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Astrophysics and Astronomy

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2013

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

Articles 1 - 21 of 21

Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Uncovering The Deeply Embedded Active Galactic Nucleus Activity In The Nuclear Regions Of The Interacting Galaxy Arp 299, A Alonso-Herrero, Eric S. Perlman Dec 2013

Uncovering The Deeply Embedded Active Galactic Nucleus Activity In The Nuclear Regions Of The Interacting Galaxy Arp 299, A Alonso-Herrero, Eric S. Perlman

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

We present mid-infrared (MIR) 8-13 μm spectroscopy of the nuclear regions of the interacting galaxy Arp 299 (IC 694+NGC 3690) obtained with CanariCam (CC) on the 10.4 m Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC). The high angular resolution (∼0.″3-0.″6) of the data allows us to probe nuclear physical scales between 60 and 120 pc, which is a factor of 10 improvement over previous MIR spectroscopic observations of this system. The GTC/CC spectroscopy displays evidence of deeply embedded active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity in both nuclei. The GTC/CC nuclear spectrum of NGC 3690/Arp 299-B1 can be explained as emission from AGN-heated dust in …

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Direct Observations Of Plasma Upflows And Condensation In A Catastrophically Cooling Solar Transition Region Loop, Norton B. Orange, David L. Chesney, Hakeem M. Oluseyi, Katie Hesterly, M Patel, Patrick Champey Dec 2013

Direct Observations Of Plasma Upflows And Condensation In A Catastrophically Cooling Solar Transition Region Loop, Norton B. Orange, David L. Chesney, Hakeem M. Oluseyi, Katie Hesterly, M Patel, Patrick Champey

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

Minimal observational evidence exists for fast transition region (TR) upflows in the presence of cool loops. Observations of such occurrences challenge notions of standard solar atmospheric heating models as well as their description of bright TR emission. Using the EUV Imaging Spectrometer on boardHinode, we observe fast upflows (vλ −10 km s−1) over multiple TR temperatures (5.8 logT 6.0) at the footpoint sites of a cool loop (logT 6.0). Prior to cool loop energizing, asymmetric flows of + 5 km s−1 and −60 km s−1 are observed at footpoint sites. These flows, speeds, and patterns occur simultaneously with both magnetic …

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Non-Potential Fields In The Quiet Sun Network: Extreme-Ultraviolet And Magnetic Footpoint Observations, David L. Chesney, Hakeem M. Oluseyi, Norton B. Orange Nov 2013

Non-Potential Fields In The Quiet Sun Network: Extreme-Ultraviolet And Magnetic Footpoint Observations, David L. Chesney, Hakeem M. Oluseyi, Norton B. Orange

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

The quiet Sun (QS) magnetic network is known to contain dynamics which are indicative of non-potential fields. Non-potential magnetic fields forming “S-shaped” loop arcades can lead to the breakdown of static activity and have only been observed in high temperature X-ray coronal structures—some of which show eruptive behavior. Thus, analysis of this type of atmospheric structuring has been restricted to large-scale coronal fields. Here we provide the first identification of non-potential loop arcades exclusive to the QS supergranulation network. High-resolution Atmospheric Imaging Assembly data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory have allowed for the first observations of fine-scale “S-shaped” loop arcades …

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The Role Of Cross-Shock Potential On Pickup Ion Shock Acceleration In The Framework Of Focused Transport Theory, Pingbing Zuo, Ming Zhang, Hamid K. Rassoul Oct 2013

The Role Of Cross-Shock Potential On Pickup Ion Shock Acceleration In The Framework Of Focused Transport Theory, Pingbing Zuo, Ming Zhang, Hamid K. Rassoul

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

The focused transport theory is appropriate to describe the injection and acceleration of low-energy particles at shocks as an extension of diffusive shock acceleration (DSA). In this investigation, we aim to characterize the role of cross-shock potential (CSP) originated in the charge separation across the shock ramp on pickup ion (PUI) acceleration at various types of shocks with a focused transport model. The simulation results of energy spectrum and spatial density distribution for the cases with and without CSP added in the model are compared.With sufficient acceleration time, the focused transport acceleration finally falls into the DSA regime with the …

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X-Ray Nuclear Activity In S4g Barred Galaxies: No Link Between Bar Strength And Co-Occurrent Supermassive Black Hole Fueling, Mauricio Cristernas, Trisha Mizusawa Oct 2013

X-Ray Nuclear Activity In S4g Barred Galaxies: No Link Between Bar Strength And Co-Occurrent Supermassive Black Hole Fueling, Mauricio Cristernas, Trisha Mizusawa

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

Stellar bars can lead to gas inflow toward the center of a galaxy and stimulate nuclear star formation. However, there is no compelling evidence on whether they also feed a central supermassive black hole: by measuring the fractions of barred active and inactive galaxies, previous studies have yielded conflicting results. In this paper, we aim to understand the lack of observational evidence for bar-driven active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity by studying a sample of 41 nearby (d < 35 Mpc) barred galaxies from the Spitzer Survey for Stellar Structure in Galaxies. We use Chandra observations to measure nuclear 2–10 keV X-ray luminosities and estimate Eddington ratios, together with Spitzer 3.6 μm imaging to quantify the strength of the stellar bar in two independent ways: (1) from its structure, as traced by its ellipticity and boxiness, and (2) from its gravitational torque Qb, taken as the maximum ratio of the tangential force to the mean background radial force. In this way, rather than discretizing the presence of both stellar bars and nuclear activity, we are able to account for the continuum of bar strengths and degrees of AGN activity. We find nuclear X-ray sources in 31 out of 41 galaxies with median X-ray luminosity and Eddington ratio of LX = 4.3×1038 erg s−1 and Lbol/LEdd = 6.9×10−6, respectively, consistent with low-luminosity AGN activity. Including upper limits for those galaxies without nuclear detections, we find no significant correlation between any of the bar strength indicators and the degree of nuclear activity, irrespective of galaxy luminosity, stellar mass, Hubble type, or bulge size. Strong bars do not favor brighter or more efficient nuclear activity, implying that at least for the low-luminosity regime, supermassive black hole fueling is not closely connected to large-scale features.

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Exploring The Variable Sky With Linear. Iii. Classification Of Periodic Light Curves, Lovro Palaversa, Hakeem Oluseyi Oct 2013

Exploring The Variable Sky With Linear. Iii. Classification Of Periodic Light Curves, Lovro Palaversa, Hakeem Oluseyi

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

We describe the construction of a highly reliable sample of ∼7000 optically faint periodic variable stars with light curves obtained by the asteroid survey LINEAR across 10,000 deg2 of the northern sky. The majority of these variables have not been cataloged yet. The sample flux limit is severalmagnitudes fainter than most other wide-angle surveys; the photometric errors range from ∼0.03 mag at r = 15 to ∼0.20 mag at r = 18. Light curves include on average 250 data points, collected over about a decade. Using Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) based photometric recalibration of the LINEAR data for about …

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A Stis Atlas Of Ca Ii Triplet Absorption Line Kinematics In Galactic Nuclei, Daniel P. Batcheldor, David Axon, Monica Valluri, Jocelyn Mandalou, David Merritt Sep 2013

A Stis Atlas Of Ca Ii Triplet Absorption Line Kinematics In Galactic Nuclei, Daniel P. Batcheldor, David Axon, Monica Valluri, Jocelyn Mandalou, David Merritt

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

The relations observed between supermassive black holes and their host galaxies suggest a fundamental link in the processes that cause these two objects to evolve. A more comprehensive understanding of these relations could be gained by increasing the number of supermassive black hole mass (M•) measurements. This can be achieved, in part, by continuing to model the stellar dynamics at the centers of galactic bulges using data of the highest possible spatial resolution. Consequently, we present here an atlas of galaxies in the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) data archive that may have spectra suitable for new M• estimates. Archived …

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Polarimetry And The High-Energy Emission Mechanisms In Quasar Jets: The Case Of Pks 1136-135, Mihai Cara, Eric S. Perlman Aug 2013

Polarimetry And The High-Energy Emission Mechanisms In Quasar Jets: The Case Of Pks 1136-135, Mihai Cara, Eric S. Perlman

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

Since the discovery of kiloparsec-scale X-ray emission from quasar jets, the physical processes responsible for their high-energy emission have been poorly defined. A number of mechanisms are under active debate, including synchrotron radiation, inverse-Comptonized cosmic microwave background (IC/CMB) emission, and other Comptonization processes. In a number of cases, the optical and X-ray emission of jet regions are inked by a single spectral component, and in those, high-resolution multi-band imaging and polarimetry can be combined to yield a powerful diagnostic of jet emission processes. Here we report on deep imaging photometry of the jet of PKS 1136−135 obtained with the Hubble …

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Exploring The Variable Sky With Linear. Ii. Halo Structure And Substructure Traced By Rr Lyrae Stars To 30 Kpc, Branimir Sesar, Hakeem Oluseyi Aug 2013

Exploring The Variable Sky With Linear. Ii. Halo Structure And Substructure Traced By Rr Lyrae Stars To 30 Kpc, Branimir Sesar, Hakeem Oluseyi

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

We present a sample of ∼5000 RR Lyrae stars selected from the recalibrated LINEAR data set and detected at heliocentric distances between 5 kpc and 30 kpc over ∼8000 deg2 of sky. The coordinates and light curve properties, such as period and Oosterhoff type, are made publicly available. We analyze in detail the light curve properties and Galactic distribution of the subset of ∼4000 type ab RR Lyrae (RRab) stars, including a search for new halo substructures and the number density distribution as a function of Oosterhoff type. We find evidence for the Oosterhoff dichotomy among field RR Lyrae stars, …

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The Impact Of Bars On Disk Breaks As Probed By S⁴G Imaging, Juan Carlos Muñoz-Mateos, Trisha Mizusawa Jul 2013

The Impact Of Bars On Disk Breaks As Probed By S⁴G Imaging, Juan Carlos Muñoz-Mateos, Trisha Mizusawa

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

We have analyzed the radial distribution of old stars in a sample of 218 nearby face-on disks, using deep 3.6μm images from the Spitzer Survey of Stellar Structure in Galaxies. In particular, we have studied the structural properties of those disks with a broken or down-bending profile. We find that, on average, disks with a genuine single-exponential profile have a scale length and a central surface brightness which are intermediate to those of the inner and outer components of a down-bending disk with the same total stellar mass. In the particular case of barred galaxies, the ratio between the break …

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70 Da White Dwarfs Identified In Lamost Pilot Survey, J K. Zhao, A L. Luo, Terry D. Oswalt, G Zhao Jun 2013

70 Da White Dwarfs Identified In Lamost Pilot Survey, J K. Zhao, A L. Luo, Terry D. Oswalt, G Zhao

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

We present a spectroscopically identified catalog of 70 DA white dwarfs (WDs) from the LAMOST pilot survey. Thirty-five are found to be new identifications after cross-correlation with the Eisenstein et al. and Villanova catalogs. The effective temperature and gravity of these WDs are estimated by Balmer lines fitting. Most of them are hot WDs. The cooling times and masses of these WDs are estimated by interpolation in theoretical evolution tracks. The peak of the mass distribution is found to be ∼0.6 M⊙, which is consistent with prior work in the literature. The distances of these WDs are estimated using the …

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Planet Hunters: A Transiting Circumbinary Planet In A Quadruple Star System, Megan E. Schwamb, William C. Keel May 2013

Planet Hunters: A Transiting Circumbinary Planet In A Quadruple Star System, Megan E. Schwamb, William C. Keel

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

We report the discovery and confirmation of a transiting circumbinary planet (PH1b) around KIC 4862625, an eclipsing binary in the Kepler field. The planet was discovered by volunteers searching the first six Quarters of publicly available Kepler data as part of the Planet Hunters citizen science project. Transits of the planet across the larger and brighter of the eclipsing stars are detectable by visual inspection every ∼137 days, with seven transits identified in Quarters 1–11. The physical and orbital parameters of both the host stars and planet were obtained via a photometric-dynamical model, simultaneously fitting both the measured radial velocities …

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Tracers Of Chromospheric Structure.I. Ca Ii H&K Emission Distribution Of 13,000 F, G, And K Stars In Sdss Dr7 Spectroscopic Sample, J K. Zhao, Terry D. Oswalt, G Zhao, Q H. Lu, A L. Luo, L Y. Zhang May 2013

Tracers Of Chromospheric Structure.I. Ca Ii H&K Emission Distribution Of 13,000 F, G, And K Stars In Sdss Dr7 Spectroscopic Sample, J K. Zhao, Terry D. Oswalt, G Zhao, Q H. Lu, A L. Luo, L Y. Zhang

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

We present chromospheric activity index SHK measurements for over 13,000 F, G, and K disk stars with high signal-to-noise ratio (>60) spectra in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Data Release 7 (DR7) spectroscopic sample. A parameter δS is defined as the difference between SHK and a “zero” emission line fitted by several of the most inactive stars. The SHK indices of subgiant stars tend to be much lower than dwarfs, which provide a way to distinguish dwarfs and giants with relatively low-resolution spectra. Cooler stars are generally more active and display a larger scatter than hotter stars. Stars …

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Acceleration Of Low-Energy Ions At Parallel Shocks With A Focused Transport Model, Pingbing Zuo, Ming Zhang, Hamid K. Rassoul Apr 2013

Acceleration Of Low-Energy Ions At Parallel Shocks With A Focused Transport Model, Pingbing Zuo, Ming Zhang, Hamid K. Rassoul

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

We present a test particle simulation on the injection and acceleration of low-energy suprathermal particles by parallel shocks with a focused transport model. The focused transport equation contains all necessary physics of shock acceleration, but avoids the limitation of diffusive shock acceleration (DSA) that requires a small pitch angle anisotropy. This simulation verifies that the particles with speeds of a fraction of to a few times the shock speed can indeed be directly injected and accelerated into the DSA regime by parallel shocks. At higher energies starting from a few times the shock speed, the energy spectrum of accelerated particles …

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Transport Of Solar Energetic Particles Accelerated By Icme Shocks: Reproducing The Reservoir Phenomenon, Gang Qin, Y Wang, Ming Zhang, Silvia Dalla Apr 2013

Transport Of Solar Energetic Particles Accelerated By Icme Shocks: Reproducing The Reservoir Phenomenon, Gang Qin, Y Wang, Ming Zhang, Silvia Dalla

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

In this work, gradual solar energetic particle (SEP) events observed by multiple spacecraft are investigated with model simulations. Based on a numerical solution of the Fokker-Planck focused transport equation including perpendicular diffusion of particles, we obtained the fluxes of SEPs accelerated by an interplanetary coronal mass ejection driven shock as it propagates outward through the three-dimensional Parker interplanetary magnetic field. The shock is treated as a moving source of energetic particles with an assumed particle distribution function. We look at the time profiles of particle flux as they are observed simultaneously by multiple spacecraft located at different locations. The dependence …

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Galactic Cosmic-Ray Modulation In A Realistic Global Magnetohydrodynamic Heliosphere, Xi Luo, Ming Zhang, Hamid K. Rassoul, Nikolai V. Pogorelov, Jacob Heerikhuisen Feb 2013

Galactic Cosmic-Ray Modulation In A Realistic Global Magnetohydrodynamic Heliosphere, Xi Luo, Ming Zhang, Hamid K. Rassoul, Nikolai V. Pogorelov, Jacob Heerikhuisen

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

To understand the behavior of cosmic-ray modulation seen by the two Voyager spacecraft in the region near the termination shock (TS) and in the heliosheath at a distance of >100 AU, a realistic magnetohydrodynamic global heliosphere model is incorporated into our cosmic-ray transport code, so that the detailed effects of the heliospheric boundaries and their plasma/magnetic geometry can be revealed. A number of simulations of cosmic-ray modulation performed with this code result in the following conclusions. (1) Diffusive shock acceleration by the TS can significantly affect the level of cosmic-ray flux and, in particular, its radial gradient profile in the …

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Stochastic Acceleration Of Suprathermal Particles Under Pressure Balance Conditions, Thorsten Antecki, Reinhard Schlickeiser, Ming Zhang Feb 2013

Stochastic Acceleration Of Suprathermal Particles Under Pressure Balance Conditions, Thorsten Antecki, Reinhard Schlickeiser, Ming Zhang

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

The acceleration of suprathermal charged particles in the heliosphere under pressure balance conditions including for the first time the radial spatial particle diffusion and convection in the solar wind is investigated. The physical conditions are derived for which the stationary phase space distribution of suprathermal particles approaches the power-law distribution f ∝ p −5,which is often seen in spacecraft observations. For separable source distributions in momentum and position we analytically solve the stationary particle transport equation for a radially constant solar wind speed V0 and a momentum-independent radial spatial diffusion coefficient. The resulting stationary solution at any position within the …

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2006 May–July Major Radio Flare Episodes In Cygnus X-3: Spectrotiming Analysis Of The X-Ray Data, K. I. I. Koljonen, M. L. Mccollough, D. C. Hannikainen, R. Droulans Feb 2013

2006 May–July Major Radio Flare Episodes In Cygnus X-3: Spectrotiming Analysis Of The X-Ray Data, K. I. I. Koljonen, M. L. Mccollough, D. C. Hannikainen, R. Droulans

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

We analyse in detail the X-ray data of the microquasar Cygnus X-3 obtained during major radio flaring episodes in 2006 with multiple observatories. The analysis consists of two parts: probing the fast (∼1min) X-ray spectral evolution with principal component analysis followed by subsequent spectral fits to the time-averaged spectra (∼3 ks). Based on the analysis we find that the overall X-ray variability during major flaring episodes can be attributed to two principal components whose evolution based on spectral fits is best reproduced by a hybrid Comptonization component and a bremsstrahlung or saturated thermal Comptonization component. The variability of the thermal …

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Modeling The X-Ray Light Curves Of Cygnus X-3 Possible Role Of The Jet, Osmi Vilhu, Diana Carina Hannikainen Jan 2013

Modeling The X-Ray Light Curves Of Cygnus X-3 Possible Role Of The Jet, Osmi Vilhu, Diana Carina Hannikainen

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

Context. We address the physics behind the soft X-ray light curve asymmetries in Cygnus X-3, a well-known microquasar. Aims. Observable eff ects of the jet close to the line-of-sight were investigated and interpreted within the frame of light curve physics. Methods. The path of a hypothetical imprint of the jet, advected by theWolf-Rayet-wind, was computed and its crossing with the line-of-sight during the binary orbit determined. We explored the possibility that physically this “imprint” is a formation of dense clumps triggered by jet bow shocks in the wind (“clumpy trail”). Models for X-ray continuum and emission line light curves were …

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The 72-H Webt Microvariability Observation Of Blazar S5 0716+714 In 2009, G Bhatta, Stéphane Vennes Jan 2013

The 72-H Webt Microvariability Observation Of Blazar S5 0716+714 In 2009, G Bhatta, Stéphane Vennes

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

Context. The international Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) consortium planned and carried out three days of intensive micro-variability observations of S5 0716+714 from February 22, 2009 to February 25, 2009. This object was chosen due to its bright apparent magnitude range, its high declination, and its very large duty cycle for micro-variations. Aims. We report here on the long continuous optical micro-variability light curve of 0716+714 obtained during the multi-site observing campaign during which the Blazar showed almost constant variability over a 0.5 mag range. The resulting light curve is presented here for the first time. Observations from participating observatories …

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Azimuthal Anisotropy Of Π⁰ And Η Mesons In Au + Au Collisions At √Snn=200, Andrew Marshall Adare, Gyöngyi Baksay, László A. Baksay, Marcus Hohlmann Jan 2013

Azimuthal Anisotropy Of Π⁰ And Η Mesons In Au + Au Collisions At √Snn=200, Andrew Marshall Adare, Gyöngyi Baksay, László A. Baksay, Marcus Hohlmann

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

The azimuthal anisotropy coefficients v₂ and v₄ of π⁰ and η mesons are measured in Au + Au collisions at √sNN=200 GeV as a function of transverse momentum pT (1-14 GeV/c) and centrality. The extracted v₂ coefficients are found to be consistent between the two meson species over the measured pT range. The ratio of v₄/v₂² for π⁰ mesons is found to be independent of pT for 1-9 GeV/c, implying a lack of sensitivity of the ratio to the change of underlying physics with pT. Furthermore, the ratio of v₄/v₂² is systematically larger in central collisions, which may reflect the …

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