Disk-like Distribution Research Articles

Discovery of a Dense Association of Stars in the Vicinity of the Supermassive Black Hole Sgr A*

We focus on a sample of 42 sources in the vicinity of the bow-shock source IRS 1W (N-source region), located at a distance of 6.″05 northeast of the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*), within the radius of 1.″35. We present the first proper-motion measurements of N sources and find that a larger subset of N sources (28 sources) exhibit a north–west (NW) flying angle. These sources can be bound by an intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH) or the concentration that we observe is due to a disk-like distribution projection along the line of sight. We detect the N sources in the H, K s , and L′ bands. The NW-ward flying sources could be a bound collection of stars. We discuss the tentative existence of an IMBH or an inclined disk distribution to explain the significant overdensity of stars. The first scenario of having an IMBH implies the lower limit of ∼104 M ⊙ for the putative IMBH. Our measurements for the first time reveal that the dense association of stars containing IRS 1W is a comoving group of massive, young stars. This stellar association might be the remnant core of a massive stellar cluster that is currently being tidally stripped as it inspirals toward Sgr A*. The second scenario suggests that the appearance of the N sources might be influenced by the projection of a disk-like distribution of younger He-stars and/or dust-enshrouded stars.

On the Dwarf Irregular Galaxy NGC 6822. I. Young, Intermediate, and Old Stellar Populations

We present accurate and deep multiband (g, r, i) photometry of the Local Group dwarf irregular galaxy NGC 6822. The images were collected with wide-field cameras at 2 m/4 m (INT, CTIO, CFHT) and 8 m class telescopes (Subaru) covering a 2 deg2 field of view across the center of the galaxy. We performed point-spread function photometry of ≈7000 CCD images, and the final catalog includes more than 1 million objects. We developed a new approach to identify candidate field and galaxy stars and performed a new estimate of the galaxy center by using old stellar tracers, finding that it differs by 1.′15 (R.A.) and 1.′53 (decl.) from previous estimates. We also found that young (main sequence, red supergiants), intermediate (red clump, asymptotic giant branch (AGB)), and old (red giant branch) stars display different radial distributions. The old stellar population is spherically distributed and extends to radial distances larger than previously estimated (∼1°). The young population shows a well-defined bar and a disk-like distribution, as suggested by radio measurements, that is off-center compared with the old population. We discuss pros and cons of the different diagnostics adopted to identify AGB stars and develop new ones based on optical–near-IR–mid-IR color–color diagrams to characterize oxygen- and carbon-rich stars. We found a mean population ratio between carbon and M-type (C/M) stars of 0.67 ± 0.08 (optical/near-IR/mid-IR), and we used the observed C/M ratio with empirical C/M–metallicity relations to estimate a mean iron abundance of [Fe/H] ∼ −1.25 (σ = 0.04 dex), which agrees quite well with literature estimates.

Resonant Dynamical Friction in Nuclear Star Clusters: Rapid Alignment of an Intermediate-mass Black Hole with a Stellar Disk

Abstract We investigate the dynamical evolution of an intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH) in a nuclear star cluster hosting a supermassive black hole (SMBH) and both a spherical and a flattened disk-like distribution of stellar-mass objects. We use a direct N-body (φ GPU) and an orbit-averaged (N-ring) numerical integrator to simulate the orbital evolution of stars and the IMBH. We find that the IMBH’s orbit gradually aligns with the stellar disk if their mutual initial inclination is less than 90°. If it is larger than 90°, i.e., counter-rotating, the IMBH does not align. Initially, the rate of orbital reorientation increases linearly with the ratio of the mass of the IMBH over the SMBH mass, and it is orders of magnitude faster than ordinary (i.e., Chandrasekhar) dynamical friction, particularly for high SMBH masses. The semimajor axes of the IMBH and the stars are approximately conserved. This suggests that the alignment is predominantly driven by orbit-averaged gravitational torques of the stars, a process that may be called resonant dynamical friction. The stellar disk is warped by the IMBH, and ultimately increases its thickness. This process may offer a test for the viability of IMBH candidates in the Galactic Center. Resonant dynamical friction is not limited to IMBHs; any object much more massive than disk particles may ultimately align with the disk. This may have implications for the formation and evolution of black hole disks in dense stellar systems and gravitational wave source populations for LIGO, VIRGO, KAGRA, and LISA.

Circumstellar Light Echo as a Possible Origin of the Polarization of Type IIP Supernovae

Abstract Type IIP supernovae (SNe IIP) are the most common class of core-collapse SNe. They often show a rapid increase of polarization degree in the late phase. This time evolution is generally believed to originate from the emergence of an inner aspherical core, while the effect of polarized-scattered echoes by circumstellar (CS) dust around the SN may also substantially contribute to this polarization feature. In this study, we examine the effects of the scattered echoes on the SN polarization through radiative transfer simulations for various geometries and amounts of CS dust. It is found that asymmetrically distributed CS dust, which is generally inferred for red supergiants, can reproduce the observed polarization features. We have applied our results to SNe 2004dj and 2006ov, deriving the geometry and amount of CS dust to explain their observed polarization features in this scenario. For both SNe, the blob-like or bipolar distribution of CS dust rather than the disk-like distribution is favored. The derived dust masses in the blob model (the bipolar CS dust model) for SNe 2004dj and 2006ov are ( ) and ( ), respectively. Even in the case where this process would not play a dominant role in the observed polarization signals, this effect should in principle contribute to it, the strength of which depends on the nature of the CS dust. Therefore, this effect must be taken into account in discussing the multi-dimensional structure of an SN explosion through polarimetric observations.

THE STRUCTURE OF THE CIRCUMGALACTIC MEDIUM OF GALAXIES: COOL ACCRETION INFLOW AROUND NGC 1097*

ABSTRACT We present Hubble Space Telescope far-UV spectra of four QSOs whose sightlines pass through the halo of NGC 1097 at impact parameters of ρ = 48–165 kpc. NGC 1097 is a nearby spiral galaxy that has undergone at least two minor merger events, but no apparent major mergers, and is relatively isolated with respect to other nearby bright galaxies. This makes NGC 1097 a good case study for exploring baryons in a paradigmatic bright-galaxy halo. Lyα absorption is detected along all sightlines and Si iii λ1206 is found along the three sightlines with the smallest ρ; metal lines of C ii, Si ii, and Si iv are only found with certainty toward the innermost sightline. The kinematics of the absorption lines are best replicated by a model with a disk-like distribution of gas approximately planar to the observed 21 cm H i disk, which is rotating more slowly than the inner disk, and into which gas is infalling from the intergalactic medium. Some part of the absorption toward the innermost sightline may arise either from a small-scale outflow or from tidal debris associated with the minor merger that gives rise to the well known “dog-leg” stellar stream that projects from NGC 1097. When compared to other studies, NGC 1097 appears to be a “typical” absorber, although the large dispersion in absorption line column density and equivalent width in a single halo goes perhaps some way toward explaining the wide range of these values seen in higher-z studies.

A dynamic DFT approach to generalized diffusion equations in a system with long-ranged and hydrodynamic interactions

We build on an existing approximation scheme to the Smoluchowski equation in order to derive a dynamic density functional theory (DDFT) including two-body hydrodynamic interactions. A generalized diffusion equation and a wavenumber-dependent diffusion coefficient D(k) are derived by linearization in the density fluctuations. The result is applied to a colloidal monolayer at a fluid interface, having bulk-like hydrodynamic interactions and/or interacting via long-ranged capillary forces. In these cases, D(k) shows characteristic singularities as . The consequences of these singularities are studied by means of analytical perturbation theory, numerical solution of DDFT and simulations for an explicit example: the capillary collapse of a finite, disk-like distribution of particles. There is in general a good agreement between DDFT and simulations if the initial density distributions for the theoretical prediction correspond to the actual initial configurations of simulations, rather than to an average over them. Otherwise, discrepancies arise that are discussed in detail.

Quasar complexity simplified

An analysis of a sample comprising some 20,000 mass-accreting supermassive black holes, known as quasars, shows that most of the diverse properties of these cosmic beacons are explained by only two quantities. See Letter p.210 Quasars are powered by the accretion of material onto supermassive black holes in the centres of galaxies. Here, Yue Shen and Luis Ho tackle a long-standing question, the physical basis for the remarkable spectroscopic diversity displayed by quasars. Based on data from a large uniform sample of quasars, the authors demonstrate that the variations in the observed quasars' properties can be attributed to two basic parameters — the accretion rate onto the central black hole (measured as the Eddington ratio, luminosity divided by black hole mass) and the orientation of a disk-like distribution of the gas clouds orbiting close to the hole.

Probing the gas content of radio galaxies through H I absorption stacking

Using the WSRT, we carried out shallow HI absorption observations of a flux-selected (S > 50 mJy) sample of 93 radio AGN with available SDSS redshifts between 0.02 < z < 0.23. We study the gas properties of radio AGN down to fluxes not systematically explored before using, for the first time, stacking of extragalactic HI absorption. Despite the shallow observations, we obtained a direct detection rate of ~29%, comparable with deeper studies. Detections are found at every flux level, showing that HI absorption detections are not biased toward brighter sources. The stacks of detections and non-detections reveal a clear dichotomy in the presence of HI, with the 27 detections showing an average peak {\tau} = 0.02, while the 66 non-detections remain undetected with an upper limit {\tau} < 0.002. Separating the sample into compact and extended AGN increases the detection rate, {\tau}, and FWHM for the compact sample. The dichotomy for the stacked profiles of detections and non-detections still holds between these two groups. We argue that orientation effects connected to a disk-like distribution of HI can be partly responsible for the dichotomy, however some of our galaxies must be genuinely depleted of cold gas. A fraction of the compact sources are confirmed by previous studies as likely young radio sources. These show an even higher detection rate of 55%. Along with their high integrated optical depth and wider profile, this reinforces the idea that young radio AGN are particularly rich in atomic gas. Part of our motivation is to probe for the presence of HI outflows. However, the stacked profiles do not reveal any significant blueshifted wing. Our results are particularly relevant for future surveys. The lack of bias toward bright sources is encouraging for the search of HI at lower radio fluxes. The results also represent a reference point for search for HI absorption at higher redshifts.

DID THE MILKY WAY DWARF SATELLITES ENTER THE HALO AS A GROUP?

The dwarf satellite galaxies in the Local Group are generally considered to be hosted in dark matter subhalos that survived the disruptive processes during infall onto their host halos. It has recently been argued that if the majority of satellites entered the Milky Way halo in a group rather than individually, this could explain the spatial and dynamical peculiarities of its satellite distribution. Such groups were identified as dwarf galaxy associations that are found in the nearby Universe. In this paper we address the question whether galaxies in such associations can be the progenitors of the Milky Way satellite galaxies. We find that the dwarf associations are much more extended than would be required to explain the disk-like distribution of the Milky Way and Andromeda satellite galaxies. We further identify a possible minor filamentary structure, perpendicular to the supergalactic plane, in which the dwarf associations are located, that might be related to the direction of infall of a progenitor galaxy of the Milky Way satellites, if they are of tidal origin.

R Coronae Borealis stars in the Galactic bulge discovered by EROS-2

Rare types of variable star may give unique insight into short-lived stages of stellar evolution. The systematic monitoring of millions of stars and advanced light curve analysis techniques of microlensing surveys make them ideal for discovering also such rare variable stars. One example is the R Coronae Borealis (RCB) stars, a rare type of evolved carbon-rich supergiant. We have conducted a systematic search of the EROS-2 database for the Galactic catalogue Bulge and spiral arms to find Galactic RCB stars. The light curves of $\sim$100 million stars, monitored for 6.7 years (from July 1996 to February 2003), have been analysed to search for the main signature of RCB stars, large and rapid drops in luminosity. Follow-up spectroscopy has been used to confirm the photometric candidates. We have discovered 14 new RCB stars, all in the direction of the Galactic Bulge, bringing the total number of confirmed Galactic RCB stars to about 51. After reddening correction, the colours and absolute magnitudes of at least 9 of the stars are similar to those of Magellanic RCB stars. This suggests that these stars are in fact located in the Galactic Bulge, making them the first RCB stars discovered in the Bulge. The localisation of the 5 remaining RCBs is more uncertain: 4 are either located behind the Bulge at an estimated maximum distance of 14 kpc or have an unusual thick circumstellar shell; the other is a DY Per RCB which may be located in the Bulge, even if it is fainter than the known Magellanic DY Per. From the small scale height found using the 9 new Bulge RCBs, $61<h^{RCB}_{Bulge}<246$ pc (95% C.L.), we conclude that the RCB stars follow a disk-like distribution inside the Bulge.

RR Lyrae stars in the inner Large Magellanic Cloud: halo-like location with a disk-like distribution

Aims. The distribution of RR Lyrae stars (RRLS) in the inner Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), and the structure of the halo of the LMC delineated by these stars are studied here. Methods. RRLS identified by the OGLE II survey are used to estimate their number density distribution in the bar region of the LMC. To find their location, I estimated the scale-height of their distribution in the LMC using extinction corrected average magnitudes of ab type stars. Results. The density is found to vary differently along and across the bar of the LMC, and the difference is found to be statistically significant. The density distribution is found to be elongated like the LMC bar and the position angle (PA) of the elongation is estimated to be 1125 ± 153. This value of PA is found to be same as the PAmaj of the bar, within the errors, estimated using red clump stars and giants. The ellipticity of their density distribution is estimated to be ~0.5, very similar to the ellipticity of the bar, estimated from giants. The above results show that majority of the population of RRLS in the central region of the LMC are found to have the signature of the bar. This result could mean that most of these stars are located in the disk, considering the bar as a disk feature. On the other hand, their scale-height was found to be 3.0 ± 0.9 kpc. This indicates that RRLS are located in the halo and not in the disk. Conclusions. Thus these stars in the inner LMC have halo-like location and a disk-like density distribution. I discuss some possible formation scenarios for this puzzling combination.

The Ghost of Sagittarius and Lumps in the Halo of the Milky Way

We identify new structures in the halo of the Milky Way from positions, colors, and magnitudes of five million stars detected in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Most of these stars are within 126 of the celestial equator. We present color-magnitude diagrams (CMDs) for stars in two previously discovered, tidally disrupted structures. The CMDs and turnoff colors are consistent with those of the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy, as had been predicted. In one direction, we are even able to detect a clump of red stars, similar to that of the Sagittarius dwarf, from stars spread across 110 deg2 of sky. Focusing on stars with the colors of F turnoff objects, we identify at least five additional overdensities of stars. Four of these may be pieces of the same halo structure, which would cover a region of the sky at least 40° in diameter, at a distance of 11 kpc from the Sun (18 kpc from the center of the Galaxy). The turnoff is significantly bluer than that of thick-disk stars, yet the stars lie closer to the Galactic plane than a power-law spheroid predicts. We suggest two models to explain this new structure. One possibility is that this new structure could be a new dwarf satellite of the Milky Way, hidden in the Galactic plane and in the process of being tidally disrupted. The other possibility is that it could be part of a disklike distribution of stars which is metal-poor, with a scale height of approximately 2 kpc and a scale length of approximately 10 kpc. The fifth overdensity, which is 20 kpc away, is some distance from the Sagittarius dwarf streamer orbit and is not associated with any known Galactic structure. We have tentatively identified a sixth overdensity in the halo. If this sixth structure is instead part of a smooth distribution of halo stars (the spheroid), then the spheroid must be very flattened, with axial ratio q = 0.5. It is likely that there are many smaller streams of stars in the Galactic halo.

Infrared Emission from Clusters in the Star-forming Disk of Henize 2-10

We have made subarcsecond-resolution images of the central 10'' of the Wolf-Rayet dwarf galaxy He 2-10 at 11.7 μm, using the Long Wavelength Spectrometer on the Keck I Telescope. The spatial distribution of the infrared emission roughly agrees with that of the rising spectrum radio sources seen by Kobulnicky & Johnson and confirms that those sources are compact H II regions, rather than supernova remnants or other objects. The infrared sources are more extended than the subarcsecond rising spectrum radio sources, although the entire complex is still less than 5'' in extent. On size scales of 1'' the infrared and radio emission are in excellent agreement, with each source requiring several hundred to a thousand O stars for excitation. The nebulae lie in a flattened disklike distribution about 240 by 100 pc and provide all of the flux measured by IRAS for the entire galaxy in the 12 μm band; 30% of the total IRAS flux from the galaxy emanates from one 15–30 pc source. In this galaxy, intense star formation, probably triggered by an accretion event, is confined to a central disk, which breaks up into distinct nebulae presumably marking the sites of young super–star clusters.

A Large‐Scale Jet and FR I Radio Source in a Spiral Galaxy: The Host Properties and External Environment

We have identified a large (≈200 h kpc), powerful double radio source whose host galaxy is clearly a disk and most likely a spiral. This FR I-like radio galaxy is located very near the center of the richness class 0 cluster A428. The existence of such an object violates a fundamental paradigm for radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGNs). In our first paper, we showed that this object was most consistent with a spiral host classification with optical emission-line ratios and colors suggestive of an active nucleus. However, we were not able to confirm actual radio jet emission based on the maps available at that time. In this paper, we present new, higher resolution radio imaging, a radio/millimeter continuum spectrum for the nucleus, a detection of H I absorption against the bright radio core, an upper limit to CO emission and the gas mass, and 70 (68 new) optical redshifts measured in the direction of A428. We confirm the existence of a radio jet at 20 cm, extending 42 h into the southern lobe. At 3.6 cm, we also detect a nuclear jet similar in length to that in M87, although 10 times weaker. We believe that this is the first detection of a radio jet on these scales in a disk/spiral host galaxy. The nuclear radio spectrum is similar to many blazar- or quasar-like objects, suggesting that the galaxy harbors an imbedded and obscured AGN. We model a turnover in the spectrum at low frequencies as a result of free-free absorption. We detect very strong and narrow H I absorption, with nearly the entire 20 cm continuum flux of the core being absorbed, implying an unusually large optical depth (τ ≈ 1). The most consistent model is that we are viewing the nucleus through a disklike distribution of gas in the interstellar medium, possibly through a spiral arm or a warp to account for the above-average column density. From the radial velocity distribution, we find that A428 is in fact made up of at least two clumps of galaxies separated by ~3300 km s-1, which themselves appear to be imbedded in a nearly continuous distribution of galaxies over 13,000 km s-1 in velocity space. Thus, the environment around this unusual radio source is more like that of a poor galaxy group imbedded in a filament-like structure viewed end-on.

The Asymmetric Nebula Surrounding the Extreme Red Supergiant Vy Canis Majoris

We present HST/WFPC2 images plus ground-based infrared images and photometry of the very luminous OH/IR star VY Canis Majoris. Our WFPC2 data show a complex distribution of knots and filamentary arcs in the asymmetric reflection nebula around the obscured central star. The reflection arcs may result from multiple, asymmetric ejection episodes due to localized events on VY CMa's surface. Such events probably involve magnetic fields and convection, by analogy with solar activity. Surface photometry indicates that the star may have experienced enhanced mass loss over the past 1000 yr. We also demonstrate that the apparent asymmetry of the nebula results from a combination of high extinction and backscattering by dust grains. Thermal-infrared images reveal a more symmetric distribution, elongated along a nearly east-west direction. VY CMa probably has a flattened disklike distribution of dust with a northeast-southwest polar axis and may be experiencing activity analogous to solar prominences. The presence of an axis of symmetry raises interesting questions for a star the size of Saturn's orbit. Magnetic fields and surface activity may play an important role in VY CMa's mass-loss history.

Morphologies of Hα Accretion Regions in Algol Binaries

We have investigated a group of 18 Algol-type binaries to determine the general morphologies and physical properties of the accretion regions in these systems. The systems studied were V505 Sgr, RZ Cas, AI Dra, TV Cas, TW Cas, δ Lib, RW Tau, TW Dra, β Per, TX UMa, U Sge, S Equ, U CrB, RS Vul, SW Cyg, CX Dra, TT Hya, and AU Mon, in order of increasing orbital period P = 1.18-11.11 days. In addition, the RS CVn-type binary HR 1099 (V711 Tau) was observed to illustrate the appearance of chromospheric Hα emission. Nearly 2200 time-resolved Hα spectra were collected from 1992 March to 1994 December with the McMath-Pierce Solar Telescope at NSO and mostly with the Coude Feed Telescope at KPNO. The spectra were obtained at phases around the entire orbit of each binary and were closely spaced to permit the detection of transitions in the profiles. Moreover, the spectra were obtained typically within three orbital cycles to reduce the influence of secular variations. Difference profiles were calculated by subtracting a composite theoretical photospheric spectrum from the observed spectrum. The analysis of the Hα difference profiles demonstrates that the accretion structures in Algol binaries have four basic morphological types: (1) double-peaked emission systems in which the accretion structure is a transient or classical accretion disk; (2) single-peaked emission systems in which the accreted gas was found along the trajectory of the gas stream and also between the two stars in an accretion annulus; (3) alternating single- and double-peaked emission systems, which can change between a single-peaked and a double-peaked type within an orbital cycle; and (4) weak spectrum systems in which there was little evidence of any accretion structure since the difference spectra are weak at all phases. The first two types are the dominant morphologies. The first type can be interpreted physically as a disklike distribution, while the second is a gas stream-like distribution. The most common type in short-period Algols with 2.7 days 6 days) were found to have slightly variable but permanent accretion disks at all epochs (i.e., CX Dra, TT Hya, and AU Mon), similar to those found in cataclysmic variables. SW Cyg (P = 4.57 days) was found to be an intermediate case between the shorter period systems with P 6 days. Two systems, U Sge and U CrB, displayed alternating single- and double-peaked emission at different epochs (Type 3), and changes from one type to another were detected within a 12 hour time interval. Observations at multiple epochs suggest that four members of the single-peaked emission group, namely RW Tau, TX UMa, S Equ, and RS Vul, may actually belong to the alternating group. So, the complete group of alternating systems covers periods of 2.7 days < P < 4.5 days. Finally, the systems V505 Sgr, δ Lib, AI Dra, TW Cas, and TV Cas had weak difference spectra or uninteresting observed spectra at most phases (Type 4). All of these systems have orbital periods P < 2.4 days and are high in the r-q diagram. In these cases, the mass-gaining star is very large relative to the binary separation, and the path of the gas stream path is very short, so there is very little room to form any substantial accretion structures as found in the other systems.

On the Formation of the Homunculus Nebula around η Carinae

We have constructed an interacting winds scenario to account for the geometric and kinematic properties of the Homunculus in η Carinae as seen in recent Hubble Space Telescope observations. Winds from a giant eruption in 1840–1860 sweep into a small (1014 cm), dense (~1014 cm-3), 2 M⊙, near-nuclear toroidal ring. The external medium is uniform at ~2000 particles cm-3. The ring is all but destroyed by the winds in the eruption. Even so, it manages to provide a good deal of collimation to the mass ejected in the first 20 years. Subsequent weaker outflows ram into the outburst gas and initiate surface instabilities and wrinkles. Unlike earlier models, ours is in accordance with the observation that no large, extended disklike distribution is seen around the nebula that could have collimated the bipolar lobes. Models with cooling form essentially ballistic flows (that is, a pair of cones each with a spherical base) whose lateral edges become wrinkled by shear instabilities. A new aspect of the radiative models is the fragmentation of the dense ring, which may help to explain the thin, radial filamentary structure that is seen in the equatorial region of the Homunculus. Adiabatic models become very hot quickly and explode through the nascent cones into the confining gas before the dense collar is destroyed. A pair of spherical lobes form. After 150 years the lobe walls are corrugated by shearing instabilities. These lobes morph into a large, single balloon after about another 300 years.

The Ultracompact H [CSC]ii[/CSC] Region G5.97−1.17: An Evaporating Circumstellar Disk in M8

We present new high spatial resolution optical, infrared, and radio observations of G5.97-1.17, an ultracompact H II region 27 distant from the O7 star Herschel 36 in the center of M8, the Lagoon Nebula. Infrared imaging was obtained using the adaptive optics system ADONIS on the ESO 3.6 m telescope and a thermal-IR camera on the Hale 5 m; optical images taken with the Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 were extracted from the ST-ECF data archive; and radio continuum images were made using the VLA. The narrowband optical images show G5.97-1.17 to be a bow shock–shaped structure with its apex pointed toward Her 36, with the Hα flux distributed over 06 and consistent with the appearance at 2 cm. The optical continuum and near-infrared images show a star displaced from the peak of the bow shock by 0125 in the direction away from Her 36. This star exhibits a thermal-IR excess, indicating hot circumstellar dust, the presence of which can be reconciled with the optical visibility of the star if the dust is in a disklike (rather than spherical) distribution. Therefore, contrary to previous hypotheses that G5.97-1.17 is an ultracompact H II region intrinsically ionized by an embedded B0 star, our observations strongly suggest that it is actually a young star surrounded by a circumstellar disk that is being photoevaporated by Her 36, similar to the so-called proplyds seen near θ1 Ori C in the Orion Nebula. At a distance of 1.8 kpc, this is the most distant known proplyd. These new observations confirm our previous claims based on earlier adaptive optics and deconvolved WF/PC images.

An Observation of Diffuse Soft X-Ray Background and Distribution of Hot Interstellar Medium

The diffuse soft X-ray background in 0.07∼ 2.0 keV has been observed along a small circle with the angular width of 10– covering b=—57– ∼ 77– and crossing the galactic plane at l=125– and 283–. Observed spectra are well fitted with models emitted from a thin hot gas with two or multi-temperature components and attenuated by a slab or interspersed neutral gas clouds. However the multi-temperature component model has some difficulties to explain the diffuse component expected from observations of OVI absorption lines. The two temperature component model with interspersed clouds consistently interprets a physical state of the hot interstellar medium. It turned out that the hot interstellar medium interspersed with neutral clouds of a representative hydrogen column density of 1× 1020 cm-2has two temperature components (105.8 K,(1.2-4.5)× 106 K) and a disk-like distribution with the thickness of 580(± 100). {(p/k)/104cm-3 K} -2 pc at the pressure of p/k cm-3 K along the galactic plane. Its pressure (p/k) is obtained to be 1.4(+0.7,-0.5)× 104cm-3 K, assuming that hot gases responsible for the diffuse soft X-rays and OVI ions are in pressure equilibrium. This interpretation qualitatively agrees with the theoretical prediction proposed by McKee and Ostriker.

Doppler Tomography of Accretion Disks in Algol Binaries

Doppler tomography of Hα spectra of four Algol-type binaries TT Hya, SW Cyg, U CrB, and U Sge has revealed quasi-stable accretion disks around the mass gaining star in each system. In the tomograms, these accretion structures are nearly symmetric distributions of gas between the stellar surface and the Roche lobe around the mass gainer. The disk is most stable in TT Hya and SW Cyg, which have orbital periods greater than 4.5 days. However, the morphology of the accretion structures in the shorter period systems, U CrB and U Sge, can change from a disklike distribution to a streamlike distribution. During a streamlike epoch of these systems, the gas stream in the Doppler tomogram closely follows the predicted free fall path from the inner Lagrangian point toward the mass gainer. However, during the disklike stage, the intensity of the disk is comparable to that of the gas stream. These tomograms display the first maps of accretion disks in the Algol-type class of interacting binaries.