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W. W. Tian

Publications and source records attributed to W. W. Tian.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Distance and Evolutionary States of Supernova Remnant G18.9-1.1 and Candidate G28.6+0.0

HI spectra of the supernova remnant G18.9-1.1 and the supernova remnant candidate G28.6+0.0 are analyzed. We compared the spectra to $^{13}$CO emission spectra and to spectra of HII regions in the area to determine kinematic distances. G18.9-1.1 is at 2.1$\pm$0.4 kpc and G28.6+0.0 is at 9.0$\pm$0.3 kpc from the Sun. Using published X-ray spectra of G18.9-1.1, we apply supernova remnant models for shocked-ISM temperature and emission measure. We find that G18.9-1.1 has a low, but not atypical, explosion energy of $\simeq$3$\times$10$^{50}$ erg and is in a low density region of the ISM, $\simeq$0.1 cm$^{-3}$. It has age $\simeq$3700 yr if the ejecta mass is 1.4 M$_{\odot}$, typical of Type Ia SNe, or $\simeq$4700 yr if the ejecta mass is 5 M$_{\odot}$ typical of core-collapse SN. The candidate G28.6+0.0 does not have reported X-ray emission, so we apply a basic Sedov model. The Sedov age is $\simeq$600 yr if the ISM density is 1 cm$^{-3}$ but could be as old as $\simeq$6000 yr if the ISM density is as high as 100 cm$^{-3}$.

astro-ph.HE

Science with the Murchison Widefield Array: Phase I Results and Phase II Opportunities

The Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) is an open access telescope dedicated to studying the low frequency (80$-$300 MHz) southern sky. Since beginning operations in mid 2013, the MWA has opened a new observational window in the southern hemisphere enabling many science areas. The driving science objectives of the original design were to observe 21\,cm radiation from the Epoch of Reionisation (EoR), explore the radio time domain, perform Galactic and extragalactic surveys, and monitor solar, heliospheric, and ionospheric phenomena. All together 60$+$ programs recorded 20,000 hours producing 146 papers to date. In 2016 the telescope underwent a major upgrade resulting in alternating compact and extended configurations. Other upgrades, including digital back-ends and a rapid-response triggering system, have been developed since the original array was commissioned. In this paper we review the major results from the prior operation of the MWA, and then discuss the new science paths enabled by the improved capabilities. We group these science opportunities by the four original science themes, but also include ideas for directions outside these categories.

astro-ph.IM

The kinematic distances of SNR G16.7+0.1 and G15.9+0.2 by analyzing HI absorption spectra

We build HI absorption spectra towards Supernova Remnant (SNRs) G16.7+0.1 and G15.9+0.2 using the THOR survey data. With the absorption spectra, we give a new distance range of 7 to 16 kpc for G15.9+0.2. We also resolve the near/far-side distance ambiguity of G16,7+0.1 and confirm its kinematic distance of about 14 kpc. In addition, we analyze the CO (J=3-2) spectra towards G16.7+0.1 and find obvious CO emission at the 20 kms$^{-1}$ OH 1720 MHz maser site. This supports Reynoso and Mangum (2000)'s suggestions that the velocity difference between the maser and southern molecular cloud is caused by the shock acceleration. We discuss the impact of the distances on other physical parameters of the two SNRs.

astro-ph.GA

Dust destruction in non-radiative shocks

Supernova remnant (SNR) shock waves are the main place where interstellar dust grains are destroyed. However, the dust destruction efficiency in non-radiative shocks is still not well known. One way to estimate the fraction of dust destroyed is to compare the difference between postshock gas abundances and preshock medium total abundances when the preshock elemental depletion factors are known. We compare the postshock gas abundances of 16 SNRs in Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) with the LMC interstellar medium abundances that we derived based on 69 slow-rotating early B-type stars. We find that, on average, $\sim$61\% of Si rich dust grains are destroyed in the shock while the fraction of dust destroyed is only $\sim$40\% for Fe rich dust grains. This result supports the idea that the high depletion of Fe in the diffuse neutral medium is not caused by the resilience of Fe rich grains but because of faster growth rate. This work also presents a potential way to constrain the chemical composition of interstellar dust.

astro-ph.GA

A search for hypercompact HII regions in the Galactic Plane

We have carried out the largest and most unbiased search for hypercompact (HC) HII regions. Our method combines four interferometric radio continuum surveys (THOR, CORNISH, MAGPIS and White2005) with far-infrared and sub-mm Galactic Plane surveys to identify embedded HII regions with positive spectral indices. 120 positive spectrum HII regions have been identified from a total sample of 534 positive spectral index radio sources. None of these HII regions, including the known HCHII regions recovered in our search, fulfills the canonical definition of an HCHII region at 5 GHz. We suggest that the current canonical definition of HCHII regions is not accurate and should be revised to include a hierarchical structure of ionized gas that results in an extended morphology at 5 GHz. Correlating our search with known ultracompact (UC) HII region surveys, we find that roughly half of detected UCHII regions have positive spectral indices, instead of more commonly assumed flat and optically thin spectra. This implies a mix of optically thin and thick emission and has important implications for previous analyses which have so far assumed optically thin emission for these objects. Positive spectrum HII regions are statistically more luminous and possess higher Lyman continuum fluxes than HII regions with flat or negative indices. Positive spectrum HII regions are thus more likely to be associated with more luminous and massive stars. No differences are found in clump mass, linear diameter or luminosity-to-mass ratio between positive spectrum and non-positive spectrum HII regions.

astro-ph.GA

Distances of Galactic Supernova Remnants Using Red Clump Stars

We carry out a project to independently measure the distances of supernova remnants (SNRs) in the first quadrant of the Galaxy. In this project, red clump (RC) stars are used as standard candles and extinction probes to build the optical extinction (A$_V$) - distance(D) relation in each direction of extinction-known SNRs. 15 SNRs' distances are well determined. Among them, the distances of G65.8-0.5, G66.0-0.0 and G67.6+0.9 are given for the first time. We also obtain 32 upper/lower limits of distances, and the distances to G5.7-0.1, G15.1-1.6, G28.8+1.5 and G78.2+2.1 are constrained. Most of the distances measured by the RC method are consistent with previous results. The RC method provides an independent access to the distances of SNRs.

astro-ph.IM

How does the stellar wind influence the radio morphology of a supernova remnant?

We simulate the evolutions of the stellar wind and the supernova remnant (SNR) originating from a runaway massive star in an uniform Galactic environment based on the three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics models. Taking the stellar wind into consideration, we can explain the radio morphologies of many supernova remnants. The directions of the kinematic velocity of the progenitor, the magnetic field and the line of sight are the most important factors influencing the morphologies. If the velocity is perpendicular to the magnetic field, the simulation will give us two different unilateral SNRs and a bilateral symmetric SNR. If the velocity is parallel to the magnetic field, we can obtain a bilateral asymmetric SNR and a quasi-circular SNR. Our simulations show the stellar wind plays a key role in the radio evolution of a SNR, which implies the Galactic global density and magnetic field distribution play a secondary role in shaping a SNR.

astro-ph.GA

Galactic synchrotron distribution derived from 152 HII region absorption features in the full GLEAM survey

We derive the synchrotron distribution in the Milky Way disk from HII region absorption observations over -40° < l < 40° at six frequencies of 76.2, 83.8, 91.5, 99.2, 106.9, and 114.6 MHz with the GaLactic and Extragalactic All-sky Murchison widefield array survey (GLEAM). We develop a new method of emissivity calculation by taking advantage of the Haslam et al., (1981) map and known spectral indices, which enable us to simultaneously derive the emissivity and the optical depth of HII regions at each frequency. We show our derived synchrotron emissivities based on 152 absorption features of HII regions using both the method previously adopted in the literature and our improved method. We derive the synchrotron emissivity from HII regions to the Galactic edge along the line of sight and, for the first time, derive the emissivity from HII regions to the Sun. These results provide direct information on the distribution of the Galactic magnetic field and cosmic-ray electrons for future modelling.

astro-ph.GA

Chandra Observation of PWN G16.73+0.08 in SNR G16.7+0.1

We present X-ray observations of PWN G16.73+0.08/SNR G16.7+0.1 using archival data of {\it Chandra} ACIS. The X-ray emission peak location of this pulsar wind nebula is found to be offset by 24 arcsec from the centre of the 1.4-GHz emission of this nebula. The X-ray nebula is elongated in the direction from the X-ray peak to the 1.4-GHz emission centre. This offset suggests that G16.73+0.08 is an evolved pulsar wind nebula interacting with the supernova remnant reverse shock. We identify a point source, CXO J182058.16-142001.5, near the location of the X-ray peak. The spectrum of the X-ray nebula can be described by an absorbed power law of photon index $0.98^{+0.79}_{-0.71}$ and hydrogen column density $N_{\rm H}=4.99^{+2.75}_{-2.28}\times 10^{22}$ cm$^{-2}$. CXO J182058.16-142001.5 is likely a pulsar. We estimate its spin-down power to be about $2.6\times 10 ^{36}$ erg s$^{-1}$. Assuming its age at 3000 and 10,000 years, its dipole magnetic field strength at the polar surface is estimated to be about $4.2 \times 10^{13}$ G and $1.3 \times 10^{13}$ G, respectively.

astro-ph.HE

Disentangling the radio emission of the supernova remnant W51C

We simulate the evolution of supernova remnant (SNR) W51C. The simulation shows the existence of a new northeast edge. We present magnetic field structure of the W51 complex (SNR W51C and two HII regions W51A/B) by employing the 11 cm survey data of Effelsberg. This new edge is identified and overlaps with W51A along the line of sight, which gives a new angular diameter of about 37' for the quasi-circular remnant. In addition, we assemble the OH spectral lines (1612/1665/1720 MHz) towards the complex by employing the newly released THOR (The HI OH Recombination line survey of Milky Way) data. We find that the known 1720 MHz OH maser in the W51B/C overlap area is located away from the detected 1612/1665MHz absorption region. The latter is sitting at the peak of the HII region G49.2-0.35 within W51B.

astro-ph.GA

XMM-Newton observations of the non-thermal supernova remnant HESS J1731-347 (G353.6-0.7)

We report on the analysis of XMM-Newton observations of the non-thermal shell-type supernova remnant HESS J1731-347 (G353.6-0.7). For the first time the complete remnant shell has been covered in X-rays, which allowed direct comparison with radio and TeV observations. We carried out a spatially resolved spectral analysis of XMM-Newton data and confirmed the previously reported non-thermal power-law X-ray spectrum of the source with negligible variations of spectral index across the shell. On the other hand, the X-ray absorption column is strongly variable and correlates with the CO emission thus confirming that the absorbing material must be in the foreground and reinforcing the previously suggested lower limit on distance. Finally, we find that the X-ray emission of the remnant is suppressed towards the Galactic plane, which points to lower shock velocities in this region, likely due to the interaction of the shock with the nearby molecular cloud.

astro-ph.HE

Kinematic Distance of Galactic Planetary Nebulae

We construct \HI~absorption spectra for 18 planetary nebulae (PNe) and their background sources using the data from the International Galactic Plane Survey. We estimate the kinematic distances of these PNe, among which 15 objects' kinematic distances are obtained for the first time. The distance uncertainties of 13 PNe range from 10% to 50%, which is a significant improvement with uncertainties of a factor two or three smaller than most of previous distance measurements. We confirm that PN G030.2-00.1 is not a PN because of its large distance found here.

astro-ph.GA

Suzaku observation and distance of supernova remnant G332.5-5.6

We analyze the Suzaku XIS data of the central region of supernova remnant G332.5-5.6. The X-ray data are well described by a single non-equilibrium ionization thermal model, {\tt vnei}, with an absorbing hydrogen column density of 1.4$^{+0.4}_{-0.1}$ $\times$ 10$^{21}$ cm$^{-2}$. The plasma is characterized by an electron temperature of 0.49$^{+0.08}_{-0.06}$ keV with subsolar abundances for O (0.58$^{+0.06}_{-0.05}$ solar value) and Fe (0.72$^{+0.06}_{-0.05}$ solar value) and slightly overabundance for Mg (1.23$^{+0.14}_{-0.14}$ solar value). It seems that the central X-ray emission originates from projection effect or evaporation of residual clouds inside G332.5-5.6. We estimate a distance of 3.0 $\pm$ 0.8 kpc for G332.5-5.6 based on the extinction-distance relation. G332.5-5.6 has an age of 7 - 9 kyr.

astro-ph.HE

Supernova remnant W49B and its environment

We study Gamma-ray supernova remnant W49B and its environment using recent radio and infrared data. {\it Spitzer} IRS low resolution data of W49B shows shocked excitation lines of H$_{2}$ (0,0) S(0)-S(7) from the SNR-molecular cloud interaction. The H$_2$ gas is composed of two components with temperature of $\sim$260 K and $\sim$1060 K respectively. Various spectral lines from atomic and ionic particles are detected towards W49B. We suggest the ionic phase has an electron density of $\sim$500 cm${}^{-3}$ and a temperature of $\sim$${10^4}$ K by the spectral line diagnoses. The mid- and far-infrared data from {\it MSX}, {\it Spitzer} and {\it Herschel} reveals a 151 $\pm$ 20 K hot dust component with a mass of 7.5 $\pm$ 6.6 $\times$ ${10}^{-4} {\Msol}$ and a 45 $\pm$ 4 K warm dust component with a mass of 6.4 $\pm$ 3.2 ${\Msol}$. The hot dust is likely from materials swept up by the shock of W49B. The warm dust may possibly originate from the evaporation of clouds interacting with W49B. We build the HI absorption spectra of W49B and nearby four {\HII} regions (W49A, G42.90+0.58, G42.43-0.26 and G43.19-0.53), and study the relation between W49B and the surrounding molecular clouds by employing the 2.12 $μ$m infrared and CO data. We therefore obtain a kinematic distance of $\sim$10 kpc for W49B and suggest that the remnant is likely associated with the CO cloud at about 40 km s$^{-1}$.

astro-ph.SR

SNR G349.7+0.2: A gamma-ray source in the far 3 kpc arm of the Galactic center

We analyze the HI absorption profile for TeV Supernova Remnant (SNR) G349.7+0.2 based on updated knowledge of the inner Galaxy's structure. We significantly revise its kinematic distance from the previous ~ 22 kpc to ~11.5 kpc, indicating it is in the far 3 kpc arm of the Galactic center. We give a revised age of ~ 1800 year for G349.7+0.2 which has a low explosion energy of ~ 2.5 x 10^50 ergs. This removes G349.7+0.2 from the set of brightest SNRs in radio, X-ray to gamma-ray wavebands and helps understand gamma-ray emission originating from this remnant better. However, one needs to use caution for old kinematic distances of Galactic objects (e.g. SNRs, Pulsars and HII regions) in the range of -12 degree =< l =< 12 degree and having distance estimates of >= 5.5 kpc.

astro-ph.GA

Kinematic distance study of the planetary nebulae-supernova remnant-HII region complex at G35.6-0.5

Two possible planetary nebulae (PN G035.5-00.4 and IRAS 18551+0159), one newly re-identified supernova remnant (SNR G35.6-0.4), and one HII region (G35.6-0.5) form a line-of-sight-overlapped complex known as G35.6-0.5. We analyze 21 cm HI absorption spectra towards the complex to constrain their kinematic distances. PN G035.5-00.4 has a distance from 3.8+/-0.4 kpc to 5.4+/-0.7 kpc. IRAS 18551+0159 is at 4.3+/-0.5 kpc. We discuss the distance for SNR 35.6-0.4, for which the previous estimate was 10.5 kpc, and find plausible for it to be 3.6+/-0.4 kpc. The new distance of SNR G35.6-0.4 and the derived mass for the ~55 km/s CO molecular cloud can accommodate an association with HESS J1858+020. We also conclude that SNR G35.6-0.4 is unlikely associated with PSR J1857+0210 or PSR J1857+0212, which are projected into the SNR area.

astro-ph.SR

High velocity HI is not associated with TeV supernova remnant W51C

The recently-detected TeV gamma-ray source HESS J1923+141 coincides with Supernova Remnant (SNR) W51C and the star forming region W51B of the W51 complex. We construct HI absorption spectra to SNR W51C, HII regions G49.2-0.35 and G49.1-0.38 in W51B, and a nearby compact extragalactic source. Our study detects high-velocity (HV) HI clouds (above 83 km/s) which coincide with W51B, but finds that the clouds are behind W51B. Both W51C and G49.2-0.35 have have similar highest-velocity absorption features at ~70 km/s. The HII region G49.1-0.38 is behind the SNR because its HI absorption spectrum has a feature at 83 km/s. These new results argue against previous claims that the SNR has shocked the HV HI clouds. Therefore the TeV emission from the complex should not be associated with the HV HI clouds. W51C has a distance of about 4.3 kpc, smaller than the tangent point distance of 5.5 kpc in that direction, but still in the Sagittarius spiral arm.

astro-ph.GA

PSRs J0248+6021 and J2240+5832: Young Pulsars in the Northern Galactic Plane. Discovery, Timing, and Gamma-ray observations

Pulsars PSR J0248+6021 (rotation period P=217 ms and spin-down power Edot = 2.13E35 erg/s) and PSR J2240+5832 (P=140 ms, Edot = 2.12E35 erg/s) were discovered in 1997 with the Nancay radio telescope during a northern Galactic plane survey, using the Navy-Berkeley Pulsar Processor (NBPP) filter bank. GeV gamma-ray pulsations from both were discovered using the Fermi Large Area Telescope. Twelve years of radio and polarization data allow detailed investigations. The two pulsars resemble each other both in radio and in gamma-ray data. Both are rare in having a single gamma-ray pulse offset far from the radio peak. The high dispersion measure for PSR J0248+6021 (DM = 370 pc cm^-3) is most likely due to its being within the dense, giant HII region W5 in the Perseus arm at a distance of 2 kpc, not beyond the edge of the Galaxy as obtained from models of average electron distributions. Its high transverse velocity and the low magnetic field along the line-of-sight favor this small distance. Neither gamma-ray, X-ray, nor optical data yield evidence for a pulsar wind nebula surrounding PSR J0248+6021. The gamma-ray luminosity for PSR J0248+6021 is L_ gamma = (1.4 \pm 0.3)\times 10^34 erg/s. For PSR J2240+5832, we find either L_gamma = (7.9 \pm 5.2) \times 10^34 erg/s if the pulsar is in the Outer arm, or L_gamma = (2.2 \pm 1.7) \times 10^34 erg/s for the Perseus arm. These luminosities are consistent with an L_gamma ~ sqrt(Edot) rule. Comparison of the gamma-ray pulse profiles with model predictions, including the constraints obtained from radio polarization data, favor emission in the far magnetosphere. These two pulsars differ mainly in their inclination angles and acceleration gap widths, which in turn explains the observed differences in the gamma-ray peak widths.

astro-ph.HE