Open Access Published by De Gruyter Open Access

Volume 23 Issue 2

June 2014

Issue of Open Astronomy

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Contents
Journal Overview

Open Access February 18, 2017

Dynamics of Cosmic Neutrinos in Galaxies

A. Sapar

Page range: 71-91

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Abstract

The cosmic background of massive (about 1 eV rest-energy) neutrinos can be cooled to extremely low temperatures, reaching almost completely degenerated state. The Fermi velocity of the neutrinos becomes less than 100 km/s. The equations of dynamics for the cosmic background neutrinos are derived for the spherical and axisymmetrical thin circular disk galaxies. The equations comprise the gravitational potential and gravity of the uniform baryonic disk galaxies. Then the equations are integrated analytically over the disk radius. The constant radial neutrino flux in spherical galaxies favors formation of the wide unipotential wells in them. The neutrino flux in the axisymmetrical galaxies suggests to favor the evolution in the direction of a spherically symmetrical potential. The generated unipotential wells are observed as plateaux in the velocity curves of circular stellar orbits. The constant neutrino density at galactic centers gives the linear part of the curves. The derived system of quasilinear differential equations for neutrinos in the axisymmetrical galaxies have been reduced to the system of the Lagrange-Charpit equations: the coupled differential equations, specifying the local neutrino velocities and dynamics of motion along trajectories, and an additional interconnected equation of the neutrino mass conservation, which can be applied for the determination of density of the neutrino component in galaxies.

Open Access February 18, 2017

A Distant Chandra Galaxy Cluster CL J1415.1+3612: Constraint on Evidence of the Cool-Core Phenomenon

Iu. Babyk

Page range: 93-102

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Abstract

Deep Chandra observations of the distant cluster of galaxies, CLJ1415.1+3612, are analyzed in order to determine the main physical characteristics of the intracluster medium. We also investigate some properties of a cool-core phenomenon at ~ 10 kpc. Combining all Chandra observations, we derive the average temperature ( kT = 6.77±0.54 keV) and the metal abundance ( Z = 0.84±0.16 Z ⊙ ) of the cluster. Assuming hydrostatic equilibrium and spherical symmetry, and using deprojected temperature and surface profiles, we estimate the value of total mass of the cluster within R 2500 , R 500 and R 200 and find the fraction of gas for these radii. The gas mass fraction of CL J1415.1+3612 at R 500 is typical for X-ray clusters, (2.2±0.5)·10 14 M ⊙ . The total mass is equal to 3.8±0.4·10 14 M ⊙ at R 200 and the corresponding gas fraction is f = 0.21±0.06. In addition, we measured the cooling time of the central region (~10 kpc) as t cool = 0.163±0.021 Gyr. The value of entropy in the same region is K c = 12.1±2.6 keV cm 2 . We also checked the redshift value of the cluster using the iron line Kα in the X-ray spectra of CLJ1415.1+3612. Our analysis makes this galaxy cluster to be one of the best investigated distant massive clusters in the X-ray range.

Open Access February 18, 2017

Structural Parameters of Star Clusters: Stochastic Effects

D. Narbutis, R. Stonkutė, P. de Meulenaer, T. Mineikis, V. Vansevičius

Page range: 103-109

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Abstract

Stochasticity of bright stars introduces uncertainty and bias into derived structural parameters of star clusters. We have simulated a grid of cluster V -band images, observed with the Subaru Suprime-Cam, with age, mass and size representing a cluster population in the M31 galaxy and derived their structural parameters by fitting King model to the surface brightness distribution. We have found that clusters less massive than 10 4 M ⊙ show significant uncertainty in their core and tidal radii for all ages, while clusters younger than 10 Myr have their sizes systematically underestimated for all masses. This emphasizes the importance of stochastic simulations to assess the true uncertainty of structural parameters in studies of semi-resolved and unresolved clusters.

Open Access February 18, 2017

Angular Momentum in Dwarf Galaxies

A. Del Popolo

Page range: 111-122

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Abstract

We study the “angular momentum catastrophe” in the framework of interaction among baryons and dark matter through dynamical friction. By means of Del Popolo (2009) model we simulate 14 galaxies similar to those investigated by van den Bosch, Burkert and Swaters (2001), and calculate the distribution of their spin parameters and the angular momenta. Our model gives the angular momentum distribution which is in agreement with the van den Bosch et al. observations. Our result shows that the “angular momentum catastrophe” can be naturally solved in a model that takes into account the baryonic physics and the exchange of energy and angular momentum between the baryonic clumps and dark matter through dynamical friction.

Open Access February 18, 2017

A Tale on Two Close Binaries in Pegasus

H. V. Şenavcı, M. Yılmaz, Ö. Baştürk, İ. Özavcı, Ş. Çalışkan, T. Kılıçoğlu, C. T. Tezcan

Page range: 123-135

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Abstract

We present the simultaneous light and radial velocity curve analysis of two contact binaries in Pegasus using the Wilson-Devinney code. The following absolute astrophysical parameters are determined: masses, radii and effective temperatures. BB Peg is a W-subtype W UMa-type binary, components of which are main sequence stars with 0.50 M ⊙ and 1.40 M ⊙ . The radii of its components are R 1 = 0.81 R ⊙ and R 2 = 1.28 R ⊙ . V407 Peg is an A-subtype contact binary composed of two subgiant components with masses 1.70 M ⊙ and 0.43 M ⊙ , and radii R 1 = 2.17 R ⊙ and R 2 = 1.25 R ⊙ . Comparisons with the theoretical models for solar composition by Girardi et al. (2000) confirms our classification and supports the results.

Open Access February 18, 2017

Cosmic-Ray Induced Diffusion in Interstellar Ices

Juris Kalvāns

Page range: 137-149

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Abstract

Cosmic rays are able to heat interstellar dust grains. This may enhance molecule mobility in icy mantles that have accumulated on the grains in dark cloud cores. A three-phase astrochemical model was used to investigate the molecule mobility in interstellar ices. Specifically, diffusion through pores in ice between the subsurface mantle and outer surface, assisted by whole-grain heating, was considered. It was found that the pores can serve as an efficient transport route for light species. The diffusion of chemical radicals from the mantle to the outer surface are most effective. These species accumulate in the mantle because of photodissociation by the cosmic-ray induced photons. The faster diffusion of hydrogen within the warm ice enhances the hydrogenation of radicals on pore surfaces. The overall result of the whole grain heating-induced radial diffusion in ice are higher abundances of ice species, whose synthesis involve light radicals. Examples of stable species synthesized this way include complex organic molecules, OCS, H 2 O 2 and cyanoplyynes.

About this journal

About this journal

Open Astronomy (formerly Baltic Astronomy) was founded by the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy (Lithuania) in 1992 and acquired by De Gruyter in 2016.

Open Astronomy is a peer-reviewed, and entirely open-access online journal dedicated to disseminating research across the entire spectrum of astronomy and astrophysics. Our publication encompasses diverse topics, ranging from solar, planetary, and stellar physics to the realms of extragalactic astronomy and cosmology, encompassing the instrumental advancements and space missions that propel our understanding of the cosmos forward.

Within our pages, we welcome research papers in which authors present their original work and comprehensive reviews that synthesize the current state of knowledge in specific fields. Additionally, the journal encourages proposals for special issues, which will undergo careful evaluation by our esteemed editorial committee. We are committed to advancing the frontiers of astronomical knowledge and facilitating the exchange of ideas within the scientific community.

Our editors-in-chief and the entire editorial board are dedicated to delivering the utmost author-centric experience. We diligently curate a panel of expert reviewers, typically involving two reviewers and actively oversee the entire review process to ensure its integrity and quality.

Aims and Scope

Below, you will find a comprehensive list of topics covered by the journal:

observational and theoretical astronomy

cosmology

stellar physics

solar physics

galactic and extragalactic astronomy

Instrumentations and mission planning

planetary science

space science and astrobiology

astronomical history and education