The Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX). Its legacy of UV surveys,and science highlights     

Luciana Bianchi 《Astrophysics and Space Science》2014,354(1):103-112

The Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) imaged the sky in the Ultraviolet (UV) for almost a decade, delivering the first sky surveys at these wavelengths. Its database contains far-UV (FUV, λ _eff～1528 Å) and near-UV (NUV, λ _eff～2310 Å) images of most of the sky, including deep UV-mapping of extended galaxies, over 200 million source measurements, and more than 100,000 low-resolution UV spectra. The GALEX archive will remain a long-lasting resource for statistical studies of hot stellar objects, QSOs, star-forming galaxies, nebulae and the interstellar medium. It provides an unprecedented road-map for planning future UV instrumentation and follow-up observing programs in the UV and at other wavelengths. We review the characteristics of the GALEX data, and describe final catalogs and available tools, that facilitate future exploitation of this database. We also recall highlights from the science results uniquely enabled by GALEX data so far.  相似文献   

Intergalactic medium metal enrichment through dust sputtering     

Simone Bianchi  Andrea Ferrara 《Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society》2005,358(2):379-396

We study the motion of dust grains into the intergalactic medium (IGM) around redshift   z = 3  , to test the hypothesis that grains can efficiently pollute the gas with metals through sputtering. We use the results available in the literature for radiation-driven dust ejection from galaxies as initial conditions and follow the motion onwards. Via this mechanism, grains are ejected into the IGM with velocities  >100 km s⁻¹  ; as they move supersonically, grains can be efficiently eroded by non-thermal sputtering. However, Coulomb and collisional drag forces effectively reduce the charged grain velocity. Up-to-date sputtering yields for graphite and silicate (olivine) grains have been derived using the code transport of ions in matter ( trim ), for which we provide analytic fits. After training our method on a homogeneous density case, we analyse the grain motion and sputtering in the IGM density field as derived from a Λ cold dark matter (CDM) cosmological simulation at   z = 3.27  . We found that only large  ( a ≳ 0.1μm)  grains can travel up to considerable distances (few  ×100 kpc  physical) before being stopped. Resulting metallicities show a well-defined trend with overdensity δ. The maximum metallicities are reached for  10 < δ < 100  [corresponding to systems, in quasi-stellar object (QSO) absorption spectra, with  14.5 < log N (H  i ) < 16  ]. However the distribution of sputtered metals is very inhomogeneous, with only a small fraction of the IGM volume polluted by dust sputtering (filling factors of 18 per cent for Si and 6 per cent for C). For the adopted size distribution, grains are never completely destroyed; nevertheless, the extinction and gas photoelectric heating effects resulting from this population of intergalactic grains are well below current detection limits.  相似文献   

Slope dynamics of Lake Albano (Rome,Italy): insights from high resolution bathymetry     

Francesca Bozzano  Paolo Mazzanti  Marco Anzidei  Carlo Esposito  Mario Floris  Gianluca Bianchi Fasani  Alessandra Esposito 《地球表面变化过程与地形》2009,34(11):1469-1486

New detailed data about the morphology of the submerged slopes of Lake Albano (Rome, Italy) have been collected by a sonar multibeam survey financed by the Italian Department of Civil Protection. These data allow for investigation of the subaqueous slope dynamics of the lake, which partially fills a volcanic depression, and the elucidation of the relationships between subaqueous and subaerial slope processes. Subaerial, submerged and combined subaerial/submerged landslide‐related morphologies were detected around the inner slopes of the lake. In the submerged slopes, several gravity‐induced landforms were recognized: landslide scar areas, landslide accumulations, erosional chutes and channels, block fields, isolated blocks, scarps and slope breaks. An attempt to evaluate the state of activity of the submerged slopes was carried out by taking into consideration the relative freshness of some selected landforms. Interpretation of bathymetric data, as well as direct surveys of the subaerial slopes, was used to assess the morphometric features and interpret the type of movement of the landslides. We propose a comprehensive classification based on the landslide's size and type of movement. We recognized rock fall/topples, debris flows, rock slides and slump, complex rock slides/channelled flows and debris slide and slump. The volume of the main landslides ranged between 10¹ and 10³ m³, while a few rock and debris slides have volumes ranging between 10³ and 10⁵ m³. Two large palaeo‐landslides with volumes on the order of 10⁶ m³ were identified in the southern and northern part of the lake, respectively. Velocities of the recognized landslides range from rapid to extremely rapid. Two main landslide hazard scenarios have been depicted from the results of the integrated analysis of both subaerial and submerged gravity‐induced landforms. The most hazardous scenario involves extremely rapid large volume events (>10⁶ m³) that could, if they interacted with water, induce catastrophic tsunamis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.  相似文献   

XMM–Newton and Suzaku analysis of the Fe K complex in the type 1 Seyfert galaxy Mrk 509     

G. Ponti  M. Cappi  C. Vignali  G. Miniutti  F. Tombesi  M. Dadina  A. C. Fabian  P. Grandi  J. Kaastra  P. O. Petrucci  S. Bianchi  G. Matt  L. Maraschi  G. Malaguti 《Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society》2009,394(3):1487-1495

We report on partially overlapping XMM–Newton (∼260 ks) and Suzaku (∼100 ks) observations of the iron K band in the nearby, bright type 1 Seyfert galaxy Mrk 509. The source shows a resolved neutral Fe K line, most probably produced in the outer part of the accretion disc. Moreover, the source shows further emission bluewards of the 6.4 keV line due to ionized material. This emission is well reproduced by a broad line produced in the accretion disc, while it cannot be easily described by scattering or emission from photoionized gas at rest. The summed spectrum of all XMM–Newton observations shows the presence of a narrow absorption line at 7.3 keV produced by highly ionized outflowing material. A spectral variability study of the XMM–Newton data shows an indication for an excess of variability at 6.6–6.7 keV. These variations may be produced in the red wing of the broad ionized line or by variation of a further absorption structure. The Suzaku data indicate that the neutral Fe K α line intensity is consistent with being constant on long time-scales (of a few years), and they also confirm as most likely the interpretation of the excess blueshifted emission in terms of a broad ionized Fe line. The average Suzaku spectrum differs from the XMM–Newton one in the disappearance of the 7.3 keV absorption line and around 6.7 keV, where the XMM–Newton data alone suggested variability.  相似文献   

Chandra unveils a binary active galactic nucleus in Mrk 463     

Stefano Bianchi  Marco Chiaberge  Enrico Piconcelli  Matteo Guainazzi  Giorgio Matt 《Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society》2008,386(1):105-110

We analyse Chandra , XMM–Newton and Hubble Space Telescope ( HST ) data of the double-nucleus Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxy (ULIRG), Mrk 463. The Chandra detection of two luminous  ( L _2–10 keV= 1.5 × 10⁴³  and  3.8 × 10⁴² erg cm⁻² s⁻¹)  , unresolved nuclei in Mrk 463 indicates that this galaxy hosts a binary active galactic nucleus (AGN), with a projected separation of ≃3.8 kpc (  3.83 ± 0.01  arcsec). While the East nucleus was already known to be a type 2 Seyfert (and this is further confirmed by our Chandra detection of a neutral iron line), this is the first unambiguous evidence in favour of the AGN nature of the West nucleus. Mrk 463 is therefore the clearest case so far for a binary AGN, after NGC 6240.  相似文献   

Paleo-environmental reconstruction of Lopingian (upper Permian) sediments in the Galilee Basin,Queensland, Australia     

L. J. Phillips  S. A. Edwards  V. Bianchi  J. S. Esterle 《Australian Journal of Earth Sciences》2017,64(5):587-609

The recent review of the Lopingian (upper Permian) stratigraphic framework of the Galilee Basin, prompted a reconsideration of the paleo-environments of deposition. This study interpreted the distribution of sedimentary facies from geophysical logs across the basin complemented by detailed logging from four key wells (GSQ Tambo 1-1A, OEC Glue Pot Creek 1, CRD Montani 1 and GSQ Muttaburra 1). Seven facies associations were identified: terrestrial fluvial, floodplain, lacustrine and mire; and paralic to marine estuarine shoreline, delta and restricted marine. Coal measures (mire facies) are best developed in the northeastern margin of the basin, whereas the southern Springsure Shelf was dominated by marine conditions throughout the Lopingian, only developing terrestrial facies towards the very uppermost Lopingian. The ‘Colinlea Sandstone equivalent’ was deposited in a fluvial system, with tidal influence exhibited in the southern part of the basin, which decreases further north as lacustrine environments become common. The regional transgression represented by the Black Alley Shale can be mapped into the central part of the basin, but based on new exploration data its northern extent is more limited than previously thought. The ‘Burngrove Formation equivalent’ and Bandanna Formation represent a southerly prograding fluvial-deltaic system during the regional regression in the upper part of the Lopingian.  相似文献   

Postglacial vegetation, climate, and fire history along the east side of the Andes (lat 41-42.5°S), Argentina     

Cathy Whitlock  Maria Martha Bianchi  Vera Markgraf  Megan Walsh 《Quaternary Research》2006,66(2):187-201

The history of the low-elevation forest and forest-steppe ecotone on the east side of the Andes is revealed in pollen and charcoal records obtained from mid-latitude lakes. Prior to 15,000 cal yr BP, the vegetation was characterized by steppe vegetation with isolated stands of Nothofagus. The climate was generally dry, and the sparse vegetation apparently lacked sufficient fuels to burn extensively. After 15,000 cal yr BP, a mixture of Nothofagus forest and shrubland/steppe developed. Fire activity increased between 13,250 and 11,400 cal yr BP, contemporaneous with a regionally defined cold dry period (Huelmo/Mascardi Cold Reversal). The early-Holocene period was characterized by an open Nothofagus forest/shrubland mosaic, and fire frequency was high in dry sites and low in wet sites; the data suggest a sharp decrease in moisture eastward from the Andes. A shift to a surface-fire regime occurred at 7500 cal yr BP at the wet site and at 4400 cal yr BP at the dry site, preceding the expansion of Austrocedrus by 1000-1500 yr. The spread of Austrocedrus is explained by a shift towards a cooler and wetter climate in the middle and late Holocene. The change to a surface-fire regime is consistent with increased interannual climate variability and the onset or strengthening of ENSO. The present-day mixed forest dominated by Nothofagus and Austrocedrus was established in the last few millennia.  相似文献   

Seasonal changes in the abundance and composition of plant pigments in particulate organic carbon in the lower Mississippi and Pearl Rivers   总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1  

Shuiwang Duan  Thomas S. Bianchi 《Estuaries and Coasts》2006,29(3):427-442

Plant pigments in particulate organic carbon were examined in the lower Mississippi and Pearl Rivers (U.S.), along with physical variables and nutrients to study seasonal changes in the abundance and composition of phytoplankton. Water samples were collected monthly from September 2001 to August 2003 in the lower Mississippi River (MR; no samples were taken in February 2002) and from August 2001 to July 2003 in the Pearl River (PR). High concentrations of total suspended solids (TSS), nutrients, and chlorophylla (chla; dominated by diatoms) were observed in the lower MR. The smaller blackwater PR was characterized by lower nutrients and chla, higher ultraviolet absorbance, and a phytoplankton biomass dominated by chlorophytes. Chla concentrations in the lower MR was high in summer low-flow periods and also during interims of winter and spring, and did not couple with physical variables and nutrients, likely due to a combination of in situ production and inputs from reservoirs, navigation locks and oxbow lakes in the upper MR and Missouri River. Chla concentrations in the PR was only high in summer low-flow periods and were controlled by temperature and concentrations of chromophoric dissolved organic matter 9CDOM). The high, diatom-dominated phytoplankton biomass in the lower MR was likely the result of decreasing TSS (increased damming in the watershed) and increasing nutrients (enhanced agricultural runoff) over the past few decades. Lower phytoplankton biomass (dominated by chlorophytes) in the PR was likely linked with intense shading by CDOM and lower availability of nutrient inputs. An increase in the relative importance of phytoplankton biomass in large turbid rivers, such as the MR, could have significant effects on the age and lability of riverine organic matter entering the ocean, the stoichiometric balance of nutrients delivered to coastal margins, and the sequestration of atmospheric CO₂ in these dynamic regions.  相似文献   

An organic carbon budget for the Mississippi River turbidity plume and plume contributions to air-sea CO2 fluxes and bottom water hypoxia     

Rebecca E. Green  Thomas S. Bianchi  Michael J. Dagg  Nan D. Walker  Greg A. Breed 《Estuaries and Coasts》2006,29(4):579-597

We investigated seasonal variability in organic carbon (OC) budgets using a physical-biological model for the Mississippi River turbidity plume. Plume volume was calculated from mixed layer depth and area in each of four salinity subregions based on an extensive set of cruise data and satellite-derived suspended sediment distributions. These physical measurements were coupled with an existing food web model to determine seasonally dependent budgets for labile (reactive on time scales of days to weeks) OC in each salinity subregion. Autochthonous gross primary production (GPP) equaled 1.3×10¹² g C yr⁻¹ and dominated labile OC inputs (88% of the budget) because riverine OC was assumed mostly refractory (nonreactive). For perspective, riverine OC inputs amounted to 3.9×10¹² g C yr⁻¹, such that physical inputs were 3 times greater than biological inputs to the plume. Annually, microbial respiration (R) accounted for 65% of labile OC losses and net metabolism (GPP—R) for the entire plume was, autotrophic, equaling 5.1×10¹¹ g C yr⁻¹. Smaller losses of labile OC occurred via sedimentation (20%), advection (10%), and export to higher trophic levels (5%). In our present model, annual losses of labile OC are 10% higher than inputs, indicating future improvements are required. Application of our model to estimate air-sea carbon dioxide (CO₂) fluxes indicated the plume was a net sink of 2.0×10⁹ mol CO₂ yr⁻¹, of which 90% of the total drawdown was from biotic factors. In all seasons, low salinity waters were a source of CO₂ (pCO₂=560–890 μatm), and intermediate to high salinity waters were a sink of CO₂ (pCO₂=200–370 μatm). Our model was also used to calculate O₂ demand for the development, of regional hypoxia, and our spring and early summer budgets indicated that sedimentation of autochthonous OC from the immediate plume contributed 23% of the O₂ demand necessary for establishment of hypoxia in the region.  相似文献   

Five subglacial lakes and one of Antarctica's thickest ice covers newly determined by radio echo sounding over the Vostok-Dome C region     

Lili Cafarella  Stefano Urbini  Cesidio Bianchi  Achille Zirizzotti  Ignazio E. Tabacco  Alessandro Forieri 《Polar research》2006,25(1):69-73

Radio echo sounding (RES) measurements were collected from 1995 to 2003 during Italian Antarctic expeditions over the Vostok-Dome C region. The data collected allow for the reconstruction of a bedrock elevation map between the Belgica Highlands and the Aurora Subglacial Basin (112.0ø - 124.0ø E; 74.0ø - 78.0ø S). Moreover, analysis of the RES data has revealed one of the thickest ice covers in Antarctica (4755 Ø 16 m; 118.321ø E, 76.059ø S) as well as five new subglacial lakes.  相似文献