2009/08/31 by Kevin Heng · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomy #Astrophysics #Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena #Balmer series #Emission spectrum #Galaxy #Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics #Physics #Redshift #Shock (circulatory) #Shock wave #Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics #Spectral line #Supernova #astro-ph.GA #astro-ph.HE
paper · pdf · doi:10.1071/as09057
20 pages, 7 figures (double-columned, font size 10). Accepted by PASA. Incorporates two rounds of comments by the referee
arxiv created 2009/09/30 · openalex publication_date 2010/01/01 · arxiv updated 2015/05/14 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
Abstract A concise and critical review of Balmer-dominated shocks (BDSs) is presented, summarizing the state of theory and observations, including models with/without shock precursors and their synergy with atomic physics. Observations of BDSs in supernova remnants are reviewed on an object-by-object basis. The relevance of BDSs towards understanding the acceleration of cosmic rays in shocks is emphasized. Probable and possible detections of BDSs in astrophysical objects other than supernova remnants, including pulsar wind nebulae and high-redshift galaxies, are described. The case for the continued future of studying BDSs in astrophysics is made, including their relevance towards understanding electron–ion temperature equilibration in collisionless shocks.