Astrophysics and Astronomy Commons^™

Empyreal Radiance: An Application Of Sonification In The Field Of Astrophysics, Ryan Loth

Undergraduate Distinction Papers

Broadly, this paper discusses the application of sonification and its potential for increasing knowledge. The paper is broken up into three sections: the theory of sonification, sonification for artistic purposes, and lastly an extensive look at one process of sonification dealing with solar winds in space. Concerning the theory of sonification, the paper will divulge into the process of sonification and ask questions about the limitations of it as well. The second section discusses how sonification is a way to build the curiosity of not just scientists, but also the general public. The final section addresses my composition Empyreal Radiance …

Globular Cluster Populations : First Results From S4g Early-Type Galaxies., Dennis Zaritsky, Manuel Aravena, E. Athanassoula, Albert Bosma, Sebastien Comeron, Bruce G. Elmegreen, Santiago Erroz-Ferrer, Dimitri A. Gadotti, Joannah Hinz, Luis C. Ho, Benne W. Holwerda, Johan H. Knapen, Jarkko Laine, Eija Laurikainen, Juan Carlos Munoz-Mateos, Heikki Salo, Kartik Sheth

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Using 3.6μm images of 97 early-type galaxies, we develop and verify methodology to measure globular cluster populations from the S4G survey images. We find that (1) the ratio, TN, of the number of clusters, NCL, to parent galaxy stellar mass, M∗, rises weakly with M∗ for early-type galaxies with M∗ > 1010 M when we calculate galaxy masses using a universal stellar initial mass function (IMF) but that the dependence of TN on M∗ is removed entirely once we correct for the recently uncovered systematic variation of IMF with M∗; and (2) for M∗ < 1010 M, there is no trend between NCL and M∗, the scatter in TN is significantly larger (approaching two orders of magnitude), and there is evidence to support a previous, independent suggestion of two families of galaxies. The behavior of NCL in the lower-mass systems is more difficult to measure because these systems are inherently cluster-poor, but our results may add to previous evidence that large variations in cluster formation and destruction efficiencies are to be found among low-mass galaxies. The average fraction of stellar mass in clusters is ∼0.0014 for M∗ > 1010 M and can be as large …

Sn Ia Host Galaxy Properties And The Dust Extinction Distribution., Benne W. Holwerda, A. Reynolds, M. Smith, R. C. Kraan-Korteweg

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Type Ia supernovae (SNeIa) display a complex relation with their host galaxies. An important prior to the fit of the supernovae's light curve is the distribution of host galaxy extinction values that can be encountered. The Sloan Digital Sky Survey SuperNova survey project has published light-curve fits using both mlcs2k2 and salt2. We use the former fits extinction parameter (AV) to map this distribution of extinction values. We explore the dependence of this distribution on four observables; the inclination of the host galaxy disc, radial position of the supernova, redshift of the supernova and host, and the level …

Assessing Predictive Ability Of Three Auroral Precipitation Models Using Dmsp Energy Flux, Cory T. Lane, Ariel O. Acebal, Yihua Zheng

Faculty Publications

Our study statistically compares the total energy flux outputs of Newell et al.'s (2010a) oval variation, assessment, tracking, intensity, and online nowcasting (OVATION) Prime model, Hardy et al.'s (1991) Kp‐based model, and a coupled Space Weather Modeling Framework ring current model to energy flux data obtained from 2198 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellite passes in the Northern Hemisphere. Our DMSP data set includes 28 days grouped into continuous 3 and 4 day periods between 2000 and 2008 and encompasses magnetic local times (MLTs) between 04:00 and 21:00. We obtain the most equatorward magnetic latitude coordinate, where a DMSP satellite …

Hd 207651: A Composite Spectrum Triple System, Francis C. Fekel

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

From numerous radial velocities obtained at KPNO and Fairborn Observatory, we have determined the orbital elements of the composite spectrum triple system HD 207651. This system consists of a broad-lined A8 V star and an unseen M dwarf companion in a 1.470739 days orbit. Variations of the center-of-mass velocity of this short-period system and velocity variations of a narrow-lined F7: V star have an orbital period of 724.1 days or 1.98 yr and an eccentricity of 0.39. The revised Hipparcos parallax, corresponding to a distance of 255 pc, appears to be too small to yield consistent properties. Instead, we adopt …

Narrow-Band Search Of Continuous Gravitational-Wave Signals From Crab And Vela Pulsars In Virgo Vsr4 Data, J. Aasi, Matthew Benacquista, Teviet Creighton, Louis Percy Dartez, Mario C. Diaz, Soumya D. Mohanty, Malik Rakhmanov, Joseph D. Romano, Soma Mukherjee, Volker Quetschke

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

In this paper we present the results of a coherent narrow-band search for continuous gravitational-wave signals from the Crab and Vela pulsars conducted on Virgo VSR4 data. In order to take into account a possible small mismatch between the gravitational-wave frequency and two times the star rotation frequency, inferred from measurement of the electromagnetic pulse rate, a range of 0.02 Hz around two times the star rotational frequency has been searched for both the pulsars. No evidence for a signal has been found and 95% confidence level upper limits have been computed assuming both that polarization parameters are completely unknown …

Veritas Observations Of The Bl Lac Object Pg 1553+113, P. T. Reynolds, Et. Al.

Physical Sciences Publications

We present results from VERITAS observations of the BL Lac object PG 1553+113 spanning the years 2010, 2011, and 2012. The time-averaged spectrum, measured between 160 and 560 GeV, is well described by a power law with a spectral index of 4.33 ± 0.09. The time-averaged integral flux above 200 GeV measured for this period was (1.69 ± 0.06) × 10^–11 photons cm^–2 s^–1, corresponding to 6.9% of the Crab Nebula flux. We also present the combined γ-ray spectrum from the Fermi Large Area Telescope and VERITAS covering an energy range from 100 MeV to 560 …

The Mass Profile And Shape Of Bars In The Spitzer Survey Of Stellar Structure In Galaxies (S⁴G): Search For An Age Indicator For Bars, Taehyun Kim, Trisha Mizusawa

Aerospace, Physics, and Space Science Faculty Publications

We have measured the radial light profiles and global shapes of bars using two-dimensional 3.6μm image decompositions for 144 face-on barred galaxies from the Spitzer Survey of Stellar Structure in Galaxies. The bar surface brightness profile is correlated with the stellar mass and bulge-to-total (B/T) ratio of their host galaxies. Bars in massive and bulge-dominated galaxies (B/T > 0.2) show a flat profile, while bars in less massive, disk-dominated galaxies (B/T ∼ 0) show an exponential, disk-like profile with a wider spread in the radial profile than in the bulge-dominated galaxies. The global two-dimensional shapes of bars, however, are rectangular/boxy, independent …

New Precision Orbits Of Bright Double-Lined Spectroscopic Binaries. Ix. Hd 54371, Hr 2692, And 16 Ursa Majoris, Francis C. Fekel, Michael H. Williamson, Matthew W. Muterspaugh, Dimitri Pourbaix, Daryl W. Willmarth, Jocelyn Tomkin

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

With extensive sets of new radial velocities we have determined orbital elements for three previously known spectroscopic binaries, HD 54371, HR 2692, and 16 UMa. All three systems have had the lines of their secondaries detected for the first time. The orbital periods range from 16.24 to 113.23 days, and the three binaries have modestly or moderately eccentric orbits. The secondary to primary mass ratios range from 0.50 to 0.64. The orbital dimensions (a1 sin i and a2 sin i) and minimum masses (m1 sin3 i and m2 sin3 i) of the binary components all have accuracies of $\leqslant $1%. …

Λλ Correlation Function In Au+Au Collisions At √SNn=200  Gev, J. Kevin Adkins, Renee Fatemi, Suvarna Ramachandran, L. Adamczyk, G. Agakishiev, M. M. Aggarwal, Z. Ahammed, I. Alekseev, J. Alford, C. D. Anson, A. Aparin, D. Arkhipkin, E. C. Aschenauer

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present ΛΛ correlation measurements in heavy-ion collisions for Au+Au collisions at √^S_NN=200  GeV using the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider. The Lednický-Lyuboshitz analytical model has been used to fit the data to obtain a source size, a scattering length and an effective range. Implications of the measurement of the ΛΛ correlation function and interaction parameters for dihyperon searches are discussed.

The Broad-Lined Type Ic Sn 2012ap And The Nature Of Relativistic Supernovae Lacking A Gamma-Ray Burst Detection, D. Milisavljevic, R. Margutti, J. T. Parrent, A. M. Soderberg, R. A. Fesen

Dartmouth Scholarship

We present ultraviolet, optical, and near-infrared observations of SN 2012ap, a broad-lined Type Ic supernova in the galaxy NGC 1729 that produced a relativistic and rapidly decelerating outflow without a gamma-ray burst signature. Photometry and spectroscopy follow the flux evolution from –13 to +272 days past the B-band maximum of –17.4 ± 0.5 mag. The spectra are dominated by Fe II, O I, and Ca II absorption lines at ejecta velocities of v ≈ 20,000 km s^–1 that change slowly over time. Other spectral absorption lines are consistent with contributions from photospheric He I, and hydrogen may also …

Short-Range Gravity And Lorentz Violation, Quentin G. Bailey, V. Alan Kostelecký, Rui Xu

Publications

Comparatively few searches have been performed for violations of local Lorentz invariance in the pure-gravity sector. We show that tests of short-range gravity are sensitive to a broad class of unconstrained and novel signals that depend on the experimental geometry and on sidereal time.

An Embedded Active Nucleus In The Oh Megamaser Galaxy Iras16399−0937, Dinalva A. Sales, A. Robinson, D. J. Axon, J. Gallimore, P. Kharb, R. L. Curran, C. O'Dea, S. Baum, Moshe Elitzur, R. Mittal

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present a multiwavelength study of the OH megamaser galaxy IRAS16399–0937, based on new Hubble Space Telescope (HST)/Advanced Camera for Surveys F814W and Hα+[N II] images and archive data from HST, Two Micron All Sky Survey, Spitzer, Herschel and the Very Large Array. This system has a double nucleus, whose northern (IRAS16399N) and southern (IRAS16399S) components have a projected separation of ~6'' (3.4 kpc) and have previously been identified based on optical spectra as a low ionization nuclear emission line region (LINER) and starburst nucleus, respectively. The nuclei are embedded in a tidally distorted common envelope, …

Implications Of Coronal Line Emission In Ngc 4696*, Marios Chatzikos, R.J.R. Williams, Gary J. Ferland, R. E. A. Canning, A. C. Fabian, J. S. Sanders, P. A. M. Van Hoof, R. M. Johnstone, Matt L. Lykins, R. L. Porter

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We announce a new facility in the spectral code cloudy that enables tracking the evolution of a cooling parcel of gas with time. For gas cooling from temperatures relevant to galaxy clusters, earlier calculations estimated the [Fe xiv] λ5303/[Fe x] λ6375 luminosity ratio, a critical diagnostic of a cooling plasma, to slightly less than unity. By contrast, our calculations predict a ratio of ∼3. We revisit recent optical coronal line observations along the X-ray cool arc around NGC 4696 by Canning et al., which detected [Fe x] λ6375, but not [Fe xiv] λ5303. We show that these observations are not …

On The Detection Of Exoplanets Via Radial Velocity Doppler Spectroscopy, Joseph P. Glaser

The Downtown Review: An Interdisciplinary Journal Written and Peer-Reviewed by Mandel Honors College Students at Cleveland State University

Since the discovery of the first exoplanet occurred in the late 1980s, physicists and astronomers have confirmed the existence of over 1783 planets orbiting other stars. Over the years, several methods have been developed for detecting these celestial systems, but none has thus far been more successful than the use of Radial Velocity Doppler Spectroscopy. As such, this paper attempts to break down the barriers placed before new entries into the field by detailing the theoretical premise and experimental process of this most successful technique. The content enclosed is geared for the senior undergraduate student with some knowledge of vector-based …

Asteroid (354) Eleonora: Plucking An Odd Duck, Michael J. Gaffey, Vishnu Reddy, Sherry Fieber-Beyer, Edward Cloutis

Space Studies Faculty Publications

During a survey of the S-type asteroids, Gaffey et al. (Gaffey, M.J., Bell, J.F., Brown, R.H., Burbine, T.H., Piatek, J., Reed, K.L., Chaky, D.A. [1993]. Icarus 106, 573–602) identified Asteroid (354) Eleonora as anomalous with a 1 μm absorption feature ∼2.5 times stronger than any S-asteroid of comparable size. Subsequent investigation revealed significant differences in the 1 μm absorption feature between the visible & very near-infrared CCD spectra (λ < ∼1.0 μm) and other spectral data sets for this asteroid. There were also significant spectral differences among the several CCD survey spectra (SMASS-I, SMASS-II & S3OS2) of Eleonora. These differences could potentially arise from spectral variations across the asteroid surface, from observational phase angle differences, from surface temperature differences, from viewing geometry for a nonspherical body, or from the use of standard stars with deviated to different degrees from a true solar standard.

In June 2011 Asteroid (354) Eleonora was observed over two nights using the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) at Mauna Kea Observatory in order to test these possible scenarios and …

Confinement-Deconfinement Transition As An Indication Of Spin-Liquid-Type Behavior In Na2Iro3, Zhanybek Alpichshev, Fahad Mahmood, Gang Cao, Nuh Gedik

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We use ultrafast optical spectroscopy to observe binding of charged single-particle excitations (SE) in the magnetically frustrated Mott insulator Na₂IrO₃. Above the antiferromagnetic ordering temperature (T_N) the system response is due to both Hubbard excitons (HE) and their constituent unpaired SE. The SE response becomes strongly suppressed immediately below T_N. We argue that this increase in binding energy is due to a unique interplay between the frustrated Kitaev and the weak Heisenberg-type ordering term in the Hamiltonian, mediating an effective interaction between the spin-singlet SE. This interaction grows with distance causing …

Searching For Stochastic Gravitational Waves Using Data From The Two Colocated Ligo Hanford Detectors, J. Aasi, J. Abadie, B. P. Abbott, R. Abbott, Teviet Creighton, Mario C. Diaz, Soma Mukherjee, Volker Quetschke, Malik Rakhmanov, Joseph D. Romano

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Searches for a stochastic gravitational-wave background (SGWB) using terrestrial detectors typically involve cross-correlating data from pairs of detectors. The sensitivity of such cross-correlation analyses depends, among other things, on the separation between the two detectors: the smaller the separation, the better the sensitivity. Hence, a colocated detector pair is more sensitive to a gravitational-wave background than a noncolocated detector pair. However, colocated detectors are also expected to suffer from correlated noise from instrumental and environmental effects that could contaminate the measurement of the background. Hence, methods to identify and mitigate the effects of correlated noise are necessary to achieve the …

Absolute Properties Of The Eclipsing Binary Star Im Persei, Claud H. Sandberg Lacy, Guillermo Torres, Francis C. Fekel, Matthew W. Muterspaugh, John Southworth

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

IM Per is a detached A7 eccentric eclipsing binary star. We have obtained extensive measurements of the light curve (28,225 differential magnitude observations) and radial velocity curve (81 spectroscopic observations) which allow us to fit orbits and determine the absolute properties of the components very accurately: masses of 1.7831 ± 0.0094 and 1.7741 ± 0.0097 solar masses, and radii of 2.409 ± 0.018 and 2.366 ± 0.017 solar radii. The orbital period is 2.25422694(15) days and the eccentricity is 0.0473(26). A faint third component was detected in the analysis of the light curves, and also directly observed in the spectra. …

New Multiwavelength Observations Of The Of?P Star Cpd -28◦ 2561., S. Hubrig, M. Schöller, A. Kholtygin, H. Tsumura, A. Hoshino, S. Kitamoto, L. Oskinova, Richard Ignace, H. Todt, I. Ilyin

ETSU Faculty Works

A rather strong mean longitudinal magnetic field of the order of a few hundred gauss was detected a few years ago in the Of?p star CPD −28° 2561 using FORS2 (FOcal Reducer low dispersion Spectrograph 2) low-resolution spectropolarimetric observations. In this work, we present additional low-resolution spectropolarimetric observations obtained during several weeks in 2013 December using FORS 2 mounted at the 8-m Antu telescope of the Very Large Telescope (VLT). These observations cover a little less than half of the stellar rotation period of 73.41 d mentioned in the literature. The behaviour of the mean longitudinal magnetic field is consistent …