Small-scale H I structure and the soft X-ray background

Journal Article · Mon Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/184798· OSTI ID:6570498

Jahoda, K; Mccammon, D; Lockman, F J

The observed anticorrelation between diffuse soft X-ray flux and H I column density has been explained as absorption of soft X-rays produced in a hot Galactic halo, assuming that the neutral interstellar material is sufficiently clumped to reduce the soft X-ray absorption cross section by a factor of two to three. A 21-cm emission-line study of H I column density variations at intermediate and high Galactic latitudes is extended to 10 arcmin spatial resolution. The results confirm conclusions from preliminary work at coarser resolution, and, in combination with other data, appear to rule out, on any angular scale, the hypothesis that clumping of neutral interstellar matter significantly reduces X-ray absorption cross sections in the 0.13-0.28 keV energy range. It is concluded therefore that the observed anticorrelation is not primarily a consequence of absorption of soft X-rays produced in a hot Galactic halo. 15 references.

• Research Organization: Wisconsin Univ., Madison; National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Charlottesvile, VA
• OSTI ID: 6570498
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 311; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ABSORPTION SPECTRA
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FLUX DENSITY
GALAXIES
H1 REGIONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MILKY WAY
RADIANT FLUX DENSITY
RADIATIONS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
SOFT X RADIATION
SPECTRA
X RADIATION