The Monoceros radio loop: Temperature, brightness, spectral index, and distance

Abstract

In this paper we estimated the temperatures and brightnesses of the Monoceros radio loop at 1420, 820 and 408 MHz. The linear spectrum is estimated for mean temperatures versus frequency between 1420, 820 and 408 MHz. The spectral index of Monoceros loop is also obtained. The brightness temperatures and surface brightnesses of the loop are computed using data taken from radio-continuum surveys at the three frequencies. The spectral index of the loop is also obtained from T-T plots between 1420-820, 1420-408, and 820-408 MHz. The obtained results confirm non-thermal origin of the Monoceros radio loop. © 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH&Co. KGaA, Weinheim.