Engineering topics

Smith, R. Chris

Publications and source records attributed to Smith, R. Chris.

6 records

DOE OSTI2020

Discovery of a Candidate Binary Supermassive Black Hole in a Periodic Quasar from Circumbinary Accretion Variability

Binary supermassive black holes (BSBHs) are expected to be a generic byproduct from hierarchical galaxy formation. The final coalescence of BSBHs is thought to be the loudest gravitational wave (GW) siren, yet no confirmed BSBH is known in the GW-dominated regime. While periodic quasars have been proposed as BSBH candidates, the physical origin of the periodicity has been largely uncertain. Here we report discovery of a periodicity (P=1607±7 days) at 99.95% significance (with a global p-value of ~10 –3 accounting for the look elsewhere effect) in the optical light curves of a redshift 1.53 quasar, SDSS J025214.67–002813.7. Combining archival Sloan Digital Sky Survey data with new, sensitive imaging from the Dark Energy Survey, the total ~20-yr time baseline spans ~4.6 cycles of the observed 4.4-yr (restframe 1.7-yr) periodicity. The light curves are best fit by a bursty model predicted by hydrodynamic simulations of circumbinary accretion disks. The periodicity is likely caused by accretion rate modulation by a milli-parsec BSBH emitting GWs, dynamically coupled to the circumbinary accretion disk. A bursty hydrodynamic variability model is statistically preferred over a smooth, sinusoidal model expected from relativistic Doppler boost, a kinematic effect proposed for PG1302–102. Furthermore, the frequency dependence of the variability amplitudes disfavors Doppler boost, lending independent support to the circumbinary accretion variability hypothesis. Given our detection rate of one BSBH candidate from circumbinary accretion variability out of 625 quasars, it suggests that future large, sensitive synoptic surveys such as the Vera C. Rubin Observatory Legacy Survey of Space and Time may be able to detect hundreds to thousands of candidate BSBHs from circumbinary accretion with direct implications for Laser Interferometer Space Antenna.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

NASA NTRS1995

The Honeycomb supernova remnant

At 2.5 min southeast of SN 1987A, the Honeycomb Nebula Supernova remnant (SNR) is named after its interesting morphology, which consists of over ten loops with sizes of 2-3 pc. High-dispersion spectra of these loops show hemispheres expanding toward the observer at 100-300 km/s. Using archival data X-ray data and a combination of new and archival radio data, we find bright X-ray and nonthermal radio emisssion associated with the Honeycomb Nebula. New CCD images further show enhanced (S II) H-alpha ratios. These results confirm a model in which the Honeycomb Nebula is due to a supernova shock front, traveling toward the observer, encountering an intervening sheet of dense, but porous, interstellar gas. The bulk of the supernova remnant resides in a low-density cavity, and is not otherwise visible. The situation is similar to the hidden supernova remnants postulated for the X-ray bright superbubbles. The Honeycomb Nebula has an unusually steep radio spectral index (S(sub nu) is proportional to nu(exp -1.2)), normally associated with young SNRs.

Chu, You-Hua↗

NASA NTRS1994

Two new supernova remnants in OB associations in the Large Magellanic Cloud

We discovered two extended x-ray sources in a Roentgen Satellite (ROSAT) Positron Sensitive Proportional Counter (PSPC) observation pointed at the H II region N9 in the Large Magellanic Cloud. These two sources are in the H II regions N4D and N9. The x-ray characteristics suggest that both might be supernova remnants (SNRs). Follow-up charge coupled device (CCD) images taken with interference filters show high (S II)/H-alpha ratios in the optical nebulae of these x-ray sources, confirming the presence of high velocity shocks commonly seen in SNRs. These two sources are also detected in the radio continuum at 8.55 and 4.75 GHz; both appear nonthermal compared to nearby H II regions. The confirmation of these two SNRs demonstrates that many SNRs in or near H II regions have been overlooked in previous surveys, and that the ROSAT x-ray survey combined with an optical CCD imaging survey of the Magellanic Clouds would provide the most effective way to uncover SNRs.

Smith, R. Chris↗

NASA NTRS1994

Discovery of Be/x-ray stars in two supernova remnants in the Small Magellanic Cloud

We present ROSAT high resolution x-ray images of two previously cataloged supernova remnants in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC): 0101-72.4 and 0104-72.3. These remnants were known to show optical, x-ray, and radio emission based on earlier observations: the present data show the first evidence for arcsecond-scale x-ray structure. There is no diffuse x-ray emission associated with the optically emitting shell in 0101-72.4; we set a 3 sigma upper limit of 7 x 10(exp 34) erg s(exp -1) on the 0.02-2 keV luminosity from the region. The x-ray emission comes instead from a weak pointlike object near the limb of the remnant. Optical observations of this source reveal a m(sub v) = 14.8 blue star with H alpha and H beta in emission; we identify this as a Be star in the SMC. No evidence for variability down to time scales of about 1 s was found in the ROSAT data; however, a comparison of the ROSAT and Einstein fluxes indicates possible long term variability by a factor of approximately 2 over several years. The other SNR, 0104-72.3, also contains a pointlike x-ray source with a blue optical counterpart (m(sub v) = 16.7) and H alpha emission. We tentatively identify this as a Be star as well. In addition to the point source there is weak diffuse x-ray emission from 0104-72.3 (L(sub x) approximately 1.4 x 10(exp 35) erg s(exp -1)), but the remnant's appearance in the x-ray band is considerably different from that in either the radio or optical band. We argue for a physical association between the supernova remnants (SNRs) and Be/x-ray stars. A large space velocity (greater than or approximately 100 km s(exp -1)) for the Be/x-ray binaries is required if the explosions that produced the remnants also formed the neutron stars in the binaries. Alternatively, the associations could be the result of common membership in OB associations in the SMC.

Hughes, John P.↗

NASA NTRS1994

High-resolution spectroscopy of Balmer-dominated shocks in the Large Magellanic Cloud

We present high-resolution spectra of the four Balmar-dominated supernova remnants (SNRs) in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). These data allow us to measure the width of the narrow component of H alpha emission in the nonradiative filaments present in these SNRs. We find that the widths range from 30 to 50 km/s FWHM, similar to the only previously measured width of a nonradiative shock filament, that of about 30 km/s in the NE Cygnus Loop. The line widths do not appear to scale with shock velocity. These observations severely limit the possible broadening mechanisms. We discuss several possibilities, the most promising of which is a precursor associtated with cosmic rays. Assuming a cosmic-ray precursor, we are able to place constraints on the cosmic-ray diffusion coefficient. Observations such as these may provide the best method currently available to probe cosmic-ray acceleration in SNR shock waves.

Smith, R. Chris↗

NASA NTRS1991

Spectra of two very old supernovae - SN 1986J and SN 1980K

Spectra are presented for SN 1986J in NGC 891, observed 4 and 7 years after the explosion, and SN 1980K, observed 9 years after maximum light. A narrow-line and a broad-line component are noted in SN 1986J; these are respectively attributed to a circumstellar shell and the actual stellar interior (without hydrogen). SN 1980K continues to emit in very broad lines. Comparison with earlier observations suggests that this SN halted its exponential flux decline in the early 1980s, and is currently emitting at a constant rate. In both SNs studies, the identity of the energy source which sustains emission remains uncertain.

Leibundgut, Bruno↗