High energy astrophysics

For the first time in decades, the practical possibilities of wide-ranging multi-wave observation have emerged, involving rapid development and significant discoveries in understanding the nature of both large-scale structures – filaments and their components – galaxies and their clusters. In modern astrophysics, it is important to understand the nature of the galactic nuclei (supermassive black holes with accretion disks, Fig. 1), which actively emit in the X-ray range (see Fig. 2 and 3). It is advisable to study the radiation of extragalactic objects, embracing the entire multi-wave experimental base, using the opportunities to access the data of observations of already completed and active space missions.

Employees and students of the Department of Quantum Field Theory and Cosmomicrophysics have the opportunity to use access to the Virtual Roentgen and Gamma Observatory (VIRGO, virgoua.org) in their research. VIRGO was created by the joint efforts of the Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Department of Quantum Field Theory and Cosmomicrophysics, Department of Astronomy and Space Physics, Astronomical Observatory) and with the financial support of the Geneva Observatory and INTEGRAL Science Data Center (ISDC). The VIRGO-center at the Faculty of Physics was opened on April 18, 2006. Today, the VIRGO-center is equipped with modern computer equipment (see Photos 1 and 2) for efficient and rapid work related to astrophysical research at advanced X-ray and gamma-ray observatories – international scientific infrastructure projects (processing of space mission data, that are available in the center: INTErnational Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (INTEGRAL), X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton), Chandra X-ray Observatory (Chandra), Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (Fermi), Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array NuSTAR), Swift BAT (Burst Alert Telescope), XRT (X-ray Telescope) and research for Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), i.e. it has unique competencies in most areas of space research in the X-ray and gamma range and is actively involved in international cooperation.

Studying of active galaсtic nuclei (AGNs), the problem of quasar classification and analysis of obscured and Compton-thin quasars and their relationship; research of magnetic fields of AGN’s accretion disks and their influence on jet formation, as well as the solution of the equations of magnetohydrodynamics near a supermassive black hole; analysis of TeV blazars (Fermi data processing), cataloging of perspective objects, namely analysis of spectra of blazars in X-ray and gamma ranges, the observation of which may limit the value of magnetic fields in inputs; testing of thermal reprocessing models in the active nuclei of galaxies, where ultraviolet (UV)/X-ray photons are reprocessed by the accretion disk into optical/UV photons are relevant. Another aspect of the activity is the tracking of the movements and behavior of dark matter, which requires studies of the morphology and spectra of galaxies of different types in a wide range of electromagnetic waves.