John V. Vallerga

High-resolution Ca II observations of the local interstellar medium

High-resolution absorption measurements of the interstellar Ca II K line observed toward 46 early-type stars in the local ISM (LISM) are presented. Ca II was detected in 36 of the 46 stars with 82 individual cloud components identified. Ca II was detected to most of the stars closer than 50 pc, except in the region of the Galactic quadrant l = 180-270 degrees which also contains the empty line of sight to B CMa at 220 pc. The mean local standard of rest velocity of the 82 Ca II components implies that the LISM clouds are associated with the motion of the solar neighborhood and not the sun. If the present data are combined with other nearby Ca II component velocities taken from the literature, then a cloud centered approximately at l = 90 deg, b = -40 deg moving coherently with the local interstellar wind vector is supported at a significance level of 99 percent. The Ca II data have been combined with Na I data for the same stars to produce a N(Na I)/N(Ca II) ratio for each identified absorption feature. This ratio plotted against the local standard of rest velocities of the clouds shows that the Routly-Spitzer effect exists down to +/- 10 km/s, which supports grain desorption/destruction models that are efficient at returning calcium to the gas phase at these low velocities.

EUVE spectroscopy of epsilon Canis Majoris (B2 II) from 70 to 730 A

We present spectra of the brightest stellar source of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation longward of 400 A, the B2 II star, epsilon CMa. These data were taken with the three spectrometers aboard the NASA Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer satellite (EUVE) during the first cycle of pointed observations. We report on our initial studies of the continuum and line spectrum of the stellar photosphere in the 320 to 730 A region, and on the wind emission lines observed in the 170-375 A region. This is the first EUV spectrum of an early-type star, and thus makes epsilon CMa the most comprehensively observed B star from the X-ray to infrared regimes. The radiation in both the H Lyman continuum and He I continuum (shortward of 504 A) are found to be significantly greater than predicted by both Local Thermodynamic Equilibrium (LTE) and non-LTE model atmospheres. Since epsilon CMa also exhibits a mid-infrared excess, this points to the outer layers being warmer than the models indicate. The anomalously large Lyman continuum flux, combined with the very low column density measured in the direction toward this star implies that it is the dominant source of hydrogen ionization of the local interstellar medium in the immediate vicinity of the sun. All of the lines predicted to be strong from model atmospheres are present and several wind absorption features are also identified. We have detected emission lines from highly ionized iron that are consistent with the ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter (PSPC) observations if a multi-temperature emission model is used, and the assumption is made that there is significant absorption beyond that of the neutral phase of the ISM. The spectrum shows strong O III 374 A line emission produced by the Bowen flourescence mechanism, which has not previously been observed in the spectra of hot stars.

The local distribution of Na I interstellar gas

We present high-resolution absorption measurements (lambda/Delta lambda approximately 75,000) of the interstellar Na I D lines at 5890 A toward 80 southern hemisphere early-type stars located in the local interstellar medium (LISM). Combining these results with other sodium measurements taken from the literature, we produce galactic maps of the distribution of neutral sodium column density for a total of 293 stars generally lying within approximately 250 pc of the Sun. These maps reveal the approximate shape of the mid-plane contours of the rarefied region of interstellar space termed the Local Bubble. Its shape is seen as highly asymmetric, with a radius ranging from 30 to 300 pc, and with an average radius of 60 pc. Similar plots of the Galactic mid-plane distribution of sources emitting extreme ultraviolet radiation show that they also trace out similar contours of the Local Bubble derived from Na I absorption measurements. We conclude that the Local Bubble absorption interface can be represented by a hydrogen column density, Nu(sub ETA) = 2 x 10(exp 19) cm(exp -2), which explains both the local distribution of Na I absorption and the observed galactic distribution of extreme ultraviolet sources. The derived mid-plane contours of the Bubble generally reproduce the large-scale features carved out in the interstellar medium by several nearby galactic shell structures.

The Stellar Extreme-Ultraviolet Radiation Field

The local extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation field from stellar sources has been determined by combining the EUV spectra of 54 stars, taken with the spectrometers aboard the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer satellite. The resultant spectrum over the range 70-730 A is estimated to be 95% complete above 400 A and 90% complete above 200 A. The flux contributed by two B stars and three hot white dwarfs dominate the spectrum except at the shortest wavelengths, where an assortment of EUV source types contribute. The high electron densities measured toward nearby stars can be accounted for by photoionization from this radiation field, but the spectrum is too soft to explain the overionization of helium with respect to hydrogen recently measure in the Local Cloud.

Predicted extreme-ultraviolet line emission for nearby main-sequence B stars

The source of the X-ray emission from O and B stars is currently the subject of debate. Shocks propagating through the winds of O and B stars have previously been proposed to explain their observed X-ray luminosities. Strong shocks with velocity jumps of several hundred km/s can heat portions of the wind to 10 6 -10 7 K, producing major sources of X-ray and extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) emission lines. Alternatively, a corona at the base of the wind might also be responsible for the X-ray emission. Here, the characteristics of EUV lines produced in high-temperature X-ray emitting regions of early B stars are investigated

Possible detection of two giant extrasolar planets orbiting the eclipsing polar UZ Fornacis

We present new high-speed, multi-observatory, multi-instrument photometry of the eclipsing polar UZ For in order to measure precise mid-eclipse times with the aim of detecting any orbital period variations. When combined with published eclipse times and archival data spanning ∼27 years, we detect departures from a linear and quadratic trend of ∼60 s. The departures are strongly suggestive of two cyclic variations of 16(3) and 5.25(25) years. The two favoured mechanisms to drive the periodicities are either two giant extrasolar planets as companions to the binary [with minimum masses of 6.3(1.5) and 7.7(1.2)MJup) or a magnetic cycle mechanism (e.g. Applegate’s mechanism) of the secondary star. Applegate’s mechanism would require the entire radiant energy output of the secondary and would therefore seem to be the least likely of the two, barring any further refinements in the effect of magnetic fields (e.g. those of Lanza et al.). The two-planet model can provide realistic solutions but it does not quite capture all of the eclipse times measurements. A highly eccentric orbit for the outer planet would fit the data nicely, but we find that such a solution would be unstable. It is also possible that the periodicities are driven by some combination of both mechanisms. Further observations of this system are encouraged.

Performance of the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer Imaging Telescopes

The Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) observatory, successfully launched on 1992 June 7, provided astronomers with the first observatory dedicated to observation in the extreme ultraviolet. The scientific objectives of EUVE include an all-sky survey in four spectral bands, a deep survey in two spectral bands, and a spectroscopic survey carried out through a NASA guest observer program. We describe here the hardware components of the four telescopes used to carry out both the all-sky survey and the deep survey, and we present the imaging and photometric performance characteristics of the instruments as determined from ground calibration and in-orbit data.

Background events in microchannel plates

Measurements have been made to assess the characteristics and origins of background events in microchannel plates (MCPs). An overall background rate of approximately 0.4 events cm/sup -3/-s/sup -1/ has been achieved consistently for MCPs that have been baked and scrubbed. The temperature and gain of the MCPs are found to have no significant effect on the background rate. Detection of 1.46-MeV gamma rays from the MCP glass confirms the presence of /sup 40/K, with a concentration of 0.0007%, in MCP glass. It is shown that beta decay from /sup 40/K is sufficient to cause the background rate and spectrum observed. Anticoincidence measurements indicate the background rate caused by cosmic ray interactions is small ( >

Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer Bright Source List

Initial results from the analysis of the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) all-sky survey (58-740 A) and deep survey (67-364 A) are presented through the EUVE Bright Source List (BSL). The BSL contains 356 confirmed extreme ultraviolet (EUV) point sources with supporting information, including positions, observed EUV count rates, and the identification of possible optical counterparts. One-hundred twenty-six sources have been detected longward of 200 A.

Wedge and strip image readout systems for photon-counting detectors in space astronomy

We discuss the application of wedge and strip anodes to photon-counting microchannel plate detector systems for the extreme and far ultraviolet. Performance data, obtained as a result of calibration of the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) [ Proc. Soc. Photo-Opt. Instrum. Eng.279, 176 ( 1981)] satellite detectors (open face) and the FAUST–Spacelab [ Space Sci. Instrum.5, 21 ( 1979)] far-ultraviolet sensors (sealed tube), are presented. We have achieved CsI quantum detection efficiencies of ~80% at 114 A and ~40% at 600 and 1300 A that we believe to be the highest ever obtained. Position sensitivity of <10 μm is demonstrated, and the position resolution, image linearity, background rate, and flat-field characteristics are discussed.