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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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At least 541 records · Page 30
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DOE OSTI2017

A Modern Search for Wolf–Rayet Stars in the Magellanic Clouds. III. A Third Year of Discoveries

For the past three years we have been conducting a survey for Wolf–Rayet (WR) stars in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds (LMC, SMC). Our previous work resulted in the discovery of a new type of WR star in the LMC, which we are calling WN3/O3. These stars have the emission-line properties of a WN3 star (strong N v, but no N iv), plus the absorption-line properties of an O3 star (Balmer hydrogen plus Pickering He ii, but no He i). Yet, these stars are 15 times fainter than an O3 V star, ruling out the possibility that WN3/O3s are WN3+O3 binaries. Here we report the discovery of two more members of this class, bringing the total number of these objects to 10, 6.5% of the LMC’s total WR population. The optical spectra of nine of these WN3/O3s are virtually indistinguishable from each other, but one of the newly found stars is significantly different, showing a lower excitation emission and absorption spectrum (WN4/O4-ish). In addition, we have newly classified three unusual Of-type stars, including one with a strong C iii λ4650 line, and two rapidly rotating “Oef” stars. We also “rediscovered” a low mass X-ray binary, RX J0513.9-6951, and demonstrate its spectral variability. Finally, we discuss the spectra of 10 low priority WR candidates that turned out to not have He ii emission. These include both a Be star and a B[e] star.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

The Electromagnetic Counterpart of the Binary Neutron Star Merger LIGO/Virgo GW170817. VII. Properties of the Host Galaxy and Constraints on the Merger Timescale

We present the properties of NGC 4993, the host galaxy of GW170817, the first gravitational-wave (GW) event from the merger of a binary neutron star (BNS) system and the first with an electromagnetic (EM) counterpart. We use both archival photometry and new optical/near-IR imaging and spectroscopy, together with stellar population synthesis models to infer the global properties of the host galaxy. We infer a star formation history peaked at ≳10 Gyr ago, with subsequent exponential decline leading to a low current star formation rate of 0.01 M{sub ⊙} yr{sup −1}, which we convert into a binary merger timescale probability distribution. We find a median merger timescale of 11.2{sub −1.4}{sup +0.7} Gyr, with a 90% confidence range of 6.8--13.6 Gyr. This in turn indicates an initial binary separation of ≈4.5 R{sub ⊙}, comparable to the inferred values for Galactic BNS systems. We also use new and archival Hubble Space Telescope images to measure a projected offset of the optical counterpart of 2.1 kpc (0.64r {sub e}) from the center of NGC 4993 and to place a limit of M{sub r}≳−7.2 mag on any pre-existing emission, which rules out the brighter half of the globular cluster luminosity function. Finally, the age and offset of the system indicates it experienced a modest natal kick with an upper limit of ∼200 km s{sup −1}. Future GW–EM observations of BNS mergers will enable measurement of their population delay time distribution, which will directly inform their viability as the dominant source of r-process enrichment in the universe.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

On the Origin of Sub-subgiant Stars. I. Demographics

Sub-subgiants are stars that are observed to be redder than normal main-sequence stars and fainter than normal subgiant (and giant) stars in an optical color–magnitude diagram (CMD). The red straggler stars, which lie redward of the red giant branch, may be related and are often grouped together with the sub-subgiants in the literature. These stars defy our standard theory of single-star evolution and are important tests for binary evolution and stellar collision models. In total, we identify 65 sub-subgiants (SSG) and red stragglers (RS) in 16 open and globular star clusters from the literature; 50 of these, including 43 sub-subgiants, pass our strict membership selection criteria (though the remaining sources may also be cluster members). In addition to their unique location on the CMD, we find that at least 58% (25/43) of sub-subgiants in this sample are X-ray sources with typical 0.5–2.5 keV luminosities of order 10{sup 30}–10{sup 31} erg s{sup −1}. Their X-ray luminosities and optical–to–X-ray flux ratios are similar to those of RS CVn active binaries. At least 65% (28/43) of the sub-subgiants in our sample are variables, 21 of which are known to be radial-velocity binaries. Typical variability periods are ≲15 days. At least 33% (14/43) of the sub-subgiants are H α emitters. These observational demographics provide strong evidence that binarity is important for sub-subgiant formation. Finally, we find that the number of sub-subgiants per unit mass increases toward lower-mass clusters, such that the open clusters in our sample have the highest specific frequencies of sub-subgiants.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2019

OGLE-2018-BLG-0022: A Nearby M-dwarf Binary

We report observations of the binary microlensing event OGLE-2018-BLG-0022, provided by the Robotic Observations of Microlensing Events (ROME)/Reactive Event Assessment (REA) Survey, which indicate that the lens is a low-mass binary star consisting of M3 (0.375 ± 0.020 M {sub ⊙}) and M7 (0.098 ± 0.005 M {sub ⊙}) components. The lens is unusually close, at 0.998 ± 0.047 kpc, compared with the majority of microlensing events, and despite its intrinsically low luminosity, it is likely that adaptive optics observations in the near future will be able to provide an independent confirmation of the lens masses.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2012

DISCOVERY OF FAST, LARGE-AMPLITUDE OPTICAL VARIABILITY OF V648 Car (=SS73-17)

We report on the discovery of large-amplitude flickering from V648 Car (= SS73-17), a poorly studied object listed among the very few hard X-ray-emitting symbiotic stars. We performed millimagnitude precision optical photometry with the Swope Telescope at the Las Campanas Observatory, Chile, and found that V648 Car shows large U-band variability over timescales of minutes. To our knowledge, it exhibits some of the largest flickering of a symbiotic star ever reported. Our finding supports the hypothesis that symbiotic white dwarfs producing hard X-rays are predominantly powered by accretion, rather than quasi-steady nuclear burning, and have masses close to the Chandrasekhar limit. No significant periodicity is evident from the flickering light curve. The All Sky Automated Survey long-term V light curve suggests the presence of a tidally distorted giant accreting via Roche lobe overflow, and a binary period of {approx}520 days. On the basis of the outstanding physical properties of V648 Car as hinted at by its fast and long-term optical variability, as well as by its nature as a hard X-ray emitter, we therefore call for simultaneous follow-up observations in different bands, ideally combined with time-resolved optical spectroscopy.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2016

MULTIWAVELENGTH OBSERVATIONS OF THE REDBACK MILLISECOND PULSAR J1048+2339

We report on radio timing and multiwavelength observations of the 4.66 ms redback pulsar J1048+2339, which was discovered in an Arecibo search targeting the Fermi -Large Area Telescope source 3FGL J1048.6+2338. Two years of timing allowed us to derive precise astrometric and orbital parameters for the pulsar. PSR J1048+2339 is in a 6 hr binary and exhibits radio eclipses over half the orbital period and rapid orbital period variations. The companion has a minimum mass of 0.3 M {sub ⊙}, and we have identified a V ∼ 20 variable optical counterpart in data from several surveys. The phasing of its ∼1 mag modulation at the orbital period suggests highly efficient and asymmetric heating by the pulsar wind, which may be due to an intrabinary shock that is distorted near the companion, or to the companion’s magnetic field channeling the pulsar wind to specific locations on its surface. We also present gamma-ray spectral analysis of the source and preliminary results from searches for gamma-ray pulsations using the radio ephemeris.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

OBSERVATIONS OF BINARY STARS WITH THE DIFFERENTIAL SPECKLE SURVEY INSTRUMENT. II. HIPPARCOS STARS OBSERVED IN 2010 JANUARY AND JUNE

The results of 497 speckle observations of Hipparcos stars and selected other targets are presented. Of these, 367 were resolved into components and 130 were unresolved. The data were obtained using the Differential Speckle Survey Instrument at the WIYN 3.5 m Telescope. (The WIYN Observatory is a joint facility of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Indiana University, Yale University, and the National Optical Astronomy Observatories.) Since the first paper in this series, the instrument has been upgraded so that it now uses two electron-multiplying CCD cameras. The measurement precision obtained when comparing to ephemeris positions of binaries with very well known orbits is approximately 1-2 mas in separation and better than 0.{sup 0}6 in position angle. Differential photometry is found to be in very good agreement with Hipparcos measures in cases where the comparison is most relevant. We derive preliminary orbits for two systems.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

DISCOVERY OF PSR J1227−4853: A TRANSITION FROM A LOW-MASS X-RAY BINARY TO A REDBACK MILLISECOND PULSAR

XSS J12270−4859 is an X-ray binary associated with the Fermi Large Area Telescope gamma-ray source 1FGL J1227.9−4852. In 2012 December, this source underwent a transition where the X-ray and optical luminosity dropped and the spectral signatures of an accretion disk disappeared. We report the discovery of a 1.69 millisecond pulsar (MSP), PSR J1227−4853, at a dispersion measure of 43.4 pc cm{sup −3} associated with this source, using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) at 607 MHz. This demonstrates that, post-transition, the system hosts an active radio MSP. This is the third system after PSR J1023+0038 and PSR J1824−2452I showing evidence of state switching between radio MSP and low-mass X-ray binary states. We report timing observations of PSR J1227−4853 with the GMRT and Parkes, which give a precise determination of the rotational and orbital parameters of the system. The companion mass measurement of 0.17–0.46 M{sub ⊙} suggests that this is a redback system. PSR J1227−4853 is eclipsed for about 40% of its orbit at 607 MHz with additional short-duration eclipses at all orbital phases. We also find that the pulsar is very energetic, with a spin-down luminosity of ∼10{sup 35} erg s{sup −1}. We report simultaneous imaging and timing observations with the GMRT, which suggests that eclipses are caused by absorption rather than dispersion smearing or scattering.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Light curve and SED modeling of the gamma-ray binary 1FGL J1018.6–5856: Constraints on the orbital geometry and relativistic flow

We present broadband spectral energy distributions and light curves of the gamma-ray binary 1FGL J1018.6–5856 measured in the X-ray and the gamma-ray bands. We find that the orbital modulation in the low-energy gamma-ray band is similar to that in the X-ray band, suggesting a common spectral component. However, above a GeV the orbital light curve changes significantly. We suggest that the GeV band contains significant flux from a pulsar magnetosphere, while the X-ray to TeV light curves are dominated by synchrotron and Compton emission from an intrabinary shock (IBS). We find that a simple one-zone model is inadequate to explain the IBS emission, but that beamed Synchrotron-self Compton radiation from adiabatically accelerated plasma in the shocked pulsar wind can reproduce the complex multiband light curves, including the variable X-ray spike coincident with the gamma-ray maximum. Furthermore, the model requires an inclination of ~50° and an orbital eccentricity of ~0.35, consistent with the limited constraints from existing optical observations. This picture motivates searches for pulsations from the energetic young pulsar powering the wind shock.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Ion-Assisted Nanoscale Material Engineering in Atomic Layers

Achieving deterministic control over the properties of low-dimensional materials with nanoscale precision is a long-sought goal. Mastering this capability has a transformative effect on the design of multifunctional electrical and optical devices. Here, we present an ion-assisted synthetic technique that enables precise control over the material composition and energy landscape of two-dimensional (2D) atomic crystals. Our method transforms binary transition-metal dichalcogenides, like MoSe2, into ternary MoS2αSe2(1-α) alloys with systematically adjustable compositions, α. By piecewise assembly of the lateral, compositionally modulated MoS2αSe2(1-α) segments within 2D atomic layers, we present a synthetic pathway toward the realization of multicompositional designer materials. Our technique enables the fabrication of advanced 2D structures with arbitrary boundaries, dimensions as small as 30 nm, and fully customizable energy landscapes. Our optical characterizations further showcase the potential for implementing tailored optoelectronics in these engineered 2D crystals.

2D materials↗
DOE OSTI2010

X-RAY OBSERVATION OF AM HERCULIS IN A VERY LOW STATE WITH SUZAKU

The X-ray observation of AM Herculis (AM Her) in a very low state was performed with Suzaku in 2008 October. One flare event with a timescale of {approx}3700 s was detected at the X-ray luminosity of 6.0 x 10{sup 29} erg s{sup -1} in the 0.5-10 keV band at the assumed distance of 91 pc. The X-ray spectrum is represented by a thermal plasma emission model with a temperature of 8.67{sup +1.31}{sub -1.14} keV. During the quiescence in the flare interval, Suzaku also detected significant X-rays at a luminosity of 1.7 x 10{sup 29} erg s{sup -1} in the 0.5-10 keV band, showing a clear spin modulation at a period of 0.1289273(2) days at BJD 2454771.581. The X-ray spectra in the quiescence were represented by a MEKAL + Power Law model or a single CEMEKL model, which are also supported by phase-resolved analyses. A correlation between the temperature and the volume emission measure was found together with historical X-ray measurements of AM Her in various states. In order to account for a possible non-thermal emission from AM Her, particle acceleration mechanisms in the AM Her system are also discussed, including the new proposal of a shock acceleration process on the top of the accretion column.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

PAIR INSTABILITY SUPERNOVAE: LIGHT CURVES, SPECTRA, AND SHOCK BREAKOUT

For the initial mass range (140 M{sub sun} < M < 260 M{sub sun}) stars die in a thermonuclear runaway triggered by the pair-production instability. The supernovae they make can be remarkably energetic (up to {approx}10{sup 53} erg) and synthesize considerable amounts of radioactive isotopes. Here we model the evolution, explosion, and observational signatures of representative pair instability supernovae (PI SNe) spanning a range of initial masses and envelope structures. The predicted light curves last for hundreds of days and range in luminosity from very dim to extremely bright (L {approx} 10{sup 44} erg s{sup -1}). The most massive events are bright enough to be seen at high redshift, but the extended light curve duration ({approx}1 yr)-prolonged by cosmological time-dilation-may make it difficult to detect them as transients. A more promising approach may be to search for the brief and luminous outbreak occurring when the explosion shock wave first reaches the stellar surface. Using a multi-wavelength radiation-hydrodynamics code we calculate that, in the rest frame, the shock breakout transients of PI SNe reach luminosities of 10{sup 45}-10{sup 46} erg s{sup -1}, peak at wavelengths {approx}30-170 A, and last for several hours. We discuss how observations of the light curves, spectra, and breakout emission can be used to constrain the mass, radius, and metallicity of the progenitor.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

SNLS3: CONSTRAINTS ON DARK ENERGY COMBINING THE SUPERNOVA LEGACY SURVEY THREE-YEAR DATA WITH OTHER PROBES

We present observational constraints on the nature of dark energy using the Supernova Legacy Survey three-year sample (SNLS3) of Guy et al. and Conley et al. We use the 472 Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) in this sample, accounting for recently discovered correlations between SN Ia luminosity and host galaxy properties, and include the effects of all identified systematic uncertainties directly in the cosmological fits. Combining the SNLS3 data with the full WMAP7 power spectrum, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey luminous red galaxy power spectrum, and a prior on the Hubble constant H{sub 0} from SHOES, in a flat universe we find {Omega}{sub m} = 0.269 {+-} 0.015 and w = -1.061{sup +0.069}{sub -} 0{sub .068} (where the uncertainties include all statistical and SN Ia systematic errors)-a 6.5% measure of the dark energy equation-of-state parameter w. The statistical and systematic uncertainties are approximately equal, with the systematic uncertainties dominated by the photometric calibration of the SN Ia fluxes-without these calibration effects, systematics contribute only a {approx}2% error in w. When relaxing the assumption of flatness, we find {Omega}{sub m} = 0.271 {+-} 0.015, {Omega}{sub k} = -0.002 {+-} 0.006, and w = -1.069{sup +0.091}{sub -0.092}. Parameterizing the time evolution of w as w(a) = w{sub 0} + w{sub a} (1 - a) gives w{sub 0} = -0.905 {+-} 0.196, w{sub a} = -0.984{sup +1.094}{sub -1.097} in a flat universe. All of our results are consistent with a flat, w = -1 universe. The size of the SNLS3 sample allows various tests to be performed with the SNe segregated according to their light curve and host galaxy properties. We find that the cosmological constraints derived from these different subsamples are consistent. There is evidence that the coefficient, {beta}, relating SN Ia luminosity and color, varies with host parameters at >4{sigma} significance (in addition to the known SN luminosity-host relation); however, this has only a small effect on the cosmological results and is currently a subdominant systematic.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

SHOCK BREAKOUT IN DENSE MASS LOSS: LUMINOUS SUPERNOVAE

We examine the case where a circumstellar medium around a supernova is sufficiently opaque that a radiation-dominated shock propagates in the circumstellar region. The initial propagation of the shock front into the circumstellar region can be approximated by a self-similar solution that determines the radiative energy in a shocked shell; the eventual escape of this energy gives the maximum luminosity of the supernova. If the circumstellar density is described by {rho} = Dr {sup -2} out to a radius R{sub w} , where D is a constant, the properties of the shock breakout radiation depend on R{sub w} and R{sub d} {identical_to} {kappa}Dv{sub sh}/c, where {kappa} is the opacity and v{sub sh} is the shock velocity. If R{sub w} >R{sub d} , the rise to maximum light begins at {approx}R{sub d} /v{sub sh}; the duration of the rise is also {approx}R{sub d} /v{sub sh}; the outer parts of the opaque medium are extended and at low velocity at the time of peak luminosity; and a dense shell forms whose continued interaction with the dense mass loss gives a characteristic flatter portion of the declining light curve. If R{sub w} < R{sub d} , the rise to maximum light begins at R{sub w} /v{sub sh}; the duration of the rise is R {sup 2}{sub w}/v{sub sh} R{sub d} ; the outer parts of the opaque medium are not extended and are accelerated to high velocity by radiation pressure at the time of maximum luminosity; and a dense shell forms but does not affect the light curve near maximum. We argue that SN 2006gy is an example of the first kind of event, while SN 2010gx and related supernovae are examples of the second.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

BLINDLY DETECTING MERGING SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLES WITH RADIO SURVEYS

Supermassive black holes (SMBHs) presumably grow through numerous mergers throughout cosmic time. During each merger, SMBH binaries are surrounded by a circumbinary accretion disk that imposes a significant ({approx}10{sup 4} G for a binary of 10{sup 8} M{sub sun}) magnetic field. The motion of the binary through that field will convert the field energy to Poynting flux, with a luminosity {approx}10{sup 43} erg s{sup -1} (B/10{sup 4} G){sup 2}(M/10{sup 8} M{sub sun}){sup 2}, some of which may emerge as synchrotron emission at frequencies near 1 GHz where current and planned wide-field radio surveys will operate. We find that the short timescales of many mergers will limit their detectability with most planned blind surveys to <1 per year over the whole sky, independent of the details of the emission process and flux distribution. Including an optimistic estimate for the radio flux makes detection even less likely, with <0.1 mergers per year over the whole sky. However, wide-field radio instruments may be able to localize systems identified in advance of merger by gravitational waves. Further, radio surveys may be able to detect the weaker emission produced by the binary's motion as it is modulated by spin-orbit precession and inspiral well in advance of merger.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

VISIBILITY STACKING IN THE QUEST FOR TYPE Ia SUPERNOVA RADIO EMISSION

We describe the process of stacking radio interferometry visibilities to form a deep composite image and its application to the observation of transient phenomena. We apply 'visibility stacking' to 46 archival Very Large Array observations of nearby type Ia supernovae (SNeIa). This new approach provides an upper limit on the SNIa ensemble peak radio luminosity of 1.2 x 10{sup 25} erg s{sup -1} Hz{sup -1} at 5 GHz, which is 5-10 times lower than previously measured. This luminosity implies an upper limit on the average companion stellar wind mass-loss rate of 1.3 x 10{sup -7} M{sub sun} yr{sup -1}. This mass-loss rate is consistent with the double degenerate scenario for SNeIa and rules out intermediate- and high-mass companions in the single degenerate scenario. In the era of time domain astronomy, techniques such as visibility stacking will be important in extracting the maximum amount of information from observations of populations of short-lived events.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2011

A DEEP RADIO SURVEY OF HARD STATE AND QUIESCENT BLACK HOLE X-RAY BINARIES

We have conducted a deep radio survey of a sample of black hole X-ray binaries in the hard and quiescent states to determine whether any systems were sufficiently bright for astrometric follow-up with high-sensitivity very long baseline interferometric arrays. The one hard-state system, Swift J1753.5-0127, was detected at a level of 0.5 mJy beam{sup -1}. All 11 quiescent systems were not detected. In the three cases with the highest predicted quiescent radio brightnesses (GRO J0422+32, XTE J1118+480, and GRO J1655-40), the new capabilities of the Expanded Very Large Array were used to reach noise levels as low as 2.6 {mu}Jy beam{sup -1}. None of the three sources were detected to 3{sigma} upper limits of 8.3, 7.8, and 14.2 {mu}Jy beam{sup -1}, respectively. These observations represent the most stringent constraints to date on quiescent radio emission from black hole X-ray binaries. The uncertainties in the source distances, quiescent X-ray luminosities at the times of the observations, and the power-law index of the empirical correlation between radio and X-ray luminosities make it impossible to determine whether these three sources are significantly less luminous in the radio band than expected. Thus it is not clear whether that correlation holds all the way down to quiescence for all black hole X-ray binaries.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

THE PUZZLING MUTUAL ORBIT OF THE BINARY TROJAN ASTEROID (624) HEKTOR

Asteroids with satellites are natural laboratories to constrain the formation and evolution of our solar system. The binary Trojan asteroid (624) Hektor is the only known Trojan asteroid to possess a small satellite. Based on W. M. Keck adaptive optics observations, we found a unique and stable orbital solution, which is uncommon in comparison to the orbits of other large multiple asteroid systems studied so far. From lightcurve observations recorded since 1957, we showed that because the large Req = 125 km primary may be made of two joint lobes, the moon could be ejecta of the low-velocity encounter, which formed the system. The inferred density of Hektor's system is comparable to the L5 Trojan doublet (617) Patroclus but due to their difference in physical properties and in reflectance spectra, both captured Trojan asteroids could have a different composition and origin.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗