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Articles 1 - 6 of 6
Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Why Are Ring Galaxies Interesting?, James L. Higdon, Sarah J.U. Higdon
Why Are Ring Galaxies Interesting?, James L. Higdon, Sarah J.U. Higdon
Department of Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications
Compared with ordinary spirals, the ISM in ring galaxies experiences markedly different physical conditions and evolution. As a result, ring galaxies provide interesting perspectives on the triggering/quenching of large scale star formation and the destructive effects of massive stars on molecular cloud complexes. We use high resolution radio, sub-millimeter, infrared, and optical data to investigate the role of gravitational stability in star formation regulation, factors influencing the ISM's molecular fraction, and evidence of peculiar star formation laws and efficiencies in two highly evolved ring galaxies: Cartwheel and the Lindsay-Shapley ring.
A Protostellar Jet Model For The Water Masers In W49n, Mordecai-Mark Mac Low, Moshe Elitzur, James M. Stone, Arieh Königl
A Protostellar Jet Model For The Water Masers In W49n, Mordecai-Mark Mac Low, Moshe Elitzur, James M. Stone, Arieh Königl
Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications
Observations by Gwinn, Moran, & Reid of the proper motions of water masers in W49N show that they have elongated distribution expanding from a common center. Features with high space velocity only occur far from the center, while low-velocity features occur at all distances. We propose that these observations can be interpreted in terms of a shell of shocked molecular gas that is driven by the expanding cocoon of a high-velocity protostellar jet. We present three-dimensional numerical simulations in support of this interpretation and argue that this source provides a unique oppurtunity for a detailed study of jet-driven cocoons.
On The Theory Of Astronomical Masers In Three Dimensions, Moshe Elitzur
On The Theory Of Astronomical Masers In Three Dimensions, Moshe Elitzur
Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications
In the standard theory of three-dimensional astronomical masers, the radiation field is described as if the source were comprised of a collection of linear masers. To leading order, the standard theory is shown to provide the correct description of three-dimensional masers and its results remain intact, but only within a frequency core whose half-width is χsΔνD, where ΔνD is the Doppler width and χs is a dimensionless parameter. For any given geometry, χs is ~1θsat, where θsat is the beaming angle of a maser with that geometry that has …
Planar H2O Masers In Star-Forming Regions, Moshe Elitzur, David J. Hollenbach, Christopher F. Mckee
Planar H2O Masers In Star-Forming Regions, Moshe Elitzur, David J. Hollenbach, Christopher F. Mckee
Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications
The planar geometry of shocked material is the key property in enabling the high brightness temperatures of H20 masars in star-forming regions. We solve for the brightness temperature, the beaming angle, and the maser spot size for thin, saturated planar masers under the assumption that the velocity change across the maser due to ordered motions is small compared with the thermal or microturbulent line width. For a given set of physical parameters, the brightness temperature is essentially fully determined by the length of the velocity-coherent region in the shocked plane along the line of sight. The geometry in the transverse …
Water Masers In W49n - The Youngest Stellar Jet?, Mordecai-Mark Mac Low, Moshe Elitzur
Water Masers In W49n - The Youngest Stellar Jet?, Mordecai-Mark Mac Low, Moshe Elitzur
Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications
Observations by Gwinn, Moran, and Reid of the proper motions of water masers in W49N show that they have an elongated distribution expanding from a common center. Features with high space velocity only occur far from the center, while low-velocity features occur at all distances. It is proposed that water masers in star-forming regions occur in expanding shells swept up by high-velocity winds from young, massive stars during the early phases of the expansion. In W49N, confinement of the bubble by a density distribution with an axial cavity can explain both the velocity field and the shape of the maser …
Radiative Transfer In Astronomical Masers. Iii. Filamentary Masers, Moshe Elitzur, Christopher F. Mckee, David J. Hollenbach
Radiative Transfer In Astronomical Masers. Iii. Filamentary Masers, Moshe Elitzur, Christopher F. Mckee, David J. Hollenbach
Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications
This paper, the last in a series, presents the complete solution of a filamentary maser. The contribution of rays emanating from the filament sidewall is essential for the solution self-consistency during saturation. We develop an integral equation to calculate this contribution, devise an iteration scheme to solve it, and perform the first two iterations. The solution provides complete expressions for the distributions of intensity and flux across the source as functions of position and direction with regard to the axis. One consequence of radiation beaming, somewhat surprising at first, is that the filament appears smaller when viewed off-axis, at angles …