Astrophysics and Astronomy Commons^™

Telescopes, Robots And Computers: Using Technology To See The Cosmos, Shane L. Larson

Public Talks

No abstract provided.

Confirmation Of 1rxs J165443.5–191620 As An Intermediate Polar And Its Orbital And Spin Periods, S. Scaringi, S. Connolly, J. Patterson, J. R. Thorstensen

Dartmouth Scholarship

We investigate the physical nature of the X-ray emitting source 1RXS J165443.5−191620 through optical photometry and time-resolved spectroscopy. Optical photometry is obtained from a variety of telescopes all over the world spanning ≈27 days. Additionally, time-resolved spectroscopy is obtained from the MDM observatory.

New Precision Orbits Of Bright Double-Lined Spectroscopic Binaries. Vi. Hd 24623 And V923 Scorpii, Francis C. Fekel, Michael H. Williamson, Gregory W. Henry

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

Using new radial velocities obtained at KPNO and Fairborn Observatory, we have determined improved spectroscopic orbits for two double-lined F-type binaries, HD 24623 and V923 Sco. The orbital periods are 19.66304 and 34.8386 days, respectively, so it is not surprising that their orbits have relatively high eccentricities of nearly 0.5. The orbital dimensions (a1sin i and a2sin i) and minimum masses (m1sin 3i and m2sin 3i) have accuracies of 0.2% or better. Extensive photometry of HD 24623 with the T4 0.75 m automatic photometric telescope at Fairborn Observatory shows no evidence of eclipses. Instead, a very weak reflection effect is …

The Unusual Protoplanetary Disk Around The T Tauri Star Et Chamaeleontis, P Woitke, B Riaz, G Duchene, I Pascucci, A Ran Lyo, W.R.F. Dent, N Phillips, W F. Thi, F Menard, G J. Herczeg, E Bergin, A Brown, A Mora, I Kamp, G Aresu, Sean D. Brittain, I De Gregorio-Monsalvo, G Sandell

Publications

We present new continuum and line observations, along with modelling, of the faint (6−8) Myr old T Tauri star ETCha belonging to the η Chamaeleontis cluster. We have acquired Herschel/PACS photometric fluxes at 70 μm and 160 μm, as well as a detection of the [OI] 63 μm fine-structure line in emission, and derived upper limits for some other far-IR OI, CII, CO and o-H2O lines. These observations were carried out in the frame of the open time key programme GASPS, where ETCha was selected as one of the science demonstration phase targets. The Herschel data is complemented by new …

Novel Test Of Modified Newtonian Dynamics With Gas Rich Galaxies, Stacy S. Mcgaugh

Faculty Scholarship

The current cosmological paradigm, the cold dark matter model with a cosmological constant, requires that the mass-energy of the Universe be dominated by invisible components: dark matter and dark energy. An alternative to these dark components is that the law of gravity be modified on the relevant scales. A test of these ideas is provided by the baryonic Tully-Fisher relation (BTFR), an empirical relation between the observed mass of a galaxy and its rotation velocity. Here, I report a test using gas rich galaxies for which both axes of the BTFR can be measured independently of the theories being tested …

Constraining The Coalescence Rate Of Supermassive Black-Hole Binaries Using Pulsar Timing, Z. L. Wen, F. A. Jenet, D. Yardley, G. B. Hobbs, R. N. Manchester

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Pulsar timing observations are used to place constraints on the rate of coalescence of supermassive black-hole (SMBH) binaries as a function of mass and redshift. In contrast to the indirect constraints obtained from other techniques, pulsar timing observations provide a direct constraint on the black-hole merger rate. This is possible since pulsar timing is sensitive to the gravitational waves (GWs) emitted by these sources in the final stages of their evolution. We find that upper bounds calculated from the recently published Parkes Pulsar Timing Array data are just above theoretical predictions for redshifts below 10. In the future, with improved …

The White Dwarf Age Of Nfc 2477, Elizabeth J. Jeffery, Ted Von Hippel, Et Al.

Publications

We present deep photometric observations of the open cluster NGC 2477 using HST/WFPC2. By identifying seven cluster white dwarf candidates, we present an analysis of the white dwarf age of this cluster, using both the traditional method of fitting isochrones to the white dwarf cooling sequence, and by employing a new Bayesian statistical technique that has been developed by our group. This new method performs an objective, simultaneous model fit of the cluster and stellar parameters (namely, age, metallicity, distance, reddening, as well as individual stellar masses, mass ratios, and cluster membership) to the photometry. Based on this analysis, …

Cosmic-Ray Modulation By The Global Merged Interaction Region In The Heliosheath, Xi Luo, Ming Zhang, Hamid K. Rassoul, Nikolai V. Pogorelov

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

It was found by Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 that the Global Merged Interaction Region (GMIR) still has effects on cosmic-ray transport in the heliosheath. The GMIR produced by the intense solar activities of 2005 September propagated into the heliosheath in 2006, causing several decreases in the cosmic-ray flux at Voyager 1. Motivated by these observations, we investigate cosmic-ray modulation by the GMIR in the heliosheath using a three-dimensional Galactic cosmic-ray modulation code that includes the drift effect, termination shock, and a propagating GMIR. The simulation reproduces all major modulation features found by previous cosmic-ray observations in the supersonic solar …

Impact Of A Finite-Temperature Equation Of State On Neutron Stars, Christian D. Draper

Theses and Dissertations

In this research, we study how a finite-temperature nuclear equation of state suitable for astrophysical simulations impacts the oscillation modes of neutron stars. We chose the Shen equation of state (EOS) because it accurately describes both stable and unstable nuclei as well as nuclear incompressibilities. I modified the existing MHD code at BYU, the HAD code, to call a lookup table for the Shen EOS for use at run time, and added a Newton-Raphson method algorithm to convert conserved variables to primitive variables. The algorithm was tested and verified by evolving a stable neutron star for several dynamical times and …

Einstein's Life: Advanced Science And Life In The Modern Age, Shane L. Larson

Public Talks

No abstract provided.

High-Quality Broadband Bvri Photometry Of Benchmark Open Clusters, Michael Deloss Joner

Theses and Dissertations

Photometric techniques are often used to observe stars and it can be demonstrated that fundamental stellar properties can be observationally determined using calibrated sets of photometric data. Many of the most powerful techniques utilized to calibrate stellar photometry employ the use of stars in clusters since the individual stars are believed to have many common properties such as age, composition, and approximate distance. Broadband photometric Johnson/Cousins BVRI observations are presented for several nearby open clusters. The new photometry has been tested for consistency relative to archival work and shown to be both accurate and precise. The careful use of a …

A Study Of Differential Rotation On Ii Pegasi Via Photometric Starspot Imaging, Rachael M. Roettenbacher, Robert O. Harmon, Nalin Vutisalchavakul, Gregory W. Henry

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We present the results of a study of differential rotation on the K2 IV primary of the RS CVn binary II Pegasi (HD 224085) performed by inverting light curves to produce images of the dark starspots on its surface. The data were obtained in the standard Johnson B and V filter passbands via the Tennessee State University T3 0.4 m Automated Photometric Telescope from JD 2447115.8086–2455222.6238 (1987 November 16–2010 January 26). The observations were subdivided into 79 data sets consisting of pairs of B and V light curves, which were then inverted using a constrained nonlinear inversion algorithm that makes …

Three Channel Polarimetric Based Data Deconvolution, Kurtis G. Engelson

Theses and Dissertations

A three channel polarimetric deconvolution algorithm was developed to mitigate the degrading effects of atmospheric turbulence in astronomical imagery. Tests were executed using both simulation and laboratory data. The resulting efficacy of the three channel algorithm was compared to a recently developed two channel approach under identical conditions ensuring a fair comparison amongst both algorithms. Two types of simulations were performed. The first was a binary star simulation to compare resulting resolutions between the three and two channel algorithms. The second simulation measured how effective both algorithms could deconvolve a blurred satellite image. The simulation environment assumed the key parameters …

A Decline In The Nonthermal X-Ray Emission From Cassiopeia A, Daniel J. Patnaude, Jacco Vink, J. Martin Laming, Robert A. Fesen

Dartmouth Scholarship

We present new Chandra ACIS-S3 observations of Cassiopeia A which, when combined with earlier ACIS-S3 observations, show evidence for a steady ~ 1.5-2%/yr decline in the 4.2-6.0 keV X-ray emission between the years 2000 and 2010. The computed flux from exposure corrected images over the entire remnant showed a 17% decline over the entire remnant and a slightly larger (21%) decline from regions along the remnant's western limb. Spectral fits of the 4.2-6.0 keV emission across the entire remnant, forward shock filaments, and interior filaments indicate the remnant's nonthermal spectral powerlaw index has steepened by about 10%, with interior filaments …

Time-Series Observations Of The High Mass X-Ray Binary 4u 2206+54 To Monitor Light Variation, Jessica Lynn Bugno

Theses and Dissertations

The high mass X-ray binary 4U 2206+54 has been a very controversial system due to variability in spectral data as well as photometric data. We, at Brigham Young University, have been observing this system in multiple filters with several telescopes. This thesis presents our methods of observations, reductions, and results. It also compares what we have been detecting to other groups looking at the same target in different wavelengths. Furthermore, this thesis discusses some of the peculiarities of 4U 2206+54 and possible theories to explain these phenomena. Based on our photometric observations for the past three years, we believe the …

Discovery Of Tev Gamma Ray Emission From Tycho's Supernova Remnant, P. T. Reynolds, Et Al

Physical Sciences Publications

We report the discovery of TeV gamma-ray emission from the Type Ia supernova remnant (SNR) G120.1+1.4, known as Tycho's SNR. Observations performed in the period 2008-2010 with the VERITAS ground-based gamma-ray observatory reveal weak emission coming from the direction of the remnant, compatible with a point source located at 00h25m270, + 64°10'50'' (J2000). The TeV photon spectrum measured by VERITAS can be described with a power law dN/dE = C(E/3.42 TeV)–Γ with Γ = 1.95 ± 0.51stat ± 0.30sys and C = (1.55 ± 0.43stat ± 0.47sys) × 10–14 cm–2 s–1 TeV–1. The integral …

Profiles In Science: Stephen Hawking, Kathleen A. Lehman

University Libraries Faculty Publications and Presentations

While Stephen Hawking’s early academic career lacked focus, the development of motor neuron disease straining against his hopes for a fulfilling life pulled the young scientist’s work together. He has since become the world’s most famous scientist due, in part, to his strong belief that science should be accessible to the general public. Hawking has published frequently for the academic community but has also published for the lay reader. His life has been recorded and examined by several biographers. This paper gives an overview of Hawking’s early life, academic career, his academic and popular publications, as well as a few …

A Distinctive Disk-Jet Coupling In The Seyfert-1 Active Galactic Nucleus Ngc 4051, A. L. King, J. M. Miller, E. M. Cackett, A. C. Fabian, S. Markoff, M. A. Nowak, M. Rupen, K. Gültekin, M. T. Reynolds

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Research Publications

We report on the results of a simultaneous monitoring campaign employing eight Chandra X-ray (0.5-10 keV) and six Very Large Array/Extended Very Large Array (8.4 GHz) radio observations of NGC 4051 over seven months. Evidence for compact jets is observed in the 8.4 GHz radio band; this builds on mounting evidence that jet production may be prevalent even in radio-quiet Seyferts. Assuming comparatively negligible local diffuse emission in the nucleus, the results also demonstrate an inverse correlation of L _radio ∝ L ^-0.72±0.04 _X-ray . If the A configuration is excluded in the case where diffuse emission plays a significant …

An Empirical Ubv Ri Jhk Color-Temperature Calibration For Stars, Guy Worthey, Hyun Chul Lee

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

A collection of Johnson/Cousins photometry for stars with known [Fe/H] is used to generate color-color relations that include the abundance dependence. Literature temperature and bolometric correction (BC) dependences are attached to the color relations. The JHK colors are transformed to the Bessell & Brett homogenized system. The main result of this work is the tabulation of seven colors and the V-band BC as a function of T eff, log g, and [Fe/H] for -1.06 < V - K < 10.2 and an accompanying interpolation program. Improvements to the present calibration would involve filling photometry gaps, obtaining more accurate and on-system photometry, knowing better log g and [Fe/H] values, improving the statistics for data-impoverished groups of stars such as metal-poor K dwarfs, applying small tweaks in the processing pipeline, and obtaining better empirical temperature and BC relations, especially for supergiants and M stars. A way to estimate dust extinction from M dwarf colors is pointed out. © 2011. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.

Discovery Of The First Τ Sco Analogues: Hd 66665 And Hd 63425., V. Petit, D. Massa, W. Marcolinino, G. Wade, Richard Ignace

ETSU Faculty Works

The B0.2 V magnetic star τ Sco stands out from the larger population of massive OB stars due to its high X-ray activity, peculiar wind diagnostics and highly complex magnetic field. This Letter presents the discovery of the first two τ Sco analogues – HD 66665 and HD 63425, identified by the striking similarity of their ultraviolet (UV) spectra to that of τ Sco. ESPaDOnS spectropolarimetric observations were secured by the Magnetism in Massive Stars CFHT Large Program, in order to characterize the stellar and magnetic properties of these stars. cmfgen modelling of optical ESPaDOnS spectra and archived IUE UV …

Spectral Energy Distribution Of Markarian 501: Quiescent State Versus Extreme Outburst, P. T. Reynolds, Veritas, Magic

Physical Sciences Publications

The very high energy (VHE; E > 100 GeV) blazar Markarian 501 (Mrk 501) has a well-studied history of extreme spectral variability and is an excellent laboratory for studying the physical processes within the jets of active galactic nuclei. However, there are few detailed multiwavelength studies of Mrk 501 during its quiescent state, due to its low luminosity. A short-term multiwavelength study of Mrk 501 was coordinated in 2009 March, focusing around a multi-day observation with the Suzaku X-ray satellite and including γ-ray data from VERITAS, MAGIC, and the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope with the goal of providing a well-sampled multiwavelength …

The Thick Disk In The Galaxy Ngc 4244 From S4g Imaging., Sebastien Comeron, Johan H. Knapen, Kartik Sheth, Michael Regan, Joannah L. Hinz, Armando Gil De Paz, Karin Menendez-Delmestre, Juan Carlos Munoz-Mateos, Mark Seibert, Taehyun Kim, E. Athanassoula, Albert Bosma, Ronald J. Buta, Bruce G. Elmegreen, Luis C. Ho, Benne W. Holwerda, Eija Laurikainen, Heikki Salo, Eva Schinnerer

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

If thick disks are ubiquitous and a natural product of disk galaxy formation and/or evolution processes, all undisturbed galaxies that have evolved during a significant fraction of a Hubble time should have a thick disk. The late-type spiral galaxy NGC 4244 has been reported as the only nearby edge-on galaxy without a confirmed thick disk. Using data from the Spitzer Survey of Stellar Structure in Galaxies (S4G) we have identified signs of two disk components in this galaxy. The asymmetries between the light profiles on both sides of the mid-plane of NGC 4244 can be explained by a combination of …

Multifluid Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulent Decay, Turlough Downes, Stephen O'Sullivan

Articles

It is generally believed that turbulence has a significant impact on the dynamics and evolution of molecular clouds and the star formation that occurs within them. Non-ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects are known to influence the nature of this turbulence. We present the results of a suite of 5123 resolution simulations of the decay of initially super-Alfv enic and supersonic fully multifluid MHD turbulence. We find that ambipolar diffusion increases the rate of decay of the turbulence while the Hall effect has virtually no impact. The decay of the kinetic energy can be fitted as a power law in time and …

An X-Ray Imaging Survey Of Quasar Jets: Testing The Inverse Compton Model, Herman L. Marshall, Jonathan M. Gelbord, Daniel A. Schwartz, David W. Murphey, James E.J. Lovell, Diana M. Worrall, Mark Birkinshaw, Eric S. Perlman, Leith E.H. Godfrey, David L. Jauncey

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

We present results from continued Chandra X-ray imaging and spectroscopy of a flux-limited sample of flat spectrum radio-emitting quasars with jet-like extended structure. X-rays are detected from 24 of the 39 jets observed so far. We compute the distribution of αrx, the spectral index between the X-ray and radio bands, showing that it is broad, extending at least from 0.8 to 1.2. While there is a general trend that the radio brightest jets are detected most often, it is clear that predicting the X-ray flux from the radio knot flux densities is risky, so a shallow X-ray survey is the …

The Nasa-Uc Eta-Earth Program. Iii. A Super-Earth Orbiting Hd 97658 And A Neptune-Mass Planet Orbiting Gl 785*, Andrew W. Howard, John Asher Johnson, Geoffrey W. Marcy, Debra A. Fischer, Jason T. Wright, Gregory W. Henry, Howard Isaacson, Jeff A. Valenti, Jay Anderson, Nikolai Piskunov

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We report the discovery of planets orbiting two bright, nearby early K dwarf stars, HD 97658 and Gl 785. These planets were detected by Keplerian modeling of radial velocities measured with Keck-HIRES for the NASA-UC Eta-Earth Survey. HD 97658 b is a close-in super-Earth with minimum mass Msin i = 8.2 ± 1.2 M⊕, orbital period P = 9.494 ± 0.005 days, and an orbit that is consistent with circular. Gl 785 b is a Neptune-mass planet with Msin i = 21.6 ± 2.0 M⊕, P = 74.39 ± 0.12 days, and orbital eccentricity e = 0.30 ± 0.09. Photometric …

Evidence For Particle Acceleration To The Knee Of The Cosmic Ray Spectrum In Tycho’S Supernova Remnant, Kristoffer A. Eriksen, John P. Hughes, Carles Badenes, Robert Fesen

Dartmouth Scholarship

Supernova remnants (SNRs) have long been assumed to be the source of cosmic rays (CRs) up to the "knee" of the CR spectrum at 10^15 eV, accelerating particles to relativistic energies in their blast waves by the process of diffusive shock acceleration (DSA). Since cosmic ray nuclei do not radiate efficiently, their presence must be inferred indirectly. Previous theoretical calculations and X-ray observations show that CR acceleration modifies significantly the structure of the SNR and greatly amplifies the interstellar magnetic field. We present new, deep X-ray observations of the remnant of Tycho's supernova (SN 1572, henceforth Tycho), which reveal a …

Improving Transit Predictions Of Known Exoplanets With Terms, Stephen R. Kane, David R. Ciardi, Debra A. Fischer, Gregory W. Henry, Andrew W. Howard, Eric L. N. Jensen, Gregory Laughlin, Suvrath Mahadevan, Kaspar Von Braun, Jason T. Wright

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

Transiting planet discoveries have largely been restricted to the short-period or low-periastron distance regimes due to the bias inherent in the geometric transit probability. Through the refinement of planetary orbital parameters, and hence reducing the size of transit windows, long-period planets become feasible targets for photometric follow-up. Here we describe the TERMS project that is monitoring these host stars at predicted transit times.

University Scholar Series: Natalie Batalha, Natalie Batalha

University Scholar Series

The NASA Kepler Mission

On February 16, 2011 Natalie Batalha spoke in the University Scholar Series hosted by Provost Gerry Selter at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library. As deputy science team lead for NASA's Kepler Mission, SJSU Associate Professor Natalie Batalha was at the forefront of today's confirmation that the mission has discovered its first rocky planet, named Kepler-10b. Measuring 1.4 times the size of Earth, it is the smallest planet ever discovered outside our solar system. As a member of the Kepler team, Batalha is responsible for the selection of the more than 150,000 stars the spacecraft …

Dusty Tori Of Luminous Type 1 Quasars At Z ~ 2, Rajesh P. Deo, Gordon T. Richards, Robert Nikutta, Moshe Elitzur, Sarah C. Gallagher, Željko Ivezić, Dean Hines

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present Spitzer infrared (IR) spectra and ultraviolet (UV) to mid-IR spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of 25 luminous type 1 quasars at z ~ 2. In general, the spectra show a bump peaking around 3 μm and the 10 μm silicate emission feature. The 3 μm emission is identified with hot dust emission at its sublimation temperature. We explore two approaches to modeling the SED: (1) using the CLUMPY model SED from Nenkova et al. and (2) the CLUMPY model SED and an additional blackbody component to represent the 3 μm emission. In the first case, …

The Chromospheric Activity, Age, Metallicity, And Space Motions Of 36 Wide Binaries, J. K. Zhao, T. D. Oswalt, M. Rudkin, G. Zhao, Y. Q. Chen

Publications

We present the chromospheric activity (CA) levels, metallicities, and full space motions for 41 F, G, K, and M dwarf stars in 36 wide binary systems. Thirty-one of the binaries contain a white dwarf (WD) component. In such binaries, the total age can be estimated by adding the cooling age of the WD to an estimate of the progenitor’s main-sequence lifetime. To better understand how CA correlates to stellar age, 14 cluster member stars were also observed. Our observations demonstrate for the first time that, in general, CA decays with age from 50 Myr to at least 8 Gyr for …