scholarly journals Starburst Energy Feedback Seen through HCO+/HOC+ Emission in NGC 253 from ALCHEMI

2021 ◽  
Vol 923 (1) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Nanase Harada ◽  
Sergio Martín ◽  
Jeffrey G. Mangum ◽  
Kazushi Sakamoto ◽  
Sebastien Muller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Galactic Center ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Ionization Rate ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Photon Flux ◽  
Starburst Galaxy ◽  
Energy Feedback ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Uv Photons ◽  
Molecular Abundances

Abstract Molecular abundances are sensitive to the UV photon flux and cosmic-ray ionization rate. In starburst environments, the effects of high-energy photons and particles are expected to be stronger. We examine these astrochemical signatures through multiple transitions of HCO+ and its metastable isomer HOC+ in the center of the starburst galaxy NGC 253 using data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array large program ALMA Comprehensive High-resolution Extragalactic Molecular inventory. The distribution of the HOC+(1−0) integrated intensity shows its association with “superbubbles,” cavities created either by supernovae or expanding H ii regions. The observed HCO+/HOC+ abundance ratios are ∼10–150, and the fractional abundance of HOC+ relative to H2 is ∼1.5 × 10−11–6 × 10−10, which implies that the HOC+ abundance in the center of NGC 253 is significantly higher than in quiescent spiral arm dark clouds in the Galaxy and the Galactic center clouds. Comparison with chemical models implies either an interstellar radiation field of G 0 ≳ 103 if the maximum visual extinction is ≳5, or a cosmic-ray ionization rate of ζ ≳ 10−14 s−1 (3–4 orders of magnitude higher than that within clouds in the Galactic spiral arms) to reproduce the observed results. From the difference in formation routes of HOC+, we propose that a low-excitation line of HOC+ traces cosmic-ray dominated regions, while high-excitation lines trace photodissociation regions. Our results suggest that the interstellar medium in the center of NGC 253 is significantly affected by energy input from UV photons and cosmic rays, sources of energy feedback.

scholarly journals The cosmic ray ionization rate in the central parsec of the Galaxy

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (S303) ◽  
pp. 429-433
Author(s):  
Miwa Goto
Keyword(s):  
Galactic Center ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Ionization Rate ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Energy Astrophysics ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Γ Ray ◽  
Sgr A ◽  
Central Parsec ◽  
Crossing Point

AbstractCosmic rays represent a unique crossing point of high-energy astrophysics and astrochemistry. The cosmic ray ionization rate of molecular hydrogen (ζ2) measured by H3+ spectroscopy in the central parsec of the Galaxy is 2 orders of magnitude higher than that in the dense clouds outside the Galactic center. However, it is still too short, by the factor of 10,000, to agree with an extremely high ζ2 that accommodates the new γ-ray observations of Sgr A* and its environment.

scholarly journals The starburst galaxy NGC 253 revisited by H.E.S.S. and Fermi-LAT

2018 ◽  
Vol 617 ◽  
pp. A73 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
H. Abdalla ◽  
F. Aharonian ◽  
F. Ait Benkhali ◽  
E. O. Angüner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spectral Index ◽  
Power Law ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Thick Target ◽  
Starburst Galaxy ◽  
Particle Accelerators ◽  
Power Law Distribution ◽  
Particle Population ◽  
Measurement Uncertainties

Context. NGC 253 is one of only two starburst galaxies found to emit γ-rays from hundreds of MeV to multi-TeV energies. Accurate measurements of the very-high-energy (VHE; E > 100 GeV) and high-energy (HE; E > 60 MeV) spectra are crucial to study the underlying particle accelerators, probe the dominant emission mechanism(s) and to study cosmic-ray interaction and transport. Aims. The measurement of the VHE γ-ray emission of NGC 253 published in 2012 by H.E.S.S. was limited by large systematic uncertainties. Here, the most up to date measurement of the γ-ray spectrum of NGC 253 is investigated in both HE and VHE γ-rays. Assuming a hadronic origin of the γ-ray emission, the measurement uncertainties are propagated into the interpretation of the accelerated particle population. Methods. The data of H.E.S.S. observations are reanalysed using an updated calibration and analysis chain. The improved Fermi–LAT analysis employs more than 8 yr of data processed using pass 8. The cosmic-ray particle population is evaluated from the combined HE–VHE γ-ray spectrum using NAIMA in the optically thin case. Results. The VHE γ-ray energy spectrum is best fit by a power-law distribution with a flux normalisation of (1.34 ± 0.14stat ± 0.27sys) × 10−13 cm−2 s−1 TeV1 at 1 TeV – about 40% above, but compatible with the value obtained in Abramowski et al. (2012). The spectral index Γ = 2.39 ± 0.14stat ± 0.25sys is slightly softer than but consistent with the previous measurement within systematic errors. In the Fermi energy range an integral flux of F(E > 60 MeV) = (1.56 ± 0.28stat ± 0.15sys) × 10−8 cm−2 s−1 is obtained. At energies above ∼3 GeV the HE spectrum is consistent with a power-law ranging into the VHE part of the spectrum measured by H.E.S.S. with an overall spectral index Γ = 2.22 ± 0.06stat. Conclusions. Two scenarios for the starburst nucleus are tested, in which the gas in the starburst nucleus acts as either a thin or a thick target for hadronic cosmic rays accelerated by the individual sources in the nucleus. In these two models, the level to which NGC 253 acts as a calorimeter is estimated to a range of fcal = 0.1 to 1 while accounting for the measurement uncertainties. The presented spectrum is likely to remain the most accurate measurements until the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) has collected a substantial set of data towards NGC 253.

scholarly journals The Origin of the Most Energetic Galactic Cosmic Rays: Supernova Explosions into Massive Star Plasma Winds

Galaxies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter L. Biermann ◽  
Philipp P. Kronberg ◽  
Michael L. Allen ◽  
Athina Meli ◽  
Eun-Suk Seo
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Field Strength ◽  
Magnetic Field Strength ◽  
Space Station ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Galactic Cosmic Rays ◽  
Starburst Galaxy ◽  
Supergiant Star

We propose that the high energy Cosmic Ray particles up to the upturn commonly called the ankle, from around the spectral turn-down commonly called the knee, mostly come from Blue Supergiant star explosions. At the upturn, i.e., the ankle, Cosmic Rays probably switch to another source class, most likely extragalactic sources. To show this we recently compiled a set of Radio Supernova data where we compute the magnetic field, shock speed and shock radius. This list included both Blue and Red Supergiant star explosions; both data show the same magnetic field strength for these two classes of stars despite very different wind densities and velocities. Using particle acceleration theory at shocks, those numbers can be transformed into characteristic ankle and knee energies. Without adjusting any free parameters both of these observed energies are directly indicated by the supernova data. In the next step in the argument, we use the Supernova Remnant data of the starburst galaxy M82. We apply this analysis to Blue Supergiant star explosions: The shock will race to their outer edge with a magnetic field that is observed to follow over several orders of magnitude B ( r ) × r ∼ c o n s t . , with in fact the same magnetic field strength for such stellar explosions in our Galaxy, and other galaxies including M82. The speed is observed to be ∼0.1 c out to about 10 16 cm radius in the plasma wind. The Supernova shock can run through the entire magnetic plasma wind region at full speed all the way out to the wind-shell, which is of order parsec scale in M82. We compare and identify the Cosmic Ray spectrum in other galaxies, in the starburst galaxy M82 and in our Galaxy with each other; we suggest how Blue Supergiant star explosions can provide the Cosmic Ray particles across the knee and up to the ankle energy range. The data from the ISS-CREAM (Cosmic Ray Energetics and Mass Experiment at the International Space Station) mission will test this cosmic ray concept which is reasonably well grounded in two independent radio supernova data sets. The next step in developing our understanding will be to obtain future more accurate Cosmic Ray data near to the knee, and to use unstable isotopes of Cosmic Ray nuclei at high energy to probe the “piston” driving the explosion. We plan to incorporate these data with the physics of the budding black hole which is probably forming in each of these stars.

scholarly journals High-energy positrons and gamma radiation from decaying constituents of a two-component dark atom model

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (13) ◽  
pp. 1545004 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Belotsky ◽  
M. Khlopov ◽  
C. Kouvaris ◽  
M. Laletin
Keyword(s):  
Dark Matter ◽  
Massive Particle ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Photon Flux ◽  
Dark Matter Candidate ◽  
Small Range ◽  
State Radiation ◽  
Two Component ◽  
Doubly Charged

We study a two-component dark matter candidate inspired by the minimal walking technicolor (WTC) model. Dark matter consists of a dominant strongly interactive massive particle (SIMP)-like dark atom component made of bound states between primordial helium nuclei and a doubly charged technilepton and a small WIMP-like component made of another dark atom bound state between a doubly charged technibaryon and a technilepton. This scenario is consistent with direct search experimental findings because the dominant SIMP component interacts too strongly to reach the depths of current detectors with sufficient energy to recoil and the WIMP-like component is too small to cause significant amount of events. In this context, a metastable technibaryon that decays to [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] can, in principle, explain the observed positron excess by AMS-02 and PAMELA, while being consistent with the photon flux observed by FERMI/LAT. We scan the parameters of the model and we find the best possible fit to the latest experimental data. We find that there is a small range of parameter space that this scenario can be realized under certain conditions regarding the cosmic ray propagation and the final state radiation (FSR). This range of parameters fall inside the region where the current run of large hadron collider (LHC) can probe, and therefore it will soon be possible to either verify or exclude conclusively this model of dark matter.

scholarly journals Cosmic Rays, UV Photons, and Haze Formation in the Upper Atmospheres of Hot Jupiters

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (S299) ◽  
pp. 303-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul B. Rimmer ◽  
Catherine Walsh ◽  
Christiane Helling
Keyword(s):  
Cosmic Rays ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Model Atmosphere ◽  
Ionization Rate ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Solar Metallicity ◽  
Haze Formation ◽  
Uv Photons ◽  
Three Body ◽  
Hot Jupiter

AbstractCosmic ray ionization has been found to be a dominant mechanism for the formation of ions in dense interstellar environments. Cosmic rays are further known to initiate the highly efficient ion-neutral chemistry within star forming regions. In this talk we explore the effect of both cosmic rays and UV photons on a model hot Jupiter atmosphere using a non-equlibrium chemical network that combines reactions from the UMIST Database for Astrochemistry, the KIDA database for interstellar and protoplanetary environments and three-body and combustion reactions from the NIST database and from various irradiated gas planet networks. The physical parameters for our model atmosphere are based on HD 189733 b (Effective Temperature of 1000 K, log g = 3.3, solar metallicity, at a distance 0.03 AU from a K dwarf). The active UV photochemistry high in our model hot Jupiter atmosphere tends to destroy these hydrocarbons, but on a time-scale sufficiently slow that PAH formation could already have taken place. In most cases, carbon-bearing species formed by cosmic rays are destroyed by UV photons (e.g. C2H2, C2H4, HC3N). Conversely, carbon-bearing species enhanced by an active photochemistry are depleted when cosmic ray ionization is significant (e.g. CN, HCN and CH4). Ammonia is an interesting exception to this trend, enhanced both by an active photochemistry and a high cosmic ray ionization rate.

scholarly journals The nature of the penetrating component of cosmic rays

1938 ◽  
Vol 165 (920) ◽  
pp. 11-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Maynard Stuart Blackett
Keyword(s):  
Energy Loss ◽  
Average Energy ◽  
Great Majority ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Transition Curve ◽  
Metal Plates ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Normal Electron ◽  
Transition Curves

The measurements by Neddermeyer and Anderson (1937) of the absorp­tion of cosmic-ray particles of low energy by metal plates differ in certain respects from those by Blackett and Wilson (1937). The former results showed that, in the energy range 1∙2 x 10 8 to 5 x 10 8 e-volts, two types of particles exist, an absorbable group assumed to behave as theory predicts of electrons and a much more penetrating group, attributed provisionally to heavier particles. On the other hand, we found that all the rays with energy under 2 x 10 8 e-volts were absorbed like electrons, while for rays of greater energy the average energy loss was very much less. Though a very few energetic particles were found to have a high energy loss, insufficient evidence was then available to justify classifying them as of a nature distinct from the less absorbable rays. Thus we obtained definite experimental evidence that the energy loss of the great majority of the rays varies rapidly with their energy. We concluded, therefore, that the energy loss of a normal electron varies with its energy. We now believe this to be probably false, since the success of the cascade theory of showers, in explaining the transition curve in the atmosphere, and a large part, at any rate, of the phenomena of the transition curves of showers and bursts, has provided fairly strong evidence that there must be a very few energetic rays at sea-level, which have the full radiation loss of electrons, even in heavy elements. It follows that the great majority of the rays, for which the energy loss certainly varies rapidly with energy, are probably not normal electrons. We therefore agree with the view of Neddermeyer and Anderson that it is likely that there are two types of particles present, though the difference in behaviour only exists for energies over 2 x 10 8 e-volts.

scholarly journals The Origin of the Most Energetic Galactic Cosmic Rays: Supernova Explosions into Massive Star Plasma Winds

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Biermann ◽  
Philipp Kronberg ◽  
Michael Allen ◽  
Athina Meli ◽  
Eun-Suk Seo
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Outer Edge ◽  
Starburst Galaxy ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Giant Star ◽  
Full Speed ◽  
Supernova Explosions ◽  
Supergiant Star

We propose that the high energy Cosmic Ray particles around the spectral turn-down commonly called the {\it knee} and up to the upturn, commonly called the {\it ankle}, mostly come from Blue Super Giant star explosions. At the upturn, i.e. the {\it ankle}, Cosmic Rays probably switch to another source class, most likely extragalactic sources. To show this we recently compiled a set of Radio Supernova data to list the magnetic field, shock speed and radius scale (Biermann et al. 2018) \cite{Biermann18}. Using particle acceleration theory at shocks, those numbers can be transformed into characteristic {\it knee} and {\it ankle} energies. Without adjusting any free parameters both of these observed energies are directly indicated by the supernova data. We now proceed to the next step in the argument, and use the Supernova Remnant data of the starburst galaxy M82. Assuming that they are Blue Supergiant star explosions, the shock will race to their outer edge with a magnetic field that follows ${B (r) \, r \, \sim \, const.}$. We argue that the shock runs through the entire magnetic plasma wind region at full speed all the way out to the wind-shell, which is of order parsec scale. The speed is observed to be $\sim \, 0.1 \, c$ at about ${10^{16} \, {\rm cm}}$ radius in the plasma wind. This demonstrates how Blue Supergiant star explosions can provide the Cosmic Ray particles across the {\it knee} and up to the {\it ankle} energy range. The data from the CREAM (Cosmic Ray Energetics and Mass Experiment) mission will test this cosmic ray concept which is reasonably well grounded in two independent radio supernova data sets. The next step in developing our understanding is to obtain accurate Cosmic Ray data near to the {\it knee}, and use unstable isotopes of Cosmic Ray nuclei at high energy to probe the "piston" driving the explosion. We plan to combine these data with the physics of the budding black hole which is probably forming in each of these stars to learn more.

scholarly journals Molecules in the circumnuclear disk of the Galactic center

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (S303) ◽  
pp. 78-82
Author(s):  
Nanase Harada ◽  
Denise Riquelme ◽  
Serena Viti ◽  
Karl Menten ◽  
Miguel Requena-Torres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Shock Waves ◽  
Molecular Clouds ◽  
Galactic Center ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Central Star ◽  
Ionization Rate ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Circumnuclear Disk

AbstractWithin a few parsecs around the central black hole A*, chemistry in the dense molecular cloud material of the circumnuclear disk (CND) can be affected by many energetic phenomena such as high UV-flux from the massive central star cluster, X-rays from A*, shock waves, and an enhanced cosmic-ray flux. Recently, spectroscopic surveys with the IRAM 30 meter and the APEX 12 meter telescopes of substantial parts of the 80–500 GHz frequency range were made toward selected positions in and near the CND. These data sets contain lines from the molecules HCN, HCO+, HNC, CS, SO, SiO, CN, H2CO, HC3N, N2H+, H3O+ and others. We conduct Large Velocity Gradient analyses to obtain column densities and total hydrogen densities, n, for each species in molecular clouds located in the southwest lobe of the CND. The data for the above mentioned molecules indicate 105 cm−3 ≲ n < 106 cm−3, which shows that the CND is tidally unstable. The derived chemical composition is compared with a chemical model calculated using the UCL_CHEM code that includes gas and grain reactions, and the effects of shock waves. Models are run for varying shock velocities, cosmic-ray ionization rates, and number densities. The resulting chemical composition is fitted best to an extremely high value of cosmic-ray ionization rate ζ ∼ 10−14 s−1, 3 orders of magnitude higher than the value in regular Galactic molecular clouds, if the pre-shock density is n=105 cm−3.

scholarly journals Latest results on high-energy cosmic neutrino searches with the ANTARES neutrino telescope

2019 ◽  
Vol 210 ◽  
pp. 03004
Author(s):  
Agustín Sánchez Losa
Keyword(s):  
Galactic Center ◽  
Galactic Plane ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Neutrino Telescope ◽  
Southern Coast ◽  
Transient Phenomena ◽  
Neutrino Production ◽  
Cosmic Neutrino ◽  
Extended Sources

The ANTARES detector is currently the largest undersea neutrino telescope. Located in the Mediterranean Sea at a depth of 2.5 km, 40 km off the Southern coast of France, it has been looking for cosmic neutrinos for more than 10 years. High-energy cosmic neutrino production is strongly linked with cosmic ray production. The latest results from IceCube Collaboration represent a step forward towards the confirmation of a highenergy cosmic ray source. The ANTARES location in the Northern Hemisphere is optimal for the observation of most of the Galactic Plane, including the Galactic Center. It has constrained the IceCube neutrino excess reports as well as, more recently, the flux from the source identified in the Blazar TXS 0506+056. The latest results of ANTARES on such analyses, including point-like and extended sources, diffuse fluxes, transient phenomena and multi-messenger studies, are presented.

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