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The Galactic center (GC) provides a unique laboratory for a detailed examination of the interplay between massive star formation and the nuclear environment of our Galaxy. Here, we present an 100 ks Chandra ACIS observation of the Arches and Quintuplet star clusters. We also report on a complementary mapping of the dense molecular gas near the Arches cluster made with the Owens Valley Millimeter Array. The number-flux relation of point-like X-ray sources indicates an over-population of relatively bright X-ray sources, which are apparently associated with the clusters. The sources in the core of the Arches and Quintuplet clusters are most likely extreme colliding wind massive star binaries. The diffuse X-ray emission from the core of the Arches cluster has a spectrum showing a 6.7-keV emission line and a surface intensity profile declining steeply with radius, indicating an origin in a cluster wind. In the outer regions near the Arches cluster, the overall diffuse X-ray enhancement demonstrates a bow shock morphology and is prominent in the Fe Kalpha 6.4-keV line emission. Much of this enhancement may result from an ongoing collision between the cluster and the adjacent molecular cloud. The older and less compact Quintuplet cluster contains much weaker X-ray sources and diffuse emission, probably originating from low-mass stellar objects as well as a cluster wind. However, the overall population of these objects, constrained by the observed total diffuse X-ray luminosities, is substantially smaller than expected for both clusters. This deficiency of low-mass objects may be a manifestation of the unique star formation environment of the Galactic center., Comment: 27 pages, accepted for publication in MNRAS. The full table 1 are available at http://www.astro.umass.edu/~wqd/papers/arches/

We report on more than 7 years of monitoring of PSR J0537-6910, the 16 ms pulsar in the Large Magellanic Cloud, using data acquired with the RXTE. During this campaign the pulsar experienced 23 sudden increases in frequency (``glitches'') amounting to a total gain of over six ppm of rotation frequency superposed on its gradual spindown of d(nu)/d(t) = -2e-10 Hz/s. The time interval from one glitch to the next obeys a strong linear correlation to the amplitude of the first glitch, with a mean slope of about 400 days ppm (6.5 days per uHz), such that these intervals can be predicted to within a few days, an accuracy which has never before been seen in any other pulsar. There appears to be an upper limit of ~40 uHz for the size of glitches in_all_ pulsars, with the 1999 April glitch of J0537 as the largest so far. The change in the spindown of J0537 across the glitches, Delta(d(nu)/d(t)), appears to have the same hard lower limit of -1.5e-13 Hz/s, as, again, that observed in all other pulsars. The spindown continues to increase in the long term, d(d(nu)/d(t))/d(t) = -1e-21 Hz/s/s, and thus the timing age of J0537 (-0.5 nu d(nu)/d(t)) continues to decrease at a rate of nearly one year every year, consistent with movement of its magnetic moment away from its rotational axis by one radian every 10,000 years, or about one meter per year. J0537 was likely to have been born as a nearly-aligned rotator spinning at 75-80 Hz, with a |d(nu)/d(t)| considerably smaller than its current value of 2e-10 Hz/s. The pulse profile of J0537 consists of a single pulse which is found to be flat at its peak for at least 0.02 cycles., Comment: 54 pages, 12 figures. Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal. Cleaner figure 2. V4 -- in line with version accepted by ApJ

We present Chandra ACIS observations of N157B, a young supernova remnant located in the 30 Doradus star-formation region of the LMC. This remnant contains the most energetic pulsar known (PSR J0537-6910), which is surrounded by a bright nonthermal nebula that likely represents a toroidal pulsar wind terminal shock observed edge-on. We confirm the non-thermal nature of the comet-shaped X-ray emission feature and show that the spectral steepening of this feature away from the pulsar is quantitatively consistent with synchrotron cooling of shocked pulsar wind particles flowing downstream at a bulk velocity close to the speed of light. Around the cometary nebula we unambiguously detect a thermal component, which accounts for about 1/3 of the total 0.5 - 10 keV flux from the remnant. This thermal component is distributed among various clumps of metal-enriched plasma embedded in the low surface brightness X-ray-emitting diffuse gas. The relative metal enrichment pattern suggests that the mass of the supernova progenitor is >~ 20M_sun. A comparison of the X-ray data with HST optical images suggests that the explosion site is close to a dense cloud, against which a reflection shock is launched. The interaction between this reflection shock and the nebula has likely produced both its cometary shape and the surrounding thermal emission enhancement. SNR N157B is apparently expanding into the hot low-density interior of a surrounding superbubble formed by the young OB association LH99, as revealed by Spitzer mid-infrared images. This scenario naturally explains the exceptionally large sizes of both the thermal and nonthermal components as well as the lack of an outer shell of the SNR. These results provide a rare glimpse into the SNR structure and evolution in a region of recent star-formation., Comment: Slightly revised to match the ApJ version. Fig.1 of high resolution available at http://astronomy.nju.edu.cn/~ygchen/paper/N157B/f1.eps.gz

X-ray absorption spectroscopy provides a potentially powerful tool in determining the metal abundances in various phases of the interstellar medium (ISM). We present a case study of the sight line toward 4U 1820-303 (Galactic coordinates l, b=2.79, -7.91 and distance = 7.6 kpc), based on Chandra Grating observations. The detection of OI, OII, OIII, OVII, OVIII, and NeIX Kalpha absorption lines allows us to measure the atomic column densities of the neutral, warm ionized, and hot phases of the ISM through much of the Galactic disk. By comparing these measurements with the 21 cm hydrogen emission and with the pulsar dispersion measure along the same sight line, we estimate the mean oxygen abundances in the neutral and total ionized phases as 0.3(0.2, 0.6) and 2.2(1.1, 3.5) in units of Anders & Grevesse (1989) solar value. This significant oxygen abundance difference is apparently a result of molecule/dust grain destruction and recent metal enrichment in the warm ionized and hot phases. We also measure the column density of neon from its absorption edge and obtain the Ne/O ratio of the neutral plus warm ionized gas as 2.1(1.3, 3.5) solar. Accounting for the expected oxygen contained in molecules and dust grains would reduce the Ne/O ratio by a factor of ~1.5. From a joint-analysis of the OVII, OVIII, and NeIX lines, we obtain the Ne/O abundance ratio of the hot phase as 1.4(0.9, 2.1) solar, which is not sensitive to the exact temperature distribution assumed in the absorption line modeling. These comparable ISM Ne/O ratios for the hot and cooler gas are thus considerably less than the value (2.85+-0.07; 1sigma) recently inferred from corona emission of solar-like stars (Drake & Testa 2005). (abridged), Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures and 3 tables, accepted for publication in ApJ 2006

We have studied the stellar and interstellar environments of two luminous X-ray sources and five ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) in order to gain insight into their nature. Archival Hubble Space Telescope images were used to identify the optical counterparts of the ULXs Ho IX X-1 and NGC 1313 X-2, and to make photometric measurements of the local stellar populations of these and the luminous source IC 10 X-1. We obtained high-dispersion spectroscopic observations of the nebulae around these seven sources to search for He II lambda-4686 emission and to estimate the expansion velocities and kinetic energies of these nebulae. Our observations did not detect nebular He II emission from any source, with the exception of LMC X-1; this is either because we missed the He III regions or because the nebulae are too diffuse to produce He II surface brightnesses that lie within our detection limit. We compare the observed ionization and kinematics of the supershells around the ULXs Ho IX X-1 and NGC 1313 X-2 with the energy feedback expected from the underlying stellar population to assess whether additional energy contributions from the ULXs are needed. In both cases, we find insufficient UV fluxes or mechanical energies from the stellar population; thus these ULXs may be partially responsible for the ionization and energetics of their supershells. All seven sources we studied are in young stellar environments and six of them have optical counterparts with masses >~7 M_sun; thus, these sources are most likely high-mass X-ray binaries., Comment: 30 pages, 9 figures. Numerous minor revisions, primarily to more accurately cite earlier work by Pakull and Mirioni, and to correct typographical errors. Removed a misleading sentence in the Introduction (re: X-ray photoionization by ULXs). Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal. Figures have been reduced in resolution for space requirements; full-resolution figures may be requested by email to rosanina@astro.uiuc.edu

We present a comprehensive spectral analysis of black hole X-ray binaries, LMC X-1 and LMC X-3, based on BeppoSAX observations. We test both the multi-color disk plus power law (MCD+PL) model and a newly-developed Monte-Carlo simulation- based model for a Comptonized MCD (CMCD) with either a spherical or a slab-like corona, by comparing the inferred parameters with independent direct measurements. While all models give an adequate description of the spectra, we find a significant discrepancy between the MCD+PL inferred X-ray-absorbing gas column density and the absorption-edge measurement based on dispersed X-ray spectra. The MCD+PL fits to the LMC X-1 spectra also require a change in the inner disk radius during the BeppoSAX observation, which may be due to the nonphysical effects inherited in the model. In contrast, the CMCD model with the spheric corona gives the predictions of both the disk inclination angle and the absorption that are consistent with the direct measurements, and only slightly under-predicts the black hole mass of LMC X-3. The model explains the spectral state evolution of LMC X-1 within the BeppoSAX observation as a change in the accretion rate, which leads to an increase in both the inner disk temperature and the Comptonization opacity. On the other hand, the CMCD model with the slab-like corona is more problematic in the test and is thus not recommended., Comment: 7 pages including 3 tables and 4 figures, MNRAS in press

We present an X-ray study of our nearest starburst galaxy IC 10, based on XMM-Newton and Chandra observations. A list of 73 XMM-Newton and 28 Chandra detections of point-like X-ray sources in the field is provided; a substantial fraction of them are likely stellar objects in the Milky Way due to the low Galactic latitude location of IC 10. The brightest source in the IC 10 field, X-1, shows a large variation by a factor of up to $\sim 6$ on time scales during the XMM-Newton observation. The X-ray spectra of the source indicate the presence of a multi-color blackbody accretion disk with an inner disk temperature T_{in} \approx 1.1 keV. These results are consistent with the interpretation of the source as a stellar mass black hole, probably accreting from a Wolf-Rayet star companion. We infer the mass of this black hole to be about 4 Msun if it is not spinning, or a factor of up to about 6 higher if there is significant spinning. We also detect an apparent diffuse soft X-ray emission component of IC 10. An effective method is devised to remove the X-ray CCD-readout streaks of X-1 that strongly affect the study of the diffuse component in the XMM-Newton and Chandra observations. We find that the diffuse X-ray morphology is oriented along the optical body of the galaxy and is chiefly associated with starburst regions. The diffuse component can be characterized by an optically thin thermal plasma with a mean temperature of $\sim 4 \times 10^6$ K and a 0.5-2 keV luminosity of $\sim 8 \times 10^{37} {\rm erg s^{-1}}$, representing only a small fraction of the expected mechanical energy inputs from massive stars in the galaxy. There is evidence that the hot gas is driving outflows from the starburst regions; therefore, the bulk of the energy inputs may be released in a galactic wind., Comment: 30 pages, accepted for publication in MNRAS

The nature of the internal thermal X-ray emission seen in ``thermal composite" supernova remnants is still uncertain. Chandra observation of the 3C391 shows a southeast-northwest elongated morphology and unveils a highly clumpy structure of the remnant. Detailed spatially resolved spectral analysis for the small-scale features reveals normal metal abundance and uniform temperature for the interior gas. The properties of the hot gas comparatively favor the cloudlet evaporation model as a main mechanism for the ``thermal composite" X-ray appearance, though radiative rim and thermal conduction may also be effective. A faint protrusion is found in Si and S lines out of the southwest radio border., Comment: 7 pages, 4 embedded figures, in COSPAR 2004 session E1.4, "Young Neutron Stars and Supernova Remnants", Advances in Space Research, in press

We report the detection of highly-ionized gas at z~0 seen in resonant UV and X-ray absorption lines toward the z=0.03 blazar Mkn 421. A total of 13 X-ray and 3 UV lines were measured (or upper limits derived), including three lines in the OVII K-series and K\alpha transitions from neon, carbon, and nitrogen. From the three OVII lines we derive a 2\sigma Doppler parameter constraint of 24

Most supernovae are expected to explode in low-density hot media, particularly in galactic bulges and elliptical galaxies. The remnants of such supernovae, though difficult to detect individually, can be profoundly important in heating the media on large scales. We characterize the evolution of this kind of supernova remnants, based on analytical approximations and hydrodynamic simulations. We generalize the standard Sedov solution to account for both temperature and density effects of the ambient media. Although cooling can be neglected, the expansion of such a remnant deviates quickly from the standard Sedov solution and asymptotically approaches the ambient sound speed as the swept-up thermal energy becomes important. The relatively steady and fast expansion of the remnants over large volumes provides an ideal mechanism for spatially distributed heating, which may help to alleviate the over-cooling problem of hot gas in groups and clusters of galaxies as well as in galaxies themselves. The simulations were performed with the FLASH code., Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures, 1 table, accepted for ApJ, uses aastex

We present an X-ray absorption line spectroscopic study of the large-scale hot interstellar medium (HISM) in the Galaxy. We detect Ne IX K$_\alpha$ absorption lines in the {\sl Chandra} grating spectra of seven Galactic low-mass X-ray binaries. Three of these sources also show absorption of O VII K$_\alpha$, O VII K$_\beta$, and/or O VIII K$_\alpha$. Both centroid and width of the lines are consistent with a Galactic HISM origin of the absorption. By jointly fitting the multiple lines, accounting for line saturation and assuming the collisional ionization equilibrium, we estimate the average absorbing gas temperature as $\sim 2.4\pm0.3\times10^6$ K (90% confidence errors). We further characterize the spatial density distribution of the gas as ${\rm 6.4_{-1.7}^{+2.4} exp(-|z|/1.2_{-0.5}^{+1.0} kpc) \times10^{-3}{\rm cm^{-3}}} $ (a disk morphology) or ${\rm 6.2_{-2.1}^{+3.8} [ 1 + (R/2.3_{-1.1}^{+1.6} kpc)^2]^{-1} \times10^{-3} {\rm cm^{-3}}}$ (a sphere morphology), where $z$ and $R$ are the distances from the Galactic plane and Galactic center (GC) respectively. Since nearly all the sight-lines with significant absorption lines detected are somewhat toward GC and at low Galactic latitudes, these results could be severely biased. More observations toward off-GC sight-lines and at high latitudes are urgently needed to further the study. Nevertheless, the results demonstrate the excellent potential of X-ray absorption line spectroscopy in the study of the HISM., Comment: 29 pages, 9 figures, 5 tables, ApJ accepted, 2005 June 1, v625, 2 issue

We report the discovery in the Galactic Centre region of two hard X-ray sources, designated as XMM J174457-2850.3 and XMM J174544-2913.0, which exhibited flux variations in the 2--10 keV band in excess of a factor of 100 in observations spanning roughly a year. In both cases the observed hydrogen column density is consistent with a location near to the Galactic Centre, implying peak X-ray luminosities of ~5 x 10^34 erg/s. These objects may represent a new population of transient source with very different properties to the much more luminous Galactic Centre transients associated with neutron star and black-hole binary systems. Spectral analysis shows that XMM J174457-2850.3 has relatively weak iron-line emission set against a very hard continuum. XMM J174544-2913.0, on the other hand, has an extremely strong K-line from helium-like iron with an equivalent width of ~2.4keV. The nature of the latter source is of particular interest. Does it represent an entirely new class of object or does it correspond to a known class of source in a very extreme configuration?, Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures, to appear in MNRAS, figures with full resolution are available at http://www.star.le.ac.uk/~mas/research/paper/#Sakano2004mnras

I review results from {\sl Chandra} observations of nearby normal edge-on galaxies (Sd to Sa types). These galaxies have a broad range of star formation rate, but none of them is dominated by a nuclear starburst. The galaxies are all in directions of low Galactic foreground absorption. Extra-Planar diffuse soft X-ray emission is detected unambiguously from all the galaxies, except for N4244 (Sd), which is low in both the stellar mass and the star formation rate. The thermal nature of the X-ray-emitting gas is well established, although its chemical and ionization states remain largely uncertain. The X-ray luminosity of the gas is proportional to the star formation rate and to the stellar mass of the galaxies. But the luminosity accounts for at most a few percent of the expected supernova mechanical energy input. Therefore, there is a ``missing'' energy problem for spiral galaxies. Much of the energy in late-type spirals may be converted and radiated in lower energy bands. But early-type ones most likely have outflows, which are powered primarily by Type Ia supernovae in galactic bulges. These galactic outflows may strongly affect both the dynamics and cooling of the intergalactic gas accretion, hence the evolution of the galaxies., Comment: 8 pages. To appear in Extraplanar Gas, ed. R. Braun. a version with full resolution plots can be found http://www.astro.umass.edu/~wqd/papers/extraplanar.ps

The origin and initial mass function of young stellar clusters near the Galactic center are still poorly understood. Two of the more prominent ones, the Arches and Quintuplet clusters, may have formed from a shock-induced burst of star formation, given their similar age and proximity to each other. Their unusual mass distribution, however, may be evidence of a contributing role played by other factors, such as stellar capture from regions outside the clusters themselves. Diffuse X-ray emission from these sources provides us with a valuable, albeit indirect, measure of the stellar mass-loss rate from their constituents. Using recent data acquired with Chandra, we can study the nature and properties of the outflow to not only probe the pertinent physical conditions, such as high metallicity, the magnetic field, and so forth, but also to better constrain the stellar distribution within the clusters, in order to identify their formative history. In this paper, we present a set of three-dimensional smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations of the wind-wind interactions in both the Arches and Quintuplet clusters. We are guided primarily by the currently known properties of the constituent stars, though we vary the mass-loss rates in order to ascertain the dependence of the measured X-ray flux on the assumed stellar characteristics. Our results are compared with the latest observations of the Arches cluster. Our analysis of the Quintuplet cluster may be used as a basis for comparison with future X-ray observations of this source., Comment: Added comments to sections 2.1 and 2.2, conclusions unchanged; 29 pages, 17 figures, ApJ accepted

We present a 60 ks Chandra ACIS-S observation of the thermal composite supernova remnant 3C391. The southeast-northwest elongated morphology is similar to that previously found in radio and X-ray studies. This observation unveils a highly clumpy structure of the remnant. Detailed spatially resolved spectral analysis for the small-scale features reveals that the interior gas is generally of normal metal abundance and has approached or basically reached ionization equilibrium. The hydrogen column density increases from southeast to northwest. Three mechanisms, radiative rim, thermal conduction, and cloudlet evaporation, may all play roles in the X-ray appearance of 3C391 as a "thermal composite" remnant, but there are difficulties with each of them in explaining some physical properties. Comparatively, the cloudlet evaporation model is favored by the main characteristics such as the highly clumpy structure and the uniform temperature and density distribution over most of the remnant. The directly measured postshock temperature also implies a young age, about 4 kyr, for the remnant. The postshock gas pressure derived from the NE and SW rims, which harbor maser spots, is consistent with the estimate for the maser regions. An unresolved X-ray source is observed on the northwest border and its spectrum is best fitted by a power-law., Comment: aastex, 27 pages (including 4 figures), to appear in the ApJ 1 Dec. 2004, v616 issue

With a high spatial resolution imaging instrument such as the Chandra/ACIS, one can confidently identify an X-ray source with only a few detected counts. The detection threshold of such sources, however, varies strongly across the field-of-view of the instrument. Furthermore, the low detection counting statistics, together with a typical steep source number-flux relation, causes more intrinsically faint sources to be detected at apparently higher fluxes than the other way around. We quantify this ``X-ray Eddington bias'' as well as the detection threshold variation and devise simple procedures for their corrections. To illustrate our technique, we present results from our analysis of X-ray sources detected in the fields of the large-scale hierarchical complex Abell 2125 at $z = 0.247$ and the nearby galaxy NGC 4594 (Sombrero). We show that the sources detected in the Abell 2125 field, excluding 10 known complex members, have a number-flux relation consistent with the expected from foreground or background objects. In contrast, the number-flux relation of the NGC 4594 field is dominated by X-ray sources associated with the galaxy. This galactic component of the relation is well characterized by a broken power law., Comment: 19 pages. Accepted for publication in ApJ

We present an analysis of XMM-Newton observations of the superbubble 30 Dor C and compare the results with the predictions from the standard wind-blown bubble model. We find that the observed X-ray spectra cannot be fitted satisfactorily with the model alone and that there is evidence for nonthermal X-ray emission, which is particularly important at > 4 keV. The total unabsorbed 0.1-10 keV luminosities of the eastern and western parts of the bubble are ~3 10^36 erg/s and ~5 10^36 erg/s, respectively. The unabsorbed 0.1-10 keV luminosity of the bubble model is 4 10^36 erg/s and so the power-law component contributes between 1/3 and 1/2 to the total unabsorbed luminosity in this energy band. The nature of the hard nonthermal emission is not clear, although recent supernovae in the bubble may be responsible. We expect that about one or two core-collapse supernovae could have occured and are required to explain the enrichment of the hot gas, as evidenced by the overabundance of alpha-elements by a factor of 3, compared to the mean value of 0.5 solar for the interstellar medium in the Large Magellanic Cloud. As in previous studies of various superbubbles, the amount of energy currently present in 30 Dor C is significantly less than the expected energy input from the enclosed massive stars over their lifetime. We speculate that a substantial fraction of the input energy may be radiated in far-infrared by dust grains, which are mixed with the hot gas because of the thermal conduction and/or dynamic mixing., Comment: 25 pages, 4 figures. To appear in The Astrophysical Journal, August 20, 2004 issue

We present an 82 ksec Chandra ACIS-I observation of a large-scale hierarchical complex, which consists of various clusters/groups of galaxies and low-surface brightness X-ray emission at z = 0.247. This high-resolution {\sl Chandra} observation allows us for the first time to separate unambiguously the X-ray contributions from discrete sources and large-scale diffuse hot gas. We detect 99 X-ray sources in a $17^\prime \times 17^\prime$ field. Ten of these sources are identified as members of the complex and are mostly radio-bright. Whereas unresolved X-ray sources tend to be associated with galaxies in intermediate density environments, extended X-ray emission peak at bright radio galaxies in the central cluster. In particular, a distinct X-ray trail appears on one side of the fast-moving galaxy C153, clearly due to ram-pressure stripping. The diffuse X-ray emission from the central cluster can be characterized by a thermal plasma with a characteristic temperature of $3.2_{-0.4}^{+0.5}$ keV and a heavy element abundance of $0.24_{-0.12}^{+0.15}$ solar (90% confidence uncertainties). In comparison, a patch of low-surface brightness X-ray emission apparently originates in relatively low density intergalactic gas with a characteristic temperature of $0.98_{-0.27}^{+0.22}$ keV and an abundance of $\lesssim 0.09$ solar. The Chandra observation, together with extensive multi-wavelength data, indicates that the complex represents a projection of several galaxy sub-structures, which may be undergoing major mergers. We discuss the dynamic states of the complex and its sub-structures as well as properties of X-ray-emitting galaxies and the relationship to their environments., Comment: 18 pages plus figures, to be published in ApJ. A complete high resolution version can be found at http://www.astro.umass.edu/~wqd/papers/a2125/

The structure of the universe is believed to have formed by clustering hierarchically from small to large scales. Much of this evolution occurs very slowly but at a few special times more, rapid, violent activity may occur as major subunits collide at high velocities. The Abell 2125 complex (z=0.247) appears to be undergoing such an event as shown by modeling of the optical velocity field and by the detection with the VLA of an unusually large number of associated radio active galaxies. We present an 80 ksec Chandra imaging of Abell 2125, together with extensive complementary multi-wavelength data. We show direct evidence for galaxy transformation and destruction during the cluster formation. The Chandra data unambiguously separate the X-ray contributions from discrete sources and large-scale diffuse gas in the Abell 2125 complex, which consists of various merging clusters/groups of galaxies and low-surface brightness emission. This enables us to study processes affecting galaxy evolution during this special time from scales of Mpc down to a few kpc. The overall level of activity plus the special time for the cluster-cluster merger suggests that an important phase of galaxy evolution can take place during such events., Comment: 4 pages plus 4 figures. To appear in proceedings of IAU CColloquium No. 195: Outskirts of Galaxy Clusters: Intense Life in the Suburbs. A high resolution version may be found at http://www.astro.umass.edu/~wqd/papers/iau195.ps.gz

We present a systematic spectral analysis of six ultraluminous X-ray sources (NGC1313 X-1/X-2, IC342 X-1, HoIX X-1, NGC5408 X-1 and NGC3628 X-1) observed with XMM-Newton Observatory. These extra-nuclear X-ray sources in nearby late-type galaxies have been considered as intermediate-mass black hole candidates. We have performed Monte-Carlo simulations of Comptonized multi-color black-body accretion disks. This unified and self-consistent spectral model assumes a spherically symmetric, thermal corona around each disk and accounts for the radiation transfer in the Comptonization. We find that the model provides satisfactory fits to the XMM-Newton spectra of thesources. The characteristic temperatures of the accretion disks (T_in), for example, are in the range of ~ 0.05-0.3 keV, consistent with the intermediate-mass black hole interpretation. We find that the black hole mass is typically about a few times 10^3 M_\odot and has an accretion rate ~ 10^{-6} - 10^{-5} M_\odot yr^{-1}. For the spectra considered here, we find that the commonly used multi-color black-body accretion disk model with an additive power law component, though not physical, provides a good mathematical approximation to the Monte-Carlo simulated model. However, the latter model provides additional constraints on the properties of the accretion systems, such as the disk inclination angles and corona optical depths., Comment: 23 pages, 4 figures, 5 tables. ApJ accepted, July 2004 issue

A comparison of the XMM-Newton and Chandra Galactic Centre (GC) Surveys has revealed two faint X-ray transients with contrasting properties. The X-ray spectrum of XMM J174544-2913.0 shows a strong iron line with an equivalent width of ~2 keV, whereas that of XMM J174457-2850.3 is characterised by a very hard continuum with photon index ~1.0. The X-ray flux of both sources varied by more than 2 orders of magnitude over a period of months with a peak X-ray luminosity of 5 x 10^34 erg/s. We discuss the nature of these peculiar sources., Comment: 2 pages, 2 figures, To appear in "Young Neutron Stars and Their Environments" (IAU Symposium 218, ASP Conference Proceedings), eds F. Camilo and B. M. Gaensler, also found in http://www.star.le.ac.uk/~mas/research/paper/#Sakano2003iau

We report the Chandra/ACIS-S detection of more than 20 ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs, L_{0.5-10 keV} >~ 3 x 10^{39} ergs/sec) in the Cartwheel collisional ring galaxy system, of which over a dozen are located in the outer active star-forming ring. A remarkable hyperluminous X-ray source (HLX, L_{0.5-10 keV} >~ 10^{41} ergs/sec assuming isotropic radiation), which dominates the X-ray emission from the Cartwheel ring, is located in the same segment of the ring as most ULXs. These powerful H/ULXs appear to be coincident with giant HII region complexes, young star clusters, and radio and mid-infrared hot-spots: all strong indicators of recent massive star formation. The X-ray spectra show that H/ULXs have similar properties as those of the {\it most luminous} ULXs found in the nearest starbursts and galaxy mergers such as the Antennae galaxies and M82. The close association between the X-ray sources and the starbursting ring strongly suggests that the H/ULXs are intimately associated with the production and rapid evolution of short-lived massive stars. The observations represent the most extreme X-ray luminosities discovered to date associated with star-forming regions--rivaling the X-ray luminosities usually associated with active galactic nuclei., Comment: ApJ Letters, accepted (scheduled for the Oct. 20 issue). Full resolution paper in a single .ps.gz file available at: http://spider.ipac.caltech.edu/staff/gao/Papers/cartw.ps.gz

We present a 60 ks Chandra ACIS-S observation of the isolated edge-on spiral NGC 3556, together with a multiwavelength analysis of various discrete X-ray sources and diffuse X-ray features. Among 33 discrete X-ray sources detected within the I_B = 25 mag per square arcsec isophote ellipse of the galaxy, we identify a candidate for the galactic nucleus, an ultraluminous X-ray source that might be an accreting intermediate-mass black hole, a possible X-ray binary with a radio counterpart, and two radio-bright giant HII regions. We detect large amounts of extraplanar diffuse X-ray emission, which extends about 10 kpc radially in the disk and >~ 4 kpc away from the galactic plane. The diffuse X-ray emission exhibits significant substructures, possibly representing various blown-out superbubbles or chimneys of hot gas heated in massive star forming regions. This X-ray-emitting gas has temperatures in the range of ~ 2-7 x 10^6 K and has a total cooling rate of ~ 2 x 10^40 erg/s. The energy can be easily supplied by supernova blast-waves in the galaxy. These results demonstrate NGC 3556 as being a galaxy undergoing vigorous disk-halo interaction. The halo in NGC 3556 is considerably less extended, however, than that of NGC 4631, in spite of many similarities between the two galaxies. This may be due to the fact that NGC 3556 is isolated whereas NGC 4631 is interacting. Thus NGC 3556 presents a more pristine environment for studying the disk-halo interaction., Comment: 30 pages, 12 figures. To appear in ApJ. Please see http://www.astro.umass.edu/~wqd/papers/n3556/n3556.pdf for a high resolution version

The environments of supernova explosion are often inhomogeneous and there may be jumps in their density structure. We have developed a semi-analytic model under the thin-shell approximation for supernova remnants that evolve crossing a density jump in the ambient medium. The generic evolutionary relations are presented for the blast wave after impacting on a cavity wall, which may be produced by the energetic stellar wind from the supernova progenitor. The relations can also be extended to the case that the blast waves break out from a dense cloud if different density contrast is used. This model is applied to N132D, a well-known cavity-born supernova remnant whose evolution has not yet been quantitively estimated in a cavity scenario due to lack of model formulae, and self-consistent physical parameters are obtained., Comment: aastex, 20 pages (including 6 figures), to appear in the v595 n1 ApJ Sep. 20, 2003 issue, a reference added and a few typos corrected

We study the nature and the origin of the dust arch in the halo of the edge-on galaxy NGC 4631 detected by Neininger & Dumke (1999). We present CO observations made using the new On-The-Fly mapping mode with the FCRAO 14m telescope, and find no evidence for CO emission associated with the dust arch. Our examination of previously published HI data shows that if previous assumptions about the dust temperature and gas/dust ratio are correct, then there must be molecular gas associated with the arch, below our detection threshold. If this is true, then the molecular mass associated with the dust arch is between 1.5 x 10^8 M(sun)and 9.7 x 10^8 M(sun), and likely towards the low end of the range. A consequence of this is that the maximum allowed value for the CO-to-H_2 conversion factor is 6.5 times the Galactic value, but most likely closer to the Galactic value. The kinematics of the HI apparently associated with the dust arch reveal that the gas here is not part of an expanding shell or outflow, but is instead two separate features (a tidal arm and a plume of HI sticking out into the halo) which are seen projected together and appear as a shell. Thus there is no connection between the dust "arch" and the hot X-ray emitting gas that appears to surround the galaxy Wang et al. (2001)., Comment: 14 pages, including 4 figures. Accepted by A.J. for March 2003

I highlight results from Chandr observations of nearby galaxies, including the Milky Way. These observations have offered insights into old mysteries and indications of new high energy astrophysical phenomena and processes that are yet to be understood., Comment: Based on an overview talk presented at the IAU Symposium No.214: High Energy Processes and Phenomena in Astrophysics (in press). A complete ps file with high-resolution images can be obtained from http://www.astro.umass.edu/~wqd/papers/talk_IAU214.ps

We have examined Chandra observations of the recently discovered X-ray thread G0.13-0.11 in the Galactic center Radio Arc region. Part of the {\sl Chandra} data was studied by Yusef-Zadeh, Law, & Wardle (2002), who reported the detection of 6.4-keV line emission in this region. We find, however, that this line emission is {\sl not} associated with G0.13-0.11. The X-ray spectra of both G0.13-0.11 and the point-like source embedded are well characterized by a power law. The 2 -- 10 keV band luminosities of these two components are $\sim 3.2\times 10^{33}{\rm ergs s^{-1}}$ (G0.13-0.11) and $\sim 7.5 \times10^{32} {\rm ergs s^{-1}}$ (point source) at the Galactic center distance of 8 kpc. The morphological, spectral, and luminosity properties strongly indicate that G0.13-0.11 represents the leading-edge of a pulsar wind nebula, produced by a pulsar (point source) moving in a strong magnetic field environment. The main body of this pulsar wind nebula is likely traced by a bow-shaped radio feature, which is apparently bordered by G0.13-0.11 and is possibly associated with the prominent nonthermal radio filaments of the Radio Arc. We speculate that young pulsars may be responsible for various unique nonthermal filamentary radio and X-ray features observed in the Galactic center region., Comment: 15 pages, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal

PKS 1413+135 (z=0.24671) is one of very few radio-loud AGN with an apparent spiral host galaxy. Previous authors have attributed its nearly exponential infrared cutoff to heavy absorption but have been unable to place tight limits on the absorber or its location in the optical galaxy. In addition, doubts remain about the relationship of the AGN to the optical galaxy given the observed lack of re-emitted radiation. We present new HST, ASCA and VLBA observations which throw significant new light on these issues. The HST observations reveal an extrremely red color (V-H = 6.9 mag) for the active nucleus of PKS 1413+135, requiring both a spectral turnover at a few microns due to synchrotron aging and a GMC-sized absorber. We derive an intrinsic column N_H = 4.6^{+2.1}_{-1.6} times 10^{22}cm^{-2} and covering fraction f = 0.12^{+0.07}_{-0.05}. As the GMC is likely in the disk of the optical galaxy, our sightline is rather unlikely (P ~ 2 times 10^{-4}). The properties of the GMC typical of GMCs in our own galaxy. The HI absorber appears centered 25 milliarcseconds away from the nucleus, while the X-ray and nearly all of the molecular absorbers must cover the nucleus, implying a complicated geometry and cloud structure, with a molecular core along our line of sight to the nucleus. Interestingly, the HST/NICMOS data require the AGN to be decentered relative to the optical galaxy by 13 +/- 4 milliarcseconds. This could be interpreted as suggestive of an AGN location far in the background compared to the optical galaxy, but it can also be explained by obscuration and/or nuclear structure, which is more consistent with the observed lack of multiple images., Comment: 27 pages, 8 figures; accepted to AJ

I review our recent Chandra surveys of the center region of the Milky Way and other nearby edge-on galaxies. Our Galactic center survey provides an unprecedented high-resolution, broad-band X-ray panorama of a 0.8x2 square degree swath along the Galactic plane. Our preliminary analysis has led a detection of about 1000 discrete sources. We find that the diffuse X-ray emission dominates over the contribution from faint discrete sources and is globally associated with distinct interstellar structures observed at radio and mid-infrared wavelengths. We study how high-energy activities in the center region affect the immediate vicinity and may influence other aspects of the Galaxy. We have further observed nearby edge-on late-type disk galaxies in fields of low foreground Galactic extinction to gain external perspectives of the global disk/halo interaction. We have detected a giant diffuse X-ray-emitting corona around the galactic disk of NGC 4631. Extraplanar diffuse X-ray emission is also detected around NGC 3556. These X-ray-emitting coronae morphologically resemble the radio halos of these galaxies, indicating a close connection between outflows of hot gas, cosmic rays, and magnetic field from the galactic disks. There is only marginal evidence for extraplanar diffuse X-ray emission in NGC 4244 -- a galaxy with an extremely low star formation rate. In general, the extraplanar diffuse X-ray emission is evidently related to recent massive star forming activities in the galactic disks, especially in their central regions., Comment: 7 pages plus figures, based on an invited talk presented at Proc. Symposium "New Vision of the X-ray Universe in the XMM-Newton and Chandra Era", a complete and high-resolution version can be found at http://xray.astro.umass.edu/wqd/papers/gcs/qwang_E3.ps

We present Chandra/ACIS observations of the bursting X-ray transient SAX J1747.0-2853 performed on 18 July 2001. We detected a bright source at the position of R.A = 17^h 47^m 02.60^s and Dec. = -28 52' 58.9'' (J2000.0; with a 1 sigma error of ~0.7 arcseconds), consistent with the BeppoSAX and ASCA positions of SAX J1747.0-2853 and with the Ariel V position of the transient GX +0.2,-0.2, which was active during the 1970's. The 0.5-10 keV luminosity of the source during our observations was ~3 x 10^{35} erg/s (assuming a distance of 9 kpc) demonstrating that the source was in a low-level accretion state. We also report on the long-term light curve of the source as observed with the all sky monitor aboard the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer. After the initial 1998 outburst, two more outbursts (in 2000 and 2001) were detected with peak luminosities about two orders of magnitude larger than our Chandra luminosity. Our Chandra observation falls in-between those two outbursts, making the outburst history for SAX J1747.0-2853 complex. Those bright 2000 and 2001 outbursts combined with the likely extended period of low level activity in-between those outbursts strongly suggest that the classification of SAX J1747.0-2853 as a faint X-ray transient was premature. It might be possible that the other faint X-ray transients also can exhibit bright, extended outbursts which would eliminate the need for a separate sub-class of X-ray transients. We discuss our results also in the context of the behavior of X-ray binaries accreting at low levels with luminosities around 10^{35} erg/s, a poorly studied accretion rate regime., Comment: Accepte for publication in ApJ, 11 July 2002

NGC 5471B has been suggested to contain a hypernova remnant because of its extraordinarily bright X-ray emission. To assess its true nature, we have obtained high-resolution images in continuum bands and nebular lines with the Hubble Space Telescope, and high-dispersion long-slit spectra with the Kitt Peak National Observatory 4-m echelle spectrograph. The images reveal three supernova remnant (SNR) candidates in the giant HII region NGC 5471, with the brightest one being the 77x60 pc shell in NGC 5471B. The Ha velocity profile of NGC 5471B can be decomposed into a narrow component (FWHM = 41 km/s) from the background HII region and a broad component (FWHM = 148 km/s) from the SNR shell. Using the brightness ratio of the broad to narrow components and the Ha flux measured from the WFPC2 Ha image, we derive an Ha luminosity of (1.4+-0.1)x10^39 ergs/s for the SNR shell. The [SII]6716,6731 doublet ratio of the broad velocity component is used to derive an electron density of ~700 cm^-3 in the SNR shell. The mass of the SNR shell is thus 4600+-500 Mo. With a \~330 km/s expansion velocity implied by the extreme velocity extent of the broad component, the kinetic energy of the SNR shell is determined to be 5x10^51 ergs. This requires an explosion energy greater than 10^52 ergs, which can be provided by one hypernova or multiple supernovae. Comparing to SNRs in nearby active star formation regions, the SNR shell in NGC 5471B appears truly unique and energetic. We conclude that the optical observations support the existence of a hypernova remnant in NGC 5471B., Comment: 27 pages, 9 figures, to appear in May 2002 issue of The Astronomical Journal

We present a Chandra/ACIS-I observation of GRO J1744-28. We detected a source at a position of R.A = 17h 44m 33.09s and Dec. = -28degr 44' 27.0'' (J2000.0; with a 1sigma error of ~0.8 arcseconds), consistent with both ROSAT and interplanetary network localizations of GRO J1744-28 when it was in outburst. This makes it likely that we have detected the quiescent X-ray counterpart of GRO J1744-28. Our Chandra position demonstrates that the previously proposed infrared counterpart is not related to GRO J1744-28. The 0.5-10 keV luminosity of the source is 2 - 4 x 10^{33} erg/s (assuming the source is near the Galactic center at a distance of 8 kpc). We discuss our results in the context of the quiescent X-ray emission of pulsating and non-pulsating neutron star X-ray transients., Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ Letters, 20 February 2002

We present a ROSAT and ASCA study of the Einstein source X-9 and its relation to a shock-heated shell-like optical nebula in a tidal arm of the M81 group of interacting galaxies. Our ASCA observation of the source shows a flat and featureless X-ray spectrum well described by a multi-color disk blackbody model. The source most likely represents an optically thick accretion disk around an intermediate mass black hole in its high/soft state, similar to other variable ultraluminous X-ray sources observed in nearby disk galaxies. Using constraints derived from both the innermost stable orbit around a black hole and the Eddington luminosity, we find that the black hole is fast-rotating and that its mass is between $\sim 20/({\rm cos} i) {\rm M}_{\odot} - 110/({\rm cos} i)^{1/2} {\rm M}_{\odot}$, where $i$ is the inclination angle of the disk. The inferred bolometric luminosity of the accretion disk is $\sim (8 \times 10^{39} {\rm ergs s^{-1}})/({\rm cos} i)^{1/2}$. Furthermore, we find that the optical nebula is very energetic and may contain large amounts of hot gas, accounting for a soft X-ray component as indicated by archival ROSAT PSPC data. The nebula is apparently associated with X-9; the latter may be powering the former and/or they could be formed in the same event (e.g., a hypernova). Such a connection, if confirmed, could have strong implications for understanding both the birth of intermediate mass black holes and the formation of energetic interstellar structures., Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS

We report on the first detection of a pre-supernova (SN) evolution in the X-ray regime. The results are based on ROSAT observations of SN 1993J ranging from six days to five years after the outburst. The X-ray observations are used to probe the SN shell interaction with the ambient circumstellar matter (CSM). After exploring various scenarios that might explain the observed X-ray lightcurve with a t^-0.27 rate of decline, we present a coherent picture in terms of the interaction of the SN shock front with the CSM deposited by the progenitor's stellar wind. During the observed period, the SN shell has reached a radius of 3x10^17 cm from the site of the explosion, corresponding to ~10^4 years in the progenitors stellar wind history. Our analysis shows that the mass-loss rate of the progenitor has decreased constantly from \dot{M} = 4x10^-4 to 4x10^-5 M_sun/yr (v_w/10 km/s) during the late stage of the evolution. Assuming a spherically symmetric expansion, the circumstellar matter density profile is found to be significantly flatter (\rho_csm \propto r^-1.63) than expected for a constant mass-loss rate and constant wind velocity profile (r^-2). The observed evolution either reflects a decrease in the mass-loss rate, an increase in the wind speed or a combination of both, indicating that the progenitor likely was making a transition from the red to the blue supergiant phase during the late stage of its evolution., Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal Letters

We present a Chandra X-ray observation that shows, unambiguously for the first time, the presence of a giant diffuse X-ray-emitting corona around the edge-on disk galaxy NGC 4631. This corona, with a characteristic thermal temperature of 2-7\times10^6 K, extends as far as 8 kpc away from the galactic plane. The X-ray morphology resembles the radio halo of the galaxy, indicating a close connection between outflows of hot gas, cosmic rays, and magnetic field from the galactic disk. Enhanced diffuse X-ray emission is apparently enclosed by numerous H\alpha-emitting loops blistered out from the central disk of the galaxy, as is evident in a comparison with our deep Hubble Space Telescope imaging., Comment: 3 pages, 8 figures. To appear in ApJ Letters. Full resolution version available at http://xray.astro.umass.edu/n4631.ps.gz

We present results from the analysis of deep ROSAT HRI and PSPC observations of the spiral galaxy M81. The inferred total (0.5-2 keV band) luminosity of M81 is ~3x10^40 ergs/s, excluding the contribution from identified interlopers found within the D_25 ellipse. The nucleus of the galaxy alone accounts for about 65% of this luminosity. The rest is due to 26 other X-ray sources (contributing ~10%) and to apparently diffuse emission, which is seen across much of the galactic disk and is particularly bright in the bulge region around the nucleus. Spectral analysis further gives evidence for a soft component, which can be characterized by a two-temperature optically thin plasma with temperature at ~0.15 keV and 0.60 keV and an absorption of the Galactic foreground only. These components, accounting for ~13% of the X-ray emission from the region, apparently arise in a combination of hot gas and faint discrete sources. We find interesting spatial coincidences of luminous (10^37-10^40 ergs/s) and variable X-ray sources with shock-heated optical nebulae. Three of them are previously classified as supernova remnant candidates. The other one is far off the main body of M81, but is apparently associated with a dense HI concentration produced most likely by the tidal interactions of the galaxy with its companions. These associations suggest that such optical nebulae may be powered by outflows from luminous X-ray binaries, which are comparable to, or more luminous than Galactic `micro-quasars'., Comment: 15 pages, 8 tables, 9 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal

I review recent results from our deep ROSAT and Chandra observations of two galaxies, M101 and NGC 4631, in fields of exceptionally low Galactic extinction. Large amounts of X-ray-emitting gas are detected in these galaxies. Such gas is produced primarily in massive star forming regions and have an average characteristic temperature of a few times $10^6$ K. Cooler gas ($\sim 10^6$ K) is found typically outside galactic disks and may represent outflows from blown-out superbubbles. Propagation of star formation, driven by the expansion of hot gas, appears to be operating in giant HII complexes. A substantial fraction of photo-evaporated gas in such complexes may be mass-loaded into hot gas, which explains their large X-ray luminosities. These processes likely play an important role in determining the global properties of the interstellar medium, especially the disk/halo interaction., Comment: 6 pages (including figures), an invited talk presented in the conference, Galaxy Disks and Disk Galaxies

We present a high resolution Chandra X-ray observation of PSR B0540-69, the Crab-like 50 msec pulsar in the Large Magellanic Cloud. We use phase-resolved imaging to decompose the extended X-ray emission, as expected of a synchrotron nebula, from the point-like emission of the pulsar. The image of the pulsed X-ray emission shows a well-defined point-spread function of the observation, while the resolved nebula has a morphology and size remarkably similar to the Crab nebula, including evidence for a jet-like feature from PSR B0540-69. The patchy outer shell, which most likely represents the expanding blast-wave of the supernova, is reminiscent of that seen in radio. Based on morphology, size, and energetics there can be little doubt that PSR B0540-69 is an analogous system to the Crab but located in our neighboring galaxy., Comment: 5 pages with 5 figures, LaTex, emulateapj.sty. Revision based on data corrected for instrumental artifacts; main result unchanged. This version to appear in the Astrophysical Journal Letters

We have studied the X-ray source population of the face-on spiral galaxy M101 (NGC 5457). Within a field of radius 17' (36 kpc at the distance of 7.2 Mpc), covered by an ultradeep (229 ks) ROSAT HRI image, 51 X-ray sources are detected with signal-to-noise ratios greater than 3.5. About half of these sources are associated with the galaxy. We determine the average luminosity distribution of the sources. We have examined spatial, spectral, and timing properties of the X-ray sources. In particular, we have explored the nature of various superluminous X-ray sources with luminosities significantly greater than the Eddington limit for a $\sim 1.6 M_\odot$ object (neutron star). These X-ray sources, detected in various ROSAT HRI and PSPC observations, are not transients and appear to result from recent massive star formation in outer spiral arms. 3 superluminous PSPC sources are associated with giant HII complexes and are clearly resolved. 2 other superluminous RHRI sources are likely associated with shell-like supernova (or more likely hypernova) remnants, which are known to be abnormally luminous in optical and/or radio. We further identify 2 superluminous sources, which all show highly-absorbed X-ray spectra and time variability during and/or between the observations, as candidates for X-ray binary systems that contain black holes. A comparison of 7 nearby spirals shows that their X-ray source luminosity distributions, normalized by total HI masses, are very similar. But both the number of superluminous X-ray sources and the total X-ray luminosity appear to be correlated with the star forming rate of a galaxy., Comment: 18 papers, 7 tables, 15 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal

Based on an ultra deep (230 ks) ROSAT HRI imaging of M101, we have detected 5 X-ray sources that coincide spatially with optical emission line features previously classified as supernova remnants in this nearby galaxy. Two of these coincidences (SNR MF83 and NGC5471B) most likely represent the true physical association of X-ray emission with shock-heated interstellar gas. MF83, with a radius of ~ 134 pc, is one of the largest remnants known. NGC5471B, with a radius of 30 pc and a velocity of at least 350 km/s (FWZI), is extremely bright in both radio and optical. The X-ray luminosities of these two shell-like remnants are $\sim 1$ and $3 \times 10^{38} ergs/s$ (0.5-2 keV), about an order of magnitude brighter than the brightest supernova remnants known in our Galaxy and in the Magellanic Clouds. The inferred blastwave energy is $\sim 3 \times 10^{52} ergs$ for NGC5471B and $\sim 3 \times 10^{53}$ ergs for MF83. Therefore, the remnants likely originate in hypernovae, which are a factor of $\gtrsim 10$ more energetic than canonical supernovae and are postulated as being responsible for Gamma-ray bursts observed at cosmological distances. The study of such hypernova remnants in nearby galaxies has the potential to provide important constraints on the progenitor type, rate, energetics, and beaming effect of Gamma-ray bursts., Comment: 10 pages, 2 gif figures, Accepted for publication in Astrophysical Journal Letters

We report results from an X-ray study of the Abell 2111 galaxy cluster using the Advanced Satellite for Astrophysics and Cosmology ASCA and the ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter (PSPC). By correcting for the energy-dependent point-spread function of the ASCA instruments, we have examined the temperature structure of the cluster. The cluster's core within 3' is found to have a temperature of 6.46+-0.87 keV, significantly higher than 3.10+-1.19 keV in the surrounding region of r = 3 - 6'. This radially decreasing temperature structure can be parameterized by a polytropic index of $\gamma$ $\simeq$ 1.45. The X-ray morphology of the cluster appears elongated and clumpy on scales $\le$1'. These results, together with earlier {\it ROSAT} and optical studies which revealed that the X-ray centroid and ellipticity of A2111 shift with spatial scale, are consistent with the hypothesis that the cluster is a dynamically young system. Most likely, the cluster has recently undergone a merger, which may also be responsible for the high fraction of blue galaxies observed in the cluster. Alternatively, the temperature structure may also be due to the gravitational potential of the cluster. We have further measured the emission weighted abundance of the X-ray-emitting intracluster medium as 0.25$\pm$0.14 solar. This value is similar to those of nearby clusters which do not show a large blue galaxy fraction, indicating that star formation in disk galaxies and subsequent loss to the medium do not drastically alter the average abundance of a cluster. This is consistent with recent results which indicate that cluster abundances have remained constant since at least z ~ 0.3., Comment: accepted by MNRAS

We have investigated the structure and evolution of hot gas in the 30 Dor nebula, based on recent X-ray observations. Our deep ROSAT HRI image shows that diffuse X-ray emission arises in blister-shaped regions outlined by loops of HII gas. X-ray spectroscopic data from ASCA confirm the thermal nature of the emission and indicate that hot gas temperature decreases from the core to the halo of the nebula. The structure of the nebula can be understood as outflows of hot and HII gases from the parent giant molecular cloud of the central OB association. The dynamic mixing between the two gas phases is likely responsible for the mass loading to the hot gas, as required to explain the observed thermal structure and X-ray luminosity of the nebula. Such processes should also be important in the formation of similar giant HII regions and in their subsequent evolution into supergiant bubbles or galactic chimneys., Comment: 9 page text plus 4 color figures. To appear in ApJL

Based on a deep ROSAT HRI observation, we have detected a pulsed signal in the 0.1-2 keV band from PSR J0537-6910 --- the recently discovered pulsar associated with the supernova remnant N157B in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The measured pulse period 0.01611548182 ms (+- 0.02 ns), Epoch MJD 50540.5, gives a revised linear spin-down rate of $5.1271 \times 10^{-14} s s^{-1}$, slightly greater than the previously derived value. The narrow pulse shape (FWHM = 10% duty cycle) in the ROSAT band resembles those seen in both XTE and ASCA data (> 2 keV), but there is also marginal evidence for an interpulse. This ROSAT detection enables us to locate the pulsar at R.A., Dec (J2000) = $5^h37^m47^s.2, -69^\circ 10' 23''$. With its uncertainty $\sim 3''$, this position coincides with the centroid of a compact X-ray source. But the pulsed emission accounts for only about 10% of the source luminosity $\sim 2 \times 10^{36} ergs^{-1}$ in the 0.1-2 keV band. These results support our previous suggestions: (1) The pulsar is moving at a high velocity ($\sim 10^3 km/s$); (2) A bow shock, formed around the pulsar, is responsible for most of the X-ray emission from the source; (3) A collimated outflow from the bow shock region powers a pulsar wind nebula that accounts for an elongated non-thermal radio and X-ray feature to the northwest of the pulsar., Comment: 6 pages including 3 figures. To be published in ApJL

Recent ROSAT and ASCA X-ray observations as well as HST images have provided new insights into the structure and evolution of the 30 Dor nebula. I review hot gas properties of the nebula and discuss related physical processes. The structure of the nebula can be understood as outflows of hot and HII gases from the parent giant molecular cloud of R136. The dynamic mixing between the two gas phases is likely a key mass loading process of the hot gas, providing a natural explanation of both temperature and density structure of the nebula., Comment: 5 pages including 3 figures. To be published in the IAU Colloquium No. 190: The New View of the Magellanic Clouds

I characterize the global distribution of the 3/4 keV band background with a simple model of the hot Galactic corona, plus an isotropic extragalactic background. The corona is assumed to be approximately polytropic (index = 5/3) and hydrostatic in the gravitational potential of the Galaxy. The model accounts for X-ray absorption, and is constrained iteratively with the ROSAT all-sky X-ray survey data. Regions where the data deviate significantly from the model represent predominantly the Galactic disk and individual nearby hot superbubbles. The global distribution of the background, outside these regions, is well characterized by the model; the 1 sigma relative dispersion of the data from the model is about 15%. The electron density and temperature of the corona near the Sun are about 1.1 x 10^{-3} cm^{-3} and about 1.7 x 10^6 K. The same model also explains well the 1.5 keV band background. The model prediction in the 1/4 keV band, though largely uncertain, qualitatively shows large intensity and spectral variations of the corona contribution across the sky., Comment: An invited talk at IAU Colloquium No. 166: The Local Bubble and Beyond. 10 pages (including b/w figures). Color versions of Figs. 1 and 4 are provided separately and may also be found at www.astro.nwu.edu/astro/wqd/paper/halo

A definite prediction from recent N-body/hydro simulations of the structure formation of the universe is the presence of a diffuse intergalactic medium (IGM) in a temperature range of 10^5 - 10^7 K. This hot phase of the IGM may account for most of the baryon content of the universe and may provide unique information on various physical and chemical processes of the structure formation. I review lines of observational evidence for the hot IGM. The topics include the decomposition of the soft X-ray background into point-like and diffuse components, the preliminary spectroscopic data from ASCA for a thermal component, the separation of the Galactic foreground from the extragalactic background, and the detection of individual hot IGM enhancements near rich clusters of galaxies. The results demonstrate the potential of X-ray observations as a powerful tool to study the large-scale structure of the universe., Comment: an invited talk presented at IAU Symoposium No. 188: The Hot Universe. 4 page text

We report the results of ROSAT and ASCA X-ray observations of the supernova remnant N157B (or 30 Dor B, SNR 0539-69.1) in the Large Magellanic Cloud. For comparison, we also briefly describe the results on SNR 0540-69.3, the only confirmed Crab-like remnant in the Cloud. The X-ray emission from N157B can be decomposed into a bright comet-shaped feature, superimposed on a diffuse emission region of a dimension $\sim 20$ pc. The flat and nearly featureless spectrum of the remnant is distinctly different from those of young shell-like remnants, suggesting a predominantly Crab-like nature of N157B. Characterized by a power law with an energy slope $\sim 1.5$, the spectrum of N157B above $\sim 2$ keV is, however, considerably steeper than that of SNR 0540-69.3, which has a slope of $\sim 1.0$. At lower energies, the spectrum of N157B presents marginal evidence for emission lines, which if real most likely arise in hot gas of the diffuse emission region. The hot gas has a characteristic thermal temperature of 0.4-0.7 keV. No significant periodic signal is detected from N157B in the period range of $3 \times 10^{-3}-2000$ s. The pulsed fraction is $\lesssim 9%$ (99% confidence) in the $2-7$ keV range. We discuss the nature of the individual X-ray components. In particular, we suggest that the synchrotron radiation of relativistic particles from a fast-moving ($\sim 10^3 km s^{-1}$) pulsar explains the size, morphology, spectrum, and energetics of the comet-shaped X-ray feature. We infer the age of the remnant as $\sim 5 \times 10^3$ yrs. The lack of radio polarization of the remnant may be due to Faraday dispersion by foreground \ion{H}{2} gas., Comment: To be published in The Astrophysical Journal, 21 pages, plus 11 images in the PS, GIF, or jpeg format. Postscript files of images are available at http://www.astro.nwu.edu/astro/wqd/paper/n157b/