Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Star Formation And Relaxation In 379 Nearby Galaxy Clusters, Seth A. Cohen, Ryan C. Hickox, Gary A. Wegner

Dartmouth Scholarship

We investigate the relationship between star formation (SF) and level of relaxation in a sample of 379 galaxy clusters at z < 0.2. We use data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey to measure cluster membership and level of relaxation, and to select star-forming galaxies based on mid-infrared emission detected with the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer. For galaxies with absolute magnitudes M_r < −19.5, we find an inverse correlation between SF fraction and cluster relaxation: as a cluster becomes less relaxed, its SF fraction increases. Furthermore, in general, the subtracted SF fraction in all unrelaxed clusters (0.117 ± 0.003) is higher than that in all relaxed clusters (0.097 ± 0.005). We verify the validity of our SF calculation methods and membership criteria through analysis of previous work. Our results agree with previous findings that a weak correlation exists between cluster SF and dynamical state, possibly because unrelaxed clusters are less evolved relative to relaxed clusters.

Ultracool White Dwarfs And The Age Of The Galactic Disc, A. Gianninas, B. Curd, John R. Thorstensen, Mukremin Kilic

Dartmouth Scholarship

We present parallax observations and a detailed model atmosphere analysis of 54 cool and ultracool (Teff < 4000 K) white dwarfs (WDs) in the solar neighbourhood. For the first time, a large number of cool and ultracool WDs have distance and tangential velocities measurements available. Our targets have distances ranging from 21 pc to >100 pc, and include five stars within 30 pc. Contrary to expectations, all but two of them have tangential velocities smaller than 150 km s−1 thus suggesting Galactic disc membership. The oldest WDs in this sample have WD cooling ages of 10 Gyr, providing a firm lower limit to the age of the thick disc population. Many of our targets have uncharacteristically large radii, indicating that they are low mass WDs. It appears that we have detected the brighter population of cool and ultracool …

Early-Type Galaxies In The Chandra Cosmos Survey, F. Civano, G. Fabbiano, S. Pellegrini, D.-W. Kim

Dartmouth Scholarship

We study a sample of 69 X-ray detected early-type galaxies (ETGs), selected from the Chandra COSMOS survey, to explore the relation between the X-ray luminosity of hot gaseous halos (L _{X, gas}) and the integrated stellar luminosity (L_K ) of the galaxies, in a range of redshift extending out to z = 1.5. In the local universe, a tight, steep relationship has been established between these two quantities, suggesting the presence of largely virialized halos in X-ray luminous systems. We use well-established relations from the study of local universe ETGs, together with the expected evolution …

Star Formation And Substructure In Galaxy Clusters, Seth A. Cohen, Ryan C. Hickox, Gary A. Wegner, Maret Einasto, Jaan Vennik

Dartmouth Scholarship

We investigate the relationship between star formation (SF) and substructure in a sample of 107 nearby galaxy clusters using data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). Several past studies of individual galaxy clusters have suggested that cluster mergers enhance cluster SF, while others find no such relationship. The SF fraction in multi-component clusters (0.228 +/- 0.007) is higher than that in single-component clusters (0.175 +/- 0.016) for galaxies with M^0.1_r < -20.5. In both single- and multi-component clusters, the fraction of star-forming galaxies increases with clustercentric distance and decreases with local galaxy number density, and multi-component clusters show a higher SF fraction than single-component clusters at almost all clustercentric distances and local densities. Comparing the SF fraction in individual clusters to several statistical measures of substructure, we find weak, but in most cases significant at greater than 2 sigma, correlations between substructure and SF fraction. These results could indicate that cluster mergers may cause weak but significant SF enhancement in clusters, or unrelaxed clusters exhibit slightly stronger SF due to their less evolved states relative to relaxed clusters.

Tracing The Evolution Of Active Galactic Nuclei Host Galaxies Over The Last 9 Gyr Of Cosmic Time, A. D. Goulding, W. R. Forman, R. C. Hickox, C. Jones

Dartmouth Scholarship

We present the results of a combined galaxy population analysis for the host galaxies of active galactic nuclei (AGN) identified at 0 < z < 1.4 within the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, Boötes, and DEEP2 surveys. We identified AGN in a uniform and unbiased manner at X-ray, infrared, and radio wavelengths. Supermassive black holes undergoing radiatively efficient accretion (detected as X-ray and/or infrared AGN) appear to be hosted in a separate and distinct galaxy population than AGN undergoing powerful mechanically dominated accretion (radio AGN). Consistent with some previous studies, radiatively efficient AGN appear to be preferentially hosted in modest star-forming galaxies, with little dependence on AGN or galaxy luminosity. AGN exhibiting radio-emitting jets due to mechanically dominated accretion are almost exclusively observed in massive, passive galaxies. Crucially, we now provide strong evidence that the observed host-galaxy trends are independent of redshift. In particular, these different accretion-mode AGN have remained as separate galaxy populations throughout the last 9 Gyr. Furthermore, it appears that galaxies hosting AGN have evolved along the same path as galaxies that are not hosting AGN with little evidence for distinctly separate evolution.

Interaction Between The Broad-Lined Type Ic Supernova 2012ap And Carriers Of Diffuse Interstellar Bands, Dan Milisavljevic, Raffaella Margutti, Kyle N. Crabtree, Jonathan B. Foster, Alicia M. Soderberg, Robert A. Fesen, Jerod T. Parrent

Dartmouth Scholarship

Diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) are absorption features observed in optical and near-infrared spectra that are thought to be associated with carbon-rich polyatomic molecules in interstellar gas. However, because the central wavelengths of these bands do not correspond to electronic transitions of any known atomic or molecular species, their nature has remained uncertain since their discovery almost a century ago. Here we report on unusually strong DIBs in optical spectra of the broad-lined Type Ic supernova SN 2012ap that exhibit changes in equivalent width over short ( 30 days) timescales. The 4428 Å and 6283 Å DIB features get weaker with …

Black Hole Variability And The Star Formation-Active Galactic Nucleus Connection: Do All Star-Forming Galaxies Host An Active Galactic Nucleus?, Ryan C. Hickox, James R. Mullaney, David M. Alexander, Chien-Ting J. Chen, Francesca M. Civano, Andy D. Goulding, Kevin N. Hainline

Dartmouth Scholarship

We investigate the effect of active galactic nucleus (AGN) variability on the observed connection between star formation and black hole accretion in extragalactic surveys. Recent studies have reported relatively weak correlations between observed AGN luminosities and the properties of AGN hosts, which has been interpreted to imply that there is no direct connection between AGN activity and star formation. However, AGNs may be expected to vary significantly on a wide range of timescales (from hours to Myr) that are far shorter than the typical timescale for star formation (100 Myr). This variability can have important consequences for observed correlations. We …

Magnetic Inhibition Of Convection And The Fundamental Properties Of Low-Mass Stars. I. Stars With A Radiative Core, Gregory A. Feiden, Brian Chaboyer

Dartmouth Scholarship

Magnetic fields are hypothesized to inflate the radii of low-mass stars—defined as less massive than 0.8 M _☉—in detached eclipsing binaries (DEBs). We investigate this hypothesis using the recently introduced magnetic Dartmouth stellar evolution code. In particular, we focus on stars thought to have a radiative core and convective outer envelope by studying in detail three individual DEBs: UV Psc, YY Gem, and CU Cnc. Our results suggest that the stabilization of thermal convection by a magnetic field is a plausible explanation for the observed model-radius discrepancies. However, surface magnetic field strengths required by the models are significantly stronger …

Orbital, Superhump And Superorbital Periods In The Cataclysmic Variables Aq Mensae And Im Eridani, E. Armstrong, J. Patterson, E. Michelsen, John Thorstensen

Dartmouth Scholarship

We report photometric detections of orbital and superorbital signals, and negative orbital sidebands, in the light curves of the nova-like cataclysmic variables AQ Mensae and IM Eridani. The frequencies of the orbital, superorbital, and sideband signals are 7.0686 (3), 0.263 (3), and 7.332 (3) cycles per day (c/d) in AQ Mensae, and 6.870 (1), 0.354 (7), and 7.226 (1) c/d in IM Eridani. We also find a spectroscopic orbital frequency in IM Eridani of 6.86649 (2) c/d. These observations can be reproduced by invoking an accretion disc that is tilted with respect to the orbital plane. This model works well …

Deep Silicate Absorption Features In Compton-Thick Active Galactic Nuclei Predominantly Arise Due To Dust In The Host Galaxy, A. D. Goulding, D. M. Alexander, F. E. Bauer, W. R. Forman, R. C. Hickox

Dartmouth Scholarship

We explore the origin of mid-infrared (mid-IR) dust extinction in all 20 nearby (z < 0.05) bona fide Compton-thick (N _H > 1.5 × 10²⁴ cm^–2) active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with hard energy (E > 10 keV) X-ray spectral measurements. We accurately measure the silicate absorption features at λ ~ 9.7 μm in archival low-resolution (R ~ 57-127) Spitzer Infrared Spectrograph spectroscopy, and show that only a minority (≈45%) of nearby Compton-thick AGNs have strong Si-absorption features (S _9.7 = ln (f _int/f _obs) 0.5) which would indicate significant dust attenuation. The majority (≈60%) are star …

The Hidden “Agn Main Sequence”: Evidence For A Universal Black Hole Accretion To Star Formation Rate Ratio Since Z ∼ 2 Producing An M Bh - M * Relation, J. R. Mullaney, E. Daddi, M. Béthermin, D. Elbaz, S. Juneau, M. Pannella, M. T. Sargent, D. M. Alexander, R. C. Hickox

Dartmouth Scholarship

Using X-ray stacking analyses we estimate the average amounts of supermassive black hole (SMBH) growth taking place in star-forming galaxies at z ~ 1 and z ~ 2 as a function of galaxy stellar mass (M _*). We find that the average SMBH growth rate follows remarkably similar trends with M _* and redshift as the average star formation rates (SFRs) of their host galaxies (i.e., \dot{M}_BH vprop M _* ^{0.86 ± 0.39} for the z ~ 1 sample and \dot{M}_BH vprop M _* ^{1.05 ± 0.36} for the z ~ 2 sample). It follows that the ratio of …

11-12 Gyr Old White Dwarfs 30 Pc Away, Mukremin Kilic, John R. Thorstensen, P. M. Kowalski, J. Andrews

Dartmouth Scholarship

We present a detailed model atmosphere analysis of two of the oldest stars known in the solar neighbourhood, the high proper motion white dwarfs SDSS J110217.48+411315.4 (hereafter J1102) and WD 0346+246 (hereafter WD0346). We present trigonometric parallax observations of J1102, which places it at a distance of only 33.7 ± 2.0 pc. Based on the state-of-the-art model atmospheres, optical, near-infrared, mid-infrared photometry and distances, we constrain the temperatures, atmospheric compositions, masses and ages for both stars. J1102 is an 11-Gyr-old (white dwarf plus main-sequence age), 0.62 M_⊙ white dwarf with a pure H atmosphere and T_eff= 3830 …

Ionized Reflection Spectra From Accretion Disks Illuminated By X-Ray Pulsars, D. R. Ballantyne, J. D. Purvis, R. G. Strausbaugh, R. C. Hickox

Dartmouth Scholarship

X-ray reflection signatures are observed around multiple classes of accreting compact objects. Modelling these features yield important constraints on the physics of accretion disks, motivating the development of X-ray reflection models appropriate for a variety of systems and illumination conditions. Here, constant density ionized X-ray reflection models are presented for a disk irradiated with a very hard power-law X-ray spectrum (\Gamma < 1) and a variable high-energy cutoff. These models are then applied to the Suzaku data of the accreting X-ray pulsar LMC X-4, where very good fits are obtained with a highly ionized reflector responsible for both the broad Fe K line and the soft excess. The ionized reflector shows strong evidence for significant Doppler broadening and is redshifted by ~10^4 km/s. These features indicate that the reflecting material is associated with the complex dynamics occurring at the inner region of the magnetically-truncated accretion disk. Thus, reflection studies of X-ray pulsar spectra may give important insights into the accretion physics at the magnetospheric radius.

Acurate Low-Mass Stellar Models Of Koi-126, Gregory A. Feiden, Brian Chaboyer, Aaron Dotter

Dartmouth Scholarship

The recent discovery of an eclipsing hierarchical triple system with two low-mass stars in a close orbit (KOI-126) by Carter et al. (2011) appeared to reinforce the evidence that theoretical stellar evolution models are not able to reproduce the observational mass-radius relation for low-mass stars. We present a set of stellar models for the three stars in the KOI-126 system that show excellent agreement with the observed radii. This agreement appears to be due to the equation of state implemented by our code. A significant dispersion in the observed mass-radius relation for fully convective stars is demonstrated; indicative of the …

Discovery Of A Bright, Extremely Low Mass White Dwarf In A Close Double Degenerate System, S. Vennes, J. R. Thorstensen, A. Kawka, P. Németh, J. N. Skinner

Dartmouth Scholarship

We report the discovery of a bright (V ~ 13.7), extremely low-mass white dwarf in a close double degenerate system. We originally selected GALEX J171708.5+675712 for spectroscopic follow-up among a group of white dwarf candidates in an ultraviolet-optical reduced proper-motion diagram. The new white dwarf has a mass of 0.18 M_solar and is the primary component of a close double degenerate system (P=0.246137 d, K_1 = 288 km/s) comprising a fainter white dwarf secondary with M_2 ~ 0.9 M_solar. Light curves phased with the orbital ephemeris show evidence of relativistic beaming and weaker ellipsoidal variations. The light curves also reveal …

The Cataclysmic Variable Sdss J1507+52: An Eclipsing Period Bouncer In The Galactic Halo, Helena Uthas, Christian Knigge, Knox S. Long, Joseph Patterson, John Thorstensen

Dartmouth Scholarship

SDSS J1507+52 is an eclipsing cataclysmic variable (CV) consisting of a cool, non-radially pulsating white dwarf and an unusually small substellar secondary. The system has a high space velocity and a very short orbital period of about 67 min, well below the usual minimum period for CVs. To explain the existence of this peculiar system, two theories have been proposed. One suggests that SDSS J1507+52 was formed from a detached white dwarf-brown dwarf binary. The other theory proposes that the system is a member of the Galactic halo population.

Here, we present the ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy of SDSS J1507+52 obtained …

Sdss J162520.29+120308.7 – A New Su Ursae Majoris Star In The Period Gap, A. Olech, E. De Miguel, M. Otulakowska, J. R. Thorstensen

Dartmouth Scholarship

We report results of an extensive world-wide observing campaign devoted to the recently discovered dwarf nova SDSS J162520.29+120308.7 (SDSS J1625). The data were obtained during the July 2010 eruption of the star and in August and September 2010 when the object was in quiescence.

A Study Of Carbon Features In Type Ia Supernova Spectra, Jerod T. Parrent, R. C. Thomas, Robert A. Fesen, G. H. Marion

Dartmouth Scholarship

One of the major differences between various explosion scenarios of Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) is the remaining amount of unburned (C+O) material and its velocity distribution within the expanding ejecta. While oxygen absorption features are not uncommon in the spectra of SNe Ia before maximum light, the presence of strong carbon absorption has been reported only in a minority of objects, typically during the pre-maximum phase. The reported low frequency of carbon detections may be due to low signal-to-noise data, low abundance of unburned material, line blending between C II 6580 and Si II 6355, ejecta temperature differences, asymmetrical …

On Using The Color-Magnitude Diagram Morphology Of M67 To Test Solar Abundances, Z. Magic, A. Serenelli, A. Weiss, B. Chaboyer

Dartmouth Scholarship

The open cluster M67 has solar metallicity and an age of about 4 Gyr. The turnoff (TO) mass is close to the minimum mass for which solar metallicity stars develop a convective core during main sequence evolution as a result of the development of hydrogen burning through the CNO cycle. The morphology of the color-magnitude diagram (CMD) of M67 around the TO shows a clear hook-like feature, a direct sign that stars close to the TO have convective cores. VandenBerg et al. investigated the possibility of using the morphology of the M67 TO to put constraints on the solar metallicity, …

Sn 2010u: A Luminous Nova In Ngc 4214, Roberta M. Humphreys, José L. Prieto, Philip Rosenfield, L. Andrew Helton, Christopher S. Kochanek, K. Z. Stanek, Rubab Khan, Dorota Szczygiel, Karen Mogren, Robert A. Fesen

Dartmouth Scholarship

The luminosity, light curve, post-maximum spectrum, and lack of a progenitor on deep pre-outburst images suggest that SN 2010U was a luminous, fast nova. Its outburst magnitude is consistent with that for a fast nova using the maximum magnitude-rate of decline relationship for classical novae.

The Nature Of The Strong 24 Μmspitzersource J222557+601148: Not A Young Galactic Supernova Remnant, Robert A. Fesen, Dan Milisavljevic

Dartmouth Scholarship

The nebula J222557+601148, tentatively identified by Morris et al. as a young Galactic supernova remnant (SNR) from Spitzer Galactic First Look Survey images and a follow-up mid-infrared spectrum, is unlikely to be an SNR remnant based on Hα, [O III], [S II] images, and low-dispersion optical spectra. The object is seen in Hα and [O III] λ5007 images as a faint, roughly circular ring nebula with dimensions matching that seen in 24 μm Spitzer images. Low-dispersion optical spectra show it to have narrow Hα and [N II] λλ6548,6583 line emissions with no evidence of broad or high-velocity (v ≥ …

Deriving An X-Ray Luminosity Function Of Dwarf Novae Based On Parallax Measurements, K. Byckling, K. Mukai, J. R. Thorstensen, J. P. Osborne

Dartmouth Scholarship

We have derived an X-ray luminosity function using parallax-based distance measurements of a set of 12 dwarf novae, consisting of Suzaku, XMM-Newton and ASCA observations. The shape of the X-ray luminosity function obtained is the most accurate to date, and the luminosities of our sample are concentrated between ~10^{30}-10^{31} erg s^{-1}, lower than previous measurements of X-ray luminosity functions of dwarf novae. Based on the integrated X-ray luminosity function, the sample becomes more incomplete below ~3 x 10^{30} erg s^{-1} than it is above this luminosity limit, and the sample is dominated by X-ray bright dwarf novae. The total integrated …

Dust And The Type Ii-Plateau Supernova 2004et, R. Kotak, W. P. S. Meikle, D. Farrah, C. L. Gerardy, R. J. Foley, S. D. Van Dyk, C. Fransson, P. Lundqvist, J. Sollerman, R. Fesen

Dartmouth Scholarship

We present mid-infrared (MIR) observations of the Type II-plateau supernova (SN) 2004et, obtained with the Spitzer Space Telescope between 64 and 1406 days past explosion. Late-time optical spectra are also presented. For the period 300-795 days past explosion, we argue that the spectral energy distribution (SED) of SN 2004et comprises (1) a hot component due to emission from optically thick gas, as well as free-bound radiation; (2) a warm component due to newly formed, radioactively heated dust in the ejecta; and (3) a cold component due to an IR echo from the interstellar-medium dust of the host galaxy, NGC 6946. …

Sdss J102347.6+003841: A Millisecond Radio Pulsar Binary That Had A Hot Disk During 2000-2001, Zhongxiang Wang, Anne M. Archibald, John R. Thorstensen, Victoria M. Kaspi

Dartmouth Scholarship

The Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) source J102347.6+003841 was recently revealed to be a binary 1.69 ms radio pulsar with a 4.75 hr orbital period and a ~0.2 M _☉ companion. Here, we analyze the SDSS spectrum of the source in detail. The spectrum was taken on 2001 February 1, when the source was in a bright state and showed broad, double-peaked hydrogen and helium lines—dramatically different from the G-type absorption spectrum seen from 2002 May onward. The lines are consistent with emission from a disk around the compact primary. We derive properties of the disk by fitting the SDSS …

An Oosterhoff Analysis Of The Galactic Bulge Field Rr Lyrae Stars: Implications On Their Absolute Magnitudes, Andrea Kunder, Brian Chaboyer

Dartmouth Scholarship

We present an analysis of the period-V-amplitude plane for RR0 Lyrae stars (fundamental mode pulsators) with "normal" light curves in the bulge using the MACHO bulge fields. Although bulge globular clusters (GCs) have RR Lyraes that divide into two reasonable distinct groups according to the average period of the RR0 Lyraes, there is no evidence of a gap between Oosterhoff I (OoI) and II (OoII) stars in the bulge field star sample. The majority of the bulge RR0 Lyrae field star population have a difference in period compared to the OoI cluster M3 (Δlog P) that is …

Sdss Unveils A Population Of Intrinsically Faint Cataclysmic Variables At The Minimum Orbital Period, B. T. Gänsicke, M. Dillon, J. Southworth, J. R. Thorstensen

Dartmouth Scholarship

We discuss the properties of 137 cataclysmic variables (CVs) which are included in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) spectroscopic data base, and for which accurate orbital periods have been measured. 92 of these systems are new discoveries from SDSS and were followed-up in more detail over the past few years. 45 systems were previously identified as CVs because of the detection of optical outbursts and/or X-ray emission, and subsequently re-identified from the SDSS spectroscopy. The period distribution of the SDSS CVs differs dramatically from that of all the previously known CVs, in particular it contains a significant accumulation of …

Distance To The Sagittarius Dwarf Galaxy Using Macho Project Rr Lyrae Stars, Andrea Kunder, Brian Chaboyer

Dartmouth Scholarship

We derive the distance to the northern extension of the Sagittarius (Sgr) dwarf spheroidal galaxy from 203 Sgr RR0 Lyrae stars found in the MACHO database. Their distances are determined differentially with respect to 288 Galactic bulge RR0 Lyrae stars also found in the MACHO data. We find a distance modulus difference of 2.41 mag at l = 5^◦ and b =− 8^◦ and that the extension of the Sgr galaxy toward the galactic plane is inclined toward us. Assuming R GC = 8 kpc, this implies the distance to these stars is (m − M) 0 = …

Stellar Population Models And Individual Element Abundances. Ii. Stellar Spectra And Integrated Light Models, Hyun-Chul Lee, Guy Worthey, Aaron Dotter, Brian Chaboyer

Dartmouth Scholarship

The first paper in this series explored the effects of altering the chemical mixture of the stellar population on an element-by-element basis on stellar evolutionary tracks and isochrones to the end of the red giant branch. This paper extends the discussion by incorporating the fully consistent synthetic stellar spectra with those isochrone models in predicting integrated colors, Lick indices, and synthetic spectra. Older populations display element ratio effects in their spectra at higher amplitude than younger populations. In addition, spectral effects in the photospheres of stars tend to dominate over effects from isochrone temperatures and lifetimes, but, further, the isochrone-based …

The Acs Survey Of Galactic Globular Clusters. Iii. The Double Subgiant Branch Of Ngc 1851, A. P. Milone, L. R. Bedin, G. Piotto, J. Anderson, I. R. King, A. Sarajedini, A. Dotter, B. Chaboyer, A. Marin Franch, S. Majewski, A. Aparicio, M. Hempel, N. E.Q Paust, I. N. Reid, A. Rosenberg, M. Siegel

Dartmouth Scholarship

Photometry with the Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys (HST ACS) reveals that the subgiant branch (SGB) of the globular cluster NGC 1851 splits into two well-defined branches. If the split is due only to an age effect, the two SGBs would imply two star formation episodes separated by ~1 Gyr. We discuss other anomalies in NGC 1851 that could be interpreted in terms of a double stellar population. Finally, we compare the case of NGC 1851 with the other two globulars known to host multiple stellar populations, and show that all three clusters differ in several important …

Ages And Metallicities Of Early-Type Void Galaxies From Line Strength Measurements, Gary Wegner, Norman A. Grogin

Dartmouth Scholarship

We present spectroscopic observations of 26 galaxies of type E and S0, based on their blue morphologies, located in voids by the study of Grogin & Geller in 1999. Measurements of redshift, velocity dispersion, and four Lick line indices, Mg _b , Fe5270, Fe5335, and Hβ with their errors are given for all of these galaxies, along with Hβ, [O III], Hα, and [N II] emission line strengths for a subset of these objects. These sources are brighter than M* for low-density regions and tend to be bluer than their counterpart early-type objects in high-density regions. Using the models …