Diagnosis of coronal magnetic field and nonthermal electrons from Nobeyama observations of a simple flare

Coronal magnetic field and nonthermal electrons are very important parameters for understanding of the global heliophysical processes. A flare on November 1, 2004 is selected for self-consistent calculations of coronal magnetic field parallel and perpendicular to the line-of-sight, and density of nonthermal electrons from Nobeyama observations. Both of the diagnosis methods and results are discussed in this paper.     

X-ray, γ-ray and neutron detector development for future space instrumentation

An overview of the material developments currently being pursued by the European Space Agency (ESA) with respect to X-ray, γ-ray and neutron detection media is given. The benefits underlying the selection of specific materials are discussed. In the X-ray regime the basic microphysics behind degraded spectral performance caused by the polarization effect and Te inclusions, have been investigated. We have found that both effects degrade the spectra by producing a localised distortion of the electric field. The underlying cause for the distortion does however differ. For the γ-ray regime, a low-noise equivalent scintillator to LaBr₃ has been developed in the form of CeBr₃. Three inch crystals with a FWHM energy resolution of 4.4% at 662 keV have successfully been produced. For neutron detection, a boron compound based solid state neutron detector has been developed that is sensitive to neutrons, alpha particles and 60 keV X-rays. The measured detection efficiency in detection for thermal neutrons was found to be in the order of a few per cent.     

A highly-ionized absorber as a new explanation for the spectral changes during dips from X-ray binaries

We report the XMM-Newton detection of narrow Fe xxv and Fe xxvi X-ray absorption lines at 7 keV in the persistent emission of the dipping low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) 4U 1323−62. Such features have now been reported in a growing number of LMXBs seen almost edge-on, indicating that the highly-ionized plasma probably originates in an accretion disk atmosphere or wind. During dipping intervals of 4U 1323−62, the strength of the Fe xxv feature increases while that of the Fe xxvi feature decreases, consistent with the presence of less strongly ionized material in the line-of-sight. As observed previously, the changes in the X-ray spectrum during dips are inconsistent with a simple increase in absorption by cool material. However, we show that the changes in both the narrow absorption features and the continuum can be modeled self-consistently by variations in the properties of an ionized absorber. From persistent to deep dipping the photo-ionization parameter decreases while the equivalent hydrogen column density of the ionized absorber increases. No partial covering of any component of the spectrum, and hence no extended corona, are required. Since highly-ionized absorption features are seen from many other dip sources, this mechanism may also explain the overall changes in X-ray spectrum observed during dipping intervals from these systems.     

Accretion-disc radius variations in close binaries

Outer radius variations play an important role in the disc structure and evolution. We consider theoretical and observational consequences of such variations in cataclysmic binaries and low-mass X-ray binaries. We find that the action of tidal torques must be important well inside the tidal radius. We also conclude that it is doubtful that the tidal–thermal instability is responsible for the superoutburst/superhump phenomena.     

An icy mineralogy package (IMP) for in-situ studies of Titan’s surface

We describe the scientific case for and preliminary design of an instrument whose primary goal is to determine the chemistry (element abundance) and mineralogy (compound identity and abundance) of Titan’s surface using a combination of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (EDXRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). XRD is capable of identifying any crystalline substance present on Titan’s surface at relative abundances greater than ∼1 wt%, allowing unambiguous identification of, for example, structure I and II clathrates (even in the presence of ice), and various organic solids, which may include C₂H₂, C₂H₄, C₄H₂, HCN, CH₃CN, HC₃N, and C₄N₂). The XRF component of the instrument will obtain elemental abundances for 16 < Z < 60 with minimum detection limits better than 10 ppm (including detection of atmospheric noble gas isotopes), and may achieve detection limits of 0.01–1% for lighter elements down to Z = 6 (carbon). The instrument is well suited to integration with other analytical tools as part of a light-weight surface chemistry and mineralogy package. Although considerably less sensitive to elemental abundance than GC–MS (10⁻² vs. 10⁻⁸) it is likely to be significantly lighter (<0.5 kg vs. 10 kg).     

X射线脉冲星导航在行星际轨道上的应用

X射线脉冲星导航技术被认为是新一代导航技术,非常适合于行星际探测.深入分析了利用搜索空间方法求解飞行器真实位置和估计位置相位差的脉冲整周期模糊数,解决了相位导航方法存在的周期模糊数问题.利用轨道动力学模型估计飞行器的位置,并以真实位置和估计位置上的脉冲相位之差作为反馈进行偏差校正.仿真表明,X射线脉冲星导航方法在行星际轨道上是可行和高效的.     

脉冲星候选样本分类方法综述

脉冲星搜索是射电天文学中的重要前沿领域。随着现代搜索设备性能的不断提升,可以接收到更弱的信号,如何从海量信号中准确地识别出脉冲星疑似信号成为一个挑战。介绍了国内外关于脉冲星候选样本分类方法的发展历史和发展状态,归纳总结了发展过程中各个阶段的处理方法:人工识别方法和机器学习方法;最后对未来的发展趋势进行了分析。     

Galaxies at the detection limits of deep X-ray surveys

The great sensitivities of the Chandra X-ray Observatory and XMM-Newton have allowed us to begin to explore the X-ray emission from galaxies at moderate to high redshift. By using the stacking method, we show that we can detect the ensemble emission from normal elliptical, spiral and irregular galaxies out to redshifts approaching unity. The average X-ray luminosity of these galaxy types can then be compared with the results of models of the evolution in the numbers of low-mass and high-mass X-ray binaries and can possibly be used to constrain models of star formation.     

Future X-ray astronomy missions of Japan

Japanese future space programs for high energy astrophysics are presented. The Astro-E2 mission which is the recovery mission of the lost Astro-E has been approved and now scheduled to be put in orbit in early 2005. The design of the whole spacecraft remains the same as that of Astro-E, except for some improvements in the scientific instruments. In spite of the five years of delay, Astro-E2 is still powerful and timely X-ray mission, because of the high energy resolution spectroscopy (FWHM 6 eV in 0.3–10 keV) and high-sensitivity wide-band spectroscopy (0.3–600 keV). The NeXT (New X-ray Telescope) mission, which we propose to have around 2010, succeeds and extends the science which Astro-E2 will open. It will carry five or six sets of X-ray telescopes which utilize super-mirror technology to enable hard X-ray imaging up to 60–80 keV. In mid-2010s, we would participate in the European XEUS mission, which explores the early (z>5) “hot” universe.