X-rays from the radio halo of M87

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/164852· OSTI ID:6570764

Feigelson, E D; Wood, P A.D.; Schreier, E J; Harris, D E; Reid, M J

The Einstein Observatory and the VLA were used to scan the radio halo of the galaxy M87 to detect the presence, if any, of inverse Compton X-ray (ICX) emissions. The scans revealed a coincidence of an asymmetrical X-ray structure with a luminosity near 4 x 10 to the 41st ergs/sec and dominant symmetrical emission from the hot interstellar gas. The emission can be attributed to ICX if the magnetic field of the proposed halo varies between 3-8 times below equipartition levels of 2-5 micro-gauss, which would imply that the confinement is produced by an outside medium. The necessary characteristics of the confining mechanism are discussed. 43 references.

• Research Organization: Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park; Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, MD; Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, MA
• OSTI ID: 6570764
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 312; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GALAXIES
GALAXY NUCLEI
INTERGALACTIC SPACE
INTERSTELLAR MAGNETIC FIELDS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LUMINOSITY
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MORPHOLOGY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
RADIO GALAXIES
SPACE
X RADIATION