Astrophysics and Astronomy Commons^™

A Spitzer White Dwarf Infrared Survey, F. Mullally, Ted Von Hippel, Et Al.

Publications

We present mid-infrared photometry of 124 white dwarf stars with the Spitzer Space Telescope. Objects were observed simultaneously at 4.5 and 8.0 μm with sensitivities better than 0.1 mJy. This data set can be used to test models of white dwarf atmospheres in a new wavelength regime, as well as to search for planetary companions and debris disks.

Optically Thick [O I] And [C Ii] Emission Toward Ngc 6334a, N. P. Abel, A. P. Sarma, Thomas H. Troland, Gary J. Ferland

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

This work focuses on [O I] and [C II] emission toward NGC 6334A, an embedded H⁺ region/PDR only observable at infrared or longer wavelengths. A geometry in which nearly all the emission escapes out the side of the cloud facing the stars, such as Orion, is not applicable to this region. Instead, we find the geometry to be one in which the H⁺ region and associated PDR is embedded in the molecular cloud. Constant-density PDR calculations are presented which predict line intensities as a function of A_V [or N(H)], hydrogen density (n_H), and …

The Deep X-Ray Radio Blazar Survey. Iii. Radio Number Counts, Evolutionary Properties, And Luminosity Function Of Blazars, Paolo Padovani, Paolo Giommi, Hermine Landt, Eric S. Perlman

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

Our knowledge of the blazar surface densities and luminosity functions, which are fundamental parameters, relies still on samples at relatively high flux limits. As a result, our understanding of this rare class of active galactic nuclei is mostly based on relatively bright and intrinsically luminous sources. We present the radio number counts, evolutionary properties, and luminosity functions of the faintest blazar sample with basically complete (∼95%) identifications. Based on the Deep X-Ray Radio Blazar Survey (DXRBS), it includes 129 flat-spectrum radio quasars ( FSRQs) and 24 BL Lac objects down to a 5 GHz flux and power ∼50 mJy and …

The New Class Of Dusty Daz White Dwarfs, Ted Von Hippel, Et Al.

Publications

Our mid-infrared survey of 124 white dwarfs with the Spitzer Space Telescope and the IRAC imager has revealed an infrared excess associated with the white dwarf WD 2115-560 naturally explained by circumstellar dust. This object is the fourth white dwarf observed to have circumstellar dust. All four are DAZ white dwarfs, i.e., they have both photospheric Balmer lines and photospheric metal lines. We discuss these four objects as a class, which we abbreviate "DAZd," where the "d" stands for "dust." Using an optically thick, geometrically thin disk model analogous to Saturn's rings, we find that the inner disk edges are …

The Acs Survey Of Galactic Globular Clusters. Ii. Stellar Evolution Tracks, Isochrones, Luminosity Functions, And Synthetic Horizontal-Branch Models, Aaron Dotter, Brian Chaboyer, Darko Jevremović, E. Baron

Dartmouth Scholarship

The ACS Survey of Galactic Globular Clusters, an HST Treasury Project, will deliver high-quality, homogeneous photometry of 65 globular clusters. This paper introduces a new collection of stellar evolution tracks and isochrones suitable for analyzing the ACS survey data. Stellar evolution models were computed at [Fe/H] = -2.5, -2.0, -1.5, -1.0, -0.5, and 0; [α/Fe] = -0.2, 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8; and three initial He abundances for masses from 0.1 to 1.8 M_⊙ and ages from 2 to 15 Gyr. Each isochrone spans a wide range in luminosity, from M_V ~ 14 up to the tip …

Gravitational Wave Bursts From The Galactic Massive Black Hole, Clovis Hopman, Marc Freitag, Shane L. Larson

All Physics Faculty Publications

The Galactic massive black hole (MBH), with a mass of M_•= 3.6 × 10⁶ M_⊙, is the closest known MBH, at a distance of only 8 kpc. The proximity of this MBH makes it possible to observe gravitational waves (GWs) from stars with periapse in the observational frequency window of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). This is possible even if the orbit of the star is very eccentric, so that the orbital frequency is many orders of magnitude below the LISA frequency window, as suggested by Rubbo, Holley-Bockelmann & Finn (2006). …

The Evolution Of Protoplanetary Disks: A Decade Of Hst Coronagraphy, Sean Brittain, C Grady, G Schneider, B E. Woodgate, J P. Wisniewski, M L. Sitko, K Collins

Presentation

No abstract provided.

Ngc 5548 In A Low-Luminosity State: Implications For The Broad-Line Region, Misty C. Bentz, Kelly D. Denney, Edward M. Cackett, Matthias Dietrich, Jeffery K. J. Fogel, Himel Ghosh, Keith Horne, Charles Kuehn, Takeo Minezaki, Christopher A. Onken, Bradley M. Peterson, Richard W. Pogge, Vladimir I. Pronik, Douglas O. Richstone, Sergey G. Sergeev, Marianne Vestergaard, Matthew G. Walker, Yuzuru Yoshii

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Research Publications

We describe results from a new ground-based monitoring campaign on NGC 5548, the best-studied reverberation-mapped AGN. We find that it was in the lowest luminosity state yet recorded during a monitoring program, namely L₅₁₀₀=4.7×10⁴² ergs s^-1. We determine a rest-frame time lag between flux variations in the continuum and the Hβ line of 6.3^+2.6_-2.3 days. Combining our measurements with those of previous campaigns, we determine a weighted black hole mass of M_BH=6.54^+0.26_-0.25×10⁷ M_solar based on all broad emission lines with suitable variability data. We confirm the …

Lp 133-373: A New Chromospherically Active Eclipsing Dme Binary With A Distant, Cool White Dwarf Companion, Todd R. Vaccaro, Mark J. Rudkin, Adéla Kawka, Stéphane Vennes, T. D. Oswalt, Isaac M. Silver, Matt A. Wood, Jonathan Allyn Smith

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

We report the discovery of the partially eclipsing binary LP 133-373. Nearly identical eclipses along with observed photometric colors and spectroscopy indicate that it is a pair of chromospherically active dM4 stars in a circular 1.6 day orbit. Light and velocity curve modeling to our differential photometry and velocity data show that each star has a mass and radius of 0.340 ± 0.014 M⊙ and 0.33 ± 0.02 R⊙. The binary is itself part of a common proper motion pair with LP 133-374, a cool DC or possible DA white dwarf with a mass of 0.49-0.82 M⊙, which would make …

The Physical Origin Of Negative Superhumps In Cataclysmic Variables, Matt A. Wood, Christopher J. Burke

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

It has been suspected for over 20 years that the observed negative superhumps in cataclysmic variables are due to the retrograde precession of a tilted disk. We present new smooth particle hydrodynamics simulation results that demonstrate that the source of the modulation of the luminosity of the light in a negatively superhumping cataclysmic variable is the transit of the bright spot across the face of an accretion disk that is tilted out of the orbital plane. In an untilted disk the bright spot is always located on the outer edge of the disk, and the intrinsic brightness of the accretion …

Dispersion Measure Variations And Their Effect On Precision Pulsar Timing, X. P. You, G. Hobbs, W. A. Coles, R. N. Manchester, R. Edwards, M. Bailes, J. Sarkissian, J. P.W. Verbiest, Fredrick Jenet

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present an analysis of the variations seen in the dispersion measures (DMs) of 20-ms pulsars observed as part of the Parkes Pulsar Timing Array project. We carry out a statistically rigorous structure function analysis for each pulsar and show that the variations seen for most pulsars are consistent with those expected for an interstellar medium characterized by a Kolmogorov turbulence spectrum. The structure functions for PSRs J1045-4509 and J1909-3744 provide the first clear evidence for a large inner scale, possibly due to ion-neutral damping. We also show the effect of the solar wind on the DMs and show that …

Lp133-373 A New Chromospherically Active Eclipsing Dme Binary With A Distant, Cool White Dwarf Companion, T. R. Vaccaro, T. D. Oswalt, M. Rudkin, Adela Kawka, Stephane Vennes, Et Al.

Publications

We report the discovery of the partially eclipsing binary LP 133-373. Nearly identical eclipses along with observed photometric colors and spectroscopy indicate that it is a pair of chromospherically active dM4 stars in a circular 1.6 day orbit. Light and velocity curve modeling to our differential photometry and velocity data show that each star has a mass and radius of 0.340 ± 0.014 M☉ and 0.33 ± 0.02 R☉. The binary is itself part of a common proper motion pair with LP 133-374, a cool DC or possible DA white dwarf with a mass of 0.49-0.82 M☉, …

The First Detection Of Diffuse Interstellar [Oii] Emission And Confirmation That Variations In [Nii]/Hα Trace Variations In Temperature, R. J. Reynolds, E. J. Mierkiewicz, F. L. Roesler, J. M. Harlander, K. P. Jaehnig

Publications

Using a newly developed Spatial Heterodyne Spectrometer (SHS), we have obtained the first radial velocity resolved emission-line profiles of diffuse [OII] λ3726 and λ3729 doublet emission from the warm (104 K) ionized component of our Galaxy's interstellar medium (WIM). These [OII] lines are a principal coolant for this widespread, photoionized gas and are a tracer of variations in the gas temperature resulting from unidentified heating processes that appear to be acting within the Galaxy's disk and halo.

Lp 133-373: A New Chromospherically Active Eclipsing Dme Binary With A Distant, Cool White Dwarf Companion, T. R. Vaccaro, M. Rudkin, A. Kawka, S. Vennes, Terry D. Oswalt, Et Al.

Publications

We report the discovery of the partially eclipsing binary LP 133-373. Nearly identical eclipses along with observed photometric colors and spectroscopy indicate that it is a pair of chromospherically active dM4 stars in a circular 1.6 day orbit. Light and velocity curve modeling to our differential photometry and velocity data show that each star has a mass and radius of 0:340 ± 0:014 M_Ꙩ and 0:33 ± 0:02 R_Ꙩ. The binary is itself part of a common proper motion pair with LP 133-374, a cool DC or possible DA white dwarf with a mass of 0.49Y0.82 M …

Depleted Carbon Monoxide In Fragment C Of The Jupiter-Family Comet 73p/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3, M. Disanti, W. Anderson, G. Villanueva, B. Bonev, K. Magee-Sauer, E. Gibb, M. Mumma

Physics Faculty Works

Carbon monoxide emission was targeted in fragment C of the recently split Jupiter-family comet 73P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 3 during its 2006 apparition, using the Cryogenic Echelle Spectrograph (CSHELL) at the NASA IRTF on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. Simultaneous sounding with H2O near 4.65 μm revealed highly depleted CO, consistent with a mixing ratio of 0.5% ± 0.13%. Along with depleted CH3OH but nearly normal HCN, this may indicate that this comet formed in the inner giant planets' region or, alternatively, that it formed relatively late, after significant clearing of the protosolar nebula.

Discovery Of Photospheric Calcium Line-Strength Variations In The Dazd White Dwarf G29-38, Ted Von Hippel, Susan E. Thompson

Publications

Metals in the photospheres of white dwarfs with T_eff between 12,000 and 25,000 K should gravitationally settle out of these atmospheres in 1 ̶ 2 weeks. Temporal variations in the line strengths of these metals could provide a direct measurement of episodic metal accretion. Using archival VLT and Keck spectroscopy, we find evidence that the DAZd white dwarf G29-38 shows significant changes in its Ca _П K line strength. At the two best-observed epochs, we find that the Ca line equivalent width (EW) = 165 ̶ 4 mǺ (in 1996.885) and 280 ± 8 mǺ (in 1999.653), which is …

Gemini Mid-Ir Polarimetry Of Ngc 1068: Polarized Structures Around The Nucleus, Christopher C. Packham, Stuart Young, Scott E. Fisher, Kevin M. Volk, Rachel E. Mason, James H. Hough, Patrick F. Roche, Moshe Elitzur, James T. Radomski, Eric S. Perlman

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

We present diffraction-limited, 10 μm imaging polarimetry data for the central regions of the archetypal Seyfert active galactic nucleus NGC 1068. The position angle of polarization is consistent with three dominant polarizing mechanisms. We identify three distinct regions of polarization: (1) north of the nucleus, arising from aligned dust in the narrow emission line region, (2) south, east, and west of the nucleus, consistent with dust being channeled toward the central engine, and (3) a central minimum of polarization consistent with a compact (≤22 pc) torus. These observations provide continuity between the geometrically and optically thick torus and the host …

An Investigation Into The Effects Of Luminosity On The Mid-Infrared Spectral Energy Distributions Of Radio-Quiet Quasars, S. C. Gallagher, G. T. Richards, M. Lacy, D. C. Hines, Moshe Elitzur, L. J. Storrie-Lombardi

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present an analysis of the effects of luminosity on the shape of the mid-infrared spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of 234 radio-quiet quasars originally presented by Richards et al. In quasars without evident dust extinction, the spectrally integrated optical and infrared luminosities are linearly correlated over nearly three decades in luminosity. We find a significant (≳99.99\% confidence) correlation between the 1.8-8.0 μm spectral index and infrared luminosity that indicates an enhancement of the mid-infrared continuum with increasing luminosity. Coupled with strong evidence for spectral curvature in more luminous quasars, we conclude that this trend is likely a manifestation of …

Gemini Mid-Ir Polarimetry Of Ngc 1068: Polarized Structures Around The Nucleus, C. Packham, S. Young, S. Fisher, K. Volk, R. Mason, J. H. Hough, P. F. Roche, Moshe Elitzur, J. Radomski, E. Perlman

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present diffraction-limited, 10 μm imaging polarimetry data for the central regions of the archetypal Seyfert active galactic nucleus NGC 1068. The position angle of polarization is consistent with three dominant polarizing mechanisms. We identify three distinct regions of polarization: (1) north of the nucleus, arising from aligned dust in the narrow emission line region, (2) south, east, and west of the nucleus, consistent with dust being channeled toward the central engine, and (3) a central minimum of polarization consistent with a compact (≤22 pc) torus. These observations provide continuity between the geometrically and optically thick torus and the …

The Shape Of Galaxy Cluster Dark Matter Haloes: Systematics Of Its Imprint On Cluster Gas And Comparison To Observations, Ricardo Flores, Brandon Allgood, Andrey Kravtsov, Joel Primack, David Buote, James Bullock

Physics Faculty Works

We study predictions for galaxy cluster observables that can test the statistics of dark matter halo shapes expected in a flat Λ cold dark matter (CDM) universe. We present a simple analytical model for the prediction of cluster-scale X-ray observations, approximating clusters as isothermal systems in hydrostatic equilibrium, and dark matter haloes as ellipsoids with uniform axial ratios (homeoidal ellipsoids). We test the model against high-resolution, hydrodynamic cluster simulations to gauge its reliability. We find that this simple prescription does a good job of predicting cluster X-ray ellipticities compared to the simulations as long as one focuses on cluster regions …

Warm Hcn, C2h2, And Co In The Disk Of Gv Tau, Erika Gibb, K. Van Brunt, S. Brittain, T Rettig

Physics Faculty Works

We present the first high-resolution, ground-based observations of HCN and C2H2 toward the T Tauri binary star system GV Tau. We detected strong absorption due to HCN ν3 and weak C2H2 [ν3 and ν2 + (ν4 + ν5)img1.gif] absorption toward the primary (GV Tau S) but not the infrared companion. We also report CO column densities and rotational temperatures, and present abundances relative to CO of HCN/CO ~ 0.6% and C2H/CO ~ 1.2% and an upper limit for CH4/CO < 0.37% toward GV Tau S. Neither HCN nor C2H2 were detected toward the infrared companion, and results suggest that abundances may differ between the two sources.

Factors That Affect The Global Positioning System And Global Navigation Satellite System In An Urban And Forested Environment., Douglas Allen Ritchie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy in real time measurements acquired from GPS and GLONASS satellite observations using RTK techniques in an urban and forested environment. To determine this accuracy, 2 data sets of 3-dimensional coordinates were created and compared at 14 stations situated at East Tennessee State University. One data set included coordinates determined by conventional land survey methods; the second was solved by RTK GPS/GLONASS. Once the magnitude of any deviation in the coordinate positions was determined, the contributions to the accuracies from cycle slips, multipath, satellite availability, PDOP, and fixed or float solutions …

Determining The Agn Fraction Of Galaxy Groups, Rachel Paterno-Mahler

Pomona Senior Theses

Using the Chandra X-ray Observatory, Martini et al. (2006) found that the AGN fraction of galaxy clusters was five times higher than previous optical studies suggested. Using visual observations only, Dressler et al. (1985) estimated the AGN fraction of field galaxies to be 5%, while that of clusters was thought to be 1%. To understand the role that the environment plays in AGN fueling, the author studied a variety of environments, ranging from the field to groups to clusters. Will the AGN fraction of groups also be higher than that of the field? The author demonstrates how the AGN fraction …

Searching For H3+ In The Atmosphere Of The Exoplanet Hd 209458b, Matthew Troutman

All Theses

This thesis searches or the H₃⁺ molecule in the atmosphere of HD 209458b. This exoplanet has been well studied since its initial discovery. H₃⁺ is a diagnostic of the thermal regulation in the ionosphere of the exoplanet, and therefore is an advantageous molecule to test both atmospheric models and observational limits. Both models and observational limits need to be constrained as steps towards the ultimate goal of detecting biomarkers in the atmospheres of exoplanets. The exoplanet HD 209458b was observed during transit using PHOENIX on Gemini South in 2005.

Gamma Ray Burst Afterglow Observations, Adria Updike

All Theses

Gamma ray bursts (GRBs) are among the most luminous explosions in the universe. We present an overview of the observational history of GRBs and the mechanisms involved, then focus on one burst in particular, GRB 070125 and our observational campaign. Finally, we present the results of a model of the global optical response to GRBs, and make recommendations as to how we could improve the global response in preparation for upcoming satellite missions.

Determination Of The Physical Conditions Of The Knots In The Helix Nebula From Optical And Infrared Observations, C. R. O'Dell, W. J. Henney, Gary J. Ferland

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We use new Hubble Space Telescope and archived images to clarify the nature of the ubiquitous knots in the Helix Nebula, which are variously estimated to contain a significant to majority fraction of the material ejected by its central star. We employ published far-infrared spectrophotometry and existing 2.12 μm images to establish that the population distribution of the lowest rovibrational states of H2 is close to the distribution of a gas in local thermodynamic equilibrium at 988 ± 119 K. In addition, we present calculations that show that the weakness of the H₂ 0-0 S(7) line is not …

A Photon Dominated Region Code Comparison Study, M. Röllig, Nicholas Paul Abel, T. Bell, F. Bensch, J. Black, Gary J. Ferland, B. Jonkheid, I. Kamp, M. J. Kaufman, J. Le Bourlot, F. Le Petit, R. Meijerink, O. Morata, V. Ossenkopf, E. Roueff, Gargi Shaw, M. Spaans, A. Sternberg, J. Stutzki, W.-F. Thi, E. F. Van Dishoeck, P. A. M. Van Hoof, S. Viti, M. G. Wolfire

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Aims. We present a comparison between independent computer codes, modeling the physics and chemistry of interstellar photon dominated regions (PDRs). Our goal was to understand the mutual differences in the PDR codes and their effects on the physical and chemical structure of the model clouds, and to converge the output of different codes to a common solution.

Methods. A number of benchmark models have been created, covering low and high gas densities n = 10³,10^5.5 cm^-3 and far ultraviolet intensities χ = 10, 10⁵ in units of the Draine field (FUV: 6 < h_ν < 13.6 eV). The benchmark models were computed in two ways: one set assuming constant temperatures, thus testing the consistency of the chemical network and photo-processes, and a second set determining the temperature self consistently by solving the thermal balance, thus testing the modeling of the heating and cooling mechanisms accounting for the detailed energy balance throughout the clouds.

Results. …

Fuzzy Blackholes, Anand Murugan

Pomona Senior Theses

The fuzzball model of a black hole is an attempt to resolve the many paradoxes and puzzles of black hole physics that have revealed themselves over the last century. These badly behaved solutions of general relativity have given physicists one of the few laboratories to test candidate quantum theories of gravity. Though little is known about exactly what lies beyond the event horizon, and what the ultimate fate of matter that falls in to a black hole is, we know a few intriguing and elegant semi-classical results that have kept physicists occupied. Among these are the known black hole entropy …

Bvi Photometry And The Luminosity Functions Of The Globular Cluster M92, Nathaniel E. Q. Paust, Brian Chaboyer, Ata Sarajedini

Dartmouth Scholarship

We present new BVI ground-based photometry and VI space-based photometry for the globular cluster M92 (NGC 6341) and examine luminosity functions in B, V, and I containing over 50,000 stars ranging from the tip of the red giant branch to several magnitudes below the main-sequence turnoff. Once corrected for completeness, the observed luminosity functions agree very well with theoretical models and do not show stellar excesses in any region of the luminosity function. Using reduced-χ² fitting, the new M92 luminosity function is shown to be an excellent match to the previously published luminosity function for M30. These …

Keck Hires Spectroscopy Of Candidate Post T Tauri Stars, Eric Bubar

All Theses

This work utilizes an age-oriented method to identify isolated post T Tauri stars in a 13-star sample of high resolution spectroscopy from the 10-m Keck telescope. This analysis utilizes qualitative age information derived from lithium abundances, chromospheric emission indices and UVW kinematic motions in analyzing positions in the the H-R diagram. Once qualitatively assigned a ``young'' age, pre-main sequence isochrones are utilized to determine stellar mass and age estimates. Through this method, 5 of the 13 stars have been confirmed as being in the post T Tauri class. We also examine irregular photometric variability of PTTs and compare the homology …