Multi-Wavelength Studies of Compact Objects: Physics, Populations, and Origins

致密天体的多波长研究：物理、种群和起源

• 批准号: 0807687
• 负责人: Stephen Eikenberry
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: University of Florida
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2008-08-01 至 2011-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0807687&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Multi; Wavelength; Studies; Compact; Objects

The overall goal of this project is to understand the physics, populations and origins of black hole X-ray binaries - particularly those systems known as "microquasars" - and the physical conditions/processes which lead to the formation of relativistic jets in some of them. While astronomers have studied relativistic outflows from black hole systems for several decades, the details of the mechanism which accelerates and collimates such a jet at nearly the speed of light out of the black hole potential well remains a mystery. The scientific path taken here employs multi-wavelength studies of the physics of compact objects (particularly microquasars) and the populations and origins of compact objects in our Galaxy and beyond. With the addition of more than 2000 new X-ray sources recently discovered in the Galactic Center there is an opportunity to expand the sample size of accreting compact objects in general, and black hole binaries in particular, by an order of magnitude, enabling the use of population statistics to constrain the origin and evolution of even rare classes of X-ray binary such as microquasars. Furthermore, it is now possible to study the environment in which many of these systems form, to examine the feedback process between X-ray binaries and their environment. This combination of both detailed studies of individual sources and broader investigation of their origins and properties via population studies provides a powerful synergistic approach to addressing both problems. Towards this end, several programs will be carried out by Drs. Eikenberry and Bandyopadhyay, including a search for new microquasars and other compact systems using 13 nights of guaranteed time with FLAMINGOS-2 on Gemini South. The resulting spectra of approximately 2000 candidate infrared counterparts to new X-ray sources in the Galactic center are expected to yield between 200 to 300 new binaries with compact object secondaries. Also included in this work will be the development of an infrared extinction map of the Galactic center using data from the UKIDSS Galactic Plane Survey (which will be necessary to accurately reddening-correct the photometry of stars observed with FLAMINGOS-2). Multiwavelength studies of the black hole candidate GRS1915+105 will be carried out and used to develop/refine Dr. Eikenberry's "magnetic bomb" model of relativistic jet formation and its relation to the Accretion Ejection Instability model. Dr. Eikenberry's multi-wavelength program to find X-ray sources in young clusters (in which the cluster properties are used to constrain the progenitor characteristics) will also be continued.This program will enable the education and training of four graduate students who will be involved in the project. The project will also support an ongoing hands-on outreach program at local Title 1 public schools with large minority populations.

该项目的总体目标是了解黑洞 X 射线双星的物理、数量和起源——特别是那些被称为“微类星体”的系统——以及导致其中一些系统形成相对论性喷流的物理条件/过程。虽然天文学家对黑洞系统的相对论流出进行了数十年的研究，但以接近光速的速度从黑洞势阱中加速和准直这种射流的机制细节仍然是一个谜。这里采取的科学路径采用了对致密天体（特别是微类星体）的物理学以及我们银河系及其他地区致密天体的数量和起源的多波长研究。随着最近在银河系中心发现的 2000 多个新 X 射线源的加入，有机会将吸积致密天体（特别是黑洞双星）的样本量扩大一个数量级，从而能够使用人口统计数据来限制甚至罕见的 X 射线双星（例如微类星体）的起源和演化。此外，现在可以研究许多此类系统形成的环境，检查 X 射线双星与其环境之间的反馈过程。对个体来源的详细研究和通过群体研究对其起源和特性进行更广泛的调查相结合，为解决这两个问题提供了强大的协同方法。为此，博士将开展多项计划。 Eikenberry 和 Bandyopadhyay，包括利用位于双子座南的 FLAMINGOS-2 的 13 晚保证时间寻找新的微类星体和其他紧凑系统。由此产生的大约 2000 个与银河中心新 X 射线源对应的候选红外对应物的光谱预计将产生 200 到 300 个具有致密次级物体的新双星。这项工作还包括利用 UKIDSS 银河平面巡天的数据绘制银河中心的红外消光图（这对于准确地红化校正 FLAMINGOS-2 观测到的恒星的光度测量是必要的）。对候选黑洞 GRS1915+105 的多波长研究将被用于开发/完善 Eikenberry 博士的相对论射流形成的“磁炸弹”模型及其与吸积抛射不稳定性模型的关系。 Eikenberry 博士的多波长计划也在年轻星团中寻找 X 射线源（其中星团特性用于限制祖星特征）。该计划将能够教育和培训四名研究生，他们将成为参与该项目。该项目还将支持在拥有大量少数民族人口的当地一级公立学校开展的实践推广计划。