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Scientific achievements, Metagalaxy sector

New dwarf galaxy discovered in the Local Group
It was found that the object VV124, formerly known as a nest of galaxies is in fact a bright dwarf galaxy (Mv = -12^m), located on the periphery of the Local Group of galaxies. Stellar photometry and spectroscopy allowed to determine the distance to the galaxy (D = 1.1Mpc), its stellar content and radial velocities of individual stars, diffuse gas and unresolved stellar population.
In collaboration with St.Petersburg State University.
(Contact - N.A.Tihonov).

New observations of radio galaxy RCJ0311+0507 (z=4.51)
RC J0311+0507 (z=4.51) is catalogued as an object with highest luminosity. New data using the MERLIN interferometer (UK) and the BTA were obtained. The radio morphology has shown that this is a classical DD structure with strongly asymmetric external radio components. The black hole mass was refined to be about ~10⁹M (the mass close to the limiting in radio galaxies). The radio image in the sky plane is within the boundaries of the host galaxy. The radio source may be inclined relative to the sky plane and has a large component expansion velocity. High radio luminosity of the components, given a small linear size of this radio galaxy requires the presence of non-standard methods of their formation, accounting for various merger scenarios, including the variants with dual black holes.
In collaboration with the Jodrell Bank Observatory.
(Contact - O.P.Zhelenkova).

Discovery of a rapid variability of optical radiation, accompanying the gamma-ray burst GRB080319B
Using the TORTORA wide-field, high temporal resolution camera, an optical flash, accompanying the gamma-ray burst GRB080319B has been registered and studied in detail. The brightness variations of such an object with the characteristic times of several seconds were detected for the first time. The structures of the optical and gamma light curves correlate with the coefficient of 0.82, given a 2-second delay of the optical radiation. This result leads to the need of a significant revision of our understanding of the nature of gamma-ray bursts.
In collaboration with FSUE NIIPP, the University of Bologna and the Brera Astronomical Observatory (Italy).
(Contact - G.M.Beskin).

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