| |
 |
| Paper: |
Scientific Objectives, Analysis Needs, and Current Procedures for a Multiwavelength Study of Radio Galaxies |
| Volume: |
61, Astronomical Data Analysis Software and Systems III |
| Page: |
433 |
| Authors: |
Birkinshaw, M.; Worrall, D. M. |
| Abstract: |
Our study of radio galaxies combines X-ray, radio, and optical data to address scientific objectives including: Are the radio jets in pressure balance with an external hot medium? What is the rate of fuel supply to the active nuclei? What physical mechanisms produce the nuclear and jet emission? Needs for our data-analysis include the ability to: calibrate, clean, and map radio-synthesis continuum and spectral-line data. regrid images of poorer detector resolution than the radio (such as X-ray), display them superimposed on the radio image, and compare features in the images. perform joint spectral-spatial deconvolution of the photon-limited X-ray data to fit point-source and extended X-ray emission components in the presence of a spectrally- and spatially-dependent point-spread function; resolved components are typically not much larger than the point-spread. take into account absorbing gas when fitting the X-ray spectra; the hydrogen column density is measured in the spectral-line radio work. compare the temperature of X-ray emission thought to be due to hot gas with the maximum for gas in hydrostatic equilibrium; this maximum is indicated by the velocity dispersion of stars associated with the radio galaxy and galaxies in its group. extract surface brightness and temperature profiles across extended X-ray emission associated with hot gas; calculate the pressure at different locations and the cooling time of the gas; compare pressures with published minimum pressures for the radio components. plot a multiwavelength spectrum for a given spatial component of the galaxy, using the data-sets being analyzed and supplemented by results from published work, and fit to analytical or numerical emission models. Our current data-reduction, display, and analysis uses IRAF, AIPS, MONGO, and home-grown FORTRAN programs in a somewhat cumbersome and disjointed fashion, and simplifications are made in the analysis due to the current limitations of the tools and procedures. Work on the radio galaxy NGC 6251 is used to illustrate our objectives and current methods, in the interest of stimulating discussion of improved analysis tools and procedures. |
|
|
|
|
|
