Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Lrg-Beasts: Ground-Based Detection Of Sodium And A Steep Optical Slope In The Atmosphere Of The Highly Inflated Hot-Saturn Wasp-21b, Lili Alderson, James Kirk, Mercedes López-Morales, Peter J. Wheatley, Ian Skillen, Gregory W. Henry, Chima Mcgruder, Matteo Brogi, Tom Louden, George King

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We present the optical transmission spectrum of the highly inflated Saturn-mass exoplanet WASP-21b, using three transits obtained with the ACAM instrument on the William Herschel Telescope through the LRG-BEASTS survey (Low Resolution Ground-Based Exoplanet Atmosphere Survey using Transmission Spectroscopy). Our transmission spectrum covers a wavelength range of 4635–9000 Å, achieving an average transit depth precision of 197 ppm compared to one atmospheric scale height at 246 ppm. We detect Na i absorption in a bin width of 30 Å  at >4σ confidence, which extends over 100 Å. We see no evidence of absorption from K i. Atmospheric retrieval analysis of …

Probability Distribution Of Equations Of State For Astrophysical Simulations, Xingfu Du

Doctoral Dissertations

The detection of gravitational wave during the neutron star merger event GW170817 greatly enhanced our ability to probe the interiors of neutron stars. Future measurements of similar events will put further constraints to the equation of state (EOS) of nuclear matter. Also, uncertainties in the EOS create variations in the results of astrophysical simulations of core-collapse supernovae and neutron star mergers. In order to quantify the uncertainties, we construct a probability distribution of equations of state (EOSs). We create a new EOS which respects experimental, observational and theoretical constraints on the nature of matter in various density and temperature regimes. …

Visual Orbits Of Spectroscopic Binaries With The Chara Array. Iii. Hd 8374 And Hd 24546, Kathryn V. Lester, Francis C. Fekel, Matthew W. Muterspaugh, Douglas R. Gies, Gail Schaefer, Chris D. Farrington, Zhao Guo, Rachel A. Matson, John D. Monnier, Theo A. Ten Brummelaar, Judit Sturmann, Samuel A. Weiss

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We present the visual orbits of two long-period spectroscopic binary stars, HD 8374 and HD 24546, using interferometric observations acquired with the CHARA Array and the Palomar Testbed Interferometer. We also obtained new radial velocities from echelle spectra using the APO 3.5 m and Fairborn 2.0 m telescopes. By combining the visual and spectroscopic observations, we solve for the full, three-dimensional orbits and determine the stellar masses and distances to within 3% uncertainty. We then estimate the effective temperature and radius of each component star through Doppler tomography and spectral energy distribution analyses, in order to compare the observed stellar …

Simulating The Outer Layers Of Rapidly Rotating Stars, Frank J. Robinson, Joel Tanner, Sarbani Basu

Chemistry & Physics Faculty Publications

This paper presents the results of a set of radiative hydrodynamic (RHD) simulations of convection in the near-surface regions of a rapidly rotating star. The simulations use microphysics consistent with stellar models, and include the effects of realistic convection and radiative transfer. We find that the overall effect of rotation is to reduce the strength of turbulence. The combination of rotation and radiative cooling creates a zonal velocity profile in which the motion of fluid parcels near the surface is independent of rotation. Their motion is controlled by the strong up and down flows generated by radiative cooling. The fluid …

Kr Persei, A Mid-F Eclipsing Binary With A One-Day Period, James R. Sowell, Emily Hollingworth, Francis C. Fekel, Matthew W. Muterspaugh, Horace Dale, Alexander D. Savello, Jeffrey L. Coughlin, Richard M. Williamon

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

KR Per is a partially eclipsing binary with an orbital period of 0.9960798 days, very close to one sidereal day, making it difficult to obtain extensive phase coverage in a reasonable amount of time. We used the Wilson–Devinney program to determine its orbital elements and stellar absolute dimensions from recently acquired radial velocities and differential BVRI observations that were supplemented with previous differential UBV measurements and published times of minima. The two components are each F5 V stars with masses of and . The radii are and . The orbital period of the eclipsing system is variable and more times …

A Mildly Relativistic Outflow From The Energentic, Fast-Rising Blue Optical Transient Css161010 In A Dwarf Galaxy, Deanne L. Coppejans, R. Margutti, G. Terreran, A. J. Nayana, E. R. Coughlin, T. Laskar, K. D. Alexander, M. Bietenholz, D. Caprioli, P. Chandra, M. R. Drout, D. Frederiks, C. Frohmaier, K. H. Hurley, C. S. Kochanek, M. Macleod, A. Meisner, P. E. Nugent, A. Ridnaia, D. J. Sand, D. Svinkin, C. Ward, S. Yang, A. Baldeschi, I. V. Chilingarian, Y. Dong, C. Esquivia, W. Fong, C. Guidorzi, P. Lundqvist, D. Milisavljevic

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Research

We present X-ray and radio observations of the Fast Blue Optical Transient CRTS-CSS161010 J045834−081803 (CSS161010 hereafter) at t = 69–531 days. CSS161010 shows luminous X-ray (L x ~ 5 × 1039 erg s−1) and radio (L ν ~ 1029 erg s−1 Hz−1) emission. The radio emission peaked at ~100 days post-transient explosion and rapidly decayed. We interpret these observations in the context of synchrotron emission from an expanding blast wave. CSS161010 launched a mildly relativistic outflow with velocity Γβc ≥ 0.55c at ~100 days. This is faster than the non-relativistic AT 2018cow (Γβc ~ 0.1c) and closer to ZTF18abvkwla (Γβc …

The Planetary Luminosity Problem: " Missing Planets" And The Observational Consequences Of Episodi Accretion, Sean D. Brittain, Joan R. Najita, Ruobing Dong, Zhaohuan Zhu

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Research

The high occurrence rates of spiral arms and large central clearings in protoplanetary disks, if interpreted as signposts of giant planets, indicate that gas giants commonly form as companions to young stars (Myr) at orbital separations of 10–300 au. However, attempts to directly image this giant planet population as companions to more mature stars (>10 Myr) have yielded few successes. This discrepancy could be explained if most giant planets form by "cold start," i.e., by radiating away much of their formation energy as they assemble their mass, rendering them faint enough to elude detection at later times. In that …

A Fast Radio Burst Discovered In Fast Drift Scan Survey, Weiwei Zhu, Di Li, Rui Luo, Chenchen Miao, Bing Zhang, Laura Spitler, Duncan Lorimer, Michael Kramer, David Champion, Youling Yue, Andrew Cameron, Marilyn Cruces, Ran Duan, Yi Feng, Jun Han, George Hobbs, Chenhui Niu, Jiarui Niu, Zhichen Pan, Lei Qian, Dai Shi, Ningyu Tang, Pei Wang, Hongfeng Wang, Mao Yuan, Lei Zhang, Xinxin Zhang, Shuyun Cao, Li Feng, Hengqian Gan, Long Gao

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Research

We report the discovery of a highly dispersed fast radio burst (FRB), FRB 181123, from an analysis of ~1500 hr of drift scan survey data taken using the Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope (FAST). The pulse has three distinct emission components, which vary with frequency across our 1.0–1.5 GHz observing band. We measure the peak flux density to be... (See full abstract in article).

Absolute Dimensions Of The Unevolved F-Type Eclipsing Binary Bt Vulpeculae, Guillermo Torres, Claud H. Sandberg Lacy, Francis C. Fekel, Matthew W. Muterspaugh

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We report extensive differential V-band photometry and high-resolution spectroscopy for the 1.14 day, detached, double-lined eclipsing binary BT Vul (F0+F7). Our radial-velocity monitoring and light-curve analysis lead to absolute masses and radii of ${M}_{1}=1.5439\pm 0.0098\,{{ \mathcal M }}_{\odot }^{{\rm{N}}}$ and ${R}_{1}=1.536\pm 0.018\,{{ \mathcal R }}_{\odot }^{{\rm{N}}}$ for the primary, and ${M}_{2}=1.2196\pm 0.0080\,{{ \mathcal M }}_{\odot }^{{\rm{N}}}$ and ${R}_{2}=1.151\pm 0.029\,{{ \mathcal R }}_{\odot }^{{\rm{N}}}$ for the secondary. The effective temperatures are 7270 ± 150 K and 6260 ± 180 K, respectively. Both stars are rapid rotators, and the orbit is circular. A comparison with stellar evolution models from the MESA Isochrones …

Dust Condensation In Evolving Discs And The Composition Of Planetary Building Blocks, Min Li, Shichun Huang, Michail I. Petaev, Zhaohuan Zhu, Jason H. Steffen

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Research

Partial condensation of dust from the Solar nebula is likely responsible for the diverse chemical compositions of chondrites and rocky planets/planetesimals in the inner Solar system. We present a forward physical–chemical model of a protoplanetary disc to predict the chemical compositions of planetary building blocks that may form from such a disc. Our model includes the physical evolution of the disc and the condensation, partial advection, and decoupling of the dust within it. The chemical composition of the condensate changes with time and radius. We compare the results of two dust condensation models: one where an element condenses when the …

Near-Infrared Variability In Dusty White Dwarfs: Tracing The Accretion Of Planetary Material, Laura K. Rogers, Siyi Xu, Amy Bonsor, Simon Hodgkin, Kate Y.L. Su, Ted Von Hippel, Michael Jura

Publications

The inwards scattering of planetesimals towards white dwarfs is expected to be a stochastic process with variability on human time-scales. The planetesimals tidally disrupt at the Roche radius, producing dusty debris detectable as excess infrared emission. When sufficiently close to the white dwarf, this debris sublimates and accretes on to the white dwarf and pollutes its atmosphere. Studying this infrared emission around polluted white dwarfs can reveal how this planetary material arrives in their atmospheres. We report a near-infrared monitoring campaign of 34 white dwarfs with infrared excesses with the aim to search for variability in the dust emission. Time …

Towards Gross-Pitaevskiian Description Of Solar System & Galaxies, Florentin Smarandache, Victor Christianto, Yunita Umniyati

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

In this paper, we argue that Gross-Pitaevskii model can be a more complete description of both solar system and spiral galaxies, especially taking into account the nature of chirality and vortices in galaxies. We also hope to bring out some correspondence among existing models, e.g., the topological vortex approach, Burgers equation in the light of KAM theory, and the Cantorian Navier-Stokes approach. We hope further investigation can be done around this line of approach.

Swift Spectroscopy Of The Accretion Disk Wind In The Black Hole Gro J1655-40, M. Balakrishnan, J. M. Miller, N. Trueba, M. Reynolds, J. Raymond, Daniel Proga, A. C. Fabian, T. Kallman, J. Kaastra

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Research

Chandra obtained two High Energy Transmission Grating spectra of the stellar-mass black hole GRO J1655−40 during its 2005 outburst, revealing a rich and complex disk wind. Soon after its launch, the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory began monitoring the same outburst. Some X-ray Telescope (XRT) observations were obtained in a mode that makes it impossible to remove strong Mn calibration lines, so the Fe Kα line region in the spectra was previously neglected. However, these lines enable a precise calibration of the energy scale, facilitating studies of the absorption-dominated disk wind and its velocity shifts. Here we present fits to 15 …

Observations Of Binary Stars With The Differential Speckle Survey Instrument. Ix. Observations Of Known And Suspected Binaries, And A Partial Survey Of Be Stars, Elliott P. Horch, Gerard T. Van Belle, James W. Davidson Jr., Daryl W. Willmarth, Francis C. Fekel, Matthew W. Muterspaugh, Dana I. Casetti-Dinescu, Frederick W. Hahne, Nicole M. Granucci, Catherine A. Clark, Jennifer G. Winters, Justin D. Rupert, Samuel A. Weiss, Nicole M. Colton, Daniel A. Nusdeo, Todd J. Henry

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We report 370 measures of 170 components of binary and multiple-star systems, obtained from speckle imaging observations made with the Differential Speckle Survey Instrument at Lowell Observatory's Discovery Channel Telescope in 2015 through 2017. Of the systems studied, 147 are binary stars, 10 are seen as triple systems, and 1 quadruple system is measured. Seventy-six high-quality nondetections and 15 newly resolved components are presented in our observations. The uncertainty in relative astrometry appears to be similar to our previous work at Lowell, namely, linear measurement uncertainties of approximately 2 mas, and the relative photometry appears to be uncertain at the …

Alma 0.88 Mm Survey Of Disks Around Planetary-Mass Companions, Ya-Lin Wu, Brendan P. Bowler, Patrick D. Sheehan, Sean M. Andrews, Gregory J. Herczeg, Adam L. Kraus, Luca Ricci, David J. Wilner, Zhaohuan Zhu

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Research

Characterizing the physical properties and compositions of circumplanetary disks can provide important insights into the formation of giant planets and satellites. We report Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array 0.88 mm (Band 7) continuum observations of six planetary-mass (10–20 M Jup) companions: CT Cha b, 1RXS 1609 b, ROXs 12 b, ROXs 42B b, DH Tau b, and FU Tau b. No continuum sources are detected at the locations of the companions down to 3σ limits of 120–210 μJy. Given these nondetections, it is not clear whether disks around planetary-mass companions indeed follow the disk-flux–host-mass trend in the stellar regime. The faint …

Point Process Modelling Of Objects In The Star Formation Complexes Of The M33 Galaxy, Dayi Li

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

In this thesis, Gibbs point process (GPP) models are constructed to study the spatial distribution of objects in the star formation complexes of the M33 galaxy. The GPP models circumvent the limitations of the two-point correlation function employed in the current astronomy literature by naturally accounting for the inhomogeneous distribution of these objects. The spatial distribution of these objects serves as a sensitive probe in understanding the star formation process, which is crucial in understanding the formation of galaxies and the Universe. The objects under study include the CO filament structure, giant molecular clouds (GMCs) and young stellar cluster candidates …

Automated Spectroscopic Detection And Mapping Using Alma And Machine Learningtechniques, Steven Cocke, Andrew Wilkins, Josephine Mcdaniel, John Santerre, Conor Nixon

SMU Data Science Review

In this paper we present a methodology for automating theclassification of spectrally resolved observations of multiple emissionlines with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA).Molecules in planetary atmospheres emit or absorb different wavelengthsof light thereby providing a unique signature for each species. ALMAdata were taken from interferometric observations of Titan made be-tween UT 2012 July 03 23:22:14 and 2012 July 04 01:06:18 as part ofALMA project 2011.0.00319.S. We first employed a greedy set cover algorithm to identify the most probable molecules that would reproducethe set of frequencies with respective flux greater than 3σaway from themean. We then selected a subset of …

Perfect Circles: A Study Of The Scattering Regions Of Wolf Rayet Binary Stars, Stella Yoos, Jennifer Hoffman, Andrew Fullard

DU Undergraduate Research Journal Archive

Although we have been able to develop an understanding of many aspects of stellar evolution and formation, a few key gaps remain. One is the fate of massive binary star systems composed of Wolf-Rayet (WR) and O-type stars. In these WR + O binaries, the stellar winds surrounding these stars collide, creating a complex interaction region in which light from the stars scatters and becomes polarized. To study these scattering regions, I employ a technique that allows me to map the polarization of the light emitted from these stars and track its variation over the binary orbit. I found that …

Polarization Measurements Of The Polluted White Dwarf G29-38, Ted Von Hippel, Daniel V. Cotton, Jeremy Bailey, J.E. Pringle, William B. Sparks, Jonathan P. Marshall

Publications

We have made high-precision polarimetric observations of the polluted white dwarf G29-38 with the HIgh Precision Polarimetric Instrument 2. The observations were made at two different observatories – using the 8.1-m Gemini North Telescope and the 3.9-m Anglo-Australian Telescope – and are consistent with each other. After allowing for a small amount of interstellar polarization, the intrinsic linear polarization of the system is found to be 275.3 ± 31.9 parts per million at a position angle of 90.8 ± 3.8◦ in the SDSS g

band. We compare the observed polarization with the predictions of circumstellar disc models. The measured polarization …

Response To Pitkanen’S Solar System Model: Towards Gross-Pitaevskiian Description Of Solar System And Galaxies And More Evidence Of Chiral Superfluid Vortices, Victor Christianto, Florentin Smarandache, Yunita Umniyati

Branch Mathematics and Statistics Faculty and Staff Publications

In a new paper in recent issue of this journal (PSTJ), Prof. M. Pitkanen describes a solar system model inspired by spiral galaxies. While we appreciate his new approach, we find it lacks substantial discussion on the nature of vortices and chirality in galaxy. Therefore we submit a viewpoint that Gross-Pitaevskii model can be a more complete description of both solar system and also spiral galaxies, especially taking into account the nature of chirality and vortices in galaxies. In this article, we also hope to bring out some correspondence among existing models, so we discuss shortly: the topological vortice approach, …

Gravitational Wave Calibration Error For Supernovae Core Collapse, Brad Ratto

Discovery Day - Prescott

The existence of gravitational waves reveals yet another method in which information is transmitted across the cosmos, bringing with it further insight into the inner workings of our universe. In order to detect such phenomena, we use ground based Laser Interferometers to measure the microscopic deformations in space-time and explore a new frontier in gravitational astronomy. However, such instrumentation also induces distortions in the gravitational waves henceforth diminishing the ability to extract accurate physical information. Moreover, the ability to extract a coherent signal amongst the noise remains an issue that requires constant improvement. The aim of this study is to …

Global 3d Radiation Magnetohydrodynamic Simulations For Fu Ori's Accretion Disc And Observational Signatures Of Magnetic Fields, Zhaohuan Zhu, Yan-Fei Jiang, James M. Stone

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Research

FU Ori is the prototype of FU Orionis systems that are outbursting protoplanetary discs. Magnetic fields in FU Ori’s accretion discs have previously been detected using spectropolarimetry observations for Zeeman effects. We carry out global radiation ideal MHD simulations to study FU Ori’s inner accretion disc. We find that (1) when the disc is threaded by vertical magnetic fields, most accretion occurs in the magnetically dominated atmosphere at z ∼ R, similar to the ‘surface accretion’ mechanism in previous locally isothermal MHD simulations. (2) A moderate disc wind is launched in the vertical field simulations with a terminal speed of …

Fast Radio Bursts As Strong Waves Interacting With The Ambient Medium, Yuan-Pei Yang, Bing Zhang

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Research

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are mysterious radio transients whose physical origin is still unknown. Within a few astronomical units near an FRB source, the electric field of the electromagnetic wave is so large that the electron oscillation velocity becomes relativistic, which makes the classical Thomson scattering theory and the linear plasma theory invalid. We discuss FRBs as strong waves interacting with the ambient medium, in terms of both electron motion properties and plasma properties. Several novel features are identified. (1) The cross section of Thomson scattering is significantly enhanced for the scattering photons. (2) On the other hand, because of …

On The Frb Luminosity Function – – Ii. Event Rate Density, Rui Luo, Yunpeng Men, Kejia Lee, Weiyang Wang, D. R. Lorimer, Bing Zhang

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Research

The luminosity function of Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs), defined as the event rate per unit cosmic co-moving volume per unit luminosity, may help to reveal the possible origins of FRBs and design the optimal searching strategy. With the Bayesian modelling, we measure the FRB luminosity function using 46 known FRBs. Our Bayesian framework self-consistently models the selection effects, including the survey sensitivity, the telescope beam response, and the electron distributions from Milky Way/ the host galaxy/ local environment of FRBs. Different from the previous companion paper, we pay attention to the FRB event rate density and model the event counts …

Sun-Like Stars Shed Light On Solar Climate Forcing, Philip G. Judge, Ricky Egeland, Gregory W. Henry

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

Recently published precise stellar photometry of 72 Sun-like stars obtained at the Fairborn Observatory between 1993 and 2017 is used to set limits on the solar forcing of Earth's atmosphere of ±4.5 W m−2 since 1750. This compares with the +2.2 ± 1.1 W m−2 IPCC estimate for anthropogenic forcing. Three critical assumptions are made. In decreasing order of importance they are: (a) most of the brightness variations occur within the average time series length of ≈17 yr; (b) the Sun seen from the ecliptic behaves as an ensemble of middle-aged solar-like stars; and (c) narrowband photometry in the Strömgren …

Fast Radio Bursts From Interacting Binary Neutron Star Systems, Bing Zhang

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Research

Recent observations of repeating fast radio bursts (FRBs) suggest that some FRBs reside in an environment consistent with that of binary neutron star (BNS) mergers. The bursting rate for repeaters could be very high and the emission site is likely from a magnetosphere. We discuss a hypothesis of producing abundant repeating FRBs in BNS systems. Decades to centuries before a BNS system coalesces, the magnetospheres of the two neutron stars start to interact relentlessly. Abrupt magnetic reconnection accelerates particles, which emit coherent radio waves in bunches via curvature radiation. FRBs are detected as these bright radiation beams point toward Earth. …

Asteroid Belt Survival Through Stellar Evolution: Dependence On The Stellar Mass, Rebecca G. Martin, Mario Livio, Jeremy L. Smallwood, Cheng Chen

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Research

Polluted white dwarfs are generally accreting terrestrial-like material that may originate from a debris belt like the asteroid belt in the Solar system. ... See full text for complete abstract.

The Effects Of Disc Self-Gravity And Radiative Cooling On The Formation Of Gaps And Spirals By Young Planets, Shangjia Zhang, Zhaohuan Zhu

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Research

We have carried out 2D hydrodynamical simulations to study the effects of disc self-gravity and radiative cooling on the formation of gaps and spirals. (1) With disc self-gravity included, we find stronger, more tightly wound spirals and deeper gaps in more massive discs. The deeper gaps are due to the larger Angular Momentum Flux (AMF) of the waves excited in more massive discs, as expected from the linear theory. The position of the secondary gap does not change, provided that the disc is not extremely massive (Q ≳ 2). (2) With radiative cooling included, the excited spirals become monotonically more …

Effects Of Opacity Temperature Dependence On Radiatively Accelerated Clouds, Sergei Dyda, Daniel Proga, Christopher S. Reynolds

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Research

We study how different opacity–temperature scalings affect the dynamical evolution of irradiated gas clouds using time-dependent radiation-hydrodynamics simulations. When clouds are optically thick, the bright side heats up and expands, accelerating the cloud via the rocket effect. Clouds that become more optically thick as they heat accelerate ∼35 per cent faster than clouds that become optically thin. An enhancement of ∼85 per cent in the acceleration can be achieved by having a broken power-law opacity profile, which allows the evaporating gas driving the cloud to become optically thin and not attenuate the driving radiation flux. We find that up to …

Fenderson, Julia Katharine (Squires), 1905-1989 (Sc 3500), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid and scan (Click on "Additional Files" below) for Manuscripts Small Collection 3500. “The Viewing of Halley’s Comet: 1910-1986, A Personal Remembrance by Julia Squires Fenderson as told to Charles Arterburn,” a reminiscence by Mrs. Fenderson, of Culver City, California, of her viewings of Halley’s Comet: first with her father in 1910 at a Catholic mission in Albuquerque, New Mexico; and again in 1986, at the Santa Monica (California) College Planetarium. Includes an explanatory e-mail from Charles Arterburn.