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Protostellar jets are one of the primary signposts of star formation. A handful of protostellar objects exhibit radio emission from ionized jets, of which a few display negative spectral indices, indicating the presence of synchrotron emission. In this study, we characterize the radio spectra of HH80-81 jet with the help of a numerical model that we have developed earlier, which takes into account both thermal free–free and non-thermal synchrotron emission mechanisms. For modeling the HH80-81 jet, we consider jet emission towards the central region close to the driving source along with two Herbig-Haro objects, HH80 and HH81. We have obtained the best-fit parameters for each of these sources by fitting the model to radio observational data corresponding to two frequency windows taken across two epochs. Considering an electron number density in the range of 10 3 – 10 5 cm - 3 , we obtained the thickness of the jet edges and fraction of relativistic electrons that contribute to non-thermal emission in the range of 0. 01 ∘ – 0. 1 ∘ and 10 - 7 – 10 - 4 , respectively. For the best-fit parameter sets, the model spectral indices lie in the range of − 0.15 to + 0.11 within the observed frequency windows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BL Lacertae (BL Lac) object OJ 287 is one of the most dynamic blazars across the directly accessible observational windows: spectral, timing, polarization and imaging. Apart from behaviors, considered the characteristics of blazars, it exhibits peculiar timing features like quasi-periodicity in optical flux as well as radio-detected knots position and has shown diverse transient spectral features like a new broadband continuum dominated activity phase, Seyfert-like soft-X-ray excess, highly transient iron line absorption feature, a thermal-like continuum-dominated optical phase, large optical polarization swings associated with one of the timing features, etc., that are rare in blazars and contrary to currently prevailing view of BL Lacs. Theoretical considerations, supported by existing observations invoke scenarios involving a dynamical interplay of accretion and/or strong-gravity-induced events (tidal forces) in a binary supermassive black hole (SMBH) scenario to impact-induced jet and only jet activities. Many of these scenarios have some definite and quite distinctive observationally testable predictions/claims. These considerations make OJ 287 the only BL Lac to have an activity phase with dominance related to accretion and/or accretion-perturbation-induced jet activities. We present a brief overview of the unique spectral features and discuss the potential of these features in exploring not only relativistic jet physics, but also issues pertaining to accretion and accretion-regulated jet activities, i.e., the whole spectrum of issues related to the jet-accretion paradigm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate properties of the emission region as revealed by drifting subpulses of opposite drift directions at different parts of a pulse profile by using the rotating carousel model in an obliquely rotating pulsar magnetosphere of multiple emission states. Subpulse emission is assumed coming from m discrete emission areas that are distributed around the magnetic axis on a rotating carousel. The flow rate of the emission areas is determined by the E × B drift in an emission state, designated by the parameter y , in which E and the associated flow rate are dependent on y . In this model, subpulses appear to drift in an emission state if a relative speed exists between the plasma flow and corotation, and the diversity in the drift rates and directions corresponds to the relative speed being different in different parts of a profile. We apply the model to three pulsars that exhibit drifting subpulses of opposite drift directions to identify the emission states and the values of m . Our results show that different drifting subpulses correspond to particular values of m and y , and the latter implies that different emission states can coexist and operate concurrently in an emission region. We find that m does not show clear dependency on either the obliquity angle or emission state. We demonstrate that subpulse arrangement may vary across an emission region meaning that it is not always uniform on a carousel. We discuss drifting subpulses of opposite drift directions and subpulse drift-rate switching in terms of different emission states in our model, and speculate that they may be two manifestations of the same underlying mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radio halos are diffuse, extended sources of radio emission detected primarily in massive, merging galaxy clusters. In smaller and/or relaxed clusters, where no halos are detected, one can instead place upper limits to a possible radio emission. Detections and upper limits are both crucial to constrain theoretical models for the generation of radio halos. The upper limits are model dependent for radio interferometers and thus the process of obtaining these is tedious to perform manually. In this paper, we present a Python based tool to automate this process of estimating the upper limits. The tool allows users to create radio halos with defined parameters like physical size, redshift and brightness model. A family of radio halo models with a range of flux densities, decided based on the rms noise of the image, is then injected into the parent visibility file and imaged. The halo injected image and the original image are then compared to check for the radio halo detection using a threshold on the detected excess flux density. Injections separated by finer differences in the flux densities are carried out once the coarse range where the upper limit is likely to be located has been identified. The code recommends an upper limit and provides a range of images for manual inspection. The user may then decide on the upper limit. We discuss the advantages and limitations of this tool. A wider usage of this tool in the context of the ongoing and upcoming all sky surveys with the LOFAR and SKA is proposed with the aim of constraining the physics of radio halo formation. The tool is publicly available at https://github.com/lijotgeorge/UL-CALC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radio observations of tidal disruption events (TDEs) probe material ejected by the disruption of stars by supermassive black holes (SMBHs), uniquely tracing the formation and evolution of jets and outflows, revealing details of the disruption hydrodynamics, and illuminating the environments around previously-dormant SMBHs. To date, observations reveal a surprisingly diverse population. A small fraction of TDEs (at most a few percent) have been observed to produce radio-luminous mildly relativistic jets. The remainder of the population are radio quiet, producing less luminous jets, non-relativistic outflows or, possibly, no radio emission at all. Here, we review the radio observations that have been made of TDEs to date and discuss possible explanations for their properties, focusing on detected sources and, in particular, on the two best-studied events: Sw J1644+57 and ASASSN-14li. We also discuss what we have learned about the host galaxies of TDEs from radio observations and review constraints on the rates of bright and faint radio outflows in TDEs. Upcoming X-ray, optical, near-IR, and radio surveys will greatly expand the sample of TDEs, and technological advances open the exciting possibility of discovering a sample of TDEs in the radio band unbiased by host galaxy extinction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extended Red Emission (ERE) is a widely observed optical emission process, present in a wide range of circumstellar and interstellar environments in the Milky Way galaxy as well as other galaxies. Definitive identifications of the ERE carriers and the ERE process are still a matter of debate. Numerous models have been proposed in recent decades, often developed without consideration of the growing body of observational constraints, which by now invalidate many of these models. This review focuses on the most well-established observational constraints which should help to delineate the way toward a generally accepted explanation of the ERE and an understanding of its place in the radiation physics of the interstellar medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fourth Fermi Large Area Telescope Source Catalog (4FGL) lists over 5000 γ -ray sources with statistical significance above 4 σ . About 23% of the sources listed in this catalog are unidentified/unassociated γ -ray sources while ∼26% of the sources are classified as blazar candidates of uncertain type (BCUs), lacking optical spectroscopic information. To probe the blazar nature of candidate counterparts of UGSs and BCUs, we started our optical spectroscopic follow up campaign in 2012, which up to date account for more than 350 observed sources. In this paper, the tenth of our campaign, we report on the spectroscopic observations of 37 sources, mostly BCUs, whose observations were carried out predominantly at the Observatorio Astronómico Nacional San Pedro Mártir and the Southern Astrophysical Research Observatory between August 2018 and September 2019. We confirm the BL Lac nature of 27 sources and the flat spectrum radio quasar nature of three sources. The remaining ones are classified as six BL Lacs galaxy-dominated and one normal galaxy. We were also able to measure the redshifts for 20 sources, including 10 BL Lacs. As in previous analyses, the largest fraction of BCUs revealed to be BL Lac objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we discuss an artificial intelligence based approach to constrain the redshift of blazars using combined γ–ray observations from the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) and ground based atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (ACTs) in GeV and sub TeV energy regimes respectively. The spectral measurements in GeV and TeV energy bands show a redshift dependent spectral break in the γ–ray spectra of blazars. We use this observational feature of blazars to constrain their redshift. The observed spectral information of blazars with known redshifts reported in the Fermi catalogs (3FGL and 1FHL) and TeV catalog are used to train an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based algorithm. The training of the ANN methodology is optimized using Levenberg - Marquardt algorithm with γ–ray spectral indices and redshifts of 35 well observed blazars as input and output parameters respectively. After training, we use only observed spectral indices in GeV and sub TeV regimes for 10 blazars as inputs to predict their redshifts. The comparison of predicted redshifts by the ANN with the known redshift suggests that both the values are consistent within ∼ 18% uncertainty. The method proposed in the present work would be helpful in future for constraining or predicting the redshifts of the blazars using only observational γ–ray spectral informations obtained from the Fermi-LAT and current generation IACTs as well as from the next generation Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) with improved source statistics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origin of the pulsed gamma-ray emission in pulsars remains an open issue. The combination of sensitive observations in the GeV domain by AGILE and Fermi-LAT and increasingly sophisticated numerical simulations have recently brought new insights into our understanding of the pulsed emission and particle acceleration processes in pulsars. Particle-in-cell simulations of pulsar magnetospheres show that the equatorial current sheet forming beyond the light cylinder is the main culprit in magnetic dissipation, particle acceleration and bright high-energy synchrotron radiation all together. The shinning current sheet naturally results in a pulse of light each time the sheet crosses our line of sight, which happens twice in most cases. Synthetic light curves present robust features reminiscent of observed gamma-ray pulsars by the Fermi-LAT and AGILE, opening up new perspectives for direct comparison between simulations and observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We collect a sample of 78 Fermi detected blazars with broad line region (BLR) data and the quasi-simultaneous multi-wave band data. By analyzing the sample, we find: (1) For whole blazar sample, there exist significant correlations between radio, $\gamma$ -ray luminosity and BLR luminosity. The slope of the best-fit linear regression equation is close to the theoretical value 1. Our results provided another support of jet-disk symbiosis. (2) For FSRQ sample, we find a significant correlation between radio luminosity and optical luminosity, and weaker correlations between X-ray luminosity and radio, optical luminosity. It indicates that the X-ray band radiation mechanism is slightly different from radio and optical bands. The X-ray emission is diluted by inverse Compton scattering (IC). There is a significant correlation between BLR luminosity and $\gamma$ -ray luminosity, but no correlations between X-ray luminosity and BLR, $\gamma$ -ray luminosity, which suggests that the seed soft photons are different for IC process. From these results we suggest that the X-ray band emission is diluted by synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) process, $\gamma$ -ray band emission is produced by external Compton (EC) process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bolometric luminosity is a basic physical parameter that is widely used in the study of blazars. Due to the lack of simultaneous full wavelength data, several estimators of the bolometric luminosity are being used in practice. In this paper, we study and evaluate the reliability and significance of six estimators, the $5\mbox{GHz}$ luminosity, the 1keV luminosity, the $\gamma$ -ray luminosity, the $5\mbox{GHz}$ luminosity + the 1keV luminosity, the $5\mbox{GHz}$ luminosity + the $\gamma$ -ray luminosity and the 1keV luminosity + the $\gamma$ -ray luminosity, by analyzing the linear correlations between the integrated bolometric luminosity and them. Our main results are as follows. (i) All the six estimators are reliable in the sense that they are all significant correlated with the bolometric luminosity. (ii) Ranking from the higher significance of the reliability to lower one the six estimators are the $5\mbox{GHz}$ luminosity + the $\gamma$ -ray luminosity, the 1keV luminosity + the $\gamma$ -ray luminosity, $\gamma$ -ray luminosity, the $5\mbox{GHz}$ luminosity + the 1keV luminosity, the $5\mbox{GHz}$ luminosity and the 1keV luminosity. (iii) We suggest that the bolometric luminosity can be well estimated by the $\gamma$ -ray luminosity using the best linear equation that given in this paper for Fermi FSRQs. (iv) According to the linear regressions obtained in the analysis, we provide calibration for each estimator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We review electrodynamics of rotating magnetized neutron stars, from the early vacuum model to recent numerical experiments with plasma-filled magnetospheres. Significant progress became possible due to the development of global particle-in-cell simulations which capture particle acceleration, emission of high-energy photons, and electron-positron pair creation. The numerical experiments show from first principles how and where electric gaps form, and promise to explain the observed pulsar activity from radio waves to gamma-rays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collimated outflows (jets) appear to be a ubiquitous phenomenon associated with the accretion of material onto a compact object. Despite this ubiquity, many fundamental physics aspects of jets are still poorly understood and constrained. These include the mechanism of launching and accelerating jets, the connection between these processes and the nature of the accretion flow, and the role of magnetic fields; the physics responsible for the collimation of jets over tens of thousands to even millions of gravitational radii of the central accreting object; the matter content of jets; the location of the region(s) accelerating particles to TeV (possibly even PeV and EeV) energies (as evidenced by $\gamma$ -ray emission observed from many jet sources) and the physical processes responsible for this particle acceleration; the radiative processes giving rise to the observed multi-wavelength emission; and the topology of magnetic fields and their role in the jet collimation and particle acceleration processes. This chapter reviews the main knowns and unknowns in our current understanding of relativistic jets, in the context of the main model ingredients for Galactic and extragalactic jet sources. It discusses aspects specific to active Galactic nuclei (especially blazars) and microquasars, and then presents a comparative discussion of similarities and differences between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulsar Wind Nebulae, Blazars, Gamma Ray Bursts and Magnetars all contain regions where the electromagnetic energy density greatly exceeds the plasma energy density. These sources exhibit dramatic flaring activity where the electromagnetic energy distributed over large volumes, appears to be converted efficiently into high energy particles and $\gamma $ -rays. We call this general process magnetoluminescence. Global requirements on the underlying, extreme particle acceleration processes are described and the likely importance of relativistic beaming in enhancing the observed radiation from a flare is emphasized. Recent research on fluid descriptions of unstable electromagnetic configurations are summarized and progress on the associated kinetic simulations that are needed to account for the acceleration and radiation is discussed. Future observational, simulation and experimental opportunities are briefly summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review discusses the physics of magnetic reconnection-a process in which the magnetic field topology changes and magnetic energy is converted to kinetic energy-in pair plasmas in the relativistic regime. We focus on recent progress in the field driven by theory advances and the maturity of particle-in-cell codes. This work shows that fragmentation instabilities at the current sheet can play a critical role in setting the reconnection speed and affect the resulting particle acceleration, anisotropy, bulk flows, and radiation. Then, we discuss how this novel understanding of relativistic reconnection can be applied to high-energy astrophysical phenomena, with an emphasis on pulsars, pulsar wind nebulae, and active galactic nucleus jets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review we describe recent observational and theoretical developments in our understanding of pulsar winds and pulsar-wind nebulae (PWNe). We put special emphasis on the results from observations of well-characterized PWNe of various types (e.g., torus-jet and bowshock-tail), the most recent MHD modeling efforts, and the status of the flaring Crab PWN puzzle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamma-Ray Bursts (GRBs) are the strongest explosions in the Universe, which due to their extreme character likely involve some of the strongest magnetic fields in nature. This review discusses the possible roles of magnetic fields in GRBs, from their central engines, through the launching, acceleration and collimation of their ultra-relativistic jets, to the dissipation and particle acceleration that power their $\gamma$-ray emission, and the powerful blast wave they drive into the surrounding medium that generates their long-lived afterglow emission. An emphasis is put on particular areas in which there have been interesting developments in recent years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We review the physics of relativistic shocks, which are often invoked as the sources of non-thermal particles in pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe), gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), and active galactic nuclei (AGN) jets, and as possible sources of ultra-high energy cosmic-rays. We focus on particle acceleration and magnetic field generation, and describe the recent progress in the field driven by theory advances and by the rapid development of particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations. In weakly magnetized or quasi parallel-shocks (i.e. where the magnetic field is nearly aligned with the flow), particle acceleration is efficient. The accelerated particles stream ahead of the shock, where they generate strong magnetic waves which in turn scatter the particles back and forth across the shock, mediating their acceleration. In contrast, in strongly magnetized quasi-perpendicular shocks, the efficiencies of both particle acceleration and magnetic field generation are suppressed. Particle acceleration, when efficient, modifies the turbulence around the shock on a long time scale, and the accelerated particles have a characteristic energy spectral index of $s_{\gamma}\simeq2.2$ in the ultra-relativistic limit. We discuss how this novel understanding of particle acceleration and magnetic field generation in relativistic shocks can be applied to high-energy astrophysical phenomena, with an emphasis on PWNe and GRB afterglows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clusters of galaxies are the largest gravitationally bounded structures in the Universe dominated by dark matter. We review the observational appearance and physical models of plasma structures in clusters of galaxies. Bubbles of relativistic plasma which are inflated by supermassive black holes of AGNs, cooling and heating of the gas, large scale plasma shocks, cold fronts, non-thermal halos and relics are observed in clusters. These constituents are reflecting both the formation history and the dynamical properties of clusters of galaxies. We discuss X-ray spectroscopy as a tool to study the metal enrichment in clusters and fine spectroscopy of Fe X-ray lines as a powerful diagnostics of both the turbulent plasma motions and the energetics of the non-thermal electron populations. The knowledge of the complex dynamical and feedback processes is necessary to understand the energy and matter balance as well as to constrain the role of the non-thermal components of clusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BL Lac objects are active nuclei, hosted in massive elliptical galaxies, the emission of which is dominated by a relativistic jet closely aligned with the line of sight. This implies the existence of a parent population of sources with a misaligned jet that have been identified with low-power radiogalaxies. The spectrum of BL Lacs, dominated by non-thermal emission over the whole electromagnetic range, together with bright compact radio cores, high luminosities, rapid and large amplitude flux variability at all frequencies and strong polarization makes these sources an optimal laboratory for high energy astrophysics. A most distinctive characteristic of the class is the weakness or absence of spectral lines, that historically hindered the identification of their nature and ever thereafter proved to be a hurdle in the determination of their distance. In this paper, we review the main observational facts that contribute to the present basic interpretation of this class of active galaxies. We overview the history of the BL Lac objects research field and their population as it emerged from multi-wavelength surveys. The properties of the flux variability and polarization, compared with those at radio, X-ray and gamma-ray frequencies, are summarized together with the present knowledge of the host galaxies, their environments, and central black hole masses. We focus this review on the optical observations, which played a crucial role in the early phase of BL Lacs studies, and in spite of extensive radio, X-ray, and recently gamma-ray observations, could represent the future major contribution to the unveiling of the origin of these sources. In particular, they could provide a firm conclusion on the long debated issue of the cosmic evolution of this class of active galactic nuclei and on the connection between formation of supermassive black holes and relativistic jets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A joint spectral analysis for early bright X-ray flares that were simultaneously observed with Swift BAT and XRT are present. Both BAT and XRT lightcurves of these flares are correlated. Our joint spectral analysis shows that the radiations in the two energy bands are from the same spectral component, which can be well fitted with a single power-law. Except for the flares in GRBs 060904B and 100906A, the photon spectral indices are <2.0, indicating the peak energies ( E) of the prompt γ-rays should be above the high energy end of the BAT band. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Langmuir waves (LWs), which are believed to play a crucial role in the plasma emission of solar radio bursts, can be excited by streaming instability of energetic electron beams. However, solar hard X-ray observations imply that the energetic flare electrons usually have a power-law energy distribution with a lower energy cutoff. In this paper, we investigate LWs driven by the power-law electrons. The results show that power-law electrons with the steepness cutoff behavior can excite LWs effectively because of the population inversion distribution below the cutoff energy ( E). The growth rate of LWs increases with the steepness index ( δ) and decreases with the power-law index ( α). The wave number of the fastest growing LWs ( kλ), decreases with the characteristic velocity of the power-law electrons ( $v_{c}=\sqrt{2E_{c}/m_{e}}$) and increases with the thermal velocity of ambient electrons ( v). This can be helpful for us to understand better the physics of LWs and the dynamics of energetic electron beams in space and astrophysical plasmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The general picture that emerged by the end of 1990s from a large set of optical and X-ray, spectral and timing data was that the X-rays are produced in the innermost hot part of the accretion flow, while the optical/infrared (OIR) emission is mainly produced by the irradiated outer thin accretion disc. Recent multiwavelength observations of Galactic black hole transients show that the situation is not so simple. Fast variability in the OIR band, OIR excesses above the thermal emission and a complicated interplay between the X-ray and the OIR light curves imply that the OIR emitting region is much more compact. One of the popular hypotheses is that the jet contributes to the OIR emission and even is responsible for the bulk of the X-rays. However, this scenario is largely ad hoc and is in contradiction with many previously established facts. Alternatively, the hot accretion flow, known to be consistent with the X-ray spectral and timing data, is also a viable candidate to produce the OIR radiation. The hot-flow scenario naturally explains the power-law like OIR spectra, fast OIR variability and its complex relation to the X-rays if the hot flow contains non-thermal electrons (even in energetically negligible quantities), which are required by the presence of the MeV tail in Cyg X-1. The presence of non-thermal electrons also lowers the equilibrium electron temperature in the hot flow model to ≲100 keV, making it more consistent with observations. Here we argue that any viable model should simultaneously explain a large set of spectral and timing data and show that the hybrid (thermal/non-thermal) hot flow model satisfies most of the constraints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After initial claims and a long hiatus, it is now established that several binary stars emit high- (0.1–100 GeV) and very high-energy (>100 GeV) gamma rays. A new class has emerged called “gamma-ray binaries”, since most of their radiated power is emitted beyond 1 MeV. Accreting X-ray binaries, novae and a colliding wind binary ( η Car) have also been detected—“related systems” that confirm the ubiquity of particle acceleration in astrophysical sources. Do these systems have anything in common? What drives their high-energy emission? How do the processes involved compare to those in other sources of gamma rays: pulsars, active galactic nuclei, supernova remnants? I review the wealth of observational and theoretical work that have followed these detections, with an emphasis on gamma-ray binaries. I present the current evidence that gamma-ray binaries are driven by rotation-powered pulsars. Binaries are laboratories giving access to different vantage points or physical conditions on a regular timescale as the components revolve on their orbit. I explain the basic ingredients that models of gamma-ray binaries use, the challenges that they currently face, and how they can bring insights into the physics of pulsars. I discuss how gamma-ray emission from microquasars provides a window into the connection between accretion–ejection and acceleration, while η Car and novae raise new questions on the physics of these objects—or on the theory of diffusive shock acceleration. Indeed, explaining the gamma-ray emission from binaries strains our theories of high-energy astrophysical processes, by testing them on scales and in environments that were generally not foreseen, and this is how these detections are most valuable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a multi-wavelength study of a solar eruption event on 20 July 2004, comprising observations in Hα, EUV, soft X-rays, and in radio waves with a wide frequency range. The analyzed data show both oscillatory patterns and shock wave signatures during the impulsive phase of the flare. At the same time, large-scale EUV loops located above the active region were observed to contract. Quasi-periodic pulsations with ∼ 10 and ∼ 15 s oscillation periods were detected both in microwave - millimeter waves and in decimeter - meter waves. Our calculations show that MHD oscillations in the large EUV loops - but not likely in the largest contracting loops - could have produced the observed periodicity in radio emission, by triggering periodic magnetic reconnection and accelerating particles. As the plasma emission in decimeter - meter waves traces the accelerated particle beams and the microwave emission shows a typical gyrosynchrotron flux spectrum (emission created by trapped electrons within the flare loop), we find that the particles responsible for the two different types of emission could have been accelerated in the same process. Radio imaging of the pulsed decimetric - metric emission and the shock-generated radio type II burst in the same wavelength range suggest a rather complex scenario for the emission processes and locations. The observed locations cannot be explained by the standard model of flare loops with an erupting plasmoid located above them, driving a shock wave at the CME front. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a modeling of the variable synchrotron emission in the BL Lacertae sources (BLLs). Flux variability is assumed to be a result of the interaction between a relativistic shock wave with a magnetized jet material. Long-term flares (of months to years durations) are modeled via the propagation of a plane relativistic shock wave though the emission zone of a cylindrical form with the radius R and length H. As for short-term bursts (lasting from days to weeks), they may result from shock passage through the jet inhomogeneities such as a shell of enhanced density downstream to a Mach disc, originated due to pressure imbalance between the jet and its ambient medium. Emitting particles (electrons) gain the energies, sufficient to produce synchrotron photons at optical-X-ray frequencies, via the first-order Fermi mechanism. Observation's frequency is the main parameter determining a rate of the increase/ decay of the emission via the characteristic decay time of emitting electrons. The magnetic field, assumed to be turbulent with an average field constant throughout the entire emission zone, is another key parameter determining the slope of a lightcurve corresponding to the flare-the higher strength the magnetic field has, the steeper the lightcurve is. The rest input parameters (shock speed, jet viewing angle, maximum/minimum energies of the electrons, particles' density etc.), as well the strength of average magnetic field, influence the energy output from a flare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We review here some magnetic phenomena in astrophysical particle accelerators associated with collisionless shocks in supernova remnants, radio galaxies and clusters of galaxies. A specific feature is that the accelerated particles can play an important role in magnetic field evolution in the objects. In particular, we discuss a number of cosmic-ray (CR) driven, magnetic field amplification processes that are likely to operate when diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) becomes efficient and nonlinear. The turbulent magnetic fields produced by these processes determine the maximum energies of accelerated particles and result in specific features in the observed photon radiation of the sources. Equally important, magnetic field amplification by the CR currents and pressure anisotropies may affect the shocked gas temperatures and compression, both in the shock precursor and in the downstream flow, if the shock is an efficient CR accelerator. Strong fluctuations of the magnetic field on scales above the radiation formation length in the shock vicinity result in intermittent structures observable in synchrotron emission images. The finite size twinkling, intermittent structures-dots, clumps, and filaments-are most apparent in the cut-off region of the synchrotron spectrum. Even though these X-ray synchrotron structures result from turbulent magnetic fields, they could still be highly polarized providing an important diagnostic of the spectrum of the turbulence. We discuss both the thermal and non-thermal observational consequences of magnetic field amplification in supernova remnants and radio-galaxies. Resonant and non-resonant CR streaming instabilities in the shock precursor can generate mesoscale magnetic fields with scale-sizes comparable to supernova remnants and even superbubbles. This opens the possibility that magnetic fields in the earliest galaxies were produced by the first generation Population III supernova remnants and by clustered supernovae in star forming regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show that a partial coherence due to antenna mechanism can be inherently present in any compact synchrotron source, which resolves many long-standing problems in the spectra and variability of compact extragalactic radio sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study multi-wavelength variability in BL Lacertae object PKS 2155-304 in the frame of the time dependent one-zone synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) model, where stochastic particle acceleration is taken into account. In this model, a homogeneously and isotropically spherical structure is assumed, the Fokker-Planck type equation which describes the evolution of the particles energy is numerically solved, and the synchrotron and self-Compton components from the spherical blob are calculated. Our results can reproduce observed spectra energy distribution (SED) and give definite predictions for the flux and spectral variability of PKS 2155-304. We find that particle injection rate, magnetic field and Doppler factor in the acceleration zone are important parameters for explaining its flaring behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss on the modelling of blazar jets as emitters of multiwavelength radiation with the implementation of a lepto-hadronic treatment. Assuming that injection of non-thermal electrons and protons can take place at the base of the jet, the stationary particle distributions can be found using an inhomogeneous one-dimensional transport equation with cooling and convection. The goal of this approach is to replace the widely used one-zone purely leptonic approximation by a more realistic model. We argue that the rapid variability observed in emission from blazars can be obtained as a result of interaction of the jet with obstacles, i.e., molecular clouds and stars. Long term variability is likely related to changes in the injection and physical conditions in the acceleration region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigations of the luminescence of frozen hydrocarbon particles of icy cometary halo have been made. The process of luminescence of icy particles in shortwavelength solar radiation field is considered. The comparative analysis of observed and laboratory data leads of 72 luminescent emission lines in the spectrum of 153P/Ikeya-Zhang comet. Several aspects of the problem are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The technique of γ-ray astronomy at very high energies (VHE:> 100 GeV) with ground-based imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes is described, the H.E.S.S. array in Namibia serving as example. Mainly a discussion of the physical principles of the atmospheric Cherenkov technique is given, emphasizing its rapid development during the last decade. The present status is illustrated by two examples: the spectral and morphological characterization in VHE γ-rays of a shell-type supernova remnant together with its theoretical interpretation, and the results of a survey of the Galactic Plane that shows a large variety of non-thermal sources. The final part is devoted to an overview of the ongoing and future instrumental developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jet physics is again flourishing as a result of Chandra’s ability to resolve high-energy emission from the radio-emitting structures of active galaxies and separate it from the X-ray-emitting thermal environments of the jets. These enhanced capabilities have coincided with an increasing interest in the link between the growth of super-massive black holes and galaxies, and an appreciation of the likely importance of jets in feedback processes. I review the progress that has been made using Chandra and XMM-Newton observations of jets and the medium in which they propagate, addressing several important questions, including: Are the radio structures in a state of minimum energy? Do powerful large-scale jets have fast spinal speeds? What keeps jets collimated? Where and how does particle acceleration occur? What is jet plasma made of? What does X-ray emission tell us about the dynamics and energetics of radio plasma/gas interactions? Is a jet’s fate determined by the central engine? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We review observations of extended regions of radio emission in clusters; these include diffuse emission in ‘relics’, and the large central regions commonly referred to as ‘halos’. The spectral observations, as well as Faraday rotation measurements of background and cluster radio sources, provide the main evidence for large-scale intracluster magnetic fields and significant densities of relativistic electrons. Implications from these observations on acceleration mechanisms of these electrons are reviewed, including turbulent and shock acceleration, and also the origin of some of the electrons in collisions of relativistic protons by ambient protons in the (thermal) gas. Improved knowledge of non-thermal phenomena in clusters requires more extensive and detailed radio measurements; we briefly review prospects for future observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we review the possible radiation mechanisms for the observed non-thermal emission in clusters of galaxies, with a primary focus on the radio and hard X-ray emission. We show that the difficulty with the non-thermal, non-relativistic Bremsstrahlung model for the hard X-ray emission, first pointed out by Petrosian (Astrophys. J. 557, 560, ) using a cold target approximation, is somewhat alleviated when one treats the problem more exactly by including the fact that the background plasma particle energies are on average a factor of 10 below the energy of the non-thermal particles. This increases the lifetime of the non-thermal particles, and as a result decreases the extreme energy requirement, but at most by a factor of three. We then review the synchrotron and so-called inverse Compton emission by relativistic electrons, which when compared with observations can constrain the value of the magnetic field and energy of relativistic electrons. This model requires a low value of the magnetic field which is far from the equipartition value. We briefly review the possibilities of gamma-ray emission and prospects for GLAST observations. We also present a toy model of the non-thermal electron spectra that are produced by the acceleration mechanisms discussed in an accompanying paper Petrosian and Bykov (Space Sci. Rev., , this issue, Chap. 11). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, I present a general discussion of several astrophysical processes likely to play a role in the production of non-thermal emission in massive stars, with emphasis on massive binaries. Even though the discussion will start in the radio domain where the non-thermal emission was first detected, the census of physical processes involved in the non-thermal emission from massive stars shows that many spectral domains are concerned, from the radio to the very high energies. First, the theoretical aspects of the non-thermal emission from early-type stars will be addressed. The main topics that will be discussed are respectively the physics of individual stellar winds and their interaction in binary systems, the acceleration of relativistic electrons, the magnetic field of massive stars, and finally the non-thermal emission processes relevant to the case of massive stars. Second, this general qualitative discussion will be followed by a more quantitative one, devoted to the most probable scenario where non-thermal radio emitters are massive binaries. I will show how several stellar, wind and orbital parameters can be combined in order to make some semi-quantitative predictions on the high-energy counterpart to the non-thermal emission detected in the radio domain. These theoretical considerations will be followed by a census of results obtained so far, and related to this topic. These results concern the radio, the visible, the X-ray and the γ-ray domains. Prospects for the very high energy γ-ray emission from massive stars will also be addressed. Two particularly interesting examples—one O-type and one Wolf-Rayet binary—will be considered in details. Finally, strategies for future developments in this field will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New investigations of the photoluminescence of frozen hydrocarbon particles of icy cometary halo have been made. The process of photoluminescence of icy particles in the ultraviolet solar radiation field is considered. The comparative analysis of laboratory and observed data leads to the preliminary identification of some sixty eight photoluminescent emission features in the spectra of 109P/Swift–Tutle and 23P/Brorsen–Metcalf comets. Formulae are given for the calculation of the efficiency of the photoluminescence of icy organic particles in the cometary halo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last decade multi-wavelength observations have demonstrated the importance of jets in the energy output of accreting black hole binaries. The observed correlations between the presence of a jet and the state of the accretion flow provide important information on the coupling between accretion and ejection processes. After a brief review of the properties of black hole binaries, I illustrate the connection between accretion and ejection through two particularly interesting examples. First, an INTEGRAL observation of Cygnus X-1 during a ‘mini-’ state transition reveals disc jet coupling on time scales of orders of hours. Second, the black hole XTEJ1118+480 shows complex correlations between the X-ray and optical emission. Those correlations are interpreted in terms of coupling between disc and jet on time scales of seconds or less. Those observations are discussed in the framework of current models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent observations provide strong evidence for the BL Lac object OJ287 exhibiting a 11.6±0.5 yr periodicity with a double-peaked maxima in its optical flux variations. Several models have been proposed for the optical behavior. The 2005 November outburst in OJ287 gives us a surprising result since calculation based on the periodicity was predicting such an outburst in late 2006. Here we suggest a new model, it can not only explain the optical quasi-periodic behavior, but also the radio flares behavior which is and simultaneous with the optical flares. We propose that OJ287 is a binary pair of super-massive black holes, both of them creating a jet. The quasi-periodic double peaks would be due to the relativistic beaming effect on the emission coming from the double helix jets. We used “core flares” to explain the large lags between light curves at different frequencies, and the assumption of two jets appear to be merged with each other partly in the radio frequency emitting regions provides a viable interpretation that we can see only a broad maximum which contains two radio flares that we cannot distinguish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonlinear kinetic theory of cosmic ray (CR) acceleration in supernova remnants (SNRs) is used to investigate the properties of Kepler’s SNR and, in particular, to predict the γ-eay spectrum expected from this SNR. Observations of the nonthermal radio and X-ray emission spectra as well as theoretical constraints for the total supernova (SN) explosion energy E sn are used to constrain the astronomical and particle acceleration parameters of the system. Under the assumption that Kepler’s SN is a type Ia SN we determine for any given explosion energy E sn and source distance d the mass density of the ambient interstellar medium (ISM) from a fit to the observed SNR size and expansion speed. This makes it possible to make predictions for the expected γ-eay flux. Exploring the expected distance range we find that for a typical explosion energy E sn=1051 erg the expected energy flux of TeV γ-rays varies from 2×10−11 to 10−13 erg/(cm2 s) when the distance changes from d=3.4 kpc to 7 kpc. In all cases the γ-eay emission is dominated by π 0-decay γ-rays due to nuclear CRs. Therefore Kepler’s SNR represents a very promising target for instruments like H.E.S.S., CANGAROO and GLAST. A non-detection of γ-rays would mean that the actual source distance is larger than 7 kpc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report hard X-ray emission of the non-thermal supernova remnant G337.2+0.1. The source presents centrally filled and diffuse X-ray emission. A spectral study confirms that the column density of the central part of the object is about N H∼5.9(±1.5)×1022 cm−2 and its X-ray spectrum is well represented by a single power-law with a photon index Γ=0.96±0.56. Detailed spectral analysis indicates that the outer region is highly absorbed and quite softer than the inner region. Characteristics already observed in other well-known X-ray plerions. Based on the gathered information, we confirm the SNR nature of G337.2+0.1, and suggest that the central region of the source is a pulsar wind nebula (PWN), originated by an energetic though yet undetected pulsar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blazars are the most violent steady/recurrent sources of high-energy gamma-ray emission in the known Universe. They are prominent emitters of electromagnetic radiation throughout the entire electromagnetic spectrum. The observable radiation most likely originates in a relativistic jet oriented at a small angle with respect to the line of sight. This review starts out with a general overview of the phenomenology of blazars, including results from a recent multiwavelength observing campaign on 3C279. Subsequently, issues of modeling broadband spectra will be discussed. Spectral information alone is not sufficient to distinguish between competing models and to constrain essential parameters, in particular related to the primary particle acceleration and radiation mechanisms in the jet. Short-term spectral variability information may help to break such model degeneracies, which will require snap-shot spectral information on intraday time scales, which may soon be achievable for many blazars even in the gamma-ray regime with the upcoming GLAST mission and current advances in Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescope technology. In addition to pure leptonic and hadronic models of gamma-ray emission from blazars, leptonic/hadronic hybrid models are reviewed, and the recently developed hadronic synchrotron mirror model for TeV γ-ray flares which are not accompanied by simultaneous X-ray flares (“orphan TeV flares”) is revisited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the synchrotron emission from relativistic shocks assuming that the radiating electrons cool rapidly (either through synchrotron or any other radiation mechanism). It is shown that the theory of synchrotron emission in the fast cooling regime can account for a wide range of spectral shapes. In particular, the magnetic field, which decays behind the shock front, brings enough flexibility to the theory to explain the majority of gamma-ray burst spectra even in the parameter-free fast cooling regime. Also, we discuss whether location of the peak in observed spectral energy distributions of gamma-ray bursts and active galactic nuclei can be made consistent with predictions of diffusive shock acceleration theory, and find that the answer is negative. This result is a strong indication that a particle injection mechanism, other than the standard shock acceleration, works in relativistic shocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colliding winds of massive binaries have long been considered as potential sites of non-thermal high-energy photon production. This is motivated by the detection of non-thermal spectra in the radio band, as well as by correlation studies of yet unidentified EGRET γ-ray sources with source populations appearing in star formation regions. This work re-considers the basic radiative processes and its properties that lead to high energy photon production in long-period massive star systems. We show that Klein–Nishina effects as well as the anisotropic nature of the inverse Compton scattering, the dominating leptonic emission process, likely yield spectral and variability signatures in the γ-ray domain at or above the sensitivity of current or upcoming gamma ray instruments like GLAST-LAT. In addition to all relevant radiative losses, we include propagation (such as convection in the stellar wind) as well as photon absorption effects, which a priori can not be neglected. The calculations are applied to WR 140 and WR 147, and predictions for their detectability in the γ-ray regime are provided. Physically similar specimen of their kind like WR 146, WR 137, WR 138, WR 112 and WR 125 may be regarded as candidate sources at GeV energies for near-future γ-ray experiments. Finally, we discuss several aspects relevant for eventually identifying this source class as a γ-ray emitting population. Thereby we utilize our findings on the expected radiative behavior of typical colliding wind binaries in the γ-ray regime as well as its expected spatial distribution on the γ-ray sky. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the case of Tycho’s supernova remnant (SNR) we present the relation between the blast wave and contact discontinuity radii calculated within the nonlinear kinetic theory of cosmic ray (CR) acceleration in SNRs. It is demonstrated that these radii are confirmed by recently published Chandra measurements which show that the observed contact discontinuity radius is so close to the shock radius that it can only be explained by efficient CR acceleration which in turn makes the medium more compressible. Together with the recently determined new value E sn=1.2×1051 erg of the SN explosion energy this also confirms our previous conclusion that a TeV γ-ray flux of (2–5)×10−13 erg/(cm2 s) is to be expected from Tycho’s SNR. Chandra measurements and the HEGRA upper limit of the TeV γ-ray flux together limit the source distance d to 3.3≤ d≤4 kpc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to effects arising from quantum electrodynamics (QED), magnetohydrodynamical fast modes of sufficient strength will break down to form electron-positron pairs while traversing the magnetospheres of strongly magnetised neutron stars. The bulk of the energy of the fast mode fuels the development of an electron-positron fireball. However, a small, but potentially observable, fraction of the energy (∼1033 erg) can generate a non-thermal distribution of electrons and positrons far from the star. This paper examines the cooling and radiative output of these particles. Small-scale waves may produce only the non-thermal emission. The properties of this non-thermal emission in the absence of a fireball match those of the quiescent, non-thermal radiation recently observed non-thermal emission from several anomalous X-ray pulsars and soft-gamma repeaters. Initial estimates of the emission as a function of angle indicate that the non-thermal emission should be beamed and therefore one would expect this emission to be pulsed as well. According to this model the pulsation of the non-thermal emission should be between 90 and 180 degrees out of phase from the thermal emission from the stellar surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some recent developments in the study of relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei and microquasars are reviewed. While it has been well established for some time that extragalactic jets found in radio galaxies, quasars, and BL Lac objects are the site of ultrarelativistic particle acceleration, the recent identification of the Galactic jet source and microquasar LS~5039 as a source of very-high-energy gamma-ray emission has underlined the striking similarity between the two types of astrophysical jet sources. In this paper, I will present an overview of the dominant radiation and particle acceleration processes and observational tests to distinguish between such processes. The wide-ranging analogies between Galactic and extragalactic jets, but also their distinct differences, in particular those caused by the presence of the companion star in Galactic microquasar systems, will be exposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent detection of very-high-energy (GeV – TeV) γ-ray emission from the Galactic black-hole candidate and microquasar LS 5039 has sparked renewed interest in jet models for the high-energy emission in those objects. In this work, we have focused on models in which the high-energy emission results from synchrotron and Compton emission by relativistic electrons in the jet (leptonic jet models). Particular attention has been paid to a possible orbital modulation of the high-energy emission due to azimuthal asymmetries caused by the presence of the companion star. Both orbital-phase dependent γγ absorption and Compton scattering of optical/UV photons from the companion star may lead to an orbital modulation of the gamma-ray emission. We make specific predictions which should be testable with refined data from HESS and the upcoming GLAST mission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jet models for the high-energy emission of Galactic X-ray binary sources have regained significant interest with detailed spectral and timing studies of the X-ray emission from microquasars, the recent detection by the HESS collaboration of very-high-energy γ-rays from the microquasar LS 5039, and the earlier suggestion of jet models for ultraluminous X-ray sources observed in many nearby galaxies. Here we study the synchrotron and Compton signatures of time-dependent electron injection and acceleration, and adiabatic and radiative cooling in the jets of Galactic microquasars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]