Status and future of high energy diffuse gamma-ray astronomy

There are two distinctly different high energy diffuse γ-ray components, one well correlated with broad galactic features and the other apparently isotropic and presumably extragalactic. The observed diffuse galactic high energy γ-radiation is generally thought to be produced in interactions between the cosmic rays and the interstellar matter and photons. It should then ultimately be possible to obtain from the diffuse galactic emission a detailed picture of the galactic cosmic-ray distribution, a high contrast view of the general structure of the galaxy, and further insight into molecular clouds. Two of the candidates for the explanation of the extragalactic diffuse radiation are the sum of emission from active galaxies and matter-antimatter annihilation. A major advancement in the study of the properties of both galactic and extragalactic γ radiation should occur over the next decade.     

Far-infrared and submillimeter survey of the galactic center and nearby galactic plane

Maps are presented with 12′ resolution of the Galactic Center and adjacent galactic plane, from ?^II = 359° to ?^II = 5°. The data were obtained with the Steward Observatory cryogenically-cooled, balloon-borne telescope. The data are from channels filtered for a bandpass of 70 μm < γ < 110 μm and for a longpass of γ > 80 μm. For the typical effective temperature of 25 K of a galactic HII region at this spatial resolution, the effective wavelength of the channels are 93 μ and 145 μm. Continuous emission is mapped along the galactic plane in both wavelengths. There are two contrasts between the immediate vicinity of SgrA (?^π < 1°) and the galactic plane in general. Firstly, for ?^π > 1° the galactic plane narrows dramatically at 93 μm, while retaining its width at 145 μm. Secondly, the individual sources at ?^π > 1° (which we associate with HII regions) have greater peak brightness in the 145 μm channel than the 93 μm channel, while SgrA hasapproximately equal peak brightness in each. The maps demonstrate the importance of submillimeter wavelengths to galactic surveys.     

Physical conditions in the non-nuclear gas in PKS0349-27

We present measurements of velocities and emission line ratios for [OIII]/Hβ,[NII]/Hα, and [SII]/Hα associated with the extended “spiral” structure in the FRII radio galaxy PKS 349-27. The ionized gas clouds split into two distinct velocity systems, separated by as much as 450 km s⁻¹. BPT diagrams constructed from the measured emission line ratios show that neither of these systems is composed of normal HII regions. The excitation conditions in both systems are consistent with either shock heating/ionization or photoionization by relatively powerful, high energy, electromagnetic continuum radiation.     

Globular cluster origin of X-ray bursters

X-ray bursters and galactic bulge x-ray sources, or the most luminous x-ray sources in the galaxy, are reasonably well constrained in their basic nature but not in their origin. We have suggested they may all have been produced by tidal capture in high density cores of globular clusters, which have now largely been disrupted by tidal stripping and shocking in the galactic plane. General arguments are presented for cluster disruption by the possible ring of giant molecular clouds in the Galaxy. Tests of the cluster disruption hypothesis are in progress and preliminary results are summarized here. The G-K star “companions” previously noted for at least 4 bursters have spectra (in the two cases observed) consistent with metal rich cluster giants. Several possibilities are discussed, including the formation of hierarchical triples in the dissolving cluster or in the galactic plane.     

Neutral clouds in a pervasive X-ray gas between the sun and northern HVCs

We present evidence that the soft X-ray distribution observed with the ROSAT PSPC instrument is not adequately explained by the standard Local Hot Bubble model (/1/). We discuss the X-ray absorbing cloud LVC 88 + 36 − 2 embedded in the hot plasma of the Local Hot Bubble, the X-ray shadow of the Draco nebula and other clouds inside and outside the galactic disk, and the X-ray emission associated with halo type objects like the HVC's M I and M II. They populate the distance range from about 60 pc to more than a few kpc and imply the presence of X-ray emitting plasma between the sun and and the outer galactic halo. These observations are consistent with a pervasive X-ray emitting plasma in which neutral clouds are embedded. However, the volume filling factor of this plasma is not known. A model which adequately describes the observed features has been developed and published by Hirth et al. (/28/).

For the first time in the literature we present results of a correlation analysis of X-ray shadows and H I or IR images of a molecular cloud. This is a new technique for the determination of the total column density of hydrogen nuclei for molecular clouds.     

An all-sky survey at 230 GHz by MLS on Aura

The Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instrument is a small satellite-borne radio telescope. Its purpose is to make limb-scanning measurements of atmospheric composition. One of the gases to which it is sensitive is carbon monoxide (CO), detected via the J = 2 → 1 rotational transition at 230 GHz. CO is present in molecular gas clouds in the Milky Way. Although it was not designed for the purpose, MLS can detect emissions from galactic CO, allowing a map of the 230 GHz radio sky to be constructed. We report the MLS measurements of galactic radio emission and discuss their effect on the atmospheric mission of MLS. The region of the Milky Way with emissions strong enough to significantly affect MLS observations of atmospheric CO is identified. Ground-based radio astronomers have been mapping the sky using CO emission for many years. However, the MLS data are the first such survey to be carried out from space. The MLS survey covers a larger area of the sky than any other 230 GHz survey, but no previously unknown gas clouds are observed.     

Galactic outflows and the pollution of the galactic environment by supernovae

We here explore the effects of the SN explosions into the halo of star-forming galaxies like the Milky Way. Successive randomly distributed and clustered SNe explosions cause the formation of hot superbubbles that drive either fountains or galactic winds above the galactic disk, depending on the amount and concentration of energy that is injected by the SNe. In a galactic fountain, the ejected gas is re-captured by the gravitational potential and falls back onto the disk. From 3D non-equilibrium radiative cooling hydrodynamical simulations of these fountains, we find that they may reach altitudes up to about 5 kpc in the halo and thus allow for the formation of the so called intermediate-velocity-clouds (IVCs) which are often observed in the halos of disk galaxies. The high-velocity-clouds that are also observed but at higher altitudes (of up to 12 kpc) require another mechanism to explain their production. We argue that they could be formed either by the capture of gas from the intergalactic medium and/or by the action of magnetic fields that are carried to the halo with the gas in the fountains. Due to angular momentum losses to the halo, we find that the fountain material falls back to smaller radii and is not largely spread over the galactic disk. Instead, the SNe ejecta fall nearby the region where the fountain was produced, a result which is consistent with recent chemical models of the galaxy. The fall back material leads to the formation of new generations of molecular clouds and to supersonic turbulence feedback in the disk.     

Constraints on a hadronic model for unidentified off-plane galactic gamma-ray sources

Recently the H.E.S.S. collaboration announced the detection of an unidentified gamma-ray source with an off-set from the galactic plane of 3.5°: HESS J1507-622. If the distance of the object is larger than about one kpc it would be physically located outside the galactic disk. The density profile of the ISM perpendicular to the galactic plane, which acts as target material for hadronic gamma-ray production, drops quite fast with increasing distance. This fact places distance dependent constraints on the energetics and properties of off-plane gamma-ray sources like HESS J1507-622 if a hadronic origin of the gamma-ray emission is assumed. For the case of this source it is found that there seems to be no simple way to link this object to the remnant of a stellar explosions.     

Quenched Carbonaceous Composite: a laboratory analog for carbonaceous material in the interstellar medium.

We review the properties of Quenched Carbonaceous Composite (QCC), a residue produced from a hydrocarbon plasma, and the properties of its derivatives. A. Sakata and his colleagues have shown that QCC has a 220 nm absorption band, visible fluorescence matching the extended red emission seen in reflection nebulae, and infrared absorption bands that correspond to the infrared emission features in reflection nebulae, HII regions, and planetary nebulae. These properties make QCC a strong candidate material as a laboratory analog to the carbonaceous material in the interstellar medium. QCC is distinguished from the PAH hypothesis in that (1) it is a condensate composed of aromatic and aliphatic molecules, as well as radicals; (2) it exhibits a 220 nm absorption that is very similar in wavelength to the 217 nm absorption in the interstellar medium; (3) it exhibits visible fluorescence consistent with that seen in reflection nebulae; and (4) the bands at 7.7 and 8.6 microns are caused by ketone bands in oxidized QCC. The aromatic component in QCC is thought to be typically 1-4 rings, with the majority being about 1-2 rings.     

Cold gas contents of galaxies and its relation to fueling: Gas dynamics and related phenomena in bar-driven evolution of disk galaxies

The distribution and the dynamics of the cold gas in the circumnuclear regions (r ≲ [1 − a few] kpc) of disk galaxies have been observed at high resolutions of a few arcsec in λ2.6 mm CO (J=1→0) line emission. Distinct CO features are commonly found in the observed disk galaxies and they are different from galaxy to galaxy. They are explained by means of orbit-resonance theories and dynamical evolution. The evolutionary sequence in time is constructed based on the studies of dynamics in theoretical works and numerical simulations in the literature. Not only the behavior of the cold gas but also the starburst, outbreaks of the active galactic nucleus, and the evolution of global structures in disk galaxies are discussed in the bar-driven evolution scenario.     

Calculation of the effect of opacity in the solar spectral lines of carbon ions

In this paper, using the intensity ratio of carbon ions emission lines, we determined the optical depths at the line center of the CI at about 165.7 nm, CII at about 133.5 nm, CIII at about 117.5 nm and CIV at about 154.9 nm emission lines by escape factor treatment. For CI and CII emission lines, we discuss the intensity ratio of two lines arising from the common upper levels; while for CIII and CIV emission lines, we discuss the intensity ratio of two lines arising from the common lower levels. By introducing the measured abundance of carbon and the results of ionization balance calculations, we make an estimate of the line-of-sight physical thickness of the regions of carbon ions. This discussion will provide some results in the discussion of opacity on the solar ultraviolet (UV) or extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) spectrum.     

On kinematics of gas clouds in the broad-line region of active galactic nuclei and quasars

The kinematics of gas clouds in broad-line region of active galactic nuclei and quasars is considered. The motion of the clouds is governed by three forces — gravitational influence from the central supermassive body, radiational pressure from the continuum radiation, and resistance of the intercloud medium. Clouds moves radial but only outward motion gives a velocity field, which is in accordance with the observational data. The profiles of the permited lines are obtained in some simplify assumptions for the emissive capacity of the gas in clouds, and are in good agreement with the observational data. In the framework of the model under consideration there is a possibility to estimate some physical parameters of the nuclei such as mass of the central body and density of the intercloud medium.     

Results from the Energetic Gamma-Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) on the Compton Observatory

The Energetic Gamma-Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) on the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory covers the high energy gamma ray energy range, approximately 30 MeV to 30 GeV, with a sensitivity considerably greater than earlier high energy gamma-ray satellites. Thus far, 4 pulsars have been detected and their properties measured, including in 3 cases the energy spectrum as a function of phase. The details of the galactic plane are being mapped and a spectra of the center region has been obtained in good agreement with that expected from cosmic ray interactions. The Magellanic clouds have been examined with the Large Magellanic Cloud having been detected at a level consistent with it having a cosmic ray density compatible with quasi-stable equilibrium. Sixteen Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN's) have been seen thus far with a high degree of certainty including 12 quasars and 4 BL Lac objects, but no Seyferts. Time variation has been detected in some of these AGN's.     

Interstellar dust in the neighbourhood of the sun

The distribution of interstellar dust within 500 pc from the sun obtained from recent investigations is described. Statistical properties of dust clouds in the neighbourhood of the sun and individual data of two near clouds in high galactic latitudes are discussed. The present knowledge of the chemical composition of the interstellar dust grains is outlined. Possible relations between solar system solids and interstellar solids are indicated.     

Probing the nature of short swift bursts via deep INTEGRAL monitoring of GRB 050925

We present results from Swift, XMM-Newton, and deep INTEGRAL monitoring in the region of GRB 050925. This short Swift burst is a candidate for a newly discovered soft gamma-ray repeater (SGR) with the following observational burst properties: (1) galactic plane (b = −0.1°) localization, (2) 150 ms duration, and (3) a blackbody rather than a simple power-law spectral shape (with a significance level of 97%). We found two possible X-ray counterparts of GRB 050925 by comparing the X-ray images from Swift XRT and XMM-Newton. Both X-ray sources show the transient behavior with a power-law decay index shallower than −1. We found no hard X-ray emission nor any additional burst from the location of GRB 050925 in ∼5 ms of INTEGRAL data. We discuss about the three BATSE short bursts which might be associated with GRB 050925, based on their location and the duration. Assuming GRB 050925 is associated with the H_II regions (W 58) at the galactic longitude of l = 70°, we also discuss the source frame properties of GRB 050925.     

Constraints on injection parameters of cosmic rays in the Galactic center from resolved HESS observations

In this study, we investigate how restrictive the γ-ray emission from the Galactic center region, as seen by HESS and other Cherenkov air shower arrays, is against various models for cosmic ray injection. We derive diffusion coefficients which fit the observed spatial scales of diffuse γ-ray emission from the extended emission associated with the molecular clouds SgrA, B and C. Using these diffusion coefficients, we then obtain a limit for time scale of assumed recent proton acceleration near the SMBH, as the spatial size of SgrA^∗ in VHE γ-rays has to be consistent with the observed unresolved HESS point source size at this position. The signal from this hadronic component may be mixed with the expected VHE inverse Compton emission from the nearby unresolved pulsar wind nebula.     

Possible radio JETS in GX 1+4

GX 1+4 is an X-ray pulsar with a nominal period of 2 or 4 min. and has the highest of 0.22 yr⁻¹ among the X-ray pulsars. The source is identified with an optical counterpart V2116 Oph, however no binary period has been reported so far. There are several features of the source like , variable pulse shape, period history and the spectral changes which do not fit well with our present understanding of the source.

The radio observation of the galactic center region were made using Molonglo observatory Synthesis Telescope operating at a frequency of 843 MHz. A 12 hr observation was made with the field center at the position coordinates of the optical counterpart. No significant radio emission was seen corresponding to the center position.

The synthesis map however, showed the presence of two regions of radio enhancements almost equidistant from the optical source in the diametrically opposite directions/1/. The data is interpreted as due to synchrotron emission produced by the expanding jets of GX 1+4, similar to the radio jets observed in galaxies. Radio jets have been inferred for three galactic X-ray binary sources namely, Sco X-1, Cyg X-3, and SS 433. However, for all these sources no X-ray pulsation has been detected so far. The present observations if confirmed will be the first case of radio jets in a stellar system containing an X-ray pulsar.     

Prognoz-6 data about ultraviolet sky background in dark and Milky Way regions of the sky

Ultraviolet spectra (1100–1900 Å) of the sky background of 10 wide angle (6°×6°) regions obtained between 70 000 km and 200 000 km from the Earth with the photoelectric spectrometer “GALACTIKA” on board the satellite “PROGNOZ-6” are considered. The spectral energy distribution of the sky background, after subtraction of the stellar component, is similar for regions on both sides of the Milky Way and exhibits a strong U.V. light contribution. On the contrary, the Milky Way (l_II=190° b_II=+6°) is less rich in far U.V. light; this can be related to the predominance of an expected selective absorption near the galactic plane. The nature of U.V. excess at high galactic latitudes needs further investigations.     

X-ray emission from supernova remnants observed with ROSAT

Spectrally resolved X-ray images of galactic supernova remnants have been obtained both from the ROSAT all-sky survey and a number of pointed observations. There is substantial evidence for significant spatial variation in temperature, density and pressure across the older, thermal remnants like the Vela SNR, the Cygnus Loop and the North Polar Spur. Both the brightness distribution and the pressure variations observed point towards recently shocked interstellar clouds and filaments, which dominate the X-ray emission pattern. Across the Puppis-A SNR an arc-shaped absorption structure has been detected, which is demonstrated to be produced by cold gas located close to the shock front of the Vela SNR. Across IC443 a similar absorption pattern has been observed, which is created by a cold shell associated with a previously unknown, ROSAT discovered SNR, which lies in front of IC443. Finally, a statistically overview of the SNRs detected in the ROSAT all-sky survey is presented. About half of the catalogued radio remnants have been observed in the survey and another 90 sources have been found which are considered to be candidates of new SNRs.