We present observations of the debris disk around gamma Doradus, an F1V star, from the Herschel Key Programme DEBRIS (Disc Emission via Bias-free Reconnaissance in the Infrared/Submillimetre). The disk is well-resolved at 70, 100 and 160 micron, resolved along its major axis at 250 micron, detected but not resolved at 350 micron, and confused with a background source at 500 micron. It is one of our best resolved targets and we find it to have a radially broad dust distribution. The modelling of the resolved images cannot distinguish between two configurations: an arrangement of a warm inner ring at several AU (best-fit 4 AU) and a cool outer belt extending from ~55 to 400 AU or an arrangement of two cool, narrow rings at ~70 AU and ~190 AU. This suggests that any configuration between these two is also possible. Both models have a total fractional luminosity of ~10^{-5} and are consistent with the disk being aligned with the stellar equator. The inner edge of either possible configuration suggests that the most likely region to find planets in this system would be within ~55 AU of the star. A transient event is not needed to explain the warm dust's fractional luminosity.
The globular cluster (GC) systems of isolated elliptical galaxies have only recently begun to be studied in detail, and may exhibit morphological connections to the evolutionary histories of their hosts. Here we present the first in a series of wide-field analyses of the GC systems of the isolated ellipticals - Washington C and R photometry of NGC 3585 and NGC 5812 down to ~24 mag. The GC systems are characterised, with each system displaying both the "Universal" blue peak at (C-R)~1.3, and a red peak, but each with differing strengths. The total number of GCs in each system, and their specific frequencies, are estimated. The GC colours and specific frequencies are highly indicative that the host galaxy environment plays a role in shaping its GC system. We produce, and subtract, accurate models of each galaxy, revealing interesting underlying features, including the first definitive evidence that NGC 5812 is interacting with a dwarf companion galaxy. From the galaxy models we also determine surface brightness and colour profiles. Both colour profiles appear quite flat and with (C-R)~1.7 and we discuss the apparent youth of NGC 3585 in the context of this work.
Magnetic fields are known to be dynamically important in the interstellar medium of our own Galaxy, and they are ubiquitously observed in diffuse gas in the halos of galaxies and galaxy clusters. Yet, magnetic fields have typically been neglected in studies of the formation of galaxies, leaving their global influence on galaxy formation largely unclear. We extend our MHD implementation in the moving-mesh code Arepo to cosmological problems which include radiative cooling and the formation of stars. In particular, we replace our previously employed divergence cleaning approach with a Powell 8-wave scheme, which turns out to be significantly more stable, even in very dynamic environments. We verify the improved accuracy through simulations of the MRI in accretion disks, that reproduce its correct linear growth rate. Using this new MHD code, we simulate the formation of isolated disk galaxies similar to the Milky Way using idealized initial conditions with and without magnetic fields. We find that the magnetic field is quickly amplified in the initial starburst and the differential rotation of the forming disk until it eventually saturates when it becomes comparable to the thermal pressure. The additional pressure component leads to a lower star formation rate at late times compared to simulations without magnetic fields, and induces changes in the spiral arm structures of the gas disk. In addition, we observe highly magnetized fountain-like outflows from the disk. These results are robust with numerical resolution and are largely independent of the initial magnetic seed field assumed in the initial conditions, as the amplification process is rapid and self-regulated. Our findings suggest an important influence of magnetic fields on galaxy formation and evolution, cautioning against their neglect in theoretical models of structure formation.
The heating and cooling of transiently accreting neutron stars provides a powerful probe of the structure and composition of their crust. Observations of superbursts and crust cooling of accretion-heated neutron stars require more heat release than is accounted for in current models. Obtaining firm constraints on the depth and magnitude of this extra heat is challenging and therefore its origin remains uncertain. We report on Swift and XMM-Newton observations of the transient neutron star low-mass X-ray binary XTE J1709-267, which were made in 2012 September-October when it transitioned to quiescence after a ~10-week long accretion outburst. Within one week after accretion ended, the source is detected with XMM-Newton at a 0.5-10 keV luminosity of Lx~2E34 (D/8.5 kpc)^2 erg/s. The X-ray spectrum consists of a thermal component that fits to a neutron star atmosphere model and a non-thermal emission tail, which each contribute ~50% to the total emission. The neutron star temperature decreases from ~160 to ~149 eV during the ~8-hour long observation, while the non-thermal component remains constant. We interpret this as cooling of a layer located at a column density of y~5E12 g/cm^2 (~50 m inside the neutron star), which is just below the ignition depth of superbursts. We constrain the heat generation in the layers on top to be ~0.09-0.16 MeV per accreted nucleon. The magnitude and depth rule out electron captures and nuclear fusion reactions as the heat source, but it can be accounted for by chemical separation of light and heavy nuclei.
In the standard model of cosmology, structure emerges out of non-rotational flow and the angular momentum of collapsing halos is induced by tidal torques. The growth of halo angular momentum in the linear and quasi-linear phases is associated with a shear, curl-free, flow and it is well described within the linear framework of tidal torque theory (TTT). However, TTT is rendered irrelevant as haloes approach turn around and virialization. At that stage the flow field around halos has non-zero vorticity. Using a cosmological simulation, we have examined the importance of the curl of the velocity field (vorticity) in determining halo spin, finding a strong alignment between the two. We have also examined the alignment of vorticity with the principle axes of the shear tensor, finding that it tends to be perpendicular to the axis along which material is collapsing fastest (e1). This behavior is independent of halo masses and cosmic web environment. Our results agree with previous findings on the tendency of halo spin to be perpendicular to e1, and of the spin of (simulated) halos and (observed) galaxies to be aligned with the large-scale structure. Our results imply that angular momentum growth proceeds in two distinct phases. In the first phase angular momentum emerges out of a shear, curl-free, potential flow, as described by TTT. In the second phase, in which haloes approach virialization, the angular momentum emerges out of a vortical flow and halo spin becomes strongly aligned with the vorticity of the ambient flow field.
Mass modelling of spherical systems through internal motions is hampered by the mass/velocity anisotropy (VA) degeneracy inherent in the Jeans equation, as well as the lack of techniques that are both fast and adaptable to realistic systems. A new fast method, called MAMPOSSt, which performs a maximum likelihood fit of the distribution of observed tracers in projected phase space, is developed and thoroughly tested. MAMPOSSt assumes a shape for the gravitational potential, but instead of postulating a shape for the distribution function in terms of energy and angular momentum, or supposing Gaussian line-of-sight velocity distributions, MAMPOSSt assumes a VA profile and a shape for the 3D velocity distribution, here Gaussian. MAMPOSSt requires no binning, differentiation, nor extrapolation of the observables. Tests on cluster-mass haloes from LambdaCDM cosmological simulations show that, with 500 tracers, MAMPOSSt is able to jointly recover the virial radius, tracer scale radius, dark matter scale radius and outer or constant VA with small bias (<10% on scale radii and <2% on the two other quantities) and inefficiencies of 10%, 27%, 48% and 20%, respectively. MAMPOSSt does not perform better when some parameters are frozen, and even worse when the virial radius is set to its true value, which appears to be the consequence of halo triaxiality. The accuracy of MAMPOSSt depends weakly on the adopted interloper removal scheme, including an efficient iterative Bayesian scheme that we introduce here, which can directly obtain the virial radius with as good precision as MAMPOSSt. Our tests show that MAMPOSSt with Gaussian 3D velocities is very competitive with, and up to 1000x faster than other methods. Hence, MAMPOSSt is a very powerful and rapid tool for the mass and anisotropy modeling of systems such as clusters and groups of galaxies, elliptical and dwarf spheroidal galaxies.
In this work we give an estimate of the neutrino flux that can be expected from the microquasar Cyg X-3. We calculate the muon neutrino flux expected here on Earth as well as the corresponding number of neutrino events in the IceCube telescope based on the so-called "hypersoft" X-ray state of Cyg X-3. If the average emission from Cyg X-3 over a period of 5 years were as high as during the used X-ray state, a total of 0.1 events should be observed by the full IceCube telescope. Using the correlation of AGILE data on the flaring episodes in 2009 Jun.-Jul. to soft X-ray states we calculate that the upper limits on the neutrino flux given by IceCube are starting to constrain the hadronic models, which have been introduced to interpret the high energy emission detected by AGILE.
We extend the existing analytical model of reionization by Furlanetto et al. (2004) to include the biasing of reionization sources and additional absorption by Lyman Limit systems. Our model is, by construction, consistent with the observed evolution of the galaxy luminosity function at z<8 and with the observed evolution of Ly-{\alpha} forest at z<6. We also find that, for a wide range of values for the relative escape fraction that we consider reasonable, and which are consistent with the observational constraints on the relative escape fraction from lower redshifts, our reionization model is consistent with the WMAP constraint on the Thompson optical depth and with the SPT and EDGES constraints on the duration of reionization. We, therefore, conclude that it is possible to develop physically realistic models of reionization that are consistent with all existing observational constraints.
We report on a search for low mass companions within 10 AU of the star Fomalhaut, using narrow band observations at 4.05 microns obtained with the Apodizing Phase Plate (APP) coronagraph on the VLT/NaCo. Our observations place a model dependent upper mass limit of 12-20 Jupiter masses from 4 to 10 AU, covering the semi-major axis search space between interferometric imaging measurements and other direct imaging non-detections. These observations rule out models where the large semi-major axis for the putative candidate companion Fomalhaut b is explained by dynamical scattering from a more massive companion in the inner stellar system, where such giant planets are thought to form.
We derive the projected surface mass distribution Sigma_M for spherically symmetric mass distributions having an arbitrary rotation curve. For a galaxy with a flat rotation curve and an ISM disk having a constant Toomre stability parameter, Q, the ISM surface mass density Sigma_g as well as Sigma_M both fall off as 1/R. We use published data on a sample of 20 well studied galaxies to show that ISM disks do maintain a constant Q over radii usually encompassing more than 50% of the HI mass. The power law slope in Sigma_g covers a range of exponents and is well correlated with the slope in the epicyclic frequency. This implies that the ISM disk is responding to the potential, and hence that secular evolution is important for setting the structure of ISM disks. We show that the gas to total mass ratio should be anti-correlated with the maximum rotational velocity, and that the sample falls on the expected relationship. A very steep fall off in Sigma_g is required at the outermost radii to keep the mass and angular momentum content finite for typical rotation curve shapes, and is observed. The observation that HI traces dark matter over a significant range of radii in galaxies is thus due to the disks stabilising themselves in a normal dark matter dominated potential. This explanation is consistent with the cold dark matter paradigm.
(abridged) We consider the effect of stellar remnants on the interstellar
medium of a massive star cluster following the initial burst of star formation.
We argue that accretion onto stellar-mass black holes (BHs) is an effective
mechanism for rapid gas depletion in clusters of all masses, as long as they
contain progenitor stars more massive than \gtrsim 50\msun. This scenario is
attractive for the progenitor systems of present-day massive globular clusters
(GCs) which likely had masses M \gtrsim 10^7\msun. In such clusters, supernovae
and stellar winds cannot provide a plausible explanation for the sudden removal
of the primordial gas reservoir that is required to explain their complex
chemical enrichment history.
In order to consider different regimes in the gas accretion rate onto
stellar-mass BHs, we consider both the Bondi-Hoyle and Eddington
approximations. For either model, our results show that the gas can be
significantly depleted within only a few tens of Myrs. This process will affect
the distribution of BH masses, and may accelerate the dynamical decoupling of
the BH population and, ultimately, their dynamical ejection. Moreover, the
timescales for gas depletion are sufficiently short that the accreting BHs
could significantly affect the chemistry of subsequent star formation episodes.
The gas depletion times and final mass in BHs are sensitive to the assumed
model for the accretion rate, and to the initial mass of the most massive BH
which, in turn, is determined by the upper mass cut-off of the stellar IMF. Our
results imply that the remnant accretion history can have an important bearing
on the observed present-day cluster mass-to-light ratio. In particular, we show
that an increase of the upper mass cut-off with decreasing metallicity could
contribute to the observed anti-correlation between the mass-to-light ratio and
the metallicity of GCs.
I review the subject of the cosmological evolution of galaxies, including different aspects of growth in disk galaxies, by focussing on the angular momentum problem, mergers, and their by-products. I discuss the alternative to merger-driven growth -- cold accretion and related issues. In the follow-up, I review possible feedback mechanisms and their role in galaxy evolution. Special attention is paid to high-redshift galaxies and their properties. In the next step, I discuss a number of processes, gas- and stellar-dynamical, within the central kiloparsec of disk galaxies, and their effect on the larger spatial scales, as well as on the formation and fuelling of the seed black holes in galactic centres at high redshifts.
Existence of planets is binaries with relatively small separations (around 20 AU), such as \alpha Centauri or \gamma Cephei poses severe challenges to standard planet formation theories. The problem lies in the vigorous secular excitation of planetesimal eccentricities at separations of several AU, where some of the planets are found, by the massive, eccentric stellar companions. High relative velocities of planetesimals preclude their growth in mutual collisions for a wide range of sizes, from below 1 km up to several hundred km, resulting in fragmentation barrier to planet formation. Here we show that rapid apsidal precession of planetesimal orbits, caused by the gravity of the circumstellar protoplanetary disk, acts to strongly reduce eccentricity excitation, lowering planetesimal velocities by an order of magnitude or even more at 1 AU. By examining the details of planetesimal dynamics we demonstrate that this effect eliminates fragmentation barrier for in-situ growth of planetesimals as small as < 10 km even at separations as wide as 2.6 AU (semi-major axis of the giant planet in HD 196885), provided that the circumstellar protoplanetary disk is relatively massive, ~0.1 M_Sun.
We present the first near-IR scattered light detection of the transitional disk associated with the Herbig Ae star MWC 758 using data obtained as part of the Strategic Exploration of Exoplanets and Disks with Subaru, and 1.1 micron HST/NICMOS data. While sub-millimeter studies suggested there is a dust-depleted cavity with r=0.35, we find scattered light as close as 0.1 (20-28 AU) from the star, with no visible cavity at H, K', or Ks. We find two small-scaled spiral structures which asymmetrically shadow the outer disk. We model one of the spirals using spiral density wave theory, and derive a disk aspect ratio of h ~ 0.18, indicating a dynamically warm disk. If the spiral pattern is excited by a perturber, we estimate its mass to be 5+3,-4 Mj, in the range where planet filtration models predict accretion continuing onto the star. Using a combination of non-redundant aperture masking data at L' and angular differential imaging with Locally Optimized Combination of Images at K' and Ks, we exclude stellar or massive brown dwarf companions within 300 mas of the Herbig Ae star, and all but planetary mass companions exterior to 0.5. We reach 5-sigma contrasts limiting companions to planetary masses, 3-4 MJ at 1.0 and 2 MJ at 1.55 using the COND models. Collectively, these data strengthen the case for MWC 758 already being a young planetary system.
In order to understand the evolution of the interstellar medium (ISM) of a galaxy, we have analysed the gas and dust budget of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). Using the Spitzer Space Telescope, we measured the integrated gas mass-loss rate across asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars and red supergiants (RSGs) in the SMC, and obtained a rate of 1.4x10^-3 Msun yr-1. This is much smaller than the estimated gas ejection rate from type II supernovae (SNe) (2-4x10^-2 Msun yr-1). The SMC underwent a an increase in starformation rate in the last 12 Myrs, and consequently the galaxy has a relatively high SN rate at present. Thus, SNe are more important gas sources than AGB stars in the SMC. The total gas input from stellar sources into the ISM is 2-4x10^-2 Msun yr-1. This is slightly smaller than the ISM gas consumed by starformation (~8x10^-2 Msun yr-1). Starformation in the SMC relies on a gas reservoir in the ISM, but eventually the starformation rate will decline in this galaxy, unless gas infalls into the ISM from an external source. The dust injection rate from AGB and RSG candidates is 1x10^-5 Msun yr-1. Dust injection from SNe is in the range of 0.2--11x10^-4 Msun yr-1, although the SN contribution is rather uncertain. Stellar sources could be important for ISM dust (3x10^5 Msun yr-1) in the SMC, if the dust lifetime is about 1.4 Gyrs. We found that the presence of poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the ISM cannot be explained entirely by carbon-rich AGB stars. Carbon-rich AGB stars could inject only 7x10^-9 Msun yr-1 of PAHs at most, which could contribute up to 100 Msun of PAHs in the lifetime of a PAH. The estimated PAH mass of 1800 Msun in the SMC can not be explained. Additional PAH sources, or ISM reprocessing should be needed.
We present a study of the host bulge properties and their relations with the black hole mass on a sample of 10 intermediate-type active galactic nuclei (AGN). Our sample consists mainly of early type spirals, four of them hosting a bar. For 70$^{+10}_{-17}%$ of the galaxies we have been able to determine the type of the bulge, and find that these objects probably harbor a pseudobulge or a combination of classical bulge/ pseudobulge, suggesting that pseudobulges might be frequent in intermediate-type AGN. In our sample, 50\pm14% of the objects show double-peaked emission lines. Therefore, narrow double-peaked emission lines seem to be frequent in galaxies harboring a pseudobulge or a combination of classical bulge/ pseudobulge. Depending on the bulge type, we estimated the black hole mass using the corresponding $M_{BH} - {\sigma*}$ relation and found them with a range of: 5.69$\pm$0.21 $<$ $\log M_{BH}^{\sigma*}$ $<$ 8.09$\pm$0.24. Comparing these $M_{BH}^{\sigma*}$ values with masses derived from the FWHM of H$\beta$ and the continuum luminosity at 5100 \AA from their SDSS-DR7 spectra ($M_{BH}$) we find that eight out of ten (80$^{+7}_{-17}$%) galaxies have black hole masses that are compatible within a factor of 3. This result would support that $M_{BH}$ and $M_{BH}^{\sigma*}$ are the same for intermediate-type AGN as has been found for type 1 AGN. However, when the type of the bulge is taken into account only 3 out of the 7 (43$^{+18}_{-15}%$) objects of the sample have their $M_{BH}^{\sigma*}$ and $M_{BH}$ compatible within 3-$\sigma$ errors. We also find that estimations based on the $M_{BH}-\sigma*$ relation for pseudobulges are not compatible in 50$\pm20%$ of the objects.
We estimate the maximum temperature at which planets can form via gravitational instability (GI) in the outskirts of early circumstellar disks. We show that due to the temperature floor set by the cosmic microwave background, there is a maximum distance from their host stars beyond which gas giants cannot form via GI, which decreases with their present-day age. We compile the available data on planetary systems and find that they are broadly consistent with this prediction. We conclude that while the first terrestrial planets likely formed via core accretion, the first gas giants may have formed via GI within a few astronomical units of their host stars.
Since its launch in 2004, the Swift satellite has monitored the X-ray afterglows of several hundred Gamma-Ray Bursts, and revealed that their X-ray light-curves are more complex than previously thought, exhibiting up to three power-law segments. Energy injection into the relativistic blast-wave energizing the burst ambient medium has been proposed most often to be the reason for the X-ray afterglow complexity. We examine 117 light-curve breaks of 98 Swift X-ray afterglows, selected for their high-quality monitoring and well-constrained flux decay rates. Thirty percent of afterglows have a break that can be an adiabatic jet-break, in the sense that there is one variant of the forward-shock emission from a collimated outflow model that can account for both the pre- and post-break flux power-law decay indices, given the measured X-ray spectral slope. If allowance is made for a steady energy injection into the forward-shock, then another 56 percent of X-ray afterglows have a light-curve break that can be explained with a jet-break. The remaining 12 percent that are not jet-breaks, as well as the existence of two breaks in 19 afterglows (out of which only one can be a jet-break), suggest that some X-ray breaks arise from a sudden change in the rate at which energy is added to the blast-wave, and it may well be that a larger fraction of X-ray light-curve breaks are generated by that mechanism. To test the above two mechanisms for afterglow light-curve breaks, we derive comprehensive analytical results for the dynamics of outflows undergoing energy injection and for their light-curves, including closure relations for inverse-Compton afterglows and for the emission from spreading jets interacting with an wind-like ambient medium.
Meteorites contain relict decay products of short-lived radionuclides that were present in the protoplanetary disk when asteroids and planets formed. Several studies reported a high abundance of 60Fe (t1/2=2.62+/-0.04 Myr) in chondrites (60Fe/56Fe~6*10-7), suggesting that planetary materials incorporated fresh products of stellar nucleosynthesis ejected by one or several massive stars that exploded in the vicinity of the newborn Sun. We measured 58Fe/54Fe and 60Ni/58Ni isotope ratios in whole rocks and constituents of differentiated achondrites (ureilites, aubrites, HEDs, and angrites), unequilibrated ordinary chondrites Semarkona (LL3.0) and NWA 5717 (ungrouped petrologic type 3.05), metal-rich carbonaceous chondrite Gujba (CBa), and several other meteorites (CV, EL H, LL chondrites; IIIAB, IVA, IVB iron meteorites). We derive from these measurements a much lower initial 60Fe/56Fe ratio of (11.5+/-2.6)*10-9 and conclude that 60Fe was homogeneously distributed among planetary bodies. This low ratio is consistent with derivation of 60Fe from galactic background (60Fe/56Fe=2.8*10-7 in the interstellar medium from gamma-ray observations) and can be reconciled with high 26Al/27Al=5*10-5 in chondrites if solar material was contaminated through winds by outer layers of one or several massive stars (e.g., a Wolf-Rayet star) rich in 26Al and poor in 60Fe. We present the first chronological application of the 60Fe-60Ni decay system to establish the time of core formation on Vesta at 3.7 (+2.5/-1.7) Myr after condensation of calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions (CAIs).
We present multi--epoch VLBA observations of the compact wind collision region in the Cyg OB2 #5 system. These observation confirm the arc-shaped morphology of the emission reported earlier. The total flux as a function of time is roughly constant when the source is "on", but falls below the detection limit as the wind collision region approaches periastron in its orbit around the contact binary at the center of the system. In addition, at one of the "on" epochs, the flux drops to about a fifth of its average value. We suggest that this apparent variation could result from the inhomogeneity of the wind that hides part of the flux rather than from an intrinsic variation. We measured a trigonometrical parallax, for the most compact radio emission of 0.61 $\pm$ 0.22 mas, corresponding to a distance of 1.65 $^{+0.96}_{-0.44}$ kpc, in agreement with recent trigonometrical parallaxes measured for objects in the Cygnus X complex. Using constraints on the total mass of the system and orbital parameters previously reported in the literature, we obtain two independent indirect measurements of the distance to the Cyg OB2 #5 system, both consistent with 1.3--1.4 kpc. Finally, we suggest that the companion star responsible for the wind interaction, yet undetected, is of spectral type between B0.5 to O8.
The reionization epoch of singly ionized helium (He II) is believed to start at redshifts z~3.5--4 and be nearly complete by z~2.7. We explore the post-reionization epoch with far-ultraviolet spectra of the bright, high-redshift quasar HS1700+6416 taken by the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) on the Hubble Space Telescope, which show strong He II ({\lambda}303.78) absorption shortward of the QSO redshift, z_QSO=2.75. We discuss these data as they probe the post-reionization history of He II and the local ionization environment around the quasar and transverse to the line of sight. We compare previous spectra taken by the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer to the current COS data, which have a substantially higher signal-to-noise ratio. The Gunn-Peterson trough recovers at lower redshifts, with the effective optical depth falling from {\tau}_eff~1.8 at z~2.7 to {\tau}_eff~0.7 at z~2.3. We see an interesting excess of flux near the He II Ly{\alpha} break, which could be quasar line emission, although likely not He II Ly{\alpha}. We present spectra of four possible transverse-proximity quasars, although the UV hardness data are not of sufficient quality to say if their effects are seen along the HS1700 sightline.
We present photometric and spectroscopic data analysis and orbital period study of an early-type interacting binary system V382 Cyg by using all the available data. We made a simultaneous light and radial velocity curve solution. The derived physical parameters of the primary and secondary stellar components are $M_{1}$ = 27.9(5) $M_{\odot}$, $M_{2}$ = 20.8(4) $M_{\odot}$, $R_{1}$ = 9.7(2) $R_{\odot}$, $R_{2}$ = 8.5(2) $R_{\odot}$, $\log{(L_1/L_{\odot})} = 5.152(20)$ and $\log{(L_2/L_{\odot})} = 4.954(19)$ while the separation of the components is {\it a} = 23.4 $R_{\odot}$. Newly obtained parameters yield the distance of the system as 1466(76) pc. Analyses of the mid-eclipse times indicate a period increase of $\frac{dP}{dt}=4.2(1)\times 10^{-7}$ days/yr that can be interpreted in terms of the high mass transfer ($\frac{dM}{dt}=6.1(5)\times 10^{-6}$ $M_{\odot}$/yr) from the less massive component to the more massive component. Finally we modelled the evolution of the components using nonconservative codes and discussed the obtained results. The age of the binary system is estimated as 3.85 Myr.
We calculated a grid of evolutionary tracks of rotating models with masses between 1.0 and 3.0 $M_{\odot}$ and a resolution $\delta M \leq 0.02$ $M_{\odot}$, which can be used to study the effects of rotation on stellar evolutions and on the characteristics of star clusters. The value of $\sim$2.05 $M_{\odot}$ is a critical mass for the effects of rotation on stellar structure and evolution. For stars with $M >$ 2.05 $M_{\odot}$, rotation leads to an increase in the convective core and prolongs the lifetime of main sequence (MS); rotating models evolve slower than non-rotating ones; the effects of rotation on the evolution of these stars are similar to those of convective core overshooting. However for stars with 1.1 $< M/M_{\odot}<$ 2.05, rotation results in a decrease in the convective core and shortens the lifetime of MS; rotating models evolve faster than non-rotating ones. When the mass is located in the range of $\sim$1.7 - 2.0 $M_{\odot}$, the mixing caused by rotationally induced instabilities is not efficient; the hydrostatic effects dominate the effect on the evolution of these stars. For the models with masses between about 1.6 and 2.0 $M_{\odot}$, rotating models always exhibit lower effective temperatures than non-rotating ones at the same age during the MS stage. For a given age, the lower the mass, the smaller the change in the effective temperature. Thus rotations could lead to a color spread near the MS turnoff in the color-magnitude diagram for the intermediate-age star clusters.
We have studied the SC (short cadence) Kepler light curve of an SU UMa star, V1504 Cyg, which extends for a period of about 630 d. All superoutbursts in V1504 Cyg have turned out to be of the precursor-main type and the superhump first appears near the maximum of the precursor. The superhumps grow smoothly from the precursor to the main superoutburst showing that the superoutburst is initiated by the tidal instability (as evidenced by growing superhump) as envisioned in the thermal-tidal instability (TTI) model proposed by Osaki (1989). We have performed power spectral analysis of the light curve of V1504 Cyg. One of outstanding features is an appearance of a negative superhump extending for around 300 d, well over a supercycle. We have found that an appearance of the negative superhump tends to reduce the frequency of occurrence of normal outbursts. Two types of supercycles are recognized in V1504 Cyg, which are similar to those of the Type L and S supercycles in the light curve of VW Hyi, a prototype SU UMa star, introduced by Smak (1985). It is found that the Type L supercycle is the one accompanied with the negative superhump and the Type S is that without the negative superhump. If we adopt a tilted disk as an origin of the negative superhump, two types of the supercycles are understood to be due to a difference in outburst intervals, which is in turn caused by a difference in mass supply from the secondary to different parts of the disk. The frequency of the negative superhump varies systematically during a supercycle in V1504 Cyg. This variation can be used as an indicator of the disk radius variation and we have found that observed disk radius variation in V1504 Cyg fits very well with a prediction of the TTI model.
The Origem Loop in the Galactic anticentre was discovered in 1970s and suggested to be a large supernova remnant. It was argued later to be a chance superposition of unrelated radio sources. We attempt to understand the properties of the Origem Loop. Available multi-frequency radio data were used for the determination of radio spectra of different parts of the Origem Loop and the polarization properties of the loop. Newly available sensitive observations show that the Origem Loop is a loop of more than 6 deg in diameter. It consists of a large non-thermal arc in the north, which we call the Origem Arc, and several known thermal H II regions in the south. Polarized radio emission associated with the arc was detected at 6 cm, revealing tangential magnetic fields. The arc has a brightness temperature spectral index of \beta = -2.70, indicating its non-thermal nature as a supernova remnant. We estimate the distance to the Origem Arc to be about 1.7 kpc, similar to those of some H II regions in the southern part of the loop. The Origem Loop is a visible loop in the sky, which consists of a supernova remnant arc in the north and H II regions in the south.
We present in this paper a comprehensive study of the H II region IC 1396 and its star formation activity, in which multi-wavelength data ranging from the optical to the near- and far-infrared were employed. The surface density distribution of all the 2MASS sources with certain detection toward IC 1396 indicates the existence of a compact cluster spatially consistent with the position of the exciting source of the H II region, HD 206267. The spatial distribution of the infrared excessive emission sources selected based on archived 2MASS data reveals the existence of four sub-clusters in this region. One is in association with the open cluster Trumpler 37. The other three are found to be spatially coincident with the bright rims of the H II region. All the excessive emission sources in the near infrared are cross-identified with the AKARI IRC data, an analysis of the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of the resultant sample leads to the identification of 8 CLASS I, 15 CLASS II and 15 CLASS III sources in IC 1396. Optical identification of the sample sources with R magnitudes brighter than 17 mag corroborates the results from the SED analysis. Based on the spatial distribution of the infrared young stellar objects at different evolutionary stages, the surrounding sub-clusters located in the bright rims are believed to be younger than the central one. This is consistent with a scenario of sequential star formation in this region. Imaging data of a dark patch in IC 1396 by Herschel SPIRE, on the other hand, indicate the presence of two far-infrared cores in LDN 1111, which are likely new generation protostellar objects in formation. So we infer that the star formation process in this H II region was not continuous but episodic.
We present a detailed pulse phase resolved spectral analysis of the persistent high mass X-ray binary pulsar Vela X-1 observed with Suzaku during June 2008. The pulse profiles exhibit both intensity and energy dependence with multiple peaks at low energies and double peaks at higher energies. The source shows some spectral evolution over the duration of the observation and care has been taken to average over data with minimum spectral variability for the analysis. We model the continuum with a phenomenological partial covering high energy cutoff model and a more physical partial covering thermal Comptonization model (CompTT) excluding the time ranges having variable hardness ratio and intensity dependence. For both the models we detect a cyclotron resonant scattering feature (CRSF) and its harmonic at ~ 25 keV and ~ 50 keV. Both the CRSF fundamental and harmonics parameters are strongly variable over the pulse phase, with the ratio of the two line energies deviating from the classical value of 2. The continuum parameters also show significant variation over the pulse phase and give us some idea about the changing physical conditions that is seen with the changing viewing angle at different pulse phases and obscuration by the accretion stream at some pulse phases.
We present the metallicity results from the ARGOS spectroscopic survey of the Galactic bulge. Our aim is to understand the formation of the Galactic bulge: did it form via mergers, as expected from Lambda CDM theory, or from disk instabilities, as suggested by its boxy/peanut shape, or both? We have obtained spectra for 28,000 stars at a spectral resolution of R = 11,000. From these spectra, we have determined stellar parameters and distances to an accuracy of < 1.5 kpc. The stars in the inner Galaxy span a large range in [Fe/H], -2.8 < [Fe/H] < +0.6. From the spatial distribution of the red clump stars as a function of [Fe/H] (Ness et al. 2012a), we propose that the stars with [Fe/H] > -0.5 are part of the boxy/peanut bar/bulge. We associate the lower metallicity stars ([Fe/H] < -0.5) with the thick disk, which may be puffed up in the inner region, and with the inner regions of the metal-weak thick disk and inner halo. For the bulge stars with [Fe/H] > -0.5, we find two discrete populations; (i) stars with [Fe/H] ~ -0.25 which provide a roughly constant fraction of the stars in the latitude interval b = -5 deg to -10 deg, and (ii) a kinematically colder, more metal-rich population with mean [Fe/H] ~ +0.15 which is more prominent closer to the plane. The changing ratio of these components with latitude appears as a vertical abundance gradient of the bulge. We attribute both of these bulge components to instability-driven bar/bulge formation from the thin disk. We do not exclude a weak underlying classical merger-generated bulge component, but see no obvious kinematic association of any of our bulge stars with such a classical bulge component. [abridged]
We describe the motivation, field locations and stellar selection for the ARGOS spectroscopic survey of 28,000 stars in the bulge and inner disk of the Milky Way galaxy across latitudes of b = -5 deg to -10 deg. The primary goal of this survey is to constrain the formation processes of the bulge and establish whether it is predominantly a merger or instability remnant. From the spectra (R = 11,000), we have measured radial velocities and determined stellar parameters, including metallicities and [alpha/Fe] ratios. Distances were estimated from the derived stellar parameters and about 14,000 stars are red giants within 3.5 kpc of the Galactic centre. In this paper, we present the observations and analysis methods. Subsequent papers (III and IV) will discuss the stellar metallicity distribution and kinematics of the Galactic bulge and inner disk, and the implications for the formation of the bulge.
HD 195592 is an O-type super-giant star, known as a well-established runaway. Recently, a Fermi gamma-ray source (2FGL J2030.7+4417) with a position compatible with that of HD 195592 has been reported. Our goal is to explore the scenario where HD 195592 is the counterpart of the Fermi gamma-ray source modeling the non-thermal emission produced in the bowshock of the runaway star. We calculate the spectral energy distribution of the radiation produced in the bowshock of HD 195592 and we compare it with Fermi observations of 2FGL J2030.7+4417. We present relativistic particle losses and the resulting radiation of the bowshock of HD 195592 and show that the latter is compatible with the detected gamma-ray emission. We conclude that the Fermi source 2FGL J2030.7+4417 might be produced, under some energetic assumptions, by inverse Compton up-scattering of photons from the heated dust in the bowshock of the runaway star. HD 195592 might therefore be the very first object detected belonging to the category of gamma-ray emitting runaway massive stars, whose existence has been recently predicted.
Stellar winds are a crucial component of massive stars, but their exact properties still remain uncertain. To shed some light on this subject, we have analyzed an exceptional set of X-ray observations of zeya Pup, one of the closest and brightest massive stars. The sensitive lightcurves that were derived reveal two major results. On the one hand, a slow modulation of the X-ray flux (with a relative amplitude of up to 15% over 16h in the 0.3--4.0keV band) is detected. Its characteristic timescale cannot be determined with precision, but amounts from one to several days. It could be related to corotating interaction regions, known to exist in zeta Pup from UV observations. Hour-long changes, linked to flares or to the pulsation activity, are not observed in the last decade covered by the XMM observations; the 17h tentative period, previously reported in a ROSAT analysis, is not confirmed either and is thus transient, at best. On the other hand, short-term changes are surprisingly small (<1% relative amplitude for the total energy band). In fact, they are compatible solely with the presence of Poisson noise in the data. This surprisingly low level of short-term variability, in view of the embedded wind-shock origin, requires a very high fragmentation of the stellar wind, for both absorbing and emitting features (>10^5 parcels, comparing with a 2D wind model). This is the first time that constraints have been placed on the number of clumps in an O-type star wind and from X-ray observations.
Based on published data, we have compiled a catalogue of fundamental astrophysical parameters for 593 open clusters of the Galaxy. In particular, the catalogue provides the Galactic orbital elements for 500 clusters, the masses, central concentrations, and ellipticities for 424 clusters, the metallicities for 264 clusters, and the relative magnesium abundances for 56 clusters. We describe the sources of initial data and estimate the errors in the investigated parameters. The selection effects are discussed. The chemical and kinematical properties of the open clusters and field thin-disk stars are shown to differ. We provide evidence for the heterogeneity of the population of open clusters.
Powerful stellar winds and supernova explosions with intense energy release in the form of strong shock waves can convert a sizeable part of the kinetic energy release into energetic particles. The starforming regions are argued as a favorable site of energetic particle acceleration and could be efficient sources of nonthermal emission. We present here a non-linear time-dependent model of particle acceleration in the vicinity of two closely approaching fast magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) shocks. Such MHD flows are expected to occur in rich young stellar cluster where a supernova is exploding in the vicinity of a strong stellar wind of a nearby massive star. We find that the spectrum of the high energy particles accelerated at the stage of two closely approaching shocks can be harder than that formed at a forward shock of an isolated supernova remnant. The presented method can be applied to model particle acceleration in a variety of systems with colliding MHD flows.
We review the basic dynamics and accretion of planetesimals by showing N-body simulations. The orbits of planetesimals evolve through two-body gravitational relaxation: viscous stirring increases the random velocity and dynamical friction realizes the equiparation of the random energy. In the early stage of planetesimal accretion the growth mode of planetesimals is runaway growth where larger planetesimals grow faster than smaller ones. When a protoplanet (runaway-growing planetesimal) exceeds a critical mass the growth mode shifts to oligarchic growth where similar-sized protoplanets grow keeping a certain orbital separation. The final stage of terrestrial planet formation is collision among protoplanets known as giant impacts. We also summarize the dynamical effects of disk gas on planets and the core accretion model for formation of gas giants and discuss the diversity of planetary systems.
The cosmic rays differential intensity inside the heliosphere, for energy below 30 GeV/nuc, depends on solar activity and interplanetary magnetic field polarity. This variation, termed solar modulation, is described using a 2-D (radius and colatitude) Monte Carlo approach for solving the Parker transport equation that includes diffusion, convection, magnetic drift and adiabatic energy loss. Since the whole transport is strongly related to the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) structure, a better understanding of his description is needed in order to reproduce the cosmic rays intensity at the Earth, as well as outside the ecliptic plane. In this work an interplanetary magnetic field model including the standard description on ecliptic region and a polar correction is presented. This treatment of the IMF, implemented in the HelMod Monte Carlo code (version 2.0), was used to determine the effects on the differential intensity of Proton at 1\,AU and allowed one to investigate how latitudinal gradients of proton intensities, observed in the inner heliosphere with the Ulysses spacecraft during 1995, can be affected by the modification of the IMF in the polar regions.
Based on our compiled catalogue of fundamental astrophysical parameters for 593 open clusters, we analyze the relations between the chemical composition, spatial positions, Galactic orbital elements, age, and other physical parameters of open star clusters. We show that the population of open clusters is heterogeneous and is divided into two groups differing by their mean parameters, properties, and origin. One group includes the Galactic clusters formed mainly from the interstellar matter of the thin disk with nearly solar metallicities ([Fe/H] > -0.2) and having almost circular orbits a short distance away from the Galactic plane, i.e., typical of the field stars of the Galactic thin disk. The second group includes the peculiar clusters formed through the interaction of extragalactic objects (such as high--velocity clouds, globular clusters, or dwarf galaxies) with the interstellar matter of the thin disk, which, as a result, derived abnormally low (for field thin-disk stars) metallicities and/or Galactic orbits typical of objects of the older Galactic subsystems.
Most stars form in embedded clusters. Stellar flybys may affect the orbital architecture of the systems by exciting the eccentricity and causing dynamical instability. Since, incidentally, the timescale over which a cluster loses its gaseous component and begins to disperse is comparable to the circumstellar disk lifetime, we expect that closer, and more perturbing, stellar flybys occur when the planets are still embedded in their birth disk. We investigate the effects of the disk on the dynamics of planets after the stellar encounter to test whether it can damp the eccentricity and return the planetary system to a non-excited state. We use the hydrodynamical code FARGO to study the disk+planet(s) system during and after the stellar encounter in the context of evolved disk models whose superficial density is 10 times lower than that of the Minimum Mass Solar Nebula. The numerical simulations show that the planet eccentricity, excited during a close stellar flyby, is damped on a short timescale (~ 10 Kyr) in spite of the disk low initial density and subsequent tidal truncation. This damping is effective also for a system of 3 giant planets and the effects of the dynamical instability induced by the passing star are quickly absorbed. If the circumstellar disk is still present around the star during a stellar flyby, a planet (or a planetary system) is returned to a non-excited state on a short timescale. This does not mean that stellar encounters do not affect the evolution of planets, but they do it in a subtle way with a short period of agitated dynamical evolution. At the end of it, the system resumes a quiet evolution and the planetary orbits are circularized by the interaction with the disk.
Because of its large angular size and proximity to the Milky Way, NGC 253, an archetypal starburst galaxy, provides an excellent laboratory to study the intricacies of this intense episode of star formation. We aim to characterize the excitation mechanisms driving the emission in NGC 253. Specifically we aim to distinguish between shock excitation and UV excitation as the dominant driving mechanism, using Br\gamma, H_2 and [FeII] as diagnostic emission line tracers. Using SINFONI observations, we create linemaps of Br\gamma, [FeII]_{1.64}, and all detected H_2 transitions. By using symmetry arguments of the gas and stellar gas velocity field, we find a kinematic center in agreement with previous determinations. The ratio of the 2-1 S(1) to 1-0 S(1) H_2 transitions can be used as a diagnostic to discriminate between shock and fluorescent excitation. Using the 1-0 S(1)/2-1 S(1) line ratio as well as several other H_2 line ratios and the morphological comparison between H_2 and Br\gamma and [FeII], we find that excitation from UV photons is the dominant excitation mechanisms throughout NGC 253. We employ a diagnostic energy level diagram to quantitatively differentiate between mechanisms. We compare the observed energy level diagrams to PDR and shock models and find that in most regions and over the galaxy as a whole, fluorescent excitation is the dominant mechanism exciting the H_2 gas. We also place an upper limit of the percentage of shock excited H_2 at 29%. We find that UV radiation is the dominant excitation mechanism for the H_2 emission. The H_2 emission does not correlate well with Br\gamma but closely traces the PAH emission, showing that not only is H_2 fluorescently excited, but it is predominately excited by slightly lower mass stars than O stars which excite Br\gamma, such as B stars.
Galaxy redshift surveys are a major tool to address the most challenging cosmological problems facing cosmology, like the nature of dark energy and properties dark matter. The same observations are useful for a much larger variety of scientific applications, from the study of small bodies in the solar system, to properties of tidal streams in the Milky Way halo, to galaxy formation and evolution. Here I briefly discuss what is a redshift survey and how it can be used to attack astrophysical and cosmological problems. I finish with a brief description of a new survey, the Javalambre Physics of the Accelerating Universe Astrophysical Survey (JPAS), which will use an innovative system of 56 filters to map ~8000 square degrees on the sky. JPAS photometric system, besides providing accurate photometric redshifts useful for cosmological parameter estimation, will deliver a low-resolution spectrum at each pixel on the sky, allowing for the first time an almost all-sky IFU science.
We present the first supercluster catalogue constructed with the extended ROSAT-ESO Flux Limited X-ray Galaxy Cluster survey (REFLEX II) data, which comprises 919 X-ray selected galaxy clusters. Based on this cluster catalogue we construct a supercluster catalogue using a friends-of-friends algorithm with a linking length depending on the local cluster density. The resulting catalogue comprises 164 superclusters at redshift z<=0.4. We study the properties of different catalogues such as the distributions of the redshift, extent and multiplicity by varying the choice of parameters. In addition to the main catalogue we compile a large volume-limited cluster sample to investigate the statistics of the superclusters. We also compare the X-ray luminosity function for the clusters in superclusters with that for the field clusters with the flux- and volume-limited catalogues. The results mildly support the theoretical suggestion of a top-heavy X-ray luminosity function of galaxy clusters in regions of high cluster density.
We present a study of the hot gas and stellar content of 5 optically-selected poor galaxy clusters, including a full accounting of the contribution from intracluster light (ICL) and a combined hot gas and hydrostatic X-ray mass analysis with XMM observations. We find weighted mean stellar (including ICL), gas and total baryon mass fractions within r500 of 0.026+/-0.003, 0.070+/-0.005 and 0.096+/-0.006, respectively, at a corresponding weighted mean M500 of (1.08_{-0.18}^{+0.21}) x 10^14 Msun. Even when accounting for the intracluster stars, 4 out of 5 clusters show evidence for a substantial baryon deficit within r500, with baryon fractions (f_bary) between 50+/-6 to 59+/-8 per cent of the Universal mean level (i.e. Omega_b / Omega_m); the remaining cluster having f_bary = 75+/-11 per cent. For the 3 clusters where we can trace the hot halo to r500 we find no evidence for a steepening of the gas density profile in the outskirts with respect to a power law, as seen in more massive clusters. We find that in all cases, the X-ray mass measurements are larger than those originally published on the basis of the galaxy velocity dispersion (sigma) and an assumed sigma-M500 relation, by a factor of 1.7-5.7. Despite these increased masses, the stellar fractions (in the range 0.016-0.034, within r500) remain consistent with the trend with mass published by Gonzalez, Zaritsky & Zabludoff (2007), from which our sample is drawn.
XSSJ1227.0-4859 is a peculiar hard X-ray source recently positionally associated to the Fermi/LAT source 1FGLJ1227.9-4852/2FGLJ1227.7-4853. Multi-wavelength observations have added information on this source indicating a low-luminosity low mass X-ray binary (LMXB) but its nature is still unclear. To progress in our understanding, we present new X-ray data from a monitoring campaign performed in 2011 with the XMM-Newton, RXTE and Swift satellites and combine them with new Gamma-ray data from the Fermi and AGILE satellites. We complement the study with simultaneous near-UV photometry from XMM-Newton and with previous UV/optical and near-IR data. The X-ray history of XSSJ1227.0-4859 over 7yr shows a persistent and rather stable low luminosity (~6x10^33 d_{1\,kpc}^2 erg/s) source, with flares and dips being a peculiar and permanent characteristics. The associated Fermi/LAT source 2FGLJ1227.7-4853 is also stable over an overlapping period of 4.7\,yr. Searches for fast pulsations down to msec give upper limits to pulse fractional amplitudes of 15-25% that do not rule out a fast spinning pulsar. The combined UV/optical/near-IR spectrum reveals a hot component at ~13\,kK and a cool one at ~4.6\,kK. The latter would suggest a late type K2-K5 companion star, a distance range of1.4--3.6kpc and an orbital period of 7--9 h. A near-UV variability (>6\,h) also suggests a longer orbital period than previously estimated. The analysis shows that the X-ray and UV/optical/near-IR emissions are more compatible with an accretion powered compact object rather than a rotational powered pulsar. The X-ray to UV bolometric luminosity ratio could be consistent with a binary hosting a neutron star, but the uncertainties in the radio data may also allow a LMXB black hole with a compact jet. In this case it would be the first associated with a high energy Gamma-ray source.
While our present standard model of cosmology yields no clear prediction for the initial magnetic field strength, efficient dynamo action may compensate for initially weak seed fields via rapid amplification. In particular, the small-scale dynamo is expected to exponentially amplify any weak magnetic field in the presence of turbulence. We explore whether this scenario is viable using cosmological magneto-hydrodynamics simulations modeling the formation of the first galaxies, which are expected to form in so-called atomic cooling halos with virial temperatures $\rm T_{vir} \geq 10^{4}$ K. As previous calculations have shown that a high Jeans resolution is needed to resolve turbulent structures and dynamo effects, our calculations employ resolutions of up to 128 cells per Jeans length. The presence of the dynamo can be clearly confirmed for resolutions of at least 64 cells per Jeans length, while saturation occurs at approximate equipartition with turbulent energy. As a result of the large Reynolds numbers in primordial galaxies, we expect saturation to occur at early stages, implying magnetic field strengths of $\sim0.1$ $\mu$G at densities of $10^4$ cm$^{-3}$.
Recent observations of high ionization rates of molecular hydrogen in diffuse interstellar clouds point to a distinct low-energy cosmic-ray component. Supposing that this component is made of nuclei, two models for the origin of such particles are explored and low-energy cosmic-ray spectra are calculated which, added to the standard cosmic ray spectra, produce the observed ionization rates. The clearest evidence of the presence of such low-energy nuclei between a few MeV per nucleon and several hundred MeV per nucleon in the interstellar medium would be a detection of nuclear \gamma-ray line emission in the range E_ 0.1 - 10 MeV, which is strongly produced in their collisions with the interstellar gas and dust. Using a recent \gamma-ray cross section compilation for nuclear collisions, \gamma-ray line emission spectra are calculated alongside with the high-energy \gamma-ray emission due to {\pi} 0 decay, the latter providing normalization of the absolute fluxes by comparison with Fermi-LAT observations of the diffuse emission above E \gamma = 0.1 GeV. Our predicted fluxes of strong nuclear \gamma-ray lines from the inner Galaxy are well below the detection sensitivies of INTEGRAL, but a detection, especially of the 4.4-MeV line, seems possible with new-generation \gamma-ray telescopes based on available technology. We predict also strong \gamma-ray continuum emission in the 1-8 MeV range, which in a large part of our model space for low-energy cosmic rays exceeds considerably estimated instrument sensitivities of future telescopes.
We present observations taken with the Donald C. Backer Precision Array for Probing the Epoch of Reionization (PAPER) of the Centaurus A field in the frequency range 120 to 180 MHz. The resulting image has a dynamic range of 3000 and an r.m.s. of 0.5 Jy/beam. A spectral index map of Cen A is produced across the full band. The spectral index distribution is qualitatively consistent with electron reacceleration in regions of excess turbulence in the radio lobes, as previously identified morphologically. Hence, there appears to be an association of `severe weather' in radio lobes with energy input into the relativistic electron population. We perform a detailed comparison of the large scale radio and X-ray emission from the ROSAT All Sky Survey. While the ROSAT field has significant gradients and structures on 10 deg scales possibly unrelated to Cen A, two interesting correlations are seen between the radio and X-ray emission. First is an apparent `cavity' generated by the northern radio lobe on a scale of 5 deg, possibly indicating excavation of thermal gas by the expanding radio source. Second is a correlation between radio and X-ray `hot spots' at the end of the southern lobe, some 200 kpc from the nucleus. This likely arises from Inverse Compton scattering of the CMB by the relativistic electrons also responsible for the radio synchrotron emission. The magnetic fields derived from the (possible) IC and radio emission are of similar magnitude as the minimum pressure fields, ~ 1 microG.
We investigate to what extent the current helicity distribution observed in solar active regions is compatible with solar dynamo models. We use an advanced 2D mean-field dynamo model with dynamo action largely concentrated near the bottom of the convective zone, and dynamo saturation based on the evolution of the magnetic helicity and algebraic quenching. For comparison, we also studied a more basic 2D mean-field dynamo model with simple algebraic alpha quenching only. Using these numerical models we obtain butterfly diagrams for both the small-scale current helicity and the large-scale magnetic helicity, and compare them with the butterfly diagram for the current helicity in active regions obtained from observations. This comparison shows that the current helicity of active regions, as estimated by $-A \cdot B$ evaluated at the depth from which the active region arises, resembles the observational data much better than the small-scale current helicity calculated directly from the helicity evolution equation. Here $B$ and $A$ are respectively the dynamo generated mean magnetic field and its vector potential.
For the years 2001-2008, we use full-disk, SOHO/EIT 195 $\AA$ calibrated images to determine latitudinal and day to day variations of the rotation rates of coronal holes. We estimate the weighted average of heliographic coordinates such as latitude and longitude from the central meridian on the observed solar disk. For different latitude zones between $40^{o}$ north - $40^{o}$ south, we compute rotation rates, and find that, irrespective of their area, number of days observed on the solar disk and latitudes, coronal holes rotate rigidly. Combined for all the latitude zones, we also find that coronal holes rotate rigidly during their evolution history. In addition, for all latitude zones, coronal holes follow a rigid body rotation law during their first appearance. Interestingly, average first rotation rate ($\sim 438 nHz$) of the coronal holes, computed from their first appearance on the solar disk, match with rotation rate of the solar interior only below the tachocline.
We present an astrometry study of the radio source VLA 1 at the core of the HH 111 outflow using new data (2007) as well as archival observations (1992-1996). All data were taken at 3.6 cm with the Very Large Array in its most extended (A) configuration. The source VLA 1 has undergone a dramatic morphological change, showing a one-sided knot ejection in the 2007 epoch. We also report on the detection of a 3.6 cm compact continuum source (VLA 3) located at (-10.6",98.7") from VLA 1. No significant absolute proper motions were found for VLA 1 and VLA 3 and the upper limits are consistent with those found for (embedded) radio sources in the Orion Nebula. We favor the interpretation that in the continuum at 3.6 cm we are observing two nearly perpendicular jets. HH 111 presents a new case of one-sided jet ejection in a young stellar object. The Galactic (or extragalactic) nature of VLA 3 remains unclear.
We present the Nearest Neighbor Distance (NND) analysis of SDSS DR5 galaxies. We give NND results for observed, mock and random sample, and discuss the differences. We find that the observed sample gives us a significantly stronger aggregation characteristic than the random samples. Moreover, we investigate the direction of NND and find that the direction has close relation with the size of the NND for the observed sample.
We present the results of numerical experiments to assess degeneracies in lightcurve models of starspots. Using synthetic lightcurves generated with the Cheetah starspot modeling code, we explore the extent to which photometric light curves constrain spot model parameters, including spot latitudes and stellar inclination. We also investigate the effects of spot parameters and differential rotation on one's ability to correctly recover rotation periods and differential rotation in the Kepler lightcurves. We confirm that in the absence of additional constraints on the stellar inclination, such as spectroscopic measurements of vsini or occultations of starspots by planetary transits, the spot latitude and stellar inclination are difficult to determine uniquely from the photometry alone. We find that for models with no differential rotation, spots that appear on opposite hemispheres of the star may cause one to interpret the rotation period to be half of the true period. When differential rotation is included, the changing longitude separation between spots breaks the symmetry of the hemispheres and the correct rotation period is more likely to be found. The dominant period found via periodogram analysis is typically that of the largest spot. Even when multiple spots with periods representative of the star's differential rotation exist, if one spot dominates the lightcurve the signal of differential rotation may not be detectable from the periodogram alone. Starspot modeling is applicable to stars with a wider range of rotation rates than other surface imaging techniques (such as Doppler imaging), allows subtle signatures of differential rotation to be measured, and may provide valuable information on the distribution of stellar spots. However, given the inherent degeneracies and uncertainty present in starspot models, caution should be exercised in their interpretation.
We present a new, publicly available model of the extragalactic background light (EBL) and corresponding gamma-gamma opacity for intergalactic gamma-ray absorption from z=0 up to z=10, based on a semi-analytical model of hierarchical galaxy formation that reproduces key observed properties of galaxies at various redshifts. Including the potential contribution from Population III stars in a simplified way, the model is also broadly consistent with available data concerning cosmic reionization, particularly the Thomson scattering optical depth constraints from WMAP. In comparison with previous EBL studies up to z~3-5, our predicted gamma-gamma opacity is in general agreement for observed gamma-ray energy below 400/(1 + z) GeV, whereas it is a factor of ~2 lower above this energy because of a correspondingly lower cosmic star formation rate, even though the observed UV luminosity is well reproduced by virtue of our improved treatment of dust obscuration and direct estimation of star formation rate. The horizon energy at which the gamma-ray opacity is unity does not evolve strongly beyond z~4 and approaches ~20 GeV. The contribution of Population III stars is a minor fraction of the EBL at z=0, and is also difficult to distinguish through gamma-ray absorption in high-z objects, even at the highest levels allowed by the WMAP constraints. Nevertheless, the attenuation due to Population II stars should be observable in high-z gamma-ray sources by telescopes such as Fermi or CTA and provide a valuable probe of the evolving EBL in the rest-frame UV.
Observations of higher-excited transitions of abundant molecules such as CO are important for determining where energy in the form of shocks is fed back into the parental envelope of forming stars. The nearby prototypical and protobinary low-mass hot core, IRAS16293-2422 (I16293) is ideal for such a study. The source was targeted with ALMA for science verification purposes in band 9, which includes CO J=6-5 (E_up/k_B ~ 116 K), at an unprecedented spatial resolution (~0.2", 25 AU). I16293 itself is composed of two sources, A and B, with a projected distance of 5". CO J=6-5 emission is detected throughout the region, particularly in small, arcsecond-sized hotspots, where the outflow interacts with the envelope. The observations only recover a fraction of the emission in the line wings when compared to data from single-dish telescopes, with a higher fraction of emission recovered at higher velocities. The very high angular resolution of these new data reveal that a bow shock from source A coincides, in the plane of the sky, with the position of source B. Source B, on the other hand, does not show current outflow activity. In this region, outflow entrainment takes place over large spatial scales, >~ 100 AU, and in small discrete knots. This unique dataset shows that the combination of a high-temperature tracer (e.g., CO J=6-5) and very high angular resolution observations is crucial for interpreting the structure of the warm inner environment of low-mass protostars.
With the space-borne missions CoRoT and Kepler, a large amount of asteroseismic data is now available. So-called global oscillation parameters are inferred to characterize the large sets of stars, to perform ensemble asteroseismology, and to derive scaling relations. The mean large separation is such a key parameter. It is therefore crucial to measure it with the highest accuracy. As the conditions of measurement of the large separation do not coincide with its theoretical definition, we revisit the asymptotic expressions used for analysing the observed oscillation spectra. Then, we examine the consequence of the difference between the observed and asymptotic values of the mean large separation. The analysis is focused on radial modes. We use series of radial-mode frequencies to compare the asymptotic and observational values of the large separation. We propose a simple formulation to correct the observed value of the large separation and then derive its asymptotic counterpart. We prove that, apart from glitches due to stellar structure discontinuities, the asymptotic expansion is valid from main-sequence stars to red giants. Our model shows that the asymptotic offset is close to 1/4, as in the theoretical development. High-quality solar-like oscillation spectra derived from precise photometric measurements are definitely better described with the second-order asymptotic expansion. The second-order term is responsible for the curvature observed in the \'echelle diagrams used for analysing the oscillation spectra and this curvature is responsible for the difference between the observed and asymptotic values of the large separation. Taking it into account yields a revision of the scaling relations providing more accurate asteroseismic estimates of the stellar mass and radius.
A region of a star that is stable to convection according to the Ledoux criterion may nevertheless undergo additional mixing if the mean molecular weight increases with radius. This process is called fingering (thermohaline) convection and may account for some of the unexplained mixing in stars such as those that have been polluted by planetary infall and those burning ${}^3$He. We propose a new model for mixing by fingering convection in the parameter regime relevant for stellar (and planetary) interiors. Our theory is based on physical principles and supported by three-dimensional direct numerical simulations. We also discuss the possibility of formation of thermocompositional staircases in fingering regions, and of their role in enhancing mixing. Finally, we provide a simple algorithm to implement this theory in one-dimensional stellar codes, such as KEPLER and MESA.
Constellation or formation flying is a common concept in space Gravitational Wave (GW) mission proposals for the required interferometry implementation. The spacecraft of most of these mission proposals go to deep space and many have Earthlike orbits around the Sun. ASTROD-GW, Big Bang Observer and DECIGO have spacecraft distributed in Earthlike orbits in formation. The deployment of orbit formation is an important issue for these missions. ASTROD-GW (Astrodynamical Space Test of Relativity using Optical Devices optimized for Gravitation Wave detection) is to focus on the goal of detection of GWs. The mission orbits of the 3 spacecraft forming a nearly equilateral triangular array are chosen to be near the Sun-Earth Lagrange points L3, L4 and L5. The 3 spacecraft range interferometrically with one another with arm length about 260 million kilometers with the scientific goals including detection of GWs from Massive Black Holes (MBH), and Extreme-Mass-Ratio Black Hole Inspirals (EMRI), and using these observations to find the evolution of the equation of state of dark energy and to explore the co-evolution of massive black holes with galaxies. In this paper, we review the formation flying for fundamental physics missions, design the preliminary transfer orbits of the ASTROD-GW spacecraft from the separations of the launch vehicles to the mission orbits, and simulate the arm lengths of the triangular formation. From our study, the optimal delta-Vs and propellant ratios of the transfer orbits could be within about 2.5 km/s and 0.55, respectively. From the simulation of the formation for 10 years, the arm lengths of the formation vary in the range 1.73210 +- 0.00015 AU with the arm length differences varying in the range +- 0.00025 AU for formation with 1 degree inclination to the ecliptic plane. This meets the measurement requirements.
Recent cosmological measurements favour additional relativistic energy density beyond the one provided by the three active neutrinos and photons of the Standard Model (SM). This is often referred to as "dark radiation", suggesting the need of new light states in the theory beyond those of the SM. In this paper, we study and numerically explore the alternative possibility that this increase comes from the decay of some new form of heavy matter into the SM neutrinos. We study the constraints on the decaying matter density and its lifetime, using data from the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe, the South Pole Telescope, measurements of the Hubble constant at present time, the results from high-redshift Type-I supernovae and the information on the Baryon Acoustic Oscillation scale. We, moreover, include in our analysis the information on the presence of additional contributions to the expansion rate of the Universe at the time of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis. We compare the results obtained in this decaying matter scenario with those obtained with the standard analysis in terms of a constant $N_{\rm eff}$.
Bosonic fields on rotating black hole spacetimes are subject to amplification by superradiance, which induces exponentially-growing instabilities (the `black hole bomb') in two scenarios: if the black hole is enclosed by a mirror, or if the bosonic field has rest mass. Here we present a time-domain study of the scalar field on Kerr spacetime which probes ultra-long timescales up to $t \lesssim 5 \times 10^6 M$, to reveal the growth of the instability. We describe an highly-efficient method for evolving the field, based on a spectral decomposition into a coupled set of 1+1D equations, and an absorbing boundary condition inspired by the `perfectly-matched layers' paradigm. First, we examine the mirror case to study how the instability timescale and mode structure depend on mirror radius. Next, we examine the massive-field, whose rich spectrum (revealed through Fourier analysis) generates `beating' effects which disguise the instability. We show that the instability is clearly revealed by tracking the stress-energy of the field in the exterior spacetime. We calculate the growth rate for a range of mass couplings, by applying a frequency-filer to isolate individual modal contributions to the time-domain signal. Our results are in accord with previous frequency-domain studies which put the maximum growth rate at $\tau^{-1} \approx 1.72 \times 10^{-7} (GM/c^3)^{-1}$ for the massive scalar field on Kerr spacetime.
Short baseline neutrino experiments such as LSND and MiniBooNE seem to suggest the existence of light sterile neutrinos. Meanwhile, current cosmic microwave background (CMB) and big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) measurements place an upper bound on the effective number of light neutrinos, $N_{eff}$ and the PLANCK satellite will measure $N_{eff}$ to a much higher accuracy and further constrain the number of sterile neutrinos allowed. We demonstrate that if an MeV dark matter particle couples more strongly to electrons and/or photons than to neutrinos, then p-wave annihilation after neutrino decoupling can reduce the value of $N_{eff}$ inferred from BBN and PLANCK. This mechanism can accommodate two eV sterile neutrinos even if PLANCK observes $N_{eff}$ as low as the standard model theoretical value of 3.046, and a large neutrino asymmetry is not needed to obtain the correct primordial element abundances. Dark matter with an electric dipole moment or anapole moment is a natural candidate that exhibits the desired properties for this mechanism. Coincidentally, a dark matter particle with these properties and lighter than 3 MeV is precisely one that can explain the 511 keV gamma-ray line observed by INTEGRAL. We show that the addition of two eV sterile neutrinos allows this kind of dark matter to be lighter than 3 MeV, which is otherwise ruled out by the CMB bound on $N_{eff}$ if only active neutrinos are considered.
When inflation is driven by a pseudo-scalar field \chi coupled to vectors as \alpha/4 \chi F \tilde F, this coupling may lead to a copious production of gauge quanta, which in turns induces non-Gaussian and non-scale invariant corrections to curvature perturbations. We point out that this mechanism is generically at work in a broad class of inflationary models in supergravity hence providing them with a rich set of observational predictions. When the gauge fields are massless, significant effects on CMB scales emerge only for relatively large \alpha. We show that in this regime, the curvature perturbations produced at the last stages of inflation have a relatively large amplitude that is of the order of the upper bound set by the possible production of primordial black holes by non-Gaussian perturbations. On the other hand, within the supergravity framework described in our paper, the gauge fields can often acquire a mass through a coupling to additional light scalar fields. Perturbations of these fields modulate the duration of inflation, which serves as a source for non-Gaussian perturbations of the metric. In this regime, the bounds from primordial black holes are parametrically satisfied and non-Gaussianity of the local type can be generated at the observationally interesting level f_NL ~ O(10-100).
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Six years ago, the discovery of Rotating Radio Transients (RRATs) marked what appeared to be a new type of sparsely-emitting pulsar. Since 2006, more than 70 of these objects have been discovered in single-pulse searches of archival and new surveys. With a continual inflow of new information about the RRAT population in the form of new discoveries, multi-frequency follow-ups, coherent timing solutions, and pulse rate statistics, a view is beginning to form of the place in the pulsar population RRATs hold. Here we review the properties of neutron stars discovered through single pulse searches. We first seek to clarify the definition of the term RRAT, emphasising that "the RRAT population" encompasses several phenomenologies. A large subset of RRATs appear to represent the tail of an extended distribution of pulsar nulling fractions and activity cycles; these objects present several key open questions remaining in this field.
We apply Monte Carlo Markov Chain (MCMC) methods to large-scale simulations of galaxy formation in a LambdaCDM cosmology in order to explore how star formation and feedback are constrained by the observed luminosity and stellar mass functions of galaxies. We build models jointly on the Millennium and Millennium-II simulations, applying fast sampling techniques which allow observed galaxy abundances over the ranges 7<log(M*/Msun)<12 and z=0 to z=3 to be used simultaneously as constraints in the MCMC analysis. When z=0 constraints alone are imposed, we reproduce the results of previous modelling by Guo et al. (2012), but no single set of parameters can reproduce observed galaxy abundances at all redshifts simultaneously, reflecting the fact that low-mass galaxies form too early and thus are overabundant at high redshift in this model. The data require the efficiency with which galactic wind ejecta are reaccreted to vary with redshift and halo mass quite differently than previously assumed, but in a similar way as in some recent hydrodynamic simulations of galaxy formation. We propose a specific model in which reincorporation timescales vary inversely with halo mass and are independent of redshift. This produces an evolving galaxy population which fits observed abundances as a function of stellar mass, B- and K-band luminosity at all redshifts simultaneously. It also produces a significant improvement in two other areas where previous models were deficient. It leads to present day dwarf galaxy populations which are younger, bluer, more strongly star-forming and more weakly clustered on small scales than before, although the passive fraction of faint dwarfs remains too high.
This paper aims to investigate the hypothesis that the embedded luminous star AFGL2591-VLA3 (2.3E5Lsun at 3.33kpc) is forming according to a scaled-up version of a low-mass star formation scenario. We present multi-configuration VLA 3.6cm and 7mm, as well as CARMA C18O and 3mm continuum observations to investigate the morphology and kinematics of the ionized gas, dust, and molecular gas around AFGL2591. We also compare our results to ancillary near-IR images, and model the SED and 2MASS image profiles of AFGL2591 using a dust continuum radiative transfer code. The observed 3.6cm images uncover for the first time that the central powering source AFGL2591-VLA3 has a compact core plus collimated jet morphology, extending 4000AU eastward from the central source with an opening angle of <10deg at this radius. However, at 7mm VLA3 does not show a jet morphology, but instead compact (<500AU) emission, some of which (<0.57 mJy of 2.9mJy) is estimated to be from dust. We determine that the momentum rate of the jet is not sufficient to ionize itself via only shocks, and thus a significant portion of the emission is instead likely created in a photoionized wind. The C18O emission uncovers dense entrained material in the outflow(s) from the young stars in the region. The main features of the SED and 2MASS images of AFGL2591-VLA3 are also reproduced by our model dust geometry of a rotationally flattened envelope with and without a disk. The above results are consistent with a picture of massive star formation similar to that seen for low-mass protostars. However, within its envelope, AFGL2591-VLA3 contains at least four other young stars, constituting a small cluster. Therefore it appears that AFGL2591-VLA3 may be able to source its accreting material from a shared gas reservoir while still exhibiting the phenomena expected during the formation of low-mass stars. (Abridged)
We study the benefits and limits of parallelised Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling in cosmology. MCMC methods are widely used for the estimation of cosmological parameters from a given set of observations and are typically based on the Metropolis-Hastings algorithm. Some of the required calculations, such as evaluating the likelihood, can however be computationally intensive, meaning that a single long chain can take several hours or days to calculate. In practice, this can be limiting, since the MCMC process needs to be performed many times to test the impact of possible systematics and to understand the robustness of the measurements being made. To achieve greater speed through parallelisation, algorithms need to have short auto-correlation times and minimal overheads caused by tuning and burn-in. In order to efficiently distribute the MCMC sampling over thousands of cores on modern cloud computing infrastructure, we developed a Python framework called CosmoHammer which embeds emcee, an implementation by Foreman-Mackey et al. (2012) of the affine invariant ensemble sampler by Goodman and Weare (2010). We test the performance of CosmoHammer for cosmological parameter estimation from cosmic microwave background data. While Metropolis-Hastings is constrained by overheads, CosmoHammer is able to accelerate the sampling process from a wall time of 30 hours on a single machine to 16 minutes by the efficient use of 2048 cores. Such short wall times for complex data sets opens possibilities for extensive model testing and control of systematics.
Interferometry has been a very successful tool for measuring anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background. Interferometers provided the first constraints on CMB anisotropies on small angular scales (l~10000) in the 1980s and then in the late 1990s and early 2000s made ground-breaking measurements of the CMB power spectrum at intermediate and small angular scales covering the l-range ~100-4000. In 2002 the DASI made the first detection of CMB polarization which remains a major goal for current and future CMB experiments. Interferometers have also made major contributions to the detection and surveying of the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) effect in galaxy clusters. In this short review I cover the key aspects that made interferometry well-suited to CMB measurements and summarise some of the central observations that have been made. I look to the future and in particular to HI intensity mapping at high redshifts that could make use of the advantages of interferometry.
We report on synoptic observations at 3.6 and 4.5micron of young stellar objects in IC 348 with 38 epochs covering 40 days. We find that among the detected cluster members, 338 at [3.6] and 269 at both [3.6] and [4.5], many are variable on daily to weekly timescales with typical fluctuations of ~0.1 mag. The fraction of variables ranges from 20% for the diskless pre-main sequence stars to 60% for the stars still surrounded by infalling envelopes. We also find that stars in the exposed cluster core are less variable than the stars in the dense, slightly younger, south-western ridge. This trend persists even after accounting for the underlying correlation with infrared SED type, suggesting that the change in variable fraction is not simply a reflection of the change in relative fraction of class I vs. class II sources across the cloud, but instead reflects a change in variability with age. We also see a strong correlation between infrared variability and X-ray luminosity among the class II sources. The observed variability most likely reflects large changes in the structure of the inner wall located at the dust sublimation radius. We explore the possibility that these structural perturbations could be caused by a hot spot on the star heating dust above the sublimation temperature, causing it to evaporate rapidly, and increasing the inner radius for a portion of the disk. Under a number of simplifying assumptions we show that this model can reproduce the size and timescale of the 3.6 and 4.5micron fluctuations. Regardless of its source, the infrared variability indicates that the inner disk is not a slowly evolving entity, but instead is a bubbling, warped, dented mass of gas and dust whose global size and shape fluctuate in a matter of days.
Terrestrial microlens parallax is one of the very few methods that can measure the mass and number density of isolated dark low-mass objects, such as old free-floating planets and brown dwarfs. Terrestrial microlens parallax can be measured whenever a microlensing event differs substantially as observed from two or more well-separated sites. If the lens also transits the source during the event, then its mass can be measured. We derive an analytic expression for the expected rate of such events and then use this to derive two important conclusions. First the rate is directly proportional to the number density of a given population, greatly favoring low-mass populations relative to their contribution to the general microlensing rate, which further scales as sqrt{M} where M is the lens mass. Second, the rate rises sharply as one probes smaller source stars, despite the fact that the probability of transit falls directly with source size. We propose modifications to current observing strategies that could yield a factor 100 increase in sensitivity to these rare events.
The non-linear regime of Rayleigh-Taylor instability (RTI) in a radiation supported atmosphere, consisting of two uniform fluids with different densities, is studied numerically. We perform simulations using our recently developed numerical algorithm for multi-dimensional radiation hydrodynamics based on a variable Eddington tensor as implemented in Athena, focusing on the regime where scattering opacity greatly exceeds absorption opacity. We find that the radiation field can reduce the growth and mixing rate of RTI, but this reduction is only significant when radiation pressure significantly exceeds gas pressure. Small scale structures are also suppressed in this case. In the non-linear regime, dense fingers sink faster than rarefied bubbles can rise, leading to asymmetric structures about the interface. By comparing the calculations that use a variable Eddington tensor (VET) versus the Eddington approximation, we demonstrate that anisotropy in the radiation field can affect the non-linear development of RTI significantly. We also examine the disruption of a shell of cold gas being accelerated by strong radiation pressure, motivated by models of radiation driven outflows in ultraluminous infrared galaxies. We find that when the growth rate of RTI is smaller than acceleration time scale, the amount of gas that would be pushed away by the radiation field is reduced due to RTI.
We present an overview of four ab initio axisymmetric core-collapse supernova simulations employing detailed spectral neutrino transport computed with our CHIMERA code and initiated from Woosley & Heger (2007) progenitors of mass 12, 15, 20, and 25 M_sol. All four models exhibit shock revival over \sim 200 ms (leading to the possibility of explosion), driven by neutrino energy deposition. Hydrodynamic instabilities that impart substantial asymmetries to the shock aid these revivals, with convection appearing first in the 12 M_sol model and the standing accretion shock instability (SASI) appearing first in the 25 M_sol model. Three of the models have developed pronounced prolate morphologies (the 20 M_sol model has remained approximately spherical). By 500 ms after bounce the mean shock radii in all four models exceed 3,000 km and the diagnostic explosion energies are 0.33, 0.66, 0.65, and 0.70 Bethe (B = $10^{51}$ ergs) for the 12, 15, 20, and 25 M_sol models, respectively, and are increasing. The three least massive of our models are already sufficiently energetic to completely unbind the envelopes of their progenitors (i.e., to explode), as evidenced by our best estimate of their explosion energies, which first become positive at 320, 380, and 440 ms after bounce. By 850 ms the 12 M_sol diagnostic explosion energy has saturated at 0.38 B, and our estimate for the final kinetic energy of the ejecta is \sim 0.3 B, which is comparable to observations for lower-mass progenitors.
The observation of $1.97\pm0.04$ solar-mass neutron-like star gives constraint on the equation of state (EOS) of cold, condensed matter. In this paper, the EOS for both pure quark star and hybrid star with a quark core described by quasi-particle model are considered. The parameters of quasi-particle model which affect the mass of both quark star and hybrid star can be constrained by the observation.
Observations show that there is a positive correlation between Eddington ratio $\lambda$ and hard X-ray index $\Gamma$ for $\lambda \gtrsim 0.01$, and there is an anti-correlation between $\lambda$ and $\Gamma$ for $\lambda \lesssim 0.01$ in black hole X-ray binaries (with $\lambda=L_{\rm bol}/L_{\rm Edd}$). In this work, we theoretically investigate the correlation between $\Gamma$ and $\lambda$ within the framework of disk-corona model. We improve the model by taking into account all cooling processes including synchrotron and self-Compton radiations in the corona, Comptonization of the soft photons from the underlying accretion disk, and the Bremsstrahlung radiations. Presuming that the coronal flow above the disk can reach up to 0.1 Eddington rate at the outer region, we calculate the structure of the two-phase accretion flows and the emergent spectra for accretion rates from 0.003 to 0.1. It is found that at accretion rates larger than $\backsim 0.01$ Eddington rate a fraction of coronal gas condenses into the disk and an inner disk can be sustained by condensation. In this case, the X-ray emission is dominated by the scattering the soft photon from the underlying disk in the corona. The emission from the inner disk and corona can produce the positive correlation between $\lambda$ and $\Gamma$. While at accretion rates lower than $\backsim 0.01$ Eddington accretion rate, the inner disk vanishes completely by evaporation, the accretion is dominated by ADAF, in which the X-ray emission is produced by the Comptonization of the synchrotron and bremsstrahlung photons of ADAF itself. The emission from ADAF can produce the anti-correlation between $\lambda$ and $\Gamma$.
We present a study of the mid-infrared environments and association with star formation tracers of 6.7 GHz methanol masers taken from the Methanol Multi-Beam (MMB) Survey. Our ultimate goal is to establish the mass of the host star and its evolutionary stage for each maser site. As a first step, the GLIMPSE survey of the Galactic Plane is utilised to investigate the environment of 776 methanol masers and we find that while the majority of the masers are associated with mid-infrared counterparts, a significant fraction (17%) are not associated with any detectable mid-infrared emission. A number of the maser counterparts are clearly extended with respect to the GLIMPSE point spread function and we implement an adaptive non-circular aperture photometry (ANCAP) technique to determine the fluxes of the maser counterparts. The ANCAP technique doubles the number of masers with flux information at all four wavelengths compared to the number of the corresponding counterparts obtained from the GLIMPSE Point Source Catalogue. The colours of the maser counterparts are found to be very similar to the smaller study carried out by Ellingsen (2006). The MMB masers are weakly associated with Extended Green Objects (EGOs) and Red MSX Survey (RMS) embedded sources (YSO and HII classifications) with 18% and 12% of masers associated with these objects respectively. The majority of MMB masers (60%) have detectable GLIMPSE infrared counterparts but have not been identified with previously recognised tracers of massive star formation; this confirms that the MMB survey has the potential to identify massive star forming regions independent of infrared selection.
Planets are supposed to form in circumstellar disks. The gravitational potential of a planet perturbs the disk and leads to characteristic structures, i.e. spiral waves and gaps, in the disk's density profile. We perform a large-scale parameter study of the observability of these planet-induced structures in circumstellar disks with ALMA. On the basis of HD and MHD simulations, we calculated the disk temperature structure and (sub)mm images of these systems. These were used to derive simulated ALMA images. Because appropriate objects are frequent in Taurus, we focused on a distance of 140pc and a declination of 20{\deg}. The explored range of star-disk-planet configurations consists of 6 HD simulations (including magnetic fields and different planet masses), 9 disk sizes, 15 total disk masses, 6 different central stars, and two different grain size distributions. On almost all scales and in particular down to a scale of a few AU, ALMA is able to trace disk structures induced by planet-disk interaction or by the influence of magnetic fields on the wavelength range between 0.4 and 2.0mm. In most cases, the optimum angular resolution is limited by the sensitivity. However, within the range of typical masses of protoplanetary disks (0.1-0.001Msun) the disk mass has a minor impact on the observability. It is possible to resolve disks down to 2.67e-6Msun and trace gaps induced by a planet with M_p/M_s = 0.001 in disks with 2.67e-4Msun with a signal-to-noise ratio greater than three. The central star has a major impact on the observability of gaps, as well as the considered maximum grainsize of the dust in the disk. In general, it is more likely to trace planet-induced gaps in our MHD models, because gaps are wider in the presence of magnetic fields. We also find that zonal flows resulting from MRI create gap-like structures in the disk's re-emission radiation, which are observable with ALMA.
We present the Mediatrix filamentation method, a novell iterative procedure that decomposes elongated objects in filaments along their main direction over their intensity peak. From this decomposition, the method measures the object's length and thickness. This technique is applied in preliminary tests to arc-shaped objects (simulated gravitational arcs) to recover their curvature center.
We studied electron spectral indices of nonthermal emissions seen in hard X-rays (HXRs) and in microwaves. We analyzed 12 flares observed by the Hard X-ray Telescope aboard {\it Yohkoh}, Nobeyama Radio Polarimeters (NoRP), and the Nobeyama Radioheliograph (NoRH), and compared the spectral indices derived from total fluxes of hard X-rays and microwaves. Except for four events, which have very soft HXR spectra suffering from the thermal component, these flares show a gap $\Delta\delta$ between the electron spectral indices derived from hard X-rays $\delta_{X}$ and those from microwaves $\delta_{\mu}$ ($\Delta\delta = \delta_{X} - \delta_{\mu}$) of about 1.6. Furthermore, from the start to the peak times of the HXR bursts, the time profiles of the HXR spectral index $\delta_{X}$ evolve synchronously with those of the microwave spectral index $\delta_{\mu}$, keeping the constant gap. We also examined the spatially resolved distribution of the microwave spectral index by using NoRH data. The microwave spectral index $\delta_{\mu}$ tends to be larger, which means a softer spectrum, at HXR footpoint sources with stronger magnetic field than that at the loop tops. These results suggest that the electron spectra are bent at around several hundreds of keV, and become harder at the higher energy range that contributes the microwave gyrosynchrotron emission.
The orbital evolution of a dust particle captured in a mean motion resonance
with a planet in circular orbit under the action of the Poynting-Robertson
effect, radial stellar wind and an interstellar gas flow of is investigated.
The secular time derivative of Tisserand parameter is analytically derived for
arbitrary orbit orientation. From the secular time derivative of Tisserand
parameter a general relation between the secular time derivatives of
eccentricity and inclination is obtained. In the planar case (the case when the
initial dust particle position vector, initial dust particle velocity vector
and interstellar gas velocity vector lie in the planet orbital plane) is
possible to calculate directly the secular time derivative of eccentricity.
Using numerical integration of equation of motion we confirmed our analytical
results in the three-dimensional case and also in the planar case. Evolutions
of eccentricity of the dust particle captured in an exterior mean motion
resonance under the action of the Poynting-Robertson effect, radial stellar
wind for the cases with and without the interstellar gas flow are compared.
Qualitative properties of the orbital evolution in the planar case are
determined. Two main groups of the secular orbital evolutions exist. In the
first group the eccentricity and argument of perihelion approach to some
values. In the second group the eccentricity oscillates and argument of
perihelion rapidly shifts.
The concept of a Square Kilometre Array was developed to ensure that progress in Radio Astronomy in the early 21st Century continued at the same impressive pace as was achieved during the first 50 years. The SKA telescope is designed to pave that road to greater and greater sensitivity. So what technical challenges does the project face and what key innovations will drive the success of the SKA? What will the next Radio Astronomy mega-science project look like? In this article the author discusses the likely avenues of progress in the coming decades and comments on the status of radio astronomy in 2049 - the author's 70th (and presumably her retirement) year.
We present a study of the relative sizes of planets within the multiple candidate systems discovered with the $Kepler$ mission. We have compared the size of each planet to the size of every other planet within a given planetary system after correcting the sample for detection and geometric biases. We find that for planet-pairs for which one or both objects is approximately Neptune-sized or larger, the larger planet is most often the planet with the longer period. No such size--location correlation is seen for pairs of planets when both planets are smaller than Neptune. Specifically, if at least one planet in a planet-pair has a radius of $\gtrsim 3R_\oplus$, $68\pm 6%$ of the planet pairs have the inner planet smaller than the outer planet, while no preferred sequential ordering of the planets is observed if both planets in a pair are smaller than $\lesssim3 R_\oplus$.
X-ray properties of hot interstellar gas in a starburst galaxy NGC 253 were investigated to gain a further understanding of starburst-driven outflow activity by XMM-Newton and Suzaku. Spectroscopic analysis for three regions of the galaxy characterized by multiwavelength observations was conducted. The hot gas was represented by two thin thermal plasmas with temperatures of kT ~0.2 and ~0.6 keV. Abundance ratios i.e., O/Fe, Ne/Fe, Mg/Fe and Si/Fe, are consistent between three regions, which suggests the common origin of the hot gas. The abundance patterns are consistent with those of type II supernova ejecta, indicating that the starburst activity in the central region provides metals toward the halo through a galactic-scale starburst-driven outflow. The energetics also can support this indication on condition that 0.01-50 {\eta}^0.5 % of the total emission in the nuclear region has flowed to the halo region. To constrain the dynamics of hot interstellar gas, surface brightness and hardness ratio profiles which trace the density and temperature were extracted. Assuming a simple polytropic equation of state of gas, T{\rho}^(1-{\gamma}) = const, we constrained the physical condition. {\gamma} is consistent with 5/3 at the hot disk and T is constant ({\gamma} = 1) in the halo. It is suggested that the hot gas expands adiabatically from the central region towards the halo region while it moves as free expansion from the inner part of the halo towards the outer part of the halo as the outflow. We constrained the outflow velocity to be >100 km s^-1 from the observed temperature gradient in the halo. In comparison with the escape velocity of ~220 km s^-1 for NGC 253, it is indicated that the hot interstellar gas can escape from the gravitational potential of NGC 253 by combining the outflow velocity and the thermal velocity.
Progress is being made in code discoverability and preservation, but as
discussed at ADASS XXI, many codes still remain hidden from public view. With
the Astrophysics Source Code Library (ASCL) now indexed by the SAO/NASA
Astrophysics Data System (ADS), the introduction of a new journal, Astronomy &
Computing, focused on astrophysics software, and the increasing success of
education efforts such as Software Carpentry and SciCoder, the community has
the opportunity to set a higher standard for its science by encouraging the
release of software for examination and possible reuse. We assembled
representatives of the community to present issues inhibiting code release and
sought suggestions for tackling these factors.
The session began with brief statements by panelists; the floor was then
opened for discussion and ideas. Comments covered a diverse range of related
topics and points of view, with apparent support for the propositions that
algorithms should be readily available, code used to produce published
scientific results should be made available, and there should be discovery
mechanisms to allow these to be found easily. With increased use of resources
such as GitHub (for code availability), ASCL (for code discovery), and a stated
strong preference from the new journal Astronomy & Computing for code release,
we expect to see additional progress over the next few years.
The Astrophysics Source Code Library (ASCL), founded in 1999, is a free on-line registry for source codes of interest to astronomers and astrophysicists. The library is housed on the discussion forum for Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) and can be accessed at this http URL The ASCL has a comprehensive listing that covers a significant number of the astrophysics source codes used to generate results published in or submitted to refereed journals and continues to grow. The ASCL currently has entries for over 500 codes; its records are citable and are indexed by ADS. The editors of the ASCL and members of its Advisory Committee were on hand at a demonstration table in the ADASS poster room to present the ASCL, accept code submissions, show how the ASCL is starting to be used by the astrophysics community, and take questions on and suggestions for improving the resource.
A screening mechanism for conformal vector-tensor modifications of general relativity is proposed. The conformal factor depends on the norm of the vector field, and makes the field to vanish in high dense regions, whereas drives it to a non-null value in low density environments. Such process occurs due to a spontaneous symmetry breaking. The cosmology and local constraints are also computed.
Founded in 2010, the Taiwan Extragalactic Astronomical Data Center (TWEA-DC) has for goal to propose access to large amount of data for the Taiwanese and International community, focusing its efforts on Extragalactic science. In continuation with individual efforts in Taiwan over the past few years, this is the first steppingstone towards the building of a National Virtual Observatory. Taking advantage of our own fast indexing algorithm (BLINK), based on a octahedral meshing of the sky coupled with a very fast kd-tree and a clever parallelization amongst available resources, TWEA-DC will propose from spring 2013 a service of "on-the-fly" matching facility, between on-site and user-based catalogs. We will also offer access to public and private raw and reducible data available to the Taiwanese community. Finally, we are developing high-end on-line analysis tools, such as an automated photometric redshifts and SED fitting code (APz), and an automated groups and clusters finder (APFoF).
Astronomy is entering in a new era of Extreme Intensive Data Computation and we have identified three major issues the new generation of projects have to face: Resource optimization, Heterogeneous Software Ecosystem and Data Transfer. We propose in this article a middleware solution offering a very modular and maintainable system for data analysis. As computations must be designed and described by specialists in astronomy, we aim at defining a friendly specific programming language to enable coding of astrophysical problems abstracted from any computer science specific issues. This way we expect substantial benefits in computing capabilities in data analysis. As a first development using our solution, we propose a cross-matching service for the Taiwan Extragalactic Astronomical Data Center.
Merger processes play an important role in galaxy formation and evolution. To study the influence of merger processes on the evolution of dust properties and cosmic star formation rate, we investigate a local sample of major merger galaxies and a control sample of isolated galaxies using GALEX ultraviolet (UV) and Spitzer infrared (IR) images. Through a statistical study, we find that dust attenuation in merger galaxies is enhanced with respect to isolated galaxies. We find this enhancement is contributed mainly by spiral galaxies in spiral-spiral (S-S) pairs, and increases with the increasing stellar mass of a galaxy. Combining the IR and UV parts of star formation rates (SFRs), we then calculated the total SFRs and specific star formation rates (SSFRs). We find the SSFRs to be enhanced in merger galaxies. This enhancement depends on galaxy stellar mass and the companion's morphology, but depends little on whether the galaxy is a primary or secondary component or on the separation between two components. These results are consistent with a previous study based only on IR images. In addition, we investigate the nuclear contributions to SFRs. SFRs in paired galaxies are more concentrated in the central part of the galaxies than in isolate galaxies. Our studies of dust attenuation show that the nuclear parts of pairs most resemble ULIRGs. Including UV data in the present work not only provides reliable information on dust attenuation, but also refines analyses of SFRs.
We use information theory to derive fundamental limits on the capacity to calibrate next-generation radio interferometers, and measure parameters of point sources for instrument calibration, point source subtraction, and data deconvolution. We demonstrate the implications of these fundamental limits, with particular reference to estimation of the 21cm Epoch of Reionization power spectrum with next-generation low-frequency instruments (e.g., the Murchison Widefield Array -- MWA, Precision Array for Probing the Epoch of Reionization -- PAPER), where short time scale instrumental calibration is required due to the impact of the ionosphere on the signal wavefront. Finally, we explore the optimal point source precision available by using a combination of current and prior information. Estimation schemes that incorporate prior information may be advantageous when the measurement precision is comparable to the characteristic refraction scale of the ionosphere.
We discuss processes in galactic cosmic ray (GCR) acceleration sites - supernova remnants, compact associations of young massive stars, and superbubbles. Mechanisms of efficient conversion of the mechanical power of the outflows driven by supernova shocks and fast stellar winds of young stars into magnetic fields and relativistic particles are discussed. The high efficiency of particle acceleration in the sources implies the importance of nonlinear feedback effects in a symbiotic relationship where the magnetic turbulence required to accelerate the CRs is created by the accelerated CRs themselves. Non-thermal emission produced by relativistic particles (both those confined in and those that escape from the cosmic accelerators) can be used to constrain the basic physical models of the GCR sources. High resolution X-ray synchrotron imaging, combined with GeV-TeV gamma ray spectra, is a powerful tool to probe the maximum energies of accelerated particles. Future MeV regime spectroscopy will provide unique information on the composition of accelerated particles.
We present a detailed analysis of the X-ray emission from the middle-aged supernova remnant W51C and star-forming region W51B with Suzaku. The soft X-ray emission from W51C is well represented by an optically thin thermal plasma in the non-equilibrium ionization state with a temperature of $\sim$0.7 keV. The elemental abundance of Mg is significantly higher than the solar value. We find no significant feature of an over-ionized plasma in W51C. The hard X-ray emission is spatially coincident with the molecular clouds associated with W51B, overlapping with W51C. The spectrum is represented by an optically thin thermal plasma with a temperature of $\sim$5 keV or a powerlaw model with a photon index of $\sim$2.2. The emission probably has diffuse nature since its luminosity of 1$\times10^{34}$ erg s$^{-1}$ in the 0.5-10 keV band cannot be explained by the emission from point sources in this region. We discuss the possibility that the hard X-ray emission comes from stellar winds of OB stars in W51B or accelerated particles in W51C.
The two components of radio emission, above and below 86 GHz respectively, from the Galactic center source-Sgr A* can be naturally explained by the hybrid of thermal and nonthermal electrons in hot accretion flows (e.g., radiatively inefficient accretion flow, RIAF, e.g., Yuan et al. 2003). We further apply this model to a sample of nearby low-luminosity active galactic nuclei (LLAGNs), which are also believed to be powered by the RIAF. We selected the LLAGNs with only compact radio cores according to the high-resolution radio observations, and the sources observed with jets or jet-like features are excluded. We find that the radio emission of LLAGNs is severely underpredicted by pure RIAF model, and can be naturally explained by the RIAF model with a hybrid electron population consisting of both thermal and nonthermal particles. Our model can roughly reproduce the observed anti-correlation between the mass-corrected radio loudness and Eddington ratio for the LLAGNs in our sample. We further model the spectral energy distributions of each source in our sample, and find that roughly all sources can be well fitted if a small fraction of the steady state electron energy is ejected into the nonthermal electrons. The size of radio emission region of our model is around several thousand gravitational radii, which is also roughly consistent with the recent high-resolution VLBI observations for some nearby LLAGNs.
We present a time-dependent spectral model of the nebula 3C58 and compare it with available data. The model is for a leptonic nebula, in which particles are subject to synchrotron, inverse Compton, self-synchrotron Compton, adiabatic, and bremsstrahlung processes. We find that 3C58 is compatible with being a particle dominated nebula, with a magnetic field of 35$\mu$G. A broken power law injection fits well the multi-frequency data, with a break energy at about 40 GeV. We find that 3C58 is not expected to appear in VERITAS or MAGIC II, unless the local IR background is a factor of \sim20 off Galactic models averages. For cases in which the CMB dominates the inverse Compton contribution, we find that 3C58 will not be visible either for the Cherenkov Telescope Array.
In this paper we present a model independent analysis method following Bayesian statistics to search for neutrinos from point sources. The Bayesian approach allows us to obtain the full probability distribution function for both the background and the signal rate. As such, we have direct access to the signal significance and upper limits. Furthemore, it allows also to account for previous results via the concept of prior information without the need of the ad hoc application of trial factors. In this paper we derive an exact analytical expression for the probability density function for the source rate, and consequently also for the flux, of any steady point source assuming a uniform prior distribution. To investigate the validity of our Bayesian approach, we have applied this method to the public IceCube 40-string configuration data for 10 nearby blazars and have obtained a flux upper limit, which compares very well with the previously published result of IceCube, using the same data set.
We extend our previous SPH parameter study of the effects of photoionization from O-stars on star-forming clouds to include initially unbound clouds. We generate a set of model clouds in the mass range $10^{4}-10^{6}$M$_{\odot}$ with initial virial ratios $E_{\rm kin}/E_{\rm pot}$=2.3, allow them to form stars, and study the impact of the photoionizing radiation produced by the massive stars. We find that, on the 3Myr timescale before supernovae are expected to begin detonating, the fractions of mass expelled by ionizing feedback is a very strong function of the cloud escape velocities. High-mass clouds are largely unaffected dynamically, while lower-mass clouds have large fractions of their gas reserves expelled on this timescale. However, the fractions of stellar mass unbound are modest and significant portions of the unbound stars are so only because the clouds themselves are initially partially unbound. We find that ionization is much more able to create well-cleared bubbles in the unbound clouds, owing to their intrinsic expansion, but that the presence of such bubbles does not necessarily indicate that a given cloud has been strongly influenced by feedback. We also find, in common with the bound clouds from our earlier work, that many of the systems simulated here are highly porous to photons and supernova ejecta, and that most of them will likely survive their first supernova explosions.
This paper reports one recent result from a set of pre-virialized galaxy group simulations that are being used in an investigation of measurement techniques for the quantity of intragroup light (IGL). We present evidence that the binding energy of the stellar material stripped from the galaxies is essentially uncorrelated with the local mass density. This suggests that IGL detection methods based on the distribution of luminosity perform poorly in detecting the unbound stars.
We have carried out a survey of the NGC 2068 region in the Orion B molecular cloud using HARP on the JCMT, in the 13CO and C18O (J = 3-2) and H13CO+ (J = 4-3) lines. We used 13CO to map the outflows in the region, and matched them with previously defined SCUBA cores. We decomposed the C18O and H13CO+ into Gaussian clumps, finding 26 and 8 clumps respectively. The average deconvolved radii of these clumps is 6200 +/- 2000 AU and 3600 +/- 900 AU for C18O and H13CO+ respectively. We have also calculated virial and gas masses for these clumps, and hence determined how bound they are. We find that the C18O clumps are more bound than the H13CO+ clumps (average gas mass to virial mass ratio of 4.9 compared to 1.4). We measure clump internal velocity dispersions of 0.28 +/- 0.02 kms-1 and 0.27 +/- 0.04 kms-1 for C18O and H13CO+ respectively, although the H13CO+ values are heavily weighted by a majority of the clumps being protostellar, and hence having intrinsically greater linewidths. We suggest that the starless clumps correspond to local turbulence minima, and we find that our clumps are consistent with formation by gravoturbulent fragmentation. We also calculate inter-clump velocity dispersions of 0.39 +/- 0.05 kms-1 and 0.28 +/- 0.08 kms-1 for C18O and H13CO+ respectively. The velocity dispersions (both internal and external) for our clumps match results from numerical simulations of decaying turbulence in a molecular cloud. However, there is still insufficient evidence to conclusively determine the type of turbulence and timescale of star formation, due to the small size of our sample.
We examine the ratios $r_h/r_J$ of projected half-mass and Jacobi radius as well as $r_t/r_J$ of tidal and Jacobi radius for open and globular clusters in the Milky Way using data of both observations and simulations. We applied an improved calculation of $r_J$ for eccentric orbits of globular clusters. A sample of 236 open clusters of Piskunov et al. within the nearest kiloparsec around the Sun has been used. For the Milky Way globular clusters, data are taken from the Harris catalogue. We particularly use the subsample of 38 Milky Way globular clusters for which orbits have been integrated by Dinescu et al. We aim to quantify the differences between open and globular clusters and to understand, why they form two intrinsically distinct populations. We find under certain assumptions, or, in other words, in certain approximations, (i) that globular clusters are presently Roche volume underfilling and (ii) with at least $3\sigma$ confidence that the ratio $r_h/r_J$ of half-mass and Jacobi radius is $3 - 5$ times larger at present for an average open cluster in our sample than for an average globular cluster in our sample and (iii) that a significant fraction of globular clusters may be Roche volume overfilling at pericentre with $r_t > r_J$. Another aim of this paper is to throw light on the underlying theoretical reason for the existence of the van den Bergh correlation between half-mass and galactocentric radius.
The different electron distributions in the hard and soft spectral states (HS and SS) of BH binaries could be caused by kinetic processes and changing because of varying physical conditions in the corona. In presence of a magnetic field in the corona, the electron distribution can appear thermal, even when acceleration mechanisms would produce non thermal distributions. This is due to fast and efficient thermalization through synchrotron self-absorption. We have analyzed data from 6 years of observations of Cygnus X-1 with the INTEGRAL observatory and produced 12 high-quality, stacked broad-band hard X-ray spectra representative of the whole range of spectral shapes observed. We then fit these spectra with hybrid thermal/non-thermal Comptonization models and study the evolution of the physical parameters of the accretion flow across the spectral transition. In particular, we use the BELM model to constrain the magnetic field in the corona through its effects on the coronal emission. Indeed, the hot electrons of the X-ray corona produce soft (optical-UV) synchrotron radiation which is then Comptonized and may affect the temperature of the electrons through Compton cooling. We find that in the SS, the emission is dominated by Comptonization of the disc photons and the magnetic field is at most of the order of 1E+06 G. In the hard states, the data are consistent with a pure synchrotron self-Compton model. If the non-thermal excess observed above a few hundred keV in the HS is produced in the same region as the bulk of the thermal Comptonization, we obtain an upper limit on the coronal magnetic field of about 1E+05 G. If, on the other hand, the non-thermal excess is produced in a different location, the constraints on the magnetic field in the HS are somewhat relaxed and the upper limit rises to 1E+07 G. We discuss these constraints in the context of current accretion flow models.
We have produced synthetic analogues of cosmic silicates using the Sol Gel method, producing amorphous silicates of composition Mg(x)Ca(1-x)SiO3. Using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction on Beamline I11 at the Diamond Light Source, together with a newly-commissioned gas cell, real-time powder diffraction scans have been taken of a range of silicates exposed to CO2 under non-ambient conditions. The SXPD is complemented by other techniques including Raman and Infrared Spectroscopy and SEM imaging.
There are a number of theories explaining the nature of the so-called X-shaped radio sources. According to one of them, an X-shaped source is indeed a cross whose one arm is associated with a double radio source that has changed its orientation in space, while the other arm is associated with relic lobes and its position indicates the former direction of the jets. Here, I present two new arguments in favour of this conjecture. Firstly, it is obvious that shortly after the repositioning, the pair of the new lobes must be very compact. To illustrate such a possibility, I show an EVN image of the central component of a triple source J1625+2712. When resolved, it appears as a compact double that is not aligned with the outer double so the whole source is indeed X-shaped. Secondly, I consider the situation when one of the arms of an X-shaped source is not intrinsically short but foreshortened by projection. I show two examples of triple sources whose central component is a blazar and the span of the lobes that straddle it amounts to more than 6\times10^5 pc. An assumption that sources of this kind have one axis, and so the lobes are beamed in the same way the core is, would require unrealistically huge deprojected linear sizes. Therefore, I claim that core-dominated triples (CDT) like these two have two axes: the one pertinent to the relic lobes is not pointed towards us so they are not beamed/foreshortened, whereas the axis pertinent to the jets makes a small angle with the line of sight so that a blazar is observed. It follows that X-shaped sources must be actual crosses and they are the parent (unbeamed) population of at least some CDT blazars, particularly those with large overall sizes.
We analyze how recent computations of the shear viscosity $\eta$ in the core of superfluid neutron stars affect the r-mode instability window. We take into account the contribution of superfluid phonons to the viscosity, both in their hydrodynamical and ballistic regime. Moreover, we also consider the recent computation of $\eta$ arising from the collisions of electrons with electrons and protons dominated by transverse plasmon exchange. We also discuss how the interactions among superfluid phonons and electrons might contribute to the shear viscosity, but argue that these interactions will be not be relevant for the study of r-mode damping. At very low temperatures, $T < 10^8$ K, the electron contribution to $\eta$ dominates, as then phonons are in a ballistic regime, and they mainly interact with the crust of the star. At higher temperatures the superfluid phonon contribution to $\eta$ is purely hydrodynamic and starts to dominate the process of r-mode damping. While our results for the instability window are preliminary, as other dissipative processes should be taken into account as well, they differ substantially from previous evaluations of the r-mode damping due to the shear viscosity in superfluid neutron stars.
In the present paper we study generation of the synchrotron emission by means of the feedback of Cherenkov drift waves on the particle distribution via the diffusion process. It is shown that despite the efficient synchrotron losses the excited Cherenkov drift instability leads to the quasi-linear diffusion (QLD), effect of which is balanced by dissipation factors and as a result the pitch angles are prevented from damping, maintaining the corresponding synchrotron emission. The model is analyzed for a wide range of physical parameters and it is shown that the mechanism of QLD guarantees the generation of electromagnetic radiation from soft $X$-rays up to soft $\gamma$-rays, strongly correlated with Cherenkov drift emission ranging from IR up to UV energy domains.
We present a 3He / 4He dilution refrigerator designed for cooling astronomical mm-wave telescope receivers to around 100 mK. Used in combination with a Gi?fford-McMahon closed-cycle refrigerator, 4He and 3He sorption-pumped refrigerators, our cryogen-free system is capable of achieving 2 microW cooling power at 87 mK. A receiver attached directly to the telescope optics is required to rotate with respect to the downward direction. This scenario, of variable tilt, has proved difficult for typical dilution refrigerators, but our design has a geometry chosen to allow tilt to 45 degrees and beyond.
Solar flares strongly affect the Sun's atmosphere as well as the Earth's environment. Quantifying the maximum possible energy of solar flares of the present-day Sun, if any, is thus a key question in heliophysics. The largest solar flares observed over the past few decades have reached energies of a few times 10^{32} ergs, possibly up to 10^{33} ergs. Flares in active Sun-like stars reach up to about 10^{36} ergs. In the absence of direct observations of solar flares within this range, complementary methods of investigation are needed. Using historical reports for solar active region, we scaled to observed solar values a realistic dimensionless 3D MHD simulation for eruptive flares, which originate from a highly sheared bipole. This enabled us to calculate the magnetic fluxes and flare energies in the model in a wide paramater space. Firstly, commonly observed solar conditions lead to modeled magnetic fluxes and flare energies that are comparable to those estimated from observations. Secondly, we evaluate from observations that 30% of the area of sunspot groups are typically involved in flares. This is related to the strong fragmentation of these groups, which naturally results from sub-photospheric convection. When the model is scaled to 30% of the area of the largest sunspot group ever reported, with its peak magnetic field being set to the strongest value ever measured in a sunspot, it produces a flare with a maximum energy of ~ 6x10^{33} ergs. The results of the model suggest that the Sun is able to produce flares up to about six times as energetic in total solar irradiance fluence as the strongest directly-observed flare from Nov 4, 2003. Sunspot groups larger than historically reported would yield superflares for spot pairs that would exceed tens of degrees in extent. We thus conjecture that superflare-productive Sun-like stars should have a much stronger dynamo than in the Sun.
We investigate the high-energy (HE) ($<1$GeV) emission from the pulsar PSR B1509-58 and its relation to the radio emission in the 1.4GHz frequency band. The role of the quasi-linear diffusion in producing the pulsed HE radiation is investigated. We show that by means of the cyclotron instability the relatively low frequency waves excite, which due to the diffusion process influence the particle distribution function and switch on the synchrotron emission mechanism. We argue that the coincidence of HE main peak and the radio pulse is a direct consequence of the fact that the high and low frequency radiation is produced simultaneously in a local area of the pulsar magnetosphere. In the paper we also consider the absence of the radio counter pulse and explain this fact.
The 2MASS Tully-Fisher Survey (2MTF) aims to measure Tully-Fisher (TF) distances for all bright inclined spirals in the 2MASS Redshift Survey (2MRS) using high quality HI widths and 2MASS photometry. Compared with previous peculiar velocity surveys, the 2MTF survey provides more accurate width measurements and more uniform sky coverage, combining observations with the Green Bank, Arecibo and Parkes telescopes. With this new redshift-independent distance database, we will significantly improve our understanding of the mass distribution in the local universe.
New rotational line strengths for the C2 Swan system have been calculated for vibrational bands with v'=0-10 and v"=0-9, and J values up to J=34-96, based on previous observations in 30 vibrational bands. Line positions from several sources were combined with the results from recent deperturbation studies of the v'=4 and v'=6 states, and a weighted global least squares fit was performed. We report the updated molecular constants. The line strengths are based on a recent ab initio calculation of the transition dipole moment function. A line list has been made available, including observed and calculated line positions, Einstein A coefficients and oscillator strengths (f-values). The line list will be useful for astronomers and combustion scientists who utilize C2 Swan spectra. Einstein A coefficients and f-values were also calculated for the vibrational bands of the Swan system.
We present the CoRoT light curve of the bright B2.5V star HD 48977 observed during a short run of the mission in 2008, as well as a high-resolution spectrum gathered with the HERMES spectrograph at the Mercator telescope. We use several time series analysis tools to explore the nature of the variations present in the light curve. We perform a detailed analysis of the spectrum of the star to determine its fundamental parameters and its element abundances. We find a large number of high-order g-modes, and one rotationally induced frequency. We find stable low-amplitude frequencies in the p-mode regime as well. We conclude that HD 48977 is a new Slowly Pulsating B star with fundamental parameters found to be Teff = 20000 $\pm$ 1000 K and log(g)=4.2 $/pm$ 0.1. The element abundances are similar to those found for other B stars in the solar neighbourhood. HD 48977 was observed during a short run of the CoRoT satellite implying that the frequency precision is insufficient to perform asteroseismic modelling of the star. Nevertheless, we show that a longer time series of this star would be promising for such modelling. Our present study contributes to a detailed mapping of the instability strips of B stars in view of the dominance of g-mode pulsations in the star, several of which occur in the gravito-inertial regime.
We study numerically the axisymmetric relativistic Bondi-Hoyle accretion of a supersonic ideal gas onto a fixed Schwarzschild background space-time described with horizon penetrating coordinates. We verify that a nearly stationary shock cone forms and that the properties of the shock cone are consistent with previous results in Newtonian gravity and former relativistic studies. The fact that the evolution of the gas is tracked on a spatial domain that contains a portion of the inner part of the black hole avoids the need to impose boundary conditions on a time-like boundary as done in the past. Thus, our approach contributes to the solution to the Bondi-Hoyle accretion problem at the length scale of the accretor in the sense that the gas is genuinely entering the black hole. As an astrophysical application, we study for a set of particular physical parameters, the spectrum of the shock cone vibrations and their potential association with QPO sources.
Context. The main element of the observing program of the
Spectrum-Roentgen-Gamma orbital observatory is a 4-years all-sky survey in the
course of which the entire sky will be scanned eight times.
Aims. We analyze statistical properties of AGN and QSOs to be detected in the
course of the eROSITA all-sky survey (eRASS).
Methods. Given the currently planned survey strategy, parameters of the
galactic and extragalactic X-ray background and results of the recent
calculations of the eROSITA instrumental background, we compute the sensitivity
map of the eRASS. Using the best available redshift-dependent AGN X-ray
luminosity function (XLF) we compute various characteristics of the eRASS AGN
sample, such as the luminosity and redshift distributions and the brightness
distributions of their optical counterparts.
Results. After four years of the survey, the sky-average sensitivity of
~10^(-14) erg s^(-1) cm^(-2) will be achieved in the 0.5-2.0 keV band. With
this sensitivity, eROSITA will detect about ~3 million of AGN on the
extragalactic sky (|b| > 10 deg). The median redshift of the eRASS AGN will be
z = 1 with ~40% of objects in the z = 1 - 2 redshift range. There will be about
~ 10^4 - 10^5 AGN beyond redshift z = 3 and about ~ 2 000 - 30 000 AGN beyond
redshift z = 4, the exact numbers depending on the poorly known behavior of the
AGN XLF in the high redshift and luminosity regimes. The 10% of brightest AGN
will be detected with more than ~38 counts per PSF HEW, whereas the 10% of
faintest objects will have less than ~9 counts. The optical counterparts of
about ~95% of AGN will be brighter than I_(AB) = 22.5mag. The planned scanning
strategy will allow one to search for transient events on the time scale of a
half a year and a ~few hours with the 0.5-2.0 keV sensitivity of ~ 2 x 10^(-14)
- ~ 2 x 10^(-13) erg s^(-1) cm^(-2) respectively.
The processes occurring in the solar atmosphere are diverse and depend on many important factors. For example, from magnetic fields, their sudden changes, from emissions of substance from the depths of the Sun, distribution of shock waves and plasma jets, etc. The paper describes the model of formation of the charged volumes of gas in solar atmosphere, which is called solar "storm clouds" by analogy with terrestrial storm clouds. The model will be based on the theory ionization equilibrium and the Saha equation.
The Green Bank Telescope H II Region Discovery Survey (GBT HRDS) found hundreds of previously unknown Galactic regions of massive star formation by detecting hydrogen radio recombination line (RRL) emission from candidate H II region targets. Since the HRDS nebulae lie at large distances from the Sun, they are located in previously unprobed zones of the Galactic disk. Here we derive the properties of helium and carbon RRL emission from HRDS nebulae. Our target sample is the subset of the HRDS that has visible helium or carbon RRLs. This criterion gives a total of 84 velocity components (14% of the HRDS) with helium emission and 52 (9%) with carbon emission. For our highest quality sources, the average ionic He-4+/H+ abundance ratio by number, <y+>, is 0.068 +/- 0.023 (1-sigma). This is the same ratio as that measured for the sample of previously known Galactic H II regions. Nebulae without detected helium emission give robust y+ upper limits. There are 5 RRL emission components with y+ less than 0.04 and another 12 with upper limits below this value. These H II regions must have either a very low He-4 abundance or contain a significant amount of neutral helium. The HRDS has 20 nebulae with carbon RRL emission but no helium emission at its sensitivity level. There is no correlation between the carbon RRL parameters and the 8 microns mid-infrared morphology of these nebulae.
We present 11.2 micron observations of the gravitationally lensed, radio-loud z_s=2.64 quasar MG0414+0534, obtained using the Michelle camera on Gemini North. We find a flux ratio anomaly of A2/A1= 0.93 +/- 0.02 for the quasar images A1 and A2. When combined with the 11.7 micron measurements from Minezaki et al.\ (2009), the A2/A1 flux ratio is nearly 5-sigma from the expected ratio for a model based on the two visible lens galaxies. The mid-IR flux ratio anomaly can be explained by a satellite (substructure), 0.3" Northeast of image A2, as can the detailed VLBI structures of the jet produced by the quasar. When we combine the mid-IR flux ratios with high-resolution VLBI measurements, we find a best-fit mass of 10^(7.3+/- 0.2) M_sol inside the Einstein radius for a satellite substructure modeled as a singular isothermal sphere at the redshift of the main lens (z_l=0.96). We are unable to set an interesting limit on the mass to light ratio due to its proximity to the quasar image A2. While the observations used here were technically difficult, surveys of flux anomalies in gravitational lenses with the James Webb Space Telescope will be simple, fast, and should well constrain the abundance of substructure in dark matter haloes.
We study the fourth-order stability of the triangular libration points in the absence of resonance for the three-body problem when the infinitesimal mass is affected not only by gravitation but also by light pressure from both primaries. A comprehensive summary of previous results is given, with some inaccuracies being corrected. The Lie triangle method is used to obtain the fourth-order Birkhoff normal form of the Hamiltonian, and the corresponding complex transformation to pre-normal form is given explicitly. We obtain an explicit expression for the determinant required by the Arnold-Moser theorem, and show that it is a rational function of the parameters, whose numerator is a fifth-order polynomial in the mass parameter. Particular cases where this polynomial reduces to a quartic are described. Our results reduce correctly to the purely gravitational case in the appropriate limits, and extend numerical work by previous authors.
We investigate the aligment processes between spinning black holes and warped accretion disks around them in a frame of two different types of feeding at the outer boundaries. We consider: I) fixed flows in which gas is continually fed with a preferred angular momentum, and II) free flows in which there is no gas supply and the disks diffuse freely at their outer edges. As expected, we find that for the cases of fixed flows the black hole-disk systems always end up alignments with timescales of several 10e6 years, irrespective of the initial inclinations. If the initial inclination angles larger than \pi/2, the black hole accretion transits from retrograde to prograde fashion and the accreted mass onto the holes during these two phases is comparable. On the other hand, for the cases of free flows, both alignments and anti-alignments can occur, depending on the initial inclinations and the ratios of the angular momentum of the disks to that of the holes. In such cases, the disks will be consumed within timescales of $10^6$ years by the black holes accreting at the Eddington limit. We propose that there is a close connect between black hole spins and the lifetimes that the feeding persists for, which determines the observable episodic lifetimes of active galactic nuclei. We conclude that careful inclusion of the feeding to the disks at the outer boundaries is crucial to modeling the evolution of black hole spins.
We derive the mass function of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) over the redshift range 0<z<2, using the latest deep luminosity and mass functions of field galaxies. Applying this mass function, combined with the bolometric luminosity function of active galactic nuclei (AGNs), into the the continuity equation of SMBH number density, we explicitly obtain the mass-dependent cosmological evolution of the radiative efficiency for accretion. We suggest that the accretion history of SMBHs and their spins evolve in two distinct regimes: an early phase of prolonged accretion, plausibly driven by major mergers, during which the black hole spins up, then switching to a period of random, episodic accretion, governed by minor mergers and internal secular processes, during which the hole spins down. The transition epoch depends on mass, mirroring other evidence for "cosmic downsizing" in the AGN population.
We present a comprehensive X-ray point source catalog of NGC 404 obtained as part of the Chandra Local Volume Survey. A new, 97 ks Chandra ACIS-S observation of NGC 404 was combined with archival observations for a total exposure of ~123 ks. Our survey yields 74 highly significant X-ray point sources and is sensitive to a limiting unabsorbed luminosity of ~6x10^35 erg s^-1 in the 0.35-8 keV band. To constrain the nature of each X-ray source, cross-correlations with multi-wavelength data were generated. We searched overlapping HST observations for optical counterparts to our X-ray detections, but find only two X-ray sources with candidate optical counterparts. We find 21 likely low mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs), although this number is a lower limit due to the difficulties in separating LMXBs from background AGN. The X-ray luminosity functions (XLFs) in both the soft and hard energy bands are presented. The XLFs in the soft band (0.5-2 keV) and the hard band (2-8 keV) have a limiting luminosity at the 90% completeness limit of 10^35 erg s^-1 and 10^36 erg s^-1, respectively, significantly lower than previous X-ray studies of NGC 404. We find the XLFs to be consistent with those of other X-ray populations dominated by LMXBs. However, the number of luminous (>10^37 erg s^-1) X-ray sources per unit stellar mass in NGC 404 is lower than is observed for other galaxies. The relative lack of luminous XRBs may be due to a population of LMXBs with main sequence companions formed during an epoch of elevated star formation ~0.5 Gyr ago.
The contribution of the quiet Sun to solar irradiance variability, due either to changes of the solar effective temperature or to the presence of unresolved magnetic field, is still poorly understood. In this study we investigate spectral line diagnostics that are sensitive to both temperature variations and the presence of small scale unresolved magnetic features in these areas of the solar atmosphere. Specifically we study the dependence on the magnetic flux density of three parameters describing the shape of two magnetically sensitive FeI lines, at 630.2 nm and 617.3 nm, namely the line core intensity (IC), full width at half maximum (FWHM), and the equivalent width (EQW). To this aim we analyze observations of active region NOAA 11172, acquired with IBIS at the Dunn Solar Telescope, as well as results from numerical synthesis. Our results show that IC is sensitive to both temperature and magnetic flux density variations, FWHM is mostly affected by magnetic field changes, and EQW is mostly sensitive to temperature. Variations of a few percent of the measured line parameters are found in observational data that was spatially degraded to represent quiet-Sun, disk-centre, medium resolution observations. It is therefore possible to disentangle magnetic from pure thermodynamic effects by comparison of temporal variations of the EQW and the FWHM of either the two FeI lines.
We report a reanalysis of data on the measured decay rate ratio $^{22}$Na/$^{44}$Ti which were originally published by Norman et al., and interpreted as supporting the conventional hypothesis that nuclear decay rates are constant and not affected by outside influences. We find upon a more detailed analysis of both the amplitude and the phase of the Norman data that they actually favor the presence of an annual variation in $^{22}$Na/$^{44}$Ti, albeit weakly. Moreover, this conclusion holds for a broad range of parameters describing the amplitude and phase of an annual sinusoidal variation in these data. The results from this and related analyses underscore the growing importance of phase considerations in understanding the possible influence of the Sun on nuclear decays. Our conclusions with respect to the phase of the Norman data are consistent with independent analyses of solar neutrino data obtained at Super-Kamiokande-I and the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO).
The instanton production for out-of-equilibrium scalar fields in a thermal bath of photons is computed in the thin-wall limit. Such a process accurately describes the melting and the breaking of a pion string via bubble nucleation. In a plasma, the topologically unstable pion string becomes metastable so that it can decay through quantum tunneling. In the following, the decay of the false vacuum into the true vacuum in the core of the string is used to quantify the quantum decay rate of the string into two strings. The cylindrically and spherically symmetric instantons are found. As a result of the tunneling, the string core melts, vacuum bubbles propagate along the string at almost the speed of light and baryon production could occur via skyrmion production.
We introduce a filter-construction method for pulse processing that differs in two respects from that in standard optimal filtering, in which the average pulse shape and noise-power spectral density are combined to create a convolution filter for estimating pulse heights. First, the proposed filters are computed in the time domain, to avoid periodicity artifacts of the discrete Fourier transform, and second, orthogonality constraints are imposed on the filters, to reduce the filtering procedure's sensitivity to unknown baseline height and pulse tails. We analyze the proposed filters, predicting energy resolution under several scenarios, and apply the filters to high-rate pulse data from gamma-rays measured by a transition-edge-sensor microcalorimeter.
We study a broad class of isotropic vacuum cosmologies in fourth-order gravity under the condition that the gravitational Lagrangian be scale-invariant or almost scale-invariant. The gravitational Lagrangians considered will be of the form L = f(R) + k(G) where R and G are the Ricci and Gauss-Bonnet scalars respectively. Specifically we take f(R) = R^2n and k(G) = G^n or k(G) = G ln G. We find solutions in closed form for a spatially flat Friedmann space-time and interpret their asymptotic early-time and late-time behaviour as well as their inflationary stages. One unique example which we discuss is the case of a very small negative value of the parameter b in the Lagrangian L = R^2 + b G ln G which leads to the replacement of the exact de Sitter solution from L = R^2 (being a local attractor) to a power-law inflation exact solution also representing a local attractor. This shows how one can modify the dynamics from de Sitter to power-law inflation by the addition of the G ln G-term.
Anomaly mediated supersymmetry breaking (AMSB) is a well-known mechanism for flavor-blind transmission of supersymmetry breaking from the hidden sector to the visible sector. However, the pure AMSB scenario suffers from a serious drawback, namely, the tachyonic slepton problem, and needs to be extended. The so-called (positively) deflected AMSB is a simple extension to solve the problem and also provides us with the usual neutralino lightest superpartner (LSP) as a good candidate for dark matter in the Universe. Motivated by the recent discovery of the Higgs boson at the large hadron collider (LHC) experiments, we perform the parameter scan in the deflected AMSB scenario by taking into account a variety of phenomenological constraints such as the dark matter relic density and the observed Higgs boson mass around 125-126 GeV. We identify the allowed parameter region and list benchmark mass spectra. We find that in most of the allowed parameter regions, the dark matter neutralino is Higgsino-like and its cross section of the elastic scattering with nuclei is within the future reach of the direct dark matter search experiments, while (colored) sparticles are quite heavy and their discovery at the LHC is challenging.
We compute the refractive indices of a photon propagating in strong magnetic fields on the basis of the analytic representation of the vacuum polarization tensor obtained in our previous paper. When the external magnetic field is strong enough for the fermion one-loop diagram of the polarization tensor to be approximated by the lowest Landau level, the propagating mode in parallel to the magnetic field is subject to modification: The refractive index deviates from unity and can be very large, and when the photon energy is large enough, the refractive index acquires an imaginary part indicating decay of a photon into a fermion-antifermion pair. We study dependences of the refractive index on the propagating angle and the magnetic-field strength. It is also emphasized that a self-consistent treatment of the equation which defines the refractive index is indispensable for accurate description of the refractive index. This self-consistent treatment physically corresponds to consistently including the effects of back reactions of the distorted Dirac sea in response to the incident photon.
We study the accelerating cosmology in massive $F(R)$ bigravity via the reconstruction scheme. The consistent solution of the FRW equations is presented: it includes Big and Little Rip, quintessence, de Sitter and decelerating universes described by the physical $g$ metric while the corresponding solution of the universe described by the reference $f$ metric is also found. It is demonstrated that in general the cosmological singularities of $g$ metric are manifested as cosmological singularities of the reference $f$ metric. However, there are models where cosmological singularity does not occur in the universe described by $g$ metric while it occurs in $f$ universe and vice-versa. Alternatively, the structure of singularity may change (Big Rip in $f$ universe becomes Little Rip in $g$ universe). The consistent solution describing Big and Little Rip, quintessence, de Sitter and decelerating universes for coinciding $g$ and $f$ metrics is established, indicating the connection with the convenient single metric background formulation. The possible relation between super-luminal particle observation as manifestation of reference metric (or better to say, of massive graviton) is briefly discussed.
We investigate the role of kinetic instabilities driven by a proton anisotropy on the onset of magnetic reconnection by means of 2-D hybrid simulations. The collisionless tearing of a current sheet is studied in the presence of a proton temperature anisotropy in the surrounding plasma. Our results confirm that anisotropic protons within the current sheet region can significantly enhance/stabilize the tearing instability of the current. Moreover, fluctuations associated to linear instabilities excited by large proton temperature anisotropies can significantly influence the stability of the plasma and perturb the current sheets, triggering the tearing instability. We find that such a complex coupling leads to a faster tearing evolution in a regime with larger perpendicular temperature when an ion-cyclotron instability is generated by the anisotropic proton distribution functions. On the contrary, in the presence of the opposite anisotropy, fire hose fluctuations excited by the unstable background protons with larger parallel temperature are not able to efficiently destabilize the current sheets, which remain stable for a long time after fire hose saturation. We discuss possible influences of this novel coupling on the solar wind and heliospheric plasma dynamics.
We present the theory of a supersymmetric ghost condensate coupled to N=1 supergravity. This is accomplished using a general formalism for constructing locally supersymmetric higher-derivative chiral superfield actions. The theory admits a ghost condensate vacuum in de Sitter spacetime. Expanded around this vacuum, the scalar sector of the theory is shown to be ghost-free with no spatial gradient instabilities. By direct calculation, the fermion sector is found to consist of a massless chiral fermion and a massless gravitino. By analyzing the supersymmetry transformations, we find that the chiral fermion transforms inhomogeneously, indicating that the ghost condensate vacuum spontaneously breaks local supersymmetry with this field as the Goldstone fermion. Although potentially able to get a mass through the super-Higgs effect, the vanishing superpotential in the ghost condensate theory renders the gravitino massless. Thus local supersymmetry is broken without the super-Higgs effect taking place. This is in agreement with, and gives an explanation for, the direct calculation.
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We describe observed properties of the Type Iax class of supernovae (SNe Iax), consisting of SNe observationally similar to its prototypical member, SN 2002cx. The class currently has 25 members, and we present optical photometry and/or optical spectroscopy for most of them. SNe Iax are spectroscopically similar to SNe Ia, but have lower maximum-light velocities (2000 < |v| < 8000 km/s), typically lower peak magnitudes (-14.2 > M_V,peak > -18.9 mag), and most have hot photospheres. Relative to SNe Ia, SNe Iax have low luminosities for their light-curve shape. There is a correlation between luminosity and light-curve shape, similar to that of SNe Ia, but offset from that of SNe Ia and with larger scatter. Despite a host-galaxy morphology distribution that is highly skewed to late-type galaxies without any SNe Iax discovered in elliptical galaxies, there are several indications that the progenitor stars are white dwarfs (WDs): evidence of C/O burning in their maximum-light spectra, low ejecta masses, strong Fe lines in their late-time spectra, a lack of X-ray detections, and deep limits on massive stars and star formation at the SN sites. However, two SNe Iax show strong He lines in their spectra. The progenitor system and explosion model that best fits all of the data is a binary system of a C/O WD that accretes matter from a He star and has a significant deflagration. At least some of the time, this explosion will not disrupt the WD. We estimate that in a given volume there are 31^+17_-13 SNe Iax for every 100 SNe Ia, and for every 1 M_sun of iron generated by SNe Ia at z = 0, SNe Iax generate 0.052^+0.017_-0.014 M_sun. Being the largest class of peculiar SNe, thousands of SNe Iax will be discovered by LSST. Future detailed observations of SNe Iax should further our understanding of both their progenitor systems and explosions as well as those of SNe Ia.
We present a measurement of the angular power spectrum of the cosmic far-infrared background (CFIRB) anisotropies in one of the extragalactic fields of the Herschel Astrophysical Terahertz Large Area Survey (H-ATLAS) at 250, 350 and 500 \mu m bands. Consistent with recent measurements of the CFIRB power spectrum in Herschel-SPIRE maps, we confirm the existence of a clear one-halo term of galaxy clustering on arcminute angular scales with large-scale two-halo term of clustering at 30 arcminutes to angular scales of a few degrees. The power spectrum at the largest angular scales, especially at 250 \mu m, is contaminated by the Galactic cirrus. The angular power spectrum is modeled using a conditional luminosity function approach to describe the spatial distribution of unresolved galaxies that make up the bulk of the CFIRB. Integrating over the dusty galaxy population responsible for the background anisotropies, we find that the cosmic abundance of dust, relative to the critical density, to be between \Omega_dust=10^{-6} and 8 x 10^{-6} in the redshift range z ~ 0-3. This dust abundance is consistent with estimates of the dust content in the Universe using quasar reddening and magnification measurements in the SDSS.
The X-ray emission from active galactic nuclei (AGN) is highly variable. Measurements of time lags (characterised by lag spectra) between variability in the light curves in energy bands corresponding to directly observed continuum emission from the corona around the black hole and to X-rays reflected from the accretion disc adds a further dimension to studies of the structure and energetics of these systems. We seek to understand these measurements in terms of the physical parameters of the X-ray source (its location, extent, etc.) through the calculation of theoretical lag spectra for a range of source parameters in general relativistic ray tracing simulations, combined with knowledge of the observed variability of the X-ray emission from AGN. Due to the proximity of the emission to the central black hole, Shapiro delays are important and the effects of general relativity should be considered when interpreting the lags as the light travel time between the source and reflector. We show that it is important to consider dilution of the lag by the contribution of both the primary and reflected spectral components to the observed energy bands. We find that the observed lag spectrum of the narrow line Seyfert 1 galaxy 1H 0707-495 implies an X-ray source extending radially outwards to around 35rg and at a height of around 2rg above the plane of the accretion disc, consistent with the constraints obtained independently by considering the emissivity profile of the accretion disc. By investigating the influence of the propagation of X-ray luminosity fluctuations through the source region we find it is possible to reproduce the shape of the low frequency part of the lag spectrum (where the hard 'primary' band lags behind the soft 'reflected' band) as the effect of luminosity fluctuations originating in the centre of the X-ray source, close to the black hole, and propagating outwards.
We present two-dimensional inviscid hydrodynamic simulations of overstable inertial-acoustic oscillation modes (p-modes) in black-hole accretion discs. These global spiral waves are trapped in the inner-most region of the disc, and are driven overstable by wave absorption at the corotation resonance ($r_c$) when the gradient of the background disc vortensity (vorticity divided by surface density) at $r_c$ is positive and the disc inner boundary is sufficiently reflective. Previous linear calculations have shown that the growth rates of these modes can be as high as 10% of the rotation frequency at the disc inner edge. We confirm these linear growth rates and the primary disc oscillation frequencies in our simulations when the mode amplitude undergoes exponential growth. We show that the mode growth saturates when the radial velocity perturbation becomes comparable to the disc sound speed. During the saturation stage, the primary disc oscillation frequency differs only slightly (by less than a few percent) from the linear mode frequency. Sharp features in the fluid velocity profiles at this stage suggest that the saturation results from nonlinear wave steepening and mode-mode interactions.
We investigate the behavior of the fifth force in voids in chameleon models using the spherical collapse method. Contrary to Newtonian gravity, we find the fifth force is repulsive in voids. The strength of the fifth force depends on the density inside and outside the void region as well as its radius. It can be many times larger than the Newtonian force and their ratio is in principle unbound. This is very different from the case in halos, where the fifth force is no more than 1/3 of gravity. The evolution of voids is governed by the Newtonian gravity, the effective dark energy force and the fifth force. While the first two forces are common in both LCDM and chameleon universes, the fifth force is unique to the latter. Driven by the outward-pointing fifth force, individual voids in chameleon models expand faster and grow larger than in a LCDM universe. The expansion velocity of the void shell can be 20% to 30% larger for voids of a few Mpc/h in radius, while their sizes can be larger by ~10%. These differences are smaller for larger voids of the same density. We compare void statistics using excursion set theory; for voids of the same size, their number density is larger in chameleon models. The fractional difference increases with void size. The chance of having voids of radius ~25 Mpc/h can be 2.5 times larger. This difference is about 10 times larger than that in the halo mass function. We find strong environmental dependence of void properties in chameleon models. The differences in size and expansion velocity with GR are both larger for small voids in high density regions. In general, the difference between chameleon models and LCDM in void properties (size, expansion velocity and distribution function) are larger than the corresponding quantities for halos. This suggests that voids might be better candidates than halos for testing gravity.
Circumbinary planetary systems recently discovered by Kepler represent an important testbed for planet formation theories. Planetesimal growth in disks around binaries has been expected to be inhibited interior to ~10 AU by secular excitation of high relative velocities between planetesimals, leading to their collisional destruction (rather than agglomeration). Here we show that gravity of the gaseous circumbinary disk in which planets form drives fast precession of both the planetesimal and binary orbits, resulting in strong suppression of planetesimal eccentricities beyond 2-3 AU and making possible growth of 1-100 km objects in this region. The precise location of the boundary of accretion-friendly region depends on the size of the inner disk cavity cleared by the binary torques and on the disk mass (even 0.01 M_Sun disk strongly suppresses planetesimal excitation), among other things. Precession of the orbit of the central binary, enhanced by the mass concentration naturally present at the inner edge of a circumbinary disk, plays key role in this suppression, which is a feature specific to the circumbinary planet formation.
We present some of the first science data with the new Keck/MOSFIRE instrument to test the effectiveness of different AGN/SF diagnostics at z~1.5. MOSFIRE spectra were obtained in three H-band multi-slit masks in the GOODS-S field, resulting in two hour exposures of 36 emission-line galaxies. We compare X-ray data with the traditional "BPT" line ratio diagnostics and the alternative mass-excitation and color-excitation diagrams, combining new MOSFIRE infrared data with previous HST/WFC3 infrared spectra (from the 3D-HST survey) and multiwavelength photometry. We demonstrate that a high [OIII]/\Hb ratio is insufficient as an AGN indicator at z>1. For the four X-ray detected galaxies, the classic BPT diagnostic ([OIII]/Hb vs. [NII]/Ha and [SII]/Ha) remains consistent with X-ray AGN/SF classification. The X-ray data also suggest that "composite" galaxies (with intermediate AGN/SF classification) host bona-fide AGNs. Nearly 2/3 of the z~1.5 emission-line galaxies have nuclear activity detected by either X-rays or the BPT diagnostic. Compared to the X-ray and BPT classifications, the mass-excitation method remains effective at z>1, but we show that the color-excitation method requires a new calibration to successfully identify AGNs at these redshifts.
Observations show that star formation in galaxies is closely correlated with the abundance of molecular hydrogen. Modeling this empirical relation from first principles proves challenging, however, and many question regarding its properties remain open. For instance, the exact functional form of the relation is still debated and it is also unknown whether it applies at z>4, where CO observations are sparse. Here, we analyze how the shape of the star formation -- gas relation affects the cosmic star formation history and global galaxy properties using an analytic model that follows the average evolution of galaxies in dark matter halos across cosmic time. We show that a linear relation with an H2 depletion time of ~2.5 Gyr, as found in studies of nearby galaxies, results in good agreement with current observations of galaxies at both low and high redshift. These observations include the evolution of the cosmic star formation rate density, the z~4-9 UV luminosity function, the evolution of the mass -- metallicity relation, the relation between stellar and halo mass, and the gas-to-stellar mass ratios of galaxies. In contrast, the short depletion times that result from adopting a highly super-linear star formation -- gas relation lead to large star formation rates, substantial metal enrichment (~0.1 solar), and low gas-to-stellar mass ratios already at z~10, in disagreement with observations. These results can be understood in terms of an equilibrium picture of galaxy evolution in which gas inflows, outflows, and star formation drive the metallicities and gas fractions toward equilibrium values that are determined by the ratio of the gas accretion time to the gas depletion time. In this picture, the cosmic modulation of the accretion rate is the primary process that drives the evolution of stellar masses, gas masses, and metallicities of galaxies from high redshift until today.
We study the influence of the spatial resolution on scales of $5\deg$ and smaller of solar surface magnetic field maps on global magnetohydrodynamic solar wind models, and on a model of coronal heating and X-ray emission. We compare the solutions driven by a low-resolution Wilcox Solar Observatory magnetic map, the same map with spatial resolution artificially increased by a refinement algorithm, and a high-resolution Solar and Heliospheric Observatory Michelson Doppler Imager map. We find that both the wind structure and the X-ray morphology are affected by the fine-scale surface magnetic structure. Moreover, the X-ray morphology is dominated by the closed loop structure between mixed polarities on smaller scales and shows significant changes between high and low resolution maps. We conclude that three-dimensional modeling of coronal X-ray emission has greater surface magnetic field spatial resolution requirements than wind modeling, and can be unreliable unless the dominant mixed polarity magnetic flux is properly resolved.
The ESPRI project relies on the astrometric capabilities offered by the PRIMA facility of the Very Large Telescope Interferometer for the discovery and study of planetary systems. Our survey consists of obtaining high-precision astrometry for a large sample of stars over several years and to detect their barycentric motions due to orbiting planets. We present the operation principle, the instrument's implementation, and the results of a first series of test observations. A comprehensive overview of the instrument infrastructure is given and the observation strategy for dual-field relative astrometry is presented. The differential delay lines, a key component of the PRIMA facility which was delivered by the ESPRI consortium, are described and their performance within the facility is discussed. Observations of bright visual binaries are used to test the observation procedures and to establish the instrument's astrometric precision and accuracy. The data reduction strategy for astrometry and the necessary corrections to the raw data are presented. Adaptive optics observations with NACO are used as an independent verification of PRIMA astrometric observations. The PRIMA facility was used to carry out tests of astrometric observations. The astrometric performance in terms of precision is limited by the atmospheric turbulence at a level close to the theoretical expectations and a precision of 30 micro-arcseconds was achieved. In contrast, the astrometric accuracy is insufficient for the goals of the ESPRI project and is currently limited by systematic errors that originate in the part of the interferometer beamtrain which is not monitored by the internal metrology system. Our observations led to the definition of corrective actions required to make the facility ready for carrying out the ESPRI search for extrasolar planets.
We present measurements of circular polarization from rotational spectral lines of molecular species in Orion KL, most notably 12CO (J=2 - 1), obtained at the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory with the Four-Stokes-Parameter Spectra Line Polarimeter. We find levels of polarization of up to 1 to 2% in general, for 12CO (J=2 - 1) this level is comparable to that of linear polarization also measured for that line. We present a physical model based on resonant scattering in an attempt to explain our observations. We discuss how slight differences in scattering amplitudes for radiation polarized parallel and perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field, responsible for the alignment of the scattering molecules, can lead to the observed circular polarization. We also show that the effect is proportional to the square of the magnitude of the plane of the sky component of the magnetic field, and therefore opens up the possibility of measuring this parameter from circular polarization measurements of Zeeman insensitive molecules.
We measure the intracluster medium temperature distributions for 62 galaxy clusters in the HIFLUGCS, an X-ray flux-limited sample, with available X-ray data from XMM-Newton. We search for correlations between the width of the temperature distributions and other cluster properties, including median cluster temperature, luminosity, size, presence of a cool core, AGN activity, and dynamical state. We use a Markov Chain Monte Carlo analysis which models the ICM as a collection of X-ray emitting smoothed particles of plasma. Each smoothed particle is given its own set of parameters, including temperature, spatial position, redshift, size, and emission measure. This allows us to measure the width of the temperature distribution, median temperature, and total emission measure of each cluster. We find that none of the clusters have a temperature width, \sigma_kT, consistent with isothermality. Counterintuitively, we also find that the temperature distribution widths of disturbed, non-cool-core, and AGN-free clusters tend to be wider than in other clusters. A linear fit to \sigma_kT - kT_med finds \sigma_kT ~ 0.20kT_med + 1.08, with an estimated intrinsic scatter of ~ 0.55 keV, demonstrating a large range in ICM thermal histories.
It has recently been shown that there is a close correlation between the slowdown rates and the pulse shapes of six pulsars, and between the slowdown rates and the flux density of three others. This indicates that these phenomena are related by changes in the current flows in the pulsar magnetospheres. In this paper we review the observational status of these studies, which have now been extended to a total of 16 pulsars having correlated slowdown and pulse emission properties. The changes seem to be due to sudden switching between just two discrete magnetospheric states in the well-known processes of mode-changing and pulse nulling. We also address how widespread these phenomena are in the wider pulsar population.
In the study of galaxy integrated light, if photometric indicators could extract age and metallicity information of high enough quality, photometry might be vastly more efficient than spectroscopy for the same astrophysical goals. Toward this end, we search three photometric systems: David Dunlap Observatory (DDO), Beijing-Arizona-Taiwan-Connecticut (BATC), and Stromgren systems for their ability to disentangle age and abundance effects. Only the Stromgren [c_1] vs. [m_1] plot shows moderate age-metallicity disentanglement. We also add to the discussion of optical to near-infrared Johnson-Cousins broad band colours, finding a great decrease in age sensitivity when updated isochrones are used.
If dark matter is mainly composed of axions, the density distribution can be non uniform distributed but clumpy instead. By solving the Einstein-Klein Gordon system of a scalar field with a potential energy density of an axion like particle, we obtain the maximum mass of the self gravitating system made of axions called axion stars. The collision of axion stars with neutron stars may release the energy of axions due to the conversion of axions into photons in the presence of the neutron star magnetic field. We estimate the energy release and shown that it may exceed the solar luminosity per collision but should be much less than previous estimates. Future data from femtolensing should strongly constrain this scenario.
Glycine is the simplest proteinaceous amino acid and is present in all life-forms on Earth. In aqueous solutions, it appears mainly as zwitterion glycine (+NH3CH2COO-); however, in solid phase, it may be found in amorphous or crystalline (alpha, beta, and gamma) forms. This molecular species has been extensively detected in carbonaceous meteorites and was recently observed in the cometary samples returned to Earth by NASA's Stardust spacecraft. We present an experimental study on the destruction of zwitterionic glycine crystals at room temperature by 1 MeV protons, in which the dependence of the destruction rates of the alpha-glycine and beta-glycine crystals on bombardment fluence is investigated. The samples were analyzed in situ by FTIR spectrometry at different proton fluences at under ultrahigh vacuum conditions at the Van de Graaff accelerator lab at PUC-Rio, Brazil. The dissociation cross section of alpha-glycine was observed to be 2.5E-14 cm^-2, a value roughly 5 times higher than the dissociation cross section found for beta-glycine. The estimated half-lives of alpha-glycine and beta-glycine forms extrapolated to the Earth orbit environment are 9E5 and 4E6 years, respectively. In the diffuse interstellar medium the estimated values are 1 order of magnitude lower. These results suggest that pristine interstellar beta-glycine is the one most likely to survive the hostile environments of space radiation. A small feature around 1650-1700 cm^-1, tentatively attributed to an amide functional group, was observed in the IR spectra of irradiated samples, suggesting that cosmic rays may induce peptide bond synthesis in glycine crystals. Combining this finding with the fact that this form has the highest solubility among the other glycine polymorphs, we suggest that beta-glycine is the one most likely to have produced the first peptides on primitive Earth.
We study the global efficiency of star formation in high resolution hydrodynamical simulations of gas discs embedded in isolated early-type and spiral galaxies. Despite using a universal local law to form stars in the simulations, we find that the early-type galaxies are offset from the spirals on the large-scale Kennicutt relation, and form stars 2 to 5 times less efficiently. This offset is in agreement with previous results on morphological quenching: gas discs are more stable against star formation when embedded in early-type galaxies due to the lower disc self-gravity and increased shear. As a result, these gas discs do not fragment into dense clumps and do not reach as high densities as in the spiral galaxies. Even if some molecular gas is present, the fraction of very dense gas (above 10^4 cm-3) is significantly reduced, which explains the overall lower star formation efficiency. We also analyse a sample of local early-type and spiral galaxies, measuring their CO and HI surface densities and their star formation rates as determined by their non-stellar 8um emission. As predicted by the simulations, we find that the early-type galaxies are offset from the Kennicutt relation compared to the spirals, with a twice lower efficiency. Finally, we validate our approach by performing a direct comparison between models and observations. We run a simulation designed to mimic the stellar and gaseous properties of NGC524, a lenticular galaxy, and find a gas disc structure and global star formation rate in good agreement with the observations. Morphological quenching thus seems to be a robust mechanism, and is also consistent with other observations of a reduced star formation efficiency in early-type galaxies in the COLD GASS survey. This lower efficiency of star formation is not enough to explain the formation of the whole Red Sequence, but can contribute to the reddening of some galaxies.
By reaching through shrouding blastwaves, efficiently discovering off-axis events, and probing the central engine at work, gravitational wave (GW) observations will soon revolutionize the study of gamma-ray bursts. Already, analyses of GW data targeting gamma-ray bursts have helped constrain the central engines of selected events. Advanced GW detectors with significantly improved sensitivities are under construction. After outlining the GW emission mechanisms from gamma-ray burst progenitors (binary coalescences, stellar core collapses, magnetars, and others) that may be detectable with advanced detectors, we review how GWs will improve our understanding of gamma-ray burst central engines, their astrophysical formation channels, and the prospects and methods for different search strategies. We place special emphasis on multimessenger searches. To achieve the most scientific benefit, GW, electromagnetic, and neutrino observations should be combined to provide greater discriminating power and science reach.
Recurrent novae are binaries harboring a very massive white dwarf (WD), as massive as the Chandrasekhar mass, because of their short recurrence periods of nova outbursts of 10-100 years. Thus, recurrent novae are considered as candidates of progenitors of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). In fact, the SN Ia PTF11kx showed evidence that its progenitor is a symbiotic recurrent nova. The binary parameters of recurrent novae have been well determined, especially for the ones with frequent outbursts, U Sco and RS Oph, which provide useful information on the elementary processes in binary evolution toward SNe Ia. Therefore we use them as testbeds for binary evolution models. For example, the original double degenerate (DD) scenario cannot reproduce RS Oph type recurrent novae, whereas the new single degenerate (SD) scenario proposed by Hachisu et al. (1999) naturally can. We review main differences between the SD and DD scenarios, especially for their basic processes of binary evolution. We also discuss observational support for each physical process. The original DD scenario is based on the physics in 1980s, whereas the SD scenario on more recent physics including the new opacity, mass-growth efficiency of WDs, and optically thick winds developed in nova outbursts.
We use the Szekeres inhomogeneous cosmological models to study the growth of large-scale structure in the universe including nonzero spatial curvature and a cosmological constant. In particular, we use the Goode and Wainwright formulation, as in this form the models can be considered to represent exact nonlinear perturbations of an averaged background. We identify a density contrast in both classes I and II of the models, for which we derive growth evolution equations. By including Lambda, the time evolution of the density contrast as well as kinematic quantities can be tracked through the matter- and Lambda-dominated cosmic eras up to the present and into the future. In various models of class I and class II, the growth rate is found to be stronger than that of the LCDM cosmology, and it is suppressed at later times due to the presence of Lambda. We find that there are Szekeres models able to provide a growth history similar to that of LCDM while requiring less matter content and nonzero curvature, which speaks to the importance of including the effects of large-scale inhomogeneities in analyzing the growth of large-scale structure. Using data for the growth factor f from redshift space distortions and the Lyman-alpha forest, we obtain best fit parameters for class II models and compare their ability to match observations with LCDM. We find that there is negligible difference between best fit Szekeres models with no priors and those for LCDM, both including and excluding Lyman-alpha data. We also find that the growth index gamma parametrization cannot be applied in a simple way to the growth in Szekeres models, so a direct comparison of the function f to the data is performed. We conclude that the Szekeres models can provide an exact framework for the analysis of large-scale growth data that includes inhomogeneities and allows for different interpretations of observations. (abridged)
Boxy/peanut bulges are believed to originate from galactic discs through
secular processes. A little explored question is how this evolution would be
modified if the initial disc was assembled around a preexisting classical
bulge. Previously we showed that a low-mass initial classical bulge (ICB), as
might have been present in Milky Way-like galaxies, can spin up significantly
by gaining angular momentum from a bar formed through disc instability. Here we
investigate how the disc instability and the kinematics of the final
boxy/peanut (BP) bulge depend on the angular momentum of such a low-mass ICB.
We show that a strong bar forms and transfers angular momentum to the ICB in
all our models. However, rotation in the ICB limits the emission of the bar's
angular momentum, which in turn changes the size and growth of the bar, and of
the BP bulge formed from the disc.
The final BP bulge in these models is a superposition of the BP bulge formed
via the buckling instability and the spun-up ICB. We find that the long-term
kinematics of the composite BP bulges in our simulations is independent of the
rotation of the ICB, and is always described by cylindrical rotation. However,
as a result of the co-evolution between bulge and bar, deviations from
cylindrical rotation are seen during the early phases of secular evolution, and
may correspond to similar deviations observed in some bulges. We provide a
simple criterion to quantify deviations from pure cylindrical rotation, apply
it to all our model bulges, and also illustrate its use for two galaxies:
NGC7332 and NGC4570.
We study the semi-holographic idea in context of decaying dark components. The energy flow between dark energy and the compensating dark matter is thermodynamically generalized to involve a particle number variable dark component with non-zero chemical potential. It's found that, unlike the original semi-holographic model, no cosmological constant is needed for a dynamical evolution of the universe. A transient phantom phase appears while a non-trivial dark energy-dark matter scaling solution keeps at late time, which evades the big-rip and helps to resolve the coincidence problem. For reasonable parameters, the deceleration parameter is well consistent with current observations. The original semi-holographic model is extended and it also suggests that the concordance model may be reconstructed from the semi-holographic idea.
In this comment, we discuss the possibility of imaging the radiative precursor of a strong shock with a 21.2 nm soft x-ray laser probe and we analyze the data presented in C.Stehle et al "New probing techniques of radiative shocks", (Optics Communications 285, 64, 2012) in order to derive some estimation of the achieved resolution. We show that the presented results are inconclusive for the existence of a radiative precursor. Furthermore, our best estimation of cold and warm Xenon VUV opacities tells that 21.2 nm backlighting would not be able to probe this radiative precursor.
The 18F(p,\alpha)15O reaction rate is crucial for constraining model predictions of the \gamma-ray observable radioisotope 18F produced in novae. The determination of this rate is challenging due to particular features of the level scheme of the compound nucleus, 19Ne, which result in interference effects potentially playing a significant role. The dominant uncertainty in this rate arises from interference between J\pi=3/2+ states near the proton threshold (Sp = 6.411 MeV) and a broad J\pi=3/2+ state at 665 keV above threshold. This unknown interference term results in up to a factor of 40 uncertainty in the astrophysical S-factor at nova temperatures. Here we report a new measurement of states in this energy region using the 19F(3He,t)19Ne reaction. In stark contrast with previous assumptions we find at least 3 resonances between the proton threshold and Ecm=50 keV, all with different angular distributions. None of these are consistent with J\pi= 3/2+ angular distributions. We find that the main uncertainty now arises from the unknown proton-width of the 48 keV resonance, not from possible interference effects. Hydrodynamic nova model calculations performed indicate that this unknown width affects 18F production by at least a factor of two in the model considered.
We have analyzed the motion of an infinitesimal mass in the restricted four body problem with solar wind drag. It is assumed that forces which govern the motion are mutual gravitational attractions of the primaries, radiation pressure force and solar wind drag. We have derived the equations of motion and find the Jacobi integral, zero velocity surfaces and particular solutions of the system. It is found that three collinear points are real when radiation factor $0<\beta<0.1$ whereas only one real point obtained when $0.125<\beta<0.2$. Again, stability property of the system is examined with the help of Poincar\'{e} surface of section (PSS) and Lyapunov characteristic exponents (LCEs). It is found that in presence of drag forces LCE is negative for a specific initial condition, hence the corresponding trajectory is regular whereas regular islands in the PSS are expanded.
The discovery of a 2 Msun neutron star provided a robust constraint for the theory of exotic dense matter, questioning the existence of strange baryons in the interiors of neutron stars. With many theories failing to reproduce this observational result, several equations of state containing hyperons are consistent with it. We study global properties of stars using equations of state containing hyperons, and compare them to those without hyperons in order to find similarities, differences and limits that can be compared with the astrophysical observations. Rotating, axisymmetric and stationary stellar configurations in General Relativity are obtained, and their global parameters are studied. Approximate formulae describing the behavior of the maximum and minimum stellar mass, compactness, surface redshifts and moments of inertia as functions of spin frequency are provided. We also study the thin disk accretion and compare the spin-up evolution of stars with different moments of inertia.
We study how the precision of the exoplanet radius determination is affected by our present knowledge of limb darkening in two cases: when we fix the limb darkening coefficients and when we adjust them. We also investigate the effects of spots in one-colour photometry. We study the effect of limb darkening on the planetary radius determination both via analytical expressions and by numerical experiments. We also compare some of the existing limb darkening tables. When stellar spots affect the fit, we replace the limb darkening coefficients, calculated for the unspotted cases, with effective limb darkening coefficients to describe the effect of the spots. There are two important cases. (1) When one fixes the limb darkening values according to some theoretical predictions, the inconsistencies of the tables do not allow us to reach accuracy in the planetary radius of better than 1-10% (depending on the impact parameter) if the host star's surface effective temperature is higher than 5000 K. Below 5000 K the radius ratio determination may contain even 20% error. (2) When one allows adjustment of the limb darkening coefficients, the a/Rs ratio, the planet-to-stellar radius ratio, and the impact parameter can be determined with sufficient accuracy (<1%), if the signal-to-noise ratio is high enough. However, the presence of stellar spots and faculae can destroy the agreement between the limb darkening tables and the fitted limb darkening coefficients, but this does not affect the precision of the planet radius determination. We also find that it is necessary to fit the contamination factor, too. We conclude that the present inconsistencies of theoretical stellar limb darkening tables suggests one should not fix the limb darkening coefficients. When one allows them to be adjusted, then the planet radius, impact parameter, and the a/Rs can be obtained with the required precision.
Cyg OB2 #9 is one of a small set of non-thermal radio emitting massive O-star binaries. The non-thermal radiation is due to synchrotron emission in the colliding-wind region. Cyg OB2 #9 was only recently discovered to be a binary system and a multi-wavelength campaign was organized to study its 2011 periastron passage. We report here on the results of the radio observations obtained in this monitoring campaign. We used the Expanded Very Large Array (EVLA) radio interferometer to obtain 6 and 20 cm continuum fluxes. The observed radio light curve shows a steep drop in flux sometime before periastron. The fluxes drop to a level that is comparable to the expected free-free emission from the stellar winds, suggesting that the non-thermal emitting region is completely hidden at that time. After periastron passage, the fluxes slowly increase. We introduce a simple model to solve the radiative transfer in the stellar winds and the colliding-wind region, and thus determine the expected behaviour of the radio light curve. From the asymmetry of the light curve, we show that the primary has the stronger wind. This is somewhat unexpected if we use the astrophysical parameters based on theoretical calibrations. But it becomes entirely feasible if we take into account that a given spectral type - luminosity class combination covers a range of astrophysical parameters. The colliding-wind region also contributes to the free-free emission, which can help to explain the high values of the spectral index seen after periastron passage. Combining our data with older Very Large Array (VLA) data allows us to derive a period P = 860.0 +- 3.7 days for this system. With this period, we update the orbital parameters that were derived in the first paper of this series.
Context: Mode identification is a crucial step to comparing observed
frequencies with theoretical ones, but has proven to be difficult in rapidly
rotating stars.
Aims: To further constrain mode identification, we aim to accurately
calculate mode visibilities and amplitude ratios in rapid rotators.
Methods: We derive the relevant equations for calculating mode visibilities
in different photometric bands while fully taking into account the geometric
distortion from both the centrifugal deformation and the pulsation modes, the
variations in effective gravity, and an approximate treatment of the
temperature variations. These equations are then applied to 2D oscillation
modes, calculated using the TOP code, in fully distorted 2D models based on the
SCF method. The specific intensities come from a grid of Kurucz atmospheres,
thereby taking into account limb and gravity darkening.
Results: We obtain mode visibilities and amplitude ratios for 2 M_{\odot}
models rotating at 0 to 80 % of the critical rotation rate. These calculations
confirm previous results, such as the increased visibility of chaotic modes,
the simpler frequency spectra of pole-on stars, or the dependence of amplitude
ratios on inclination and azimuthal order. In addition, the geometric shape of
the star reduces the contrast between pole-on and equator-on visibilities of
island modes. We also show that modes with similar (ell, |m|) values frequently
have similar amplitude ratios, even in the most rapidly rotating models.
We present Gemini-S/GMOS-IFU optical spectroscopy of four regions near the centre of the nearby (3.8 Mpc) dwarf starburst galaxy NGC 5253. This galaxy is famous for hosting a radio supernebula containing two deeply embedded massive super star clusters, surrounded by a region of enhanced nitrogen abundance that has been linked to the presence of WR stars. We detected 11 distinct sources of red WR bump (CIV) emission over a 20" (~350 pc) area, each consistent with the presence of ~1 WCE-type star. WC stars are not found coincident with the supernebula, although WN stars have previously been detected here. We performed a multi-component decomposition of the H\alpha\ line across all four fields and mapped the kinematics of the narrow and broad (FWHM = 100-250 km/s) components. These maps paint a picture of localised gas flows, as part of multiple overlapping bubbles and filaments driven by the star clusters throughout the starburst. We confirm the presence of a strong H\alpha\ velocity gradient over ~4.5" (~80 pc) coincident with the region of N/O enhancement, and high gas density known from previous study, and interpret this as an accelerating ionized gas outflow from the supernebula clusters. We measure the ionized gas abundances in a number of regions in the outer IFU positions and combine these with measurements from the literature to assess the radial abundance distribution. We find that the O/H and N/H profiles are consistent with being flat. Only the central 50 pc exhibits the well-known N/O enhancement, and we propose that the unusually high densities/pressures in the supernebula region have acted to impede the escape of metal-enriched hot winds from the star clusters and allow them to mix with the cooler phases, thus allowing these freshly processed chemicals to be seen in the optical.
We present optical, X-ray and gamma-ray observations of GRB 111209A, at a redshift of z = 0.677. We show that this event was active in its prompt phase for about 25000 seconds, making it the longest burst ever observed. This rare event could have been detected up to z ~ 1.4. Compared to other long GRBs, GRB 111209A is a clear outlier in the energy-fluence and duration plane. The high-energy prompt emission shows no sign of a strong black body component, as expected if the event was caused by a tidal disruption event or a supernova shock breakout. Given the extreme longevity of this event, and a lack of a supernova signature, we propose that GRB 111209A is a relatively rare stellar collapse of a low metallicity blue super giant star. Only this progenitor can supply mass to the central engine over a duration of thousands of seconds. Hence, GRB 111209A could have more in common with population III stellar explosions, rather than normal long gamma ray bursts.
We propose a new information theoretic metric for finding periodicities in stellar light curves. Light curves are astronomical time series of brightness over time, and are characterized as being noisy and unevenly sampled. The proposed metric combines correntropy (generalized correlation) with a periodic kernel to measure similarity among samples separated by a given period. The new metric provides a periodogram, called Correntropy Kernelized Periodogram (CKP), whose peaks are associated with the fundamental frequencies present in the data. The CKP does not require any resampling, slotting or folding scheme as it is computed directly from the available samples. CKP is the main part of a fully-automated pipeline for periodic light curve discrimination to be used in astronomical survey databases. We show that the CKP method outperformed the slotted correntropy, and conventional methods used in astronomy for periodicity discrimination and period estimation tasks, using a set of light curves drawn from the MACHO survey. The proposed metric achieved 97.2% of true positives with 0% of false positives at the confidence level of 99% for the periodicity discrimination task; and 88% of hits with 11.6% of multiples and 0.4% of misses in the period estimation task.
Mrk 231, the nearest (z = 0.0422) quasar, hosts both a galactic-scale wind and a nuclear-scale iron low-ionization broad absorption line (FeLoBAL) outflow. We recently obtained a far-ultraviolet (FUV) spectrum of this object covering ~1150 - 1470 A with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph on board the Hubble Space Telescope. This spectrum is highly peculiar, highlighted by the presence of faint (~< 2% of predictions based on H-alpha), broad (>~ 10,000 km/s at the base), and highly blueshifted (centroid at ~ -3500 km/s) Ly-alpha emission. The FUV continuum emission is slightly declining at shorter wavelengths (consistent with F_lambda ~ lambda^1.7) and does not show the presence of any obvious photospheric or wind stellar features. Surprisingly, the FUV spectrum also does not show any unambiguous broad absorption features. It thus appears to be dominated by the AGN, rather than hot stars, and virtually unfiltered by the dusty FeLoBAL screen. The observed Ly-alpha emission is best explained if it is produced in the outflowing BAL cloud system, while the Balmer lines arise primarily from the standard broad emission line region seen through the dusty (A_V ~ 7 mag.) broad absorption line region. Two possible geometric models are discussed in the context of these new results.
We review some of the recent progress on modeling planetary and stellar dynamos. Particular attention is given to the dynamo mechanisms and the resulting properties of the field. We present direct numerical simulations using a simple Boussinesq model. These simulations are interpreted using the classical mean-field formalism. We investigate the transition from steady dipolar to multipolar dynamo waves solutions varying different control parameters, and discuss the relevance to stellar magnetic fields. We show that owing to the role of the strong zonal flow, this transition is hysteretic. In the presence of stress-free boundary conditions, the bistability extends over a wide range of parameters.
Type Ia supernova (SNIa) explosions synthesize a few tenths to several tenths of a solar mass, whose composition is the result of incomplete silicon burning that reaches peak temperatures of 4 GK to 5 GK. The elemental abundances are sensitive to the physical conditions in the explosion, making their measurement a promising clue to uncovering the properties of the progenitor star and of the explosion itself. Using a parameterized description of the thermodynamic history of matter undergoing incomplete silicon burning, we computed the final composition for a range of parameters wide enough to encompass current models of SNIa. Then, we searched for combinations of elemental abundances that trace the parameters values and are potentially measurable. For this purpose, we divide the present study into two epochs of SNIa, namely the optical epoch, from a few weeks to several months after the explosion, and the X-ray epoch, which refers to the time period in which the supernova remnant is young, starting one or two hundred years age and ending a thousand years after the event. During the optical epoch, the only SNIa property that can be extracted from the detection of incomplete silicon burning elements is the neutron excess of the progenitor white dwarf at thermal runaway, which can be determined through measuring the ratio of the abundance of manganese to that of titanium, chromium, or vanadium. Conversely, in the X-ray epoch, any abundance ratio built using a couple of elements from titanium, vanadium, chromium, or manganese may constrain the initial neutron excess. Furthermore, measuring the ratio of the abundances of vanadium to manganese in the X-ray might shed light on the timescale of the thermonuclear explosion.
The ANTARES deep sea neutrino telescope has acquired over four years of high quality data. This data has been used to measure the oscillation parameters of atmospheric neutrinos and also to search for neutrinos of a non-terrestrial origin. Competitive upper limits on the fluxes of neutrinos from dark matter annihilation in the Sun, a variety of Galactic and extra-galactic sources, both steady and transient, are presented.
We present a model for dm-fiber bursts that is based on assuming fast sausage magnetoacoustic wave trains that propagate along a dense vertical filament or current sheet. Eight groups of dm-fiber bursts that were observed during solar flares were selected and analyzed by the wavelet analysis method. To model these fiber bursts we built a semi-empirical model. We also did magnetohydrodynamic simulations of a propagation of the magnetoacoustic wave train in a vertical and gravitationally stratified current sheet. In the wavelet spectra of the fiber bursts computed at different radio frequencies we found the wavelet tadpoles, whose head maxima have the same frequency drift as the drift of fiber bursts. It indicates that the drift of these fiber bursts can be explained by the propagating fast sausage magnetoacoustic wave train. Using new semi-empirical and magnetohydrodynamic models with a simple radio emission model we generated the artificial radio spectra of the fiber bursts, which are similar to the observed ones.
Aims: Projected rotational velocities (\vsini) have been estimated for 334
targets in the VLT-FLAMES Tarantula survey that do not manifest significant
radial velocity variations and are not supergiants. They have spectral types
from approximately O9.5 to B3. The estimates have been analysed to infer the
underlying rotational velocity distribution, which is critical for
understanding the evolution of massive stars.
Methods: Projected rotational velocities were deduced from the Fourier
transforms of spectral lines, with upper limits also being obtained from
profile fitting. For the narrower lined stars, metal and non-diffuse helium
lines were adopted, and for the broader lined stars, both non-diffuse and
diffuse helium lines; the estimates obtained using the different sets of lines
are in good agreement. The uncertainty in the mean estimates is typically 4%
for most targets. The iterative deconvolution procedure of Lucy has been used
to deduce the probability density distribution of the rotational velocities.
Results: Projected rotational velocities range up to approximately 450 \kms
and show a bi-modal structure. This is also present in the inferred rotational
velocity distribution with 25% of the sample having $0\leq$\ve$\leq$100\,\kms
and the high velocity component having \ve$\sim 250$\,\kms. There is no
evidence from the spatial and radial velocity distributions of the two
components that they represent either field and cluster populations or
different episodes of star formation. Be-type stars have also been identified.
Conclusions: The bi-modal rotational velocity distribution in our sample
resembles that found for late-B and early-A type stars. While magnetic braking
appears to be a possible mechanism for producing the low-velocity component, we
can not rule out alternative explanations.
A phenomenological attempt at alleviating the so-called coincidence problem is to allow the dark matter and dark energy to interact. By assuming a coupled quintessence scenario characterized by an interaction parameter $\epsilon$, we investigate the precision in the measurements of the expansion rate $H(z)$ required by future experiments in order to detect a possible deviation from the standard $\Lambda$CDM model ($\epsilon = 0$). We perform our analyses at two levels, namely: through Monte Carlo simulations based on $\epsilon$CDM models, in which $H(z)$ samples with different accuracies are generated and through an analytic method that calculates the error propagation of $\epsilon$ as a function of the error in $H(z)$. We show that our analytical approach traces simulations accurately and find that to detect an interaction {using $H(z)$ data only, these must reach an accuracy better than 1%.
The possibility of identifying some of Galactic gamma-ray sources as clusters of primordial black holes is discussed. The known scenarios of supermassive black hole formation indicate the multiple formation of lower-mass black holes. Our analysis demonstrates that due to Hawking evaporation the cluster of black holes with masses about $10^{15}$ g could be observed as a gamma-ray source. The total mass of typical cluster is $\sim 10 M_\odot$. Detailed calculations have been performed on the basis of specific model of primordial black hole formation.
We present a study of the accretion flow to the intermittent accreting millisecond pulsar, HETE J1900.1-2455, based on observations performed simultaneously by XMM-Newton and RXTE. The 0.33-50 keV spectrum is described by the sum of a hard Comptonized component originated in an optically thin {\tau}~1 corona, a soft kTin~0.2 keV component interpreted as accretion disc emission, and of disc reflection of the hard component. Two emission features are detected at energies of 0.98(1) and 6.58(7) keV, respectively. The latter is identified as K{\alpha} transition of Fe XXIII-XXV. A simultaneous detection in EPIC-pn, EPIC-MOS2, and RGS spectra favours an astrophysical origin also for the former, which has an energy compatible with Fe-L{\alpha} and helium-like Ne-K{\alpha} transitions. Broadness of the two features suggests a common origin, resulting from reflection in an accretion disc with inclination of (30+4{\deg}), and extending down to Rin=25(+16,-11) gravitational radii from the compact object. However, the strength of the feature at lower energy measured by EPIC-pn cannot be entirely reconciled with the amplitude of the Fe K{\alpha} line, hampering the possibility of describing it in terms of a broad-band reflection model, and preventing a firm identification. Pulsations at the 377.3 Hz spin frequency could not be detected, with an upper limit of 0.4% at 3-{\sigma} c.l. on the fractional amplitude. We interpret the inner disc radius estimated from spectral modelling and the lack of significant detection of coherent X-ray pulsations as an indication of a disc accretion flow truncated by some mechanism connected to the overall evolution of the accretion disc, rather than by the neutron star magnetic field. This is compatible with the extremely close similarity of spectral and temporal properties of this source with respect to other, non pulsing atoll sources in the hard state.
Cosmology with a three-form field interacting with cold dark matter is considered. In comparison to coupled scalar field quintessence, the new features include an effective pressure contribution to the field equations that manifests both in the background and perturbation level. The dynamics of the background is analyzed and new scaling solutions are found. A simple example model leading to a de Sitter expansion without a potential is studied. The Newtonian limit of cosmological perturbations is derived and it is deduced that the coupling can be very tightly constrained by the large-scale structure data. This is demonstrated with numerical solutions for a model with nontrivial coupling and a quadratic potential.
Three transiting circumbinary planets (Kepler-16 b, Kepler-34 b, and Kepler-35 b) have recently been discovered from photometric data taken by the Kepler spacecraft. Their orbits are significantly non-Keplerian because of the large secondary-to-primary mass ratio and orbital eccentricity of the binaries, as well as the proximity of the planets to the binaries. We present an analytic theory, with the planet treated as a test particle, which shows that the planetary motion can be represented by the superposition of the circular motion of a guiding center, the forced oscillations due to the non-axisymmetric components of the binary's potential, the epicyclic motion, and the vertical motion. In this analytic theory, the periapse and ascending node of the planet precess at nearly equal rates in opposite directions. The largest forced oscillation term corresponds to a forced eccentricity (which is an explicit function of the parameters of the binary and of the guiding center radius of the planet), and the amplitude of the epicyclic motion (which is a free parameter of the theory) is the free eccentricity. Comparisons with direct numerical orbit integrations show that this analytic theory gives an accurate description of the planetary motion for all three Kepler systems. We find that all three Kepler circumbinary planets have nonzero free eccentricities.
(Abridged) We report the discovery of CXO J1415.2+3610, a distant (z~1.5) galaxy cluster serendipitously detected in a deep, high-resolution Chandra observation targeted to study the cluster WARP J1415.1+3612 at z=1.03. This is the highest-z cluster discovered with Chandra so far. Moreover, the total exposure time of 280 ks with ACIS-S provides the deepest X-ray observation currently achieved on a cluster at z>1.5. We perform an X-ray spectral fit of the extended emission of the Intra Cluster Medium (ICM) with XSPEC, and we detect at a 99.5% confidence level the rest frame 6.7-6.9 keV Iron K_\alpha line complex, from which we obtain z_X=1.46\pm0.025. The analysis of the z-3.6\mu m color-magnitude diagram shows a well defined sequence of red galaxies within 1' from the cluster X-ray emission peak with a color range [5 < z-3.6 \mu m < 6]. The photometric redshift obtained by SED fitting is z_phot=1.47\pm 0.25. After fixing the redshift to z=1.46, we perform the final spectral analysis and measure the average gas temperature with a 20% error, kT=5.8^{+1.2}_{-1.0} keV, and the Fe abundance Z_Fe = 1.3_{-0.5}^{+0.8}Z_\odot. We fit the background subtracted surface brightness with a single beta--model out to 35" and derive the deprojected electron density profile. The ICM mass is 1.09_{-0.2}^{+0.3}\times 10^{13} M_\odot within 300 kpc. The total mass is M_{2500}= 8.6_{-1.7}^{+2.1} \times 10 ^{13} M_\odot for R_{2500}=(220\pm 55) kpc. Extrapolating the profile at larger radii we find M_{500}= 2.1_{-0.5}^{+0.7} \times 10 ^{14} M_\odot for R_{500} = 510_{-50}^{+55}$ kpc. This analysis establishes CXOJ1415.2+3610 as one of the best characterized distant galaxy clusters known to date.
MOND predicts a number of laws that galactic dynamics should obey. I give here a thorough description of these laws, their validity domains, and details of their derivation. We do not know which of the existing MOND theories, if any, is a step in the right direction towards the inevitable deeper MOND theory. It is thus important to pinpoint predictions that follow from only the basic premises of MOND: departure from Newtonian dynamics at accelerations a<~a0, and space-time scale invariance in the limit a<<a0. Such predictions will be shared by all MOND theories that embody these tenets. The emphasis here is thus on showing how, and to what extent, these MOND laws follow from only its basic tenets. It is also important to identify predictions on which MOND formulations differ, useful in discriminating between theories. The laws listed here should be obeyed by galactic systems irrespective of their complicated, haphazard, and mostly unknowable histories, as Kepler's laws are obeyed by planetary systems irrespective of their complicated formation and evolution. In contradistinction, in the Newtonian-dynamics-plus-dark-matter paradigm, the validity of such clear-cut laws--which tightly constrain baryons, `dark matter', and their mutual relations--is contrary to expectations. These laws are independent in the sense that no subset of them follow from the rest if interpreted within this later paradigm, where they would thus each require a separate explanation. Some of these laws hinge on a0 in various roles that would seem unrelated if not unified by MOND.
Solar flares produce hard X-ray emission of which the photon spectrum is often represented by a combination of thermal and power-law distributions. However, the estimates of the number and total energy of non-thermal electrons are sensitive to the determination of the power-law cutoff energy. Here we revisit an `above-the-loop' coronal source observed by RHESSI on 2007 December 31 and show that a kappa distribution model can also be used to fit its spectrum. Because the kappa distribution has a Maxwellian-like core in addition to the high-energy power-law tail, the emission measure and temperature of the instantaneous electrons can be derived without assuming the cutoff energy. Moreover, the non-thermal fractions of electron number/energy densities can be uniquely estimated because they are functions of the power-law index only. With the kappa distribution model, we estimated that the total electron density of the coronal source region was ~2.4x10^10 cm^-3. We also estimated without assuming the source volume that a moderate fraction (~20%) of electrons in the source region was non-thermal and carried ~52% of the total electron energy. The temperature was 28 MK, and the power-law index d of the electron density distribution was -4.3. These results are compared to the conventional power-law models with and without a thermal core component.
We investigate the production of electrons and positrons in the Milky Way within the context of dark matter annihilation. Upper limits on the relevant cross-section are obtained by combining observational data at different wavelengths (from Haslam, WMAP, and Fermi all-sky intensity maps) with recent measurements of the electron and positron spectra in the solar neighbourhood by PAMELA, Fermi, and HESS. We consider synchrotron emission in the radio and microwave bands, as well as inverse Compton scattering and final-state radiation at gamma-ray energies. For most values of the model parameters, the tightest constraints are imposed by the local positron spectrum and the final-state radiation from the central regions of the Galaxy. According to our results, the dark matter annihilation cross-section into electron-positron pairs should not be higher than the canonical value for a thermal relic if the mass of the dark matter candidate is smaller than a few GeV. In addition, we also derive a stringent upper limit on the inner logarithmic slope (alpha) of the density profile of the Milky Way dark matter halo (alpha < 1.3 if m_dm < 100 GeV and alpha < 1.8 if m_dm < 10TeV) assuming that cross-section = 3 x 10^(-26) cm^3 s^(-1).
We present the detection of day-timescale periodic variability in the r-band lightcurve of newly outbursting FU Orionis-type object HBC 722, taken from > 42 nights of observation with the CQUEAN instrument on the McDonald Observatory 2.1m telescope. The optical/near-IR lightcurve of HBC 722 shows a complex array of periodic variability, clustering around 5.8 day (0.044 mag amplitude) and 1.28 day (0.016 mag amplitude) periods, after removal of overall baseline variation. We attribute the unusual number of comparable strength signals to a phenomenon related to the temporary increase in accretion rate associated with FUors. We consider semi-random "flickering", magnetic braking/field compression and rotational asymmetries in the disk instability region as potential sources of variability. Assuming the 5.8 day period is due to stellar rotation and the 1.28 day period is indicative of Keplerian rotation at the inner radius of the accretion disk (at 2 R(star)), we derive a B-field strength of 2.2-2.7 kG, slightly larger than typical T Tauri stars. If instead the 5.8 day signal is from a disk asymmetry, the instability region has an outer radius of 5.4 R(star), consistent with models of FUor disks. Further exploration of the time domain in this complicated source and related objects will be key to understanding accretion processes.
We study the primordial bispectrum of curvature perturbation in the uniform-density slicing generated by the interaction between the inflaton and isotropic background gauge fields. We derive the action up to cubic order in perturbation and take into account all the relevant effects in the leading order of slow-roll expansion. We first treat the quadratic vertices perturbatively and confirm the results of past studies, while identifying their regime of validity. We then extend the analysis to include the effect of the quadratic vertices at all orders by introducing exact linear mode functions, allowing us to make a reliable prediction long after horizon crossing where the features of both power spectrum and bispectrum are drastically different. It is shown that the spectra become constant and scale invariant in the limit of large e-folding, which implies the model can be consistent with the observational constraints regardless of the magnitude of the background gauge fields. It is found that depending on the period of inflation that falls into the observable window, the value of $f_{NL}$ in the squeezed limit may well be within the reach of Planck.
We present VLT spectroscopic observations of 7 discovered galaxy groups between 0.3<z<0.7. The groups were selected from the Strong Lensing Legacy Survey (SL2S), a survey that consists in a systematic search for strong lensing systems in the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Legacy Survey (CFHTLS). We give details about the target selection, spectroscopic observations and data reduction for the first release of confirmed SL2S groups. The dynamical analysis of the systems reveals that they are gravitationally bound structures, with at least 4 confirmed members and velocity dispersions between 300 and 800 km/s. Their virial masses are between 10^13 and 10^14 M_sun, and so can be classified as groups or low mass clusters. Most of the systems are isolated groups, except two of them that show evidence of an ongoing merger of two sub-structures. We find a good agreement between the velocity dispersions estimated from the analysis of the kinematics of group galaxies and the weak lensing measurements, and conclude that the dynamics of baryonic matter is a good tracer of the total mass content in galaxy groups.
Using direct numerical simulations, we demonstrate that "flow IV" of Roberts (1972) exhibits dynamo action dominated by horizontally averaged large-scale magnetic field. With the test-field method we show that the magnetic eddy diffusivity is negative and overcomes the molecular diffusivity to explain this large-scale dynamo for magnetic Reynolds numbers above $\approx8$. As expected for a dynamo of this type, the two horizontal field components grow independently of each other and have arbitrary amplitude ratios and phase differences. Small length scales of the mean magnetic field are shown to be stabilized by the eddy diffusivity becoming positive at wavenumbers larger than twice the characteristic wavenumber of the flow. For magnetic Reynolds numbers below $\approx0.5$ the eddy diffusivity is confirmed to be positive, as expected for all incompressible flows. Earlier claims of a dynamo driven by a modified Taylor-Green flow through negative eddy diffusivity could not be confirmed.
We present Chapman--Enskog and Hilbert expansions applied to the $\BigO(v/c)$ Boltzmann equation for the radiative transfer of neutrinos in core-collapse supernovae. Based on the Legendre expansion of the scattering kernel for the collision integral truncated after the second term, we derive the diffusion limit for the Boltzmann equation by truncation of Chapman-Enskog or Hilbert expansions with reaction and collision scaling. We also give asymptotically sharp results obtained by the use of an additional time scaling. The diffusion limit determines the diffusion source in the Isotropic Diffusion Source Approximation (IDSA) of Boltzmann's equation for which the free streaming limit and the reaction limit serve as limiters. Here, we derive the reaction limit as well as the free streaming limit by truncation of Chapman-Enskog or Hilbert expansions using reaction and collision scaling as well as time scaling, respectively. Finally, we motivate why limiters are a good choice for the definition of the source term in the IDSA.
Some problems of cosmology: the big bang singularity, the origin of conventional matter, of dark matter and of dark energy may be successfully described and treated in the framework of the Weyl-Dirac theory. This theory, being a minimal expansion of Einstein's GRT, contains in addition to the metric tensor\g, the Weyl connection vector \w and the Dirac gauge function\beta. From these geometrically based quantities one obtains the behavior of our universe. The Weyl connection vector \w existing in microcells creates dark matter particles, weylons. In the very early universe \beta creates matter, whereas in the present dust period \beta forms dark energy, the latter causing cosmic acceleration. Around a massive body the - dark energy form a ball-like concentration having negative mass and negative pressure. These \beta-balls cause an additional acceleration of the expanding universe. The Weyl-Dirac theory is a classical geometrically based framework appropriate for describing and searching cosmology.
We propose an adiabatic magnetization process for cooling the Fermi electron gas to ultra-low temperatures as an alternative to the known adiabatic demagnetization mechanism. We show via a new adiabatic equation that at the constant density the increase of the magnetic field leads to the temperature decrease as $T\sim 1/H^2$.
The travel time required for one civilisation to explore the Milky Way using
probes is a crucial component of Fermi's Paradox. Previous attempts to estimate
this travel time have assumed that the probe's motion is simple, moving at a
constant maximum velocity, with powered flight producing the necessary change
in velocity required at each star to complete its chosen trajectory. This
approach ignores lessons learned from interplanetary exploration, where orbital
slingshot maneouvres can provide significant velocity boosts at little to no
fuel cost. It is plausible that any attempt to explore the Galaxy would utilise
such economising techniques, despite there being an upper limit to these
velocity boosts, related to the escape velocity of the object being used to
provide the slingshot.
In order to investigate the effects of these techniques, we present multiple
realisations of single probes exploring a small patch of the Milky Way. We
investigate 3 separate scenarios, studying the slingshot effect on trajectories
defined by simple heuristics. These scenarios are: i) standard powered flight
to the nearest unvisited star without using slingshot techniques; ii) flight to
the nearest unvisited star using slingshot techniques, and iii) flight to the
next unvisited star which provides the maximal velocity boost under a slingshot
trajectory.
We find that adding slingshot velocity boosts can decrease the travel time by
up to two orders of magnitude over simple powered flight. In the third case,
selecting a route which maximises velocity boosts also reduces the travel time
relative to powered flight, but by a much reduced factor. From these
simulations, we suggest that adding realistic probe trajectories tends to
strengthen Fermi's Paradox.
We provide further numerical evidence which shows that R^n models in f(R) metric gravity whether produces a late time acceleration in the Universe or a matter domination era (usually a transient one) but not both. Our results confirm the findings of Amendola et al. (2007), but using a different approach that avoids the mapping to scalar-tensor theories of gravity, and therefore, dispense us from any discussion or debate about frames (Einstein vs Jordan) which are endemic in this subject. This class of models has been used extensively in the literature as an alternative to the dark energy, but should be considered ruled out for being inconsistent with observations. Finally, we discuss a caveat in the analysis by Faraoni (2011), which was used to further constrain these models by using a chameleon mechanism.
Gravitational waves at suitable frequencies can resonantly interact with a binary system, inducing changes to its orbit. A stochastic gravitational-wave background causes the orbital elements of the binary to execute a classic random walk -- with the variance of orbital elements growing with time. The lack of such a random walk in binaries that have been monitored with high precision over long time-scales can thus be used to place an upper bound on the gravitational-wave background. Using periastron time data from the Hulse-Taylor binary pulsar spanning ~30 years, we obtain a bound of h_c < 7.9 x 10^-14 at ~10^-4 Hz, where h_c is the strain amplitude per logarithmic frequency interval. Our constraint complements those from pulsar timing arrays, which probe much lower frequencies, and ground-based gravitational-wave observations, which probe much higher frequencies. Interesting sources in our frequency band, which overlaps the lower sensitive frequencies of proposed space-based observatories, include white-dwarf/supermassive black-hole binaries in the early/late stages of inspiral, and TeV scale preheating or phase transitions. The bound improves as (time span)^-2 and (sampling rate)^-1/2. The Hulse-Taylor constraint can be improved to ~3.8 x 10^-15 with a suitable observational campaign over the next decade. Our approach can also be applied to other binaries, including (with suitable care) the Earth-Moon system, to obtain constraints at different frequencies. The observation of additional binary pulsars with the SKA could reach a sensitivity of h_c ~ 3 x 10^-17.
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We report the discovery of an anomalous flare in a bright blazar, namely, PKS 0208-512, one of the targets of the Yale/SMARTS optical-near-infrared (OIR) monitoring program of Fermi blazars. We identify three intervals during which PKS 0208-512 undergoes outbursts at OIR wavelengths lasting for longer than 3 months. Its brightness increases and then decreases again by at least 1 magnitude in these intervals. In contrast, the source undergoes bright phases in GeV energies lasting for longer than 1 month during intervals 1 and 3 only. The OIR outburst during interval 2 is comparable in brightness and temporal extent to the OIR flares during intervals 1 and 3 which do have gamma-ray counterparts. By analyzing the gamma-ray, OIR, and supporting multi-wavelength variability data in details, we speculate that the OIR outburst during interval 2 was caused by a change in the magnetic field without any change in the total number of emitting electrons or Doppler factor of the emitting region. Alternatively, it is possible that the location of the outburst in the jet during interval 2 was closer to the black hole where the jet is more compact and the bulk Lorentz factor of the material in the jet is smaller. We also discuss the complex OIR spectral behavior during these three intervals.
[Abridged] We present a detailed study of the physical properties of the molecular gas in a sample of 18 molecular gas-rich early-type galaxies (ETGs) from the ATLAS$ 3D sample. Our goal is to better understand the star formation processes occurring in those galaxies, starting here with the dense star-forming gas. We use existing integrated $^{12}$CO(1-0, 2-1), $^{13}$CO(1-0, 2-1), HCN(1-0) and HCO$^{+}$(1-0) observations and present new $^{12}$CO(3-2) single-dish data. From these, we derive for the first time the average kinetic temperature, H$_{2}$ volume density and column density of the emitting gas, this using a non-LTE theoretical model. Since the CO lines trace different physical conditions than of those the HCN and HCO$^{+}$ lines, the two sets of lines are treated separately. We also compare for the first time the predicted CO spectral line energy distributions (SLEDs) and gas properties of our molecular gas-rich ETGs with those of a sample of nearby well-studied disc galaxies. The gas excitation conditions in 13 of our 18 ETGs appear analogous to those in the centre of the Milky Way. Such results have never been obtained before for ETGs and open a new window to explore further star-formation processes in the Universe. The conclusions drawn should nevertheless be considered carefully, as they are based on a limited number of observations and on a simple model. In the near future, with higher CO transition observations, it should be possible to better identify the various gas components present in ETGs, as well as more precisely determine their associated physical conditions. To achieve these goals, we show here from our theoretical study, that mid-J CO lines (such as the $^{12}$CO(6-5) line) are particularly useful.
In this paper we develop the jet model of Potter & Cotter (2012) to include a
magnetically dominated accelerating parabolic base transitioning to a slowly
decelerating conical jet with a geometry set by recent radio observations of
M87. We conserve relativistic energy-momentum and particle number along the jet
and calculate the observed synchrotron emission from the jet by calculating the
integrated line of sight synchrotron opacity through the jet in the rest frame
of each section of plasma. We calculate the inverse-Compton emission from
synchrotron, CMB, accretion disc, starlight, broad line region, dusty torus and
narrow line region photons by transforming into the rest frame of the plasma
along the jet.
We fit our model to simultaneous multi-wavelength observations of the
Compton-dominant FSRQ type blazar PKS0227-369, with a jet geometry set by M87
and an accelerating bulk Lorentz factor consistent with simulations and theory.
We investigate models in which the jet comes into equipartition at different
distances along the jet and equipartition is maintained via the conversion of
jet bulk kinetic energy into particle acceleration. We find that the jet must
still be magnetically dominated within the BLR and cannot be in equipartition
due to the severe radiative energy losses. The model fits the observations,
including radio data, very well if the jet comes into equipartition outside the
BLR within the dusty torus (1.5pc) or at further distances (34pc). We find that
our fit in which the jet comes into equipartition furthest along the jet, which
has a jet with the geometry of M87 scaled linearly with black hole mass, has an
inferred black hole mass close to previous estimates. This implies that the jet
of PKS0227 might be well described by the same jet geometry as M87.
In our current interpretation of the hierarchical structure of the universe it is well established that galaxies collide and merge with each other during their lifetime. If massive black holes (MBHs) reside in galactic centres, we expect them to form binaries in galactic nuclei surrounded by a circumbinary disc. If cooling is efficient enough, the gas in the disc will clump and trigger stellar formation in situ. In this first paper we address the evolution of the binary under the influence of the newly formed stars, which form individually and also clustered. We use SPH techniques to evolve the gas in the circumbinary disc and to study the phase of star formation. When the amount of gas in the disc is negligible, we further evolve the system with a high-accurate direct-summation $N-$body code to follow the evolution of the stars, the innermost binary and tidal disruption events (TDEs). For this, we modify the direct N-body code to (i) include treatment of TDEs and to (ii) include "gas cloud particles" that mimic the gas, so that the stellar clusters do not disolve when we follow their infall on to the MBHs. We find that the amount of stars disrupted by either infalling stellar clusters or individual stars is as large as 10^{-4}/yr per binary, higher than expected for typical galaxies.
We present adaptive optics photometry and spectra in the JHKL-bands along with high spectral resolution K-band spectroscopy for each component of the Z Canis Majoris system. Our high angular resolution photometry of this very young (<1 Myr) binary, comprised of an FU Ori object and a Herbig Ae/Be star, were gathered shortly after the 2008 outburst while our high resolution spectroscopy was gathered during a quiescent phase. Our photometry conclusively determine that the outburst was due solely to the embedded Herbig Ae/Be member, supporting results from earlier works, and that the optically visible FU Ori component decreased slightly (~30%) in luminosity during the same period, consistent with previous works on the variability of FU Ori type systems. Further, our high-resolution K-band spectra definitively demonstrate that the 2.294 micron CO absorption feature seen in composite spectra of the system is due solely to the FU Ori component, while a prominent CO emission feature at the same wavelength, long suspected to be associated with the innermost regions of a circumstellar accretion disk, can be assigned to the Herbig Ae/Be member. These findings are in contrast to previous analyses (e.g. Malbet et al 2010, Benisty et al. 2010) of this complex system which assigned the CO emission to the FU Ori component.
We present model atmospheres for an Earth-like planet orbiting the entire grid of main sequence FGK stars with effective temperatures ranging from Teff = 4250K to Teff = 7000K in 250K intervals. We model the remotely detectable spectra of Earth-like planets for clear and cloudy atmospheres at the 1AU equivalent distance from the VIS to IR (0.4 {\mu}m - 20 {\mu}m) to compare detectability of features in different wavelength ranges in accordance with JWST and future design concepts to characterize exo-Earths. We also explore the effect of the stellar UV levels as well as spectral energy distribution on a terrestrial atmosphere concentrating on detectable atmospheric features that indicate habitability on Earth, namely: H2O, O3, CH4, N2O and CH3Cl. The increase in UV dominates changes of O3, OH, CH4, N2O and CH3Cl whereas the increase in stellar temperature dominates changes in H2O. The overall effect as stellar effective temperatures and corresponding UV increase, is a lower surface temperature of the planet due to a bigger part of the stellar flux being reflected at short wavelengths, as well as increased photolysis. Earth-like atmospheric models show more O3 and OH but less stratospheric CH4, N2O, CH3Cl and tropospheric H2O (but more stratospheric H2O) with increasing effective temperature of Main Sequence stars. The corresponding spectral features on the other hand show different detectability depending on the wavelength observed. We concentrate on directly imaged planets here as framework to interpret future lightcurves, direct imaging and secondary eclipse measurements of atmospheres of terrestrial planets in the HZ at varying orbital positions.
Motivated by recent developments in our understanding of the formation and evolution of massive galaxies, we explore the detailed photometric structure of a representative sample of 94 bright, nearby elliptical galaxies, using high-quality optical images from the Carnegie-Irvine Galaxy Survey. The sample spans a range of environments and stellar masses, from M* = 10^{10.2} to 10^{12.0} solar mass. We exploit the unique capabilities of two-dimensional image decomposition to explore the possibility that local elliptical galaxies may contain photometrically distinct substructure that can shed light on their evolutionary history. Compared with the traditional one-dimensional approach, these two-dimensional models are capable of consistently recovering the surface brightness distribution and the systematic radial variation of geometric information at the same time. Contrary to conventional perception, we find that the global light distribution of the majority (>75%) of elliptical galaxies is not well described by a single Sersic function. Instead, we propose that local elliptical galaxies generically contain three subcomponents: a compact (R_e < 1 kpc) inner component with luminosity fraction f ~ 0.1-0.15; an intermediate-scale (R_e ~ 2.5 kpc) middle component with f ~ 0.2-0.25; and a dominant (f = 0.6), extended (R_e ~ 10 kpc) outer envelope. All subcomponents have average Sersic indices n ~ 1-2, significantly lower than the values typically obtained from single-component fits. The individual subcomponents follow well-defined photometric scaling relations and the stellar mass-size relation. We discuss the physical nature of the substructures and their implications for the formation of massive elliptical galaxies.
Stellar-mass black holes offer what is perhaps the best scenario to test theories of gravity in the strong-field regime. In particular, f(R) theories, which have been widely discuss in a cosmological context, can be constrained through realistic astrophysical models of phenomena around black holes. We aim at building radiative models of thin accretion disks for both Schwarzschild and Kerr black holes in f(R) gravity. We study particle motion in f(R)-Schwarzschild and Kerr space-times. We present the spectral energy distribution of the accretion disk around constant Ricci scalar f(R) black holes, and constrain specific f(R) prescriptions using features of these systems. A precise determination of both the spin and accretion rate onto black holes along with X-ray observations of their thermal spectrum might allow to identify deviations of gravity from General Relativity. We use recent data on the high-mass X-ray binary Cygnus X-1 to restrict the values of the parameters of a class of f(R) models.
We present a simple toy model corresponding to a network of frustrated topological defects of domain walls or cosmic strings that exist previous to the standard slow-roll inflationary era of the universe. Such a network (i) can produce a slower inflationary era than that of the standard scenario if it corresponds to a network of frustrated domain walls or (ii) can induce a vanishing universal acceleration; i.e., the universe would expand at a constant speed, if it corresponds to a network of frustrated cosmic strings red. Those features are phenomenologically modeled by a Chaplygin gas that can interpolate between a network of frustrated topological defects and a de Sitter-like or a power-law inflationary era. We show that this scenario can alleviate the quadruple anomaly of the cosmic microwave background spectrum. Using the method of the Bogoliubov coefficients, we obtain the spectrum of the gravitational waves as would be measured today for the whole range of frequencies. We comment on the possible detection of this spectrum by the planned detectors like BBO and DECIGO.
We present results of a search for optical counterparts of X-ray sources in and toward the globular cluster Omega Centauri (NGC 5139) using the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) on the Hubble Space Telescope. The ACS data consist of a mosaic of Wide Field Channel (WFC) images obtained using F625W, F435W, and F658N filters; with 9 pointings we cover the central ~10'x10' of the cluster and encompass 109 known Chandra sources. We find promising optical counterparts for 59 of the sources, ~40 of which are likely to be associated with the cluster. These include 27 candidate cataclysmic variables (CVs), 24 of which are reported here for the first time. Fourteen of the CV candidates are very faint, with absolute magnitudes in the range M_625 = 10.4 - 12.6, making them comparable in brightness to field CVs near the period minimum discovered in the SDSS (Gansicke et al. 2009). Additional optical counterparts include three BY Dra candidates, a possible blue straggler, and a previously-reported quiescent low-mass X-ray binary (Haggard et al. 2004). We also identify three foreground stars and 11 probable active galactic nuclei. Finally, we report the discovery of a group of seven stars whose X-ray properties are suggestive of magnetically active binaries, and whose optical counterparts lie on or very near the metal-rich anomalous giant and subgiant branches in {\omega} Cen. If the apparent association between these seven stars and the RGB/SGB-a stars is real, then the frequency of X-ray sources in this metal-rich population is enhanced by a factor of at least five relative to the other giant and subgiant populations in the cluster. If these stars are not members of the metal-rich population, then they bring to 20 the total number of red stragglers (also known as sub-subgiants) that have been identified in {\omega} Cen, the largest number yet known in any globular cluster.
Medium resolution J-band spectroscopy of individual red supergiant stars is a promising tool to investigate the chemical composition of the young stellar population in star forming galaxies. As a continuation of recent work on iron and titanium, detailed non-LTE calculations are presented to investigate the influence of NLTE on the formation of silicon lines in the J-band spectra of red supergiants. Substantial effects are found resulting in significantly stronger absorption lines of neutral silicon in non-LTE. As a consequence, silicon abundances determined in non-LTE are significantly smaller than in LTE with the non-LTE abundance corrections varying smoothly between -0.4 dex to -0.1 dex for effective temperatures between 3400K to 4400K. The effects are largest at low metallicity. The physical reasons behind the non-LTE effects and the consequences for extragalactic J-band abundance studies are discussed.
Dust emission at sub-millimetre wavelengths allows us to trace the early phases of star formation in the Universe. In order to understand the physical processes involved in this mode of star formation, it is essential to gain knowledge about the dark matter structures - most importantly their masses - that sub-millimetre galaxies live in. Here we use the magnification effect of gravitational lensing to determine the average mass and dust content of sub-millimetre galaxies with 250mu flux densities of S_250>15mJy selected using data from the Herschel Multi-tiered Extragalactic Survey. The positions of hundreds of sub-millimetre foreground lenses are cross-correlated with the positions of background Lyman-break galaxies at z~3-5 selected using optical data from the Canada-France Hawaii Telescope Legacy Survey. We detect a cross-correlation signal at the 7-sigma level over a sky area of one square degree, with ~80% of this signal being due to magnification, whereas the remaining ~20% comes from dust extinction. Adopting some simple assumptions for the dark matter and dust profiles and the redshift distribution enables us to estimate the average mass of the halos hosting the sub-millimetre galaxies to be log(M_200/M_sun)=13.17+0.05-0.08(stat.) and their average dust mass fraction (at radii of >10kpc) to be M_dust/M_200~6x10^-5. This supports the picture that sub-millimetre galaxies are dusty, forming stars at a high rate, reside in massive group-sized halos, and are a crucial phase in the assembly and evolution of structure in the Universe.
In this paper we study the long-term dynamical evolution of multiple-population clusters, focusing on the evolution of the spatial distributions of the first- (FG) and second-generation (SG) stars.In previous studies we have suggested that SG stars formed from the ejecta of FG AGB stars are expected initially to be concentrated in the cluster inner regions. Here, by means of N-body simulations, we explore the time scales and the dynamics of the spatial mixing of the FG and the SG populations and their dependence on the SG initial concentration.Our simulations show that, as the evolution proceeds, the radial profile of the SG/FG number ratio, NSG/NFG, is characterized by three regions: 1) a flat inner part; 2) a declining part in which FG stars are increasingly dominant; and 3) an outer region where the NSG/NFG profile flattens again (the NSG/NFG profile may rise slightly again in the outermost cluster regions). The radial variation of NSG/NFG implies that the fraction of SG stars determined by observations covering a limited range of radial distances is not, in general, equal to the SG global fraction, (NSG/NFG)glob. The distance at which NSG/NFG equals (NSG/NFG)glob is approximately between 1 and 2 cluster half-mass radii. The results of our simulations suggest that in many Galactic globular clusters the SG should still be more spatially concentrated than the FG.[abridged]
One of the most promising approaches for studying reionization is to use the redshifted 21 cm line. Early generations of redshifted 21 cm surveys will not, however, have the sensitivity to make detailed maps of the reionization process, and will instead focus on statistical measurements. Here we show that it may nonetheless be possible to {\em directly identify ionized regions} in upcoming data sets by applying suitable filters to the noisy data. The locations of prominent minima in the filtered data correspond well with the positions of ionized regions. In particular, we corrupt semi-numeric simulations of the redshifted 21 cm signal during reionization with thermal noise at the level expected for a 500 antenna tile version of the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), and mimic the degrading effects of foreground cleaning. Using a matched filter technique, we find that the MWA should be able to directly identify ionized regions despite the large thermal noise. In a plausible fiducial model in which ~20% of the volume of the Universe is neutral at z ~ 7, we find that a 500-tile MWA may directly identify as many as ~150 ionized regions in a 6 MHz portion of its survey volume and roughly determine the size of each of these regions. This may, in turn, allow interesting multi-wavelength follow-up observations, comparing galaxy properties inside and outside of ionized regions. We discuss how the optimal configuration of radio antenna tiles for detecting ionized regions with a matched filter technique differs from the optimal design for measuring power spectra. These considerations have potentially important implications for the design of future redshifted 21 cm surveys.
I show that the temperature of nuclear star clusters, starburst clusters in M82, compact high-z galaxies, and some globular clusters of the Galaxy likely exceeded the ice line temperature (T_Ice ~ 150-170 K) during formation for a time comparable to the planet formation timescale. The protoplanetary disks within these systems will thus not have an ice line, decreasing the total material available for building protoplanetary embryos, inhibiting the formation of gas- and ice-giants if they form by core accretion, and prohibiting habitability. Planet formation by gravitational instability is similarly suppressed because Toomre's Q > 1 in all but the most massive disks. I discuss these results in the context of the observed lack of planets in 47 Tuc. I predict that a similar search for planets in the globular cluster NGC 6366 ([Fe/H] = -0.82) should yield detections, whereas (counterintuitively) the relatively metal-rich globular clusters NGC 6440, 6441, and 6388 should be devoid of giant planets. The characteristic stellar surface density above which T_Ice is exceeded in star clusters is ~6 x 10^3 M_sun/pc^2 f_{dg, MW}^{-1/2}, where f_{dg, MW} is the dust-to-gas ratio of the embedding material, normalized to the Milky Way value. Simple estimates suggest that ~5 - 50% of the stars in the universe formed in an environment exceeding this surface density. Caveats and uncertainties are detailed.
We report on the present stage of SN 1987A as observed by the Chandra X-ray Observatory. We reanalyze published Chandra observations and add three more epochs of Chandra data to get a consistent picture of the evolution of the X-ray fluxes in several energy bands. We discuss the implications of several calibration issues for Chandra data. Using the most recent Chandra calibration files, we find that the 0.5-2.0 keV band fluxes of SN 1987A have increased by ~6 x 10 ^-13 erg s^-1 cm^-2 per year since 2009. This is in contrast with our previous result that the 0.5-2.0 keV light curve showed a sudden flattening in 2009. Based on our new analysis, we conclude that the forward shock is still in full interaction with the equatorial ring.
In a sample of elliptical galaxies that span a large range of mass, a previously unused Ca index, CaHK, shows that [Ca/Fe] and [Ca/Mg] systematically decrease with increasing elliptical galaxy mass. Metallicity mixtures, age effects, stellar chromospheric emission effects, and low-mass initial mass function (IMF) boost effects are ruled out as causes. A [Ca/Fe] range of less than 0.3 dex is sufficient to blanket all observations. Feature gradients within galaxies imply a global Ca deficit rather than a radius-dependent phenomenon. Some, but not all, Type II supernova nucleosynthetic yield calculations indicate a decreasing Ca/Fe yield ratio in more massive supernovae, lending possible support to the hypothesis that more massive elliptical galaxies have an IMF that favors more massive stars. No Type II supernova nucleosynthetic yield calculations show significant leverage in the Ca/Fe ratio as a function of progenitor metallicity. Therefore, it seems unlikely that the Ca behavior can be explained as a built-in metallicity effect, and this argues against explanations that vary only the Type II to Type Ia supernova enrichment ratio.
The recent paper by Berntsen and Hansen devoted to the analysis of elliptic-ity of anisotropies in CMB maps, distorts some statements of previous studies, misses relevant papers, along with superficial comparison of the results (in part of definitions, the role of noise, angular resolution, model parameters).
Swift is a satellite equipped with gamma-ray, X-ray, optical-UV instruments aiming at discovering, localizing and collecting data from gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). Launched end of 2004, this small-size mission finds about a hundred GRBs per year, for a total of more than 700 events as of 2012. In addition to GRBs, Swift observes other energetic events, such as AGNs, novae, and supernovae. Here we report on its success using bibliometric tools. These are the number of papers using Swift data and their impact (i.e., number of citations to those papers). We derived these for the publication years 2005 to 2011, and compared them with the same numbers for other major observatories. Swift provided data for a total of 1101 papers in the interval 2005-2011, with 24 in the first year, to 287 in the last year. In 2011, Swift more than doubled the number of publications of Subaru, it overcame Gemini by a large fraction, and reached Keck. It is getting closer to the ~400 publications of the successful high-energy missions XMM-Newton and Chandra, but is still far from the most productive telescopes VLT (over 500) and HST (almost 800). The overall average number of citations per paper, as of November 2012, is 28.3, which is comparable to the others, but lower than Keck (41.8). The science topics covered by Swift publications have changed from the first year, when over 80% of the papers were about GRBs, while in 2013 it was less than 30%.
The Sydney-AAO Multi-object Integral field spectrograph (SAMI) is a prototype wide-field system at the Anglo-Australian Telescope (AAT) which uses a plug-plate to mount its 13 x 61-core imaging fibre bundles (hexabundles) in the optical path at the telescope's prime focus. In this paper we describe the process of determining the positions of the plug-plate holes, where plates contain three or more stacked observation configurations. The process, which up until now has involved several separate processes and has required significant manual configuration and checking, is now being automated to increase efficiency and reduce error. This is carried out by means of a thin Java controller layer which drives the configuration cycle. This layer controls the user interface and the C++ algorithm layer where the plate configuration and optimisation is carried out. Additionally, through the Aladin display package, it provides visualisation and facilitates user verification of the resulting plates.
The velocity field in the lower solar atmosphere undergoes strong interactions with magnetic fields. Many authors have pointed out that power is reduced by a factor between two and three within magnetic regions, depending on frequency, depth, the radius and the magnetic strength of the flux tube. Many mechanisms have been proposed to explain the observations. In this work, SDO dopplergrams and magnetograms of 12 bipolar active regions ($\beta$ARs) at a 45 second cadence, are used to investigate the relation between velocity fluctuations and magnetic fields. We show that there is an asymmetry within $\beta$ARs, with the velocity oscillation amplitude being more suppressed in the leading polarities compared to the trailing polarities. Also, the strongest magnetic fields do not completely suppress the five-minute oscillation amplitude, neither in the spot innermost umbrae.
We present two new accurate and efficient method to compute the formal solution of the polarized radiative transfer equation. In this work, the source function and the absorption matrix are approximated using quadratic and cubic Bezier spline interpolants. These schemes provide 2nd and 3rd order approximation respectively and don't suffer from erratic behavior of the polynomial approximation (overshooting). The accuracy and the convergence of the new method are studied along with other popular solutions of the radiative transfer equation, using stellar atmospheres with strong gradients in the line-of-sight velocity and in the magnetic-field vector.
We use the outer gap model to explain the spectrum and the energy dependent light curves of the X-ray and soft gamma-ray radiations of the spin-down powered pulsar PSR B1509-58. In the outer gap model, most pairs inside the gap are created around the null charge surface and the gap's electric field separates the two charges to move in opposite directions. Consequently, the region from the null charge surface to the light cylinder is dominated by the outflow current while that from the null charge surface to the star is dominated by the inflow current. We suggest that the viewing angle of PSR B1509-58 only receives the inflow radiation. The incoming curvature photons are converted to pairs by the strong magnetic field of the star. The X-rays and soft gamma-rays of PSR B1509-58 result from the synchrotron radiation of these pairs. Magnetic pair creation requires a large pitch angle, which makes the pulse profile of the synchrotron radiation distinct from that of the curvature radiation. We carefully trace the pulse profiles of the synchrotron radiation with different pitch angles. We find that the differences between the light curves of different energy bands are due to the different pitch angles of the secondary pairs, and that the second peak appearing at E>10MeV comes from the region near the star, where the stronger magnetic field allows pair creation to happen with a smaller pitch angle.
We have undertaken a survey for HI 21-cm absorption within the host galaxies of z ~ 1.2 - 1.5 radio sources, in the search of the cool neutral gas currently "missing" at z > 1. This deficit is believed to be due to the optical selection of high redshift objects biasing surveys towards sources of sufficient ultra-violet luminosity to ionise all of the gas in the surrounding galaxy. In order to avoid this bias, we have selected objects above blue magnitudes of B\sim20, indicating ultra-violet luminosities below the critical value above which 21-cm has never been detected. As a secondary requirement to the radio flux and faint optical magnitude, we shortlist targets with radio spectra suggestive of compact sources, in order to maximise the coverage of background emission. From this, we obtain one detection out of ten sources searched, which at z=1.278 is the third highest redshift detection of associated 21-cm absorption to date. Accounting for the spectra compromised by radio frequency interference, as well as various other possible pitfalls (reliable optical redshifts and turnover frequencies indicative of compact emission), we estimate a detection rate of ~30%, close to that expected for L_UV < 1e23 W/Hz sources.
We present the first set of a new generation of models of massive stars of
solar composition extending between 13 and 120 \msun, computed with and without
the effects of rotation. We included two instabilities induced by rotation,
namely the meridional circulation and the shear instability. We implemented two
alternative schemes to treat the transport of the angular momentum: the
advection-diffusion formalism and the simpler purely diffusive one. The full
evolution from the Pre Main Sequence up to the presupernova stage is followed
in detail with a very extended nuclear network. The explosive yields are
provided for a variety of possible mass cut and are available at the website
\url{this http URL}html}.
We find that both the He and the CO core masses are larger than those of
their non rotating counterparts. Also the C abundance left by the He burning is
lower than in the non rotating case, especially for stars of initial mass 13-25
\msun, and this affects the final Mass-Radius relation, basically the final
binding energy, at the presupernova stage. The elemental yields produced by a
generation of stars rotating initially at 300 km/s do not change substantially
with respect to those produced by a generation of non rotating massive stars,
the main differences being a slight overproduction of the weak s-component and
a larger production of F. Since rotation also affects the mass loss rate,
either directly and indirectly, we find substantial differences in the
lifetimes as O-type and WR-subtypes between rotating and non rotating models.
The maximum mass exploding as type IIP supernova ranges between 15 and 20\msun
in both sets of models (this value depending basically on the larger mass loss
rates in the Red Super Giant phase due to the inclusion of the dust driven
wind). This limiting value is in remarkable good agreement with current
estimates.
Recent measurements of cosmic gamma ray intensities up to TeV energies have been used to estimate the spectral shape of the parent cosmic ray particles present in the interstellar medium. The case is made for the particle spectrum in the Inner Galaxy being flatter than locally and in the Outer Galaxy. Of various possible explanations we make the case for the propagation of the particles being different in the more turbulent interstellar medium of the Inner Galaxy. The characteristic parameter alpha for the so called anomalous diffusion is expected to be less in the Inner Galaxy than that locally and the corresponding power law spectral exponent of the cosmic ray particles gamma will differ from that locally. Arguments are presented favouring a value of alpha lower than the local one by about Delta alpha = 0.2, the consequence is that Delta gamma = 0.1 for the parent particles.
The spatial distributions of luminous and dark matter in massive early-type galaxies reflect the formation processes which shaped these systems. This article reviews the predictions of cosmological simulations for the dark and baryonic components of ETGs, and the observational constraints from lensing, hydrostatic X-ray gas athmospheres, and outer halo stellar dynamics.
HST transit observations in the near-UV performed in 2009 made WASP-12b one of the most "mysterious" exoplanets; the system presents an early-ingress, which can be explained by the presence of optically thick matter located ahead of the planet at a distance of 4-5 planet radii. This work follows previous attempts to explain this asymmetry with an exospheric outflow or a bow shock, induced by a planetary magnetic field, and provides a numerical solution of the early-ingress, though we did not perform any radiative transfer calculation. We performed pure 3D gas dynamic simulations of the plasma interaction between WASP-12b and its host star, and describe the flow pattern in the system. In particular, we show that the overfilling of the planet's Roche lobe leads to a noticeable outflow from the upper atmosphere in the direction of the L1 and L2 points. Due to the conservation of the angular momentum, the flow to the L1 point is deflected in the direction of the planet's orbital motion, while the flow towards L2 is deflected in the opposite direction, resulting in a non-axisymmetric envelope, surrounding the planet. The supersonic motion of the planet inside the stellar wind leads to the formation of a bow shock with a complex shape. The existence of the bow shock slows down the outflow through the L1 and L2 points, allowing us to consider a long-living flow structure which is in the steady-state.
We propose a new method to recover the cosmological initial conditions of the presently observed galaxy distribution, which can serve to run constrained simulations of the Local Universe. Our method, the Reverse Zeldovich Approximation (RZA), can be applied to radial galaxy peculiar velocity data and extends the previously used Constrained Realizations (CR) method by adding a Lagrangian reconstruction step. The RZA method consists of applying the Zeldovich approximation in reverse to galaxy peculiar velocities to estimate the cosmic displacement field and the initial linear matter distribution from which the present-day Local Universe evolved.We test our method with a mock survey taken from a cosmological simulation. We show that the halo peculiar velocities at z = 0 are close to the linear prediction of the Zeldovich approximation, if a grouping is applied to the data to remove virial motions. We find that the addition of RZA to the CR method significantly improves the reconstruction of the initial conditions. The RZA is able to recover the correct initial positions of the velocity tracers with a median error of only 1.36 Mpc/h in our test simulation. For realistic sparse and noisy data, this median increases to 5 Mpc/h. This is a significant improvement over the previous approach of neglecting the displacement field, which introduces errors on a scale of 10 Mpc/h or even higher. Applying the RZA method to the upcoming high-quality observational peculiar velocity catalogues will generate much more precise constrained simulations of the Local Universe.
The Reverse Zeldovich Approximation (RZA) is a reconstruction method which allows to estimate the cosmic displacement field from galaxy peculiar velocity data and to constrain initial conditions for cosmological simulations of the Local Universe. In this paper, we investigate the effect of different observational errors on the reconstruction quality of this method. For this, we build a set of mock catalogues from a cosmological simulation, varying different error sources like the galaxy distance measurement error (0 - 20%), the sparseness of the data points, and the maximum catalogue radius (3000 - 6000 km/s). We perform the RZA reconstruction of the initial conditions on these mock catalogues and compare with the actual initial conditions of the simulation. We also investigate the impact of the fact that only the radial part of the peculiar velocity is observationally accessible. We find that the sparseness of a dataset has the highest detrimental effect on RZA reconstruction quality. Observational distance errors also have a significant influence, but it is possible to compensate this relatively well with Wiener Filter reconstruction. We also investigate the effect of different object selection criteria and find that distance catalogues distributed randomly and homogeneously across the sky (such as spiral galaxies selected for the Tully-Fisher method) allow for a higher reconstruction quality than if when data is preferentially drawn from massive objects or dense environments (such as elliptical galaxies). We find that the error of estimating the initial conditions with RZA is always dominated by the inherent non-linearity of data observed at z=0 rather than by the combined effect of the observational errors. Even an extremely sparse dataset with high observational errors still leads to a good reconstruction of the initial conditions on a scale of about 5 Mpc/h.
In previous works we proposed the Reverse Zeldovich Approximation (RZA) method, which can be used to estimate the cosmological initial conditions underlying the galaxy distribution in the Local Universe using peculiar velocity data. In this paper, we apply the technique to run constrained cosmological simulations from the RZA-reconstructed initial conditions, designed to reproduce the large-scale structure of the Local Universe. We test the method with mock peculiar velocity catalogues extracted from a reference simulation. We first reconstruct the initial conditions of this reference simulation using the mock data, and then run the reconstructed initial conditions forward in time until z=0. We compare the resulting constrained simulations with the original simulation at z=0 to test the accuracy of this method. We also compare them with constrained simulations run from the mock data without the addition of RZA, i.e. using only the currently established constrained realizations (CR) method. Our re-simulations are able to correctly recover the evolution of the large-scale structure underlying the data. The results show that the addition of RZA to the CR method significantly improves both the reconstruction of the initial conditions and the accuracy of the obtained constrained resimulations. Haloes from the original simulation are recovered in the re-simulations with an average accuracy of about 2 Mpc/h on their position and a factor of 2 in mass, down to haloes with a mass of approx 10^14 M_odot/h. In comparison, without RZA the re-simulations recover only the most massive haloes with masses of about 5x10^14 M_odot/h and higher, and with a systematic shift on their position of about approx 10 Mpc/h due to the cosmic displacement field. We show that with the additional Lagrangian reconstruction step introduced by the RZA, this shift can be removed.
In this paper, we present an overview of ASTROD-GW (ASTROD [Astrodynamical Space Test of Relativity using Optical Devices] optimized for Gravitational Wave [GW] detection) mission concept and its studies. ASTROD-GW is an optimization of ASTROD which focuses on low frequency gravitational wave detection. The detection sensitivity is shifted by a factor of 260 (52) towards longer wavelengths compared with that of NGO/eLISA (LISA). The mission consists of three spacecraft, each of which orbits near one of the Sun-Earth Lagrange points (L3, L4 and L5), such that the array forms an almost equilateral triangle. The 3 spacecraft range interferometrically with one another with an arm length of about 260 million kilometers. The orbits have been optimized resulting in arm length changes of less than 0.00015 AU or, fractionally, less than 10^(-4) in twenty years, and relative Doppler velocities of the three spacecraft of less than 3 m/s. In this paper, we present an overview of the mission covering: the scientific aims, the sensitivity spectrum, the basic orbit configuration, the simulation and optimization of the spacecraft orbits, the deployment of ASTROD-GW formation, TDI (Time Delay Interferometry) and the payload. The science goals are the detection of GWs from (i) Supermassive Black Holes; (ii) Extreme-Mass-Ratio Black Hole Inspirals; (iii) Intermediate-Mass Black Holes; (iv) Galactic Compact Binaries and (v) Relic Gravitational Wave Background. For the purposes of primordial GW detection, a six spacecraft formation would be needed to enable the correlated detection of stochastic GWs. A brief discussion of the six spacecraft orbit optimization is also presented.
An analytical method for the visualization and prediction of trapped-mode resonances based on the dimensions of a dispersive microwave network is described. The method as explained is intuitive, easy to implement, and has proven itself to be a useful tool in the avoidance of problems associated with trapped modes prior to fabrication, as well as to correct those problems in designs where this design detail was overlooked.
Quasi-spherical subsonic accretion can be realized in slowly rotating wind-fed X-ray pulsars (XPSRs) at X-ray luminosities <4 10^{36} erg/s. In this regime the accreting matter settles down subsonically onto the rotating magnetosphere, forming an extended quasi-static shell. The shell mediates the angular momentum removal from the rotating NS magnetosphere by shear turbulent viscosity in the boundary layer or via large-scale convective motions. In the last case the differential rotation law in the shell is close to iso-angular-momentum rotation. The accretion rate through the shell is determined by the ability of the plasma to enter the magnetosphere due to Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities while taking cooling into account. Measurements of spin-up/spin-down rates of quasi-spherically wind accreting XPSRs in equilibrium with known orbital periods (like e.g. GX 301-2 and Vela X-1) enable determination of the main dimensionless parameters of the model and the NS magnetic field. For equilibrium pulsars with independent measurements of the magnetic field, the stellar wind velocity from the companion can be estimated without the use of complicated spectroscopic measurements. For non-equilibrium pulsars, a maximum possible spin-down torque exerted on the accreting NS exists. From observations of the spin-down rate and X-ray luminosity in such pulsars (GX 1+4, SXP 1062, 4U 2206+54, etc.) a lower limit on the NS magnetic field is derived, which in all cases turns out to be close to the standard one and in agreement with cyclotron line measurements. The model explains the existence of super slowly rotating XPSRs without the need to hypothesize on additional accretion properties and magnetar-like magnetic fields in accreting neutron stars.
Context: With the announced arrival of instruments such as ESPRESSO one can expect that several systematic noise sources on the measurement of precise radial velocity will become the limiting factor instead of photon noise. A stellar companion within the fiber is such a possible noise source. Aims: With this work we aim at characterizing the impact of a stellar companion within the fiber to radial velocity measurements made by fiber-fed spectrographs. We consider the contaminant star either to be part of a binary system whose primary star is the target star, or as a background/foreground star. Methods: To carry out our study, we used HARPS spectra, co-added the target with contaminant spectra, and then compared the resulting radial velocity with that obtained from the original target spectrum. We repeated this procedure and used different tunable knobs to reproduce the previously mentioned scenarios. Results: We find that the impact on the radial velocity calculation is a function of the difference between individual radial velocities, of the difference between target and contaminant magnitude, and also of their spectral types. For the worst-case scenario in which both target and contaminant star are well centered on the fiber, the maximum contamination for a G or K star may be higher than 10 cm/s, on average, if the difference between target and contaminant magnitude is $\Delta m$ < 10, and higher than 1 m/s if $\Delta m$ < 8. If the target star is of spectral type M, $\Delta m$ < 8 produces the same contamination of 10 cm/s, and a contamination may be higher than 1 m/s
We present the X-ray spectral results from the longest X-ray multi-mirror mission-Newton observation, 133 ks, of the low luminosity active galactic nucleus NGC 7213. The hardness ratio analysis of the X-ray light curves discloses a rather constant X-ray spectral shape, at least for the observed exposure time, enabling us to perform X-ray spectral studies using the total observed spectrum. Apart from a neutral Fe K\alpha emission line, we also detect narrow emission lines from the ionised iron species, Fe xxv and Fe xxvi. Our analysis suggests that the neutral Fe K\alpha originates from a Compton-thin reflector, while the gas responsible for the high ionisation lines is collisionally excited. The overall spectrum, in the 0.3-10 keV energy band, registered by the European Photon Imaging Camera, can be modelled by a power-law component (with a slope of \Gamma\simeq1.9) plus two thermal components at 0.36 and 8.84 keV. The low-energy thermal component is entirely consistent with the X-ray spectral data obtained by the Reflection Grating Spectrometer between 0.35-1.8 keV.
The old EXOSAT medium energy measurements of high frequency (HF) AGN power spectral normalisation are re-examined in the light of accurate black hole mass determinations which were not available when these data were first published (Green et al 1993). It is found that the normalised variability amplitude (NVA), measured directly from the power spectrum, is proportional to M^{beta} where beta ~ -0.54 +/- 0.08. As NVA is the square root of the power, these observations show that the normalisation of the HF power spectrum for this sample of AGN varies very close to inversely with black hole mass. Almost the same value of $\beta$ is obtained whether the quasar 3C273 is included in the sample or not, suggesting that the same process that drives X-ray variability in Seyfert galaxies applies also to 3C273. These observations support the work of Gierlinski et al (2008) who show that an almost exactly linear anticorrelation is required if the normalisations of the HF power spectra of AGN and X-ray binary systems are to scale similarly. These observations are also consistent with a number of studies showing that the short timescale variance of AGN X-ray lightcurves varies approximately inversely with mass.
We present the first vertically resolved hydrodynamic simulations of a laterally propagating, deflagrating flame in the thin helium ocean of a rotating accreting neutron star. We use a new hydrodynamics solver tailored to deal with the large discrepancy in horizontal and vertical length scales typical of neutron star oceans, and which filters out sound waves that would otherwise limit our timesteps. We find that the flame moves horizontally with velocities of order $10^5$ cm s$^{-1}$, crossing the ocean in few seconds, broadly consistent with the rise times of Type I X-ray bursts. We address the open question of what drives flame propagation, and find that heat is transported from burning to unburnt fuel by a combination of top-to-bottom conduction and mixing driven by a baroclinic instability. The speed of the flame propagation is therefore a sensitive function of the ocean conductivity and spin: we explore this dependence for an astrophysically relevant range of parameters and find that in general flame propagation is faster for slower rotation and higher conductivity.
We model the spacetime of low-mass X-ray binaries with the Tomimatsu-Sato {\delta} = 2 (TS2) metric and study the properties of the orbital and the epicyclic frequencies. The numerical analysis shows that the properties of the characteristic frequencies of oscillation do not differ qualitatively from those of the Kerr black hole. Estimates for the angular momenta of the three stellar mass black hole candidates GRO 1655-40, XTE 1550-564 and GRS 1915+105 are made with the application of the nonlinear resonance model. We find agreement between the predictions based on the 3 : 2 nonlinear resonance model for a TS2 background and the current estimates found in the literature.
We have spectroscopically confirmed a brown dwarf mass companion to the hydrogen atmosphere white dwarf NLTT5306. The white dwarf's atmospheric parameters were measured using Sloan Digital Sky Survey and X-Shooter spectroscopy as T_eff=7756+/-35K and log(g)=7.68+/-0.08, giving a mass for the primary of M_WD=0.44+/-0.04 M_sun, at a distance of 71+/-4 pc with a cooling age of 710+/-50 Myr. The existence of the brown dwarf secondary was confirmed through the near-infrared arm of the X-Shooter data and a spectral type of dL4-dL7 was estimated using standard spectral indices. Combined radial velocity measurements from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, X-Shooter and the Hobby-Eberly Telescope's High Resolution Spectrograph of the white dwarf gives a minimum mass of 56+/-3 M_jup for the secondary, confirming the substellar nature. The period of the binary was measured as 101.88+/-0.02 mins using both the radial velocity data and i'-band variability detected with the INT. This variability indicates 'day' side heating of the brown dwarf companion. We also observe H{\alpha} emission in our higher resolution data in phase with the white dwarf radial velocity, indicating this system is in a low level of accretion, most likely via a stellar wind. This system represents the shortest period white dwarf + brown dwarf binary and the secondary has survived a stage of common envelope evolution, much like its longer period counterpart, WD0137-349. Both systems likely represent bona-fide progenitors of cataclysmic variables with a low mass white dwarf and a brown dwarf donor.
The RESIK instrument on the CORONAS-F spacecraft obtained solar flare and active region X-ray spectra in four channels covering the wavelength range 3.8 -- 6.1 \AA in its operational period between 2001 and 2003. Several highly ionized silicon lines were observed within the range of the long-wavelength channel (5.00 -- 6.05 \AA). The fluxes of the \sixiv Ly-$\beta$ line (5.217 \AA) and the \sixiii $1s^2 - 1s3p$ line (5.688 \AA) during 21 flares with optimized pulse-height analyzer settings on RESIK have been analyzed to obtain the silicon abundance relative to hydrogen in flare plasmas. As in previous work, the emitting plasma for each spectrum is assumed to be characterized by a single temperature and emission measure given by the ratio of emission in the two channels of GOES. The silicon abundance is determined to be $A({\rm Si}) = 7.93 \pm .21$ (\sixiv) and $7.89 \pm .13$ (\sixiii) on a logarithmic scale with H = 12. These values, which vary by only very small amounts from flare to flare and times within flares, are $2.6 \pm 1.3$ and $2.4 \pm 0.7$ times the photospheric abundance, and are about a factor of three higher than RESIK measurements during a period of very low activity. There is a suggestion that the Si/S abundance ratio increases from active regions to flares.
We present the results of a search for potential transit signals in the first three years of photometry data acquired by the Kepler Mission. The targets of the search include 112,321 targets which were observed over the full interval and an additional 79,992 targets which were observed for a subset of the full interval. From this set of targets we find a total of 11,087 targets which contain at least one signal which meets the Kepler detection criteria: those criteria are periodicity of the signal, an acceptable signal-to-noise ratio, and three tests which reject false positives. Each target containing at least one detected signal is then searched repeatedly for additional signals, which represent multi-planet systems of transiting planets. When targets with multiple detections are considered, a total of 18,406 potential transiting planet signals are found in the Kepler Mission dataset. The detected signals are dominated by events with relatively low signal-to-noise ratios and by events with relatively short periods. The distribution of estimated transit depths appears to peak in the range between 20 and 30 parts per million, with a few detections down to fewer than 10 parts per million. The detections exhibit signal-to-noise ratios from 7.1 sigma, which is the lower cut-off for detections, to over 10,000 sigma, and periods ranging from 0.5 days, which is the shortest period searched, to 525 days, which is the upper limit of achievable periods given the length of the data set and the requirement that all detections include at least 3 transits. The detected signals are compared to a set of known transit events in the Kepler field of view, many of which were identified by alternative methods; the comparison shows that the current search recovery rate for targets with known transit events is 98.3%.
We develop a theoretical framework for the calculation of orbits for a system consisting of a spherical object and a non-spherical body, which is then specialized to a prolate ellipsoid. Particular trajectories are presented that illustrate a drastic contrast between the familiar elliptical orbits of spherical binary systems and the trajectories around the prolate spheroid. We also show here, and in a media video representation of the computed orbits, how the spherical satellite instantaneous orbital plane and eccentricity evolve. We also explicitly verify the conservation of the total angular momentum and energy of the system, prolate plus satellite, while the intrinsic rotational angular momentum and energy of the prolate changes with time at the expense of the orbital energy and angular momentum of the sphere. We then consider a particular orbit where an initially bound satellite gains sufficient orbital energy and eventually escapes, with its total energy now positive. The inverse process, where a satellite is captured by a prolate, is also considered, and we determine the probability of this event occurring, as a function of the initial relative velocity and parameter of impact of the system. We end with a discussion of a plausible scenario where an escaping satellite in the Oort cloud could wind up with a new heliocentric Earth`s crossing orbit. In the Appendices we develop the necessary equations for the application of the above formalism to orbits around a general homogeneous ellipsoid.
We present a detailed X-ray spectral analysis of a complete sample of hard
X-ray selected AGN in the Northern Galactic Cap of the 58-month Swift Burst
Alert Telescope (Swift/BAT) catalog, consisting of 100 AGN with b>50deg. This
region has excellent potential for further study due to the availability of a
wide range of archival multi-wavelength data, and we propose it as a
low-redshift analog to the `deep fields' work on AGN at higher redshifts. We
present distributions of luminosity, absorption, and other key quantities, from
fitting new and archival X-ray data gathered from XMM-Newton, Swift/XRT, ASCA
and Swift/BAT. We probe to deeper redshifts than the 9-month BAT catalog
(<z>=0.043), and uncover a broader absorbing column density distribution. The
fraction of obscured (log N_H >= 22) objects in the sample is ~60%, and 43--56%
of the sample exhibits `complex' 0.4--10keV spectra.
The soft excess is either well-detected in AGN or undetected, suggesting that
the process responsible for producing the soft excess is not ubiquitous. The
fraction of Compton-thick sources in our sample is ~9%, and `hidden/buried AGN'
constitute ~14% of our sample. Compton reflection is found to be important in a
large fraction of our sample using joint XMM-Newton+BAT fits (reflection
amplitude <R> = 2.7 +/- 0.75), indicating light bending or extremely complex
absorption. The average 1--10keV spectrum for the sample reproduces the
1--10keV X-ray background slope as found for the 9-month BAT AGN sample. The
completeness limit for the sample is ~4 times fainter than that for the 9-month
catalog (abridged).
Gravitational waves at suitable frequencies can resonantly interact with a binary system, inducing changes to its orbit. A stochastic gravitational-wave background causes the orbital elements of the binary to execute a classic random walk -- with the variance of orbital elements growing with time. The lack of such a random walk in binaries that have been monitored with high precision over long time-scales can thus be used to place an upper bound on the gravitational-wave background. Using periastron time data from the Hulse-Taylor binary pulsar spanning ~30 years, we obtain a bound of h_c < 7.9 x 10^-14 at ~10^-4 Hz, where h_c is the strain amplitude per logarithmic frequency interval. Our constraint complements those from pulsar timing arrays, which probe much lower frequencies, and ground-based gravitational-wave observations, which probe much higher frequencies. Interesting sources in our frequency band, which overlaps the lower sensitive frequencies of proposed space-based observatories, include white-dwarf/supermassive black-hole binaries in the early/late stages of inspiral, and TeV scale preheating or phase transitions. The bound improves as (time span)^-2 and (sampling rate)^-1/2. The Hulse-Taylor constraint can be improved to ~3.8 x 10^-15 with a suitable observational campaign over the next decade. Our approach can also be applied to other binaries, including (with suitable care) the Earth-Moon system, to obtain constraints at different frequencies. The observation of additional binary pulsars with the SKA could reach a sensitivity of h_c ~ 3 x 10^-17.
We present global fits of the constrained Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (cMSSM) and the Non-Universal Higgs Model (NUHM), including the most recent CMS constraint on the Higgs boson mass, 5.8/fb integrated luminosity null Supersymmetry searches by ATLAS, the new LHCb measurement of the Bs to mu+mu- branching ratio and the 7-year WMAP dark matter relic abundance determination. We include the latest dark matter constraints from the XENON100 experiment, marginalising over astrophysical and particle physics uncertainties. We present Bayesian posterior and profile likelihood maps of the highest resolution available today, obtained from up to 350M points. We find that the new constraint on the Higgs boson mass has a dramatic impact, ruling out large regions of previously favoured cMSSM and NUHM parameter space. In the cMSSM, light sparticles and predominantly gaugino-like dark matter with a mass of a few hundred GeV are favoured. The NUHM exhibits a strong preference for heavier sparticle masses and a Higgsino-like neutralino with a mass of 1 TeV. The future ton-scale XENON1T direct detection experiment will probe large portions of the currently favoured cMSSM and NUHM parameter space. The LHC operating at 14 TeV collision energy will explore the favoured regions in the cMSSM, while most of the regions favoured in the NUHM will remain inaccessible. Our best-fit points achieve a satisfactory quality-of-fit, with p-values ranging from 0.21 to 0.35, so that none of the two models studied can be presently excluded at any meaningful significance level.
We study the top quark portal dominated dark matter interactions, and its implications for the gamma ray line searches. In this picture, the dark matter interactions with photons and gluons are loop induced by the axial anomaly of the top quark current. We show there can be a natural suppression of the tree-level annihilation of dark matter, and the photon channel in turn has a substantial rate when the main annihilation proceeds into gluons. We observe a competition between the indirect detection of gamma ray line and the search with monojet plus missing energy events at LHC, and the 7 TeV data already set an upper bound of ~ 10^{-28} cm^3/s on the photonic annihilation cross section. This upper limit is compatible with a thermal WIMP scenario.
The work of Jaffe, Jenkins and Kimchi [Phys. Rev. D79, 065014 (2009)] is revisited to see if indeed the region of congeniality found in their analysis survives further restrictions from nucleosynthesis. It is observed that much of their congenial region disappears when imposing conditions required to produce the correct and required abundances of the primordial elements as well as ensure that stars can continue to burn hydrogen nuclei to form helium as the first step in forming heavier elements in stellar nucleosynthesis. The remaining region is a very narrow slit reduced in width from around 29 MeV found by Jaffe et al. to only about 2.2 MeV in the difference of the nucleon/quark masses.
Following on previous work by others, which gave evidence for few-day changes in the European Diurnal Temperature Range (DTR) apparently correlated with Cosmic Ray Forbush Decreases, we have made an independent study. We find no positive evidence. An analysis has also been made of the Fourier components of the time series of the DTR value (taken as deviations from a +/-10 day running mean). Evidence for a number of interesting periods is found, including one at about 27 days, albeit with a variability with time. The same period of solar irradiance (particularly in the UV) is favoured as the explanation.
The generation of astrophysically relevant jets, from magnetically collimated, laser-produced plasmas, is investigated through three-dimensional, magneto-hydrodynamic simulations. We show that for laser intensities I ~ 10^12 - 10^14 W/cm^2, a magnetic field in excess of ~ 0.1 MG, can collimate the plasma plume into a prolate cavity bounded by a shock envelope with a standing conical shock at its tip, which re-collimates the flow into a super magneto-sonic jet beam. This mechanism is equivalent to astrophysical models of hydrodynamic inertial collimation, where an isotropic wind is focused into a jet by a confining circumstellar torus-like envelope. The results suggest an alternative mechanism for a large-scale magnetic field to produce jets from wide-angle winds. (abridged version)
The cross sections of the $^{130}$Sn(n,$\gamma$)$^{131}$Sn and $^{132}$Sn(n,$\gamma$)$^{133}$Sn reactions are calculated in the direct capture model at low energies below 1.5\,MeV. Using recent data from (d,p) transfer experiments on $^{130}$Sn and $^{132}$Sn, it is possible to avoid global input parameters with their inherent uncertainties and to determine all input to the direct capture model by local adjustments. The calculated direct capture cross sections of $^{130}$Sn and $^{132}$Sn are almost identical and have uncertainties of less than a factor of two. The stellar reaction rates $N_A < \sigma v >$ show a slight increase with temperature. Finally an estimate for the influence of low-lying resonances to the stellar reaction rates is given.
Numerous recent evidences for neutrino masses have established the leptogenesis mechanism as a very natural possible explanation for the baryon asymmetry of the Universe. The explicit realization of this mechanism depends on the neutrino mass model considered. If the right-handed type-I seesaw model of neutrino masses is certainly the most straightforward, it is not the only natural one, especially in the framework of explicit GUT realizations of the seesaw. In this review we discuss in detail the various seesaw scenarios that can implement the leptogenesis mechanism successfully, beyond the paradigm of the pure standard type-I seesaw model. This includes scenarios based on the existence of scalar triplets (type-II), of fermion triplets (type-III) as well as mixed seesaw frameworks.
The isotropy and homogeneity of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) favors "scalar driven" early Universe inflationary models. Non-scalar fields, and in particular gauge fields, are on the other hand commonplace in all high energy particle physics models proposed to be at work at the upper bound on energy scale of inflation set by the current CMB observations. In this review we consider the role and consequences, theoretical and observational, that gauge fields can have during inflationary era. Gauge fields may be turned on in the background during inflation, or may become relevant at the level of cosmic perturbations. There have been two main class of models with gauge fields in the background, models which show violation of cosmic no-hair theorem and those which lead to isotropic FLRW cosmology, respecting the cosmic no-hair theorem. Models in which gauge fields are only turned on at the cosmic perturbation level, may source primordial magnetic fields. We also review specific observational features of these models on the CMB and/or the primordial cosmic magnetic fields. Our discussions will be mainly focused on the inflation period, with only a brief discussion on the post inflationary (p)reheating era.
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The recent Sumi et al (2010, 2011) detection of free roaming planet mass MACHOs in cosmologically significant numbers recalls their original detection in quasar microlening studies (Schild 1996, Colley and Schild 2003). We consider the microlensing signature of such a population, and find that the nano-lensing (microlensing) would be well characterized by a statistical microlensing theory published previously by Refsdal and Stabel (1991). Comparison of the observed First Lens microlensing amplitudes with the theoretical prediction gives close agreement and a methodology for determining the slope of the mass function describing the population. Our provisional estimate of the power law exponent in an exponential approximation to this distribution is $2.98^{+1.0}_{-0.5}.$ where a Salpeter slope is 2.35.
Molecular hydrogen is now understood to be the main coolant of the primordial gas clouds leading to the formation of the very first stars and galaxies. The line emissions associated with molecular hydrogen should then be a good tracer of the matter distribution at the onset of reionization of the universe. Here we propose intensity mapping of H2 line emission in rest-frame mid-infrared wavelengths to map out the spatial distribution of gas at redshifts z > 10. We calculate the expected mean intensity and clustering power spectrum for several H2 lines. We find that the 0-0S(3) rotational line at a rest wavelength of 9.66 microns is the brightest line over the redshift range of 10 to 30 with an intensity of about 5 to 10 Jy/sr at z~15. To reduce astrophysical and instrumental systematics, we propose the cross-correlation between multiple lines of the H2 rotational and vibrational line emission spectrum. Our estimates of the intensity can be used as a guidance in planning instruments for future mid-IR spectroscopy missions such as SPICA.
Cosmological hydrodynamical simulations of galaxy evolution are increasingly able to produce realistic galaxies, but the largest hurdle remaining is in constructing subgrid models that accurately describe the behavior of stellar feedback. As an alternate way to test and calibrate such models, we propose to focus on the circumgalactic medium. To do so, we generate a suite of adaptive-mesh refinement (AMR) simulations for a Milky-Way-massed galaxy run to z=0, systematically varying the feedback implementation. We then post-process the simulation data to compute the absorbing column density for a wide range of common atomic absorbers throughout the galactic halo, including H I, Mg II, Si II, Si III, Si IV, C IV, N V, O VI, and O VII. The radial profiles of these atomic column densities are compared against several quasar absorption line studies, to determine if one feedback prescription is favored. We find that although our models match some of the observations (specifically those ions with lower ionization strengths), it is particularly difficult to match O VI observations. There is some indication that the models with increased feedback intensity are better matches. We demonstrate that sufficient metals exist in these halos to reproduce the observed column density distribution in principle, but the simulated circumgalactic medium lacks significant multiphase substructure and is generally too hot. Furthermore, we demonstrate the failings of inflow-only models (without energetic feedback) at populating the CGM with adequate metals to match observations even in the presence of multiphase structure. Additionally, we briefly investigate the evolution of the CGM from z=3 to present. Overall, we find that quasar absorption line observations of the gas around galaxies provide a new and important constraint on feedback models.
The nature of dark matter is still unknown and one of the most fundamental scientific mysteries. Although successfully describing large scales, the standard cold dark matter model (CDM) exhibits possible shortcomings on galactic and sub-galactic scales. It is exactly at these highly non-linear scales where strong astrophysical constraints can be set on the nature of the dark matter particle. While observations of the Lyman-$\alpha$ forest probe the matter power spectrum in the mildly non-linear regime, satellite galaxies of the Milky Way provide an excellent laboratory as a test of the underlying cosmology on much smaller scales. Here we present results from a set of high resolution simulations of a Milky Way sized dark matter halo in eight distinct cosmologies: CDM, warm dark matter (WDM) with a particle mass of 2 keV and six different cold plus warm dark matter (C+WDM) models, varying the fraction, $f_{\rm wdm}$, and the mass, $m_{\rm wdm}$, of the warm component. We used three different observational tests based on Milky Way satellite observations: the total satellite abundance, their radial distribution and their mass profile. We show that the requirement of simultaneously satisfying all three constraints sets very strong limits on the nature of dark matter. This shows the power of a multi-dimensional small scale approach in ruling out models which would be still allowed by large scale observations.
Big bang nucleosynthesis (BBN) is affected by the energy density of a primordial magnetic field (PMF). For an easy derivation of constraints on models for PMF generations, we assume a PMF with a power law (PL) distribution in wave number defined with a field strength, a PL index, and maximum and minimum scales at a generation epoch. We then show a relation between PL-PMF parameters and the scale invariant (SI) strength of PMF for the first time. We perform a BBN calculation including PMF effects, and show abundances as a function of baryon to photon ratio $\eta$. The SI strength of the PMF is constrained from observational constraints on abundances of $^4$He and D. The minimum abundance of $^7$Li/H as a function of $\eta$ slightly moves to a higher $^7$Li/H value at a larger $\eta$ value when a PMF exists during BBN. We then discuss degeneracies between the PL-PMF parameters in the PMF effect. In addition, we assume a general case in which both the existence and the dissipation of PMF are possible. It is then found that an upper limit on the SI strength of the PMF can be derived from a constraint on $^4$He abundance, and that a lower limit on the allowed $^7$Li abundance is significantly higher than those observed in metal-poor stars.
Spicules have been observed on the sun for more than a century, typically in chromospheric lines such as H-alpha and Ca II H. Recent work has shown that so-called 'type II' spicules may have a role in providing mass to the corona and the solar wind. In chromospheric filtergrams these spicules are not seen to fall back down, and they are shorter-lived and more dynamic than the spicules that have been classically reported in ground-based observations. Observations of type II spicules with Hinode show fundamentally different properties from what was previously measured. In earlier work we showed that these dynamic type II spicules are the most common type, a view that was not properly identified by early observations.The aim of this work is to investigate the effects of spatio-temporal resolution in the classical spicule measurements. Making use of Hinode data degraded to match the observing conditions of older ground-based studies, we measure the properties of spicules with a semi-automated algorithm. These results are then compared to measurements using the original Hinode data. We find that degrading the data has a significant effect on the measured properties of spicules. Most importantly, the results from the degraded data agree well with older studies (e.g. mean spicule duration more than 5 minutes, and upward apparent velocities of about 25 km/s). These results illustrate how the combination of spicule superposition, low spatial resolution and cadence affect the measured properties of spicules, and that previous measurements can be misleading.
We have compiled a large sample of 151 high redshift (z=0.5-4) galaxies selected at 24 microns (S24>100 uJy) in the GOODS-N and ECDFS fields for which we have deep Spitzer IRS spectroscopy, allowing us to decompose the mid-infrared spectrum into contributions from star formation and activity in the galactic nuclei. In addition, we have a wealth of photometric data from Spitzer IRAC/MIPS and Herschel PACS/SPIRE. We explore how effective different infrared color combinations are at separating our mid-IR spectroscopically determined active galactic nuclei from our star forming galaxies. We look in depth at existing IRAC color diagnostics, and we explore new color-color diagnostics combining mid-IR, far-IR, and near-IR photometry, since these combinations provide the most detail about the shape of a source's IR spectrum. An added benefit of using a color that combines far-IR and mid-IR photometry is that it is indicative of the power source driving the IR luminosity. For our data set, the optimal color selections are S250/S24 vs. S8.0/S3.6 and S100/S24 vs. S8.0/S3.6; both diagnostics have ~10% contamination rate in the regions occupied primarily by star forming galaxies and active galactic nuclei, respectively. Based on the low contamination rate, these two new IR color-color diagnostics are ideal for estimating both the mid-IR power source of a galaxy when spectroscopy is unavailable and the dominant power source contributing to the IR luminosity. In the absence of far-IR data, we present color diagnostics using the WISE mid-IR bands which can efficiently select out high z (z~2) star forming galaxies.
Sizes of galaxies are an important diagnostic for galaxy formation models. In this study I use the abundance matching ansatz, which has proven to be successful in reproducing galaxy clustering and other statistics, to derive estimates of the virial radius, R200, for galaxies of different morphological types and wide range of stellar mass. I show that over eight of orders of magnitude in stellar mass galaxies of all morphological types follow an approximately linear relation between half-mass radius of their stellar distribution, rhalf, and virial radius, rhalf\approx 0.015R200, in remarkable agreement with expectation of models which assume that rhalf lambda R200, where lambda is the spin of galaxy parent halo. The scatter about the relation is comparable with the scatter expected from the distribution of lambda and normalization of the relation agrees with that predicted by the model of Mo, Mao & White (1998), if galaxy sizes were set on average at z~1-2. Moreover, I show that when stellar and gas surface density profiles of galaxies of different morphological types are rescaled using radius r_n= 0.015R200, the profiles follow approximately universal exponential (for late types) and de Vaucouleurs (for early types) profiles with scatter of only ~30-50% at R~1-3r_n. Remarkably, both late and early type galaxies have similar mean stellar surface density profiles at R>~ 1r_n. The main difference between the stellar distribution of early and type galaxies is thus at R<r_n.
We report the first constraints on the properties of weakly interacting low-mass dark matter (DM) particles using asteroseismology. The additional energy transport mechanism due to accumulated asymmetric DM particles modifies the central temperature and density of low-mass stars and suppresses the convective core expected in 1.1-1.3 Ms stars even for an environmental DM density as low as the expected in the solar neighbourhood. An asteroseismic modelling of the stars KIC 8006161, HD 52265 and Alpha Cen B revealed small frequency separations significantly deviated from the observations, leading to the exclusion of a region of the DM parameter space mass vs. spin-dependent DM-proton scattering cross section comparable with present experimental constraints.
We developed a new nonlinear force-free magnetic field (NLFFF) forward-fitting algorithm based on an analytical approximation of force-free and divergence-free NLFFF solutions, which requires as input a line-of-sight magnetogram and traced 2D loop coordinates of coronal loops only, in contrast to stereoscopically triangulated 3D loop coordinates used in previous studies. Test results of simulated magnetic configurations and from four active regions observed with STEREO demonstrate that NLFFF solutions can be fitted with equal accuracy with or without stereoscopy, which relinquishes the necessity of STEREO data for magnetic modeling of active regions (on the solar disk). The 2D loop tracing method achieves a 2D misalignment of $\mu_2=2.7^\circ\pm 1.3^\circ$ between the model field lines and observed loops, and an accuracy of $\approx 1.0%$ for the magnetic energy or free magnetic energy ratio. The three times higher spatial resolution of TRACE or SDO/AIA (compared with STEREO) yields also a proportionally smaller misalignment angle between model fit and observations. Visual/manual loop tracings are found to produce more accurate magnetic model fits than automated tracing algorithms. The computation time of the new forward-fitting code amounts to a few minutes per active region.
We present results from a study to determine whether relations, established in the local Universe, between the mass of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) and their host galaxies are in place at higher redshifts. We establish a well-constructed sample of 18 X-ray-selected, broad-line Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) in the Extended Chandra Deep Field South - Survey with 0.5 < z < 1.2. This redshift range is chosen to ensure that HST imaging is available with at least two filters that bracket the 4000 Angstrom break thus providing reliable stellar mass estimates of the host galaxy by accounting for both young and old stellar populations. We compute single-epoch, virial black hole masses from optical spectra using the broad MgII emission line. For essentially all galaxies in our sample, their total stellar mass content agrees remarkably well, given their BH masses, with local relations of inactive galaxies and active SMBHs. We further decompose the total stellar mass into bulge and disk components separately with full knowledge of the HST point-spread-function. We find that ~80% of the sample is consistent with the local M_BH - M_Bulge relation even with 72% of the host galaxies showing the presence of a disk. In particular, bulge dominated hosts are more aligned with the local relation than those with prominent disks. We further discuss the possible physical mechanisms that are capable building up the stellar mass of the bulge from an extended disk of stars over the subsequent eight Gyrs.
We present near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic observations of 28 X-ray and mid-infrared selected sources at a median redshift of z~0.8 in the Extended Groth Strip (EGS). To date this is the largest compilation of NIR spectra of active galactic nuclei (AGN) at this redshift. The data were obtained using the multi-object spectroscopic mode of the Long-slit Intermediate Resolution Infrared Spectrograph (LIRIS) at the 4.2m William Herschel Telescope (WHT). These galaxies are representative of a larger sample studied in a previous work, consisting of over a hundred X-ray selected sources with mid-infrared counterparts, which were classified either as AGN-dominated or host galaxy-dominated, depending on the shape of their spectral energy distributions (SEDs). Here we present new NIR spectra of 13 and 15 sources of each class respectively. We detect the H alpha line at > 1.5 sigma above the continuum for the majority of the galaxies. Using attenuation-corrected H alpha luminosities and observed Spitzer/MIPS 24 micron fluxes, and after subtracting an AGN component estimated using an AGN empirical correlation and multi-frequency SED fits, we obtain average star formation rates (SFRs) of 7+/-7 and 20+/-50 Msun/yr respectively (median SFRs = 7 and 5 Msun/yr). These values are lower than the SFRs reported in the literature for different samples of non-active star-forming galaxies of similar stellar masses and redshifts (M* ~ 10^11 Msun and z~1). In spite of the small size of the sample studied here, as well as the uncertainty affecting the AGN-corrected SFRs, we speculate with the possibility of AGN quenching the star formation in galaxies at z~0.8. Alternatively, we might be seeing a delay between the offset of the star formation and AGN activity, as observed in the local universe.
We present an empirical calibration of the physical parameters of A, F and early G-type stars of luminosity class V. We have used a statistical approach based on a sample of about 15 000 stars having both uvby-Str\"omgren photomerty (Hauck & Mermilliod 1998) and spectral types taken from SIMBAD. Stars closer than 70 pc have been considered reddening-free. In this paper we present the results for 1900 stars within 70 pc. Mean unreddened measurements have been used as input to CHORIZOS (Ma\'iz-Apell\'aniz 2004). By assuming "solar metallicity" ([Fe/H]=0), we have been able to determine effective temperatures (Teff) and surface gravities (log g) for each spectral type. We have found a tight correlations among the observations and the derived physical parameters; for example, Teff can be expressed as a cubic polynomial in (b-y)o. From the distribution of colors and indices for 128 stars and their associated physical parameters we have proposed an alternative definition for solar-analogs: stars whose classification is G2 V with (b-y)o=0.3927+/-0.0190, (m1)o = 0.1901+/-0.0143, and (c1)o=0.3302+/-0.0388, Teff=5930+/-145, and log g =4.70+/-0.33. These values are consistent with previous empirical results; however, (m1)o differs from a recent model-based value for this index derived by Mel\'endez et al. (2010). This discrepancy points out the actual solar metallicity problem. We suggest that our sample of solar analogs could be useful for searches of solar twins and exoplanets.
A few years before the Hinode space telescope was launched, an investigation based on the Hanle effect in atomic and molecular lines indicated that the bulk of the quiet solar photosphere is significantly magnetized, due to the ubiquitous presence of an unresolved magnetic field with an average strength <B> = 130 G. It was pointed out also that this "hidden" field must be much stronger in the intergranular regions of solar surface convection than in the granular regions, and it was suggested that this unresolved magnetic field could perhaps provide the clue for understanding how the outer solar atmosphere is energized. In fact, the ensuing magnetic energy density is so significant that the energy flux estimated using the typical value of 1 km/s for the convective velocity (thinking in rising magnetic loops) or the Alfven speed (thinking in Alfven waves generated by magnetic reconnection) turns out to be substantially larger than that required to balance the chromospheric energy losses. Here we present a brief review of the research that led to such conclusions, with emphasis on a new three-dimensional radiative transfer investigation aimed at determining the magnetization of the quiet Sun photosphere from the Hanle effect in the Sr I 460,7 nm line and the Zeeman effect in FeI lines.
In this paper, we reexamine the possibility of shear-driven turbulence during sedimentation of dust grains in the protoplanetary disk. The shear-driven turbulence is expected to occur before the onset of the gravitational instability for MMSN model. While according to previous studies without taking account of growth of dust grains, with the larger abundance of dust grains, the gravitational instability is indicated to occur before shear-driven turbulence. In this paper, the case with dust growth is considered, and it is found that the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability tends to occur before the gravitational instability even in the case with large abundance of dust grains. This is different from previous results without the dust growth.
Metallicity is the first parameter to influence the horizontal branch (HB) morphology of globular clusters (GCs). It has been found, however, that some other parameters may also play an important role in affecting the morphology. While the nature of these important parameters remains unclear, they are believed to be likely correlated with wind mass-loss of red giants, since this mass loss determines their subsequent locations on the HB. Unfortunately, the mass loss during the red giant stages of the stellar evolution is poorly understood at present. The stellar winds of red giants may be tidally enhanced by companion stars if they are in binary systems. We investigate evolutionary consequences of red giants in binaries by including tidally enhanced stellar winds, and examine the effects on the HB morphology of GCs. We find that red, blue, and extreme horizontal branch stars are all produced under the effects of tidally enhanced stellar wind without any additional assumptions on the mass-loss dispersion. Furthermore, the horizontal branch morphology is found to be insensitive to the tidal enhancement parameter, Bw. We compare our theoretical results with the observed horizontal branch morphology of globular cluster NGC 2808, and find that the basic morphology of the horizontal branch can be well reproduced. The number of blue horizontal branch stars in our calculations, however, is lower than that of NGC 2808.
Future prospects in observational galaxy evolution are reviewed from a personal perspective. New insights will especially come from high-redshift integral field kinematic data and similar low-redshift observations in very large and definitive surveys. We will start to systematically probe the mass structures of galaxies and their haloes via lensing from new imaging surveys and upcoming near-IR spectroscopic surveys will finally obtain large numbers of rest frame optical spectra at high-redshift routinely. ALMA will be an important new ingredient, spatially resolving the molecular gas fuelling the high star-formation rates seen in the early Universe.
The disk wind, which is powered by the radiation force due to spectral lines (line force), is studied for broad absorption line (BAL) quasars. We investigate the structure of the disk wind based on the non-hydrodynamic method and compare with wind properties inferred from X-ray observations of BAL quasars. In this paper, we apply the stellar wind theory to the initial condition (the mass outflow rate at the base of the wind). We found the funnel-shaped winds with a half opening angle of 50^{circ} for the case of epsilon=0.3-0.9 and M_{BH}=10^{7-8.5}M_odot, where epsilon is the Eddington ratio and M_{BH} is the black hole mass. Thus, the absorption features are observed for an observer of which a viewing angle is around 50^{circ}. A probability of BAL quasars is 7-11%, which is roughly consistent the abundance ratio of BAL quasars, 10-15%. Here, the probability is estimated by the solid angle, that the absorbing features would be detected, divided by 4pi. In contrast, if the Eddington ratio is smaller than 0.01 or if the black hole is very massive, M_{BH} < 10^9M_{odot}, the disk wind is not launched due to the less effective line force. Then, the quasars are identified as non-BAL quasars independently of the observer's viewing angle.
The Planck collaboration has recently published precise and resolved measurements of the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect in Abell 1656 (the Coma cluster of galaxies), so directly gauging the electron pressure profile in the intracluster plasma. On the other hand, such a quantity may be also derived from combining the density and temperature provided by X-ray observations of the thermal bremsstrahlung radiation emitted by the plasma. We find a model-independent tension between the SZ and the X-ray pressure, with the SZ one being definitely lower by 15-20%. We propose that such a challenging tension can be resolved in terms of an additional, non-thermal support to the gravitational equilibrium of the intracluster plasma. This can be straightforwardly included in our Supermodel, so as to fit in detail the Planck SZ profile while being consistent with the X-ray observables. Possible origins of the nonthermal component include cosmic-ray protons, ongoing turbulence, and relativistic electrons; given the existing observational constraints on the first two options, here we focus on the third. For this to be effective, we find that the electron population must include not only an energetic tail accelerated to gamma> 10^3 responsible for the Coma radiohalo, but also many more, lower energy electrons. The electron acceleration is to be started by merging events similar to those which provided the very high central entropy of the thermal intracluster plasma in Coma.
A thorough search for large scale anisotropies in the distribution of arrival directions of cosmic rays detected above $10^{18}$ eV at the Pierre Auger Observatory is reported. For the first time, these large scale anisotropy searches are performed as a function of both the right ascension and the declination and expressed in terms of dipole and quadrupole moments. Within the systematic uncertainties, no significant deviation from isotropy is revealed. Upper limits on dipole and quadrupole amplitudes are derived under the hypothesis that any cosmic ray anisotropy is dominated by such moments in this energy range. These upper limits provide constraints on the production of cosmic rays above $10^{18}$ eV, since they allow us to challenge an origin from stationary galactic sources densely distributed in the galactic disk and emitting predominantly light particles in all directions.
We aimed to assess the accuracy of the Gaia teff and logg estimates as derived with current models and observations. We assessed the validity of several inference techniques for deriving the physical parameters of ultra-cool dwarf stars. We used synthetic spectra derived from ultra-cool dwarf models to construct (train) the regression models. We derived the intrinsic uncertainties of the best inference models and assessed their validity by comparing the estimated parameters with the values derived in the bibliography for a sample of ultra-cool dwarf stars observed from the ground. We estimated the total number of ultra-cool dwarfs per spectral subtype, and obtained values that can be summarised (in orders of magnitude) as 400000 objects in the M5-L0 range, 600 objects between L0 and L5, 30 objects between L5 and T0, and 10 objects between T0 and T8. A bright ultra-cool dwarf (with teff=2500 K and \logg=3.5 will be detected by Gaia out to approximately 220 pc, while for teff=1500 K (spectral type L5) and the same surface gravity, this maximum distance reduces to 10-20 pc. The RMSE of the prediction deduced from ground-based spectra of ultra-cool dwarfs simulated at the Gaia spectral range and resolution, and for a Gaia magnitude G=20 is 213 K and 266 K for the models based on k-nearest neighbours and Gaussian process regression, respectively. These are total errors in the sense that they include the internal and external errors, with the latter caused by the inability of the synthetic spectral models (used for the construction of the regression models) to exactly reproduce the observed spectra, and by the large uncertainties in the current calibrations of spectral types and effective temperatures.
We carry out a quantum chemical calculation to obtain the infrared and electronic absorption spectra of several complex molecules of the interstellar medium (ISM). These molecules are the precursors of adenine, glycine & alanine. They could be produced in the gas phase as well as in the ice phase. We carried out a hydro-chemical simulation to predict the abundances of these species in the gas as well as in the ice phase. Gas and grains are assumed to be interacting through the accretion of various species from the gas phase on to the grain surface and desorption (thermal evaporation and photo-evaporation) from the grain surface to the gas phase. Depending on the physical properties of the cloud, the calculated abundances varies. The influence of ice on vibrational frequencies of different pre-biotic molecules was obtained using Polarizable Continuum Model (PCM) model with the integral equation formalism variant (IEFPCM) as default SCRF method with a dielectric constant of 78.5. Time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) is used to study the electronic absorption spectrum of complex molecules which are biologically important such as, formamide and precursors of adenine, alanine and glycine. We notice a significant difference between the spectra of the gas and ice phase (water ice). The ice could be mixed instead of simple water ice. We have varied the ice composition to find out the effects of solvent on the spectrum. We expect that our study could set the guidelines for observing the precursor of some bio-molecules in the interstellar space.
Airless planetary bodies are covered by a dusty layer called regolith. The grain size of the regolith determines the temperature and the mechanical strength of the surface layers. Thus, knowledge of the grain size of planetary regolith helps to prepare future landing and/or sample-return missions. In this work, we present a method to determine the grain size of planetary regolith by using remote measurements of the thermal inertia. We found that small bodies in the Solar System (diameter less than ~100 km) are covered by relatively coarse regolith grains with typical particle sizes in the millimeter to centimeter regime, whereas large objects possess very fine regolith with grain sizes between 10 and 100 micrometer.
We present here the status of the medium size prototype for the Cherenkov Telescope Array. The main reasons to build the prototype are the test of the steel structure, the training of various mounting operations, the test of the drive system and the test of the safety system. The essential difference between the medium size telescope prototype and a fully instrumented are that the camera is not instrumented and only a part of the mounted mirrors are optical mirrors. Insofar no high energy gamma rays can be detected by the prototype telescope. The prototype will be setup in autumn 2012 in Berlin.
Was defined reconnection rate of solar flares observed with the SOHO Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI). Measured physical parameters of 15 flares, such as the temporal scale, size and magnetic flux density. Estimated reconnection inflow velocity, coronal Alfven velocity, and reconnection rate using the observed values.
X-ray observations unveiled various types of radio-silent Isolated Neutron Stars (INSs), phenomenologically very diverse, e.g. the Myr old X-ray Dim INS (XDINSs) and the kyr old magnetars. Although their phenomenology is much diverse, the similar periods (P=2--10 s) and magnetic fields (~10^{14} G) suggest that XDINSs are evolved magnetars, possibly born from similar populations of supermassive stars. One way to test this hypothesis is to identify their parental star clusters by extrapolating backward the neutron star velocity vector in the Galactic potential. By using the information on the age and space velocity of the XDINS RX J1856.5-3754, we computed backwards its orbit in the Galactic potential and searched for its parental stellar cluster by means of a closest approach criterion. We found a very likely association with the Upper Scorpius OB association, for a neutron star age of 0.42+/-0.08 Myr, a radial velocity V_r^NS =67+/- 13$ km s^{-1}, and a present-time parallactic distance d_\pi^NS = 123^{+11}_{-15} pc. Our result confirms that the "true" neutron star age is much lower than the spin-down age (tau_{sd}=3.8 Myrs), and is in good agreement with the cooling age, as computed within standard cooling scenarios. The mismatch between the spin-down and the dynamical/cooling age would require either an anomalously large breaking index (n~20) or a decaying magnetic field with initial value B_0 ~ 10^{14} G. Unfortunately, owing to the uncertainty on the age of the Upper Scorpius OB association and the masses of its members we cannot yet draw firm conclusions on the estimated mass of the RX J1856.5-3754 progenitor.
Context: Chemically peculiar A type (Ap) stars are a subgroup of the CP2 stars which exhibit anomalous overabundances of numerous elements, e.g. Fe, Cr, Sr and rare earth elements. The pulsating subgroup of the Ap stars, the roAp stars, present ideal laboratories to observe and model pulsational signatures as well as the interplay of the pulsations with strong magnetic fields and vertical abundance gradients. Aims: Based on high resolution spectroscopic observations and observed stellar energy distributions we construct a self consistent model atmosphere, that accounts for modulations of the temperature-pressure structure caused by vertical abundance gradients, for the roAp star 10 Aquilae (HD 176232). We demonstrate that such an analysis can be used to determine precisely the fundamental atmospheric parameters required for pulsation modelling. Methods: Average abundances were derived for 56 species. For Mg, Si, Ca, Cr, Fe, Co, Sr, Pr, and Nd vertical stratification profiles were empirically derived using the ddafit minimization routine together with the magnetic spectrum synthesis code synthmag. Model atmospheres were computed with the LLModels code which accounts for the individual abundances and stratification of chemical elements. Results: For the final model atmosphere Teff=7550 K and log g=3.8 were adopted. While Mg, Si, Co and Cr exhibit steep abundance gradients Ca, Fe and Sr showed much wider abundance gradients between log tau_5000=-1.5 and 0.5. Elements Mg and Co were found to be the least stratified, while Ca and Sr showed strong depth variations in abundance of up to ~ 6 dex.
We present H${\alpha}$ emission line measurements of the W80 nebular complex. A total of 26 regions have been observed inside the nebula with the Dual Etalon Fabry-Perot Optical Spectrometer (DEFPOS) system at the f/48 Coude focus of 150 cm RTT150 telescope located at TUBITAK National Observatory (TUG) in Antalya/Turkey. The intensities, the local standard of rest (LSR) velocities ($V_{LSR}$), heliocentric radial velocities ($V_{HEL}$) and the linewidths at Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) of the H${\alpha}$ emission lines have been determined from these observations. They lie in the range of 259 to 1159 Rayleigh {1R = 10$^{6}/4\pi$ photons cm$^{-2}$ sr$^{-1}$ s$^{-1}$ = 2.4110$^{-7}$ erg cm$^{-2}$ sr$^{-1}$ s$^{-1}$ at H${\alpha}$.} (R), 4 to 12 km s$^{-1}$ and 44 to 55 km s$^{-1}$, respectively. The radial velocity measurements show that there are several maxima and minima inside the W80. The new results confirm the literature that complex seems to be rather a uniform in radial velocity and no seen turbulent motion inside the complex. The average value of the calculated the Emission Measure (EM) for the regions is 3.1 pc cm$^{-6}$.
The BBW method remains one of most demanded tool to derive full set of Cepheid astrophysical parameters. Surface brightness version of the BBW technique was preferentially used during last decades to calculate Cepheid radii and to improve PLC relations. Its implementation requires a priory knowledge of Cepheid reddening value. We propose a new version of the Baade--Becker--Wesselink technique, which allows one to independently determine the colour excess and the intrinsic colour of a radially pulsating star, in addition to its radius, luminosity, and distance. It is considered to be a generalization of the Balona light curve modelling approach. The method also allows the function F(CI_0) = BC + 10 log Teff for the class of pulsating stars considered to be calibrated. We apply this technique to a number of classical Cepheids with very accurate light and radial-velocity curves. The new technique can also be applied to other pulsating variables, e.g. RR Lyraes. We discuss also possible dependence of the projection factor on the pulsation phase.
Given a bounded domain $G \subset \R^d$, $d\geq 3$, we study smooth solutions
of a linear parabolic equation with non-constant coefficients in $G$, which at
the boundary have to $C^1$-match with some harmonic function in $\R^d \setminus
\ov{G}$ vanishing at spatial infinity.
This problem arises in the framework of magnetohydrodynamics if certain
dynamo-generated magnetic fields are considered: For example, in the case of
axisymmetry or for non-radial flow fields, the poloidal scalar of the magnetic
field solves the above problem. We first investigate the Poisson problem in $G$
with the above described boundary condition as well as the associated
eigenvalue problem and prove the existence of smooth solutions. As a by-product
we obtain the completeness of the well-known poloidal "free decay modes" in
$\R^3$ if $G$ is a ball. Smooth solutions of the evolution problem are then
obtained by Galerkin approximation based on these eigenfunctions.
The electrical current through an incompressible, viscous and resistive liquid conductor produces an azimuthal magnetic field that becomes unstable when the corresponding Hartmann number exceeds a critical value in the order of 20. This Tayler instability, which is not only discussed as a key ingredient of a non-linear stellar dynamo model (Tayler-Spruit dynamo), but also as a limiting factor for the maximum size of large liquid metal batteries, was recently observed experimentally in a column of a liquid metal (Seilmayer et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 244501, 2012}. On the basis of an integro-differential equation approach, we have developed a fully three-dimensional numerical code, and have utilized it for the simulation of the Tayler instability at typical viscosities and resistivities of liquid metals. The resulting growth rates are in good agreement with the experimental data. We illustrate the capabilities of the code for the detailed simulation of liquid metal battery problems in realistic geometries.
Magnesium abundances of cool stars with different metallicities are important for understanding the galactic chemical evolution. This study tests atomic data used in stellar magnesium abundance analyses. We evaluate non-local thermodynamical equilibrium (NLTE) line formation for Mg I using the most up-to-date theoretical and experimental atomic data available so far and check the Mg abundances from individual lines in the Sun, four well studied A-type stars, and three reference metal-poor stars. With the adopted gf-values, NLTE abundances derived from the Mg I 4703 A, 5528 A, and Mg Ib lines are consistent within 0.05 dex for each A-type star. The same four Mg I lines in the solar spectrum give consistent NLTE abundances at $\log N_{\rm Mg}/N_{\rm H} = -4.45$, when correcting the van der Waals damping constants inferred from the perturbation theory. Inelastic Mg+H collisions as treated by Barklem, Belyaev, Spielfiedel, Guitou, and Feautrier serve as efficient thermalizing process for the statistical equilibrium of Mg I in the atmospheres of metal-poor stars. The use of the Mg+H collision data improves Mg abundance determinations for HD 84937 and HD 122563, though does not remove completely the differences between different lines.
The next generation of galaxy surveys will observe millions of galaxies over large volumes of the universe. These surveys are expensive both in time and cost, raising questions regarding the optimal investment of this time and money. In this work we investigate criteria for selecting amongst observing strategies for constraining the galaxy power spectrum and a set of cosmological parameters. Depending on the parameters of interest, it may be more efficient to observe a larger, but sparsely sampled, area of sky instead of a smaller contiguous area. In this work, by making use of the principles of Bayesian Experimental Design, we will investigate the advantages and disadvantages of the sparse sampling of the sky and discuss the circumstances in which a sparse survey is indeed the most efficient strategy. For the Dark Energy Survey (DES), we find that by sparsely observing the same area in a smaller amount of time, we only increase the errors on the parameters by a maximum of 0.45%. Conversely, investing the same amount of time as the original DES to observe a sparser but larger area of sky we can in fact constrain the parameters with errors reduced by 28%.
We consider homogeneous non-abelian vector fields with general potential terms in an expanding universe. We find a mechanical analogy with a system of N interacting particles (with N the dimension of the gauge group) moving in three dimensions under the action of a central potential. In the case of bounded and rapid evolution compared to the rate of expansion, we show by making use of a generalization of the virial theorem that for arbitrary potential and polarization pattern, the average energy-momentum tensor is always diagonal and isotropic despite the intrinsic anisotropic evolution of the vector field. We consider also the case in which a gauge-fixing term is introduced in the action and show that the average equation of state does not depend on such a term. Finally, we extend the results to arbitrary background geometries and show that the average energy-momentum tensor of a rapidly evolving Yang-Mills fields is always isotropic and has the perfect fluid form for any locally inertial observer.
We present a study of galaxy sizes in the local Universe as a function of galaxy environment, comparing clusters and the general field. Galaxies with radii and masses comparable to high-z massive and compact galaxies represent 4.4% of all galaxies more massive than 3 X 10^{10} M_sun in the field. Such galaxies are 3 times more frequent in clusters than in the field. Most of them are early-type galaxies with intermediate to old stellar populations. There is a trend of smaller radii for older luminosity-weighted ages at fixed galaxy mass. We show the relation between size and luminosity-weighted age for galaxies of different stellar masses and in different environments. We compare with high-z data to quantify the evolution of galaxy sizes. We find that, once the progenitor bias due to the relation between galaxy size and stellar age is removed, the average amount of size evolution of individual galaxies between high- and low-z is mild, of the order of a factor 1.6.
The high and very-high energy spectrum of gamma-ray binaries has become a challenge for all theoretical explanations since the detection of powerful, persistent GeV emission from LS 5039 and LS I +61 303 by Fermi/LAT. The presence of a spectral cutoff at a few GeV indicates that the GeV component and the fainter, hard TeV emission above 100 GeV are not directly related. We explore the possible origins of these two emission components in the framework of a young, non-accreting pulsar orbiting the massive star, and initiating the non-thermal emission through the interaction of the stellar and pulsar winds. The pulsar/stellar wind interaction in a compact orbit binary gives rise to two potential locations for particle acceleration: the shocks at the head-on collision of the winds and the termination shock caused by Coriolis forces on scales larger than the binary separation. We explore the suitability of these two locations to host the GeV and TeV emitters, respectively, through the study of their non-thermal emission along the orbit. We focus on the application of this model to LS 5039 given its well determined stellar wind with respect to other gamma-ray binaries. The application of the proposed model to LS 5039 indicates that these two potential emitter locations provide the necessary conditions for reproduction of the two-component high-energy gamma-ray spectrum of LS 5039. In addition, the ambient postshock conditions required at each of the locations are consistent with recent hydrodynamical simulations. The scenario based on the interaction of the stellar and pulsar winds is compatible with the GeV and TeV emission observed from gamma-ray binaries with unknown compact objects, such as LS 5039 and LS I +61 303.
A statistical analysis of radial distributions of Luminous Red Galaxies (LRGs) from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS DR7) catalogue within an interval $0.16 \leq z \leq 0.47$ is carried out. We found that the radial distribution of $\sim$ 106,000 LRGs incorporates a few quasi-periodical components relatively to a variable $\eta$, dimensionless line-of-sight comoving distance calculated for the $\Lambda$CDM cosmological model. The most significant peaks of the power spectra are obtained for two close periodicities corresponding to the spatial comoving scales $(135 \pm 12) h^{-1}$ Mpc and $(101 \pm 6)h^{-1}$ Mpc. The latter one is dominant and consistent with the characteristic scale of the baryon acoustic oscillations. We analyse also the radial distributions of two other selected LRG samples: $\sim$ 33,400 bright LRGs ($-23.2 < M \leq -21.8$) and $\sim$ 60,300 all LRGs within a rectangle region on the sky, and show differences of the quasi-periodical features characteristic for different samples. Being confirmed the results would allow to give preference of the spatial against temporal models which could explain the quasi-periodicities discussed here. As a caveat we show that estimations of the significance levels of the peaks strongly depend on a smoothed radial function (trend) as well as characteristics of random fluctuations.
We reexamine nonlinear diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) at cosmological shocks in the large scale structure of the Universe, incorporating wave-particle interactions that are expected to operate in collisionless shocks. Adopting simple phenomenological models for magnetic field amplification (MFA) by cosmic-ray (CR) streaming instabilities and Alfv'enic drift, we perform kinetic DSA simulations for a wide range of sonic and Alfv'enic Mach numbers and evaluate the CR injection fraction and acceleration efficiency. In our DSA model the CR acceleration efficiency is determined mainly by the sonic Mach number Ms, while the MFA factor depends on the Alfv'enic Mach number and the degree of shock modification by CRs. We show that at strong CR modified shocks, if scattering centers drift with an effective Alfv'en speed in the amplified magnetic field, the CR energy spectrum is steepened and the acceleration efficiency is reduced significantly, compared to the cases without such effects. As a result, the postshock CR pressure saturates roughly at ~ 20 % of the shock ram pressure for strong shocks with Ms>~ 10. In the test-particle regime (Ms<~ 3), it is expected that the magnetic field is not amplified and the Alfv'enic drift effects are insignificant, although relevant plasma physical processes at low Mach number shocks remain largely uncertain.
Many studies of anomalous microwave emission (AME) have computed an AME emissivity to compare the strength of the AME detected in different regions. Such a value is usually defined as the ratio between the intensity of the AME at 1 cm and the thermal dust emission at 100 \mu m. However, as studies of Galactic dust emission have shown, the intensity of the thermal dust emission at 100 \mu m is strongly dependent on the dust temperature, which has severe implications for the AME emissivity defined in this way. In this work, we illustrate and quantify this effect and find that the AME emissivity decreases by a factor of 11.1 between dust temperatures of 20 and 30 K. We, therefore, conclude that computing the AME emissivity relative to the 100 \mu m emission does not allow for accurate comparisons between the AME observed in different environments. With this in mind, we investigate the use of other tracers of the dust emission with which to compute the AME emissivity and we ultimately conclude that, despite the difficulty in deriving its value, the column density of the dust would be the most suitable quantity with which to compute the AME emissivity.
A framework for the theoretical and analytical understanding of the impact crater-size frequency distribution is developed and applied to observed data from Mars and Earth. The analitical model derived gives the crater population,N, as a function of crater diameter,D, and age, taking into consideration the reduction in crater number as a function of time, cause by the elimination of craters due to effects, such as erosion, obliteration by other impacts, and tectonic changes. We are also able to estimate the rate of impacts as a function of D and the kinetic energy, E, of the impactors. In particular, for energies of one megaton or larger we find near one impact every three years for Mars, an interesting and concerning result for future Mars explorations. The corresponding calculations for our planet give a probability of one impact per 15 years, while for a Tunguska like event, of about E=10 megatons, an estimate of one per century is obtained for Earth. The model allows the derivation of an expression that gives the number of craters observed today as a function of D and age. The application of this expression to the Earth`s crater data shows a remarkable agreement between theory and observations.
We study diffusion damping of acoustic waves in the photon-baryon fluid due to cosmic strings, and calculate the induced $\mu$- and $y$-type spectral distortions of the cosmic microwave background. For cosmic strings with tension within current bounds, their contribution to the spectral distortions is subdominant compared to the distortions from primordial density perturbations.
The claim of the inflation theory having explained large scale flatness and absence of monopoles and strings is examined from the viewpoint of the observed scales having originated from very small ones, on which the density fluctuations of the curvaton and relics are inevitably of order unity or larger. By analyzing (in two different gauges to ensure consistency) the density evolution of the smoothest possible pre-inflationary component -- radiation -- it is found that the O(1) thermal fluctuations on the thermal wavelength scale (or larger than O(1) for smaller scales, by a quantum calculation) can cause problems to the linear growth theory. Specifically, by the time of horizon exit of this scale the radiation density contrast $\de\rh_r/\rh_r$ has become, {\it by a classical thermodynamic argument} which may not be relevant, an insignificant contribution to the $3H\de\rh/\dot\rh$ term of the conserved parameter $\ze$. Still, this optimistic `way out' would work only if the inflationary vacuum is a cosmological constant: $1+w_v =0$. During the coherent oscillation stage of reheating, however, $1+w_v$ vanishes completely every time the inflaton scalar field reaches its highest point on either side of the potential well, points at which the relic radiation `reclaims' its influence of $3H\de\rh/\dot\rh$ via its $3H\de\rh_r/\dot\rh_r = -3\de\rh_r/(4\rh_r)$ with $\de\rh_r/\rh_r \sim 1$. Since the radiation thermal wavelength scale exited the horizon early, this calls to question the validity of perturbation to the evolution of relic densities. One could avoid the difficulty presented by this `best case scenario' by invoking a {\it dissipating} inflaton during even slow-roll, i.e. scenarios like warm inflation seem to be indispensable.
Over the last few years, the chemistry of molecules other than CO in the planet-forming zones of disks is starting to be explored with Spitzer and high-resolution ground-based data. However, these studies have focused only on a few simple molecules. The aim of this study is to put observational constraints on the presence of more complex organic and sulfur-bearing molecules predicted to be abundant in chemical models of disks and to simulate high resolution spectra in view of future missions. High S/N Spitzer spectra at 10-30 micron of the near edge-on disks IRS46 and GVTau are used to search for mid-infrared absorption bands of various molecules. These disks are good laboratories because absorption studies do not suffer from low line/continuum ratios that plague emission data. Simple LTE slab models are used to infer column densities (or upper limits) and excitation temperatures. Bands of HCN, C2H2 and CO2 are clearly detected toward both sources. The HCN and C2H2 absorption arises in warm gas with Tex of 400-700 K, whereas the CO2 absorption originates in cooler gas of app. 250 K (as in Lahuis 2006). No other absorption features are detected. Limits of those molecules are determined and compared with disk models. The inferred ratios wrt. C2H2 and HCN are roughly consistent with models of the chemistry in high-T gas. Models of UV irradiated disk surfaces generally agree better than pure X-ray models. The limit on NH3/HCN implies that evaporation of NH3 containing ices is only a minor contributor. The inferred ratios also compare well with those found in comets, suggesting that part of the cometary material may derive from warm inner disk gas. High resolution simulations show that future instruments on JWST, ELTs, SOFIA and SPICA can probe up to an order of magnitude lower ratios and put important new constraints on the models, especially if pushed to high S/N ratios.
Aperture synthesis instruments providing a generally highly uniform sampling of the visibility function often leave an unsampled hole near the origin of the (u,v)-plane. In this paper, originally published in 1979, we first describe the common solution of retrieving the information from scans made with a large single-dish telescope. However, this is not the only means by which short spacing visibility data can be obtained. We propose an alternative technique that employs a short-baseline interferometer to scan the entire primary beam area. The obvious advantage is that a short-baseline pair from the synthesis instrument can be used, ensuring uniformity in instrumental characteristics. This technique is the basis for the mosaicing algorithms now commonly used in aperture synthesis radio astronomy imaging.
We propose a new, more realistic, description of the perturbed gravitational potential of spiral galaxies, with spiral arms having Gaussian-shaped groove profiles. We investigate the stable stellar orbits in galactic disks, using the new perturbed potential. The influence of the bulge mass on the stellar orbits in the inner regions of a disk is also investigated. The new description offers the advantage of easy control of the parameters of the Gaussian profile of its potential. We find a range of values for the perturbation amplitude from 400 to 800 km^2 s^{-2} kpc^{-1} which implies a maximum ratio of the tangential force to the axisymmetric force between 3% and 6%, approximately. Good self-consistency of arm shapes is obtained between the Inner Lindblad resonance (ILR) and the 4:1 resonance. Near the 4:1 resonance the response density starts to deviate from the imposed logarithmic spiral form. This creates bifurcations that appear as short arms. Therefore the deviation from a perfect logarithmic spiral in galaxies can be understood as a natural effect of the 4:1 resonance. Beyond the 4:1 resonance we find closed orbits which have similarities with the arms observed in our Galaxy. In regions near the center, in the presence of a massive bulge, elongated stellar orbits appear naturally, without imposing any bar-shaped potential, but only extending the spiral perturbation a little inward of the ILR. This suggests that a bar is formed with a half-size around 3 kpc by a mechanism similar to that of the spiral arms. The potential energy perturbation that we adopted represents an important step in the direction of self-consistency, compared to previous sine function descriptions of the potential. Our model produces a realistic description of the spiral structure, able to explain several details that were not yet understood.
To study the relativistic thermodynamic properties of a Fermi gas in a strong magnetic field, we construct the relativistic thermodynamic potential by the relativistic Fermi distribution function taking into account that the motion of particles in a plane perpendicular to the magnetic field is quantized. With this general potential at hand, we investigate all the thermodynamic quantities as a function of densities, temperatures and the magnetic field. We obtain a novel set of adiabatic equations. Having the expression of the pressure and adiabatic state equations, we determine the sound velocity for several cases revealing a new type of sound velocity. Finally, we disclose the magnetic cooling in the quantized electron Fermi gas, which is based on an adiabatic magnetization in contrast to the known adiabatic demagnetization.
Stacked layers of metal meshes embedded in a dielectric substrate are routinely used for providing spectral selection at THz frequencies. Recent work has shown that particular geometries allow the refractive index to be tuned to produce practical artificial materials. Here we show that by spatially grading in the plane of the mesh we can manufacture a Graded Index (GrIn) thin flat lens optimized for use at THz frequencies. Measurements on a prototype lens show we are able to obtain the parabolic profile of a Woods type lens which is dependent only on the mesh parameters. This technique could realize other exotic optical devices.
Two-step dissipation is studied in supersymmetric models in which the field in motion couples to bulk fields in the higher dimensional space. Since the Kaluza-Klein tower of the intermediate field changes its mass-spectrum during the evolution, there could be back-reaction from the tower. Then the system may eventually cause significant dissipation of the kinetic energy if the tower is coupled to light fields in the thermal bath. To see what happens in the higher dimensional theory, we consider three models for the scenario, which are carefully prepared. In these models the extension is obvious but it does not disturb the original set-ups. The third model suggests that the evolution of the volume moduli may feel significant friction from the Kaluza-Klein tower.
The in-in path integral of a scalar field propagating in a fixed background is formulated in a suitable function space. The free kinetic operator, whose inverse gives the propagators of the in-in perturbation theory, becomes essentially self adjoint after imposing appropriate boundary conditions. An explicit spectral representation is given for the scalar in the flat space and the standard propagators are rederived using this representation. In this way the subtle boundary path integral over the field configurations at the return time is handled straightforwardly. It turns out that not only the values of the forward (+) and the backward (-) evolving fields but also their time derivatives must be matched at the return time, which is mainly overlooked in the literature. This formulation also determines the field configurations that are included in the path integral uniquely. We show that some of the recently suggested instanton-like solutions corresponding to the stationary phases of the cosmological in-in path integrals can be rigorously identified as limits of sequences in the function space.
The influence of neutrinoless electron to positron conversion on cooling of strongly magnetized iron white dwarfs is studied.
In this paper we propose a new statistical stopping rule for constrained maximum likelihood iterative algorithms applied to ill-posed inverse problems. To this aim we extend the definition of Tikhonov regularization in a statistical framework and prove that the application of the proposed stopping rule to the Iterative Space Reconstruction Algorithm (ISRA) in the Gaussian case and Expectation Maximization (EM) in the Poisson case leads to well defined regularization methods according to the given definition. We also prove that, if an inverse problem is genuinely ill-posed in the sense of Tikhonov, the same definition is not satisfied when ISRA and EM are optimized by classical stopping rule like Morozov's discrepancy principle, Pearson's test and Poisson discrepancy principle. The stopping rule is illustrated in the case of image reconstruction from data recorded by the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI). First, by using a simulated image consisting of structures analogous to those of a real solar flare we validate the fidelity and accuracy with which the proposed stopping rule recovers the input image. Second, the robustness of the method is compared with the other classical stopping rules and its advantages are shown in the case of real data recorded by RHESSI during two different flaring events.
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