Search Publications

Multi-wavelength observations of Galactic hard X-ray sources discovered by INTEGRAL. I. The nature of the companion star
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20078768 Bibcode: 2008A&A...484..783C

Chaty, S.; Rahoui, F.; Foellmi, C. +3 more

Context: The INTEGRAL hard X-ray observatory has revealed an emerging population of highly obscured X-ray binary systems through multi-wavelength observations. Previous studies have shown that many of these sources are high-mass X-ray binaries hosting neutron stars orbiting around luminous and evolved companion stars.
Aims: To better understan…

2008 Astronomy and Astrophysics
INTEGRAL 129
The multiwavelength variability of 3C 273
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:200809947 Bibcode: 2008A&A...486..411S

Lähteenmäki, A.; Paltani, S.; Walter, R. +11 more

Aims: We present an update of the 3C 273's database hosted by the ISDC, completed with data from radio to gamma-ray observations over the last 10 years. We use this large data set to study the multiwavelength properties of this quasar, especially focussing on its variability behaviour.
Methods: We study the amplitude of the variations and the …

2008 Astronomy and Astrophysics
INTEGRAL XMM-Newton 128
Radial metallicity profiles for a large sample of galaxy clusters observed with XMM-Newton
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:200810113 Bibcode: 2008A&A...487..461L

Molendi, S.; Leccardi, A.

Aims: We measured radial metallicity profiles for a sample of ≈50 hot, intermediate redshift galaxy clusters, selected from the XMM-Newton archive.
Methods: As in our previous paper, we used background modeling rather than background subtraction, and the Cash statistic rather than the χ^2. This method requires a careful characterization of all…

2008 Astronomy and Astrophysics
XMM-Newton 124
Observations and modeling of a clumpy galaxy at z = 1.6. Spectroscopic clues to the origin and evolution of chain galaxies
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20079250 Bibcode: 2008A&A...486..741B

Daddi, E.; Elbaz, D.; Bournaud, F. +7 more

We investigate the properties of a clump-cluster galaxy at redshift 1.57. In optical observations, the morphology of this galaxy is dominated by eight star-forming clumps, and its photometric properties are typical of most clump-cluster and chain galaxies. Its complex asymmetrical morphology has led to the suggestion that this system is a group me…

2008 Astronomy and Astrophysics
eHST 121
Abundance of minerals in the phyllosilicate-rich units on Mars
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:200810150 Bibcode: 2008A&A...487L..41P

Mangold, N.; Bibring, J. -P.; Gondet, B. +4 more

Context: Phyllosilicates were definitely identified on Mars by the OMEGA (Observatoire pour la Minéralogie, l'Eau, les Glaces et l'Activité) instrument onboard the Mars Express spacecraft. The identification, characterization, and mapping of deposits of these minerals hold clues to the potential past habitability. They also constitute a key elemen…

2008 Astronomy and Astrophysics
MEx 120
Quantitative studies of the optical and UV spectra of Galactic early B supergiants. I. Fundamental parameters
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20077125 Bibcode: 2008A&A...481..777S

Massa, D.; Prinja, R. K.; Searle, S. C. +1 more

Aims: We undertake an optical and ultraviolet spectroscopic analysis of a sample of 20 Galactic B0-B5 supergiants of luminosity classes Ia, Ib, Iab, and II. Fundamental stellar parameters are obtained from optical diagnostics and a critical comparison of the model predictions to observed UV spectral features is made.
Methods: Fundamental param…

2008 Astronomy and Astrophysics
IUE 117
Strong horizontal photospheric magnetic field in a surface dynamo simulation
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20078998 Bibcode: 2008A&A...481L...5S

Schüssler, M.; Vögler, A.

Context: Observations with the Hinode spectro-polarimeter have revealed strong horizontal internetwork magnetic fields in the quiet solar photosphere.
Aims: We aim to interpret the observations with results from numerical simulations.
Methods: Radiative MHD simulations of dynamo action by near-surface convection are analyzed with respect t…

2008 Astronomy and Astrophysics
Hinode 115
High variability in Vela X-1: giant flares and off states
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:200809956 Bibcode: 2008A&A...492..511K

Santangelo, A.; Wilms, J.; Ferrigno, C. +6 more

Aims: We investigate the spectral and temporal behavior of the high mass X-ray binary Vela X-1 during a phase of high activity, with special focus on the observed giant flares and off states.
Methods: INTEGRAL observed Vela X-1 in a long almost uninterrupted observation for two weeks in 2003 Nov/Dec. The data were analyzed with OSA 7.0 and FTO…

2008 Astronomy and Astrophysics
INTEGRAL 114
Transient horizontal magnetic fields in solar plage regions
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20079022 Bibcode: 2008A&A...481L..25I

Lites, B. W.; Ichimoto, K.; Ishikawa, R. +9 more

Aims:We report the discovery of isolated, small-scale emerging magnetic fields in a plage region with the Solar Optical Telescope aboard Hinode.
Methods: Spectro-polarimetric observations were carried out with a cadence of 34 s for the plage region located near disc center. The vector magnetic fields are inferred by Milne-Eddington inversion. …

2008 Astronomy and Astrophysics
Hinode 113
X-ray spectral evolution of TeV BL Lacertae objects: eleven years of observations with BeppoSAX, XMM-Newton and Swift satellites
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20078639 Bibcode: 2008A&A...478..395M

Tramacere, A.; Giommi, P.; Perri, M. +2 more

Context: Many of the extragalactic sources detected in γ rays at TeV energies are BL Lac objects. In particular, they belong to the subclass of “high frequency peaked BL Lacs” (HBLs), as their spectral energy distributions exhibit a first peak in the X-ray band. At a closer look, their X-ray spectra appear to be generally curved into a log-parabol…

2008 Astronomy and Astrophysics
XMM-Newton 111