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At least 109 records · Page 6

Dark Energy Survey Year 6 Results: Cosmological Constraints from Galaxy Clustering and Weak Lensing

We present cosmology results combining galaxy clustering and weak gravitational lensing measured in the full six years (Y6) of observations by the Dark Energy Survey (DES) covering $\sim$5000 deg$^2$. We perform a large-scale structure analysis using three two-point correlation functions (3$\times$2pt): (i) cosmic shear from 140 million source galaxy shapes, (ii) galaxy clustering of 9 million lens galaxy positions, and (iii) galaxy-galaxy lensing from their cross-correlation. We model the data in flat $Λ$CDM and $w$CDM cosmologies. The combined analysis yields $S_8\equiv σ_8 (Ω_{\rm m}/0.3)^{0.5} = 0.789^{+0.012}_{-0.012}$ and matter density $Ω_{\rm m} = 0.333^{+0.023}_{-0.028}$ in $Λ$CDM (68% CL), where $σ_8$ is the clustering amplitude. These constraints show a (full-space) parameter difference of 1.8$σ$ from a combination of cosmic microwave background (CMB) primary anisotropy datasets from Planck 2018, ACT-DR6, and SPT-3G DR1. Projected only into $S_8$ the difference is $2.6σ$. In $w$CDM the Y6 3$\times$2pt results yield $S_8 = 0.782^{+0.021}_{-0.020}$, $Ω_{\rm m} = 0.325^{+0.032}_{-0.035}$, and dark energy equation-of-state parameter $w = -1.12^{+0.26}_{-0.20}$. For the first time, we combine all DES dark-energy probes: 3$\times$2pt, SNe Ia, BAO and Clusters. In $Λ$CDM this combination yields a $2.8σ$ parameter difference from the CMB. When combining DES 3$\times$2pt with other low-redshift datasets (DESI DR2 BAO, DES SNe Ia, SPT clusters), we find a 2.3$σ$ parameter difference with CMB. A joint fit of Y6 3$\times$2pt, CMB, and those low-redshift datasets produces the tightest $Λ$CDM constraints to date: $S_8 = 0.806^{+0.006}_{-0.007}$, $Ω_{\rm m} = 0.302^{+0.003}_{-0.003}$, $h = 0.683^{+0.003}_{-0.002}$, and $\sum m_ν< 0.14$ eV (95% CL). In $w$CDM, this combination yields $w = -0.981^{+0.021}_{-0.022}$.

Abbott, T. M.C. [Cerro-Tololo InterAmerican Obs.]↗

Discretized energy minimization in a wave guide with point sources

An anti-noise problem on a finite time interval is solved by minimization of a quadratic functional on the Hilbert space of square integrable controls. To this end, the one-dimensional wave equation with point sources and pointwise reflecting boundary conditions is decomposed into a system for the two propagating components of waves. Wellposedness of this system is proved for a class of data that includes piecewise linear initial conditions and piecewise constant forcing functions. It is shown that for such data the optimal piecewise constant control is the solution of a sparse linear system. Methods for its computational treatment are presented as well as examples of their applicability. The convergence of discrete approximations to the general optimization problem is demonstrated by finite element methods.

Propst, G.↗

Observational window effects on multi-object reverberation mapping

ABSTRACT Contemporary reverberation mapping campaigns are employing wide-area photometric data and high-multiplex spectroscopy to efficiently monitor hundreds of active galactic nuclei (AGNs). However, the interaction of the window function(s) imposed by the observation cadence with the reverberation lag and AGN variability time-scales (intrinsic to each source over a range of luminosities) impact our ability to recover these fundamental physical properties. Time dilation effects due to the sample source redshift distribution introduce added complexity. We present comprehensive analysis of the implications of observational cadence, seasonal gaps, and campaign baseline duration (i.e. the survey window function) for reverberation lag recovery. We find that the presence of a significant seasonal gap dominates the efficacy of any given campaign strategy for lag recovery across the parameter space, particularly for those sources with observed-frame lags above 100 d. Using the Australian Dark Energy Survey as a baseline, we consider the implications of this analysis for the 4MOST/Time-Domain Extragalactic Survey campaign providing concurrent follow-up of the Legacy Survey of Space and Time deep-drilling fields, as well as upcoming programmes. We conclude that the success of such surveys will be critically limited by the seasonal visibility of some potential field choices, but show significant improvement from extending the baseline. Optimizing the sample selection to fit the window function will improve survey efficacy.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Towards Energy Scale Calibration and Drift Correction of TES Detectors for Athena X-IFU

The Athena X-Ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) comprises a 2376-pixel array of transition edge sensors (TES) read out with time-division multiplexing (TDM). X-IFU will provide spatially resolved, high-resolution spectroscopy (2.5 eV full-width-half-maximum up to 7 keV) over the energy range 0.2 to 12 keV, with an absolute energy scale accuracy of 0.4 eV. The energy scale function maps the optimally filtered pulse height, in arbitrary engineering units, to real calibrated energy. Uncertainties in the calibration can result from imperfect fitting of the energy scale between the known calibration points. Furthermore, temporal changes in the TES operating environment, such as heat-sink temperature, magnetic field and bias voltage, can cause significant variations in the detector gain function over time. If not properly corrected, this can result in degradation of the energy resolution, and systematic errors in the absolute energy scale. The non-linear nature of TES detectors, coupled with the possibility of multiple simultaneously occurring sources of drift, can make effective corrections over the full bandpass of the instrument extremely challenging. Athena X-IFU will employ an on-board calibration source that provides known reference x-ray lines. This provides real-time monitoring of the gain stability of the detector system and information that can be used to correct for gain drifts. For X-IFU the baseline approach is to measure a series of calibration curves under different environmental conditions, which bound the expected drifts the instrument is predicted to see over the course of the mission. Using the information from the in-flight calibration source, these energy scale functions can be interpolated to generate a new corrected energy scale as a function of time. In this paper we discuss progress towards demonstrating that the X-IFU energy scale requirements can be met. We present measurements on ~ 200 pixels in a prototype X-IFU array read out with 8-column x 32-row TDM. We use a rotating target source containing 12 fluorescent targets to generate x-ray lines covering the energy range 4 keV (Sc-Kα) to 12 keV (Br-Kα). We present measurements of the non-linear energy scale function and show how variations in heat-sink temperature, TES bias voltage and magnetic field affect the shape of TES energy scale differently and introduce different residual gain errors over the bandpass. We explore different drift correction algorithms that use either a single or multiple referential lines to track and correct the gain from these various sources of drift. In addition to the pulse-height, the DC ‘baseline’ level of the TES can contain information about its bias conditions. Thus, we test a multi-parameter gain correction algorithm that attempts to incorporate both the pulse height and the additional baseline information into the algorithm.

Stephen J Smith↗

The Solid Rocket Motor Slag Population: Results of a Radar-Based Regressive Statistical Evaluation

Solid rocket motor (SRM) slag has been identified as a potential source of man-made orbital debris. The possibility that SRMs (in addition to generating dust particles in the sub-millimeter range) may generate particles up to centimeters in size has caused concern regarding their contribution to the debris environment. Returned surfaces from space do not have sufficient area or exposure time to provide a clear picture of the SRM millimeter and centimeter debris population. Currently, radar observation is probably the only way to collect data showing the debris contribution from SRMs. Such observation is used to sample the debris environment, but it is difficult to obtain accurate orbital elements for the detected debris objects. NASA has developed several models to describe the different orbital debris populations, based on assumed debris production mechanisms to create clouds of debris objects that can be propagated in time. The NASA model, LEGEND (LEO-to-GEO Environment Debris), functions as a time-tested debris model for most debris sources. However, the current LEGEND model does not include contributions from the SRM population. An SRM model has recently been developed by NASA, based on purely theoretical details of SRM production and known SRM launches, but verification with hard data is needed. Because the detections of individual SRM objects cannot be deterministically separated from the total debris observed by radar, the validation of the SRM model can only be done by combining it with the LEGEND breakup model and comparing it with data. By applying observational constraints, the degree of SRM slag contribution to the environment may be estimated. This serves as an observationally sound method from which to calibrate a purely theoretical model into something more realistic. For this study, we use the populations observed by the Haystack radar from 1996 to present. For the SRM debris, we use a historical database of SRM launches, propellant masses, and estimated locations and times of tailoff to produce and propagate the SRM debris clouds. Comparisons with radar data from the ensuing years were made, and the SRM model was altered with respect to size and mass production of slag particles to reflect the populations estimated from the data. The result is a model SRM population that fits within the bounds of the observed environment and estimates of the production and contribution of SRM debris to the environment.

Horstman, Matthew F.↗

Determination of Particle Sources for a Geotail Distribution Function Observed on May 23, 1995

On May 23, 1995, the Comprehensive Plasma Instrumentation (CPI) onboard the Geotail spacecraft observed a complex and structured ion distribution function near the magnetotail midplane at x approximately -10 R(sub E). On the same day, the Wind spacecraft observed a very high density (approximately 40/cubic cm) solar wind and an interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) that was predominantly northward but had several southward turnings. We have inferred the sources of the ions in this distribution function by following approximately 90,000 ion trajectories backward in time using time-dependent electric and magnetic fields obtained from a global MHD (magnetohydrodynamic) simulation. Wind data were used as input for the MHD model. We found that three sources contributed to this distribution: the ionosphere, the plasma mantle which had near-Earth and distant tail components, and the low latitude boundary layer (LLBL). Moreover, distinct structures in the low energy part of the distribution function were found to be associated with individual sources. Structures near 0 deg pitch angle were made up of either ionospheric or plasma mantle ions, while structures near 90 deg pitch angle were dominated by ions from the LLBL source. Particles that underwent nonadiabatic acceleration were numerous in the higher energy part of the ion distribution function, whereas ionospheric and LLBL ions were mostly adiabatic. A large proportion of the near-Earth mantle ions underwent adiabatic acceleration, while most of the distant mantle ions experienced nonadiabatic acceleration.

Ashour-Abdalla, M.↗

Computational methods for analyzing the transmission characteristics of a beta particle magnetic analysis system

Computational methods were developed to study the trajectories of beta particles (positrons) through a magnetic analysis system as a function of the spatial distribution of the radionuclides in the beta source, size and shape of the source collimator, and the strength of the analyzer magnetic field. On the basis of these methods, the particle flux, their energy spectrum, and source-to-target transit times have been calculated for Na-22 positrons as a function of the analyzer magnetic field and the size and location of the target. These data are in studies requiring parallel beams of positrons of uniform energy such as measurement of the moisture distribution in composite materials. Computer programs for obtaining various trajectories are included.

Singh, J. J.↗

Impact of light output on the timing resolution of organic glass scintillator bars in a dual-ended readout configuration

The effectiveness of detector system modeling and validation depends on the quality of characterization performed on the system. For nuclear nonproliferation applications, which require detectors to address complex and variable field conditions, access to accurate system models is essential. This study presents the timing characterization of organic glass scintillator bars used in an imaging system developed at the University of Michigan. 137 Cs and 60 Co gamma-ray sources were used to determine the coincidence time resolution as a function of measured light output for two Compton scatter events between two organic glass scintillator bars. Timing resolution for two events, each with light output ranging from 100 to 1100 keVee were characterized. The resulting data were fit to a parametric function that was validated to agree with experimental results within ±25 ps. Simulations were performed to establish appropriate calibration points for each organic scintillator, thereby ensuring accurate calibration of light output values during analysis. This work successfully characterized the light output dependence of the coincidence timing resolution of a pair of organic glass detectors for use in an imaging system. Depending on the amount of scintillation light output from the events, the full width at half maximum of the measured coincidence time resolution ranged from 653.2 ± 16.1 ps for low light yields, 100 keVee, to 121.0 ± 8.4 ps for higher yields at 1100 keVee. The insights obtained from the timing resolution behavior will allow for accurate simulation capabilities in future security and verification efforts using scatter-based imaging systems.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Response of lunar atmosphere to volcanic gas releases.

A theory of transport of gases emanating from a source on the lunar surface is developed, in which the distribution of a gas is given by the convolution of the time and space description of its source with a Green's function. Green's functions that represent the impulsive response of vertical and horozontal components of particle flux at the lunar surface are derived. The characteristics of these functions and their dependence on the nature of encounters of gas molecules with the lunar surface are discussed in detail.

Hodges, R. R., Jr.↗

Galaxy evolution and large-scale structure in the far-infrared. I - IRAS pointed observations

Redshifts for 66 galaxies were obtained from a sample of 93 60-micron sources detected serendipitously in 22 IRAS deep pointed observations, covering a total area of 18.4 sq deg. The flux density limit of this survey is 150 mJy, 4 times fainter than the IRAS Point Source Catalog (PSC). The luminosity function is similar in shape with those previously published for samples selected from the PSC, with a median redshift of 0.048 for the fainter sample, but shifted to higher space densities. There is evidence that some of the excess number counts in the deeper sample can be explained in terms of a large-scale density enhancement beyond the Pavo-Indus supercluster. In addition, the faintest counts in the new sample confirm the result of Hacking et al. (1989) that faint IRAS 60-micron source counts lie significantly in excess of an extrapolation of the PSC counts assuming no luminosity or density evolution.

Lonsdale, Carol J.↗

Preliminary design of a mobile lunar power supply

A preliminary design for a Stirling isotope power system for use as a mobile lunar power supply is presented. Performance and mass of the components required for the system are estimated. These estimates are based on power requirements and the operating environment. Optimizations routines are used to determine minimum mass operational points. Shielding for the isotope system are given as a function of the allowed dose, distance from the source, and the time spent near the source. The technologies used in the power conversion and radiator systems are taken from ongoing research in the Civil Space Technology Initiative (CSTI) program.

Schmitz, Paul C.↗

Preliminary design of a mobile lunar power supply

A preliminary design for a Stirling isotope power system for use as a mobile lunar power supply is presented. Performance and mass of the components required for the system are estimated. These estimates are based on power requirements and the operating environment. Optimization routines are used to determine minimum mass operational points. Shielding for the isotope system is given as a function of the allowed dose, distance from the source, and the time spent near the source. The technologies used in the power conversion and radiator systems are taken from research in the Civil Space Technology Initiative (CSTI) program.

Schmitz, Paul C.↗

The Galex Time Domain Survey. I. Selection And Classification of Over a Thousand Ultraviolet Variable Sources

We present the selection and classification of over a thousand ultraviolet (UV) variable sources discovered in approximately 40 deg(exp 2) of GALEX Time Domain Survey (TDS) NUV images observed with a cadence of 2 days and a baseline of observations of approximately 3 years. The GALEX TDS fields were designed to be in spatial and temporal coordination with the Pan-STARRS1 Medium Deep Survey, which provides deep optical imaging and simultaneous optical transient detections via image differencing. We characterize the GALEX photometric errors empirically as a function of mean magnitude, and select sources that vary at the 5 sigma level in at least one epoch. We measure the statistical properties of the UV variability, including the structure function on timescales of days and years. We report classifications for the GALEX TDS sample using a combination of optical host colors and morphology, UV light curve characteristics, and matches to archival X-ray, and spectroscopy catalogs. We classify 62% of the sources as active galaxies (358 quasars and 305 active galactic nuclei), and 10% as variable stars (including 37 RR Lyrae, 53 M dwarf flare stars, and 2 cataclysmic variables). We detect a large-amplitude tail in the UV variability distribution for M-dwarf flare stars and RR Lyrae, reaching up to absolute value(Δm) = 4.6 mag and 2.9 mag, respectively. The mean amplitude of the structure function for quasars on year timescales is five times larger than observed at optical wavelengths. The remaining unclassified sources include UV-bright extragalactic transients, two of which have been spectroscopically confirmed to be a young core-collapse supernova and a flare from the tidal disruption of a star by dormant supermassive black hole. We calculate a surface density for variable sources in the UV with NUV less than 23 mag and absolute value(Δm) greater than 0.2 mag of approximately 8.0, 7.7, and 1.8 deg(exp −2) for quasars, active galactic nuclei, and RR Lyrae stars, respectively. We also calculate a surface density rate in the UV for transient sources, using the effective survey time at the cadence appropriate to each class, of approximately 15 and 52 deg(exp −2 yr−1 for M dwarfs and extragalactic transients, respectively.

Gezari, S.↗

Insights into Slip-Rate Time Functions, Rupture Parameter Correlations, and Ground Motions from Validated Multicycle Earthquake Ruptures

Earthquake strong-motion predictions using kinematic source modeling require knowledge of the slip-rate functions (SRFs) along the rupture and their distinct characteristics in asperities, background (off-asperity) areas and near the surface. Here, in this study we analyzed SRFs from well-validated, self-consistent, and fully dynamic rupture models from earthquake cycles obeying a rate-and-state friction law, from our companion study (Galvez et al., 2021). The shapes of SRFs in asperities are well described by the regularized Yoffe function (RYF), which has only two parameters: rise time T r and smoothing time T s , which control the generation of long- and short-period ground motions, respectively. In background areas, we demonstrate that, in addition to the primary rupture, multiple secondary ruptures may also nucleate from rupture heterogeneities related to asperities, resulting in SRFs with multiple peaks. Because it is impossible to fit a multiple-peak SRF by the single-peak RYF, we describe SRFs in background areas in an effective way by fitting their amplitude spectra with the RYF spectra. Such spectrally effective RYFs capture salient aspects of seismic-wave generation and can be used in rupture generators for strong motion prediction. We found that small T s values correlate with small characteristic weakening distances, large peak slip rates (PSRs), and large rupture velocities. T r values are larger in background areas and smaller in asperities. Within the shallow aseismic zone, T s values approximately quadruple whereas T r values approximately double. Because of this dominant T s increase, PSR values decrease in the near-surface zone. These features indicate that the generation of strong motions by the near-surface portions of the rupture is negligible in the studied scenarios.

Geosciences↗

Structure and evolution of solar radio bursts at 26.4 MHz

Results are reported for multiple-baseline interferometric measurements of type II, III, IV, and V solar radio bursts at 26.4 MHz. Thirty-two burst events in a two-month period are analyzed by fitting a double-Gaussian two-dimensional source-brightness distribution model to the observed interferometer visibility function. The multibaseline time-sharing interferometer system employed is described in detail, the model-fitting technique is outlined, and values of the model-fit parameters are given for all 32 cases, which include two type II bursts, three type IV bursts, 17 type III bursts, seven type V bursts, and three bursts of type III, V pairs. The temporal evolution of source structure, size, and motion is examined for the different burst types. The core-halo source structure for the type III bursts is interpreted in comparison to two models, one of which assumes scattering and refraction of a point source while the other postulates primarily refraction from an ensemble of sources distributed over a wide sector in solar longitude.

Chen, H. S.-L.↗

Invariant Features for Accurate Predictions of Quantum Chemical UV-vis Spectra of Organic Molecules

Including invariance of global properties of a phys-ical system as an intrinsic feature in graph neural networks (GNNs) enhances the model's robustness and generalizability and reduces the amount of training data required to obtain a desired accuracy for predictions of these properties. Existing open source GNN libraries construct invariant features only for specific GNN architectures. This precludes the generalization of invariant features to arbitrary message passing neural network (MPNN) layers which, in turn, precludes the use of these libraries for new, user-specified predictive tasks. To address this limitation, we implement invariant MPNNs into the flexible and scalable HydraGNN architecture. HydraGNN enables a seamless switch between various MPNNs in a unified layer sequence and allows for a fair comparison between the predictive performance of different MPNNs. We trained this enhanced HydraGNN archi-tecture on the ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrum of GDB-9 molecules, a feature that describes the molecule's electronic exci-tation modes, computed with time-dependent density functional tight binding (TD-DFTB) and available open source through the GDB-9-Ex dataset. We assess the robustness (i.e., accuracy and generalizability) of the predictions obtained using different invariant MPNNs with respect to different values of the full width at half maximum (FWHM) for the Gaussian smearing of the theoretical peaks. Our numerical results show that incorporating invariance in the HydraGNN architecture significantly enhances both accuracy and generalizability in predicting UV-vis spectra of organic molecules.

Baker, Justin↗

System for locating the sources of wideband dE/dt from lightning

A system has been developed to measure wideband electic field derivatives (dE/dt) at five ground stations in a 15 km x 15 km network at Kennedy Space Center. Individual station responses are normalized using digital filters. Pulse-timing resolution is improved to much less than 50-ns sample interval by interpolation using packing in the frequency domain. A time tag for each pulse is defined as the mean of the times of the rising-edge half peak, peak, and falling-edge half peak. The standard deviation in these times defines the timing error and is shown to be a function of noise and bandwidth rather than digitization rate. Each of the four unknowns for a pulse source location (x,y,z) and time of occurrence (t) is found from the five time-tag measurements using different weightings for all five combinations of the four-station hyperbolic equations. Weighting factors and errors in x,y,z and t are estimated using error propagation techniques.

Thomson, E. M.↗

Algorithm for astronomical, extended source, signal-to-noise radio calculations

An algorithm was developed to simulate the expected signal-to-noise ratio as a function of observation time in the charge coupled device detector plane of an optical telescope located outside the Earth's atmosphere for an extended, uniform astronomical source embedded in a uniform cosmic background. By choosing the appropriate input values, the expected extended source signal-to-noise ratios can be computed for the Hubble Space Telescope using the Wide Field/Planetary Camera science instrument.

Jayroe, R. R.↗