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Kennesaw State University

Galactic center

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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

The Strength And Structure Of The Galactic Center Magnetic Field, Ted La Rosa, Steven N. Shore, T. Joseph W. Lazio, Namir E. Kassim Jan 2006

The Strength And Structure Of The Galactic Center Magnetic Field, Ted La Rosa, Steven N. Shore, T. Joseph W. Lazio, Namir E. Kassim

Faculty and Research Publications

This paper summarizes recently obtained, strong evidence for a weak global field in the Galactic center (GC): the existence of a large-scale region of diffuse, low-frequency, nonthermal emission coincident with the central molecular zone. The overall energetics of this emission, considered along with constraints on GC cosmic ray energy density and diffusion, indicate clearly that the magnetic field pervading this region is ∼ 10 μG. For completeness, additional points on the orientation of the GC nonthermal filaments, rotation measures of extragalactic sources seen through the GC, and comparison with other normal spiral galaxies are also reviewed.


Evidence Of A Weak Galactic Center Magnetic Field From Diffuse Low-Frequency Nonthermal Radio Emission, Ted La Rosa, Crystal L. Brogan, Steven N. Shore, T. Joseph Lazio, Namir E. Kassim, Michael E. Nord Jun 2005

Evidence Of A Weak Galactic Center Magnetic Field From Diffuse Low-Frequency Nonthermal Radio Emission, Ted La Rosa, Crystal L. Brogan, Steven N. Shore, T. Joseph Lazio, Namir E. Kassim, Michael E. Nord

Faculty and Research Publications

New low-frequency 74 and 330 MHz observations of the Galactic center (GC) region reveal the presence of a large-scale (6° × 2°) diffuse source of nonthermal synchrotron emission. A minimum-energy analysis of this emission yields a total energy of ~(phi4/7f3/7) × 1052 ergs and a magnetic field strength of ~6(phi/f)2/7 μG (where phi is the proton to electron energy ratio and f is the filling factor of the synchrotron emitting gas). The equipartition particle energy density is 1.2(phi/f)2/7 eV cm-3, a value consistent with cosmic-ray data. However, the derived magnetic field is several orders of magnitude below the 1 mG …


High-Resolution, Wide-Field Imaging Of The Galactic Center Region At 330 Mhz, Michael E. Nord, T. Joseph W. Lazio, Namir E. Kassim, Scott D. Hyman, Ted W. La Rosa, Crystal L. Brogan, Nebojsa Duric Oct 2004

High-Resolution, Wide-Field Imaging Of The Galactic Center Region At 330 Mhz, Michael E. Nord, T. Joseph W. Lazio, Namir E. Kassim, Scott D. Hyman, Ted W. La Rosa, Crystal L. Brogan, Nebojsa Duric

Faculty and Research Publications

We present a wide-field, subarcminute-resolution VLA image of the Galactic center region at 330 MHz. With a resolution of ~7'' × 12'' and an rms noise of 1.6 mJy beam-1, this image represents a significant increase in resolution and sensitivity over the previously published VLA image at this frequency. The improved sensitivity has more than tripled the census of small-diameter sources in the region, has resulted in the detection of two new nonthermal filaments (NTFs), 18 NTF candidates, and 30 pulsar candidates, reveals previously known extended sources in greater detail, and has resulted in the first detection of …


Modeling The Galactic Center Nonthermal Filaments As Magnetized Wakes, Russell B. Dahlburg, Giorgio Einaudi, Ted N. La Rosa, Steven N. Shore Mar 2002

Modeling The Galactic Center Nonthermal Filaments As Magnetized Wakes, Russell B. Dahlburg, Giorgio Einaudi, Ted N. La Rosa, Steven N. Shore

Faculty and Research Publications

We simulate the Galactic center nonthermal laments as magnetized wakes formed dynamically from amplification of a weak ( tens of l G) global magnetic field through the interaction of molecular clouds with a Galactic center wind. One of the key issues in this cometary model is the stability of the lament against dynamical disruption. Here we show two-dimensional MHD simulations for interstellar conditions that are appropriate for the Galactic center. The structures eventually disrupt through a shear-driven nonlinear instability but maintain coherence for lengths up to 100 times their width as observed. The final instability, which destroys the lament through …


The Galactic Center Isolated Nonthermal Filaments As Analogs Of Cometary Plasma Tails, Steven N. Shore, Ted La Rosa Aug 1999

The Galactic Center Isolated Nonthermal Filaments As Analogs Of Cometary Plasma Tails, Steven N. Shore, Ted La Rosa

Faculty and Research Publications

We propose a model for the origin of the isolated nonthermal filaments observed at the Galactic center based on an analogy to cometary plasma tails. We invoke the interaction between a large-scale magnetized galactic wind and embedded molecular clouds. As the advected wind magnetic field encounters a dense molecular cloud, it is impeded and drapes around the cloud, ultimately forming a current sheet in the wake. This draped held is further stretched by the wind flow into a long, thin filament the aspect ratio of which is determined by the balance between the dynamical wind and amplified magnetic field pressures. …