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We report the first statistical detection of X-ray emission from cosmic web filaments in ROSAT data. We selected 15 165 filaments at 0.2 <  z <  0.6 ranging from 30 Mpc to 100 Mpc in length, identified in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey survey. We stacked the X-ray count-rate maps from ROSAT around the filaments, excluding resolved galaxy groups and clusters above the mass of ∼3 × 1013 M⊙ as well as the detected X-ray point sources from the ROSAT, Chandra, and XMM-Newton observations. The stacked signal results in the detection of the X-ray emission from the cosmic filaments at a significance of 4.2σ in the energy band of 0.56−1.21 keV. The signal is interpreted, assuming the Astrophysical Plasma Emission Code model, as an emission from the hot gas in the filament-core regions with an average gas temperature of 0.9−0.6+1.0 0. 9 − 0.6 + 1.0 $ 0.9^{+1.0}_{-0.6} $ keV and a gas overdensity of δ ∼ 30 at the center of the filaments. Furthermore, we show that stacking the SRG/eROSITA data for ∼2000 filaments only would lead to a ≳5σ detection of their X-ray signal, even with an average gas temperature as low as ∼0.3 keV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. In this paper we discuss the radio continuum and X-ray properties of the so-far poorly studied Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) G5.9 + 3.1. Methods. We present the radio spectral energy distribution (SED) of the Galactic SNR G5.9 + 3.1 obtained with the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA). Combining these new observations with the surveys at other radio continuum frequencies, we discuss the integrated radio continuum spectrum of this particular remnant. We have also analyzed an archival XMM-Newton observation, which represents the first detection of X-ray emission from this remnant. Results. The SNR SED is very well explained by a simple power-law relation. The synchrotron radio spectral index of G5.9 + 3.1 is estimated to be 0.42 ± 0.03 and the integrated flux density at 1 GHz to be around 2.7 Jy. Furthermore, we propose that the identified point radio source, located centrally inside the SNR shell, is most probably a compact remnant of the supernova explosion. The shell-like X-ray morphology of G5.9 + 3.1 as revealed by XMM-Newton broadly matches the spatial distribution of the radio emission, where the radio-bright eastern and western rims are also readily detected in the X-ray while the radio-weak northern and southern rims are weak or absent in the X-ray. Extracted MOS1+MOS2+PN spectra from the whole SNR as well as the north, east, and west rims of the SNR are fit successfully with an optically thin thermal plasma model in collisional ionization equilibrium with a column density NH ~ 0.80 × 1022 cm−2 and fitted temperatures spanning the range kT ~ 0.14–0.23 keV for all of the regions. The derived electron number densities ne for the whole SNR and the rims are also roughly comparable (ranging from ~0.20f−1∕2 to ~0.40f−1∕2 cm−3, where f is the volume filling factor). We also estimate the swept-up mass of the X-ray emitting plasma associated with G5.9+3.1 to be ~46f−1∕2 M⊙. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. In late Nov. 2013 the fifth eruption in five years of the M31 recurrent nova M31N 2008-12a was announced. Aims. In this Letter we address the optical lightcurve and progenitor system of M31N 2008-12a. Methods. Optical imaging data of the 2013 eruption from the Liverpool Telescope, La Palma; Danish 1.54 m Telescope, La Silla; and archival Hubble Space Telescope near-IR, optical, and near-UV data are astrometrically and photometrically analysed. Results. Photometry of the 2013 eruption, combined with three previous eruptions, enabled construction of a template lightcurve of a very fast nova (t2 (V) ≃ 4 days). The archival data allowed recovery of the progenitor system in optical and near-UV data, indicating a red-giant secondary with bright accretion disk, or alternatively a system with a sub-giant secondary but dominated by a disk. Conclusions. The eruptions ofM31N 2008-12a, and a number of historic X-ray detections, indicate a unique system with a recurrence timescale of ~1 yr. This implies the presence of a very high-mass white dwarf and a high accretion rate. The recovered progenitor system is consistent with such an elevated rate of accretion.We encourage additional observations, especially towards the end of 2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The M3 dwarf GJ 581 hosts a rich system of exo-planets, some of which are potentially within or at the edge of the habitable zone. Nevertheless, the system habitability might be reduced by large and sterilizing high energy emission flares, if these are frequent. Aims. The GJ 581 radiation environment was studied with simultaneous X-ray and UV observations, which were performed with the XRT and UVOT instruments, respectively, on board of the Swift satellite. Methods. X-ray and UV data were analysed with the distributed standard tools. Results. The dwarf GJ 581 was detected for the first time in the 0.2-10 keV range with an intensity of (8 ± 2) × 10-4 cts/s and a signal-to-noise ratio of 3.6. If black-body or APEC spectra are assumed, then the source X-ray flux is found to be between 1.8 and 3.3 × 10-14 erg cm-2 s-1 and log10(LX) between 25.914 and 26.176. Despite hints of X-ray variability, better statistics are needed to establish robust evidence for this property. The UV measurements, obtained during 13 pointings, are also reported. A combination of these Swift X-ray and Hubble Space Telescope UV measurements (with Lyman-alpha) indicate a low X-ray to UV luminosity ratio of ~4%. Conclusions. Simultaneous X-ray and UV observations of GJ 581 are reported. These constitute an experimental view of the system radiation environment, which will be a useful input for the habitability studies of the GJ 581 planetary system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. The application of multi-wavelength selection techniques is essential for obtaining a complete and unbiased census of active galactic nuclei (AGN). We present here a method for selecting z ∼ 1 obscured AGN from optical spectroscopic surveys. Methods. A sample of 94 narrow-line AGN with 0:65 < z < 1:20 was selected from the 20k-Bright zCOSMOS galaxy sample by detection of the high-ionization [Ne v] λ3426 line. The presence of this emission line in a galaxy spectrum is indicative of nuclear activity, although the selection is biased toward low absorbing column densities on narrow-line region or galactic scales. A similar sample of unobscured (type 1 AGN) was collected applying the same analysis to zCOSMOS broad-line objects. This paper presents and compares the optical spectral properties of the two AGN samples. Taking advantage of the large amount of data available in the COSMOS field, the properties of the [Ne v]-selected type 2 AGN were investigated, focusing on their host galaxies, X-ray emission, and optical line-flux ratios. Finally, a previously developed diagnostic, based on the X-ray-to-[Ne v] luminosity ratio, was exploited to search for the more heavily obscured AGN. Results. We found that [Ne v]-selected narrow-line AGN have Seyfert 2-like optical spectra, although their emission line ratios are diluted by a star-forming component. The ACS morphologies and stellar component in the optical spectra indicate a preference for our type 2 AGN to be hosted in early-type spirals with stellar masses greater than 109:5-10 M , on average higher than those of the galaxy parent sample. The fraction of galaxies hosting [Ne v]-selected obscured AGN increases with the stellar mass, reaching a maximum of about 3% at ≈2 × 1011 M . A comparison with other selection techniques at z ∼ 1, namely the line-ratio diagnostics and X-ray detections, shows that the detection of the [Ne v] λ3426 line is an effective method for selecting AGN in the optical band, in particular the most heavily obscured ones, but cannot provide a complete census of type 2 AGN by itself. Finally, the high fraction of [Ne v]-selected type 2 AGN not detected in medium-deep (≈100-200 ks) Chandra observations (67%) is suggestive of the inclusion of Compton-thick (i.e., with NH > 1024 cm-2) sources in our sample. The presence of a population of heavily obscured AGN is corroborated by the X-ray-to-[Ne v] ratio; we estimated, by means of an X-ray stacking technique and simulations, that the Comptonthick fraction in our sample of type 2 AGN is 43 ± 4% (statistical errors only), which agrees well with standard assumptions by XRB synthesis models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]