Bright Shell Research Articles

A NOVEL APPROACH TO CONSTRAIN THE MASS RATIO OF MINOR MERGERS IN ELLIPTICAL GALAXIES: APPLICATION TO NGC 4889, THE BRIGHTEST CLUSTER GALAXY IN COMA

Minor mergers are thought to be important for the build-up and structural evolution of massive elliptical galaxies. In this work, we report the discovery of a system of four shell features in NGC 4889, one of the brightest members of the Coma cluster, using optical images taken with the Hubble Space Telescope and the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. The shells are well aligned with the major axis of the host and are likely to have been formed by the accretion of a small satellite galaxy. We have performed a detailed two-dimensional photometric decomposition of NGC 4889 and of the many overlapping nearby galaxies in its vicinity. This comprehensive model allows us not only to firmly detect the low-surface brightness shells, but, crucially, also to accurately measure their luminosities and colors. The shells are bluer than the underlying stars at the same radius in the main galaxy. We make use of the colors of the shells and the color-magnitude relation of the Coma cluster to infer the luminosity (or mass) of the progenitor galaxy. The shells in NGC 4889 appear to have been produced by the minor merger of a moderate-luminosity (M_I ~ -18.7 mag) disk (S0 or spiral) galaxy with a luminosity (mass) ratio of ~ 90:1 with respect to the primary galaxy. The novel methodology presented in this work can be exploited to decode the fossil record imprinted in the photometric substructure of other nearby early-type galaxies.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of ZrC[sbnd]W matrix composite prepared by reactive infiltration at 1300 °C

Fully dense ZrCW matrix composite was fabricated by reactive infiltration technique, where molten Zr2Cu alloy infiltrated into a porous WC preform at 1300°C in vacuum. The ZrCW composite exhibits a core-shell structure feature: gray WC cores were enveloped by bright tungsten shells, which are homogeneously distributed in the ZrC matrix. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy investigation show that nano-sized ZrxCuyCz particles were formed in the ZrC matrix. The Vicker's hardness, flexural strength and fracture toughness of the ZrCW composite are measured as 14.5GPa, 615MPa and 11.7MPam1/2, respectively.

Mapping the complex kinematics of LL objects in the Orion nebula★†

LL Orionis-type objects (LL objects) are hyperbolic bowshocks visible around young stars in the outer Orion nebula, many of which are also associated with curved, highly collimated jets. The bowshocks are clearly due to the supersonic interaction between an outflow from the young star and an environmental flow from the core of the nebula, but the exact nature of these flows has not yet been established. We present the first high-resolution optical spectra of two of these objects, LL 1 and LL 2, together with their associated Herbig–Haro (HH) jets, HH 888 and HH 505. We combine multiple long-slit echelle spectra in the Hα 6563 Å and [N ii] 6584 Å lines to produce velocity maps of the two objects at a resolution of |$4\text{arcsec} \times 2\text{arcsec} \times 11 {\mathrm{km\ s^{-1}}}$|⁠. The gas motions within both stellar bowshocks are of rather low velocity (10–20 km s−1), but there are important differences between the two objects. LL 1 shows a high degree of symmetry, whereas LL 2 has very asymmetric kinematics that seem to follow velocity gradients in the surrounding nebula. We also measure the line-of-sight velocity for multiple knots in the HH 888 and HH 505 jets, and combine our spectroscopy with new and existing proper-motion measurements to reconstruct the three-dimensional kinematics of the jets. The knot motions in both jets are very similar: both flows are inclined at 40° to 60° from the plane of the sky, with exclusively redshifted knots to the north and exclusively blueshifted knots to the south. In both cases, one also sees a deceleration along the length of the jets, from >200 km s−1 close to the respective stars down to <100 km s−1 farther out. The marked contrasts that we find between the kinematics of the jets and the kinematics of the stellar bowshocks are evidence that the two phenomena are not causally related. Regular patterns in the dynamic ages of the HH 505 knots imply periodic ejections on three different time-scales: 50, 12 and 4 yr. We use line ratios and photometry to measure electron densities and excitation/ionization conditions in the stellar bowshocks and jet knots. The LL 1 bowshock has a bright inner shell with density ≃3000 cm−3 (compared with a local nebula density of ≃1000 cm−3) and line ratios that are consistent with equilibrium photoionization models. The bowshock also has a fainter outer rim, where the line ratios show evidence of shock excitation. Many of the jet knots also show evidence for a shock contribution to their excitation and have densities from 1000 to 8000 cm−3.

Discovery of multiple shells around the planetary nebula IC 418

We have analysed optical, near-, and mid-IR images of the bright planetary nebula (PN) IC 418. These images probe unambiguously for the first time a number of low surface brightness structures and shells around the bright main nebula, including radial filaments or rays, a system of three concentric rings, and two detached haloes with sizes ~ 150" and 220"\times250", respectively. The main nebula is slightly off-centered with respect to the elliptical outer halo. The time-lapse between the two haloes is 10,000-50,000 yr, whereas the time-lapse between the three concentric rings is ~ 630 yr. We emphasize the advantages of near- and mid-IR imaging for the detection of faint structures and shells around optically bright nebulae.

Optical and infrared imaging and spectroscopy of the multiple-shell planetary nebula NGC 6369

NGC 6369 is a double-shell planetary nebula (PN) consisting of a bright annular inner shell with faint bipolar extensions and a filamentary envelope. We have used ground- and space-based narrow-band optical and near-IR images, broad-band mid-IR images, optical long-slit echelle spectra, and mid-IR spectra to investigate its physical structure. These observations indicate that the inner shell of NGC 6369 can be described as a barrel-like structure shape with polar bubble-like protrusions, and reveal evidence for H2 and strong polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) emission from a photo-dissociative region (PDR) with molecular inclusions located outside the bright inner shell. High-resolution HST narrow-band images reveal an intricate excitation structure of the inner shell and a system of "cometary" knots. The knotty appearance of the envelope, the lack of kinematical evidence for shell expansion and the apparent presence of emission from ionized material outside the PDR makes us suggest that the envelope of NGC 6369 is not a real shell, but a flattened structure at its equatorial regions. We report the discovery of irregular knots and blobs of diffuse emission in low-excitation and molecular line emission that are located up to 80" from the central star, well outside the main nebular shells. We also show that the filaments associated to the polar protrusions have spatial extents consistent with post-shock cooling regimes, and likely represent regions of interaction of these structures with surrounding material.

INFRARED AND X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY OF THE Kes 75 SUPERNOVA REMNANT SHELL: CHARACTERIZING THE DUST AND GAS PROPERTIES

We present deep Chandra observations and Spitzer Space Telescope infrared (IR) spectroscopy of the shell in the composite supernova remnant (SNR) Kes 75 (G29.7-0.3). The remnant is composed of a central pulsar wind nebula and a bright partial shell in the south that is visible at radio, IR, and X-ray wavelengths. The X-ray emission can be modeled by either a single thermal component with a temperature of ~ 1.5 keV, or with two thermal components with temperatures of 1.5 and 0.2 keV. Previous studies suggest that the hot component may originate from reverse-shocked SN ejecta. However, our new analysis shows no definitive evidence for enhanced abundances of Si, S, Ar, Mg, and Fe, as expected from supernova (SN) ejecta, or for the IR spectral signatures characteristic of confirmed SN condensed dust, thus favoring a circumstellar or interstellar origin for the X-ray and IR emission. The X-ray and IR emission in the shell are spatially correlated, suggesting that the dust particles are collisionally heated by the X-ray emitting gas. The IR spectrum of the shell is dominated by continuum emission from dust with little, or no line emission. Modeling the IR spectrum shows that the dust is heated to a temperature of ~ 140 K by a relatively dense, hot plasma, that also gives rise to the hot X-ray emission component. The density inferred from the IR emission is significantly higher than the density inferred from the X-ray models, suggesting a low filling factor for this X-ray emitting gas. The total mass of the warm dust component is at least 0.013 solar masses, assuming no significant dust destruction has occurred in the shell. The IR data also reveal the presence of an additional plasma component with a cooler temperature, consistent with the 0.2 keV gas component. Our IR analysis therefore provides an independent verification of the cooler component of the X-ray emission.

Evaluation of a peanut collection for shell-colour traits in two diverse soil types

With 4 figures and 3 tables Abstract In the in-shell peanut market, consumers favour the bright yellow shells characteristic of peanuts grown in sandy soils. Expanding cultivation of commercial varieties into areas with heavier soils has led to a less desirable brown tint, and reduced crop marketability. To overcome this, we evaluated a collection of 97 genotypes for shell colour when grown in sandy or semi-red soils to identify genotypes that have bright shells when grown in heavier soils. Residual maximum likelihood analyses of spectrophotometer-based parameters indicated significant genotype × soil interaction effects for all of the examined colour variables: brightness, red and yellow. In the heavier soil, there was also a significant correlation between maturity and the red variable. The pods of several early-maturing genotypes, mainly from the fastigiata group, had similar or better scores in the heavier soil than in the sandy soil. We did not observe any significant correlations between colour variables and other important pod traits, aside from maturity and shell thickness, highlighting the potential for introducing desirable pod colour into local cultivars to be grown in heavy soils.

MOLECULAR ENVIRONMENT AND AN X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY OF SUPERNOVA REMNANT KESTEVEN 78

We investigate the molecular environment of the Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) Kesteven 78 and perform an XMM-Newton X-ray spectroscopic study for the northeastern edge of the remnant. SNR Kes78 is found to interact with the molecular clouds (MCs) at a systemic local standard of rest velocity of 81km/s. At around this velocity, the SNR appears to contact a long molecular strip in the northeast and a large cloud in the east as revealed in the 13CO line, which may be responsible for the radio brightness peak and the OH maser, respectively. The 12CO-line bright region morphologically matches the eastern bright radio shell in general, and the SNR is consistent in extent with a CO cavity. Broadened 12CO line profiles discerned in the eastern maser region and the western clumpy molecular arc and the elevated 12CO J=2-1/J=1-0 ratios along the SNR boundary may be signatures of shock perturbation in the molecular gas. The SNR-MC association places the SNR at a kinematic distance of 4.8 kpc. The X-rays arising from the northeastern radio shell are emitted by underionized hot (~1.5 keV), low-density (~0.1 cm^{-3}) plasma with solar abundance, and the plasma may be of intercloud origin. The age of the remnant is inferred to be about 6 kyr. The size of the molecular cavity in Kes78 implies an initial mass around 22Msun for the progenitor.

Ionization–Recombination Front in High-Current Vacuum Arc

Stable plumes with a distinct and bright shell were observed at the anode of the high-current vacuum arc burning during 10 ms at a current of up to 15 kA in peak. Spectrum-resolved imaging reveals the shell to be emitted mostly by neutral atoms. A shell is surrounded by a diffuse halo emitted by ions. The shell nature can be interpreted in terms of formation of the ionization-recombination front in the place of impact of the cathode and anode plasmas.

Weak and Extended H2 Emission in NGC 6369

NGC 6369 is a double-shell PN with a filamentary outer shell or envelope and faint bipolar extensions. We have used ground- and space-based narrowband optical and near-IR images, broadband mid-IR images, optical long-slit echelle spectra, and mid-IR spectra to investigate its physical structure. The observations confirm a bipolar structure for the inner shell of NGC 6369, but they also reveal evidence for H2 and strong polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) emission from a photo-dissociation region (PDR) with molecular inclusions located outside the bright inner shell.

Observation of the Plasma Plume at the Anode of High-Current Vacuum Arc

Stable and bright plumes with a distinct and bright shell are observed at the anode of the high-current vacuum arc burning during 10 ms at a current of up to 15 kA in peak. A plume is attached to a hot spot at the anode. The substance inside a plume is almost dark. Light from a plume shell is emitted mostly by neutral atoms. A distinct bright shell is surrounded by substances emitting light in ion lines. Appearance of plumes looks to be a result of the interaction between cathode and anode jets. Plume dimensions depend inversely on both arc current and arc voltage, which makes plumes small and inconvenient for observations except as near current zero. Anode plumes are recognized on copper-chromium electrodes to be a stable object. However, similar objects on pure copper are much less stable and appear only at heat-insulated liquid protrusions and droplets flying in a gap. This fact indicates the evaporation rate to play a key role in appearance of plumes. In addition, the evaporation rate of a plane copper-chromium surface under high-current vacuum arc is supposed to be as high as that of heat-insulated liquid copper protrusions and droplets.

Triggered Star Formation

Triggered star formation in bright rims and shells is reviewed. Shells are commonly observed in the Milky Way and other galaxies, but most diffuse shells seen in HI or the infrared do not have obvious triggered star formation. Dense molecular shells and pillars around HII regions often do have such triggering, although sometimes it is difficult to see what is triggered and what stars formed in the gas before the pressure disturbances. Pillar regions without clear age gradients could have their stars scattered by the gravity of the heads. Criteria and timescales for triggering are reviewed. The insensitivity of the average star formation rate in a galaxy to anything but the molecular mass suggests that triggering is one of many processes that lead to gravitational collapse and star formation.

FAR-ULTRAVIOLET EMISSION-LINE MORPHOLOGIES OF THE SUPERNOVA REMNANT G65.3+5.7

We present the first far-ultraviolet (FUV) emission-line morphologies of the whole region of the supernova remnant (SNR) G65.3+5.7 using the FIMS/SPEAR data. The morphologies of the C IV {\lambda}{\lambda}1548, 1551, He II {\lambda}1640, and O III] {\lambda}{\lambda}1661, 1666 lines appear to be closely related to the optical and/or soft X-ray images obtained in previous studies. Dramatic differences between the C IV morphology and the optical [O III] {\lambda}5007 image provide clues to a large resonant-scattering region and a foreground dust cloud. The FUV morphologies also reveal the overall distribution of various shocks in different evolutionary phases and an evolutionary asymmetry between the east and the southwest sides in terms of Galactic coordinates, possibly due to a Galactic density gradient in the global scale. The relative X-ray luminosity of G65.3+5.7 to C IV luminosity is considerably lower than those of the Cygnus Loop and the Vela SNRs. This implies that G65.3+5.7 has almost evolved into the radiative stage in the global sense and supports the previous proposal that G65.3+5.7 has lost its bright X-ray shell and become a member of mixed-morphology SNRs as it has evolved beyond the adiabatic stage.

Diffuse X-ray emissions from dynamic planetary nebulae

We present theoretical results of a piecewise isothermal shock wind model devised for predicting the luminosity and surface brightness profile of diffuse X-ray emissions primarily from the inner shocked downstream wind zone of a planetary nebula (PN) surrounded by self-similar shocked dense shell and outer slow AGB wind envelope involving self-gravity and compare/fit our computational model results with available observations of a few grossly spherical X-ray emitting PNe. Matching shocked piecewise isothermal self-similar void (ISSV) solutions with self-gravity of Lou & Zhai (LZ) for the outer zone and a stationary isothermal fast tenuous wind with a reverse shock for the inner zone across an expanding contact discontinuity, we can consistently construct dynamic evolution models of PNe with diffuse X-ray emissions. On the basis of such a chosen dynamic wind interaction model, both X-ray luminosity and radial X-ray brightness profile are determined by three key parameters, namely the so-called X-ray parameter $X$, two radii $R_{rs}$ and $R_c$ of the reverse shock and the contact discontinuity. We find that morphologies of X-ray emissions would appear in the forms of either a central luminous sphere or a bright ring embedded within optically bright shells. In contrast to previous adiabatic models, the X-ray brightness peaks around the reverse shock, instead of the contact discontinuity surface just inside the outer shocked dense shell. Diffuse X-ray emissions of a few observed PNe appear to support this wind-wind dynamic interaction scenario.

10.1007/s11443-008-4001-2

We have investigated the structure, kinematics, and emission spectrum of the ionized gas in the synchrotron superbubble in the irregular galaxy IC 10 based on observations with the 6-m Special Astrophysical Observatory telescope with the SCORPIO focal reducer in three modes: direct imaging in the [S II] λ(6717 + 6731) Å lines, long-slit spectroscopy, and spectroscopy with a scanning Fabry-Perot interferometer. We have identified a bright (in the [S II] lines) filamentary optical shell and determined its expansion velocity, mass, and kinetic energy. The nature of the object is discussed.

AKARIINFRARED OBSERVATIONS OF THE SUPERNOVA REMNANT G292.0+1.8: UNVEILING CIRCUMSTELLAR MEDIUM AND SUPERNOVA EJECTA

We present the results of AKARI observations of the O-rich supernova remnant (SNR) G292.0+1.8 using six Infrared Camera (IRC) and four Far-Infrared Surveyor bands covering 2.7–26.5 μm and 50–180 μm, respectively. The AKARI images show two prominent structures; a bright equatorial ring (ER) structure along the east–west direction and an outer elliptical shell structure surrounding the remnant. The ER structure is clumpy and incomplete with its western end opened. The outer shell is almost complete and slightly squeezed along the north–south direction. The central position of the outer shell is ∼1' northwest from the embedded pulsar and coincides with the center of the ER structure. In the northern and southwestern regions, there is also faint emission with a sharp boundary beyond the bright shell structure. The ER and the elliptical shell structures were partly visible in optical and/or X-rays, but they are much more clearly revealed in our AKARI images. There is no evident difference in infrared colors of the two prominent structures, which is consistent with the previous proposition that both structures are of circumstellar origin. However, we have detected faint infrared emission of a considerably high 15/24 μm ratio associated with the supernova (SN) ejecta in the southeastern and northwestern areas. Our IRC spectra show that the high ratio is at least partly due to the emission lines from Ne ions in the SN ejecta material. In addition, we detect a narrow, elongated feature outside the SNR shell. We derive the physical parameters of the infrared-emitting dust grains in the shocked circumstellar medium (CSM) and compare the result with model calculations of dust destruction by an SN shock. The AKARI results suggest that the progenitor was at the center of the infrared circumstellar shell in the red supergiant stage and that the observed asymmetry in the SN ejecta could be a result of either a dense CSM in the equatorial plane and/or an asymmetric explosion.

DISCOVERY OF MOLECULAR SHELLS ASSOCIATED WITH SUPERNOVA REMNANTS. II. KESTEVEN 75

The young composite supernova remnant (SNR) Kesteven 75, with a pulsar wind nebula at its center, has an unusual morphology with a bright southern half-shell structure in multiwavelengths. The distance to Kes 75 has long been uncertain. Aiming to address these issues, we have made millimeter spectroscopic observations of the molecular gas toward the remnant. The V_{LSR}~83--96 km/s molecular clouds (MCs) are found to overlap a large north-western region of the remnant and are suggested to be located in front of the SNR along the line of sight. Also in the remnant area, the V_{LSR}= 45--58 km/s MC shows a blue-shifted broadening in the 12CO (J=1-0) line profile and a perturbed position-velocity structure near the edge of the remnant, with the intensity centroid sitting in the northern area of the remnant. In particular, a cavity surrounded by a molecular shell is unveiled in the intensity map in the broadened blue wing (45--51 km/s), and the southern molecular shell follows the bright partial SNR shell seen in X-rays, mid-infrared, and radio continuum. These observational features provide effective evidences for the association of Kes 75 with the adjacent 54 km/s MC. This association leads to a determination of the kinematic distance at ~10.6 kpc to the remnant, which agrees with a location at the far side of the Sagittarius arm. The morphological coincidence of the shell seen in multiwavelengths is consistent with a scenario in which the SNR shock hits a pre-existing dense shell. This dense molecular shell is suggested to likely represent the debris of the cooled, clumpy shell of the progenitor's wind bubble proximately behind the 54 km/s cloud. The discovery of the association with MC provides a possible explanation for the gamma-ray excess of the remnant.

A Catalog of Outer Ejecta Knots in the Cassiopeia A Supernova Remnant

Hubble Space Telescope images of the core-collapse supernova remnant Cassiopeia A are used to identify high-velocity knots of ejecta located outside the remnant's main emission shell of expanding debris. These ejecta fragments are found near or ahead of the remnant's forward shock front and mostly lie from 12000 to 30000 in radial distance from the remnant's center of expansion. Filter flux ratios when correlated with published spectra show that these knots can be divided into three emission classes: (1) knots dominated by [N II] lambda lambda 6548, 6583 emissions, ( 2) knots dominated by [O II] kk7319, 7330 emissions, and (3) knots displaying filter flux ratios suggestive of [ S II], [ O II], and [Ar III] lambda 7135 emission line strengths similar to the fast-moving knots'' (FMKs) found in the remnant's bright main shell. Of 1825 knots identified, 444 are strong [N II] emission knots, 192 are strong [O II] emission knots, and 1189 are FMK-like knots. In terms of location around the remnant, 972, 207, and 646 knots are found in the remnant's northeast jet, southwest jet, and non-jet regions, respectively. Assuming a distance of 3.4 kpc, derived knot transverse velocities based on proper motion measurements spanning a 9 month interval indicate maximum transverse expansion velocities for these three knot classes of 14,500, 13,500, and 11,500 km s(-1), respectively. We present a catalog of these outlying ejecta clumps comprising finding charts, epoch 2004.2 knot positions, proper motions, photometric filter fluxes, and estimated knot emission type, along with cross-references to previous knot identifications and data. This compilation represents a nearly tenfold increase in the number of outlying, high-velocity ejecta knots identified around the Cassiopeia A remnant.

The distances of supernova remnants Kes 69 and G21.5–0.9 from Hi and 13CO spectra

Abstract We obtain new H i and 13CO images around supernova remnants Kes 69 and G21.5–0.9. By comparing H i spectra with 13CO emission spectra, we significantly revise the kinematic distance for Kes 69 to ∼5.5 kpc, which was 11.2 kpc, and refine the kinematic distance for G21.5–0.9 to ∼4.8 kpc. For Kes 69, the highest velocity of absorption is ∼86 km s−1 and a prominent H i emission feature at ∼112 km s−1 has no respective absorption. These new results suggest that Kes 69 is associated with a newly detected extended 1720-MHz OH maser at velocity of ∼85 km s−1 that originates from within the bright southern radio shell of Kes 69. For G21.5–0.9, the highest velocity of absorption is ∼67 km s−1. The H i absorption spectra of the nearby bright source PMN J1832−1035 and Kes 69 show a common absorption feature at velocity of ∼69 km s−1, which is not seen for G21.5–0.9. The resulting velocity of ∼68 km s−1 gives the best distance estimate of ∼4.8 kpc for G21.5–0.9 and associated young pulsar J1833−1034.

Silver Wire Explosion Process Under Water

The wire explosion process in water was observed by using a high-speed camera. The images showed well-defined boundaries between high-temperature bright core and dark shell. The shell lasted for several milliseconds, whereas its surface cooled down due to mixing with water. This stage of wire explosion was followed by the transformation of spherical shell to toroidal shape due to the hydrodynamic flow of water.