arXiv subjects

George Sonneborn

Publications and source records attributed to George Sonneborn.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2010

Observational Properties of Rotationally Excited Molecular Hydrogen In Translucent Lines of Sight

The {\it Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer} ({\it FUSE}) has allowed precise determinations of the column densities of molecular hydrogen ($\Hmol$) in Galactic lines of sight with a wide range of pathlengths and extinction properties. However, survey studies of lines of sight with greater extinction have been mostly restricted to the low-$J$ states (lower total angular momentum) in which most molecular hydrogen is observed. This paper presents a survey of column densities for the molecular hydrogen in states of greater rotational excitation ($J \geq 2$) in Galactic lines of sight with $\log{\NHmol} \gtrsim 20$. This study is comprehensive through the highest excited state detectable in each line of sight. J=5 is observed in every line of sight, and we detect J=7 in four lines of sight, J=8 in one line of sight, and vibrationally excited $\Hmol$ in two lines of sight. We compared the apparent $b$-values and velocity offsets of the higher-$J$ states relative to the dominant low-$J$ states and we found no evidence of any trends that might provide insight into the formation of higher-$J$ $\Hmol$, although these results are the most affected by the limits of the {\it FUSE} resolution. We also derive excitation temperatures based on the column densities of the different states. We confirm that at least two distinct temperatures are necessary to adequately describe these lines of sight, and that more temperatures are probably necessary. Total $\Hmol$ column density is known to be correlated with other molecules; we explore if correlations vary as a function of $J$ for several molecules, most importantly CH and CH$^+$. Finally, we briefly discuss interpretations of selected lines of sight by comparing them to models computed using the Meudon PDR code.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2009

A Vigorous Explorer Program

Explorers have made breakthroughs in many fields of astrophysics. The science from both these missions contributed to three Nobel Prizes - Giacconi (2002), Mather, and Smoot (2006). Explorers have: marked the definitive beginning of precision cosmology, discovered that short gamma-ray bursts are caused by compact star mergers and have measured metalicity to redshifts z>6. NASA Explorers do cutting-edge science that cannot be done by facility-class instruments. The Explorer program provides a rapid response to changing science and technology, to enable cutting-edge science at moderate cost. Explorers also enable innovation, and engage & train scientists, managers and engineers, adding human capital to NASA and the nation. The astrophysics Explorer launch rate now being achieved is 1 per 3 years, and budget projections are in the $150M/year range for the next five years. A newly Vigorous Explorer Program should be created to: 1. Reach the long-stated goal of annual astrophysics launches; 2. Find additional launch options for Explorers and actively encourage cost savings in launchers and spacecraft, such as new commercial vehicles and innovative partnerships. 3. Mitigate risk via stronger technical development and sub-orbital programs, and through longer, more thorough, Phase A programs, potentially reducing the need for a 30% contingency; 4. Strive to protect the funding for missions that have reached Phase B, to prevent significant launch slips and cancellations, with a goal of 4 to 5 years from Phase B to launch; 5. Review the project management procedures and requirements to seek cost reductions, including the risk management strategy and the review and reporting process; 6. Review and possibly modify the cost caps for all Explorer classes to optimize scientific returns per dollar. [ABRIDGED]

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2009

Advanced Technology Large-Aperture Space Telescope (ATLAST): A Technology Roadmap for the Next Decade

The Advanced Technology Large-Aperture Space Telescope (ATLAST) is a set of mission concepts for the next generation of UVOIR space observatory with a primary aperture diameter in the 8-m to 16-m range that will allow us to perform some of the most challenging observations to answer some of our most compelling questions, including "Is there life elsewhere in the Galaxy?" We have identified two different telescope architectures, but with similar optical designs, that span the range in viable technologies. The architectures are a telescope with a monolithic primary mirror and two variations of a telescope with a large segmented primary mirror. This approach provides us with several pathways to realizing the mission, which will be narrowed to one as our technology development progresses. The concepts invoke heritage from HST and JWST design, but also take significant departures from these designs to minimize complexity, mass, or both. Our report provides details on the mission concepts, shows the extraordinary scientific progress they would enable, and describes the most important technology development items. These are the mirrors, the detectors, and the high-contrast imaging technologies, whether internal to the observatory, or using an external occulter. Experience with JWST has shown that determined competitors, motivated by the development contracts and flight opportunities of the new observatory, are capable of achieving huge advances in technical and operational performance while keeping construction costs on the same scale as prior great observatories.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2009

Mass Transport Processes and their Roles in the Formation, Structure, and Evolution of Stars and Stellar Systems

We summarize some of the compelling new scientific opportunities for understanding stars and stellar systems that can be enabled by sub-mas angular resolution, UV/Optical spectral imaging observations, which can reveal the details of the many dynamic processes (e.g., variable magnetic fields, accretion, convection, shocks, pulsations, winds, and jets) that affect their formation, structure, and evolution. These observations can only be provided by long-baseline interferometers or sparse aperture telescopes in space, since the aperture diameters required are in excess of 500 m - a regime in which monolithic or segmented designs are not and will not be feasible - and since they require observations at wavelengths (UV) not accessible from the ground. Two mission concepts which could provide these invaluable observations are NASA's Stellar Imager (SI; http://hires.gsfc.nasa.gov/si/) interferometer and ESA's Luciola sparse aperture hypertelescope, which each could resolve hundreds of stars and stellar systems. These observatories will also open an immense new discovery space for astrophysical research in general and, in particular, for Active Galactic Nuclei (Kraemer et al. Decadal Survey Science Whitepaper). The technology developments needed for these missions are challenging, but eminently feasible (Carpenter et al. Decadal Survey Technology Whitepaper) with a reasonable investment over the next decade to enable flight in the 2025+ timeframe. That investment would enable tremendous gains in our understanding of the individual stars and stellar systems that are the building blocks of our Universe and which serve as the hosts for life throughout the Cosmos.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2008

Project Lyman

We explore the design of a space mission, Project Lyman, which has the goal of quantifying the ionization history of the universe from the present epoch to a redshift of z ~ 3. Observations from WMAP and SDSS show that before a redshift of z >~ 6 the first collapsed objects, possibly dwarf galaxies, emitted Lyman continuum (LyC) radiation shortward of 912 A, reionizing most of the universe. How LyC escapes from galactic environments, whether it induces positive or negative feedback on the local and global collapse of structures, and the role played by clumping, molecules, metallicity and dust are major unanswered theoretical questions, requiring observational constraint. Numerous intervening Lyman limit systems, which frustrate the detection of LyC from high z objects, thin below z ~ 3 where there are a few objects with apparently very high fesc. At low z there are only controversial detections and a handful of upper limits. A wide-field multi-object spectroscopic survey with moderate spectral and spatial resolution can quantify fesc within diverse spatially resolved galactic environments over redshifts with significant evolution in galaxy assemblage and quasar activity. It can also calibrate LyC escape against Ly-alpha escape, providing an essential tool to JWST for probing the beginnings of reionization. We present calculations showing the evolution of the characteristic apparent magnitude of star-forming galaxy luminosity functions at 900 A, as a function of redshift and assumed escape fraction to determine the required aperture for detecting LyC. We review our efforts to build a pathfinding dual order multi-object spectro/telescope with a (0.5deg)^2 field-of-view, using a GSFC microshutter array, and crossed delay-line micro-channel plate detector.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

What is the Total Deuterium Abundance in the Local Galactic Disk?

Analyses of spectra obtained with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite, together with spectra from the Copernicus and IMAPS instruments, reveal an unexplained very wide range in the observed deuterium/hydrogen (D/H) ratios for interstellar gas in the Galactic disk beyond the Local Bubble. We argue that spatial variations in the depletion of deuterium onto dust grains can explain these local variations in the observed gas-phase D/H ratios. We present a variable deuterium depletion model that naturally explains the constant measured values of D/H inside the Local Bubble, the wide range of gas-phase D/H ratios observed in the intermediate regime (log N(H I} = 19.2-20.7), and the low gas-phase D/H ratios observed at larger hydrogen column densities. We consider empirical tests of the deuterium depletion hypothesis: (i) correlations of gas-phase D/H ratios with depletions of the refractory metals iron and silicon, and (ii) correlation with the molecular hydrogen rotational temperature. Both of these tests are consistent with deuterium depletion from the gas phase in cold, not recently shocked, regions of the ISM, and high gas-phase D/H ratios in gas that has been shocked or otherwise heated recently. We argue that the most representative value for the total (gas plus dust) D/H ratio within 1 kpc of the Sun is >=23.1 +/- 2.4 (1 sigma) parts per million (ppm). This ratio constrains Galactic chemical evolution models to have a very small deuterium astration factor, the ratio of primordial to total (D/H) ratio in the local region of the Galactic disk, which we estimate to be f_d <= 1.19 +/-0.16 (1 sigma) or <= 1.12 +/- 0.14 (1 sigma) depending on the adopted light element nuclear reaction rates.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Cepheid Masses: FUSE Observations of S Mus

S Mus is the Cepheid with the hottest known companion. The large ultraviolet flux means that it is the only Cepheid companion for which the velocity amplitude could be measured with the echelle mode of the HST GHRS. Unfortunately, the high temperature is difficult to constrain at wavelengths longer than 1200 Åbecause of the degeneracy between temperature and reddening. We have obtained a FUSE spectrum in order to improve the determination of the temperature of the companion. Two regions which are temperature sensitive near 16,000 K but relatively unaffected by H$_2$ absorption (940 Å, and the Ly $β$ wings) have been identified. By comparing FUSE spectra of S Mus B with spectra of standard stars, we have determined a temperature of 17,000 $\pm$ 500 K. The resultant Cepheid mass is 6.0 $\pm$ 0.4 M$_\odot$. This mass is consistent with main sequence evolutionary tracks with a moderate amount of convective overshoot.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

The James Webb Space Telescope

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a large (6.6m), cold (50K), infrared-optimized space observatory that will be launched early in the next decade. The observatory will have four instruments: a near-infrared camera, a near-infrared multi-object spectrograph, and a tunable filter imager will cover the wavelength range, 0.6 to 5.0 microns, while the mid-infrared instrument will do both imaging and spectroscopy from 5.0 to 29 microns. The JWST science goals are divided into four themes. The End of the Dark Ages: First Light and Reionization theme seeks to identify the first luminous sources to form and to determine the ionization history of the early universe. The Assembly of Galaxies theme seeks to determine how galaxies and the dark matter, gas, stars, metals, morphological structures, and active nuclei within them evolved from the epoch of reionization to the present day. The Birth of Stars and Protoplanetary Systems theme seeks to unravel the birth and early evolution of stars, from infall on to dust-enshrouded protostars to the genesis of planetary systems. The Planetary Systems and the Origins of Life theme seeks to determine the physical and chemical properties of planetary systems including our own, and investigate the potential for the origins of life in those systems. To enable these observations, JWST consists of a telescope, an instrument package, a spacecraft and a sunshield. The telescope consists of 18 beryllium segments, some of which are deployed. The segments will be brought into optical alignment on-orbit through a process of periodic wavefront sensing and control. The JWST operations plan is based on that used for previous space observatories, and the majority of JWST observing time will be allocated to the international astronomical community through annual peer-reviewed proposal opportunities.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2005

Detection of a Hot Binary Companion of $η$ Carinae

We report the detection of a hot companion of $η$ Carinae using high resolution spectra (905 - 1180 Å) obtained with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (\fuse) satellite. Observations were obtained at two epochs of the 2024-day orbit: 2003 June during ingress to the 2003.5 X-ray eclipse and 2004 April several months after egress. These data show that essentially all the far-UV flux from \etacar shortward of \lya disappeared at least two days before the start of the X-ray eclipse (2003 June 29), implying that the hot companion, \etaB, was also eclipsed by the dense wind or extended atmosphere of \etaA. Analysis of the far-UV spectrum shows that \etaB is a luminous hot star. The \nii \wll1084-1086 emission feature suggests that it may be nitrogen-rich. The observed far-UV flux levels and spectral features, combined with the timing of their disappearance, is consistent with \etacar\ being a massive binary system.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2002

Modelling the Hubble Space Telescope Ultraviolet and Optical Spectrum of Spot 1 on the Circumstellar Ring of SN 1987A

We report and interpret HST/STIS long-slit observations of the optical and ultraviolet (1150 - 10270 Angstrom) emission-line spectra of the rapidly brightening Spot 1 on the equatorial ring of SN 1987A between 1997 September and 1999 October (days 3869 -- 4606 after outburst). The emission is caused by radiative shocks created where the supernova blast wave strikes dense gas protruding inward from the equatorial ring. We measure and tabulate line identifications, fluxes and, in some cases, line widths and shifts. We compute flux correction factors to account for substantial interstellar line absorption of several emission lines. Nebular analysis shows that optical emission lines come from a region of cool (T_e ~ 10^4 K) and dense (n_e ~ 10^6 cm^-3) gas in the compressed photoionized layer behind the radiative shock. The observed line widths indicate that only shocks with shock velocities V_s < 250 km/s have become radiative, while line ratios indicate that much of the emission must have come from yet slower (V_s < 135 k/ms) shocks. We are able to fit the UV fluxes with an idealized radiative shock model consisting of two shocks (V_s = 135 and 250 km/s). The observed UV flux increase with time can be explained by the increase in shock surface areas as the blast wave overtakes more of the protrusion. The observed flux ratios of optical to highly-ionized UV lines are greater by a factor of ~ 2 -- 3 than predictions from the radiative shock models and we discuss the possible causes. We also present models for the observed H-alpha line widths and profiles, which suggests that a chaotic flow exists in the photoionized regions of these shocks. We discuss what can be learned with future observations of all the spots present on the equatorial ring.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

A FUSE Survey of Interstellar Molecular Hydrogen in the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds

We describe a moderate-resolution FUSE survey of H2 along 70 sight lines to the Small and Large Magellanic Clouds, using hot stars as background sources. FUSE spectra of 67% of observed Magellanic Cloud sources (52% of LMC and 92% of SMC) exhibit absorption lines from the H2 Lyman and Werner bands between 912 and 1120 A. Our survey is sensitive to N(H2) >= 10^14 cm^-2; the highest column densities are log N(H2) = 19.9 in the LMC and 20.6 in the SMC. We find reduced H2 abundances in the Magellanic Clouds relative to the Milky Way, with average molecular fractions = 0.010 (+0.005, -0.002) for the SMC and = 0.012 (+0.006, -0.003) for the LMC, compared with = 0.095 for the Galactic disk over a similar range of reddening. The dominant uncertainty in this measurement results from the systematic differences between 21 cm radio emission and Lya in pencil-beam sight lines as measures of N(HI). These results imply that the diffuse H2 masses of the LMC and SMC are 8 x 10^6 Msun and 2 x 10^6 Msun, respectively, 2% and 0.5% of the H I masses derived from 21 cm emission measurements. The LMC and SMC abundance patterns can be reproduced in ensembles of model clouds with a reduced H2 formation rate coefficient, R ~ 3 x 10^-18 cm^3 s^-1, and incident radiation fields ranging from 10 - 100 times the Galactic mean value. We find that these high-radiation, low-formation-rate models can also explain the enhanced N(4)/N(2) and N(5)/N(3) rotational excitation ratios in the Clouds. We use H2 column densities in low rotational states (J = 0 and 1) to derive a mean kinetic and/or rotational temperature = 82 +/- 21 K for clouds with N(H2) >= 10^16 cm^-2, similar to Galactic gas. We discuss the implications of this work for theories of star formation in low-metallicity environments. [Abstract abridged]

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Preliminary Spectral Analysis of the Type II Supernova 1999em

We have calculated fast direct spectral model fits to two early-time spectra of the Type-II plateau SN 1999em, using the SYNOW synthetic spectrum code. The first is an extremely early blue optical spectrum and the second a combined HST and optical spectrum obtained one week later. Spectroscopically this supernova appears to be a normal Type II and these fits are in excellent agreement with the observed spectra. Our direct analysis suggests the presence of enhanced nitrogen. We have further studied these spectra with the full NLTE general model atmosphere code PHOENIX. While we do not find confirmation for enhanced nitrogen (nor do we rule it out), we do require enhanced helium. An even more intriguing possible line identification is complicated Balmer and He I lines, which we show falls naturally out of the detailed calculations with a shallow density gradient. We also show that very early spectra such as those presented here combined with sophisticated spectral modeling allows an independent estimate of the total reddening to the supernova, since when the spectrum is very blue, dereddening leads to changes in the blue flux that cannot be reproduced by altering the ``temperature'' of the emitted radiation. These results are extremely encouraging since they imply that detailed modeling of early spectra can shed light on both the abundances and total extinction of SNe II, the latter improving their utility and reliability as distance indicators.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Analysis of the Type IIn Supernova 1998S: Effects of Circumstellar Interaction on Observed Spectra

We present spectral analysis of early observations of the Type IIn supernova 1998S using the general non-local thermodynamic equilibrium atmosphere code \tt PHOENIX}. We model both the underlying supernova spectrum and the overlying circumstellar interaction region and produce spectra in good agreement with observations. The early spectra are well fit by lines produced primarily in the circumstellar region itself, and later spectra are due primarily to the supernova ejecta. Intermediate spectra are affected by both regions. A mass-loss rate of order $\dot M \sim 0.0001-0.001$\msol yr$^{-1}$ is inferred for a wind speed of 100-1000 \kmps. We discuss how future self-consistent models will better clarify the underlying progenitor structure.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Physical Conditions in Circumstellar Gas surrounding SN 1987A 12 Years After Outburst

Two-dimensional spectra of Supernova 1987A were obtained on 1998 November 14-15 (4282 days after outburst) with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) on board the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The slit sampled portions of the inner circumstellar ring at the east and west ansae as well as small sections of both the northern and southern outer rings. The temperature and density at these locations are estimated by nebular analysis of [N II], [O III], and [S II] emission line ratios, and with time-dependent photoionization/recombination models. The results from these two methods are mutually consistent. The electron density in the inner ring is ~ 4000 cm-3 for S II, with progressively lower densities for N II and O III. The electron temperatures determined from [N II] and [O III] line ratios are ~11,000 K and \~22,000 K, respectively. These results are consistent with evolutionary trends in the circumstellar gas from similar measurements at earlier epochs. We find that emission lines from the outer rings come from gas of lower density (n_e \la 2000 cm-3) than that which emits the same line in the inner ring. The N/O ratio appears to be the same in all three rings. Our results also suggest that the CNO abundances in the northern outer ring are the same as in the inner ring, contrary to earlier results of Panagia et al. (1996). Physical conditions in the southern outer ring are less certain because of poorer signal-to-noise data. The STIS spectra also reveal a weak Ha emission redshifted by ~100 km s-1 at p.a. 103\arcdeg that coincides with the recently discovered new regions that are brightening (Lawrence et al. 2000). This indicates that the shock interaction in the SE section of the inner ring commenced over a year before it became apparent in HST images.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

HST Spectroscopy of Spot 1 on the Circumstellar Ring of SN 1987A

We present ultraviolet and optical spectra of the first bright spot (PA = 29 degrees) on Supernova 1987A's equatorial circumstellar ring taken with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph. We interpret this spot as the emission produced by radiative shocks that occur where the supernova blast wave strikes an inward protrusion of the ring. The observed line widths and intensity ratios indicate the presence of radiative shocks with velocities ranging from 100 to 250 km s^-1 entering dense (> 10^4 cm^-3) gas. These observations, and future observations of the development of the spectra and line profiles, provide a unique opportunity to study the hydrodynamics of radiative shocks.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Spatial Variability in the Ratio of Interstellar Atomic Deuterium to Hydrogen. II. Observations toward Gamma2 Velorum and Zeta Puppis by the Interstellar Medium Absorption Profile Spectrograph

To measure interstellar atomic deuterium abundances, we used the Interstellar Medium Absorption Profile Spectrograph (IMAPS) to obtain spectra of gamma2 Vel and zeta Pup over the wavelength interval 930-1150 A at a resolving power of 80,000. The interstellar D I features are resolved and cleanly separated from interstellar H I in the Ly-delta and Ly-epsilon profiles of both sight lines, and also in the Ly-gamma profile of zeta Pup. The D I profiles were modeled using a velocity template derived from several N I lines in the IMAPS spectra recorded at higher S/N. To find the best D I column density, we minimized chi-squares for model D I profiles that included not only the N(D I) as a free parameter, but also the effects of several potential sources of systematic error which could also be varied. For both stars, H I column densities were measured by analyzing Ly-alpha absorption profiles in a large number of IUE high dispersion spectra. Ultimately we found that D/H = 2.18(+0.36,-0.31)e-5 for gamma2 Vel and 1.42(+0.25,-0.23)e-5 for zeta Pup, values that contrast markedly with D/H derived in Paper I for delta Ori (the stated errors are 90% confidence limits). Evidently, the atomic D/H ratio in the ISM, averaged over path lengths of 250 to 500 pc, exhibits significant spatial variability. Furthermore, variations in D/H do not appear to be anticorrelated with N/H. Within the framework of standard Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, the large value of D/H found toward gamma2 Vel is equivalent to a cosmic baryon density of Omega_B h^2 = 0.023 (+-0.002), which we regard as an upper limit since there is no correction for the destruction of deuterium in stars.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

The Properties of Molecular Hydrogen toward the Orion Belt Stars from Observations by the Interstellar Medium Absorption Profile Spectrograph

Absorption features from the Lyman and Werner bands of interstellar molecular hydrogen were recorded by the Interstellar Medium Absorption Profile Spectrograph (IMAPS) at a wavelength resolving power R=80,000 in the spectra of delta Ori and epsilon Ori. The objective was to find and study more examples of an unusual phenomenon found for one of the velocity components of H2 in the spectrum of zeta Ori by Jenkins & Peimbert (1997). Specifically, they detected a gradual shift in velocity and broadening for features arising from progressively higher rotational excitations J. This effect appears to be absent in the spectra of both delta and epsilon Ori, which are only a few degrees away in the sky from zeta Ori. The absence of atomic material at a large negative velocity in the spectra of delta and epsilon Ori (and its presence in zeta Ori) supports a proposal by Jenkins & Peimbert that the line of sight to zeta intercepts a bow shock facing away from us, perhaps created by the collision of wind-like material with some foreground obstruction. For both stars, the H2 absorption features are separated into two velocity components. Total H2 column densities toward delta and epsilon Ori are 5.5e14 and 1.9e16 cm^-2, respectively. The rotation temperatures of the molecules with J > 2 toward epsilon Ori indicate that the gas is in the general vicinity of the stars that emit UV fluxes capable of rotationally pumping the molecules. For the strongest component of H2 toward delta Ori, the pumping rate is lower and consistent with a general UV flux level in the plane of the Galaxy.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2000

Observations of the Crab Nebula and its pulsar in the far-ultraviolet and in the optical

We present HST/STIS far-UV observations of the Crab nebula and its pulsar. Broad, blueshifted absorption arising in the nebula is seen in C IV 1550, reaching about 2500 km/s. This can be interpreted as evidence for a fast outer shell, and we adopt a spherically symmetric model to constrain the properties of this. We find that the density appears to decrease outward in the shell. A lower limit to the mass is 0.3 solar masses with an accompanying kinetic energy of 1.5EE{49} ergs. A massive 10^{51} erg shell cannot be excluded, but is less likely if the density profile is much steeper than R^{-4} and the velocity is <6000 km/s. The observations cover the region 1140-1720 A. With the time-tag mode of the spectrograph we obtain the pulse profile. It is similar to that in the near-UV, although the primary peak is marginally narrower. Together with the near-UV data, and new optical data from NOT, our spectrum of the pulsar covers the entire region from 1140-9250 A. Dereddening the spectrum gives a flat spectrum for E(B-V)=0.52, R=3.1. This dereddened spectrum of the Crab pulsar can be fitted by a power law with spectral index alpha_ν = 0.11 +/- 0.04. The main uncertainty is the amount and characteristics of the interstel- lar reddening, and we have investigated the dependence of α_ν on E(B-V) and R. In the extended emission covered by our 25" x 0.5" slit in the far-UV, we detect C IV 1550 and He II 1640 emission lines from the Crab nebula. Several interstellar absorption lines are detected toward the pulsar. The Ly alpha absorption indicates a column density of 3.0+/-0.5\EE{21} cm^{-2} of neutral hydrogen, which agrees well with our estimate of E(B-V)=0.52 mag. Other lines show no evidence of severe depletion of metals in atomic gas.

astro-ph↗