Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Apr 1997
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1997pasa...14...59b&link_type=abstract
Publications Astronomical Society of Australia, vol. 14, no. 1, p. 59-63
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
15
Interstellar Medium, Intergalactic Medium, Magellanic Stream, Galactic Corona & Halo
Scientific paper
There has been much debate in recent decades as to what fraction of ionizing photons from star forming regions in the Galactic disk escape into the halo. The recent detection of the Magellanic Stream in optical line emission at the CTIO 4 m and the AAT 3.9 m telescopes may now provide the strongest evidence that at least some of the radiation escapes the disk completely. We present a simple model to demonstrate that, while the distance to the Magellanic Stream is uncertain, the observed emission measures are most plausibly explained by photoionization due to hot, young stars. This model requires that the mean Lyman-limit opacity perpendicular to the disk is about 3, and the covering fraction of the resolved clouds is close to unity. Alternative sources (e.g. shock, halo, LMC or metagalactic radiation) contribute negligible ionizing flux.
Bland-Hawthorn Jonathan
Maloney Philip R.
No associations
LandOfFree
The galactic halo ionising field does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with The galactic halo ionising field, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The galactic halo ionising field will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1322478