arXiv subjects

U. Hwang

Publications and source records attributed to U. Hwang.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2003

Chandra Observation of the X-Ray Source Population of NGC 6946

We present the results of a study of discrete X-ray sources in NGC 6946 using a deep Chandra ACIS observation. Based on the slope of the log N-log S distribution and the general correlation of sources with the spiral arms, we infer that the overall discrete source sample in NGC 6946 is dominated by high mass X-ray binaries, in contrast to the source distributions in M31 and the Milky Way. This is consistent with the higher star formation rate in NGC 6946 than in those galaxies. We find that the strong X-ray sources in the region of the galactic center do not correlate in detail with images of the region in the near-IR, although one of them may be coincident with the galactic center. The non-central ultra-luminous X-ray source in NGC 6946, previously identified with a supernova remnant, has an X-ray spectrum and luminosity that is inconsistent with either a traditional pulsar wind nebula or a blast wave remnant.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2001

Chandra Detection of the Forward and Reverse Shocks in Cassiopeia-A

We report the localization of the forward and reversed shock fronts in the young supernova remnant Cas-A using X-ray data obtained with the Chandra Observatory. High resolution X-ray maps resolve a previously unseen X-ray feature encompassing the extremity of the remnant. This feature consists of thin, tangential wisps of emission bordering the outer edge of the thermal X-ray and radio remnant, forming a circular rim, approx. 2.7 in radius. Radio images show a sharp rise in brightness at this X-ray rim, along with a large jump in the synchrotron polarization angle. These characteristics suggest that these wisps are the previously unresolved signature of the forward, or outer, shock. Similarly, we identify the sharp rise in emissivity of the bright shell for both the radio and X-ray line emission associated with the reverse shock. The derived ratio of the averaged forward and reverse shock radii of approx. 3:2 constrains the remnant to have swept up roughly the same amount of mass as was ejected; this suggests that Cas-A is just entering the Sedov phase. Comparison of the X-ray spectra from the two shock regions shows that the equivalent widths of prominent emission lines are significantly lower exterior to the bright shell, as expected if they are respectively identified with the shocked circumstellar material and shocked ejecta. Furthermore, the spectrum of the outer rim itself is dominated by power-law emission, likely the counterpart of the non-thermal component previously seen at energies above 10 keV.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1997

The nature of the radio-quiet compact X-ray source in SNR RCW 103

We consider the nature of the elusive neutron star candidate 1E~161348-5055 using X-ray observations obtained with the ASCA Observatory. The compact X-ray source is centered on the shell-type Galactic supernova remnant RCW103 and has been interpreted as a cooling neutron star associated with the remnant. The X-ray spectrum of the remnant shell can be characterized by a non-equilibrium ionization (NEI) thermal model for a shocked plasma of temperature kT ~ 0.3 keV. The spectrum falls off rapidly above 3 keV to reveal a point source in the spectrally-resolved images, at the location of 1E~161348-5055. A black-body model fit to the source spectrum yields a temperature kT = 0.6 keV, with an unabsorbed 0.5-10 keV luminosity of Lx ~ 10E34 erg/s (for an assumed distance of 3.3 kpc, both of which are at least a factor of 2 higher than predicted by cooling neutron star models. Alternatively, a power-law model for the source continuum gives a steep photon index of ~ 3.2, similar to that of other radio-quiet, hard X-ray point sources associated with supernova remnants. 1E~161348-5055 may be prototypical of a growing class of radio-quiet neutron stars revealed by ASCA; we suggest that these objects account for previously hidden neutron stars associated with supernova remnants.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1996

The `quiescent' black hole in M87

It is believed that most giant elliptical galaxies possess nuclear black holes with masses in excess of $10^8\Msun$. Bondi accretion from the interstellar medium might then be expected to produce quasar-like luminosities from the nuclei of even quiescent elliptical galaxies. It is a puzzle that such luminosities are not observed. Motivated by this problem, Fabian & Rees have recently suggested that the final stages of accretion in these objects occurs in an advection-dominated mode with a correspondingly small radiative efficiency. Despite possessing a long-known active nucleus and dynamical evidence for a black hole, the low radiative and kinetic luminosities of the core of M87 provide the best illustration of this problem. We examine an advection-dominated model for the nucleus of M87 and show that accretion at the Bondi rate is compatible with the best known estimates for the core flux from radio through to X-ray wavelengths. The success of this model prompts us to propose that FR-I radio galaxies and quiescent elliptical galaxies accrete in an advection dominated mode whereas FR-II type radio-loud nuclei possess radiatively efficient thin accretion disks.

astro-ph↗