Search

Context. The bright heads of penumbral filaments, penumbral grains (PGs), show apparent horizontal motions inward, toward the umbra, or outward, away from the umbra. Aims. We aim to ascertain statistically whether the direction of PGs' apparent motion is related to the inclination of the surrounding magnetic field. Methods. We used spectropolarimetric observations of five sunspot penumbrae to compare magnetic inclinations inside PGs with those in their surroundings. The data were taken by three observatories: the Hinode satellite, the Swedish Solar Telescope, and the GREGOR solar telescope. The direction of PGs' motion was determined by feature tracking. The atmospheric conditions in PGs and their surroundings, including magnetic field information, were retrieved by means of height-stratified spectropolarimetric inversions. Results. Out of a sample of 444 inward-moving PGs and 269 outward-moving ones, we show that 43% of the inward-moving PGs have a magnetic inclination larger by 8° ±4° than the inclination in their surroundings and 51% of the outward-moving PGs have an inclination smaller by 13° ±7° than the surrounding one. The opposite relation of inclinations is observed in only one fifth of the inward- and outward-moving PGs. Conclusions. Rising hot plasma in PGs surrounded by a less inclined magnetic field may adapt its trajectory to be more vertical, causing an inward apparent motion of PGs. Conversely, it may be dragged by a more horizontal surrounding magnetic field such that an outward apparent motion is observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. During the first four all-sky surveys eRASS:4, which was carried out from December 2019 to 2021, the extended Roentgen Survey with an Imaging Telescope Array (eROSITA) on board the Spektrum-Roentgen-Gamma (Spektr-RG, SRG) observed the Galactic H II region, the Carina nebula. Aims. We analysed the eRASS:4 data to study the distribution and spectral properties of the hot interstellar plasma and the bright stellar sources in the Carina nebula. Methods. The spectral extraction regions of the diffuse emission were defined based on the X-ray spectral morphology and multi-wavelength data. The spectra were fit with a combination of thermal and non-thermal emission models. The X-ray bright point sources in the Carina nebula are the colliding wind binary η Car, several O stars, and Wolf–Rayet (WR) stars. We extracted the spectra of the brightest stellar sources, which can be well fit with a multi-component thermal plasma model. Results. The spectra of the diffuse emission in the brighter parts of the Carina nebula are well reproduced by two thermal models, a lower-temperature component (~0.2 keV) and a higher-temperature component (0.6–0.8 keV). An additional non-thermal component dominates the emission above ~1 keV in the Central region around η Car and the other massive stars. Significant orbital variation in the X-ray flux was measured for η Car, WR 22, and WR 25. η Car requires an additional time-variable thermal component in the spectral model, which is associated with the wind-wind collision zone. Conclusions. Properties such as temperature, pressure, and luminosity of the X-ray emitting plasma in the Carina nebula derived from the eROSITA data are consistent with theoretical calculations of emission from superbubbles. This confirms that the X-ray emission is caused by the hot plasma inside the Carina nebula that has been shocked-heated by the stellar winds of the massive stars, in particular, of η Car. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diffuse Fe XXV (6.7 keV) line emission observed in the Galactic ridge is widely accepted to be produced by a superposition of a large number of unresolved X-ray point sources. In the very central degrees of our Galaxy, however, the existence of an extremely hot (~7 keV) diffuse plasma is still under debate. In this work we measure the Fe XXV line emission using all available XMM-Newton observations of the Galactic centre (GC) and inner disc (−10° < ℓ < 10°, −2° < b < 2°). We use recent stellar mass distribution models to estimate the amount of X-ray emission originating from unresolved point sources, and find that within a region of ℓ = ±1° and b = ±0.25° the 6.7keV emission is 1.3–1.5 times in excess of what is expected from unresolved point sources. The excess emission is enhanced towards regions where known supernova remnants are located, suggesting that at least a part of this emission is due to genuine diffuse very hot plasma. If the entire excess is due to very hot plasma, an energy injection rate of at least ~6 × 1040 erg s−1 is required, which cannot be provided by the measured supernova explosion rate or past Sgr A* activity alone. However, we find that almost the entire excess we observe can be explained by assuming GC stellar populations with iron abundances ~1.9 times higher than those in the bar/bulge, a value that can be reproduced by fitting diffuse X-ray spectra from the corresponding regions. Even in this case, a leftover X-ray excess is concentrated within ℓ = ±0.3° and b = ±0.15°, corresponding to a thermal energy of ~2 × 1052 erg, which can be reproduced by the estimated supernova explosion rate in the GC. Finally we discuss a possible connection to the observed GC Fermi-LAT excess. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The current observational status of the hot (log T(K) > 5.5) intergalactic medium (IGM) remains incomplete. While recent X-ray emission and Sunyaev-Zeldovich effect observations from stacking large numbers of Cosmic Web filaments have yielded statistically significant detections of this phase, direct statistically significant measurements of single objects remain scarce. The lack of such a sample currently prevents a robust analysis of the cosmic baryon content composed of the hot IGM, which would potentially help solve the cosmological missing baryons problem. Aims. In order to improve the observationally challenging search for the missing baryons, we utilise the theoretical avenue afforded by the EAGLE simulations. Our aim is to get insights into the metal enrichment of the Cosmic Web and the distribution of highly ionised metals in the IGM. Our goal is to aid in the planning of future X-ray observations of the hot intergalactic plasma. Methods. We detected the filamentary network by applying the Bisous formalism to galaxies in the EAGLE simulation. We characterised the spatial distributions of oxygen and O VII and studied their mass and volume filling fractions in the filaments. Since oxygen is formed in and expelled from galaxies, we also studied the surroundings of haloes. We used this information to construct maps of the O VII column density and determine the feasibility of detecting it via absorption with Athena X-IFU. Results. Within EAGLE, the oxygen and O VII number densities drop dramatically beyond the virial radii of haloes. In the most favourable scenario, the median extent of O VII above the Athena X-IFU detection limit is ≈700 kpc. Since galaxies are relatively far apart from one another, only ∼1% of the filament volumes are filled with O VII at high enough column densities to be detectable by X-IFU. The highly non-homogeneous distribution of the detectable O VII complicates the usage of the measurements of the intergalactic O VII absorbers for tracing the missing baryons and estimating their contribution to the cosmic baryon budget. Instead, the detectable volumes form narrow and dense envelopes around haloes, while the rest of the O VII is diluted at low densities within the full filament volumes. This localised nature, in turn, results in a low chance (∼10−20% per sight line) of detecting intergalactic O VII with Athena X-IFU within the observational SDSS catalogue of nearby filaments. Fortunately, with deeper filament samples, such as those provided via the future 4MOST 4HS survey, the chances of intercepting an absorbing system are expected to increase up to a comfortable level of ∼50% per sight line. Conclusions. Based on EAGLE results, targeting the Cosmic Web with Athena may only result in tip-of-the-iceberg detections of the intergalactic O VII, which is located in the galaxy outskirts. This would not be enough to conclusively solve the missing baryon problem. However, the projection of many filaments into a single line of sight will enable a useful X-ray observation strategy with Athena X-IFU for the hot cosmic baryon gas, reducing the amount of baryons still missing by up to ∼25%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The Bp star HD 94660 is a single-lined spectroscopic binary. Some authors have suggested that the unseen companion of at least 2 M⊙ may be a compact object. Aims. We intend to study this multiple system in detail, especially to learn more about the thus far unseen companion. Methods. We have collected and analyzed PIONIER (Precision Integrated-Optics Near-infrared Imaging ExpeRiment) H-band data from the Very Large Telescope Interferometer, TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) visible photometric data, and X-ray observations with Chandra of HD 94660. Results. Using PIONIER, we were able to detect the companion to HD 94660, which is absent from high quality spectra at visible wavelengths, with a magnitude difference of 1.8 in the H band at a separation of 18.72 mas. The TESS light curve shows variations with a period of 2.1 d and also flaring. The Chandra spectrum is well described by emission from hot thermal plasma, yet it might include a nonthermal component. The X-ray properties are compatible with a magnetically active companion, while it is also possible that there might be some magnetospheric contributions from the primary. Conclusions. We can rule out that the companion to HD 94660 is a compact source. It is also very unlikely that this companion is a single star, as the estimated mass of more than 2 M⊙, the magnitude difference of 1.8 in the H band, and its nondetection in visible spectra are difficult to realize in a single object. One alternative could be a pair of late F stars, which would also be responsible for the detected photometric variations. Interferometric observations over the full binary orbit are necessary to determine the real mass of the companion and to add constraints on the overall geometry of the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. The Orion-Eridanus superbubble has been blown by supernovae and supersonic winds of the massive stars in the Orion OB associations. It is the nearest site at which stellar feedback on the interstellar medium that surrounds young massive clusters can be studied. The formation history and current structure of the superbubble are still poorly understood, however. It has been pointed out that the picture of a single expanding object should be replaced by a combination of nested shells that are superimposed along the line of sight. We have investigated the composite structure of the Eridanus side of the superbubble in the light of a new decomposition of the atomic and molecular gas. Methods. We used H I 21 cm and CO (J = 1−0) emission lines to separate coherent gas shells in space and velocity, and we studied their relation to the warm ionised gas probed in Hα emission, the hot plasma emitting X-rays, and the magnetic fields traced by dust polarised emission. We also constrained the relative distances to the clouds using dust reddening maps and X-ray absorption. We applied the Davis–Chandrasekhar–Fermi method to the dust polarisation data to estimate the plane-of-sky components of the magnetic field in several clouds and along the outer rim of the superbubble. Results. Our gas decomposition has revealed several shells inside the superbubble that span distances from about 150–250 pc. One of these shells forms a nearly complete ring filled with hot plasma. Other shells likely correspond to the layers of swept-up gas that is compressed behind the expanding outer shock wave. We used the gas and magnetic field data downstream of the shock to derive the shock expansion velocity, which is close to ~20 km s−1. Taking the X-ray absorption by the gas into account, we find that the hot plasma inside the superbubble is over-pressured compared to plasma in the Local Bubble. The plasma comprises a mix of hotter and cooler gas along the lines of sight, with temperatures of (3–9) and (0.3 − 1.2) × 106 K, respectively. The magnetic field along the western and southern rims and in the approaching wall of the superbubble appears to be shaped and compressed by the ongoing expansion. We find plane-of-sky magnetic field strengths from 3 to 15 μG along the rim. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. High spectral resolution and long exposure times are providing unprecedented levels of data quality of massive stars at X-ray wavelengths. Aims. A key diagnostic of the X-ray emitting plasma are the fir lines for He-like triplets. In particular, owing to radiative pumping effects, the forbidden-to-intercombination line luminosity ratio, R = f∕i, can be used to determine the proximity of the hot plasma to the UV-bright photospheres of massive stars. Moreover, the era of large observing programs additionally allows for investigation of line variability. Methods. This contribution is the second to explore how variability in the line ratio can provide new diagnostic information about distributed X-rays in a massive star wind. We focus on wind integration for total line luminosities, taking account of radiative pumping and stellar occultation. While the case of a variable stellar radiation field was explored in the first paper, the effects of wind variability are emphasized in this work. Results. We formulate an expression for the ratio of line luminosities f∕i that closely resembles the classic expression for the on-the-spot result. While there are many ways to drive variability in the line ratio, we use variable mass loss as an illustrative example for wind integration, particularly since this produces no variability for the on-the-spot case. The f∕i ratio can be significantly modulated owing to evolving wind properties. The extent of the variation depends on how the timescale for the wind flow compares to the timescale over which the line emissivities change. Conclusions. While a variety of factors can ellicit variable line ratios, a time-varying mass-loss rate serves to demonstrate the range of amplitude and phased-dependent behavior in f∕i line ratios. Importantly, we evaluate how variable mass loss might bias measures of f∕i. For observational exposures that are less than the timescale of variable mass loss, biased measures (relative to the time-averaged wind) can result; if exposures are long, the f∕i ratio is reflective of the time-averaged spherical wind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. Spectral lines of He-like ions are among the most prominent features in X-ray spectra from a large variety of astrophysical and high-temperature fusion plasmas. A reliable plasma modeling and interpretation of the spectra require a large amount of accurate atomic data related to various physical processes. In this paper, we focus on the electron-impact excitation (EIE) process. Methods. We adopted the independent process and isolated resonances approximation using distorted waves (IPIRDW). Resonant stabilizing transitions and decays to lower-lying autoionizing levels from the resonances are included as radiative damping. To verify the applicability of the IPIRDW approximation, an independent Dirac R-matrix calculation was also performed. The two sets of results show excellent agreement. Results. We report electron impact excitation collision strengths for transitions among the lowest 49 levels of the 1snl(n ≤ 5; l ≤ (n - 1)) configurations in He-like ions with 20 ≤ Z ≤ 42. The line ratios R and G are calculated for Fe XXV and Kr XXXV. Conclusions. Compared to previous theoretical calculations, our IPIRDWcalculation treats resonance excitation and radiative damping effects more comprehensively, and the resulting line emission cross sections show good agreement with the experimental observations. Our results should facilitate the modeling and diagnostics of various astrophysical and laboratory plasmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. We analyse 134 ks Chandra ACIS-I observations of the Galactic Centre (GC) performed in July 2011. The X-ray image with the field of view 17' x 17' contains the hot plasma surrounding the Sgr A*. The obtained surface brightness map allows us to fit the Bondi hot accretion flow to the innermost hot plasma around the GC. Aims. Contrary to the XMM-Newton data where a strong 6.4 keV iron line was observed andinterpreted as a reflection from molecular clouds, we search here for the diffuse X-ray emission with prominent 6.69 keV iron line. We found a surface brightness profile that allowed us to determine the stagnation radius of the flow around Sgr A*. Methods. We fitted spectra from the region up to 5'' from Sgr A* using a thermal bremsstrahlung model and four Gaussian profiles responsible for Kα emission lines of Fe, S, Ar, and Ca. The X-ray surface brightness profile up to 3'' from Sgr A* found in our data image was successfully fitted with the dynamical model of Bondi spherical accretion. Results. We show that the temperature of the hot plasma derived from our spectral fitting is of the order of 2.2-2.7 keV depending on the choice of background. By modelling the surface brightness profile, we derived the temperature and number density profiles in the vicinity of the black hole. The best fitted model of spherical Bondi accretion shows that this type of flow works only up to 3'' and implies that the outer plasma density and temperature are n™1 = 18.3 ± 0.1 cm-3 and re™1 = 3.5 ± 0.3 keV, respectively. Conclusions. We show that the Bondi flow can reproduce observed surface brightness profiles up to 3'' from Sgr A* in the Galactic centre. This result strongly suggests the position of stagnation radius in the complicated dynamics around GC. The temperature at the outer radius of the flow is higher by 1 keV than the value found by our spectral fitting of thermal plasma within the circle of 5''. The Faraday rotation computed from our model towards the pulsar PSR J1745-2900 near the GC agrees with the observed one, recently reported. We speculate here that the emission lines observed in spectra up to 5'' can be interpreted as the reflection of the radiation from two-phase regions occurring at distances between 3-5'' of the flow. The hot plasma in Sgr A* illuminated in the past by a strong radiation field may be a seed for thermal instabilities and eventual strong clumpiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an analysis of XMM-Newton Reflection Grating Spectrometer (RGS) observations of the planetary nebula (PN) NGC6543. These observations render it the second PN with high-resolution X-ray spectroscopic observations after BD+303639. The observations consist of 26 pointings, 14 of which included RGS observations for a total integration time of 435 ks. Many of these observations, however, were severely affected by high-background levels, and the net useful exposure time is drastically reduced to 25 ks. Only the O vii triplet at 22 Å is unambiguously detected in the RGS spectrum of NGC6543. We find this spectrum consistent with an optically thin plasma at 0.147 keV (1.7 MK) and nebular abundances. Unlike BD+303639, the X-ray emission from NGC6543 does not reveal overabundances of C and Ne. The results suggest that the N/O ratio of the hot plasma is consistent with that of the stellar wind, that is, it is lower than the nebular N/O ratio, but this result is not conclusive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We develop mathematical models describing plasma heating in the corona by heat fluxes from a super-hot (T ≳ 108 K) reconnecting current layer in solar flares. The effect of collisional relaxation is shown to be important in these conditions. Taking this effect into account, we have computed the electron-temperature distributions in the vicinity of the current layer, differential and integral emission measures of the heated plasma, the intensities of spectral lines Fe XXVI (1.78 and 1.51 Å) and Ni XXVII (1.59 Å). The theoretical results are compared with observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]