B-G Andersson

Overview of the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer Mission

The Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer satellite observes light in the far-ultraviolet spectral region, 905-1187 Angstrom, with a high spectral resolution. The instrument consists of four co-aligned prime-focus telescopes and Rowland spectrographs with microchannel plate detectors. Two of the telescope channels use Al :LiF coatings for optimum reflectivity between approximately 1000 and 1187 Angstrom, and the other two channels use SiC coatings for optimized throughput between 905 and 1105 Angstrom. The gratings are holographically ruled to correct largely for astigmatism and to minimize scattered light. The microchannel plate detectors have KBr photocathodes and use photon counting to achieve good quantum efficiency with low background signal. The sensitivity is sufficient to examine reddened lines of sight within the Milky Way and also sufficient to use as active galactic nuclei and QSOs for absorption-line studies of both Milky Way and extragalactic gas clouds. This spectral region contains a number of key scientific diagnostics, including O VI, H I, D I, and the strong electronic transitions of H-2 and HD.

On-Orbit Performance of the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer Satellite

The launch of the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) has been followed by an extensive period of calibration and characterization as part of the preparation for normal satellite operations. Major tasks carried out during this period include the initial coalignment, focusing, and characterization of the four instrument channels and a preliminary measurement of the resolution and throughput performance of the instrument. We describe the results from this test program and present preliminary estimates of the on-orbit performance of the FUSE satellite based on a combination of these data and prelaunch laboratory measurements.

First detection of Lyman continuum escape from a local starburst galaxy. I. Observations of the luminous blue compact galaxy Haro 11 with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE)

The dominating reionization source in the young universe has yet to be identified. Possible candidates include metal poor starburst dwarf galaxies of which the Blue Compact Galaxy Haro 11 may represent a local counterpart. Using the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) we obtained spectra of Haro 11 to search for leaking ionizing radiation. A weak signal shortwards of the Lyman break is identified as Lyman continuum (LyC) emission escaping from the ongoing starburst. From profile fitting to weak metal lines we derive column densities of the low ionization species. Adopting a metallicity typical of the H II regions of Haro 11, the corresponding H I column density is optically thick in the LyC. Therefore most of the LyC photons must escape through transparent holes in the interstellar medium. Using spectral evolutionary models we constrain the escape fraction of the produced LyC photons to between 4 and 10%, assuming a normal Salpeter IMF. We argue that in a hierarchical galaxy formation scenario, this allows for a substantial contribution to cosmic reionization by starburst dwarf galaxies at high redshifts.

Observations of O VI Emission from the Diffuse Interstellar Medium

We report the —rst Far-Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer measurements of diUuse O VI (jj1032, 1038) emission from the general diUuse interstellar medium outside of supernova remnants or superbubbles. We observed a 30@@ ] 30@@ region of the sky centered at and From the observed l \ 315i.0 b \[ 41i.3. intensities (2930 ^ 290 [random] ^ 410 [systematic] and 1790 ^ 260 [random] ^ 250 [systematic] photons cm~2 s~1 sr~1 in jj1032 and 1038, respectively), derived equations, and assumptions about the source location, we calculate the intrinsic intensity, electron density, thermal pressure, and emitting depth. The intensities are too large for the emission to originate solely in the Local Bubble. Thus, we conclude that the Galactic thick disk and lower halo also contribute. High-velocity clouds are ruled out because there are none near the pointing direction. The calculated emitting depth is small, indicating

Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer Observations of Molecular Hydrogen in Translucent Interstellar Clouds: The Line of Sight toward HD 73882

We report the results of the initial Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer observations of molecular hydrogen (H2) in translucent clouds. These clouds have greater optical depth than any of the diffuse clouds previously observed for far-UV H2 absorption and provide new insights into the physics and chemistry of such regions. Our initial results involve observations of HD 73882, a well-studied southern hemisphere star lying behind substantial interstellar material (EB-V = 0.72; AV = 2.44). We find a total H2 column density N(H2) = 1.2 × 1021 cm-2 about 3 times larger than the values for diffuse clouds previously measured in the far-UV. The gas kinetic temperature indicated by the ratio N(J = 1)/N(J = 0) is 58 ± 10 K. With the aid of ground-based data to calculate an appropriate multicomponent curve of growth, we have determined column densities for all rotational levels up to J = 7. The J ≥ 2 states can be reasonably fitted with a rotational excitation temperature of 307 ± 23 K. Both the kinetic and rotational temperatures are similar to those found in previous investigations of diffuse clouds. The ratios of carbonaceous molecules to hydrogen molecules are also similar to ratios in diffuse clouds, suggesting a similar chemistry for this line of sight.

Observational Constraints on Interstellar Grain Alignment

We present new multicolor photopolarimetry of stars behind the Southern Coalsack. Analyzed together with multiband polarization data from the literature, probing the Chamaeleon I, Musca, ρ Opiuchus, R CrA, and Taurus clouds, we show that the wavelength of maximum polarization (λmax) is linearly correlated with the radiation environment of the grains. Using far-infrared emission data, we show that the large scatter seen in previous studies of λmax as a function of AV is primarily due to line-of-sight effects causing some AV measurements to not be a good tracer of the extinction (radiation field strength) seen by the grains being probed. The derived slopes in λmax versus AV, for the individual clouds, are consistent with a common value, while the zero intercepts scale with the average values of the ratios of total to selective extinction (RV) for the individual clouds. Within each cloud we do not find direct correlations between λmax and RV. The positive slope is consistent with recent developments in theory and indicating alignment driven by the radiation field. The present data cannot conclusively differentiate between direct radiative torques and alignment driven by H2 formation. However, the small values of λmax(AV = 0), seen in several clouds, suggest a role for the latter, at least at the cloud surfaces. The scatter in the λmax versus AV relation is found to be associated with the characteristics of the embedded YSOs in the clouds. We propose that this is partially due to locally increased plasma damping of the grain rotation caused by X-rays from the YSOs.

Fluorescent Molecular Hydrogen Emission in IC 63: FUSE, Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope, and Rocket Observations

We present far-ultraviolet observations of IC 63, an emission/reflection nebula illuminated by the B0.5 IV star γ Cas, located 1.3 pc from the nebula. Molecular hydrogen fluorescence was detected first in IC 63 by IUE and later at shorter wavelengths by ORFEUS. Here we present Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) observations toward three locations in the nebula, complemented by Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope (HUT) data on the central nebular position. In addition, we present a sounding rocket calibration of a FUSE spectrum of γ Cas. Molecular hydrogen fluorescence is detected in all three FUSE pointings. The intensity of this emission, as well as the contributions from other species, are seen to vary with position. The absolute flux calibration of the sounding rocket data allows us to reliably predict the radiation field incident on IC 63. We use these data to test models of the fluorescent process. Our modeling resolves the perceived discrepancy between the existing ultraviolet observations and achieves a satisfactory agreement with the H2 rotational structure observed with FUSE.

On-orbit performance of the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE)

The Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) satellite was launched into orbit on June 24, 1999. FUSE is now making high resolution ((lambda) /(Delta) (lambda) equals 20,000 - 25,000) observations of solar system, galactic, and extragalactic targets in the far ultraviolet wavelength region (905 - 1187 angstroms). Its high effective area, low background, and planned three year life allow observations of objects which have been too faint for previous high resolution instruments in this wavelength range. In this paper, we describe the on- orbit performance of the FUSE satellite during its first nine months of operation, including measurements of sensitivity and resolution.

[ITAL]Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer[/ITAL] Observations of Interstellar Gas toward the Large Magellanic Cloud Star S[CLC]k[/CLC] −67°05

We report on measurements of interstellar O VI, H2, P II, Si II, Ar I, and Fe II absorption along the line of sight to Sk -67 05, a B0 Ia star in a diffuse H II region in the western edge of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). We find log N(O VI) = 14.40 +/- 0.04 in the Milky Way (MW) component and, using the C IV column density from previous IUE observations, N(C IV) / N(O VI) = 1.00 +/- 0.16, a value similar to other halo measurements made with FUSE. In the LMC component, log N(O VI) = 13.89 +/- 0.05, and N(C IV) / N(O VI)<0.4 (3 sigma), since only an upper limit on N(C IV) is available. Along this sightline the LMC is rich in molecular hydrogen, log N(H2) = 19.50 +/- 0.08; in the MW log N(H2) = 14.95 +/- 0.08. A two-component fit for the excitation temperature of the molecular gas in the LMC gives T_01 = 59 +/- 5 K for J=0,1 and T_ex = 800 +/- 330 K for J=3,4,5. For the MW, T_01 = 99 (+30/-20) K; no excitation temperature could be determined for the higher rotational states. The MW and LMC gas-phase [Fe/P] abundances are ~0.6 and ~0.7 dex lower, respectively, than solar system abundances. These values are similar to [Fe/Zn] measurements for the MW and LMC towards SN 1987A.We report on measurements of interstellar O VI, H2, P II, Si II, Ar I, and Fe II absorption along the line of sight to Sk -67 05, a B0 Ia star in a diffuse H II region in the western edge of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). We find log N(O VI) = 14.40 +/- 0.04 in the Milky Way (MW) component and, using the C IV column density from previous IUE observations, N(C IV) / N(O VI) = 1.00 +/- 0.16, a value similar to other halo measurements made with FUSE. In the LMC component, log N(O VI) = 13.89 +/- 0.05, and N(C IV) / N(O VI) < 0.4 (3 sigma), since only an upper limit on N(C IV) is available. Along this sightline the LMC is rich in molecular hydrogen, log N(H2) = 19.50 +/- 0.08; in the MW log N(H2) = 14.95 +/- 0.08. A two-component fit for the excitation temperature of the molecular gas in the LMC gives T_01 = 59 +/- 5 K for J=0,1 and T_ex = 800 +/- 330 K for J=3,4,5. For the MW, T_01 = 99 (+30/-20) K; no excitation temperature could be determined for the higher rotational states. The MW and LMC gas-phase [Fe/P] abundances are ~0.6 and ~0.7 dex lower, respectively, than solar system abundances. These values are similar to [Fe/Zn] measurements for the MW and LMC towards SN 1987A.

FUSE Measurements of Rydberg Bands of Interstellar CO between 925 and 1150 Å

We report the detection of 11 Rydberg bands of CO in FUSE spectra of the sight line toward HD 203374A. Eight of these electronic bands are seen in the interstellar medium for the first time. Our simultaneous fit of five non-Rydberg A-X bands together with the strongest Rydberg band of CO, C-X (0-0), yields a four-component cloud structure toward the stellar target. With this model we synthesize the other Rydberg bands in order to derive their oscillator strengths. We find that the strength of some bands was underestimated in previously published results from laboratory measurements. The implication is important for theoretical calculations of the abundance of interstellar CO, because its dissociation and self-shielding depend on oscillator strengths for these bands.