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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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NASA NTRS1987

Light echoes - Type II supernovae

Type II supernovae (SNs) light curves show a remarkable range of shapes. Data have been collected for the 12 Type II SNs that have light curve information for more than four months past maximum. Contrary to previous reports, it is found that (1) the decay rate after 100 days past maximum varies by almost an order of magnitude and (2) the light curve shapes are not bimodally distributed, but actually form a continuum. In addition, it is found that the extinctions to the SNs are related to the light curve shapes. This implies that the absorbing dust is local to the SNs. The dust is likely to be part of a circumstellar shell emitted by the SN progenitor that Dwek (1983) has used to explain infrared echoes. The optical depth of the shell can get quite large. In such cases, it is found that the photons scattered and delayed by reflection off dust grains will dominate the light curve several months after peak brightness. This 'light echo' offers a straightforward explanation of the diversity of Type II SN light curves.

Schaefer, Bradley E.↗
NASA NTRS1984

VV Puppis - The soft X-ray machine

The detection of soft and hard X rays from VV Pup is reported, and an orbital light curve is presented for both. The light curves are found to be in good agreement with the orbital light curve observed in the optical (Warner and Nather, 1972), suggesting that both X rays and optical light arise from the vicinity of a bright spot near one magnetic pole of the white dwarf. The radius of the soft X-ray-emitting bright spot is in the range 20-120 km, and its temperature is in the range (2-6) x 10 to the 5th K. The observed ratio of soft X-ray to hard X-ray fluxes is approximately 15, the highest of all the AM Her stars.

Patterson, J.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Echo mapping of active galactic nuclei broad-line regions: Fundamental algorithms

We formulate and test a series of algorithms for echo mapping the emission-line regions near active galactic nuclei from measurements of correlated variability in their line and continuum light curves. The linear regularization method (LRM) employs a direct inversion of evenly spaced light-curve data, with a regularization parameter that can be used to control the trade-off between noise and resolution. Matrix formulas express the formal solution as well as its variance and covariance in terms of uncertainties in the measurements. Unlike the maximum-entropy method (MEM), LRM applies to kernels with both positive and negative values, but the results are somewhat limited by ringing effects. A positivity constraint proves effective in controlling the ringing. MEM combines regularization and positivity in a natural way, but similar results are also found using positivity constraints with nonentropic regularization functions. Direct inversions of unevenly sampled light curves require interpolating the noisy data. In this case better results are found by solving for both the continuum light curve and kernel function in a simultaneous fit to the data. Our conclusion is that while echo mapping currently gives ambiguous results, the algorithms are not the limiting factor. Progress depends on efforts to increase the accuracy and completeness of sampling of the observed light curves.

Vio, Roberto↗
NASA NTRS2007

Swift/BAT and RXTE Observations of the Peculiar X-ray Binary 4U 2206+54 - Disappearance of the 9.6 Day Modulation

Observations of the high-mass X-ray binary 4U 2206+54 with the Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) do not show modulation at the previously reported period of 9.6 days found from observations made with the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) All-Sky Monitor (ASM). Instead, the strongest peak in the power spectrum of the BAT light curve occurs at a period of 19.25+/-0.08 days, twice the period found with the RXTE ASM. The maximum of the folded BAT light curve is also delayed compared to the maximum of the folded ASM light curve. The most recent ASM data folded on twice the 9.6 day period show 'similar morphology to the folded BAT light curve. This suggests that the apparent period doubling is a recent secular change rather than an energy-dependent effect. The 9.6 day period is thus not a permanent strong feature of the light curve. We suggest that the orbital period of 4U 2206+54 may be twice the previously proposed value.

Corbet, R. H. D.↗
NASA NTRS2014

The Rise and Fall of the Type Ib Supernova iPTF13bvn Not a Massive Wolf-Rayet Star

Context. We investigate iPTF13bvn, a core-collapse (CC) supernova (SN) in the nearby spiral galaxy NGC 5806. This object was discovered by the intermediate Palomar Transient Factory (iPTF) very close to the estimated explosion date and was classified as a stripped-envelope CC SN, likely of Type Ib. Furthermore, a possible progenitor detection in pre-explosion Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images was reported, making this the only SN Ib with such an identification. Based on the luminosity and color of the progenitor candidate, as well as on early-time spectra and photometry of the SN, it was argued that the progenitor candidate is consistent with a single, massive Wolf-Rayet (WR) star. Aims. We aim to confirm the progenitor detection, to robustly classify the SN using additional spectroscopy, and to investigate if our follow-up photometric and spectroscopic data on iPTF13bvn are consistent with a single-star WR progenitor scenario. Methods. We present a large set of observational data, consisting of multi-band light curves (UBVRI, g′r′i′z′) and optical spectra. We perform standard spectral line analysis to track the evolution of the SN ejecta. We also construct a bolometric light curve and perform hydrodynamical calculations to model this light curve to constrain the synthesized radioactive nickel mass and the total ejecta mass of the SN. Late-time photometry is analyzed to constrain the amount of oxygen. Furthermore, image registration of pre- and post-explosion HST images is performed. Results. Our HST astrometry confirms the location of the progenitor candidate of iPTF13bvn, and follow-up spectra securely classify this as a SN Ib. We use our hydrodynamical model to fit the observed bolometric light curve, estimating the total ejecta mass to be 1.9 solar mass and the radioactive nickel mass to be 0.05 solar mass. The model fit requires the nickel synthesized in the explosion to be highly mixed out in the ejecta. We also find that the late-time nebular r′-band luminosity is not consistent with predictions based on the expected oxygen nucleosynthesis in very massive stars. Conclusions. We find that our bolometric light curve of iPTF13bvn is not consistent with the previously proposed single massive WR-star progenitor scenario. The total ejecta mass and, in particular, the late-time oxygen emission are both significantly lower than what would be expected from a single WR progenitor with a main-sequence mass of at least 30 solar mass.

massive↗
NASA NTRS1983

ANS spectrophotometry - Delta Pictoris as an upper-main-sequence algol system

The early-type eclipsing binary Delta Pictoris has been studied with 260 observations in each of five UV bands. These are the most accurate observations to date, and no strong evidence for light-curve complications produced by circumstellar material has been found. Combined light curves from four epochs separated by intervals of six months do not show any strong dips or shoulders as seen in earlier investigations. The strength of th C IV wavelength 1550 line is independent of phase to better than 0.01 m. The root-mean-square scatterer shown by the light curves ranges from 0.006 m to 0.014 and may be evidence that either or both of the components are intrinsically variable. The integrated colors of the system are consistent with a B1 V spectral type and very little interstellar extinction. A detached solution of the light curves for a Roche model well with the spectroscopic mass ratio, but a semidetached solution cannot be ruled out.

Eaton, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Optical and X-Ray Observations of GRB 060526: A Complex Afterglow Consistent with an Achromatic Jet Break

We obtained 98 R-band and 18 B, r', i' images of the optical afterglow of GRB 060526 (z = 3.21) with the MDM 1.3 m, 2.4 m, and the PROMPT telescopes at CTIO over the five nights following the burst trigger. Combining these data with other optical observations reported in GCN and the Swift XRT observations, we compare the optical and X-ray afterglow light curves of GRB 060526. Both the optical and X-ray afterglow light curves show rich features, such as flares and breaks. The densely sampled optical observations provide very good coverage at T > 10(exp 4) s. We observed a break at 2.4 x 10(exp 5) sin the optical afterglow light curve. Compared with the X-ray afterglow light curve, the break is consistent with an achromatic break supporting the beaming models of GRBs. However, the prebreak and postbreak temporal decay slopes are difficult to explain in simple afterglow models. We estimated a jet angle of theta(sub j) approx. 7deg and a prompt emission size of R(sub prompt) approx. 2 x 10(exp 14) cm. In addition, we detected several optical flares with amplitudes of (Delta)m approx. 0.2,0.6, and 0.2 mag. The X-ray afterglows detected by Swift have shown complicated decay patterns. Recently, many well-sampled optical afterglows also show decays with flares and multiple breaks. GRB 060526 provides an additional case of such a complex, well-observed optical afterglow. The accumulated well-sampled afterglows indicate that most of the optical afterglows are complex.

Dai, X.↗
NASA NTRS1974

Interpretation of epsilon Aurigae. III

The light curve expected from the eclipse of a star by a companion possessing a semitransparent disk has been investigated. Two computational procedures for deriving the light curve based on the geometrically thin-disk model are given here. Using these procedures, we have calculated the light curves of epsilon Aur based on different sets of parameters including those given previously by Wilson. We have also studied the light curve of epsilon Aur based on a geometrically thick disk model, and have advanced two proposals in order to understand the change in the shape of the light curve from one eclipse to the next, namely, (1) the rapid evolution that occurs in the disk and (2) the density waves in the disk and/or individual condensations that are revolving around the secondary each in an independent way.

Huang, S.-S.↗
NASA NTRS2019

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↗
NASA NTRS1993

On the mass of the compact object in the black hole binary A0620-00

Multicolor orbital light curves of the black hole candidate binary A0620-00 are presented. The light curves exhibit ellipsoidal variations and a grazing eclipse of the mass donor companion star by the accretion disk. Synthetic light curves were generated using realistic mass donor star fluxes and an isothermal blackbody disk. For mass ratios of q = M sub 1/M sub 2 = 5.0, 10.6, and 15.0 systematic searches were executed in parameter space for synthetic light curves that fit the observations. For each mass ratio, acceptable fits were found only for a small range of orbital inclinations. It is argued that the mass ratio is unlikely to exceed q = 10.6, and an upper limit of 0.8 solar masses is placed on the mass of the companion star. These constraints imply 4.16 +/- 0.1 to 5.55 +/- 0.15 solar masses. The lower limit on M sub 1 is more than 4-sigma above the mass of a maximally rotating neutron star, and constitutes further strong evidence in favor of a black hole primary in this system.

Haswell, Carole A.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Research study of Beta Cephei variable stars using data from OAO-2

Photometric data from the Wisconsin Experiment package on OAO-2 were obtained for six Beta Cephei variable stars. The data were reduced in accordance with the OAO 2/Wisconsin Experiment Package Photometer Users Guide. For delta Cet and gamma Peg, there were enough data points to form reliable composite light curves at seven or eight ultraviolet wavelengths. The light curves are well represented by sine waves in phase with the blue light curve for each star. The amplitude of the light variation increases with shorter wavelengths. For theta Oph, epsilon Cen, eta Sco, and Lambda Sco, mean magnitudes and light ranges were obtained at several ultraviolet wavelengths. No significant differences were found between the mean, de-reddened ultraviolet colors of the observed stars, and the mean values for standard stars computed by Bottemiller. An attempt to derive a temperature scale from a comparison of the observed ultraviolet colors with Kurucz models was unsuccessful.

Lesh, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Space Telescope and Optical Reverberation Mapping Project. VI. Reverberating Disk Models for NGS 5548

We conduct a multi-wavelength continuum variability study of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548 to investigate the temperature structure of its accretion disk. The 19 overlapping continuum light curves (1158 Angstrom to 9157 Angstrom) combine simultaneous Hubble Space Telescope, Swift, and ground-based observations over a 180 day period from 2014 January to July. Light-curve variability is interpreted as the reverberation response of the accretion disk to irradiation by a central time-varying point source. Our model yields the disk inclination i = 36deg +/- 10deg, temperature T(sub 1) = (44+/-6) times 10 (exp 3)K at 1 light day from the black hole, and a temperature radius slope (T proportional to r (exp -alpha)) of alpha = 0.99 +/- 0.03. We also infer the driving light curve and find that it correlates poorly with both the hard and soft X-ray light curves, suggesting that the X-rays alone may not drive the ultraviolet and optical variability over the observing period. We also decompose the light curves into bright, faint, and mean accretion-disk spectra. These spectra lie below that expected for a standard blackbody accretion disk accreting at L/L(sub Edd) = 0.1.

accretion↗
NASA NTRS2019

Kepler Data Validation II–Transit Model Fitting and Multiple-Planet Search

This paper discusses the transit model-fitting and multiple-planet search algorithms and performance of the Kepler Science Data Processing Pipeline, developed by the Kepler Science Operations Center (SOC). Threshold crossing events (TCEs), which are transit candidate events, are generated by the Transiting Planet Search (TPS) component of the pipeline and subsequently processed in the data validation (DV) component. The transit model is used in DV to fit TCEs to characterize planetary candidates and to derive parameters that are used in various diagnostic tests to classify them. After the signature associated with the TCE is removed from the light curve of the target star, the residual light curve goes through TPS again to search for additional TCEs. The iterative process of transit model fitting and multiple-planet search continues until no TCE is generated from the residual light curve or an upper limit is reached. The transit model-fitting and multiple-planet search performance of the final release (9.3, 2016January) of the pipeline is demonstrated with the results of the processing of four years (17 quarters) of flight data from the primary Kepler Mission. The transit model-fitting results are accessible from the NASA Exoplanet Archive. The final version of the SOC codebase is available through GitHub.

Threshold crossing events (TCEs↗
NASA NTRS1988

Discovery of a 4.2 hour X-ray period in GX 9+9

The low-mass X-ray binary GX 9+9 (4U 1728-16) was observed during September 13-19, 1977, and March 11-17, 1978, with the HEAO A-1 instrument in scanning mode. An algorithm for detecting periodicities in the resulting light curves has been applied; it is based on the Scargle periodogram and takes into account the non-Gaussian nature of the intrinsic source variability. A 4.19 + or - 0.02 hr periodic modulation is detected in the September 1977 data. The folded light curve shows sinusoidal modulation with an amplitude of 3.8 percent. This amplitude is comparable to the 4.6 percent residual intrinsic source variability at all phases of the light curve. The 4.19 hr period is interpreted as the binary period of the system. The lack of eclipses and the sinusoidal light curve imply that the binary system is viewed at a low inclination angle of less than about 63 deg. Light curves of this type may be relatively common among low-mass X-ray binaries, but are difficult to detect without the long observations and high sensitivity possible with HEAO A-1.

Hertz, Paul↗
NASA NTRS2022

Analysis of Eight Magnetic Chemically Peculiar Stars With Rotational Modulation

Since the end of 2018, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has provided stellar photometry to the astronomical community. We have used TESS data to study rotational modulation in the light curves of a sample of chemically peculiar stars with measured large-scale magnetic fields (mCP stars). In general, mCP stars show inhomogeneous distributions of elements in their atmospheres that lead to spectroscopic (line profile) and photometric (light curve) variations commensurate with the rotational period. We analyzed the available TESS data from 50 sectors for eight targets after post-processing them in order to minimize systematic instrumental trends. Analysis of the light curves allowed us to determine rotational periods for all eight of our targets. For each star, we provide a phase diagram calculated using the derived period from the light curves and from the available measurements of the disc-averaged longitudinal magnetic field B(sub z). In most cases, the phased light curve and B(sub z) measurements show consistent variability. Using our rotation periods, and global stellar parameters derived from fitting Balmer line profiles, and from Geneva and Strömgren–Crawford photometry, we determined the equatorial rotational velocities and calculated the respective critical rotational fractions v(sub eq)/v(crit). We have shown from our sample that the critical rotational fraction decreases with stellar age, at a rate consistent with the magnetic braking observed in the larger population of mCP stars.

Chemically peculiar stars↗
NASA NTRS1991

A light synthesis study of W Ursae Majoris

A common set of Roche model parameters produces an accurate fit to I, V, and B data for W Ursae Majoris. The R data are defective. Two pairs of cool photospheric starspots are adopted in producing the fit. The model also adopts the cross-correlation radial velocity obtained by McLean and satisfactorily eliminates evidence, cited in the literature, for a third body in the system. Changing starspot longitudes, while maintaining fixed angular diameter, latitude, and temperature contrast from the adjacent photosphere, can simulate all of the types of light curve instability recorded in historical W Ursae Majoris light curves. Although the theoretical curve accurately fits primary minimum in U, the theoretical curve is too shallow at secondary minimum. A hot secondary explanation of W-type light curves, rather than starspots on an otherwise barotropic photosphere is argued.

Linnell, Albert P.↗
NASA NTRS1981

RR Lyrae stars - A theoretical study of Bailey types a and b

The full-amplitude behaviour of theoretical models of RR Lyr stars pulsating in the fundamental mode has been explored with the use of Carson's radiative opacities. A detailed comparison of the models with metal-poor RR Lyr stars of Bailey types a and b suggests that these stars have properties that lie somewhere in the following ranges: mass/solar mass = 0.55-0.65, Y = 0.2 0.3, and log (luminosity/solar luminosity) = 1.6-1.7. In obtaining these results, the only data that are used are velocity curves and light curves. Independent information, however, seems to corroborate the values found here. The use of Los Alamos opacities gives somewhat similar results, although the derived masses are smaller by about 20%.

Stothers, R.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Light echo detection of circumstellar disks around flaring stars

Light echoes can be used to detect and characterize disks around flaring stars. Such disks are thought to be a hallmark of planet formation but are very difficult to detect by ordinary means. Dwarf emission-line M stars experience flares with luminosities comparable to their quiescent photospheres on time scales of minutes, less than the light travel time across a disk many astronomical units in extent; they are thus ideal candidates for such a search. Bromley (1992) calculated that the detection of Jupiter-sized companions using light echoes requires photometric accuracies better than 1 part in 10(exp 6). However, a disk consisting of grains or small bodies will scatter a much larger fraction of the light than a planet of similar mass. I estimate the light echo amplitutdes from plausible geometries of circumstellar material and present simulation light curves. The light echo amplitudes are typically 1% of the flare and I conclude that such events will be detected best in cases where the flare is eclipsed by the star. An examination of the time scales associated with internal processes in a protoplanetary disks around dM stars indicates that any primordial disks may become undetectable in 10(exp 4) years and will have completely disappeared by 10(exp 8) years, the estimated age of dMe stars in the solar neighborhood. However, searches for light echoes might constrain the amount of material continuing to fall into these young stellar systems in the form of comet-like objects.

Gaidos, Eric J.↗