Search results for "010303 astronomy & astrophysics"
showing 10 items of 1094 documents
Magneto-elastic oscillations of neutron stars: exploring different magnetic field configurations
2012
We study magneto-elastic oscillations of highly magnetized neutron stars (magnetars) which have been proposed as an explanation for the quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) appearing in the decaying tail of the giant flares of soft gamma-ray repeaters (SGRs). We extend previous studies by investigating various magnetic field configurations, computing the Alfv��n spectrum in each case and performing magneto-elastic simulations for a selected number of models. By identifying the observed frequencies of 28 Hz (SGR 1900+14) and 30 Hz (SGR 1806-20) with the fundamental Alfv��n QPOs, we estimate the required surface magnetic field strength. For the magnetic field configurations investigated (dipole…
Evolution of the surface magnetic field of rotating proto-neutron stars
2017
We study the evolution of the field on the surface of proto-neutron stars in the immediate aftermath of stellar core collapse by analyzing the results of self-consistent, axisymmetric simulations of the cores of rapidly rotating high-mass stars. To this end, we compare the field topology and the angular spectra of the poloidal and toroidal field components over a time of about one seconds for cores. Both components are characterized by a complex geometry with high power at intermediate angular scales. The structure is mostly the result of the accretion of magnetic flux embedded in the matter falling through the turbulent post-shock layer onto the PNS. Our results may help to guide further s…
Numerical simulations of dynamics and emission from relativistic astrophysical jets
2013
Broadband emission from relativistic outflows (jets) of active galactic nuclei (AGN) and gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) contains valuable information about the nature of the jet itself, and about the central engine which launches it. Using special relativistic hydrodynamics and magnetohydronamics simulations we study the dynamics of the jet and its interaction with the surrounding medium. The observational signature of the simulated jets is computed using a radiative transfer code developed specifically for the purpose of computing multi-wavelength, time-dependent, non-thermal emission from astrophysical plasmas. We present results of a series of long-term projects devoted to understanding the dyn…
Computational general relativistic force-free electrodynamics
2020
General relativistic force-free electrodynamics is one possible plasma-limit employed to analyze energetic outflows in which strong magnetic fields are dominant over all inertial phenomena. The amazing images of black hole shadows from the galactic center and the M87 galaxy provide a first direct glimpse into the physics of accretion flows in the most extreme environments of the universe. The efficient extraction of energy in the form of collimated outflows or jets from a rotating BH is directly linked to the topology of the surrounding magnetic field. We aim at providing a tool to numerically model the dynamics of such fields in magnetospheres around compact objects, such as black holes an…
Numerical models of blackbody-dominated gamma-ray bursts – I. Hydrodynamics and the origin of the thermal emission
2014
GRB 101225A is a prototype of the class of blackbody-dominated (BBD) gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). It has been suggested that BBD-GRBs result from the merger of a binary system formed by a neutron star and the helium core of an evolved star. We have modelled the propagation of ultrarelativistic jets through the environment left behind the merger by means of relativistic hydrodynamic simulations. In this paper, the output of our numerical models is post-processed to obtain the (thermal) radiative signature of the resulting outflow. We outline the most relevant dynamical details of the jet propagation and connect them to the generation of thermal radiation in GRB events akin to that of GRB 101225A…
Using evolutionary algorithms to model relativistic jets
2019
High-resolution Very-Long-Baseline Interferometry observations of NGC 1052 show a two sided jet with several regions of enhanced emission and a clear emission gap between the two jets.This gap shrinks with increasing frequency and vanishes around $\nu\sim43$ GHz. The observed structures are due to both the macroscopic fluid dynamics interacting with the surrounding ambient medium including an obscuring torus and the radiation microphysics. In this paper we investigate the possible physical conditions in relativistic jets of NGC 1052 by directly modelling the observed emission and spectra via state-of-the-art special-relativistic hydrodynamic (SRHD) simulations and radiative transfer calcula…
Derivation of the physical parameters of the jet in S5 0836+710 from stability analysis
2019
A number of extragalactic jets show periodic structures at different scales that can be associated with growing instabilities. The wavelengths of the developing instability modes and their ratios depend on the flow parameters, so the study of those structures can shed light on jet physics at the scales involved. In this work, we use the fits to the jet ridgeline obtained from different observations of S5 B0836$+$710 and apply stability analysis of relativistic, sheared flows to derive an estimate of the physical parameters of the jet. Based on the assumption that the observed structures are generated by growing Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) instability modes, we have run numerical calculations of s…
Linear theory of the Rayleigh–Taylor instability at a discontinuous surface of a relativistic flow
2017
We address the linear stability of a discontinuous surface of a relativistic flow in the context of a jet that oscillates radially as it propagates. The restoring force of the oscillation is expected to drive a Rayleigh-Taylor instability (RTI) at the interface between the jet and its cocoon. We perform a linear analysis and numerical simulations of the growth of the RTI in the transverse plane to the jet flow with a uniform acceleration. In this system, an inertia force due to the uniform acceleration acts as the restoring force for the oscillation. We find that not only the difference in the inertia between the two fluids separated by the interface but also the pressure at the interface h…
Clouds and red giants interacting with the base of AGN jets
2012
Extragalactic jets are formed close to supermassive black-holes in the center of galaxies. Large amounts of gas, dust, and stars cluster in the galaxy nucleus, and interactions between this ambient material and the jet base should be frequent, having dynamical as well as radiative consequences. This work studies the dynamical interaction of an obstacle, a clump of matter or the atmosphere of an evolved star, with the innermost region of an extragalactic jet. Jet mass-loading and the high-energy outcome of this interaction are briefly discussed. Relativistic hydrodynamical simulations with axial symmetry have been carried out for homogeneous and inhomogeneous obstacles inside a relativistic …
Apparent superluminal core expansion and limb brightening in the candidate neutrino blazar TXS 0506+056
2019
IceCube has reported a very-high-energy neutrino (IceCube-170922A) in a region containing the blazar TXS 0506+056. Correlated {\gamma}-ray activity has led to the first high-probability association of a high-energy neutrino with an extragalactic source. This blazar has been found to be in a radio outburst during the neutrino event. We have performed target-of-opportunity VLBI imaging observations at 43 GHz frequency with the VLBA two and eight months, respectively, after the neutrino event. We produced two images of TXS 0506+056 with angular resolutions of (0.2x1.1) mas and (0.2x0.5) mas, respectively. The source shows a compact, high brightness temperature core (albeit not approaching the …