We present the results of the first X-ray gratings spectroscopy observations of a planetary nebula (PN), the X-ray-bright, young BD+30 3639. We observed BD+30 3639 for a total of 300 ks with the Chandra X-ray Observatory's Low Energy Transmission Gratings in combination with its Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer(LETG/ACIS-S). The LETG/ACIS-S spectrum of BD+30 3639 is dominated by H-like resonance lines of O viii and C sc vi and the He-like triplet line complexes of Ne ix and O vii. Other H-like resonance lines, such as N vii, as well as lines of highly ionized Fe, are weak or absent. Continuum emission is evident over the range 6-18 A. Spectral modeling indicates the presence of a range of plasma temperatures from T~1.7x10^6 K to 2.9x10^6 K and an intervening absorbing column N_H~2.4x10^21 cm-2. The same modeling conclusively demonstrates that C and Ne are highly enhanced, with abundance ratios of C/O~15-45 and Ne/O~3.3-5.0 (90% confidence ranges, relative to the solar ratios), while N and Fe are depleted, N/O~0.0-1.0 and Fe/O~0.1-0.4. The intrinsic luminosity of the X-ray source determined from the modeling and the measured flux (F_X = 4.1x10^-13 ergs cm-2 s-1) is L_X~8.6x10^32 erg s-1(assuming D = 1.2kpc). These gratings spectroscopy results are generally consistent with earlier results obtained from X-ray CCD imaging spectroscopy of BD+30 3639, but are far more precise. The tight constraints placed on the (nonsolar) abundances directly implicate the present-day central star -- hence, ultimately, the intershell region of the progenitor asymptotic giant branch star -- as the origin of the shocked plasma now emitting in X-rays.
We present results from in-flight calibration of the High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (HETGS) on the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Basic grating assembly parameters such as orientation and average grating period were measured using emission line sources. These sources were also used to determine the locations of individual CCDs within the flight detector. The line response function (LRF) was modeled in detail using an instrument simulator based on pre-flight measurements of the grating alignments and periods. These LRF predictions agree very well with in-flight observations of source…
Details of the design, fabrication, ground and flight calibration of the High Energy Transmission Grating, HETG, on the Chandra X-ray Observatory are presented after five years of flight experience. Specifics include the theory of phased transmission gratings as applied to the HETG, the Rowland design of the spectrometer, details of the grating fabrication techniques, and the results of ground testing and calibration of the HETG. For nearly six years the HETG has operated essentially as designed, although it has presented some subtle flight calibration effects.
Eta Car may be the most massive and luminous star in the Galaxy and is suspected to be a massive, colliding wind binary system. The CHANDRA X-ray observatory has obtained a calibrated, high-resolution X-ray spectrum of the star uncontaminated by the nearby extended soft X-ray emisssion. Our 89 ksec CHANDRA observation with the High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (HETGS) shows that the hot gas near the star is non-isothermal. The temperature distribution may represent the emission on either side of the colliding wind bow shock, effectively ``resolving'' the shock. If so, the pre-shock…
We present new results from a Chandra HETG observation of NGC 5548 and give a comparison of absorption and emission features found in other Seyfert 1 galaxies using Chandra grating observations. Deep soft X-ray edges are seen in Mkn 509 and NGC 3783, consistent with ASCA data. In NGC 5548 and NGC 4501 the edges are weak but consistent with the low column densities. We show that the detection of a narrow, probably non-disk, component of the iron line is very common. However, just as importantly, it is not detected in some cases. We show the effect of removing this narrow component from the ASCA…
We use the PHOENIX code package to model the X-ray spectrum of Nova V4743 Sagittarii observed with the LETGS onboard the Chandra satellite on 19 March 2003. To analyze nova atmospheres and related systems with an underlying nuclear burning envelope at X-ray wavelengths, it was necessary to update the code with new microphysics. We demonstrate that the X-ray emission is dominated by thermal bremsstrahlung and that the hard X-rays are dominated by Fe and N absorption. Preliminary models are calculated assuming solar abundances. It is shown that the models can be used to determine element abundan…
We present a preliminary analysis of the 1--10 keV spectrum of the massive X-ray binary Cyg X-3, obtained with the High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer on the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The source reveals a richly detailed discrete emission spectrum, with clear signatures of photoionization-driven excitation. Among the spectroscopic novelties in the data are the first astrophysical detections of a number of He-like 'triplets' (Si, S, Ar) with emission line ratios characteristic of photoionization equilibrium, fully resolved narrow radiative recombination continua of Mg, Si, and S, the…
Observations of Fe XVIII and Fe XIX X-ray, EUV, and FUV line emission, formed at the peak of Capella's (alpha Aurigae) emission measure distribution and ubiquitous in spectra of many cool stars and galaxies, provide a unique opportunity to test the robustness of Fe XVIII and Fe XIX spectral models. The Astrophysical Plasma Emission Code (APEC) is used to identify over 35 lines from these two ions alone, and to compare model predictions with spectra obtained with the Chandra Low Energy Transmission Grating and High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometers, the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Exp…
We present the first grating-resolution X-ray spectra of the X-ray binary Cir X-1, obtained with the High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer on Chandra. These reveal a rich set of lines from H-like and/or He-like Ne, Mg, Si, S and Fe detected with a high signal-to-noise ratio. The lines are broad (+/- 2000 km/s) and show P Cygni profiles. The absorption components of the lines extend to low velocity, and they have about the same widths and strengths as the corresponding emission components. The widths of the X-ray P Cygni lines are comparable to that of the broad component of the strong,…
We use the PHOENIX code package to model the X-ray spectrum of Nova V4743 Sagittarii observed with the LETGS onboard the Chandra satellite on March 2003. Our atmosphere models are 1D spherical, expanding, line blanketed, and in full NLTE. To analyze nova atmospheres and related systems with an underlying nuclear burning envelope at X-ray wavelengths, it was necessary to update the code with new microphysics, as discussed in this paper. We demonstrate that the X-ray emission is dominated by thermal bremsstrahlung and that the hard X-rays are dominated by Fe and N absorption. The best fit to the…
We present observations with the Chandra X-ray Observatory of the pulsar wind nebula (PWN) within the supernova remnant G0.9+0.1. At Chandra's high resolution, the PWN has a clear axial symmetry; a faint X-ray point source lying along the symmetry axis possibly corresponds to the pulsar itself. We argue that the nebular morphology can be explained in terms of a torus of emission in the pulsar's equatorial plane and a jet directed along the pulsar spin axis, as is seen in the X-ray nebulae powered by other young pulsars. A bright clump of emission within the PWN breaks the axisymmetry and may c…
The high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy made possible by the 1999 deployment of the Chandra X-ray Observatory has revolutionized our understanding of stellar X-ray emission. Many puzzles remain, though, particularly regarding the mechanisms of X-ray emission from OB stars. Although numerous individual stars have been observed in high-resolution, realizing the full scientific potential of these observations will necessitate studying the high-resolution Chandra dataset as a whole. To facilitate the rapid comparison and characterization of stellar spectra, we have compiled a uniformly processed da…
We have studied the nearby old pulsar PSR B1929+10 and its surrounding interstellar medium utilizing the sub-arcsecond angular resolution of the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The Chandra data are found to be fully consistent with the results obtained from deep XMM-Newton observations as far as the pulsar is concerned. We confirm the non-thermal emission nature of the pulsar's X-radiation. In addition to the X-ray trail already seen in previous observations by the ROSAT and XMM-Newton X-ray observatories, we discovered an arc-like nebula surrounding the pulsar. We interpret the feature as a bow-sh…
The highest spectral resolution data for the Fe-K lines in type I AGN, as observed with the Chandra High Energy Grating (HEG), reveal a variety of line shapes. However, the energies of the most prominent peak are all clustered tightly around 6.4 keV (weighted mean $6.403 \pm 0.062$ keV). If all the peaks were part of single, relativistically broadened disk line, this would require unrealistically fine tuning. Thus, some of the cores must originate in distant matter (e.g. BLR, NLR, torus). On the other hand, in at least two AGN, the emission at 6.4 keV has been seen to vanish on short timescale…
Chandra X-ray Observatory grating spectra of the supergiant X-ray Binary 4U 1700-37 reveal emission lines from hydrogen and helium-like S, Si, Mg, and Ne in the 4-13 A range. The spectrum also shows fluorescent lines from S, Si, and a prominent Fe K alpha line at 1.94 A. The lines contribute to the previously unaccounted "soft excess" in the flux in this range at orbital phi~0.7. The X-ray source was observed during intermittent flaring, and the strengths of the lines vary with the source state. The widths of the lines (FWHM approximately 1000-2000 km/s) can result from either Compton scatteri…
This paper presents results from spectral observations of Ton S180 using Chandra and ASCA. The data confirm the presence of the soft excess but the Chandra LETG spectrum reveals it to be broad and smooth, rather than resolved into individual emission lines. This excess may represent either a primary or reprocessed continuum component or a blend of broad lines from an ionized accretion disk. The occurrence of a similar feature in five other NLSy1s leads us to conclude that this soft X-ray component may be a characteristic of sources accreting at a very high rate. The X-ray spectrum shows no evi…
We present high resolution X-ray spectroscopy of two recent GRB afterglows observed with the Low Energy Transmission Gratings on Chandra. The afterglows to GRBs 030328 and 041006 are detected beginning 15.33 and 16.8 hours after each burst, respectively, and are observed to fade in time during each ~90 ksec observation. We fit for the continuum emission in each full data set and for the data sliced into half and quarter time sections. For both afterglows, the continuum emission is well described by an absorbed power-law model, and the model parameters describing the absorption and spectral slo…
Using the Livermore X-ray Spectral Synthesizer, which calculates spectral models of highly charged ions based primarily on HULLAC atomic data, we investigate the temperature, density, and photoexcitation dependence of the I(11.92 A)/I(11.77 A) line ratio of Fe XXII. We find that this line ratio has a critical density n_c \approx 5x10^13 cm^-3, is approximately 0.3 at low densities and 1.5 at high densities, and is very insensitive to temperature and photoexcitation, so is a useful density diagnostic for sources like magnetic cataclysmic variables in which the plasma densities are high and the …
Pulsar winds shocked in the ambient medium produce spectacular nebulae observable from the radio through gamma-rays. The shape and the spectrum of a pulsar wind nebula (PWN) depend on the angular distribution, magnetization and energy spectrum of the wind streaming from the pulsar magnetosphere, as well as on the pulsar velocity and the properties of the ambient medium. The advent of Chandra, with its unprecedented angular resolution and high sensitivity, has allowed us not only to detect many new PWNe, but also study their spatial and spectral structure and dynamics, which has significantly a…
We have fitted the Chandra Low Energy Transmission Grating spectrum of SS Cygni in outburst with a single temperature blackbody suffering the photoelectric opacity of a neutral column density and the scattering opacity of an outflowing wind. We find that this simple model is capable of reproducing the essential features of the observed spectrum with the blackbody temperature T_bl = 250+/-50 kK, hydrogen column density N_H = 5.0^{+2.9}_{-1.5} x 10^{19} cm^{-2}, fractional emitting area f = 5.6^{+60}_{-4.5} x 10^{-3}, boundary layer luminosity L_bl = 5^{+18}_{-3} x 10^{33} erg/s, wind velocity v…
We present a preliminary analysis of the first high-resolution X-ray spectrum of a Seyfert 2 galaxy, Mkn 3, obtained with the High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer onboard the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The high-energy spectrum (lambda < 4 Ang) is dominated by reflection of the AGN continuum radiation in a cold optically thick medium and contains bright K-alpha fluorescent lines from iron and silicon, as well as weak, blended lines from sulfur and magnesium. The soft X-ray emission (4 < lambda < 23 Ang) is spatially extended along the [O III] ionization cone and shows discrete signatur…
High resolution X-ray spectroscopy with the diffraction gratings of Chandra and XMM-Newton offers new chances to study a large variety of stellar coronal phenomena. A popular X-ray calibration target is Capella, which has been observed with all gratings with significant exposure times. We gathered together all available data of the HETGS (155ks), LETGS (219ks), and RGS (53ks) for comparative analysis focusing on the NeIX triplet at around 13.5A, a region that is severely blended by strong iron lines. We identify 18 emission lines in this region of the HEG spectrum, including many from FeXIX, a…
We present preliminary results from a systematic spectral study of pulsars and their wind nebulae using the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. The superb spatial resolution of Chandra allows us to differentiate the compact object's spectrum from that of its surrounding nebulae. Specifically, for six Crab-like pulsars, we compare spectral fits of the averaged pulsar wind nebulae (PWN) emission to that of the central core using an absorbed power-law model. These results suggest an empirical relationship between the bulk averaged photon indicies (Gamma) for the PWNe and the pulsar cores; Gamma_PWN = 0.8 …
We present the first X-ray spectrum obtained by the Low Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (LETGS) aboard the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The spectrum is of Capella and covers a wavelength range of 5-175 A (2.5-0.07 keV). The measured wavelength resolution, which is in good agreement with ground calibration, is $Δλ\simeq$ 0.06 A (FWHM). Although in-flight calibration of the LETGS is in progress, the high spectral resolution and unique wavelength coverage of the LETGS are well demonstrated by the results from Capella, a coronal source rich in spectral emission lines. While the primary purp…
We report the detection of well resolved, extended X-ray emission from the young planetary nebula BD+303639 using the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS) aboard the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The X-ray emission from BD+303639 appears to lie within, but is concentrated to one side of, the interior of the shell of ionized gas seen in high-resolution optical and IR images. The relatively low X-ray temperature (Tx ~ 3x10^6 K) and asymmetric morphology of the X-ray emission suggests that conduction fronts are present and/or mixing of shock-heated and photoionized gas has occurred and, furtherm…
We present a series of monitoring observations of the Crab Nebula with the Chandra X-ray Observatory, focusing on the temporal evolution of the structure. This series of 8 observations, spanning a period of approximately six months, shows the dynamic nature of the inner X-ray structures. We detected outward moving ``wisps'' from the recently discovered inner ring seen in optical observations. We also find that the inner ring itself shows temporal variations in structure. The torus also appears to be expanding. Such temporal variations generally match the canonical scenario that an expanding sy…
We present high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy of GRB 020405 obtained with the Low Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (LETGS) on board the Chandra X-ray Observatory starting 1.68 days after the burst. The spectrum appears featureless, with no evidence for emission lines, absorption edges, or narrow radiative recombination continua. The continuum can be fitted by a power law of photon index Gamma = 1.72 +/- 0.21 and temporal decay index alpha = 1.87 +/- 0.1, with a marginally significant excess column density of cold gas N_{H}=(4.7 +/- 3.7) x 10^{21} cm^{-2} at the redshift of the host gal…
We present a {\it Chandra} ACIS observation of SNR G54.1+0.3. This supernova remnant is resolved into several distinct X-ray emitting components: a central bright point-like source (CXOU J193030.13+185214.1), a surrounding ring, bipolar elongations, plus low surface brightness diffuse emission. The spectra of these components are all well described by power-law models; the spectral index steepens with increasing distance from the point-like source. We find no evidence for any thermal plasma emission that would correspond to shocked interstellar medium or ejecta. The observed morphological and …
The observations of the pulsar-wind nebula (PWN) around the Vela pulsar with the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer aboard the Chandra X-ray Observatory, taken on 2000 April 30 and November 30, reveal its complex morphology reminiscent of that of the Crab PWN. Comparison of the two observations shows changes up to 30% in the surface brightness of the PWN features. Some of the PWN elements show appreciable shifts, up to a few arcseconds (about 10^{16} cm), and/or spectral changes. To elucidate the nature of the observed variations, further monitoring of the Vela PWN is needed.
We report on advances in the study of the cores of NGC6302 and NGC6537 using infrared grating and echelle spectroscopy. In NGC6302, emission lines from species spanning a large range of ionization potential, and in particular [SiIX]3.934um, are interpreted using photoionization models (including CLOUDY), which allow us to reestimate the central star's temperature to be about 250000K. All of the detected lines are consistent with this value, except for [AlV] and [AlVI]. Aluminium is found to be depleted to one hundredth of the solar abundance, which provides further evidence for some dust being…
We report on Chandra ACIS and XMM-Newton MOS/PN imaging observations of two pulsar wind nebulae (K3/PSR J1420-6048 and G313.3+0.1=`the rabbit') associated with the Galactic unidentified gamma-ray source GeV J1417-6100. With the excellent ACIS imaging, the very energetic pulsar PSR J1420-6048 is separated from its surrounding nebula. This nebula has surprisingly little compact structure, although a faint arc is seen near the pulsar. Similarly, two point sources are resolved in the rabbit nebula. The large XMM-Newton collecting area provides useful spectral constraints on the rabbit and the asso…
An axisymmetric model for the Crab Nebula is constructed to examine the flow dynamics in the nebula. The model is based on that of Kennel and Coroniti (1984), although we assume that the kinetic-energy-dominant wind is confined in an equatorial region. The evolution of the distribution function of the electron-positron plasma flowing out in the nebula is calculated. Given viewing angles, we reproduce an image of the nebula and compare it with Chandra observation. The reproduced image is not a ring-like but rather 'lip-shaped'. It is found that the assumption of toroidal field does not reproduc…
We have observed the young Galactic supernova remnant Kes 75 with the Chandra X-ray Observatory. This object is one of an increasing number of examples of a shell-type remnant with a central extended radio core harboring a pulsar. Here we present a preliminary spatially resolved spectroscopic analysis of the Kes~75 system. We find that the spectrum of the pulsar is significantly harder than that of the wind nebula, and both of these components can be isolated from the diffuse thermal emission that seems to follow the same distribution as the extended radio shell. When we characterize the therm…
We report preliminary results on the detection of the Warm-Hot Intergalactic Medium (WHIM) along the line of sight toward the blazar 1ES 1028+511 (z = 0.361). 1ES 1028+511 was observed for 150 ks with the low energy transmission grating in combination with the high resolution camera onboard Chandra. An additional 300 ks observation was obtained using the reflection grating spectrometers (RGS) onboard XMM-Newton. We report the detection of three absorption lines which can be attributed to the WHIM, and compare the results with theoretical predictions.
This paper deals with the Crab Nebula problem to suggest that particle acceleration takes place not only at the inner shock but also over a larger region in the nebula with disordered magnetic field. Kennel and Cornoniti (1984) constructed a spherically symmetric model of the Crab Nebula and concluded that the pulsar wind which excites the nebular is kinetic-energy dominant (KED) because the nebula flow induced by KED wind is favorable to explain the nebula spectrum and expansion speed. This is true even with new Chandra observation, which provides newly the spatially resolved spectra. We have…
Chu et al (2001; ApJ, 533, L69) report that they find the diffuse X-ray emission from the Cat's Eye Nebula, NGC 6543, to be inconsistent with nebular abundances but consistent with abundances expected for the stellar wind although the location of the emission and the temperature they derive for the X-ray emitting region of NGC 6543 require that a significant fraction of the X-ray emitting material be nebular. A recent, refined, determination by Bernard-Salus et al (personal communication) of nebular abundances in NGC 6543 incorporating infrared, optical, and ultraviolet observations provides a…
We report the discovery of X-ray emission from NGC 7027, a prototypical object for the study of the formation and evolution of planetary nebulae (PNs). Observations with the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS) aboard the Chandra X-ray Observatory show that the X-ray emission from NGC 7027 is extended and is bipolar in morphology. The ACIS spectrum displays strong emission from highly ionized Ne and weaker emission features which we attribute to O, Mg, and Si. Model fits to this spectrum suggest a characteristic temperature T_x ~ 3x10^6 K and an intrinsic (unabsorbed) X-ray luminosity of L…
We observed the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 4593 with the Chandra high energy transmission gratings and present a detailed analysis of the soft X-ray spectrum. We measure strong absorption lines from He-like O, Ne, Mg, Si, H-like N, O, Ne, Mg, Si and highly ionized Fe XIX-XXV. Only the NLya, OLya and MgLya lines appear to be marginally resolved. We identify a spectral feature at $\sim 0.707$ keV with a neutral Fe L edge, which might suggest that there is dust along the line-of-sight to \ngc. Neutral Si absorption, which might also be expected from absorption due to dust is present (though not signifi…
As part of a multiwavelength study of the unusual radio supernova remnant DA 495, we present observations made with the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Imaging and spectroscopic analysis confirms the previously detected X-ray source at the heart of the annular radio nebula, establishing the radiative properties of two key emission components: a soft unresolved source with a blackbody temperature of 1 MK consistent with a neutron star, surrounded by a nonthermal nebula 40'' in diameter exhibiting a power-law spectrum with photon index Gamma = 1.6+/-0.3, typical of a pulsar wind nebula. The implied s…
We report the serendipitous detection of the planetary nebula NGC 5315 by the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The Chandra imaging spectroscopy results indicate that the X-rays from this PN, which harbors a Wolf-Rayet (WR) central star, emanate from a T_X ~ 2.5x10^6 K plasma generated via the same wind-wind collisions that have cleared a compact (~8000 AU radius) central cavity within the nebula. The inferred X-ray luminosity of NGC 5315 is ~2.5x10^{32} erg s^{-1} (0.3-2.0 keV), placing this object among the most luminous such ``hot bubble'' X-ray sources yet detected within PNe. With the X-ray dete…
High resolution spectra of the active binary Capella (G8 III + G1 III) covering the energy range 0.4-8.0 keV (1.5-30 Angstroms) show a large number of emission lines, demonstrating the performance of the HETGS. A preliminary application of plasma diagnostics provides information on coronal temperatures and densities. Lines arising from different elements in a range of ionization states indicate that Capella has plasma with a broad range of temperatures, from log T = 6.3 to 7.2, generally consistent with recent results from observations with the Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer (EUVE) and the Advan…
3C58 is a young Crab-like supernova remnant. Historical evidence strongly suggests an association of the remnant with supernova SN 1181, which would make 3C58 younger than the Crab Nebula. Recent Chandra observations have identified the young 65 ms pulsar J0205+6449 at its center, embedded in a compact nebula which, we show here, appears to be confined by the pulsar wind termination shock. We present new Chandra observations of this compact nebula and embedded pulsar which set strong upper limits on thermal emission originating from the neutron star surface. These limits fall far below predict…
The young and energetic pulsar B1509-58 powers a bright X-ray synchrotron nebula, embedded in the unusual supernova remnant G320.4-1.2. We present observations of this system with the Chandra X-ray Observatory, which show a spectacularly complicated source. The nebula is dominated by a bright collimated feature which we interpret as a relativistic jet directed along the pulsar spin axis. Several compact knots can be seen in the immediate vicinity of the pulsar. While many of these features are similar to those seen around the Crab pulsar, the nebula surrounding PSR B1509-58 shows important dif…
We report on the results of 18 observations of the core, or peak, of the Fe K emission line at $\sim 6.4$ keV in 15 Seyfert I galaxies using the {\it Chandra} High Energy Grating (HEG). These data afford the highest precision measurements of the peak energy of the Fe K line, and the highest spectral resolution measurements of the width of the core of the line to date. We were able to measure the peak energy in 17 data sets, and, excluding a very deep observation of NGC 3783, we obtained a weighted mean of $6.404 \pm 0.005$ keV. In all 15 sources the two-parameter, 99% confidence errors on the …
A Chandra observation of the isolated hard X-ray source XMMU J061804.3+222732, located in the region of apparent interaction of the supernova remnant IC 443 with a molecular cloud, resolved the complex structure of the source in a few bright clumps embedded in an extended emission of a ~ 30 arcsec size. The X-ray spectra of the clumps and the extended emission are dominated by a hard power-law component with a photon index of 1.2--1.4. In addition, we see some indications of an optically thin thermal plasma of a ~ 0.3 keV temperature. The observed X-ray morphology and spectra are consistent wi…
Two Chandra observations have been used to search for thermal X-ray emission from within and around the Crab Nebula. Dead-time was minimized by excluding the brightest part of the Nebula from the field of view. A dust-scattered halo comprising 5% of the strength of the Crab is clearly detected with surface brightness measured out to a radial distance of 18 arcminutes. Coverage is 100% at 4 arcminutes, 50% at 12 arcminutes, and 25% at 18 arcminutes. The observed halo is compared with predictions based on 3 different interstellar grain models and one can be adjusted to fit the observation. This …
We report on variations in important X-ray emission lines in a series of Chandra grating spectra of the supermassive colliding wind binary star Eta Carinae, including key phases around the X-ray minimum/periastron passage in 2003.5. The X-rays arise from the collision of the slow, dense wind of Eta Car with the fast, low-density wind of an otherwise hidden companion star. The X-ray emission lines provide the only direct measure of the flow dynamics of the companion's wind along the wind-wind collision zone. We concentrate here on the silicon and sulfur lines, which are the strongest and best r…
We observed the Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 509 simultaneously with Chandra/HETG, HST/STIS and RXTE. We measure strong absorption lines from He-like Ne and Mg, and from H-like N, O, and Ne. The lines are unresolved except for Ne Lya and Ne IX(r). The absorption-line profiles are blueshifted by ~200 km/s with respect to the systemic velocity of Mrk 509, and there is a hint of another component near systemic. The soft X-ray spectrum can be described in remarkable detail with a simple, single-zone photoionized absorber with a column density of 2.06 (+0.39,-0.45) x 10^21 cm^-2 and an ionization parameter…
While supernova remnants (SNRs) have long been considered prime candidates as sources of cosmic rays, it is only recently that X-ray observations have identified several shell-type SNRs dominated by nonthermal emission, thus revealing shock-accelerated electrons with energies extending far beyond the typical thermal spectrum. Two of these SNRs have been detected as sources of VHE gamma-rays.In other remnants, discrepancies between the shock velocity and the electron temperature point to a strong cosmic ray component that has thrived at the expense of the thermal gas. Modeling of the radio, X-r…
We have obtained Chandra ACIS-S observations of NGC 6543, the Cat's Eye Nebula. The X-ray emission from NGC 6543 is clearly resolved into a point source at the central star and diffuse emission confined within the central elliptical shell and two extensions along the major axis. Spectral analysis of the diffuse component shows that the abundances of the X-ray-emitting gas are similar to those of the fast (1,750 km/s) stellar wind but not those of the nebula. Furthermore, the temperature of this gas is ~1.7 million K, which is 100 times lower than the expected post-shock temperature of the fast…
We present the results of detailed spatial and spectral analysis of the pulsar wind nebula (PWN) in supernova remnant Kes 75 (G29.7-0.3) using a deep exposure with Chandra X-ray observatory. The PWN shows a complex morphology with clear axisymmetric structure. We identified a one-sided jet and two bright clumps aligned with the overall nebular elongation, and an arc-like feature perpendicular to the jet direction. Further spatial modeling with a torus and jet model indicates a position angle $207\arcdeg\pm8 \arcdeg$ for the PWN symmetry axis. We interpret the arc as an equatorial torus or wisp…
We present and analyze the first high-resolution X-ray images ever obtained of the Eagle Nebula star-forming region. On 2001 July 30 the Chandra X-ray Observatory obtained a 78 ks image of the Eagle Nebula (M 16) that includes the core of the young galactic cluster NGC 6611 and the dark columns of dust and cold molecular gas in M 16 known as the Pillars of Creation. We find a total of 1101 X-ray sources in the 17'x17' ACIS-I field of view. Most of the X-ray sources are low mass pre-main-sequence or high-mass main-sequence stars in this young cluster. A handful of hard X-ray sources in the pill…
The Chandra HETGS spectra of the Seyfert 1 galaxy MCG--6-30-15 show numerous narrow, unresolved (FWHM < 200 km/s) absorption lines from a wide range of ionization states of N, O, Mg, Ne, Si, S, Ar, and Fe. The initial analysis of these data, presented in Lee et al. (2001), shows that a dusty warm absorber model adequately explains the spectral features > 0.48 keV (< 26 A). We attribute previous reports of an apparently highly redshifted O VII edge to the neutral Fe L absorption complex and the O VII resonance series (by transitions higher than He $γ$; He $α,β,γ$ are also seen at lower energies…
We report the analysis of the high-resolution soft X-ray spectrum of the nearby F-type star Procyon in the wavelength range from 5 to 175 Angstrom obtained with the Low Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (LETGS) on board Chandra and with the Reflection Grating Spectrometers (RGS) and the EPIC-MOS CCD spectrometers on board XMM-Newton. Line fluxes have been measured separately for the RGS and LETGS. Spectra have been fitted globally to obtain self-consistent temperatures, emission measures, and abundances. The total volume emission measure is ~4.1 x 10e50/cm3 with a peak between 1 and 3 M…
In this paper, we analyze spectra of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 4593 obtained with the Chandra Low Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer (LETGS), the Reflection Grating Spectrometer (RGS) and the European Photon Imaging Camera's (EPIC) onboard of XMM-Newton. The two observations were separated by ~7 months. In the LETGS spectrum we detect a highly ionized warm absorber corresponding to an ionization state of 400x10^{-9} W m, visible as a depression at 10-18 Å. This depression is formed by multiple weak Fe and Ne lines. A much smaller column density was found for the lowly ionized warm absorbe…
We present a Chandra observation of the H II region RCW89. The nebula lies on 10' north from the central pulsar PSR B1509-58, and it has been suggested that the nebula is irradiated by the pulsar jet. We performed a spectral analysis of the seven brightest emitting regions aligned in a ``horse-shoe'' shape, and found that the temperature of the knots increases along the ``horse-shoe'' in the clockwise direction, while, in contrast, the ionization parameter decreases. This strongly supports a picture of energy transfer via the precessing pulsar jet. We examined the energy budget assuming that R…
In this first of two companion papers on the Orion Nebula Cluster (ONC), we present our analysis of a 63 Ksec Chandra HRC-I observation that yielded 742 X-ray detections within the 30'x30' field of view. To facilitate our interpretation of the X-ray image, here we collect a multi-wavelength catalog of nearly 2900 known objects in the region by combining 17 different catalogs from the recent literature. We define two reference groups: an infrared sample, containing all objects detected in the K band, and an optical sample comprising low extinction, well characterized ONC members. We show for bo…
We present observations with the Chandra X-ray Observatory of the pulsar wind nebula (PWN) powered by the energetic young pulsar B1509-58. These data confirm the complicated morphology of the system indicated by previous observations, and in addition reveal several new components to the nebula. The overall PWN shows a clear symmetry axis oriented at a position angle 150 degrees (N through E), which we argue corresponds to the pulsar spin axis. We show that a previously identified radio feature matches well with the overall extent of the X-ray PWN, and propose the former as the long-sought radi…
We report the detection of a point source CXO J172337.5-373442 in a Chandra field with a high significance (26.7 sigma), and the discovery (4 sigma) of a 48" long X-ray tail emanating from the point source. The X-ray spectra of both the point source and the tail are well described with a single absorbed powerlaw, and the tail is harder (powerlaw index Gamma = 0.14^{+0.59}_{-0.68}) than the point source (Gamma = 1.78^{+0.13}_{-0.11}). From this first detailed spatial, spectral and timing X-ray analysis of CXO J172337.5-373442, and from a plausible optical counterpart found from the archives, we…
Based on a Chandra ACIS observation, we report the detection of an extended X-ray feature close to the center of the remnant DA 530 with 5.3 sigma above the background within a circle of 20'' radius. This feature, characterized by a power-law with the photon index gamma=1.6+-0.8 and spatially coinciding with a nonthermal radiosource, most likely represents a pulsar wind nebula. We have further examined the spectrum of the diffuse X-ray emission from the remnant interior with a background-subtracted count rate of ~0.06 counts s^-1 in 0.3-3.5 keV. The spectrum of the emission can be described by…
The Chandra Orion Ultradeep project (COUP) observation described in a companion paper by Getman et al. provides an exceptionally deep X-ray survey of the Orion Nebula Cluster and associated embedded young stellar objects. Membership of the region is important for studies of the stellar IMF, cluster dynamics, and star formation. The COUP study detected 1616 X-ray sources. In this study we confirm cloud membership for 1315 stars, identify 16 probable foreground field stars having optical counterparts with discrepant proper motions, and classify the remaining 285 X-ray sources, of which 51 are li…