simulations using CLOUDY (Ferland et al. 2013). Unfortunately, only one object (NGC 1052; Gabel et al. 2000) of the 22 LINER 1.9s has UV spectra that cover many emission lines; the rest of the objects either do not have any UV spectra, the spectral coverage is in-adequate, or the spectra have very low signal-to-noise ratios. Our photoionization simulations set up two identical grids of clouds with a range of densities and ionization parameters. We illuminate one grid with radiation emitted by a thin accretion disk (AD) and we illuminate the other grid with radiation from a RIAF. We overplot the UV emission-line ratio predictions for AD and RIAF illumination, together with the available line ratios for NGC 1052. Initial results show that UV lines could be used as diagnostics for the accretion mode in AGN. More UV spectral coverage of LINER 1.9s is needed in order to more fully utilize the diagnostic powers of UV emission line ratios.

  3. The RMS survey: near-IR spectroscopy of massive young stellar objects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cooper, H. D. B.; Lumsden, S. L.; Oudmaijer, R. D.; Hoare, M. G.; Clarke, A. J.; Urquhart, J. S.; Mottram, J. C.; Moore, T. J. T.; Davies, B.

    2013-04-01

    Near-infrared H- and K-band spectra are presented for 247 objects, selected from the Red MSX Source (RMS) survey as potential young stellar objects (YSOs). 195 (˜80 per cent) of the targets are YSOs, of which 131 are massive YSOs (LBOL > 5 × 103 L⊙, M > 8 M⊙). This is the largest spectroscopic study of massive YSOs to date, providing a valuable resource for the study of massive star formation. In this paper, we present our exploratory analysis of the data. The YSOs observed have a wide range of embeddedness (2.7 < AV < 114), demonstrating that this study covers minimally obscured objects right through to very red, dusty sources. Almost all YSOs show some evidence for emission lines, though there is a wide variety of observed properties. The most commonly detected lines are Brγ, H2, fluorescent Fe II, CO bandhead, [Fe II] and He I 2-1 1S-1P, in order of frequency of occurrence. In total, ˜40 per cent of the YSOs display either fluorescent Fe II 1.6878 μm or CO bandhead emission (or both), indicative of a circumstellar disc; however, no correlation of the strength of these lines with bolometric luminosity was found. We also find that ˜60 per cent of the sources exhibit [Fe II] or H2 emission, indicating the presence of an outflow. Three quarters of all sources have Brγ in emission. A good correlation with bolometric luminosity was observed for both the Brγ and H2 emission line strengths, covering 1 < LBOL < 3.5 × 105 L⊙. This suggests that the emission mechanism for these lines is the same for low-, intermediate- and high-mass YSOs, i.e. high-mass YSOs appear to resemble scaled-up versions of low-mass YSOs.

  4. Molecular hydrogen line ratios in four regions of shock-excited gas

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Burton, M. G.; Brand, P. W. J. L.; Geballe, T. R.; Webster, A. S.

    1989-01-01

    Five emission lines of molecular hydrogen, with wavelengths in the ranges of 2.10-2.25 and 3.80-3.85 microns, have been observed in four objects of different type in which the line emission is believed to be excited by shocks. The relative intensities of the lines 1 - 0 S(1):1 - 0 S(O):2 - 1 S(1) are approximately 10.5:2.5:1.0 in all four objects. The 0 - 0 S(13):1 - 0 O(7) line ratio, however, varies from 1.05 in OMC-1 to about 2.3 in the Herbig-Haro object HH 7. The excitation temperature derived from the S(13) and O(7) lines is higher than that derived from the 1 - 0 and 2 - 1 S(1) lines in all four objects, so the shocked gas in these objects cannot be characterized by a single temperature. The constancy of the (1-0)/(2-1) S(1) line ratio between sources suggests that the post-shock gas is 'thermalized' in each source. The S(13)/O(7) ratio is particularly sensitive to the density and temperature conditions in the gas.

  5. The VIRUS Emission Line Detection Recipe

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gössl, C. A.; Hopp, U.; Köhler, R.; Grupp, F.; Relke, H.; Drory, N.; Gebhardt, K.; Hill, G.; MacQueen, P.

    2007-10-01

    HETDEX, the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment, will measure the imprint of the baryonic acoustic oscillations on the galaxy population at redshifts of 1.8 < z < 3.7 to constrain the nature of dark energy. The survey will be performed over at least 200 deg^2. The tracer population for this blind search will be Ly-α emitting galaxies through their most prominent emission line. The data reduction pipeline will extract these emission line objects from ˜35,000 spectra per exposure (5 million per night, i.e. 500 million in total) while performing astrometric, photometric, and wavelength calibration fully automatically. Here we will present our ideas how to find and classify objects even at low signal-to-noise ratios.

  6. Observations of the 63 micron forbidden O I line in Herbig-Haro objects

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cohen, Martin; Hollenbach, David J.; Haas, Michael R.; Erickson, Edwin F.

    1988-01-01

    The paper presents observations of the 63 micron forbidden O I line from Herbig-Haro objects and their exciting stars. Forbidden O I 63 micron emission is detected toward the HH-exciting stars T Tau, DG Tau, L1551 IRS 5, and toward the HH objects HH 7-11, HH 42A, and HH 43 which are displaced from their exciting stars. The forbidden O I emission is associated with these flows on the basis of its spatial coincidence and its negative radial velocities. If the exciting stars drive bipolar flows in which the 63 micron emission follows that at 6300 A, the absence of redshifted 63 micron lines from the three exciting stars might indicate that the disks hypothesized to overlie the receding lobes of these flows are still optically thick in the far-infrared.

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

    Plotkin, Richard M.; Gallo, Elena; Shemmer, Ohad

    Over the past 15 yr, examples of exotic radio-quiet quasars with intrinsically weak or absent broad emission line regions (BELRs) have emerged from large-scale spectroscopic sky surveys. Here, we present spectroscopy of seven such weak emission line quasars (WLQs) at moderate redshifts (z = 1.4–1.7) using the X-shooter spectrograph, which provides simultaneous optical and near-infrared spectroscopy covering the rest-frame ultraviolet (UV) through optical. These new observations effectively double the number of WLQs with spectroscopy in the optical rest-frame, and they allow us to compare the strengths of (weak) high-ionization emission lines (e.g., C iv) to low-ionization lines (e.g., Mg ii,more » Hβ, Hα) in individual objects. We detect broad Hβ and Hα emission in all objects, and these lines are generally toward the weaker end of the distribution expected for typical quasars (e.g., Hβ has rest-frame equivalent widths ranging from 15–40 Å). However, these low-ionization lines are not exceptionally weak, as is the case for high-ionization lines in WLQs. The X-shooter spectra also display relatively strong optical Fe ii emission, Hβ FWHM ≲ 4000 km s{sup −1}, and significant C iv blueshifts (≈1000–5500 km s{sup −1}) relative to the systemic redshift; two spectra also show elevated UV Fe ii emission, and an outflowing component to their (weak) Mg ii emission lines. These properties suggest that WLQs are exotic versions of “wind-dominated” quasars. Their BELRs either have unusual high-ionization components, or their BELRs are in an atypical photoionization state because of an unusually soft continuum.« less

  8. Search with Copernicus for ultraviolet emission lines in the planetary nebula NGC 3242

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Schwartz, R. D.; Snow, T. P., Jr.; Upson, W. L., II

    1978-01-01

    The high-excitation planetary nebula NGC 3242 has been observed with the ultraviolet telescope-spectrometer aboard Copernicus. Wavelength intervals corresponding to the emission lines of O VI at 1032 A, He II at 1085 A, Si III at 1206 A, and N V at 1239 A have been scanned. Upper limits to the observed fluxes are reported and compared with predicted emission-line fluxes from this object.

  9. A support vector machine for spectral classification of emission-line galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shi, Fei; Liu, Yu-Yan; Sun, Guang-Lan; Li, Pei-Yu; Lei, Yu-Ming; Wang, Jian

    2015-10-01

    The emission-lines of galaxies originate from massive young stars or supermassive blackholes. As a result, spectral classification of emission-line galaxies into star-forming galaxies, active galactic nucleus (AGN) hosts, or compositions of both relates closely to formation and evolution of galaxy. To find efficient and automatic spectral classification method, especially in large surveys and huge data bases, a support vector machine (SVM) supervised learning algorithm is applied to a sample of emission-line galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) data release 9 (DR9) provided by the Max Planck Institute and the Johns Hopkins University (MPA/JHU). A two-step approach is adopted. (i) The SVM must be trained with a subset of objects that are known to be AGN hosts, composites or star-forming galaxies, treating the strong emission-line flux measurements as input feature vectors in an n-dimensional space, where n is the number of strong emission-line flux ratios. (ii) After training on a sample of emission-line galaxies, the remaining galaxies are automatically classified. In the classification process, we use a 10-fold cross-validation technique. We show that the classification diagrams based on the [N II]/Hα versus other emission-line ratio, such as [O III]/Hβ, [Ne III]/[O II], ([O III]λ4959+[O III]λ5007)/[O III]λ4363, [O II]/Hβ, [Ar III]/[O III], [S II]/Hα, and [O I]/Hα, plus colour, allows us to separate unambiguously AGN hosts, composites or star-forming galaxies. Among them, the diagram of [N II]/Hα versus [O III]/Hβ achieved an accuracy of 99 per cent to separate the three classes of objects. The other diagrams above give an accuracy of ˜91 per cent.

  10. Are some BL Lac objects artefacts of gravitational lensing?

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ostriker, J. P.; Vietri, M.

    1985-01-01

    It is proposed here that a significant fraction of BL Lac objects are optically violently variable quasars whose continuum emission has been greatly amplified, relative to the line emission, by pointlike gravitational lenses in intervening galaxies. Several anomalous physical and statistical properties of BL Lacs can be understood on the basis of this model, which is immediately testable on the basis of absorption line studies and by direct imaging.

  11. Time-resolved spectrophotometry of the AM Herculis system E2003 + 225

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mccarthy, Patrick; Bowyer, Stuart; Clarke, John T.

    1986-01-01

    Time-resolved, medium-resolution photometry is reported for the binary system E2003 + 225 over a complete orbital period in 1984. The object was 1.5-2 mag fainter than when viewed earlier in 1984. The fluxes, equivalent widths and full widths at FWHM for dominant lines are presented for four points in the cycle. A coincidence of emission lines and a 4860 A continuum line was observed for the faster component, which had a 500 km/sec velocity amplitude that was symmetric around the zero line. An aberrant emission line component, i.e., stationary narrow emission lines displaced about 9 A from the rest wavelengths, is modeled as Zeeman splitting of emission from material close to the primary.

  12. The nuclear region of low luminosity flat radio spectrum sources. II. Emission-line spectra

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gonçalves, A. C.; Serote Roos, M.

    2004-01-01

    We report on the spectroscopic study of 19 low luminosity Flat Radio Spectrum (LL FRS) sources selected from Marchã's et al. (\\cite{March96}) 200 mJy sample. In the optical, these objects are mainly dominated by the host galaxy starlight. After correcting the data for this effect, we obtain a new set of spectra clearly displaying weak emission lines; such features carry valuable information concerning the excitation mechanisms at work in the nuclear regions of LL FRS sources. We have used a special routine to model the spectra and assess the intensities and velocities of the emission lines; we have analyzed the results in terms of diagnostic diagrams. Our analysis shows that 79% of the studied objects harbour a Low Ionization Nuclear Emission-line Region (or LINER) whose contribution was swamped by the host galaxy starlight. The remaining objects display a higher ionization spectrum, more typical of Seyferts; due to the poor quality of the spectra, it was not possible to identify any possible large Balmer components. The fact that we observe a LINER-type spectrum in LL FRS sources supports the idea that some of these objects could be undergoing an ADAF phase; in addition, such a low ionization emission-line spectrum is in agreement with the black hole mass values and sub-Eddington accretion rates published for some FRS sources. Based on observations collected at the Multiple Mirror Telescope on Mt. Hopkins. Full Fig. 1 is only available in electronic form at http://www.edpsciences.org

  13. Time dependent emission line profiles in the radially streaming particle model of Seyfert galaxy nuclei and quasi-stellar objects

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hubbard, R.

    1974-01-01

    The radially-streaming particle model for broad quasar and Seyfert galaxy emission features is modified to include sources of time dependence. The results are suggestive of reported observations of multiple components, variability, and transient features in the wings of Seyfert and quasi-stellar emission lines.

  14. Searching for Dwarf H Alpha Emission-line Galaxies within Voids III: First Spectra

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moody, J. Ward; Draper, Christian; McNeil, Stephen; Joner, Michael D.

    2017-02-01

    The presence or absence of dwarf galaxies with {M}r\\prime > -14 in low-density voids is determined by the nature of dark matter halos. To better understand what this nature is, we are conducting an imaging survey through redshifted Hα filters to look for emission-line dwarf galaxies in the centers of two nearby galaxy voids called FN2 and FN8. Either finding such dwarfs or establishing that they are not present is a significant result. As an important step in establishing the robustness of the search technique, we have observed six candidates from the survey of FN8 with the Gillett Gemini telescope and GMOS spectrometer. All of these candidates had emission, although none was Hα. The emission in two objects was the [O III]λ4959, 5007 doublet plus Hβ, and the emission in the remaining four was the [O II]λ3727 doublet, all from objects beyond the void. While no objects were within the void, these spectra show that the survey is capable of finding emission-line dwarfs in the void centers that are as faint as {M}r\\prime ˜ -12.4, should they be present. These spectra also show that redshifts estimated from our filtered images are accurate to several hundred km s-1 if the line is identified correctly, encouraging further work in finding ways to conduct redshift surveys through imaging alone.

  15. Emission Lines in the Near-infrared Spectra of the Infrared Quintuplet Stars in the Galactic Center

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

    Najarro, F.; Geballe, T. R.; Figer, D. F.

    We report the detection of a number of emission lines in the 1.0–2.4 μ m spectra of four of the five bright-infrared dust-embedded stars at the center of the Galactic center’s (GC) Quintuplet Cluster. Spectroscopy of the central stars of these objects is hampered not only by the large interstellar extinction that obscures all of the objects in the GC, but also by the large amounts of warm circumstellar dust surrounding each of the five stars. The pinwheel morphologies of the dust observed previously around two of them are indicative of Wolf–Rayet colliding wind binaries; however, infrared spectra of eachmore » of the five have until now revealed only dust continua steeply rising to long wavelengths and absorption lines and bands from interstellar gas and dust. The emission lines detected, from ionized carbon and from helium, are broad and confirm that the objects are dusty late-type carbon Wolf–Rayet stars.« less

  16. EMISSION-LINE OBJECTS PROJECTED UPON THE GALACTIC BULGE*

    PubMed Central

    Herbig, G. H.

    1969-01-01

    Low-dispersion slit spectrograms have been obtained of 34 faint objects that lie in the direction of the galactic bulge and have the Hα line in emission upon a detectable continuum. Eleven of these are certain or probable symbiotic stars. A rough comparison with R CrB stars in the same area suggests that these brightest symbiotics in the bulge have in the mean Mv ≈ -3 to -4, which suggest Population II red giants rather than conventional Population I M-type objects. The sample also contains a number of hot stars having H and [O II] or [O III] in emission, as well as four conventional Be stars, and six certain or possible planetary nebulae. Images PMID:16578699

  17. Emission-line objects projected upon the galactic bulge.

    PubMed

    Herbig, G H

    1969-08-01

    Low-dispersion slit spectrograms have been obtained of 34 faint objects that lie in the direction of the galactic bulge and have the Halpha line in emission upon a detectable continuum. Eleven of these are certain or probable symbiotic stars. A rough comparison with R CrB stars in the same area suggests that these brightest symbiotics in the bulge have in the mean M(v) approximately -3 to -4, which suggest Population II red giants rather than conventional Population I M-type objects. The sample also contains a number of hot stars having H and [O II] or [O III] in emission, as well as four conventional Be stars, and six certain or possible planetary nebulae.

  18. THE MICRO-ARCSECOND SCINTILLATION-INDUCED VARIABILITY (MASIV) SURVEY. III. OPTICAL IDENTIFICATIONS AND NEW REDSHIFTS

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

    Pursimo, Tapio; Ojha, Roopesh; Jauncey, David L.

    2013-04-10

    Intraday variability (IDV) of the radio emission from active galactic nuclei is now known to be predominantly due to interstellar scintillation (ISS). The MASIV (The Micro-Arcsecond Scintillation-Induced Variability) survey of 443 flat spectrum sources revealed that the IDV is related to the radio flux density and redshift. A study of the physical properties of these sources has been severely handicapped by the absence of reliable redshift measurements for many of these objects. This paper presents 79 new redshifts and a critical evaluation of 233 redshifts obtained from the literature. We classify spectroscopic identifications based on emission line properties, finding thatmore » 78% of the sources have broad emission lines and are mainly FSRQs. About 16% are weak lined objects, chiefly BL Lacs, and the remaining 6% are narrow line objects. The gross properties (redshift, spectroscopic class) of the MASIV sample are similar to those of other blazar surveys. However, the extreme compactness implied by ISS favors FSRQs and BL Lacs in the MASIV sample as these are the most compact object classes. We confirm that the level of IDV depends on the 5 GHz flux density for all optical spectral types. We find that BL Lac objects tend to be more variable than broad line quasars. The level of ISS decreases substantially above a redshift of about two. The decrease is found to be generally consistent with ISS expected for beamed emission from a jet that is limited to a fixed maximum brightness temperature in the source rest frame.« less

  19. Ultraviolet Observations of M-Type Symbiotic Stars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Michalitsianos, Andrew G.

    The significant differences revealed in high dispersion short wavelength spectra of two M-type symbiotic stars RW Hya (gM2 + pec) and RX Pup (M5 + pec) observed previously with IUE emphasizes the need for high resolution observations of a wide range of similar objects. The anomalies observed in high excitation lines in RX Pup of He II, N III], N IV], O III], C III], C IV and Si III] that show split line profiles, multiple component Doppler displaced components, and broadened blue wing emission structure in N III] and N IV] suggest motion in circumstellar material. In contrast, high dispersion UV spectra of RW Hya reveal narrow high excitation emission lines that give no suggestion of macroscopic motions in the circumstellar gas. We wish to extend observations of a selected number of symbiotic stars observed previously but in low resolution, to high dispersion in order to determine if particular M-type symbiotic stars exhibit anomalies in their line profile. As such, symbiotic stars exhibiting velocity structure in emission lines may form a subset of objects that are characterized by mass motions in their circumstellar envelops that create high excitation emission. UV line and continuum emission from other M-type symbiotics may arise from mainly photo-excitation processes that results from the intense radiation field associated with the hot secondary companion.

  20. Ultraviolet Fe VII absorption and Fe II emission lines of central stars of planetary nebulae

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cheng, Kwang-Ping; Feibelman, Walter A.; Bruhweiler, Frederick C.

    1991-01-01

    The SWP camera of the IUE satellite was used in the high-dispersion mode to search for Fe VII absorption and Fe II high-excitation emission lines in five additional very hot central stars of planetary nebulae. Some of the Fe VII lines were detected at 1208, 1239, and 1332 A in all the objects of this program, LT 5, NGC 6058, NGC 7094, A43, and Lo 1 (= K1-26), as well as some of the Fe II emission lines at A 1360, 1776, 1869, 1881, 1884, and 1975 A. Two additional objects, NGC 2867 and He 2-131, were obtained from the IUE archive and were evaluated. The present study probably exhausts the list of candidates that are sufficiently bright and hot to be reached with the high-dispersion mode of the IUE.

  1. EC 19314 - 5915 - A bright, eclipsing cataclysmic variable from the Edinburgh-Cape Blue Object Survey

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Buckley, D. A. H.; O'Donoghue, D.; Kilkenny, D.; Stobie, R. S.; Remillard, R. A.

    1992-01-01

    A deeply eclipsing cataclysmic variable, with an orbital period of 4.75 hr, has been discovered in the southern Edinburgh-Cape Blue Object Survey. The star, EC 19314 - 5915, lies close to the positional constraints of a previously unidentified HEAO-1 hard X-ray source, 1H1930 - 5989. Its optical spectrum is unusual in that it shows, apart from the emission lines characteristic of a novalike, or dwarf nova cataclysmic variable (Balmer, He I and He II), metallic absorption lines typical of a late-G star. The individual time-resolved spectra, with the tertiary absorption lines removed, show absorption reversals in the Balmer emission lines, increasing in strength for the higher series. The Balmer emission radial velocities are therefore severely distorted in comparison to the He II 4686-A emission and He I 4471-A absorption radial velocity curves. An independent distance estimate of about 600 pc is derived for EC19314 - 5915, from the spectroscopic parallax of the third star.

  2. X-shooter spectroscopy of young stellar objects. VI. H I line decrements

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Antoniucci, S.; Nisini, B.; Giannini, T.; Rigliaco, E.; Alcalá, J. M.; Natta, A.; Stelzer, B.

    2017-03-01

    Context. Hydrogen recombination emission lines commonly observed in accreting young stellar objects represent a powerful tracer for the gas conditions in the circumstellar structures (accretion columns, and winds or jets). Aims: Here we perform a study of the H I decrements and line profiles, from the Balmer and Paschen H I lines detected in the X-shooter spectra of a homogeneous sample of 36 T Tauri objects in Lupus, the accretion and stellar properties of which were already derived in a previous work. We aim to obtain information on the H I gas physical conditions to delineate a consistent picture of the H I emission mechanisms in pre-main sequence low-mass stars (M∗< 2 M⊙). Methods: We have empirically classified the sources based on their H I line profiles and decrements. We identified four Balmer decrement types (which we classified as 1, 2, 3, and 4) and three Paschen decrement types (A, B, and C), characterised by different shapes. We first discussed the connection between the decrement types and the source properties and then compared the observed decrements with predictions from recently published local line excitation models. Results: We identify a few groups of sources that display similar H I properties. One third of the objects show lines with narrow symmetric profiles, and present similar Balmer and Paschen decrements (straight decrements, types 2 and A). Lines in these sources are consistent with optically thin emission from gas with hydrogen densities of order 109 cm-3 and 5000 < T < 15 000 K. These objects are associated with low mass accretion rates. Type 4 (L-shaped) Balmer and type B Paschen decrements are found in conjunction with very wide line profiles and are characteristic of strong accretors, with optically thick emission from high-density gas (log nH > 11 cm-3). Type 1 (curved) Balmer decrements are observed only in three sub-luminous sources viewed edge-on, so we speculate that these are actually type 2 decrements that are reddened because of neglecting a residual amount of extinction in the line emission region. About 20% of the objects present type 3 Balmer decrements (bumpy), which, however, cannot be reproduced with current models. Based on observations collected at the European Southern Observatory at Paranal, Chile, under programmes 084.C-0269(A), 085.C-238(A), 086.C-0173(A), 087.C-0244(A), and 089.C-0143(A).

  3. OPTICAL SPECTROSCOPY OF SDSS J004054.65-0915268: THREE POSSIBLE SCENARIOS FOR THE CLASSIFICATION. A z ∼ 5 BL LACERTAE, A BLUE FSRQ, OR A WEAK EMISSION LINE QUASAR

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

    Landoni, M.; Zanutta, A.; Bianco, A.

    2016-02-15

    The haunt of high-redshift BL Lacerate objects is day by day more compelling to firmly understand their intrinsic nature and evolution. SDSS J004054.65-0915268 is, at the moment, one of the most distant BL Lac candidates, at z ∼ 5. We present a new optical-near-IR spectrum obtained with ALFOSC-NOT with a new, custom designed dispersive grating aimed to detect broad emission lines that could disprove this classification. In the obtained spectra, we do not detect any emission features and we provide an upper limit to the luminosity of the C iv broad emission line. Therefore, the nature of the object is then discussed,more » building the overall spectral energy distribution (SED) and fitting it with three different models. Our fits, based on SED modeling with different possible scenarios, cannot rule out the possibility that this source is indeed a BL Lac object, though the absence of optical variability and the lack of strong radio flux seem to suggest that the observed optical emission originates from a thermalized accretion disk.« less

  4. Optical Spectroscopy of SDSS J004054.65-0915268: Three Possible Scenarios for the Classification. A z ˜ 5 BL Lacertae, a Blue FSRQ, or a Weak Emission Line Quasar

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Landoni, M.; Zanutta, A.; Bianco, A.; Tavecchio, F.; Bonnoli, G.; Ghisellini, G.

    2016-02-01

    The haunt of high-redshift BL Lacerate objects is day by day more compelling to firmly understand their intrinsic nature and evolution. SDSS J004054.65-0915268 is, at the moment, one of the most distant BL Lac candidates, at z ˜ 5. We present a new optical-near-IR spectrum obtained with ALFOSC-NOT with a new, custom designed dispersive grating aimed to detect broad emission lines that could disprove this classification. In the obtained spectra, we do not detect any emission features and we provide an upper limit to the luminosity of the C IV broad emission line. Therefore, the nature of the object is then discussed, building the overall spectral energy distribution (SED) and fitting it with three different models. Our fits, based on SED modeling with different possible scenarios, cannot rule out the possibility that this source is indeed a BL Lac object, though the absence of optical variability and the lack of strong radio flux seem to suggest that the observed optical emission originates from a thermalized accretion disk.

  5. Detection of 1612 MHz OH emission in the semiregular variable stars RT Vir, R Crt and W Hya

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Etoka, S.; Le Squeren, A. M.; Gerard, E.

    2003-05-01

    We present evidence of 1612 MHz emission in SR variable stars. The two SRb, RT Vir and R Crt, as well as the SRa W Hya have been monitored with the upgraded Nançay radio telescope since February 2001. All three objects have shown a weak 1612 MHz emission occuring in the velocity range of the strongest emission observed in the main-lines. Such a detection is the second observational evidence for emission in the 1612 MHz OH maser satellite line from SRb stars. It also confirms the presence of 1612 MHz emission in the SRa W Hya discovered by Etoka et al. (\\cite{etoka01}). Such a finding strongly suggests that the shell properties of those three objects are quite similar to those of the Mira stars with similar IR characteristics.

  6. Observations of southern emission-line stars

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Henize, K. G.

    1976-01-01

    A catalog of 1929 stars showing H-alpha emission on photographic plates is presented which covers the entire southern sky south of declination -25 deg to a red limiting magnitude of about 11.0. The catalog provides previous designations of known emission-line stars equatorial (1900) and galactic coordinates, visual and photographic magnitudes, H-alpha emission parameters, spectral types, and notes on unusual spectral features. The objects listed include 16 M stars, 25 S stars, 37 carbon stars, 20 symbiotic stars, 40 confirmed or suspected T Tauri stars, 16 novae, 14 planetary nebulae, 11 P Cygni stars, 9 Bep stars, 87 confirmed or suspected Wolf-Rayet stars, and 26 'peculiar' stars. Two new T associations are discovered, one in Lupus and one in Chamaeleon. Objects with variations in continuum or H-alpha intensity are noted, and the distribution by spectral type is analyzed. It is found that the sky distribution of these emission-line stars shows significant concentrations in the region of the small Sagittarius cloud and in the Carina region.

  7. The photoionization mechanism of LINERs - Stellar and nonstellar

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ho, Luis C.; Filippenko, Alexei V.

    1993-01-01

    We present high quality spectroscopic observations of a sample of 14 LINERs. Starlight removal is achieved by the subtraction of a suitable absorption-line 'template' galaxy, allowing accurate measurements of emission lines. We use these line fluxes to examine the possible excitation mechanisms of LINERs. We suggest that LINERs with weak forbidden O I 6300-A emission may be H II regions photoionized by unusually hot O-type stars. LINERs with forbidden O I/H-alpha approximately greater than 1/6 may be powered by photoionization from a nonstellar continuum. This is supported by the detection of broad H-alpha emission, a correlation between line width and critical density, and pointlike X-ray emission in several of these objects.

  8. THE DUST SUBLIMATION RADIUS AS AN OUTER ENVELOPE TO THE BULK OF THE NARROW Fe Kα LINE EMISSION IN TYPE 1 AGNs

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

    Gandhi, Poshak; Hönig, Sebastian F.; Kishimoto, Makoto

    2015-10-20

    The Fe Kα emission line is the most ubiquitous feature in the X-ray spectra of active galactic nuclei (AGNs), but the origin of its narrow core remains uncertain. Here, we investigate the connection between the sizes of the Fe Kα core emission regions and the measured sizes of the dusty tori in 13 local Type 1 AGNs. The observed Fe Kα emission radii (R{sub Fe}) are determined from spectrally resolved line widths in X-ray grating spectra, and the dust sublimation radii (R{sub dust}) are measured either from optical/near-infrared (NIR) reverberation time lags or from resolved NIR interferometric data. This directmore » comparison shows, on an object-by-object basis, that the dust sublimation radius forms an outer envelope to the bulk of the Fe Kα emission. R{sub Fe} matches R{sub dust} well in the AGNs, with the best constrained line widths currently. In a significant fraction of objects without a clear narrow line core, R{sub Fe} is similar to, or smaller than, the radius of the optical broad line region. These facts place important constraints on the torus geometries for our sample. Extended tori in which the solid angle of fluorescing gas peaks at well beyond the dust sublimation radius can be ruled out. We also test for luminosity scalings of R{sub Fe}, finding that the Eddington ratio is not a prime driver in determining the line location in our sample. We also discuss in detail potential caveats of data analysis and instrumental limitations, simplistic line modeling, uncertain black hole masses, and sample selection, showing that none of these is likely to bias our core result. The calorimeter on board Astro-H will soon vastly increase the parameter space over which line measurements can be made, overcoming many of these limitations.« less

  9. Molecular line emission models of Herbig-Haro objects. II - HCO(+) emission

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wolfire, Mark G.; Koenigl, Arieh

    1993-01-01

    We present time-dependent models of the chemistry and temperature of interstellar molecular gas clumps that are exposed to the radiation from propagating stellar-jet shocks. The X-ray, EUV, and FUV radiation from the shock initiates ion chemistry and also heats the gas in the clumps. Using representative parameters, we show that, on the shock transit time between the clumps, the abundances of the ionized molecular species that are produced in the clumps can exceed the values determined from steady state models by several orders of magnitude. Collisional excitation by the heated gas can lead to measurable line emission from several ionized species; as in previous investigations of X-ray-irradiated molecular gas, we find that electron impacts contribute significantly to this process. We apply these results to the interpretation of the HCO(+) line emission that has already been detected in several Herbig-Haro objects. We demonstrate that this picture provides a natural explanation of the fact that the line intensity typically peaks ahead of the associated shock, as well as of the reported low line-center velocities and narrow line widths. We tabulate several diagnostic line intensities of HCO(+) and other molecular species that may be used to infer the physical conditions in the emitting gas.

  10. Ultraviolet Fe VII absorption and Fe II emission lines of central stars of planetary nebulae

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

    Cheng, Kwang-Ping; Feibelman, W.A.; Bruhweiler, F.C.

    1991-08-01

    The SWP camera of the IUE satellite was used in the high-dispersion mode to search for Fe VII absorption and Fe II high-excitation emission lines in five additional very hot central stars of planetary nebulae. Some of the Fe VII lines were detected at 1208, 1239, and 1332 A in all the objects of this program, LT 5, NGC 6058, NGC 7094, A43, and Lo 1 (= K1-26), as well as some of the Fe II emission lines at A 1360, 1776, 1869, 1881, 1884, and 1975 A. Two additional objects, NGC 2867 and He 2-131, were obtained from themore » IUE archive and were evaluated. The present study probably exhausts the list of candidates that are sufficiently bright and hot to be reached with the high-dispersion mode of the IUE. 17 refs.« less

  11. Spitzer IRS Observations of Low-Mass Seyfert Galaxies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Thornton, Carol E.; Barth, A. J.; Ho, L. C.; Greene, J. E.

    2010-01-01

    We present results from Spitzer IRS observations of a sample of 41 Seyfert galaxies with estimated black hole masses below 106 solar masses, including objects from the SDSS-selected samples of Seyfert 1 galaxies from Greene & Ho (2004) and Seyfert 2 galaxies from Barth et al. (2008), as well as NGC 4395 and POX 52. We use the IDL code PAHFIT (Smith et al. 2007) to derive measurements of continuum shapes and narrow emission line and PAH luminosities from the low-resolution spectra in order to examine the dust emission properties of these objects and investigate the relationship between Type 1 and Type 2 AGNs at low luminosities and low masses, to search for evidence of star formation, and to use emission-line diagnostics to constrain physical conditions within the narrow-line regions.

  12. Medium-resolution échelle spectroscopy of the Red Square Nebula, MWC 922

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wehres, N.; Ochsendorf, B. B.; Tielens, A. G. G. M.; Cox, N. L. J.; Kaper, L.; Bally, J.; Snow, T. P.

    2017-05-01

    Context. Medium-resolution échelle spectra of the Red Square Nebula surrounding the star MWC 922 are presented. The spectra have been obtained in 2010 and 2012 using the X-shooter spectrograph mounted on the Very Large Telescope (VLT) in Paranal, Chile. The spectrum covers a wavelength range between 300 nm-2.5 μm and shows that the nebula is rich in emission lines. Aims: We aim to identify the emission lines and use them as a tool to determine the physical and chemical characteristics of the nebula. The emission lines are also used to put constraints on the structure of the nebula and on the nature of the central stars. Methods: We analyzed and identified emission lines that indicated that the Red Square Nebula consists of a low density bipolar outflow, eminent in the broad emission component seen in [Fe II], as well as in P Cygni line profiles indicative of fast outflowing material. The narrow component in the [Fe II] lines is most likely formed in the photosphere of a surrounding disk. Some of the emission lines show a pronounced double peaked profile, such as Ca II, indicating an accretion disk in Keplerian rotation around the central star. [O I] emission lines are formed in the neutral atomic zone separating the ionized disk photosphere from the molecular gas in the interior of the disk, which is prominent in molecular CO emission in the near-IR. [N II] and [S II] emission clearly originates in a low density but fairly hot (7 000-10 000 K) nebular environment. H I recombination lines trace the extended nebula as well as the photosphere of the disk. Results: These findings put constraints on the evolution of the central objects in MWC 922. The Red Square shows strong similarities to the Red Rectangle Nebula, both in morphology and in its mid-IR spectroscopic characteristics. As for the Red Rectangle, the observed morphology of the nebula reflects mass-loss in a binary system. Specifically, we attribute the biconical morphology and the associated rung-like structure to the action of intermittent jets blown by the accreting companion in a dense shell, which has been created by the primary. We stress, though, that despite the morphological similarities, these two objects represent very different classes of stellar objects. The data-reduced spectra are only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (http://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/601/A69

  13. The Cambridge-Cambridge x-ray serendipity survey. 2: Classification of x-ray luminous galaxies

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Boyle, B. J.; Mcmahon, R. G.; Wilkes, B. J.; Elvis, Martin

    1994-01-01

    We present the results of an intermediate-resolution (1.5 A) spectroscopic study of 17 x-ray luminous narrow emission-line galaxies previously identified in the Cambridge-Cambridge ROSAT Serendipity Survey and the Einstein Extended Medium Sensitivity Survey. Emission-line ratios reveal that the sample is composed of ten Seyfert and seven starburst galaxies. Measured linewidths for the narrow H alpha emission lines lie in the range 170 - 460 km s(exp -1). Five of the objects show clear evidence for asymmetry in the (OIII) lambda 5007 emission-line profile. Broad H alpha emission is detected in six of the Seyfert galaxies, which range in type from Seyfert 1.5 to 2. Broad H beta emission is only detected in one Seyfert galaxy. The mean full width at half maximum for the broad lines in the Seyfert galaxies is FWHM = 3900 +/- 1750 km s(exp -1). Broad (FWHM = 2200 +/- 600 km s(exp -1) H alpha emission is also detected in three of the starburst galaxies, which could originate from stellar winds or supernovae remnants. The mean Balmer decrement for the sample is H alpha / H beta = 3, consistent with little or no reddening for the bulk of the sample. There is no evidence for any trend with x-ray luminosity in the ratio of starburst galaxies to Seyfert galaxies. Based on our previous observations, it is therefore likely that both classes of object comprise approximately 10 percent of the 2 keV x-ray background.

  14. Emission-line maps with OSIRIS-TF: The case of M101

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Méndez-Abreu, J.

    2013-05-01

    We investigate the suitability of GTC/OSIRIS Tunable Filters (TFs) for obtaining emission-line maps of extended objects. We developed a technique to reconstruct an emission-line image from a set of images taken at consecutive central wavelengths. We demonstrate the feasibility of the reconstruction method by generating a flux calibrated Hα image of the well-known spiral galaxy M101. We tested our emission-line fluxes and ratios by using data present in the literature. We found that the differences in both Hα fluxes and N II/Hα line ratios are ~15% and ~50%, respectively. These results are fully in agreement with the expected values for our observational setup. The proposed methodology will allow us to use OSIRIS/GTC to perform accurate spectrophotometric studies of extended galaxies in the local Universe.

  15. Suzaku Observation of Strong Fluorescent Iron Line Emission from the Young Stellar Object V1647 Ori during Its New X-ray Outburst

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hamaguchi, Kenji; Grosso, Nicolas; Kastner, Joel H.; Weintraub, David A.; Richmond, Michael

    2009-01-01

    The Suzaku X-ray satellite observed the young stellar object V1647 Ori on 2008 October 8 during the new mass accretion outburst reported in August 2008. During the 87 ksec observation with a net exposure of 40 ks, V1647 Ori showed a. high level of X-ray emission with a gradual decrease in flux by a factor of 5 and then displayed an abrupt flux increase by an order of magnitude. Such enhanced X-ray variability was also seen in XMM-Newton observations in 2004 and 2005 during the 2003-2005 outburst, but has rarely been observed for other young stellar objects. The spectrum clearly displays emission from Helium-like iron, which is a signature of hot plasma (kT approx.5 keV). It also shows a fluorescent iron Ka line with a remarkably large equivalent width of approx. 600 eV. Such a, large equivalent width indicates that a part of the incident X-ray emission that irradiates the circumstellar material and/or the stellar surface is hidden from our line of sight. XMM-Newton spectra during the 2003-2005 outburst did not show a strong fluorescent iron Ka line ; so that the structure of the circumstellar gas very close to the stellar core that absorbs and re-emits X-ray emission from the central object may have changed in between 2005 and 2008. This phenomenon may be related to changes in the infrared morphology of McNeil's nebula between 2004 and 2008.

  16. Spectroscopic Peculiarity of the Herbig Be Star HD 259431

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pogodin, M. A.; Pavlovskij, S. E.; Drake, N. A.; Beskrovnaya, N. G.; Kozlova, O. V.; Alekseev, I. Yu.; Borges Fernandes, M.; Pereira, C. B.; Valyavin, G.

    2017-06-01

    High-resolution spectra of the Herbig Be star HD 259431 obtained in 2010-2016 at three observatories (Crimean AO, ESO in Chile, and OAN SPN in Mexico) are analysed. The object demonstrates a very rich emission line profile spectrum. The bulk of the lines exhibit double-peaked emission profiles and originate in the gaseous disk. The atmospheric lines are unusually shallow, and majority of them are distorted by the circumstellar (CS) contribution. Moreover, we have revealed that they are overlapped with an additional continuum emission. Using the observed ratio of the equivalent widths of two He I λ 4009 and 4026 lines, we estimated the spectral type of the object as B5 V. We also constructed the spectral energy distribution of the additional continuum using wide wings of the atmospheric Hβ-Hɛ lines free of the CS contribution. The continuum corresponds to the blue part of the black body spectrum. The Hβ - Hɛ Balmer emission lines show very variable profiles looking as either of P Cyg-type or a double-peaked emission line with a depression of the red wing. We found the period of this variability P = 2.630d and interpreted it as a sign of a rotating magnetosphere of the star with the magnetic axis inclined to the rotation axis. At different phases of rotation, the observer can see either an accretion flow at high magnetic latitudes or a wind zone at lower latitudes. We also estimated the inclination of the rotation axis i = 52°±1°.

  17. Spectral and photometric studies of the polar USNO-A2.0 0825-18396733

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gabdeev, M. M.; Borisov, N. V.; Shimansky, V. V.; Spiridonova, O. I.

    2015-03-01

    Results of photometric and spectral studies of the new magnetic cataclysmic variable (polar) USNO-A2.0 0825-18396733 are presented. Photometric data in the B, V, and R c filters show that this object exhibits a red excess of R c - V = 1 m . A red continuum with superposed strong single-peaked Balmer emission lines and HeII λ4686 Å emission, weak lines of neutral helium, and lines of heavy elements are observed in the object's spectra. Doppler maps constructed using the hydrogen and ionized-helium lines indicate that these lines form near the inner Lagrangian point, and that their formation is associated with an accretion stream. The spectra and radial-velocity curves indicate the eclipse of the white dwarf in the system to be partial. Radial-velocity curves derived for emission lines are used to estimate the component masses. The mass of the white dwarf is estimated to be 0.71-0.78 M ⊙, and the mass of the red dwarf to be 0.18-0.20 M ⊙.

  18. Emission-line galaxies in the third list of the Case Low-Dispersion Northern Sky Survey

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Weistrop, Donna; Downes, Ronald A.

    1991-01-01

    Observations of 47 galaxies in the third Case list are reported. Thirty-five of the galaxies in the sample were selected for the presence of emission lines on the objective prism plates. At the higher spectral dispersion of the data, significant line emission was found in 46 of the 47 galaxies. Twenty-six galaxies are found to be undergoing significant bursts of star formation. Ten additional galaxies may be starburst galaxies with low-excitation spectra. Two galaxies are probably type Seyfert 2. The most distant object, CG 200, at a redshift of 0.144, has a strong broad H-alpha emission line, and is probably a Seyfert 1. Seventeen of the galaxies have been detected by IRAS. Eight of the IRAS galaxies have H-II-region-type spectra and eight have low-ionization starburst spectra. The galaxies represent a mixture of types, ranging from intrinsically faint dwarf galaxies with Mb equalling -16 mag, to powerful galaxies with MB equalling -23 mag. Galaxies CG 234 and CG 235 are interacting, as are galaxies CG 269 and CG 270.

  19. The Discovery of a High-Redshift Quasar without Emission Lines from Sloan Digital Sky Survey Commissioning Data.

    PubMed

    Fan; Strauss; Gunn; Lupton; Carilli; Rupen; Schmidt; Moustakas; Davis; Annis; Bahcall; Brinkmann; Brunner; Csabai; Doi; Fukugita; Heckman; Hennessy; Hindsley; Ivezic; Knapp; Lamb; Munn; Pauls; Pier; Rockosi; Schneider; Szalay; Tucker; York

    1999-12-01

    We report observations of a luminous unresolved object at redshift z=4.62, with a featureless optical spectrum redward of the Lyalpha forest region, discovered from Sloan Digital Sky Survey commissioning data. The redshift is determined by the onset of the Lyalpha forest at lambda approximately 6800 Å and a Lyman limit system at lambda=5120 Å. A strong Lyalpha absorption system with weak metal absorption lines at z=4.58 is also identified in the spectrum. The object has a continuum absolute magnitude of -26.6 at 1450 Å in the rest frame (h0=0.5, q0=0.5) and therefore cannot be an ordinary galaxy. It shows no radio emission (the 3 sigma upper limit of its flux at 6 cm is 60 µJy), indicating a radio-to-optical flux ratio at least as small as that of the radio-weakest BL Lacertae objects known. It is also not linearly polarized to a 3 sigma upper limit of 4% in the observed I band. Therefore, it is either the most distant BL Lac object known to date, with very weak radio emission, or a new type of unbeamed quasar, whose broad emission line region is very weak or absent.

  20. On the SW Sex-type eclipsing cataclysmic variable SDSS0756+0858

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

    Tovmassian, Gagik; Hernandez, Mercedes Stephania; González-Buitrago, Diego

    We conducted a spectroscopic and photometric study of SDSS J075653.11+085831. X-ray observations were also attempted. We determined the orbital period of this binary system to be 3.29 hr. It is a deep eclipsing system, whose spectra show mostly single-peaked, Balmer emission lines and a rather intense He II line. There is also the presence of faint (often double-peaked) He I emission lines as well as several absorption lines, Mg I being the most prominent. All of these features point toward the affiliation of this object with the growing number of SW Sex-type objects. We developed a phenomenological model of anmore » SW Sex system to reproduce the observed photometric and spectral features.« less

  1. Goddard X-ray astronomy contributions to the IAU/COSPAR (1982)

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Holt, S. S.; Petre, R.; Shafer, R. A.; Urry, C. M.; Mushotzky, R. F.

    1982-01-01

    The relation of X-ray flux to both the continuum flux in the optical and radio bands, and to the line emission properties of these objects were studied. The Einstein Observatory, because of increased sensitivity and improved angular resolution, increased substantially the number of known X-ray emitting active galactic nuclei. The Einstein imaging instruments detected morphology in AGN X-ray emission, in particular from jetlike structures in Cen-A, M87, and 3C273. The improved energy resolution and sensitivity of the spectrometers onboard the Observatory provide information on the geometry and ionization structure of the region responsible for the broad optical emission lines in a few AGN's. This information, combined with theoretical modeling and IUE and optical observations, allows the construction of a moderately detailed picture of the broad line region in these objects.

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

    Downes, R.A.

    Galactic plane ultraviolet-excess (uv-excess) objects covering about 1000 square degrees of sky were surveyed. Photographic plates were obtained with both uv and blue filters, to select the uv-excess candidates, which were then observed spectroscopically to determine their classification. Most of the objects selected were nearby early-type stars with low interstellar reddening; however, a collection of hot white dwarfs, subdwarf O (sdO) stars, subdwarf B (sdB) stars, and cataclysmic variables was also found. Photoelectric photometry was obtained for these stars and a statistical analysis was performed to determine the space densities and scale heights for the four classes of objects. Severalmore » interesting objects (or class of objects) were discovered, and data for some of these stars are presented. Among the peculiar objects found are an emission-line white dwarf similar to the pulsating PG 1159 stars, a Population II Wolf-Rayet star, a previously catalogued object with a strong Fe II emission-line spectrum, and a new class of object, resembling the sdB stars, that shows variable strength H..cap alpha.. absorption, with the H..cap alpha.. line sometimes completely filled in.« less

  3. THE NATURE OF ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI WITH VELOCITY OFFSET EMISSION LINES

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

    Müller-Sánchez, F.; Comerford, J.; Stern, D.

    We obtained Keck/OSIRIS near-IR adaptive optics-assisted integral-field spectroscopy to probe the morphology and kinematics of the ionized gas in four velocity-offset active galactic nuclei (AGNs) from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. These objects possess optical emission lines that are offset in velocity from systemic as measured from stellar absorption features. At a resolution of ∼0.″18, OSIRIS allows us to distinguish which velocity offset emission lines are produced by the motion of an AGN in a dual supermassive black hole system, and which are produced by outflows or other kinematic structures. In three galaxies, J1018+2941, J1055+1520, and J1346+5228, the spectral offsetmore » of the emission lines is caused by AGN-driven outflows. In the remaining galaxy, J1117+6140, a counterrotating nuclear disk is observed that contains the peak of Pa α emission 0.″2 from the center of the galaxy. The most plausible explanation for the origin of this spatially and kinematically offset peak is that it is a region of enhanced Pa α emission located at the intersection zone between the nuclear disk and the bar of the galaxy. In all four objects, the peak of ionized gas emission is not spatially coincident with the center of the galaxy as traced by the peak of the near-IR continuum emission. The peaks of ionized gas emission are spatially offset from the galaxy centers by 0.″1–0.″4 (0.1–0.7 kpc). We find that the velocity offset originates at the location of this peak of emission, and the value of the offset can be directly measured in the velocity maps. The emission-line ratios of these four velocity-offset AGNs can be reproduced only with a mixture of shocks and AGN photoionization. Shocks provide a natural explanation for the origin of the spatially and spectrally offset peaks of ionized gas emission in these galaxies.« less

  4. Young Stellar Object Candidates in the Aquila Rift Region

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Miao-miao; Wang, Hong-chi; Stecklum, B.

    2010-10-01

    Using the 2m telescope of the Turingia State Observatory at Tauten-berg (TLS), imaging observations in 3 wavebands (H α, R and I) are performed in the 16 fields in the Aquila Rift region. The observed fields cover about 7 square degrees. Excluding the 3 fields with unqualified data, the photometrical analysis is made for the remaining 13 fields, from which point sources are identified, and finally 7 H α emission-line star candidates are identified by color-color diagrams. The 7 candidates are located in five fields. Three of them are located near the Galactic plane, while the galactic latitudes of the rest are greater than 4°. The 2 M ASS counterparts of the point sources are identified, and the properties of the 7 H α emission-line star candidates are further analyzed by using the two-color diagrams. It is found that the near-infrared radiation from these H α emission-line star candidates has no obvious infrared excess, one of them even falls on the main-sequence branch. This indicates that the H α-emissive young stellar objects (YSOs) are not always accompanied with the infrared excess, and that the results of the H α emission line observation and the infrared excess observation are mutually supplemented. If the 7 H α emission-line star candidates are regarded as YSO candidates, then the number of YSOs in the Aquila Rift region is quite small. The further confirmation of these candidates needs subsequent spectral observations.

  5. Molecular line emission models of Herbig-Haro objects. I - H2 emission

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wolfire, Mark G.; Konigl, Arieh

    1991-01-01

    A comprehensive model for molecular hydrogen emssion in Herbig-Haro objects that are associated with the heads of radiative stellar jets is presented by using a simple representation of the jet head as a comprising a leading bow shock and a trailing jet shock, separated by a dense layer of cool shocked gas. Attention is given to collisional excitation in a nondissociative shock and formation pumping in the molecular reformation zone behind a dissociative shock, employing detailed shock and photodissociation-region emission models that incorporate most of the relevant atomic physics and chemistry. The conditions under which each of these excitation mechanisms may be expected to contribute to the observed emission are discussed, and a general diagnostic scheme for discriminating among them is constructed. Applying this scheme to the HH 1-2 system, strong evidence for excitation by the radiation field of a fast shock is found. It is inferred that FUV pumping contributes a significant fraction of the H2 line emission, and it is shown that this can occur only if the UV pump lines are not strongly self-shielded.

  6. Hubble Space Telescope Images and Spectra of Objects Around an Optically Violent Variable QSO

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Burbidge, E. M.; Beaver, E. A.; Cohen, R. D.; Hamann, F.; Junkkarinen, V. T.; Lyons, R. W.; Zuo, L.

    1995-12-01

    The Arecibo Occultation radio source AO 0235+164 is a rapidly and violently variable QSO with ze = 0.94. It was originally designated as a BL Lac object since no emission lines were detected in its spectrum; two absorption redshifts at 0.524 and 0.851 were measured some years before weak emission lines at z = 0.94 were detected by Cohen et al. (ApJ,318,577,1987). A point-like companion (Smith et al., ApJ,218,611,1977) was found 2 arc sec south with an emission line redshift at 0.524. It was designated object A by Yanny et al. (ApJ,338,735,1989). This object has sometimes been called a ``normal'' galaxy, presumably giving rise to the absorption at 0.524 in the QSO. Recent observations of the surrounding field, using the post-repair WFPC 2 on the Hubble Space Telescope, have been analyzed and the nature of the companion object 2 arc sec south, and of a second companion 1.3 arc sec east of AO, have been studied. Spectra of companion object A have been obtained with the Faint Object Spectrograph with gratings G160L and G270H, and 1.0 arc sec aperture, and these show that it is an AGN or QSO with BAL-type broad absorption lines shortward of CIVlambda 1549, SiIVlambda 1397, and NVlambda 1240, also broad CIII]lambda 1909 emission. The second object, A1, 1.3 arc sec east of the QSO, originally identified by Yanny et al. (1989) and shown to have [0II]lambda 3727 at z=0.524, is slightly extended. The physical properties and nature of this remarkable configuration will be discussed. This research has been supported in part by NASA NAS5-29293 and NAG5-1630.

  7. Infrared fine-structure line diagnostics of shrouded active galactic nuclei

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Voit, G. M.

    1993-01-01

    Far-infrared spectroscopy of celestial objects will improve dramatically in the coming decade, allowing astronomers to use fine-structure line emission to probe photoionized regions obscured in the optical band by thick clouds of dust. The ultraluminous far-IR galaxies revealed by IRAS, quasar-like in luminosity but smothered in molecular gas, probably conceal either immense starbursts or luminous active nuclei. In both scenarios, these objects ought to produce copious infrared fine-structure emission with several lines comparable to H(beta) in luminosity. This paper shows how these lines, if detected, can be used to determine the electron densities and far-IR obscurations of shrouded photoionized regions and to constrain the shape and ionization parameter of the ionizing spectra. The presence of (Ne V) emission in particular will distinguish shrouded AGN's from shrouded starbursts. Since all active galaxies photoionize at least some surrounding material, these diagnostics can also be applied to active galaxies in general and will aid in studying how an active nucleus interacts with the interstellar medium of its host galaxy.

  8. Spectrophotometric Study of the Region of the Sky Around the Galaxies Markarian 261 and 262

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Khachikian, E. Ye.; Sargsyan, L. A.

    2005-10-01

    Results are presented from a detailed spectrophotometric study of a unique system of physically coupled galaxies whose spectra contain identical emission lines. This system consists of four galaxies, three of which have a double or multiple structure in their central portions and are, by definition, galaxies with two or multiple nuclei. Two of these objects are the galaxies with an ultraviolet excess (UVE), Mark 261 and Mark 262, while one is a galaxy made up of two identical starlike nuclei that are referred to as the “twin objects.” In the DSS2 charts, the latter show up as two adjacent stars without any surroundings. However, there are two condensations between these starlike nuclei. The fourth object has a triplet structure. It is shown here that all these objects have the same emission (line) spectra and red shifts. All the physical characteristics that can be determined from the spectra are determined: red shifts, relative intensities of emission lines, their equivalent widths, distances to the galaxies, etc. It is concluded that the members of this system have a common origin, more or less consistent with Ambartsumyan's idea of the fragmentation of an isolated, high density body.

  9. A RADIAL VELOCITY TEST FOR SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLE BINARIES AS AN EXPLANATION FOR BROAD, DOUBLE-PEAKED EMISSION LINES IN ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI

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

    Liu, Jia; Halpern, Jules P.; Eracleous, Michael

    2016-01-20

    One of the proposed explanations for the broad, double-peaked Balmer emission lines observed in the spectra of some active galactic nuclei (AGNs) is that they are associated with sub-parsec supermassive black hole (SMBH) binaries. Here, we test the binary broad-line region hypothesis through several decades of monitoring of the velocity structure of double-peaked Hα emission lines in 13 low-redshift, mostly radio-loud AGNs. This is a much larger set of objects compared to an earlier test by Eracleous et al. and we use much longer time series for the three objects studied in that paper. Although systematic changes in radial velocitymore » can be traced in many of their lines, they are demonstrably not like those of a spectroscopic binary in a circular orbit. Any spectroscopic binary period must therefore be much longer than the span of the monitoring (assuming a circular orbit), which in turn would require black hole masses that exceed by 1–2 orders of magnitude the values obtained for these objects using techniques such as reverberation mapping and stellar velocity dispersion. Moreover, the response of the double-peaked Balmer line profiles to fluctuations of the ionizing continuum and the shape of the Lyα profiles are incompatible with an SMBH binary. The binary broad-line region hypothesis is therefore disfavored. Other processes evidently shape these line profiles and cause the long-term velocity variations of the double peaks.« less

  10. A revised and updated catalog of quasi-stellar objects

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hewitt, A.; Burbidge, G.

    1993-01-01

    The paper contains a catalog of all known quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) with measured emission redshifts, and BL Lac objects, complete to 1992 December 31. The catalog contains 7315 objects, nearly all QSOs including about 90 BL Lac objects. The catalog and references contain extensive information on names, positions, magnitudes, colors, emission-line redshifts, absorption, variability, polarization, and X-ray, radio, and infrared data. A key in the form of subsidiary tables enables the reader to relate the name of a given object to its coordinate name, which is used throughout the compilation. Plots of the Hubble diagram, the apparent magnitude distribution, the emission redshift distribution, and the distribution of the QSOs on the sky are also given.

  11. Laboratory simulation of photoionized plasma among astronomical compact objects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fujioka, Shinsuke; Yamamoto, Norimasa; Wang, Feilu; Salzmann, David; Li, Yutong; Rhee, Yong-Joo; Nishimura, Hiroaki; Takabe, Hideaki; Mima, Kunioki

    2008-11-01

    X-ray line emission with several-keV of photon energy was observed from photoionized accreting clouds, for example CYGNUS X-3 and VELA X-1, those are exposed by hard x-ray continuum from the compact objects, such as neutron stars, black holes, or white dwarfs, although accreting clouds are thermally cold. The x-ray continuum-induced line emission gives a good insight to the accreting clouds. We will present a novel laboratory simulation of the photoionized plasma under well-characterized conditions by using high-power laser facility. Blackbody radiator with 500-eV of temperature, as a miniature of a hot compact object, was created.Silicon (Si) plasma with 30-eV of electron temperature was produced in the vicinity of the 0.5-keV blackbody radiator. Line emissions of lithium- and helium-like Si ions was clearly observed around 2-keV of photon-energy from the thermally cold Si plasma, this result is hardly interpreted without consideration of the photoionization. Atomic kinetics code reveals importance of inner-shell ionization directly caused by incoming hard x-rays.

  12. Megamasers: Molecular Diagnostics of the Nuclear ISM

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Baan, Willem A.; Klöckner, Hans-R.

    Molecular emissions are powerful tracers of intense heating and star-formation processes in galactic nuclei. In this paper we consider the characteristics of molecular Megamaser emission among the population of (Ultra-) Luminous Infrared Galaxies that are powered by intense star-formation or accretion onto a massive compact object. In addition, we consider the systematic behavior of the line emission of high-density tracer molecules. An evolutionary scenario is presented for ULIRGs that may explain the molecular line ratios observed in the population of FIR galaxies.

  13. Megamasers: Molecular Diagnostics of the Nuclear Ism

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Baan, Willem A.; Klöckner, Hans-R.

    2005-01-01

    Molecular emissions are powerful tracers of intense heating and star-formation processes in galactic nuclei. In this paper we consider the characteristics of molecular Megamaser emission among the population of (Ultra-) Luminous Infrared Galaxies that are powered by intense star-formation or accretion onto a massive compact object. In addition, we consider the systematic behavior of the line emission of high-density tracer molecules. An evolutionary scenario is presented for ULIRGs that may explain the molecular line ratios observed in the population of FIR galaxies.

  14. Redshifts for Superliminal Candidates.II.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vermeulen, R. C.; Taylor, G. B.; Readhead, A. C. S.; Browne, I. W. A.

    1996-03-01

    Spectra are presented for 24 compact extragalactic radio sources from complete samples being studied with VLBI. New emission line redshifts are given for 21 of the objects; in 7 of these we have also identified associated or intervening absorption line systems. In 1 other source there are absorption lines which provide a lower limit to the redshift. The remaining 2 objects have strong featureless spectra and are likely to be blazars.

  15. ORFEUS spectroscopy of the O BT VI lines in symbiotic stars and the Raman scattering process

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schmid, H. M.; Krautter, J.; Appenzeller, I.; Barnstedt, J.; Dumm, T.; Fromm, A.; Gölz, M.; Grewing, M.; Gringel, W.; Haas, C.; Hopfensitz, W.; Kappelmann, N.; Krämer, G.; Lindenberger, A.; Mandel, H.; Mürset, U.; Schild, H.; Schmutz, W.; Widmann, H.

    1999-08-01

    We present orfeus spectra of the O vi lambda lambda 1032,1038 emission lines in the symbiotic stars AG Dra, V1016 Cyg, RR Tel, CD-43(deg) 14304, AG Peg and Z And. The O vi emission lines can convert into broad and highly polarized emission lines at lambda 6825 and lambda 7082 in a Raman scattering process by neutral hydrogen. From a comparison of direct and Raman scattered radiation we extract new information on the scattering geometry in symbiotic systems. The nebular O vi emission lines are in all objects redshifted by about +40 km s(-1) . This can be explained as a radiative line transfer effect in a slowly expanding emission region. A comparable redshift is measured in the Raman scattered O vi lines. In AG Peg the O vi emissions show beside a narrow nebular line a broad component from a fast stellar wind outflow. Many interstellar absorption lines of molecular hydrogen are detected, particularly near the O vi lambda 1038 component. With model calculations we investigate their impact on the O vi lines. From the dereddened line fluxes of the direct and Raman scattered O vi lines we derive the scattering efficiency, which is defined as photon flux ratio N_Raman/N_O VI. The efficiencies derived for RR Tel, V1016 Cyg and Z And indicate that about 30% of the released O vi lambda 1032 photons interact with the neutral scattering region. The efficiencies for AG Dra and CD-43(deg14304) are much higher, which may suggest that the O vi nebulosity is embedded in a H(0) -region. The D-type system RR Tel shows strong line profile differences between the direct O vi emission, which is single-peaked, and the Raman scattered emission, which is double-peaked. This indicates that the neutral scattering region in RR Tel ``sees'' different O vi line profiles, implying that the O vi nebulosity is far from spherically symmetric. In a tentative model we suggest for RR Tel an O vi flow pattern where material streams from the cool giant towards the hot component, which further accelerates the gas radially. For the S-type systems AG Dra, CD-43(deg14304) and Z And the line profile differences between the direct and the Raman scattered O vi emissions are less pronounced. This may suggest that the O vi profiles depend less on the emission direction than in the D-type system RR Tel. For AG Peg we detect for the first time the Raman scattered emission at lambda 6825. The Raman line shows a narrow, nebular component as the O vi line, but no equivalent emission to the broad O vi wind component. The higher conversion efficiency for the narrow component indicates that the nebular O vi emission is significantly closer to the cool giant than the hot, mass losing component, and strongly supports previous colliding wind models for this object. Based on observations taken during the orfeus-spas i and orfeus-spas ii space shuttle missions, and ground based data collected at the ESO 2.2m and 3.6m telescopes at La Silla, Chile, and the 4.2m William Herschel Telescope at La Palma, Canary Islands. ESO observations were granted for the programs 52.7-040 and 58.D-0866.

  16. Superwind Outflows in Seyfert Galaxies? : Large-Scale Radio Maps of an Edge-On Sample

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Colbert, E.; Gallimore, J.; Baum, S.; O'Dea, C.

    1995-03-01

    Large-scale galactic winds (superwinds) are commonly found flowing out of the nuclear region of ultraluminous infrared and powerful starburst galaxies. Stellar winds and supernovae from the nuclear starburst provide the energy to drive these superwinds. The outflowing gas escapes along the rotation axis, sweeping up and shock-heating clouds in the halo, which produces optical line emission, radio synchrotron emission, and X-rays. These features can most easily be studied in edge-on systems, so that the wind emission is not confused by that from the disk. We have begun a systematic search for superwind outflows in Seyfert galaxies. In an earlier optical emission-line survey, we found extended minor axis emission and/or double-peaked emission line profiles in >~30% of the sample objects. We present here large-scale (6cm VLA C-config) radio maps of 11 edge-on Seyfert galaxies, selected (without bias) from a distance-limited sample of 23 edge-on Seyferts. These data have been used to estimate the frequency of occurrence of superwinds. Preliminary results indicate that four (36%) of the 11 objects observed and six (26%) of the 23 objects in the distance-limited sample have extended radio emission oriented perpendicular to the galaxy disk. This emission may be produced by a galactic wind blowing out of the disk. Two (NGC 2992 and NGC 5506) of the nine objects for which we have both radio and optical data show good evidence for a galactic wind in both datasets. We suggest that galactic winds occur in >~30% of all Seyferts. A goal of this work is to find a diagnostic that can be used to distinguish between large-scale outflows that are driven by starbursts and those that are driven by an AGN. The presence of starburst-driven superwinds in Seyferts, if established, would have important implications for the connection between starburst galaxies and AGN.

  17. The Quasar Fraction in Low-Frequency Selected Complete Samples and Implications for Unified Schemes

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Willott, Chris J.; Rawlings, Steve; Blundell, Katherine M.; Lacy, Mark

    2000-01-01

    Low-frequency radio surveys are ideal for selecting orientation-independent samples of extragalactic sources because the sample members are selected by virtue of their isotropic steep-spectrum extended emission. We use the new 7C Redshift Survey along with the brighter 3CRR and 6C samples to investigate the fraction of objects with observed broad emission lines - the 'quasar fraction' - as a function of redshift and of radio and narrow emission line luminosity. We find that the quasar fraction is more strongly dependent upon luminosity (both narrow line and radio) than it is on redshift. Above a narrow [OII] emission line luminosity of log(base 10) (L(sub [OII])/W) approximately > 35 [or radio luminosity log(base 10) (L(sub 151)/ W/Hz.sr) approximately > 26.5], the quasar fraction is virtually independent of redshift and luminosity; this is consistent with a simple unified scheme with an obscuring torus with a half-opening angle theta(sub trans) approximately equal 53 deg. For objects with less luminous narrow lines, the quasar fraction is lower. We show that this is not due to the difficulty of detecting lower-luminosity broad emission lines in a less luminous, but otherwise similar, quasar population. We discuss evidence which supports at least two probable physical causes for the drop in quasar fraction at low luminosity: (i) a gradual decrease in theta(sub trans) and/or a gradual increase in the fraction of lightly-reddened (0 approximately < A(sub V) approximately < 5) lines-of-sight with decreasing quasar luminosity; and (ii) the emergence of a distinct second population of low luminosity radio sources which, like M8T, lack a well-fed quasar nucleus and may well lack a thick obscuring torus.

  18. Extremely red quasars from SDSS, BOSS and WISE: classification of optical spectra

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ross, Nicholas P.; Hamann, Fred; Zakamska, Nadia L.; Richards, Gordon T.; Villforth, Carolin; Strauss, Michael A.; Greene, Jenny E.; Alexandroff, Rachael; Brandt, W. Niel; Liu, Guilin; Myers, Adam D.; Pâris, Isabelle; Schneider, Donald P.

    2015-11-01

    Quasars with extremely red infrared-to-optical colours are an interesting population that can test ideas about quasar evolution as well as orientation, obscuration and geometric effects in the so-called AGN unified model. To identify such a population, we match the quasar catalogues of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) to the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) to identify quasars with extremely high infrared-to-optical ratios. We identify 65 objects with rAB - W4Vega > 14 mag (i.e. Fν(22 μm)/Fν(r) ≳ 1000). This sample spans a redshift range of 0.28 < z < 4.36 and has a bimodal distribution, with peaks at z ˜ 0.8 and z ˜ 2.5. It includes three z > 2.6 objects that are detected in the W4 band but not W1 or W2 (i.e. `W1W2 dropouts'). The SDSS/BOSS spectra show that the majority of the objects are reddened type 1 quasars, type 2 quasars (both at low and high redshift) or objects with deep low-ionization broad absorption lines (BALs) that suppress the observed r-band flux. In addition, we identify a class of type 1 permitted broad emission-line objects at z ≃ 2-3 which are characterized by emission line rest-frame equivalent widths (REWs) of ≳150 Å, much larger than those of typical quasars. In particular, 55 per cent (45 per cent) of the non-BAL type 1s with measurable C IV in our sample have REW(C IV) > 100 (150) Å, compared to only 5.8 per cent (1.3 per cent) for non-BAL quasars in BOSS. These objects often also have unusual line ratios, such as very high N V/Ly α ratios. These large REWs might be caused by suppressed continuum emission analogous to type 2 quasars; however, there is no obvious mechanism in standard unified models to suppress the continuum without also obscuring the broad emission lines.

  19. Low-redshift quasars in the SDSS Stripe 82: associated companion galaxies and signature of star formation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bettoni, D.; Falomo, R.; Kotilainen, J. K.; Karhunen, K.

    2017-04-01

    We obtained optical spectroscopy of close (<80 kpc) companion objects of a sample of 12 low-redshift quasars (z < 0.3) selected from the SDSS Stripe82 area and that are in the subsample of 52 QSOs for which both multicolour host galaxies properties and galaxy environment were recently investigated in detail. We found that for 8 out of 12 sources the companion galaxy is associated with the QSO having a difference of radial velocity that is less than 400 km s-1. Many of these associated companions exhibit [OII] λ3727 Å emission lines suggestive of episodes of (recent) star formation possibly induced by past interactions. The star formation rate of the companion galaxies as derived from [O II] line luminosity is, however, modest, with a median value of 1.0 ± 0.8 M⊙ yr-1, and the emission lines are barely consistent with expectation from gas ionization by the QSO. The role of the QSO for inducing star formation in close companion galaxies appears meager. For three objects we also detect the starlight spectrum of the QSO host galaxy, which is characterized by absorption lines of old stellar population and [O II] emission line.

  20. VizieR Online Data Catalog: Vatican Emission-line stars (Coyne+ 1974-1983)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Coyne, G. V.; Lee, T. A.; de Graeve, E.; Wisniewski, W.; Corbally, C.; Otten, L. B.; MacConnell, D. J.

    2009-10-01

    The survey represents a search for Hα emission-line stars, and was conducted with a 12{deg} objective prism on the Vatican Schmidt telescope. The Vatican Emission Stars (VES) survey covers the galactic plane (|b|<=5{deg}) between galactic longitudes 58 and 174{deg}. The catalog was re-examined by B. Skiff (Lowell Observatory), and tne VES stars were cross-identified with modern surveys: GSC (Cat. I/255), Tycho-2 (I/256), 2MASS (II/246), IRAS point source catalog (II/125), MSX6C (V/114), CMC14 (I/304), GSC-2.3 (I/305), UCAC2 (I/289). Cross-identifications are also supplied with HD/BD/GCVS names, and with Dearborn catalog of red stars (II/68). Many of the stars in the first four papers are not early-type emission-line stars, but instead M giants, where the sharp TiO bandhead at 6544{AA} was mistaken for H-{alpha} emission on the objective-prism plates. Based on the revision of paper V and a later list prepared by Jack MacConnell, a column identifies the "non H-alpha" stars explicitly. The links with the Dearborn, IRAS, and MSX catalogues help identify the red stars. These and other identifications and comments are given in the remarks at the end of each line, or in longer notes in a separate file, indicated by an asterisk (*) next to the star number. (3 data files).

  1. VizieR Online Data Catalog: Vatican Emission-line stars (Coyne+ 1974-1983)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Coyne, G. V.; Lee, T. A.; de Graeve, E.; Wisniewski, W.; Corbally, C.; Otten, L. B.; MacConnell, D. J.

    2008-03-01

    The survey represents a search for Hα emission-line stars, and was conducted with a 12{deg} objective prism on the Vatican Schmidt telescope. The Vatican Emission Stars (VES) survey covers the galactic plane (|b|<=5{deg}) between galactic longitudes 58 and 174{deg}. The catalog was re-examined by B. Skiff (Lowell Observatory), and tne VES stars were cross-identified with modern surveys: GSC (Cat. I/255), Tycho-2 (I/256), 2MASS (II/246), IRAS point source catalog (II/125), MSX6C (V/114), CMC14 (I/304), GSC-2.3 (I/305), UCAC2 (I/289). Cross-identifications are also supplied with HD/BD/GCVS names, and with Dearborn catalog of red stars (II/68). Many of the stars in the first four papers are not early-type emission-line stars, but instead M giants, where the sharp TiO bandhead at 6544{AA} was mistaken for H-{alpha} emission on the objective-prism plates. Based on the revision of paper V and a later list prepared by Jack MacConnell, a column identifies the "non H-alpha" stars explicitly. The links with the Dearborn, IRAS, and MSX catalogues help identify the red stars. These and other identifications and comments are given in the remarks at the end of each line, or in longer notes in a separate file, indicated by an asterisk (*) next to the star number. (2 data files).

  2. Winds from T Tauri stars. II - Balmer line profiles for inner disk winds

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Calvet, Nuria; Hartmann, Lee; Hewett, Robert

    1992-01-01

    Results are presented of calculations of Balmer emission line profiles using escape probability methods for T Tauri wind models with nonspherically symmetric geometry. The wind is assumed to originate in the inner regions of an accretion disk surrounding the T Tauri star, and flows outward in a 'cone' geometry. Two types of wind models are considered, both with monotonically increasing expansion velocities as a function of radial distance. For flows with large turbulent velocities, such as the HF Alfven wave-driven wind models, the effect of cone geometry is to increase the blue wing emission, and to move the absorption reversal close to line center. Line profiles for a wind model rotating with the same angular velocity as the inner disk are also calculated. The Balmer lines of this model are significantly broader than observed in most objects, suggesting that the observed emission lines do not arise in a region rotating at Keplerian velocity.

  3. The Kinematics of Multiple-peaked Lyα Emission in Star-forming Galaxies at z ~ 2-3

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kulas, Kristin R.; Shapley, Alice E.; Kollmeier, Juna A.; Zheng, Zheng; Steidel, Charles C.; Hainline, Kevin N.

    2012-01-01

    We present new results on the Lyα emission-line kinematics of 18 z ~ 2-3 star-forming galaxies with multiple-peaked Lyα profiles. With our large spectroscopic database of UV-selected star-forming galaxies at these redshifts, we have determined that ~30% of such objects with detectable Lyα emission display multiple-peaked emission profiles. These profiles provide additional constraints on the escape of Lyα photons due to the rich velocity structure in the emergent line. Despite recent advances in modeling the escape of Lyα from star-forming galaxies at high redshifts, comparisons between models and data are often missing crucial observational information. Using Keck II NIRSPEC spectra of Hα (z ~ 2) and [O III]λ5007 (z ~ 3), we have measured accurate systemic redshifts, rest-frame optical nebular velocity dispersions, and emission-line fluxes for the objects in the sample. In addition, rest-frame UV luminosities and colors provide estimates of star formation rates and the degree of dust extinction. In concert with the profile sub-structure, these measurements provide critical constraints on the geometry and kinematics of interstellar gas in high-redshift galaxies. Accurate systemic redshifts allow us to translate the multiple-peaked Lyα profiles into velocity space, revealing that the majority (11/18) display double-peaked emission straddling the velocity-field zero point with stronger red-side emission. Interstellar absorption-line kinematics suggest the presence of large-scale outflows for the majority of objects in our sample, with an average measured interstellar absorption velocity offset of langΔv absrang = -230 km s-1. A comparison of the interstellar absorption kinematics for objects with multiple- and single-peaked Lyα profiles indicate that the multiple-peaked objects are characterized by significantly narrower absorption line widths. We compare our data with the predictions of simple models for outflowing and infalling gas distributions around high-redshift galaxies. While popular "shell" models provide a qualitative match with many of the observations of Lyα emission, we find that in detail there are important discrepancies between the models and data, as well as problems with applying the framework of an expanding thin shell of gas to explain high-redshift galaxy spectra. Our data highlight these inconsistencies, as well as illuminating critical elements for success in future models of outflow and infall in high-redshift galaxies. Based, in part, on data 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 NASA, and was made possible by the generous financial support of the W. M. Keck Foundation.

  4. ALMA WILL DETERMINE THE SPECTROSCOPIC REDSHIFT z > 8 WITH FIR [O III] EMISSION LINES

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

    Inoue, A. K.; Shimizu, I.; Tamura, Y.

    We investigate the potential use of nebular emission lines in the rest-frame far-infrared (FIR) for determining spectroscopic redshift of z > 8 galaxies with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). After making a line emissivity model as a function of metallicity, especially for the [O III] 88 μm line which is likely to be the strongest FIR line from H II regions, we predict the line fluxes from high-z galaxies based on a cosmological hydrodynamics simulation of galaxy formation. Since the metallicity of galaxies reaches at ∼0.2 Z {sub ☉} even at z > 8 in our simulation, we expectmore » the [O III] 88 μm line as strong as 1.3 mJy for 27 AB objects, which is detectable at a high significance by <1 hr integration with ALMA. Therefore, the [O III] 88 μm line would be the best tool to confirm the spectroscopic redshifts beyond z = 8.« less

  5. The Radio-optical Spectra of BL Lacs and Possible Relatives

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dennett-Thorpe, J.

    I consider the suggestion that, in a complete sample of flat-spectrum radio sources with available optical spectra (Marcha et al 1996), the strong emission line objects, or those with passive elliptical spectra are close relatives of the BL Lacs. New observations at four frequencies from 8 to 43GHz are presented, together with evidence for radio variability. Combined with other radio and optical data from the literature, we are able to construct the non-thermal SEDs and use these to address the questions: are the optically passive objects potentially `unrecognised' BL Lacs (either intrinsically weak and/or hidden by starlight)? What is the relationship between the surprising number of strong emission-line objects and the BL Lacs?

  6. On the origins of part-time radio pulsars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Bing; Gil, Janusz; Dyks, Jaroslaw

    2007-01-01

    Growing evidence suggests that some radio pulsars only act sporadically. These `part-time' pulsars include long-term nulls, quasi-periodic radio flares in PSR B1931+24, as well as the so-called Rotating Radio Transients (RRATs). Based on the assumption that these objects are isolated neutron stars similar to conventional radio pulsars, we discuss two possible interpretations to the phenomenon. The first interpretation suggests that these objects are pulsars slightly below the radio emission `death line', which become occasionally active only when the conditions for pair production and coherent emission are satisfied. The second interpretation invokes a radio emission direction reversal in conventional pulsars, as has been introduced to interpret the peculiar mode changing phenomenon in PSR B1822-09. In this picture, our line of sight misses the main radio emission beam of the pulsar but happens to sweep the emission beam when the radio emission direction is reversed. These part-time pulsars are therefore the other half of `nulling' pulsars. We suggest that X-ray observations may provide clues to differentiate between these two possibilities.

  7. Exploring the Structure of the Distant Universe with MUSE Data Cubes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    MacDougall, Mason; Christensen, Lise

    2018-01-01

    The mass distribution in intergalactic and circumgalactic space is not well known since it is difficult to characterize objects in the distant universe. An ideal tool for studying such distant structure is the Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) of the Very Large Telescope array, which employs a wide field-of-view and a large spectral range to produce high spatial resolution datasets. Here we exploit the 2 spatial dimensions and 1 spectral dimension of a particular MUSE “data cube” to identify and characterize emission line sources near the line-of-sight to quasar PKS1937-101, which lies at a redshift of z=3.787. In particular, we search for galaxy companions to a z=3.572 Lyman-limit system measured in the quasar spectrum and find an associated Lyman-alpha emitter at z=3.556 with a projected distance of 30.2 kpc from the quasar line-of-sight. Through a combination of automated source extraction and manual investigation, we also identify 25 emission line galaxies and 1 other Lyman-alpha emitter in our field. The proximity of several of these objects to the quasar line-of-sight allows us to reliably identify absorption lines in the quasar spectrum that can be associated with observed emission lines with resolved fluxes. This will help characterize the metallicities and kinematics of galaxy halos and circumgalactic media in the early universe.

  8. An Interferometric 270--355 GHz Spectral Line Survey of the Red Supergiant VY CMa

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Menten, K. M.; Young, K. H.; Patel, N. A.; Gottlieb, C. A.; Thaddeus, P.; McCarthy, M. C.; Gurwell, M. A.; Belloche, A.; Kaminski, T.; Verheyen, L.; Decin, L.; Brunken, S.; Holger, S. P. M.

    2011-05-01

    We have used the Submillimeter Array to image the molecular line emission in the circumstellar envelope of the peculiar red supergiant star VY Canis Majoris over the whole 870 μm atmospheric window. Employing adaptive calibration using the object's continuum emission we achieve high quality one arcsecond resolution imaging of the whole 280--355 GHz range within which we find 211 distinct spectral lines from 33 molecules (including isotopologues) plus 40 unidentified lines. From the distribution of molecules we are obtaining their abundances and isotopologic abundance ratios. Using data for multiple transitions in a number of molecules we are deriving the physical conditions in the circumstellar envelope to reach a picture of the star's chemistry that can be compared with models. Our legacy survey is accompanied by a strong laboratory effort that helps with the identification of possibly newly found molecules traced by unidentified lines. We shall create a publicly accessible database of spectral-line channel-maps of the emission from all the lines detected in the survey.

  9. X-shooter spectroscopy of young stellar objects. III. Photospheric and chromospheric properties of Class III objects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stelzer, B.; Frasca, A.; Alcalá, J. M.; Manara, C. F.; Biazzo, K.; Covino, E.; Rigliaco, E.; Testi, L.; Covino, S.; D'Elia, V.

    2013-10-01

    Context. Traditionally, the chromospheres of late-type stars are studied through their strongest emission lines, Hα and Ca ii HK emission. Our knowledge on the whole emission line spectrum is more elusive as a result of the limited spectral range and sensitivity of most available spectrographs. Aims: We intend to reduce this gap with a comprehensive spectroscopic study of the chromospheric emission line spectrum of a sample of non-accreting pre-main sequence stars (Class III sources). Methods: We analyzed X-shooter/VLT spectra of 24 Class III sources from three nearby star-forming regions (σ Orionis, Lupus III, and TW Hya). We determined the effective temperature, surface gravity, rotational velocity, and radial velocity by comparing the observed spectra with synthetic BT-Settl model spectra. We investigated in detail the emission lines emerging from the stellar chromospheres and combined these data with archival X-ray data to allow for a comparison between chromospheric and coronal emissions. Results: For some objects in the sample the atmospheric and kinematic parameters are presented here for the first time. The effective temperatures are consistent with those derived for the same stars from an empirical calibration with spectral types. Small differences in the surface gravity found between the stars can be attributed to differences in the average age of the three star-forming regions. The strength of lithium absorption and radial velocities confirm the young age of all but one object in the sample (Sz 94). Both X-ray and Hα luminosity as measured in terms of the bolometric luminosity are independent of the effective temperature for early-M stars but decline toward the end of the spectral M sequence. For the saturated early-M stars the average emission level is almost one dex higher for X-rays than for Hα: log (Lx/Lbol) = -2.85 ± 0.36 vs. log (LHα/Lbol) = -3.72 ± 0.21. When all chromospheric emission lines (including the Balmer series up to H11, Ca ii HK, the Ca ii infrared triplet, and several He i lines) are summed up the coronal flux still dominates that of the chromosphere, typically by a factor 2-5. Flux-flux relations between activity diagnostics that probe different atmospheric layers (from the lower chromosphere to the corona) separate our sample of active pre-main sequence stars from the bulk of field M dwarfs studied in the literature. Flux ratios between individual optical emission lines show a smooth dependence on the effective temperature. The Balmer decrements can roughly be reproduced by an NLTE radiative transfer model devised for another young star of similar age. Future, more complete chromospheric model grids can be tested against this data set. Based on observations collected at the Very Large Telescope of the European Southern Observatory under programs 084.C-0269, 085.C-0238, 086.C-0173, 087.C-0244, and 089.C-0143.Tables 2-4 are available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org

  10. Discovery of a narrow line quasar

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stocke, J.; Liebert, J.; Maccacaro, T.; Griffiths, R. E.; Steiner, J. E.

    1982-01-01

    A stellar object is reported which, while having X-ray and optical luminosities typical of quasars, has narrow permitted and forbidden emission lines over the observed spectral range. The narrow-line spectrum is high-excitation, the Balmer lines seem to be recombinational, and a redder optical spectrum than that of most quasars is exhibited, despite detection as a weak radio source. The object does not conform to the relationships between H-beta parameters and X-ray flux previously claimed for a large sample of the active galactic nuclei. Because reddish quasars with narrow lines, such as the object identified, may not be found by the standard techniques for the discovery of quasars, the object may be a prototype of a new class of quasars analogous to high-luminosity Seyfert type 2 galaxies. It is suggested that these objects cannot comprise more than 10% of all quasars.

  11. Optical/Infrared properties of Be stars in X-ray Binary systems

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Naik, Sachindra

    2018-04-01

    Be/X-ray binaries, consisting of a Be star and a compact object (neutron star), form the largest subclass of High Mass X-ray Binaries. The orbit of the compact object around the Be star is wide and highly eccentric. Neutron stars in the Be/X-ray binaries are generally quiescent in X-ray emission. Transient X-ray outbursts seen in these objects are thought to be due to the interaction between the compact object and the circumstellar disk of the Be star at the periastron passage. Optical/infrared observations of the companion Be star during these outbursts show that the increase in the X-ray intensity of the neutron star is coupled with the decrease in the optical/infrared flux of the companion star. Apart from the change in optical/infrared flux, dramatic changes in the Be star emission line profiles are also seen during X-ray outbursts. Observational evidences of changes in the emission line profiles and optical/infrared continuum flux along with associated X-ray outbursts from the neutron stars in several Be/X-ray binaries are presented in this paper.

  12. Resolving the Optical Emission Lines of Lyα Blob "B1" at z = 2.38: Another Hidden Quasar

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Overzier, R. A.; Nesvadba, N. P. H.; Dijkstra, M.; Hatch, N. A.; Lehnert, M. D.; Villar-Martín, M.; Wilman, R. J.; Zirm, A. W.

    2013-07-01

    We have used the SINFONI near-infrared integral field unit on the Very Large Telescope to resolve the optical emission line structure of one of the brightest (L Lyα ≈ 1044 erg s-1) and nearest (z ≈ 2.38) of all Lyα blobs (LABs). The target, known in the literature as object "B1", lies at a redshift where the main optical emission lines are accessible in the observed near-infrared. We detect luminous [O III] λλ4959, 5007 and Hα emission with a spatial extent of at least 32 × 40 kpc (4'' × 5''). The dominant optical emission line component shows relatively broad lines (600-800 km s-1, FWHM) and line ratios consistent with active galactic nucleus (AGN) photoionization. The new evidence for AGN photoionization, combined with previously detected C IV and luminous, warm infrared emission, suggest that B1 is the site of a hidden quasar. This is confirmed by the fact that [O II] is relatively weak compared with [O III] (extinction-corrected [O III]/[O II] of about 3.8), which is indicative of a high, Seyfert-like ionization parameter. From the extinction-corrected [O III] luminosity we infer a bolometric AGN luminosity of ~3 × 1046 erg s-1, and further conclude that the obscured AGN may be Compton-thick given existing X-ray limits. The large line widths observed are consistent with clouds moving within the narrow-line region of a luminous QSO. The AGN scenario is capable of producing sufficient ionizing photons to power the Lyα, even in the presence of dust. By performing a census of similar objects in the literature, we find that virtually all luminous LABs harbor obscured quasars. Based on simple duty-cycle arguments, we conclude that AGNs are the main drivers of the Lyα in LABs rather than the gravitational heating and subsequent cooling suggested by cold stream models. We also conclude that the empirical relation between LABs and overdense environments at high redshift must be due to a more fundamental correlation between AGNs (or massive galaxies) and environment.

  13. Faint Object Camera imaging and spectroscopy of NGC 4151

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Boksenberg, A.; Catchpole, R. M.; Macchetto, F.; Albrecht, R.; Barbieri, C.; Blades, J. C.; Crane, P.; Deharveng, J. M.; Disney, M. J.; Jakobsen, P.

    1995-01-01

    We describe ultraviolet and optical imaging and spectroscopy within the central few arcseconds of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4151, obtained with the Faint Object Camera on the Hubble Space Telescope. A narrowband image including (O III) lambda(5007) shows a bright nucleus centered on a complex biconical structure having apparent opening angle approximately 65 deg and axis at a position angle along 65 deg-245 deg; images in bands including Lyman-alpha and C IV lambda(1550) and in the optical continuum near 5500 A, show only the bright nucleus. In an off-nuclear optical long-slit spectrum we find a high and a low radial velocity component within the narrow emission lines. We identify the low-velocity component with the bright, extended, knotty structure within the cones, and the high-velocity component with more confined diffuse emission. Also present are strong continuum emission and broad Balmer emission line components, which we attribute to the extended point spread function arising from the intense nuclear emission. Adopting the geometry pointed out by Pedlar et al. (1993) to explain the observed misalignment of the radio jets and the main optical structure we model an ionizing radiation bicone, originating within a galactic disk, with apex at the active nucleus and axis centered on the extended radio jets. We confirm that through density bounding the gross spatial structure of the emission line region can be reproduced with a wide opening angle that includes the line of sight, consistent with the presence of a simple opaque torus allowing direct view of the nucleus. In particular, our modelling reproduces the observed decrease in position angle with distance from the nucleus, progressing initially from the direction of the extended radio jet, through our optical structure, and on to the extended narrow-line region. We explore the kinematics of the narrow-line low- and high-velocity components on the basis of our spectroscopy and adopted model structure.

  14. How fast do quasar emission lines vary? First results from a program to monitor the Balmer lines of the Palomar-Green Quasars

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Maoz, Dan; Smith, Paul S.; Jannuzi, Buell T.; Kaspi, Shai; Netzer, Hagai

    1994-01-01

    We have monitored spectrophotometrically a subsample (28) of the Palomar-Green Bright Quasar Sample for 2 years in order to test for correlations between continuum and emission-line variations and to determine the timescales relevant to mapping the broad-line regions of high-luminosity active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Half of the quasars showed optical continuum variations with amplitudes in the range 20-75%. The rise and fall time for the continuum variations is typically 0.5-2 years. In most of the objects with continuum variations, we detect correlated variations in the broad H-alpha and H-beta emission lines. The amplitude of the line variations is usually 2-4 times smaller than the optical continuum fluctuations. We present light curves and analyze spectra for six of the variable quasars with 1000-10,000 A luminosity in the range 0.3-4 x 10(exp 45) ergs/s. In four of these objects the lines respond to the continuum variations with a lag that is smaller than or comparable to our typical sampling interval (a few months). Although continued monitoring is required to confirm these results and increase their accuracy, the present evidence indicates that quasars with the above luminosities have broad-line regions smaller than about 1 1t-yr. Two of the quasars monitored show no detectable line variations despite relatively large-amplitude continuum changes. This could be a stronger manifestation of the low-amplitude line-response phenomenon we observe in the other quasars.

  15. Optical and infrared spectrophotometry of the symbiotic system V1016 Cygni

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rudy, Richard J.; Rossano, George S.; Cohen, Ross D.; Puetter, R. C.

    1990-01-01

    Spectrophotometry from 0.46 to 1.3 micron of the peculiar emission-line object V1016 Cyg is presented. The optical region displays a weak continuum underlying the rich emission-line spectrum detailed in past studies. The infrared spectrum consists of prominent emission lines of H I, He I, He II, forbidden Ni, O I, and forbidden S III overlying a strong stellar continuum. The latter displays bands at 0.94 micron and 1.13 micron characteristic of a late-type, oxygen-rich giant as well as an absorption at 1.05 micron which is due to VO. The presence of these molecular features indicates a spectral class of M6 or later for the cool secondary. The reddening of the secondary does not appear to be much different from that of the emission lines. Among the infrared emission features is the rarely seen permitted transition of neutral oxygen at 1.1287 micron. Its presence at a strength comparable to O I 8446 A, together with the absence of O I 13164 A, confirms the result of Strafella that the strong O I lines arise primarily from fluorescent excitation by Ly-beta.

  16. The Nature of Active Galactic Nuclei with Velocity Offset Emission Lines

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Müller-Sánchez, F.; Comerford, J.; Stern, D.; Harrison, F. A.

    2016-10-01

    We obtained Keck/OSIRIS near-IR adaptive optics-assisted integral-field spectroscopy to probe the morphology and kinematics of the ionized gas in four velocity-offset active galactic nuclei (AGNs) from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. These objects possess optical emission lines that are offset in velocity from systemic as measured from stellar absorption features. At a resolution of ˜0.″18, OSIRIS allows us to distinguish which velocity offset emission lines are produced by the motion of an AGN in a dual supermassive black hole system, and which are produced by outflows or other kinematic structures. In three galaxies, J1018+2941, J1055+1520, and J1346+5228, the spectral offset of the emission lines is caused by AGN-driven outflows. In the remaining galaxy, J1117+6140, a counterrotating nuclear disk is observed that contains the peak of Paα emission 0.″2 from the center of the galaxy. The most plausible explanation for the origin of this spatially and kinematically offset peak is that it is a region of enhanced Paα emission located at the intersection zone between the nuclear disk and the bar of the galaxy. In all four objects, the peak of ionized gas emission is not spatially coincident with the center of the galaxy as traced by the peak of the near-IR continuum emission. The peaks of ionized gas emission are spatially offset from the galaxy centers by 0.″1-0.″4 (0.1-0.7 kpc). We find that the velocity offset originates at the location of this peak of emission, and the value of the offset can be directly measured in the velocity maps. The emission-line ratios of these four velocity-offset AGNs can be reproduced only with a mixture of shocks and AGN photoionization. Shocks provide a natural explanation for the origin of the spatially and spectrally offset peaks of ionized gas emission in these galaxies. Based on observations 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 of the W. M. Keck Foundation.

  17. Broad Hβ Emission-line Variability in a Sample of 102 Local Active Galaxies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Runco, Jordan N.; Cosens, Maren; Bennert, Vardha N.; Scott, Bryan; Komossa, S.; Malkan, Matthew A.; Lazarova, Mariana S.; Auger, Matthew W.; Treu, Tommaso; Park, Daeseong

    2016-04-01

    A sample of 102 local (0.02 ≤ z ≤ 0.1) Seyfert galaxies with black hole masses MBH > 107M⊙ was selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and observed using the Keck 10 m telescope to study the scaling relations between MBH and host galaxy properties. We study profile changes of the broad Hβ emission line within the three to nine year time frame between the two sets of spectra. The variability of the broad Hβ emission line is of particular interest, not only because it is used to estimate MBH, but also because its strength and width are used to classify Seyfert galaxies into different types. At least some form of broad-line variability (in either width or flux) is observed in the majority (∼66%) of the objects, resulting in a Seyfert-type change for ∼38% of the objects, likely driven by variable accretion and/or obscuration. The broad Hβ line virtually disappears in 3/102 (∼3%) extreme cases. We discuss potential causes for these changing look active galactic nuclei. While similar dramatic transitions have previously been reported in the literature, either on a case-by-case basis or in larger samples focusing on quasars at higher redshifts, our study provides statistical information on the frequency of Hβ line variability in a sample of low-redshift Seyfert galaxies.

  18. Retrieval of haze properties and HCN concentrations from the three-micron spectrum of Titan

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kim, Sang J.; Lee, D. W.; Sim, C. K.; Seon, K. I.; Courtin, R.; Geballe, T. R.

    2018-05-01

    The 3 μm spectrum of Titan contains line emission and absorption as well as a significant haze continuum. The line emission has been previously analyzed in the literature, but that analysis has not properly included the influence of haze on the line emission. We report a new analysis of the 3 μm HCN emission spectrum using radiative transfer equations that include scattering and absorption by molecules and haze particles at altitudes lower than 500 km, where the influence of haze on the emergent spectrum becomes significant. Taking advantage of the dominance of resonant single scattering in the HCN ν3 fundamental and of the moderate haze optical thickness of the atmosphere around 3 μm, we adopt single dust and molecular scattering and present a formulation for the radiative transfer process. We evaluate the quantitative influence of haze scattering on the emission line intensities, and derive vertically-resolved single scattering albedos of the haze from model fits. We also present the resulting concentrations of HCN for altitudes below 500 km, where we find that the haze scattering significantly influences the retrieval of the concentrations of HCN. We conclude that the formulation we present is useful for the analysis of the HCN line emission from Titan and other similar hazy planetary or celestial objects.

  19. IUE observations of extragalactic objects

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Boksenberg, A.; Snijders, M. A. J.; Wilson, R.; Benvenuti, P.; Clavell, J.; Macchetto, F.; Penston, M.; Boggess, A.; Gull, T. R.; Gondhalekar, P.

    1978-01-01

    During the commissioning phase of IUE several extragalactic objects were observed spectrally at low dispersion in the UV range lambda lambda 1150-3200: the Seyfert galaxies NGC4151 and NGC1068, the QSO 3C273, the BL Lacertae object B2 1101+38, the giant elliptical galaxy M87 and the spiral galaxy M81. The results obtained are presented and a preliminary analysis given for all six objects, discussing the continuous spectrum, extinction, emission line spectrum and absorption line spectrum, where possible for each case. Several new or confirmatory astrophysical results are obtained.

  20. Spectroscopic follow-up of variability-selected active galactic nuclei in the Chandra Deep Field South

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Boutsia, K.; Leibundgut, B.; Trevese, D.; Vagnetti, F.

    2009-04-01

    Context: Supermassive black holes with masses of 10^5-109 M⊙ are believed to inhabit most, if not all, nuclear regions of galaxies, and both observational evidence and theoretical models suggest a scenario where galaxy and black hole evolution are tightly related. Luminous AGNs are usually selected by their non-stellar colours or their X-ray emission. Colour selection cannot be used to select low-luminosity AGNs, since their emission is dominated by the host galaxy. Objects with low X-ray to optical ratio escape even the deepest X-ray surveys performed so far. In a previous study we presented a sample of candidates selected through optical variability in the Chandra Deep Field South, where repeated optical observations were performed in the framework of the STRESS supernova survey. Aims: The analysis is devoted to breaking down the sample in AGNs, starburst galaxies, and low-ionisation narrow-emission line objects, to providing new information about the possible dependence of the emission mechanisms on nuclear luminosity and black-hole mass, and eventually studying the evolution in cosmic time of the different populations. Methods: We obtained new optical spectroscopy for a sample of variability selected candidates with the ESO NTT telescope. We analysed the new spectra, together with those existing in the literature and studied the distribution of the objects in U-B and B-V colours, optical and X-ray luminosity, and variability amplitude. Results: A large fraction (17/27) of the observed candidates are broad-line luminous AGNs, confirming the efficiency of variability in detecting quasars. We detect: i) extended objects which would have escaped the colour selection and ii) objects of very low X-ray to optical ratio, in a few cases without any X-ray detection at all. Several objects resulted to be narrow-emission line galaxies where variability indicates nuclear activity, while no emission lines were detected in others. Some of these galaxies have variability and X-ray to optical ratio close to active galactic nuclei, while others have much lower variability and X-ray to optical ratio. This result can be explained by the dilution of the nuclear light due to the host galaxy. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of supernova search programmes to detect large samples of low-luminosity AGNs. A sizable fraction of the AGN in our variability sample had escaped X-ray detection (5/47) and/or colour selection (9/48). Spectroscopic follow-up to fainter flux limits is strongly encouraged. Based on observations collected at the European Southern Observatory, Chile, 080.B-0187(A).

  1. Uv Spectroscopy of Low-Redshift Active Galaxies -- Cyc 4

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Boggess, Albert

    1994-01-01

    FOS will be used to measure the ultraviolet spectrum of active galaxies. Complementary and simultaneous visual and infrared data will also be obtained. The profile of the emission lines will provide information on the broadening mechanism and dynamics of the emitting regions. Comparison of the profile and radial velocity of the emission lines produced by species of different ioni- zation potential will allow the study of the thermal and density stratification of the emitting regions. The degree of asymmetry of lines at different wave- lengths will allow the absorbing material be identified and located. The ratio of the UV to visible lines, such as those for O I and He II will be used to estimate the reddening along the line of sight. Ratio of emission line fluxes will be compared with models in order to derive the ionization mechanism, elec- tron temperature and density, and chemical composition of the emitting gas. The emission line properties of low luminosity will be compared with those of high luminosity objects in order to investigate the covering factor and evolutionary effects. The continumm spectrum from the UV to the IR will be used to establish the emission mechanism and the nature and luminosity of the energy source. The weak absorption lines will be used to establish the physical conditions and the chemical composition of the gas in: our Galaxy, intergalactic medium and the parent galaxy. Absorption produced by broad line clouds will give information on cloud motion and covering factor.

  2. Infrared heterodyne spectroscopy. [for observation of thermal emission from astrophysical objects

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mumma, M. J.; Kostiuk, T.; Buhl, D.; Chin, G.; Zipoy, D.

    1982-01-01

    Infrared heterodyne spectroscopy is an extremely useful tool for Doppler-limited studies of atomic and molecular lines in diverse astrophysical regions. The current state of the art is reviewed, and the analysis of CO2 lines in the atmosphere of Mars is outlined. Doppler-limited observations have enabled the discovery of natural laser emission in the mesosphere of Mars and the discovery of failure of local thermodynamic equilibrium near the surface of Mars.

  3. A survey of IRAS data on 41 classical novae

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Harrison, T. E.; Gehrz, R. D.

    1988-09-01

    The IRAS database has been searched for detections of 41 classical novae using coadditions of survey scans; 15 were detected. IRAS temporal observations of novae in outburst are discussed. The observed long-wavelength infrared distributions of DQ Her, and possibly HR Del, can be explained by emission from small (a of about 0.1 microns) dust grains heated by the central object. An alternative explanation for the energy distributions of DQ Her and HR Del is emission from fine-structure lines. FH Ser and LW Ser display energy distributions that have color temperatures much too hot to be due to heating of dust by the central source in any plausible scenario. Line emission is probably the best explanation of their observed energy distributions. The novae NQ Vul and LV Vul have energy distributions that may be contaminated by emission from galactic cirrus. The unusual object PL 1547.3-5612 exhibits an energy distribution that does not resemble those of planetary nebulae or other novae detected in this sample. An IRAS low-resolution spectrum of RR Tel shows the 10-micron silicate emission feature.

  4. Spectra of galaxies in the Case Low-Dispersion Sky Survey in the direction of the Bootes void

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Weistrop, Donna; Downes, Ronald A.

    1988-01-01

    A sample of 34 galaxies selected from the Case Low-Dispersion Northern Sky Survey in the direction of the Bootes void. Emission-line redshifts were obtained for 33 objects; the spectrum of the thirty-fourth galaxy contains no obvious features. Three of the emission-line galaxies are lcoated within the boundaries of the Bootes void, including one not previously reported. To date, all the galaxies discovered in the void have emission-line spectra. Although more than half the galaxies in the sample are fainter than M(B) = -21.0 mag, all five of the galaxies that were detected by IRAS are brighter than M(B) = 21.5 mag. The relative strengths of the emission lines in most of the galaxies, including those in the void, indicate the lines are excited by photoionization due to young, hot O and B stars. Possible causes for the star formation occurring in these galaxies include interaction with nearby galaxies, star formation induced by nuclear activity, and/or recent development of physical conditions required for star formation.

  5. Ti-44 Gamma-Ray Emission Lines from SN1987A Reveal an Asymmetric Explosion

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Boggs, S. E.; Harrison, F. A.; Miyasaka, H.; Grefenstette, B. W.; Zoglauer, A.; Fryer, C. L.; Reynolds, S. P.; Alexander, D. M.; An, H.; Barret, D.; hide

    2015-01-01

    In core-collapse supernovae, titanium-44 (Ti-44) is produced in the innermost ejecta, in the layer of material directly on top of the newly formed compact object. As such, it provides a direct probe of the supernova engine. Observations of supernova 1987A (SN1987A) have resolved the 67.87- and 78.32-kilo-electron volt emission lines from decay of Ti-44 produced in the supernova explosion. These lines are narrow and redshifted with a Doppler velocity of 700 kilometers per second, direct evidence of large-scale asymmetry in the explosion.

  6. 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 Grant No. 09-ADP09-0016 issued through the Astrophysics Data Analysis Program.

  7. The ionization mechanism of NGC 185: how to fake a Seyfert galaxy?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Martins, L. P.; Lanfranchi, G.; Gonçalves, D. R.; Magrini, L.; Teodorescu, A. M.; Quireza, C.

    2012-02-01

    NGC 185 is a dwarf spheroidal satellite of the Andromeda galaxy. From mid-1990s onwards it was revealed that dwarf spheroidals often display a varied and in some cases complex star formation history. In an optical survey of bright nearby galaxies, NGC 185 was classified as a Seyfert galaxy based on its emission line ratios. However, although the emission lines in this object formally place it in the category of Seyferts, it is probable that this galaxy does not contain a genuine active nucleus. NGC 185 was not detected in radio surveys either in 6 or 20 cm, or X-ray observations, which means that the Seyfert-like line ratios may be produced by stellar processes. In this work, we try to identify the possible ionization mechanisms for this galaxy. We discussed the possibility of the line emissions being produced by planetary nebulae (PNe), using deep spectroscopy observations obtained with the Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph - North (GMOS-N), at Gemini. Although the fluxes of the PNe are high enough to explain the integrated spectrum, the line ratios are very far from the values for the Seyfert classification. We then proposed that a mixture of supernova remnants and PNe could be the source of the ionization, and we show that a composition of these two objects do mimic Seyfert-like line ratios. We used chemical evolution models to predict the supernova rates and to support the idea that these supernova remnants should be present in the galaxy. Based on observations obtained at the Gemini Observatory, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under a cooperative agreement with the NSF on behalf of the Gemini partnership.

  8. Imaging of High Redshift Starburst galaxies in the light of Lyman alpha

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Beckwith, Steven

    1997-07-01

    The PI is the designated director for STScI but has no experience with HST. The purpose of this proposal is to gain experience with the facility by carrying out a modest observational program that is unique and will not conflict with any community programs. The proposed science is divided into priority 1 and priority 2, for 6 + 4 orbits. This division will allow allocation in parts, if the pressure on DDT is large and the total of 10 orbits unusually difficult to schedule. The priority 1 science is rather predictable and, hence, conservative, consisting of the brightest of the objects under study. The priority 2 science is somewhat riskier, because it is more difficult to estimate object brightnesses in the filters to be used on HST. Both priority 1 and priority 2 observations allow for a large degree of serendipity, because the fields are likely to have more starburst galaxies at the observed redshifts that may show up in Lyman alpha. Exploration of the high redshift u niverse and discovery of the most distant objects is still in its infancy. Only recently have the tools been available to detect normal galaxies at redshifts larger than one when the first galaxies were created {Pescarelle et al. 1996; Hu & McMahon 1996; Cowie & Hu 1998; Steidel et al. 1996}. It seems likely that young galaxies will have a variety of different signatures {Franceschini et al. 1998; Guideroni et al. 1997}, so that it will be necessary to use several diverse techniques to uncover all of them: searches at optical, infrared, x-ray, and radio wavelengths, for example. It is already known that many of the optically selected galaxies using the "dropout" technique are reddened by dust {Pettini et al. 1997}. We carried out two surveys for infrared emission-line galaxies by imaging through narrow {Resolving power 100} and broad band filters between 1 and 2.5 microns and identifying objects that appeared brighter in the narrow filters. Our first survey was designed to uncover emission lines at th e redshifts of quasars within each survey field, in case there is substantial clustering marked by quasars {Thompson et al. 1996}. In an area of 276 square minutes of arc, only one emission-line galaxy was discovered {Beckwith et al. 1998}. The surface density of such objects implied by these results is similar to that inferred from other surveys {Cowie et al. 1994; Graham & Dey 1996; Malkan et al. 1996; Bechtold et al. 1997} and suggests that the infrared emission-line galaxies constitute at most a modest population of young galaxies at high redshift. Using the same instruments, we undertook a second infrared survey for emission-line galaxies targeted at the redshifts of damped Lyman alpha absorption lines or metal absorption line in the spectra of quasars. Damped Lyman alpha absorbers are thought to contain as much baryonic matter as seen in all spiral galaxies today {Wolfe et al. 1986} and may, therefore, mark sites of vigorous star formation. Metal lines are usually associated with damped Lyman alph a systems, and they give us access to lower redshifts than Lyman alpha alone. Several other groups {Lowenthal et al. 1991; Macchetto et al. 1993; Wolfe et al. 1992; Moller & Warren 1993; Djorgovski et al. 1996; Francis et al. 1998} carried out similar surveys at optical wavelengths looking for Lyman alpha emission-line galaxies in these regions. They discovered only five such emission-line galaxies, but Wolfe {1993} showed that the implied volume density was significantly higher than in the general field. Eighteen candidates for emission line galaxies were discovered in this second survey in an area of only 150 square minutes of arc {Mannucci et al. 1998}. The emission-lines correspond to H alpha at redshifts of 0.89 {6 objects} and 2.4 {10 objects}, and [OII] at a redshift of 2.3 {2 objects}. The presence of emission lines is inferred from the photometric magnitudes in narrow and broad band interference filters. A spectrum of one candidate confirms the emission line. Most of the objects are a few seco nds of arc in extent suggesting th a t they are galaxies at the redshifts of the damped Lyman alpha absorbers. Two of these objects, Q1623+268A & Q1623+268B, were serendipitously observed by HST in an independent program to study quasars with absorption lines {by Steidel; we retrieved these images from the HST archive}. The HST images resolve the objects showing they are spiral galaxies. It is only with the HST images that a morphological identification can be made. {nB: I can make these images available as TIFF or GIF files, but I do not know how to do this via the web page for DDT}. Because our first survey targeted at the redshifts of quasars themselves uncovered only one emission- line galaxy in a larger volume, the results imply substantial clustering of young galaxies or formation within filaments or sheets whose locations are indicated by the redshifts of strong Lyman alpha line absorption along the lines of sight to more distant quasars. Our eighteen emission-line objects are unique in highlighti ng these sheets from an infrared-s elected sample. The proposed HST observations have two goals. The first is to resolve the objects that have not been observed with HST to determine the types of underlying galaxies. Our ground-based observations in the infrared and R band {WIYN telescope} are sufficient to show that most of these objects are between 1 and 3 seconds of arc across, large enough to be galaxies at high redshifts but too small to study the distribution of light from the ground. The two extent HST images of Q1623+268 A & B show clearly how HST uncovers the nature of these galaxies. The second goal is to measure the amount of Lyman alpha emission to compare the morphology of the regions producing Lyman alpha to the continuum. Such a comparison is important to understand what fraction of a young galaxy's light is produced in the starburst population, what fraction in the old population, and what fraction might be associated with an active nucleus. We can get this information by imaging each ga laxy through two filters centered o n or near Lyman alpha with different widths. The technique is similar to the infrared technique used to discover these objects. Although the HST filters were not specifically designed for this task, there is sufficient choice to make it possible with various wide and medium width filters. In the event that Lyman alpha is weak or absent, we can average the data to create a higher signal to noise ratio image. The integration times have been chosen to give S/N ratios of between 10 and 50, depending on the {unknown} brightness of the galaxies in the selected bands. The infrared and R band magnitudes suggest AB magnitudes of order 24 to 25 for each object. Bechtold, J., Yee, H. K. C., Elston, R., & Ellingson, E. 1997, { it Ap. J. Letters}, { bf 477}, L29 Beckwith, S. V. W., Thompson, D. J., Mannucci, F., & Djorgovski, S. G. 1998, { it Ap. J.}, in press Cowie, L. L., & Hu, E. M., 1998, { it A. J.}, in press {astro- ph/9801003} Cowie, L. L., Songaila, A., Hu, E. M., Egam i, , Huang, J.-S., Pickles, A. J., Ridgway, S. E., & Wainscoat, R. J. 1994, { it Ap. J. Letters}, { bf 432}, L83 Djorgovski, S. G., Pahre, M. A., Bechtold J., & Elston, R., 1996, { it Nature}, { bf 382}, 234 Franceschini, A., Silva, L., Granato, G. L., Bressan, A., Danese, L., 1998, { it Ap. J. Lett}, in press Francis, P. J., Woodgate, B. E., and Danks, A. C. 1998, {astroph/9801300} Graham, J. R., & Dey, A. 1996, { it Ap. J.}, { bf 471}, 720 Guideroni, B., Bouchet, F. R., Puget, J.-L., Lagache, G., & Hivon, E., 1997, { it Nature}, { bf 390}, 257 Hu, E. M., McMahon, R. G., 1996, { it Nature}, { bf 382}, 231 Lowenthal, J. D., Hogan, C. J., Green, R. F., Caulet, A., Woodgate, B. E., Brown, L., and Foltz, C. B. 1991, { it Ap. J. Letters}, { bf 377}, L73 Macchetto, F., Lipari, S., Giavalisco, M., Turshek, D. A., & Sparks, W. B. 1993, { it Ap. J.} { bf 404}, 511 Malkan, M. A., Teplitz, H., & McLean, I. S. 1996, { it Ap. J. Letters}, { bf 468}, L9 Mannucci, F., Thompson, D. J., Beckwith, S.V.W., & Wil liger 1998, { it Ap. J. Letters}, i n press. Moller, P., & Warren, S. J., 1993, { it A. & A.}, { bf 270}, 43 Pascarelle, S. M., Windhorst, R. A., & Odewahn, S. C. 1996, { it Nature}, { bf 383}, 45 Pettini, M., Steidel, C. C., Adelberger, K. L, Kellogg, M., Dickinson, M., & Giavalisco, M. 1998, astro-ph/9708117 Steidel, C. C., Giavalisco, M., Pettini, M., Dickinson, M., & Adelberger, K. L. 1996, { it Ap. J.}, { bf 462}, 17 Thompson, D. J, Mannucci, F., & Beckwith, S. V. W. 1996, { it A. J.}, { bf 112}, 1794 Wolfe, A. M. 1993, { it Ap. J.}, { bf 402}, 411 Wolfe, A. M., Turnshek, D. A., Lanzetta, K. M., & Oke, J. B. 1992, { it Ap. J.}, { bf 385}, 151 Wolfe, A. M., Turnshek, D. A., Smith, H. E., & Cohen, R. E. 1986, { it Ap. J. Supp.}, { bf 61}, 249

  9. The metallicities of the broad emission line regions in the nitrogen-loudest quasars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Batra, Neelam Dhanda; Baldwin, Jack A.

    2014-03-01

    We measured the metallicity Z in the broad emission-line regions (BELRs) of 43 Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) quasars with the strongest N IV] and N III] emission lines. These N-loud quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) have unusually low-black-hole masses. We used the intensity ratio of N lines to collisionally excited emission lines of other heavy elements to find metallicities in their BELR regions. We found that seven of the eight line-intensity ratios that we employed give roughly consistent metallicities as measured, but that for each individual QSO their differences from the mean of all metallicity measurements depend on the ionization potential of the ions that form the emission lines. After correcting for this effect, the different line-intensity ratios give metallicities that generally agree to within the 0.24 dex uncertainty in the measurements of the line-intensity ratios. The metallicities are very high, with mean log Z for the whole sample of 5.5 Z⊙ and a maximum of 18 Z⊙. Our results argue against the possibility that the strong N lines represent an overabundance only of N but not of all heavy elements. They are compatible with either that (1) the BELR gas has been chemically enriched by the general stellar population in the central bulge of the host galaxy, but the locally optimally emitting cloud model used in the analysis needs some fine tuning or (2) that instead this gas has been enriched by intense star formation on the very local scale of the active nucleus that has resulted in an abundance gradient within the BELR.

  10. A high-redshift IRAS galaxy with huge luminosity - Hidden quasar or protogalaxy?

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rowan-Robinson, M.; Broadhurst, T.; Oliver, S. J.; Taylor, A. N.; Lawrence, A.; Mcmahon, R. G.; Lonsdale, C. J.; Hacking, P. B.; Conrow, T.

    1991-01-01

    An emission line galaxy with the enormous far-IR luminosity of 3 x 10 to the 14th solar has been found at z = 2.286. The spectrum is very unusual, showing lines of high excitation but with very weak Lyman-alpha emission. A self-absorbed synchrotron model for the IR energy distribution cannot be ruled out, but a thermal origin seems more plausible. A radio-quiet quasar embedded in a very dusty galaxy could account for the IR emission, as might a starburst embedded in 1-10 billion solar masses of dust. The latter case demands so much dust that the object would probably be a massive galaxy in the process of formation. The presence of a large amount of dust in an object of such high redshift implies the generation of heavy elements at an early cosmological epoch.

  11. First results from the CALYPSO IRAM-PdBI survey. II. Resolving the hot corino in the Class 0 protostar NGC 1333-IRAS2A

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Maury, A. J.; Belloche, A.; André, Ph.; Maret, S.; Gueth, F.; Codella, C.; Cabrit, S.; Testi, L.; Bontemps, S.

    2014-03-01

    Aims: We investigate the origin of complex organic molecules (COMs) in the gas phase around the low-mass Class 0 protostar NGC 1333-IRAS2A, to determine if the COM emission lines trace an embedded disk, shocks from the protostellar jet, or the warm inner parts of the protostellar envelope. Methods: In the framework of the CALYPSO IRAM Plateau de Bure survey, we obtained large bandwidth spectra at sub-arcsecond resolution towards NGC 1333-IRAS2A. We identify the emission lines towards the central protostar and perform Gaussian fits to constrain the size of the emitting region for each of these lines, tracing various physical conditions and scales. Results: The emission of numerous COMs such as methanol, ethylene glycol, and methyl formate is spatially resolved by our observations. This allows us to measure, for the first time, the size of the COM emission inside the protostellar envelope, finding that it originates from a region of radius 40-100 AU, centered on the NGC 1333-IRAS2A protostellar object. Our analysis shows no preferential elongation of the COM emission along the jet axis, and therefore does not support the hypothesis that COM emission arises from shocked envelope material at the base of the jet. Down to similar sizes, the dust continuum emission is well reproduced with a single power-law envelope model, and therefore does not favor the hypothesis that COM emission arises from the thermal sublimation of grains embedded in a circumstellar disk. Finally, the typical scale ~60 AU observed for COM emission is consistent with the size of the inner envelope where Tdust > 100 K is expected. Our data therefore strongly suggest that the COM emission traces the hot corino in IRAS2A, i.e., the warm inner envelope material where the icy mantles of dust grains evaporate because they are passively heated by the central protostellar object. Based on observations carried out with the IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer. IRAM is supported by INSU/CNRS (France), MPG (Germany), and IGN (Spain).CALYPSO stands for Continuum And Lines in Young ProtoStellar Objects.Appendix A, Tables 1, 2, and Figs. 3, 4 are available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.orgThe integrated emission maps shown in Fig. 3 are available in electronic form 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/563/L2

  12. Discovery of a Wolf-Rayet Star through Detection of Its Photometric Variability

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Littlefield, Colin; Garnavich, Peter; Marion, G. H. Howie; Vinkó, József; McClelland, Colin; Rettig, Terrence; Wheeler, J. Craig

    2012-06-01

    We report the serendipitous discovery of a heavily reddened Wolf-Rayet star that we name WR 142b. While photometrically monitoring a cataclysmic variable, we detected weak variability in a nearby field star. Low-resolution spectroscopy revealed a strong emission line at 7100 Å, suggesting an unusual object and prompting further study. A spectrum taken with the Hobby-Eberly Telescope confirms strong He II emission and an N IV 7112 Å line consistent with a nitrogen-rich Wolf-Rayet star of spectral class WN6. Analysis of the He II line strengths reveals no detectable hydrogen in WR 142b. A blue-sensitive spectrum obtained with the Large Binocular Telescope shows no evidence for a hot companion star. The continuum shape and emission line ratios imply a reddening of E(B - V) = 2.2-2.6 mag. We estimate that the distance to WR 142b is 1.4 ± 0.3 kpc.

  13. Stellar populations in local star-forming galaxies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Perez-Gonzalez, P. G.

    2003-11-01

    The main goal of this thesis work is studying the main properties of the stellar populations embedded in a statistically complete sample of local active star-forming galaxies: the Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM) Survey of emission-line galaxies. This sample contains 191 local star-forming galaxies at an average redshift of 0.026. The survey was carried out using an objective-prism technique centered at the wavelength of the Halpha nebular emission-line (a common tracer of recent star formation). (continues)

  14. Probing Reionization at z >~ 7 with HST's Near-Infrared Grisms

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schmidt, Kasper B.

    The epoch of reionization, i.e. the phase transition of the inter-galactic medium from neutral to fully ionized, is essential for our understanding of the evolution of the Universe and the formation of the first stars and galaxies. The Grism Lens-Amplified Survey from Space (GLASS) has obtained spectra of ten thousands of objects in and behind 10 massive galaxy clusters, including the six Hubble Frontier Fields. The grism spectroscopy from GLASS results in hundreds of spectra of z >~ 7 galaxy candidates. Taking advantage of the lensing magnification from the foreground clusters, the GLASS spectra reaches unprecedented depths in the near-infrared with observed flux limits of ~ 5 × 10-18erg/s/cm2 before correcting for the lens magnification. This has resulted in several Lyα detections at z ~ 7 and tight limits on the emission line fluxes for non-detections. From an ensemble of different photometric selections, we have assembled more than 150 z >~ 7 galaxy candidates from six of the ten GLASS clusters. Among these more than 20 objects show emission lines consistent with being Lyα at z >~ 7. The spatial extent of Lyα estimated from a stack of the most promising Lyα emitters at = 7.2 is consistent with the spatial extent of the UV continuum emission. From the stack we obtain upper limits on the emission line ratios between prominent rest-frame UV emission lines, finding that f CIV/f Lyα <~ 0.32 and f CIII]/f Lyα <~ 0.23 in good agreement with values published in the literature.

  15. Ionized Absorbers in Active Galactic Nuclei and Very Steap Soft X-Ray Quasars

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Fiore, Fabrizio; White, Nicholas (Technical Monitor)

    2000-01-01

    Steep soft X-ray (0.1-2 keV) quasars share several unusual properties: narrow Balmer lines, strong Fe II emission, large and fast X-ray variability, and a rather steep 2-10 keV spectrum. These intriguing objects have been suggested to be the analogues of Galactic black hole candidates in the high, soft state. We present here results from ASCA observations for two of these quasars: NAB 0205 + 024 and PG 1244 + 026. Both objects show similar variations (factor of approximately 2 in 10 ks), despite a factor of approximately 10 difference in the 0.5-10 keV luminosity (7.3 x 10(exp 43) erg/s for PG 1244 + 026 and 6.4 x 10(exp 44) erg/s for NAB 0205 + 024, assuming isotropic emission, H(sub 0) = 50.0 and q(sub 0) = 0.0). The X-ray continuum of the two quasars flattens by 0.5-1 going from the 0.1-2 keV band towards higher energies, strengthening recent results on another half-dozen steep soft X-ray active galactic nuclei. PG 1244 + 026 shows a significant feature in the '1-keV' region, which can be described either as a broad emission line centered at 0.95 keV (quasar frame) or as edge or line absorption at 1.17 (1.22) keV. The line emission could be a result of reflection from a highly ionized accretion disc, in line with the view that steep soft X-ray quasars are emitting close to the Eddington luminosity. Photoelectric edge absorption or resonant line absorption could be produced by gas outflowing at a large velocity (0.3-0.6 c).

  16. The nature of extreme emission line galaxies at z = 1-2: kinematics and metallicities from near-infrared spectroscopy

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

    Maseda, Michael V.; Van der Wel, Arjen; Rix, Hans-Walter

    2014-08-10

    We present near-infrared spectroscopy of a sample of 22 Extreme Emission Line Galaxies at redshifts 1.3 < z < 2.3, confirming that these are low-mass (M{sub *} = 10{sup 8}-10{sup 9} M{sub ☉}) galaxies undergoing intense starburst episodes (M{sub *}/SFR ∼ 10-100 Myr). The sample is selected by [O III] or Hα emission line flux and equivalent width using near-infrared grism spectroscopy from the 3D-HST survey. High-resolution NIR spectroscopy is obtained with LBT/LUCI and VLT/X-SHOOTER. The [O III]/Hβ line ratio is high (≳ 5) and [N II]/Hα is always significantly below unity, which suggests a low gas-phase metallicity. We aremore » able to determine gas-phase metallicities for seven of our objects using various strong-line methods, with values in the range 0.05-0.30 Z{sub ☉} and with a median of 0.15 Z{sub ☉}; for three of these objects we detect [O III] λ4363, which allows for a direct constraint on the metallicity. The velocity dispersion, as measured from the nebular emission lines, is typically ∼50 km s{sup –1}. Combined with the observed star-forming activity, the Jeans and Toomre stability criteria imply that the gas fraction must be large (f{sub gas} ≳ 2/3), consistent with the difference between our dynamical and stellar mass estimates. The implied gas depletion timescale (several hundred Myr) is substantially longer than the inferred mass-weighted ages (∼50 Myr), which further supports the emerging picture that most stars in low-mass galaxies form in short, intense bursts of star formation.« less

  17. Physical properties of z ~ 4 LBGs: differences between galaxies with and without Lyα emission

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pentericci, L.; Grazian, A.; Fontana, A.; Salimbeni, S.; Santini, P.; de Santis, C.; Gallozzi, S.; Giallongo, E.

    2007-08-01

    Aims:We analysed the physical properties of z ˜4 Lyman Break Galaxies observed in the GOODS-S survey, in order to investigate possible differences between galaxies where the Lyα is present in emission, and those where the line is absent or in absorption. Methods: The objects were selected from their optical color and then spectroscopically confirmed by Vanzella et al. (2005). From the public spectra we assessed the nature of the Lyα emission and divided the sample into galaxies with Lyα in emission and objects without a Lyα line (i.e. either absent or in absorption). We then used complete photometry, from U band to mid-infrared from the GOODS-MUSIC database, to study the observational properties of the galaxies, such as UV spectral slopes and optical to mid-infrared colors, and the possible differences between the two samples. Lastly, we used standard spectral fitting techniques to determine the physical properties of the galaxies, such as total stellar mass, stellar ages and so on, and again we looked at the possible differences between the two samples. Results: Our results indicate that LBG with Lyα in emission are on average a much younger and less massive population than the LBGs without Lyα emission. Both populations are forming stars very actively and are relatively dust free, although those with line emission seem to be even less dusty on average. We briefly discuss these results in the context of recent models for the evolution of Lyman break galaxies and Lyα emitters.

  18. A study of ten quasars with redshifts greater than four

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Schneider, Donald P.; Schmidt, Maarten; Gunn, James E.

    1989-01-01

    Four quasars with redshifts greater than four were detected in a low-resolution CCD grism survey. CCD photometry and high S/N, moderate resolution spectra are presented for these quasars and the six other known quasars with redshifts above 4. The M sub B values of nine of the objects are between -27.5 and -25, with the tenth quasar having an M sub B value of -29. The emission lines and shapes of the continua of these ten quasars are similar to those of lower-redshift quasars. The results suggest that the C IV emission lines in high-redshift quasars may be weaker than those in lower-redshift quasars. The continua of all of the high-redshift quasars display strong depressions blueward of the Ly-alpha emission line.

  19. Cutting the Composite Gordian Knot: Untangling the AGN-Starburst Threads in Single Aperture Spectra

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Flury, Sophia; Moran, Edward C.

    2018-01-01

    Standard emission line diagnostics are able to segregate star-forming galaxies and Seyfert nuclei, and it is often assumed that ambiguous emission-line galaxies falling between these two populations are “composite” objects exhibiting both types of photoionization. We have developed a method that predicts the most probable H II and AGN components that could plausibly explain the “composite” classed objects solely on the basis of their SDSS spectra. The majority of our analysis is driven by empirical relationships revealed by SDSS data rather than theoretical models founded in assumptions. To verify our method, we have compared the predictions of our model with publicly released IFU data from the S7 survey and find that composite objects are not in fact a simple linear combination of the two types of emission. The data reveal a key component in the mixing sequence: geometric dilution of the ionizing radiation which powers the NLR of the active nucleus. When accounting for this effect, our model is successful when applied to several composite-class galaxies. Some objects, however, appear to be at variance with the predicted results, suggesting they may not be powered by black hole accretion.

  20. An Automated Scheme for the Large-Scale Survey of Herbig-Haro Objects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Deng, Licai; Yang, Ji; Zheng, Zhongyuan; Jiang, Zhaoji

    2001-04-01

    Owing to their spectral properties, Herbig-Haro (HH) objects can be discovered using photometric methods through a combination of filters, sampling the characteristic spectral lines and the nearby continuum. The data are commonly processed through direct visual inspection of the images. To make data reduction more efficient and the results more uniform and complete, an automated searching scheme for HH objects is developed to manipulate the images using IRAF. This approach helps to extract images with only intrinsic HH emissions. By using this scheme, the pointlike stellar sources and extended nebulous sources with continuum emission can be eliminated from the original images. The objects with only characteristic HH emission become prominent and can be easily picked up. In this paper our scheme is illustrated by a sample field and has been applied to our surveys for HH objects.

  1. QSO Broad Emission Line Asymmetries: Evidence of Gravitational Redshift?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Corbin, Michael R.

    1995-07-01

    The broad optical and ultraviolet emission lines of QSOs and active galactic nuclei (AGNs) display both redward and blueward asymmetries. This result is particularly well established for Hβ and C IV λ1549, and it has been found that Hβ becomes increasingly redward asymmetric with increasing soft X-ray luminosity. Two models for the origin of these asymmetries are investigated: (1) Anisotropic line emission from an ensemble of radially moving clouds, and (2) Two-component profiles consisting of a core of intermediate (˜1000-4000 km s-1) velocity width and a very broad (˜5000-20,000 km s-1) base, in which the asymmetries arise due to a velocity difference between the centroids of the components. The second model is motivated by the evidence that the traditional broad-line region is actually composed of an intermediate-line region (ILR) of optically thick clouds and a very broad line region (VBLR) of optically thin clouds lying closer to the central continuum source. Line profiles produced by model (1) are found to be inconsistent with those observed, being asymmetric mainly in their cores, whereas the asymmetries of actual profiles arise mainly from excess emission in their wings. By contrast, numerical fitting to actual Hβ and C IV λ1549 line profiles reveals that the majority can be accurately modeled by two components, either two Gaussians or the combination of a Gaussian base and a logarithmic core. The profile asymmetries in Hβ can be interpreted as arising from a shift of the base component over a range ˜6300 km s-1 relative to systemic velocity as defined by the position of the [O III] λ5007 line. A similar model appears to apply to C IV λ1549. The correlation between Hβ asymmetry and X-ray luminosity may thus be interpreted as a progressive red- shift of the VBLR velocity centroid relative to systemic velocity with increasing X-ray luminosity. This in turn suggests that the underlying effect is gravitational red shift, as soft X-ray emission arises from a region ˜ light-minutes in size and arguably traces the mass of the putative supermassive black hole. Depending on the size of the VBLR and the exact amount of its profile centroid shift, central masses in the range 109-10 Msun are implied for the objects displaying the strongest redward profile asymmetries, consistent with other estimates. The largest VBLR velocity dispersions measured from the two-component modeling are ˜20,000 km s-1, which also yields a virial mass ˜109 Msun for a VBLR size 0.1 pc. The gravitational redshift model does not explain the origin of the blueshift of the VBLR emission among low X-ray luminosity sources, however. This must be interpreted as arising from a competing effect such as electron scattering of line photons in the vicinity of the VBLR. On average, radio-loud objects have redward asymmetric broad-line profiles and stronger intermediate- and narrow-line emission than radio-quiet objects of comparable optical luminosity. Under the gravitational redshift model these differences may be interpreted as the result of black hole and host galaxy masses that are larger on average among the former class, consistent with the evidence that they are merger products.

  2. BROAD Hβ EMISSION-LINE VARIABILITY IN A SAMPLE OF 102 LOCAL ACTIVE GALAXIES

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

    Runco, Jordan N.; Cosens, Maren; Bennert, Vardha N.

    2016-04-10

    A sample of 102 local (0.02 ≤ z ≤ 0.1) Seyfert galaxies with black hole masses M{sub BH} > 10{sup 7}M{sub ⊙} was selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and observed using the Keck 10 m telescope to study the scaling relations between M{sub BH} and host galaxy properties. We study profile changes of the broad Hβ emission line within the three to nine year time frame between the two sets of spectra. The variability of the broad Hβ emission line is of particular interest, not only because it is used to estimate M{sub BH}, but also because its strengthmore » and width are used to classify Seyfert galaxies into different types. At least some form of broad-line variability (in either width or flux) is observed in the majority (∼66%) of the objects, resulting in a Seyfert-type change for ∼38% of the objects, likely driven by variable accretion and/or obscuration. The broad Hβ line virtually disappears in 3/102 (∼3%) extreme cases. We discuss potential causes for these changing look active galactic nuclei. While similar dramatic transitions have previously been reported in the literature, either on a case-by-case basis or in larger samples focusing on quasars at higher redshifts, our study provides statistical information on the frequency of Hβ line variability in a sample of low-redshift Seyfert galaxies.« less

  3. 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.

  4. CFHT and VLT Identify Extremely Remote Galaxy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    2003-05-01

    Top Telescopes Peer into the Distant Past Summary With improved telescopes and instruments, observations of extremely remote and faint galaxies have become possible that were until recently astronomers' dreams. One such object was found by a team of astronomers [2] with a wide-field camera installed at the Canada-France-Hawaii telescope at Mauna Kea (Hawaii, USA) during a search for extremely distant galaxies. Designated "z6VDF J022803-041618" , it was detected because of its unusual colour , being visible only on images obtained through a special optical filter isolating light in a narrow near-infrared band. A follow-up spectrum of this object with the FORS2 multi-mode instrument at the ESO Very Large Telescope (VLT) confirmed that it is a very distant galaxy (the redshift is 6.17 [3]). It is seen as it was when the Universe was only about 900 million years old . z6VDF J022803-041618 is one of the most distant galaxies for which spectra have been obtained so far. Interestingly, it was discovered because of the light emitted by its massive stars and not, as originally expected, from emission by hydrogen gas. PR Photo 13a/03 : Emission from the Earth's atmosphere. PR Photo 13b/03 : CHFT images of the very remote galaxy z6VDF J022803-041618. PR Photo 13c/03 : VLT spectrum of very remote galaxy z6VDF J022803-041618. PR Photo 13d/03 : Cleaned tracing of the VLT spectrum. A brief history of the early Universe Most scientists agree that the Universe emanated from a hot and extremely dense initial state in a Big Bang . The latest observations indicate that this crucial event took place about 13,700 million years ago . During the first few minutes, enormous quantities of hydrogen and helium nuclei with protons and neutrons were produced. There were also lots of free electrons and during the following epoch, the numerous photons were scattered from these and the atomic nuclei. At this stage, the Universe was completely opaque. After some 100,000 years, the Universe had cooled down to a few thousand degrees and the nuclei and electrons now combined to form atoms. The photons were then no longer scattered from these and the Universe suddenly became transparent . Cosmologists refer to this moment as the "recombination epoch" . The microwave background radiation we now observe from all directions depicts the state of great uniformity in the Universe at that distant epoch. In the next phase, the primeval atoms - more than 99% of which were of hydrogen and helium - moved together and began to form huge clouds from which stars and galaxies later emerged . The first generation of stars and, somewhat later, the first galaxies and quasars [4], produced intensive ultraviolet radiation. That radiation did not travel very far, however, despite the fact that the Universe had become transparent a long time ago. This is because the ultraviolet (short-wavelength) photons would be immediately absorbed by the hydrogen atoms, "knocking" electrons off those atoms, while longer-wavelength photons could travel much farther. The intergalactic gas thus again became ionized in steadily growing spheres around the ionizing sources. At some moment, these spheres had become so big that they overlapped completely; this is referred to as the "epoch of re-ionization" . Until then, the ultraviolet radiation was absorbed by the atoms, but the Universe now also became transparent to this radiation. Before, the ultraviolet light from those first stars and galaxies could not be seen over large distances, but now the Universe suddenly appeared to be full of bright objects. It is for this reason that the time interval between the epochs of "recombination" and "re-ionization" is referred to as the "Dark Ages" . When was the end of the "Dark Ages"? The exact epoch of re-ionization is a subject of active debate among astronomers, but recent results from ground and space observations indicate that the "Dark Ages" lasted a few hundred million years . Various research programmes are now underway which attempt to determine better when these early events happened. For this, it is necesary to find and study in detail the earliest and hence, most distant, objects in the Universe - and this is a very demanding observational endeavour. Light is dimmed by the square of the distance and the further we look out in space to observe an object - and therefore the further back in time we see it - the fainter it appears. At the same time, its dim light is shifted towards the red region of the spectrum due to the expansion of the Universe - the larger the distance, the larger the observed redshift [3]. The Lyman-alpha emission line With ground-based telescopes, the faintest detection limits are achieved by observations in the visible part of the spectrum. The detection of very distant objects therefore requires observations of ultraviolet spectral signatures which have been redshifted into the visible region. Normally, the astronomers use for this the redshifted Lyman-alpha spectral emission line with rest wavelength 121.6 nm; it corresponds to photons emitted by hydrogen atoms when they change from an excited state to their fundamental state. One obvious way of searching for the most distant galaxies is therefore to search for Lyman-alpha emission at the reddest (longest) possible wavelengths . The longer the wavelength of the observed Lyman-alpha line, the larger is the redshift and the distance, and the earlier is the epoch at which we see the galaxy and the closer we come towards the moment that marked the end of the "Dark Ages". CCD-detectors used in astronomical instruments (as well as in commercial digital cameras) are sensitive to light of wavelengths up to about 1000 nm (1 µm), i.e., in the very near-infrared spectral region, beyond the reddest light that can be perceived by the human eye at about 700-750 nm. The bright near-infrared night sky ESO PR Photo 13a/03 ESO PR Photo 13a/03 [Preview - JPEG: 759 x 400 pix - 37k [Normal - JPEG: 1518 x 800 pix - 248k] Caption : PR Photo 13a/03 shows a spectrum of emission by the terrestrial atmosphere. In the spectral region above 700 nm, this emission is dominated by strong lines from the OH molecule. By observing in "windows" of low OH emission, such as those around 820 or 920 nm, the "noise" caused by the OH-emission is strongly reduced and it is possible to detect fainter celestial objects. There is another problem, however, for this kind of work. The search for faint Lyman-alpha emission from distant galaxies is complicated by the fact that the terrestrial atmosphere - through which all ground-based telescopes must look - also emits light . This is particularly so in the red and near-infrared part of the spectrum where hundreds of discrete emission lines originate from the hydroxyl molecule (the OH radical) that is present in the upper terrestrial atmosphere at an altitude of about 80 km (see PR Photo 13a/03 ). This strong emission which the astronomers refer to as the "sky background" is responsible for the faintness limit at which celestial objects can be detected with ground-based telescopes at near-infrared wavelengths. However, there are fortunately spectral intervals of "low OH-background" where these emission lines are much fainter, thus allowing a fainter detection limit from ground observations. Two such "dark-sky windows" are evident in PR Photo 13a/03 near wavelengths of 820 and 920 nm. Considering these aspects, a promising way to search efficiently for the most distant galaxies is therefore to observe at wavelengths near 920 nm by means of a narrow-band optical filter. Adapting the spectral width of this filter to about 10 nm allows the detection of as much light from the celestial objects as possible when emitted in a spectral line matching the filter, while minimizing the adverse influence of the sky emission. In other words, with a maximum of light collected from the distant objects and a minimum of disturbing light from the terrestrial atmosphere, the chances for detecting those distant objects are optimal. The astronomers talk about "maximizing the contrast" of objects showing emission lines at this wavelength. The CFHT Search Programme ESO PR Photo 13b/03 ESO PR Photo 13b/03 [Preview - JPEG: 494 x 400 pix - 83k [Normal - JPEG: 987 x 800 pix - 920k] Caption : PR Photo 13b/03 displays the image of a particular object (at the center), as seen at various wavelengths (colours) on CCD-frames obtained through different optical filters with the CFH12K camera at the CFHT. The object is only visible in the NB920 frame in which emission at the near-infrared wavelength 920 nm is registered (upper left). It is not seen in any of the others ( B lue [450 nm], V isual [550 nm], R ed [650 nm], I [800 nm]), nor in a combination of these (the "sum" of BVRI , the so-called "detection" image, here labeled as "Det"; it is used to detect closer objects from their optical colours for spectroscopic follow-up observations). The indicated object was later shown to be an extremely distant galaxy and has been designated z6VDF J022803-041618 . Each of the six photos covers 20 x 20 arcsec 2 ; North is up, East is right. Based on the above considerations, an international team of astronomers [2] installed a narrow-band optical filter centered at the near-infrared wavelength 920 nm on the CFH12K instrument at the Canada-France-Hawaii telescope on Mauna Kea (Hawaii, USA) to search for extremely distant galaxies. The CFH12K is a wide-field camera used at the prime focus of the CFHT, providing a field-of-view of approx. 30 x 40 arcmin 2 , somewhat larger than the full moon [5]. By comparing images of the same sky field taken through different filters, the astronomers were able to identify objects which appear comparatively "bright" in the NB920 image and "faint" (or are even not visible) in the corresponding images obtained through the other filters. A striking example is shown in PR Photo 13b/03 - the object at the center is well visible in the 920nm image, but not at all in the other images. The most probable explanation for an object with such an unusual colour is that it is a very distant galaxy for which the observed wavelength of the strong Lyman-alpha emission line is close to 920 nm, due to the redshift. Any light emitted by the galaxy at wavelengths shorter than Lyman-alpha is strongly absorbed by intervening interstellar and intergalactic hydrogen gas; this is the reason that the object is not visible in all the other filters. The VLT spectrum ESO PR Photo 13c/03 ESO PR Photo 13c/03 [Preview - JPEG: 756 x 300 pix - 68k [Normal - JPEG: 1512 x 600 pix - 552k] ESO PR Photo 13d/03 ESO PR Photo 13d/03 [Preview - JPEG: 479 x 400 pix - 41k [Normal - JPEG: 957 x 800 pix - 272k] Captions : PR Photo 13c/03 shows a spectroscopic image (between the horizontal arrows) of the very distant galaxy z6VDF J022803-041618 at the center of PR Photo 13b/03 , obtained with the multi-mode FORS2 instrument at the 8.2-m VLT YEPUN telescope at the ESO Paranal Observatory. The horizontal axis shows the dispersed light, with wavelengths increasing from left to right. In this spectral image, the bright emission lines from OH molecules in the terrestrial atmosphere, cf. PR Photo 13a/03 , have been subtracted, but they still leave residual "imprints", visible as strong and "noisy" vertical bars. The "window" at wavelength 920 nm is clearly visible on the right side of the image; in this region, there is much less "noise" from the OH-lines. The dark spot at the bottom left of the image is the Lyman-alpha line of the object. The adjacent "continuum" emission from the object, although very faint, is clearly visible on the long-wavelength side (to the right) of the Lyman-alpha line. There is no such continuum emission detected on the short-wavelength side (to the left) of the Lyman alpha line. Together with the observed asymmetry of the line, this is a clear spectral fingerprint of the redshifted Lyman-alpha emission line from a distant galaxy. PR Photo 13d/03 shows a tracing of the spectrum of this galaxy, as extracted from the image in PR Photo 13c/03 . The strong emission line at wavelength 872 nm is the redshifted Lyman-alpha spectral line from the galaxy; it is shown in more detail in the insert panel. In order to learn the true nature of this object, it is necessary to perform a spectroscopic follow-up, by observing its spectrum. This was accomplished with the FORS 2 multi-mode instrument at the 8.2-m VLT YEPUN telescope at the ESO Paranal Observatory. This facility provides a perfect combination of moderate spectral resolution and high sensitivity in the red for this kind of very demanding observation. The resulting (faint) spectrum is shown in PR Photo 13c/03 . PR Photo 13d/03 shows a tracing of the final ("cleaned") spectrum of the object after extraction from the image shown in PR Photo 13c/03 . One broad emission line is clearly detected (to the left of the center; enlarged in the insert). It is asymmetric, being depressed on its blue (left) side. This, combined with the fact that no continuum light is detected to the left of the line, is a clear spectral signature of the Lyman-alpha line: photons "bluer" than Lyman-alpha are heavily absorbed by the gas present in the galaxy itself, and in the intergalactic medium along the line-of-sight between the Earth and the object. The spectroscopic observations therefore allowed the astronomers to identify unambiguously this line as Lyman-alpha, and therefore to confirm the great distance (high redshift) of this particular object. The measured redshift is 6.17, making this object one of the most distant galaxies ever detected . It received the designation "z6VDF J022803-041618" - the first part of this somewhat unwieldy name refers to the survey and the second indicates the position of this galaxy in the sky. Starlight in the early Universe However, these observations did not come without surprise! The astronomers had hoped (and expected) to detect the Lyman-alpha line from the object at the center of the 920 nm spectral window. However, while the Lyman-alpha line was found, it was positioned at a somewhat shorter wavelength. Thus, it was not the Lyman-alpha emission that caused this galaxy to be "bright" in the narrow-band (NB920) image, but "continuum" emission at wavelengths longer than that of Lyman-alpha . This radiation is very faintly visible as a horizontal, diffuse line in PR Photo 13c/03 . One consequence is that the measured redshift of 6.17 is lower than the originally predicted redshift of about 6.5. Another is that z6VDF J022803-041618 was detected by light from its massive stars (the "continuum") and not by emission from hydrogen gas (the Lyman-alpha line). This interesting conclusion is of particular interest as it shows that it is in principle possible to detect galaxies at this enormous distance without having to rely on the Lyman-alpha emission line, which may not always be present in the spectra of the distant galaxies. This will provide the astronomers with a more complete picture of the galaxy population in the early Universe. Moreover, observing more and more of these distant galaxies will help to better understand the ionization state of the Universe at this age: the ultraviolet light emitted by these galaxies should not reach us in a "neutral" Universe, i.e., before re-ionization occurred. The hunt for more such galaxies is now on to clarify how the transition from the Dark Ages happened!

  5. Steps Toward Unveiling the True Population of AGN: Photometric Selection of Broad-Line AGN

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schneider, Evan; Impey, C.

    2012-01-01

    We present an AGN selection technique that enables identification of broad-line AGN using only photometric data. An extension of infrared selection techniques, our method involves fitting a given spectral energy distribution with a model consisting of three physically motivated components: infrared power law emission, optical accretion disk emission, and host galaxy emission. Each component can be varied in intensity, and a reduced chi-square minimization routine is used to determine the optimum parameters for each object. Using this model, both broad- and narrow-line AGN are seen to fall within discrete ranges of parameter space that have plausible bounds, allowing physical trends with luminosity and redshift to be determined. Based on a fiducial sample of AGN from the catalog of Trump et al. (2009), we find the region occupied by broad-line AGN to be distinct from that of quiescent or star-bursting galaxies. Because this technique relies only on photometry, it will allow us to find AGN at fainter magnitudes than are accessible in spectroscopic surveys, and thus probe a population of less luminous and/or higher redshift objects. With the vast availability of photometric data in large surveys, this technique should have broad applicability and result in large samples that will complement X-ray AGN catalogs.

  6. FUor and EXor Variables, a NIR High-Resolution Spectroscopic Survey

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liskowsky, Joseph Paul

    To better understand the labyrinth of heating and cooling processes in YSOs (young stellar objects), we study systems where there exists a large variability in the heating of this gas due to accretion. This research project focuses on several classes of early young eruptable T-Tauri stars, namely the FUors, the EXors and the so-called FU Ori-like, which all have the property of large amplitude oscillations in accretion rate. Each of these categories may well represent specific stages in early low-mass stellar evolution. While these objects have specific spectroscopic and circumstellar diagnostics (as means of identification) our research suggests that there are at least several objects that defy (typical) classification. The young objects ZCMa and L1551 IRS5 both show circumstellar diagnostics different from what is expected for an FUor (though ZCMa and L1551 are classified as such). In ZCMa we see an obvious accretion event, but the ro-vibrational overtone lines of CO are in emission. Typically, for an accreting FUor, these lines would be in absorption due to the physics of the disk. Very strangely, we see the fundamental lines in emission. Because of the relationship between the Einstein A coefficients for these transitions, we would expect to see either both the fundamental and overtone lines together in emission or absorption. This mystery may be solved by modeling and before we can make an intelligent claim about the heating mechanisms in YSOs, we need to understand these special cases first (it may turn out that these are not-so-special after-all and are indicative of a subclass of the FUor or EXor class).

  7. Soft X-Ray Emission Lines from a Relativistic Accretion Disk in MCG -6-30-15 and Mrk 766

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Branduardi-Raymont, G.; Sako, M.; Kahn, S. M.; Brinkman, A. C.; Kaastra, J. S.; Page, M. J.

    2000-01-01

    XMM-Newton Reflection Grating Spectrometer (RGS) spectra of the Narrow Line Seyfert 1 galaxies MCG -6-30-15 and Mrk 766 are physically and spectroscopically inconsistent with standard models comprising a power-law continuum absorbed by either cold or ionized matter. We propose that the remarkably similar features detected in both objects in the 5 - 35 A band are H-like oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon emission lines, gravitation- ally redshifted and broadened by relativistic effects in the vicinity of a Kerr black hole. We discuss the implications of our interpretation, and demonstrate that the derived parameters can be physically self-consistent.

  8. BI Crucis - A new symbiotic star

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Henize, K. G.; Carlson, E. D.

    1980-01-01

    A Mount Stromlo spectrogram of BI Cru taken in 1962 shows emission lines of H I, He I, He II, Fe II, N III, and the forbidden O III, forbidden Ne III, and forbidden S II transitions superposed on a weak bluish continuum. A spectrogram by Allen in 1974 shows emission lines of H I and Fe II and possibly weak He I, forbidden Fe II, and forbidden O I lines superposed on an M-star absorption spectrum. The object is evidently a symbiotic star showing large variations in its spectral character. Significant differences exist in the mean ion velocities and appear to be correlated with ionization potential.

  9. The Number Density Evolution of Extreme Emission Line Galaxies in 3D-HST: Results from a Novel Automated Line Search Technique for Slitless Spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Maseda, Michael V.; van der Wel, Arjen; Rix, Hans-Walter; Momcheva, Ivelina; Brammer, Gabriel B.; Franx, Marijn; Lundgren, Britt F.; Skelton, Rosalind E.; Whitaker, Katherine E.

    2018-02-01

    The multiplexing capability of slitless spectroscopy is a powerful asset in creating large spectroscopic data sets, but issues such as spectral confusion make the interpretation of the data challenging. Here we present a new method to search for emission lines in the slitless spectroscopic data from the 3D-HST survey utilizing the Wide-Field Camera 3 on board the Hubble Space Telescope. Using a novel statistical technique, we can detect compact (extended) emission lines at 90% completeness down to fluxes of 1.5(3.0)× {10}-17 {erg} {{{s}}}-1 {{cm}}-2, close to the noise level of the grism exposures, for objects detected in the deep ancillary photometric data. Unlike previous methods, the Bayesian nature allows for probabilistic line identifications, namely redshift estimates, based on secondary emission line detections and/or photometric redshift priors. As a first application, we measure the comoving number density of Extreme Emission Line Galaxies (restframe [O III] λ5007 equivalent widths in excess of 500 Å). We find that these galaxies are nearly 10× more common above z ∼ 1.5 than at z ≲ 0.5. With upcoming large grism surveys such as Euclid and WFIRST, as well as grisms featured prominently on the NIRISS and NIRCam instruments on the James Webb Space Telescope, methods like the one presented here will be crucial for constructing emission line redshift catalogs in an automated and well-understood manner. This work is based on observations taken by the 3D-HST Treasury Program and the CANDELS Multi-Cycle Treasury Program with the NASA/ESA HST, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under NASA contract NAS5-26555.

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

    Szulagyi, Judit; Pascucci, Ilaria; Abraham, Peter

    Mid-infrared atomic and ionic line ratios measured in spectra of pre-main-sequence stars are sensitive indicators of the hardness of the radiation field impinging on the disk surface. We present a low-resolution Spitzer IRS search for [Ar II] at 6.98 {mu}m, [Ne II] at 12.81 {mu}m, and [Ne III] 15.55 {mu}m lines in 56 transitional disks. These objects, characterized by reduced near-infrared but strong far-infrared excess emission, are ideal targets to set constraints on the stellar radiation field onto the disk, because their spectra are not contaminated by shock emission from jets/outflows or by molecular emission lines. After demonstrating that wemore » can detect [Ne II] lines and recover their fluxes from the low-resolution spectra, here we report the first detections of [Ar II] lines toward protoplanetary disks. We did not detect [Ne III] emission in any of our sources. Our [Ne II]/[Ne III] line flux ratios combined with literature data suggest that a soft-EUV or X-ray spectrum produces these gas lines. Furthermore, the [Ar II]/[Ne II] line flux ratios point to a soft X-ray and/or soft-EUV stellar spectrum as the ionization source of the [Ar II] and [Ne II] emitting layer of the disk. If the soft X-ray component dominates over the EUV, then we would expect larger photoevaporation rates and, hence, a reduction of the time available to form planets.« less

  11. Mid Infrared Hydrogen Recombination Line Emission from the Maser Star MWC 349A

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Smith, Howard A.; Strelnitski, V.; Miles, J. W.; Kelly, D. M.; Lacy, J. H.

    1997-01-01

    We have detected and spectrally resolved the mid-IR hydrogen recombination lines H6(alpha)(12.372 micrometers), H7(alpha)(19.062 micrometers), H7(beta)(l1.309 micrometers) and H8(gamma)(12.385 micrometers) from the star MWC349A. This object has strong hydrogen maser emission (reported in the millimeter and submillimeter hydrogen recombination lines from H36(alpha) to H21(alpha)) and laser emission (reported in the H15(alpha), H12(alpha) and H10(alpha) lines). The lasers/masers are thought to arise predominantly in a Keplerian disk around the star. The mid-IR lines do not show evident signs of lasing, and can be well modeled as arising from the strong stellar wind, with a component arising from a quasi-static atmosphere around the disk, similar to what is hypothesized for the near IR (less than or equal to 4 micrometers) recombination lines. Since populations inversions in the levels producing these mid-IR transitions are expected at densities up to approximately 10(exp 11)/cu cm, these results imply either that the disk does not contain high-density ionized gas over long enough path lengths to produce a gain approximately 1, and/or that any laser emission from such regions is small compared to the spontaneous background emission from the rest of the source as observed with a large beam. The results reinforce the interpretation of the far-IR lines as true lasers.

  12. Nova V2362 Cygni (Nova Cygni 2006): Spitzer, Swift, and Ground-Based Spectral Evolution

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lynch, David K.; Venturini, Catherine C.; Mazuk, S.; Woodward, Charles; Gehrz, Robert; Rayner, John; Helton, L.A.; Ness, Jan-Uwe; Starrfield, Sumner; Rudy, Richard J.; hide

    2008-01-01

    Nova V2362 Cygni has undergone a number of very unusual changes. Ground-based spectroscopy initially revealed a normal sequence of events: the object faded and its near-infrared emission lines gradually shifted to higher excitation conditions until about day 100 when the optical fading reversed and the object slowly brightened. This was accompanied by a rise in the Swift X-ray telescope flux and a sudden shift in excitation of the visible and IR spectrum back to low levels. The new lower excitation spectrum revealed broad line widths and many P-Cygni profiles, all indicative of the ejection of a second shell. Eventually, dust formed, the X-ray brightness -- apparently unaffected by dust formation -- peaked and then declined, and the object faded at all wavelengths. The Spitzer dust spectra revealed a number of solid-state emission features that, at this time, are not identified.

  13. XMM-Newton Observations of Solar Wind Charge Exchange Emission

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Snowden, S. L.; Collier, M. R.; Kuntz, K. D.

    2004-01-01

    We present an XMM-Newton spectrum of diffuse X-ray emission from within the solar system. The spectrum is dominated by O VII and O VIII lines at 0.57 keV and 0.65 keV, O VIII (and possibly Fe XVII) lines at approximately 0.8 keV, Ne IX lines at approximately 0.92 keV, and Mg XI lines at approximately 1.35 keV. This spectrum is consistent with what is expected from charge exchange emission between the highly ionized solar wind and either interstellar neutrals in the heliosphere or material from Earth's exosphere. The emission is clearly seen as a low-energy ( E less than 1.5 keV) spectral enhancement in one of a series of observations of the Hubble Deep Field North. The X-ray enhancement is concurrent with an enhancement in the solar wind measured by the ACE satellite. The solar wind enhancement reaches a flux level an order of magnitude more intense than typical fluxes at 1 AU, and has ion ratios with significantly enhanced higher ionization states. Whereas observations of the solar wind plasma made at a single point reflect only local conditions which may only be representative of solar wind properties with spatial scales ranging from less than half of an Earth radii (approximately 10 s) to 100 Earth radii, X-ray observations of solar wind charge exchange are remote sensing measurements which may provide observations which are significantly more global in character. Besides being of interest in its own right for studies of the solar system, this emission can have significant consequences for observations of more cosmological objects. It can provide emission lines at zero redshift which are of particular interest (e.g., O VII and O VIII) in studies of diffuse thermal emission, and which can therefore act as contamination in objects which cover the entire detector field of view. We propose the use of solar wind monitoring data, such as from the ACE and Wind spacecraft, as a diagnostic to screen for such possibilities.

  14. Reddening and He i{sup ∗} λ 10830 Absorption Lines in Three Narrow-line Seyfert 1 Galaxies

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

    Zhang, Shaohua; Zhou, Hongyan; Shi, Xiheng

    We report the detection of heavy reddening and the He i* λ 10830 absorption lines at the active galactic nucleus (AGN) redshift in three narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies: SDSS J091848.61+211717.0, SDSS J111354.66+124439.0, and SDSS J122749.13+321458.9. They exhibit very red optical to near-infrared colors, narrow Balmer/Paschen broad emission lines and He i* λ 10830 absorption lines. The ultraviolet-optical-infrared nucleus continua are reddened by the SMC extinction law of E ( B − V ) ∼ 0.74, 1.17, and 1.24 mag for three objects, which are highly consistent with the values obtained from the broad-line Balmer decrements, but larger than those ofmore » narrow emission lines. The reddening analysis suggests that the extinction dust simultaneously obscures the accretion disk, the broad emission-line region, and the hot dust from the inner edge of the torus. It is possible that the dust obscuring the AGN structures is the dusty torus itself. Furthermore, the Cloudy analysis of the He i* λ 10830 absorption lines proposes the distance of the absorption materials to be the extend scale of the torus, which greatly increases probabilities of the obscure and absorption materials being the dusty torus.« less

  15. GASPS—A Herschel Survey of Gas and Dust in Protoplanetary Disks: Summary and Initial Statistics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dent, W. R. F.; Thi, W. F.; Kamp, I.; Williams, J. P.; Menard, F.; Andrews, S.; Ardila, D.; Aresu, G.; Augereau, J.-C.; Barrado y Navascues, D.; Brittain, S.; Carmona, A.; Ciardi, D.; Danchi, W.; Donaldson, J.; Duchene, G.; Eiroa, C.; Fedele, D.; Grady, C.; de Gregorio-Molsalvo, I.; Howard, C.; Huélamo, N.; Krivov, A.; Lebreton, J.; Liseau, R.; Martin-Zaidi, C.; Mathews, G.; Meeus, G.; Mendigutía, I.; Montesinos, B.; Morales-Calderon, M.; Mora, A.; Nomura, H.; Pantin, E.; Pascucci, I.; Phillips, N.; Pinte, C.; Podio, L.; Ramsay, S. K.; Riaz, B.; Riviere-Marichalar, P.; Roberge, A.; Sandell, G.; Solano, E.; Tilling, I.; Torrelles, J. M.; Vandenbusche, B.; Vicente, S.; White, G. J.; Woitke, P.

    2013-05-01

    We describe a large-scale far-infrared line and continuum survey of protoplanetary disk through to young debris disk systems carried out using the ACS instrument on the Herschel Space Observatory. This Open Time Key program, known as GASPS (Gas Survey of Protoplanetary Systems), targeted ~250 young stars in narrow wavelength regions covering the [OI] fine structure line at 63 μm the brightest far-infrared line in such objects. A subset of the brightest targets were also surveyed in [OI]145 μm, [CII] at 157 μm, as well as several transitions of H2O and high-excitation CO lines at selected wavelengths between 78 and 180 μm. Additionally, GASPS included continuum photometry at 70, 100 and 160 μm, around the peak of the dust emission. The targets were SED Class II-III T Tauri stars and debris disks from seven nearby young associations, along with a comparable sample of isolated Herbig AeBe stars. The aim was to study the global gas and dust content in a wide sample of circumstellar disks, combining the results with models in a systematic way. In this overview paper we review the scientific aims, target selection and observing strategy of the program. We summarise some of the initial results, showing line identifications, listing the detections, and giving a first statistical study of line detectability. The [OI] line at 63 μm was the brightest line seen in almost all objects, by a factor of ~10. Overall [OI]63 μm detection rates were 49%, with 100% of HAeBe stars and 43% of T Tauri stars detected. A comparison with published disk dust masses (derived mainly from sub-mm continuum, assuming standard values of the mm mass opacity) shows a dust mass threshold for [OI]63 μm detection of ~10-5 Msolar. Normalising to a distance of 140 pc, 84% of objects with dust masses >=10-5 Msolar can be detected in this line in the present survey; 32% of those of mass 10-6-10-5 Msolar, and only a very small number of unusual objects with lower masses can be detected. This is consistent with models with a moderate UV excess and disk flaring. For a given disk mass, [OI] detectability is lower for M stars compared with earlier spectral types. Both the continuum and line emission was, in most systems, spatially and spectrally unresolved and centred on the star, suggesting that emission in most cases was from the disk. Approximately 10 objects showed resolved emission, most likely from outflows. In the GASPS sample, [OI] detection rates in T Tauri associations in the 0.3-4 Myr age range were ~50%. For each association in the 5-20 Myr age range, ~2 stars remain detectable in [OI]63 μm, and no systems were detected in associations with age >20 Myr. Comparing with the total number of young stars in each association, and assuming a ISM-like gas/dust ratio, this indicates that ~18% of stars retain a gas-rich disk of total mass ~1 MJupiter for 1-4 Myr, 1-7% keep such disks for 5-10 Myr, but none are detected beyond 10-20 Myr. The brightest [OI] objects from GASPS were also observed in [OI]145 μm, [CII]157 μm and CO J = 18 - 17, with detection rates of 20-40%. Detection of the [CII] line was not correlated with disk mass, suggesting it arises more commonly from a compact remnant envelope.

  16. A {sup 13}CO Detection in a Brightest Cluster Galaxy

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

    Vantyghem, A. N.; McNamara, B. R.; Hogan, M. T.

    We present ALMA Cycle 4 observations of CO(1-0), CO(3-2), and {sup 13}CO(3-2) line emission in the brightest cluster galaxy (BCG) of RXJ0821+0752. This is one of the first detections of {sup 13}CO line emission in a galaxy cluster. Half of the CO(3-2) line emission originates from two clumps of molecular gas that are spatially offset from the galactic center. These clumps are surrounded by diffuse emission that extends 8 kpc in length. The detected {sup 13}CO emission is confined entirely to the two bright clumps, with any emission outside of this region lying below our detection threshold. Two distinct velocitymore » components with similar integrated fluxes are detected in the {sup 12}CO spectra. The narrower component (60 km s{sup −1} FWHM) is consistent in both velocity centroid and linewidth with {sup 13}CO(3-2) emission, while the broader (130–160 km s{sup −1}), slightly blueshifted wing has no associated {sup 13}CO(3-2) emission. A simple local thermodynamic model indicates that the {sup 13}CO emission traces 2.1 × 10{sup 9} M {sub ⊙} of molecular gas. Isolating the {sup 12}CO velocity component that accompanies the {sup 13}CO emission yields a CO-to-H{sub 2} conversion factor of α {sub CO} = 2.3 M {sub ⊙} (K km s{sup −1}){sup −1}, which is a factor of two lower than the Galactic value. Adopting the Galactic CO-to-H{sub 2} conversion factor in BCGs may therefore overestimate their molecular gas masses by a factor of two. This is within the object-to-object scatter from extragalactic sources, so calibrations in a larger sample of clusters are necessary in order to confirm a sub-Galactic conversion factor.« less

  17. Two Active States of the Narrow-Line Gamma-Ray-Loud AGN GB 1310 + 487

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sokolovsky, K. V.; Schinzel, F. K.; Tanaka, Y. T.; Abolmasov, P. K.; Angelakis, E.; Bulgarelli, A.; Carrasco, L.; Cenko, S. B.; Cheung, C. C.; Clubb, K. I.; hide

    2014-01-01

    Context. Previously unremarkable, the extragalactic radio source GB1310 487 showed gamma-ray flare on 2009 November 18, reaching a daily flux of approximately 10(exp -6) photons cm(exp -2) s(exp -1) at energies E greater than 100MeV and became one of the brightest GeV sources for about two weeks. Its optical spectrum shows strong forbidden-line emission while lacking broad permitted lines, which is not typical for a blazar. Instead, the spectrum resembles those of narrow emission-line galaxies. Aims. We investigate changes in the object's radio-to-GeV spectral energy distribution (SED) during and after the prominent gamma-ray flare with the aim of determining the nature of the object and of constraining the origin of the variable high-energy emission. Methods. The data collected by the Fermi and AGILE satellites at gamma-ray energies; Swift at X-ray and ultraviolet (UV); the Kanata, NOT, and Keck telescopes at optical; OAGH and WISE at infrared (IR); and IRAM30m, OVRO 40m, Effelsberg 100m, RATAN-600, and VLBA at radio are analyzed together to trace the SED evolution on timescales of months. Results. The gamma-ray radio-loud narrow-line active galactic nucleus (AGN) is located at redshift z = 0.638. It shines through an unrelated foreground galaxy at z = 0.500. The AGN light is probably amplified by gravitational lensing. The AGN SED shows a two-humped structure typical of blazars and gamma-ray-loud narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies, with the high-energy (inverse-Compton) emission dominating by more than an order of magnitude over the low-energy (synchrotron) emission during gamma-ray flares. The difference between the two SED humps is smaller during the low-activity state. Fermi observations reveal a strong correlation between the gamma-ray flux and spectral index, with the hardest spectrum observed during the brightest gamma-ray state. The gamma-ray flares occurred before and during a slow rising trend in the radio, but no direct association between gamma-ray and radio flares could be established. Conclusions. If the gamma-ray flux is a mixture of synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) and external Compton (EC) emission, the observed GeV spectral variability may result from varying relative contributions of these two emission components. This explanation fits the observed changes in the overall IR to gamma-ray SED.

  18. AG Dra -- a high density plasma laboratory

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Young, Peter

    2002-07-01

    A STIS observation of the symbiotic star AG Draconis yielding spectra in the range 1150--10 000 Angstrom is requested. AG Dra is a non-eclipsing binary that shows strong, narrow nebular emission lines that originate in the wind of a K giant, photoionized by a hot white dwarf. The density of the nebula is around 10^10 electrons/cm^3 and is the perfect laboratory for testing the plasma modeling codes cloudy and xstar at high densities. These codes are used for a wide range of astrophysical objects including stellar winds, accretion disks, active galactic nuclei and Seyfert galaxies, and calibrating them against high signal-to-noise spectra from comparatively simple systems is essential. AG Dra is the perfect high density laboratory for this work. In addition, many previously undetected emission lines will be found through the high sensitivity of STIS, which will allow new plasma diagnostics to be tested. These twin objectives are particularly pertinent as the high sensitivity of emphHST/COS will will permit similar high resolution spectroscopy to be applied to a whole new regime of extragalactic objects. By combining far-UV data from Ause with complementary data from STIS, we will determine ratios of emission lines from the same ion, or ions of similar ionization level. These will permit a more complete set of diagnostics than are obtainable from one instrument alone.

  19. Spectropolarimetry of Post-AGB Stars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Trammell, S. R.; Goodrich, R. W.; Dinerstein, H. L.

    1992-12-01

    We have used the technique of optical spectropolarimetry to investigate post-AGB stars, objects that represent the first stages of the transition from the AGB to a planetary nebula. Several of the observed objects display unpolarized emission lines superimposed on a highly polarized continuum. The continuum polarization provides evidence for the presence of an aspherical dust envelope early in the transition process. The observed objects were chosen from several samples: high latitude supergiants with IR excesses that are thought to be post-AGB stars (e.g. Bond et. al. 1984, PASP, 96, 176), their lower latitude counterparts (e.g. Hrivnak et. al. 1989, ApJ, 346, 265), post-AGB stars shown by Johnson & Jones (1991, AJ, 101, 1735) to have high broad band polarizations, and three highly polarized extreme carbon stars investigated by Cohen & Schmidt (1982, ApJ, 259, 693). GL 1403, an extreme carbon star, shows an abrupt position angle rotation at 6000 Angstroms, implying that at blue wavelengths we see a scattered stellar continuum, while the star itself is hidden from direct view. Longward of the position angle rotation, we begin to see the star directly. Menzies & Whitelock (1988, MNRAS, 233, 697) proposed that IRAS 20056+1834, an unreddened GO supergiant with very strong Na I emission lines and a large infrared excess, is a mass-losing star obscured from direct view, in which the photospheric light is seen in reflection. Our data support this interpretation; the Na I emission is unpolarized, indicating that it is produced in the shell, while the continuum is scattered and polarized (5-7%) by the aspherical shell of material. IRAS 20000+3239 also shows unpolarized Na I D emission and is probably similar to IRAS 20056+1834. IRC +10420 exhibits unpolarized Hα emission and GL 2699, an extreme carbon star, displays both polarized and unpolarized Hα as well as unpolarized low excitation forbidden [S II] and [O I] emission lines.

  20. Color-Space Outliers in DPOSS: Quasars and Peculiar Objects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Djorgovski, S. G.; Gal, R. R.; Mahabal, A.; Brunner, R.; Castro, S. M.; Odewahn, S. C.; de Carvalho, R. R.; DPOSS Team

    2000-12-01

    The processing of DPOSS, a digital version of the POSS-II sky atlas, is now nearly complete. The resulting Palomar--Norris Sky Catalog (PNSC) is expected to contain > 5 x 107 galaxies and > 109 stars, including large numbers of quasars and other unresolved sources. For objects morphologically classified as stellar (i.e., PSF-like), colors and magnitudes provide the only additional source of discriminating information. We investigate the distribution of objects in the parameter space of (g-r) and (r-i) colors as a function of magnitude. Normal stars form a well-defined (temperature) sequence in this parameter space, and we explore the nature of the objects which deviate significantly from this stellar locus. The causes of the deviations include: non-thermal or peculiar spectra, interagalactic absorption (for high-z quasars), presence of strong emission lines in one or more of the bandpasses, or strong variability (because the plates are taken at widely separated epochs). In addition to minor contamination by misclassified compact galaxies, we find the following: (1) Quasars at z > 4; to date, ~ 100 of these objects have been found, and used for a variety of follow-up studies. They are made publicly available immediately after discovery, through http://astro.caltech.edu/ ~george/z4.qsos. (2) Type-2 quasars in the redshift interval z ~ 0.31 - 0.38. (3) Other quasars, starburst and emission-line galaxies, and emission-line stars. (4) Objects with highly peculiar spectra, some or all of which may be rare subtypes of BAL QSOs. (5) Highly variable stars and optical transients, some of which may be GRB ``orphan afterglows''. To date, systematic searches have been made only for (1) and (2); other types of objects were found serendipitously. However, we plan to explore systematically all of the statistically significant outliers in this parameter space. This illustrates the potential of large digital sky surveys for discovery of rare types of objects, both known (e.g., high-z quasars) and as yet unknown.

  1. Luminous and Variable Stars in M31 and M33. IV. Luminous Blue Variables, Candidate LBVs, B[e] Supergiants, and the Warm Hypergiants: How to Tell Them Apart

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

    Humphreys, Roberta M.; Gordon, Michael S.; Hahn, David

    In this series of papers we have presented the results of a spectroscopic survey of luminous stars in the nearby spirals M31 and M33. Here, we present spectroscopy of 132 additional stars. Most have emission-line spectra, including luminous blue variables (LBVs) and candidate LBVs, Fe ii emission line stars, the B[e] supergiants, and the warm hypergiants. Many of these objects are spectroscopically similar and are often confused with each other. We examine their similarities and differences and propose the following guidelines that can be used to help distinguish these stars in future work. (1) The B[e] supergiants have emission linesmore » of [O i] and [Fe ii] in their spectra. Most of the spectroscopically confirmed sgB[e] stars also have warm circumstellar dust in their spectral energy distributions (SEDs). (2) Confirmed LBVs do not have the [O i] emission lines in their spectra. Some LBVs have [Fe ii] emission lines, but not all. Their SEDs show free–free emission in the near-infrared but no evidence for warm dust . Their most important and defining characteristic is the S Dor-type variability. (3) The warm hypergiants spectroscopically resemble the LBVs in their dense wind state and the B[e] supergiants. However, they are very dusty. Some have [Fe ii] and [O i] emission in their spectra like the sgB[e] stars, but are distinguished by their A- and F-type absorption-line spectra. In contrast, the B[e] supergiant spectra have strong continua and few if any apparent absorption lines. Candidate LBVs should share the spectral characteristics of the confirmed LBVs with low outflow velocities and the lack of warm circumstellar dust.« less

  2. Herschel - PACS Survey Of Protoplanetary Disks In Taurus - Auriga Observations Of [O I] And [C Ii], And Far-Infrared Continuum

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Howard, Christian; Sandell, Goeran; Vacca, William D.; Duchene, Gaspard; Matthews, Geoffrey; Augereau, Jean-Charles; Barbado, David; Dent, William R. F.; Eiroa, Carlos; Grady, Carol; hide

    2013-01-01

    The Herschel Space Observatory was used to observe approx. 120 pre-main-sequence stars in Taurus as part of the GASPS Open Time Key project. Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer was used to measure the continuum as well as several gas tracers such as [O I] 63 micron, [O I] 145 micron, [C II] 158, micron OH, H2O, and CO. The strongest line seen is [O I] at 63 micron. We find a clear correlation between the strength of the [O I] 63 micron line and the 63 micron continuum for disk sources. In outflow sources, the line emission can be up to 20 times stronger than in disk sources, suggesting that the line emission is dominated by the outflow. The tight correlation seen for disk sources suggests that the emission arises from the inner disk (<50 AU) and lower surface layers of the disk where the gas and dust are coupled. The [O I] 63 micron is fainter in transitional stars than in normal Class II disks. Simple spectral energy distribution models indicate that the dust responsible for the continuum emission is colder in these disks, leading to weaker line emission. [C II] 158 micron emission is only detected in strong outflow sources. The observed line ratios of [O I] 63 micron to [O I] 145 micron are in the regime where we are insensitive to the gas-to-dust ratio, neither can we discriminate between shock or photodissociation region emission. We detect no Class III object in [O I] 63 micron and only three in continuum, at least one of which is a candidate debris disk.

  3. High-resolution spectroscopy of the extremely iron-poor post-AGB star CC Lyr

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aoki, Wako; Matsuno, Tadafumi; Honda, Satoshi; Parthasarathy, Mudumba; Li, Haining; Suda, Takuma

    2017-04-01

    High-resolution optical spectroscopy was conducted for the metal-poor post-AGB star CC Lyr to determine its chemical abundances and spectral line profiles. Our standard abundance analysis confirms its extremely low metallicity ([Fe/H] < -3.5) and a clear correlation between abundance ratios and the condensation temperature for 11 elements, indicating that dust depletion is the cause of the abundance anomaly of this object. The very low abundances of Sr and Ba, which are detected for the first time for this object, suggest that heavy neutron-capture elements are not significantly enhanced in this object by the s-process during its evolution through the AGB phase. The radial velocity of this object and profiles of some atomic absorption lines show variations depending on pulsation phases, which could be formed by dynamics of the atmosphere rather than by binarity or contributions of circumstellar absorption. On the other hand, the Hα emission with double peaks shows no evident velocity shift, suggesting that the emission is originating from the circumstellar matter, presumably the rotating disk around the object.

  4. Unusual broad-line Mg II emitters among luminous galaxies in the baryon oscillation spectroscopic survey

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

    Roig, Benjamin; Blanton, Michael R.; Ross, Nicholas P.

    2014-02-01

    Many classes of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) have been observed and recorded since the discovery of Seyfert galaxies. In this paper, we examine the sample of luminous galaxies in the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey. We find a potentially new observational class of AGNs, one with strong and broad Mg II λ2799 line emission, but very weak emission in other normal indicators of AGN activity, such as the broad-line Hα, Hβ, and the near-ultraviolet AGN continuum, leading to an extreme ratio of broad Hα/Mg II flux relative to normal quasars. Meanwhile, these objects' narrow-line flux ratios reveal AGN narrow-line regions withmore » levels of activity consistent with the Mg II fluxes and in agreement with that of normal quasars. These AGN may represent an extreme case of the Baldwin effect, with very low continuum and high equivalent width relative to typical quasars, but their ratio of broad Mg II to broad Balmer emission remains very unusual. They may also be representative of a class of AGN where the central engine is observed indirectly with scattered light. These galaxies represent a small fraction of the total population of luminous galaxies (≅ 0.1%), but are more likely (about 3.5 times) to have AGN-like nuclear line emission properties than other luminous galaxies. Because Mg II is usually inaccessible for the population of nearby galaxies, there may exist a related population of broad-line Mg II emitters in the local universe which is currently classified as narrow-line emitters (Seyfert 2 galaxies) or low ionization nuclear emission-line regions.« less

  5. DISCOVERY OF A WOLF-RAYET STAR THROUGH DETECTION OF ITS PHOTOMETRIC VARIABILITY

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

    Littlefield, Colin; Garnavich, Peter; McClelland, Colin

    We report the serendipitous discovery of a heavily reddened Wolf-Rayet star that we name WR 142b. While photometrically monitoring a cataclysmic variable, we detected weak variability in a nearby field star. Low-resolution spectroscopy revealed a strong emission line at 7100 A, suggesting an unusual object and prompting further study. A spectrum taken with the Hobby-Eberly Telescope confirms strong He II emission and an N IV 7112 A line consistent with a nitrogen-rich Wolf-Rayet star of spectral class WN6. Analysis of the He II line strengths reveals no detectable hydrogen in WR 142b. A blue-sensitive spectrum obtained with the Large Binocularmore » Telescope shows no evidence for a hot companion star. The continuum shape and emission line ratios imply a reddening of E(B - V) = 2.2-2.6 mag. We estimate that the distance to WR 142b is 1.4 {+-} 0.3 kpc.« less

  6. Radio observations of globulettes in the Carina nebula

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Haikala, L. K.; Gahm, G. F.; Grenman, T.; Mäkelä, M. M.; Persson, C. M.

    2017-06-01

    Context. The Carina nebula hosts a large number of globulettes. An optical study of these tiny molecular clouds shows that the majority are of planetary mass, but there are also those with masses of several tens up to a few hundred Jupiter masses. Aims: We seek to search for, and hopefully detect, molecular line emission from some of the more massive objects; in case of successful detection we aim to map their motion in the Carina nebula complex and derive certain physical properties. Methods: We carried out radio observations of molecular line emission in 12CO and 13CO (2-1) and (3-2) of 12 globulettes in addition to positions in adjacent shell structures using APEX. Results: All selected objects were detected with radial velocities shifted relative to the emission from related shell structures and background molecular clouds. Globulettes along the western part of an extended dust shell show a small spread in velocity with small velocity shifts relative to the shell. This system of globulettes and shell structures in the foreground of the bright nebulosity surrounding the cluster Trumpler 14 is expanding with a few km s-1 relative to the cluster. A couple of isolated globulettes in the area move at similar speed. Compared to similar studies of the molecular line emission from globulettes in the Rosette nebula, we find that the integrated line intensity ratios and line widths are very different. The results show that the Carina objects have a different density/temperature structure than those in the Rosette nebula. In comparison the apparent size of the Carina globulettes is smaller, owing to the larger distance, and the corresponding beam filling factors are small. For this reason we were unable to carry out a more detailed modelling of the structure of the Carina objects in the way as performed for the Rosette objects. Conclusions: The Carina globulettes observed are compact and denser than objects of similar mass in the Rosette nebula. The distribution and velocities of these globulettes suggest that they have originated from eroding shells and elephant trunks. Some globulettes in the Trumpler 14 region are quite isolated and located far from any shell structures. These objects move at a similar speed as the globulettes along the shell, suggesting that they once formed from cloud fragments related to the same foreground shell. Based on observations collected with the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment (APEX), Llano Chajnantor, Chile (O-091.F-9316A and O-094.F-9312A).The final reduced radio data (FITS format) are available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (http://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/602/A61

  7. X-shooter spectroscopy of young stellar objects. IV. Accretion in low-mass stars and substellar objects in Lupus

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Alcalá, J. M.; Natta, A.; Manara, C. F.; Spezzi, L.; Stelzer, B.; Frasca, A.; Biazzo, K.; Covino, E.; Randich, S.; Rigliaco, E.; Testi, L.; Comerón, F.; Cupani, G.; D'Elia, V.

    2014-01-01

    We present VLT/X-shooter observations of a sample of 36 accreting low-mass stellar and substellar objects (YSOs) in the Lupus star-forming region, spanning a range in mass from ~0.03 to ~1.2 M⊙, but mostly with 0.1 M⊙

  8. Abundance Analysis of 17 Planetary Nebulae from High-Resolution Optical Spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sherrard, Cameroun G.; Sterling, Nicholas C.; Dinerstein, Harriet L.; Madonna, Simone; Mashburn, Amanda

    2017-06-01

    We present an abundance analysis of 17 planetary nebulae (PNe) observed with the 2D-coudé echelle spectrograph on the 2.7-m Harlan J. Smith telescope at McDonald Observatory. The spectra cover the wavelength range 3600--10,400 Å at a resolution R = 36,700, and are the first high-resolution optical spectra for many objects in our sample. The number of emission lines detected in individual nebulae range from ~125 to over 600. We derive temperatures, densities, and abundances from collisionally-excited lines using the PyNeb package (Luridiana et al. 2015, A&A, 573, A42) and the ionization correction factor scheme of Delgado-Inglada et al. (2014, MNRAS, 440, 536). The abundances of light elements agree with previous estimates for most of the PNe. Several objects exhibit emission lines of refractory elements such as K and Fe, and neutron-capture elements that can be enriched by the s-process. We find that K and Fe are depleted relative to solar by ~0.3--0.7~dex and 1-2 dex, respectively, and find evidence for s-process enrichments in 10 objects. Several objects in our sample exhibit C, N, and O recombination lines that are useful for abundance determinations. These transitions are used to compute abundance discrepancy factors (ADFs), the ratio of ionic abundances derived from permitted lines to those from collisionally-excited transitions. We explore relations among depletion factors, ADFs, s-process enrichment factors, and other nebular stellar and nebular properties. We acknowledge support from NSF awards AST-901432 and AST-0708429.

  9. Spitzer IRS Observations of Low-Mass Seyfert Galaxies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Thornton, Carol E.; Barth, A. J.; Greene, J. E.; Ho, L. C.

    2009-05-01

    The Sloan Digital Sky Survey has made it possible to identify the first samples of active galaxies with estimated black hole masses below 106 solar masses. We have obtained Spitzer IRS low-resolution spectra, covering 5-30 microns, of a sample of 41 Seyfert galaxies with low-mass black holes. Our sample includes SDSS-selected objects from the low-mass Seyfert 1 sample of Greene & Ho (2004) and the low-mass Seyfert 2 sample of Barth et al. (2008), as well as NGC 4395 and POX 52. The goals of this work are to examine the dust emission properties of these objects and investigate the relationship between Type 1 and Type 2 AGNs at low luminosities and low masses, to search for evidence of star formation, and to use emission-line diagnostics to constrain physical conditions within the narrow-line regions. We will present preliminary results from this project, including measurements of continuum shapes and dust temperatures, narrow-line region diagnostics, and PAH features, derived using the IDL code PAHFIT (Smith et al. 2007).

  10. ALMA Detections of CO Emission in the Most Luminous, Heavily Dust-obscured Quasars at z > 3

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fan, Lulu; Knudsen, Kirsten K.; Fogasy, Judit; Drouart, Guillaume

    2018-03-01

    We report the results of a pilot study of CO(4 ‑ 3) emission line of three Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE)-selected hyper-luminous, dust-obscured quasars (QSOs) with sensitive ALMA Band 3 observations. These obscured QSOs with L bol > 1014 L ⊙ are among the most luminous objects in the universe. All three QSO hosts are clearly detected both in continuum and in CO(4 ‑ 3) emission line. Based on CO(4 ‑ 3) emission line detection, we derive the molecular gas masses (∼1010‑11 M ⊙), suggesting that these QSOs are gas-rich systems. We find that the obscured QSOs in our sample follow the similar {L}CO}{\\prime }{--}{L}FIR} relation as unobscured QSOs at high redshifts. We also find the complex velocity structures of CO(4 ‑ 3) emission line, which provide the possible evidence for a gas-rich merger in W0149+2350 and possible molecular outflow in W0220+0137 and W0410‑0913. Massive molecular outflow can blow away the obscured interstellar medium and make obscured QSOs evolve toward the UV/optical bright, unobscured phase. Our result is consistent with the popular active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback scenario involving the co-evolution between the supermassive black holes and host galaxy.

  11. Detailed non-LTE calculations of the iron emission from NGC 1068

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Band, David L.; Klein, Richard I.; Castor, John I.; Nash, J. K.

    1989-01-01

    The X-ray iron line emission from NGC 1068 observed by the Ginga satellite is modeled using the new multiline, multilevel, non-LTE radiative transport code ALTAIR and a detailed atomic model for Ne-like through stripped iron. The parameter space of the obscured type 1 Seyfert nucleus model for this object is studied. The equivalent width is greater than previously predicted. It is found that detailed radiative transfer can have a significant effect on the observed line flux both for the K alpha line and for the L-shell emission. The ionization of the iron increases with temperature. Therefore the K alpha equivalent width and energy is a function not only of the ionization parameter, but also of the column depth and temperature. For a likely model of NGC 1068 it is found that the iron abundance is about twice solar, but that modifications of this model may permit a smaller abundance.

  12. The Grism Lens-Amplified Survey from Space (GLASS). XI. Detection of C IV in Multiple Images of the z = 6.11 Lyα Emitter behind RXC J2248.7-4431

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schmidt, K. B.; Huang, K.-H.; Treu, T.; Hoag, A.; Bradač, M.; Henry, A. L.; Jones, T. A.; Mason, C.; Malkan, M.; Morishita, T.; Pentericci, L.; Trenti, M.; Vulcani, B.; Wang, X.

    2017-04-01

    The C III] and C IV rest-frame UV emission lines are powerful probes of the ionization states of galaxies. They have furthermore been suggested as alternatives for spectroscopic redshift confirmation of objects at the epoch of reionization (z> 6), where the most frequently used redshift indicator, Lyα, is attenuated by the high fraction of neutral hydrogen in the intergalactic medium. However, currently only very few confirmations of carbon UV lines at these high redshifts exist, making it challenging to quantify these claims. Here, we present the detection of C IV λλ1548, 1551 Å in Hubble Space Telescope slitless grism spectroscopy obtained by GLASS of a Lyα emitter at z = 6.11 multiply imaged by the massive foreground galaxy cluster RXC J2248.7-4431. The C IV emission is detected at the 3σ-5σ level in two images of the source, with marginal detection in two other images. We do not detect significant C III]λλ1907, 1909 Å emission implying an equivalent width {{EW}}{{C}{{III}}]}< 20 Å (1σ) and {{C}} {{IV}}/{{C}} {{III}}> 0.7 (2σ). Combined with limits on the rest-frame UV flux from the He II λ1640 Å emission line and the O III]λλ1661, 1666 Å doublet, we put constraints on the metallicity and the ionization state of the galaxy. The estimated line ratios and equivalent widths do not support a scenario where an AGN is responsible for ionizing the carbon atoms. SED fits, including nebular emission lines, imply a source with a mass of log(M/M ⊙) ˜ 9, SFR of around 10 M ⊙ yr-1, and a young stellar population < 50 {Myr} old. The source shows a stronger ionizing radiation field than objects with detected C IV emission at z< 2 and adds to the growing sample of low-mass (log(M/M ⊙) ≲ 9) galaxies at the epoch of reionization with strong radiation fields from star formation.

  13. Early-type objects in NGC 6611 and the Eagle Nebula

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Martayan, C.; Floquet, M.; Hubert, A. M.; Neiner, C.; Frémat, Y.; Baade, D.; Fabregat, J.

    2008-10-01

    Aims: An important question about Be stars is whether they are born as such or whether they have become Be stars during their evolution. It is necessary to observe young clusters to answer this question. Methods: To this end, observations of stars in NGC 6611 and the star-formation region of Eagle Nebula were carried out with the ESO-WFI in slitless spectroscopic mode and at the VLT-GIRAFFE (R ≃ 6400-17 000). The targets for the GIRAFFE observations were pre-selected from the literature and our catalogue of emission-line stars based on the WFI study. GIRAFFE observations allowed us to study the population of the early-type stars accurately both with and without emission lines. For this study, we determined the fundamental parameters of OBA stars thanks to the GIRFIT code. We also studied the status of the objects (main sequence or pre-main sequence stars) by using IR data, membership probabilities, and location in HR diagrams. Results: The nature of the early-type stars with emission-line stars in NGC 6611 and its surrounding environment is derived. The slitless observations with the WFI clearly indicate a small number of emission-line stars in M16. We observed with GIRAFFE 101 OBA stars, among them 9 are emission-line stars with circumstellar emission in Hα. We found that W080 could be a new He-strong star, like W601. W301 is a possible classical Be star, W503 is a mass-transfer eclipsing binary with an accretion disk, and the other ones are possible Herbig Ae/Be stars. We also found that the rotational velocities of main sequence B stars are 18% lower than those of pre-main sequence B stars, in good agreement with theory about the evolution of rotational velocities. Combining adaptive optics, IR data, spectroscopy, and radial velocity indications, we found that 27% of the B-type stars are binaries. We also redetermined the age of NGC 6611 found equal to 1.2-1.8 Myears, in good agreement with the most recent determinations.

  14. Spectroscopic monitoring of the BL Lac object AO 0235+164

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Raiteri, C. M.; Villata, M.; Capetti, A.; Heidt, J.; Arnaboldi, M.; Magazzù, A.

    2007-03-01

    Aims:Spectroscopic monitoring of BL Lac objects is a difficult task that nonetheless can provide important information on the different components of the active galactic nucleus. Methods: We performed optical spectroscopic monitoring of the BL Lac object AO 0235+164 (z=0.94) with the VLT and TNG telescopes from Aug. 2003 to Dec. 2004, during an extended WEBT campaign. The flux of this source is both contaminated and absorbed by a foreground galactic system at z=0.524, the stars of which can act as gravitational micro-lenses. Results: In this period the object was in an optically faint, though variable state, and a broad Mg II emission line was visible at all epochs. The spectroscopic analysis reveals an overall variation in the Mg II line flux of a factor 1.9, while the corresponding continuum flux density changed by a factor 4.3. Most likely, the photoionising radiation can be identified with the emission component that was earlier recognised to be present as a UV-soft-X-ray bump in the source spectral energy distribution and that is visible in the optical domain only in very faint optical states. We estimate an upper limit to the broad line region (BLR) size of a few light months from the historical minimum brightness level; from this we infer the maximum amplification of the Mg II line predicted by the microlensing scenario. Conclusions: .Unless we have strongly overestimated the size of the BLR, only very massive stars could significantly magnify the broad Mg II emission line, but the time scale of variations due to these (rare) events would be of several years. In contrast, the continuum flux, coming from much smaller emission regions in the jet, could be affected by microlensing from the more plausible MACHO deflectors, with variability time scales of the order of some months. Based on observations collected at the European Southern Observatory, Chile (ESO Programme 71.A-0174), and on observations made with the Italian Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG) operated on the island of La Palma by the Fundación Galileo Galilei of the INAF (Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica) at the Spanish Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos of the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias.

  15. Beyond the fibre: resolved properties of Sloan Digital Sky Survey galaxies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gerssen, J.; Wilman, D. J.; Christensen, L.

    2012-02-01

    We have used the Visible Multi-Object Spectrograph (VIMOS) integral field spectrograph to map the emission-line properties in a sample of 24 star-forming galaxies selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) data base. In this paper we present and describe the sample, and explore some basic properties of SDSS galaxies with resolved emission-line fields. We fit the Hα+[N II] emission lines in each spectrum to derive maps of continuum, Hα flux, velocity and velocity dispersion. The Hα, Hβ, [N II] and [O III] emission lines are also fit in summed spectra for circular annuli of increasing radius. A simple mass model is used to estimate dynamical mass within 10 kpc, which compared to estimates of stellar mass shows that between 10 and 100 per cent of total mass is in stars. We present plots showing the radial behaviour of equivalent width (EW)[Hα], u-i colour and emission-line ratios. Although EW[Hα] and u-i colour trace current or recent star formation, the radial profiles are often quite different. Whilst line ratios do vary with annular radius, radial gradients in galaxies with central line ratios typical of active galactic nucleus (AGN) or low-ionization nuclear emission-line regions are mild, with a hard component of ionization required out to large radii. We use our VIMOS maps to quantify the fraction of Hα emission contained within the SDSS fibre, taking the ratio of total Hα flux to that of a simulated SDSS fibre. A comparison of the flux ratios to colour-based SDSS extrapolations shows a 175 per cent dispersion in the ratio of estimated to actual corrections in normal star-forming galaxies, with larger errors in galaxies containing AGN. We find a strong correlation between indicators of nuclear activity: galaxies with AGN-like line ratios and/or radio emission frequently show enhanced dispersion peaks in their cores, requiring non-thermal sources of heating. Altogether, about half of the galaxies in our sample show no evidence for nuclear activity or non-thermal heating. The fully reduced data cubes and the maps with the line-fit results are available as FITS files from the authors. Based on observations made with ESO Telescopes at the Paranal Observatory under programmes 076.B-0408(A) and 078.B-0194(A).

  16. The Circumstellar Disk and Asymmetric Outflow of the EX Lup Outburst System

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hales, A. S.; Pérez, S.; Saito, M.; Pinte, C.; Knee, L. B. G.; de Gregorio-Monsalvo, I.; Dent, B.; López, C.; Plunkett, A.; Cortés, P.; Corder, S.; Cieza, L.

    2018-06-01

    We present Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) observations at 0.″3 resolution of EX Lup, the prototype of the EXor class of outbursting pre-main-sequence stars. The circumstellar disk of EX Lup is resolved for the first time in 1.3 mm continuum emission and in the J = 2–1 spectral line of three isotopologues of CO. At the spatial resolution and sensitivity achieved, the compact dust continuum disk shows no indications of clumps, fragments, or asymmetries above the 5σ level. Radiative transfer modeling constrains the characteristic radius of the dust disk to 23 au and the total dust mass to 1.0 × 10‑4 M ⊙ (33 M ⊕), similar to other EXor sources. The 13CO and C18O line emissions trace the disk rotation and are used to constrain the disk geometry, kinematics, and a total gas disk mass of 5.1 × 10‑4 M ⊙. The 12CO emission extends out to a radius of 200 au and is asymmetric, with one side deviating from Keplerian rotation. We detect blueshifted, 12CO arc-like emission located 0.″8 to the northwest and spatially disconnected from the disk emission. We interpret this extended structure as the brightened walls of a cavity excavated by an outflow, which are more commonly seen in FUor sources. Such outflows have also been seen in the borderline FU/EXor object V1647 Ori, but not toward EXor objects. Our detection provides evidence that the outflow phenomenon persists into the EXor phase, suggesting that FUor and EXor objects are a continuous population in which outflow activity declines with age, with transitional objects such as EX Lup and V1647 Ori.

  17. THE HERSCHEL COMPREHENSIVE (U)LIRG EMISSION SURVEY (HERCULES): CO LADDERS, FINE STRUCTURE LINES, AND NEUTRAL GAS COOLING

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

    Rosenberg, M. J. F.; Van der Werf, P. P.; Israel, F. P.

    2015-03-10

    (Ultra) luminous infrared galaxies ((U)LIRGs) are objects characterized by their extreme infrared (8-1000 μm) luminosities (L {sub LIRG} > 10{sup 11} L {sub ☉} and L {sub ULIRG} > 10{sup 12} L {sub ☉}). The Herschel Comprehensive ULIRG Emission Survey (PI: van der Werf) presents a representative flux-limited sample of 29 (U)LIRGs that spans the full luminosity range of these objects (10{sup 11} L {sub ☉} ≤ L {sub IR} ≤ 10{sup 13} L {sub ☉}). With the Herschel Space Observatory, we observe [C II] 157 μm, [O I] 63 μm, and [O I] 145 μm line emission with Photodetector Array Cameramore » and Spectrometer, CO J = 4-3 through J = 13-12, [C I] 370 μm, and [C I] 609 μm with SPIRE, and low-J CO transitions with ground-based telescopes. The CO ladders of the sample are separated into three classes based on their excitation level. In 13 of the galaxies, the [O I] 63 μm emission line is self absorbed. Comparing the CO excitation to the InfraRed Astronomical Satellite 60/100 μm ratio and to far infrared luminosity, we find that the CO excitation is more correlated to the far infrared colors. We present cooling budgets for the galaxies and find fine-structure line flux deficits in the [C II], [Si II], [O I], and [C I] lines in the objects with the highest far IR fluxes, but do not observe this for CO 4 ≤ J {sub upp} ≤ 13. In order to study the heating of the molecular gas, we present a combination of three diagnostic quantities to help determine the dominant heating source. Using the CO excitation, the CO J = 1-0 linewidth, and the active galactic nucleus (AGN) contribution, we conclude that galaxies with large CO linewidths always have high-excitation CO ladders, and often low AGN contributions, suggesting that mechanical heating is important.« less

  18. Visible and Near-Infrared Spectroscopy of Seyfert 1 and Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 Galaxies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rodríguez-Ardila, Alberto; Pastoriza, Miriani G.; Donzelli, Carlos J.

    2000-01-01

    This paper studies the continuum and emission-line properties of a sample composed of 16 normal Seyfert 1 and seven narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxies using optical and near-IR CCD spectroscopy. The continuum emission of the galaxies can be described in terms of a combination of stellar population, a nonstellar continuum of power-law form, and Fe II emission. A significative difference in the optical spectral index between NLS1's and normal Seyfert 1's is observed; the latter is steeper. Most NLS1's show Fe II/Hβ ratios larger than those observed in the other Seyfert 1's. In the IRAS band, both groups of galaxies have very similar properties. We have searched for the presence of optically thin gas in the broad-line region (BLR) of the galaxies by comparing the broad O I λ8446 and Hα emission-line profiles. Our analysis show that in the NLS1's, both profiles are similar in shape and width. This result contradicts the hypothesis of thin gas emission in the high-velocity part of the BLR to explain the ``narrowness'' of broad optical permitted lines in these objects. Evidence of narrow O I λ8446 emission is found in six galaxies of our sample, implying that this line is not restricted to a pure BLR phenomenon. In the narrow-line region, we find similar luminosities in the permitted and high-ionization lines of NLS1's and normal Seyfert 1's. However, low-ionization lines such as [O I] λ6300, [O II] λ3727, and [S II] λλ6717, 6731 are intrinsically less luminous in NLS1's. Physical properties derived from density- and temperature-sensitive line ratios suggest that the [O II] and [S II] emitting zones are overlapping in normal Seyfert 1's and separated in NLS1's. Based on observations made at CASLEO. Complejo Astronómico El Leoncito (CASLEO) is operated under agreement between the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y técnicas de la República Argentina and the National Universities of La Plata, Córdoba and San Juán.

  19. Ingress observations of the 1980 eclipse of the symbiotic star CI Cyngni

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stencel, R. E.; Michalitsianos, A. G.; Kafatos, M.; Boyarchuk, A. A.

    1981-01-01

    One of the major results from the IUE may prove to be the knowledge gained by studies of the ultraviolet spectra of symbiotic stars. Symbiotics combine spectral features of a cool M giant like photosphere with strong high excitation emission lines of nebular origin, superposed. The UV spectra are dominated by intense permitted and semiforbidden emission lines and weak continua indicative of hot compact objects and accretion disks. Two symbiotics, AR Pav and CI Cyg are thought to be eclipsing binaries and IUE observations during the 1980 eclipse of CI Cygni are discussed.

  20. The ionized gas in the CALIFA early-type galaxies. I. Mapping two representative cases: NGC 6762 and NGC 5966

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kehrig, C.; Monreal-Ibero, A.; Papaderos, P.; Vílchez, J. M.; Gomes, J. M.; Masegosa, J.; Sánchez, S. F.; Lehnert, M. D.; Cid Fernandes, R.; Bland-Hawthorn, J.; Bomans, D. J.; Marquez, I.; Mast, D.; Aguerri, J. A. L.; López-Sánchez, Á. R.; Marino, R. A.; Pasquali, A.; Perez, I.; Roth, M. M.; Sánchez-Blázquez, P.; Ziegler, B.

    2012-04-01

    As part of the ongoing CALIFA survey, we have conducted a thorough bidimensional analysis of the ionized gas in two E/S0 galaxies, NGC 6762 and NGC 5966, aiming to shed light on the nature of their warm ionized ISM. Specifically, we present optical (3745-7300 Å) integral field spectroscopy obtained with the PMAS/PPAK integral field spectrophotometer. Its wide field-of-view (1' × 1') covers the entire optical extent of each galaxy down to faint continuum surface brightnesses. To recover the nebular lines, we modeled and subtracted the underlying stellar continuum from the observed spectra using the STARLIGHT spectral synthesis code. The pure emission-line spectra were used to investigate the gas properties and determine the possible sources of ionization. We show the advantages of IFU data in interpreting the complex nature of the ionized gas in NGC 6762 and NGC 5966. In NGC 6762, the ionized gas and stellar emission display similar morphologies, while the emission line morphology is elongated in NGC 5966, spanning ~6 kpc, and is oriented roughly orthogonal to the major axis of the stellar continuum ellipsoid. Whereas gas and stars are kinematically aligned in NGC 6762, the gas is kinematically decoupled from the stars in NGC 5966. A decoupled rotating disk or an "ionization cone" are two possible interpretations of the elongated ionized gas structure in NGC 5966. The latter would be the first "ionization cone" of such a dimension detected within a weak emission-line galaxy. Both galaxies have weak emission-lines relative to the continuum[EW(Hα) ≲ 3 Å] and have very low excitation, log([Oiii]λ5007/Hβ) ≲ 0.5. Based on optical diagnostic ratios ([Oiii]λ5007/Hβ, [Nii]λ6584/Hα, [Sii]λ6717, 6731/Hα, [Oi]λ6300/Hα), both objects contain a LINER nucleus and an extended LINER-like gas emission. The emission line ratios do not vary significantly with radius or aperture, which indicates that the nebular properties are spatially homogeneous. The gas emission in NGC 6762 can be best explained by photoionization by pAGB stars without the need of invoking any other excitation mechanism. In the case of NGC 5966, the presence of a nuclear ionizing source seems to be required to shape the elongated gas emission feature in the "ionization cone" scenario, although ionization by pAGB stars cannot be ruled out. Further study of this object is needed to clarify the nature of its elongated gas structure. Based on observations collected at the Centro Astronómico Hispano Alemán (CAHA) at Calar Alto, operated jointly by the Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (CSIC).

  1. Gamma-Ray-emitting Narrow-line Seyfert 1 Galaxies in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Paliya, Vaidehi S.; Ajello, M.; Rakshit, S.; Mandal, Amit Kumar; Stalin, C. S.; Kaur, A.; Hartmann, D.

    2018-01-01

    The detection of significant γ-ray emission from radio-loud narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLSy1s) galaxies enables us to study jets in environments different than those in blazars. However, due to the small number of known γ-ray-emitting NLSy1 (γ-NLSy1) galaxies, a comprehensive study could not be performed. Here, we report the first detection of significant γ-ray emission from four active galactic nuclei (AGNs), recently classified as NLSy1 from their Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) optical spectrum. Three flat-spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) present in the third Large Area Telescope AGN catalog (3LAC) are also found as γ-NLSy1 galaxies. Comparing the γ-ray properties of these objects with 3LAC blazars reveals their spectral shapes to be similar to FSRQs, however, with low γ-ray luminosity (≲1046–47 erg s‑1). In the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer color–color diagram, these objects occupy a region mainly populated by FSRQs. Using the H β emission line parameters, we find that on average γ-NLSy1 have smaller black hole masses than FSRQs at similar redshifts. In the low-resolution SDSS image of one of the γ-NLSy1 source, we find the evidence of an extended structure. We conclude by noting that overall many observational properties of γ-NLSy1 sources are similar to FSRQs, and therefore these objects could be their low black hole mass counterparts, as predicted in the literature.

  2. Very Long Baseline Array Imaging of Type-2 Seyferts with Double-peaked Narrow Emission Lines: Searches for Sub-kpc Dual AGNs and Jet-powered Outflows

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Xin; Lazio, T. Joseph W.; Shen, Yue; Strauss, Michael A.

    2018-02-01

    This paper presents Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) observations of 13 double-peaked [O III] emission-line type-2 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) at redshifts 0.06 < z < 0.41 (with a median redshift of z ∼ 0.15) identified in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Such double-peaked emission-line objects may result from jets or outflows from the central engine or from a dual AGN. The VLBA provides an angular resolution of ≲10 pc at the distance of many of these galaxies, sufficient to resolve the radio emission from extremely close dual AGNs and to contribute to understanding the origin of double-peaked [O III] emission lines. Of the 13 galaxies observed at 3.6 cm (8.4 GHz), we detect six at a 1σ sensitivity level of ∼0.15 mJy beam‑1, two of which show clear jet structures on scales ranging from a few milliarcseconds to tens of milliarcseconds (corresponding to a few pc to tens of pc at a median redshift of 0.15). We suggest that radio-loud, double-peaked emission-line type-2 AGNs may be indicative of jet produced structures, but a larger sample of double-peaked [O III] AGNs with high angular resolution radio observations will be required to confirm this suggestion. Based, in part, on observations made with the Very Long Baseline Array, obtained at the Long Baseline Observatory. The Long Baseline Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

  3. Newly Discovered Be Stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reid, W. A.

    2016-11-01

    The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is a excellent laboratory in which to analyse and compare the distinctive characteristics of massive and luminous emission-line stars. In particular, the known and almost co-equal distance to all objects greatly assists the study of comparative luminosities. The original UKST Hα survey covering the central 25deg2 of the LMC revealed 518 Be stars, 413 of which were new discoveries. By extending the survey to cover the entire LMC area of 64 deg2, an additional 415 emission-line stars were identified. Most of the additions have now been spectroscopically observed, with the majority being confirmed as Be stars. The flux, equivalent width, and width at half maximum of the main emission-lines for each of the ˜800 spectroscopically observed LMC Be stars were measured in order to understand their elemental composition and the interaction of the extended circumstellar disk. After subtracting foreground or ambient dust and gas emission, 130 or 22% of B stars were classified as type B[e], characterized by the presence of forbidden emission lines such as [SII], [NII], [OIII] and [OII]. With de-reddened data, the first V-band and Hα luminosity functions were constructed for these stars in the LMC. The magnitudes were then compared using U, B, V, I, R, near-IR J, H, K and mid-IR photometry from the Magellanic Cloud Emission-Line Survey, SuperCOSMOS, 2MASS, and WISE where available. Correlations of varying strength between the optical, IR and Hα magnitudes are shown and discussed.

  4. High redshift quasars and high metallicities

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ferland, Gary J.

    1997-01-01

    A large-scale code called Cloudy was designed to simulate non-equilibrium plasmas and predict their spectra. The goal was to apply it to studies of galactic and extragalactic emission line objects in order to reliably deduce abundances and luminosities. Quasars are of particular interest because they are the most luminous objects in the universe and the highest redshift objects that can be observed spectroscopically, and their emission lines can reveal the composition of the interstellar medium (ISM) of the universe when it was well under a billion years old. The lines are produced by warm (approximately 10(sup 4)K) gas with moderate to low density (n less than or equal to 10(sup 12) cm(sup -3)). Cloudy has been extended to include approximately 10(sup 4) resonance lines from the 495 possible stages of ionization of the lightest 30 elements, an extension that required several steps. The charge transfer database was expanded to complete the needed reactions between hydrogen and the first four ions and fit all reactions with a common approximation. Radiative recombination rate coefficients were derived for recombination from all closed shells, where this process should dominate. Analytical fits to Opacity Project (OP) and other recent photoionization cross sections were produced. Finally, rescaled OP oscillator strengths were used to compile a complete set of data for 5971 resonance lines. The major discovery has been that high redshift quasars have very high metallicities and there is strong evidence that the quasar phenomenon is associated with the birth of massive elliptical galaxies.

  5. An ultraviolet study of B[e] stars: evidence for pulsations, luminous blue variable type variations and processes in envelopes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Krtičková, I.; Krtička, J.

    2018-06-01

    Stars that exhibit a B[e] phenomenon comprise a very diverse group of objects in a different evolutionary status. These objects show common spectral characteristics, including the presence of Balmer lines in emission, forbidden lines and strong infrared excess due to dust. Observations of emission lines indicate illumination by an ultraviolet ionizing source, which is key to understanding the elusive nature of these objects. We study the ultraviolet variability of many B[e] stars to specify the geometry of the circumstellar environment and its variability. We analyse massive hot B[e] stars from our Galaxy and from the Magellanic Clouds. We study the ultraviolet broad-band variability derived from the flux-calibrated data. We determine variations of individual lines and the correlation with the total flux variability. We detected variability of the spectral energy distribution and of the line profiles. The variability has several sources of origin, including light absorption by the disc, pulsations, luminous blue variable type variations, and eclipses in the case of binaries. The stellar radiation of most of B[e] stars is heavily obscured by circumstellar material. This suggests that the circumstellar material is present not only in the disc but also above its plane. The flux and line variability is consistent with a two-component model of a circumstellar environment composed of a dense disc and an ionized envelope. Observations of B[e] supergiants show that many of these stars have nearly the same luminosity, about 1.9 × 105 L⊙, and similar effective temperatures.

  6. Broad-band properties of the CfA Seyfert galaxies. III - Ultraviolet variability

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Edelson, R. A.; Pike, G. F.; Krolik, J. H.

    1990-01-01

    A total of 657 archived IUE spectra are used to study the UV variability properties of six members of the CfA Seyfert I galaxy sample. All show strong evidence for continuum and line variations and a tendency for less luminous objects to be more strongly variable. Most objects show a clear correlation at zero lag between UV spectral index and luminosity, evidence that the variable component is an accretion disk around a black hole which is systematically smaller in less luminous sources. No correlation is seen between the continuum luminosity and equivalent width of the C IV, Mg II, and semiforbidden C III emission lines when the entire sample is examined, but a clear anticorrelation is present when only repeated observations of individual objects are considered. This is due to a combination of light-travel time effects in the broad-line region and the nonlinear responses of lines to continuum fluctuations.

  7. Physical conditions of the interstellar medium in star-forming galaxies at z ˜ 1.5

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hayashi, Masao; Ly, Chun; Shimasaku, Kazuhiro; Motohara, Kentaro; Malkan, Matthew A.; Nagao, Tohru; Kashikawa, Nobunari; Goto, Ryosuke; Naito, Yoshiaki

    2015-10-01

    We present results from Subaru Fiber Multi Object Spectrograph near-infrared spectroscopy of 118 star-forming galaxies at z ˜ 1.5 in the Subaru Deep Field. These galaxies are selected as [O II]λ3727 emitters at z ≈ 1.47 and 1.62 from narrow-band imaging. We detect the Hα emission line in 115 galaxies, the [O III]λ5007 emission line in 45 galaxies, and Hβ, [N II]λ6584, and [S II]λλ6716, 6731 in 13, 16, and 6 galaxies, respectively. Including the [O II] emission line, we use the six strong nebular emission lines in the individual and composite rest-frame optical spectra to investigate the physical conditions of the interstellar medium in star-forming galaxies at z ˜ 1.5. We find a tight correlation between Hα and [O II], which suggests that [O II] can be a good star formation rate indicator for galaxies at z ˜ 1.5. The line ratios of Hα/[O II] are consistent with those of local galaxies. We also find that [O II] emitters have strong [O III] emission lines. The [O III]/[O II] ratios are larger than normal star-forming galaxies in the local universe, suggesting a higher ionization parameter. Less massive galaxies have larger [O III]/[O II] ratios. With evidence that the electron density is consistent with local galaxies, the high ionization of galaxies at high redshifts may be attributed to a harder radiation field by a young stellar population and/or an increase in the number of ionizing photons from each massive star.

  8. IUE observations of the 'Butterfly' Nebula M2-9

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Feibelman, W. A.

    1984-01-01

    IUE observations of the peculiar 'Butterfy' nebula M2-9 indicate that it is not a normal planetary nebula. The ultraviolet spectrum is characterized by few emission lines and a weak continuum. Mg II 2800 A is the strongest emission line present and may be indicative of a binary nucleus. Lines of N v, Q I, N III, N IV, Si III, and C III are seen, but C IV and O III are conspicuous by their absence. T(e) = 10,250 + or - 400 K was determined for the core. Nitrogen in the core is found to be overabundant by about a factor of 5 over the solar value. M2-9 may be an object in the early stages of becoming a planetary nebula.

  9. Comparison of band model calculations of upper atmospheric cooling rates for the 15-micrometer carbon dioxide band

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Boughner, R. E.

    1985-01-01

    Within the atmosphere of the earth, absorption and emission of thermal radiation by the 15-micron CO2 bands are the largest contributors to infrared cooling rates in the stratosphere. Various techniques for calculating cooling rates due to these bands have been described. These techniques can be classified into one of two categories, including 'exact' or line-by-line calculations and other methods. The latter methods are based on broad band emissivity and band absorptance formulations. The present paper has the objective to present comparisons of the considered computational approaches. It was found that the best agreement with the exact line-by-line calculations of Fels and Schwarzkopf (1981) could be obtained by making use of a new Doppler band model which is described in the appendix of the paper.

  10. Probing Stellar Accretion with Mid-infrared Hydrogen Lines

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rigliaco, Elisabetta; Pascucci, I.; Duchene, G.; Edwards, S.; Ardila, D. R.; Grady, C.; Mendigutía, I.; Montesinos, B.; Mulders, G. D.; Najita, J. R.; Carpenter, J.; Furlan, E.; Gorti, U.; Meijerink, R.; Meyer, M. R.

    2015-03-01

    In this paper we investigate the origin of the mid-infrared (IR) hydrogen recombination lines for a sample of 114 disks in different evolutionary stages (full, transitional, and debris disks) collected from the Spitzer archive. We focus on the two brighter H I lines observed in the Spitzer spectra, the H I (7-6) at 12.37 μm and the H I (9-7) at 11.32 μm. We detect the H I (7-6) line in 46 objects, and the H I (9-7) in 11. We compare these lines with the other most common gas line detected in Spitzer spectra, the [Ne II] at 12.81 μm. We argue that it is unlikely that the H I emission originates from the photoevaporating upper surface layers of the disk, as has been found for the [Ne II] lines toward low-accreting stars. Using the H I (9-7)/H I (7-6) line ratios we find these gas lines are likely probing gas with hydrogen column densities of 1010-1011 cm-3. The subsample of objects surrounded by full and transitional disks show a positive correlation between the accretion luminosity and the H I line luminosity. These two results suggest that the observed mid-IR H I lines trace gas accreting onto the star in the same way as other hydrogen recombination lines at shorter wavelengths. A pure chromospheric origin of these lines can be excluded for the vast majority of full and transitional disks. We report for the first time the detection of the H I (7-6) line in eight young (<20 Myr) debris disks. A pure chromospheric origin cannot be ruled out in these objects. If the H I (7-6) line traces accretion in these older systems, as in the case of full and transitional disks, the strength of the emission implies accretion rates lower than 10-10 M ⊙ yr-1. We discuss some advantages of extending accretion indicators to longer wavelengths, and the next steps required pinning down the origin of mid-IR hydrogen lines.

  11. Emission-Line Galaxies from the PEARS Hubble Ultra Deep Field: A 2-D Detection Method and First Results

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gardner, J. P.; Straughn, Amber N.; Meurer, Gerhardt R.; Pirzkal, Norbert; Cohen, Seth H.; Malhotra, Sangeeta; Rhoads, james; Windhorst, Rogier A.; Gardner, Jonathan P.; Hathi, Nimish P.; hide

    2007-01-01

    The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) grism PEARS (Probing Evolution And Reionization Spectroscopically) survey provides a large dataset of low-resolution spectra from thousands of galaxies in the GOODS North and South fields. One important subset of objects in these data are emission-line galaxies (ELGs), and we have investigated several different methods aimed at systematically selecting these galaxies. Here we present a new methodology and results of a search for these ELGs in the PEARS observations of the Hubble Ultra Deep Field (HUDF) using a 2D detection method that utilizes the observation that many emission lines originate from clumpy knots within galaxies. This 2D line-finding method proves to be useful in detecting emission lines from compact knots within galaxies that might not otherwise be detected using more traditional 1D line-finding techniques. We find in total 96 emission lines in the HUDF, originating from 81 distinct "knots" within 63 individual galaxies. We find in general that [0 1111 emitters are the most common, comprising 44% of the sample, and on average have high equivalent widths (70% of [0 1111 emitters having rest-frame EW> 100A). There are 12 galaxies with multiple emitting knots; several show evidence of variations in H-alpha flux in the knots, suggesting that the differing star formation properties across a single galaxy can in general be probed at redshifts approximately greater than 0.2 - 0.4. The most prevalent morphologies are large face-on spirals and clumpy interacting systems, many being unique detections owing to the 2D method described here, thus highlighting the strength of this technique.

  12. Low Mass AGN: Combining IRAC With Near-IR Grism Spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Colbert, James; Teplitz, Harry; Malkan, Matt; Scarlata, Claudia; Bagley, Micaela; Baronchelli, Ivano; Hayden-Pawson, Connor; Rafelski, Marc

    2017-10-01

    Low mass AGN are critical to understanding the evolution of AGNs and stars in galaxies, marking the time periods of highest accretion efficiency and greatest likely deviations from the black hole mass - sigma correlation. Using the WFC3 Infrared Spectroscopic Parallels (WISP), we have just recently identified 68 candidate z > 1 AGN in 27 fields from their near-infrared emission line ratios. The WISP survey selects emission line galaxies without any pre-selection bias and is exquisitely sensitive to low mass (down to 10^7 solar masses), high-equivalent width galaxies that are missed by most other surveys. We propose to take IRAC 4.5 micron imaging of these AGN candidate fields in order to confirm 68 low mass AGN candidates, identify additional low mass IR-AGN missed by emission line selection, and produce the SED fits that can separate hot dust from star light, allowing comparison of stellar mass to AGN bolometric luminosity. The upcoming Euclid and WFIRST missions will generate hundreds of thousands of near-infrared spectra over a similar redshift range to WISP. For most of these objects, near-infrared emission line ratios will be the only viable AGN diagnostic. The Spitzer IRAC color AGN selection is one of the most robust AGN identifiers available. We wish to test these near-infrared emission line selection methods against the IRAC selection in order to evaluate the reliability of the AGN these future missions are likely to produce.

  13. Radio stars observed in the LAMOST spectral survey

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zhang, Li-Yun; Yue, Qiang; Lu, Hong-Peng; Han, Xian-Ming L.; Zhang, Yong; Shi, Jian-Rong; Wang, Yue-Fei; Hou, Yong-Hui; Zi-Huang, Cao

    2017-09-01

    Radio stars have attracted astronomers’ attention for several decades. To better understand the physics behind stellar radio emissions, it is important to study their optical behaviors. The LAMOST survey provides a large database for researching stellar spectroscopic properties of radio stars. In this work, we concentrate on their spectroscopic properties and infer physical properties from their spectra, such as stellar activity and variability. We mined big data from the LAMOST spectral survey Data Release 2 (DR2), published on 2016 June 30, by cross-matching them with radio stars from FIRST and other surveys. We obtained 783 good stellar spectra with high signal to noise ratio for 659 stars. The criteria for selection were positional coincidence within 1.5‧‧ and LAMOST objects classified as stars. We calculated the equivalent widths (EWs) of the Ca ii H&K, Hδ, Hγ, Hβ, Hα and Ca ii IRT lines by integrating the line profiles. Using the EWs of the Hα line, we detected 147 active stellar spectra of 89 objects having emissions above the Hα continuum. There were also 36 objects with repeated spectra, 28 of which showed chromospheric activity variability. Furthermore, we found 14 radio stars emitting noticeably in the Ca ii IRT lines. The low value of the EW8542/EW8498 ratio for these 14 radio stars possibly alludes to chromospheric plage regions.

  14. A search for quasars in the Virgo cluster region

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    He, X.-T.; Cannon, R. D.; Peacock, J. A.; Smith, M. G.; Oke, J. B.

    1984-01-01

    Using objective-prism plates taken with the 44-arcmin objective prism mounted on the UK Schmidt telescope, 53 emission-line quasar candidates and 29 ultraviolet-excess objects (possible low-redshift quasars) have been found in a 5 x 5-degree field centered on 12 h 27 m, + 13 deg 30 min (1950) in the Virgo cluster of galaxies. Eighteen of these 82 candidates were observed using the double spectrograph on the Palomar 5-meter telescope; 13 of the observed objects proved to be quasars. The broad-absorption-line QSO Q1232 + 134 is the first example of the class to show broad low-ionization absorption lines (such as Mg II 2798 A) in addition to the usual high-excitation lines such as Nv 1240 A. Although no conclusive evidence for quasar-galaxy associations is found in this field, there do exist nonuniformities in the distribution of the quasar candidates which may merit further investigation. These objects will provide a useful network of probes for absorbing material in the Virgo cluster. The lines-of-sight to two of the confirmed quasars pass very close to NGC galaxies; the respective projected QSO-galaxy separations are only 4 and 11 kpc at the assumed distance of the Virgo cluster.

  15. OH masers towards IRAS 19092+0841

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Edris, K. A.; Fuller, G. A.; Etoka, S.; Cohen, R. J.

    2017-12-01

    Context. Maser emission is a strong tool for studying high-mass star-forming regions and their evolutionary stages. OH masers in particular can trace the circumstellar material around protostars and determine their magnetic field strengths at milliarcsecond resolution. Aims: We seek to image OH maser emission towards high-mass protostellar objects to determine their evolutionary stages and to locate the detected maser emission in the process of high-mass star formation. Methods: In 2007, we surveyed OH maser emission towards 217 high-mass protostellar objects to study its presence. In this paper, we present follow-up MERLIN observations of a ground-state OH maser emission towards one of these objects, IRAS 19092+0841. Results: We detect emissions from the two OH main spectral lines, 1665 and 1667 MHz, close to the central object. We determine the positions and velocities of the OH maser features. The masers are distributed over a region of 5'' corresponding to 22 400 AU (or 0.1 pc) at a distance of 4.48 kpc. The polarization properties of the OH maser features are determined as well. We identify three Zeeman pairs from which we inferred a magnetic field strength of 4.4 mG pointing towards the observer. Conclusions: The relatively small velocity spread and relatively wide spacial distribution of the OH maser features support the suggestion that this object could be in an early evolutionary state before the presence of disk, jets or outflows.

  16. LSDCat: Detection and cataloguing of emission-line sources in integral-field spectroscopy datacubes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Herenz, Edmund Christian; Wisotzki, Lutz

    2017-06-01

    We present a robust, efficient, and user-friendly algorithm for detecting faint emission-line sources in large integral-field spectroscopic datacubes together with the public release of the software package Line Source Detection and Cataloguing (LSDCat). LSDCat uses a three-dimensional matched filter approach, combined with thresholding in signal-to-noise, to build a catalogue of individual line detections. In a second pass, the detected lines are grouped into distinct objects, and positions, spatial extents, and fluxes of the detected lines are determined. LSDCat requires only a small number of input parameters, and we provide guidelines for choosing appropriate values. The software is coded in Python and capable of processing very large datacubes in a short time. We verify the implementation with a source insertion and recovery experiment utilising a real datacube taken with the MUSE instrument at the ESO Very Large Telescope. The LSDCat software is available for download at http://muse-vlt.eu/science/tools and via the Astrophysics Source Code Library at http://ascl.net/1612.002

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

    Rigliaco, Elisabetta; Pascucci, I.; Mulders, G. D.

    In this paper we investigate the origin of the mid-infrared (IR) hydrogen recombination lines for a sample of 114 disks in different evolutionary stages (full, transitional, and debris disks) collected from the Spitzer archive. We focus on the two brighter H I lines observed in the Spitzer spectra, the H I (7-6) at 12.37 μm and the H I (9-7) at 11.32 μm. We detect the H I (7-6) line in 46 objects, and the H I (9-7) in 11. We compare these lines with the other most common gas line detected in Spitzer spectra, the [Ne II] at 12.81more » μm. We argue that it is unlikely that the H I emission originates from the photoevaporating upper surface layers of the disk, as has been found for the [Ne II] lines toward low-accreting stars. Using the H I (9-7)/H I (7-6) line ratios we find these gas lines are likely probing gas with hydrogen column densities of 10{sup 10}-10{sup 11} cm{sup –3}. The subsample of objects surrounded by full and transitional disks show a positive correlation between the accretion luminosity and the H I line luminosity. These two results suggest that the observed mid-IR H I lines trace gas accreting onto the star in the same way as other hydrogen recombination lines at shorter wavelengths. A pure chromospheric origin of these lines can be excluded for the vast majority of full and transitional disks. We report for the first time the detection of the H I (7-6) line in eight young (<20 Myr) debris disks. A pure chromospheric origin cannot be ruled out in these objects. If the H I (7-6) line traces accretion in these older systems, as in the case of full and transitional disks, the strength of the emission implies accretion rates lower than 10{sup –10} M {sub ☉} yr{sup –1}. We discuss some advantages of extending accretion indicators to longer wavelengths, and the next steps required pinning down the origin of mid-IR hydrogen lines.« less

  18. The 3D-HST Survey: Hubble Space Telescope WFC3/G141 Grism Spectra, Redshifts, and Emission Line Measurements for ~ 100,000 Galaxies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Momcheva, Ivelina G.; Brammer, Gabriel B.; van Dokkum, Pieter G.; Skelton, Rosalind E.; Whitaker, Katherine E.; Nelson, Erica J.; Fumagalli, Mattia; Maseda, Michael V.; Leja, Joel; Franx, Marijn; Rix, Hans-Walter; Bezanson, Rachel; Da Cunha, Elisabete; Dickey, Claire; Förster Schreiber, Natascha M.; Illingworth, Garth; Kriek, Mariska; Labbé, Ivo; Ulf Lange, Johannes; Lundgren, Britt F.; Magee, Daniel; Marchesini, Danilo; Oesch, Pascal; Pacifici, Camilla; Patel, Shannon G.; Price, Sedona; Tal, Tomer; Wake, David A.; van der Wel, Arjen; Wuyts, Stijn

    2016-08-01

    We present reduced data and data products from the 3D-HST survey, a 248-orbit HST Treasury program. The survey obtained WFC3 G141 grism spectroscopy in four of the five CANDELS fields: AEGIS, COSMOS, GOODS-S, and UDS, along with WFC3 H 140 imaging, parallel ACS G800L spectroscopy, and parallel I 814 imaging. In a previous paper, we presented photometric catalogs in these four fields and in GOODS-N, the fifth CANDELS field. Here we describe and present the WFC3 G141 spectroscopic data, again augmented with data from GO-1600 in GOODS-N (PI: B. Weiner). We developed software to automatically and optimally extract interlaced two-dimensional (2D) and one-dimensional (1D) spectra for all objects in the Skelton et al. (2014) photometric catalogs. The 2D spectra and the multi-band photometry were fit simultaneously to determine redshifts and emission line strengths, taking the morphology of the galaxies explicitly into account. The resulting catalog has redshifts and line strengths (where available) for 22,548 unique objects down to {{JH}}{IR}≤slant 24 (79,609 unique objects down to {{JH}}{IR}≤slant 26). Of these, 5459 galaxies are at z\\gt 1.5 and 9621 are at 0.7\\lt z\\lt 1.5, where Hα falls in the G141 wavelength coverage. The typical redshift error for {{JH}}{IR}≤slant 24 galaxies is {σ }z≈ 0.003× (1+z), I.e., one native WFC3 pixel. The 3σ limit for emission line fluxes of point sources is 2.1× {10}-17 erg s-1 cm-2. All 2D and 1D spectra, as well as redshifts, line fluxes, and other derived parameters, are publicly available.18

  19. DDT_jcernich_10: Time Variability of Thermal Molecular Line Emission in IRC+10216 (4th Epoch)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cernicharo, J.

    2013-04-01

    We have found during our GT line survey of IRC+10216 and the search for hydrides (OT1 proposal) that some molecular lines present a strong intensity variation with time due to the role of infrared pumping. For some lines the intensity change in six months reaches a factor 3 (CCH). We have checked that the effect is not instrumental and than it arises from physical processes ignored so far in the radiative transfer models. We propose to observe the CCH and HNC lines within bands 1a-5b of HIFI every four months (three observing slots) to allow a detailed study of the variation of thermal molecular emission, and dust emission, in this prototype of AGB C-rich object. The settings will also provide, as a bonus, many lines of SiO, SiS, CS, HCN, CO and 13CO for which intensity variations of up to 30% have been found. In addition, a few specificc settings for HCN and CO will complete the observations. SPIRE and PACS observations will complement, with lower spectral resolution, the whole spectrum of each of these molecules and will provide a global view of the total intensity change of these lines with time. A crude estimate of the distance could be also obtained from the observed time lags between the blue and red parts of the line profiles observed with HIFI.

  20. OT2_jcernich_9: Time Variability of Thermal Molecular Line Emission in IRC+10216

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cernicharo, J.

    2011-09-01

    We have found during our GT line survey of IRC+10216 and the search for hydrides (OT1 proposal) that some molecular lines present a strong intensity variation with time due to the role of infrared pumping. For some lines the intensity change in six months reaches a factor 3 (CCH). We have checked that the effect is not instrumental and than it arises from physical processes ignored so far in the radiative transfer models. We propose to observe the CCH and HNC lines within bands 1a-5b of HIFI every four months (three observing slots) to allow a detailed study of the variation of thermal molecular emission, and dust emission, in this prototype of AGB C-rich object. The settings will also provide, as a bonus, many lines of SiO, SiS, CS, HCN, CO and 13CO for which intensity variations of up to 30% have been found. In addition, a few specificc settings for HCN and CO will complete the observations. SPIRE and PACS observations will complement, with lower spectral resolution, the whole spectrum of each of these molecules and will provide a global view of the total intensity change of these lines with time. A crude estimate of the distance could be also obtained from the observed time lags between the blue and red parts of the line profiles observed with HIFI.

  1. Spectral Simulations and Abundance Determinations in the Interstellar Medium of Active Galaxies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ferguson, Jason W.

    The narrow emission line spectra of gas illuminated by the nuclear region of active galaxies cannot be described by models involving simple photoionization calculations. In this project we develop the numerical tools necessary to accurately simulate observed spectra from such regions. We begin by developing a compact model hydrogen atom, and show that a moderate number of atomic levels can reproduce the emission of much larger, definitive calculations. We discuss the excitation mechanism of the gas, that is, whether the emission we see is a result of either local shock excitation or direct photoionization by the central source. We show that photoionization plus continuum fluorescence can mimic excitation by shocks, and we suggest an observational test to distinguish between photoionization due to shocks and the central source. We extend to the narrow line region of active galaxies the 'locally optimally-emitting cloud' (LOC) model, wherein the observed spectra are predominantly determined by a simple, yet powerful selection effect. Namely, nature provides the emitting line region with clouds of a vast ensemble of properties, and we observe emission lines from those clouds that are most efficient at emitting them. We have calculated large grids of photoionization models of narrow line clouds for a wide range of gas density and distances from the ionizing source. We show that when coupled to a simple Keplerian velocity field, the LOC naturally reproduces the line width - critical density correlation observed in many narrow line objects. In addition, we calculate classical diagnostic line ratios and use simple LOC integrations over gas density to simulate the radial emission of the narrow lines and compare with observations. The effects of including dust in the simulations is discussed and we show that the more neutral gas is likely to be dusty, while the more highly ionized gas is dust-free. This implies a variety of cloud origins.

  2. Interpreting the spectral behavior of MWC 314

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Frasca, A.; Miroshnichenko, A. S.; Rossi, C.; Friedjung, M.; Marilli, E.; Muratorio, G.; Busà, I.

    2016-01-01

    Context. MWC 314 is one of the most luminous stars in the Milky Way. Its fundamental parameters are similar to those of luminous blue variables (LBVs), although no large photometric variations have been recorded. Moreover, it shows no evidence of either a dust shell or a relevant spectral variability. Aims: The main purpose of this work is to clarify the origin of the radial velocity and line profile variations exhibited by absorption and emission lines. Methods: We analyzed the radial velocity (RV) variations displayed by the absorption lines from the star's atmosphere using high-resolution optical spectra and fitting the RV curve with an eccentric orbit model. We also studied the RV and profile variations of some permitted and forbidden emission lines of metallic ions with a simple geometric model. The behavior of the Balmer and He I lines has also been investigated. Results: Fourier analysis applied to the RV of the absorption lines clearly shows a 60-day periodicity. A dense coverage of the RV curve allowed us to derive accurate orbital parameters. The RV of the Fe II emission lines varies in the same way, but with a smaller amplitude. Additionally, the intensity ratio of the blue/red peaks of these emission lines correlates with the RV variations. The first three members of the Balmer series as well as [N II] lines display a nearly constant RV and no profile variations in phase with the orbital motion instead. The He I λ5876 Å line shows a strongly variable profile with broad and blue-shifted absorption components that reach velocities of ≤-1000 km s-1 in some specific orbital phases. Conclusions: Our data and analysis provide strong evidence that the object is a binary system composed of a supergiant B[e] star and an undetected companion. The emission lines with a non-variable RV could originate in a circumbinary region. For the Fe II emission lines, we propose a simple geometrical two-component model where a compact source of Fe II emission, moving around the center of mass, is affected by a static extra absorption that originates from a larger area. Finally, the blue-shifted absorption in the He I λ5876 Å line could be the result of density enhancements in the primary star wind that is flowing towards the companion, and which is best observed when projected over the disk of the primary star. Based on observations made at the 0.91 m of Catania Observatory, the OHP telescopes and the 1.83 m telescope of the Asiago Observatory.

  3. First detection of a THz water maser in NGC 7538-IRS1 with SOFIA and new 22 GHz e-MERLIN maps

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Herpin, F.; Baudry, A.; Richards, A. M. S.; Gray, M. D.; Schneider, N.; Menten, K. M.; Wyrowski, F.; Bontemps, S.; Simon, R.; Wiesemeyer, H.

    2017-10-01

    Context. The formation of massive stars (M> 10M⊙, L > 103L⊙) is still not well understood. Accumulating a large amount of mass infalling within a single entity in spite of radiation pressure is possible if, in addition to several other conditions, enough thermal energy is released. Despite numerous water line observations over a broad range of energies obtained with the Herschel Space Observatory, observations were not able to trace the emission from the hot core around the newly forming protostellar object in most of the sources. Aims: We wish to probe the physical conditions and water abundance in the inner layers of the host protostellar object NGC 7538-IRS1 using a highly excited H2O line. Water maser models predict that several THz water masers should be detectable in these objects. We therefore aim to detect the o-H2O 82,7-73,4 line in a star forming region for the first time. Model calculations have predicted this line to show maser action. Methods: We present SOFIA observations of the o-H2O 82,7-73,4 line at 1296.41106 GHz and a 616-523 22 GHz e-MERLIN map of the region (the very first 22 GHz images made after the e-MERLIN upgrade). In order to be able to constrain the nature of the emission - thermal or maser - we used near-simultaneous observations of the 22 GHz water maser performed with the Effelsberg radiotelescope and e-MERLIN. A thermal water model using the RATRAN radiative transfer code is presented based on HIFI pointed observations. Molecular water abundances are derived for the hot core. Results: The o-H2O 82,7-73,4 line is detected toward NGC 7538-IRS1 with one feature at the source velocity (-57.7 kms-1) and another one at -48.4 kms-1. We propose that the emission at the source velocity is consistent with thermal excitation and is excited in the innermost part of the IRS1a, in the closest circumstellar environment of the massive protostellar object. The other emission is very likely the first detection of a water THz maser line, pumped by shocks due to the IRS1b outflow, in a star-forming region. Assuming thermal excitation of the THz line, the water abundance in the hot core of NGC 7538-IRS1 is estimated to be 5.2 × 10-5 with respect to H2. The reduced spectra and maps (FITS files) are only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (http://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/606/A52

  4. Spectrophotometric observations of symbiotic stars and related objects

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Blair, W. P.; Feibelman, W. A.; Michalitsianos, A. G.; Stencel, R. E.

    1983-01-01

    Calibrated optical spectrophotometric observations of 16 symbiotic and symbiotic-like objects are presented. The objects observed include Z And, T CrB, CH Cyg, CI Cyg, V1016 Cyg, V1329 Cyg, AG Dra, YY Her, RS Oph, XX Oph, AG Peg, AX Per, CL Sco, HM Sge, AS 289, and M1-2. Integrated emission-line intensities are tabulated for comparison with ultraviolet and infrared data, as well as with previous optical studies. The reddening to each of the objects is derived by assuming that Balmer lines are emitted in their case B recombination ratios. However, the values so derived are often systematically higher than reddening estimates from the ultraviolet 2200 A feature. Comparisons with the available data from other wavelength ranges are noted.

  5. GASPS--A Herschel Survey of Gas and Dust in Protoplanetary Disks: Summary and Initial Statistics

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dent, W.R.F.; Thi, W. F.; Kamp, I.; Williams, J. P.; Menard, F.; Andrews, S.; Ardila, D.; Aresu, G.; Augereau, J.-C.; Barrado y Navascues, D.; hide

    2013-01-01

    We describe a large-scale far-infrared line and continuum survey of protoplanetary disk through to young debris disk systems carried out using the ACS instrument on the Herschel Space Observatory. This Open Time Key program, known as GASPS (Gas Survey of Protoplanetary Systems), targeted approx. 250 young stars in narrow wavelength regions covering the [OI] fine structure line at 63 micron the brightest far-infrared line in such objects. A subset of the brightest targets were also surveyed in [OI]145 micron, [CII] at 157 µm, as well as several transitions of H2O and high-excitation CO lines at selected wavelengths between 78 and 180 micron. Additionally, GASPS included continuum photometry at 70, 100 and 160 micron, around the peak of the dust emission. The targets were SED Class II– III T Tauri stars and debris disks from seven nearby young associations, along with a comparable sample of isolated Herbig AeBe stars. The aim was to study the global gas and dust content in a wide sample of circumstellar disks, combining the results with models in a systematic way. In this overview paper we review the scientific aims, target selection and observing strategy of the program. We summarize some of the initial results, showing line identifications, listing the detections, and giving a first statistical study of line detectability. The [OI] line at 63 micron was the brightest line seen in almost all objects, by a factor of 10. Overall [OI] 63 micron detection rates were 49%, with 100% of HAeBe stars and 43% of T Tauri stars detected. A comparison with published disk dust masses (derived mainly from sub-mm continuum, assuming standard values of the mm mass opacity) shows a dust mass threshold for [OI] 63 µm detection of approx.10(exp -5) Solar M.. Normalizing to a distance of 140 pc, 84% of objects with dust masses =10 (exp -5) Solar M can be detected in this line in the present survey; 32% of those of mass 10(exp -6) – 10 (exp -5) Solar M, and only a very small number of unusual objects with lower masses can be detected. This is consistent with models with a moderate UV excess and disk flaring. For a given disk mass, [OI] detectability is lower for M stars compared with earlier spectral types. Both the continuum and line emission was, in most systems, spatially and spectrally unresolved and centered on the star, suggesting that emission in most cases was from the disk. Approximately 10 objects showed resolved emission, most likely from outflows. In the GASPS sample, [OI] detection rates in T Tauri associations in the 0.3–4 Myr age range were approx. 50%. For each association in the 5–20 Myr age range, approx. 2 stars remain detectable in [OI] 63 micron, and no systems were detected in associations with age >20 Myr. Comparing with the total number of young stars in each association, and assuming a ISM-like gas/dust ratio, this indicates that approx. 18% of stars retain a gas-rich disk of total mass approx. Jupiter- M for 1–4 Myr, 1–7% keep such disks for 5–10 Myr, but none are detected beyond 10–20 Myr. The brightest [OI] objects from GASPS were also observed in [OI]145 micron, [CII]157 micron and CO J = 18- 17, with detection rates of 20–40%. Detection of the [CII] line was not correlated with disk mass, suggesting it arises more commonly from a compact remnant envelope.

  6. VizieR Online Data Catalog: M33 SNR candidates properties (Lee+, 2014)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lee, J. H.; Lee, M. G.

    2017-04-01

    We utilized the Hα and [S II] images in the LGGS to find new M33 remnants. The LGGS covered three 36' square fields of M33. We subtracted continuum sources from the narrowband images using R-band images. We smoothed the images with better seeing to match the point-spread function in the images with worse seeing, using the IRAF task psfmatch. We then scaled and subtracted the resulting continuum images from narrowband images. We selected M33 remnants considering three criteria: emission-line ratio ([S II]/Hα), the morphological structure, and the absence of blue stars inside the sources. Details are described in L14 (Lee et al. 2014ApJ...786..130L). We detected objects with [S II]/Hα>0.4 in emission-line ratio maps, and selected objects with round or shell structures in each narrowband image. As a result, we chose 435 sources. (2 data files).

  7. Spitzer IRS Observations of Low-Mass Seyfert Galaxies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Thornton, Carol E.; Barth, Aaron J.; Ho, Luis C.; Greene, Jenny E.

    2010-05-01

    The Sloan Digital Sky Survey has made it possible to identify the first samples of active galaxies with estimated black hole masses below ~ 106 M⊙. We have obtained Spitzer IRS low-resolution spectra, covering 5-38 μm, of a sample of 41 Seyfert galaxies with low-mass black holes. Our sample includes SDSS-selected objects from the low-mass Seyfert 1 sample of Greene & Ho (2004) and the low-mass Seyfert 2 sample of Barth et al. (2008), as well as NGC 4395 and POX 52. The goals of this work are to examine the dust emission properties of these objects and investigate the relationship between type 1 and type 2 AGNs at low luminosities and low masses, to search for evidence of star formation, and to use emission-line diagnostics to constrain physical conditions within the narrow-line regions. Here we present preliminary results from this project.

  8. Spectral properties of the narrow-line region in Seyfert galaxies selected from the SDSS-DR7

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vaona, L.; Ciroi, S.; Di Mille, F.; Cracco, V.; La Mura, G.; Rafanelli, P.

    2012-12-01

    Although the properties of the narrow-line region (NLR) of active galactic nuclei (AGN) have been deeply studied by many authors in the past three decades, many questions are still open. The main goal of this work is to explore the NLR of Seyfert galaxies by collecting a large statistical spectroscopic sample of Seyfert 2 and Intermediate-type Seyfert galaxies having a high signal-to-noise ratio in order to take advantage of a high number of emission lines to be accurately measured. 2153 Seyfert 2 and 521 Intermediate-type Seyfert spectra were selected from Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7 (SDSS-DR7) with a diagnostic diagram based on the oxygen emission-line ratios. All the emission lines, broad components included, were measured by means of a self-developed code, after the subtraction of the stellar component. Physical parameters, such as internal reddening, ionization parameter, temperature, density, gas and stellar velocity dispersion were determined for each object. Furthermore, we estimated mass and radius of the NLR, kinetic energy of the ionized gas and black hole accretion rate. From the emission-line analysis and the estimated physical properties, it appears that the NLR is similar in Seyfert 2 and Intermediate-Seyfert galaxies. The only differences, lower extinction, gas kinematics in general not dominated by the host galaxy gravitational potential and higher percentage of [O III]λ5007 blue asymmetries in Intermediate-Seyfert, can be ascribed to an effect of inclination of our line of sight with respect to the torus axis.

  9. Reverberation Mapping of Optical Emission Lines in Five Active Galaxies

    DOE PAGES

    Fausnaugh, M. M.; Grier, C. J.; Bentz, M. C.; ...

    2017-05-10

    We present the first results from an optical reverberation mapping campaign executed in 2014 targeting the active galactic nuclei (AGNs) MCG+08-11-011, NGC 2617, NGC 4051, 3C 382, and Mrk 374. Our targets have diverse and interesting observational properties, including a “changing look” AGN and a broad-line radio galaxy. Based on continuum-Hβ lags, we measure black hole masses for all five targets. We also obtain Hγ and He II λ4686 lags for all objects except 3C 382. The He II λ4686 lags indicate radial stratification of the BLR, and the masses derived from different emission lines are in general agreement. Themore » relative responsivities of these lines are also in qualitative agreement with photoionization models. Finally, these spectra have extremely high signal-to-noise ratios (100–300 per pixel) and there are excellent prospects for obtaining velocity-resolved reverberation signatures.« less

  10. The X-ray spectrum and time variability of narrow emission line galaxies

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mushotzky, R.

    1981-01-01

    X-ray spectral and temporal observations are reported for six narrow emission line galaxies (NELGs), all of which are fitted by power-law X-ray spectra of energy slope 0.8 and have column densities in the line of sight greater than 1 x 10 to the 22nd atoms/sq cm. Three of the objects, NGC 526a, NGC 2110 and MCG-5-23-16 are variable in their X-ray flux, and the latter two, along with NGC 5506 and NGC 7582, showed detectable variability in at least one observation. The measured X-ray properties of these NELGs, which also included NGC 2992, strongly resemble those of previously-measured type 1 Seyferts of the same X-ray luminosity and lead to the conclusion of great similarity between the NELGs and low-luminosity type 1 Seyferts. The implications of these observations for the optical line-emitting region structure of these galaxies are discussed.

  11. Reverberation Mapping of Optical Emission Lines in Five Active Galaxies

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

    Fausnaugh, M. M.; Denney, K. D.; Peterson, B. M.

    2017-05-10

    We present the first results from an optical reverberation mapping campaign executed in 2014 targeting the active galactic nuclei (AGNs) MCG+08-11-011, NGC 2617, NGC 4051, 3C 382, and Mrk 374. Our targets have diverse and interesting observational properties, including a “changing look” AGN and a broad-line radio galaxy. Based on continuum-H β lags, we measure black hole masses for all five targets. We also obtain H γ and He ii λ 4686 lags for all objects except 3C 382. The He ii λ 4686 lags indicate radial stratification of the BLR, and the masses derived from different emission lines aremore » in general agreement. The relative responsivities of these lines are also in qualitative agreement with photoionization models. These spectra have extremely high signal-to-noise ratios (100–300 per pixel) and there are excellent prospects for obtaining velocity-resolved reverberation signatures.« less

  12. Spectroscopic Study of the Polar BS Tri

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Borisov, N. V.; Gabdeev, M. M.; Shimansky, V. V.; Katysheva, N. A.; Shugarov, S. Yu.

    2015-11-01

    We have analyzed the spectra of the cataclysmic variable BS Tri taken in September 2011 and August 2012 with the 6-m BTA SAO RAS telescope. The object's spectra exhibit a flat continuum with superimposed strong hydrogen Balmer, neutral and ionized helium emission lines. Our analysis of the line profiles has shown that they consist of several components that are formed in the accretion structure and on the irradiated red dwarf surface. The measured radial velocities of one of the components of the line forming in a spot on the red dwarf surface have allowed the parameters of the system to be estimated: M 1 = 0.75 ± 0.02 M ⊙, M 2 = 0.16 ± 0.01 M ⊙, q = 0.21 ± 0.02, and R L2 = 0.18 ± 0.02 R ⊙. The Doppler maps constructed from the emission lines show no disk accretion, defining the system as a polar.

  13. New metallicity calibration for Seyfert 2 galaxies based on the N2O2 index

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Castro, C. S.; Dors, O. L.; Cardaci, M. V.; Hägele, G. F.

    2017-05-01

    We derive a new relation between the metallicity of Seyfert 2 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and the intensity of the narrow emission-lines ratio N2O2 = log([N II] λ6584/[O II] λ3727). The calibration of this relation was performed by determining the metallicity (Z) of a sample of 58 AGNs through a diagram containing the observational data and the results of a grid of photoionization models obtained with the cloudy code. We find the new Z/Z⊙-N2O2 relation using the obtained metallicity values and the corresponding observational emission-line intensities for each object of the sample. Estimations derived through the use of this new calibration indicate that the narrow-line regions of Seyfert 2 galaxies exhibit a large range of metallicities (0.3 ≲ Z/Z⊙ ≲ 2.0), with a median value Z ≈ Z⊙. Regarding the possible existence of correlations between the luminosity L(Hβ), the electron density and the colour excess E(B - V) with the metallicity in this kind of objects, we do not find correlations between them.

  14. Cospatial Longslit UV-Optical Spectra of Ten Galactic Planetary Nebulae with HST STIS: Description of observations, global emission-line measurements, and empirical CNO abundances

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dufour, R. J.; Kwitter, K. B.; Shaw, R. A.; Balick, B.; Henry, R. B. C.; Miller, T. R.; Corradi, R. L. M.

    2015-01-01

    This poster describes details of HST Cycle 19 (program GO 12600), which was awarded 32 orbits of observing time with STIS to obtain the first cospatial UV-optical spectra of 10 Galactic planetary nebulae (PNe). The observational goal was to measure the UV emission lines of carbon and nitrogen with unprecedented S/N and wavelength and spatial resolution along the disk of each object over a wavelength range 1150-10270 Ang . The PNe were chosen such that each possessed a near-solar metallicity but the group together spanned a broad range in N/O. This poster concentrates on describing the observations, emission-line measurements integrated along the entire slit lengths, ionic abundances, and estimated total elemental abundances using empirical ionization correction factors and the ELSA code. Related posters by co-authors in this session concentrate on analyzing CNO abundances, progenitor masses and nebular properties of the best-observed targets using photoionization modeling of the global emission-line measurements [Henry et al.] or detailed analyses of spatial variations in electron temperatures, densities, and abundances along the sub arcsecond resolution slits [Miller et al. & Shaw et al.]. We gratefully acknowledge AURA/STScI for the GO 12600 program support, both observational and financial.

  15. An abundance study of IC 418 using high-resolution, signal-to-noise emission spectra

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sharpee, Brian David

    2003-11-01

    An on-going problem in astrophysics involves the large and varying disagreement between abundances measurements made in planetary nebulae (PNe), determined from the strengths of emission lines arising from the same source ion, but excited by differing mechanisms (recombination and collisional excitation) in planetary nebulae (PNe). We investigate the extent of this problem in IC 418, a PN chosen for its great surface brightness and perceived visually uncomplicated geometry, through the use of high resolution (R ≈ 30000 = 10 km sec-1 at 6500Å) echelle emission spectroscopy in the optical regime (3500 9850Å). These observations allow us to construct the most detailed list of atomic emission lines ever compiled for IC 418, and among the most detailed from among all PNe. Ionic abundances are calculated from the fluxes of numerous weak (1 × 10-5 Hβ) atomic emission lines from the ions of C,N,O, and Ne, using the most recent and accurate atomic transition information presently available. The high resolution of these spectra provides well-defined line profiles, which, coupled with the perceived simplicity of the object's expansion velocity distribution, allows us to better determine where in the nebula lines are formed, and where the ions that produce them are concentrated. Evidence for “non-conventional” line excitation mechanisms, such as continuum fluorescence from the ground state or enhanced dielectronic recombination, is sought in the profile morphologies and relative line strengths. Non-conventional excitation processes may influence the strengths of lines enough to significantly alter abundances calculated from them. Our calculations show that recombination line-derived abundances exceed those derived from collisionally excited lines, for those ions for which we observed lines of both types: O+, O+2, and Ne +2 by real and varying amounts. We find that both continuum fluorescence and dielectronic recombination excites numerous lines in IC 418, but that there is no evidence in our data that either process is responsible for the observed overabundances in all recombination lines as opposed to their collisionally excited counterparts. The calculated levels of temperature fluctuations in the zones in which these ion reside are dubious, and significantly exceed model predicted values. In summary, no satisfactory, single universally applicable answer to the abundance discrepancy problem shown to exist by us in IC 418, is revealed by our observations. We developed several new techniques to analyze these data. Of particular interest is EMILI (Emission Line Identifier), a public-domain program that utilizes a comprehensive atomic transition list and a set of simple tests and criteria, to quickly provide its user with a list of rank ordered IDs for unidentified emission lines found in deep, high resolution spectra. Presented here are the results of applying EMILI to the identification of weak emission lines in the spectra of IC 418 and other PNe.

  16. THE OFF-CENTERED SEYFERT-LIKE COMPACT EMISSION IN THE NUCLEAR REGION OF NGC 3621

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

    Menezes, R. B.; Steiner, J. E.; Silva, Patricia da, E-mail: robertobm@astro.iag.usp.br

    2016-02-01

    We analyze an optical data cube of the nuclear region of NGC 3621, taken with the integral field unit of the Gemini Multi-object Spectrograph. We found that the previously detected central line emission in this galaxy actually comes from a blob, located at a projected distance of 2.″14 ± 0.″08 (70.1 ± 2.6 pc) from the stellar nucleus. Only diffuse emission was detected in the rest of the field of view, with a deficit of emission at the position of the stellar nucleus. Diagnostic diagram analysis reveals that the off-centered emitting blob has a Seyfert 2 spectrum. We propose that the line-emitting blob maymore » be a “fossil” emission-line region or a light “echo” from an active galactic nucleus (AGN), which was significantly brighter in the past. Our estimates indicate that the bolometric luminosity of the AGN must have decreased by a factor of ∼13–500 during the past ∼230 yr. A second scenario to explain the morphology of the line-emitting areas in the nuclear region of NGC 3621 involves no decrease of the AGN bolometric luminosity and establishes that the AGN is highly obscured toward the observer but not toward the line-emitting blob. The third scenario proposed here assumes that the off-centered line-emitting blob is a recoiling supermassive black hole, after the coalescence of two black holes. Finally, an additional hypothesis is that the central X-ray source is not an AGN, but an X-ray binary. This idea is consistent with all the scenarios we proposed.« less

  17. Medium-resolution near-infrared spectroscopy of massive young stellar objects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pomohaci, R.; Oudmaijer, R. D.; Lumsden, S. L.; Hoare, M. G.; Mendigutía, I.

    2017-12-01

    We present medium-resolution (R ∼ 7000) near-infrared echelle spectroscopic data for 36 massive young stellar objects (MYSOs) drawn from the Red MSX Source survey. This is the largest sample observed at this resolution at these wavelengths of MYSOs to date. The spectra are characterized mostly by emission from hydrogen recombination lines and accretion diagnostic lines. One MYSO shows photospheric H I absorption, a comparison with spectral standards indicates that the star is an A-type star with a low surface gravity, implying that the MYSOs are probably swollen, as also suggested by evolutionary calculations. An investigation of the Brγ line profiles shows that most are in pure emission, while 13 ± 5 per cent display P Cygni profiles, indicative of outflow, while less than 8 ± 4 per cent have inverse P Cygni profiles, indicative of infall. These values are comparable with investigations into the optically bright Herbig Be stars, but not with those of Herbig Ae and T Tauri stars, consistent with the notion that the more massive stars undergo accretion in a different fashion than lower mass objects that are undergoing magnetospheric accretion. Accretion luminosities and rates as derived from the Br γ line luminosities agree with results for lower mass sources, providing tentative evidence for massive star formation theories based on scaling of low-mass scenarios. We present Br γ/Br12 line profile ratios exploiting the fact that optical depth effects can be traced as a function of Doppler shift across the lines. These show that the winds of MYSOs in this sample are nearly equally split between constant, accelerating and decelerating velocity structures. There are no trends between the types of features we see and bolometric luminosities or near-infrared colours.

  18. Chasing passive galaxies in the early Universe: a critical analysis in CANDELS GOODS-South

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Merlin, E.; Fontana, A.; Castellano, M.; Santini, P.; Torelli, M.; Boutsia, K.; Wang, T.; Grazian, A.; Pentericci, L.; Schreiber, C.; Ciesla, L.; McLure, R.; Derriere, S.; Dunlop, J. S.; Elbaz, D.

    2018-01-01

    We search for passive galaxies at z > 3 in the GOODS-South field, using different techniques based on photometric data, and paying attention to develop methods that are sensitive to objects that have become passive shortly before the epoch of observation. We use CANDELS HST catalogues, ultra-deep Ks data and new IRAC photometry, performing spectral energy distribution fitting using models with abruptly quenched star formation histories. We then single out galaxies which are best fitted by a passively evolving model, and having only low probability (<5 per cent) star-forming solutions. We verify the effects of including nebular lines emission, and we consider possible solutions at different redshifts. The number of selected sources dramatically depends on the models used in the spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting. Without including emission lines and with photometric redshifts fixed at the CANDELS estimate, we single out 30 candidates; the inclusion of nebular lines emission reduces the sample to 10 objects; allowing for solutions at different redshifts, only two galaxies survive as robust candidates. Most of the candidates are not far-infrared emitters, corroborating their association with passive galaxies. Our results translate into an upper limit in the number density of ∼0.173 arcmin2 above the detection limit. However, we conclude that the selection of passive galaxies at z > 3 is still subject to significant uncertainties, being sensitive to assumptions in the SED modelling adopted and to the relatively low S/N of the objects. By means of dedicated simulations, we show that JWST will greatly enhance the accuracy, allowing for a much more robust classification.

  19. Galaxy emission line classification using three-dimensional line ratio diagrams

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

    Vogt, Frédéric P. A.; Dopita, Michael A.; Kewley, Lisa J.

    2014-10-01

    Two-dimensional (2D) line ratio diagnostic diagrams have become a key tool in understanding the excitation mechanisms of galaxies. The curves used to separate the different regions—H II-like or excited by an active galactic nucleus (AGN)—have been refined over time but the core technique has not evolved significantly. However, the classification of galaxies based on their emission line ratios really is a multi-dimensional problem. Here we exploit recent software developments to explore the potential of three-dimensional (3D) line ratio diagnostic diagrams. We introduce the ZQE diagrams, which are a specific set of 3D diagrams that separate the oxygen abundance and themore » ionization parameter of H II region-like spectra and also enable us to probe the excitation mechanism of the gas. By examining these new 3D spaces interactively, we define the ZE diagnostics, a new set of 2D diagnostics that can provide the metallicity of objects excited by hot young stars and that cleanly separate H II region-like objects from the different classes of AGNs. We show that these ZE diagnostics are consistent with the key log [N II]/Hα versus log [O III]/Hβ diagnostic currently used by the community. They also have the advantage of attaching a probability that a given object belongs to one class or the other. Finally, we discuss briefly why ZQE diagrams can provide a new way to differentiate and study the different classes of AGNs in anticipation of a dedicated follow-up study.« less

  20. NICMOS Narrow-band Images of OMC-1

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Schultz, Angela S. B.; Colgan, Sean W. J.; Erickson, E. F.; Kaufman, M. J.; Hollenbach, D. J.; O'Dell, C. R.; Young, E. T.; Chen, H.

    1998-01-01

    We present images of a 90in. x 90in. field centered on BN in OMC-1, taken with the Near-Infrared Camera and MultiObject Spectrograph (NICMOS) aboard the Hubble Space Telescope. The observed lines are H2 1-0 S(l), Pa, [FeII] 1.64 pm, and the adjacent continua. The region is rich in interesting structures. The most remarkable are the streamers or "fingers" of H2 emission which extend from 15in. to 50in. from IRc2, seen here in unprecedented detail. Unlike the northern H2 fingers, the inner fingers do not exhibit significant [FeII] emission at theirdips, which we suggest is due to lower excitation. These observations also show that the general morphology of the Pa and [FeII] emission (both imaged for the first time in this region) bears a striking resemblance to that of the Ha and [SII] emission previously observed with WFPC2. This implies that these IR and optical lines are produced by radiative excitation on the surface of the molecular cloud. The Pa morphology of HH 202 is also very similar to its H a and [OIII] emission, again suggesting that the Pa in this object is photo-excited by the Trapezium, as has been suggested for the optical emission. We find evidence of shock-excited [FeII] in HH 208, where it again closely follows the morphology of [SII]. There is also H2 coincident with the [SII] and [FeII] emission, which may be associated with HH 208. Finally, we note some interesting continuum features: diffuse "tails" trailing from IRc3 and IRc4, more extensive observations of the "crescent" found by Stolovy, et al. (1998), and new observations of a similar oval object nearby. We also find a "V"-shaped region which may be the boundary of a cavity being cleared by IRc2.

  1. PheniX: A New Vision for the Hard X-ray Sky

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Roques, Jean-Pierre; Jourdain, Elisabeth; Bassani, Loredana; Bazzano, Angela; Belmont, Renaud; Bird, A. J.; Caroli, E.; Chauvin, M.; Clark, D.; Gehrels, N.; hide

    2012-01-01

    We are proposing a mission devoted to high energy X-ray astronomy that is based on a focusing telescope operating in the 1-200 keV energy range but optimized for the hard X-ray range. The main scientific topics concern: Physics of compact objects: The proximity of compact objects provides a unique laboratory to study matter and radiation in extreme conditions of temperature and density in strong gravitational environment. The emission of high energy photons from these objects is far from being understood. The unprecedented sensitivity in the high energy domain will allow a precise determination of the non-thermal processes at work in the vicinity of compact objects. The full 1-200 keV energy coverage will be ideal to disentangle the emission processes produced in the spacetime regions most affected by strong-gravity, as well as the physical links: disk-thermal emission-iron line-comptonisation-reflection-non-thermal emission-jets. Neutron stars-magnetic field-cyclotron lines: Time resolved spectroscopy (and polarimetry) at ultra-high sensitivity of AXP, milliseconds pulsars and magnetars will give new tools to study the role of the synchrotron processes at work in these objects. Cyclotron lines-direct measurement of magnetic filed-equation of state constraints-short bursts-giant flares could all be studied with great details. AGN: The large sensitivity improvement will provide detailed spectral properties of the high energy emission of AGN's. This will give a fresh look to the connection between accretion and jet emission and will provide a new understanding of the physical processes at work. Detection of high-redshift active nuclei in this energy range will allow to introduce an evolutionary aspect to high-energy studies of AGN, probing directly the origin of the Cosmic X-ray Background also in the non-thermal range (> 20 keV). Element formation-Supernovae: The energy resolution achievable for this mission (<0.5 keV) and a large high energy effective area are ideally suited for the 44Ti line study (68 and 78 keV). This radioactive nuclei emission will give an estimate of their quantities and speed in their environment. In addition the study of the spatial structure and spectral emission of SNR will advance our knowledge of the dynamics of supernovae explosions, of particles acceleration mechanisms and how the elements are released in the interstellar medium. Instrumental design: The progress of X-ray focusing optics techniques allows a major step in the instrumental design: the collecting area becomes independent of the detection area. This drastically reduces the instrumental background and will open a new era. The optics will be based on depth-graded multi-layer mirrors in a Wolter I configuration. To obtain a significant effective area in the hundred of keV range a focal length in the 40-50 meters range (attainable with a deployable mast) is needed. In addition such a mission could benefit from recent progress made on mirror coating. We propose to cover the 1-200 keV energy range with a single detector, a double-sided Germanium strip detector operating at 80 K. The main features will be: (a) good energy resolution (.150 keV at 5 keV and <.5 keV at 100 keV), (b) 3 dimensional event localization with a low number of electronic chains, (c) background rejection by the 3D localization, (d) polarisation capabilities in the Compton regime.

  2. PheniX: a new vision for the hard X-ray sky

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Roques, Jean-Pierre; Jourdain, Elisabeth; Bassani, Loredana; Bazzano, Angela; Belmont, Renaud; Bird, A. J.; Caroli, E.; Chauvin, M.; Clark, D.; Gehrels, N.; Goerlach, U.; Harrisson, F.; Laurent, P.; Malzac, J.; Medina, P.; Merloni, A.; Paltani, S.; Stephen, J.; Ubertini, P.; Wilms, J.

    2012-10-01

    We are proposing a mission devoted to high energy X-ray astronomy that is based on a focusing telescope operating in the 1-200 keV energy range but optimized for the hard X-ray range. The main scientific topics concern: Physics of compact objects: The proximity of compact objects provides a unique laboratory to study matter and radiation in extreme conditions of temperature and density in strong gravitational environment. The emission of high energy photons from these objects is far from being understood. The unprecedented sensitivity in the high energy domain will allow a precise determination of the non-thermal processes at work in the vicinity of compact objects. The full 1-200 keV energy coverage will be ideal to disentangle the emission processes produced in the spacetime regions most affected by strong-gravity, as well as the physical links: disk-thermal emission-iron line-comptonisation-reflection-non-thermal emission-jets. Neutron stars-magnetic field-cyclotron lines: Time resolved spectroscopy (and polarimetry) at ultra-high sensitivity of AXP, milliseconds pulsars and magnetars will give new tools to study the role of the synchrotron processes at work in these objects. Cyclotron lines-direct measurement of magnetic filed-equation of state constraints-short bursts-giant flares could all be studied with great details. AGN: The large sensitivity improvement will provide detailed spectral properties of the high energy emission of AGN's. This will give a fresh look to the connection between accretion and jet emission and will provide a new understanding of the physical processes at work. Detection of high-redshift active nuclei in this energy range will allow to introduce an evolutionary aspect to high-energy studies of AGN, probing directly the origin of the Cosmic X-ray Background also in the non-thermal range (> 20 keV). Element formation-Supernovae: The energy resolution achievable for this mission (<0.5 keV) and a large high energy effective area are ideally suited for the 44Ti line study (68 and 78 keV). This radioactive nuclei emission will give an estimate of their quantities and speed in their environment. In addition the study of the spatial structure and spectral emission of SNR will advance our knowledge of the dynamics of supernovae explosions, of particles acceleration mechanisms and how the elements are released in the interstellar medium. Instrumental design: The progress of X-ray focusing optics techniques allows a major step in the instrumental design: the collecting area becomes independent of the detection area. This drastically reduces the instrumental background and will open a new era. The optics will be based on depth-graded multi-layer mirrors in a Wolter I configuration. To obtain a significant effective area in the hundred of keV range a focal length in the 40-50 meters range (attainable with a deployable mast) is needed. In addition such a mission could benefit from recent progress made on mirror coating. We propose to cover the 1-200 keV energy range with a single detector, a double-sided Germanium strip detector operating at 80 K. The main features will be: (a) good energy resolution (.150 keV at 5 keV and <.5 keV at 100 keV), (b) 3 dimensional event localization with a low number of electronic chains, (c) background rejection by the 3D localization, (d) polarisation capabilities in the Compton regime.

  3. Observational studies of regions of massive star formation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cooper, Heather Danielle Blythe

    2013-03-01

    Massive stars have a profound influence on their surroundings. However, relatively little is known about their formation. The study of massive star formation is hindered by a lack of observational evidence, primarily due to difficulties observing massive stars at early stages in their development. The Red MSX Source survey (RMS survey) is a valuable tool with which to address these issues. Near-infrared H- and K-band spectra were taken for 247 candidate massive young stellar objects (MYSOs), selected from the RMS survey. 195 (∼80%) of the targets are YSOs, of which 131 are massive YSOs (LBOL>5E3L⊙, M>8 M⊙). This is the largest spectroscopic study of massive YSOs to date. This study covers minimally obscured objects right through to very red, dusty sources. Almost all YSOs show some evidence for emission lines, though there is a wide variety of observed properties, with HI, H2 Fe II, and CO among the most commonly observed lines. Evidence for disks and outflows was frequently seen. Comparisons of Brγ and H2 emission with low mass YSOs suggest that the emission mechanism for these lines is the same for low-, intermediate-, and high-mass YSOs, i.e. high-mass YSOs appear to resemble scaled-up versions of low-mass YSOs. It was found that the YSOs form an evolutionary sequence, based on their spectra, consistent with the existing theoretical models. Type I YSOs have strong H2 emission, no ionized lines, and are redder than the other two subtypes. As such, these are considered to be the youngest sources. The Type III sources are bluest, and therefore considered to be the oldest subtype. They have strong H I lines and fluorescent Fe II 1.6878 μm emission. They may also have weak H2 emission. Type III sources may even be beginning to form a mini-H II region. XSHOOTER data from 10 Herbig Be stars were analysed. The evidence suggests that winds and disks are common among Herbig stars, as they are among their main sequence classical Be star counterparts. Line broadening was seen in many of the sources, though it was not possible to identify whether this was due to Stark broadening or electron scattering. The observations and analysis presented in this thesis are an important step forward for the field of massive star formation. They also have the potential to be a starting block for future work.

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

    Aravena, M.; Wagg, J.; Papadopoulos, P. P.

    We report the detection of the {sup 12}CO J = 1-0 emission line in [H89]1821+643, one of the most optically luminous quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) in the local universe, and a template ULIRG-to-QSO transition object, located in a rich, cool-core cluster at z = 0.297. The CO emission is likely to be extended, highly asymmetric with respect to the center of the host elliptical where the QSO resides, and correspond with a molecular gas mass of {approx}8.0 x 10{sup 9} M{sub sun}. The dynamical mass enclosed by the CO emission-line region could amount to {approx}1.7 x 10{sup 12} M{sub sun} (80%more » of the total mass of the elliptical host). The bulk of the CO emission is located at {approx}9 kpc southeast from the nuclei position, close to a faint optical structure, suggesting that the CO emission could either represent a gas-rich companion galaxy merging with the elliptical host or a tail-like structure reminiscent of a previous interaction. We argue that the first scenario is more likely given the large masses implied by the CO source, which would imply a highly asymmetric elliptical host. The close alignment between the CO emission's major axis and the radio plume suggests a possible role in the excitation of the ambient gas reservoir by the latter. The stacking technique was used to search for CO emission and 3-mm continuum emission from galaxies in the surrounding cluster. However, no detection was found toward individual galaxies or the stacked ensemble of galaxies, with a 3{sigma} limit of <1.1 x 10{sup 9} M{sub sun} for the molecular gas.« less

  5. Tracing early evolutionary stages of high-mass star formation with molecular lines

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Marseille, M. G.; van der Tak, F. F. S.; Herpin, F.; Jacq, T.

    2010-11-01

    Context. Despite its major role in the evolution of the interstellar medium, the formation of high-mass stars (M ≥ 10 M_⊙) remains poorly understood. Two types of massive star cluster precursors, the so-called massive dense cores (MDCs), have been observed, which differ in terms of their mid-infrared brightness. The origin of this difference has not yet been established and may be the result of evolution, density, geometry differences, or a combination of these. Aims: We compare several molecular tracers of physical conditions (hot cores, shocks) observed in a sample of mid-IR weakly emitting MDCs with previous results obtained in a sample of exclusively mid-IR bright MDCs. We attempt to understand the differences between these two types of object. Methods: We present single-dish observations of HDO, H_218O, SO2, and CH3OH lines at λ = 1.3-3.5 mm. We study line profiles and estimate abundances of these molecules, and use a partial correlation method to search for trends in the results. Results: The detection rates of thermal emission lines are found to be very similar for both mid-IR quiet and bright objects. The abundances of H2O, HDO (10-13 to 10-9 in the cold outer envelopes), SO2 and CH3OH differ from source to source but independently of their mid-IR flux. In contrast, the methanol class I maser emission, a tracer of outflow shocks, is found to be strongly anti-correlated with the 12 μm source brightnesses. Conclusions: The enhancement of the methanol maser emission in mid-IR quiet MDCs may be indicative of a more embedded nature. Since total masses are similar between the two samples, we suggest that the matter distribution is spherical around mid-IR quiet sources but flattened around mid-IR bright ones. In contrast, water emission is associated with objects containing a hot molecular core, irrespective of their mid-IR brightness. These results indicate that the mid-IR brightness of MDCs is an indicator of their evolutionary stage.

  6. IGRINS NEAR-IR HIGH-RESOLUTION SPECTROSCOPY OF MULTIPLE JETS AROUND LkHα 234

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

    Oh, Heeyoung; Yuk, In-Soo; Park, Byeong-Gon

    2016-02-01

    We present the results of high-resolution near-IR spectroscopy toward the multiple outflows around the Herbig Be star LkHα 234 using the Immersion Grating Infrared Spectrograph. Previous studies indicate that the region around LkHα 234 is complex, with several embedded young stellar objects and the outflows associated with them. In simultaneous H- and K-band spectra from HH 167, we detected 5 [Fe ii] and 14 H{sub 2} emission lines. We revealed a new [Fe ii] jet driven by radio continuum source VLA 3B. Position–velocity diagrams of the H{sub 2} 1−0 S(1) λ2.122 μm line show multiple velocity peaks. The kinematics maymore » be explained by a geometrical bow shock model. We detected a component of H{sub 2} emission at the systemic velocity (V{sub LSR} = −10.2 km s{sup −1}) along the whole slit in all slit positions, which may arise from the ambient photodissociation region. Low-velocity gas dominates the molecular hydrogen emission from knots A and B in HH 167, which is close to the systemic velocity; [Fe ii] emission lines are detected farther from the systemic velocity, at V{sub LSR} = −100–−130 km s{sup −1}. We infer that the H{sub 2} emission arises from shocked gas entrained by a high-velocity outflow. Population diagrams of H{sub 2} lines imply that the gas is thermalized at a temperature of 2500–3000 K and the emission results from shock excitation.« less

  7. AN OFF-CENTERED ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEUS IN NGC 3115

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

    Menezes, R. B.; Steiner, J. E.; Ricci, T. V., E-mail: robertobm@astro.iag.usp.br

    2014-11-20

    NGC 3115 is an S0 galaxy that has always been considered to have a pure absorption-line spectrum. Some recent studies have detected a compact radio-emitting nucleus in this object, coinciding with the photometric center and with a candidate for the X-ray nucleus. This is evidence of the existence of a low-luminosity active galactic nucleus (AGN) in the galaxy, although no emission line has ever been observed. We report the detection of an emission-line spectrum of a type 1 AGN in NGC 3115, with an Hα luminosity of L {sub Hα} = (4.2 ± 0.4) × 10{sup 37} erg s{sup –1}. Our analysismore » revealed that this AGN is located at a projected distance of ∼0.''29 ± 0.''05 (corresponding to ∼14.3 ± 2.5 pc) from the stellar bulge center, which is coincident with the kinematic center of this object's stellar velocity map. The black hole corresponding to the observed off-centered AGN may form a binary system with a black hole located at the stellar bulge center. However, it is also possible that the displaced black hole is the merged remnant of the binary system coalescence, after the ''kick'' caused by the asymmetric emission of gravitational waves. We propose that certain features in the stellar velocity dispersion map are the result of perturbations caused by the off-centered AGN.« less

  8. Thick discs, and an outflow, of dense gas in the nuclei of nearby Seyfert galaxies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lin, Ming-Yi; Davies, R. I.; Burtscher, L.; Contursi, A.; Genzel, R.; González-Alfonso, E.; Graciá-Carpio, J.; Janssen, A.; Lutz, D.; Orban de Xivry, G.; Rosario, D.; Schnorr-Müller, A.; Sternberg, A.; Sturm, E.; Tacconi, L.

    2016-05-01

    We discuss the dense molecular gas in central regions of nearby Seyfert galaxies, and report new arcsec resolution observations of HCN (1-0) and HCO+ (1-0) for three objects. In NGC 3079, the lines show complex profiles as a result of self-absorption and saturated continuum absorption. H13CN reveals the continuum absorption profile, with a peak close to the galaxy's systemic velocity that traces disc rotation, and a second feature with a blue wing extending to -350 km s-1 that most likely traces a nuclear outflow. The morphological and spectral properties of the emission lines allow us to constrain the dense gas dynamics. We combine our kinematic analysis for these three objects, as well as another with archival data, with a previous comparable analysis of four other objects, to create a sample of eight Seyferts. In seven of these, the emission line kinematics imply thick disc structures on radial scales of ˜100 pc, suggesting such structures are a common occurrence. We find a relation between the circum-nuclear LHCN and Mdyn that can be explained by a gas fraction of 10 per cent and a conversion factor αHCN ˜ 10 between gas mass and HCN luminosity. Finally, adopting a different perspective to probe the physical properties of the gas around active galactic nuclei, we report on an analysis of molecular line ratios which indicates that the clouds in this region are not self-gravitating.

  9. Planetary Nebulae in the UWISH2 survey

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gledhill, T. M.; Froebrich, D.; Campbell-White, J.; Jones, A. M.

    2018-06-01

    Near-infrared imaging in the 1 - 0 S(1) emission line of molecular hydrogen is able to detect planetary nebulae (PNe) that are hidden from optical emission line surveys. We present images of 307 objects from the UWISH2 survey of the northern Galactic Plane, and with the aid of mid-infrared colour diagnostics draw up a list of 291 PN candidates. The majority, 183, are new detections and 85 per cent of these are not present in H α surveys of the region. We find that more than half (54 per cent) of objects have a bipolar morphology and that some objects previously considered as elliptical or point-source in H α imaging, appear bipolar in UWISH2 images. By considering a small subset of objects for which physical radii are available from the H α surface brightness-radius relation, we find evidence that the H2 surface brightness remains roughly constant over a factor 20 range of radii from 0.03 to 0.6 pc, encompassing most of the visible lifetime of a PN. This leads to the H α surface brightness becoming comparable to that of H2 at large radius (>0.5 pc). By combining the number of UWISH2 PNe without H α detection with an estimate of the PN detection efficiency in H2 emission, we estimate that PN numbers from H α surveys may underestimate the true PN number by a factor between 1.5 and 2.5 within the UWISH2 survey area.

  10. The great galactic centre mystery

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Riegler, G. R.

    1982-01-01

    Gamma-ray observations of the center of the Galaxy show a varying positron-electron annihilation radiation emission, while at radio wavelengths a non-thermal compact source surrounded by ionized gas moving at high velocities can be seen. Line emission maps for atomic and ionized hydrogen and molecular gas suggest gas expulsion and a massive collapsed object. IR observations show that ionized gas in the central few parsecs of the Galactic center is concentrated in at least 14 small clouds. Charge-coupled device images show a pair of faint, very red sources within a few arc seconds of IRS 16 and the compact non-thermal radio source. The positron-electron annihilation line emission implies an annihilation rate of 10 to the 43rd per sec, compared with an observed luminosity at IR wavelengths of 10 to the 40 erg per sec. Some models are briefly discussed.

  11. Color gradients in cooling flow cluster central galaxies and the ionization of cluster emission line systems

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Romanishin, W.

    1988-01-01

    Preliminary results are given for a program to measure color gradients in the central galaxies in clusters with a variety of cooling flow rates. The objectives are to search for extended blue continuum regions indicative of star formation, to study the spatial distribution of star formation, and to make a quantitative measure of the amount of light from young stars, which can lead to a measure of the star formation rate (for an assumed initial mass function). Four clusters with large masses and large cluster H-alpha emission fluxes are found to have an excess of blue light concentrated to the centers of the cluster central galaxy. Assumption of a disk IMF leads to the conclusion that the starlight might play a major role in ionizing the emission line gas in these clusters.

  12. Atomic Oscillator Strengths in the Vacuum Ultraviolet

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Nave, Gillian; Sansonetti, Craig J.; Szabo, Csilla I.

    2006-01-01

    We have developed techniques to measure branching fractions in the vacuum ultraviolet using diffraction grating spectroscopy and phosphor image plates as detectors. These techniques have been used to measure branching fractions in Fe II that give prominent emission lines in astrophysical objects.

  13. FOUR DUAL AGN CANDIDATES OBSERVED WITH THE VLBA

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

    Gabányi, K. É.; Frey, S.; An, T.

    According to hierarchical structure formation models, merging galaxies are expected to be seen in different stages of coalescence. However, there are currently no straightforward observational methods to either select or to confirm a large number of dual active galactic nucleus (AGN) candidates. Most attempts involve obtaining a better understanding of double-peaked narrow emission line sources, in order to distinguish the objects for which the emission lines originate from narrow-line kinematics or jet-driven outflows, from those which might harbor dual AGNs. We observed four such candidate sources with the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA), at 1.5 GHz with a ∼10 masmore » angular resolution, for which the spectral profiles of AGN optical emission suggested the existence of dual AGNs. In SDSS J210449.13–000919.1 and SDSS J23044.82–093345.3 the radio structures are aligned with the optical emission features, thus the double-peaked emission lines might be the results of jet-driven outflows. In the third detected source SDSS J115523.74+150756.9, the radio structure is less extended and is oriented nearly perpendicular to the position angle derived from optical spectroscopy. The fourth source remained undetected with the VLBA, but it was imaged with the Very Large Array at arcsec resolution a few months before our observations, suggesting the existence of an extended radio structure. We did not detect two radio-emitting cores in any of the four sources, a convincing signature of duality.« less

  14. Distinguishing between symbiotic stars and planetary nebulae

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Iłkiewicz, K.; Mikołajewska, J.

    2017-10-01

    Context. The number of known symbiotic stars (SySt) is still significantly lower than their predicted population. One of the main problems in finding the total population of SySt is the fact that their spectrum can be confused with other objects, such as planetary nebulae (PNe) or dense H II regions. This problem is reinforced by the fact that in a significant fraction of established SySt the emission lines used to distinguish them from other objects are not present. Aims: We aim at finding new diagnostic diagrams that could help separate SySt from PNe. Additionally, we examine a known sample of extragalactic PNe for candidate SySt. Methods: We employed emission line fluxes of known SySt and PNe from the literature. Results: We found that among the forbidden lines in the optical region of spectrum, only the [O III] and [N II] lines can be used as a tool for distinguishing between SySt and PNe, which is consistent with the fact that they have the highest critical densities. The most useful diagnostic that we propose is based on He I lines, which are more common and stronger in SySt than forbidden lines. All these useful diagnostic diagrams are electron density indicators that better distinguish PNe and ionized symbiotic nebulae. Moreover, we found six new candidate SySt in the Large Magellanic Cloud and one in M 81. If confirmed, the candidate in M 81 would be the farthest known SySt thus far.

  15. Radio constraints on the nature of BL Lacertae objects and their parent population

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kollgaard, R. I.; Wardle, J. F. C.; Roberts, D. H.; Gabuzda, D. C.

    1992-01-01

    5 GHz VLA observations of 17 BL Lac objects with bright radio cores at both high and low resolution are reported. Extended emission is detected around most objects. None of the sources observed at low resolution show evidence of giant halos on the scale of tens of arcmin. In general, the sources with the most luminous extended emission exhibit FR II characteristics in both morphology and polarization, and less luminous sources exhibit FR I characteristics. Thus, the parent population of the BL Lac objects contains both FR I and FR II radio sources. No BL Lac objects are found that clearly exhibit quasarlike polarization at milliarcsec resolution. This argues against the view that the more luminous BL Lac objects are simply an extension of the quasar/OVV population, or that most BL Lac objects are gravitationally microlensed images of distant quasars. Other properties are generally consistent with the view the BL Lac objects are normal radio galaxies whose jets make a small angle to the line of sight.

  16. Two methods for transmission line simulation model creation based on time domain measurements

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rinas, D.; Frei, S.

    2011-07-01

    The emission from transmission lines plays an important role in the electromagnetic compatibility of automotive electronic systems. In a frequency range below 200 MHz radiation from cables is often the dominant emission factor. In higher frequency ranges radiation from PCBs and their housing becomes more relevant. Main sources for this emission are the conducting traces. The established field measurement methods according CISPR 25 for evaluation of emissions suffer from the need to use large anechoic chambers. Furthermore measurement data can not be used for simulation model creation in order to compute the overall fields radiated from a car. In this paper a method to determine the far-fields and a simulation model of radiating transmission lines, esp. cable bundles and conducting traces on planar structures, is proposed. The method measures the electromagnetic near-field above the test object. Measurements are done in time domain in order to get phase information and to reduce measurement time. On the basis of near-field data equivalent source identification can be done. Considering correlations between sources along each conductive structure in model creation process, the model accuracy increases and computational costs can be reduced.

  17. Searching for Decaying Dark Matter in Deep XMM-Newton Observation of the Draco Dwarf Spheroidal

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ruchayskiy, Oleg; Boyardsky, Alex; Iakbovskyi, Dmytro; Bulbul, Esra; Eckert, Domique; Franse, Jeron; Malyshev, Denys; Markevitch, Maxim; Neronov, Andrii

    2016-01-01

    We present results of a search for the 3.5 keV emission line in our recent very long (approx. 1.4 Ms) XMM-Newton observation of the Draco dwarf spheroidal galaxy. The astrophysical X-ray emission from such dark matter-dominated galaxies is faint, thus they provide a test for the dark matter origin of the 3.5 keV line previously detected in other massive, but X-ray bright objects, such as galaxies and galaxy clusters. We do not detect a statistically significant emission line from Draco; this constrains the lifetime of a decaying dark matter particle to tau >(7-9) × 10(exp 27) s at 95% CL (combining all three XMM-Newton cameras; the interval corresponds to the uncertainty of the dark matter column density in the direction of Draco). The PN camera, which has the highest sensitivity of the three, does show a positive spectral residual (above the carefully modeled continuum) at E = 3.54 +/- 0.06 keV with a 2.3(sigma) significance. The two MOS cameras show less-significant or no positive deviations, consistently within 1(sigma) with PN. Our Draco limit on tau is consistent with previous detections in the stacked galaxy clusters, M31 and the Galactic Centre within their 1 - 2(sigma) uncertainties, but is inconsistent with the high signal from the core of the Perseus cluster (which has itself been inconsistent with the rest of the detections). We conclude that this Draco observation does not exclude the dark matter interpretation of the 3.5 keV line in those objects.

  18. FHILs in Seyferts and Liners in the optical spectra

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vera, R. J. C.; Rodriguez, A. M.; Portilla, J. G.

    2014-10-01

    We present the main results from a selection of optical spectra of Seyfert and LINER galaxies taken from the 9^{th} release of the SDSS with detectable emission of forbidden high ionization lines (FHILs), better known as coronal lines. A catalog of 345 Seyfert 1 (Sy1) and Seyfert 2 (Sy2) galaxies with FHILs emission is presented. By analyzing their spectra and utilizing data from the literature we found the following results: (1) The flux ratios between FHILs suggests anisotropy of emission between Sy1 and Sy2 galaxies, which agrees with the results found by Nagao et al. (2002) and Portilla (2012). Sy1 seems to emit more FHILs than Sy2. (2) This anisotropy suggests the idea that an important, but not the majority, of the emission of FHILs comes from the inner part of the obscuring torus. (3) We present diagnostic diagrams between FHILs lines which indicate clear correlations between the flux ratios. (4) It is observed that the ratio of Ne V/Fe VII is of the order of 3 to 10, while the ratios between iron lines (i.e., Fe VII, Fe X, Fe XI) are roughly around the unity. (5) At least in the optical spectra, the present study continues to support the general idea that LINERs are not energetic enough to present FHILs. A complete version of this study including the catalog with the objects of study, and diagnosis diagrams using only this kind of lines can be found in Vera & Portilla (in prep).

  19. On the Brγ line emission of the Herbig Ae/Be star MWC 120

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kreplin, Alexander; Tambovtseva, Larisa; Grinin, Vladimir; Kraus, Stefan; Weigelt, Gerd; Wang, Yang

    2018-06-01

    The origin of the Br γ line in Herbig Ae/Be stars is still an open question. It has been proposed that a fraction of the 2.166-μm Br γ emission might emerge from a disc wind, the magnetosphere and other regions. Investigations of the Br γ line in young stellar objects are important to improve our understanding of the accretion-ejection process. Near-infrared long-baseline interferometry enables the investigation of the Br γ line-emitting region with high spatial and high spectral resolution. We observed the Herbig Ae/Be star MWC 120 with the Astronomical Multi-Beam Recombiner (AMBER) on the Very Large Telescope Interferometer (VLTI) in different spectral channels across the Br γ line with a spectral resolution of R ˜ 1500. Comparison of the visibilities, differential and closure phases in the continuum and the line-emitting region with geometric and radiative transfer disc-wind models leads to constraints on the origin and dynamics of the gas emitting the Br γ light. Geometric modelling of the visibilities reveals a line-emission region about two times smaller than the K-band continuum region, which indicates a scenario where the Br γ emission is dominated by an extended disc wind rather than by a much more compact magnetospheric origin. To compare our data with a physical model, we applied a state-of-the-art radiative transfer disc-wind model. We find that all measured visibilities, differential and closure phases of MWC 120 can be approximately reproduced by a disc-wind model. A comparison with other Herbig stars indicates a correlation of the modelled inner disc-wind radii with the corresponding Alfvén radii for late spectral type stars.

  20. Mapping low- and high-density clouds in astrophysical nebulae by imaging forbidden line emission

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Steiner, J. E.; Menezes, R. B.; Ricci, T. V.; Oliveira, A. S.

    2009-06-01

    Emission line ratios have been essential for determining physical parameters such as gas temperature and density in astrophysical gaseous nebulae. With the advent of panoramic spectroscopic devices, images of regions with emission lines related to these physical parameters can, in principle, also be produced. We show that, with observations from modern instruments, it is possible to transform images taken from density-sensitive forbidden lines into images of emission from high- and low-density clouds by applying a transformation matrix. In order to achieve this, images of the pairs of density-sensitive lines as well as the adjacent continuum have to be observed and combined. We have computed the critical densities for a series of pairs of lines in the infrared, optical, ultraviolet and X-rays bands, and calculated the pair line intensity ratios in the high- and low-density limit using a four- and five-level atom approximation. In order to illustrate the method, we applied it to Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) Integral Field Unit (GMOS-IFU) data of two galactic nuclei. We conclude that this method provides new information of astrophysical interest, especially for mapping low- and high-density clouds; for this reason, we call it `the ld/hd imaging method'. Based on observations obtained at the Gemini Observatory, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation on behalf of the Gemini partnership: the National Science Foundation (United States); the Science and Technology Facilities Council (United Kingdom); the National Research Council (Canada), CONICYT (Chile); the Australian Research Council (Australia); Ministério da Ciência e Tecnologia (Brazil) and Secretaria de Ciencia y Tecnologia (Argentina). E-mail: steiner@astro.iag.usp.br

  1. The ALMA early science view of FUor/EXor objects - I. Through the looking-glass of V2775 Ori

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zurlo, Alice; Cieza, Lucas A.; Williams, Jonathan P.; Canovas, Hector; Perez, Sebastian; Hales, Antonio; Mužić, Koraljka; Principe, David A.; Ruíz-Rodríguez, Dary; Tobin, John; Zhang, Yichen; Zhu, Zhaohuan; Casassus, Simon; Prieto, Jose L.

    2017-02-01

    As part of an Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimiter Array (ALMA) survey to study the origin of episodic accretion in young eruptive variables, we have observed the circum-stellar environment of the star V2775 Ori. This object is a very young, pre-main sequence object which displays a large amplitude outburst characteristic of the FUor class. We present Cycle-2 band 6 observations of V2775 Ori with a continuum and CO (2-1) isotopologue resolution of 0.25 arcsec (103 au). We report the detection of a marginally resolved circum-stellar disc in the ALMA continuum with an integrated flux of 106 ± 2 mJy, characteristic radius of ˜30 au, inclination of 14.0^{+7.8}_{-14.5} deg and is oriented nearly face-on with respect to the plane of the sky. The 12CO emission is separated into distinct blue and redshifted regions that appear to be rings or shells of expanding material from quasi-episodic outbursts. The system is oriented in such a way that the disc is seen through the outflow remnant of V2775 Ori, which has an axis along our line of sight. The 13CO emission displays similar structure to that of the 12CO, while the C18O line emission is very weak. We calculated the expansion velocities of the low- and medium-density material with respect to the disc to be of -2.85 (blue), 4.4 (red) and -1.35 and 1.15 km s-1 (for blue and red) and we derived the mass, momentum and kinetic energy of the expanding gas. The outflow has an hourglass shape where the cavities are not seen. We interpret the shapes that the gas traces as cavities excavated by an ancient outflow. We report a detection of line emission from the circumstellar disc and derive a lower limit of the gas mass of 3 MJup.

  2. Infrared fine-structure line diagnostics of shrouded active galactic nuclei

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Voit, G. M.

    1992-01-01

    The ultraluminous far-IR galaxies revealed by IRAS, quasar-like in luminosity but smothered in molecular gas, probably conceal either immense starbursts or luminous active nuclei. In both scenarios, these objects ought to produce copious infrared fine-structure emission with several lines comparable to H-beta in luminosity. We show how these lines, if detected, can be used to determine the electron densities and far-IR obscurations of shrouded photoionized regions and to constrain the shape and ionization parameter of the ionizing spectra. The presence of Ne v emission in particular will distinguish shrouded AGNs from shrouded starbursts. Since all active galaxies photoionize at least some surrounding material, these diagnostics can also be applied to active galaxies in general and will aid in studying how an active nucleus interacts with the interstellar medium of its host galaxy.

  3. ELSA: An integrated, semi-automated nebular abundance package

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Johnson, Matthew D.; Levitt, Jesse S.; Henry, Richard B. C.; Kwitter, Karen B.

    We present ELSA, a new modular software package, written in C, to analyze and manage spectroscopic data from emission-line objects. In addition to calculating plasma diagnostics and abundances from nebular emission lines, the software provides a number of convenient features including the ability to ingest logs produced by IRAF's splot task, to semi-automatically merge spectra in different wavelength ranges, and to automatically generate various data tables in machine-readable or LaTeX format. ELSA features a highly sophisticated interstellar reddening correction scheme that takes into account temperature and density effects as well as He II contamination of the hydrogen Balmer lines. Abundance calculations are performed using a 5-level atom approximation with recent atomic data, based on R. Henry's ABUN program. Downloading and detailed documentation for all aspects of ELSA are available at the following URL:

  4. Combined Ultraviolet and Optical Spectra of 48 Low-Redshift QSOs and the Relation of the Continuum and Emission-Line Properties

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Corbin, Michael R.; Boroson, Todd A.

    1996-11-01

    We present combined ultraviolet and optical spectra of 48 QSOs and Seyfert 1 galaxies in the redshift range 0.034-0.774. The UV spectra were obtained non-simultaneously with the optical and are derived from archival Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Faint Object Spectrograph and International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) observations. The sample consists of 22 radio- quiet objects, 12 flat radio spectrum radio-loud objects, and 14 steep radio spectrum objects, and it covers approximately 2.5 decades in ultraviolet continuum luminosity. The sample objects are among the most luminous known in this redshift range and include 3C 273 and Fairall 9, as well as many objects discovered in the Bright Quasar Survey. We measure and compare an array of emission-line and continuum parameters, including 2 keV X-ray luminosities derived from the Einstein database. We examine individual correlations and also apply a principal components analysis (PCA) in an effort to determine the underlying sources of variance among these observables. Our main results are as follows. 1. The C IV λ1549 profile asymmetry is correlated with the UV continuum luminosity measured at the position of that line, such that increasing continuum luminosity produces increasing redward asymmetry. This is the same correlation found between Hβ asymmetry and 2 keV luminosity in a larger sample of objects and appears to be followed by both radio-loud and radio-quiet sources. The C IV profile asymmetry is also correlated with the FWZI of the Lyα profile, with more redward asymmetric profiles associated with wider profile bases. The PCA reveals that the correlated increase in luminosity, C IV redward asymmetry, and profile base width accounts for over half the statistical variance in the sample. 2. There is a statistically significant difference between the FWZI distributions of the Lyα and Hβ lines, such that the former is wider on average by ~10^4^ km s^-1^. The FWHM values of the broad Hβ line are weakly correlated with those of C IV λ1549 and Lyα, and in contrast to the FWZI values the Hβ profiles are wider. Measures of the asymmetry of the Hβ and C IV profiles also show a weak correlation. The wavelength centroids at 3/4 maximum of the Lyα and C IV lines also show average blueshifts ~50-200 km s^-1^ from [O III] λ5007, versus an average redshift of 75 km s^-1^ for broad Hβ. 3. There is no clear evidence of narrow components to the stronger UV lines, even among objects in which the optical narrow lines including [O III] λλ4959, 5007 are unusually strong. We measure the average fractional contributions of such components to the Lyα and C III] λ1909 lines to be ~4%-5%, consistent with the findings from smaller samples. However, a sizable fraction (50%) of radio-loud objects display a narrow component of He II λ1640, the same as in the QSO population at intermediate redshifts, and such a component is likely to contribute to the other UV lines. We interpret the first result as the effect of a black hole mass/luminosity relation in which the profile widths and redward asymmetries are produced respectively by the virialized motions and gravitational redshift associated with 10^9^-10^10^ M_sun_ holes. This does not explain the cases of blueward profile asymmetries and blueshifted profile peaks, which require an effect acting oppositely to gravitational redshift. The peak redshift differences and relative weakness of the correlations between the UV profile widths and asymmetries and those of Hβ suggests a stratified ionization structure of the broad-line region (BLR), consistent with the variability studies of Seyfert 1 galaxies. Continuum variability and the dynamical evolution of the BLR gas may also influence these results. The difference between the Lyα and Hβ FWZI values provides additional evidence of an optically thin very broad line region (VBLR) lying interior to an intermediate line region (ILR) producing the profile cores. The smaller average FWHM values of the UV lines compared to Hβ indicate that they have a higher relative contribution of ILR emission, versus a more dominant VBLR component in the Balmer lines. The narrow He II λ1640 feature of radio-loud objects is likely associated with the inner regions of extended (100 kpc) ionized halos that are not present around radio-quiet objects, and which appear to be best explained as cooling flows around the QSO host galaxies.

  5. HST WFC3 Early Release Science: Emission-Line Galaxies from IR Grism Observations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Straughn, A. N.; Kuntschner, H.; Kuemmel, M.; Walsh, J. R.; Cohen, S. H.; Gardner, J. P.; Windhorst, R. A.; O'Connell, R. W.; Pirzkal, N.; Meurer, G.; hide

    2010-01-01

    We present grism spectra of emission line galaxies (ELGs) from 0.6-1.6 microns from the Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). These new infrared grism data augment previous optical Advanced Camera for Surveys G800L (0.6-0.95 micron) grism data in GOODS South, extending the wavelength coverage well past the G800L red cutoff. The ERS grism field was observed at a depth of 2 orbits per grism, yielding spectra of hundreds of faint objects, a subset of which are presented here. ELGs are studied via the Ha, [O III ], and [OII] emission lines detected in the redshift ranges 0.2 less than or equal to z less than or equal to 1.6, 1.2 less than or equal to z less than or equal to 2.4 and 2.0 less than or equal to z less than or equal to 3.6 respectively in the G102 (0.8-1.1 microns; R approximately 210) and C141 (1.1-1.6 microns; R approximately 130) grisms. The higher spectral resolution afforded by the WFC3 grisms also reveals emission lines not detectable with the G800L grism (e.g., [S II] and [S III] lines). From these relatively shallow observations, line luminosities, star formation rates, and grism spectroscopic redshifts are determined for a total of 25 ELGs to M(sub AB)(F098M) approximately 25 mag. The faintest source in our sample with a strong but unidentified emission line--is MAB(F098M)=26.9 mag. We also detect the expected trend of lower specific star formation rates for the highest mass galaxies in the sample, indicative of downsizing and discovered previously from large surveys. These results demonstrate the remarkable efficiency and capability of the WFC3 NIR grisms for measuring galaxy properties to faint magnitudes.

  6. THE DISCREPANT KINEMATICS OF ORLs AND CELs IN NGC 7009 AS A FUNCTION OF IONIZATION STRUCTURE

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

    Richer, Michael G.; Georgiev, Leonid; Torres-Peimbert, Silvia

    2013-08-20

    We present spatially and velocity-resolved echelle spectroscopy for NGC 7009 obtained with the UVES spectrograph at the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope. Our objective is to analyze the kinematics of emission lines excited by recombination and collisions with electrons to determine whether similarities or differences could be useful in elucidating the well-known abundance discrepancy derived from them. We construct position-velocity maps for recombination, fluorescence, charge transfer, and collisionally excited lines. We find a plasma component emitting in the C II, N II, O II, and Ne II recombination lines whose kinematics are discrepant: they are incompatible with the ionizationmore » structure derived from all other evidence and the kinematics derived from all of these lines are unexpectedly very similar. We find direct evidence for a recombination contribution to [N II] {lambda}5755. Once taken into account, the electron temperatures from [N II], [O III], and [Ne III] agree at a given position and velocity. The electron densities derived from [O II] and [Ar IV] are consistent with direct imaging and the distribution of hydrogen emission. The kinematics of the C II, N II, O II, and Ne II lines does not coincide with the kinematics of the [O III] and [Ne III] forbidden emission, indicating that there is an additional plasma component to the recombination emission that arises from a different volume from that giving rise to the forbidden emission from the parent ions within NGC 7009. Thus, the chemical abundances derived from either type of line are correct only for the plasma component from which they arise. Apart from [N II] {lambda}5755, we find no anomaly with the forbidden lines usually used to determine chemical abundances in ionized nebulae, so the abundances derived from them should be reliable for the medium from which they arise.« less

  7. Lick slit spectra of thirty-eight objective prism quasar candidates and low metallicity halo stars

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Tytler, David; Fan, Xiao-Ming; Junkkarinen, Vesa T.; Cohen, Ross D.

    1993-01-01

    Lick Observatory slit spectra of 38 objects which were claimed to have pronounced UV excess and emission lines are presented. Eleven QSOs, four galaxies at z of about 0.1, 22 stars, and one unidentified object with a low S/N spectrum were found. Of 11 objects which Zhan and Chen (1987, 1989) suggested were QSO with z(prism) not greater than 2.8; eight are QSOs. Six of the QSOs show absorption systems, including Q0000+027A with a relatively strong associated C IV absorption system, and Q0008+008 with a damped Ly-alpha system with an H I column density of 10 exp 21/sq cm. The equivalent widths of the Ca II K line, the G band, and the Balmer lines in 10 stars with the best spectra are measured, and metallicities are derived. Seven of them are in the range -2.5 to -1.7, while the others are less metal-poor.

  8. Photoluminescence of patterned CdSe quantum dot for anti-counterfeiting label on paper

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Isnaeni, Yulianto, Nursidik; Suliyanti, Maria Margaretha

    2016-03-01

    We successfully developed a method utilizing colloidal CdSe nanocrystalline quantum dot for anti-counterfeiting label on a piece of glossy paper. We deposited numbers and lines patterns of toluene soluble CdSe quantum dot using rubber stamper on a glossy paper. The width of line pattern was about 1-2 mm with 1-2 mm separation between lines. It required less than one minute for deposited CdSe quantum dot on glossy paper to dry and become invisible by naked eyes. However, patterned quantum dot become visible using long-pass filter glasses upon excitation of UV lamp or blue laser. We characterized photoluminescence of line patterns of quantum dot, and we found that emission boundaries of line patterns were clearly observed. The error of line size and shape were mainly due to defect of the original stamper. The emission peak wavelength of CdSe quantum dot was 629 nm. The emission spectrum of deposited quantum dot has full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 30-40 nm. The spectra similarity between deposited quantum dot and the original quantum dot in solution proved that our stamping method can be simply applied on glossy paper without changing basic optical property of the quantum dot. Further development of this technique is potential for anti-counterfeiting label on very important documents or objects.

  9. Photoluminescence of patterned CdSe quantum dot for anti-counterfeiting label on paper

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

    Isnaeni,, E-mail: isnaeni@lipi.go.id; Yulianto, Nursidik; Suliyanti, Maria Margaretha

    We successfully developed a method utilizing colloidal CdSe nanocrystalline quantum dot for anti-counterfeiting label on a piece of glossy paper. We deposited numbers and lines patterns of toluene soluble CdSe quantum dot using rubber stamper on a glossy paper. The width of line pattern was about 1-2 mm with 1-2 mm separation between lines. It required less than one minute for deposited CdSe quantum dot on glossy paper to dry and become invisible by naked eyes. However, patterned quantum dot become visible using long-pass filter glasses upon excitation of UV lamp or blue laser. We characterized photoluminescence of line patterns of quantummore » dot, and we found that emission boundaries of line patterns were clearly observed. The error of line size and shape were mainly due to defect of the original stamper. The emission peak wavelength of CdSe quantum dot was 629 nm. The emission spectrum of deposited quantum dot has full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 30-40 nm. The spectra similarity between deposited quantum dot and the original quantum dot in solution proved that our stamping method can be simply applied on glossy paper without changing basic optical property of the quantum dot. Further development of this technique is potential for anti-counterfeiting label on very important documents or objects.« less

  10. Gamma-ray evidence for a stellar-mass black hole near the Galactic center

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ramaty, Reuven; Lingenfelter, Richard E.

    1989-01-01

    An analysis of the time variability of the observed 511-keV line emission from the direction of the Galactic center and the correlation of its variations in the continuum emission above 511 keV from the same direction suggest the existence of a compact object at or near the Galactic center. A possible mechanism of the observed positron annihilation is consistent with a compact interaction region of the order of 10 to the 8th cm. A black hole of several hundred solar masses is favored as a candidate for this compact object; arguments in support of this suggestion are presented.

  11. A Catalog of MIPSGAL Disk and Ring Sources

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-04-01

    average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and...California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 14. ABSTRACT We present a catalog of 416 extended, resolved , disk and ringlike objects as... Satellite sources. Among the identified objects, those with central sources are mostly listed as emission-line stars, but with other source types including

  12. Analysis of the diffuse ionized gas database: DIGEDA

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Flores-Fajardo, N.; Morisset, C.; Binette, L.

    2009-10-01

    Studies of the Diffuse Ionized Gas (DIG) have progressed without providing so far any strict criterion to distinguish DIGs from H II regions. In this work, we compile the emission line measurements of 29 galaxies that are available in the scientific literature, thereby setting up the first DIG database (DIGEDA). Making use of this database, we proceed to analyze the global properties of the DIG using the [NII]λ6583/Hα, [O I]λ6300/Hα, [O III]λ5007/Hβ and [SII]λ6716/Hα lines ratios, including the H α emission measure. This analysis leads us to conclude that the [N II]/Hα ratio provides an objective criterion for distinguishing whether an emission region is a DIG or an H II region, while the EM(Hα) is a useful quantity only when the galaxies are considered individually. Finally, we find that the emission regions of Irr galaxies classified as DIG in the literature appear in fact to be much more similar to H II regions than to the DIGs of spiral galaxies.

  13. Aging jets from low-mass stars

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Graham, J. A.; Chen, W. P.

    1994-01-01

    An extended faint optical jet is associated with the compact emission region plus faint star known as HH 55. HH 55 is located in the Lupus 2 cloud 2 min SW of the well studied T Tauri star RU Lupi. The HH 55 jet extends 55 sec N and 35 sec S in PA 160 deg. The HH 55 star is an emission line star of spectral type M3.5. Its image in the emission lines of H-alpha and (S II) is slightly elongated by 2 sec - 3 sec to the S but in continuum light is symmetrical and pointlike ((full width at half maximum) (FWHM) = 1.7 sec). The star and jet have several features in common with the star and jet known as Sz 102 = Th 28 in the nearby Lupus 3 cloud. We suggest that these objects are representative of the late evolutionary stage of the HH jet-outflow phenomenon and point out that such objects may be quite common although difficult to detect. With L(sub bol) approximately = 0.005 solar luminosity, and log T(sub e) approximately = 3.5, the HH 55 star is close to the main sequence and evolutionary tracks suggest an age of 3 x 10(exp 7) yr.

  14. Broad NE 8 lambda 774 emission from quasars in the HST-FOS snapshot survey (ABSNAP)

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hamann, Fred; Zuo, Lin; Tytler, David

    1995-01-01

    We discuss the strength and frequency of broad Ne VIII lambda 774 emission from quasars measured in the Hubble Space Telescope Faint Object Spectrograph (HST-FOS) snapshot survey (Absnap). Five sources in the survey have suitable redshifts (0.86 less than or equal to Z(sub em) less than or equal to 1.31), signal-to-noise ratios and no Lyman limit absorptions. Three of the five sources have a strong broad emission line near 774 A (rest), and the remaining two sources have a less securely measured line near this wavelength. We identify these lines with Ne VIII lambda 774 based on the measured wavelengths and theoretical estimates of various line fluxes (Hamann et al. 1995a). Secure Ne VIII detections occur in both radio-loud and radio-quiet sources. We tentatively conclude that broad Ne VIII lambda 774 emission is common in quasars, with typical strengths between approximately 25% and approximately 200% of O VI lambda 1034. These Ne VIII lambda 774 measurements imply that the broad emission line regions have a much hotter and more highly ionized component than previously recognized. They also suggest that quasar continua have substantial ionizing flux out to energies greater than 207 eV (greater than 15.2 ryd, lambda less than 60 A). Photoionization calculations using standard incident spectra indicate that the Ne VIII emission requires ionization parameters U greater than or = 5, total column densities N(sub H) greater than or = 10(sub 22)/sq cm and covering factors greater than or = 25%. The temperatures could be as high as approximately 10(exp 5) K. If the gas is instead collisionally ionized, strong Ne VIII would imply equilibrium temperatures in the range approximately 400,000 less than or approximately = T(sub e) less than or approximately = 10(exp 6) K. In either case, the highly ionized Ne VIII emission regions would appear as X-ray 'warm absorbers' if they lie along our line of sight to the X-ray continuum source.

  15. The Surprising Absence of Absorption in the Far-ultraviolet Spectrum of Mrk 231

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Veilleux, S.; Trippe, M.; Hamann, F.; Rupke, D. S. N.; Tripp, T. M.; Netzer, H.; Lutz, D.; Sembach, K. R.; Krug, H.; Teng, Stacy H.; hide

    2013-01-01

    Mrk 231, the nearest (z = 0.0422) quasar, hosts both a galactic-scale wind and a nuclear-scale iron low-ionization broad absorption line (FeLoBAL) outflow. We recently obtained a far-ultraviolet (FUV) spectrum of this object covering approx. 1150-1470A with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph on board the Hubble Space Telescope. This spectrum is highly peculiar, highlighted by the presence of faint (< or approx.2% of predictions based on H(alpha)), broad (> or approx.10,000 km/s at the base), and highly blueshifted (centroid at approx. 3500 km/s) Ly(aplpha) emission. The FUV continuum emission is slightly declining at shorter wavelengths (consistent with F(sub lambda) Alpha Lambda(sup 1.7)) and does not show the presence of any obvious photospheric or wind stellar features. Surprisingly, the FUV spectrum also does not show any unambiguous broad absorption features. It thus appears to be dominated by the AGN, rather than hot stars, and virtually unfiltered by the dusty FeLoBAL screen. The observed Ly(alpha) emission is best explained if it is produced in the outflowing BAL cloud system, while the Balmer lines arise primarily from the standard broad emission line region seen through the dusty (Av approx. 7 mag) broad absorption line region. Two possible geometric models are discussed in the context of these new results.

  16. Extreme Emission Line Galaxies in CANDELS: Broad-Band Selected, Star-Bursting Dwarf Galaxies at Z greater than 1

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    VanDerWel, A.; Straughn, A. N.; Rix, H.-W.; Finkelstein, S. L.; Koekemoer, A. M.; Weiner, B. J.; Wuyts, S.; Bell, E. F.; Faber, S. M.; Trump, J. R.; hide

    2011-01-01

    We identify an abundant population of extreme emission line galaxies at redshift z=1.6 - 1.8 in the Cosmic Assembly Near-IR Deep Extragalactic Legacy Survey (CANDELS) imaging from Hubble Space Telescope/Wide Field Camera 3 (HST/WFC3). 69 candidates are selected by the large contribution of exceptionally bright emission lines to their near-infrared, broad-band fluxes. Supported by spectroscopic confirmation of strong [OIII] emission lines - with equivalent widths approximately 1000A - in the four candidates that have HST/WFC3 grism observations, we conclude that these objects are dwarf galaxies with approximately 10(exp 8) solar mass in stellar mass, undergoing an enormous star-burst phase with M*/M* of only approximately 10 Myr. The star formation activity and the co-moving number density (3.7 x 10(exp -4) Mpc(exp -3)) imply that strong, short-lived bursts play a significant, perhaps even dominant role in the formation and evolution of dwarf galaxies at z greater than 1. The observed star formation activity can produce in less than 5 Gyr the same amount of stellar mass density as is presently contained in dwarf galaxies. Therefore, our observations provide a strong indication that the stellar populations of present-day dwarf galaxies formed mainly in strong, short-lived bursts, mostly at z greater than 1.

  17. Extreme Emission Line Galaxies in CANDELS: Broad-Band Selected, Star-Bursting Dwarf Galaxies at Z greater than 1

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    vanderWel, A.; Straughn, A. N.; Rix, H.-W.; Finkelstein, S. L.; Koekemoer, A. M.; Weiner, B. J.; Wuyts, S.; Bell, E. F.; Faber, S. M.; Trump, J. R.; hide

    2012-01-01

    We identify an abundant population of extreme emission line galaxies (EELGs) at redshift z approx. 1.7 in the Cosmic Assembly Near-IR Deep Extragalactic Legacy Survey (CANDELS) imaging from Hubble Space Telescope/Wide Field Camera 3 (HST/WFC3). 69 EELG candidates are selected by the large contribution of exceptionally bright emission lines to their near-infrared broad-band magnitudes. Supported by spectroscopic confirmation of strong [OIII] emission lines . with rest-frame equivalent widths approx. 1000A in the four candidates that have HST/WFC3 grism observations, we conclude that these objects are galaxies with approx.10(exp 8) Solar Mass in stellar mass, undergoing an enormous starburst phase with M*/M* of only approx. 15 Myr. These bursts may cause outflows that are strong enough to produce cored dark matter profiles in low-mass galaxies. The individual star formation rates and the co-moving number density (3.7x10(exp -4) Mpc(sup -3) can produce in approx.4 Gyr much of the stellar mass density that is presently contained in 10(exp 8) - 10(exp 9) Solar Mass dwarf galaxies. Therefore, our observations provide a strong indication that many or even most of the stars in present-day dwarf galaxies formed in strong, short-lived bursts, mostly at z > 1.

  18. QUASI-STAR JETS AS UNIDENTIFIED GAMMA-RAY SOURCES

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

    Czerny, Bozena; Sikora, Marek; Janiuk, Agnieszka

    2012-08-10

    Gamma-ray catalogs contain a considerable amount of unidentified sources. Many of these are located out of the Galactic plane and therefore may have extragalactic origin. Here we assume that the formation of massive black holes in galactic nuclei proceeds through a quasi-star stage and consider the possibility of jet production by such objects. Those jets would be the sources of collimated synchrotron and Compton emission, extending from radio to gamma rays. The expected lifetimes of quasi-stars are of the order of million of years while the jet luminosities, somewhat smaller than that of quasar jets, are sufficient to account formore » the unidentified gamma-ray sources. The jet emission dominates over the thermal emission of a quasi-star in all energy bands, except when the jet is not directed toward an observer. The predicted synchrotron emission peaks in the IR band, with the flux close to the limits of the available IR all sky surveys. The ratio of the gamma-ray flux to the IR flux is found to be very large ({approx}60), much larger than in BL Lac objects but reached by some radio-loud quasars. On the other hand, radio-loud quasars show broad emission lines while no such lines are expected from quasi-stars. Therefore, the differentiation between various scenarios accounting for the unidentified gamma-ray sources will be possible at the basis of the photometry and spectroscopy of the IR/optical counterparts.« less

  19. A spectroscopic survey of WISE-selected obscured quasars with the southern african large telescope

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

    Hainline, Kevin N.; Hickox, Ryan C.; Carroll, Christopher M.

    2014-11-10

    We present the results of an optical spectroscopic survey of a sample of 40 candidate obscured quasars identified on the basis of their mid-infrared emission detected by the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE). Optical spectra for this survey were obtained using the Robert Stobie Spectrograph on the Southern African Large Telescope. Our sample was selected with WISE colors characteristic of active galactic nuclei (AGNs), as well as red optical to mid-IR colors indicating that the optical/UV AGN continuum is obscured by dust. We obtain secure redshifts for the majority of the objects that comprise our sample (35/40), and find thatmore » sources that are bright in the WISE W4 (22 μm) band are typically at moderate redshift ((z) = 0.35) while sources fainter in W4 are at higher redshifts ((z) = 0.73). The majority of the sources have narrow emission lines with optical colors and emission line ratios of our WISE-selected sources that are consistent with the locus of AGN on the rest-frame g – z color versus [Ne III] λ3869/[O II] λλ3726+3729 line ratio diagnostic diagram. We also use empirical AGN and galaxy templates to model the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) for the objects in our sample, and find that while there is significant variation in the observed SEDs for these objects, the majority require a strong AGN component. Finally, we use the results from our analysis of the optical spectra and the SEDs to compare our selection criteria to alternate criteria presented in the literature. These results verify the efficacy of selecting luminous obscured AGNs based on their WISE colors.« less

  20. SDSS J163459.82+204936.0: A Ringed Infrared-luminous Quasar with Outflows in Both Absorption and Emission Lines

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Liu, Wen-Juan; Zhou, Hong-Yan; Jiang, Ning; Wu, Xufen; Lyu, Jianwei; Shi, Xiheng; Shu, Xinwen; Jiang, Peng; Ji, Tuo; Wang, Jian-Guo; Wang, Shu-Fen; Sun, Luming

    2016-05-01

    SDSS J163459.82+204936.0 is a local (z = 0.1293) infrared-luminous quasar with L IR = 1011.91 {L}⊙ . We present a detailed multiwavelength study of both the host galaxy and the nucleus. The host galaxy, appearing as an early-type galaxy in the optical images and spectra, demonstrates violent, obscured star formation activities with SFR ≈ 140 {M}⊙ yr-1, estimated from either the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emission or IR luminosity. The optical to NIR spectra exhibit a blueshifted narrow cuspy component in Hβ, He I λλ5876, 10830, and other emission lines consistently with an offset velocity of ≈900 {km} {{{s}}}-1, as well as additional blueshifting phenomena in high-ionization lines (e.g., a blueshifted broad component of He I λ10830 and the bulk blueshifting of [O III]λ5007), while there exist blueshifted broad absorption lines (BALs) in Na I D and He I λλ3889, 10830, indicative of the active galactic nucleus outflows producing BALs and emission lines. Constrained mutually by the several BALs in the photoionization simulations with Cloudy, the physical properties of the absorption line outflow are derived as follows: density 104 < n H ≲ 105 cm-3, ionization parameter 10-1.3 ≲ U ≲ 10-0.7 , and column density 1022.5 ≲ N H ≲ 1022.9 cm-2, which are similar to those derived for the emission line outflows. This similarity suggests a common origin. Taking advantages of both the absorption lines and outflowing emission lines, we find that the outflow gas is located at a distance of ˜48-65 pc from the nucleus and that the kinetic luminosity of the outflow is 1044-1046 {erg} {{{s}}}-1. J1634+2049 has a off-centered galactic ring on the scale of ˜30 kpc that is proved to be formed by a recent head-on collision by a nearby galaxy for which we spectroscopically measure the redshift. Thus, this quasar is a valuable object in the transitional phase emerging out of dust enshrouding as depicted by the co-evolution scenario invoking galaxy merger (or violent interaction) and quasar feedback. Its proximity enables our further observational investigations in detail (or tests) of the co-evolution paradigm.

  1. NICMOS Narrowband Images of OMC-1

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schultz, A. S. B.; Colgan, Sean W. J.; Erickson, E. F.; Kaufman, M. J.; Hollenbach, D. J.; O'Dell, C. R.; Young, E. T.; Chen, H.

    1999-01-01

    We present images of a 90''×90'' field centered on the Becklin-Neugebauer object (BN) in OMC-1, taken with the Near-Infrared Camera and Multiobject Spectrometer (NICMOS) aboard the Hubble Space Telescope. The observed lines are H2 1-0 S(1), Paα, [Fe II] 1.64 μm, and the adjacent continua. The region is rich in interesting structures. The most remarkable are streamers of H2 emission that extend from 15" to 50" from IRc2, seen here in unprecedented detail. Unlike the northern H2 ``fingers,'' these inner structures do not exhibit significant [Fe II] emission at their tips, which we suggest is due to lower excitation. These observations also show that the morphological details of the Paα and [Fe II] emission (both imaged for the first time in this region) bear a striking resemblance to that of the Hα and [S II] emission previously observed with WFPC2. This implies that these IR and optical lines are produced by radiative excitation on the surface of the molecular cloud. The Paα morphology of HH 202 is also very similar to its Hα and [O III] emission, again suggesting that the extended Paα emission in this object is photoexcited by the Trapezium, as has been suggested for the optical emission. We find evidence of shock-excited [Fe II] in HH 208, where it again closely follows the morphology of [S II]. There is also H2 coincident with the [S II] and [Fe II] emission, which may be associated with HH 208. Finally, we note some interesting continuum features: diffuse ``tails'' trailing from IRc3 and IRc4, more extensive observations of the ``crescent'' found by Stolovy et al., and new observations of a similar oval object nearby. We also find a V-shaped region that may be the boundary of a cavity being cleared by IRc2. Based on observations with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, obtained at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. under NASA contract NAS 5-26555.

  2. Spectroscopic identification of type 2 quasars at z < 1 in SDSS-III/BOSS

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yuan, Sihan; Strauss, Michael A.; Zakamska, Nadia L.

    2016-10-01

    The physics and demographics of type 2 quasars remain poorly understood, and new samples of such objects selected in a variety of ways can give insight into their physical properties, evolution, and relationship to their host galaxies. We present a sample of 2758 type 2 quasars at z ≲ 1 from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey-III (SDSS-III)/Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) spectroscopic data base, selected on the basis of their emission-line properties. We probe the luminous end of the population by requiring the rest-frame equivalent width of [O III] to be >100 Å. We distinguish our objects from star-forming galaxies and type 1 quasars using line widths, standard emission line ratio diagnostic diagrams at z < 0.52 and detection of [Ne V]λ3426 Å at z > 0.52. The majority of our objects have [O III] luminosities in the range 1.2 × 1042-3.8 × 1043 erg s-1 and redshifts between 0.4 and 0.65. Our sample includes over 400 type 2 quasars with incorrectly measured redshifts in the BOSS data base; such objects often show kinematic substructure or outflows in the [O III] line. The majority of the sample has counterparts in the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer survey, with median infrared luminosity νLν[12 μm] = 4.2 × 1044 erg s- 1. Only 34 per cent of the newly identified type 2 quasars would be selected by infrared colour cuts designed to identify obscured active nuclei, highlighting the difficulty of identifying complete samples of type 2 quasars. We make public the multi-Gaussian decompositions of all [O III] profiles for the new sample and for 568 type 2 quasars from SDSS I/II, together with non-parametric measures of the [O III] line profile shapes. We also identify over 600 candidate double-peaked [O III] profiles.

  3. The Herschel-PACS Legacy of Low-mass Protostars: The Properties of Warm and Hot Gas Components and Their Origin in Far-UV Illuminated Shocks

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Karska, Agata; Kaufman, Michael J.; Kristensen, Lars E.; van Dishoeck, Ewine F.; Herczeg, Gregory J.; Mottram, Joseph C.; Tychoniec, Łukasz; Lindberg, Johan E.; Evans, Neal J., II; Green, Joel D.; Yang, Yao-Lun; Gusdorf, Antoine; Itrich, Dominika; Siódmiak, Natasza

    2018-04-01

    Recent observations from Herschel allow the identification of important mechanisms responsible both for the heating of the gas that surrounds low-mass protostars and for its subsequent cooling in the far-infrared. Shocks are routinely invoked to reproduce some properties of the far-IR spectra, but standard models fail to reproduce the emission from key molecules, e.g., H2O. Here, we present the Herschel Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer (PACS) far-IR spectroscopy of 90 embedded low-mass protostars (Class 0/I). The Herschel-PACS spectral maps, covering ∼55–210 μm with a field of view of ∼50″, are used to quantify the gas excitation conditions and spatial extent using rotational transitions of H2O, high-J CO, and OH, as well as [O I] and [C II]. We confirm that a warm (∼300 K) CO reservoir is ubiquitous and that a hotter component (760 ± 170 K) is frequently detected around protostars. The line emission is extended beyond ∼1000 au spatial scales in 40/90 objects, typically in molecular tracers in Class 0 and atomic tracers in Class I objects. High-velocity emission (≳90 km s‑1) is detected in only 10 sources in the [O I] line, suggesting that the bulk of [O I] arises from gas that is moving slower than typical jets. Line flux ratios show an excellent agreement with models of C-shocks illuminated by ultraviolet (UV) photons for pre-shock densities of ∼105 cm‑3 and UV fields 0.1–10 times the interstellar value. The far-IR molecular and atomic lines are a unique diagnostic of feedback from UV emission and shocks in envelopes of deeply embedded protostars.

  4. 28SiO v = 0 J = 1-0 emission from evolved stars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    de Vicente, P.; Bujarrabal, V.; Díaz-Pulido, A.; Albo, C.; Alcolea, J.; Barcia, A.; Barbas, L.; Bolaño, R.; Colomer, F.; Diez, M. C.; Gallego, J. D.; Gómez-González, J.; López-Fernández, I.; López-Fernández, J. A.; López-Pérez, J. A.; Malo, I.; Moreno, A.; Patino, M.; Serna, J. M.; Tercero, F.; Vaquero, B.

    2016-05-01

    Aims: Observations of 28SiO v = 0J = 1-0 line emission (7-mm wavelength) from asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars show in some cases peculiar profiles, composed of a central intense component plus a wider plateau. Very similar profiles have been observed in CO lines from some AGB stars and most post-AGB nebulae and, in these cases, they are clearly associated with the presence of conspicuous axial symmetry and bipolar dynamics. We aim to systematically study the profile shape of 28SiO v = 0J = 1-0 lines in evolved stars and to discuss the origin of the composite profile structure. Methods: We present observations of 28SiO v = 0J = 1-0 emission in 28 evolved stars, including O-rich, C-rich, and S-type Mira-type variables, OH/IR stars, semiregular long-period variables, red supergiants and one yellow hypergiant. Most objects were observed in several epochs, over a total period of time of one and a half years. The observations were performed with the 40 m radio telescope of the Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN) in Yebes, Spain. Results: We find that the composite core plus plateau profiles are systematically present in O-rich Miras, OH/IR stars, and red supergiants. They are also found in one S-type Mira (χ Cyg) and in two semiregular variables (X Her and RS Cnc) that are known to show axial symmetry. In the other objects, the profiles are simpler and similar to those observed in other molecular lines. The composite structure appears in the objects in which SiO emission is thought to come from the very inner circumstellar layers, prior to dust formation. The central spectral feature is found to be systematically composed of a number of narrow spikes, except for X Her and RS Cnc, in which it shows a smooth shape that is very similar to that observed in CO emission. These spikes show a significant (and mostly chaotic) time variation, while in all cases the smooth components remain constant within the uncertainties. The profile shape could come from the superposition of standard wide profiles and a group of weak maser spikes confined to the central spectral regions because of tangential amplification. Alternatively, we speculate that the very similar profiles detected in objects that are known to be conspicuously axisymmetric, such as X Her and RS Cnc, and in O-rich Mira-type stars, such as IK Tau and TX Cam, may be indicative of the systematic presence of a significant axial symmetry in the very inner circumstellar shells around AGB stars; such symmetry would be independent of the presence of weak maser effects in the central spikes.

  5. Search for GRB related prompt optical emission and other fast varying objects with ``Pi of the Sky'' detector

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ćwiok, M.; Dominik, W.; Małek, K.; Mankiewicz, L.; Mrowca-Ciułacz, J.; Nawrocki, K.; Piotrowski, L. W.; Sitek, P.; Sokołowski, M.; Wrochna, G.; Żarnecki, A. F.

    2007-06-01

    Experiment “Pi of the Sky” is designed to search for prompt optical emission from GRB sources. 32 CCD cameras covering 2 steradians will monitor the sky continuously. The data will be analysed on-line in search for optical flashes. The prototype with 2 cameras operated at Las Campanas (Chile) since 2004 has recognised several outbursts of flaring stars and has given limits for a few GRB.

  6. Standoff Mid-Infrared Emissive Imaging Spectroscopy for Identification and Mapping of Materials in Polychrome Objects.

    PubMed

    Gabrieli, Francesca; Dooley, Kathryn A; Zeibel, Jason G; Howe, James D; Delaney, John K

    2018-06-18

    Microscale mid-infrared (mid-IR) imaging spectroscopy is used for the mapping of chemical functional groups. The extension to macroscale imaging requires that either the mid-IR radiation reflected off or that emitted by the object be greater than the radiation from the thermal background. Reflectance spectra can be obtained using an active IR source to increase the amount of radiation reflected off the object, but rapid heating of greater than 4 °C can occur, which is a problem for paintings. Rather than using an active source, by placing a highly reflective tube between the painting and camera and introducing a low temperature source, thermal radiation from the room can be reduced, allowing the IR radiation emitted by the painting to dominate. Thus, emissivity spectra of the object can be recovered. Using this technique, mid-IR emissivity image cubes of paintings were collected at high collection rates with a low-noise, line-scanning imaging spectrometer, which allowed pigments and paint binders to be identified and mapped. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  7. SUBARU/HDS STUDY OF HE 1015-2050: SPECTRAL EVIDENCE OF R CORONAE BOREALIS LIGHT DECLINE

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

    Goswami, Aruna; Aoki, Wako, E-mail: aruna@iiap.res.in

    2013-02-01

    Hydrogen deficiency and a sudden optical light decline of about 6-8 mag are two principal characteristics of R Coronae Borealis (RCB) stars. The high latitude carbon star HE 1015-2050 was identified as a hydrogen-deficient carbon star from low-resolution spectroscopy. Photometric data of the Catalina Real-Time Transient Survey gathered between 2006 February and 2012 May indicate that the object exhibits no variability. However, a high-resolution (R {approx} 50, 000) optical spectrum of this object obtained with the 8.2 m Subaru telescope using High Dispersion Spectrograph on the 2012 January 13 offers sufficient spectral evidence that the object is a cool HdCmore » star of RCB type undergoing light decline. In contrast to the Na I D broad absorption features seen in the low-resolution spectra on several occasions, the high-resolution spectrum exhibits Na I D{sub 2} and D{sub 1} features in emission. A few emission lines due to Mg I, Sc II, Ti I, Ti II, Fe II, and Ba I are also observed in the spectrum of this object for the first time. Such emission features combined with neutral and singly ionized lines of Ca, Ti, Fe, etc., in absorption are reportedly seen in RCBs spectra in the early stage of decline or during the recovery to maximum. Further, the light decline of RCBs is ascribed to the formation of a cloud of soot that obscures the visible photosphere. The presence of such circumstellar material is evident from the polarimetric observations with an estimated V-band percentage polarization of {approx}1.7% for this object.« less

  8. SOFIA/FORCAST Resolves 30 - 40 μm Extended Emission in Nearby AGN

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fuller, Lindsay; Lopez-Rodriguez, Enrique; Packham, Christopher C.; Ichikawa, Kohei; Togi, Aditya

    2018-06-01

    We present arcsecond-scale observations in the 30 - 40 μm range of seven nearby Seyfert galaxies observed from the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) using the 31.5 and 37.1 μm filters of the Faint Object infraRed CAmera for the SOFIA Telescope (FORCAST). We find extended diffuse emission in the 37.1 μm images in our sample, and isolate this from unresolved torus emission. Using Spitzer/IRS spectra, we determine the dominant mid-infrared (MIR) emission source and attribute it to dust in the narrow line region (NLR) or star formation. We compare the optical NLR and radio jet axes to the extended 37.1 μm emission and find coincident axes for three sources.

  9. FUSE Observations of the Dwarf Seyfert Nucleus of NGC 4395

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kraemer, Steven B.

    The Sd IV dwarf galaxy NGC 4395 is the nearest (d approx. 2.6 Mpc) and least luminous (L_bol < 1041 ergs s-1) example of a Seyfert 1 galaxy. This unique object possesses all of the classic Seyfert 1 properties in miniature, including broad and narrow emission lines, a non-stellar continuum, and highly variable X-ray emission, presumably powered by a small (105 M_sun) black hole. Furthermore, there is evidence for blue-shifted, intrinsic absorption lines in the UV (C IV lambda lambda 1548.2, 1550.8), while X-ray spectra show the presence of bound-free edges from O VII and O VIII and evidence for even more highly ionized gas. The UV absorption could arise within the X-ray absorbers or, alternatively, within the emission-line gas, which we have determined to have a high covering factor. The unique capabilities of FUSE provide the means with which to constrain the ionization state, column density, and covering factor of the absorbers and, hence, distinguish between these two possibilities. By extending our investigation of intrinsic absorption to the low luminosity extreme of the Seyfert population, we will obtain crucial insight into the effects of luminosity, global covering factor, and central black hole mass on the intrinsic absorbers. A second goal of this project is to constrain the spectral energy distribution of the non-stellar continuum radiation, which may be unique in this object as a consequence of its small black hole mass.

  10. Simulations of the OzDES AGN reverberation mapping project

    DOE PAGES

    King, Anthea L.; Martini, Paul; Davis, Tamara M.; ...

    2015-08-26

    As part of the Australian spectroscopic dark energy survey (OzDES) we are carrying out a large-scale reverberation mapping study of ~500 quasars over five years in the 30 deg 2 area of the Dark Energy Survey (DES) supernova fields. These quasars have redshifts ranging up to 4 and have apparent AB magnitudes between 16.8 mag < r < 22.5 mag. The aim of the survey is to measure time lags between fluctuations in the quasar continuum and broad emission-line fluxes of individual objects in order to measure black hole masses for a broad range of active galactic nuclei (AGN) andmore » constrain the radius–luminosity (R–L) relationship. Here we investigate the expected efficiency of the OzDES reverberation mapping campaign and its possible extensions. We expect to recover lags for ~35–45 % of the quasars. AGN with shorter lags and greater variability are more likely to yield a lag measurement, and objects with lags ≲6 months or ~1 yr are expected to be recovered the most accurately. The baseline OzDES reverberation mapping campaign is predicted to produce an unbiased measurement of the R–L relationship parameters for Hβ, MgIIλ2798, and C IVλ1549. As a result, extending the baseline survey by either increasing the spectroscopic cadence, extending the survey season, or improving the emission-line flux measurement accuracy will significantly improve the R–L parameter constraints for all broad emission lines.« less

  11. Measurement of CO 2, CO, SO 2, and NO emissions from coal-based thermal power plants in India

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chakraborty, N.; Mukherjee, I.; Santra, A. K.; Chowdhury, S.; Chakraborty, S.; Bhattacharya, S.; Mitra, A. P.; Sharma, C.

    Measurements of CO 2 (direct GHG) and CO, SO 2, NO (indirect GHGs) were conducted on-line at some of the coal-based thermal power plants in India. The objective of the study was three-fold: to quantify the measured emissions in terms of emission coefficient per kg of coal and per kWh of electricity, to calculate the total possible emission from Indian thermal power plants, and subsequently to compare them with some previous studies. Instrument IMR 2800P Flue Gas Analyzer was used on-line to measure the emission rates of CO 2, CO, SO 2, and NO at 11 numbers of generating units of different ratings. Certain quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) techniques were also adopted to gather the data so as to avoid any ambiguity in subsequent data interpretation. For the betterment of data interpretation, the requisite statistical parameters (standard deviation and arithmetic mean) for the measured emissions have been also calculated. The emission coefficients determined for CO 2, CO, SO 2, and NO have been compared with their corresponding values as obtained in the studies conducted by other groups. The total emissions of CO 2, CO, SO 2, and NO calculated on the basis of the emission coefficients for the year 2003-2004 have been found to be 465.667, 1.583, 4.058, and 1.129 Tg, respectively.

  12. Widespread HCN maser emission in carbon-rich evolved stars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Menten, K. M.; Wyrowski, F.; Keller, D.; Kamiński, T.

    2018-05-01

    Context. HCN is a major constituent of the circumstellar envelopes of carbon-rich evolved stars, and rotational lines from within its vibrationally excited states probe parts of these regions closest to the stellar surface. A number of such lines are known to show maser action. Historically, in one of them, the 177 GHz J = 2 → 1 line in the l-doubled bending mode has been found to show relatively strong maser action, with results only published for a single object, the archetypical high-mass loss asymptotic giant branch (AGB) star IRC+10216. Aims: To examine how common 177 GHz HCN maser emission is, we conducted an exploratory survey for this line toward a select sample of carbon-rich asymptotic giant branch stars that are observable from the southern hemisphere. Methods: We used the Atacama Pathfinder Experiment 12 meter submillimeter Telescope (APEX) equipped with a new receiver to simultaneously observe three J = 2 → 1 HCN rotational transitions, the (0, 11c, 0) and (0, 11d, 0) l-doublet components, and the line from the (0,0,0) ground state. Results: The (0, 11c, 0) maser line is detected toward 11 of 13 observed sources, which all show emission in the (0,0,0) transition. In most of the sources, the peak intensity of the (0, 11c, 0) line rivals that of the (0,0,0) line; in two sources, it is even stronger. Except for the object with the highest mass-loss rate, IRC+10216, the (0, 11c, 0) line covers a smaller velocity range than the (0,0,0) line. The (0, 11d, 0) line, which is detected in four of the sources, is much weaker than the other two lines and covers a velocity range that is smaller yet, again except for IRC+10216. Compared to its first detection in 1989, the profile of the (0, 11c, 0) line observed toward IRC+10216 looks very different, and we also appear to see variability in the (0,0,0) line profile (at a much lower degree). Our limited information on temporal variabilitydisfavors a strong correlation of maser and stellar continuum flux. Conclusions: Maser emission in the 177 GHz J = 2 → 1 (0, 11c, 0) line of HCN appears to be common in carbon-rich AGB stars. Like for other vibrationally excited HCN lines, our observations indicate that the origin of these lines is in the acceleration zone of the stellar outflow in which dust is forming. For all the stars toward which we detect the maser line, the number of photons available at 7 and 14 μm, corresponding to transitions to vibrationally excited states possibly involved in its pumping, is found to be far greater than that of the maser photons, which makes radiative pumping feasible. Other findings point to a collisional pumping scheme, however. The reduced spectra (FITS files) are only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (http://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/613/A49

  13. Spectroscopic and polarimetric study of radio-quiet weak emission line quasars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kumar, Parveen; Chand, Hum; Gopal-Krishna; Srianand, Raghunathan; Stalin, Chelliah Subramonian; Petitjean, Patrick

    2018-04-01

    A small subset of optically selected radio-quiet QSOs with weak or no emission lines may turn out to be the elusive radio-quiet BL Lac objects, or simply be radio-quiet QSOs with an infant/shielded broad line region (BLR). High polarisation (p > 3-4%), a hallmark of BL Lacs, can be used to test whether some optically selected ‘radio-quiet weak emission line QSOs’ (RQWLQs) show a fractional polarisation high enough to qualify as radio-quiet analogues of BL Lac objects. To check this possibility, we have made optical spectral and polarisation measurements of a sample of 19 RQWLQs. Out of these, only 9 sources show a non-significant proper motion (hence very likely extragalactic) and only two of them are found to have p > 1%. For these two RQWLQs, namely J142505.59+035336.2 and J154515.77+003235.2, we found the highest polarization to be 1.59±0.53%, which is again too low to classify them as (radio-quiet) BL Lacs, although one may recall that even genuine BL Lacs sometimes appear weakly polarised. We also present a statistical comparison of the optical spectral index, for a sample of 45 RQWLQs with redshift-luminosity matched control samples of 900 QSOs and an equivalent sample of 120 blazars, assembled from the literature. The spectral index distribution of RQWLQs is found to differ, at a high significance level, from that of blazars. This, too, is consistent with the common view that the mechanism of the central engine in RQWLQs, as a population, is close to that operating in normal QSOs and the primary difference between them is related to the BLR.

  14. Toward Understanding the B[e] Phenomenon. VII. AS 386, a Single-lined Binary with a Candidate Black Hole Component

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Khokhlov, S. A.; Miroshnichenko, A. S.; Zharikov, S. V.; Manset, N.; Arkharov, A. A.; Efimova, N.; Klimanov, S.; Larionov, V. M.; Kusakin, A. V.; Kokumbaeva, R. I.; Omarov, Ch. T.; Kuratov, K. S.; Kuratova, A. K.; Rudy, R. J.; Laag, E. A.; Crawford, K. B.; Swift, T. K.; Puetter, R. C.; Perry, R. B.; Chojnowski, S. D.; Agishev, A.; Caton, D. B.; Hawkins, R. L.; Smith, A. B.; Reichart, D. E.; Kouprianov, V. V.; Haislip, J. B.

    2018-04-01

    We report the results of spectroscopic and photometric observations of the emission-line object AS 386. For the first time we found that it exhibits the B[e] phenomenon and fits the definition of an FS CMa type object. The optical spectrum shows the presence of a B-type star with the following properties: T eff = 11,000 ± 500 K, log L/L ⊙ = 3.7 ± 0.3, a mass of 7 ± 1 M ⊙, and a distance D = 2.4 ± 0.3 kpc from the Sun. We detected regular radial velocity variations of both absorption and emission lines with the following orbital parameters: P orb =131.27 ± 0.09 days, semiamplitude K 1 = 51.7 ± 3.0 km s‑1, systemic radial velocity γ = ‑31.8 ± 2.6 km s‑1, and a mass function of f(m) = 1.9 ± 0.3 M ⊙. AS 386 exhibits irregular variations of the optical brightness (V = 10.92 ± 0.05 mag), while the near-IR brightness varies up to ∼0.3 mag following the spectroscopic period. We explain this behavior by a variable illumination of the dusty disk inner rim by the B-type component. Doppler tomography based on the orbital variations of emission-line profiles shows that the material is distributed near the B-type component and in a circumbinary disk. We conclude that the system has undergone a strong mass transfer that created the circumstellar material and increased the B-type component mass. The absence of any traces of a secondary component, whose mass should be ≥7 M ⊙, suggests that it is most likely a black hole.

  15. A TALE OF TWO NARROW-LINE REGIONS: IONIZATION, KINEMATICS, AND SPECTRAL ENERGY DISTRIBUTIONS FOR A LOCAL PAIR OF MERGING OBSCURED ACTIVE GALAXIES

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

    Hainline, Kevin N.; Hickox, Ryan C.; Chen, Chien-Ting

    2016-05-20

    We explore the gas ionization and kinematics, as well as the optical-IR spectral energy distributions for UGC 11185, a nearby pair of merging galaxies hosting obscured active galactic nuclei (AGNs), also known as SDSS J181611.72+423941.6 and J181609.37+423923.0 (J1816NE and J1816SW, z ≈ 0.04). Due to the wide separation between these interacting galaxies (∼23 kpc), observations of these objects provide a rare glimpse of the concurrent growth of supermassive black holes at an early merger stage. We use BPT line diagnostics to show that the full extent of the narrow-line emission in both galaxies is photoionized by an AGN, and confirmmore » the existence of a 10 kpc-scale ionization cone in J1816NE, while in J1816SW the AGN narrow-line region is much more compact (1–2 kpc) and relatively undisturbed. Our observations also reveal the presence of ionized gas that nearly spans the entire distance between the galaxies, which is likely in a merger-induced tidal stream. In addition, we carry out a spectral analysis of the X-ray emission using data from XMM-Newton . These galaxies represent a useful pair to explore how the [O iii] luminosity of an AGN is dependent on the size of the region used to explore the extended emission. Given the growing evidence for AGN “flickering” over short timescales, we speculate that the appearances and impacts of these AGNs may change multiple times over the course of the galaxy merger, which is especially important given that these objects are likely the progenitors of the types of systems commonly classified as “dual AGNs.”.« less

  16. The nuclear near-infrared spectral properties of nearby galaxies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mason, Rachel; Ardila, Alberto; Martins, Lucimara; Riffel, Rogerio; Gonzalez-Martin, Omaira; Ramos Almeida, Christina; Ruschel Dutra, Daniel; Ho, Luis C.; Thanjavur, Karun; Flohic, Helene; Alonso-Herrero, Almudena; Lira, Paulina; McDermid, Richard; Riffel, Rogemar A.; Schiavon, Ricardo P.; Winge, Claudia; Perlman, Eric S.; Hoenig, Michael D.

    2015-01-01

    We present spectra of the nuclear regions of 50 nearby (D = 1 - 92 Mpc, median = 20 Mpc) galaxies of morphological types E to Sm. The spectra, obtained with the Gemini Near-IR Spectrograph on the Gemini North telescope, cover a wavelength range of approximately 0.85-2.5 μm at R˜1300-1800. There is evidence that most of the galaxies host an active galactic nucleus (AGN), but the range of AGN luminosities (log (L2-10 keV [erg s-1]) = 37.0-43.2) in the sample means that the spectra display a wide variety of features. Some nuclei, especially the Seyferts, exhibit a rich emission-line spectrum. Other objects, in particular the type 2 Low Ionisation Nuclear Emission Region galaxies, show just a few, weak emission lines, allowing a detailed view of the underlying stellar population. These spectra display numerous absorption features sensitive to the stellar initial mass function, as well as molecular bands arising in cool stars, and many other atomic absorption lines. We compare the spectra of subsets of galaxies known to be characterised by intermediate-age and old stellar populations, and find clear differences in their absorption lines and continuum shapes. We also examine the effect of atmospheric water vapor on the signal-to-noise ratio achieved in regions between the conventional NIR atmospheric windows, of potential interest to those planning observations of redshifted emission lines or other features affected by telluric H2O. Further exploitation of this data set is in progress, and the reduced spectra and data reduction tools are made available to the community.

  17. The reliability of [C II] as an indicator of the star formation rate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    De Looze, Ilse; Baes, Maarten; Bendo, George J.; Cortese, Luca; Fritz, Jacopo

    2011-10-01

    The [C II] 157.74 μm line is an important coolant for the neutral interstellar gas. Since [C II] is the brightest spectral line for most galaxies, it is a potentially powerful tracer of star formation activity. In this paper, we present a calibration of the star formation rate (SFR) as a function of the [C II] luminosity for a sample of 24 star-forming galaxies in the nearby Universe. This sample includes objects classified as H II regions or low-ionization nuclear emission-line regions, but omits all Seyfert galaxies with a significant contribution from the active galactic nucleus to the mid-infrared photometry. In order to calibrate the SFR against the line luminosity, we rely on both Galaxy Evolution Explorer far-ultraviolet data, which is an ideal tracer of the unobscured star formation, and MIPS 24 μm, to probe the dust-enshrouded fraction of star formation. In the case of normal star-forming galaxies, the [C II] luminosity correlates well with the SFR. However, the extension of this relation to more quiescent (Hα EW ≤ 10 Å) or ultraluminous galaxies should be handled with caution, since these objects show a non-linearity in the ?-to-LFIR ratio as a function of LFIR (and thus, their star formation activity). We provide two possible explanations for the origin of the tight correlation between the [C II] emission and the star formation activity on a global galaxy-scale. A first interpretation could be that the [C II] emission from photodissociation regions (PDRs) arises from the immediate surroundings of star-forming regions. Since PDRs are neutral regions of warm dense gas at the boundaries between H II regions and molecular clouds and they provide the bulk of [C II] emission in most galaxies, we believe that a more or less constant contribution from these outer layers of photon-dominated molecular clumps to the [C II] emission provides a straightforward explanation for this close link between the [C II] luminosity and SFR. Alternatively, we consider the possibility that the [C II] emission is associated with the cold interstellar medium, which advocates an indirect link with the star formation activity in a galaxy through the Schmidt law.

  18. Herschel Studies of the Evolution and Environs of Young Stars in the DIGIT, WISH, and FOOSH Programs

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Green, Joel D.; DIGIT OT Key Project Team; WISH GT Key Project Team; FOOSH OT1 Team

    2012-01-01

    The Herschel Space Observatory has enabled us to probe the physical conditions of outer disks, envelopes, and outflows of young stellar objects, including embedded objects, Herbig Ae/Be disks, and T Tauri disks. We will report on results from three projects, DIGIT, WISH, and FOOSH. The DIGIT (Dust, Ice, and Gas in Time) program (PI: Neal Evans) utilizes the full spectral range of the PACS instrument to explore simultaneously the solid and gas-phase chemistry around sources in all of these stages. WISH (Water in Star Forming Regions with Herschel, PI Ewine van Dishoeck) focuses on observations of key lines with HIFI and line scans of selected spectral regions with PACS. FOOSH (FU Orionis Objects Surveyed with Herschel, PI Joel Green) studies FU Orionis objects with full range PACS and SPIRE scans. DIGIT includes examples of low luminosity protostars, while FOOSH studies the high luminosity objects during outburst states. Rotational ladders of highly excited CO and OH emission are detected in both disks and protostars. The highly excited lines are more commonly seen in the embedded phases, where there appear to be two temperature components. Intriguingly, water is frequently detected in spectra of embedded sources, but not in the disk spectra. In addition to gas features, we explore the extent of the newly detected 69 um forsterite dust feature in both T Tauri and Herbig Ae/Be stars. When analyzed along with the Spitzer-detected dust features, these provide constraints on a population of colder crystalline material. We will present some models of individual sources, as well as some broad statistics of the emission from these stages of star and planet formation.

  19. The star forming universe after z=1

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Harker, Justin J.

    This dissertation explores three projects in the field of galaxy formation and evolution: the formation of the red sequence via quenching, the detection, characterization, and frequency of starbursts in the DEEP2 sample, and the behavior of a main sequence of star forming galaxies whose behavior is determined by baryonic mass, referred to as staged star formation. The first section, in Chapter 2, presents a breakdown of several population synthesis models designed to probe the history of the red sequence. Known from measurements at low redshift to be composed of objects with a large range of ages, the red sequence is not well-modeled as being the result of a single monolithic event in the distant past. By combining information on restframe color, Balmer absorption line strengths, and the number density of L* galaxies as a function of redshift, we find evidence that the red sequence is built up over time. The second section, in Chapter 3 and 4, presents a novel method for determining simultaneously the absorption line and emission line contributions to the total measured equivalent width of Balmer lines. Relying on the predictable behavior of both absorption lines, which are to first order equivalent to one another, and emission lines, which follow a predictable decrement toward shorter wavelengths, a single measurement of total line strength for Hb and Hd yield uncoupled emission and absorption line components. Using the measurement of Hd in absorption against D n 4000 and Hb in emission, we isolate a population of potential starbursts in the DEEP2 sample. The final section, in Chapter 5, explores the regularity of star formation as a function of redshift, using the staged star formation prescription of Noeske et al. (2007a). We compute a set of t-models using the prescription, and compare them to the data in a number of parameters in addition to mass and star formation. While the staged star formation model is a good match in a number of parameters, we find several irregularities.

  20. The Intrinsically X-Ray-weak Quasar PHL 1811. II. Optical and UV Spectra and Analysis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Leighly, Karen M.; Halpern, Jules P.; Jenkins, Edward B.; Casebeer, Darrin

    2007-11-01

    This is the second of two papers reporting observations and analysis of the unusually bright (mb=14.4), luminous (MB=-25.5), nearby (z=0.192) narrow-line quasar PHL 1811. The first paper reported that PHL 1811 is intrinsically X-ray-weak and presented a spectral energy distribution (SED). Here we present HST STIS optical and UV spectra, and ground-based optical spectra. The optical and UV line emission is very unusual. There is no evidence for forbidden or semiforbidden lines. The near-UV spectrum is dominated by very strong Fe II and Fe III, and unusual low-ionization lines such as Na I D and Ca II H and K are observed. High-ionization lines are very weak; C IV has an equivalent width of 6.6 Å, a factor of ~5 smaller than measured from quasar composite spectra. An unusual feature near 1200 Å can be deblended in terms of Lyα, N V, Si II, and C III* using the blueshifted C IV profile as a template. Photoionization modeling shows that the unusual line emission can be explained qualitatively by the unusually soft SED. Principally, a low gas temperature results in inefficient emission of collisionally excited lines, including the semiforbidden lines generally used as density diagnostics. The emission resembles that of high-density gas; in both cases this is a consequence of inefficient cooling. PHL 1811 is very unusual, but we note that quasar surveys may be biased against finding similar objects. Based on observations made with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, obtained at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under NASA contract NAS5-26555. These observations are associated with proposal 9181. Based on observations obtained at Kitt Peak National Observatory, a division of the National Optical Astronomy Observatories, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.

  1. Far-infrared observations of a star-forming region in the Corona Australis dark cloud

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cruz-Gonzalez, I.; Mcbreen, B.; Fazio, G. G.

    1984-01-01

    A high-resolution far-IR (40-250-micron) survey of a 0.9-sq-deg section of the core region of the Corona Australis dark cloud (containing very young stellar objects such as T Tauri stars, Herbig Ae and Be stars, Herbig-Haro objects, and compact H II regions) is presented. Two extended far-IR sources were found, one associated with the Herbig emission-line star R CrA and the other with the irregular emission-line variable star TY CrA. The two sources have substantially more far-IR radiation than could be expected from a blackbody extrapolation of their near-IR fluxes. The total luminosities of these sources are 145 and 58 solar luminosity, respectively, implying that the embedded objects are of intermediate or low mass. The infrared observations of the sources associated with R CrA and TY CrA are consistent with models of the evolution of protostellar envelopes of intermediate mass. However, the TY CrA source appears to have passed the evolutionary stage of expelling most of the hot dust near the central source, yielding an age of about 1 Myr.

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

    Ge Junqiang; Hu Chen; Wang Jianmin

    Recently, much attention has been paid to double-peaked narrow emission-line (NEL) galaxies, some of which are suggested to be related to merging galaxies. We make a systematic search to build the largest sample of these sources from Data Release 7 of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). With reasonable criteria for fluxes, FWHMs of the emission lines, and separations of the peaks, we select 3030 double-peaked NEL galaxies. In light of the existence of broad Balmer lines and the locations of the two components of double-peaked NELs distinguished by the Kauffmann et al. criteria in the Baldwin-Phillips-Terlevich diagram, we findmore » that there are 81 Type I active galactic nuclei (AGNs), 837 double Type II AGNs (2-Type II), 708 galaxies with double star-forming components (2-SF), 400 with mixed star-forming and Type II AGN components (Type II + SF), and 1004 unknown-type objects. As a by-product, a sample of galaxies (12,582) with asymmetric or top-flat profiles of emission lines is established. After visually inspecting the SDSS images of the two samples, we find 54 galaxies with dual cores. The present samples can be used to study the dynamics of merging galaxies, the triggering mechanism of black hole activity, the hierarchical growth of galaxies, and the dynamics of narrow line regions driven by outflows and a rotating disk.« less

  3. A Chandra grating observation of the dusty Wolf-Rayet star WR 48a

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

    Zhekov, Svetozar A.; Gagné, Marc; Skinner, Stephen L., E-mail: szhekov@space.bas.bg, E-mail: mgagne@wcupa.edu, E-mail: stephen.skinner@colorado.edu

    We present results of a Chandra High-Energy Transmission Grating (HETG) observation of the carbon-rich Wolf-Rayet (WR) star WR 48a. These are the first high-resolution spectra of this object in X-ray. Blueshifted centroids of the spectral lines of ∼ – 360 km s{sup –1} and line widths of 1000-1500 km s{sup –1} (FWHM) were deduced from the analysis of the line profiles of strong emission lines. The forbidden line of Si XIII is strong and not suppressed, indicating that the rarified 10-30 MK plasma forms far from strong sources of far-ultraviolet emission, most likely in a wind collision zone. Global spectralmore » modeling showed that the X-ray spectrum of WR 48a suffered higher absorption in the 2012 October Chandra observation compared with a previous 2008 January XMM-Newton observation. The emission measure of the hot plasma in WR 48a decreased by a factor ∼3 over the same period of time. The most likely physical picture that emerges from the analysis of the available X-ray data is that of colliding stellar winds in a wide binary system with an elliptical orbit. We propose that the unseen secondary star in the system is another WR star or perhaps a luminous blue variable.« less

  4. A New Radio Spectral Line Survey of Planetary Nebulae: Exploring Radiatively Driven Heating and Chemistry of Molecular Gas

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bublitz, Jesse

    Planetary nebulae contain shells of cold gas and dust whose heating and chemistry is likely driven by UV and X-ray emission from their central stars and from wind-collision-generated shocks. We present the results of a survey of molecular line emissions in the 88 - 235 GHz range from nine nearby (<1.5 kpc) planetary nebulae using the 30 m telescope at the Institut de Radioastronomie Millimetrique. Rotational transitions of nine molecules, including the well-studied CO isotopologues and chemically important trace species, were observed and the results compared with and augmented by previous studies of molecular gas in PNe. Lines of the molecules HCO+, HNC, HCN, and CN, which were detected in most objects, represent new detections for five planetary nebulae in our study. Flux ratios were analyzed to identify correlations between the central star and/or nebular ultraviolet/X-ray luminosities and the molecular chemistries of the nebulae. Analysis reveals the apparent dependence of the HNC/HCN line ratio on PN central star UV luminosity. There exists no such clear correlation between PN X-rays and various diagnostics of PN molecular chemistry. The correlation between HNC/HCN ratio and central star UV luminosity hints at the potential of molecular emission line studies of PNe for improving our understanding of the role that high-energy radiation plays in the heating and chemistry of photodissociation regions.

  5. NIR integral field spectroscopy of high mass young stellar objects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Murakawa, K.; Lumsden, S. L.; Oudmaijer, R. D.; Davies, B.; Hoare, M. G.

    2013-03-01

    We present K-band Integral Field Spectroscopy of six high mass young stellar objects (IRAS~18151-1208, AFGL~2136, S106~IRS4, V645 Cyg, IRAS~19065+0526, and G082.5682+ 00.4040) obtained using the adaptive optics assisted NIFS instrument mounted on the Gemini North telescope. The targets are chosen from the Red MSX Source survey led by University of Leeds. The data show the spectral features of Brγ, H2, and gas phase CO emissions and absorptions with a spectral resolution of R ≈ 5500, which allow a three-dimensional spectro-astrometric analysis of the line emissions. We discuss the results of the ionized jets and winds, and rotating CO torus.

  6. Development of On-line Wildfire Emissions for the Operational Canadian Air Quality Forecast System

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pavlovic, R.; Menard, S.; Chen, J.; Anselmo, D.; Paul-Andre, B.; Gravel, S.; Moran, M. D.; Davignon, D.

    2013-12-01

    An emissions processing system has been developed to incorporate near-real-time emissions from wildfires and large prescribed burns into Environment Canada's real-time GEM-MACH air quality (AQ) forecast system. Since the GEM-MACH forecast domain covers Canada and most of the USA, including Alaska, fire location information is needed for both of these large countries. Near-real-time satellite data are obtained and processed separately for the two countries for organizational reasons. Fire location and fuel consumption data for Canada are provided by the Canadian Forest Service's Canadian Wild Fire Information System (CWFIS) while fire location and emissions data for the U.S. are provided by the SMARTFIRE (Satellite Mapping Automated Reanalysis Tool for Fire Incident Reconciliation) system via the on-line BlueSky Gateway. During AQ model runs, emissions from individual fire sources are injected into elevated model layers based on plume-rise calculations and then transport and chemistry calculations are performed. This 'on the fly' approach to the insertion of emissions provides greater flexibility since on-line meteorology is used and reduces computational overhead in emission pre-processing. An experimental wildfire version of GEM-MACH was run in real-time mode for the summers of 2012 and 2013. 48-hour forecasts were generated every 12 hours (at 00 and 12 UTC). Noticeable improvements in the AQ forecasts for PM2.5 were seen in numerous regions where fire activity was high. Case studies evaluating model performance for specific regions, computed objective scores, and subjective evaluations by AQ forecasters will be included in this presentation. Using the lessons learned from the last two summers, Environment Canada will continue to work towards the goal of incorporating near-real-time intermittent wildfire emissions within the operational air quality forecast system.

  7. A dust-parallax distance of 19 megaparsecs to the supermassive black hole in NGC 4151.

    PubMed

    Hönig, Sebastian F; Watson, Darach; Kishimoto, Makoto; Hjorth, Jens

    2014-11-27

    The active galaxy NGC 4151 has a crucial role as one of only two active galactic nuclei for which black hole mass measurements based on emission line reverberation mapping can be calibrated against other dynamical techniques. Unfortunately, effective calibration requires accurate knowledge of the distance to NGC 4151, which is not at present available. Recently reported distances range from 4 to 29 megaparsecs. Strong peculiar motions make a redshift-based distance very uncertain, and the geometry of the galaxy and its nucleus prohibit accurate measurements using other techniques. Here we report a dust-parallax distance to NGC 4151 of 19.0(+2.4)(-2.6) megaparsecs. The measurement is based on an adaptation of a geometric method that uses the emission line regions of active galaxies. Because these regions are too small to be imaged with present technology, we use instead the ratio of the physical and angular sizes of the more extended hot-dust emission as determined from time delays and infrared interferometry. This distance leads to an approximately 1.4-fold increase in the dynamical black hole mass, implying a corresponding correction to emission line reverberation masses of black holes if they are calibrated against the two objects with additional dynamical masses.

  8. Probing the Physics of Narrow-line Regions in Active Galaxies. IV. Full Data Release of the Siding Spring Southern Seyfert Spectroscopic Snapshot Survey (S7)

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

    Thomas, Adam D.; Dopita, Michael A.; Davies, Rebecca

    We present the second and final data release of the Siding Spring Southern Seyfert Spectroscopic Snapshot Survey (S7). Data are presented for 63 new galaxies not included in the first data release, and we provide 2D emission-line fitting products for the full S7 sample of 131 galaxies. The S7 uses the WiFeS instrument on the ANU 2.3 m telescope to obtain spectra with a spectral resolution of R  = 7000 in the red (540–700 nm) and R  = 3000 in the blue (350–570 nm), over an integral field of 25 × 38 arcsec{sup 2} with 1 × 1 arcsec{sup 2} spatial pixels. The S7 contains bothmore » the largest sample of active galaxies and the highest spectral resolution of any comparable integral field survey to date. The emission-line fitting products include line fluxes, velocities, and velocity dispersions across the WiFeS field of view, and an artificial neural network has been used to determine the optimal number of Gaussian kinematic components for emission-lines in each spaxel. Broad Balmer lines are subtracted from the spectra of nuclear spatial pixels in Seyfert 1 galaxies before fitting the narrow lines. We bin nuclear spectra and measure reddening-corrected nuclear fluxes of strong narrow lines for each galaxy. The nuclear spectra are classified on optical diagnostic diagrams, where the strength of the coronal line [Fe vii] λ 6087 is shown to be correlated with [O iii]/H β . Maps revealing gas excitation and kinematics are included for the entire sample, and we provide notes on the newly observed objects.« less

  9. Probing the Physics of Narrow-line Regions in Active Galaxies. IV. Full Data Release of the Siding Spring Southern Seyfert Spectroscopic Snapshot Survey (S7)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Thomas, Adam D.; Dopita, Michael A.; Shastri, Prajval; Davies, Rebecca; Hampton, Elise; Kewley, Lisa; Banfield, Julie; Groves, Brent; James, Bethan L.; Jin, Chichuan; Juneau, Stéphanie; Kharb, Preeti; Sairam, Lalitha; Scharwächter, Julia; Shalima, P.; Sundar, M. N.; Sutherland, Ralph; Zaw, Ingyin

    2017-09-01

    We present the second and final data release of the Siding Spring Southern Seyfert Spectroscopic Snapshot Survey (S7). Data are presented for 63 new galaxies not included in the first data release, and we provide 2D emission-line fitting products for the full S7 sample of 131 galaxies. The S7 uses the WiFeS instrument on the ANU 2.3 m telescope to obtain spectra with a spectral resolution of R = 7000 in the red (540-700 nm) and R = 3000 in the blue (350-570 nm), over an integral field of 25 × 38 arcsec2 with 1 × 1 arcsec2 spatial pixels. The S7 contains both the largest sample of active galaxies and the highest spectral resolution of any comparable integral field survey to date. The emission-line fitting products include line fluxes, velocities, and velocity dispersions across the WiFeS field of view, and an artificial neural network has been used to determine the optimal number of Gaussian kinematic components for emission-lines in each spaxel. Broad Balmer lines are subtracted from the spectra of nuclear spatial pixels in Seyfert 1 galaxies before fitting the narrow lines. We bin nuclear spectra and measure reddening-corrected nuclear fluxes of strong narrow lines for each galaxy. The nuclear spectra are classified on optical diagnostic diagrams, where the strength of the coronal line [Fe vii] λ6087 is shown to be correlated with [O III]/Hβ. Maps revealing gas excitation and kinematics are included for the entire sample, and we provide notes on the newly observed objects.

  10. DZ Chamaeleontis: a bona fide photoevaporating disc

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Canovas, H.; Montesinos, B.; Schreiber, M. R.; Cieza, L. A.; Eiroa, C.; Meeus, G.; de Boer, J.; Ménard, F.; Wahhaj, Z.; Riviere-Marichalar, P.; Olofsson, J.; Garufi, A.; Rebollido, I.; van Holstein, R. G.; Caceres, C.; Hardy, A.; Villaver, E.

    2018-02-01

    Context. DZ Cha is a weak-lined T Tauri star (WTTS) surrounded by a bright protoplanetary disc with evidence of inner disc clearing. Its narrow Hα line and infrared spectral energy distribution suggest that DZ Cha may be a photoevaporating disc. Aims: We aim to analyse the DZ Cha star + disc system to identify the mechanism driving the evolution of this object. Methods: We have analysed three epochs of high resolution optical spectroscopy, photometry from the UV up to the sub-mm regime, infrared spectroscopy, and J-band imaging polarimetry observations of DZ Cha. Results: Combining our analysis with previous studies we find no signatures of accretion in the Hα line profile in nine epochs covering a time baseline of 20 yr. The optical spectra are dominated by chromospheric emission lines, but they also show emission from the forbidden lines [SII] 4068 and [OI] 6300Å that indicate a disc outflow. The polarized images reveal a dust depleted cavity of 7 au in radius and two spiral-like features, and we derive a disc dust mass limit of Mdust< 3 MEarth from the sub-mm photometry. No stellar (M⋆> 80 MJup) companions are detected down to 0.̋07 ( 8 au, projected). Conclusions: The negligible accretion rate, small cavity, and forbidden line emission strongly suggests that DZ Cha is currently at the initial stages of disc clearing by photoevaporation. At this point the inner disc has drained and the inner wall of the truncated outer disc is directly exposed to the stellar radiation. We argue that other mechanisms like planet formation or binarity cannot explain the observed properties of DZ Cha. The scarcity of objects like this one is in line with the dispersal timescale (≲105 yr) predicted by this theory. DZ Cha is therefore an ideal target to study the initial stages of photoevaporation. Based on observations collected at the European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere under ESO programme 097.C-0536. Based on data obtained from the ESO Science Archive Facility under request number 250112.

  11. A physical classification scheme for blazars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Landt, Hermine; Padovani, Paolo; Perlman, Eric S.; Giommi, Paolo

    2004-06-01

    Blazars are currently separated into BL Lacertae objects (BL Lacs) and flat spectrum radio quasars based on the strength of their emission lines. This is performed rather arbitrarily by defining a diagonal line in the Ca H&K break value-equivalent width plane, following Marchã et al. We readdress this problem and put the classification scheme for blazars on firm physical grounds. We study ~100 blazars and radio galaxies from the Deep X-ray Radio Blazar Survey (DXRBS) and 2-Jy radio survey and find a significant bimodality for the narrow emission line [OIII]λ5007. This suggests the presence of two physically distinct classes of radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGN). We show that all radio-loud AGN, blazars and radio galaxies, can be effectively separated into weak- and strong-lined sources using the [OIII]λ5007-[OII]λ3727 equivalent width plane. This plane allows one to disentangle orientation effects from intrinsic variations in radio-loud AGN. Based on DXRBS, the strongly beamed sources of the new class of weak-lined radio-loud AGN are made up of BL Lacs at the ~75 per cent level, whereas those of the strong-lined radio-loud AGN include mostly (~97 per cent) quasars.

  12. A Three Dimensional Picture of RS CVN Stellar Atmospheres

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Linsky, Jeffrey L.

    The ROSAT all-sky survey provides a unique opportunity to study an RS CVn system simultaneously at x-ray, EUV, UV, optical, and radio wavelengths at many phases throughout an orbital period. ROSAT can detect the x-ray flux of each candidate system during each 30 second viewing 16 times per day for at least 2 days. We request a block of 7 IUE shifts to obtain NEAR SIMULTANEOUS emission line fluxes (SWP-LO) and Mg IT line profiles (LWP-HI), and we will obtain contemporaneous optical photometry and spectroscopy and VLA radio fluxes (3.6, 6, and 20 cm). one objective of this PROPOSAL is to obtain the FIRST 3-D MODEL OF THE INHOMOGENEOUS PHOTOSPHERE, CHROMOSPHERE, AND CORONA OF A STAR OTHER THAN THE SUN. We will use optical photometry and spectroscopy to map the spotted photospheres of each star, and the Mg II line profiles to DOPPLERIMAGE their chromospheres, to determine the location, size, and surface flux of the active regions. We will then use the time variation of the UV emission line and x-ray fluxes to determine what fluxes are due to the quiet and active regions separately. These data will provide SURFACE FLUXES for the quiet and active regions separately. We will then will model BOTH REGIONS independently using an emission measure analysis. We will also model any flares observed. The second part of the program will be a simultaneous UV/X-ray SURVEY with the objective of DETERMINING THE RANGE OF PHYSICAL MODELS APPLICABLE TO THE CHROMOSPHERES AND CORONAE OF RS CVN SYSTEMS. We propose to obtain emission line fluxes (SWP-LO) and Mg II line profiles (LWP-HI) of all bright RS CVns observed by ROSAT from mid-July through September 1990 that meet the IUE observing constraints. About 17 systems in the Strassmeier catalog will likely be observed during this period. While many RS CVn systems have been observed separately by IUE and x-ray satellites, SIMULTANEOUS UV and x-ray observations are required to model these spatially inhomogenous and timevariable systems. This research program and the ROSAT RS CVn survey will constitute most of the data for the Ph.D. Thesis of the Lead Investigator, Anthony Veale.

  13. The peculiar ring galaxy HRG 54103 revisited

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Freitas-Lemes, P.; Krabbe, A. C.; Faúndez-Abans, M.; da Rocha-Poppe, P.; Rodrigues, I.; de Oliveira-Abans, M.; Fernandes-Martin, V. A.

    2017-07-01

    We present an observational study of the galaxy HRG 54103, a peculiar galaxy with an asymmetric disc ring. The main goal of this work is to study the stellar population and oxygen abundances for the inner bulge region. The kinematics derived from long-slit spectroscopy suggest that the line of nodes of the gaseous component of HRG 54103 is nearly along the galaxy ring minor axis. The gaseous disc seems to be kinematically decoupled relative to the morphology of the stellar ring. A small, but non-negligible, fraction of young stars (5-10 per cent) is estimated to contribute. This object is mainly dominated by old and intermediate stellar populations. The emission-line spectrum shows low-ionization nuclear emission-line region (LINER) type characteristics. We determined oxygen abundances using calibrations between this parameter and the strong emission line ratios known as the indices O3N2 and N2. Our results suggest a relatively homogeneous O/H across the minor axis of the galaxy, with average values of 12 + log(O/H) = 8.4 dex and 12 + log(O/H) = 8.7 dex, using the O3N2 and N2 parameters, respectively. These values are compatible with the few estimations of oxygen abundance for peculiar ring galaxies published in the literature. Implications on the formation history of HRG 54103 were investigated.

  14. The collective emission of electromagnetic waves from astrophysical jets - Luminosity gaps, BL Lacertae objects, and efficient energy transport

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Baker, D. N.; Borovsky, Joseph E.; Benford, Gregory; Eilek, Jean A.

    1988-01-01

    A model of the inner portions of astrophysical jets is constructed in which a relativistic electron beam is injected from the central engine into the jet plasma. This beam drives electrostatic plasma wave turbulence, which leads to the collective emission of electromagnetic waves. The emitted waves are beamed in the direction of the jet axis, so that end-on viewing of the jet yields an extremely bright source (BL Lacertae object). The relativistic electron beam may also drive long-wavelength electromagnetic plasma instabilities (firehose and Kelvin-Helmholtz) that jumble the jet magnetic field lines. After a sufficient distance from the core source, these instabilities will cause the beamed emission to point in random directions and the jet emission can then be observed from any direction relative to the jet axis. This combination of effects may lead to the gap turn-on of astrophysical jets. The collective emission model leads to different estimates for energy transport and the interpretation of radio spectra than the conventional incoherent synchrotron theory.

  15. Long term monitoring of Gamma-Ray emission from the BL Lacertae object (1ES 2200+420)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gunawardhana, Isuru; VERITAS Collaboration

    2016-03-01

    Blazars are a class of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) that have relativistic jets pointing along the observer line of sight. Blazars exhibit variable emission extending from radio to TeV energies. The variability timescale of the TeV flux is a key component of understanding the location of the very high energy emission zones. Deep observations of the quiescent state measurements are also required to disentangle the flaring state emission from quiescent state emission, a prerequisite for understanding the origin of blazar spectral variability. BL Lacertae (also known as 1ES 2200+420), as the namesake for all BL Lac objects, is a prime example of one such blazar. The VERITAS Observatory, an Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescope (IACT) array sensitive to gamma rays in the range from 85 GeV to 30 TeV, dedicates approximately 110 hours per year on deep observations of known gamma-ray blazars. In this talk, I will describe the TeV photon flux variability of BL Lacertae measured by VERITAS from 2013 to 2015.

  16. SDSS-IV MaNGA: the spectroscopic discovery of strongly lensed galaxies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Talbot, Michael S.; Brownstein, Joel R.; Bolton, Adam S.; Bundy, Kevin; Andrews, Brett H.; Cherinka, Brian; Collett, Thomas E.; More, Anupreeta; More, Surhud; Sonnenfeld, Alessandro; Vegetti, Simona; Wake, David A.; Weijmans, Anne-Marie; Westfall, Kyle B.

    2018-06-01

    We present a catalogue of 38 spectroscopically detected strong galaxy-galaxy gravitational lens candidates identified in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV (SDSS-IV). We were able to simulate narrow-band images for eight of them demonstrating evidence of multiple images. Two of our systems are compound lens candidates, each with two background source-planes. One of these compound systems shows clear lensing features in the narrow-band image. Our sample is based on 2812 galaxies observed by the Mapping Nearby Galaxies at APO (MaNGA) integral field unit (IFU). This Spectroscopic Identification of Lensing Objects (SILO) survey extends the methodology of the Sloan Lens ACS Survey (SLACS) and BOSS Emission-Line Survey (BELLS) to lower redshift and multiple IFU spectra. We searched ˜1.5 million spectra, of which 3065 contained multiple high signal-to-noise ratio background emission-lines or a resolved [O II] doublet, that are included in this catalogue. Upon manual inspection, we discovered regions with multiple spectra containing background emission-lines at the same redshift, providing evidence of a common source-plane geometry which was not possible in previous SLACS and BELLS discovery programs. We estimate more than half of our candidates have an Einstein radius ≳ 1.7 arcsec, which is significantly greater than seen in SLACS and BELLS. These larger Einstein radii produce more extended images of the background galaxy increasing the probability that a background emission-line will enter one of the IFU spectroscopic fibres, making detection more likely.

  17. 40 CFR 1060.515 - How do I test EPA Nonroad Fuel Lines and EPA Cold-Weather Fuel Lines for permeation emissions?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... and EPA Cold-Weather Fuel Lines for permeation emissions? 1060.515 Section 1060.515 Protection of... Nonroad Fuel Lines and EPA Cold-Weather Fuel Lines for permeation emissions? Measure emission as follows for EPA Nonroad Fuel Lines and EPA Cold-Weather Fuel Lines: (a) Prior to permeation testing, use good...

  18. 40 CFR 1060.515 - How do I test EPA Nonroad Fuel Lines and EPA Cold-Weather Fuel Lines for permeation emissions?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... and EPA Cold-Weather Fuel Lines for permeation emissions? 1060.515 Section 1060.515 Protection of... Nonroad Fuel Lines and EPA Cold-Weather Fuel Lines for permeation emissions? Measure emission as follows for EPA Nonroad Fuel Lines and EPA Cold-Weather Fuel Lines: (a) Prior to permeation testing, use good...

  19. 40 CFR 1060.515 - How do I test EPA Nonroad Fuel Lines and EPA Cold-Weather Fuel Lines for permeation emissions?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... and EPA Cold-Weather Fuel Lines for permeation emissions? 1060.515 Section 1060.515 Protection of... Nonroad Fuel Lines and EPA Cold-Weather Fuel Lines for permeation emissions? Measure emission as follows for EPA Nonroad Fuel Lines and EPA Cold-Weather Fuel Lines: (a) Prior to permeation testing, use good...

  20. 40 CFR 1060.515 - How do I test EPA Nonroad Fuel Lines and EPA Cold-Weather Fuel Lines for permeation emissions?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... and EPA Cold-Weather Fuel Lines for permeation emissions? 1060.515 Section 1060.515 Protection of... Nonroad Fuel Lines and EPA Cold-Weather Fuel Lines for permeation emissions? Measure emission as follows for EPA Nonroad Fuel Lines and EPA Cold-Weather Fuel Lines: (a) Prior to permeation testing, use good...

  1. 40 CFR 1060.515 - How do I test EPA Nonroad Fuel Lines and EPA Cold-Weather Fuel Lines for permeation emissions?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... and EPA Cold-Weather Fuel Lines for permeation emissions? 1060.515 Section 1060.515 Protection of... Nonroad Fuel Lines and EPA Cold-Weather Fuel Lines for permeation emissions? Measure emission as follows for EPA Nonroad Fuel Lines and EPA Cold-Weather Fuel Lines: (a) Prior to permeation testing, use good...

  2. Enhanced Hα activity at periastron in the young and massive spectroscopic binary HD 200775

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Benisty, M.; Perraut, K.; Mourard, D.; Stee, P.; Lima, G. H. R. A.; Le Bouquin, J. B.; Borges Fernandes, M.; Chesneau, O.; Nardetto, N.; Tallon-Bosc, I.; McAlister, H.; Ten Brummelaar, T.; Ridgway, S.; Sturmann, J.; Sturmann, L.; Turner, N.; Farrington, C.; Goldfinger, P. J.

    2013-07-01

    Context. Young close binaries clear central cavities in their surrounding circumbinary disk from which the stellar objects can still accrete material. This process takes place within the first astronomical unit and is still not well constrained because the observational evidence has been gathered, until now, only by means of spectroscopy. Theoretical models for T Tauri stars in close binaries predict a variability of the hydrogen emission lines attributable to periodic changes in the accretion rates as the secondary approaches periastron. Whether a similar scenario applies to more massive objects is unclear, and still needs to be proven observationally. Aims: The young object HD 200775 (MWC 361) is a massive spectroscopic binary (separation of ~15.9 mas, ~5.0 AU), with uncertain classification (early/late Be), that shows a strong and variable Hα emission. We aim to study the mechanisms that produce the Hα line at the AU-scale, and their dependence on binarity. Methods: Combining the radial velocity measurements and astrometric data available in the literature, we determined new orbital parameters and revised the distance to 320 ± 51 pc. With the VEGA instrument on the CHARA array, we spatially and spectrally resolved the Hα emission of HD 200775 on a scale of a few milliarcseconds, at low and medium spectral resolutions (R ~ 1600 and 5000). Our observations cover a single orbital period (~3.6 years). Spectra, spectral visibilities, and differential phases have been derived. A simple analytical model of a face-on Gaussian located along the binary axis was used to analyze the interferometric observables over the spectral range. Results: We observe that the Hα equivalent width varies with the orbital phase, and increases close to periastron, as expected from theoretical models that predict an increase of the mass transfer from the circumbinary disk to the primary disk. In addition, using spectral visibilities and differential phases, we find marginal variations of the typical extent of the Hα emission (at 1 to 2σ level) and location (at 1 to 5σ level). The spatial extent of the Hα emission, as probed by the Gaussian FWHM, is minimum at the ascending node (0.67 ± 0.20 mas, i.e., 0.22 ± 0.06 AU), and more than doubles at the periastron. In addition, the Gaussian photocenter is slightly displaced in the direction opposite to the secondary, ruling out the scenario in which all or most of the Hα emission is due to accretion onto the secondary. This favors a scenario in which the primary is responsible for the enhanced Hα activity at periastron. These findings, together with the wide Hα line profile, may be due to a non-spherical wind enhanced at periastron. Conclusions: For the first time in a system of this kind, we spatially resolve the Hα line and estimate that it is emitted in a region larger than the one usually inferred in accretion processes. The Hα line could be emitted in a stellar or disk-wind, enhanced at periastron as a result of gravitational perturbation, after a period of increased mass accretion rate. Our results suggest a strong connection between accretion and ejection in these massive objects, consistent with the predictions for lower-mass close binaries. Based on observations made with the VEGA/CHARA instrument.

  3. XMM-Newton X-ray spectroscopy of the high-mass X-ray binary 4U 1700-37 at low flux

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    van der Meer, A.; Kaper, L.; di Salvo, T.; Méndez, M.; van der Klis, M.; Barr, P.; Trams, N. R.

    2005-03-01

    We present results of a monitoring campaign of the high-mass X-ray binary system 4U 1700-37/HD 153919, carried out with XMM-Newton in February 2001. The system was observed at four orbital phase intervals, covering 37% of one 3.41-day orbit. The lightcurve includes strong flares, commonly observed in this source. We focus on three epochs in which the data are not affected by photon pile up: the eclipse, the eclipse egress and a low-flux interval in the lightcurve around orbital phase φ ˜ 0.25. The high-energy part of the continuum is modelled as a direct plus a scattered component, each represented by a power law with identical photon index (α ˜ 1.4), but with different absorption columns. We show that during the low-flux interval the continuum is strongly reduced, probably due to a reduction of the accretion rate onto the compact object. A soft excess is detected in all spectra, consistent with either another continuum component originating in the outskirts of the system or a blend of emission lines. Many fluorescence emission lines from near-neutral species and discrete recombination lines from He- and H-like species are detected during eclipse and egress. The fluorescence Fe Kα line at 6.4 keV is very prominent; a second Kα line is detected at slightly higher energies (up to 6.7 keV) and a Kβ line at 7.1 keV. In the low-flux interval the Fe Kα line at 6.4 keV is strongly (factor ˜ 30) reduced in strength. In eclipse, the Fe Kβ/Kα ratio is consistent with a value of 0.13. In egress we initially measure a higher ratio, which can be explained by a shift in energy of the Fe K-edge to ~ 7.15 keV, which is consistent with moderately ionised iron, rather than neutral iron, as expected for the stellar wind medium. The detection of recombination lines during eclipse indicates the presence of an extended ionised region surrounding the compact object. The observed increase in strength of some emission lines corresponding to higher values of the ionisation parameter ξ further substantiates this conclusion.

  4. Balloon observations of galactic and extragalactic objects at 100 microns.

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hoffmann, W. F.

    1972-01-01

    Recent far-infrared balloon-borne instruments have yielded observations of a number of bright sources at 100 microns. Many of these coincide with HII regions where molecular line emision has been detected. There is some indication of 100 micron emission which does not coincide with radio measurements.

  5. Detection of radio continuum emission from Herbig-Haro objects 1 and 2 and from their central exciting source

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pravdo, S. H.; Rodriguez, L. F.; Curiel, S.; Canto, J.; Torrelles, J. M.; Becker, R. H.; Sellgren, K.

    1985-01-01

    The region in Orion containing HH 1 and HH 2 was observed with the VLA at 20, 6, and 2 cm on several occasions from 1981 to 1984. At lower resolution, four continuum sources were detected. Two of these sources coincide positionally with HH 1 and HH 2. At 6 cm and higher resolution, HH 1 is resolved into at least two components. The emission is probably bremsstrahlung originating in the same region where the visible line emission is produced. This is the first detection of radio continuum from classic Herbig-Haro objects. At a position closely centered between HH 1 and HH 2, an object that can be interpreted as the energy source of the system was detected. The central source spectrum is S(nu) of about nu to the alpha power, where alpha = 0.4 + or - 0.2, suggesting a stellar wind. Finally, the fourth radio continuum source coincides positionally with an H2O maser and is probably excited by an independent star. There is evidence of time variability in its radio flux. No emission was detected from the Cohen-Schwartz (1979) star at the 0.1 mJy level.

  6. Intensity mapping the Universe

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Croft, Rupert

    Intensity mapping (IM) is the use of one or more emission lines to trace out the structure of the Universe without needing to resolve individual objects (such as galaxies or gas clouds). It is one of the most promising ways to radically extend the sky survey revolution in cosmology. By making spectra of the entire sky, rather than the one part in one million captured by current fiber spectrographs, one would be sensitive to all structure. There are potentially huge discoveries to be made in the vast majority of the sky that is currently spectrally unmapped, and also great gains in signal to noise of cosmological clustering measurements. Intensity mapping with the 21cm radio line has been explored theoretically by many and instruments are being built, particularly targeting the epoch of reionization. In the UV, visible and infrared, however other lines have enormous promise, and will be exploited by a range of future NASA missions including WFIRST, Euclid, and the proposed SPHEREx instrument, a dedicated intensity mapping satellite. The first measurement of large-scale structure outside the radio (using Lyman-alpha emission) was recently made by the PI and collaborators. The Ly-a absorption line also traces a continuous cosmological field, the Lyman-alpha forest, and the enormous recent increase in the number of observed quasar spectra have made it possible to interpolate between quasar sightlines to create three-dimensional maps. Being able to trace the same cosmic structure in emission and absorption offers huge advantages when we seek to understand the processes involved. It will help us make comprehensive maps of the Universe's contents and offer us the opportunity to create new powerful cosmological tests. In our proposed work we will explore the possibilities afforded by taking grism and integral field spectra of large volumes of the Universe, using state-of-the-art cosmological hydrodynamic simulations. We will make use of analysis techniques developed for the Lyman-alpha forest, as well as forest data itself to test them. Our aim is to develop intensity mapping as a cosmological tool and show how it can be used to answer questions about the contents of the Universe and the formation of structure that are not accessible to traditional techniques. The project will involve both direct sampling of cosmic structure and cross-correlations of line intensity and objects (including galaxies, quasars and absorption lines). Emission (e.g., H-alpha emission) and absorption (Ly alpha forest) will be viewed as continuous fields. Using large volume cosmological simulations combined with population synthesis techniques we will make simulated spectral data sets. The techniques to analyse these cosmological data cubes will be developed. The expected outcomes are the following: (a) Predictions for the large-scale structure of strong emission lines (including Ha, Hb, Lya, OII, OIII) in the Universe using hydrodynamic simulations including the contribution from all components, from quasars to diffuse emssion. (b) Simulations of realistic examples of the use of IM as a cosmological probe, including Baryon Oscillations and weak gravitational lensing. (c) Tests of techniques to detection and quantify the low surface brightness Universe, leading to a complete census of the cosmic intensity in specific lines such as OII and Ha. (d) Development of techniques to extract redshifts for individual galaxies from low angular resolution IM spectroscopy. (e) Mock catalogs for SPHEREx, Euclid and WFIRST spectroscopy of diffuse emission, as well as for the Galex grism survey and tests of analysis techniques on data from the latter.

  7. HST/COS Observations Of Lyman-α Emission From =0.03 Star Forming Galaxies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wofford, Aida; Leitherer, C.; Salzer, J.; COS Science Team

    2012-01-01

    Although HI Lyman-alpha (Lyα, 1216 Å) is expected to be the strongest recombination line in HII nebulae, it is resonantly scattered by neutral hydrogen and is easily destroyed by dust. And yet, some star-forming galaxies show Lyα in emission. As evidenced by high dispersion HST/GHRS+STIS FUV spectroscopy of a handful of local (z<0.03) galaxies, the velocity shift between the neutral gas and the ionized gas plays a key role in driving the observed Lyα escape. We present HST/COS/G130M 1150-1450 Å (observed-frame) spectroscopy of 20 new targets located at a mean redshift of =0.03. The targets were selected from the KISSR survey on the basis of their GALEX FUV continuum luminosity. The observations cover the central 1-2 kpc of each galaxy, a wide range in metallicity ([O/H]=-0.83 to 0.38), and at least two orders of magnitude in FUV continuum luminosity. Seven objects show Lyα emission in the form of a P-Cygni or double-peaked profile. For 6/7 of the latter objects we are able to show that the emission is accompanied of O I gas outflows with speeds of up to 200 km/s. Two objects have Lyα luminosities comparable to the GALEX Lyα luminosities of targets at =0.3, but we find no Lyα emitters with EW(Lyα)>20 Å, such as those discovered with GALEX at z=0.2-0.35. We compare the observed Lyα/Hα line intensity ratios with predictions from dust-free cases A and B recombination under normal HII region conditions. We find evidence of O I gas inflow in the most metal-poor objects. This work is supported by NASA grant N1317.

  8. A search for N-type galaxies

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jefferies, J. T.

    1971-01-01

    A large number of distant clusters of galaxies was examined for the presence of a bright compact galaxy or blue stellar object. Nearly 600 square degrees of sky were searched using glass copies of the National Geographic Society-Palomar Observatory Sky Survey plates, and over 20 fields were selected for observation. The objects were examined for infrared and ultraviolet excesses, using wideband filter photography and spectroscopy. Initial findings include a faint, distant cluster of galaxies near the quasi-stellar radio source 4C 37.43 with a red shift of 0.370. One of these galaxies has an emission line at 6895 A, indicating a possible red shift of 0.377 of the 5007 A line of (0 III).

  9. A magnetic study of spotted UV Ceti flare stars and related late-type dwarfs

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vogt, S. S.

    1980-09-01

    A multichannel photoelectric Zeeman analyzer has been used to investigate the magnetic nature of the spotted UV Ceti flare stars. Magnetic observations were obtained on a sample of 19 program objects, of which 5 were currently spotted dKe-dMe stars, 7 were normal dK-dM stars, 7 were UV Ceti flare stars, and 1 was a possible post-T Tauri star. Contrary to most previously published observations and theoretical expectations, no magnetic fields were detected on any of these objects from either the absorption lines or the H-alpha emission line down to an observational uncertainty level of 100-160 gauss (standard deviation).

  10. On the variations of O III forbidden line intensities in the spectrum of the planetary nebula IC 4997

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Egikyan, A. G.

    1997-10-01

    The causes of asynchronous variations in the intensities of forbidden O III lines in the spectrum of the planetary nebula IC 4997 are considered. It is shown that the strengthening of the 4363-A line with a simultaneous weakening of the N1 and N2 lines can be explained by a severalfold increase of the mass-loss rate from the nucleus, up to 1-2 x 10 exp -7 solar mass/yr, over several years. The ionization model of the nebula under the combined effect of nucleus emission and the emission from a variable hot stellar wind with electron temperature of 500,000 K is used to calculate the theoretical line intensities. The calculations included 12 levels of O III. In the region of O III line formation, the electron density of 10 exp 6/cu cm and Te, which varies from 12,000 to 15,000 K, yield theoretical line intensities that are in best agreement with observations. The X-ray luminosity of the stellar wind from the nucleus at energies not less than 0.2 keV is on the order of 10 exp 35 erg/s, but the interstellar extinction rules out the possibility of observing this object.

  11. The nature of HHL 73 from optical imaging and integral field spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    López, R.; Sánchez, S. F.; García-Lorenzo, B.; Gómez, G.; Estalella, R.; Riera, A.; Busquet, G.

    2008-02-01

    We present new results on the nature of the Herbig-Haro-like object 73 (HHL 73, also known as [G84b] 11) based on narrow-band CCD Hα and [SII] images of the HHL 73 field, and integral field spectroscopy (IFS) and radio continuum observations at 3.6 cm covering the emission of the HHL 73 object. The CCD images allow us to resolve the HHL 73 comet-shaped morphology into two components and a collimated emission feature of ~4 arcsec long, reminiscent of a microjet. The IFS spectra of HHL 73 showed emission lines characteristic of the spectra of Herbig-Haro objects. The kinematics derived for HHL 73 are complex. The profiles of the [SII] λλ6717, 6731 Å lines were well fitted with a model of three Gaussian velocity components peaking at VLSR ~= -100, -20 and +35 km s-1. We found differences among the spatial distribution of the kinematic components that are compatible with the emission from a bipolar outflow with two blueshifted (low- and high-velocity) components. Extended radio continuum emission at 3.6 cm was detected showing a distribution in close agreement with the HHL 73 redshifted gas. From the results discussed here, we propose HHL 73 to be a true HH object. IRAS 21432+4719, offset 30-arcsec north-east from the HHL 73 apex, is the most plausible candidate to be driving HHL 73, although the evidence is not conclusive. Based on observations collected at the Centro Astronómico Hispano Alemán (CAHA) at Calar Alto, operated jointly by the Max-Planck Institut für Astronomie and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (CSIC) and in the 2.6-m Nordic Optical Telescope and 2.5-m Isaac Newton Telescope at the Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias. E-mail: rosario@am.ub.es (RL); sanchez@caha.es (SFS); bgarcia@iac.es (BG-L); gabriel.gomez@gtc.iac.es (GG); robert.estalella@am.ub.es (RE); angels.riera@upc.edu (AR); gbusquet@am.ub.es (GB)

  12. Factors governing particle number emissions in a waste-to-energy plant.

    PubMed

    Ozgen, Senem; Cernuschi, Stefano; Giugliano, Michele

    2015-05-01

    Particle number concentration and size distribution measurements were performed on the stack gas of a waste-to-energy plant which co-incinerates municipal solid waste, sewage sludge and clinical waste in two lines. Average total number of particles was found to be 4.0·10(5)cm(-3) and 1.9·10(5)cm(-3) for the line equipped with a wet flue gas cleaning process and a dry cleaning system, respectively. Ultrafine particles (dp<100nm) accounted for about 97% of total number concentration for both lines, whereas the nanoparticle (dp<50nm) contribution differed slightly between the lines (87% and 84%). The experimental data is explored statistically through some multivariate pattern identifying methods such as factor analysis and cluster analysis to help the interpretation of the results regarding the origin of the particles in the flue gas with the objective of determining the factors governing the particle number emissions. The higher moisture of the flue gas in the wet cleaning process was found to increase the particle number emissions on average by a factor of about 2 due to increased secondary formation of nanoparticles through nucleation of gaseous precursors such as sulfuric acid, ammonia and water. The influence of flue gas dilution and cooling monitored through the variation of the sampling conditions also confirms the potential effect of the secondary new particle formation in increasing the particle number emissions. This finding shows the importance of reporting the experimental conditions in detail to enable the comparison and interpretation of particle number emissions. Regarding the fuel characteristics no difference was observed in terms of particle number concentration and size distributions between the clinical waste feed and the municipal solid waste co-incineration with sludge. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  13. The Narrow-Line Region of Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 Galaxies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rodríguez-Ardila, A.; Binette, Luc; Pastoriza, Miriani G.; Donzelli, Carlos J.

    2000-08-01

    This work studies the optical emission-line properties and physical conditions of the narrow-line region (NLR) of seven narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1's) for which high signal-to-noise ratio spectroscopic observations were available. The resolution is 340 km s-1 (at Hα) over the wavelength interval 3700-9500 Å, enabling us to separate the broad and narrow components of the permitted emission lines. Our results show that the flux carried out by the narrow component of Hβ is, on average, 50% of the total line flux. As a result, the [O III] λ5007/Hβ ratio emitted in the NLR varies from 1 to 5, instead of the universally adopted value of 10. This has strong implications for the required spectral energy distribution that ionizes the NLR gas. Photoionization models that consider a NLR composed of a combination of matter-bounded and ionization-bounded clouds are successful at explaining the low [O III] λ5007/Hβ ratio and the weakness of low-ionization lines of NLS1's. Variation of the relative proportion of these two type of clouds nicely reproduces the dispersion of narrow-line ratios found among the NLS1 sample. Assuming similar physical model parameters of both NLS1's and the normal Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548, we show that the observed differences of emission-line ratios between these two groups of galaxies can be explained, to a first approximation, in terms of the shape of the input ionizing continuum. Narrow emission-line ratios of NLS1's are better reproduced by a steep power-law continuum in the EUV-soft X-ray region, with spectral index α~-2. Flatter spectral indices (α~-1.5) match the observed line ratios of NGC 5548 but are unable to provide a good match to the NLS1 ratios. This result is consistent with ROSAT observations of NLS1's, which show that these objects are characterized by steeper power-law indices than those of Seyfert 1 galaxies with strong broad optical lines. Based on observations made at CASLEO. Complejo Astronómico El Leoncito (CASLEO) is operated under agreement between the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y técnicas de la República Argentina and the National Universities of La Plata, Córdoba and San Juán.

  14. On the Nature of the Enigmatic Object IRAS 19312+1950: A Rare Phase of Massive Star Formation?

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cordiner, M. A.; Boogert, A. C. A.; Charnley, S. B.; Justtanont, K.; Cox, N. L. J.; Smith, R. G.; Tielens, A. G. G. M.; Wirstrom, E. S.; Milam, S. N.; Keane, J. V.

    2016-01-01

    IRAS?19312+1950 is a peculiar object that has eluded firm characterization since its discovery, with combined maser properties similar to an evolved star and a young stellar object (YSO). To help determine its true nature, we obtained infrared spectra of IRAS?19312+1950 in the range 5-550 microns using the Herschel and Spitzer space observatories. The Herschel PACS maps exhibit a compact, slightly asymmetric continuum source at 170 microns, indicative of a large, dusty circumstellar envelope. The far-IR CO emission line spectrum reveals two gas temperature components: approx. = 0.22 Stellar Mass of material at 280+/-18 K, and ˜1.6 Me of material at 157+/-3 K. The OI 63 micron line is detected on-source but no significant emission from atomic ions was found. The HIFI observations display shocked, high-velocity gas with outflow speeds up to 90 km/s along the line of sight. From Spitzer spectroscopy, we identify ice absorption bands due to H2O at 5.8 microns and CO2 at 15 microns. The spectral energy distribution is consistent with a massive, luminous (approx. 2 × 10(exp 4) Stellar Luminosity) central source surrounded by a dense, warm circumstellar disk and envelope of total mass approx. 500-700 Stellar Mass with large bipolar outflow cavities. The combination of distinctive far-IR spectral features suggest that IRAS19312+1950 should be classified as an accreting, high-mass YSO rather than an evolved star. In light of this reclassification, IRAS19312+1950 becomes only the fifth high-mass protostar known to exhibit SiO maser activity, and demonstrates that 18 cm OH maser line ratios may not be reliable observational discriminators between evolved stars and YSOs.

  15. Investigation of the shell stars omicron and theta Per, and of the eclipsing binary beta Lyr

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Plavec, M.

    1975-01-01

    All three stars showed rather complicated spectra, which require a very detailed spectroscopic analysis. The far UV spectrum of Beta Lyrae is clearly peculiar, with a multitude of emission lines not observed on any other star so far scanned with Copernicus. This made this star at once the most interesting and also, in a sense, easier to study. The other two stars display a spectrum rich in absorption lines, some of them being fairly broad (as expected for photospheric lines of rapidly rotating objects), some sharp. The later were clearly non-photospheric lines. An attempt was made to distinguish the circumstellar from the interstellar components.

  16. Planned Visible Emission Line Space Solar Coronagraph on-board Aditya-1

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Singh, Jagdev

    2012-07-01

    An imaging visible emission line internally occulted coronagraph using 20 cm off axis parabolic mirror has been designed and planned to be launched in 2014. The coronagraph will have the facility to take images of the solar simultaneously, in the green [Fe xiv] and the red [Fe x] emission lines up to 1.5 solar radii with a frequency of about 3 Hz using 0.5 nm pass band filters and the images in continuum at 580 nm up to 3 solar radii. The satellite has been named as Aditya-1 and the scientific objectives of this payload are: (i) to investigate the existence of intensity oscillations for the study of wave driven coronal heating, (ii) to study the dynamics and formation of coronal loops and temperature structure of the coronal features, (iii) to study the origin, cause and acceleration of Coronal Mass Ejections (CME's) and other solar active features, and (iv) Coronal magnetic field topology and the 3-dimensional structures of the CMEs using polarization information. The fabrication of the pay load will be done in the laboratories of LEOS, SAC, ISAC, IIA and USO and launched by ISRO. Here we shall discuss the design and the realization of the mission.

  17. Observations of the planetary nebula RWT 152 with OSIRIS/GTC

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aller, A.; Miranda, L. F.; Olguín, L.; Solano, E.; Ulla, A.

    2016-11-01

    RWT 152 is one of the few known planetary nebulae with an sdO central star. We present subarcsecond red tunable filter Hα imaging and intermediate-resolution, long-slit spectroscopy of RWT 152 obtained with OSIRIS/GTC (Optical System for Imaging and low-Intermediate-Resolution Integrated Spectroscopy/Gran Telescopio Canarias) with the goal of analysing its properties. The Hα image reveals a bipolar nebula with a bright equatorial region and multiple bubbles in the main lobes. A faint circular halo surrounds the main nebula. The nebular spectra reveal a very low excitation nebula with weak emission lines from H+, He+ and double-ionized metals, and absence of emission lines from neutral and single-ionized metals, except for an extremely faint [N II] λ6584 emission line. These spectra may be explained if RWT 152 is a density-bounded planetary nebula. Low nebular chemical abundances of S, O, Ar, N and Ne are obtained in RWT 152, which, together with the derived high peculiar velocity (˜ 92-131 km s-1), indicate that this object is a halo planetary nebula. The available data are consistent with RWT 152 evolving from a low-mass progenitor (˜1 M⊙) formed in a metal-poor environment.

  18. Neon and [CII] 158 μm Emission Line Profiles in Dusty Starbursts and Active Galactic Nuclei

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Samsonyan, A.; Weedman, D.; Lebouteiller, V.; Barry, D.; Sargsyan, L.

    2017-07-01

    Identifying and understanding the initial formation of massive galaxies and quasars in the early universe is a fundamental goal of observational cosmology. A rapidly developing capability for tracing luminosity sources to high redshifts is the observation of the [CII] 158 μm emission line at redshifts z > 4 using ground based submillimeter interferometers, with detections now having been made to z = 7. This has long been known as the strongest far-infrared line in most sources, often carrying about 1% of the total source luminosity, and is thought to be associated with star formation because it should arise within the photodissociation region (PDR) surrounding starbursts. The sample of 382 extragalactic sources has been analysed that have mid-infrared,high resolution spectroscopy with the Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) and also spectroscopy of the [CII] 158 μm line with the Herschel Photodetector Array Camera and Spectrometer (PACS). The emission line profiles of [NeII] 12.81μm , [NeIII] 15.55 μm , and [CII] 158 μm are studied, and intrinsic line widths are determined. All line profiles together with overlays comparing positions of PACS and IRS observations are made available in the Cornell Atlas of Spitzer IRS Sources (CASSIS). Sources are classified from AGN to starburst based on equivalent widths of the 6.2 μm polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon feature. It is found that intrinsic line widths do not change among classification for [CII], with median widths of 207 km s-1 for AGN, 248 km s-1 for composites, and 233 km s-1 for starbursts. The [NeII] line widths also do not change with classification, but [NeIII] lines are progressively broader from starburst to AGN. A small number of objects with unusually broad lines or unusual redshift differences in any feature are identified.

  19. Massive Gas Cloud Around Jupiter

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2003-01-01

    An innovative instrument on NASA's Cassini spacecraft makes the space environment around Jupiter visible, revealing a donut-shaped gas cloud encircling the planet.

    The image was taken with the energetic neutral atom imaging technique by the Magnetospheric Imaging Instrument on Cassini as the spacecraft flew past Jupiter in early 2001 at a distance of about 10 million kilometers (6 million miles). This technique provides information about a source by detecting neutral atoms emitted by the source, comparable to how a camera reveals information about an object by detecting photons coming from the object.

    The central object in this image represents energetic neutral atom emissions from Jupiter itself. The outer two objects represent emissions from a donut-shaped cloud, or torus, that shares an orbit with Jupiter's moon Europa. The cloud's emissions appear dot-like because of the viewing angle. The torus is viewed edge-on, and the image is brightest at the line-of-sight angles that pass through the greatest volume of it.

    Cassini is a cooperative project of NASA, the European Space Agency and the Italian Space Agency. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, Calif., manages Cassini for NASA's Office of Space Science, Washington, D.C.

  20. ASCA Observations of "Type 2" LINERs Evidence for a Stellar Source of Ionization

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Terashima, Yuichi; Ho, Luis C.; Ptak, Andrew F.; Mushotzky, Richard F.; Serlemitsos, Peter J.; Yaqoob, Tahir; Kunieda, Hideyo

    1999-01-01

    We present ASCA observations of LINERs without broad H.alpha emission in their optical spectra. The sample of "type 2" LINERs consists of NGC 404, 4111, 4192, 4457, and 4569. We have detected X-ray emission from all the objects except for NGC 404; among the detected objects are two so-called transition objects (NGC 4192 and NGC 4569), which have been postulated to be composite nuclei having both an H II region and a LINER component. The images of NGC 4111 and NGC 4569 in the soft (0.5-2 keV) and hard (2-7 keV) X-ray bands are extended on scales of several kpc. The X-ray spectra of NGC 4111, NGC 4457 and NGC 4569 are well fitted by a two-component model that consists of soft thermal emission with kT approximately 0.65 keV and a hard component represented by a power law (photon index approximately 2) or by thermal bremsstrahlung emission (kT approximately several keV). The extended hard X-rays probably come from discrete sources, while the soft emission most likely originates from hot gas produced by active star formation in the host galaxy. We have found no clear evidence for the presence of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) in the sample. Using black hole masses estimated from host galaxy bulge luminosities, we obtain an upper limit on the implied Eddington ratios less than 5 x 10(exp -5). If an AGN component is the primary ionization source of the optical emission lines, then it must be heavily obscured with a column density significantly larger than 10(exp 23)/sq cm, since the observed X-ray luminosity is insufficient to drive the luminosities of the optical emission lines. Alternatively, the optical emission could be ionized by a population of exceptionally hot stars. This interpretation is consistent with the small [O I] lambda6300/H.alpha ratios observed in these sources, the ultraviolet spectral characteristics in the cases where such information exists, and the X-ray results reported here. We also analyze the X-ray properties of NGC 4117, a low-luminosity Seyfert 2 galaxy serendipitously observed in the field of NGC 4111.

  1. A Study of Galaxies and Quasars in the Background of the Andromeda Galaxy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dhara, Atirath; McConnell, Kaela; Guhathakurta, Puragra; Roy, Namrata; Waite, Jurij

    2018-01-01

    The SPLASH (Spectroscopic and Photometric Landscape of Andromeda’s Stellar Halo) survey is based on wide-field ground-based optical images (KPNO 4-m/Mosaic, CFHT 3.6-m/MegaCam imager, and Subaru 8-m/Suprime-Cam), deep Hubble Space Telescope ultraviolet/optical/near infrared images (ACS and WFC3), and medium resolution spectra (Keck II 10-m/DEIMOS). The SPLASH survey data set contains two main categories of (non-M31) contaminants (SPLASH trash, if you will): foreground Milky Way stars and compact background galaxies/quasars. In this poster, we present the discovery and characterization of galaxies and quasars behind M31. Such objects were identified based on the presence of redshifted emission lines and other galaxy/quasar spectral features (e.g., Ca H+K absorption and IGM absorption). The redshift of each galaxy was measured by cross-correlating its spectrum against an emission line galaxy spectral template. The cross-correlation results (spectrum and best-fit template) were visually inspected to identify cases of incorrect matching of emission lines. Many of these incorrect redshift estimates were corrected by using the second or third highest cross-correlation peak. Quasar redshifts were determined based on cross-correlation against a quasar spectral template. Most of the galaxies in our sample are star forming galaxies with strong emission lines. We analyze their emission line flux ratios in a BPT diagram to learn more about the ionization source and metallicity. Finally, the properties of these compact galaxies behind M31 are compared to those of galaxies selected in a more standard way in the DEEP2 redshift survey to explore the effects of morphological pre-selection (compact vs. extended) on the properties of the resulting galaxy sample.This research was supported by NASA/STScI and the National Science Foundation. Most of this work was carried out by high school students working under the auspices of the Science Internship Program (SIP) at UC Santa Cruz.

  2. The secrets of T Pyxidis. I. UV observations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gilmozzi, R.; Selvelli, P.

    2007-01-01

    Aims:We study the UV spectral behavior of the recurrent nova T Pyx during 16 years of IUE observations. Methods: We examined both the IUE line-by-line images and the extracted spectra in order to understand the reality and the origin of the observed spectral variations. We compare different extraction methods and their influence on the spectrum of an extended object. Results: The UV continuum of T Pyx has remained nearly constant in slope and intensity over this time interval, without any indication of long-term trends. The reddening determined from the UV data is EB-V=0.25 ± 0.02. The best single-curve fit to the dereddened UV continuum is a power-law distribution ∝λ-2.33. The tail of this curve agrees well with the B, V, and J magnitudes of T Pyx, indicating that the contribution of the secondary star is negligible. One peculiar aspect of T Pyx is that most emission lines (the strongest ones being those of CIV 1550 and HeII 1640) show substantial changes both in intensity and detectability, in contrast to the near constancy of the continuum. Several individual spectra display emission features that are difficult to identify, suggesting a composite spectroscopic system. We tentatively ascribe the origin of these transient emission features either to loops and jets from the irradiated secondary or to moving knots of the surrounding nebula that are (temporarily) projected in front of the system. The inspection of all IUE line-by-line images has led to the detection of emission spikes outside the central strip of the spectrum, which in some cases seem associated to known emission features in the (main) spectrum. A comparison with other ex-novae reveals a surprising similarity to the spectrum of the very-slow nova HR Del, whose white dwarf primary has a mass that is allegedly about one half that of T Pyx.

  3. A multi-wavelength investigation of Seyfert 1.8 and 1.9 galaxies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Trippe, Margaret L.

    We focus on determining the underlying physical cause of a Seyfert galaxy's appearance as type a 1.8 or 1.9. Are these "intermediate" Seyfert types typical Seyfert 1 nuclei reddened by central dusty tori or by nuclear dust lanes/spirals in the narrow-line region? Or, are they similar to NGC 2992, objects that have intrinsically weak continua and weak broad emission lines? Our study compares measurements of the reddenings of the narrow and broad-line regions with each other and with the X-ray column derived from XMM Newton 0.5--10 keV spectra to determine the presence and location of dust in the line of sight for a sample of 35 Seyfert 1.8s and 1.9s. From this, we find that Seyfert 1.9s are an almost equal mix of low-flux objects with unreddened broad line regions, and objects with broad line regions reddened by an internal dust source, either the torus or dust structures on the same size scale as the narrow line region. The 1.9s that recieved this designation due to a low continuum flux state showed variable type classifications. All three of the Seyfert 1.8s in our study are probably in low continuum states. Many objects have been misclassified as Seyfert 1.8/1.9s in the past, probably due to improper [N II]/Halpha deconvolution leading to a false detection of weak broad Halpha. INDEX WORDS: Active galaxies, Seyfert galaxies, Optical spectroscopy, X-ray spectroscopy, Astronomical dust

  4. What Do Millimeter Continuum and Spectral Line Observations Tell Us about Solar System Bodies?

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Milam, Stefanie N.

    2013-01-01

    Solar system objects are generally cold and radiate at low frequencies and tend to have strong molecular rotational transitions. Millimeter continuum and spectral line observations provide detailed information for nearly all solar system bodies. At these wavelengths, details of the bulk physical composition of icy surfaces, the size and albedo of small objects, the composition of planetary atmospheres can be measured as well as monitoring of time variable phenomena for extended periods (not restricted to nighttime observations), etc. Major issues in solar system science can be addressed by observations in the millimeter/sub-millimeter regime such as the origin of the solar system (isotope ratios, composition) and the evolution of solar system objects (dynamics, atmospheric constituents, etc). ALMA s exceptional sensitivity, large spectral bandwidth, high spectral resolution, and angular resolution (down to 10 milliarcsec) will enable researchers for the first time to better resolve the smallest bodies in the solar system and provide detailed maps of the larger objects. Additionally, measurements with nearly 8 GHz of instantaneous bandwidth to fully characterize solar system object s spectrum and detect trace species. The spatial information and line profiles can be obtained over 800 GHz of bandwidth in 8 receiver bands to not only assist in the identification of spectral lines and emission components for a given species but also to help elucidate the chemistry of the extraterrestrial bodies closest to us.

  5. Study of chemical shift in Kα, Kβ1,3 and Kβ// X-ray emission lines of 37Rb compounds with WDXRF

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kainth, Harpreet Singh; Singh, Ranjit; Singh, Tejbir; Mehta, D.; Shahi, J. S.; Kumar, Sanjeev

    2018-05-01

    The positive and negative chemical shifts in Kα, Kβ1,3 and Kβ// X-ray emission lines of rubidium compounds were measured with high resolution WDXRF spectrometer. The measured energy shifts in Kα emission lines ranges from -2.95 eV to -3.64 eV, Kβ1,3 emission lines ranges from 1.16 eV to 1.32 eV and Kβ// emission lines ranges from 1.31 eV to 4.36 eV respectively. In the present work, it has been found that chemical shift in Kβ// X-ray emission lines were found to be larger than Kα and Kβ1,3 X-ray emission lines. To find the cause of chemical shift, various factors like effective charge, line intensity ratio, bond length and electro-negativity were calculated and correlated with the chemical shift.

  6. New spectroscopic and photometric observations of CV J0644+3344

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hernández Santisteban, J. V.

    We report photometric and simultaneous spectroscopic observations of the cataclysmic variable J0644+3344 and present calibrated Doppler tomography results of the object. We have calibrated the spectra for slit losses using simultaneous photometry. This has been used to construct reliable Doppler images in the Halpha , Hbeta and He II 4686 Å@ emission lines. We have also performed a radial velocity analysis using these emission lines to derive the primary semi-amplitude and used a cophasing method to determine the secondary K_2 best value. We have improved the ephemeris of the object based on the published and our new photometric eclipse timings to obtain HJD=254474.7927+0.26937446E. We derived a K_1=123.2±6.6 {km s}-1 and K_2=205.4±6.7. Assuming a i>76, the orbital parameters are M_1=0.91±0.04 M⊙, M_2=0.83±0.04 M⊙ and a=2.10±0.03 R⊙. Based on the Doppler tomography we conclude that J0644+3344 is a nova-like SW Sex type system.

  7. X-ray stars observed in LAMOST spectral survey

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lu, Hong-peng; Zhang, Li-yun; Han, Xianming L.; Shi, Jianrong

    2018-05-01

    X-ray stars have been studied since the beginning of X-ray astronomy. Investigating and studying the chromospheric activity from X-ray stellar optical spectra is highly significant in providing insights into stellar magnetic activity. The big data of LAMOST survey provides an opportunity for researching stellar optical spectroscopic properties of X-ray stars. We inferred the physical properties of X-ray stellar sources from the analysis of LAMOST spectra. First, we cross-matched the X-ray stellar catalogue (12254 X-ray stars) from ARXA with LAMOST data release 3 (DR3), and obtained 984 good spectra from 713 X-ray sources. We then visually inspected and assigned spectral type to each spectrum and calculated the equivalent width (EW) of Hα line using the Hammer spectral typing facility. Based on the EW of Hα line, we found 203 spectra of 145 X-ray sources with Hα emission above the continuum. For these spectra we also measured the EWs of Hβ, Hγ, Hδ and Ca ii IRT lines of these spectra. After removing novae, planetary nebulae and OB-type stars, we found there are 127 X-ray late-type stars with Hα line emission. By using our spectra and results from the literature, we found 53 X-ray stars showing Hα variability; these objects are Classical T Tauri stars (CTTs), cataclysmic variables (CVs) or chromospheric activity stars. We also found 18 X-ray stars showing obvious emissions in the Ca ii IRT lines. Of the 18 X-ray stars, 16 are CTTs and 2 are CVs. Finally, we discussed the relationships between the EW of Hα line and X-ray flux.

  8. The flaring activity of Markarian 421 during April 2000

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fegan, D. J.; VERITAS Collaboration

    2001-08-01

    Evidence for correlated TeV γ and X-ray flaring of the extreme blazar Mrk421 during April 2000 is presented and discussed. The remarkably persistent TeV flare of April 30th 2000 (40 σ significance), exhibiting structure over almost six hours of continuous observation, is analysed in detail. 1 Extreme BL Lac objects The most extreme members of the Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) family are BL Lac objects and optically violently variable (OVV) quasars, collectively known as blazars. These objects are dominated by the presence of relativistic jets. For jets fortuitously aligned with an observers line of sight, emission may exhibit dramatic variability over very short time scales, in turn implying remarkably compact emission regions. For blazars, the Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) is dominated by non-thermal continuum emission, extending from radio to TeV gamma rays. The broadband nature of the blazar emission offers unique insights into energetic physical processes at work in a very compact region, close to the base of the jet and near the underlying central engine, most likely a supermassive black hole. BL Lacs are very effectively characterized on the basis of their SED shape. X-ray and radio flux limited surveys apear to display a bimodal distribution of properties, with LBL (Low-energy peaked, or "Red" BL Lacs) having synchrotron peaks in the IR-optical bands, and HBL (High-energy peaked, or "Blue" BL Lacs) in the UV to soft X-ray band. Recent comprehensive surveys such as DXRBS, REX and RGB have extended, by almost two orders of magnitude, the range of observable synchrotron peak frequencies. For blazar class objects, broadband emission confirms that the synchrotron peak may span the entire IR Xray range, thus accounting for the multi-frequency emission properties of this class of object. Mrk421, Mrk501, 1ES2344 and 1H1426 all exhibit broadband emission properties, high

  9. Study on Emission Spectral Lines of Iron, Fe in Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) on Soil Samples

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Idris, Nasrullah; Lahna, Kurnia; Fadhli; Ramli, Muliadi

    2017-05-01

    In this work, LIBS technique has been used for detection of heavy metal especially iron, Fe in soil sample. As there are a large number of emission spectral lines due to Fe and other constituents in soil, this study is intended to identify emission spectral lines of Fe and finally to find best fit emission spectral lines for carrying out a qualitative and quantitative analysis. LIBS apparatus used in this work consists of a laser system (Neodymium Yttrium Aluminum Garnet, Nd-YAG: Quanta Ray; LAB SERIES; 1,064 nm; 500 mJ; 8 ns) and an optical multichannel analyzer (OMA) system consisting of a spectrograph (McPherson model 2061; 1,000 mm focal length; f/8.6 Czerny- Turner) and an intensified charge coupled device (ICCD) 1024x256 pixels (Andor I*Star). The soil sample was collected from Banda Aceh city, Aceh, Indonesia. For spectral data acquisition, the soil sample has been prepared by a pressing machine in the form of pellet. The laser beam was focused using a high density lens (f=+150 mm) and irradiated on the surface of the pellet for generating luminous plasma under 1 atmosphere of air surrounding. The plasma emission was collected by an optical fiber and then sent to the optical multichannel analyzer (OMA) system for acquisition of the emission spectra. It was found that there are many Fe emission lines both atomic lines (Fe I) and ionic lines (Fe II) appeared in all detection windows in the wavelength regions, ranging from 200 nm to 1000 nm. The emission lines of Fe with strong intensities occurs together with emission lines due to other atoms such as Mg, Ca, and Si. Thus, the identification of emission lines from Fe is complicated by presence of many other lines due to other major and minor elements in soil. Considering the features of the detected emission lines, several emission spectral lines of Fe I (atomic emission line), especially Fe I 404.58 nm occurring at visible range are potential to be good candidate of analytical lines in relation to detection heavy metal pollution, Fe, in soil sample.

  10. Deep Emission-Line Imaging of Local Galactic Winds with NEWFIRM: Part II.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Veilleux, Sylvain; Trippe, Margaret; Swaters, Rob; Rupke, David; McCormick, Alex

    2010-08-01

    Galactic winds are the primary mechanism by which energy and metals are recycled in galaxies and deposited into the IGM. New observations are revealing the ubiquity of this process, particularly at high redshift. Measurements have shown that winds contain cool (molecular/neutral), warm (partly ionized), and hot (fully ionized) gases. Though most of the wind mass is likely contained in the dusty molecular gas, very little is known about this component. However, our recent observations of M 82 with NEWFIRM on the Mayall 4-m show that H_2 emission can be used as a sensitive tracer of the cool molecular wind component. We propose to use NEWFIRM to study the NIR emission- line properties of a small but representative set of local wind galaxies. Deep images of these objects will be obtained at H_2 2.122 (micron) and [Fe II] 1.644 (micron) and combined with existing optical emission-line maps to (1) constrain the importance of molecular gas in the energetics of these winds and (2) determine the nature of the interaction between the central energy injection zone and the wind material. 5 nights were allocated for this program in 10B; we now request to observe the rest of the sample. These data will complement an approved Spitzer program to constrain the hot dust content of these winds, and likely become part of A. McCormick's PhD thesis.

  11. Extremely red quasars in BOSS

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hamann, Fred; Zakamska, Nadia L.; Ross, Nicholas; Paris, Isabelle; Alexandroff, Rachael M.; Villforth, Carolin; Richards, Gordon T.; Herbst, Hanna; Brandt, W. Niel; Cook, Ben; Denney, Kelly D.; Greene, Jenny E.; Schneider, Donald P.; Strauss, Michael A.

    2017-01-01

    Red quasars are candidate young objects in an early transition stage of massive galaxy evolution. Our team recently discovered a population of extremely red quasars (ERQs) in the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) that has a suite of peculiar emission-line properties including large rest equivalent widths (REWs), unusual `wingless' line profiles, large N V/Lyα, N V/C IV, Si IV/C IV and other flux ratios, and very broad and blueshifted [O III] λ5007. Here we present a new catalogue of C IV and N V emission-line data for 216 188 BOSS quasars to characterize the ERQ line properties further. We show that they depend sharply on UV-to-mid-IR colour, secondarily on REW(C IV), and not at all on luminosity or the Baldwin Effect. We identify a `core' sample of 97 ERQs with nearly uniform peculiar properties selected via I-W3 ≥ 4.6 (AB) and REW(C IV) ≥ 100 Å at redshifts 2.0-3.4. A broader search finds 235 more red quasars with similar unusual characteristics. The core ERQs have median luminosity ˜ 47.1, sky density 0.010 deg-2, surprisingly flat/blue UV spectra given their red UV-to-mid-IR colours, and common outflow signatures including BALs or BAL-like features and large C IV emission-line blueshifts. Their SEDs and line properties are inconsistent with normal quasars behind a dust reddening screen. We argue that the core ERQs are a unique obscured quasar population with extreme physical conditions related to powerful outflows across the line-forming regions. Patchy obscuration by small dusty clouds could produce the observed UV extinctions without substantial UV reddening.

  12. Warm gas towards young stellar objects in Corona Australis. Herschel/PACS observations from the DIGIT key programme

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lindberg, Johan E.; Jørgensen, Jes K.; Green, Joel D.; Herczeg, Gregory J.; Dionatos, Odysseas; Evans, Neal J.; Karska, Agata; Wampfler, Susanne F.

    2014-05-01

    Context. The effects of external irradiation on the chemistry and physics in the protostellar envelope around low-mass young stellar objects are poorly understood. The Corona Australis star-forming region contains the R CrA dark cloud, comprising several low-mass protostellar cores irradiated by an intermediate-mass young star. Aims: We study the effects of the irradiation coming from the young luminous Herbig Be star R CrA on the warm gas and dust in a group of low-mass young stellar objects. Methods: Herschel/PACS far-infrared datacubes of two low-mass star-forming regions in the R CrA dark cloud are presented. The distributions of CO, OH, H2O, [C ii], [O i], and continuum emission are investigated. We have developed a deconvolution algorithm which we use to deconvolve the maps, separating the point-source emission from the extended emission. We also construct rotational diagrams of the molecular species. Results: By deconvolution of the Herschel data, we find large-scale (several thousand AU) dust continuum and spectral line emission not associated with the point sources. Similar rotational temperatures are found for the warm CO (282 ± 4 K), hot CO (890 ± 84 K), OH (79 ± 4 K), and H2O (197 ± 7 K) emission in the point sources and the extended emission. The rotational temperatures are also similar to those found in other more isolated cores. The extended dust continuum emission is found in two ridges similar in extent and temperature to molecular millimetre emission, indicative of external heating from the Herbig Be star R CrA. Conclusions: Our results show that nearby luminous stars do not increase the molecular excitation temperatures of the warm gas around young stellar objects (YSOs). However, the emission from photodissociation products of H2O, such as OH and O, is enhanced in the warm gas associated with these protostars and their surroundings compared to similar objects not subjected to external irradiation. Table 9 and appendices are available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org

  13. THE LICK AGN MONITORING PROJECT: BROAD-LINE REGION RADII AND BLACK HOLE MASSES FROM REVERBERATION MAPPING OF Hbeta

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

    Bentz, Misty C.; Walsh, Jonelle L.; Barth, Aaron J.

    2009-11-01

    We have recently completed a 64-night spectroscopic monitoring campaign at the Lick Observatory 3-m Shane telescope with the aim of measuring the masses of the black holes in 12 nearby (z < 0.05) Seyfert 1 galaxies with expected masses in the range approx10{sup 6}-10{sup 7} M {sub sun} and also the well-studied nearby active galactic nucleus (AGN) NGC 5548. Nine of the objects in the sample (including NGC 5548) showed optical variability of sufficient strength during the monitoring campaign to allow for a time lag to be measured between the continuum fluctuations and the response to these fluctuations in themore » broad Hbeta emission. We present here the light curves for all the objects in this sample and the subsequent Hbeta time lags for the nine objects where these measurements were possible. The Hbeta lag time is directly related to the size of the broad-line region (BLR) in AGNs, and by combining the Hbeta lag time with the measured width of the Hbeta emission line in the variable part of the spectrum, we determine the virial mass of the central supermassive black hole in these nine AGNs. The absolute calibration of the black hole masses is based on the normalization derived by Onken et al., which brings the masses determined by reverberation mapping into agreement with the local M {sub BH}-sigma{sub *}relationship for quiescent galaxies. We also examine the time lag response as a function of velocity across the Hbeta line profile for six of the AGNs. The analysis of four leads to rather ambiguous results with relatively flat time lags as a function of velocity. However, SBS 1116+583A exhibits a symmetric time lag response around the line center reminiscent of simple models for circularly orbiting BLR clouds, and Arp 151 shows an asymmetric profile that is most easily explained by a simple gravitational infall model. Further investigation will be necessary to fully understand the constraints placed on the physical models of the BLR by the velocity-resolved response in these objects.« less

  14. An Atlas of Computed Equivalent Widths of Quasar Broad Emission Lines

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Korista, Kirk; Baldwin, Jack; Ferland, Gary; Verner, Dima

    We present graphically the results of several thousand photoionization calculations of broad emission-line clouds in quasars, spanning 7 orders of magnitude in hydrogen ionizing flux and particle density. The equivalent widths of 42 quasar emission lines are presented as contours in the particle density-ionizing flux plane for a typical incident continuum shape, solar chemical abundances, and cloud column density of N(H) = 1023 cm-2. Results are similarly given for a small subset of emission lines for two other column densities (1022 and 1024 cm-2), five other incident continuum shapes, and a gas metallicity of 5 Z⊙. These graphs should prove useful in the analysis of quasar emission-line data and in the detailed modeling of quasar broad emission-line regions. The digital results of these emission-line grids and many more are available over the Internet.

  15. The physical properties of Lyα emitting galaxies: not just primeval galaxies?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pentericci, L.; Grazian, A.; Fontana, A.; Castellano, M.; Giallongo, E.; Salimbeni, S.; Santini, P.

    2009-02-01

    Aims: We have analyzed a sample of Lyman break galaxies from z ~ 3.5 to z ~ 6 selected from the GOODS-S field as B, V, and i-dropouts, and with spectroscopic observations showing that they have the Lyα line in emission. Our main aim is to investigate their physical properties and their dependence on the emission line characteristic and to shed light on the relation between galaxies with Lyα emission and the general LBG population. Methods: The objects were selected from their optical continuum colors and then spectroscopically confirmed by the GOODS collaboration and other campaigns. From the public spectra we derived the main properties of the Lyα emission such as total flux and rest frame EW. We then used complete photometry, from U band to mid-infrared from the GOODS-MUSIC database, and through standard spectro-photometric techniques we derived the physical properties of the galaxies, such as total stellar mass, stellar ages, star formation rates, and dust content. Finally we investigated the relation between emission line and physical properties. Results: Although most galaxies are fit by young stellar populations, a small but non negligible fraction has SEDs that cannot be represented well by young models and require considerably older stellar component, up to ~1 Gyr. There is no apparent relation between age and EW: some of the oldest galaxies have high line EW, and should be also selected in narrow-band surveys. Therefore not all Lyα emitting galaxies are primeval galaxies in the very early stages of formation, as is commonly assumed. We also find a range of stellar populations, with masses from 5 × 108 M_⊙ to 5 × 1010 M_⊙ and SFR from few to 60 M_⊙ yr-1. Although there is no net correlation between mass and EW, we find a significant lack of massive galaxies with high EW, which could be explained if the most massive galaxies were either dustier and/or if they contained more neutral gas than less massive objects. Finally we find that more than half of the galaxies contain small but non negligible amounts of dust: the mean E(B-V) derived from the SED fit and the EW are well-correlated, although with a large scatter, as already found at lower redshift.

  16. Coronal Structures in Cool Stars

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Oliversen, Ronald (Technical Monitor); Dupree, Andrea K.

    2005-01-01

    We have extended our study of the structure of coronas in cool stars to very young stars still accreting from their surrounding disks. In addition we are pursing the connection between coronal X-rays and a powerful diagnostic line in the infrared, the He I 10830Angstrom transition of helium. Highlights of these are summarized below including publications during this reporting period and presentations. Spectroscopy of the infrared He I (lambda10830) line with KECK/NIRSPEC and IRTF/CSHELL and of the ultraviolet C III (lambda977) and O VI (lambda1032) emission with FUSE reveals that the classical T Tauri star TW Hydrae exhibits P Cygni profiles, line asymmetries, and absorption indicative of a continuous, fast (approximately 400 kilometers per second), hot (approximately 300,000 K) accelerating outflow with a mass loss rate approximately 10(exp -11)-10(exp -12) solar mass yr(sup -1) or larger. Spectra of T Tauri N appear consistent with such a wind. The source of the emission and outflow seems restricted to the stars themselves. Although the mass accretion rate is an order of magnitude less for TW Hya than for T Tau, the outflow reaches higher velocities at chromospheric temperatures in TW Hya. Winds from young stellar objects may be substantially hotter and faster than previously thought. The ultraviolet emission lines, when corrected for absorption are broad. Emission associated with the accretion flow and shock is likely to show turbulent broadening. We note that the UV line widths are significantly larger than the X-ray line widths. If the X-rays from TW Hya are generated at the accretion shock, the UV lines may not be directly associated with the shock. On the other hand, studies of X-ray emission in young star clusters, suggest that the strength of the X-ray emission is correlated with stellar rotation, thus casting doubt on an accretion origin for the X-rays. We are beginning to access the infrared spectral region where the He I 108308Angstroms transition occurs. This line is particularly useful as a diagnostic of coronal radiation since it is formed by recombination following photoionization of neutral helium by coronal X-rays. Because the lower level of the transition is metastable, infrared radiation from the stellar photosphere is absorbed which provides a diagnostic of atmospheric dynamics. This transition is useful both in young stars in the T Tauri phase and in active cool star binaries. We will investigate the influence of coronal x-rays on the strength of this transition.

  17. Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Padgett, Deborah

    2012-01-01

    We present WISE (Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer) mid-infrared photometry of young stellar object candidates in the Canis Majoris clouds at a distance of 1 kpc. WISE has identified 682 objects with apparent 12 and 22 micron excess emission in a 7 deg x 10 deg field around the CMa Rl cloud . While a substantial fraction of these candidates are likely galaxies, AGB stars, and artifacts from confusion along the galactic plane, others are part of a spectacular cluster of YSOs imaged by WISE along a dark filament in the R1 cloud. Palomar Double Spectrograph observations of several sources in this cluster confirm their identity as young A and B stars with strong emission lines. In this contribution, we plot the optical -mid-infrared spectral energy distribution for the WISE YSO candidates and discuss potential contaminants to the sample . The data demonstrate the utility of WISE in performing wide-area surveys for young stellar objects.

  18. Excited OH 4.7 GHz masers associated with IRAS far-infrared sources

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Masheder, M. R. W.; Cohen, R. J.; Caswell, J. L.; Walker, R. N. F.; Shepherd, M.

    We describe the results of an all-sky search for maser emission from excited OH in the 2Pi(1/2), J = 1/2 state at 4765, 4750, and 4660 MHz, carried out at Jodrell Bank and at Parkes in 1989 and 1991. A total of 129 sources were observed in all including all objects from the Cohen et al. (1988) (CBJ) sample of far infrared IRAS sources with 60 micron flux, F(60) over 4000 Jy for which OH 18-cm emission was already known. A total of 18 objects were detected, including seven new discoveries and a new maser region in W49. Three of these were also detected at 4750 MHz, including the first strong 4750 MHz maser (S252). Three objects were detected at 4660 MHz, including a new discovery seen in this line only. We found strong variations in seven sources.

  19. The ALMA Spectroscopic Survey in the Hubble Ultra Deep Field: Search for [CII] Line and Dust Emission in 6

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Aravena, M.; Decarli, R.; Walter, F.; Bouwens, R.; Oesch, P. A.; Carilli, C. L.; Bauer, F. E.; Da Cunha, E.; Daddi, E.; Gónzalez-López, J.; Ivison, R. J.; Riechers, D. A.; Smail, I.; Swinbank, A. M.; Weiss, A.; Anguita, T.; Bacon, R.; Bell, E.; Bertoldi, F.; Cortes, P.; Cox, P.; Hodge, J.; Ibar, E.; Inami, H.; Infante, L.; Karim, A.; Magnelli, B.; Ota, K.; Popping, G.; van der Werf, P.; Wagg, J.; Fudamoto, Y.

    2016-12-01

    We present a search for [C II] line and dust continuum emission from optical dropout galaxies at z > 6 using ASPECS, our Atacama Large Millimeter submillimeter Array Spectroscopic Survey in the Hubble Ultra-deep Field (UDF). Our observations, which cover the frequency range of 212-272 GHz, encompass approximately the range of 6 < z < 8 for [C II] line emission and reach a limiting luminosity of L [C II] ˜ (1.6-2.5) × 108 L ⊙. We identify 14 [C II] line emitting candidates in this redshift range with significances >4.5σ, two of which correspond to blind detections with no optical counterparts. At this significance level, our statistical analysis shows that about 60% of our candidates are expected to be spurious. For one of our blindly selected [C II] line candidates, we tentatively detect the CO(6-5) line in our parallel 3 mm line scan. None of the line candidates are individually detected in the 1.2 mm continuum. A stack of all [C II] candidates results in a tentative detection with S 1.2 mm = 14 ± 5 μJy. This implies a dust-obscured star-formation rate (SFR) of (3 ± 1) M ⊙ yr-1. We find that the two highest-SFR objects have candidate [C II] lines with luminosities that are consistent with the low-redshift L [C II] versus SFR relation. The other candidates have significantly higher [C II] luminosities than expected from their UV-based SFR. At the current sensitivity, it is unclear whether the majority of these sources are intrinsically bright [C II] emitters, or spurious sources. If only one of our line candidates was real (a scenario greatly favored by our statistical analysis), we find a source density for [C II] emitters at 6 < z < 8 that is significantly higher than predicted by current models and some extrapolations from galaxies in the local universe.

  20. Analyzing the Signatures of High Red-shift Hydrogen: The Lyman Alpha and 21cm Emission Lines

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hansen, Matthew

    Hydrogen line emission is an important window on galaxy formation due to the large abundance of neutral hydrogen in the early Universe. This dissertation comprises two theoretical/computational studies of two types of hydrogen line emission: Lyman alpha emission and escape from young stellar populations, and 21cm radiation from neutral hydrogen clouds at the time of the first luminous objects. The Lyman alpha research concerns the radiative transfer of resonant line radiation from a central source escaping from a multi-phase medium appropriate to young star forming regions. To analyze the properties of this novel radiative transfer problem I develop new theoretical formulations of the problem, substantiated by physically accurate monte carlo simulations of photon scattering and absorption through multi-phase gas geometries. I find that the escape fraction of resonant line photons from young star forming regions--ionized gas filled with neutral hydrogen clouds with low dust content--can exceed the continuum photon escape fraction by up to an order of magnitude. Additionally, I study the effect of gas outflow on the line profile of escaping resonant photons. In light of these results, I discuss why a young normal stellar populations surrounded by a clumpy multi-phase gas outflow can explain the Lyman alpha spectra seen from high red-shift Lyman Alpha Emitters (LAEs). The 21cm research concerns the ionization evolution of the Intergalactic Medium (IGM) during the era of the first luminous objects in the Universe. Large radio-array observatories are currently being built to specifically detect the red-shifted 21cm radiation from neutral hydrogen at red-shifts z ˜ 12 - - 6; the output will be three dimensional maps of ionized regions across the plane of the sky at various red-shift depths. The signal in the resulting ionization maps will be limited by observational noise, mainly from foreground galactic emission in radio frequencies. The research presented here is a unique approach to data mining the planned observational ionization map data. I develop the one-point statistics of the observed 21cm intensity appropriate for the IGM at high red-shifts using a mixture model technique. I show that physically interesting parameters of such mixture models, such as the total ionized gas fraction at a given red-shift slice, can be estimated by applying Maximum Likelihood Expectation to the mixture model of the observed 21cm intensity distribution. The confidence intervals on the expected model parameters are rigorously calculated, and applied to expected detection capabilities of the planned radio-array observatories. I find that at least one of the observatories, the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR), will be able to statistically detect the evolution of the total ionized gas fraction with good precision.

  1. VizieR Online Data Catalog: Blazars equivalent widths and radio luminosity (Landt+, 2004)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Landt, H.; Padovani, P.; Perlman, E. S.; Giommi, P.

    2004-07-01

    Blazars are currently separated into BL Lacertae objects (BL Lacs) and flat spectrum radio quasars based on the strength of their emission lines. This is performed rather arbitrarily by defining a diagonal line in the Ca H&K break value-equivalent width plane, following Marcha et al. (1996MNRAS.281..425M). We readdress this problem and put the classification scheme for blazars on firm physical grounds. We study ~100 blazars and radio galaxies from the Deep X-ray Radio Blazar Survey (DXRBS, Cat. and ) and 2-Jy radio survey and find a significant bimodality for the narrow emission line [OIII]{lambda}5007. This suggests the presence of two physically distinct classes of radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGN). We show that all radio-loud AGN, blazars and radio galaxies, can be effectively separated into weak- and strong-lined sources using the [OIII]{lambda}5007-[OII]{lambda}3727 equivalent width plane. This plane allows one to disentangle orientation effects from intrinsic variations in radio-loud AGN. Based on DXRBS, the strongly beamed sources of the new class of weak-lined radio-loud AGN are made up of BL Lacs at the ~75 per cent level, whereas those of the strong-lined radio-loud AGN include mostly (~97 per cent) quasars. (4 data files).

  2. Infrared spectroscopy of interstellar shocks

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mckee, C. F.; Chernoff, D. F.; Hollenbach, D. J.

    1984-01-01

    Infrared emission lines from interstellar shocks provide valuable diagnostics for violent events in the interstellar medium, such as supernova remnants and mass outflow from young stellar objects. There are two types of interstellar shocks: in J shocks, gas properties 'jump' from their preshock to their postshock values in a shock front with a thickness equal to or less than one mean free path; radiation is emitted behind the shock front, primarily in the visible and ultraviolet, but with a few strong infrared lines, such as OI(63 microns). Such shocks occur in ionized or neutral atomic gas, or at high velocities (equal to or greater than 50 km/s) in molecular gas. In C shocks, gas is accelerated and heated by collisions between charged particles, which have a low concentration and are coupled to the magnetic field, and neutral particles; radiation is generated throughout the shock and is emitted almost entirely in infrared emission lines. Such shocks occur in weakly ionized molecular gas for shock velocities below about 50 km/s.

  3. Space Density Of Optically-Selected Type II Quasars From The SDSS

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reyes, Reinabelle; Zakamska, N. L.; Strauss, M. A.; Green, J.; Krolik, J. H.; Shen, Y.; Richards, G. T.

    2007-12-01

    Type II quasars are luminous Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) whose central regions are obscured by large amounts of gas and dust. In this poster, we present a catalog of 887 type II quasars with redshifts z<0.83 from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), selected based on their emission lines, and derive the 1/Vmax [OIII] 5007 luminosity function from this sample. Since some objects may not be included in the sample because they lack strong emission lines, the derived luminosity function is only a lower limit. We also derive the [OIII] 5007 luminosity function for a sample of type I (broad-line) quasars in the same redshift range. Taking [OIII] 5007 luminosity as a tracer of intrinsic luminosity in both type I and type II quasars, we obtain lower limits to the type II quasar fraction as a function of [OIII] 5007 luminosity, from L[OIII] = 108.3 to 1010 Lsun, which roughly correspond to bolometric luminosities of 1044 to 1046 erg/s.

  4. Deuterated formaldehyde in the low-mass protostar HH212

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sahu, Dipen; Minh, Y. C.; Lee, Chin-Fei; Liu, Sheng-Yuan; Das, Ankan; Chakrabarti, S. K.; Sivaraman, Bhala

    2018-04-01

    HH212, a nearby (400 pc) object in Orion, is a class 0 protostellar system with a Keplerian disc and collimated bipolar SiO jets. Deuterated water, HDO, and a deuterated complex molecule, methanol (CH2DOH), have been reported in the source. Here, we report the HDCO (deuterated formaldehyde) line observation from Atacama Large Millimeter Array data to probe the inner region of HH212. We compare HDCO line with other molecular lines to understand the possible chemistry and physics of the source. The distribution of HDCO emission suggests that it may be associated with the base of the outflow. The emission also shows a rotation but it is not associated with the Keplerian rotation of disc or the rotating infalling envelope, rather it is associated with the outflow as previously seen in C34S. From the possible deuterium fractionation, we speculate that the gas phase formation of deuterated formaldehyde is active in the central hot region of the low-mass protostar system, HH212.

  5. The emission-line regions in the nucleus of NGC 1313 probed with GMOS-IFU: a supergiant/hypergiant candidate and a kinematically cold nucleus

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Menezes, R. B.; Steiner, J. E.

    2017-04-01

    NGC 1313 is a bulgeless nearby galaxy, classified as SB(s)d. Its proximity allows high spatial resolution observations. We performed the first detailed analysis of the emission-line properties in the nuclear region of NGC 1313, using an optical data cube obtained with the Gemini Multi-object Spectrograph. We detected four main emitting areas, three of them (regions 1, 2 and 3) having spectra typical of H II regions. Region 1 is located very close to the stellar nucleus and shows broad spectral features characteristic of Wolf-Rayet stars. Our analysis revealed the presence of one or two WC4-5 stars in this region, which is compatible with results obtained by previous studies. Region 4 shows spectral features (as a strong Hα emission line, with a broad component) typical of a massive emission-line star, such as a luminous blue variable, a B[e] supergiant or a B hypergiant. The radial velocity map of the ionized gas shows a pattern consistent with rotation. A significant drop in the values of the gas velocity dispersion was detected very close to region 1, which suggests that the young stars there were formed from this cold gas, possibly keeping low values of velocity dispersion. Therefore, although detailed measurements of the stellar kinematics were not possible (due to the weak stellar absorption spectrum of this galaxy), we predict that NGC 1313 may also show a drop in the values of the stellar velocity dispersion in its nuclear region.

  6. Ultraviolet observations of clusters of Wolf-Rayet stars in the SBm3 galaxy NGC 4214 and Ultraviolet and optical observations of LINER's

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Filippenko, Alexei V.

    1992-01-01

    The purpose of the grant was to obtain and analyze IUE (UV) and ground-based (optical) spectra of the central bar of NGC 4214, which contains several bright H II regions, in order to further explore the properties of the Wolf-Rayet stars in this galaxy. Several spatially distinct regions, with widely different equivalent widths of optical Wolf-Rayet lines, could be sampled by the large IUE entrance aperture. By using newly developed extraction techniques, the spectra of these H II regions could be isolated, and differences in their stellar populations would be systematically studied. Data were obtained with IUE in late February and early March, 1992. Some of the shifts were successful, but a few were not -- apparently the blind offset from the nearby star did not work equally well in all cases. Thus, the signal-to-noise ratio is somewhat lower than we had hoped. This necessitated a more careful extraction of the spectra of individual H II regions from the two-dimensional spectra. (A program that models the point spread function in the spatial direction was used to deblend the distinct H II regions.) The IUE data are currently being analyzed in conjunction with ground-based optical spectra. There appear to be obvious variations in the stellar population over angular scales of only a few arc seconds. The second part of the research performed under this grant was a continuation of a project that uses IUE (UV) and ground-based (optical) spectra to infer the physical conditions in Low-Ionization Nuclear Emission-Line Regions (LINER's). We have obtained spectra of a few key objects that cover a representative range in LINER continuum and emission-line properties. The overall goals are to (1) separate the emission into spatially distinct components, (2) establish whether the observed nuclear ultraviolet continua indicate sufficient photoionizing fluxes to account for the emission lines, (3) determine whether the nuclear emission can be explained by hot stars alone, (4) detect and measure the strengths of UV emission lines, and (5) search for systematic differences in the UV spectra of LINER's whose other properties differ in some respects.

  7. Seyfert Galaxies in the Infrared

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ruiz-Nishiky, Milagros

    1997-10-01

    This thesis contains complementary aspects of the Seyfert phenomenon, each of which is analysed to bring a better understanding of present unification theories. Observations of the nuclear regions of various types of Seyfert galaxies were mostly made at infrared wavelengths which allow the study of dusty environments and provide new information on the physical conditions of these objects. For example, near infrared spectroscopy of Seyfert 2 galaxies revealed that there is a subclass of type 2 Seyferts with hot IR excess at ~3μm with broad IR emission lines suggesting that some Seyfert 2s do in fact contain a hidden Seyfert 1 nucleus. Additional spectropolarimetry showed that the scattering screens, postulated in the standard model, are not always present in Seyfert 2s. At mid infrared wavelengths, it was found that the 10 μm nuclear emission of Seyferts with broad emission lines is intrinsically brighter than that of Seyferts with no broad lines. The extended 10μm emission shows that Seyfert 2 galaxies present enhanced star-formation when compared to Seyfert 1s. Both results pose obstacles for present unification ideas and I discuss possible interpretations to these observations. Seyfert galaxies were also observed at radio wavelengths to study their large scale emission of 1-0 CO. Surprisingly, this emission usually related with star formation activity was found to be similar in both types of Seyfert galaxies and therefore does not explain why Seyfert 2 galaxies have enhanced star formation as concluded in the 10μm study. A study of galaxy morphology and companions in this set of Seyferts shows at a significant statistical level that Seyfert 2s present a higher incidence of asymmetric morphologies compared to Seyfert 1s and field galaxies, and therefore are undergoing gravitational perturbations which may induce star formation. Near infrared spectroscopy of a large sample of Seyfert galaxies is analysed to study the excitation mechanisms of (FeII) and H2 lines in the NLR of Seyfert galaxies, a subject which is in great debate at present. Here I present some results indicating that shock excitation is likely, but not always, the dominant mechanism that excites these IR lines.

  8. KMOS{sup 3D} Reveals Low-level Star Formation Activity in Massive Quiescent Galaxies at 0.7 < z < 2.7

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

    Belli, Sirio; Genzel, Reinhard; Förster Schreiber, Natascha M.

    2017-05-20

    We explore the H α emission in the massive quiescent galaxies observed by the KMOS{sup 3D} survey at 0.7 < z < 2.7. The H α line is robustly detected in 20 out of 120 UVJ -selected quiescent galaxies, and we classify the emission mechanism using the H α line width and the [N ii]/H α line ratio. We find that AGNs are likely to be responsible for the line emission in more than half of the cases. We also find robust evidence for star formation activity in nine quiescent galaxies, which we explore in detail. The H α kinematicsmore » reveal rotating disks in five of the nine galaxies. The dust-corrected H α star formation rates are low (0.2–7 M {sub ⊙} yr{sup −1}), and place these systems significantly below the main sequence. The 24 μ m-based, infrared luminosities, instead, overestimate the star formation rates. These galaxies present a lower gas-phase metallicity compared to star-forming objects with similar stellar mass, and many of them have close companions. We therefore conclude that the low-level star formation activity in these nine quiescent galaxies is likely to be fueled by inflowing gas or minor mergers, and could be a sign of rejuvenation events.« less

  9. STIS Observations of the Intrinsic UV Absorption in the Dwarf Seyfert Nucleus of NGC 4395

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kraemer, Steven

    2002-07-01

    The Sd IV dwarf galaxy NGC 4395 is one of the nearest {d 4.2 Mpc} and least luminous {L_bol 10^41 ergs s^-1} examples of Seyfert 1 galaxies. Furthermore, it is the only known example of an active nucleus within a bulgeless, extreme late-type galaxy. This unique object possesses all of the classic Seyfert 1 properties in miniature, including broad and narrow emission lines and highly variable X-ray emission, presumably powered by a small {few x 10^4 M_odot} black hole. Furthermore, we have discovered evidence for blueshifted, intrinsic absorption lines in the UV {C IV LambdaLambda1548.2, 1550.8}, while X-ray spectra show the presence of bound-free edges from O VII and O VIII. We propose HST/STIS echelle observations to determine the properties {ionization states, column densities, velocity coverages, covering factors} of the intrinsic UV absorbers in NGC 4395. Due to the high covering factor of its narrow-line emission, NGC 4395 offers the best case for testing the connection between the absorbers and the narrow-line region {NLR}. Furthermore, an empirical comparison of its absorption properties with those in higher luminosity active galactic nuclei {AGN} will provide valuable constraints on dynamical models of the absorbers, which make predictions that are strongly dependent on luminosity and/or central black hole mass.

  10. Broad Low-Intensity Wings in the Emission-Line Profiles of Four Wolf-Rayet Galaxies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Méndez, David I.; Esteban, César

    1997-10-01

    High-resolution spectroscopic observations have been obtained for the Wolf-Rayet galaxies He 2-10, II Zw 40, POX 4, and Tol 35. Several subregions have been selected in each slit position in order to investigate possible spatial variations in the line profiles, radial velocities, and ionization conditions of the gas. The most remarkable feature of the spectra is the presence of asymmetric broad low-intensity wings in the profiles of the brightest emission lines. These spectral features are detected farther out from the star-forming knots, showing linear dimensions between 300 pc and 4.1 kpc. The maximum expansion velocity measured for this gas is between 120 and 340 km s-1 and appears to be quite constant along the slit for all the objects. Additional general properties of the spectra are (1) the quoted emission-line ratios are similar in the narrow and broad components, (2) no systematic differences of the behavior of the broad and narrow components have been found along the major and minor axis of the galaxies, and (3) the spatial distribution of the ionized gas is peaked centrally. Different mechanisms capable of producing the observed broad spectral features are discussed: cloud-cloud collisions in virialized gas, ``academic'' superbubbles, champagne flows, and superbubble blowout. It is concluded that superbubble blowout expanding over a cloudy medium can explain the observational properties in a reasonable manner.

  11. A Census of X-Ray Gas in NGC 1068: Results from 450ks of Chandra HETG Observations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kallman, T.; Evans, Daniel A.; Marshall, H.; Canizares, C.; Longinotti, A.; Nowak, M.; Schulz, N.

    2013-01-01

    We present models for the X-ray spectrum of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 1068. These are fitted to data obtained using the High Energy Transmission Grating (HETG) on the Chandra X-ray observatory. The data show line and radiative recombination continuum (RRC) emission from a broad range of ions and elements. The models explore the importance of excitation processes for these lines including photoionization followed by recombination, radiative excitation by absorption of continuum radiation and inner shell fluorescence. The models show that the relative importance of these processes depends on the conditions in the emitting gas, and that no single emitting component can fit the entire spectrum. In particular, the relative importance of radiative excitation and photoionization/recombination differs according to the element and ion stage emitting the line. This in turn implies a diversity of values for the ionization parameter of the various components of gas responsible for the emission, ranging from log(Epsilon)=1 - 3. Using this, we obtain an estimate for the total amount of gas responsible for the observed emission. The mass flux through the region included in the HETG extraction region is approximately 0.3 Solar Mass/yr assuming ordered flow at the speed characterizing the line widths. This can be compared with what is known about this object from other techniques.

  12. A Census of X-ray Gas in NGC 1068: Results From 450 ks of CHANDRA High Energy Transmisson Grating Observations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kallman, T.; Evans, Daniel A.; Marshall, H.; Canizares, C.; Longinotti, A.; Nowak, M.; Schulz, N.

    2013-01-01

    We present models for the X-ray spectrum of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 1068. These are fitted to data obtained using the High Energy Transmission Grating on Chandra. The data show line and radiative recombination continuum emission from a broad range of ions and elements. The models explore the importance of excitation processes for these lines including photoionization followed by recombination, radiative excitation by absorption of continuum radiation, and inner shell fluorescence. The models show that the relative importance of these processes depends on the conditions in the emitting gas and that no single emitting component can fit the entire spectrum. In particular, the relative importance of radiative excitation and photoionization/recombination differs according to the element and ion stage emitting the line. This in turn implies a diversity of values for the ionization parameter of the various components of gas responsible for the emission, ranging from log(E ) = 1 to 3. Using this, we obtain an estimate for the total amount of gas responsible for the observed emission. The mass flux through the region included in the HETG extraction region is approximately 0.3M/yr, assuming ordered flow at the speed characterizing the line widths. This can be compared with what is known about this object from other techniques.

  13. A Census of X-ray gas in NGC 1068: Results from 450ks of Chandra HETG Observations.

    PubMed

    Kallman, T; Evans, Daniel A; Marshall, H; Canizares, C; Longinotti, A; Nowak, M; Schulz, N

    2014-01-10

    We present models for the X-ray spectrum of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 1068. These are fitted to data obtained using the High Energy Transmission Grating (HETG) on the Chandra X-ray observatory. The data show line and radiative recombination continuum (RRC) emission from a broad range of ions and elements. The models explore the importance of excitation processes for these lines including photoionization followed by recombination, radiative excitation by absorption of continuum radiation and inner shell fluorescence. The models show that the relative importance of these processes depends on the conditions in the emitting gas, and that no single emitting component can fit the entire spectrum. In particular, the relative importance of radiative excitation and photoionization/recombination differs according to the element and ion stage emitting the line. This in turn implies a diversity of values for the ionization parameter of the various components of gas responsible for the emission, ranging from log(ξ)=1 - 3. Using this, we obtain an estimate for the total amount of gas responsible for the observed emission. The mass flux through the region included in the HETG extraction region is approximately 0.3 M ⊙ yr -1 assuming ordered flow at the speed characterizing the line widths. This can be compared with what is known about this object from other techniques.

  14. THE LICK AGN MONITORING PROJECT: REVERBERATION MAPPING OF OPTICAL HYDROGEN AND HELIUM RECOMBINATION LINES

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

    Bentz, Misty C.; Walsh, Jonelle L.; Barth, Aaron J.

    2010-06-20

    We have recently completed a 64-night spectroscopic monitoring campaign at the Lick Observatory 3 m Shane telescope with the aim of measuring the masses of the black holes in 12 nearby (z < 0.05) Seyfert 1 galaxies with expected masses in the range {approx}10{sup 6}-10{sup 7} M{sub sun} and also the well-studied nearby active galactic nucleus (AGN) NGC 5548. Nine of the objects in the sample (including NGC 5548) showed optical variability of sufficient strength during the monitoring campaign to allow for a time lag to be measured between the continuum fluctuations and the response to these fluctuations in themore » broad H{beta} emission, which we have previously reported. We present here the light curves for the H{alpha}, H{gamma}, He II {lambda}4686, and He I {lambda}5876 emission lines and the time lags for the emission-line responses relative to changes in the continuum flux. Combining each emission-line time lag with the measured width of the line in the variable part of the spectrum, we determine a virial mass of the central supermassive black hole from several independent emission lines. We find that the masses are generally consistent within the uncertainties. The time-lag response as a function of velocity across the Balmer line profiles is examined for six of the AGNs. We find similar responses across all three Balmer lines for Arp 151, which shows a strongly asymmetric profile, and for SBS 1116+583A and NGC 6814, which show a symmetric response about zero velocity. For the other three AGNs, the data quality is somewhat lower and the velocity-resolved time-lag response is less clear. Finally, we compare several trends seen in the data set against the predictions from photoionization calculations as presented by Korista and Goad. We confirm several of their predictions, including an increase in responsivity and a decrease in the mean time lag as the excitation and ionization level for the species increases. Specifically, we find the time lags of the optical recombination lines to have weighted mean ratios of {tau}(H{alpha}):{tau}(H{beta}):{tau}(H{gamma}):{tau}(He I):{tau}(He II) = 1.54:1.00:0.61:0.36:0.25. Further confirmation of photoionization predictions for broad-line gas behavior will require additional monitoring programs for these AGNs while they are in different luminosity states.« less

  15. Clustering analysis of line indices for LAMOST spectra with AstroStat

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Shu-Xin; Sun, Wei-Min; Yan, Qi

    2018-06-01

    The application of data mining in astronomical surveys, such as the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) survey, provides an effective approach to automatically analyze a large amount of complex survey data. Unsupervised clustering could help astronomers find the associations and outliers in a big data set. In this paper, we employ the k-means method to perform clustering for the line index of LAMOST spectra with the powerful software AstroStat. Implementing the line index approach for analyzing astronomical spectra is an effective way to extract spectral features for low resolution spectra, which can represent the main spectral characteristics of stars. A total of 144 340 line indices for A type stars is analyzed through calculating their intra and inter distances between pairs of stars. For intra distance, we use the definition of Mahalanobis distance to explore the degree of clustering for each class, while for outlier detection, we define a local outlier factor for each spectrum. AstroStat furnishes a set of visualization tools for illustrating the analysis results. Checking the spectra detected as outliers, we find that most of them are problematic data and only a few correspond to rare astronomical objects. We show two examples of these outliers, a spectrum with abnormal continuumand a spectrum with emission lines. Our work demonstrates that line index clustering is a good method for examining data quality and identifying rare objects.

  16. The Relationship Between Stellar Populations and Lyα Emission in Lyman Break Galaxies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kornei, Katherine; Shapley, A. E.; Erb, D. K.; Steidel, C. C.; Reddy, N. A.; Pettini, M.; Bogosavljevic, M.

    2010-01-01

    We present the results of a photometric and spectroscopic survey of 321 Lyman break galaxies (LBGs) at z ˜ 3 to investigate systematically the relationship between Lyα emission and stellar populations. Lyα equivalent widths (EWs) were calculated from rest-frame UV spectroscopy and optical/near-infrared/Spitzer photometry was used in population synthesis modeling to derive the key properties of age, dust extinction, star formation rate (SFR), and stellar mass. We directly compare the stellar populations of LBGs with and without strong Lyα emission, where we designate the former group (EW ≥ 20 angstroms) as Lyα-emitters (LAEs) and the latter group (EW < 20 angstroms) as non-LAEs. This controlled method of comparing objects from the same UV luminosity distribution represents an improvement over previous studies in which the stellar populations of LBGs and narrowband-selected LAEs were contrasted, where the latter were often intrinsically fainter in broadband filters by an order of magnitude simply due to different selection criteria. Using a variety of statistical tests, we find that Lyα equivalent width and age, SFR, and dust extinction, respectively, are significantly correlated in the sense that objects with strong Lyα emission also tend to be older, lower in star formation rate, and less dusty than objects with weak Lyα emission, or the line in absorption. We accordingly conclude that, within the LBG sample, objects with strong Lyα emission represent a later stage of galaxy evolution in which supernovae-induced outflows have reduced the dust covering fraction. We also examined the hypothesis that the attenuation of Lyα photons is lower than that of the continuum, as proposed by some, but found no evidence to support this picture.

  17. New CO and H alpha observations of Magellanic-type irregular galaxies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dettmar, Ralf-Jurgen; Becker, Renate; Shaw, Martin

    In order to study the star-forming regions in Magellanic-type irregular galaxies and their relation to molecular cloud complexes, we obtained hydrogen alpha images of several southern objects. In addition, we detected and mapped some of these objects in the J = 1-0 CO line. The weak CO emission of most irregulars made it necessary to integrate for 2-8 hours per position. We describe some preliminary results for IC 4662, DDO 70 (Sex B), and IC 5052.

  18. 40 CFR 1060.510 - How do I test EPA Low-Emission Fuel Lines for permeation emissions?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 33 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false How do I test EPA Low-Emission Fuel... NONROAD AND STATIONARY EQUIPMENT Test Procedures § 1060.510 How do I test EPA Low-Emission Fuel Lines for permeation emissions? For EPA Low-Emission Fuel Lines, measure emissions according to SAE J2260, which is...

  19. 40 CFR 1060.510 - How do I test EPA Low-Emission Fuel Lines for permeation emissions?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 34 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false How do I test EPA Low-Emission Fuel... NONROAD AND STATIONARY EQUIPMENT Test Procedures § 1060.510 How do I test EPA Low-Emission Fuel Lines for permeation emissions? For EPA Low-Emission Fuel Lines, measure emissions according to SAE J2260, which is...

  20. 40 CFR 1060.510 - How do I test EPA Low-Emission Fuel Lines for permeation emissions?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 34 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false How do I test EPA Low-Emission Fuel... NONROAD AND STATIONARY EQUIPMENT Test Procedures § 1060.510 How do I test EPA Low-Emission Fuel Lines for permeation emissions? For EPA Low-Emission Fuel Lines, measure emissions according to SAE J2260, which is...

  1. 40 CFR 1060.510 - How do I test EPA Low-Emission Fuel Lines for permeation emissions?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 33 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false How do I test EPA Low-Emission Fuel... NONROAD AND STATIONARY EQUIPMENT Test Procedures § 1060.510 How do I test EPA Low-Emission Fuel Lines for permeation emissions? For EPA Low-Emission Fuel Lines, measure emissions according to SAE J2260, which is...

  2. 40 CFR 1060.510 - How do I test EPA Low-Emission Fuel Lines for permeation emissions?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false How do I test EPA Low-Emission Fuel... NONROAD AND STATIONARY EQUIPMENT Test Procedures § 1060.510 How do I test EPA Low-Emission Fuel Lines for permeation emissions? For EPA Low-Emission Fuel Lines, measure emissions according to SAE J2260, which is...

  3. VizieR Online Data Catalog: Warm IRAS sources. II. (de Grijp+, 1992)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    de Grijp, M. H. K.; Keel, W. C.; Miley, G. K.; Goudfrooij, P.; Lub, J.

    2011-01-01

    We present optical spectra for a sample of 563 high-latitude IRAS sources selected from the Point Source Catalog to have relatively warm 25 to 60 micron colours. We have shown this selection criterion to be an efficient indicator for finding Seyfert galaxies. Plots of the optical spectra are shown and the fluxes of the strongest emission lines in these spectra are tabulated. After excluding 128 sources which are clearly galactic foreground objects, we obtained spectroscopic information for 358 extragalactic objects. Emission-line ratios have been used to classify these objects, resulting in 80 Seyfert 1, 141 Seyfert 2 and 133 HII-type objects. In comparison with samples of active nuclei selected in other ways, about 50% of known Seyfert nuclei are included by our colour criteria. This fraction is larger for high luminosities, reaching 80% for quasar luminosities. For lower-luminosity objects, contamination by the host galaxies becomes important and the sample becomes seriously incomplete. It should be moderately complete and representative for core luminosities greater than 1023.5W/Hz at 12m. Finally, the infrared luminosity function for each type of object is derived; the shapes for Seyfert 1 and 2 nuclei are identical, with a type 2/type 1 space-density ratio of 3.0. Our census is consistent with an obscuration scheme for producing both types of object from a single parent population, though the origin of excess cool IR radiation Irom many Seyferts is still unclear. We note the appearance of an apparent type II supernova in IRAS 0225-103 observed in 1985 September. Its spectrum suggests that it was observed between 1 and 2 months after maximum, perhaps in a "plateau" phase. (2 data files).

  4. Superwind Outflow in Seyfert Galaxies? : Optical Observations of an Edge-On Sample

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Colbert, E.; Gallimore, J.; Baum, S.; O'Dea, C.; Lehnert, M.

    1994-12-01

    Large-scale galactic winds (superwinds) are commonly found flowing out of the nuclear region of ultraluminous infrared and powerful starburst galaxies. Stellar winds and supernovae from the nuclear starburst are thought to provide the energy to drive these superwinds. The outflowing gas escapes along the rotation axis, sweeping up and shock-heating clouds in the halo, which produces optical line emission, X-rays and radio synchrotron emission. These features can most easily be studied in edge-on systems, so that the wind emission is not confused by that from the disk. Diffuse radio emission has been found (Baum et al. 1993, ApJ, 419, 553) to extend out to kpc-scales in a number of edge-on Seyfert galaxies. We have therefore launched a systematic search for superwind outflows in Seyferts. We present here narrow-band optical images and optical spectra for a sample of edge-on Seyferts. These data have been used to estimate the frequency of occurence of superwinds. Approximately half of the sample objects show evidence for extended emission-line regions which are preferentially oriented perpendicular to the galaxy disk. It is possible that these emission-line regions may be energized by a superwind outflow from a circumnuclear starburst, although there may also be a contribution from the AGN itself. A goal of this work is to find a diagnostic that can be used to distinguish between large-scale outflows that are driven by starbursts and those that are driven by an AGN. The presence of starburst-driven superwinds in Seyferts, if established, would have important implications for the connection between starburst galaxies and AGN.

  5. The Nova-like star RW Sextantis

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stokes, S. J.; Evans, J. M.; Bianchini, A.; Canterna, R.

    2000-12-01

    We have analyzed 17 medium resolution spectra of RW Sex taken in 1988 at La Silla in the spectral range is 4000-5000 Å with a dispersion of 60 Å/mm and spectral resolution of about 2 Å/pixel. The mean spectrum of the object shows the continuum energy distribution slightly brighter and steeper than that observed by Beuermann, Stasiewski and Schwope (1992). In both cases the slope seems to be steeper that the λ -2.33 power law predicted for standard accretion discs (see Warner 1995). This might be due to uncertain flux calibration or to the dramatic intrinsic variability of this nova-like system (Honeycutt et al. 1998). Like in Beuerman et al.'s, the hydrogen and the HeI lines appear in absorption with superimposed central emission components. Relatively weak emissions from HeII at λ λ 4542,4686 and the blend CIII+NIII at λ4640 -50 are also seen. The peaks of the narrow emissions components of Hβ , HeIλ4471 and HeIλ4922 have been measured using Gaussian fittings. The new ephemeris are: T0(HJD) = 2446486.5061 +/- 0.0010 + 0.245064 +/- 0.000004 The radial velocity curve produced by the absorption components of the hydrogen and the HeI lines are in antiphase with respect to that produced by the emission cores. The amplitudes of all the radial velocity curves are consistent with those shown by Beuermann, Stasiewski and Schwope (1992). According to these authors the absorption lines are produced in the optically thick accretion disc while the narrow emissions arise from the heated atmosphere of the secondary. We fail however to detect the broad emission components observed by these authors and attributed to the hot disc corona. This point should deserve future investigation.

  6. Revisiting Weak Emission-line Quasars with a Simple Approach to Deduce their Nature and the Tracers of X-ray Weakness

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ni, Qingling

    2018-01-01

    We present an X-ray and multi-wavelength study of 17 “bridge” weak emission-line quasars (WLQs) and 16 “extreme” WLQs naturally divided by their C IV rest equivalent widths (REWs), which constitute our clean WLQ sample together. New Chandra 3.1-4.8 ks observations were obtained for 14 objects while the other 19 have archival X-ray observations. 4 of the 17 bridge WLQs appear to be X-ray weak, while 9 of the 16 extreme WLQs appear to be X-ray weak. The X-ray weak fraction in the bridge sample (23.5%) is lower than in the extreme sample(56.3%), indicating the fraction of X-ray weak objects along with rising C IV REWs.X-ray stacking analysis is performed for the X-ray weak WLQs in the clean sample. We measured a relatively hard (Γeff=1.37) effective power-law photon index for a stack of the X-ray weak subsample, suggesting X-ray absorption due to shielding material inside the broad emission-line region (BELR). We proposed a geometrically and optically thick inner accretion disk as the natural shield, which could also explain the behavior of the X-ray weak fraction along with C IV REW.Futhermore, we ran Peto-Prentice tests to assess if the distributions of optical-UV spectral properties are different between X-ray weak WLQs and X-ray normal WLQs. We also examined correlations between △αOX and optical-UV spectral properties. The C IV REW, C IV blueshift, C IV FWHM, REWs of the Si IV, λ1900, Fe II, and Mg II emission features, and the relative SDSS color △(g - i) are examined in our study. △(g - i) turned out to be the most effective tracer of X-ray weakness.

  7. IGR J17329-2731: The birth of a symbiotic X-ray binary

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bozzo, E.; Bahramian, A.; Ferrigno, C.; Sanna, A.; Strader, J.; Lewis, F.; Russell, D. M.; di Salvo, T.; Burderi, L.; Riggio, A.; Papitto, A.; Gandhi, P.; Romano, P.

    2018-05-01

    We report on the results of the multiwavelength campaign carried out after the discovery of the INTEGRAL transient IGR J17329-2731. The optical data collected with the SOAR telescope allowed us to identify the donor star in this system as a late M giant at a distance of 2.7-1.2+3.4 kpc. The data collected quasi-simultaneously with XMM-Newton and NuSTAR showed the presence of a modulation with a period of 6680 ± 3 s in the X-ray light curves of the source. This unveils that the compact object hosted in this system is a slowly rotating neutron star. The broadband X-ray spectrum showed the presence of a strong absorption (≫1023 cm-2) and prominent emission lines at 6.4 keV, and 7.1 keV. These features are usually found in wind-fed systems, in which the emission lines result from the fluorescence of the X-rays from the accreting compact object on the surrounding stellar wind. The presence of a strong absorption line around 21 keV in the spectrum suggests a cyclotron origin, thus allowing us to estimate the neutron star magnetic field as 2.4 × 1012 G. All evidencethus suggests IGR J17329-2731 is a symbiotic X-ray binary. As no X-ray emission was ever observed from the location of IGR J17329-2731 by INTEGRAL (or other X-ray facilities) during the past 15 yr in orbit and considering that symbiotic X-ray binaries are known to be variable but persistent X-ray sources, we concluded that INTEGRAL caught the first detectable X-ray emission from IGR J17329-2731 when the source shined as a symbiotic X-ray binary. The Swift XRT monitoring performed up to 3 months after the discovery of the source, showed that it maintained a relatively stable X-ray flux and spectral properties.

  8. Optical-NIR spectroscopy of the puzzling γ-ray source 3FGL 1603.9-4903/PMN J1603-4904 with X-Shooter

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Goldoni, P.; Pita, S.; Boisson, C.; Müller, C.; Dauser, T.; Jung, I.; Krauß, F.; Lenain, J.-P.; Sol, H.

    2016-02-01

    Context. The Fermi/LAT instrument has detected about two thousand extragalactic high energy (E ≥ 100 MeV) γ-ray sources. One of the brightest is 3FGL J1603.9-4903; it is associated to the radio source PMN J1603-4904. Its nature is not yet clear, it could be either a very peculiar BL Lac or a compact symmetric object radio source which are considered as the early stage of a radio galaxy. The latter, if confirmed, would be the first detection in γ-rays for this class of objects. A redshift z = 0.18 ± 0.01 has recently been claimed on the basis of the detection of a single X-ray line at 5.44 ± 0.05 keV which has been interpreted as a 6.4 keV (rest frame) fluorescent line. Aims: We aim to investigate the nature of 3FGL J1603.9-4903/PMN J1603-4904 using optical-to near-IR (NIR) spectroscopy. Methods: We observed PMN J1603-4904 with the UV-NIR VLT/X-Shooter spectrograph for two hours. We extracted spectra in the visible and NIR range that we calibrated in flux and corrected for telluric absorption. We systematically searched for absorption and emission features. Results: The source was detected starting from ~6300 Å down to 24 000 Å with an intensity similar to that of its 2MASS counterpart and a mostly featureless spectrum. The continuum lacks absorption features and thus is non-stellar in origin and most likely non-thermal. In addition to this spectrum, we detected three emission lines that we interpret as the Hα-[NII] complex, the [SII]λ,λ6716, 6731 doublet and the [SIII]λ 9530 line; we obtain a redshift estimate of z = 0.2321 ± 0.0004. The line ratios suggest that a LINER/Seyfert nucleus powers the emission. This new redshift measurement implies that the X-ray line previously detected should be interpreted as a 6.7 keV line which is very peculiar. Based on observations collected at the European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere, Chile, under program 095.B-0400(A). The raw FITS data files are available in the ESO archive.

  9. Temperature distribution in a stellar atmosphere diagnostic basis

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Jefferies, J. T.; Morrison, N. D.

    1973-01-01

    A stellar chromosphere is considered a region where the temperature increases outward and where the temperature structure of the gas controls the shape of the spectral lines. It is shown that lines which have collision-dominated source sink terms, like the Ca(+) and Mg(+) H and K lines, can be used to obtain the distribution of temperature with height from observed line profiles. Intrinsic emission lines and geometrical emission lines are found in spectral regions where the continuum is depressed. In visual regions, where the continuum is not depressed, emission core in absorption lines are attributed to reflections of intrinsic emission lines.

  10. Mini-Survey of SDSS OIII AGN with Swift

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Angelina, Lorella; George, Ian

    2007-01-01

    There is a common wisdom that every massive galaxy has a massive block hole. However, most of these objects either are not radiating or until recently have been very difficult to detect. The Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) data, based on the [OIII] line indicate that perhaps up to 20% of all galaxies may be classified as AGN a surprising result that must be checked with independent data. X-ray surveys have revealed that hard X-ray selected AGN show a strong luminosity dependent evolution and their luminosity function (LF) shows a dramatic break towards low Lx (at all z). This is seen for all types of AGN, but is stronger for the broad-line objects. In sharp contrast, the local LF of (optically-selected samples) shows no such break and no differences between narrow and broad-line objects. Assuming both hard X-ray and [OIII] emission are fair indicators of AGN activity, it is important to understand this discrepancy. We present here the results of a mini-survey done with Swift on a selected sample of SDSS selected AGN. The objects have been sampled at different L([OIII]) to check the relation with the Lx observed with Swift.

  11. Estimación de la incerteza cinemática de los espectros obtenidos con REOSC (CAsLeo), Flamingos-2 y PHOENIX (Gemini) para observaciones de gas ionizado en galaxias

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gaspar, G.; Díaz, R. J.; Güunthardt, G.; Agüuero, M. P.; Camperi, J. A.; Gimeno, G.

    The determination of the radial velocity curves of ionized gas in galaxies requires knowing the value of the internal kinematic uncertainly along the slit for the used spectrographs. We present preliminary results of the study of the variation of the measured radial velocity of both the telluric and comparison emission lines in the spatial direction. This was done for the spectrographs REOSC, Flamingos-2 (F2) and Phoenix. In particular we are interested in using this data to homogenize the rotation curves of nearby galaxies in large-scale ranges. These results will be also useful as references for those works that measure radial velocities of extended objects using only one emission line of ionized gas. FULL TEXT IN SPANISH

  12. The goals of gamma-ray spectroscopy in high energy astrophysics

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lingenfelter, Richard E.; Higdon, James C.; Leventhal, Marvin; Ramaty, Reuven; Woosley, Stanford E.

    1990-01-01

    The use of high resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy in astrophysics is discussed with specific attention given to the application of the Nuclear Astrophysics Explorer (NAE). The gamma-ray lines from nuclear transitions in radionucleic decay and positron annihilation permits the study of current sites, rates and models of nucleosynthesis, and galactic structure. Diffuse galactic emission is discussed, and the high-resolution observations of gamma-ray lines from discrete sites are also described. Interstellar mixing and elemental abundances can also be inferred from high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy of nucleosynthetic products. Compact objects can also be examined by means of gamma-ray emissions, allowing better understanding of neutron stars and the accreting black hole near the galactic center. Solar physics can also be investigated by examining such features as solar-flare particle acceleration and atmospheric abundances.

  13. Single line-of-sight dual energy backlighter for mix width experiments

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

    Baker, K. L., E-mail: baker7@llnl.gov; Glendinning, S. G.; Martinez, D.

    2014-11-15

    We present a diagnostic technique used to spatially multiplex two x-ray radiographs of an object onto a detector along a single line-of-sight. This technique uses a thin, <2 μm, cosputtered backlighter target to simultaneously produce both Ni and Zn He{sub α} emission. A Ni picket fence filter, 500 μm wide bars and troughs, is then placed in front of the detector to pass only the Ni He{sub α} emission in the bar region and both energies in the trough region thereby spatially multiplexing the two radiographs on a single image. Initial experimental results testing the backlighter spectrum are presented alongmore » with simulated images showing the calculated radiographic images though the nickel picket fence filter which are used to measure the mix width in an accelerated nickel foam.« less

  14. Newly discovered Wolf-Rayet and weak emission-line central stars of planetary nebulae

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    DePew, K.; Parker, Q. A.; Miszalski, B.; De Marco, O.; Frew, D. J.; Acker, A.; Kovacevic, A. V.; Sharp, R. G.

    2011-07-01

    We present the spectra of 32 previously unpublished confirmed and candidate Wolf-Rayet ([WR]) and weak emission-line (WELS) central stars of planetary nebulae (CSPNe). 18 stars have been discovered in the Macquarie/AAO/Strasbourg Hα (MASH) PN survey sample, and we have also uncovered 14 confirmed and candidate [WR]s and WELS among the CSPNe of previously known PNe. Spectral classifications have been undertaken using both Acker & Neiner and Crowther, De Marco & Barlow schemes. 22 members in this sample are identified as probable [WR]s; the remaining 10 appear to be WELS. Observations undertaken as part of the MASH spectroscopic survey have now increased the number of known [WR]s by ˜30 per cent. This will permit a better analysis of [WR] subclass distribution, metallicity effects and evolutionary sequences in these uncommon objects.

  15. Search for white dwarf companions of cool stars with peculiar element abundances

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Boehm-Vitense, E.

    1984-01-01

    A search for a white dwarf companions of cool stars with peculiar element abundances was undertaken. One additional star the xi Cet, was found with a white dwarf companion. It was found that HR 1016, 56Uma, 16 Ser, have high excitation emission lines which indicate a high temperature object in the system. It is suggested that since these indications for high temperature companions were seen for all nearby Ba stars, it is highly probable that all Ba stars have white dwarf companions, and that the peculiar element abundances seen in the Ba stars are due to mass transfer. Observations, arguments and conclusions are presented. White dwarf companions were not found. Together with the Li and Be abundances and the chromospheric emission line spectra in these stars were studied. No white dwarf companions were seen for subgiant CH stars.

  16. The Grism Lens-Amplified Survey from Space (GLASS). III. A Census of Lyα Emission at z ≳ 7 from HST Spectroscopy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schmidt, K. B.; Treu, T.; Bradač, M.; Vulcani, B.; Huang, K.-H.; Hoag, A.; Maseda, M.; Guaita, L.; Pentericci, L.; Brammer, G. B.; Dijkstra, M.; Dressler, A.; Fontana, A.; Henry, A. L.; Jones, T. A.; Mason, C.; Trenti, M.; Wang, X.

    2016-02-01

    We present a census of Lyα emission at z≳ 7, utilizing deep near-infrared Hubble Space Telescope grism spectroscopy from the first six completed clusters of the Grism Lens-Amplified Survey from Space (GLASS). In 24/159 photometrically selected galaxies we detect emission lines consistent with Lyα in the GLASS spectra. Based on the distribution of signal-to-noise ratios and on simulations, we expect the completeness and the purity of the sample to be 40%-100% and 60%-90%, respectively. For the objects without detected emission lines we show that the observed (not corrected for lensing magnification) 1σ flux limits reach 5 × 10-18 erg s-1 cm-2 per position angle over the full wavelength range of GLASS (0.8-1.7 μm). Based on the conditional probability of Lyα emission measured from the ground at z˜ 7, we would have expected 12-18 Lyα emitters. This is consistent with the number of detections, within the uncertainties, confirming the drop in Lyα emission with respect to z˜ 6. Deeper follow-up spectroscopy, here exemplified by Keck spectroscopy, is necessary to improve our estimates of completeness and purity and to confirm individual candidates as true Lyα emitters. These candidates include a promising source at z = 8.1. The spatial extent of Lyα in a deep stack of the most convincing Lyα emitters with < z> = 7.2 is consistent with that of the rest-frame UV continuum. Extended Lyα emission, if present, has a surface brightness below our detection limit, consistent with the properties of lower-redshift comparison samples. From the stack we estimate upper limits on rest-frame UV emission line ratios and find {f}{{C}{{IV}}}/{f}{Lyα }≲ 0.32 and {f}{{C}{{III}}]}/{f}{Lyα }≲ 0.23, in good agreement with other values published in the literature.

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

    Benitez, Erika; Cruz-Gonzalez, Irene; Martinez, Benoni

    A sample of 10 nearby intermediate-type active galactic nuclei (AGNs) drawn from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey is presented. The aim of this work is to provide estimations of the black hole (BH) mass for the sample galaxies from the dynamics of the broad-line region. For this purpose, a detailed spectroscopic analysis of the objects was done. Using Baldwin-Phillips-Terlevich diagnostic diagrams, we have carefully classified the objects as true intermediate-type AGNs and found that 80%{sup +7.2%} {sub -17.3%} are composite AGNs. The BH mass estimated for the sample is within 6.54 {+-} 0.16 < log M {sub BH} < 7.81more » {+-} 0.14. Profile analysis shows that five objects (J120655.63+501737.1, J121607.08+504930.0, J141238.14+391836.5, J143031.18+524225.8, and J162952.88+242638.3) have narrow double-peaked emission lines in both the red (H{alpha}, [N II] {lambda}{lambda}6548,6583 and [S II] {lambda}{lambda}6716, 6731) and the blue (H{beta} and [O III] {lambda}{lambda}4959, 5007) regions of the spectra, with velocity differences ({Delta}V) between the double peaks within 114 km s{sup -1} < {Delta}V < 256 km s{sup -1}. Two of them, J121607.08+504930.0 and J141238.14+391836.5, are candidates for dual AGNs since their double-peaked emission lines are dominated by AGN activity. In searches of dual AGNs, type 1, type II, and intermediate-type AGNs should be carefully separated, due to the high serendipitous number of narrow double-peaked sources (50% {+-} 14.4%) found in our sample.« less

  18. The Improvement of Automated Spectral Identification Tool ASERA

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yuan, Hailong; zhang, Yanxia

    2015-08-01

    The regular survey of Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) has acquired over four millions spectra of celestial objects by the summer of 2014, covering about a third of the whole sky area. More spectra will be obtained as the survey projects (eg. LAMOST, SDSS) keeps going on. To effectively make use of the massive spectral data, various advanced data analysis methods and technologies are in great requirement. ASERA, A Spectrum Eye Recognition Assistant, provides a simple convenient solution for the user to access spectra from LAMOST and SDSS, identify their types (QSO, galaxy, and various types of stars) and estimate their redshifts in an interactive graphic interface. The toolkit is at first especially designed for quasar identification. By shifting the quasar template overlaping the target spectrum interactively, one can easily find out the best broad emission line position and the redshift value. Now, besides the quasar template, various templates for different types of galaxies (early type, later type, starburst, bulge, elliptical and luminous red galaxies) and stars (O, B, A, F, G, K, M, WD, CV, Double Stars and Emission-Line-Objects) are added. We also have developed many new useful functionalities for inspecting and analyzing spectra, such as zooming, line fitting, smoothing and automatic result saving. The target information from input catalogues and data processing result from the pipeline as well as fitting parameters for various types of templates, can be presented at the same time. Several volume processing components are developed to support the cooperation with MySQL database, internet resources and SSAP services. ASERA will be a strong helper for astronomers to recognize spectra.

  19. Hot Gas Flows in T Tauri Stars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Ardila, David R.; Herczeg, G.; Gregory, S. G.; Ingleby, L.; France, K.; Brown, A.; Edwards, S.; Linsky, J.; Yang, H.; Valenti, J. A.; Johns-Krull, C. M.; Alexander, R.; Bergin, E. A.; Bethell, T.; Brown, J.; Calvet, N.; Espaillat, C.; Hervé, A.; Hillenbrand, L.; Hussain, G.; Roueff, E.; Schindhelm, E.; Walter, F. M.

    2013-01-01

    We describe observations of the hot gas 1e5 K) ultraviolet lines C IV and He II, in Classical and Weak T Tauri Stars (CTTSs, WTTSs). Our goal is to provide observational constraints for realistic models. Most of the data for this work comes from the Hubble proposal “The Disks, Accretion, and Outflows (DAO) of T Tau stars” (PI Herczeg). The DAO program is the largest and most sensitive high resolution spectroscopic survey of young stars in the UV ever undertaken and it provides a rich source of information for these objects. The sample of high resolution COS and STIS spectra presented here comprises 35 stars: one Herbig Ae star, 28 CTTSs, and 6 WTTSs. For CTTSs, the lines consist of two kinematic components. The relative strengths of the narrow and broad components (NC, BC) are similar in C IV but in He II the NC is stronger than the BC, and dominates the line profile. We do not find correlations between disk inclination and the velocity centroid, width, or shape of the CIV line profile. The NC of the C IV line in CTTSs increases in strength with accretion rate, and its contribution to the line increases from ˜20% to ˜80%, for the accretion rates considered here (1e-10 to 1e-7 Msun/yr). The CTTSs C IV lines are redshifted by ˜20 km/s while the CTTSs He II are redshifted by ˜10 km/s. Because the He II line and the C IV NC have the same width in CTTSs and in WTTSs, but are correlated with accretion, we suggest that they are produced in the stellar transition region. The accretion shock model predicts that the velocity of the post-shock emission should be 4x smaller than the velocity of the pre-shock emission. Identifying the post-shock emission with the NC and the pre-shock with the BC, we find that this is approximately the case in 11 out of 23 objects. The model cannot explain 11 systems in which the velocity of the NC is smaller than the velocity of the BC, or systems in which one of the velocities is negative (five CTTSs). The hot gas lines in some systems such as HN Tau, RW Aur A, AK Sco, DK Tau, T Tau N, and V1190 Sco require an outflow contribution, which may come from jet shocks in the observed outflows. We suggest that a hot wind is being launched by the Herbig Ae star DX Cha.

  20. LDR: A submillimeter great observatory

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wilson, Robert

    1990-12-01

    The Large Deployable Reflector (LDR), a high Earth orbit free flying 10 to 20 m diameter deployable telescope, is described. The LDR is intended for use throughout the submillimeter band, using imaging receivers with unprecedented sensitivity and angular resolution. Its mission is to produce pictures of line emission regions in the solar neighborhood, in nearby galaxies and in objects at the edge of the known galaxy distribution. It is predicted to be an ideal instrument for exploring the first galaxies and protogalaxies as the submillimeter cooling lines should light up as soon as metals form.

  1. Detection of blueshifted emission and absorption and a relativistic iron line in the X-ray spectrum of ESO323-G077

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Jiménez-Bailón, E.; Krongold, Y.; Bianchi, S.; Matt, G.; Santos-Lleó, M.; Piconcelli, E.; Schartel, N.

    2008-12-01

    We report on the X-ray observation of the Seyfert 1 galaxy ESO323-G077 performed with XMM-Newton. The EPIC spectra show a complex spectrum with conspicuous absorption and emission features. The continuum emission can be modelled with a power law with an index of 1.99 +/- 0.02 in the whole XMM-Newton energy band, marginally consistent with typical values of type I objects. An absorption component with an uncommonly high equivalent hydrogen column (nH = 5.82+0.12-0.11 × 1022cm-2) is affecting the soft part of the spectrum. Additionally, two warm absorption components are also present in the spectrum. The lower ionized one, mainly imprinting the soft band of the spectrum, has an ionization parameter of logU = 2.14+0.06-0.07 and an outflowing velocity of v = 3200+600-200kms-1. Two absorption lines located at ~6.7 and ~7.0keV can be modelled with the highly ionized absorber. The ionization parameter and outflowing velocity of the gas measured are logU = 3.26+0.19-0.15 and v = 1700+600-400kms-1, respectively. Four emission lines were also detected in the soft energy band. The most likely explanation for these emission lines is that they are associated with an outflowing gas with a velocity of ~2000kms-1. The data suggest that the same gas which is causing the absorption could also being responsible of these emission features. Finally, the XMM-Newton spectrum shows the presence of a relativistic iron emission line likely originated in the accretion disc of a Kerr black hole with an inclination of ~25°. We propose a model to explain the observed X-ray properties which invokes the presence of a two-phase outflow with cone-like structure and a velocity of the order of 2000- 4000kms-1. The inner layer of the cone would be less ionized, or even neutral, than the outer layer. The inclination angle of the source would be lower than the opening angle of the outflowing cone. Partially based on observations obtained with XMM-Newton, an ESA science mission with instruments and contributions directly funded by ESA Member States and NASA. E-mail: elena@astroscu.unam.mx

  2. The evolution of hydrocarbons past the asymptotic giant branch: the case of MSX SMC 029

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pauly, Tyler; Sloan, Gregory C.; Kraemer, Kathleen E.; Bernard-Salas, Jeronimo; Lebouteiller, Vianney; Goes, Christopher; Barry, Donald

    2015-01-01

    We present an optimally extracted high-resolution spectrum of MSX SMC 029 obtained by the Infrared Spectrograph on the Spitzer Space Telescope. MSX SMC 029 is a carbon-rich object in the Small Magellanic Cloud that has evolved past the asymptotic giant branch (AGB). The spectrum reveals a cool carbon-rich dust continuum with emission from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and absorption from simpler hydrocarbons, both aliphatic and aromatic, including acetylene and benzene. The spectrum shows many similarities to the carbon-rich post-AGB objects SMP LMC 011 in the Large Magellanic Cloud and AFGL 618 in the Galaxy. Both of these objects also show infrared absorption features from simple hydrocarbons. All three spectra lack strong atomic emission lines in the infrared, indicating that we are observing the evolution of carbon-rich dust and free hydrocarbons in objects between the AGB and planetary nebulae. These three objects give us a unique view of the elusive phase when hydrocarbons exist both as relatively simple molecules and the much more complex and ubiquitous PAHs. We may be witnessing the assembly of amorphous carbon into PAHs.

  3. New CO and HCN sources associated with IRAS carbon stars

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    NGUYEN-Q-RIEU; Epchtein, N.; TRUONG-BACH; Cohen, M.

    1987-01-01

    Emission of CO and HCN was detected in 22 out of a sample of 53 IRAS sources classified as unidentified carbon-rich objects. The sample was selected according to the presence of the silicon carbide feature as revealed by low-resolution spectra. The molecular line widths indicate that the CO and HCN emission arises from the circumstellar envelopes of very highly evolved stars undergoing mass loss. The visible stars tend to be deficient in CO as compared with unidentified sources. Most the detected CO and HCN IRAS stars are distinct and thick-shelled objects, but their infrared and CO luminosities are similar to those of IRC + 102156 AFGL and IRC-CO evolved stars. The 12 micron flux seems to be a good indicator of the distance, hence a guide for molecular searches.

  4. A molecular Einstein ring: imaging a starburst disk surrounding a quasi-stellar object.

    PubMed

    Carilli, C L; Lewis, G F; Djorgovski, S G; Mahabal, A; Cox, P; Bertoldi, F; Omont, A

    2003-05-02

    Images of the molecular CO 2-1 line emission and the radio continuum emission from the redshift 4.12 gravitationally lensed quasi-stellar object (QSO) PSS J2322+1944 reveal an Einstein ring with a diameter of 1.5". These observations are modeled as a star-forming disk surrounding the QSO nucleus with a radius of 2 kiloparsecs. The implied massive star formation rate is 900 solar masses per year. At this rate, a substantial fraction of the stars in a large elliptical galaxy could form on a dynamical time scale of 108 years. The observation of active star formation in the host galaxy of a high-redshift QSO supports the hypothesis of coeval formation of supermassive black holes and stars in spheroidal galaxies.

  5. The HIFI spectral survey of AFGL 2591 (CHESS). I. Highly excited linear rotor molecules in the high-mass protostellar envelope

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    van der Wiel, M. H. D.; Pagani, L.; van der Tak, F. F. S.; Kaźmierczak, M.; Ceccarelli, C.

    2013-05-01

    Context. Linear rotor molecules such as CO, HCO+ and HCN are important probes of star-forming gas. For these species, temperatures of ≲ 50 K are sufficient to produce emission lines that are observable from the ground at (sub)millimeter wavelengths. Molecular gas in the environment of massive protostellar objects, however, is known to reach temperatures of several hundred K. To probe this, space-based far-infrared observations are required. Aims: We aim to reveal the gas energetics in the circumstellar environment of the prototypical high-mass protostellar object AFGL 2591. Methods: Rotational spectral line signatures of CO species, HCO+, CS, HCN and HNC from a 490-1240 GHz survey with Herschel/HIFI, complemented by ground-based JCMT and IRAM 30 m spectra, cover transitions in the energy range (Eup/k) between 5 K and ~ 300 K. Selected frequency settings in the highest frequency HIFI bands (up to 1850 GHz) extend this range to 750 K for 12C16O. The resolved spectral line profiles are used to separate and study various kinematic components. Observed line intensities are compared with a numerical model that calculates excitation balance and radiative transfer based on spherical geometry. Results: The line profiles show two emission components, the widest and bluest of which is attributed to an approaching outflow and the other to the envelope. We find evidence for progressively more redshifted and wider line profiles from the envelope gas with increasing energy level. This trend is qualitatively explained by residual outflow contribution picked up in the systematically decreasing beam size. Integrated line intensities for each species decrease as Eup/k increases from ≲ 50 to ~700 K. The H2 density and temperature of the outflow gas are constrained to ~105-106 cm-3 and 60-200 K. In addition, we derive a temperature between 9 and 17 K and N(H2) ~ 3 × 1021 cm-2 for a known foreground cloud seen in absorption, and N(H2) ≲ 1019 cm-2 for a second foreground component. Conclusions: Our spherical envelope model systematically underproduces observed line emission at Eup/k ≳ 150 K for all species. This indicates that warm gas should be added to the model and that the model's geometry should provide low optical depth pathways for line emission from this warm gas to escape, for example in the form of UV heated outflow cavity walls viewed at a favorable inclination angle. Physical and chemical conditions derived for the outflow gas are similar to those in the protostellar envelope, possibly indicating that the modest velocity (≲10 km s-1) outflow component consists of recently swept-up gas. Herschel is an ESA space observatory with science instruments provided by European-led Principal Investigator consortia and with important participation from NASA.

  6. Chromospheric activity on the late-type star V1355 Ori using Lijiang 1.8-m and 2.4-m telescopes

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pi, Qing-Feng; Zhang, Li-Yun; Chang, Liang; Han, Xian-Ming; Lu, Hong-Peng; Zhang, Xi-Liang; Wang, Dai-Mei

    2016-10-01

    We obtained new high-resolution spectra using the Lijiang 1.8-m and 2.4-m telescopes to investigate the chromospheric activities of V1355 Ori as indicated in the behaviors of Ca ii H&K, Hδ, Hγ, Hβ, Na i D1, D2, Hα and Ca ii infrared triplet (IRT) lines. The observed spectra show obvious emissions above the continuum in Ca ii H&K lines, absorptions in the Hδ, Hγ, Hβ and Na i D1, D2 lines, variable behavior (filled-in absorption, partial emission with a core absorption component or emission above the continuum) in the Hα line, and weak self-reversal emissions in the strong filled-in absorptions of the Ca ii IRT lines. We used a spectral subtraction technique to analyze our data. The results show no excess emission in the Hδ and Hγ lines, very weak excess emissions in the Na i D1, D2 lines, excess emission in the Hβ line, clear excess emission in the Hα line, and excess emissions in the Ca ii IRT lines. The value of the ratio of EW8542/EW8498 is in the range 0.9 to 1.7, which implies that chromospheric activity might have been caused by plage events. The value of the ratio E Hα/E Hβ is above 3, indicating that the Balmer lines would arise from prominence-like material. We also found time variations in light curves associated with equivalent widths of chromospheric activity lines in the Na i D1, D2, Ca ii IRT and Hα lines in particular. These phenomena can be explained by plage events, which are consistent with the behavior of chromospheric activity indicators.

  7. Two active states of the narrow-line gamma-ray-loud AGN GB 1310+487

    DOE PAGES

    Sokolovsky, K. V.

    2014-04-28

    Context. Previously unremarkable, the extragalactic radio source GB1310+487 showed a γ-ray flare on 2009 November 18, reaching a daily flux of ~ 10 -6 photons cm -2 s -1 at energies E > 100MeV and became one of the brightest GeV sources for about two weeks. Its optical spectrum shows strong forbidden-line emission while lacking broad permitted lines, which is not typical for a blazar. Instead, the spectrum resembles those of narrow emission-line galaxies. Aims. We investigate changes in the object’s radio-to-GeV spectral energy distribution (SED) during and after the prominent γ-ray flare with the aim of determining the naturemore » of the object and of constraining the origin of the variable high-energy emission. Methods. The data collected by the Fermi and AGILE satellites at γ-ray energies; Swift at X-ray and ultraviolet (UV); the Kanata, NOT, and Keck telescopes at optical; OAGH andWISE at infrared (IR); and IRAM30m, OVRO 40m, Effelsberg 100m, RATAN-600, and VLBA at radio are analyzed together to trace the SED evolution on timescales of months. Results. The γ-ray/radio-loud narrow-line active galactic nucleus (AGN) is located at redshift z = 0.638. It shines through an unrelated foreground galaxy at z = 0.500. The AGN light is probably amplified by gravitational lensing. The AGN SED shows a two-humped structure typical of blazars and γ-ray-loud narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies, with the high-energy (inverse-Compton) emission dominating by more than an order of magnitude over the low-energy (synchrotron) emission during γ-ray flares. The difference between the two SED humps is smaller during the low-activity state. Fermi observations reveal a strong correlation between the γ-ray flux and spectral index, with the hardest spectrum observed during the brightest γ-ray state. The γ-ray flares occurred before and during a slow rising trend in the radio, but no direct association between γ-ray and radio flares could be established. Conclusions. If the γ-ray flux is a mixture of synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) and external Compton (EC) emission, the observed GeV spectral variability may result from varying relative contributions of these two emission components. This explanation fits the observed changes in the overall IR to γ-ray SED.« less

  8. A Robust Test of the Unified Model for Seyfert Galaxies with Implications for the Starburst Phenomenon

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Weaver, Kimberly A.

    1997-01-01

    My research involves detailed analysis of X-ray emission from Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN). For over a decade, the paradigm for AGN has rested soundly on the unified model hypothesis, which posits that the only difference between broad-line objects (e.g., Type 1 Seyfert galaxies) and narrow-line objects (e.g., Type 2 Seyferts) is that in the former case our line of sight evades toroidal obscuration surrounding the nucleus, while in the latter, our line of sight is blocked by the optically thick torus. It is well established that some Seyfert 2s contain Seyfert I nuclei (i.e., a hidden broad line region), but whether or not all Seyfert 2s contain obscured Seyfert 1 nuclei or whether some Seyfert 2s are intrinsically Seyfert 2s is not known. Optical, IR, and UV surveys are not appropriate to examine this hypothesis because such emissions are either anisotropic or subject to the effects of obscuration, and thus depend strongly on viewing angle. Hard X-rays, on the other hand, can penetrate gas with column densities as high as 10( exp 24.5) cm(-2) and thus provide reliable, direct probes of the cores of heavily obscured AGN. Combining NASA archival data from the Advanced Satellite of Cosmology and Astrophysics (ASCA), the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE), and Rosat, I am accumulating X-ray data between 0.1 and 60 keV to produce a catalog of the broad-band X-ray spectral properties of Seyfert galaxies. These data will be used to perform concrete tests of the unified model, and (compared with similar data on Starbursts) to examine a possible evolutionary connection between Seyfert and Starburst galaxies.

  9. The Sloan Digital Sky Survey Quasar Catalog: Fourteenth data release

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pâris, Isabelle; Petitjean, Patrick; Aubourg, Éric; Myers, Adam D.; Streblyanska, Alina; Lyke, Brad W.; Anderson, Scott F.; Armengaud, Éric; Bautista, Julian; Blanton, Michael R.; Blomqvist, Michael; Brinkmann, Jonathan; Brownstein, Joel R.; Brandt, William Nielsen; Burtin, Étienne; Dawson, Kyle; de la Torre, Sylvain; Georgakakis, Antonis; Gil-Marín, Héctor; Green, Paul J.; Hall, Patrick B.; Kneib, Jean-Paul; LaMassa, Stephanie M.; Le Goff, Jean-Marc; MacLeod, Chelsea; Mariappan, Vivek; McGreer, Ian D.; Merloni, Andrea; Noterdaeme, Pasquier; Palanque-Delabrouille, Nathalie; Percival, Will J.; Ross, Ashley J.; Rossi, Graziano; Schneider, Donald P.; Seo, Hee-Jong; Tojeiro, Rita; Weaver, Benjamin A.; Weijmans, Anne-Marie; Yèche, Christophe; Zarrouk, Pauline; Zhao, Gong-Bo

    2018-05-01

    We present the data release 14 Quasar catalog (DR14Q) from the extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS) of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV (SDSS-IV). This catalog includes all SDSS-IV/eBOSS objects that were spectroscopically targeted as quasar candidates and that are confirmed as quasars via a new automated procedure combined with a partial visual inspection of spectra, have luminosities Mi [z = 2] < -20.5 (in a Λ CDM cosmology with H0 = 70 km s-1 Mpc-1, Ω M =0.3, and Ω Λ = 0.7), and either display at least one emission line with a full width at half maximum larger than 500 km s-1 or, if not, have interesting/complex absorption features. The catalog also includes previously spectroscopically-confirmed quasars from SDSS-I, II, and III. The catalog contains 526 356 quasars (144 046 are new discoveries since the beginning of SDSS-IV) detected over 9376 deg2 (2044 deg2 having new spectroscopic data available) with robust identification and redshift measured by a combination of principal component eigenspectra. The catalog is estimated to have about 0.5% contamination. Redshifts are provided for the Mg II emission line. The catalog identifies 21 877 broad absorption line quasars and lists their characteristics. For each object, the catalog presents five-band (u, g, r, i, z) CCD-based photometry with typical accuracy of 0.03 mag. The catalog also contains X-ray, ultraviolet, near-infrared, and radio emission properties of the quasars, when available, from other large-area surveys. The calibrated digital spectra, covering the wavelength region 3610-10 140 Å at a spectral resolution in the range 1300 < R < 2500, can be retrieved from the SDSS Science Archiver Server. http://www.sdss.org/dr14/algorithms/qso_catalog

  10. Development of the GEM-MACH-FireWork System: An Air Quality Model with On-line Wildfire Emissions within the Canadian Operational Air Quality Forecast System

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pavlovic, Radenko; Chen, Jack; Beaulieu, Paul-Andre; Anselmp, David; Gravel, Sylvie; Moran, Mike; Menard, Sylvain; Davignon, Didier

    2014-05-01

    A wildfire emissions processing system has been developed to incorporate near-real-time emissions from wildfires and large prescribed burns into Environment Canada's real-time GEM-MACH air quality (AQ) forecast system. Since the GEM-MACH forecast domain covers Canada and most of the U.S.A., including Alaska, fire location information is needed for both of these large countries. During AQ model runs, emissions from individual fire sources are injected into elevated model layers based on plume-rise calculations and then transport and chemistry calculations are performed. This "on the fly" approach to the insertion of the fire emissions provides flexibility and efficiency since on-line meteorology is used and computational overhead in emissions pre-processing is reduced. GEM-MACH-FireWork, an experimental wildfire version of GEM-MACH, was run in real-time mode for the summers of 2012 and 2013 in parallel with the normal operational version. 48-hour forecasts were generated every 12 hours (at 00 and 12 UTC). Noticeable improvements in the AQ forecasts for PM2.5 were seen in numerous regions where fire activity was high. Case studies evaluating model performance for specific regions and computed objective scores will be included in this presentation. Using the lessons learned from the last two summers, Environment Canada will continue to work towards the goal of incorporating near-real-time intermittent wildfire emissions into the operational air quality forecast system.

  11. Fe K Line Profile in Low-Redshift Quasars: Average Shape and Eddington Ratio Dependence

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Inoue, Hirohiko; Terashima, Yuichi; Ho, Luis C.

    2007-06-01

    We analyze X-ray spectra of 43 Palomar-Green quasars observed with XMM-Newton in order to investigate their mean Fe K line profile and its dependence on physical properties. The continuum spectra of 39 objects are well reproduced by a model consisting of a power law and a blackbody modified by Galactic absorption. The spectra of the remaining four objects require an additional power-law component absorbed with a column density of ~1023 cm-2. A feature resembling an emission line at 6.4 keV, identified with an Fe K line, is detected in 33 objects. Approximately half of the sample show an absorption feature around 0.65-0.95 keV, which is due to absorption lines and edges of O VII and O VIII. We fit the entire sample simultaneously to derive average Fe line parameters by assuming a common Fe line shape. The Fe line is relatively narrow (σ=0.36 keV), with a center energy of 6.48 keV and a mean equivalent width (EW) of 248 eV. By combining black hole masses estimated from the virial method and bolometric luminosities derived from full spectral energy distributions, we examine the dependence of the Fe K line profile on the Eddington ratio. As the Eddington ratio increases, the line becomes systematically stronger (EW=130-280 eV) and broader (σ=0.1-0.7 keV), and peaks at higher energies (6.4-6.8 keV). This result suggests that the accretion rate onto the black hole directly influences the geometrical structure and ionization state of the accretion disk.

  12. The Onfp Class in the Magellanic Clouds

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Walborn, Nolan R.; Howarth, Ian D.; Evans, Christopher J.; Crowther, Paul A.; Moffat, Anthony F. J.; St-Louis, Nicole; Fariña, Cecilia; Bosch, Guillermo L.; Morrell, Nidia I.; Barbá, Rodolfo H.; van Loon, Jacco Th.

    2010-03-01

    The Onfp class of rotationally broadened, hot spectra was defined some time ago in the Galaxy, where its membership to date numbers only eight. The principal defining characteristic is a broad, centrally reversed He II λ 4686 emission profile; other emission and absorption lines are also rotationally broadened. Recent surveys in the Magellanic Clouds (MCs) have brought the class membership there, including some related spectra, to 28. We present a survey of the spectral morphology and rotational velocities, as a first step toward elucidating the nature of this class. Evolved, rapidly rotating hot stars are not expected theoretically, because the stellar winds should brake the rotation. Luminosity classification of these spectra is not possible, because the principal criterion (He II λ4686) is peculiar; however, the MCs provide reliable absolute magnitudes, which show that they span the entire range from dwarfs to supergiants. The Onfp line-broadening distribution is distinct and shifted toward larger values from those of normal O dwarfs and supergiants with >99.99% confidence. All cases with multiple observations show line-profile variations, which even remove some objects from the class temporarily. Some of them are spectroscopic binaries; it is possible that the peculiar profiles may have multiple causes among different objects. The origin and future of these stars are intriguing; for instance, they could be stellar mergers and/or gamma-ray-burst progenitors.

  13. Study of the non-stationarity of the atmosphere of κ Cas. Ii. Variability of the H γ, H β, and H α wind-line profiles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rzaev, A. Kh.

    2017-10-01

    We study the variability of the H γ, H β, and H α line profiles in the spectrum of the supergiant κ Cas. The variability pattern proved to be the same for all the lines considered: their profiles are superimposed by blueshifted, central, and redshifted emission. For H γ the positions of the emissions coincide with the positions of the corresponding emissions for He I λλ 5876, 6678 Å lines, and are equal to about -135 ± 30.0 km s-1, -20 ± 20 kms-1, and 135 ± 30.0 kms-1, respectively, whereas the three emissions in the H β profiles are fixed at about -170.0 ± 70.0 kms-1, 20 ± 30 kms-1, and 170.0 ± 70.0 km s-1, respectively. The positions of the blueshifted and central emissions for H α are the same as for H β, with additional blueshifted emission at -135.0 ± 30.0 kms-1, whereas no traces of emission can be seen in the red wing of the line. These emissions show up more conspicuously in wind lines, however, their traces can be seen in all photospheric lines. When passing from wind lines to photospheric lines the intensity of superimposed emission components decreases and the same is true for the absolute values of their positions in line wings expressed in terms of radial velocities. The V/ R variations of the lines studied found in the spectrum of κ Cas and the variability of the H α emission indicate that the star is a supergiant showing Be phenomenon.

  14. A Link Between X-ray Emission Lines and Radio Jets in 4U 1630-47?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Neilsen, Joseph; Coriat, Mickaël; Fender, Rob; Lee, Julia C.; Ponti, Gabriele; Tzioumis, A.; Edwards, Phillip; Broderick, Jess

    2014-06-01

    Recently, Díaz Trigo et al. reported an XMM-Newton detection of relativistically Doppler-shifted emission lines associated with steep-spectrum radio emission in the stellar-mass black hole candidate 4U 1630-47 during its 2012 outburst. They interpreted these lines as indicative of a baryonic jet launched by the accretion disk. We present a search for the same lines earlier in the same outburst using high-resolution X-ray spectra from the Chandra HETGS. While our observations (eight months prior to the XMM-Newton campaign) also coincide with detections of steep spectrum radio emission by the Australia Telescope Compact Array, we find a strong disk wind but no evidence for any relativistic X-ray emission lines. Indeed, despite ˜5× brighter radio emission, our Chandra spectra allow us to place an upper limit on the flux in the blueshifted Fe XXVI line that is ˜20× weaker than the line observed by Díaz Trigo et al. Thus we can conclusively say that radio emission is not universally associated with relativistically Doppler-shifted emission lines in 4U 1630-47. We explore several scenarios that could explain our differing results, including variations in the geometry of the jet or a mass-loading process or jet baryon content that evolves with the accretion state of the black hole. We also consider the possibility that the radio emission arises in an interaction between a jet and the nearby ISM, in which case the X-ray emission lines might be unrelated to the radio emission.

  15. Emission lines in the long period Cepheid l Carinae

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Boehm-Vitense, Erika; Love, Stanley G.

    1991-01-01

    For the Cepheid (l) Carinae with a pulsation period of 35.5 days we have studied the emission line fluxes as a function of pulsational phase in order to find out whether we see chromosphere and transition layer emission or whether we see emission due to an outward moving shock. All emission lines show a steep increase in flux shortly before maximum light suggestive of a shock moving through the surface layers. The large ratio of the C IV to C II line fluxes shows that these are not transition layer lines. During maximum light the large ratio of the C IV to C II line fluxes also suggests that we see emission from a shock with velocities greater than 100 km/sec such that C IV emission can be excited. With such velocities mass outflow appears possible. The variations seen in the Mg II line profiles show that there is an internal absorption over a broad velocity band independent of the pulsational phase. We attribute this absorption to a circumstellar 'shell'. This 'shell' appears to be seen also as spatially extended emission in the O I line at 1300 angstrom, which is probably excited by resonance with Ly beta.

  16. Broad-Band Continuum and Line Emission of the gamma-Ray Blazar PKS 0537-441

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Pian, E.; Falomo, R.; Hartman, R. C.; Maraschi, L.; Tavecchio, F.; Tornikoski, M.; Treves, A.; Urry, C. M.; Ballo, L.; Mukherjee, R.; hide

    2002-01-01

    PKS 0537-441, a bright gamma ray emitting blazar was observed at radio, optical, UV and X-ray frequencies during various EGRET paintings, often quasi-simultaneously. In 1995 the object was found in an intense emission state at all wavelengths. BeppoSAX observations made in 1998, non-simultaneously with exposures at other frequencies, allow us to characterize precisely the spectral shape of the high energy blazer component, which we attribute to inverse Compton scatter in The optical-to-gamma-ray spectral energy distributions at the different epochs show that the gamma-ray luminosity dominates the barometric output. This, together with the presence of optical and UV line emission, suggests that, besides the synchrotron self-Compton mechanism, the Compton upscattering of photons external to the jet (e.g., in the broad line region) may have a significant role for high energy radiation. The multiwavelength variability can be reproduced by changes of the plasma bulk Lorentz factor. The spectrum secured by ICE in 1995 appears to be partially absorbed shortward of approximately 1700 Angstroms. However, this signature is not detected in the HST spectrum taker during a lower state of the source. The presence of intervening absorbers is not supported by optical imaging and spectroscopy of the field.

  17. Emission line galaxies at high redshift and analogs of the sources of cosmic reionization

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schaerer, D.

    2017-11-01

    We present recent work on emission line galaxies at high redshift and searches for analogs of the sources of cosmic reionization at low redshift. The VIMOS Ultra-Deep Survey (VUDS) carried out at the VLT has assembled more than 7000 spectra of galaxies from z 1.5 to 6 allowing us to address a wide diversity of questions with statistically meaningful samples. From VUDS we have recently identified a sample of CIII] and CIV] emitters at z 2-4 whose properties we present and discuss here (cf. Nakajima et al. 2017; Le Fevre et al. 2017). These objects provide interesting insight into the C/O ratio at high-z, the nature and hardness of their ionizing source, the ionizing photon production, and others. Targeting compact strong emission line galaxies with high [OIII]/[OII] ratios with the COS spectrograph on-board HST, we have recently been able to find several relatively strong Lyman continuum emitters at z 0.3 (Izotov et al. 2016ab). We describe the physical properties of these unique, rare low-z sources, which are found to be comparable to those of typical z>6 galaxies and thus currently the best analogs for the sources of cosmic reionization (cf. Schaerer et al. 2016). We also briefly discuss open questions and future steps.

  18. Constraining star formation through redshifted CO and CII emission in archival CMB data

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Switzer, Eric

    LCDM is a strikingly successful paradigm to explain the CMB anisotropy and its evolution into observed galaxy clustering statistics. The formation and evolution of galaxies within this context is more complex and only partly characterized. Measurements of the average star formation and its precursors over cosmic time are required to connect theories of galaxy evolution to LCDM evolution. The fine structure transition in CII at 158 um traces star formation rates and the ISM radiation environment. Cold, molecular gas fuels star formation and is traced well by a ladder of CO emission lines. Catalogs of emission lines in individual galaxies have provided the most information about CII and CO to-date but are subject to selection effects. Intensity mapping is an alternative approach to measuring line emission. It surveys the sum of all line radiation as a function of redshift, and requires angular resolution to reach cosmologically interesting scales, but not to resolve individual sources. It directly measures moments of the luminosity function from all emitting objects. Intensity mapping of CII and CO can perform an unbiased census of stars and cold gas across cosmic time. We will use archival COBE-FIRAS and Planck data to bound or measure cosmologically redshifted CII and CO line emission through 1) the monopole spectrum, 2) cross-power between FIRAS/Planck and public galaxy survey catalogs from BOSS and the 2MASS redshift surveys, 3) auto-power of the FIRAS/Planck data itself. FIRAS is unique in its spectral range and all-sky coverage, provided by the space-borne FTS architecture. In addition to sensitivity to a particular emission line, intensity mapping is sensitive to all other contributions to surface brightness. We will remove CMB and foreground spatial and spectral templates using models from WMAP and Planck data. Interlopers and residual foregrounds additively bias the auto-power and monopole, but both can still be used to provide rigorous upper bounds. The cross-power with galaxy surveys directly constrains the redshifted line emission. Residual foregrounds and interlopers increase errors but do not add bias. There are 300 resolution elements of the 7 degree FIRAS top-hat inside the BOSS quasar survey, spanning 66 spectral pixels to z 2. While FIRAS noise per voxel is 200 times brighter than the expected peak cosmological CII emission, strt-N averaging of spatial and spectral modes above results in a gain of 140. Intensity mapping is in its infancy, with predictions for surface brightness of line emission ranging over an order of magnitude, and limited knowledge of the intensity-weighted bias. Even if only upper bounds are possible, they complement existing measurements of individual galaxies, which can constitute a lower bound because they measure only a portion of the luminosity function. FIRAS and Planck provide unique opportunities to pursue CII and CO intensity mapping with well-characterized instruments that overlap with galaxy surveys in angular coverage and redshift. We will re-analyze the FIRAS data to optimize sensitivity and robustness, developing a spectral line response model, splitting the data into sub-missions to isolate noise properties, and re- evaluating data cuts. The tools and results here will support future survey concepts with significantly lower noise, such as PIXIE, PRISM, SPHEREX and proposed suborbital experiments designed specifically for intensity mapping. There is a growing appreciation that many phenomena could lie just below the published FIRAS bounds. The proposed work is an early step toward this new science.

  19. 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. Shocks within these jets can heat the matter to X-ray emitting temperatures. The first is already well characterised; for the latter two scenarios models are presented in this thesis. The accretion shock is treated in a stationary 1D model, taking non-equilibrium ionisations explicitly into account. The magnetic field is strong enough to suppress motion perpendicular to the field lines, so the use of a 1D geometry is justified. The radiative loss is calculated as optically thin emission with the CHIANTI database. A combination of simulated post-shock cooling zone spectra and coronal gas is fitted to the observations of the CTTS TW Hya and V4046 Sgr. Both stars require only small mass accretion rates to power the X-ray emission (2×10-10 Msun/yr and 3×10-11 Msun/yr, respectively). The CTTS DG Tau is heavily absorbed and the observed soft X-ray emission originates spatially offset from the star. In this thesis a physical model is presented which explains the emission by a shock front travelling along the ejected jet. Shock velocities between 400 and 500 km/s are required to explain the observed spectrum. For a electron density >105 cm-3 all shock dimensions are so small that they remain undetectable in optical observations as observed. The spectral resolution in X-rays is not sufficient to analyse the line profiles, so UV data is used for this purpose. Line profiles extend up to 500 km/s in sample of CTTS observed with FUSE. Likely contribution from both, infalling and outflowing gas, contributes to the observed emission. The current models do not explain the observed line profiles in detail, especially the line width causes problems. HAeBe stars have hot plasma, which can only be explained as an active corona, similar to the CTTS. Accretion does not contribute significantly to the X-ray emission, instead the line ratios in the He-like triplets point to an origin in the outflows, similar to the CTTS jets. A model comparable to DG Tau reproduces the observed emission.

  20. Correlating Metastable-Atom Density, Reduced Electric Field, and Electron Energy Distribution in the Initiation, Transient, and Post-Transient Stages of a Pulsed Argon Discharge

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Franek, James B.

    Argon emission lines, particularly those in the near-infrared region (700-900nm), are used to determine plasma properties in low-temperature, partially ionized plasmas to determine effective electron temperature [Boffard et al., 2012], and argon excited state density [Boffard et al., 2009] using appropriately assumed electron energy distributions. While the effect of radiation trapping influences the interpretation of plasma properties from emission-line ratio analysis, eliminating the need to account for these effects by directly observing the 3px-to-1sy transitions [ Boffard et al., 2012] is preferable in most cases as this simplifies the analysis. In this dissertation, a 1-Torr argon, pulsed positive column in a hollow-cathode discharge is used to study the correlation between four quantities: 420.1-419.8nm emission-line ratio, metastable-atom density, reduced electric field, and electron energy distribution. The extended coronal model is used to acquire an expression for 420.1-419.8nm emission-line ratio, which is sensitive to direct electron-impact excitation of argon excited states as well as stepwise electron-impact excitation of argon excited states for the purpose of inferring plasma quantities from experimental measurements. Initial inspection of the 420.1-419.8nm emission-line ratio suggests the pulse may be empirically divided into three distinct stages labelled the Initiation Stage, Transient Stage, and Post-Transient stage. Using equilibrium electron energy distributions from simulation to deduce excitation rates [Adams et al., 2012] in the extended coronal model affords agreement between predicted and observed metastable density in the Post-Transient stage of the discharge [Franek et al., 2015]. Applying this model-assisted diagnostic technique to the characterization of plasma systems utilizing lower-resolution spectroscopic systems is not straightforward, however, as the 419.8nm and 420.1nm emission-line profiles are convolved and become insufficiently resolved for treating the convolution as two separate emission-lines. To remedy this, the argon 425.9nm emission-line is evaluated as a proxy for the 419.8 nm emission-line. Both emission-lines (419.8nm and 425.9nm) are attributed to direct excitation from the argon ground state. The intensity of the 425.9nm emission-line is compared to the intensity of the 419.8nm emission-line over a range of plasma conditions to infer the same plasma quantities from similar experimental measurements. Discrepancies between the observed intensities of the emission-lines (419.8nm, 425.9nm) are explained by electron-impact cross-sections of their parent states. It is shown that the intensity of the argon 425.9nm emission-line is similar to that of the 419.8nm emission-line. The difference between the observed emission lines (425.9nm, 419.8nm) is attributed to the electron energy distribution in the plasma.

  1. Identification of Interesting Objects in Large Spectral Surveys Using Highly Parallelized Machine Learning

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Škoda, Petr; Palička, Andrej; Koza, Jakub; Shakurova, Ksenia

    2017-06-01

    The current archives of LAMOST multi-object spectrograph contain millions of fully reduced spectra, from which the automatic pipelines have produced catalogues of many parameters of individual objects, including their approximate spectral classification. This is, however, mostly based on the global shape of the whole spectrum and on integral properties of spectra in given bandpasses, namely presence and equivalent width of prominent spectral lines, while for identification of some interesting object types (e.g. Be stars or quasars) the detailed shape of only a few lines is crucial. Here the machine learning is bringing a new methodology capable of improving the reliability of classification of such objects even in boundary cases. We present results of Spark-based semi-supervised machine learning of LAMOST spectra attempting to automatically identify the single and double-peak emission of Hα line typical for Be and B[e] stars. The labelled sample was obtained from archive of 2m Perek telescope at Ondřejov observatory. A simple physical model of spectrograph resolution was used in domain adaptation to LAMOST training domain. The resulting list of candidates contains dozens of Be stars (some are likely yet unknown), but also a bunch of interesting objects resembling spectra of quasars and even blazars, as well as many instrumental artefacts. The verification of a nature of interesting candidates benefited considerably from cross-matching and visualisation in the Virtual Observatory environment.

  2. Chandra and XMM Observations of the ADC Source 0921-630

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Kallman, T. R.; Angelini, L.; Boroson, B.; Cottam, J.; White, Nicholas E. (Technical Monitor)

    2002-01-01

    We analyze observations of the low mass X-ray binary 2S0921-63 obtained with the gratings and CCDs on Chandra and XMM. This object is a high inclination system showing evidence for an accretion disk corona (ADC). Such a corona has the potential to constrain the properties of the heated accretion disk in this system, and other LMXBs by extension. We find evidence for line emission which is generally consistent with that found by previous experiments, although we are able to detect more lines. For the first time in this source, we find that the iron K line has multiple components. We set limits on the line widths and velocity offsets, and we fit the spectra to photoionization models and discuss the implications for accretion disk corona models. For the first time in any ADC source we use these fits, together with density constraints based on the O VII line ratio, in order to constrain the flux in the medium-ionization region of the ADC. Under various assumptions about the source luminosity this constrains the location of the emitting region. These estimates, together with estimates for the emission measure, favor a scenario in which the intrinsic luminosity of the source is comparable to what we observe.

  3. A Spectroscopic Study of the Rich Supernova Remnant Population in M83

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Winkler, P. Frank; Blair, William P.; Long, Knox S.

    2017-04-01

    We report the results from a spectrophotometric study sampling the ≳ 300 candidate supernova remnants (SNRs) in M83 identified through optical imaging with Magellan/IMACS and Hubble Space Telescope/WFC3. Of the 118 candidates identified based on a high [S II] λλ 6716, 6731 to Hα emission ratio, 117 show spectroscopic signatures of shock-heated gas, confirming them as SNRs—the largest uniform set of SNR spectra for any galaxy. Spectra of 22 objects with a high [O III] λ5007 to Hα emission ratio, selected in an attempt to identify young ejecta-dominated SNRs like Cas A, reveal only one (previously reported) object with the broad (≳ 1000 {km} {{{s}}}-1) emission lines characteristic of ejecta-dominated SNRs, beyond the known SN1957D remnant. The other 20 [O III]-selected candidates include planetary nebulae, compact H II regions, and one background QSO. Although our spectroscopic sample includes 22 SNRs smaller than 11 pc, none of the other objects show broad emission lines; instead their spectra stem from relatively slow (˜ 200 {km} {{{s}}}-1) radiative shocks propagating into the metal-rich interstellar medium of M83. With six SNe in the past century, one might expect more of M83's small-diameter SNRs to show evidence of ejecta; this appears not to be the case. We attribute their absence to several factors, including that SNRs expanding into a dense medium evolve quickly to the ISM-dominated phase, and that SNRs expanding into regions already evacuated by earlier SNe are probably very faint. Based on observations obtained at the Gemini Observatory, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under a cooperative agreement with the NSF on behalf of the Gemini partnership: the National Science Foundation (United States), the National Research Council (Canada), CONICYT (Chile), Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Productiva (Argentina), and Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brazil).

  4. Weak hard X-ray emission from broad absorption line quasars: evidence for intrinsic X-ray weakness

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

    Luo, B.; Brandt, W. N.; Scott, A. E.

    We report NuSTAR observations of a sample of six X-ray weak broad absorption line (BAL) quasars. These targets, at z = 0.148-1.223, are among the optically brightest and most luminous BAL quasars known at z < 1.3. However, their rest-frame ≈2 keV luminosities are 14 to >330 times weaker than expected for typical quasars. Our results from a pilot NuSTAR study of two low-redshift BAL quasars, a Chandra stacking analysis of a sample of high-redshift BAL quasars, and a NuSTAR spectral analysis of the local BAL quasar Mrk 231 have already suggested the existence of intrinsically X-ray weak BAL quasars,more » i.e., quasars not emitting X-rays at the level expected from their optical/UV emission. The aim of the current program is to extend the search for such extraordinary objects. Three of the six new targets are weakly detected by NuSTAR with ≲ 45 counts in the 3-24 keV band, and the other three are not detected. The hard X-ray (8-24 keV) weakness observed by NuSTAR requires Compton-thick absorption if these objects have nominal underlying X-ray emission. However, a soft stacked effective photon index (Γ{sub eff} ≈ 1.8) for this sample disfavors Compton-thick absorption in general. The uniform hard X-ray weakness observed by NuSTAR for this and the pilot samples selected with <10 keV weakness also suggests that the X-ray weakness is intrinsic in at least some of the targets. We conclude that the NuSTAR observations have likely discovered a significant population (≳ 33%) of intrinsically X-ray weak objects among the BAL quasars with significantly weak <10 keV emission. We suggest that intrinsically X-ray weak quasars might be preferentially observed as BAL quasars.« less

  5. Spatially resolved galactic wind in lensed galaxy RCSGA 032727-132609

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bordoloi, Rongmon; Rigby, Jane R.; Tumlinson, Jason; Bayliss, Matthew B.; Sharon, Keren; Gladders, Michael G.; Wuyts, Eva

    2016-05-01

    We probe the spatial distribution of outflowing gas along four lines of sight separated by up to 6 kpc in a gravitationally lensed star-forming galaxy at z = 1.70. Using Mg II and Fe II emission and absorption as tracers, we find that the clumps of star formation are driving galactic outflows with velocities of -170 to -250 km s-1. The velocities of Mg II emission are redshifted with respect to the systemic velocities of the galaxy, consistent with being back-scattered. By contrast, the Fe II fluorescent emission lines are either slightly blueshifted or at the systemic velocity of the galaxy. Taken together, the velocity structure of the Mg II and Fe II emission is consistent with arising through scattering in galactic winds. Assuming a thin shell geometry for the outflowing gas, the estimated masses carried out by these outflows are large (≳30-50 M⊙ yr- 1), with mass loading factors several times the star formation rate. Almost 20 per cent to 50 per cent of the blueshifted absorption probably escapes the gravitational potential of the galaxy. In this galaxy, the outflow is `locally sourced', that is, the properties of the outflow in each line of sight are dominated by the properties of the nearest clump of star formation; the wind is not global to the galaxy. The mass outflow rates and the momentum flux carried out by outflows in individual star-forming knots of this object are comparable to that of starburst galaxies in the local Universe.

  6. Spatially Resolved Galactic Wind in Lensed Galaxy RCSGA 032727-132609

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bordoloi, Rongmon; Rigby, Jane R.; Tumlinson, Janson; Bayliss, Matthew B.; Sharon, Keren; Gladders, Michael G.; Wuyts, Eva

    2016-01-01

    We probe the spatial distribution of outflowing gas along four lines of sight separated by up to 6 kpc in a gravitationally lensed star-forming galaxy at z = 1.70. Using Mg II and Fe II emission and absorption as tracers, we find that the clumps of star formation are driving galactic outflows with velocities of - 170 to - 250 km/s. The velocities of Mg II emission are redshifted with respect to the systemic velocities of the galaxy, consistent with being backscattered. By contrast, the Fe II fluorescent emission lines are either slightly blueshifted or at the systemic velocity of the galaxy. Taken together, the velocity structure of the Mg II and Fe II emission is consistent with arising through scattering in galactic winds. Assuming a thin shell geometry for the outflowing gas, the estimated masses carried out by these outflows are large (approx 30-50 M/yr), with mass loading factors several times the star formation rate. Almost 20 per cent to 50 per cent of the blueshifted absorption probably escapes the gravitational potential of the galaxy. In this galaxy, the outflow is 'locally sourced', that is, the properties of the outflow in each line of sight are dominated by the properties of the nearest clump of star formation; the wind is not global to the galaxy. The mass outflow rates and the momentum flux carried out by outflows in individual star-forming knots of this object are comparable to that of starburst galaxies in the local Universe.

  7. Infrared images of distant 3C radio galaxies

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Eisenhardt, Peter; Chokshi, Arati

    1990-01-01

    J (1.2-micron) and K (2.2 micron) images have been obtained for eight 3CR radio galaxies with redshifts from 0.7 to 1.8. Most of the objects were known to have extended asymmetric optical continuum or line emission aligned with the radio lobe axis. In general, the IR morphologies of these galaxies are just as peculiar as their optical morphologies. For all the galaxies, when asymmetric structure is present in the optical, structure with the same orientation is seen in the IR and must be accounted for in any model to explain the alignment of optical and radio emission.

  8. The Jet-driven Outflow in the Radio Galaxy SDSS J1517+3353: Implications for Double-peaked Narrow-line Active Galactic Nucleus

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rosario, D. J.; Shields, G. A.; Taylor, G. B.; Salviander, S.; Smith, K. L.

    2010-06-01

    We report on the study of an intriguing active galaxy that was selected as a potential multiple supermassive black hole merger in the early-type host SDSS J151709.20+335324.7 (z = 0.135) from a complete search for double-peaked [O III] lines from the SDSS spectroscopic quasi-stellar object (QSO) database. Ground-based SDSS imaging reveals two blue structures on either side of the photometric center of the host galaxy, separated from each other by about 5.7 kpc. From a combination of SDSS fiber and Keck/HIRES long-slit spectroscopy, it is demonstrated that, in addition to these two features, a third distinct structure surrounds the nucleus of the host galaxy. All three structures exhibit highly ionized line emission with line ratios characteristic of Seyfert II active galactic nuclei. The analysis of spatially resolved emission-line profiles from the HIRES spectrum reveal three distinct kinematic subcomponents, one at rest and the other two moving at -350 km s-1 and 500 km s-1 with respect to the systemic velocity of the host galaxy. A comparison of imaging and spectral data confirm a strong association between the kinematic components and the spatial knots, which implies a highly disturbed and complex active region in this object. A comparative analysis of the broadband positions, colors, kinematics, and spectral properties of the knots in this system lead to two plausible explanations: (1) a multiple active galactic nucleus (AGN) produced due to a massive dry merger, or (2) a very powerful radio jet-driven outflow. Subsequent VLA radio imaging reveals a clear jet aligned with the emission-line gas, confirming the latter explanation. We use the broadband radio measurements to examine the impact of the jet on the interstellar medium of the host galaxy, and find that the energy in the radio lobes can heat a significant fraction of the gas to the virial temperature. Finally, we discuss tests that may help future surveys distinguish between jet-driven kinematics and true black-hole binaries. J1517+3353 is a remarkable laboratory for AGN feedback and warrants deeper follow-up study. In the Appendix, we present high-resolution radio imaging of a second AGN with double-peaked [O III] lines, SDSS J112939.78+605742.6, which shows a sub-arcsecond radio jet. If the double-peaked nature of the narrow lines in radio-loud AGNs are generally due to radio jet interactions, we suggest that extended radio structure should be expected in most of such systems.

  9. Identification of SDSS J141324.27+530527.0 as a New “Changing-look” Quasar with a “Turn-on” Transition

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wang, J.; Xu, D. W.; Wei, J. Y.

    2018-05-01

    We report an identification of SDSS J141324+530527.0 (SBS 1411+533) at z = 0.456344 as a new “changing-look” quasar with a “turn-on” spectral type transition from Type-1.9/2 to Type-1 within a rest-frame timescale of 1–10 yr by a comparison of our new spectroscopic observation and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) archive database. The SDSS DR7 spectrum taken in 2003 is dominated by a starlight emission from host galaxy redward of the Balmer limit, and has a non-detectable broad Hβ line. The new spectrum taken by us on 2017 June 1 and the SDSS DR14 spectrum taken on 2017 May 29 indicate that the object has a typical quasar spectrum with a blue continuum and strong Balmer broad emission lines. In addition, an intermediate spectral type can be identified in the SDSS DR13 spectrum taken in 2015. The invariability of the line wing of Mg II λ2800 emission and timescale argument (the invariability of [O III]λ5007 line blue asymmetry) suggests that a variation of obscuration (an accelerating outflow) is not a favorable scenario. The timescale argument allows us to believe the type transition is possibly caused by either a viscous radial inflow or a disk instability around a ∼ (5{--}9)× {10}7 {M}ȯ black hole.

  10. KMOS3D Reveals Low-level Star Formation Activity in Massive Quiescent Galaxies at 0.7 < z < 2.7

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Belli, Sirio; Genzel, Reinhard; Förster Schreiber, Natascha M.; Wisnioski, Emily; Wilman, David J.; Wuyts, Stijn; Mendel, J. Trevor; Beifiori, Alessandra; Bender, Ralf; Brammer, Gabriel B.; Burkert, Andreas; Chan, Jeffrey; Davies, Rebecca L.; Davies, Ric; Fabricius, Maximilian; Fossati, Matteo; Galametz, Audrey; Lang, Philipp; Lutz, Dieter; Momcheva, Ivelina G.; Nelson, Erica J.; Saglia, Roberto P.; Tacconi, Linda J.; Tadaki, Ken-ichi; Übler, Hannah; van Dokkum, Pieter

    2017-05-01

    We explore the Hα emission in the massive quiescent galaxies observed by the KMOS3D survey at 0.7 < z < 2.7. The Hα line is robustly detected in 20 out of 120 UVJ-selected quiescent galaxies, and we classify the emission mechanism using the Hα line width and the [N II]/Hα line ratio. We find that AGNs are likely to be responsible for the line emission in more than half of the cases. We also find robust evidence for star formation activity in nine quiescent galaxies, which we explore in detail. The Hα kinematics reveal rotating disks in five of the nine galaxies. The dust-corrected Hα star formation rates are low (0.2-7 M ⊙ yr-1), and place these systems significantly below the main sequence. The 24 μm-based, infrared luminosities, instead, overestimate the star formation rates. These galaxies present a lower gas-phase metallicity compared to star-forming objects with similar stellar mass, and many of them have close companions. We therefore conclude that the low-level star formation activity in these nine quiescent galaxies is likely to be fueled by inflowing gas or minor mergers, and could be a sign of rejuvenation events. Based on observations collected at the European Southern Observatory under programs 092.A-0091, 093.A-0079, 094.A-0217, 095.A-0047, 096.A-0025, and 097.A-0028.

  11. AN UNBIASED 1.3 mm EMISSION LINE SURVEY OF THE PROTOPLANETARY DISK ORBITING LkCa 15

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

    Punzi, K. M.; Kastner, J. H.; Hily-Blant, P.

    2015-06-01

    The outer (>30 AU) regions of the dusty circumstellar disk orbiting the ∼2–5 Myr old, actively accreting solar analog LkCa 15 are known to be chemically rich, and the inner disk may host a young protoplanet within its central cavity. To obtain a complete census of the brightest molecular line emission emanating from the LkCa 15 disk over the 210–270 GHz (1.4–1.1 mm) range, we have conducted an unbiased radio spectroscopic survey with the Institute de Radioastronomie Millimétrique (IRAM) 30 m telescope. The survey demonstrates that in this spectral region, the most readily detectable lines are those of CO andmore » its isotopologues {sup 13}CO and C{sup 18}O, as well as HCO{sup +}, HCN, CN, C{sub 2}H, CS, and H{sub 2}CO. All of these species had been previously detected in the LkCa 15 disk; however, the present survey includes the first complete coverage of the CN (2–1) and C{sub 2}H (3–2) hyperfine complexes. Modeling of these emission complexes indicates that the CN and C{sub 2}H either reside in the coldest regions of the disk or are subthermally excited, and that their abundances are enhanced relative to molecular clouds and young stellar object environments. These results highlight the value of unbiased single-dish line surveys in guiding future high-resolution interferometric imaging of disks.« less

  12. The Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fibre Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) Quasar Survey: Quasar Properties from Data Release Two and Three

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dong, X. Y.; Wu, Xue-Bing; Ai, Y. L.; Yang, J. Y.; Yang, Q.; Wang, F.; Zhang, Y. X.; Luo, A. L.; Xu, H.; Yuan, H. L.; Zhang, J. N.; Wang, M. X.; Wang, L. L.; Li, Y. B.; Zuo, F.; Hou, W.; Guo, Y. X.; Kong, X.; Chen, X. Y.; Wu, Y.; Yang, H. F.; Yang, M.

    2018-05-01

    This is the second installment for the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fibre Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) Quasar Survey, which includes quasars observed from 2013 September to 2015 June. There are 9024 confirmed quasars in DR2 and 10911 in DR3. After cross-match with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) quasar catalogs and NED, 12126 quasars are discovered independently. Among them, 2225 quasars were released by SDSS DR12 QSO catalog in 2014 after we finalized the survey candidates. 1801 sources were identified by SDSS DR14 as QSOs. The remaining 8100 quasars are considered as newly founded, and among them, 6887 quasars can be given reliable emission line measurements and the estimated black hole masses. Quasars found in LAMOST are mostly located at low-to-moderate redshifts, with a mean value of 1.5. The highest redshift observed in DR2 and DR3 is 5. We applied emission line measurements to Hα, Hβ, Mg II, and C IV. We deduced the monochromatic continuum luminosities using photometry data, and estimated the virial black hole masses for the newly discovered quasars. Results are compiled into a quasar catalog, which will be available online.

  13. A Butterfly in the Making: Revealing the Near-Infrared Structure of Hubble 12

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hora, Joseph L.; Latter, William B.

    1996-01-01

    We present deep narrowband near-IR images and moderate resolution spectra of the young planetary nebula Hubble 12. These data are the first to show clearly the complex structure for this important planetary nebula. Images were obtained at lambda = 2.12, 2.16, and 2.26 micron. The lambda = 2.12 Am image reveals the bipolar nature of the nebula, as well as complex structure near the central star in the equatorial region. The images show an elliptical region of emission, which may indicate a ring or a cylindrical source structure. This structure is possibly related to the mechanism that is producing the bipolar flow. The spectra show the nature of several distinct components. The central object is dominated by recombination lines of H I and He I. The core is not a significant source of molecular hydrogen emission. The east position in the equatorial region is rich in lines of ultraviolet-excited fluorescent H2. A spectrum of part of the central region shows strong [Fe II] emission, which might indicate the presence of shocks.

  14. Overview of the observations of symbiotic stars

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Viotti, Roberto

    1993-01-01

    The term Symbiotic stars commonly denotes variable stars whose optical spectra simultaneously present a cool absorption spectrum (typically TiO absorption bands) and emission lines of high ionization energy. This term is now used for the category of variable stars with composite spectrum. The main spectral features of these objects are: (1) the presence of the red continuum typical of a cool star, (2) the rich emission line spectrum, and (3) the UV excess, frequently with the Balmer continuum in emission. In addition to the peculiar spectrum, the very irregular photometric and spectroscopic variability is the major feature of the symbiotic stars. Moreover, the light curve is basic to identify the different phases of activity in a symbiotic star. The physical mechanisms that cause the symbiotic phenomenon and its variety are the focus of this paper. An astronomical phenomenon characterized by a composite stellar spectrum with two apparently conflicting features, and large variability has been observed. Our research set out to find the origin of this behavior and, in particular, to identify and measure the physical mechanism(s) responsible for the observed phenomena.

  15. A Link between X-Ray Emission Lines and Radio Jets in 4U 1630-47?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Neilsen, Joseph; Coriat, Mickaël; Fender, Rob; Lee, Julia C.; Ponti, Gabriele; Tzioumis, Anastasios K.; Edwards, Philip G.; Broderick, Jess W.

    2014-03-01

    Recently, Díaz Trigo et al. reported an XMM-Newton detection of relativistically Doppler-shifted emission lines associated with steep-spectrum radio emission in the stellar-mass black hole candidate 4U 1630-47 during its 2012 outburst. They interpreted these lines as indicative of a baryonic jet launched by the accretion disk. Here we present a search for the same lines earlier in the same outburst using high-resolution X-ray spectra from the Chandra HETGS. While our observations (eight months prior to the XMM-Newton campaign) also coincide with detections of steep spectrum radio emission by the Australia Telescope Compact Array, we find no evidence for any relativistic X-ray emission lines. Indeed, despite ~5 × brighter radio emission, our Chandra spectra allow us to place an upper limit on the flux in the blueshifted Fe XXVI line that is >~ 20 × weaker than the line observed by Díaz Trigo et al. We explore several scenarios that could explain our differing results, including variations in the geometry of the jet or a mass-loading process or jet baryon content that evolves with the accretion state of the black hole. We also consider the possibility that the radio emission arises in an interaction between a jet and the nearby interstellar medium, in which case the X-ray emission lines might be unrelated to the radio emission.

  16. X-raying a galactic gravitational lense

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Garmire, Gordon

    2016-09-01

    It can be very difficult to detect compact objects that are not accreting in binary systems. Therefore we know very little about such objects and likely would not notice them even if they are very nearby. Two most obvious examples are very old isolated neutron stars (those that may be beyond the death line and hence are lacking pulsed radio or gamma-ray emission) and isolated stellar-mass black holes (none have been identified so far). OGLE3-ULENSPAR-05 is one of the few massive objects identified in microlensing searches for dark massive objects by the OGLE collaboration. We propose to detect the source or set stringent limit on its X-ray luminosity.

  17. Red and nebulous objects in dark clouds - A survey

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cohen, M.

    1980-01-01

    A search on the NGS-PO Sky Survey photographs has revealed 150 interesting nebulous and/or red objects, mostly lying in dark clouds and not previously catalogued. Spectral classifications are presented for 55 objects. These indicate a small number of new members of the class of Herbig-Haro objects, a significant number of new T Tauri stars, and a few emission-line hot stars. It is argued that hot, high-mass stars form preferentially in the dense cores of dark clouds. The possible symbiosis of high and low mass stars is considered. A new morphology class is defined for cometary nebulae, in which a star lies on the periphery of a nebulous ring.

  18. [Searching for Rare Celestial Objects Automatically from Stellar Spectra of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release Eight].

    PubMed

    Si, Jian-min; Luo, A-li; Wu, Fu-zhao; Wu, Yi-hong

    2015-03-01

    There are many valuable rare and unusual objects in spectra dataset of Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Data Release eight (DR8), such as special white dwarfs (DZ, DQ, DC), carbon stars, white dwarf main-sequence binaries (WDMS), cataclysmic variable (CV) stars and so on, so it is extremely significant to search for rare and unusual celestial objects from massive spectra dataset. A novel algorithm based on Kernel dense estimation and K-nearest neighborhoods (KNN) has been presented, and applied to search for rare and unusual celestial objects from 546 383 stellar spectra of SDSS DR8. Their densities are estimated using Gaussian kernel density estimation, the top 5 000 spectra in descend order by their densities are selected as rare objects, and the top 300 000 spectra in ascend order by their densities are selected as normal objects. Then, KNN were used to classify the rest objects, and simultaneously K nearest neighbors of the 5 000 rare spectra are also selected as rare objects. As a result, there are totally 21 193 spectra selected as initial rare spectra, which include error spectra caused by deletion, redden, bad calibration, spectra consisting of different physically irrelevant components, planetary nebulas, QSOs, special white dwarfs (DZ, DQ, DC), carbon stars, white dwarf main-sequence binaries (WDMS), cataclysmic variable (CV) stars and so on. By cross identification with SIMBAD, NED, ADS and major literature, it is found that three DZ white dwarfs, one WDMS, two CVs with company of G-type star, three CVs candidates, six DC white dwarfs, one DC white dwarf candidate and one BL Lacertae (BL lac) candidate are our new findings. We also have found one special DA white dwarf with emission lines of Ca II triple and Mg I, and one unknown object whose spectrum looks like a late M star with emission lines and its image looks like a galaxy or nebula.

  19. On the outer atmospheres of hybrid stars

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hartmann, L.; Dupree, A. K.; Jordan, C.; Brown, A.

    1985-01-01

    Deep exposures with the IUE satellite have been obtained in order to search for high-temperature emission from stars with cool winds. Iota Aur and Theta Her are confirmed as hybrid stars, and an additional hybrid object, Gamma Aql, has been discovered. The emission line fluxes of the hybrid stars are analyzed to establish the emission measure distribution and, as far as possible, the electron density. The discovery of variable, high-velocity Mg II circumstellar absorption in Gamma Aql, Theta Her, and Alpha TrA is reported. Very long exposure of the latter show that cool material is being accelerated to velocities of at least 180 km/s. These observations suggest that high-velocity mass loss is more common than previously thought.

  20. Einstein X-ray observations of QSO's with absorption-line systems

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Junkkarinen, V. T.; Marscher, A. P.; Burbidge, E. M.

    1982-01-01

    The detection of X-ray emission from eight QSO's is reported, plus an upper limit to the X-ray flux from one QSO, using the Einstein X-ray Observatory (HEAO-2). Each object in the sample contains at least one absorption-line system that has been identified in its optical spectrum. The present results are combined with those of other investigators to form a sample of 44 absorption-line QSO's (with 2 sub e greater than 1.2) which have been observed in the X-ray. This sample cannot be distinguished, in terms of X-ray properties, from one which consists of QSO's in which no absorption systems have been identified. These results are consistent with extrinsic models for absorption-line clouds, as well as with current versions of intrinsic models.

  1. Photoionization Modelling of the Giant Broad-Line Region in NGC 3998.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Devereux, Nicholas

    2018-01-01

    Prior high angular resolution spectroscopic observations of the low-ionization nuclear emission-line region in NGC 3998 obtained with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph aboard the Hubble Space Telescope revealed a rich UV-visible spectrum consisting of broad permitted and broad forbidden emission lines. The photoionization code XSTAR is employed together with reddening-insensitive emission line diagnostics to constrain a dynamical model for the broad-line region (BLR) in NGC 3998. The BLR is modelled as a large H+ region ~ 7 pc in radius consisting of dust-free, low density ~ 104 cm-3, low metallicity ~ 0.01 Z/Z⊙ gas. Modelling the shape of the broad Hα emission line significantly discriminates between two independent measures of the black hole mass, favouring the estimate of de Francesco (2006). Interpreting the broad Hα emission line in terms of a steady-state spherically symmetric inflow leads to a mass inflow rate of 1.4 x 10-2 M⊙/yr, well within the present uncertainty of calculations that attempt to explain the observed X-ray emission in terms of an advection-dominated accretion flow (ADAF). Collectively, the model provides an explanation for the shape of the Hα emission line, the relative intensities and luminosities for the H Balmer, [OIII], and potentially several of the broad UV emission lines, as well as refining the initial conditions needed for future modelling of the ADAF.

  2. New Candidate Supernova Remnants in the Small Magellanic Cloud

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Winkler, P. F.; Lewinter, R.

    1992-12-01

    We have surveyed six 30(') times 30(') fields in the Small Magellanic Cloud, using the Curtis Schmidt telescope at CTIO with a Thomson CCD, to search for previously undetected supernova remnants (SNRs). Narrow-band images are obtained in lines of [S II] (lambda lambda \\ 6716,31), Hα , and a nearby continuum band. The ratio of [S II]/Hα \\ emission discriminates well between shock-heated material charcteristic of SNRs and photo-ionized material such as H II regions. This technique has proved highly effective in surveys of other galaxies (e.g. Long et al., Ap J Supp, 72, 61). Deep emission-line images and a continuum band closely matched in wavelength enable us to subtract virtually the entire stellar contribution and thus achieve high sensitivity to faint, diffuse emission. We have identified 13 objects, all of which have [S II]/Hα \\ ratios > 0.4\\ and a full or partial shell-like morphology, making them extremely strong SNR candidates. Several other diffuse objects have high [S II]/Hα \\ ratios, and many of these may also be SNRs. Compared with the 12 previously known remnants of Mathewson et al., (Ap J Supp 51, 345; 55, 189), the new candidates are generally larger and have lower surface brightness. An investigation of the cumulative number vs diameter relation for our larger sample indicates a slope significantly steeper than the value near unity originally found by Mathewson et al., and is more consistent with standard models for SNR evolution. Selection effects may well have led to an excess of small, bright objects in the earlier samples. This work was supported in part by NSF grant AST-9114935 and by the W.M. Keck Foundation through the Keck Northeast Astronomy Consortium.

  3. The Ionization Source in the Nucleus of M84

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Bower, G. A.; Green, R. F.; Quillen, A. C.; Danks, A.; Malumuth, E. M.; Gull, T.; Woodgate, B.; Hutchings, J.; Joseph, C.; Kaiser, M. E.

    2000-01-01

    We have obtained new Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations of M84, a nearby massive elliptical galaxy whose nucleus contains a approximately 1.5 X 10(exp 9) solar mass dark compact object, which presumably is a supermassive black hole. Our Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) spectrum provides the first clear detection of emission lines in the blue (e.g., [0 II] lambda 3727, HBeta and [0 III] lambda lambda4959,5007), which arise from a compact region approximately 0".28 across centered on the nucleus. Our Near Infrared Camera and MultiObject Spectrometer (NICMOS) images exhibit the best view through the prominent dust lanes evident at optical wavelengths and provide a more accurate correction for the internal extinction. The relative fluxes of the emission lines we have detected in the blue together with those detected in the wavelength range 6295 - 6867 A by Bower et al. indicate that the gas at the nucleus is photoionized by a nonstellar process, instead of hot stars. Stellar absorption features from cool stars at the nucleus are very weak. We update the spectral energy distribution of the nuclear point source and find that although it is roughly flat in most bands, the optical to UV continuum is very red, similar to the spectral energy distribution of BL Lac. Thus, the nuclear point source seen in high-resolution optical images is not a star cluster but is instead a nonstellar source. Assuming isotropic emission from this source, we estimate that the ratio of bolometric luminosity to Eddington luminosity is about 5 x 10(exp -7). However, this could be underestimated if this source is a misaligned BL Lac object, which is a possibility suggested by the spectral energy distribution and the evidence of optical variability we describe.

  4. Spectral types for objects in the Kiso survey. IV - Data for 81 stars

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wegner, Gary; Mcmahan, Robert K.

    1988-01-01

    Spectroscopy and spectral types for 81 ultraviolet-excess objects found in the Kiso Schmidt-camera survey are reported. The data were secured with the McGraw-Hill 1.3 m telescope at 8-A resolution covering the wavelength interval 4000 -7200 A using the Mark II spectrograph. Descriptions of the spectra of some of the more peculiar objects found in this sample are given and include 14 sub-dwarfs, 23 definite DA white dwarfs, including a magnetic one, and one DQ whie dwarf, eight quasars and emission-line objects, and a new composite DA + dM system. More spectroscopy of the new cataclysmic variable KUV 01584-0939 and a possibly related object is also described.

  5. Investigation of the new cataclysmic variable 1RXS J180834.7+101041

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Yakin, D. G.; Suleimanov, V. F.; Borisov, N. V.; Shimanskii, V. V.; Bikmaev, I. F.

    2011-12-01

    We present the results of our photometric and spectroscopic studies of the new eclipsing cataclysmic variable star 1RXS J180834.7+101041. Its spectrum exhibits double-peaked hydrogen and helium emission lines. The Doppler maps constructed from hydrogen lines show a nonuniform distribution of emission in the disk similar to that observed in IP Peg. This suggests that the object can be a cataclysmic variable with tidal density waves in the disk. We have determined the component masses ( M WD = 0.8 ± 0.22 M ⊙ and M RD = 0.14 ± 0.02 M ⊙) and the binary inclination ( i = 78° ± 1.5°) based on well-known relations between parameters for cataclysmic variable stars. We have modeled the binary light curves and showed that the model of a disk with two spots is capable of explaining the main observed features of the light curves.

  6. Infrared Spectroscopy of Pa-beta and [Fe II] Emission in NGC 4151

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Knop, R. A.; Armus, L.; Larkin, J. E.; Matthews, K.; Shupe, D. L.; Soifer, B. T.

    1996-01-01

    We present spatially resolved 1.24-1.30 micron spectroscopy with a resolution of 240 km/s of the Seyfert 1.5 galaxy NGC 4151. Broad Pa-beta, narrow Pa-beta, and narrow [Fe II] (lambda = 1.2567 micron) emission lines are identified in the spectrum. Additionally, a spatially unresolved narrow component probably due to [S ix] (lambda = 1.25235 micron) is observed on the nucleus. The narrow Pa-beta and [Fe II] lines are observed to be extended over a scale of 5 sec. The spatial variation of the velocity centers of the Pa-beta and [Fe II] lines show remarkable similarity, and additionally show similarities to the velocity structure previously observed in ground based spectroscopy of [O III] emission in NGC 4151. This leads to the conclusion that the [Fe II] emission arises in clouds in the Seyfert narrow line region that are physically correlated with those narrow line clouds responsible for the optical emission. The [Fe II] emission line, however, is significantly wider than the Pa-beta emission line along the full spatial extent of the observed emission. This result suggests that despite the correlation between the bulk kinematics of Pa-beta and [Fe II], there is an additional process, perhaps fast shocks from a wind in the Seyfert nucleus, contributing to the [Fe II] emission.

  7. ANALYSIS OF OPTICAL Fe II EMISSION IN A SAMPLE OF ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEUS SPECTRA

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

    Kovacevic, Jelena; Popovic, Luka C.; Dimitrijevic, Milan S., E-mail: jkovacevic@aob.bg.ac.r

    We present a study of optical Fe II emission in 302 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. We group the strongest Fe II multiplets into three groups according to the lower term of the transition (b{sup 4} F, a{sup 6} S, and a{sup 4} G terms). These approximately correspond to the blue, central, and red parts, respectively, of the 'iron shelf' around H{beta}. We calculate an Fe II template that takes into account transitions into these three terms and an additional group of lines, based on a reconstruction of the spectrum of I Zw 1.more » This Fe II template gives a more precise fit of the Fe II lines in broad-line AGNs than other templates. We extract Fe II, H{alpha}, H{beta}, [O III], and [N II] emission parameters and investigate correlations between them. We find that Fe II lines probably originate in an intermediate line region. We note that the blue, red, and central parts of the iron shelf have different relative intensities in different objects. Their ratios depend on continuum luminosity, FWHM H{beta}, the velocity shift of Fe II, and the H{alpha}/H{beta} flux ratio. We examine the dependence of the well-known anti-correlation between the equivalent widths of Fe II and [O III] on continuum luminosity. We find that there is a Baldwin effect for [O III] but an inverse Baldwin effect for the Fe II emission. The [O III]/Fe II ratio thus decreases with L {sub {lambda}5100}. Since the ratio is a major component of the Boroson and Green Eigenvector 1 (EV1), this implies a connection between the Baldwin effect and EV1 and could be connected with AGN evolution. We find that spectra are different for H{beta} FWHMs greater and less than {approx}3000 km s{sup -1}, and that there are different correlation coefficients between the parameters.« less

  8. Spectral Characteristics of Young Stars Associated with the Sh2-296 Nebula

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Fernandes, Beatriz; Gregorio-Hetem, Jane

    Aiming to contribute to the understanding of star formation and evolution in the Canis Major (CMa R1) Molecular Clouds Complex, we analyze the spectral characteristics of a population of young stars associated with the arc-shaped nebula Sh2-296. Our XMM/Newton observations detected 109 X-ray sources in the region and optical spectroscopy was performed with Gemini telescope for 85 optical counterparts. We identified and characterized 51 objects that present features typically found in young objects, such as Hα emission and strong absorption on the Li I line.

  9. Calculated emission rates for barium releases in space

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stenbaek-Nielsen, H. C.

    1989-01-01

    The optical emissions from barium releases in space are caused by resonance and fluorescent scattering of sunlight. Emission rates for the dominant ion and neutral lines are calculated assuming the release to be optically thin and the barium to be in radiative equilibrium with the solar radiation. The solar spectrum has deep Fraunhofer absorption lines at the primary barium ion resonances. A velocity component toward or away from the sun will Doppler shift the emission lines relative to the absorption lines and the emission rates will increase many-fold over the rest value. The Doppler brightening is important in shaped charge or satellite releases where the barium is injected at high velocities. Emission rates as a function of velocity are calculated for the 4554, 4934, 5854, 6142 and 6497 A ion emission lines and the dominant neutral line at 5535 A. Results are presented for injection parallel to the ambient magnetic field, B, and for injection at an angle to B.

  10. ON THE NATURE OF THE ENIGMATIC OBJECT IRAS 19312+1950: A RARE PHASE OF MASSIVE STAR FORMATION?

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

    Cordiner, M. A.; Charnley, S. B.; Milam, S. N.

    IRAS 19312+1950 is a peculiar object that has eluded firm characterization since its discovery, with combined maser properties similar to an evolved star and a young stellar object (YSO). To help determine its true nature, we obtained infrared spectra of IRAS 19312+1950 in the range 5–550 μ m using the Herschel and Spitzer space observatories. The Herschel PACS maps exhibit a compact, slightly asymmetric continuum source at 170 μ m, indicative of a large, dusty circumstellar envelope. The far-IR CO emission line spectrum reveals two gas temperature components: ≈0.22 M {sub ⊙} of material at 280 ± 18 K, andmore » ≈1.6 M {sub ⊙} of material at 157 ± 3 K. The O i 63 μ m line is detected on-source but no significant emission from atomic ions was found. The HIFI observations display shocked, high-velocity gas with outflow speeds up to 90 km s{sup −1} along the line of sight. From Spitzer spectroscopy, we identify ice absorption bands due to H{sub 2}O at 5.8 μ m and CO{sub 2} at 15 μ m. The spectral energy distribution is consistent with a massive, luminous (∼2 × 10{sup 4} L {sub ⊙}) central source surrounded by a dense, warm circumstellar disk and envelope of total mass ∼500–700 M {sub ⊙}, with large bipolar outflow cavities. The combination of distinctive far-IR spectral features suggest that IRAS 19312+1950 should be classified as an accreting, high-mass YSO rather than an evolved star. In light of this reclassification, IRAS 19312+1950 becomes only the fifth high-mass protostar known to exhibit SiO maser activity, and demonstrates that 18 cm OH maser line ratios may not be reliable observational discriminators between evolved stars and YSOs.« less

  11. Carbon and oxygen abundances from recombination lines in low-metallicity star-forming galaxies. Implications for chemical evolution

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Esteban, C.; García-Rojas, J.; Carigi, L.; Peimbert, M.; Bresolin, F.; López-Sánchez, A. R.; Mesa-Delgado, A.

    2014-09-01

    We present deep echelle spectrophotometry of the brightest emission-line knots of the star-forming galaxies He 2-10, Mrk 1271, NGC 3125, NGC 5408, POX 4, SDSS J1253-0312, Tol 1457-262, Tol 1924-416 and the H II region Hubble V in the Local Group dwarf irregular galaxy NGC 6822. The data have been taken with the Very Large Telescope Ultraviolet-Visual Echelle Spectrograph in the 3100-10420 Å range. We determine electron densities and temperatures of the ionized gas from several emission-line intensity ratios for all the objects. We derive the ionic abundances of C2+ and/or O2+ from faint pure recombination lines in several of the objects, permitting to derive their C/H and C/O ratios. We have explored the chemical evolution at low metallicities analysing the C/O versus O/H, C/O versus N/O and C/N versus O/H relations for Galactic and extragalactic H II regions and comparing with results for Galactic halo stars and damped Lyα systems. We find that H II regions in star-forming dwarf galaxies occupy a different locus in the C/O versus O/H diagram than those belonging to the inner discs of spiral galaxies, indicating their different chemical evolution histories, and that the bulk of C in the most metal-poor extragalactic H II regions should have the same origin than in halo stars. The comparison between the C/O ratios in H II regions and in stars of the Galactic thick and thin discs seems to give arguments to support the merging scenario for the origin of the Galactic thick disc. Finally, we find an apparent coupling between C and N enrichment at the usual metallicities determined for H II regions and that this coupling breaks in very low metallicity objects.

  12. Far-infrared line emission from the galaxy. Ph.D. Thesis

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Stacey, G. J.

    1985-01-01

    The diffuse 157.74 micron (CII) emission from the Galaxy was sampled at several galactic longitudes near the galactic plane including complete scan across the plane at (II) = 2.16 deg and (II) = 7.28 deg. The observed (CII) emission profiles follow closely the nearby (12)CO (J=1to0) emission profiles. The (CII) emission probably arises in neutral photodissociation regions near the edges of giant moleclar clouds (GMC's). These regions have densities of approximately 350 cm(-3) and temperatures of approximately 300 K, and amount to 4x10(8) solar mass of hydrogen in the inner Galaxy. The total 157.74 micron luminosity of the Galaxy is estimated to be 6x10(7) solar luminosity. Estimates were also made of the galactic emission in other far-infrared (FIR) cooling lines. The (CII) line was found to be the dominant FIR emission line from the galaxy and the primary coolant for the warm neutral gas near the galactic plane. Other cooling lines predicted to be prominent in the galactic spectrum are discussed. The 145.53 micron (OI) emission line from the Orion nebula was also measured.

  13. PG 0308 + 096 and PG 1026 + 002 - Two new short period binary stars resulting from common-envelope evolution

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Saffer, Rex A.; Wade, Richard A.; Liebert, James; Green, Richard F.; Sion, Edward M.; Bechtold, J.; Foss, Diana; Kidder, K.

    1993-01-01

    Ultraviolet spectroscopy, optical spectroscopy, and spectrophotometry have been used to study the excess UV stars PG 0308 + 096 and PG 1026 + 002. Both objects are short-period binary systems, each containing a DA white dwarf star and a dM star. Orbital periods of approximately 0.284 day for PG 0308 + 096, and aproximately 0.597 day for PG 1026, have been found by spectroscopic analysis of the H-alpha emission line. Ly-alpha and Balmer line profile fitting were used to estimate the mass of white dwarf stars; mass estimates for the dM stars are based on their spectral types. The orbital inclinations are derived from these masses, the periods, and amplitudes of the H-alpha radial velocity curves. The equivalent width of the H-alpha emission line, in each binary system, varies with the orbital phase in such a manner as to imply that it arises, in large part at least, from the hemisphere of the M star that faces the white dwarf star.

  14. Strong optical and UV intermediate-width emission lines in the quasar SDSS J232444.80-094600.3: dust-free and intermediate-density gas at the skin of dusty torus?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Li, Zhen-Zhen; Zhou, Hong-Yan; Hao, Lei; Wang, Shu-Fen; Ji, Tuo; Liu, Bo

    2016-09-01

    Emission lines from the broad emission line region (BELR) and the narrow emission line region (NELR) of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) have been extensively studied. However, emission lines are rarely detected between these two regions. We present a detailed analysis of quasar SDSS J232444.80-094600.3 (SDSS J2324-0946), which is remarkable for its strong intermediate-width emission lines (IELs) with FWHM ≈ 1800 km s-1. The IEL component is present in different emission lines, including the permitted lines Lyα λ1216, CIV λ1549, semiforbidden line [CIII] λ1909, and forbidden lines [OIII] λλ4959, 5007. With the aid of photo-ionization models, we found that the IELs are produced by gas with a hydrogen density of nH ˜ 106.2 ˜ 106.3 cm-3, a distance from the central ionizing source of R ˜ 35 - 50 pc, a covering factor of ˜ 6%, and a dust-to-gas ratio of ≤ 4% that of the SMC. We suggest that the strong IELs of this quasar are produced by nearly dust-free and intermediate-density gas located at the skin of the dusty torus. Such strong IELs, which serve as a useful diagnostic, can provide an avenue to study the properties of gas between the BELR and the NELR.

  15. Magnetic Fields in Blazar Jets: Jet-Alignment of Radio and Optical Polarization over 20-30 Years

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wills, Beverley J.; Aller, M. F.; Caldwell, C.; Aller, H. D.

    2012-01-01

    Blazars are highly active nuclei of distant galaxies. They produce synchrotron-emitting relativistic jets on scales of less than a parsec to many Kpc. When viewed head-on, as opposed to in the plane of the sky, the jet motion appears superluminal, and the emission is Doppler boosted. Blazars show rapid radio and optical variability in flux density and polarization. There are two types of blazars that can have strong synchrotron continua: some quasars with strong broad emission lines, and BL Lac objects with weak or undetected broad lines. We have compiled optical linear polarization measurements of more than 100 blazars, including archival data from McDonald Observatory. While the optical data are somewhat sparsely sampled, The University of Michigan Radio Astronomical Observatory observed many blazars over 20-30 years, often well-sampled over days to weeks, enabling quasi-simultaneous comparison of optical and radio polarization position angles (EVPAs). We also collected data on jet direction -- position angles of the jet component nearest the radio core. The project is unique in examining the polarization and jet behavior over many years. BL Lac objects tend to have stable optically thin EVPA in the jet direction, meaning magnetic field is perpendicular to jet flow, often interpreted as the magnetic field compressed by shocks. In quasar-blazars optical and radio EVPA often changes between parallel or perpendicular to the jet direction, even in the same object. The underlying B field of the jet is is parallel to the flow, with approximately 90 degree changes resulting from shocks. For both BL Lac objects & quasars, the scatter in EVPA usually increases from low frequencies (4.8 GHz) through 14.5 GHz through optical. The wide optical-radio frequency range allows us to investigate optical depth effects and the spatial origin of radio and optical emission.

  16. PAH Formation in O-rich Evolved Stars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Guzman-Ramirez, L.; Lagadec, E.; Jones, D.; Zijlstra, A. A.; Gesicki, K.

    2015-08-01

    Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been observed in O-rich planetary nebulae. This combination of oxygen-rich and carbon-rich material, known as dual-dust or mixed chemistry, is not expected to be seen around these objects. We recently proposed that PAHs could be formed from the photodissociation of CO in dense tori. Using VISIR/VLT, we spatially resolved the emission of the PAH bands and ionised emission from the [S IV] line, confirming the presence of dense central tori in all the observed O-rich objects. Furthermore, we show that for most of the objects, PAHs are located at the outer edge of these dense/compact tori, while the ionised material is mostly present in the inner parts, consistent with our hypothesis for the formation of PAHs in these systems. The presence of a dense torus has been strongly associated with the action of a central binary star and, as such, the rich chemistry seen in these regions may also be related to the formation of exoplanets in post-common-envelope binary systems.

  17. High-energy radiation from the relativistic jet of Cygnus X-3

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cerutti, B.; Dubus, G.; Henri, G.

    2010-12-01

    Cygnus X-3 is an accreting high-mass X-ray binary composed of a Wolf-Rayet star and an unknown compact object, possibly a black hole. The gamma-ray space telescope Fermi found definitive evidence that high-energy emission is produced in this system. We propose a scenario to explain the GeV gamma-ray emission in Cygnus X-3. In this model, energetic electron-positron pairs are accelerated at a specific location in the relativistic jet, possibly related to a recollimation shock, and upscatter the stellar photons to high energies. The comparison with Fermi observations shows that the jet should be inclined close to the line of sight and pairs should not be located within the system. Energetically speaking, a massive compact object is favored. We report also on our investigations of the gamma-ray absorption of GeV photons with the radiation emitted by a standard accretion disk in Cygnus X-3. This study shows that the gamma-ray source should not lie too close to the compact object.

  18. Deep Optical Spectroscopy of Planetary Nebulae: The Search for Neutron-Capture Elements

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sterling, Nicholas C.; Garofali, K.; Dinerstein, H. L.; Hwang, S.; Redfield, S.

    2013-01-01

    We present deep, high-resolution (R=36,700) optical spectra of five planetary nebulae (PNe), taken with the 2D-coude echelle spectrograph on the 2.7-m Harlan J. Smith Telescope at McDonald Observatory. These observations are part of a larger optical survey of PNe, designed to unambiguously detect emission lines from neutron(n)-capture elements (atomic number Z>30). The abundances of these elements are of particular interest in PNe, since they can be produced by slow n-capture nucleosynthesis (the ``s-process'') during the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stage of evolution of PN progenitor stars. The first large-scale investigation of n-capture element abundances in PNe (Sterling & Dinerstein 2008, ApJS, 174, 157) surveyed [Kr III] and [Se IV] transitions in the K band spectra of more than 80 PNe. However, the abundances derived from these data relied on ionization corrections that were often large and uncertain due to the detection of only one ion per element. Transitions of other Se and Kr ions, as well as many other trans-iron species, reside at optical wavelengths. High-resolution spectra are essential to unequivocally identify these lines and resolve potential blends with other species. The spectra we present are rich in emission features, with between 125 and 600 distinct lines detected in each PN. Emission from at least one Kr ion is detected in all five objects, and two (Hb 12 and J 900) exhibit emission from multiple Kr ions. We detected multiple Xe ions in J 900, as well as Se, Br, and Rb lines. Hb 12 also exhibits Xe emission, and the first detection of [Se II] in a PN to our knowledge. The spectra display a wealth of other emission lines, including permitted features of second-row elements and forbidden transitions of several iron-peak elements (e.g., Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu). Our survey makes it possible to derive more accurate Se and Kr abundances in PNe, and reveals the enrichment of other trans-iron elements. This enables more accurate s-process enrichment factors to be derived for PNe, providing important constraints to models of AGB nucleosynthesis and the chemical evolution of trans-iron nuclides. This research was supported by NSF awards AST-0708425 and AST-901432.

  19. FLARE-LIKE VARIABILITY OF THE Mg II {lambda}2800 EMISSION LINE IN THE {gamma}-RAY BLAZAR 3C 454.3

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

    Leon-Tavares, J.; Chavushyan, V.; Patino-Alvarez, V.

    2013-02-01

    We report the detection of a statistically significant flare-like event in the Mg II {lambda}2800 emission line of 3C 454.3 during the outburst of autumn 2010. The highest levels of emission line flux recorded over the monitoring period (2008-2011) coincide with a superluminal jet component traversing through the radio core. This finding crucially links the broad emission line fluctuations to the non-thermal continuum emission produced by relativistically moving material in the jet and hence to the presence of broad-line region clouds surrounding the radio core. If the radio core were located at several parsecs from the central black hole, thenmore » our results would suggest the presence of broad-line region material outside the inner parsec where the canonical broad-line region is envisaged to be located. We briefly discuss the implications of broad emission line material ionized by non-thermal continuum in the context of virial black hole mass estimates and gamma-ray production mechanisms.« less

  20. Analysis of the symbiotic star AG Pegasi

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Keyes, C. D.; Plavec, M. J.

    1981-01-01

    High and low dispersion IUE data are analyzed in conjunction with coincident ground based spectrophotometric scans and supplementary infrared photometry of the symbiotic object AG Pegasi. The IUE observations yield an improved value of E(B-V) = 0.12. The two stellar components are easily recognized in the spectra. The cool component may be an M1.7 III star and the hot component appears to have T (sub eff) of approximately 30000 K. The emission lines observed in the ultraviolet indicate two or three distince emitting regions. Nebular component ultraviolet intercombination lines suggest an electron density of several times 10 billion/cu cm.

  1. Optical and NIR spectroscopy of Mrk 1210: constraints and physical conditions of the active nucleus

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mazzalay, X.; Rodríguez-Ardila, A.

    2007-02-01

    Aims:Mrk 1210 is an outstanding Seyfert 2 galaxy because it displays signatures of recent circumnuclear star formation and a high level of X-ray activity, in addition to the classical spectral characteristics typical of an AGN. Here we investigate the extinction affecting the nuclear and extended emitting gas, the kinematics of the narrow-line region, and the physical properties and conditions of that gas. Methods: Near-infrared and optical spectra of the nuclear and extended emission region of Mrk 1210 are presented, covering the interval 0.4-2.4 μm. Emission and absorption lines were used to infer, respectively, the geometrical extension of the ionized gas and the contribution of the underlying stellar population to the observed integrated continuum. The emission line profiles were employed to study the kinematics in the NLR. The reddening and physical condition of the gas were investigated by means of flux ratios among permitted and forbidden lines. Results: The NIR nuclear spectrum is dominated by H I and He I recombination lines, as well as [S II], [S III], and [Fe II] forbidden lines. Coronal lines of [S VIII], [S IX], [Si VI], [Si X], and [Ca VIII], in addition to molecular H{2} lines, were also detected. The 12CO(6{-3)} 1.618 μm overtone bandhead helped to estimate the contribution of the stellar population to the continuum. It was found that 83±8% of the H-band continuum has a stellar origin. It improves previous estimates, which claimed that at least 50% of the observed continuum was attributed to the AGN. Analysis of the emission line profiles, both allowed and forbidden, shows a narrower ({FWHM} ˜ 500 km s-1) line on top of a broad ({FWHM} > 1000 km s-1) blue-shifted component. This seems to be associated to a nuclear outflow. This hypothesis is supported by 6 cm VLBI observations, which show a radio ejecta extending up to 30 pc from the nucleus. This result does not require the presence of the hidden BLR claimed to be present in previous NIR observations of this object. Internal extinction, calculated by means of several indicators including Fe II] flux ratios not previously used before in AGNs, reveals a dusty AGN, while the extended regions are barely affected by dust, if at all. The density and temperature are calculated for the NLR using optical and NIR lines as diagnostic ratios. The results show electronic temperatures from 10 000 K up to 40 000 K and densities between 10^3-105 cm-3. The higher temperatures show that shocks, most probably related to the radio outflow, must contribute to the line emission. Based in part in observations collected at the Pico dos Dias Observatory/LNA, Brazil. Figures 1-3 are only available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org

  2. Near-infrared integral field spectroscopy of massive young stellar objects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Murakawa, K.; Lumsden, S. L.; Oudmaijer, R. D.; Davies, B.; Wheelwright, H. E.; Hoare, M. G.; Ilee, J. D.

    2013-11-01

    We present medium-resolution (R ≈ 5300) K-band integral field spectroscopy of six massive young stellar objects (MYSOs). The targets are selected from the Red MSX Source (RMS) survey, and we used the ALTAIR adaptive optics assisted Near-Infrared Integral Field Spectrometer (NIFS) mounted on the Gemini North telescope. The data show various spectral line features including Brγ, CO, H2 and He I. The Brγ line is detected in emission in all objects with vFWHM ˜ 100-200 km s-1. V645 Cyg shows a high-velocity P-Cygni profile between -800 and -300 km s-1. We performed three-dimensional spectroastrometry to diagnose the circumstellar environment in the vicinity of the central stars using the Brγ line. We measured the centroids of the velocity components with sub-mas precision. The centroids allow us to discriminate the blueshifted and redshifted components in a roughly east-west direction in both IRAS 18151-1208 and S106 in Brγ. This lies almost perpendicular to observed larger scale outflows. We conclude, given the widths of the lines and the orientation of the spectroastrometric signature, that our results trace a disc wind in both IRAS 18151-1208 and S106. The CO ν = 2-0 absorption lines at low J transitions are detected in IRAS 18151-1208 and AFGL 2136. We analysed the velocity structure of the neutral gas discs, which we find to have nearly Keplerian motions. In IRAS 18151-1208, the absorption centroids of the blueshifted and redshifted components are separated in a direction of north-east to south-west, nearly perpendicular to that of the larger scale H2 jet. The position-velocity relations of these objects can be reproduced with central masses of 30 M⊙ for IRAS 18151-1208 and 20 M⊙ for AFGL 2136. We also detect CO ν = 2-0 bandhead emission in IRAS 18151-1208, S106 and V645 Cyg. The results can be fitted reasonably with a Keplerian rotation model, with masses of 15, 20 and 20 M⊙, respectively. These results for a sample of MYSOs can be explained with disc and outflow models and support the hypothesis of massive star formation via mass accretion through discs as is the case for lower mass counterparts.

  3. A study of the spectrum of HD 108, an unusual Of star

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Underhill, Anne B.

    1994-01-01

    Spectra of the peculiar O star HD 108 obtained at a scale of 30 A/mm in the years 1986-1991 have been studied for line displacements and line profiles. The wavelength regions covered are 4180-5050 A, 5100-5980 A, and 6180-7070 A. The spectra were recorded with a Reticon, and most have a signal-to-noise ratio per pixel in the continuum greater than 200. It is argued that the spectral type is best described as O7fpe III. The spectrum at the time of observation was similar to te description given by Plaskett (1924), but the radial velocity has changed. In 1922 and 1923 the absorption lines and the emission lines showed a displacement of -62 km/s. In the ensuing years the radial velocity shown by the absorption lines, mostly He II, N III, and O III, has changed to about -84 km/s in 1991. The emission-line velocity remained near -62 km/s until about 1991, when this radial velocity became (apparently) about -66 km/s. There is some reason to suspect that the last few spectra obtained in 1991 suffer from a small random negative shift. The meaning of the radial velocity results is discussed, and it is argued that by 1973 the photosphere may have begun to undergo an outward surge. The change of motion shown by the emission lines is less than that shown by the photospheric absorption lines. It is argued that the emission lines, both the strong sharp emission lines due to H and He I and the weaker lines due to C II, C III, N II, O II, and Si III, are formed in a polar jet which is moving almost perpendicular to the line of sight. The star HD 108 appears to be related to the luminous blues variables (LBVs) and to the B(e) stars. No forbidden emission lines, as from a nebula, were detected in the visible spectral range. Strong distinctive P Cygni type displaced absorption components for the H and He I lines are not seen. Rather, one sees a sharp emission line superposed on a photospehric absorption line. The absence of a strong P Cygni type absorption component indicates that the optical depth along the line of sight to the jet is small in the H and He I lines. The profiles of the H and He I emission components are somewhat asymmetric. This suggests that weak P Cygni type absorption takes place in the plasma forming the emission lines.

  4. 2D-model of oxygen emissions lines for Europa

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cessateur, Gaël; Barthelemy, Mathieu; Lilensten, Jean; Rubin, Martin; Maggiolo, Romain; De Keyser, Johan

    2017-04-01

    The Jovian moon Europa is an interesting case study as an archetype for icy satellites, and will be one of the primary targets of the ESA JUICE mission which should be launched in 2022. Hosting a thin neutral gas atmosphere mainly composed of O2 and H2O, Europa can be studied by its airglow and dayglow emissions. A 1D photochemistry model has first been developed to assess the impact of the solar UV flux on the visible emission, such as the red and green oxygen lines (Cessateur et al. 2016). For limb polar viewing, red line emissions can reach a few hundreds of Rayleigh close to the surface. The impact of the precipitating electrons has also been studied. The density and temperature of the electrons are first derived from the multifluid MHD model from Rubin et al. (2015). A 2D emission model has thus been developed to estimate the airglow emissions. When electrons are the major source of the visible emissions, the solar UV flux can be responsible for up to 15% of those emissions for some specific line of sight. Oxygen emission lines in the UV have also been considered, such as 130.5 and 135.6 nm. For the latter, we did estimate some significant line emissions reaching 700 Rayleigh for a polar limb viewing angle close to the surface. Oxygen emission lines are significant (higher than 10 R) for altitudes lower than 100 km for all lines, except for the red line emissions where emissions are still above 10 R up to 200 km from the surface. A sensitivity study has also been performed in order to assess the impact of the uncertainties relative to the dissociative-excitation cross sections. Cessateur G, Barthelemy M & Peinke I. Photochemistry-emission coupled model for Europa and Ganymede. J. Space Weather Space Clim., 6, A17, 2016 Rubin, M., et al. Self-consistent multifluid MHD simulations of Europa's exospheric interaction with Jupiter's magnetosphere, J. Geophys. Res. Space Physics, 120, 3503-3524, 2015

  5. Where is the fuzz? Undetected Lyman α nebulae around quasars at z ~ 2.3

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Herenz, Edmund Christian; Wisotzki, Lutz; Roth, Martin; Anders, Friedrich

    2015-04-01

    We observed a small sample of five radio-quiet quasars with integral field spectroscopy to search for possible extended emission in the Lyα line. We subtracted the quasar point sources using a simple point spread function (PSF) self-calibration technique that takes advantage of the simultaneous availability of spatial and spectral information. In four of the five objects we find no significant traces of extended Lyα emission beyond the contribution of the quasar nuclei itself, while in UM 247 there is evidence for a weak and spatially quite compact excess in the Lyα line at several kpc outside the nucleus. For all objects in our sample we estimated detection limits for extended, smoothly distributed Lyα emission by adding fake nebulosities into the datacubes and trying to recover them after PSF subtraction. Our observations are consistent with other studies showing that giant Lyα nebulae such as those found recently around some quasars are very rare. Lyα fuzz around typical radio-quiet quasars is fainter and less extended and is therefore much harder to detect. The faintness of these structures is consistent with the idea that radio-quiet quasars typically reside in dark matter haloes of modest masses. Based on observations collected at the Centro Astronómico Hispano Alemán (CAHA) at Calar Alto, operated jointly by the Max-Planck Institut für Astronomie and the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (CSIC).

  6. SMSS J130522.47-293113.0: a high-latitude stellar X-ray source with pc-scale outflow relics?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Da Costa, G. S.; Soria, R.; Farrell, S. A.; Bayliss, D.; Bessell, M. S.; Vogt, F. P. A.; Zhou, G.; Points, S. D.; Beers, T. C.; López-Sánchez, Á. R.; Bannister, K. W.; Bell, M.; Hancock, P. J.; Burlon, D.; Gaensler, B. M.; Sadler, E. M.; Tingay, S.; Keller, S. C.; Schmidt, B. P.; Tisserand, P.

    2018-06-01

    We report the discovery of an unusual stellar system SMSS J130522.47-293113.0. The optical spectrum is dominated by a blue continuum together with emission lines of hydrogen, neutral, and ionized helium, and the N III, C III blend at ˜4640-4650 Å. The emission-line profiles vary in strength and position on time-scales as short as 1 d, while optical photometry reveals fluctuations of as much as ˜0.2 mag in g on time-scales as short as 10-15 min. The system is a weak X-ray source (f0.3-10 = (1.2 ± 0.1) × 10-13 ergs cm2 s-1 in the 0.3-10 keV band) but is not detected at radio wavelengths (3σ upper limit of 50 μJy at 5.5 GHz). The most intriguing property of the system, however, is the existence of two `blobs', a few arcsec in size, that are symmetrically located 3{^'.}8 (2.2 pc for our preferred system distance of ˜2 kpc) each side of the central object. The blobs are detected in optical and near-IR broad-band images but do not show any excess emission in H α images. We discuss the interpretation of the system, suggesting that the central object is most likely a nova-like CV, and that the blobs are relics of a pc-scale accretion-powered collimated outflow.

  7. CO J = 2-1 LINE EMISSION IN CLUSTER GALAXIES AT z {approx} 1: FUELING STAR FORMATION IN DENSE ENVIRONMENTS

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

    Wagg, Jeff; Pope, Alexandra; Alberts, Stacey

    We present observations of CO J = 2-1 line emission in infrared-luminous cluster galaxies at z {approx} 1 using the IRAM Plateau de Bure Interferometer. Our two primary targets are optically faint, dust-obscured galaxies (DOGs) found to lie within 2 Mpc of the centers of two massive (>10{sup 14} M{sub Sun }) galaxy clusters. CO line emission is not detected in either DOG. We calculate 3{sigma} upper limits to the CO J = 2-1 line luminosities, L'{sub CO} < 6.08 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 9} and <6.63 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 9} K km s{sup -1} pc{sup 2}. Assuming a CO-to-H{sub 2} conversion factormore » derived for ultraluminous infrared galaxies in the local universe, this translates to limits on the cold molecular gas mass of M{sub H{sub 2}}< 4.86 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 9} M{sub Sun} and M{sub H{sub 2}}< 5.30 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 9} M{sub Sun }. Both DOGs exhibit mid-infrared continuum emission that follows a power law, suggesting that an active galactic nucleus (AGN) contributes to the dust heating. As such, estimates of the star formation efficiencies in these DOGs are uncertain. A third cluster member with an infrared luminosity, L{sub IR} < 7.4 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 11} L{sub Sun }, is serendipitously detected in CO J = 2-1 line emission in the field of one of the DOGs located roughly two virial radii away from the cluster center. The optical spectrum of this object suggests that it is likely an obscured AGN, and the measured CO line luminosity is L'{sub CO} = (1.94 {+-} 0.35) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 10} K km s{sup -1} pc{sup 2}, which leads to an estimated cold molecular gas mass M{sub H{sub 2}}= (1.55{+-}0.28) Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 10} M{sub Sun }. A significant reservoir of molecular gas in a z {approx} 1 galaxy located away from the cluster center demonstrates that the fuel can exist to drive an increase in star formation and AGN activity at the outskirts of high-redshift clusters.« less

  8. VizieR Online Data Catalog: Emission lines for SDSS Coronal-Line Forest AGNs (Rose+, 2015)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rose, M.; Elvis, M.; Tadhunter, C. N.

    2017-11-01

    In this paper, we make use of SDSS spectra. The basic properties of the CLiF AGN sample studied in this paper are given in Table 1. Note that the outputs of the SDSS pipeline are used only for the sample selection. Detailed measurements of emission line parameters such as the flux and velocity widths are measured using our own methods (Section 4). The redshifts were determined using single Gaussian fits to the [O III] λ5007 emission line. This line was chosen because it is the most prominent emission line in the optical spectra of these and most other AGN. (5 data files).

  9. Photoionization modelling of the giant broad-line region in NGC 3998

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Devereux, Nick

    2018-01-01

    Prior high angular resolution spectroscopic observations of the Low-ionization nuclear emission-line region (Liner) in NGC 3998 obtained with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) aboard the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) revealed a rich UV-visible spectrum consisting of broad permitted and broad forbidden emission lines. The photoionization code XSTAR is employed together with reddening-insensitive emission line diagnostics to constrain a dynamical model for the broad-line region (BLR) in NGC 3998. The BLR is modelled as a large H+ region ∼ 7 pc in radius consisting of dust-free, low-density ∼ 104 cm-3, low-metallicity ∼ 0.01 Z/Z⊙ gas. Modelling the shape of the broad H α emission line significantly discriminates between two independent measures of the black hole (BH) mass, favouring the estimate of de Francesco, Capetti & Marconi (2006). Interpreting the broad H α emission line in terms of a steady-state spherically symmetric inflow leads to a mass inflow rate of 1.4 × 10-2 M⊙ yr-1, well within the present uncertainty of calculations that attempt to explain the observed X-ray emission in terms of an advection-dominated accretion flow (ADAF). Collectively, the model provides an explanation for the shape of the H α emission line, the relative intensities and luminosities for the H Balmer, [O III], and potentially several of the broad UV emission lines, as well as refining the initial conditions needed for future modelling of the ADAF.

  10. 40 CFR Table 2 of Subpart Aaaaaaa... - Emission Limits for Asphalt Roofing Manufacturing (Coating) Operations

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    .... Coater-only production lines a. Limit PAH emissions to 0.0002 lb/ton of asphalt roofing product...-only production lines a. Limit PAH emissions to 0.0007 lb/ton of asphalt roofing product manufactured... saturator/coater production lines a. Limit PAH emissions to 0.0009 lb/ton of asphalt roofing product...

  11. Far-ultraviolet and optical spectrophotometry of X-ray selected Seyfert galaxies

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Clarke, J. T.; Bowyer, S.; Grewing, M.

    1986-01-01

    Five X-ray selected Seyfert galaxies were examined via near-simultaneous far-ultraviolet and optical spectrophotometry in an effort to test models for excitation of emission lines by X-ray and ultraviolet continuum photoionization. The observed Ly-alpha/H-beta ratio in the present sample averages 22, with an increase found toward the high-velocity wings of the H lines in the spectrum of at least one of the Seyfert I nuclei. It is suggested that Seyfert galaxies with the most high-velocity gas exhibit the highest Ly-alpha/H-beta ratios at all velocities in the line profiles, and that sometimes this ratio may be highest for the highest velocity material in the broad-line clouds. Since broad-lined objects are least affected by Ly-alpha trapping effects, they have Ly-alpha/H-beta ratios much closer to those predicted by early photoionization calculations.

  12. MICROLENSING OF QUASAR BROAD EMISSION LINES: CONSTRAINTS ON BROAD LINE REGION SIZE

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

    Guerras, E.; Mediavilla, E.; Jimenez-Vicente, J.

    2013-02-20

    We measure the differential microlensing of the broad emission lines between 18 quasar image pairs in 16 gravitational lenses. We find that the broad emission lines are in general weakly microlensed. The results show, at a modest level of confidence (1.8{sigma}), that high ionization lines such as C IV are more strongly microlensed than low ionization lines such as H{beta}, indicating that the high ionization line emission regions are more compact. If we statistically model the distribution of microlensing magnifications, we obtain estimates for the broad line region size of r{sub s} = 24{sup +22} {sub -15} and r{sub s}more » = 55{sup +150} {sub -35} lt-day (90% confidence) for the high and low ionization lines, respectively. When the samples are divided into higher and lower luminosity quasars, we find that the line emission regions of more luminous quasars are larger, with a slope consistent with the expected scaling from photoionization models. Our estimates also agree well with the results from local reveberation mapping studies.« less

  13. Spectroscopy of an unusual emission line M star

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Schneider, Donald P.; Greenstein, Jesse L.; Schmidt, Maarten; Gunn, James E.

    1991-01-01

    Moderate-resolution spectroscopy of an unusual late-type faint emission-line star, PC 0025 + 0047, is reported. A very strong (greater than 250 A equivalent width) an H-alpha emission line was detected by the present automated line search algorithm. The spectrum was found to have two unresolved emission lines (H-alpha and H-beta) near zero velocity, superposed on the absorption spectrum of a very red M dwarf which has strong K I, and relatively weak bands of TiO. From the weakness of the subordinate lines of Na I (8192 A) and other spectral features, it is inferred that it is definitely a cooler, and probably fainter, analog of LHS 2924. The strength of the emission lines indicates that PC 0025 + 0447 is very young and may be a fading predecessor brown drawf at an estimated M(bol) approaching 14m at a distance of about 60 pc.

  14. Water in star-forming regions with Herschel (WISH). VI. Constraints on UV and X-ray irradiation from a survey of hydrides in low- to high-mass young stellar objects

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Benz, A. O.; Bruderer, S.; van Dishoeck, E. F.; Melchior, M.; Wampfler, S. F.; van der Tak, F.; Goicoechea, J. R.; Indriolo, N.; Kristensen, L. E.; Lis, D. C.; Mottram, J. C.; Bergin, E. A.; Caselli, P.; Herpin, F.; Hogerheijde, M. R.; Johnstone, D.; Liseau, R.; Nisini, B.; Tafalla, M.; Visser, R.; Wyrowski, F.

    2016-05-01

    Context. Hydrides are simple compounds containing one or a few hydrogen atoms bonded to a heavier atom. They are fundamental precursor molecules in cosmic chemistry and many hydride ions have become observable in high quality for the first time thanks to the Herschel Space Observatory. Ionized hydrides such as CH+ and OH+ (and also HCO+), which affect the chemistry of molecules such as water, provide complementary information on irradiation by far-UV (FUV) or X-rays and gas temperature. Aims: We explore hydrides of the most abundant heavier elements in an observational survey covering young stellar objects (YSOs) with different mass and evolutionary state. The focus is on hydrides associated with the dense protostellar envelope and outflows, contrary to previous work that focused on hydrides in diffuse foreground clouds. Methods: Twelve YSOs were observed with HIFI on Herschel in six spectral settings providing fully velocity-resolved line profiles as part of the Water in star-forming regions with Herschel (WISH) program. The YSOs include objects of low (Class 0 and I), intermediate, and high mass, with luminosities ranging from 4 L⊙ to 2 × 105 L⊙. Results: The targeted lines of CH+, OH+, H2O+, C+, and CH are detected mostly in blue-shifted absorption. H3O+ and SH+ are detected in emission and only toward some high-mass objects. The observed line parameters and correlations suggest two different origins related to gas entrained by the outflows and to the circumstellar envelope. The derived column densities correlate with bolometric luminosity and envelope mass for all molecules, best for CH, CH+, and HCO+. The column density ratios of CH+/OH+ are estimated from chemical slab models, assuming that the H2 density is given by the specific density model of each object at the beam radius. For the low-mass YSOs the observed ratio can be reproduced for an FUV flux of 2-400 times the interstellar radiation field (ISRF) at the location of the molecules. In two high-mass objects, the UV flux is 20-200 times the ISRF derived from absorption lines, and 300-600 ISRF using emission lines. Upper limits for the X-ray luminosity can be derived from H3O+ observations for some low-mass objects. Conclusions: If the FUV flux required for low-mass objects originates at the central protostar, a substantial FUV luminosity, up to 1.5 L⊙, is required. There is no molecular evidence for X-ray induced chemistry in the low-mass objects on the observed scales of a few 1000 AU. For high-mass regions, the FUV flux required to produce the observed molecular ratios is smaller than the unattenuated flux expected from the central object(s) at the Herschel beam radius. This is consistent with an FUV flux reduced by circumstellar extinction or by bloating of the protostar. Herschel is an ESA space observatory with science instruments provided by a European-led Principal Investigator consortia and with important participation from NASA.

  15. Low-redshift Lyman continuum leaking galaxies with high [O III]/[O II] ratios

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Izotov, Y. I.; Worseck, G.; Schaerer, D.; Guseva, N. G.; Thuan, T. X.; Fricke, K. J.; Verhamme, A.; Orlitová, I.

    2018-05-01

    We present observations with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph onboard the Hubble Space Telescope of five star-forming galaxies at redshifts z in the range 0.2993 - 0.4317 and with high emission-line flux ratios O32 = [O III]λ5007/[O II]λ3727 ˜ 8 - 27 aiming to detect the Lyman continuum (LyC) emission. We detect LyC emission in all galaxies with the escape fractions fesc(LyC) in a range of 2 - 72 per cent. A narrow Lyα emission line with two peaks in four galaxies and with three peaks in one object is seen in medium-resolution COS spectra with a velocity separation between the peaks Vsep varying from ˜153 km s-1 to ˜ 345 km s-1. We find a general increase of the LyC escape fraction with increasing O32 and decreasing stellar mass M⋆, but with a large scatter of fesc(LyC). A tight anti-correlation is found between fesc(LyC) and Vsep making Vsep a good parameter for the indirect determination of the LyC escape fraction. We argue that one possible source driving the escape of ionizing radiation is stellar winds and radiation from hot massive stars.

  16. Star formation and gas inflows in the OH Megamaser galaxy IRAS03056+2034

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hekatelyne, C.; Riffel, Rogemar A.; Sales, Dinalva; Robinson, Andrew; Storchi-Bergmann, Thaisa; Kharb, Preeti; Gallimore, Jack; Baum, Stefi; O'Dea, Christopher

    2018-06-01

    We have obtained observations of the OH Megamaser galaxy IRAS03056+0234 using Gemini Multi-Object Spectrograph (GMOS) Integral Field Unit (IFU), Very Large Array (VLA) and Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The HST data reveals spiral arms containing knots of emission associated to star forming regions. The GMOS-IFU data cover the spectral range of 4500 to 7500 Å at a velocity resolution of 90 km s-1 and spatial resolution of 506 pc. The emission-line flux distributions reveal a ring of star forming regions with radius of 786 pc centred at the nucleus of the galaxy, with an ionized gas mass of 1.2× 108M⊙, an ionizing photon luminosity of log Q[H+]=53.8 and a star formation rate of 4.9 M⊙ yr-1. The emission-line ratios and radio emission suggest that the gas at the nuclear region is excited by both starburst activity and an active galactic nucleus. The gas velocity fields are partially reproduced by rotation in the galactic plane, but show, in addition, excess redshifts to the east of the nucleus, consistent with gas inflows towards the nucleus, with velocity of ˜45 km s-1 and a mass inflow rate of ˜7.7 × 10-3 M⊙ yr-1.

  17. The Gas Content Of Protoplanetary Herbig Ae/be Discs As Seen With Herschel

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Meeus, Gwendolyn; Herschel OTKP, GASPS; Dent, B.

    2011-09-01

    The mechanisms determining planet formation are not (yet) well-understood. Primordial protoplanetary discs consist 99% out of gas, and only 1% out of dust. With time, those discs are believed to evolve from a flaring geometry into a flat geometry, as the initially small dust grains grow to larger sizes and settle towards the mid-plane. In the mean time, the gas will disperse, until so little is left that giant planets no longer can form. As an important piece of the puzzle of planet formation, it is important to understand the influence of the gas heating/cooling processes on the young disc structure, its chemical composition and finally how fast gas gets dispersed. In this talk, we study the protoplanetary discs around Herbig Ae/Be stars, young objects of intermediate mass, in the context of its gas content. We present Herschel PACS spectroscopic observations for a sample that was obtained within the GASPS (Gas in Protoplanetary Systems) Open Time Key Project, concentrating on the detection and characterisation of emission lines of the [OI], [CII], and CO, tracing the disc between 5 and 500 AU. We look for correlations between the observed line fluxes and stellar properties such as effective temperature, Halpha emission, accretion rates and UV flux, as well as the disc properties: degree of flaring, presence and strength of PAH emission and disc mass. We will present a few cases to show how simultaneous modeling (using the thermo-chemical disc code ProDiMo) of the atomic fine structure lines and both molecular lines can constrain the disc gas mass, once the disc structure is derived. Finally, we compare our gas line observations with those of young debris disc stars, for which the HAEBE stars are thought to be progenitors.

  18. 40 CFR 1045.320 - What happens if one of my production-line engines fails to meet emission standards?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ...-line engines fails to meet emission standards? 1045.320 Section 1045.320 Protection of Environment... production-line engines fails to meet emission standards? (a) If you have a production-line engine with final... conformity is automatically suspended for that failing engine. You must take the following actions before...

  19. 40 CFR 1045.320 - What happens if one of my production-line engines fails to meet emission standards?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ...-line engines fails to meet emission standards? 1045.320 Section 1045.320 Protection of Environment... production-line engines fails to meet emission standards? (a) If you have a production-line engine with final... conformity is automatically suspended for that failing engine. You must take the following actions before...

  20. 40 CFR 1048.320 - What happens if one of my production-line engines fails to meet emission standards?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ...-line engines fails to meet emission standards? 1048.320 Section 1048.320 Protection of Environment...-line engines fails to meet emission standards? If you have a production-line engine with final... conformity is automatically suspended for that failing engine. You must take the following actions before...

  1. 40 CFR 1054.320 - What happens if one of my production-line engines fails to meet emission standards?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ...-line engines fails to meet emission standards? 1054.320 Section 1054.320 Protection of Environment... production-line engines fails to meet emission standards? (a) If you have a production-line engine with final... conformity is automatically suspended for that failing engine. You must take the following actions before...

  2. 40 CFR 1045.320 - What happens if one of my production-line engines fails to meet emission standards?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ...-line engines fails to meet emission standards? 1045.320 Section 1045.320 Protection of Environment... production-line engines fails to meet emission standards? (a) If you have a production-line engine with final... conformity is automatically suspended for that failing engine. You must take the following actions before...

  3. 40 CFR 1048.320 - What happens if one of my production-line engines fails to meet emission standards?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ...-line engines fails to meet emission standards? 1048.320 Section 1048.320 Protection of Environment...-line engines fails to meet emission standards? If you have a production-line engine with final... conformity is automatically suspended for that failing engine. You must take the following actions before...

  4. 40 CFR 1048.320 - What happens if one of my production-line engines fails to meet emission standards?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ...-line engines fails to meet emission standards? 1048.320 Section 1048.320 Protection of Environment...-line engines fails to meet emission standards? If you have a production-line engine with final... conformity is automatically suspended for that failing engine. You must take the following actions before...

  5. 40 CFR 1054.320 - What happens if one of my production-line engines fails to meet emission standards?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ...-line engines fails to meet emission standards? 1054.320 Section 1054.320 Protection of Environment... production-line engines fails to meet emission standards? (a) If you have a production-line engine with final... conformity is automatically suspended for that failing engine. You must take the following actions before...

  6. Colliding stellar winds in O-type close binary systems

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Gies, Douglas R.

    1991-01-01

    A study of the stellar wind properties of O-type close binary systems is presented. The main objective of this program was to search for colliding winds in four systems, AO Cas, iota Ori, Plaskett's star, and 29 UW CMa, through an examination of high dispersion UV spectra from IUE and optical spectra of the H alpha and He I lambda 6678 emission lines.

  7. On the Origin of the Flare Emission in IRIS ’ SJI 2832 Filter:Balmer Continuum or Spectral Lines?

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

    Kleint, Lucia; Krucker, Säm; Heinzel, Petr

    Continuum (“white-light,” WL) emission dominates the energetics of flares. Filter-based observations, such as the IRIS SJI 2832 filter, show WL-like brightenings during flares, but it is unclear whether the emission arises from real continuum emission or enhanced spectral lines, possibly turning into emission. The difficulty in filter-based observations, contrary to spectral observations, is to determine which processes contribute to the observed brightening during flares. Here we determine the contribution of the Balmer continuum and the spectral line emission to IRIS ’ SJI 2832 emission by analyzing the appropriate passband in simultaneous IRIS NUV spectra. We find that spectral line emissionmore » can contribute up to 100% to the observed slitjaw images (SJI) emission, that the relative contributions usually temporally vary, and that the highest SJI enhancements that are observed are most likely because of the Balmer continuum. We conclude that care should be taken when calling SJI 2832 a continuum filter during flares, because the influence of the lines on the emission can be significant.« less

  8. Constraints on the outer radius of the broad emission line region of active galactic nuclei

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Landt, Hermine; Ward, Martin J.; Elvis, Martin; Karovska, Margarita

    2014-03-01

    Here we present observational evidence that the broad emission line region (BELR) of active galactic nuclei (AGN) generally has an outer boundary. This was already clear for sources with an obvious transition between the broad and narrow components of their emission lines. We show that the narrow component of the higher-order Paschen lines is absent in all sources, revealing a broad emission line profile with a broad, flat top. This indicates that the BELR is kinematically separate from the narrow emission line region. We use the virial theorem to estimate the BELR outer radius from the flat top width of the unblended profiles of the strongest Paschen lines, Paα and Paβ, and find that it scales with the ionizing continuum luminosity roughly as expected from photoionization theory. The value of the incident continuum photon flux resulting from this relationship corresponds to that required for dust sublimation. A flat-topped broad emission line profile is produced by both a spherical gas distribution in orbital motion and an accretion disc wind if the ratio between the BELR outer and inner radius is assumed to be less than ˜100-200. On the other hand, a pure Keplerian disc can be largely excluded, since for most orientations and radial extents of the disc the emission line profile is double-horned.

  9. Hidden Broad-line Regions in Seyfert 2 Galaxies: From the Spectropolarimetric Perspective

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Du, Pu; Wang, Jian-Min; Zhang, Zhi-Xiang

    2017-05-01

    The hidden broad-line regions (BLRs) in Seyfert 2 galaxies, which display broad emission lines (BELs) in their polarized spectra, are a key piece of evidence in support of the unified model for active galactic nuclei (AGNs). However, the detailed kinematics and geometry of hidden BLRs are still not fully understood. The virial factor obtained from reverberation mapping of type 1 AGNs may be a useful diagnostic of the nature of hidden BLRs in type 2 objects. In order to understand the hidden BLRs, we compile six type 2 objects from the literature with polarized BELs and dynamical measurements of black hole masses. All of them contain pseudobulges. We estimate their virial factors, and find the average value is 0.60 and the standard deviation is 0.69, which agree well with the value of type 1 AGNs with pseudobulges. This study demonstrates that (1) the geometry and kinematics of BLR are similar in type 1 and type 2 AGNs of the same bulge type (pseudobulges), and (2) the small values of virial factors in Seyfert 2 galaxies suggest that, similar to type 1 AGNs, BLRs tend to be very thick disks in type 2 objects.

  10. Mini Survey of SDSS [OIII] AGN with Swift: Testing the Hypothesis that L(sub [OIII]) Traces AGN Luminosity

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2007-01-01

    The number of AGN and their luminosity distribution are crucial parameters for our understanding of the AGN phenomenon. Recent work strongly suggests every massive galaxy has a central black hole. However most of these objects either are not radiating or have been very difficult to detect We are now in the era of large surveys, and the luminosity function (LF] of AGN has been estimated in various ways. In the X-ray band. Chandra and XMM surveys have revealed that the LF of hard X-ray selected AGN shows a strong luminosity-dependent evolution with a dramatic break towards low L(sub x) (at all z). This is seen for all types of AGN, but is stronger for the broad-line objects. In sharp contrast, the local LF of optically-selected samples shows no such break and no differences between narrow and broad-line objects. If as been suggested, hard X ray and optical emission line can both can be fair indicators of AGN activity, it is important to first understand how reliable these characteristics are if we hope to understand the apparent discrepancy in the LFs.

  11. Hidden Broad-line Regions in Seyfert 2 Galaxies: From the Spectropolarimetric Perspective

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

    Du, Pu; Wang, Jian-Min; Zhang, Zhi-Xiang, E-mail: dupu@ihep.ac.cn

    2017-05-01

    The hidden broad-line regions (BLRs) in Seyfert 2 galaxies, which display broad emission lines (BELs) in their polarized spectra, are a key piece of evidence in support of the unified model for active galactic nuclei (AGNs). However, the detailed kinematics and geometry of hidden BLRs are still not fully understood. The virial factor obtained from reverberation mapping of type 1 AGNs may be a useful diagnostic of the nature of hidden BLRs in type 2 objects. In order to understand the hidden BLRs, we compile six type 2 objects from the literature with polarized BELs and dynamical measurements of blackmore » hole masses. All of them contain pseudobulges. We estimate their virial factors, and find the average value is 0.60 and the standard deviation is 0.69, which agree well with the value of type 1 AGNs with pseudobulges. This study demonstrates that (1) the geometry and kinematics of BLR are similar in type 1 and type 2 AGNs of the same bulge type (pseudobulges), and (2) the small values of virial factors in Seyfert 2 galaxies suggest that, similar to type 1 AGNs, BLRs tend to be very thick disks in type 2 objects.« less

  12. Investigating line- versus point-laser excitation for three-dimensional fluorescence imaging and tomography employing a trimodal imaging system

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cao, Liji; Peter, Jörg

    2013-06-01

    The adoption of axially oriented line illumination patterns for fluorescence excitation in small animals for fluorescence surface imaging (FSI) and fluorescence optical tomography (FOT) is being investigated. A trimodal single-photon-emission-computed-tomography/computed-tomography/optical-tomography (SPECT-CT-OT) small animal imaging system is being modified for employment of point- and line-laser excitation sources. These sources can be arbitrarily positioned around the imaged object. The line source is set to illuminate the object along its entire axial direction. Comparative evaluation of point and line illumination patterns for FSI and FOT is provided involving phantom as well as mouse data. Given the trimodal setup, CT data are used to guide the optical approaches by providing boundary information. Furthermore, FOT results are also being compared to SPECT. Results show that line-laser illumination yields a larger axial field of view (FOV) in FSI mode, hence faster data acquisition, and practically acceptable FOT reconstruction throughout the whole animal. Also, superimposed SPECT and FOT data provide additional information on similarities as well as differences in the distribution and uptake of both probe types. Fused CT data enhance further the anatomical localization of the tracer distribution in vivo. The feasibility of line-laser excitation for three-dimensional fluorescence imaging and tomography is demonstrated for initiating further research, however, not with the intention to replace one by the other.

  13. A VLT VIMOS study of the anomalous BCD Mrk996: mapping the ionized gas kinematics and abundances

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    James, B. L.; Tsamis, Y. G.; Barlow, M. J.; Westmoquette, M. S.; Walsh, J. R.; Cuisinier, F.; Exter, K. M.

    2009-09-01

    A study of the blue compact dwarf (BCD) galaxy Mrk996 based on high-resolution optical Very Large Telescope Visible Multi-Object Spectrograph integral field unit spectroscopy is presented. Mrk996 displays multicomponent line emission, with most line profiles consisting of a narrow, central Gaussian [full width at half-maximum (FWHM) ~ 110kms-1] with an underlying broad component (FWHM ~ 400kms-1). The broad HI Balmer component splits into two separate broad components inside a 1.5-arcsec radius from the nucleus; these are attributed to a two-armed minispiral. This spiral-like nucleus rotates in the same sense as the extended narrow line ionized gas but is offset by ~50kms-1 from the systemic velocity of the galaxy. The rotation curve of Mrk996 derived from the Hα narrow component yields a total mass of 5 × 108Msolar within a radius of 3kpc. From the Hα luminosity we infer a global star formation rate of ~2Msolaryr-1. The high excitation energy, high critical density [OIII] λ4363 and [NII] λ5755 lines are only detected from the inner region and exist purely in broad component form, implying unusual excitation conditions. Surface brightness, radial velocity and FWHM maps for several emission components are presented. A separate physical analysis of the broad and narrow emission line regions is undertaken. We derive an upper limit of 10000K for the electron temperature of the narrow line gas, together with an electron density of 170cm-3, typical of normal HII regions. For the broad line component, measured [OIII] and [FeIII] diagnostic line ratios are consistent with a temperature of 11000K and an electron density of 107cm-3. The broad line emission regions show N/H and N/O enrichment factors of ~20 relative to the narrow line regions, but no He/H, O/H, S/H or Ar/H enrichment is inferred. Previous studies indicated that Mrk996 showed anomalously high N/O ratios compared with BCDs of a similar metallicity. Our multicomponent analysis yields a revised metallicity of >=0.5Zsolar (12 + logO/H = 8.37) for both the narrow and broad gas components, significantly higher than previous studies. As a result the narrow line region's N/O ratio is now typical for the galaxy's metallicity. The narrow line component's N/O ratio peaks outside the core region, spatially correlating with ~3-Myr-old stellar populations. The dominant line excitation mechanism is photoionization by the ~3000 Wolf-Rayet stars and ~150000 O-type stars estimated to be present in the core. This is indeed a peculiar BCD, with extremely dense zones of gas in the core, through which stellar outflows and possible shock fronts permeate contributing to the excitation of the broad line emission. Based on observations made with ESO telescopes at the Paranal Observatory under programme ID 078.B-0353(A). E-mail: bj@star.ucl.ac.uk (BLJ); tsamis@iaa.es (YGT)

  14. Supernova remnants and diffuse ionized gas in M31

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Walterbos, Rene; Braun, Robert

    1990-01-01

    Researchers have compiled an initial list of radio/optical supernova remnants (SNRs) in M31, by searching for radio identifications of emission-line sources with a high (SII)/H alpha ratio (greater than 0.60). The (SII) filter included both sulfur lines and the H alpha filter did not include (NII). This search revealed 11 SNRs, of which only two were known. In addition, researchers detected radio emission from 3 SNRs that were identified in previous optical surveys (D'Odorico et al., 1980), but that were outside the charge coupled device (CCD) fields. The 14 objects only include the most obvious candidates, but a full search is in progress and the researchers expect to find several more SNRs. Also not all optical SNRs show detectable radio emission and a pure optical list of SNR candidates based only on the ratio of (SII)/H alpha emission contains many more objects. Two conclusions are apparent. First, the radio properties of the SNRs in M31 are quite similar to those of Galactic SNRs as is illustrated. The brightnesses are not systematically lower as has been suggested in the past (Dickel and D'Odorico, 1984). Second, the slope of the relation is close to -2; this slope is expected from the intrinsic dependence between surface brightness and diameter. The radio luminosity of the SNRs does not seem to depend strongly on diameter, or age, contrary to model predictions. Selection effects, however, play an important role in these plots. The CCD images show widespread diffuse ionized gas with a ratio of (SII)/H alpha that is higher than that of discrete HII regions. Discrete HII regions typically show ratios between 0.2 to 0.3, while the diffuse gas in the arms consistently shows ratios of 0.5. Researchers can trace this gas across the spiral arms to emission measures below 5 pc cm (-6). Its properties seem to be similar to that of the diffuse gas in the solar neighborhood.

  15. X-Ray Emission from "Uranium" Stars

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Schlegel, Eric; Mushotzky, Richard (Technical Monitor)

    2005-01-01

    The project aims to secure XMM observations of two targets with extremely low abundances of the majority of heavy elements (e.g., log[Fe/H] $\\sim$-4), but that show absorption lines of uranium. The presence of an r-process element such as uranium requires a binary star system in which the companion underwent a supernova explosion. A binary star system raises the distinct possibility of the existence of a compact object, most likely a neutron star, in the binary, assuming it survived the supernova blast. The presence of a compact object then suggests X-ray emission if sufficient matter accretes to the compact object. The observations were completed less than one year ago following a series of reobservations to correct for significant flaring that occurred during the original observations. The ROSAT all-sky survey was used to report on the initial assessment of X-ray emission from these objects; only upper limits were reported. These upper limits were used to justify the XMM observing time, but with the expectation that upper limits would merely be pushed lower. The data analysis hinges critically on the quality and degree of precision with which the background is handled. During the past year, I have spent some time learning the ins and outs of XMM data analysis. In the coming year, I can apply that learning to the analysis of the 'uranium' stars.

  16. Unreported Emission Lines of Rb, Ce, La, Sr, Y, Zr, Pb and Se Detected Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lepore, K. H.; Mackie, J.; Dyar, M. D.; Fassett, C. I.

    2017-01-01

    Information on emission lines for major and minor elements is readily available from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as part of the Atomic Spectra Database. However, tabulated emission lines are scarce for some minor elements and the wavelength ranges presented on the NIST database are limited to those included in existing studies. Previous work concerning minor element calibration curves measured using laser-induced break-down spectroscopy found evidence of Zn emission lines that were not documented on the NIST database. In this study, rock powders were doped with Rb, Ce, La, Sr, Y, Zr, Pb and Se in concentrations ranging from 10 percent to 10 parts per million. The difference between normalized spectra collected on samples containing 10 percent dopant and those containing only 10 parts per million were used to identify all emission lines that can be detected using LIBS (Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) in a ChemCam-like configuration at the Mount Holyoke College LIBS facility. These emission spectra provide evidence of many previously undocumented emission lines for the elements measured here.

  17. THE TEAM KECK REDSHIFT SURVEY 2: MOSFIRE SPECTROSCOPY OF THE GOODS-NORTH FIELD

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

    Wirth, Gregory D.; Kassis, Marc; Lyke, Jim

    We present the Team Keck Redshift Survey 2 (TKRS2), a near-infrared spectral observing program targeting selected galaxies within the CANDELS subsection of the GOODS-North Field. The TKRS2 program exploits the unique capabilities of the Multi-Object Spectrometer For Infra-Red Exploration (MOSFIRE), which entered service on the Keck I telescope in 2012 and contributes substantially to the study of galaxy spectral features at redshifts inaccessible to optical spectrographs. The TKRS2 project targets 97 galaxies drawn from samples that include z ≈ 2 emission-line galaxies with features observable in the JHK bands as well as lower-redshift targets with features in the Y band.more » We present a detailed measurement of MOSFIRE’s sensitivity as a function of wavelength, including the effects of telluric features across the YJHK filters. The largest utility of our survey is in providing rest-frame-optical emission lines for z > 1 galaxies, and we demonstrate that the ratios of strong, optical emission lines of z ≈ 2 galaxies suggest the presence of either higher N/O abundances than are found in z ≈ 0 galaxies or low-metallicity gas ionized by an active galactic nucleus. We have released all TKRS2 data products into the public domain to allow researchers access to representative raw and reduced MOSFIRE spectra.« less

  18. Simultaneous detection and analysis of optical and ultraviolet broad emission lines in quasars at z 2.2

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bisogni, S.; di Serego Alighieri, S.; Goldoni, P.; Ho, L. C.; Marconi, A.; Ponti, G.; Risaliti, G.

    2017-06-01

    We studied the spectra of six z 2.2 quasars obtained with the X-shooter spectrograph at the Very Large Telescope. The redshift of these sources and the X-shooter's spectral coverage allow us to cover the rest of the spectral range 1200-7000 Å for the simultaneous detection of optical and ultraviolet lines emitted by the broad-line region. Simultaneous measurements, avoiding issues related to quasars variability, help us understand the connection between the different broad-line region line profiles generally used as virial estimators of black hole masses in quasars. The goal of this work is to compare the different emission lines for each object to check on the reliability of Hα, Mg II and C iv with respect to Hβ. Hα and Mg II linewidths correlate well with Hβ, while C iv shows a poorer correlation, due to the presence of strong blueshifts and asymmetries in the profile. We compared our sample with the only other two whose spectra were taken with the same instrument and for all examined lines our results are in agreement with the ones obtained with X-shooter at z 1.5-1.7. We finally evaluate C III] as a possible substitute of C iv in the same spectral range and find that its behaviour is more coherent with those of the other lines: we believe that, when a high quality spectrum such as the ones we present is available and a proper modelization with the Fe II and Fe III emissions is performed, it is more appropriate to use this line than that of C iv if not corrected for the contamination by non-virialized components. Based on observations collected at the European Organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere, Chile, under programme 086.B-0320(A).The reduced spectra (FITS files) are only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (http://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/603/A1

  19. Emission measures derived from far ultraviolet spectra of T Tauri stars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cram, L. E.; Giampapa, M. S.; Imhoff, C. L.

    1980-06-01

    Spectroscopic diagnostics based on UV emission line observations have been developed to study the solar chromosphere, transition region, and corona. The atmospheric properties that can be inferred from observations of total line intensities include the temperature, by identifying the ionic species present; the temperature distribution of the emission measure, from the absolute intensities; and the electron density of the source, from line intensity ratios sensitive to the electron density. In the present paper, the temperature distribution of the emission measure is estimated from observations of far UV emission line fluxes of the T Tauri stars, RW Aurigae and RU Lupi, made on the IUE. A crude estimate of the electron density of one star is obtained, using density-sensitive line ratios.

  20. Kinematical line broadening and spatially resolved line profiles from AGN.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schulz, H.; Muecke, A.; Boer, B.; Dresen, M.; Schmidt-Kaler, T.

    1995-03-01

    We study geometrical effects for emission-line broadening in the optically thin limit by integrating the projected line emissivity along prespecified lines of sight that intersect rotating or expanding disks or cone-like configurations. Analytical expressions are given for the case that emissivity and velocity follow power laws of the radial distance. The results help to interpret spatially resolved spectra and to check the reliability of numerical computations. In the second part we describe a numerical code applicable to any geometrical configuration. Turbulent motions, atmospheric seeing and effects induced by the size of the observing aperture are simulated with appropriate convolution procedures. An application to narrow-line Hα profiles from the central region of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 7469 is presented. The shapes and asymmetries as well as the relative strengths of the Hα lines from different spatial positions can be explained by emission from a nuclear rotating disk of ionized gas, for which the distribution of Hα line emissivity and the rotation curve are derived. Appreciable turbulent line broadening with a Gaussian σ of ~40% of the rotational velocity has to be included to obtain a satisfactory fit.

  1. Spectra of High-Ionization Seyfert 1 Galaxies: Implications for the Narrow-Line Region

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Moore, David; Cohen, Ross D.; Marcy, Geoffrey W.

    1996-01-01

    We present line profiles and profile parameters for the Narrow-Line Regions (NLRs) of six Seyfert 1 galaxies with high-ionization lines: MCG 8-11-11, Mrk 79, Mrk 704, Mrk 841, NGC 4151, and NGC 5548. The sample was chosen primarily with the goal of obtaining high-quality [Fe VII] lambda6087 and, when possible, [Fe X] lambda6374 profiles to determine if these lines are more likely formed in a physically distinct 'coronal line region' or are formed throughout the NLR along with lines of lower critical density (n(sub cr)) and/or Ionization Potential (IP). We discuss correlations of velocity shift and width with n(sub cr) and IP. In some objects, lines of high IP and/or n(sub cr) are systematically broader than those of low IP/n(sub cr). Of particular interest, however, are objects that show no correlations of line width with either IP or n(sub cr). In these objects, lines of high and low IP/n(sub cr), are remarkably similar, which is difficult to reconcile with the classical picture of the NLR, in which lines of high and low IP/n(sub cr) are formed in physically distinct regions. We argue for similar spatial extents for the flux in lines with similar profiles. Here, as well as in a modeling-oriented companion paper, we develop further an idea suggested by Moore & Cohen that objects that do and do not show line width correlations with IP/n(sub cr) can both be explained in terms of a single NLR model with only a small difference in the cloud column density distinguishing the two types of object. Overall, our objects do not show correlations between the Full Width at Half-Maximum (FWHM) and IP and/or n(sub cr). The width must be defined by a parameter that is sensitive to extended profile wings in order for the correlations to result. We present models in which FWHM correlations with IP and/or n(sub cr) result only after simulating the lower spectral resolution used in previous observational studies. The models that simulate the higher spectral resolution of our observational study produce line width correlations only if the width is defined by a parameter that is more sensitive to extended profile wings than is the FWHM. Our sample of six objects is in effect augmented by incorporating the larger sample (16 objects) of Veilleux into some of our discussion. This paper focuses on new interpretations of NLR emission-line spectra and line profiles that stem directly from the observations. Paper 2 focuses on modeling and complements this paper by illustrating explicitly the effects that spatial variations in electron density, ionization parameter, and column density have on model profiles. By comparing model profiles with the observed profiles presented here, as well as with those presented by Veilleux, Paper 2 yields insight into how the electron density, ionization parameter, and column density likely vary throughout the NLR.

  2. Temperature Dependence of Wavelength Selectable Zero-Phonon Emission from Single Defects in Hexagonal Boron Nitride.

    PubMed

    Jungwirth, Nicholas R; Calderon, Brian; Ji, Yanxin; Spencer, Michael G; Flatté, Michael E; Fuchs, Gregory D

    2016-10-12

    We investigate the distribution and temperature-dependent optical properties of sharp, zero-phonon emission from defect-based single photon sources in multilayer hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) flakes. We observe sharp emission lines from optically active defects distributed across an energy range that exceeds 500 meV. Spectrally resolved photon-correlation measurements verify single photon emission, even when multiple emission lines are simultaneously excited within the same h-BN flake. We also present a detailed study of the temperature-dependent line width, spectral energy shift, and intensity for two different zero-phonon lines centered at 575 and 682 nm, which reveals a nearly identical temperature dependence despite a large difference in transition energy. Our temperature-dependent results are well described by a lattice vibration model that considers piezoelectric coupling to in-plane phonons. Finally, polarization spectroscopy measurements suggest that whereas the 575 nm emission line is directly excited by 532 nm excitation, the 682 nm line is excited indirectly.

  3. CS Emission Near MIR-bubbles

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Watson, C.; Devine, Kathryn; Quintanar, N.; Candelaria, T.

    2016-02-01

    We survey 44 young stellar objects located near the edges of mid-IR-identified bubbles in CS (1-0) using the Green Bank Telescope. We detect emission in 18 sources, indicating young protostars that are good candidates for being triggered by the expansion of the bubble. We calculate CS column densities and abundances. Three sources show evidence of infall through non-Gaussian line-shapes. Two of these sources are associated with dark clouds and are promising candidates for further exploration of potential triggered star formation. We obtained on-the-fly maps in CS (1-0) of three sources, showing evidence of significant interactions between the sources and the surrounding environment.

  4. Observations of cataclysmic variables with IUE

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hartmann, L.; Raymond, J.

    1981-01-01

    Observations are reported of the cataclysmic variables AN UMa, 2AO311-227, VV Pup, DQ Her, and GK Per. Continuum emission was detected in the short wavelength region in DQ Her. This object exhibits a quasi-blackbody spectrum at short wavelengths, such blackbody components are a common property of the variables AM Her, SS Cyg, and U Gem, suggesting an underlying similarity in the activity of these diverse systems. Flat continuum components at longer wavelengths in general are not compatible with standard disk models. The emission line ratios in AE Aqr are anomalous in that C IV is absent to a very low level relative to N V.

  5. The different origins of high- and low-ionization broad emission lines revealed by gravitational microlensing in the Einstein cross

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Braibant, L.; Hutsemékers, D.; Sluse, D.; Anguita, T.

    2016-07-01

    We investigate the kinematics and ionization structure of the broad emission line region of the gravitationally lensed quasar QSO2237+0305 (the Einstein cross) using differential microlensing in the high- and low-ionization broad emission lines. We combine visible and near-infrared spectra of the four images of the lensed quasar and detect a large-amplitude microlensing effect distorting the high-ionization CIV and low-ionization Hα line profiles in image A. While microlensing only magnifies the red wing of the Balmer line, it symmetrically magnifies the wings of the CIV emission line. Given that the same microlensing pattern magnifies both the high- and low-ionization broad emission line regions, these dissimilar distortions of the line profiles suggest that the high- and low-ionization regions are governed by different kinematics. Since this quasar is likely viewed at intermediate inclination, we argue that the differential magnification of the blue and red wings of Hα favors a flattened, virialized, low-ionization region whereas the symmetric microlensing effect measured in CIV can be reproduced by an emission line formed in a polar wind, without the need of fine-tuned caustic configurations. Based on observations made with the ESO-VLT, Paranal, Chile; Proposals 076.B-0197 and 076.B-0607 (PI: Courbin).

  6. A Suzaku Observation of the Neutral Fe-line Emission from RCW 86

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Ueno, Masaru; Sato, Rie; Kataoka, Jun; Bamba, Aya; Harrus, Ilana; Hiraga, Junko; Hughes, John P.; Kilbourne, Caroline A.; Koyama, Katsuji; Kokubun, Motohide; hide

    2007-01-01

    The newly operational X-ray satellite Suzaku observed the supernova remnant (SNR) RCW 86 in February 2006 to study the nature of the 6.4 keV emission line first detected with the Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astronomy (ASCA). The new data confirms the existence of the line, localizing it for the first time inside a low temperature emission region and not at the locus of the continuum hard X-ray emission. We also report the first detection of a 7.1 keV line that we interpret as the K(beta) emission from neutral or low-ionized iron. The Fe-K line features are consistent with a non-equilibrium plasma of Fe-rich ejecta with n(sub e) less than or approx. equal to 10(exp 9)/cu cm s and kT(sub e) > 1 keV. We found a sign that Fe K(alpha) line is intrinsically broadened 47 (35-57) eV (99% error region). Cr-K line is also marginally detected, which is supporting the ejecta origin for the Fe-K line. By showing that the hard continuum above 3 keV has different spatial distribution from the Fe-K line, we confirmed it to be synchrotron X-ray emission.

  7. High temperature structure in cool binary stars

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dupree, A. K.; Brickhouse, Nancy S.; Hanson, G. J.

    1995-01-01

    Strong high temperature emission lines in the EUVE spectra of binary stars containing cool components (Alpha Aur (Capella), 44 iota Boo, Lambda And, and VY Ari) provide the basis to define reliably the differential emission measure of hot plasma. The emission measure distributions for the short-period (P less than or equal to 13 d) binary systems show a high temperature enhancement over a relatively narrow temperature region similar to that originally found in Capella (Dupree et al. 1993). The emission measure distributions of rapidly rotating single stars 31 Com and AB Dor also contain a local enhancement of the emission measure although at different temperatures and width from Capella, suggesting that the enhancement in these objects may be characteristic of rapid rotation of a stellar corona. This feature might be identified with a (polar) active region, although its density and absolute size are unknown; in the binaries Capella and VY Ari, the feature is narrow and it may arise from an interaction region between the components.

  8. UNCOVERING THE NUCLEUS CANDIDATE FOR NGC 253

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

    Günthardt, G. I.; Camperi, J. A.; Agüero, M. P.

    2015-11-15

    NGC 253 is the nearest spiral galaxy with a nuclear starburst that becomes the best candidate for studying the relationship between starburst and active galactic nucleus activity. However, this central region is veiled by large amounts of dust, and it has been so far unclear which is the true dynamical nucleus to the point that there is no strong evidence that the galaxy harbors a supermassive black hole co-evolving with the starburst as was supposed earlier. Near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, especially NIR emission line analysis, could be advantageous in shedding light on the true nucleus identity. Using Flamingos-2 at Gemini Southmore » we have taken deep K-band spectra along the major axis of the central structure and through the brightest infrared source. In this work, we present evidence showing that the brightest NIR and mid-infrared source in the central region, already known as radio source TH7 and so far considered just a large stellar supercluster, in fact presents various symptoms of a genuine galactic nucleus. Therefore, it should be considered a valid nucleus candidate. Mentioning some distinctive aspects, it is the most massive compact infrared object in the central region, located at 2.″0 of the symmetry center of the galactic bar, as measured in the K-band emission. Moreover, our data indicate that this object is surrounded by a large circumnuclear stellar disk and it is also located at the rotation center of the large molecular gas disk of NGC 253. Furthermore, a kinematic residual appears in the H{sub 2} rotation curve with a sinusoidal shape consistent with an outflow centered in the candidate nucleus position. The maximum outflow velocity is located about 14 pc from TH7, which is consistent with the radius of a shell detected around the nucleus candidate, observed at 18.3 μm (Qa) and 12.8 μm ([Ne ii]) with T-ReCS. Also, the Brγ emission line profile shows a pronounced blueshift and this emission line also has the highest equivalent width at this position. All this evidence points to TH7 as the best candidate for the galactic nucleus of NGC 253.« less

  9. Lens-Aided Multi-Angle Spectroscopy (LAMAS) Reveals Small-Scale Outflow Structure in Quasars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Green, Paul J.

    2006-06-01

    Spectral differences between lensed quasar image components are common. Since lensing is intrinsically achromatic, these differences are typically explained as the effect of either microlensing, or as light path time delays sampling intrinsic quasar spectral variability. Here we advance a novel third hypothesis: some spectral differences are due to small line-of-sight differences through quasar disk wind outflows. In particular, we propose that variable spectral differences seen only in component A of the widest separation lens SDSS J1004+4112 are due to differential absorption along the sight lines. The absorber properties required by this hypothesis are akin to known broad absorption line (BAL) outflows but must have a broader, smoother velocity profile. We interpret the observed C IV emission-line variability as further evidence for spatial fine structure transverse to the line of sight. Since outflows are likely to be rotating, such absorber fine structure can consistently explain some of the UV and X-ray variability seen in AGNs. The implications are many: (1) Spectroscopic differences in other lensed objects may be due to this ``lens-aided multi-angle spectroscopy'' (LAMAS). (2) Outflows have fine structure on size scales of arcseconds, as seen from the nucleus. (3) Assuming either broad absorption line region sizes proposed in recent wind models, or typically assumed continuum emission region sizes, LAMAS and/or variability provide broadly consistent absorber size scale estimates of ~1015 cm. (4) Very broad smooth absorption may be ubiquitous in quasar spectra, even when no obvious troughs are seen.

  10. ULTRAVIOLET SPECTROSCOPY OF PQ Gem AND V405 Aur FROM THE HST AND IUE SATELLITES

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

    Sanad, M. R., E-mail: mrsanad1@yahoo.com

    Ultraviolet spectra of two intermediate polars (IPs), PQ Gem and V405 Aur, observed with Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph and Faint Object Spectrograph and International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) satellites were analyzed during the period between 1994–2000. We estimated the reddening of the two systems from the 2200 Å feature. Six spectra of the two systems revealing modulations of line fluxes at different times are presented. PQ Gem and V405 Aur are featured by spectral lines in different ionization states. This paper focuses on the third ionized carbon emission line at 1550 Å and the first ionized heliummore » emission line at 1640 Å produced in the optically thin outer region of the accretion curtain for the two systems by calculating spectral line fluxes. From HST and IUE data, we deduced ultraviolet luminosities and ultraviolet accretion rates for the two binary stars. The average temperature of the accretion streams for PQ Gem and V405 Aur are ∼4500 K and 4100 K, respectively. The results reveal that there are modulations in fluxes of spectral lines, ultraviolet luminosities, and ultraviolet accretion rates with time for both systems. These modulations are referred to the changes of both density and temperature as a result of the variations of mass transfer rate from the secondary star to the primary star. The current results are consistent with an accretion curtain model for IPs.« less

  11. The Sun as a Library for High-Energy Astrophysics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Smith, David M.

    2017-08-01

    Our maternal G dwarf star gives us life, light, warmth, and a surprisingly well-stocked library of high-energy phenomena to study and compare to more distant, violent objects. I will give a survey of what we see from the Sun -- X-rays, gamma-rays, radio emission, energetic neutral atoms, neutrinos, and particles accelerated in the low and high corona -- and of the physical processes and emission mechanisms thought to be involved, including magnetic reconnection, Fermi acceleration, thermal and nonthermal bremsstrahlung, coherent and incoherent radio emission, and gamma-ray line mechanisms: nuclear de-excitation, pion decay, neutron capture, and positron annihilation. I will outline the range of transient coronal behaviors from hypothetical nanoflares below the limit of individual detection to coronal mass ejections and the largest flares, comparing the latter to what is observed from other stars. Throughout the presentation, I will look for parallels with a variety of cosmic objects and observations, with no guarantee that any particular comparison is quantitatively appropriate. Finally, I will advertise the recent contributions of focusing hard X-ray observations with NuSTAR and the FOXSI rockets.

  12. Probing the accretion flow and emission-line regions of M81, the nearest broad-lined low-luminosity AGN

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Barth, Aaron

    2017-08-01

    The nucleus of M81 is an object of singular importance as a template for low-luminosity accretion flows onto supermassive black holes. We propose to obtain a complete, small-aperture, high S/N STIS UV/optical spectrum of the M81 nucleus and multi-filter WFC3 imaging covering the UV through near-IR. Such data have never previously been obtained with HST; the only prior archival UV/optical spectra of M81 have low S/N, incomplete wavelength coverage, and are strongly contaminated by starlight. Combined with new Chandra X-ray data, our proposed observations will comprise the definitive reference dataset on the spectral energy distribution of this benchmark low-luminosity AGN. These data will provide unique new constraints on the possible contribution of a truncated thin accretion disk to the AGN emission spectrum, clarifying a fundamental property of low-luminosity accretion flows. The data will additionally provide new insights into broad-line region structure and black hole mass scaling relationships at the lowest AGN luminosities, and spatially resolved diagnostics of narrow-line region excitation conditions at unprecedented spatial resolution to assess the impact of the AGN on the ionization state of the gas in the host galaxy bulge.

  13. Physical Parameters of the Pre-WN Candidate HD326823

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    de Araujo, F. X.; Marcolino, W. L. F.; Borges Fernándes, M.

    2006-06-01

    HD326823 is a massive and luminous star characterized mainly by the presence of very intense HeI emission lines. From qualitative spectroscopic studies it was proposed by Lopes et al. (1992, A&A, 261, 482) and Borges Fernándes et al. (2001, ApJS, 136, 747) that this interesting object is in a pre-WN stage of evolution. In the present work we reinforce this conclusion, thanks to the estimate of its physical parameters like mass loss rate and especially chemical abundances. The data analysed by us were obtained at ESO 2.2-m telescope, with the spectrograph FEROS (R=48000) on April, 2005. The method employed to obtain the parameters is the fitting of HI, HeI and NII emission lines. In order to do this we have used the CMFGEN code, developed by J. Hilliers and colaborators (see, for instance, Hiller & Miller 1998, ApJ, 496, 407). This code is adequate for the modelling of lines produced in an expanding atmosphere and it includes important effects like line-blanketting and clumping. Preliminary results indicate a mass loss rate in the range and a clear overabundance of helium. As nitrogen abundance is concerned, it also indicates a tendency of increased abundance, but the result is not so firm in this case.

  14. Community-LINE Source Model (C-LINE) to estimate roadway emissions

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    C-LINE is a web-based model that estimates emissions and dispersion of toxic air pollutants for roadways in the U.S. This reduced-form air quality model examines what-if scenarios for changes in emissions such as traffic volume fleet mix and vehicle speed.

  15. Optical emission line monitor with background observation and cancellation

    DOEpatents

    Goff, D.R.; Notestein, J.E.

    1985-01-04

    A fiber optics based optical emission line monitoring system is provided in which selected spectral emission lines, such as the sodium D-line emission in coal combustion, may be detected in the presence of interferring background or blackbody radiation with emissions much greater in intensity than that of the emission line being detected. A bifurcated fiber optic light guide is adapted at the end of one branch to view the combustion light which is guided to a first bandpass filter, adapted to the common trunk end of the fiber. A portion of the light is reflected back through the common trunk portion of the fiber to a second bandpass filter adapted to the end of the other branch of the fiber. The first filter bandpass is centered at a wavelength corresponding to the emission line to be detected with a bandwidth of about three nanometers (nm). The second filter is centered at the same wavelength but having a width of about 10 nm. First and second light detectors are located to view the light passing through the first and second filters respectively. Thus, the second detector is blind to the light corresponding to the emission line of interest detected by the first detector and the difference between the two detector outputs is uniquely indicative of the intensity of only the combustion flame emission of interest. This instrument can reduce the effects of interfering blackbody radiation by greater than 20 dB.

  16. Optical emission line monitor with background observation and cancellation

    DOEpatents

    Goff, David R.; Notestein, John E.

    1986-01-01

    A fiber optics based optical emission line monitoring system is provided in which selected spectral emission lines, such as the sodium D-line emission in coal combustion, may be detected in the presence of interferring background or blackbody radiation with emissions much greater in intensity than that of the emission line being detected. A bifurcated fiber optic light guide is adapted at the end of one branch to view the combustion light which is guided to a first bandpass filter, adapted to the common trunk end of the fiber. A portion of the light is reflected back through the common trunk portion of the fiber to a second bandpass filter adapted to the end of the other branch of the fiber. The first filter bandpass is centered at a wavelength corresponding to the emission line to be detected with a bandwidth of about three nanometers (nm). The second filter is centered at the same wavelength but having a width of about 10 nm. First and second light detectors are located to view the light passing through the first and second filters respectively. Thus, the second detector is blind to the light corresponding to the emission line of interest detected by the first detector and the difference between the two detector outputs is uniquely indicative of the intensity of only the combustion flame emission of interest. This instrument can reduce the effects of interferring blackbody radiation by greater than 20 dB.

  17. Sanduleak's Star (LMC Anonymous) - Its similarity in the far-ultraviolet with the luminous object Eta Carinae and SN 1987A

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Michalitsianos, A. G.; Kafatos, M.; Shore, S. N.

    1989-01-01

    Low-resolution IUE SWP spectra of the peculiar object LMC Anonymous (Sanduleak's Star) indicates strong evidence for CNO-processed nebula in the vicinity of the star. The far-UV spectrum of LMC Anonymous closely resembles that of the S Condensation of Eta Carinae. The similarity between LMC Anonymous and the S Condensation is apparent from the absolute intensity of the N V, semiforbidden N IV, and semiforbidden N III emission lines compared with the reduced strength of C IV or semiforbidden C III emission. IUE spectra of the S Condensation and SN 1987A may provide important clues concerning the nature of LMC Anonymous, which indicates departures from normal cosmic abundances of nitrogen relative to carbon that are extreme. This may suggest that carbon envelope burning and dredge-up occurred simultaneously during the helium-burning stage.

  18. Sanduleak's Star (LMC Anonymous) - Its similarity in the far-ultraviolet with the luminous object Eta Carinae and SN 1987A

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

    Michalitsianos, A.G.; Kafatos, M.; Shore, S.N.

    1989-06-01

    Low-resolution IUE SWP spectra of the peculiar object LMC Anonymous (Sanduleak's Star) indicates strong evidence for CNO-processed nebula in the vicinity of the star. The far-UV spectrum of LMC Anonymous closely resembles that of the S Condensation of Eta Carinae. The similarity between LMC Anonymous and the S Condensation is apparent from the absolute intensity of the N V, semiforbidden N IV, and semiforbidden N III emission lines compared with the reduced strength of C IV or semiforbidden C III emission. IUE spectra of the S Condensation and SN 1987A may provide important clues concerning the nature of LMC Anonymous,more » which indicates departures from normal cosmic abundances of nitrogen relative to carbon that are extreme. This may suggest that carbon envelope burning and dredge-up occurred simultaneously during the helium-burning stage. 25 refs.« less

  19. Rest-Frame Optical Spectra of Three Strongly Lensed Galaxies at z ~ 2

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hainline, Kevin N.; Shapley, Alice E.; Kornei, Katherine A.; Pettini, Max; Buckley-Geer, Elizabeth; Allam, Sahar S.; Tucker, Douglas L.

    2009-08-01

    We present Keck II NIRSPEC rest-frame optical spectra for three recently discovered lensed galaxies: the Cosmic Horseshoe (z = 2.38), the Clone (z = 2.00), and SDSS J090122.37+181432.3 (z = 2.26). The boost in signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) from gravitational lensing provides an unusually detailed view of the physical conditions in these objects. A full complement of high S/N rest-frame optical emission lines is measured, spanning from rest frame 3600 to 6800 Å, including robust detections of fainter lines such as Hγ, [S II]λ6717,6732, and in one instance [Ne III]λ3869. SDSS J090122.37+181432.3 shows evidence for active galactic nucleus activity, and therefore we focus our analysis on star-forming regions in the Cosmic Horseshoe and the Clone. For these two objects, we estimate a wide range of physical properties. Current lensing models for the Cosmic Horseshoe and the Clone allow us to correct the measured Hα luminosity and calculated star formation rate. Metallicities have been estimated with a variety of indicators, which span a range of values of 12+ log(O/H) = 8.3-8.8, between ~0.4 and ~1.5 of the solar oxygen abundance. Dynamical masses were computed from the Hα velocity dispersions and measured half-light radii of the reconstructed sources. A comparison of the Balmer lines enabled measurement of dust reddening coefficients. Variations in the line ratios between the different lensed images are also observed, indicating that the spectra are probing different regions of the lensed galaxies. In all respects, the lensed objects appear fairly typical of ultraviolet-selected star-forming galaxies at z ~ 2. The Clone occupies a position on the emission-line diagnostic diagram of [O III]/Hβ versus [N II]/Hα that is offset from the locations of z ~ 0 galaxies. Our new NIRSPEC measurements may provide quantitative insights into why high-redshift objects display such properties. From the [S II] line ratio, high electron densities (~1000 cm-3) are inferred compared to local galaxies, and [O III]/[O II] line ratios indicate higher ionization parameters compared to the local population. Building on previous similar results at z ~ 2, these measurements provide further evidence (at high S/N) that star-forming regions are significantly different in high-redshift galaxies, compared to their local counterparts. Based, in part, on data 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 NASA, and was made possible by the generous financial support of the W.M. Keck Foundation.

  20. 40 CFR Table 12 to Subpart Wwww of... - Data Requirements for New and Existing Continuous Lamination Lines and Continuous Casting Lines...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... Continuous Lamination Lines and Continuous Casting Lines Complying With a Lbs/Ton Organic HAP Emissions Limit... Requirements for New and Existing Continuous Lamination Lines and Continuous Casting Lines Complying With a Lbs... with a lbs/ton organic HAP emissions limit for continuous lamination lines and continuous casting lines...

  1. The ESO Nearby Abell Cluster Survey. VI. Spatial distribution and kinematics of early- and late-type galaxies

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    de Theije, P. A. M.; Katgert, P.

    1999-01-01

    Analysis of the data obtained in the ESO Nearby Abell Cluster Survey (ENACS) has shown that the space distribution and kinematics of galaxies with detectable emission lines in their spectra differ significantly from those of galaxies without emission lines. This result, and details of the kinematics, were considered as support for the idea that at least the spirals with emission lines are on orbits that are not isotropic. This might indicate that this subset of late-type galaxies either has `first approach'-orbits towards the dense core of their respective clusters, or has orbits that `avoid' the core. The galaxies with emission lines are essentially all late-type galaxies. On the other hand, the emission-line galaxies represent only about a third of the late-type galaxies, the majority of which do not show detectable emission lines. The galaxies without emission lines are therefore a mix of early- and late-type galaxies. In this paper we attempt to separate early- and late-type galaxies, and we study possible differences in distribution and kinematics of the two galaxy classes. For only about 10% of the galaxies in the ENACS, the morphology is known from imaging. Here, we describe our classification on the basis of the ENACS spectrum. The significant information in each spectrum is compressed into 15 Principal Components, which are used as input for an Artificial Neural Network. The latter is `trained' with 150 of the 270 galaxies for which a morphological type is available from Dressler, and subsequently used to classify each galaxy. This yields a classification for two-thirds of the ENACS galaxies. The Artificial Neural Network has two output classes: early-type (E+S0) and late-type (S+I) galaxies. We do not distinguish E and S0 galaxies, because these cannot be separated very robustly on the basis of the spectrum. The success rate of the classification is estimated from the sample of 120 galaxies with Dressler morphologies which were not used to train the ANN. The success rate is higher for early-type than for late-type galaxies (78+/-6% vs. {63+/-6%}). The weighted average success rate, irrespective of type, is {73+/-4%}. The success rate is somewhat larger for the training set, and highest for the galaxies with emission lines. Of the 3798 galaxies that were classified from their spectrum {57+/-7%} are of early type, and {43+/-7%} of late type. Using a subset of these 3798 galaxies, we constructed a composite cluster of 2594 galaxies, 399 of which have emission lines and are therefore almost exclusively spirals and irregulars. The kinematics and spatial distribution of the late-type galaxies without emission lines resemble much more those of the early-type galaxies than those of the late-type galaxies with emission lines. Yet, the late-type galaxies without emission lines may have a somewhat larger velocity dispersion and a slightly less centrally concentrated distribution than the early-type galaxies. Only the late-type galaxies with emission lines appear to have a considerably larger global velocity dispersion and a much less concentrated projected density profile than the other galaxies. Thus, the suggestion of fairly radial, and possibly `first approach' orbits applies only to spirals with emission lines. The early-type galaxies with emission lines (among which the AGN), may also have a large velocity dispersion and be concentrated towards the cluster centre. Based on observations collected at the European Southern Observatory (La Silla, Chile)

  2. Spectrophotometry of Symbiotic Stars (Abstract)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Boyd, D.

    2017-12-01

    (Abstract only) Symbiotic stars are fascinating objects - complex binary systems comprising a cool red giant star and a small hot object, often a white dwarf, both embedded in a nebula formed by a wind from the giant star. UV radiation from the hot star ionizes the nebula, producing a range of emission lines. These objects have composite spectra with contributions from both stars plus the nebula and these spectra can change on many timescales. Being moderately bright, they lend themselves well to amateur spectroscopy. This paper describes the symbiotic star phenomenon, shows how spectrophotometry can be used to extract astrophysically useful information about the nature of these systems, and gives results for three symbiotic stars based on the author's observations.

  3. Spectrophotometry of Symbiotic Stars

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Boyd, David

    2017-06-01

    Symbiotic stars are fascinating objects - complex binary systems comprising a cool red giant star and a small hot object, often a white dwarf, both embedded in a nebula formed by a wind from the giant star. UV radiation from the hot star ionises the nebula producing a range of emission lines. These objects have composite spectra with contributions from both stars plus the nebula and these spectra can change on many timescales. Being moderately bright, they lend themselves well to amateur spectroscopy. This paper describes the symbiotic star phenomenon, shows how spectrophotometry can be used to extract astrophysically useful information about the nature of these systems, and gives results for three symbiotic stars based on the author's observations.

  4. Spectroscopic classification of X-ray sources in the Galactic Bulge Survey

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wevers, T.; Torres, M. A. P.; Jonker, P. G.; Nelemans, G.; Heinke, C.; Mata Sánchez, D.; Johnson, C. B.; Gazer, R.; Steeghs, D. T. H.; Maccarone, T. J.; Hynes, R. I.; Casares, J.; Udalski, A.; Wetuski, J.; Britt, C. T.; Kostrzewa-Rutkowska, Z.; Wyrzykowski, Ł.

    2017-10-01

    We present the classification of 26 optical counterparts to X-ray sources discovered in the Galactic Bulge Survey. We use (time-resolved) photometric and spectroscopic observations to classify the X-ray sources based on their multiwavelength properties. We find a variety of source classes, spanning different phases of stellar/binary evolution. We classify CX21 as a quiescent cataclysmic variable (CV) below the period gap, and CX118 as a high accretion rate (nova-like) CV. CXB12 displays excess UV emission, and could contain a compact object with a giant star companion, making it a candidate symbiotic binary or quiescent low-mass X-ray binary (although other scenarios cannot be ruled out). CXB34 is a magnetic CV (polar) that shows photometric evidence for a change in accretion state. The magnetic classification is based on the detection of X-ray pulsations with a period of 81 ± 2 min. CXB42 is identified as a young stellar object, namely a weak-lined T Tauri star exhibiting (to date unexplained) UX Ori-like photometric variability. The optical spectrum of CXB43 contains two (resolved) unidentified double-peaked emission lines. No known scenario, such as an active galactic nucleus or symbiotic binary, can easily explain its characteristics. We additionally classify 20 objects as likely active stars based on optical spectroscopy, their X-ray to optical flux ratios and photometric variability. In four cases we identify the sources as binary stars.

  5. 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.

  6. Significant contribution of the Cerenkov line-like radiation to the broad emission lines of quasars

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

    Liu, D. B.; You, J. H.; Chen, W. P.

    2014-01-01

    The Cerenkov line-like radiation in a dense gas (N {sub H} > 10{sup 13} cm{sup –3}) is potentially important in the exploration of the optical broad emission lines of quasars and Seyfert 1 galaxies. With this quasi-line emission mechanism, some long standing puzzles in the study of quasars could be resolved. In this paper, we calculate the power of the Cerenkov line-like radiation in dense gas and compare with the powers of other radiation mechanisms by a fast electron to confirm its importance. From the observed gamma-ray luminosity of 3C 279, we show that the total number of fast electronsmore » is sufficiently high to allow effective operation of the quasi-line emission. We present a model calculation for the luminosity of the Cerenkov Lyα line of 3C 279, which is high enough to compare with observations. We therefore conclude that the broad line of quasars may be a blend of the Cerenkov emission line with the real line produced by the bound-bound transition. A new approach to the absorption of the Cerenkov line is presented with the method of escape probability, which markedly simplifies the computation in the optically thick case. The revised set of formulae for the Cerenkov line-like radiation is more convenient in applications.« less

  7. VLT near- to mid-IR imaging and spectroscopy of the M 17 UC1 - IRS5 region

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chen, Zhiwei; Nürnberger, Dieter E. A.; Chini, Rolf; Jiang, Zhibo; Fang, Min

    2015-06-01

    Aims: We investigate the surroundings of the hypercompact H ii region M 17 UC1 to probe the physical properties of the associated young stellar objects and the environment of massive star formation. Methods: We use diffraction-limited near-IR (VLT/NACO) and mid-IR (VLT/VISIR) images to reveal the different morphologies at various wavelengths. Likewise, we investigate the stellar and nebular content of the region with VLT/SINFONI integral field spectroscopy with a resolution R ˜ 1500 at H + K bands. Results: Five of the seven point sources in this region show L-band excess emission. A geometric match is found between the H2 emission and near-IR polarized light in the vicinity of IRS5A, and between the diffuse mid-IR emission and near-IR polarization north of UC1. The H2 emission is typical for dense photodissociation regions (PDRs), which are initially far-ultraviolet pumped and repopulated by collisional de-excitation. The spectral types of IRS5A and B273A are B3-B7 V/III and G4-G5 III, respectively. The observed infrared luminosity LIR in the range 1-20 μm is derived for three objects; we obtain 2.0 × 103 L⊙ for IRS5A, 13 L⊙ for IRS5C, and 10 L⊙ for B273A. Conclusions: IRS5 might be a young quadruple system. Its primary star IRS5A is confirmed to be a high-mass protostellar object (˜9 M⊙, ˜1 × 105 yrs); it might have terminated accretion due to the feedback from stellar activities (radiation pressure, outflow) and the expanding H ii region of M 17. The object UC1 might also have terminated accretion because of the expanding hypercompact H ii region, which it ionizes. The disk clearing process of the low-mass young stellar objects in this region might be accelerated by the expanding H ii region. The outflows driven by UC1 are running south-north with its northeastern side suppressed by the expanding ionization front of M 17; the blue-shifted outflow lobe of IRS5A is seen in two types of tracers along the same line of sight in the form of H2 emission filament and mid-emission. The H2 line ratios probe the properties of M 17 SW PDR, which is confirmed to have a clumpy structure with two temperature distributions: warm, dense molecular clumps with nH> 105 cm-3 and T ≈ 575 K and cooler atomic gas with nH ˜ 3.7 × 103-1.5 × 104 cm-3 and T ˜ 50 - 200 K. Based on observations by the European Southern Observatory Very Large Telescope on Cerro Paranal, Chile (ESO program IDs: 281.C-5027(A), 281.C-5051(A, B)).

  8. Determining the Nature of [CII] 158 Micron Emission: an Improved Star Formation Rate Indicator

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sutter, Jessica; Dale, Daniel A.; KINGFISH Team

    2018-06-01

    The brightest observed emission line from most normal star-forming galaxies is the 158 micron line arising from singly-ionized carbon (also known as C+ or CII). In fact, astronomers have recently begun using the bright emission line to detect and characterize galaxies in the furthermost reaches of the universe. It is thus imperative that we have the tools to fully understand how this emission line could be utilized as an indicator of star formation rate, a primary parameter by which galaxies and their constituent star-forming regions are characterized. There are two main challenges to utilizing the [CII] 158 micron line as a star formation rate indicator. First, advances in long-wavelength astronomical instrumentation have only recently enabled its detection in statistically-significant samples of galaxies. Second, it is both a blessing and a curse that singly-ionized carbon can be created in both star-forming regions (ionized HII regions) and in non-star forming regions (neutral photo-dissociation regions). In order to better understand and quantify the [CII] emission as an indicator of star-formation rate, the relationship between the [NII] 205 micron emission, which can only arise from the ionized interstellar medium (ISM), and the [CII] 158 micron emission has been employed to determine the fraction of [CII] emission that originates from each phase of the ISM. Sub-kiloparsec measurements of the [NII] 205 micron line in nearby galaxies have recently become available as part of the KINGFISH program. We use these two far-infrared lines along with the full suite of KINGFISH panchromatic data to present an improved calibration of the [CII] emission line as a star formation rate indicator.

  9. The slow ionized wind and rotating disklike system that are associated with the high-mass young stellar object G345.4938+01.4677

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

    Guzmán, Andrés E.; Garay, Guido; Bronfman, Leonardo

    2014-12-01

    We report the detection, made using ALMA, of the 92 GHz continuum and hydrogen recombination lines (HRLs) H40α, H42α, and H50β emission toward the ionized wind associated with the high-mass young stellar object G345.4938+01.4677. This is the luminous central dominating source located in the massive and dense molecular clump associated with IRAS 16562–3959. The HRLs exhibit Voigt profiles, which is a strong signature of Stark broadening. We successfully reproduce the observed continuum and HRLs simultaneously using a simple model of a slow ionized wind in local thermodynamic equilibrium, with no need for a high-velocity component. The Lorentzian line wings implymore » electron densities of 5 × 10{sup 7} cm{sup –3} on average. In addition, we detect SO and SO{sub 2} emission arising from a compact (∼3000 AU) molecular core associated with the central young star. The molecular core exhibits a velocity gradient that is perpendicular to the jet-axis, which we interpret as evidence of rotation. The set of observations toward G345.4938+01.4677 are consistent with it being a young high-mass star associated with a slow photo-ionized wind.« less

  10. Doppler tomography and photometry of the cataclysmic variable 1RXS J064434.5+334451

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hernández Santisteban, J. V.; Echevarría, J.; Michel, R.; Costero, R.

    2017-01-01

    We have obtained simultaneous photometric and spectroscopic observations of the cataclysmic variable 1RXS J064434.5+334451. We have calibrated the spectra for slit losses using simultaneous photometry, allowing us to construct reliable Doppler images from Hα and He II 4686-Å emission lines. We have improved the ephemeris of the object based on new photometric eclipse timings, obtaining HJD = 245 3403.759 533 + 0.269 374 46E. Some eclipses present a clear internal structure, which we attribute to a central He II emission region surrounding the white dwarf, a finding supported by Doppler tomography. This indicates that the system has a large inclination angle I = 78 ± 2°. We have also analysed the radial velocity curve from the emission lines to measure its semi-amplitude, K1, from Hα and He II 4686 and derive the masses of the components M1 = 0.82 ± 0.06 M⊙, M2 = 0.78 ± 0.04 M⊙ and their separation a = 2.01 ± 0.06 R⊙. The Doppler tomography and other observed features in this nova-like system strongly suggest that this is a SW Sex type system.

  11. The Origin Of Cosmic Rays And The Stars Of Berkeley 87

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Turner, David G.; Majaess, D. J.; Lane, D. J.; Balam, D. D.

    2010-01-01

    Spectroscopic observations and the results of photometric monitoring are presented for members of the heavily-reddened, young, 1.2 kpc-distant, open cluster Berkeley 87, which is spatially coincident with the strongest source of cosmic rays in the northern sky. Many cluster members exhibit evidence for extreme loss of mass over their lifetimes: the M3 Ia supergiant BC Cyg has an evolutionary mass half that of stars at the main-sequence turnoff, the B2 Iabe emission-line supergiant HDE 229059 also has an evolutionary mass smaller than that of the main-sequence turnoff, the WO2 star WR 142, the only example of an oxygen sequence Wolf-Rayet star in an open cluster, displays evidence for variable, high velocity winds in its spectrum, the curious object V439 Cyg (B0: Vnne) appears to be an example of a recent binary merger, and Vatican Emission Star VES 203 (B0.5 Ve) displays a strong P Cygni signature in its Balmer line emission. It appears that heavy mass loss is a common factor associated with cluster stars. Could that be associated with the location of a cosmic ray production factory from the vicinity of Berkeley 87?

  12. Observations of Ellerman bomb emission features in He I D3 and He I 10 830 Å

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Libbrecht, Tine; Joshi, Jayant; Rodríguez, Jaime de la Cruz; Leenaarts, Jorrit; Ramos, Andrés Asensio

    2017-02-01

    Context. Ellerman bombs (EBs) are short-lived emission features, characterised by extended wing emission in hydrogen Balmer lines. Until now, no distinct signature of EBs has been found in the He I 10 830 Å line, and conclusive observations of EBs in He I D3 have never been reported. Aims: We aim to study the signature of EBs in neutral helium triplet lines. Methods: The observations consisted of ten consecutive SST/TRIPPEL raster scans close to the limb, featuring the Hβ, He I D3 and He I 10 830 Å spectral regions. We also obtained raster scans with IRIS and made use of the SDO/AIA 1700 Å channel. We used Hazel to invert the neutral helium triplet lines. Results: Three EBs in our data show distinct emission signatures in neutral helium triplet lines, most prominently visible in the He I D3 line. The helium lines have two components: a broad and blueshifted emission component associated with the EB, and a narrower absorption component formed in the overlying chromosphere. One of the EBs in our data shows evidence of strong velocity gradients in its emission component. The emission component of the other two EBs could be fitted using a constant slab. Our analysis hints towards thermal Doppler motions having a large contribution to the broadening for helium and IRIS lines. We conclude that the EBs must have high temperatures to exhibit emission signals in neutral helium triplet lines. An order of magnitude estimate places our observed EBs in the range of T 2 × 104-105 K. Movies associated to Figs. 3-5 are available at http://www.aanda.org

  13. SILVERRUSH. III. Deep optical and near-infrared spectroscopy for Lyα and UV-nebular lines of bright Lyα emitters at z = 6-7

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Shibuya, Takatoshi; Ouchi, Masami; Harikane, Yuichi; Rauch, Michael; Ono, Yoshiaki; Mukae, Shiro; Higuchi, Ryo; Kojima, Takashi; Yuma, Suraphong; Lee, Chien-Hsiu; Furusawa, Hisanori; Konno, Akira; Martin, Crystal L.; Shimasaku, Kazuhiro; Taniguchi, Yoshiaki; Kobayashi, Masakazu A. R.; Kajisawa, Masaru; Nagao, Tohru; Goto, Tomotsugu; Kashikawa, Nobunari; Komiyama, Yutaka; Kusakabe, Haruka; Momose, Rieko; Nakajima, Kimihiko; Tanaka, Masayuki; Wang, Shiang-Yu

    2018-01-01

    We present Lyα and UV-nebular emission line properties of bright Lyα emitters (LAEs) at z = 6-7 with a luminosity of log LLyα/[erg s-1] = 43-44 identified in the 21 deg2 area of the SILVERRUSH early sample developed with the Subaru Hyper Suprime-Cam survey data. Our optical spectroscopy newly confirms 21 bright LAEs with clear Lyα emission, and contributes to making a spectroscopic sample of 96 LAEs at z = 6-7 in SILVERRUSH. From the spectroscopic sample, we select seven remarkable LAEs as bright as Himiko and CR7 objects, and perform deep Keck/MOSFIRE and Subaru/nuMOIRCS near-infrared spectroscopy reaching the 3 σ flux limit of ˜2 × 10-18 erg s-1 for the UV-nebular emission lines of He II λ1640, C IV λλ1548,1550, and O III]λλ1661,1666. Except for one tentative detection of C IV, we find no strong UV-nebular lines down to the flux limit, placing the upper limits of the rest-frame equivalent widths (EW0) of ˜2-4 Å for C IV, He II, and O III] lines. We also investigate the VLT/X-SHOOTER spectrum of CR7 whose 6 σ detection of He II is claimed by Sobral et al. Although two individuals and the ESO archive service carefully reanalyzed the X-SHOOTER data that are used in the study of Sobral et al., no He II signal of CR7 is detected, supportive of weak UV-nebular lines of the bright LAEs even for CR7. The spectral properties of these bright LAEs are thus clearly different from those of faint dropouts at z ˜ 7 that have strong UV-nebular lines shown in the various studies. Comparing these bright LAEs and the faint dropouts, we find anti-correlations between the UV-nebular line EW0 and the UV-continuum luminosity, which are similar to those found at z ˜ 2-3.

  14. X-shooter spectroscopy of young stellar objects in Lupus. Atmospheric parameters, membership, and activity diagnostics

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Frasca, A.; Biazzo, K.; Alcalá, J. M.; Manara, C. F.; Stelzer, B.; Covino, E.; Antoniucci, S.

    2017-06-01

    Aims: A homogeneous determination of basic stellar parameters of young stellar object (YSO) candidates is needed to confirm their pre-main sequence evolutionary stage and membership to star forming regions (SFRs), and to get reliable values of the quantities related to chromospheric activity and accretion. Methods: We used the code ROTFIT and synthetic BT-Settl spectra for the determination of the atmospheric parameters (Teff and log g), veiling (r), radial (RV), and projected rotational velocity (vsini) from X-shooter spectra of 102 YSO candidates (95 of infrared Class II and seven Class III) in the Lupus SFR. The spectral subtraction of inactive templates, rotationally broadened to match the vsini of the targets, enabled us to measure the line fluxes for several diagnostics of both chromospheric activity and accretion, such as Hα, Hβ, Ca II, and Na I lines. Results: We have shown that 13 candidates can be rejected as Lupus members based on their discrepant RV with respect to Lupus and/or the very low log g values. At least 11 of them are background giants, two of which turned out to be lithium-rich giants. Regarding the members, we found that all Class III sources have Hα fluxes that are compatible with a pure chromospheric activity, while objects with disks lie mostly above the boundary between chromospheres and accretion. Young stellar objects with transitional disks display both high and low Hα fluxes. We found that the line fluxes per unit surface are tightly correlated with the accretion luminosity (Lacc) derived from the Balmer continuum excess. This rules out that the relationships between Lacc and line luminosities found in previous works are simply due to calibration effects. We also found that the Ca II-IRT flux ratio, FCaII8542/FCaII8498, is always small, indicating an optically thick emission source. The latter can be identified with the accretion shock near the stellar photosphere. The Balmer decrement reaches instead, for several accretors, high values typical of optically thin emission, suggesting that the Balmer emission originates in different parts of the accretion funnels with a smaller optical depth. Based on observations collected at the Very Large Telescope of the European Southern Observatory at Paranal, under programs 084.C-0269(A), 085.C-0238(A), 086.C-0173(A), 087.C-0244(A), 089.C-0143(A), 095.C-0134(A), 097.C-0349(A), and archive data of programmes 085.C-0764(A) and 093.C-0506(A). Tables 1-3 are also available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (http://130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/602/A33

  15. Mid-IR Properties of an Unbiased AGN Sample of the Local Universe. 1; Emission-Line Diagnostics

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Weaver, K. A.; Melendez, M.; Muhotzky, R. F.; Kraemer, S.; Engle, K.; Malumuth. E.; Tueller, J.; Markwardt, C.; Berghea, C. T.; Dudik, R. P.; hide

    2010-01-01

    \\Ve compare mid-IR emission-lines properties, from high-resolution Spitzer IRS spectra of a statistically-complete hard X-ray (14-195 keV) selected sample of nearby (z < 0.05) AGN detected by the Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) aboard Swift. The luminosity distribution for the mid-infrared emission-lines, [O IV] 25.89 microns, [Ne II] 12.81 microns, [Ne III] 15.56 microns and [Ne V] 14.32 microns, and hard X-ray continuum show no differences between Seyfert 1 and Seyfert 2 populations, although six newly discovered BAT AGNs are shown to be under-luminous in [O IV], most likely the result of dust extinction in the host galaxy. The overall tightness of the mid-infrared correlations and BAT luminosities suggests that the emission lines primarily arise in gas ionized by the AGN. We also compared the mid-IR emission-lines in the BAT AGNs with those from published studies of star-forming galaxies and LINERs. We found that the BAT AGN fall into a distinctive region when comparing the [Ne III]/[Ne II] and the [O IV]/[Ne III] quantities. From this we found that sources that have been previously classified in the mid-infrared/optical as AGN have smaller emission line ratios than those found for the BAT AGNs, suggesting that, in our X-ray selected sample, the AGN represents the main contribution to the observed line emission. Overall, we present a different set of emission line diagnostics to distinguish between AGN and star forming galaxies that can be used as a tool to find new AGN.

  16. Fermi/Large Area Telescope Discovery of Gamma-Ray Emission from a Relativistic Jet in the Narrow-Line Quasar PMN J0948+0022

    DOE PAGES

    Abdo, A. A.; Ackermann, M.; Ajello, M.; ...

    2009-06-17

    In this paper, we report the discovery by the Large Area Telescope (LAT) onboard the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope of high-energy γ-ray emission from the peculiar quasar PMN J0948+0022 (z = 0.5846). The optical spectrum of this object exhibits rather narrow Hβ (FWHM(Hβ) ~1500 km s –1), weak forbidden lines, and is therefore classified as a narrow-line type I quasar. This class of objects is thought to have relatively small black hole mass and to accrete at a high Eddington ratio. The radio loudness and variability of the compact radio core indicate the presence of a relativistic jet. Quasi-simultaneous radio/optical/X-raymore » and γ-ray observations are presented. Both radio and γ-ray emissions (observed over five months) are strongly variable. The simultaneous optical and X-ray data from Swift show a blue continuum attributed to the accretion disk and a hard X-ray spectrum attributed to the jet. The resulting broadband spectral energy distribution (SED) and, in particular, the γ-ray spectrum measured by Fermi are similar to those of more powerful Flat-Spectrum Radio Quasars (FSRQs). A comparison of the radio and γ-ray characteristics of PMN J0948+0022 with the other blazars detected by LAT shows that this source has a relatively low radio and γ-ray power with respect to other FSRQs. The physical parameters obtained from modeling the SED also fall at the low power end of the FSRQ parameter region discussed in Celotti & Ghisellini. Finally, we suggest that the similarity of the SED of PMN J0948+0022 to that of more massive and more powerful quasars can be understood in a scenario in which the SED properties depend on the Eddington ratio rather than on the absolute power.« less

  17. 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.

  18. The puzzling case of the radio-loud QSO 3C 186: a gravitational wave recoiling black hole in a young radio source?

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Chiaberge, M.; Ely, J. C.; Meyer, E. T.; Georganopoulos, M.; Marinucci, A.; Bianchi, S.; Tremblay, G. R.; Hilbert, B.; Kotyla, J. P.; Capetti, A.; Baum, S. A.; Macchetto, F. D.; Miley, G.; O'Dea, C. P.; Perlman, E. S.; Sparks, W. B.; Norman, C.

    2017-04-01

    Context. Radio-loud active galactic nuclei with powerful relativistic jets are thought to be associated with rapidly spinning black holes (BHs). BH spin-up may result from a number of processes, including accretion of matter onto the BH itself, and catastrophic events such as BH-BH mergers. Aims: We study the intriguing properties of the powerful (Lbol 1047 erg s-1) radio-loud quasar 3C 186. This object shows peculiar features both in the images and in the spectra. Methods: We utilize near-IR Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images to study the properties of the host galaxy, and HST UV and Sloan Digital Sky Survey optical spectra to study the kinematics of the source. Chandra X-ray data are also used to better constrain the physical interpretation. Results: HST imaging shows that the active nucleus is offset by 1.3 ± 0.1 arcsec (I.e. 11 kpc) with respect to the center of the host galaxy. Spectroscopic data show that the broad emission lines are offset by -2140 ± 390 km s-1 with respect to the narrow lines. Velocity shifts are often seen in QSO spectra, in particular in high-ionization broad emission lines. The host galaxy of the quasar displays a distorted morphology with possible tidal features that are typical of the late stages of a galaxy merger. Conclusions: A number of scenarios can be envisaged to account for the observed features. While the presence of a peculiar outflow cannot be completely ruled out, all of the observed features are consistent with those expected if the QSO is associated with a gravitational wave (GW) recoiling BH. Future detailed studies of this object will allow us to confirm this type of scenario and will enable a better understanding of both the physics of BH-BH mergers and the phenomena associated with the emission of GW from astrophysical sources.

  19. Relativistic Iron K Emission and Absorption in the Seyfert 1.9 Galaxy MCG-05-23-16

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Braito, V.; Reeves, J. N.; Dewangan, G. C.; George, I.; Griffiths, R.; Markowitz, A.; Nandra, K.; Porquet, D.; Ptak, A.; Turner, T. J.; hide

    2007-01-01

    We present the results of the simultaneous deep XMM-Newton and Chandra observations of the bright Seyfert 1.9 galaxy MCG-5-23-16, which is thought to have one of the best known examples of a relativistically broadened iron Kalpha line. We detected a narrow sporadic absorption line at 7.7 keV which appears to be variable on a time-scale of 20 ksec. If associated with FeXXVI this absorption is indicative of a possible variable high ionization, high velocity outflow. The time averaged spectral analysis shows that the iron K-shell complex is best modeled with an unresolved narrow emission component (FWHM less than 5000 kilometers per second, EW approx. 60 eV) plus a broad component. This latter component has FWHM approx. 44000 kilometers per second, an EW approx. 50 eV and its profile is well described with an emission line originating from the accretion disk viewed with an inclination angle approx. 40 deg. and with the emission arising from within a few tens of gravitational radii of the central black hole. The time-resolved spectral analysis of the XMM-Newton EPIC-pn spectrum shows that both the narrow and broad components of the Fe K emission line appear to be constant within the errors. The analysis of the XMM-Newton/RGS spectrum reveals that the soft X-ray emission of MCG-5-23-16 is likely dominated by several emission lines superimposed on an unabsorbed scattered power-law continuum. The lack of strong Fe L shell emission together with the detection of a strong forbidden line in the O VII triplet supports a scenario where the soft X ray emission lines are produced in a plasma photoionized by the nuclear emission.

  20. IUE observations of the Henize-Carlson sample of peculiar emission line supergiants: The galactic analogs of the Magellanic Zoo

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shore, Steven N.; Brown, Douglas N.; Sanduleak, N.

    1986-01-01

    Some 15 stars from the Carlson-Henize survey of southern peculiar emission line stars were studied. From both the optical and UV spectra, they appear to be galactic counterparts of the most extreme early-type emission line supergiants of the Magellanic Clouds.

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