We review the main experimental and theoretical results related to neutrino physics and outline possible lines of developement. The main topics covered are: neutrino masses, oscillations, solar and atmospheric evidences, the LSND/MiniBoone, HM, NuTeV anomalies, future oscillation experiments, beta and 0nu2beta decays, leptogenesis, supernovae, astrophysics, cosmology, flavour models, RGE corrections, violations of lepton flavor in charged leptons, statistics.

We review the main experimental and theoretical results related to neutrino physics and outline possible lines of developement. The main topics covered are: neutrino masses, oscillations, solar and atmospheric evidences, the LSND/MiniBoone, HM, NuTeV anomalies, future oscillation experiments, beta and 0nu2beta decays, leptogenesis, supernovae, astrophysics, cosmology, flavour models, RGE corrections, violations of lepton flavor in charged leptons, statistics.

Minutes into the big bang, nucleosynthesis finds 96 percent of matter nonreactive. Massive pure disk protogalaxies must be formed in the early universe as their galaxies are found at high redshift. Surrounded by hot gas, they made little imprint on the CBR. The LHC has not found the Higgs or dark matter candidates. These phenomena can be explained by a cold baryonic shell.

There is some controversy on the nature of dust clouds found in direction of the interacting galaxy triplett M81, M82, and NGC3077. Are they associated with the tidal arms seen in HI around those galaxies or are they simply Galactic foreground clouds? Data from the SPIRE instrument onboard HERSCHEL and MIPS onboard of SPITZER are used to derive physical parameters for the dust clouds. These observions are compared to CO clouds previously mapped with the IRAM and the FCRAO radio telescopes.SPIRE and MIPS maps show several dust clouds north of M81 and south of NGC3077. Modelling of the dust emission provides total hydrogen column densities between 1.5 and 5.0 * 10^20 cm^-2. Dust temperatures are between 13 to 17K. No significant difference in the dust emission can be found between individual clouds. It is shown that CO line emission provides the best clues on the origin of those clouds. Most of the clouds seen towards M81 are associated with small-area molecular structures (SAMS), i.e. tiny CO clouds of Galactic origin. The clouds seen towards NGC3077 are partly associated with the tidal arms and are partly in the Galactic foreground associated with SAMS.

Two varieties of the universal stellar initial mass function (IMF) viz., the Kroupa and the Chabrier IMF, have emerged over the last decade to explain the observed distribution of stellar masses. The possibility of the universal nature of the stellar IMF leads us to the interesting prospect of a universal mode of star-formation. It is well-known that turbulent fragmentation of gas in the interstellar medium produces a lognormal distribution of density which is further reflected by the mass-function for clumps at low and intermediate masses. Stars condense out of unstable clumps through a complex interplay between a number of dynamic processes which must be accounted for when tracing the origin of the stellar IMF. In the present work, applying the theory of gravitational fragmentation we first derive the mass function (MF) for clumps. Then a core mass function (CMF) is derived by allowing the clumps to fragment, having subjected each one to a random choice of gas temperature. Finally, the stellar IMF is derived by applying a random core-to-star conversion efficiency, $\epsilon$, in the range of 5%-15% to each CMF. We obtain a power-law IMF that has exponents within the error-bars on the Kropua IMF. This derived IMF is preceded by a similar core mass function which suggests, gravoturbulent fragmentation plays a key role in assembling necessary conditions that relate the two mass-functions. In this sense the star-formation process, at least at low redshifts where gas cooling is efficient, is likely to be universal. We argue that the observed knee in the CMF and the stellar IMF may alternatively be interpreted in terms of the characteristic temperature at which gas in potential star-forming clouds is likely to be found. Our results also show that turbulence in star-forming clouds is probably driven on large spatial scales with a power-spectrum steeper than Kolmogorov-type.

We consider the density profile of the central region of dark matter haloes. It turns out that under very general conditions the profile is universal: it depends almost not at all on the properties of the initial perturbation and is very akin, but not identical, to the Einasto profile. We estimate the size of the ‘central core’ of the distribution, i.e., the extent of the very central region with a respectively gentle profile, and show that the cusp formation is unlikely, even if the dark matter is cold. We also indicate that the density profile of the outer part ($r>0.5 R_{vir}$) of the haloes significantly depends on the initial conditions and should not be universal, in contrast to the central area. All these results can be useful both to indirect search of the dark matter and to N-body simulations of the structure formation.

Using infrared, radio continuum and spectral observations, we performed a detailed investigation of the HII region RCW175. We determined that RCW175, which actually consists of two separate HII regions, G29.1-0.7 and G29.0-0.6, is located at a distance of 3.2+/-0.2 kpc. Based on the observations we infer that the more compact G29.0-0.6 is less evolved than G29.1-0.7 and was possibly produced as a result of the expansion of G29.1-0.7 into the surrounding interstellar medium. We compute a star formation rate for RCW175 of (12.6+/-1.9)x10^{-5} M_{\sun}/yr, and identified 6 possible young stellar object candidates within its vicinity. Additionally, we estimate that RCW175 contains a total dust mass of 215+/-53 M_{\sun}. RCW175 has previously been identified as a source of anomalous microwave emission (AME), an excess of emission at cm wavelengths often attributed to electric dipole radiation from the smallest dust grains. We find that the AME previously detected in RCW175 is not correlated with the smallest dust grains (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or small carbonaceous dust grains), but rather with the exciting radiation field within the region. This is a similar result to that found in the Perseus molecular cloud, another region which harbors AME, suggesting that the radiation field may play a pivotal role in the production of this new Galactic emission mechanism. Finally, we suggest that these observations may hint at the importance of understanding the role played by the major gas ions in spinning dust models.

We present new ~1″ resolution data of the dense molecular gas in the central 50-100 pc of four nearby Seyfert galaxies. PdBI observations of HCN and, in 2 of the 4 sources, simultaneously HCO+ allow us to carefully constrain the dynamical state of the dense gas surrounding the AGN. Analysis of the kinematics shows large line widths of 100-200 km/s FWHM that can only partially arise from beam smearing of the velocity gradient. The observed morphological and kinematic parameters (dimensions, major axis position angle, red and blue channel separation, and integrated line width) are well reproduced by a thick disk, where the emitting dense gas has a large intrinsic dispersion (20-40 km/s), implying that it exists at significant scale heights (25-30% of the disk radius). To put the observed kinematics in the context of the starburst and AGN evolution, we estimate the Toomre Q parameter. We find this is always greater than the critical value, i.e. Q is above the limit such that the gas is stable against rapid star formation. This is supported by the lack of direct evidence, in these 4 Seyfert galaxies, for on-going star formation close around the AGN. Instead, any current star formation tends to be located in a circumnuclear ring. We conclude that the physical conditions are indeed not suited to star formation within the central ~100 pc.

We investigate the error properties of certain galaxy luminosity function (GLF) estimators. Using a cluster expansion of the density field, we show how, for both volume and flux limited samples, the GLF estimates are covariant. The covariance matrix can be decomposed into three pieces: a diagonal term arising from Poisson noise; a sample variance term arising from large-scale structure in the survey volume; an occupancy covariance term arising due to galaxies of different luminosities inhabiting the same cluster. To evaluate the theory one needs: the mass function and bias of clusters, and the conditional luminosity function (CLF). We use a semi-analytic model (SAM) galaxy catalogue from the Millennium run N-body simulation and the CLF of Yang et al. (2003) to explore these effects. The GLF estimates from the SAM and the CLF qualitatively reproduce results from the 2dFGRS. We also measure the luminosity dependence of clustering in the SAM and find reasonable agreement with 2dFGRS results for bright galaxies. However, for fainter galaxies, L<L*, the SAM overpredicts the relative bias by ~10-20%. We use the SAM data to estimate the errors in the GLF estimates for a volume limited survey of volume V~0.13 [Gpc/h]^3. We find that different luminosity bins are highly correlated: for L0.5. Our theory is in good agreement with these measurements. These strong correlations can be attributed to sample variance. For a flux-limited survey of similar volume, the estimates are only slightly less correlated. We explore the importance of these effects for GLF model parameter estimation. We show that neglecting to take into account the bin-to-bin covariances can lead to significant systematic errors in best-fit parameters.

We constructed a hyper-parameter statistical method to quantify the difference between predicted velocities derived from the observed galaxy distribution in the IRAS-PSCz redshift survey and peculiar velocities measured using different distance indicators. In our analysis we find that the model-data comparison becomes unreliable beyond 70 Mpc/h because of the inadequate sampling of prominent, distant superclusters like the Shapley Concentration by IRAS galaxies. On the other hand, the analysis of the velocity residuals show that the PSCz gravity field provides an adequate model to the local, <= 70 Mpc/h, peculiar velocity field. The hyper-parameter combination of ENEAR, SN, A1SN and SFI++ catalogues constrains the amplitude of the linear flow to \beta=0.53 \pm 0.01. For an rms density fluctuations in the PSCz galaxy number density \sigma_8^{\rm gal}=0.42\pm0.03, we obtain an estimate of the growth rate of density fluctuations $f\sigma_{8}(z\sim0) = 0.42 \pm 0.03$, which is in excellent agreement with independent estimates based on different techniques.

Using the HI Emission/Absorption method, we resolve the kinematic distance ambiguity and derive distances for 149 of 182 (82%) HII regions discovered by the Green Bank Telescope HII Region Discovery Survey (GBT HRDS). The HRDS is an X-band (9GHz, 3cm) GBT survey of 448 previously unknown HII regions in radio recombination line and radio continuum emission. Here we focus on HRDS sources from 67deg. > l > 18deg., where kinematic distances are more reliable. The 25 HRDS sources in this zone that have negative recombination line velocities are unambiguously beyond the orbit of the Sun, up to 20kpc distant. They are the most distant HII regions yet discovered. We find that 61% of HRDS sources are located at the far distance, 31% at the tangent point distance, and only 7% at the near distance. “Bubble” HII regions are not preferentially at the near distance (as was assumed previously) but average 10kpc from the Sun. The HRDS nebulae, when combined with a large sample of HII regions with previously known distances, show evidence of spiral structure in two circular arc segments of mean Galactocentric radii of 4.25 and 6.0kpc. We perform a thorough uncertainty analysis to analyze the effect of using different rotation curves, streaming motions, and a change to the Solar circular rotation speed. The median distance uncertainty for our sample of HII regions is only 0.5kpc, or 5%. This is significantly less than the median difference between the near and far kinematic distances, 6kpc. The basic Galactic structure results are unchanged after considering these sources of uncertainty.

We investigate if there is a difference in the lithium abundances of stars belonging to two halo populations of F and G main-sequence stars previously found to differ in [alpha/Fe] for the metallicity range -1.4 < [Fe/H] < -0.7. Li abundances are derived from the LiI 6707.8 A line measured in high-resolution spectra using MARCS model atmospheres. Furthermore, masses of the stars are determined from the logTeff – logg diagram by interpolating between Yonsei-Yale evolutionary tracks. There is no significant systematic difference in the lithium abundances of high- and low-alpha halo stars. For the large majority of stars with masses 0.7 < M/M_sun < 0.9 and heavy-element mass fractions 0.001 < Z < 0.006, the Li abundance is well fitted by a relation A(Li) = a0 + a1 M + a2 Z + a3 M Z, where a0, a1, a2, and a3 are constants. Extrapolating this relation to Z = 0 leads to a Li abundance close to the primordial value predicted from standard Big Bang nucleosynthesis calculations and the WMAP baryon density. The relation, however, does not apply to stars with [Fe/H] < -1.5. We suggest that metal-rich halo stars were formed with a Li abundance close to the primordial value, and that lithium in their atmospheres has been depleted in time with an approximately linear dependence on stellar mass and Z. The lack of a systematic difference in the Li abundances of high- and low-alpha stars indicates that an environmental effect is not important for the destruction of lithium.

The Pipe Nebula is a molecular cloud hosting the B59 region as its only active star-forming clump. While the particular importance of outflows in active star forming regions is subject of debate, the quiet nature of the gas in B59 makes it a good site to directly see the impact of protostellar feedback on the quiescent dense gas. Using HARP at the JCMT, we mapped the B59 region with the J=3-2 transition of 12CO to study the kinematics and energetics of the outflows, and 13CO and C18O to study the overall dynamics of the ambient cloud, the physical properties of the gas, and the hierarchical structure of the region. The B59 region has a total of 30Msun of cold and quiescent material, mostly gravitationally bound, with narrow line widths throughout. Such low levels of turbulence in non-star-forming sites of B59 are indicative of the intrinsic initial conditions of the cloud. On the other hand, close to the forming protostars the impact of the outflows is observed as a localised increase of both line widths from 0.3 km/s to 1 km/s, and 13CO excitation temperatures by 2-3K. The impact of the outflows is also evident in the low column density material which shows signs of being pushed, shaped and carved by the outflow bow shocks as they pierce their way out of the cloud. Much of this structure is readily apparent in a dendrogram analysis of the cloud. B59’s low mass, intrinsically quiescent gas and small number of protostars, allows the identification of specific regions of the outflows’ interaction with the dense gas. Our study suggests that outflows are an important mechanism in injecting and sustaining supersonic turbulence at sub-parsec scales. We find that only a fraction of the outflow energy is deposited as turbulent energy of the gas. This turbulent energy is sufficient to slow down the collapse of the region.

We investigate the properties of interstellar dust in the Galactic center region toward the Arches and Quintuplet clusters. With the Fourier Transform Spectrometer of the AKARI/Far-Infrared Surveyor, we performed the far-infrared (60 – 140 cm^-1) spectral mapping of an area of about 10′ x 10′ which includes the two clusters to obtain a low-resolution (R = 1.2 cm^-1) spectrum at every spatial bin of 30″ x 30″. We derive the spatial variations of dust continuum emission at different wavenumbers, which are compared with those of the [O III] 88 micron (113 cm^-1) emission and the OH 119 micron (84 cm^-1) absorption. The spectral fitting shows that two dust modified blackbody components with temperatures of ~20 K and ~50 K can reproduce most of the continuum spectra. For some spectra, however, we find that there exists a significant excess on top of a modified blackbody continuum around 80 – 90 cm^-1 (110 – 130 microns). The warmer dust component is spatially correlated well with the [O III] emission and hence likely to be associated with the highly-ionized gas locally heated by intense radiation from the two clusters. The excess emission probably represents a dust feature, which is found to be spatially correlated with the OH absorption and a CO cloud. We find that a dust model including micron-sized graphite grains can reproduce the observed spectrum with the dust feature fairly well.

We combine surveys of the radio sky at frequencies 22 MHz to 1.4 GHz with data from the ARCADE-2 instrument at frequencies 3 to 10 GHz to characterize the frequency spectrum of diffuse synchrotron emission in the Galaxy. The radio spectrum steepens with frequency from 22 MHz to 10 GHz. The projected spectral index at 23 GHz derived from the low-frequency data agrees well with independent measurements using only data at frequencies 23 GHz and above. Comparing the spectral index at 23 GHz to the value from previously published analyses allows extension of the model to higher frequencies. The combined data are consistent with a power-law index beta = -2.64 +/- 0.03 at 0.31 GHz, steepening by an amount Delta beta = 0.07 every octave in frequency. Comparison of the radio data to models including the cosmic ray energy spectrum suggests that any break in the synchrotron spectrum must occur at frequencies above 23 GHz.

An analysis of the kinematics of 412 stars at 1-4 kpc from the Galactic mid-plane by Moni Bidin et al. (2012) has claimed to derive a local density of dark matter that is an order of magnitude below standard expectations. We show that this result is incorrect and that it arises from the invalid assumption that the mean azimuthal velocity of the stellar tracers is independent of Galactocentric radius at all heights; the correct assumption—that is, the one supported by data—is that the circular speed is independent of radius in the mid-plane. We demonstrate that the assumption of constant mean azimuthal velocity is physically implausible by showing that it requires the circular velocity to drop more steeply than allowed by any plausible mass model, with or without dark matter, at large heights above the mid-plane. Using the correct approximation that the circular velocity curve is flat in the mid-plane, we find that the data imply a local dark-matter density of 0.008 +/- 0.002 Msun/pc^3= 0.3 +/- 0.1 Gev/cm^3, fully consistent with standard estimates of this quantity. This is the most robust direct measurement of the local dark-matter density to date.

We report the detection of five high-velocity stars in the core of the globular cluster NGC 2808. The stars lie on the the red giant branch and show total velocities between 40 and 45 km/s. For a core velocity dispersion sigma_c = 13.4 km/s, this corresponds to up to 3.4 sigma_c. These velocities are close to the estimated escape velocity (~ 50 km/s) and suggest an ejection from the core. Two of these stars have been confirmed in our recent integral field spectroscopy data and we will discuss them in more detail here. These two red giants are located at a projected distance of ~ 0.3 pc from the center. According to their positions on the color magnitude diagram, both stars are cluster members. We investigate several possible origins for the high velocities of the stars and conceivable ejection mechanisms. Since the velocities are close to the escape velocity, it is not obvious whether the stars are bound or unbound to the cluster. We therefore consider both cases in our analysis. We perform numerical simulations of three-body dynamical encounters between binaries and single stars and compare the resulting velocity distributions of escapers with the velocities of our stars. We compare the predictions for a single dynamical encounter with a compact object with those of a sequence of two-body encounters due to relaxation. If the stars are unbound, the encounter must have taken place recently, when the stars were already in the giant phase. After including binary fractions and black-hole retention fractions, projection effects, and detection probabilities from Monte-Carlo simulations, we estimate the expected numbers of detections for all the different scenarios. Based on these numbers, we conclude that the most likely scenario is that the stars are bound and were accelerated by a single encounter between a binary of main-sequence stars and a ~ 10 M_sun black hole.

We identify a gravitational-dynamical process in near-Keplerian potentials of galactic nuclei that occurs when an intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH) is migrating on an eccentric orbit through the stellar cluster towards the central supermassive black hole (SMBH). We find that, apart from conventional dynamical friction, the IMBH experiences an often much stronger systematic torque due to the secular (i.e., orbit-averaged) interactions with the cluster’s stars. The force which results in this torque is applied, counterintuitively, in the same direction as the IMBH’s precession and we refer to its action as “secular-dynamical anti-friction” (SDAF). We argue that SDAF, and not the gravitational ejection of stars, is responsible for the IMBH’s eccentricity increase seen in the initial stages of previous N-body simulations. Our numerical experiments, supported by qualitative arguments, demonstrate that (1) when the IMBH’s precession direction is artificially reversed, the torque changes sign as well, which decreases the orbital eccentricity, (2) the rate of eccentricity growth is sensitive to the IMBH migration rate, with zero systematic eccentricity growth for an IMBH whose orbit is artificially prevented from inward migration, and (3) SDAF is the strongest when the central star cluster is rapidly rotating. This leads to eccentricity growth/decrease for the clusters rotating in the opposite/same direction relative to the IMBH’s orbital motion.

The low density interstellar medium (ISM) close to the Sun and inside of the heliosphere provides a unique laboratory for studying interstellar dust grains. Grain characteristics in the nearby ISM are obtained from observations of interstellar gas and dust inside of the heliosphere and the interstellar gas towards nearby stars. Comparison between the gas composition and solar abundances suggests that grains are dominated by olivines and possibly some form of iron oxide. Measurements of the interstellar Ne/O ratio by the Interstellar Boundary Explorer spacecraft indicate that a high fraction of interstellar oxygen in the ISM must be depleted onto dust grains. Local interstellar abundances are consistent with grain destruction in ~150 km/s interstellar shocks, provided that the carbonaceous component is hydrogenated amorphous carbon and carbon abundances are correct. Variations in relative abundances of refractories in gas suggest variations in the history of grain destruction in nearby ISM. The large observed grains, > 1 micron, may indicate a nearby reservoir of denser ISM. Theoretical three-dimensional models of the interaction between interstellar dust grains and the solar wind predict that plumes of about 0.18 micron dust grains form around the heliosphere.

We investigate the motion of test bodies with internal structure in General Relativity. With the help of a multipolar approximation method for extended test bodies we derive the equations of motion up to the quadrupolar order. The motion of pole-dipole and quadrupole test bodies is studied in the context of the Kerr geometry. For an explicit quadrupole model, which includes spin and tidal interactions, the motion in the equatorial plane is characterized by an effective potential and by the binding energy. We compare our findings to recent results for the conservative part of the self-force of bodies in extreme mass ratio situations. Possible implications for gravitational wave physics are outlined.

Spectroscopic observations of 63 HII regions in six spiral galaxies (NGC 628, NGC 783, NGC 2336, NGC 6217, NGC 7331, and NGC 7678) were carried out with the 6-meter telescope (BTA) of Russian Special Astrophysical Observatory with the Spectral Camera attached to the focal reducer SCORPIO in the multislit mode with a dispersion of 2.1A/pixel and a spectral resolution of 10A. These observations were used to estimate the oxygen and nitrogen abundances and the electron temperatures in HII regions through the recent variant of the strong line method (NS calibration). The parameters of the radial distribution (the extrapolated central intercept value and the gradient) of the oxygen and nitrogen abundances in the disks of spiral galaxies NGC 628, NGC 783, NGC 2336, NGC 7331, and NGC 7678 have been determined. The abundances in the NGC 783, NGC 2336, NGC 6217, and NGC 7678 are measured for the first time. Galaxies from our sample follow well the general trend in the luminosity – central metallicity diagram for spiral and irregular galaxies.

We investigate the distribution of the interstellar dust towards six small volumes of the sky in the region of the Gum nebula. New high-quality four-colour uvby and H\beta\ Str\”omgren photometry obtained for 352 stars in six selected areas of Kapteyn, complemented with data obtained in a previous investigation for two of these areas, were used to estimate the colour excess and distance to these objects. The obtained colour excess versus distance diagrams, complemented with other information, when available, were analysed in order to infer the properties of the interstellar medium permeating the observed volumes. On the basis of the overall standard deviation in the photometric measurements, we estimate that colour excesses and distances are determined with an accuracy of 0.010 mag and better than 30%, respectively, for a sample of 520 stars. A comparison with 37 stars in common with the new Hipparcos catalogue attests to the high quality of the photometric distance determination. The obtained colour excess versus distance diagrams testify to the low density volume towards the observed lines-of-sight. Very few stars out to distances of 1 kpc from the Sun have colour excesses larger than E(b-y) = 0.1 mag. In spite of the low density character of the interstellar medium towards the Puppis-Vela direction, the obtained reddening as a function of the distance indicates that two or more interstellar structures are crossed towards the observed lines-of-sight. One of these structures may be associated with the very low density wall of the Local Cavity, which has a distance of 100-150 pc from the Sun. Another structure might be related to the Gum nebula, and if so, its front face would be located at about 350 pc from the Sun.

We have studied the structure of hot accretion flow bathed in a general large-scale magnetic field. We have considered magnetic parameters $ \beta_{r,\varphi,z}[=c^2_{r,\varphi,z}/(2c^2_{s})] $, where $ c^2_{r, \varphi, z} $ are the Alfv\’{e}n sound speeds in three direction of cylindrical coordinate $ (r,\varphi,z) $. The dominant mechanism of energy dissipation is assumed to be the magnetic diffusivity due to turbulence and viscosity in the accretion flow. Also, we adopt a more realistic model for kinematic viscosity $ (\nu=\alpha c_{s} H) $, with both $ c_{s} $ and $ H $ as a function of magnetic field. As a result in our model, the kinematic viscosity and magnetic diffusivity $ (\eta=\eta_{0}c_{s} H) $ are not constant. In order to solve the integrated equations that govern the behavior of the accretion flow, a self-similar method is used. It is found that the existence of magnetic resistivity will increase the radial infall velocity as well as sound speed and vertical thickness of the disk. However the rotational velocity of the disk decreases by the increase of magnetic resistivity. Moreover, we study the effect of three components of global magnetic field on the structure of the disk. We found out that the radial velocity and sound speed are Sub-Keplerian for all values of magnetic field parameters, but the rotational velocity can be Super-Keplerian by the increase of toroidal magnetic field. Also, Our numerical results show that all components of magnetic field can be important and have a considerable effect on velocities and vertical thickness of the disk.

A new geometric method to determine the deflection of light in the equatorial plane of the Kerr solution is presented, whose optical geometry is a surface with a Finsler metric of Randers type. Applying the Gauss-Bonnet theorem to a suitable osculating Riemannian manifold, adapted from a construction by Naz\i m, it is shown explicitly how the two leading terms of the asymptotic deflection angle of gravitational lensing can be found in this way.

We present SubMillimeter-Array observations of a Keplerian disk around the Class I protobinary system L1551 NE in 335 GHz continuum emission and submillimeter line emission in 13CO (J=3-2) and C18O (J=3-2) at a resolution of ~120 x 80 AU. The 335-GHz dust-continuum image shows a strong central peak closely coincident with the binary protostars and likely corresponding to circumstellar disks, surrounded by a ~600 x 300 AU feature elongated approximately perpendicular to the [Fe II] jet from the southern protostellar component suggestive of a circumbinary disk. The 13CO and C18O images confirm that the circumbinary continuum feature is indeed a rotating disk; furthermore, the C18O channel maps can be well modeled by a geometrically-thin disk exhibiting Keplerian rotation. We estimate a mass for the circumbinary disk of ~0.03-0.12 Msun, compared with an enclosed mass of ~0.8 Msun that is dominated by the protobinary system. Compared with several other Class I protostars known to exhibit Keplerian disks, L1551 NE has the lowest bolometric temperature (~91 K), highest envelope mass (~0.39 Msun), and the lowest ratio in stellar mass to envelope + disk + stellar mass (~0.65). L1551 NE may therefore be the youngest protostellar object so far found to exhibit a Keplerian disk. Our observations present firm evidence that Keplerian disks around binary protostellar systems, “Keplerian circumbinary disks’, can exist. We speculate that tidal effects from binary companions could transport angular momenta toward the inner edge of the circumbinary disk and create the Keplerian circumbinary disk.

Hubble Space Telescope images of the galaxy cluster Abell 2261, obtained as part of the Cluster Lensing And Supernova survey with Hubble, show that the brightest galaxy in the cluster, A2261-BCG, has the largest core yet detected in any galaxy. The cusp radius of A2261-BCG is 3.2 kpc, twice as big as the next largest core known, and ~3x bigger than those typically seen in the most luminous BCGs. The morphology of the core in A2261-BCG is also unusual, having a flat or even slightly-depressed interior surface brightness profile, rather than the typical shallow cusp. This implies that the galaxy has a core with constant or even centrally decreasing stellar density. Interpretation of the core as an end product of the “scouring” action of a binary supermassive black hole implies a total black hole mass ~1E+10 M_sun from the extrapolation of most relationships between core structure and black hole mass. The core falls 1-sigma above the cusp-radius versus galaxy luminosity relation. Its large size in real terms, and the extremely large black hole mass required to generate it, raise the possibility that the core has been enlarged by additional processes, such as the ejection of the black holes that originally generated the core. The flat central stellar density profile is consistent with this hypothesis. The core is also displaced by 0.7 kpc from the center of the surrounding envelope, consistent with a local dynamical perturbation of the core.

Astrophysical media are turbulent and therefore reconnection should be treated in the presence of pre-existing turbulence. We consider the model of fast magnetic reconnection in Lazarian & Vishniac (1999) which predicts that the rate of reconnection is controlled by the intensity and the injection scale of turbulent motions. We provide new evidence of successful testing of the model and argue that the model presents a generic set up for astrophysical reconnection events. We study particle acceleration that takes place in volumes of driven turbulence as well turbulent volumes in the presence of large scale reconnection. We show that in the latter case the acceleration is of the first order Fermi type thus supporting the model of acceleration proposed in Gouveia dal Pino & Lazarian (2005).

HI spatial power spectra (PS) were determined for a sample of 24 nearby dwarf irregular galaxies selected from the LITTLE THINGS (Local Irregulars That Trace Luminosity Extremes – The HI Nearby Galaxy Survey) sample. The two-dimensional (2D) power spectral indices asymptotically become a constant for each galaxy when a significant part of the line profile is integrated. For narrow channel maps, the PS become shallower as the channel width decreases, and this shallowing trend continues to our single channel maps. This implies that even the highest velocity resolution of 1.8 km/s is not smaller than the thermal dispersion of the coolest, widespread HI component. The one-dimensional PS of azimuthal profiles at different radii suggest that the shallower PS for narrower channel width is mainly contributed by the inner disks, which indicates that the inner disks have proportionally more cooler HI than the outer disks. Galaxies with lower luminosity (M_B > -14.5 mag) and star formation rate (SFR, log(SFR (M\odot/yr)) < -2.1) tend to have steeper PS, which implies that the HI line-of-sight depths can be comparable with the radial length scales in low mass galaxies. A lack of a correlation between the inertial-range spectral indices and SFR surface density implies that either non-stellar power sources are playing a fundamental role in driving the interstellar medium (ISM) turbulent structure, or the nonlinear development of turbulent structures has little to do with the driving sources.

Although there are a wealth of column density tracers for both the molecular and diffuse interstellar medium, there are very few observational studies investigating the relationship between the density variance (\sigma^2) and the sonic Mach number (Ms). This is in part due to the fact that the \sigma^2-Ms relationship is derived, via MHD simulations, for the 3D density variance only, which is not a direct observable. We investigate the utility of a 2D column density \sigma_{\Sigma/\Sigma_0}^2-Ms relationship using solenoidally driven isothermal MHD simulations and find that the best fit follows closely the form of the 3D density \sigma_{\rho/\rho_0}^2-Ms trend but includes a scaling parameter A such that: \sigma_{ln(\Sigma/\Sigma_0)}^2=Axln(1+b^2Ms^2), where A=0.11 and b=1/3. This relation is consistent with the observational data reported for the Taurus and IC 5146 molecular clouds with b=0.5 and A=0.12. These results open up the possibility of using the 2D column density values of \sigma^2 for investigations of the relation between the the sonic Mach number and the PDF variance in addition to existing PDF sonic Mach number relations.

We present dynamical modeling of the broad line region (BLR) in the Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 50 using reverberation mapping data taken as part of the Lick AGN Monitoring Project (LAMP) 2011. We model the reverberation mapping data directly, constraining the geometry and kinematics of the BLR, as well as deriving a black hole mass estimate that does not depend on a normalizing factor or virial coefficient. We find that the geometry of the BLR in Mrk 50 is a nearly face-on thick disk, with a mean radius of 9.6(+1.2,-0.9) light days, a width of the BLR of 6.9(+1.2,-1.1) light days, and a disk opening angle of 25\pm10 degrees above the plane. We also constrain the inclination angle to be 9(+7,-5) degrees, close to face-on. Finally, the black hole mass of Mrk 50 is inferred to be log10(M(BH)/Msun) = 7.57(+0.44,-0.27). By comparison to the virial black hole mass estimate from traditional reverberation mapping analysis, we find the normalizing constant (virial coefficient) to be log10(f) = 0.78(+0.44,-0.27), consistent with the commonly adopted mean value of 0.74 based on aligning the M(BH)-{\sigma}* relation for AGN and quiescent galaxies. While our dynamical model includes the possibility of a net inflow or outflow in the BLR, we cannot distinguish between these two scenarios.

We report the results of a spectroscopic search for Lyman-alpha emission from gamma-ray burst host galaxies. Based on the well-defined TOUGH sample of 69 X-ray selected Swift GRBs, we have targeted the hosts of a subsample of 20 GRBs known from afterglow spectroscopy to be in the redshift range 1.8-4.5. We detect Lya emission from 7 out of the 20 hosts, with the typical limiting 3sigma line flux being 8E-18 erg/cm2/s, corresponding to a Lya luminosity of 6E41 erg/s at z=3. The Lya luminosities for the 7 hosts in which we detect Lya emission are in the range (0.6-2.3)E42 erg/s corresponding to star-formation rates of 0.6-2.1 Msun/yr (not corrected for extinction). The rest-frame Lya equivalent widths (EWs) for the 7 hosts are in the range 9-40A. For 6 of the 13 hosts for which Lya is not detected we place fairly strong 3sigma upper limits on the EW (<20A), while for others the EW is either unconstrained or has a less constraining upper limit. We find that the distribution of Lya EWs is inconsistent with being drawn from the Lya EW distribution of bright Lyman break galaxies at the 98.3% level, in the sense that the TOUGH hosts on average have larger EWs than bright LBGs. We can exclude an early indication, based on a smaller, heterogeneous sample of pre-Swift GRB hosts, that all GRB hosts are Lya emitters. We find that the TOUGH hosts on average have lower EWs than the pre-Swift GRB hosts, but the two samples are only inconsistent at the 92% level. The velocity centroid of the Lya line is redshifted by 200-700 km/s with respect to the systemic velocity, similar to what is seen for LBGs, possibly indicating star-formation driven outflows from the host galaxies. There seems to be a trend between the Lya EW and the optical to X-ray spectral index of the afterglow (beta_OX), hinting that dust plays a role in the observed strength and even presence of Lya emission. [ABRIDGED]

We present a list of 13 candidate gravitationally lensed submillimeter galaxies (SMGs) from 95 square degrees of the Herschel Multi-tiered Extragalactic Survey, a surface density of 0.14\pm0.04deg^{-2}. These sources have 500um flux densities (S_500) greater than 100mJy. Follow-up observations confirm gravitational lensing in 9 of the 13 systems (70%); the lensing status of the four remaining sources is undetermined. We also present a supplementary sample of 29 (0.31\pm0.06deg^{-2}) gravitationally lensed SMG candidates with S_500=80–100mJy, which are expected to contain a higher fraction of interlopers than the primary candidates. The number counts of the candidate lensed galaxies are consistent with a simple statistical model of the lensing rate, which uses a foreground matter distribution, the intrinsic SMG number counts, and an assumed SMG redshift distribution. The model predicts that 43–83% of our S_500>100mJy candidates are strongly gravitationally lensed, with the brightest sources being the most robust; this is consistent with the observational data. Our statistical model also predicts that, on average, lensed galaxies with S_500=100mJy are magnified by factors of ~6, with brighter galaxies having progressively higher average magnification. 50% of the sources are expected to have intrinsic 500um flux densities less than 30mJy. Thus, samples of strongly gravitationally lensed SMGs, such as those presented here, probe below the nominal Herschel detection limit at 500um. They are ideal targets for the detailed study of the physical conditions in distant dusty, star-forming galaxies, with unprecedented spatial resolution achieved due to the lensing magnification.

We revisit the problem of the split main sequence (MS) of the globular cluster omega Centauri, and report the results of two-epoch Hubble Space Telescope observations of an outer field, for which proper motions give us a pure sample of cluster members, and an improved separation of the two branches of the main sequence. Using a new set of stellar models covering a grid of values of helium and metallicity, we find that the best possible estimate of the helium abundance of the bluer branch of the MS is Y = 0.39 +/- 0.02. For the cluster center we apply new techniques to old observations: we use indices of photometric quality to select a high-quality sample of stars, which we also correct for differential reddening. We then superpose the color-magnitude diagram of the outer field on that of the cluster center, and suggest a connection of the bluer branch of the MS with one of the more prominent among the many sequences in the subgiant region. We also report a group of undoubted cluster members that are well to the red of the lower MS.

In this paper, we review tests of the strong equivalence principle (SEP) derived from binary pulsar data. The extreme difference in binding energy between both components and the precise measurement of the orbital motion provided by pulsar timing allow the only current precision SEP tests for strongly self-gravitating bodies. We start by highlighting why such tests are conceptually important. We then review previous work where limits on SEP violation are obtained with an ensemble of wide binary systems with small eccentricity orbits. Then we propose a new SEP violation test based on the measurement of the variation of the orbital eccentricity de/dt. This new method has the following advantages: a) unlike previous methods it is not based on probabilistic considerations, b) it can make a direct detection of SEP violation, c) the measurement of de/dt is not contaminated by any known external effects, which implies that this SEP test is only restricted by the measurement precision of de/dt. In the final part of the review, we conceptually compare the SEP test with the test for dipolar radiation damping, a phenomenon closely related to SEP violation, and speculate on future prospects by new types of tests in globular clusters and future triple systems.

In this paper we present the investigation of the evolutionary status of three open clusters: Berkeley 27, Berkeley 34, and Berkeley 36, all located in the Galactic anti-centre direction. All of them were observed with SUSI2@NTT using the Bessel B, V, and I filters. The cluster parameters have been obtained using the synthetic colour-magnitude diagram (CMD) method i.e. the direct comparison of the observational CMDs with a library of synthetic CMDs generated with different evolutionary sets (Padova, FRANEC, and FST). This analysis shows that Berkeley 27 has an age between 1.5 and 1.7 Gyr, a reddening E(B-V) in the range 0.40 and 0.50, and a distance modulus (m-M)_0 between 13.1 and 13.3; Berkeley 34 is older with an age in the range 2.1 and 2.5 Gyr, E(B-V) between 0.57 and 0.64, and (m-M)_0 between 14.1 and 14.3; Berkeley 36, with an age between 7.0 and 7.5 Gyr, has a reddening E(B-V)~0.50 and a distance modulus (m-M)_0 between 13.1 and 13.2. For all the clusters our analysis suggests a sub-solar metallicity in accord with their position in the outer Galactic disc.

Aims: We aim to simulate radial profiles of molecular abundances and the gas temperature in cold and heavily shielded starless cores by combining chemical and radiative transfer models. Methods: A determination of the dust temperature in a modified Bonnor-Ebert sphere is used to calculate initial radial molecular abundance profiles. The abundances of selected cooling molecules corresponding to two different core ages are then extracted to determine the gas temperature at two time steps. The calculation is repeated in an iterative process yielding molecular abundances consistent with the gas temperature. Line emission profiles for selected substances are calculated using simulated abundance profiles. Results: The gas temperature is a function of time; the gas heats up as the core gets older because the cooling molecules are depleted onto grain surfaces. The contributions of the various cooling molecules to the total cooling power change with time. Radial chemical abundance profiles are non-trivial: different species present varying degrees of depletion and in some cases inward-increasing abundances profiles, even at t > 10^5 years. Line emission simulations indicate that cores of different ages can present significantly different line emission profiles, depending on the tracer species considered. Conclusions: Chemical abundances and the associated line cooling power change as a function of time. Most chemical species are depleted onto grain surfaces at densities exceeding ~10^5 cm^-3. Notable exceptions are NH_3 and N2H^+; the latter is largely undepleted even at n_H~10^6 cm-3. On the other hand, chemical abundances are not significantly developed in regions of low gas density even at t~10^5 years, revealed by inward-increasing abundance gradients. The gas temperature can be significantly different from the dust temperature; this may have implications on core stability.

We present a detailed abundance analysis and atmospheric parameters of 76 stars from a survey to identify field Galactic red horizontal-branch (RHB) stars. High-resolution echelle spectra (R\simeq60,000, S/N>=100) were obtained with 2.7 m Smith Telescope at McDonald Observatory. The target stars were selected only by color and parallax information. Overall metallicities and relative abundances of proton-capture elements (C I, N I, O I, Li I), alpha-elements (Ca I and Si I), and neutron-capture elements (Eu II and La II) were determined by either equivalent width or synthetic spectrum analyses. We used CN features at 7995-8040 {\AA} region in order to determine 12^C/13^C ratios of our targets. Investigation of the evolutionary stages, using spectroscopic T_eff and log g values along with derived 12^C/13^C ratios, revealed the presence of 18 probable RHB stars in our sample. We also derived kinematics of the stars with available distance information. Taking into account both the kinematics and probable evolutionary stages, we conclude that our sample contains five thick disk and 13 thin disk RHB stars. Up until now, RHB stars have been considered as members of the thick disk, and were expected to have large space velocities and sub-solar metallicities. However, our sample is dominated by low velocity solar-metallicity RHB stars; their existence cannot be easily explained with standard stellar evolution.

We present 880 micron images of the transition disk around the star [PZ99] J160421.7-213028, a solar-mass star in the nearby Upper Scorpius association. With a resolution down to 0.34 arcsec, we resolve the inner hole in this disk, and via model fitting to the visibilities and spectral energy distribution we determine both the structure of the outer region and the presence of sparse dust within the cavity. The disk contains about 0.1 Jupiter masses of mm-emitting grains, with an inner disk edge of about 70 AU. The inner cavity contains a small amount of dust with a depleted surface density in a region extending from about 20-70 AU. Taking into account prior observations indicating little to no stellar accretion, the lack of a binary companion, and the presence of dust near 0.1 AU, we determine that the most likely mechanism for the formation of this inner hole is the presence of one or more giant planets.

We present 880 micron images of the transition disk around the star [PZ99] J160421.7-213028, a solar-mass star in the nearby Upper Scorpius association. With a resolution down to 0.34 arcsec, we resolve the inner hole in this disk, and via model fitting to the visibilities and spectral energy distribution we determine both the structure of the outer region and the presence of sparse dust within the cavity. The disk contains about 0.1 Jupiter masses of mm-emitting grains, with an inner disk edge of about 70 AU. The inner cavity contains a small amount of dust with a depleted surface density in a region extending from about 20-70 AU. Taking into account prior observations indicating little to no stellar accretion, the lack of a binary companion, and the presence of dust near 0.1 AU, we determine that the most likely mechanism for the formation of this inner hole is the presence of one or more giant planets.

We present the first robust evidence of an anti-correlation between the X-ray photon index, \Gamma, and the X-ray luminosity in a single low luminosity active galactic nuclei (LLAGN), NGC 7213. Up to now, such anti-correlation trends have been seen only in large samples of LLAGN that span a wide range of X-ray fluxes, although the opposite behaviour (i.e. a positive correlation between \Gamma and X-ray luminosity) has been extensively studied for individual X-ray bright active galactic nuclei. For NGC 7213, we use the long-term X-ray monitoring data of Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE), regularly obtained on average every two days from March 2006 to December 2009. Based on our X-ray data, we derive the \Gamma versus flux and the hardness ratio versus flux relations, indicating clearly that NGC 7213 follows a `harder when brighter’ spectral behaviour. Additionally, by analysing radio and optical data, and combining data from the literature, we form the most complete spectral energy distribution (SED) of the source across the electromagnetic spectrum yielding a bolometric luminosity of 1.7*10^43 erg s^-1. Phenomenologically, the SED of NGC 7213 is similar to that of low-ionization nuclear emission-line region. The robust anti-correlation trend that we find between \Gamma and X-ray luminosity together with the low accretion rate of the source, 0.14 per cent that of Eddington limit, make NGC 7213 the first LLAGN exhibiting a similar spectral behaviour with that of black hole X-ray binaries in `hard state’.

Many astrophysical bodies harbor magnetic fields that are thought to be sustained by dynamo processes. However, it has been argued that the production of large-scale magnetic fields by a mean-field dynamo is strongly suppressed at large magnetic Reynolds numbers owing to the conservation of magnetic helicity. This phenomenon is known as catastrophic quenching. Advection of magnetic field toward the outer boundaries and away from the dynamo is expected to alleviate such quenching. Examples are stellar and galactic winds. Such advection might be able to overcome the constraint imposed by the conservation of magnetic helicity, transporting a fraction of it outside the domain in which the dynamo operates. We study how the dynamo process is affected by advection. In particular, we study the relative roles played by advective and diffusive fluxes of magnetic helicity. We do this by performing direct numerical simulations of a turbulent dynamo of alpha^2 type driven by forced turbulence in a Cartesian domain in the presence of a constant flow toward the upper and lower borders of the domain. We demonstrate that, within the range of magnetic Reynolds number examined (\Rm < 200, based on the wavenumber of the energy-carrying eddies), the resistive term still dominates over the advective one in the evolution equation of magnetic helicity. This means that for the Rm presently accessible, advection does not alleviate the quenching. Our results lead us to estimate that for Rm ~ 4.10^3. catastrophic quenching can be alleviated by the presence of advection. We also find that in the presence of advection the dynamo, otherwise stationary, becomes oscillatory.

When modeling infrared or gamma-ray data as a linear combination of observed gas tracers, an excess of emission has been pointed out with respect to expectations from known neutral and atomic gas as traced by HI and CO measurements respectively. This excess could result from an additional gas component. This gas, called “dark-gas” (DG) has been observed in our Galaxy, as well as in the Magellanic Clouds. In this paper, we investigate for the first time the correlation between visible extinction (Av) data and the gas tracers on large scales in the solar neighborhood. Our work focuses on the solar neighborhood ($|b|>10\degr$), as well as the inner and outer Galaxy and on four individual regions: Taurus, Orion, Cepheus-Polaris and Aquila-Ophiuchus. Thanks to the recent production of an all-sky Av map, we first perform the correlation between Av and HI and CO emission over the most diffuse regions, to derive the optimal (Av/NH)^(ref) ratio. We then iterate the analysis over the entire regions to estimate the CO-to-H2 conversion factor as well as the DG mass fraction. The average extinction to gas column density ratio in the solar neighborhood is found to be (Av/NH)^(ref)=6.53 10^(-22) mag. cm^2, with significant differences between the inner and outer Galaxy. We derive an average XCO value of 1.67 10^(20) H2 cm^(-2)/(K km s^(-1)). In the solar neighborhood, the gas mass in the dark component is found to be 19% relative to that in the atomic component and 164$%$ relative to the one traced by CO. These results are compatible with the recent analysis using Planck data within the uncertainties of our measurements. We estimate the fraction of dark gas to the total molecular gas to be 0.62 in the solar neighborhood. The HI-to-H2 and H2-to-CO transitions appear for Av $\simeq$0.2 and Av$\simeq1.5$, respectively, in agreement with theoretical models of dark-H2 gas.

We present a detailed investigation into the effects of galaxy environment on their star formation rates (SFR) using galaxies observed in the Galaxy and Mass Assembly Survey (GAMA). We use three independent volume-limited samples of galaxies within z < 0.2 and Mr < -17.8. We investigate the known SFR-density relationship and explore in detail the dependence of SFR on stellar mass and density. We show that the SFR-density trend is only visible when we include the passive galaxy population along with the star-forming population. This SFR-density relation is absent when we consider only the star-forming population of galaxies, consistent with previous work. While there is a strong dependence of the EWH?a on density we find, as in previous studies, that these trends are largely due to the passive galaxy population and this relationship is absent when considering a "star-forming" sample of galaxies. We find that stellar mass has the strongest influence on SFR and EWH?a with the environment having no significant effect on the star-formation properties of the star forming population. We also show that the SFR-density relationship is absent for both early and late-type star-forming galaxies. We conclude that the stellar mass has the largest impact on the current SFR of a galaxy, and any environmental effect is not detectable. The observation that the trends with density are due to the changing morphology fraction with density implies that the timescales must be very short for any quenching of the SFR in infalling galaxies. Alternatively galaxies may in fact undergo predominantly in-situ evolution where the infall and quenching of galaxies from the field into dense environments is not the dominant evolutionary mode.

We present new high-angular resolution observations toward the driving source of the HH 80-81 jet (IRAS 18162-2048). Continuum emission was observed with the Very Large Array at 7 mm and 1.3 cm, and with the Submillimeter Array at 860 microns, with angular resolutions of ~0″1 and ~0″8 respectively. Submillimeter observations of the sulfur oxide (SO) molecule are reported as well. At 1.3 cm the emission traces the well-known radio jet, while at 7 mm the continuum morphology is quadrupolar and seems to be produced by a combination of free-free and dust emission. An elongated structure perpendicular to the jet remains in the 7 mm image after subtraction of the free-free contribution. This structure is interpreted as a compact accretion disk of ~200 AU radius. Our interpretation is favored by the presence of rotation in our SO observations observed at larger scales. The observations presented here add to the small list of cases where the hundred-AU scale emission from a circumstellar disk around a massive protostar has been resolved.

We report Chandra observations of the Scd galaxy NGC 2139, which is known to host a recently formed (10^7.6 yrs) nuclear star cluster. The star cluster is undetected in X-rays, with an upper bound on 0.5-7 keV luminosity of L_X < 7.1 x 10^37 erg/s. This bound implies a bolometric accretion luminosity 10^39 erg/s. We use archival Hubble Space Telescope images to identify candidate optical counterparts for seven Chandra sources, which in most cases have optical luminosities and spatial profiles consistent with star clusters. Compared with other galaxies, the number of luminous X-ray sources in NGC 2139 is larger by a factor of 4 – 10 than expected based on its present star formation rate and stellar mass. This finding can be understood if NGC 2139 has concluded a burst of star formation in the recent past, and suggests that this galaxy could be important for testing the use of X-ray source populations as a chronometer of star formation history.

We derive distance, density and metallicity distribution of the stellar Monoceros Overdensity (MO) in the outer Milky Way, based on deep imaging with the Subaru Telescope. We applied CMD fitting techniques in three stripes at galactic longitudes: l=130 deg, 150 deg, 170 deg; and galactic latitudes: +15 < b [deg] < +25 . The MO appears as a wall of stars at a heliocentric distance of ~ 10.1\pm0.5 kpc across the observed longitude range with no distance change. The MO stars are more metal rich ([Fe/H] ~ -1.0) than the nearby stars at the same latitude. These data are used to test three different models for the origin of the MO: a perturbed disc model, which predicts a significant drop in density adjacent to the MO that is not seen; a basic flared disc model, which can give a good match to the density profile but the MO metallicity implies the disc is too metal rich to source the MO stars; and a tidal stream model, which bracket the distances and densities we derive for the MO, suggesting that a model can be found that would fully fit the MO data. Further data and modeling will be required to confirm or rule out the MO feature as a stream or as a flaring of the disc.

We explore the self-regulation of star formation using a large suite of high resolution hydrodynamic simulations, focusing on molecule-dominated regions (galactic centers and [U]LIRGS) where feedback from star formation drives highly supersonic turbulence. In equilibrium the total midplane pressure, dominated by turbulence, must balance the vertical weight of the ISM. Under self-regulation, the momentum flux injected by feedback evolves until it matches the vertical weight. We test this flux balance in simulations spanning a range of parameters, including surface density $\Sigma$, momentum injected per stellar mass formed ($p_*/m_*$), and angular velocity. The simulations are 2D radial-vertical slices, including both self-gravity and an external potential that confines gas to the disk midplane. After the simulations reach a steady state in all relevant quantities, including the star formation rate $\Sigma_{SFR}$, there is remarkably good agreement between the vertical weight, the turbulent pressure, and the momentum injection rate from supernovae. Gas velocity dispersions and disk thicknesses increase with $p_*/m_*$. The efficiency of star formation per free-fall time at the mid-plane density is insensitive to the local conditions and to the star formation prescription in very dense gas. We measure efficiencies $\sim$0.004-0.01, consistent with low and approximately constant efficiencies inferred from observations. For $\Sigma\in$(100–1000) \msunpc, we find $\Sigma_{SFR}\in$(0.1–4) \sfrunits, generally following a $\Sigma_{SFR}\propto \Sigma^2$ relationship. The measured relationships agree very well with vertical equilibrium and with turbulent energy replenishment by feedback within a vertical crossing time. These results, along with the observed $\Sigma_{SFR}-\Sigma$ relation in high density environments, provide strong evidence for the self-regulation of star formation.

Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) play important roles in our study of the expansion and acceleration of the Universe, but because we do not know the exact nature or natures of the progenitors, there is a systematic uncertainty that must be resolved if SNe Ia are to become more precise cosmic probes. No progenitor system has ever been identified either in the pre- or post-explosion images of a Ia event. There have been recent claims for and against the detection of ex-companion stars in several SNe Ia remnants. These studies, however, usually ignore the angular momentum gain of the progenitor white dwarf, which leads to a spin-up phase and a subsequent spin-down phase before explosion. For spin-down timescales greater than 100,000 years, the donor star could be too dim to detect by the time of explosion. Here we revisit the current limits on ex-companion stars to SNR 0509-67.5, a 400 year old remnant in the Large Magellanic Cloud. If the effects of possible angular momentum gain on the white dwarf are included, a wide range of single-degenerate progenitor models are allowed for this remnant. We demonstrate that the current absence of evidence for ex-companion stars in this remnant, as well as other SNe Ia remnants, does not necessarily provide the evidence of absence for ex-companions. We discuss potential ways to identify such ex-companion stars through deep imaging observations.

The dynamics of galactic nuclei can be affected by several mechanisms. Among these are stellar evolution, stellar collisions, mass segregation, and tidal disruptions of stars due to the central black hole. In this presentation I will address how each of these affects the stellar cusp and the resulting observational signatures. Using a set of dynamically evolving Fokker-Planck simulations I present the dynamical evolution a nuclear stellar cluster and the growth of the central massive black hole within the Galactic Nucleus. In addition to the Galactic Center I explore a wide variety of galactic nuclei and their resulting stellar cusps.

We derive astrophysical and structural parameters of the poorly studied open clusters NGC 6866, NGC 7062, and NGC 2360 based on filtered 2MASS (J, J -H) diagrams, and stellar radial density profiles. The field star decontamination technique is utilised for selecting high-probability cluster members. The E(B -V) reddening values of the three clusters derived from 2MASS JHKs agree with those inferred from UBV and uvby-{\beta} photometries. We find that the core mass function slopes are flatter than the halo’s for the three clusters. The large core and cluster radii of NGC 6866 and NGC 2360 indicate an expanded core, which may suggest the presence of stellar mass black-holes. NGC 2360 is located in the third quadrant (l = 229.80), where Giant Molecular Clouds are scarce that, together with its relatively large mass (~ 1800 msun), might explain its longevity(~ 1.8Gyr) in the Galaxy.

We present new HST/WFPC2 observations of 20 fields centered around T Tauri stars in the Chamaeleon I star forming region. Images have been obtained in the F631N ([OI]6300A), F656N (Ha) and F673N ([SII]6716A+6731A) narrow-band filters, plus the Johnson V-band equivalent F547M filter. We detect 31 T Tauri stars falling within our fields. We discuss the optical morphology of 10 sources showing evidence of either binarity, circumstellar material, or mass loss. We supplement our photometry with a compilation of optical, infrared and sub-millimeter data from the literature, together with new sub-mm data for three objects, to build the Spectral Energy Distributions (SED) of 19 single sources. Using an SED model fitting tool, we self-consistently estimate a number of stellar and disk parameters, while mass accretion rates are directly derived from our Ha photometry. We find that bolometric luminosities derived from dereddened optical data tend to be underestimated in systems with high alpha(2-24} IR spectral index, suggesting that disks seen nearly edge-on may occasionally be interpreted as low luminosity (and therefore more evolved) sources. On the other hand, the same alpha(2-24) spectral index, a tracer of the amount of dust in the warmer layers of the circumstellar disks, and the mass accretion rate appear to decay with the isocronal stellar age, suggesting that the observed age spread (~0.5-5 Myr) within the cluster is real. Our sample contains a few outliers that may have dissipated their circumstellar disks on shorter time-scale.

It is widely accepted that within the framework of LCDM a significant fraction of giant-disk galaxies has recently experienced a violent galactic merger. We present numerical simulations of such major mergers of gas-rich pure disk galaxies, and focus on the innermost stellar component (bulge) of the disk remnants. The simulations have high spatial and mass resolutions, and resolve regions deep enough to allow bulge classification according to standard kinematical and structural characteristics. In agreement with recent studies we find that these bulges are dominated by stars formed in the final coalescence process. In contrast to the common interpretation of such components as classical bulges (i.e. similar to intermediate luminosity ellipticals), we find they are supported by highly coherent rotations and have Sersic indices n<2, a result leading to their classification as pseudo-bulges. Pseudo-bulge formation by gas rich major mergers of pure disks is a novel mode of pseudo-bulge formation; It complements pseudo-bulge growth by secular evolution, and it could help explain the high fractions of classically bulge-less giant disk galaxies, and pseudo-bulges found in giant Sc galaxies.

We present results from a wide-area photometric survey of the Phoenix dwarf galaxy, one of the rare dwarf irregular/ dwarf spheroidal transition type galaxies (dTs) of the Local Group (LG). These objects offer the opportunity to study the existence of possible evolutionary links between the late- and early- type LG dwarf galaxies, since the properties of dTs suggest that they may be dwarf irregulars in the process of transforming into dwarf spheroidals. Using FORS at the VLT we have acquired VI photometry of Phoenix. The data reach a S/N~10 just below the horizontal branch of the system and consist of a mosaic of images that covers an area of 26′ x 26′ centered on the coordinates of the optical center of the galaxy. Examination of the colour-magnitude diagram and luminosity function revealed the presence of a bump above the red clump, consistent with being a red giant branch bump. The deep photometry combined with the large area covered allows us to put on a secure ground the determination of the overall structural properties of the galaxy and to derive the spatial distribution of stars in different evolutionary phases and age ranges, from 0.1 Gyr to the oldest stars. The best-fitting profile to the overall stellar population is a Sersic profile of Sersic radius R_S = 1.82′+-0.06′ and m=0.83+-0.03. We confirm that the spatial distribution of stars is found to become more and more centrally concentrated the younger the stellar population, as reported in previous studies. This is similar to the stellar population gradients found for close-by Milky Way dwarf spheroidal galaxies. We quantify such spatial variations by analyzing the surface number density profiles of stellar populations in different age ranges; [Abridged]

We obtained precise line-of-sight radial velocities of 23 member stars of the remote halo globular cluster Palomar 4 (Pal 4) using the High Resolution Echelle Spectrograph (HIRES) at the Keck I telescope. We also measured the mass function of the cluster down to a limiting magnitude of V~28 mag using archival HST/WFPC2 imaging. We derived the cluster’s surface brightness profile based on the WFPC2 data and on broad-band imaging with the Low-Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (LRIS) at the Keck II telescope. We find a mean cluster velocity of 72.55+/-0.22 km/s and a velocity dispersion of 0.87+/-0.18 km/s. The global mass function of the cluster, in the mass range 0.55<=M<=0.85 M_solar, is shallower than a Kroupa mass function and the cluster is significantly depleted in low-mass stars in its center compared to its outskirts. Since the relaxation time of Pal 4 is of the order of a Hubble time, this points to primordial mass segregation in this cluster. Extrapolating the measured mass function towards lower-mass stars and including the contribution of compact remnants, we derive a total cluster mass of 29800 M_solar. For this mass, the measured velocity dispersion is consistent with the expectations of Newtonian dynamics and below the prediction of Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND). Pal 4 adds to the growing body of evidence that the dynamics of star clusters in the outer Galactic halo can hardly be explained by MOND.

The definition of homology for single-component galaxies is clear, but for multi-component (luminous and dark matter) galaxies there is some ambiguity. We attempt to clarify the situation by carefully separating the different concepts of homology that have been used to date. We argue that the most useful definition is that a set of galaxies is homologous if they are the same in all respects up to a set of three dimensional scaling constants which may differ from one galaxy to the next. Noting that we are free to choose the dimensional constants, we find that a set of hydrodynamic simulated galaxy merger remnants is significantly closer to homologous when the dimensional length constant is taken to be the radius containing equal amounts of dark and baryonic matter rather than the usual observationally motivated choice of the baryonic half-mass radius. Once the correct dimensional scaling constants are used, the stellar velocity dispersion anisotropy is essentially the sole source of the variation in the kinematic structure of these simulated merger remnants. In order to facilitate the use of these scaling constants to analyse observed galaxies, we calculated the relationship between our preferred dimensional scaling constants and the typical observationally accessible quantities.

HH 223 is the optical counterpart of a larger scale H2 outflow, driven by the protostellar source VLA 2A, in L723. Its poorly collimated and rather chaotic morphology suggested the Integral Field Spectroscopy (IFS) as an appropriate option to map the emission for deriving the physical conditions and the kinematics. Here we present new results based on the IFS observations made with the INTEGRAL system at the WHT. The brightest knots of HH 223 (\sim16 arcsec, 0.02 pc at a distance of 300 pc) were mapped with a single pointing in the spectral range 6200-7700 A. We obtained the emission-line intensity maps for Halpha, [NII] 6584 A and [SII] 6716, 6731 A, and explored the distribution of the excitation and electron density from [NII]/Halpha, [SII]/Halpha, and [SII] 6716/6731 line-ratio maps. Maps of the radial velocity field were obtained. We analysed the 3D-kinematics by combining the knot radial velocities, derived from IFS data, with the knot proper motions derived from multi-epoch, narrow-band images. The intensity maps built from IFS data reproduced well the morphology found in the narrow-band images. We checked the results obtained from previous long-slit observations with those derived from IFS spectra extracted with a similar spatial sampling. At the positions intersected by the slit, the physical conditions and kinematics derived from IFS are compatible with those derived from long-slit data. In contrast, significant discrepancies were found when the results from long-slit data were compared with the ones derived from IFS spectra extracted at positions shifted a few arcsec from those intersected by the slit. This clearly revealed IFS observations as the best choice to get a reliable picture of the HH emission properties.

The light element abundance pattern from many planetary nebulae (PNe) covering the upper 4 mag. of the [O III] luminosity function was observed with ESO VLT FORS1 multi-slit. Spectra of 51 PNe over the wavelength range 3500-7500 Angstrom were obtained in three fields at 4, 8 and 17 kpc, for a distance of 3.8 Mpc. Emission line ratios are entirely typical of PN such as in the Milky Way. The temperature sensitive [O III]4363A line was weakly detected in 10 PNe, both [O II] and [O III] lines were detected in 30 PNe, and only the bright [O III]5007A line in 7 PN. Cloudy photoionization models were run to match the spectra by a spherical, constant density nebula ionized by a black body central star. He, N, O and Ne abundances with respect to H were determined and, for brighter PNe, S and Ar; central star luminosities and temperatures are also derived. For 40 PNe with Cloudy models, from the upper 2 mag. of the luminosity function, the most reliably estimated element, oxygen, has a mean 12+log(O/H) of 8.52. No obvious radial gradient is apparent in O/H over a range 2-20 kpc. Comparison of the PN abundances with the stellar population, from the spectra of the integrated starlight on the multi-slits and photometric studies, suggests [Fe/H]=-0.4 and [O/Fe]=0.25. The masses of the PN central stars in NGC 5128 from model tracks imply an epoch of formation more recent than for the minority young population from colour-magnitude studies. The PNe progenitors may belong to the young tail of a recent, minor, star formation episode or derive from other evolutionary channels.[Abridged]

I summarize recent surveys of protoplanetary disks at millimeter wavelengths and show that the distribution of luminosity, equivalent to the mass in small dust grains, declines rapidly. This contrasts with statistics on the lifetime of disks from infrared observations and the high occurrence of planets from radial velocity and transit surveys. I suggest that these disparate results can be reconciled if most of the dust in a disk is locked up in millimeter and larger sized particles within about 2 Myr. This general statistical result on disk evolution agrees with detailed modeling of a small number of individual disks and with cosmochemical measurements of chondrule ages.

We present the abundance analysis of 97 nearby metal-poor (-3.3<[Fe/H]<-0.5) stars having kinematics characteristics of the Milky Way (MW) thick disk, inner, and outer stellar halos. The high-resolution, high-signal-to-noise optical spectra for the sample stars have been obtained with the High Dispersion Spectrograph mounted on the Subaru Telescope. Abundances of Fe, Mg, Si, Ca and Ti have been derived using a one-dimensional LTE abundance analysis code with Kurucz NEWODF model atmospheres. By assigning membership of the sample stars to the thick disk, inner or outer halo components based on their orbital parameters, we examine abundance ratios as a function of [Fe/H] and kinematics for the three subsamples in wide metallicity and orbital parameter ranges. We show that, in the metallicity range of -1.5<[Fe/H]-2$. These results favor the scenarios that the MW thick disk formed through rapid chemical enrichment primarily through Type II supernovae of massive stars, while the stellar halo has formed at least in part via accretion of progenitor stellar systems having been chemically enriched with different timescales.

We present new Chandra X-ray observations of the brightest cluster galaxy (BCG) in the cool core cluster Abell 2597. The data reveal an extensive kpc-scale X-ray cavity network as well as a 15 kpc filament of soft-excess gas exhibiting strong spatial correlation with archival VLA radio data. In addition to several possible scenarios, multiwavelength evidence may suggest that the filament is associated with multiphase (10^3 – 10^7 K) gas that has been entrained and dredged-up by the propagating radio source. Stemming from a full spectral analysis, we also present profiles and 2D spectral maps of modeled X-ray temperature, entropy, pressure, and metal abundance. The maps reveal an arc of hot gas which in projection borders the inner edge of a large X-ray cavity. Although limited by strong caveats, we suggest that the hot arc may be (a) due to a compressed rim of cold gas pushed outward by the radio bubble or (b) morphologically and energetically consistent with cavity-driven active galactic nucleus (AGN) heating models invoked to quench cooling flows, in which the enthalpy of a buoyant X-ray cavity is locally thermalized as ambient gas rushes to refill its wake. If confirmed, this would be the first observational evidence for this model.

New Chandra X-ray and Herschel FIR observations enable a multiwavelength study of active galactic nucleus (AGN) heating and intracluster medium (ICM) cooling in the brightest cluster galaxy of Abell 2597. The new Chandra observations reveal the central < 30 kiloparsec X-ray cavity network to be more extensive than previously thought, and associated with enough enthalpy to theoretically inhibit the inferred classical cooling flow. Nevertheless, we present new evidence, consistent with previous results, that a moderately strong residual cooling flow is persisting at 4%-8% of the classically predicted rates in a spatially structured manner amid the feedback-driven excavation of the X-ray cavity network. New Herschel observations are used to estimate warm and cold dust masses, a lower-limit gas-to-dust ratio, and a star formation rate consistent with previous measurements. The cooling time profile of the ambient X-ray atmosphere is used to map the locations of the observational star formation entropy threshold as well as the theoretical thermal instability threshold. Both lie just outside the < 30 kpc central region permeated by X-ray cavities, and star formation as well as ionized and molecular gas lie interior to both. The young stars are distributed in an elongated region that is aligned with the radio lobes, and their estimated ages are both younger and older than the X-ray cavity network, suggesting both jet-triggered as well as persistent star formation over the current AGN feedback episode. Bright X-ray knots that are coincident with extended Ly-alpha and FUV continuum filaments motivate a discussion of structured cooling from the ambient hot atmosphere along a projected axis that is perpendicular to X-ray cavity and radio axis. We conclude that the cooling ICM is the dominant contributor of the cold gas reservoir fueling star formation and AGN activity in the Abell 2597 BCG.

We present three-dimensional space velocities of stars selected to be consistent with membership in the Virgo stellar substructure. Candidates were selected from SA 103, a single 40×40 arcmin field from our proper motion (PM) survey in Kapteyn’s Selected Areas (SAs), based on the PMs, SDSS photometry, and follow-up spectroscopy of 215 stars. The signature of the Virgo substructure is clear in the SDSS color-magnitude diagram (CMD) centered on SA 103, and 16 stars are identified that have high Galactocentric-frame radial velocities (V_GSR > 50 km/s) and lie near the CMD locus of Virgo. The implied distance to the Virgo substructure from the candidates is 14+/-3 kpc. We derive mean kinematics from these 16 stars, finding a radial velocity V_GSR = 153+/-22 km/s and proper motions (mu_alpha*cos(delta), mu_delta) = (-5.24, -0.91)+/-(0.43, 0.46) mas/yr. From the mean kinematics of these members, we determine that the Virgo progenitor was on an eccentric (e ~ 0.8) orbit that recently passed near the Galactic center (pericentric distance R_p ~ 6 kpc). This destructive orbit is consistent with the idea that the substructure(s) in Virgo originated in the tidal disruption of a Milky Way satellite. N-body simulations suggest that the entire cloud-like Virgo substructure (encompassing the “Virgo Overdensity” and the “Virgo Stellar Stream”) is likely the tidal debris remnant from a recently-disrupted massive (~10^9 M_sun) dwarf galaxy. The model also suggests that some other known stellar overdensities in the Milky Way halo (e.g., the Pisces Overdensity and debris near NGC 2419 and SEGUE 1) are explained by the disruption of the Virgo progenitor.

We present the discovery of compact, obscured star formation in galaxies at z 0.6 that exhibit >1000 km/s outflows. Using optical morphologies from the Hubble Space Telescope and infrared photometry from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, we estimate star formation rate (SFR) surface densities that approach Sigma_SFR 3000 Msun/yr/kpc^2, comparable to the Eddington limit from radiation pressure on dust grains. We argue that feedback associated with a compact starburst in the form of radiation pressure from massive stars and ram pressure from supernovae and stellar winds is sufficient to produce the high-velocity outflows we observe, without the need to invoke feedback from an active galactic nucleus.

In this thesis we study several aspects of dynamical evolution of stellar clusters. The results of more than 200 simulations of single-mass star clusters with different initial total mass, half-mass radius and galactocentric distance, are reported. Recent studies of star clusters show a linear relation between a star cluster’s dissolution time and its two-body relaxation time in logarithmic scale. We found that the single-mass star clusters do not show such a linear relation. We present new modified initial parameters to obtain a linear relation for single-mass star clusters. Also the evolution of multi-mass clusters and their lifetime, in the presence of the Galaxy is investigated. We simulate about 90 multi-mass star clusters with the Nbody6 code. These clusters have different initial total mass, half-mass radius and galactocentric distance. Finally we investigate the evolution of the stellar mass function and show that the slopes of the mass functions decrease with time. In addition we study the effect of galactocentric distance of star clusters on the evolution of the mass function.

The reported alignment between the projected spin-axes and proper motion directions of pulsars is revisited in the light of new data from Jodrell Bank and Effelsberg. The present investigation uses 54 pulsars, the largest to date sample of pulsars with proper-motion and absolute polarisation, to study this effect. Our study has found strong evidence for pulsar spin-velocity alignment, excluding that those two vectors are completely uncorrelated, with >99% confidence. Although we cannot exclude the possibility of orthogonal spin-velocity configurations, comparison of the data with simulations shows that the scenario of aligned vectors is more likely than that of the orthogonal case. Moreover, we have determined the spread of velocities that a spin-aligned and spin-orthogonal distribution of kicks must have to produce the observed distribution of spin-velocity angle offsets. If the observed distribution of spin-velocity offset angles is the result of spin-aligned kicks, then we find that the distribution of kick-velocity directions must be broad with {\sigma}_v~30\degree if the orthogonal-kick scenario is assumed, then the velocity distribution is much narrower with {\sigma}_v<10\degree. Finally, in contrast to previous studies, we have performed robustness tests on our data, in order to determine whether our conclusions are the result of a statistical and/or systematic bias. The conclusion of a correlation between the spin and velocity vectors is independent of a bias introduced by subsets in the total sample. Moreover, we estimate that the observed alignment is robust to within 10% systematic uncertainties on the determination of the spin-axis direction from polarisation data.

We present a study of the kinematical properties of a small sample of nearby near-infrared bright massive and intermediate mass young stellar objects using emission lines sensitive to discs and winds. We show for the first time that the broad ($\sim500$kms$^{-1}$) symmetric line wings on the HI Brackett series lines are due to Stark broadening or electron scattering, rather than pure Doppler broadening due to high speed motion. The results are consistent with the presence of a very dense circumstellar environment. In addition, many of these lines show evidence for weak line self-absorption, suggestive of a wind or disc-wind origin for that part of the absorbing material. The weakness of the self-absorption suggests a large opening angle for such an outflow. We also study the fluorescent 1.688$\mu$m FeII line, which is sensitive to dense material. We fitted a Keplerian disc model to this line, and find reasonable fits in all bar one case, in agreement with previous finding for classical Be stars that fluorescent iron transitions are reasonable disc tracers. Overall the picture is one in which these stars still have accretion discs, with a very dense inner circumstellar environment which may be tracing either the inner regions of a disc, or of a stellar wind, and in which ionised outflow is also present. The similarity with lower mass stars is striking, suggesting that at least in this mass range they form in a similar fashion.

We have mapped in the 2.7 mm continuum and 12CO with the PdBI the IR-dark “tail” that crosses the IC 1396N globule from south to north, and is the most extincted part of this cloud. These observations have allowed us to distinguish all possible associations of molecular hydrogen emission features by revealing the presence of two well-collimated low-mass protostellar outflows at the northern part of the globule. The outflows are located almost in the plane of the sky and are colliding with each other towards the position of a strong 2.12 microns H2 line emission feature.

We have mapped in the 2.7 mm continuum and 12CO with the PdBI the IR-dark “tail” that crosses the IC 1396N globule from south to north, and is the most extincted part of this cloud. These observations have allowed us to distinguish all possible associations of molecular hydrogen emission features by revealing the presence of two well-collimated low-mass protostellar outflows at the northern part of the globule. The outflows are located almost in the plane of the sky and are colliding with each other towards the position of a strong 2.12 microns H2 line emission feature.

The distribution of QSO radio luminosities has long been debated in the literature. Some argue that it is a bimodal distribution, implying that there are two separate QSO populations (normally referred to as ‘radio-loud’ and ‘radio-quiet’), while others claim it forms a more continuous distribution characteristic of a single population. We use deep observations at 20 GHz to investigate whether the distribution is bimodal at high radio frequencies. Carrying out this study at high radio frequencies has an advantage over previous studies as the radio emission comes predominantly from the core of the AGN, hence probes the most recent activity. Studies carried out at lower frequencies are dominated by the large scale lobes where the emission is built up over longer timescales (10^7-10^8 yrs), thereby confusing the sample. Our sample comprises 874 X-ray selected QSOs that were observed as part of the 6dF Galaxy Survey. Of these, 40% were detected down to a 3 sigma detection limit of 0.2-0.5 mJy. No evidence of bimodality is seen in either the 20 GHz luminosity distribution or in the distribution of the R_20 parameter: the ratio of the radio to optical luminosities traditionally used to classify objects as being either radio-loud or radio-quiet. Previous results have claimed that at low radio luminosities, star formation processes can dominate the radio emission observed in QSOs. We attempt to investigate these claims by stacking the undetected sources at 20 GHz and discuss the limitations in carrying out this analysis. However, if the radio emission was solely due to star formation processes, we calculate that this corresponds to star formation rates ranging from ~10 solar masses/yr to ~2300 solar masses/yr.

We study the growth of black holes (BHs) in galaxies using three-dimensional smoothed particle hydrodynamic (SPH) simulations with new implementations of the momentum mechanical feedback, and restriction of accreted elements to those that are gravitationally bound to the BH. We also include the feedback from the X-ray radiation emitted by the black hole, which heats the surrounding gas in the host galaxies, and adds radial momentum to the fluid. We perform simulations of isolated galaxies and merging galaxies and test various feedback models with the new treatment of the Bondi radius criterion. We find that overall the black hole growth is similar to what has been obtained by earlier workers using the Springel, Di Matteo, & Hernquist algorithms. However, the outflowing wind velocities and mechanical energy emitted by winds are considerably higher (v_w ~ 1000-3000 km/s) compared to the standard thermal feedback model (v_w ~ 50-100 km/s). While the thermal feedback model emits only 0.1 % of BH released energy in winds, the momentum feedback model emits more than 30 % of the total energy released by the BH in winds. In the momentum feedback model, the degree of fluctuation in both radiant and wind output is considerably larger than in the standard treatments. We check that the new model of the BH mass accretion agrees with analytic results for the standard Bondi problem.

We study the growth of black holes (BHs) in galaxies using three-dimensional smoothed particle hydrodynamic (SPH) simulations with new implementations of the momentum mechanical feedback, and restriction of accreted elements to those that are gravitationally bound to the BH. We also include the feedback from the X-ray radiation emitted bythe black hole, which heats the surrounding gas in the host galaxies, and adds radial momentum to the fluid. We perform simulations of isolated galaxies and merging galaxies and test various feedback models with the new treatment of the Bondi radius criterion. We find that overall the black hole growth is similar to what has been obtained by earlier workers using the Springel, Di Matteo, & Hernquist algorithms. However, the outflowing wind velocities and mechanical energy emitted by winds are considerably higher (v_w ~ 1000-3000 km/s) compared to the standard thermal feedback model (v_w ~ 50-100 km/s). While the thermal feedback model emits only 0.1 % of BH released energy in winds, the momentum feedback model emits more than 30 % of the total energy released by the BH in winds. In the momentum feedback model, the degree of fluctuation in both radiant and wind output is considerably larger than in the standard treatments. We check that the new model of the BH mass accretion agrees with analytic results for the standard Bondi problem.

Context. The gamma-ray binary LS 5039 and the isolated pulsar PSR J1825-1446 were proposed to have been formed in the supernova remnant (SNR) G016.8-01.1. Aims. We aim to obtain the Galactic trajectory of LS 5039 and PSR J1825-1446 to find their origin in the Galaxy, and in particular to check their association with SNR G016.8-01.1 to restrict their age. Methods. By means of radio and optical observations we obtained the proper motion and the space velocity of the sources. Results. The proper motion of PSR J1825-1446 corresponds to a transverse space velocity of 690 km/s at a distance of 5 kpc. Its Galactic velocity at different distances is not compatible with the expected Galactic rotation. The velocity and characteristic age of PSR J1825-1446 make it incompatible with SNR G016.8-01.1. There are no clear OB associations or SNRs crossing the past trajectory of PSR J1825-1446. We estimate the age of the pulsar to be 80-245 kyr, which is compatible with its characteristic age. The proper motion of LS 5039 is 7.09 and -8.82 mas/yr in right ascension and declination, respectively. The association of LS 5039 with SNR G016.8-01.1 is unlikely, although we cannot to discard it. The system would have had to be formed in the association Ser OB2 (at 2.0 kpc) if the age of the system is 1.0-1.2 Myr, or in the association Sct OB3 (distance 1.5-2 kpc) for an age of 0.1-0.2 Myr. If the system were not formed close to Ser OB2, the pseudo-synchronization of the orbit would be unlikely. Conclusions. PSR J1825-1446 is a high-velocity isolated pulsar ejected from the Galaxy. The distance to LS 5039, which needs to be constrained by future astrometric missions such as Gaia, is a key parameter for restricting its origin and age.

Recent infrared (IR) observations of freshly-formed dust in supernova remnants (SNRs) have yielded significantly lower dust masses than predicted by theoretical models and measured from high redshift observations. The Crab Nebula’s pulsar wind is thought to be sweeping up freshly-formed supernova (SN) dust along with the ejected gas. The evidence for this dust was found in the form of an IR excess in the integrated spectrum of the Crab and in extinction against the synchrotron nebula that revealed the presence of dust in the filament cores. We present the first spatially resolved emission spectra of dust in the Crab Nebula acquired with the Infrared Spectrograph aboard the Spitzer Space Telescope. The IR spectra are dominated by synchrotron emission and show forbidden line emission from from S, Si, Ne, Ar, O, Fe, and Ni. We derived a synchrotron spectral map from the 3.6 and 4.5 microns images, and subtracted this contribution from our data to produce a map of the residual continuum emission from dust. The dust emission appears to be concentrated along the ejecta filaments and is well described by an amorphous carbon or silicate grain compositions. We find a dust temperature of 55+/- 4 K for silicates and 60 +/- 7 K for carbon grains. The total estimated dust mass is 0.0012-0.012 solar masses, well below the theoretical dust yield predicted for a core-collapse supernova. Our grain heating model implies that the dust grain radii are relatively small, unlike what is expected for dust grains formed in a Type IIP SN.

With the goal of understanding why X-rays have been reported near some high velocity clouds, we perform detailed 3 dimensional hydrodynamic and magnetohydrodynamic simulations of clouds interacting with environmental gas like that in the Galaxy’s thick disk/halo or the Magellanic Stream. We examine 2 scenarios. In the first, clouds travel fast enough to shock-heat warm environmental gas. In this scenario, the X-ray productivity depends strongly on the speed of the cloud and the radiative cooling rate. In order to shock-heat environmental gas to temperatures of > or = 10^6 K, cloud speeds of > or = 300 km/s are required. If cooling is quenched, then the shock-heated ambient gas is X-ray emissive, producing bright X-rays in the 1/4 keV band and some X-rays in the 3/4 keV band due to O VII and other ions. If, in contrast, the radiative cooling rate is similar to that of collisional ionizational equilibrium plasma with solar abundances, then the shocked gas is only mildly bright and for only about 1 Myr. The predicted count rates for the non-radiative case are bright enough to explain the count rate observed with XMM-Newton toward a Magellanic Stream cloud and some enhancement in the ROSAT 1/4 keV count rate toward Complex C, while the predicted count rates for the fully radiative case are not. In the second scenario, the clouds travel through and mix with hot ambient gas. The mixed zone can contain hot gas, but the hot portion of the mixed gas is not as bright as those from the shock-heating scenario.

We observed the ring galaxy NGC 7552 with the mid-infrared (MIR) instrument VISIR at an angular resolution of 0.3″- 0.4″ and with the near-infrared (NIR) integral-field spectrograph SINFONI on the VLT, and complement these observations with data from ISO and Spitzer. The starburst ring is clearly detected at MIR wavelengths at the location of the dust-extincted, dark ring seen in HST observations. This “ring”, however, is a rather complex annular region of more than 100 parsec width. We find a large fraction of diffuse [Ne II] and PAH emission in the central region that is not associated with the MIR peaks on spatial scales of \sim30 pc. We do not detect MIR emission from the nucleus of NGC 7552, which is very prominent at optical and NIR continuum wavelengths. However, we have identified nine unresolved MIR peaks within the ring. The average extinction of these peaks is A(V)=7.4 and their total infrared luminosity is L(IR) = 2.1*10^10 Lo. The properties of these peaks are typical for MIR-selected massive clusters found in other galaxies. The ages of the MIR-selected clusters are in the range of 5.9\pm0.3 Myr. The age spread among the clusters of 0.8 Myr is small compared to the travel time of \sim5.6 Myr for half an orbit within the starburst ring. We find no strong evidence for a scenario where the continuous inflow of gas leads to the ongoing formation of massive clusters at the contact points between galactic bar and starburst ring. Instead, it appears more likely that the gas density build up more gradually over larger ring segments, and that the local physical conditions govern cluster formation. We note that the fundamental limitation on the accurate derivation of cluster age, mass and IMF slope is the lack of higher angular resolution.

We have found that the relation between the flow through campylotic (generically curved) media, consisting of randomly located curvature perturbations, and the average Ricci scalar of the system exhibits two distinct functional expressions (hysteresis), depending on whether the typical spatial extent of the curvature perturbation lies above or below the critical value maximizing the overall Ricci curvature. Furthermore, the flow through such systems as a function of the number of curvature perturbations presents a sublinear behavior for large concentrations due to the interference between curvature perturbations that, consequently, produces a less curved space. For the purpose of this study, we have developed and validated a lattice kinetic model capable of describing fluid flow in arbitrarily curved manifolds, which allows to deal with highly complex spaces in a very compact and efficient way.

We investigate the relation between stellar mass ($M_\star$), star formation rate (SFR), and metallicity of galaxies, so called the fundamental metallicity relation, in the galaxy sample of Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7. We separate the galaxies into narrow redshift bins and compare the relation at different redshifts, and find statistically significant ($> 99$%) evolution which is not explained solely by the effect of fiber covering fraction. In the current sample of low redshift galaxies, galaxies with different $M_\star$, and SFR are sampled from different redshifts. The separation of the intrinsic relation from the redshift evolution effect is a crucial issue to understand evolution of galaxies.

We explore possible systematic errors in the mass measurements of stellar mass black holes. We find that significant errors can arise from the assumption of zero or constant emission from the accretion flow, which is commonly used when determining orbital inclination by modelling ellipsoidal variations. For A0620-00, the system with the best available data, we show that typical data sets and analysis procedures can lead to systematic underestimates of the inclination by ten degrees or more. A careful examination of the available data for the 15 other X-ray transients with low-mass donors suggests that this effect may significantly reduce the black hole mass estimates in several other cases, most notably that of GRO J0422+32. With these revisions, our analysis of the black hole mass distribution in soft X-ray transients does not suggest any “mass gap” between the low end of the distribution and the maximum theoretical neutron star mass, as has been identified in previous studies. Nevertheless, we find that the mass distribution retains other previously identified characteristics, namely a peak around 8M\odot, a paucity of sources with masses below 5M\odot, and a sharp drop-off above 10M\odot.

We explore the origin of mid-infrared (mid-IR) dust extinction in all 20 nearby (z 1.5 x 10^24 cm^-2) AGN with hard energy (E > 10 keV) X-ray spectral measurements. We accurately measure the silicate absorption features at lambda~9.7um in archival low-resolution (R~57-127) Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) spectroscopy, and show that only a minority (~45%) of nearby Compton-thick AGN have strong Si-absorption features (S_9.7 = ln(f_{int}/f_{obs}) > 0.5) which would indicate significant dust attenuation. The majority (~60%) are star-formation dominated (AGN:SB<0.5) at mid-IR wavelengths and lack the spectral signatures of AGN activity at optical wavelengths, most likely because the AGN emission-lines are optically-extinguished. Those Compton-thick AGN hosted in low-inclination angle galaxies exhibit a narrow-range in Si-absorption (S_9.7 ~ 0-0.3), which is consistent with that predicted by clumpy-torus models. However, on the basis of the IR spectra and additional lines of evidence, we conclude that the dominant contribution to the observed mid-IR dust extinction is dust located in the host galaxy (i.e., due to disturbed morphologies; dust-lanes; galaxy inclination angles) and not necessarily a compact obscuring torus surrounding the central engine.

We confirm the detection of 3 groups in the Lynx supercluster, at z~1.3, and give their redshifts and masses. We study the properties of the group galaxies as compared to the central clusters, RXJ0849+4452 and RXJ0848+4453, selecting 89 galaxies in the clusters and 74 galaxies in the groups. We morphologically classify galaxies by visual inspection, noting that our early-type galaxy (ETG) sample would have been contaminated at the 30% -40% level by simple automated classification methods (e.g. based on Sersic index). In luminosity selected samples, both clusters and groups show high fractions of Sa galaxies. The ETG fractions never rise above ~50% in the clusters, which is low compared to the fractions observed in clusters at z~1. However, ETG plus Sa fractions are similar to those observed for ETGs in clusters at z~1. Bulge-dominated galaxies visually classified as Sas might also be ETGs with tidal features or merger remnants. They are mainly red and passive, and span a large range in luminosity. Their star formation seems to have been quenched before experiencing a morphological transformation. Because their fraction is smaller at lower redshifts, they might be the spiral population that evolves into ETGs. For mass-selected samples, the ETG fraction show no significant evolution with respect to local clusters, suggesting that morphological transformations occur at lower masses and densities. The ETG mass-size relation shows evolution towards smaller sizes at higher redshift in both clusters and groups, while the late-type mass-size relation matches that observed locally. The group ETG red sequence shows lower zero points and larger scatters than in clusters, both expected to be an indication of a younger galaxy population. The estimated age difference is small when compared to the difference in age at different galaxy masses.

More than 40 years after the discovery of Isolated Neutron Stars, the comprehension of their physics is still rather poor. This thesis is based on a program of multiwavelength observations of pulsars which yielded new and important pieces of information about the overall proprieties of this class of sources. The thesis is organized as follows: – In chapter 1 we give a very brief overview of the current status of the understanding of Isolated Neutron Stars. We also talk about the Fermi revolution that occurred in the last three years, focusing on the Fermi contribution to the knowledge of neutron stars. Then, we describe the results led by the synergy between X-ray and gamma-ray bands. – In chapter 2 we report two of our published papers containing the surprising results we obtained for two different radio-quiet pulsars. Such neutron stars, J0007+7303 and J0357+3205, can be considered “extreme” in the Fermi pulsars’ zoo due to their energetics and ages. Both the X-ray observations and analyses are very different so that they can be considered as the standing-up examples of all the following analyses. – In chapter 3 we describe the analysis we done in the X-ray band and briefly report the obtained spectra of each pulsar and its nebula, if present. Then, we study the X-ray and gamma-ray pulsars’ luminosities as a function of their rotational energies and ages in order to find any relationship between these values and any difference between the two populations of radio-quiet and radio-loud pulsars. – In chapter 4 we report the “identity card” of all Fermi pulsars, the detailed description of the analyses done and results obtained for each pulsar. Finally, in appendix we report our accepted proposals of the most significative X-ray observations used in this thesis plus the article on the X-ray behaviour of Fermi/LAT pulsars we published on the Astrophyisical Journal.

We discuss on the possibility that colliding dark matter particles in the form of neutralinos may be gravitationally boosted near the super-massive black hole at the galactic center so that they can have enough collision energy to annihilate into a stau pair. Since in some phenomenologically favored supersymmetric models the mass splitting between the neutralino and the lightest stau, one of the two scalar superpartners of the tau lepton, is a few GeVs, this channel may be allowed. In addition, staus can only decay into a tau lepton and another neutralino. We calculate the gamma-ray spectrum and flux generated by the tau pair discussing the observability of the obtained features.

In a previous paper we identified cores within infrared dark clouds (IRDCs). We regarded those without embedded sources as the least evolved, and labelled them starless. Here we identify the most isolated starless cores and model them using a three-dimensional, multi-wavelength, Monte Carlo, radiative transfer code. We derive the cores’ physical parameters and discuss the relation between the mass, temperature, density, size and the surrounding interstellar radiation field (ISRF) for the cores. The masses of the cores were found not to correlate with their radial size or central density. The temperature at the surface of a core was seen to depend almost entirely on the level of the ISRF surrounding the core. No correlation was found between the temperature at the centre of a core and its local ISRF. This was seen to depend, instead, on the density and mass of the core.

Here we present high spatial resolution (<1 arcsecond) observations of molecular emission in Orion-KL conducted using the Combined Array for Research in Millimeter-Wave Astronomy (CARMA). This work was motivated by recent millimeter continuum imaging studies of this region conducted at a similarly high spatial resolution, which revealed that the bulk of the emission arises from numerous compact sources, rather than the larger-scale extended structures typically associated with the Orion Hot Core and Compact Ridge. Given that the spatial extent of molecular emission greatly affects the determination of molecular abundances, it is important to determine the true spatial scale for complex molecules in this region. Additionally, it has recently been suggested that the relative spatial distributions of complex molecules in a source might give insight into the chemical mechanisms that drive complex chemistry in star-forming regions. In order to begin to address these issues, this study seeks to determine the spatial distributions of ethyl cyanide [C2H5CN], dimethyl ether [(CH3)2O], methyl formate [HCOOCH3], formic acid [HCOOH], acetone [(CH3)2CO], SiO, methanol [CH3OH], and methyl cyanide [CH3CN] in Orion-KL at \lambda = 3 mm. We find that for all observed molecules, the molecular emission arises from multiple components of the cloud that include a range of spatial scales and physical conditions. Here we present the results of these observations and discuss the implications for studies of complex molecules in star-forming regions.

It has recently been suggested that chemical processing can shape the spatial distributions of complex molecules in the Orion-KL region and lead to the nitrogen-oxygen “chemical differentiation” seen in previous observations of this source. Orion-KL is a very dynamic region, and it is therefore also possible that physical conditions can shape the molecular distributions in this source. Only high spatial resolution observations can provide the information needed to disentangle these effects. Here we present millimeter imaging studies of Orion-KL at various beam sizes using the Combined Array for Research in Millimeter-Wave Astronomy (CARMA). We compare molecular images with high spatial resolution images that trace the temperature, continuum column density, and kinematics of the source in order to investigate the effects of physical conditions on molecular distributions. These observations were conducted at \lambda = 3 mm and included transitions of ethyl cyanide [C2H5CN], methyl formate [HCOOCH3], formic acid [HCOOH], acetone [(CH3)2CO], SiO, and methanol [CH3OH]. We find differences in the molecular distributions as a function of each of these factors. These results indicate that acetone may be produced by chemical processing and is robust to large changes in physical conditions, while formic acid is readily destroyed by gas-phase processing in warm and dense regions. We also find that while the spatial distributions of ethyl cyanide and methyl formate are not distinct as is suggested by the concept of “chemical differentiation”, local physical conditions shape the small-scale emission structure for these species.

Detailed spectral analysis of the Galactic X-ray background emission, or the Galactic Ridge X-ray Emission (GRXE), is presented. To study the origin of the emission, broad-band and high-quality GRXE spectra were produced from 18 pointing observations with Suzaku in the Galactic bulge region, with the total exposure of 1 Ms. The spectra were successfully fitted by a sum of two major spectral components; a spectral model of magnetic accreting white dwarfs with a mass of 0.66 (0.59-0.75) solar, and a softer optically-thin thermal emission with a plasma temperature of 1.2-1.5 keV which is attributable to coronal X-ray sources. When combined with previous studies which employed high spatial resolution of the Chandra satellite (e.g. Revnivtsev et al. 2009, Nature), the present spectroscopic result gives another strong support to a scenario that the GRXE is essentially an assembly of numerous discrete faint X-ray stars. The detected GRXE flux in the hard X-ray band was used to estimate the number density of the unresolved hard X-ray sources. When integrated over a luminosity range of ~10^30-10^34 erg/s, the result is consistent with a value which was reported previously by directly resolving faint point sources.

While major mergers and their tidal debris are well studied, they are less common than minor mergers (mass ratios < 0.3). The peculiar spiral NGC 2782 is the result of a merger between two disk galaxies with a mass ratio of ~4:1 occurring ~200 Myr ago. This merger produced a molecular and H I-rich, optically bright eastern tail and an H I-rich, optically faint western tail. Non-detection of CO in the western tail by Braine et al. suggested that star formation had not yet begun to occur in that tidal tail. However, deep H{\alpha} narrowband images show evidence of recent star formation in the western tail. Across the entire western tail, we find the global star formation rate per unit area ({\Sigma}SFR) to be several orders of magnitude less than expected from the total gas density. Together with extended FUV+NUV emission from Galaxy Evolution Explorer along the tail, this indicates a low global star formation efficiency in the tidal tail producing lower mass star clusters. The H II region that we observed has a local (few-kiloparsec scale) {\Sigma}SFR from H{\alpha} that is less than that expected from the total gas density, which is consistent with other observations of tidal debris. The star formation efficiency of this H II region inferred from the total gas density is low, but normal when inferred from the molecular gas density. These results suggest the presence of a very small, locally dense region in the western tail of NGC 2782 or of a low-metallicity and/or low-pressure star-forming region.

While major mergers and their tidal debris are well studied, they are less common than minor mergers (mass ratios < 0.3). The peculiar spiral NGC 2782 is the result of a merger between two disk galaxies with a mass ratio of ~4:1 occurring ~200 Myr ago. This merger produced a molecular and H I-rich, optically bright eastern tail and an H I-rich, optically faint western tail. Non-detection of CO in the western tail by Braine et al. suggested that star formation had not yet begun to occur in that tidal tail. However, deep H{\alpha} narrowband images show evidence of recent star formation in the western tail. Across the entire western tail, we find the global star formation rate per unit area ({\Sigma}SFR) to be several orders of magnitude less than expected from the total gas density. Together with extended FUV+NUV emission from Galaxy Evolution Explorer along the tail, this indicates a low global star formation efficiency in the tidal tail producing lower mass star clusters. The H II region that we observed has a local (few-kiloparsec scale) {\Sigma}SFR from H{\alpha} that is less than that expected from the total gas density, which is consistent with other observations of tidal debris. The star formation efficiency of this H II region inferred from the total gas density is low, but normal when inferred from the molecular gas density. These results suggest the presence of a very small, locally dense region in the western tail of NGC 2782 or of a low-metallicity and/or low-pressure star-forming region.

We construct a series of model galaxies in rotational equilibrium consisting of gas, stars, and a fixed dark matter (DM) halo and study how these equilibrium systems depend on the mass and form of the DM halo, gas temperature, non-thermal and rotation support against gravity, and also on the redshift of galaxy formation. For every model galaxy we find the minimum gas mass M_g^min required to achieve a state in which star formation (SF) is allowed according to contemporary SF criteria. The obtained M_g^min–M_DM relations are compared against the baryon-to-DM mass relation M_b–M_DM inferred from the \LambdaCDM theory and WMAP4 data. Our aim is to construct realistic initial models of dwarf galaxies (DGs), which take into account the gas self-gravity and can be used as a basis to study the dynamical and chemical evolution of DGs. Rotating equilibria are found by solving numerically the steady-state momentum equation for the gas component in the combined gravitational potential of gas, stars, and DM halo using a forward substitution procedure. We find that for a given M_DM the value of M_g^min depends crucially on the gas temperature T_g, gas spin parameter \alpha, degree of non-thermal support \sigma_eff, and somewhat on the redshift for galaxy formation z_gf. Depending on the actual values of T_g, \alpha, \sigma_eff, and z_gf, model galaxies may have M_g^min that are either greater or smaller than M_b. Galaxies with M_DM \ga 10^9 M_sun are usually characterized by M_g^min \la M_b, implying that SF in such objects is a natural outcome as the required gas mass is consistent with what is available according to the \LambdaCDM theory. On the other hand, models with M_DM \la 10^9 M_sun are often characterized by M_g^min >> M_b, implying that they need much more gas than available to achieve a state in which SF is allowed. Abridged.

Binary populations in young star clusters show multiplicity fractions both lower and up to twice as high as those observed in the Galactic field. We follow the evolution of a population of binary stars in dense and loose star clusters starting with an invariant initial binary population and a formal multiplicity fraction of unity, and demonstrate that these models can explain the observed binary properties in Taurus, Rho-Ophiuchus, Chamaeleon, Orion, IC 348, Upper Scorpius A, Praesepe, and the Pleiades. The model needs to consider solely different birth densities for these regions. The evolved theoretical orbital-parameter distributions are highly probable parent distributions for the observed ones. We constrain the birth conditions (stellar mass, M_ecl, and half-mass radius, r_h) for the derived progenitors of the star clusters and the overall present-day binary fractions allowed by the present model. The results compare very well with properties of molecular cloud clumps on the verge of star formation. Combining these with previously and independently obtained constraints on the birth densities of globular clusters, we identify a weak stellar mass — half-mass radius correlation for cluster-forming cloud clumps, r_h / pc ~ (M_ecl / M_sun)^(0.13+-0.04). The ability of the model to reproduce the binary properties in all the investigated young objects, covering present-day densities from 1-10 stars pc^-3 (Taurus) to 2×10^4 stars pc^-3 (Orion), suggests that environment-dependent dynamical evolution plays an important role in shaping the present-day properties of binary populations in star clusters, and that the initial binary properties may not vary dramatically between different environments.

Surface Brightness Fluctuations (SBFs) are one of the most powerful techniques to measure the distance and to constrain the unresolved stellar content of extragalactic systems. For a given bandpass, the absolute SBF magnitude \bar{M} depends on the properties of the underlying stellar population. Multi-band SBFs allow scientists to probe different stages of the stellar evolution: UV and blue wavelength band SBFs are sensitive to the evolution of stars within the hot Horizontal Branch (HB) and post-Asymptotic Giant Branch (post-AGB) phase, whereas optical SBF magnitudes explore the stars within the Red Giant Branch (RGB) and HB regime. Near- and Far-infrared SBF luminosities probe the important stellar evolution stage within the AGB and Thermally-Pulsating Asymptotic Giant Branch (TP-AGB) phase. Since the first successful application by Tonry and Schneider, a multiplicity of works have used this method to expand the distance scale up to 150 Mpc and beyond. This article gives a historical background of distance measurements, reviews the basic concepts of the SBF technique, presents a broad sample of these investigations and discusses possible selection effects, biases, and limitations of the method. In particular, exciting new developments and improvements in the field of stellar population synthesis are discussed that are essential to understand the physics and properties of the populations in unresolved stellar systems. Further, promising future directions of the SBF technique are presented. With new upcoming space-based satellites such as Gaia, the SBF method will remain as one of the most important tools to derive distances to galaxies with unprecedented accuracy and to give detailed insights into the stellar content of globular clusters and galaxies.

The luminous blue variable (LBV) stars are peculiar very massive stars. The study of these stellar objects and their surroundings is important for understanding the evolution of massive stars and its effects on the interstellar medium. We study the LBV star candidate G26.47+0.02. Using several large-scale surveys in different frequencies we performed a multiwavelength study of G26.47+0.02 and its surroundings. We found a molecular shell (seen in the 13CO J=1-0 line) that partially surrounds the mid-infrared nebula of G26.47+0.02, which suggests an interaction between the strong stellar winds and the molecular gas. From the HI absorption and the molecular gas study we conclude that G26.47+0.02 is located at a distance of ~4.8 kpc. The radio continuum analysis shows a both thermal and non-thermal emission toward this LBV candidate, pointing to wind-wind collision shocks from a binary system. This hypothesis is supported by a search of near-IR sources and the Chandra X-ray analysis. Additional multiwavelength and long-term observations are needed to detect some possible variable behavior, and if that is found, to confirm the binary nature of the system.

(abridged) We report the results of a 10-year timing campaign on PSR J1738+0333, a 5.85-ms pulsar in a low-eccentricity 8.5-hour orbit with a low-mass white dwarf companion (…) The measurements of proper motion and parallax allow for a precise subtraction of the kinematic contribution to the observed orbital decay; this results in a significant measurement of the intrinsic orbital decay: (-25.9 +/- 3.2) \times 10^{-15} s/s. This is consistent with the orbital decay from the emission of gravitational waves predicted by general relativity, (-27.7 +1.5/-1.9) \times 10^{-15} s/s (…). This agreement introduces a tight upper limit on dipolar gravitational wave emission, a prediction of most alternative theories of gravity for asymmetric binary systems such as this. We use this limit to derive the most stringent constraints ever on a wide class of gravity theories, where gravity involves a scalar field contribution. When considering general scalar-tensor theories of gravity, our new bounds are more stringent than the best current solar-system limits over most of the parameter space, and constrain the matter-scalar coupling constant {\alpha}_0^2 to be below the 10^{-5} level. For the special case of the Jordan-Fierz-Brans-Dicke, we obtain the one-sigma bound {\alpha}_0^2 < 2 \times 10^{-5}, which is within a factor two of the Cassini limit. We also use our limit on dipolar gravitational wave emission to constrain a wide class of theories of gravity which are based on a generalization of Bekenstein's Tensor-Vector-Scalar gravity (TeVeS), a relativistic formulation of Modified Newtonian Dynamics (MOND).

Context. Outflows and jets are the first signposts of ongoing star formation processes in any molecular cloud, yet their study in optical bands provides limited results due to the large extinction present. Near-infrared unbiased wide-field observations in the H2 1-0 S(1) line at 2.122{\mu}m alleviates the problem, enabling us to detect more outflows and trace them closer to their driving sources. Aims. As part of a large-scale multi-waveband study of ongoing star formation in the Braid Nebula Star Formation region, we focus on a one square degree region that includes Lynds Dark Nebula 1003 and 1004. Our goal is to find all of the near-infrared outflows, uncover their driving sources and estimate their evolutionary phase. Methods. We use near-infrared wide-field observations obtained with WFCAM on UKIRT, in conjunction with previously-published optical and archival MM data, to search for outflows and identify their driving sources; we subsequently use colour-colour analysis to determine the evolutionary phase of each source. Results. Within a one square degree field we have identified 37 complex MHOs, most of which are new. After combining our findings with other wide-field, multi-waveband observations of the same region we were able to discern 28 outflows and at least 18 protostars. Our analysis suggests that these protostars are younger and/or more energetic than those of the Taurus-Auriga region. The outflow data enable us to suggest connection between outflow ejection and repetitive FU Ori outburst events. We also find that star formation progresses from W to E across the investigated region.

Young star clusters like R136 in the Large Magellanic Cloud and NGC 3603, Westerlund 1, and 2 in the Milky Way are dynamically more evolved than expected based on their current relaxation times. In particular, the combination of a high degree of mass segregation, a relatively low central density, and the large number of massive runaway stars in their vicinity are hard to explain with the monolithic formation of these clusters. Young star clusters can achieve such a mature dynamical state if they formed through the mergers of a number of less massive clusters. The shorter relaxation times of less massive clusters cause them to dynamically evolve further by the time they merge, and the merger product preserves the memory of the dynamical evolution of its constituent clusters. With a series of $N$-body simulations, we study the dynamical evolution of single massive clusters and those that are assembled through merging smaller clusters together. We find that the formation of massive star clusters through the mergers of smaller clusters can reproduce the currently observed spatial distribution of massive stars, the density, and the characteristics (number and mass distribution) of the stars ejected as runaways from young dense clusters. We therefore conclude that these clusters and possibly other young massive star clusters formed through the mergers of smaller clusters.

Events like inflation or phase transitions can produce large density perturbations on very small scales in the early Universe. Probes of small scales are therefore useful for e.g. discriminating between inflationary models. Until recently, the only such constraint came from non-observation of primordial black holes (PBHs), associated with the largest perturbations. Moderate-amplitude perturbations can collapse shortly after matter-radiation equality to form ultracompact minihalos (UCMHs) of dark matter, in far greater abundance than PBHs. If dark matter self-annihilates, UCMHs become excellent targets for indirect detection. Here we discuss the gamma-ray fluxes expected from UCMHs, the prospects of observing them with gamma-ray telescopes, and limits upon the primordial power spectrum derived from their non-observation by the Fermi Large Area Space Telescope.

This work is a continuation of two previous papers of a series, in which we examined the pulse-width statistics of normal radio pulsars. In the first paper we compiled the largest ever database of pulsars with interpulses in their mean profiles. In the second one we confirmed the existence of the lower boundary in the scatter plot of core component pulse-widths versus pulsar period W50 sim 2.5 P^{-0.5}[deg], first discovered by Rankin using much smaller number of interpulse cases. In this paper we show that the same lower boundary also exists for conal profile components. Rankin proposed a very simple method of estimation of pulsar inclination angle based on comparing the width W50 of its core component with the period dependent value of the lower boundary. We claim that this method can be extended to conal components as well. To explain an existence of the lower boundary Rankin proposed that the core emission originates at or near the polar cap surface. We demonstrated clearly that no coherent pulsar radio emission can originate at altitudes lower than 10 stellar radii, irrespective of the actual mechanism of coherence. We argue that the lower boundary reflects the narrowest angular structures that can be distinguished in the average pulsar beam. These structures represent the core and the conal components in mean pulsar profiles. The P^{-0.5} dependence follows from the dipolar nature of magnetic field lines in the radio emission region, while the numerical factor of about 2.5 deg reflects the curvature radius of a non-dipolar surface magnetic field in the partially screened gap above the polar cap, where dense electron-positron plasma is created. Both core and conal emission should originate at altitudes of about 50 stellar radii in a typical pulsar, with a possibility that the core beam is emitted at a slightly lower heights than the conal ones.

Recent infrared observations have demonstrated that photoevaporation driven by high-energy photons from the central star contributes to the dispersal of protoplanetary disks. Here, we show that photoevaporative winds should produce a detectable free-free continuum emission given the range of stellar ionizing photons and X-ray luminosities inferred for young sun-like stars. We point out that VLA observations of the nearby disk around TWHya might have already detected this emission at centimeter wavelengths and calculate the wind electron density and mass flow rate. We also estimate the intensities of H radio recombination lines tracing the wind and discuss which ones could be detected with current instrumentation. The detection and profiles of these recombination lines would unambiguously prove our inference of free-free emission from photoevaporating disks like TWHya. In addition, radio/millimeter data can help constraining wind parameters such as temperature and electron density that are fundamental in measuring mass flow rates.

We have developed a set of dynamically evolving Fokker-Planck models for the collapsed-core globular star cluster M15, which directly address the issue of whether a central black hole is required to fit Hubble Space Telescope (HST) observations of the stellar spatial distribution and kinematics. As in our previous work reported by Dull et al., we find that a central black hole is not needed. Using local mass-function data from HST studies, we have also inferred the global initial stellar mass function. As a consequence of extreme mass segregation, the local mass functions differs from the global mass function at every location. In addition to reproducing the observed mass functions, the models also provide good fits to the star-count and velocity-dispersion profiles, and to the millisecond pulsar accelerations. We address concerns about the large neutron star populations adopted in our previous Fokker-Planck models for M15. We find that good model fits can be obtained with as few as 1600 neutron stars; this corresponds to a retention fraction of 5% of the initial population for our best fit initial mass function. The models contain a substantial population of massive white dwarfs, that range in mass up to 1.2 solar masses. The combined contribution by the massive white dwarfs and neutron stars provides the gravitational potential needed to reproduce HST measurements of the central velocity dispersion profile.

Young, OB-type candidates are identified in a ~7900 sq-deg. region encompassing the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds (LMC/SMC) periphery, the Bridge, part of the Magellanic Stream (MS) and Leading Arm (LA). Selection is based on UV, optical and IR photometry from existing large-area surveys and proper motions from the Southern Proper Motion 4 catalog (SPM4). The spatial distribution of these young star candidates shows: 1) a well-populated SMC wing which continues westward with two branches partially surrounding the SMC, 2) a rather narrow path from the SMC wing eastward toward the LMC which is offset by 1 to 2 deg. from the high-density H I ridge in the Bridge, 3) a well-populated periphery of the LMC dominated by clumps of stars at the ends of the LMC bar and 4) a few scattered candidates in the MS and two overdensities in the LA regions above and below the Galactic plane. Additionally, a proper-motion analysis is made of a radial-velocity selected sample of red giants and supergiants in the LMC, previously shown to be a kinematically and chemically distinct subgroup, most likely captured from the SMC. SPM4 proper motions of these stars also indicate they are distinct from the LMC population. The observational results presented here, combined with the known orbits of the Clouds, and other aspects of the LMC morphology, suggest an off-center, moderate to highly-inclined collision between the SMC and the LMC’s disk that took place between 100 and 200 Myr ago.