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175 records · Page 10

A new interstellar component in the spectrum of HD 72127A

New high dispersion observations are reported of the very strong, broad interstellar K line of Ca II in the spectrum of HD 72127A, a star located near a filament of the Vela supernova remnant. When compared with similar observations made in 1977, the new data reveal temporal variability of the interstellar absorption, as shown both by the presence of a new, sixth line component and by a 25% increase in the total equivalent width of the K line. All five Ca II components which were seen in both years show very large column-density ratios N(Ca II) /N(Na I) at least equal to 9, probably arising from anomalously large interstellar gas-phase abundances of Ca caused by disruption of interstellar grains. Marked differences in the structure of the K line between the two early-type components of this binary star, which are separated by only 3000 AU, are confirmed.

Hobbs, L. M.↗

A Comparison of Ultraviolet, Optical, and X-Ray Imagery of Selected Fields in the Cygnus Loop

During the Astro-1 and Astro-2 Space Shuttle missions in 1090 and 199.5, far ultraviolet (FUV) images of five 40' diameter fields around the rim of the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant were observed with the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UIT). These fields sampled a broad range of conditions including both radiative and nonradiative shocks in various geometries and physical scales. In these shocks, the UIT B5 band samples predominantly C IV Lambda-1550 and the hydrogen two-photon recombination continuum. Smaller contributions are made by emission lines of He II Lambda-1640 and O III] Lambda-1665. We present these new FUV images and compare them with optical H-alpha and [O III], and ROSAT HRI X-ray images. Comparing the UIT images with those from the other bands provides new insights into the spatial variations and locations of these different types of emission. By comparing against shock model calculations and published FUV spectroscopy at select locations, we surmise that resonance scattering in the strong FUV permitted lines is widespread in the Cygnus Loop. especially in the bright optical filaments typically selected for observation in most previous studies.

Danforth, Charles W.↗

Supernova 1972 e in NGC 5253

New absolute energy distributions of the Type 1 supernova 1972e in NGC 5253 extending to about 700 days after maximum light were obtained. A physical model of the expanding envelope, based on the identification of the feature at 6550 A with H-alpha, is proposed. It is described as a differentially expanding atmosphere, with electron density ranging from 10 to the 10th power near maximum light to about 10 to the 7th power, 340 days later, illuminated by a photosphere with temperature in the range 10,000 K to 7,000 K. More than 200 days after maximum, the spectrum was dominated by four features between 4200 A and 5500 A. Three of these four features matched the blended emissions from over 100 lines of Fe II. Possible identifications of the fourth feature with Mg I lambda 4571 or permitted lines of Fe II are also discussed.

Kirshner, R. P.↗

Analysis of Broad-Lined Type Ic Supernovae From the (Intermediate) Palomar Transient Factory

We study 34 Type Ic supernovae that have broad spectral features (SNe Ic-BL). This is the only SN type found in association with long duration gamma-ray bursts (GRBs).We obtained our photometric data with the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) and its continuation, the intermediate PTF (iPTF). This is the first large, homogeneous sample of SNe Ic-BL from an untargeted survey. Furthermore, given the high observational cadence of iPTF, most of these SNe Ic-BL were discovered soon after explosion. We present K-corrected Bgriz light curves of these SNe, obtained through photometry on template-subtracted images. We analyzed the shape of the r-band light curves, finding a correlation between the decline parameter delta m15 and the rise parameter delta m-10. We studied the SN colors and, based on g - r, we estimated the host-galaxy extinction for each event. Peak r-band absolute magnitudes have an average of -18:6 +- 0:5 mag. We fit each r-band light curve with that of SN 1998bw (scaled and stretched) to derive the explosion epochs. We computed the bolometric light curves using bolometric corrections, r-band data, and g - r colors. Expansion velocities from Fe ii were obtained by fitting spectral templates of SNe Ic. Bolometric light curves and velocities at peak were fitted using the semianalytic Arnett model to estimate ejecta mass Mej, explosion energy EK and 56Ni mass M(56Ni) for each SN. We find average values of Mej = 4 +- 3 M sun, EK = (7 +- 6) x 1051 erg, and M(56Ni) = 0:31 +- 0:16 M . The parameter distributions were compared to those presented in the literature and are overall in agreement with them. We also estimated the degree of 56Ni mixing using scaling relations derived from hydrodynamical models and we find that all the SNe are strongly mixed. The derived explosion parameters imply that at least 21% of the progenitors of SNe Ic-BL are compatible with massive (>28 M ), possibly single stars, whereas at least 64% might come from less massive stars in close binary systems.

Supernovae↗

The Host Galaxies of Fast-Ejecta Core-Collapse Supernovae

Spectra of broad-lined Type Ic supernovae (SN Ic-BL), the only kind of SN observed at the locations of long-duration gamma-ray bursts (LGRBs), exhibit wide features indicative of high ejecta velocities ((is) approximately 0.1c). We study the host galaxies of a sample of 245 low-redshift (z (is) less than 0.2) core-collapse SN, including 17 SN Ic-BL, discovered by galaxy-untargeted searches, and 15 optically luminous and dust-obscured z (is) less than 1.2 LGRBs. We show that, in comparison with SDSS galaxies having similar stellar masses, the hosts of low-redshift SN Ic- BL and z (is) is less than 1.2 LGRBs have high stellar-mass and star-formation-rate densities. Core-collapse SN having typical ejecta velocities, in contrast, show no preference for such galaxies. Moreover, we find that the hosts of SN Ic-BL, unlike those of SN Ib/Ic and SN II, exhibit high gas velocity dispersions for their stellar masses. The patterns likely reflect variations among star-forming environments, and suggest that LGRBs can be used as probes of conditions in high-redshift galaxies. They may be caused by efficient formation of massive binary progenitors systems in densely star-forming regions, or, less probably, a higher fraction of stars created with the initial masses required for a SN Ic-BL or LGRB. Finally, we show that the preference of SN Ic-BL and LGRBs for galaxies with high stellar-mass and star-formation-rate densities cannot be attributed to a preference for low metal abundances but must reflect the influence of a separate environmental factor.

collapse↗

Properties of the highly ionized disk and halo gas toward two distant high-latitude stars

Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph (GHRS) intermediate -resolution observations of S III, Si III, Al III, Si IV, C IV, and N V absorption along the sight lines to HD 18100 (l = 217.9 deg, b = -62.7, d = 3.1 kpc, z = -2.8 kpc) and HD 100340 (l = 258.9 deg, b = +61.2 deg, d = 5.3 kpc, z = 4.6 kpc) are presented. These small science aperture spectra have resolutions ranging from 11 to 20 km/s full width at half maximum (FWHM) and S/N from 30 to 65 per diode substep. Strong absorption by moderately and highly ionized gas is seen in each direction. The absorption in the direction of the south Galactic polar region (HD 18100) is kinematically simple, while the absorption in the direction of north Galactic polar region (HD 100304) is kinematically complex. In each case the absorption by the highly ionized gas lies within the velocity range of absorption by neutral and weakly ionized gas. Along each sight line, the velocity dispersion determined from the unsaturated absorption lines increases with the energy required to create each ion. The logarithmic column densities for Al III, Si IV, C IV, and N V are log N(atoms/sq cm = 12.71, 13.10, 13.58, and 12.75 toward HD 18100 and log N = 12.88, 13.31, 13.83, and 13.04 toward HD 100340. Average ionic ratios among these species are very similar along the two sight lines. Differences in profile shape between the absorption for AL II, Si IV, C IV, and N V provide additional support for the claim of Savage, Sembach, & Cardelli (1994) that there exists two types of highly ionized gas in the interstellar medium. One type of highly ionized gas is responsible for the structured Si IV absorption and part of the C IV absorption. In this gas N(C IV)/N(Si IV) approximately 3.0 and N(C IV)/N(N V) greater than 6. The absorption by this gas seems to be associated with some type of self-regulating interface or mixing layer between the warm and hot interstellar medium. The other type of highly ionized gas is responsible for most of the N V absorption, part of the C IV absorption, and has very little associated Si IV absorption. In this gas N(C IV)/N(N V) is approximately 1 to 3. This gas is hot (T greater than 2 x 10(exp 5) K) and may be tracing the cooling gas of supernova (SN) bubbles or a Galactic fountain. The relative mixture of these two types of highly ionized gas varies from one sight line to the next. The two sight lines in this study sample halo gas in the solar neighborhood and have a smaller percentage of the more highly ionized gas than inner Galaxy sight lines.

Savage, Blair D.↗

Formation and Evolution of Binary Systems Containing Collapsed Stars

This research includes theoretical studies of the formation and evolution of five types of interacting binary systems. Our main focus has been on developing a number of comprehensive population synthesis codes to study the following types of binary systems: (i) cataclysmic variables (#3, #8, #12, #15), (ii) low- and intermediate-mass X-ray binaries (#13, #20, #21), (iii) high-mass X-ray binaries (#14, #17, #22), (iv) recycled binary millisecond pulsars in globular clusters (#5, #10, #ll), and (v) planetary nebulae which form in interacting binaries (#6, #9). The numbers in parentheses refer to papers published or in preparation that are listed in this paper. These codes take a new unified approach to population synthesis studies. The first step involves a Monte Carlo selection of the primordial binaries, including the constituent masses, and orbital separations and eccentricities. Next, a variety of analytic methods are used to evolve the primary star to the point where either a dynamical episode of mass transfer to the secondary occurs (the common envelope phase), or the system evolves down an alternate path. If the residual core of the primary is greater than 2.5 solar mass, it will evolve to Fe core collapse and the production of a neutron star and a supernova explosion. In the case of systems involving neutron stars, a kick velocity is chosen randomly from an appropriate distribution and added to the orbital dynamics which determine the state of the binary system after the supernova explosion. In the third step, all binaries which commence stable mass transfer from the donor star (the original secondary in the binary system) to the compact object, are followed with a detailed binary evolution code. Finally, we include all the relevant dynamics of the binary system. For example, in the case of LMXBs, the binary system, with its recoil velocity from the supernova explosion, is followed in time through its path in the Galactic potential. For our globular cluster study, detailed three-body calculations are used to follow the interactions of the binary with passing field stars.

Rappaport, Saul↗

The Balmer-dominated northeast limb of the Cygnus loop supernova remnant

We present a comprehensive investigation of the Balmar-dominated northeast limb of the Cygnus Loop supernova remnant. Data presented include H alpha (O III), and X-ray images, UV and visible spectrophotometry, and high-resolution spectroscophy. The two relatively bright Balmer-dominated filaments visible on the POSS prints are seen to be part of a very smooth and regular complex of filaments. These filaments mark the current location of the blast wave and are seen to bound the sharply limb-brightened X-ray emission, including the previously reported X-ray, 'halo.' The (O III)/h beta ratio throughout the region is approximately 0.1, except for regions in which the shock is undergoing a transition from nonradiative to incomplete radiative to incomplete radiative conditions. At these locations (O III) emission from the cooling region is quite strong, while collisionally excited Balmer-line emission can be weak because of photoionization of the preshock medium by UV from the nascent cooling region. As a result (O III)/H beta is greater than 100 in some locations. The nonradiative/radiative transition is best studied along the length of the northwestern of the two brightest filaments, where the shock velocity and swept-up column go from approximately 180 km/s and 10(exp 17)/sq cm at one end to approximately 140 km/s and 8 x 10(exp 17)/cm at the other. There are also a number of locations of such incomplete radiative emission where the shock has recently encountered denser regions with characteristic sizes of approximately 10(exp 18) cm. There is a considerable amount of evidence that the shock has decelerated from approximately 400 km/s to less than 200 km/s in the last 1000 yr. We interpret this as the result of the blast wave hitting the wall of a cavity which surround the supernova precursor and succeed in matching a wide range of data with a reflected shock model in which the density ofthe cavity wall is approximately 1.2/cu cm and the density in the interior of the cavity is about 0.09/cu cm. This analysis supports previous suggestions that the Cygnus Loop was a cavity explosion. We opredict that the X-ray shell will continue to brighten for the next 1000 years or so, during which time the shock front will become radiative throughout the northeast region. The similarity of the time scales for post-shock cooling, shock deceleration, and the 1ressure evolution of the region violates assumptions of steady flow, and greatly complicated interpretation of shock specptra in the region. This may be a common and important effect in many supernova remnants. High-resolutoin spectroscopy of the H alpha line profile shows that the broad component is surprisingly narrow (approximately 130 km/s). Consistency between this line width and the shock velocity inferred from spectrophotometry requires either rapid postshock equilibration of T(sub i) and T(sub e), or that the shock front has declerated from 180 km/s to 150 km/s in the last approximately 200 yr. While we cannot unambiguously distinquish between these models, the required deceleration is consistent with extrapolation of the shock decleration rate inferred over the last 1000 years. The width of the narrow component of the h alpha line profile is approximately 3 km/s, which indicates that the preshock medium has been heated to approximately 25,000 K by a shock precursor. The most promising types of precursor are heating either by fast neutrals which overtake the shock or by cosmic rays. In the latter case the observed properties of the precursor constrain the cosmic-ray diffusion coefficient to be between about 10(exp 23) sq cm/s. The characteristics of the precursor seem to be about right to explain the presence of weak (S II) and (N II) emission previously reported by Fesen & Itoh (1985).

Hester, J. Jeff↗

HST observations of the ring around SN 1987A

Hubble Space Telescope observations of SN 1987A show that the circumstellar material near the supernova forms a clumpy elliptical ring. We analyze six epochs of images made with the Faint Object Camera (FOC) imaging the lines of (O III) and H beta over the interval 1990 August-1993 October, and three epochs of observations with the Planetary Camera in the continuum and (N II) line over the interval 1992 April-1993 May. The elliptical ring in the (O III) images has a semimajor axis of 858 +/- 11 milliarcsec and a semiminor axis of 621 +/- 11 milliarsce (6.4 x 10(exp 17) and 4.6 x 10(exp 17) +/- 8.1 x 10(exp 15) cm, respectively, for a distance of 50 kpc), which implies an inclination angle of 44 +/- 1, if the ring is a circle inclined to our line of sight. The apparent width of the ring in (O III) is 121 +/- 22 milliarcsec (9.0 x 10(exp 16) +/- 1.6 x 10(exp 16) cm) based on our deconvolved image, which represents an upper limit to the width of the of the ring. The position angle of the major axis on the sky is 89 deg +/- 3 deg. One of the 'clumps' on the ring is a superposed star, whose energy distribution is consistent with an A-type dwarf (V = 20.2 mag) in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) The radial profile of the ring is not symmetric, with the inner boundary sharper than the outer. Based on the radial profiles and the flux interior to the ring, we conclude that the ring is indeed a tilted ring, and not a spheroidal shell. While the observed width of the ring is approximately 10(exp 17) cm, we find that the average path length through the emitting gas is approximately 4 x 10(exp 15) cm, so the filling factor is small. The ring has faded by a factor of approximately equals 3.7 in (O III) from 1990 August to 1993 October. The characteristic electron density from the (O III) lambda 5007 emission line averages 1.2 x 10exp 4)/cu cm, based on recombination models of the emission. Because the fading rate is uncorrelated with the surface brightness, the density appears to be independent of the brightness, which implies significant path length differences through the ring. By assuming the current structure observed in optical lines applies to the early structure in ultraviolet lines, we construct light curve models to compare with early IUE observations. The clumpy structure of the ring has relatively little effect on the light curves. The (O III) images show faint arclike nebulosity probably associated with the bipolar nebula around SN 1987A and projected inside the ring, which may have affected previous observations of the ring. Finally, we find that the fading rate provides evidence, though weak, favoring an expanding ring over a contracting one.

Plait, Philip C.↗

The Slow Demise of the Long-Lived Sn 2005ip

The Type IIn supernova (SN IIn) 2005ip is one of the most well-studied and long-lasting examples of an SN interacting with its circumstellar environment. The optical light curve plateaued at a nearly constant level for more than five years, suggesting ongoing shock interaction with an extended and clumpy circumstellar medium (CSM). Here, we present continued observations of the SN from ∼1000 to 5000 d post-explosion at all wavelengths, including X-ray, ultraviolet, near-infrared (NIR), and mid-infrared. The UV spectra probe the pre-explosion mass loss and show evidence for CNO processing. From the bolometric light curve, we find that the total radiated energy is in excess of 10 50 erg, the progenitor star’s pre-explosion mass-loss rate was >~ 1 × 10 −2 Mꙩ yr −1 , and the total mass lost shortly before explosion was >~1Mꙩ, though the mass lost could have been considerably larger depending on the efficiency for the conversion of kinetic energy to radiation. The ultraviolet through NIR spectrum is characterized by two high-density components, one with narrow high-ionization lines, and one with broader low-ionization H I, He I, [OI], Mg II, and Fe II lines. The rich Fe II spectrum is strongly affected by Lyα fluorescence, consistent with spectral modelling. Both the Balmer and He I lines indicate a decreasing CSM density during the late interaction period. We find similarities to SN 1988Z, which shows a comparable change in spectrum at around the same time during its very slow decline. These results suggest that, at long last, the shock interaction in SN 2005ip may finally be on the decline.

stars↗

Photometric and Spectroscopic Properties of Type Ia Supernova 2018oh with Early Excess Emission from the Kepler 2 Observations

Supernova (SN) 2018oh (ASASSN-18bt) is the first spectroscopically confirmed Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) observed in the Kepler field. The Kepler data revealed an excess emission in its early light curve, allowing us to place interesting constraints on its progenitor system. Here we present extensive optical, ultraviolet, and nearinfrared photometry, as well as dense sampling of optical spectra, for this object. SN 2018oh is relatively normal in its photometric evolution, with a rise time of 18.3±0.3 days and Δ(m15)(B)=0.96±0.03 mag, but it seems to have bluer B−V colors. We construct the “UVOIR” bolometric light curve having a peak luminosity of 1.49×10(Exp 43) erg/s, from which we derive a nickel mass as 0.55±0.04M(ʘ) by fitting radiation diffusion models powered by centrally located 56Ni. Note that the moment when nickel-powered luminosity starts to emerge is +3.85 days after the first light in the Kepler data, suggesting other origins of the early-time emission, e.g., mixing of 56Ni to outer layers of the ejecta or interaction between the ejecta and nearby circumstellar material or a nondegenerate companion star. The spectral evolution of SN 2018oh is similar to that of a normal SN Ia but is characterized by prominent and persistent carbon absorption features. The CII features can be detected from the early phases to about 3 weeks after the maximum light, representing the latest detection of carbon ever recorded in an SN Ia. This indicates that a considerable amount of unburned carbon exists in the ejecta of SN 2018oh and may mix into deeper layers.

Thomas Barclay↗

Near-infrared continuum and 3.3 micrometer(s) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon imaging of the starburst ring in the type 1 Seyfert galaxy NGC 7469

High resolution near-infrared images of the type 1 Seyfert galaxy NGC 7469 have been obtained to probe its dusty nuclear environment. Direct J, H, and K images are relatively featureless, but residual images created by subtracting a smooth model based on best-fitting elliptical isophotes reveal a tight inner spiral whose high surface-brightness portions correspond to a previously detected 3 sec (1 kpc) diameter ring of radio continuum emission. The inner infrared spiral arms extended approximately equal to 4 sec NW and SE from the nucleus, and the NW arm joins up with large-scale spiral structure visible in the R band. The residual images also show a bar-like structure aligned with the brightest infrared/radio hotspots at PA approximately equal to 50 deg. Three infrared hotspots are detected which align remarkably well with 6 cm radio continuum sources. The near-infrared ring and the hotspots are visible in the residual images, and in a high-resolution direct K-band image restored to an effective resolution of 0.65 sec (FWHM) using the Richardson-Lucy algorithm. The infrared hotspots have luminosities of nuL(sub nu) (2.2 micrometer(s)) approximately equal to 10(exp 8) solar luminosity (M(sub k) approximately equal to -16 mag), suggesting they are either giant H II regions or individual supernovae. The two brightest regions may be associated with enhanced star formation triggered by orbit crowding of gas where spiral arms emerge from an inner bar. Narrowband (delta lambda/lambda approximately 1.5%) imaging in the 3.28 micrometer(s) dust emission feature and surrounding continuum confirms the 3 sec diameter 3.28 micrometer(s) emission region detected previously using multiaperture photometry. The extended polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) emission is slightly elongated and aligned with published 1O III1 line emission and 12.5 micrometer(s) continuum emission, apparently tracing the starburst. The presence of approximately equal to 25% of the total 3.28 micrometer(s) PAH emission within R less than 1 sec demonstrates that a starburst within the central few hundred parsecs must supply a significant fraction of the infrared continuum from the nucleus, and there is apparently sufficient shielding material between the starburst and the active galactic nucleus (AGN) to preserve the PAHs along our line of sight to the nucleus.

Mazzarella, J. M.↗

Spectroscopy of the first resolved strongly lensed Type Ia supernova iPTF16geu

We report the results from spectroscopic observations of the multiple images of the strongly lensed Type Ia supernova (SN Ia), iPTF16geu, obtained with ground-based telescopes and the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). From a single epoch of slitless spectroscopy with HST, we resolve spectra of individual lensed supernova images for the first time. This allows us to perform an independent measurement of the time-delay between the two brightest images, Δt = 1.4 ± 5.0 d, which is consistent with the time-delay measured from the light curves. We also present measurements of narrow emission and absorption lines characterizing the interstellar medium in the SN Ia host galaxy at z = 0.4087, as well as in the foreground lensing galaxy at z = 0.2163. We detect strong Na ID absorption in the host galaxy, indicating that iPTF16geu belongs to a subclass of SNe Ia displaying ‘anomalously’ large Na ID column densities compared to dust extinction derived from light curves. For the lens galaxy, we refine the measurement of the velocity dispersion, σ = 129 ± 4 km/s, which significantly constrains the lens model. We use ground-based spectroscopy, boosted by a factor ∼70 from lensing magnification, to study the properties of a high-z SN Ia with unprecedented signal-to-noise ratio. The spectral properties of the supernova, such as pseudo-Equivalent widths of several absorption features and velocities of the Si II-line, indicate that iPTF16geu is a normal SN Ia. We do not detect any significant deviations of the SN spectral energy distribution from microlensing of the SN photosphere by stars and compact objects in the lensing galaxy.

J Johansson↗