Quasi-periodic oscillations in rotating and deformed spacetimes

Abstract: Quasi-periodic oscillation (QPOs) analysis is important for understanding the dynamical behavior of many astrophysical objects during transient events such as gamma-ray bursts, solar flares, magnetar flares, and fast radio bursts. In this paper, we analyze QPO data in low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) systems, using the Lense-Thirring, Kerr, and approximate Zipoy-Voorhees metrics. We demonstrate that the inclusion of spin and quadrupole parameters modifies the well-established results for the fundamental frequencies in the Schwarzschild spacetime. We interpret the QPO data within the framework of the standard relativistic precession model, allowing us to infer the values of the mass, spin, and quadrupole parameters of neutron stars in LMXBs. We explore recent QPO data sets from eight distinct LMXBs, assess their optimal parameters, and compare our findings with results in the existing literature. Finally, we discuss the astrophysical implications of our findings.

neutron stars;fundamental frequencies;quasi-periodic oscillations


Optical Appearance of Eccentric Tidal Disruption Events

Abstract: Stars approaching supermassive black holes can be tidally disrupted. Despite being expected to emit X-rays, TDEs have been largely observed in optical bands, which is poorly understood. In this Letter, we simulate the tidal disruption of a 1 M⊙ main sequence star on an eccentric (e=0.95) orbit with a periapsis distance one or five times smaller than the tidal radius (β=1 or 5) using general relativistic smoothed particle hydrodynamics. We follow the simulation for up to a year post-disruption. We show that accretion disks in eccentric TDEs are masked by unbound material outflowing at ∼10,000 km/s. Assuming electron scattering opacity, this material would be visible as a ∼100 au photosphere at ∼104 K, in line with observations of candidate TDEs.

tidal disruption events;supermassive black holes;optical transients;hydrodynamical simulations


Improving Constraint on Ω_m from SDSS Using Marked Correlation Functions

Abstract: Large-scale structure (LSS) surveys will increasingly provide stringent constraints on our cosmological models. Recently, the density-marked correlation function (MCF) has been introduced, offering an easily computable density-correlation statistic. Simulations have demonstrated that MCFs offer additional, independent constraints on cosmological models beyond the standard two-point correlation (2PCF). In this study, we apply MCFs for the first time to SDSS CMASS data, aiming to investigate the statistical information regarding clustering and anisotropy properties in the Universe and assess the performance of various weighting schemes in MCFs. Upon analyzing the CMASS data, we observe that, by combining different weights (α=[−0.2,0,0.2,0.6]), the MCFs provide a tight and independent constraint on the cosmological parameter Ωm, yielding Ωm=0.293±0.006 at the 1σ level, which represents a significant reduction in the statistical error by a factor of 3.4 compared to that from 2PCF. Our constraint is consistent with recent findings from the small-scale clustering of BOSS galaxies <cit.> within the 1σ level. However, we also find that our estimate is lower than the Planck measurements by about 2.6σ, indicating the potential presence of new physics beyond the standard cosmological model if all the systematics are fully corrected. The method outlined in this study can be extended to other surveys and datasets, allowing for the constraint of other cosmological parameters. Additionally, it serves as a valuable tool for forthcoming emulator analysis on the Chinese Space Station Telescope (CSST).

large scale structure of universe;dark energy;cosmological parameters;marked weighted correlation function


Early Galaxy Formation and the Hubble Tension

Abstract: A tension between the expansion rate of the universe obtained from direct measurements and that inferred from fits to the acoustic power spectrum of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation has emerged as higher multipoles have been incorporated into CMB fits. This temporal evolution is suggestive of a systematic effect at fine angular scales, and may be related to the observation of unexpectedly massive galaxies at high redshift. Such objects could cause anomalous gravitational lensing of the surface of last scattering, which in turn may affect the best-fit value of H0. If so, the Hubble tension may be the result of a systematic effect in the fitting of CMB data rather than a systematic error in local measurements.

early universe;galaxy formation;large-scale structure of the universe


Mitigation of the Brighter-Fatter Effect in the LSST Camera

Abstract: Thick, fully depleted charge-coupled devices (CCDs) are known to exhibit non-linear behavior at high signal levels due to the dynamic behavior of charges collecting in the potential wells of pixels, called the brighter-fatter effect (BFE). This particularly impacts bright calibration stars, which appear larger than their intrinsic shape, creating a flux-dependent point-spread function (PSF) that if left unmitigated, could make up a large fraction of the error budget in Stage IV weak-lensing (WL) surveys such as the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST). In this paper, we analyze image measurements of flat fields and artificial stars taken at different illumination levels with the LSST Camera (LSSTCam) at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in order to quantify this effect in the LSST Camera before and after a previously introduced correction technique. We observe that the BFE evolves anisotropically as a function of flux due to higher-order BFEs, which violates the fundamental assumption of this correction method. We then introduce a new sampling method based on a physically motivated model to account these higher-order terms in the correction, and then we test the modified correction on both datasets. We find that the new method corrects the effect in flat fields better than it corrects the effect in artificial stars which we conclude is the result of a unmodeled curl component of the deflection field by the correction. We use these results to define a new metric for the full-well capacity of our sensors and advise image processing strategies to further limit the impact of the effect on LSST WL science pathways.

ccds;lsst;brighter-fatter effect;flat field statistics;pixel size variation;point-spread function;instrument signature removal;weak lensing


Insights into the first and second hydrostatic core stages from numerical simulations

Abstract: The theory of how low mass stars form from the collapse of a dense molecular cloud core has been well-established for decades. Thanks to significant progress in computing and numerical modelling, more physical models have been developed and a wider parameter space explored to understand the early stages of star formation more fully. In this review, I describe the expected physical properties of the first and second core stages and how the inclusion of different physics affects those predicted characteristics. I provide an overview of chemical models and synthetic observations, looking towards the positive identification of the first core in nature, which remains elusive. However, there are a few likely candidate first cores, which are listed, and I briefly discuss the recent progress in characterising the youngest protostellar sources. Chemistry will be instrumental in the firm identification of the first core so we require robust theoretical predictions of the chemical evolution of protostellar cores, especially of the first and second core outflows. Looking ahead, simulations can shed light on how the protostellar collapse phase shapes the evolution of the protostellar disc. Simulations of dust evolution during protostellar core collapse show there is significant enhancement in grain size and abundance towards the centre of the core. Chemical models show that the warm, dense conditions of the first core drive chemical evolution. There is a wide scope for further study of the role that the first and second core stages play in determining the structure and composition of the protostellar disc and envelope and, of course, the eventual influence on the formation of planets.


Variable Chaplygin Gas: Contraining parameters using FRBs

Abstract: We investigate the cosmological constraints on the Variable Chaplygin gas model with the latest observational data from the Fast Radio Bursts and SNeIa (Pantheon+SHOES). The Variable Chaplygin gas model is shown to be compatible with Type Ia Supernovae and Fast Radio Burts. We have obtained tighter constraints on cosmological parameters Bs and n, using the the FRB data set. By using the Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method on the SNeIa data set, we obtain Bs=0.1956 +- 0.1047 , n= 1.3581 +- 1.1678 and H0= 70.3902 +- 0.6381 and we obtain Bs= 0.1780 +-0.1069 , n= 1.2633+- 1.2433 and H0=70.397 +- 0.6597 from the FRB data set. We are able to get a good agreement between the H0 values from the two data sets.

variable chaplygin gas;fast radio bursts;sne ia;cosmology


Robust Detrending of Spatially Correlated Systematics in Kepler Light Curves Using Low-Rank Methods

Abstract: Light curves produced by wide-field exoplanet transit surveys such as CoRoT, Kepler, and TESS are affected by sensor-wide systematic noise which is correlated both spatiotemporally and with other instrumental parameters such as photometric magnitude. Robust and effective systematics mitigation is necessary to achieve the level of photometric accuracy required to detect exoplanet transits and to faithfully recover other forms of intrinsic astrophysical variability. We demonstrate the feasibility of a new exploratory algorithm to remove spatially-correlated systematic noise and detrend light curves obtained from wide-field transit surveys. This spatial systematics algorithm is data-driven and fits a low-rank linear model for the systematics conditioned on a total-variation spatial constraint. The total-variation constraint models spatial systematic structure across the sensor on a foundational level. The fit is performed using gradient descent applied to, a variable reduced least-squares penalty and a modified form of total-variation prior; both the systematics basis vectors and their weighting coefficients are iteratively varied. The algorithm was numerically evaluated against a reference principal component analysis, using both signal injection on a selected Kepler dataset, as well as full simulations within the same Kepler coordinate framework. We find our algorithm to reduce overfitting of astrophysical variability over longer signal timescales (days) while performing comparably relative to the reference method for exoplanet transit timescales. The algorithm performance and application is assessed and future development outlined.

exoplanet detection methods;astronomy data analysis;wide-field telescopes;surveys


Insight from laboratory measurements on dust in debris discs

Abstract: Extreme adaptive optics instruments have revealed exquisite details on debris discs, allowing to extract the optical properties of the dust particles such as the phase function, the degree of polarisation and the spectral reflectance. These are three powerful diagnostic tools to understand the physical properties of the dust : the size, shape and composition of the dust particles. This can inform us on the population of parent bodies, also called planetesimals, which generate those particles through collisions. It is however very rare to be able to combine all those three observables for the same system, as this requires different high-contrast imaging techniques to suppress the starlight and reveal the faint scattered light emission from the dust. Due to its brightness, the ring detected around the A-type star HR 4796 is a notable exception, with both unpolarised and polarised images covering near-infrared wavelengths. Here, we show how measurements of dust particles in the laboratory can reproduce the observed near-infrared photo-polarimetric properties of the HR 4796 disc. Experimental characterisation of dust allows to bypass the current limitations of dust models to reproduce simultaneously the phase function, the degree of polarisation and the spectral reflectance.

hr 4796;light scattering;debris disc;cosmic dust


Radio Jet Feedback on the Inner Disk of Virgo Spiral Galaxy Messier 58

Abstract: Spitzer spectral maps reveal a disk of highly luminous, warm (>150 K) H2 in the center of the massive spiral galaxy Messier 58, which hosts a radio-loud AGN. The inner 2.6 kpc of the galaxy appears to be overrun by shocks from the radio jet cocoon. Gemini NIRI imaging of the H2 1-0 S(1) emission line, ALMA CO 2-1, and HST multiband imagery indicate that much of the molecular gas is shocked in-situ, corresponding to lanes of dusty molecular gas that spiral towards the galaxy nucleus. The CO 2-1 and ionized gas kinematics are highly disturbed, with velocity dispersion up to 300 km/s. Dissipation of the associated kinetic energy and turbulence, likely injected into the ISM by radio-jet driven outflows, may power the observed molecular and ionized gas emission from the inner disk. The PAH fraction and composition in the inner disk appear to be normal, in spite of the jet and AGN activity. The PAH ratios are consistent with excitation by the interstellar radiation field from old stars in the bulge, with no contribution from star formation. The phenomenon of jet-shocked H2 may substantially reduce star formation and help to regulate the stellar mass of the inner disk and supermassive black hole in this otherwise normal spiral galaxy. Similarly strong H2 emission is found at the centers of several nearby spiral and lenticular galaxies with massive bulges and radio-loud AGN.

active galactic nuclei;radio jets;shocks;dust


Eruptive events with exceptionally bright emission in HI Ly-alpha observed by the Metis coronagraph

Abstract: Metis, the coronagraph on board Solar Orbiter, provides for the first time coronagraphic imaging in the ultraviolet HI Ly-alpha line and, simultaneously, in polarized visible light, thus providing a host of information on the properties of CMEs and solar eruptions like their overall dynamics, time evolution, mass content, and outflow propagation velocity in the expanding corona. We analyzed in this work six CMEs observed by Metis between April and October 2021, which are characterized by a very strong HI Ly-alpha emission. We studied in particular the morphology, kinematics, and the temporal and radial evolution of the emission of such events, focusing on the brightest UV features. The kinematics of the eruptive events under consideration were studied by determining the height-time profiles of the brightest parts on the Metis plane of the sky. Furthermore, the 3D position in the heliosphere of the CMEs were determined by employing co-temporal images from two other coronagraphs: LASCO/C2 onboard SOHO, and COR2 onboard STEREO-A. Finally, the radiometrically calibrated Metis images of the bright UV features were analyzed to provide estimates of their volume and density. From the kinematics and radiometric analyses, we obtained indications of the temperatures of the bright UV cores of these events. The analysis of these strong UV-emitting features associated with coronal mass ejections demonstrates the capabilities of the current constellation of space coronagraphs, Metis, LASCO/C2, and COR2, in providing a complete characterization of the structure and dynamics of eruptive events in their propagation phase from their inception up to several solar radii. Furthermore, we show how the unique capabilities of the Metis instrument to observe these events in both HI Ly-alpha line and polarized VL radiation allow plasma diagnostics on the thermal state of these events.

corona;atmosphere;uv radiation;coronal mass ejections (cmes)


Peculiar abundances of the cool carbon star HE 1104-0957

Abstract: We present, for the first time, a detailed abundance analysis of the carbon star HE 1104−0957 based on high resolution (R∼ 50 000) spectra. Our analysis shows that the object is an extremely metal-poor star with [Fe/H] ∼ −2.96. We find that the object shows enhancement of carbon with [C/Fe] ∼ 1.82. However, it does not fall into any of the sub-groups of carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) stars based on the characteristic elemental abundance ratios used for the classification of various CEMP sub-groups. HE 1104−0957 is also found to exhibit an enhancement of oxygen and nitrogen with [O/Fe], and [N/Fe] ∼ 1.54, and 2.54 respectively. In HE 1104−0957, α-elements are found to be slightly enhanced with [α/Fe] ∼ 0.46. Fe-peak elements are also moderately enhanced in HE 1104−0957 with a value 0.63 with respect to Fe. Our analysis shows that HE 1104−0957 exhibits enhancement of neutron-capture elements, particularly r-process elements. The low-resolution spectra of this object shows the spectral features characteristics of a typical C-R star. However, We find that the surface chemical compositions of this object is contradictory to that expected for a C-R star. It requires a detailed analysis to better understand the abundance anomalies exhibited by this object.


Detecting stellar activity cycles in p-mode travel times: Proof of concept using SOHO/VIRGO solar observations

Abstract: The eleven year solar cycle is known to affect the global modes of solar acoustic oscillations. In particular, p mode frequencies increase with solar activity. We propose a new method to detect the solar cycle from the p-mode autocorrelation function, and we validate this method using VIRGO/SPM photometric time series from solar cycles 23 and 24. The p-mode autocorrelation function shows multiple wavepackets separated by time lags of ∼123 min. Using a one-parameter fitting method (from local helioseismology), we measure the seismic travel times from each wavepacket up to skip number 40. We find that the travel-time variations due to the solar cycle depend sensitively on the skip number, with the strongest signature in odd skips from 17 to 31. Taking the noise covariance into account, the travel-time perturbations can be averaged over all skip numbers to enhance the signal-to-noise ratio. This method is robust to noise, simpler to implement than peak bagging in the frequency domain, and is promising for asteroseismology. We estimate that the activity cycle of a Sun-like star should be detectable with this new method in Kepler-like observations down to a visual magnitude of mK∼11. However, for fainter stars, activity cycles are easier to detect in the photometric variability on rotational timescales.


The contemporaneous phase of GRB Afterglows – Application to GRB 221009A

Abstract: The TeV observations of GRB 221009A provided us with a unique opportunity to analyze the contemporaneous phase in which both prompt and afterglow emissions are seen simultaneously. To describe this initial phase of Gamma-Ray Burst afterglows, we suggest a model for a blast wave with an intermittent energy supply. We treat the blast wave as a two-element structure. The central engine supplies energy to the inner part (shocked ejecta material) via the reverse shock. As the shocked ejecta material expands, its internal energy is transferred to the shocked external matter. We take into account the inertia of the shocked external material so that the pressure difference across this region determines the derivative of the blast wave's Lorentz factor. Applied to GRB 221009A, the model yields a very good fit to the observations of the entire TeV lightcurve except for three regions where there are excesses in the data with respect to the model. Those are well correlated with the three largest episodes of the prompt activity, and thus, we interpret them as the reverse shock emission. Our best-fit solution for GRB 221009A is an extremely narrow jet with an opening angle theta_j approx 0.07^o (500/Γ_0) propagating into a wind-like external medium. This extremely narrow angle is consistent with the huge isotropic equivalent energy of this burst, and its inverse jet break explains the very rapid rise of the afterglow. Interestingly, photon-photon annihilation doesn't play a decisive role in the best-fit model.

gamma-ray bursts;non-thermal radiation sources;relativistic jets;shocks


SAINT (Small Aperture Imaging Network Telescope) – a wide-field telescope complex for detecting and studying optical transients at times from milliseconds to years

Abstract: (Abridged) In this paper, we present a project of multi-channel wide-field optical sky monitoring system with high temporal resolution – Small Aperture Imaging Network Telescope (SAINT) – mostly built from off-the-shelf components and aimed towards searching and studying optical transient phenomena on the shortest time scales. The instrument consists of 12 channels each containing 30cm (F/1.5) objectives mounted on separate mounts with pointing speeds up to 50deg/s. Each channel is equipped with a 4128x4104 pixel, and a set of photometric griz filters and linear polarizers. At the heart of every channel is a custom built reducer-collimator module allowing rapid switching of an effective focal length of the telescope – due to it the system is capable to operate in either wide-field survey or narrow-field follow-up modes. In the first case, the field of view of the instrument is 470 square degrees and the detection limits (5σ level at 5500Å) are 12.5-21 mag for exposure times of 20 ms - 20 min correspondingly. In the second, follow-up regime, all telescopes are oriented towards the single target, and SAINT becomes an equivalent to a 1m telescope, with the field of view reduced to 11′ x 11′, and the exposure times decreased down to 0.6 ms. Different channels may then have different filters installed, thus allowing a detailed study – acquiring both color and polarization information – of a target object with highest possible temporal resolution. The operation of SAINT will allow acquiring an unprecedented amount of data on various classes of astrophysical phenomena, from near-Earth to extragalactic ones, while its multi-channel design and the use of commercially available components allows easy expansion of its scale, and thus performance and detection capabilities.

optical observations;wide-field instruments;photometry;transients;gamma-ray bursts;fast radio bursts;meteors;red dwarfs;white dwarfs


Application of Regularization Methods in the Sky Map Reconstruction of the Tianlai Cylinder Pathfinder Array

Abstract: The Tianlai cylinder pathfinder is a radio interferometer array to test 21 cm intensity mapping techniques in the post-reionization era. It works in passive drift scan mode to survey the sky visible in the northern hemisphere. To deal with the large instantaneous field of view and the spherical sky, we decompose the drift scan data into m-modes, which are linearly related to the sky intensity. The sky map is reconstructed by solving the linear interferometer equations. Due to incomplete uv coverage of the interferometer baselines, this inverse problem is usually ill-posed, and regularization method is needed for its solution. In this paper, we use simulation to investigate two frequently used regularization methods, the Truncated Singular Value Decomposition (TSVD), and the Tikhonov regularization techniques. Choosing the regularization parameter is very important for its application. We employ the generalized cross validation (GCV) method and the L-curve method to determine the optimal value. We compare the resulting maps obtained with the different regularization methods, and for the different parameters derived using the different criteria. While both methods can yield good maps for a range of regularization parameters, in the Tikhonov method the suppression of noisy modes are more gradually applied, produce more smooth maps which avoids some visual artefacts in the maps generated with the TSVD method.

radio interferometer;map reconstruction;inverse problem


Spectroastrometry and Imaging Science with Photonic Lanterns on Extremely Large Telescopes

Abstract: Photonic lanterns (PLs) are tapered waveguides that gradually transition from a multi-mode fiber geometry to a bundle of single-mode fibers. In astronomical applications, PLs can efficiently couple multi-mode telescope light into a multi-mode fiber entrance and convert it into multiple single-mode beams. The output beams are highly stable and suitable for feeding into high-resolution spectrographs or photonic chip beam combiners. For instance, by using relative intensities in the output cores as a function of wavelength, PLs can enable spectroastrometry. In addition, by interfering beams in the output cores with a beam combiner in the backend, PLs can be used for high-throughput interferometric imaging. When used on an Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), with its increased sensitivity and angular resolution, the imaging and spectroastrometric capabilities of PLs will be extended to higher contrast and smaller angular scales. We study the potential spectroastrometry and imaging science cases of PLs on ELTs, including study of exomoons, broad-line regions of quasars, and inner circumstellar disks.

photonic lantern;spectroastrometry;interferometric imaging;high angular resolution;high spectral resolution;photonics


Modelling of radio supernovae: Including the effects of inhomogeneities and radiative cooling

Abstract: The presence of inhomogeneities in a spatially unresolved source is often hard to establish. This limits the accuracy with which the source properties can be determined. It is shown how observed features not expected for a homogeneous model can be used to infer the properties of the inhomogeneities in radio supernovae. Furthermore, the observed consequences of radiative cooling can be seriously affected by inhomogeneities. It is shown that the deduced source properties are very sensitive to the observed value of the cooling frequency; even a lower limit is often useful to constrain its characteristics. It is argued that the main synchrotron emission region in SN 2003L has a small volume filling factor, possibly as low as a few per cent. On the contrary, deviations from homogeneity are substantially smaller in SN 2002ap. The observed properties of type Ib/c radio supernovae in general indicate the volume filling factor to remain rather constant with time for individual sources but those peaking later at radio frequencies have lower filling factors. The conditions in the main synchrotron component in both SN 2003L and SN 2002ap are consistent with equipartition of energy between relativistic electrons and magnetic fields.

supernovae;inhomogeneities;radiative cooling;non-thermal radiation sources;magnetic field


An Optical Search for New Outbursting Low Mass X-Ray Binaries

Abstract: Transient Low-Mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) are discovered largely by X-ray and gamma-ray all-sky monitors. The X-ray outburst is also accompanied by an optical brightening, which empirically can precede detection of X-rays. Newly sensitive optical synoptic surveys may offer a complementary pathway for discovery, and potential for insight into the initial onset and propagation of the thermal instability that leads to the ionization of the accretion disk. We use the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) alert stream to perform a comprehensive search at optical wavelengths for previously undiscovered outbursting LMXBs. Our pipeline first crossmatches the positions of the alerts to cataloged X-ray sources, and then analyzes the 30-day lightcurve of matched alerts by thresholding on differences with an 8-day exponentially weighted moving average. In addition to an nineteen month-long live search, we ran our pipeline over four years of ZTF archival data, recovering 4 known LMXBs. We also independently detected an outburst of MAXI J1957+032 in the live search and found the first outburst of Swift J1943.4+0228, an unclassified X-ray transient, in 10 years. Using Monte Carlo simulations of the Galactic LMXB population, we estimate that 29


Predicting the Spectroscopic Features of Galaxies by Applying Manifold Learning on Their Broad-Band Colors: Proof of Concept and Potential Applications for Euclid, Roman, and Rubin LSST

Abstract: Entering the era of large-scale galaxy surveys which will deliver unprecedented amounts of photometric and spectroscopic data, there is a growing need for more efficient, data driven, and less model-dependent techniques to analyze spectral energy distribution of galaxies. In this work, we demonstrate that by taking advantage of manifold learning approaches, we can estimate spectroscopic features of large samples of galaxies from their broadband photometry when spectroscopy is available only for a fraction of the sample. This will be done by applying the Self Organizing Map (SOM) algorithm on broadband colors of galaxies and mapping partially available spectroscopic information into the trained maps. In this pilot study, we focus on estimating 4000A break in a magnitude-limited sample of galaxies in the COSMOS field. We use observed galaxy colors (ugrizYJH) as well as spectroscopic measurements for a fraction of the sample from LEGA-C and zCOSMOS spectroscopic surveys to estimate this feature for our parent photometric sample. We recover the D4000 feature for galaxies which only have broadband colors with uncertainties about twice of the uncertainty of the employed spectroscopic surveys. Using these measurements we observe a positive correlation between D4000 and stellar mass of the galaxies in our sample with weaker D4000 features for higher redshift galaxies at fixed stellar masses. These can be explained with downsizing scenario for the formation of galaxies and the decrease in their specific star formation rate as well as the aging of their stellar populations over this time period.

broad band photometry;spectroscopy;galaxy colors;self organizing map


Probing the Local Planetary Nebula Luminosity Function with Gaia

Abstract: The Planetary Nebula Luminosity Function (PNLF) remains an important extragalactic distance indicator despite a still limited understanding of its most important feature - the bright cut-off. External galaxies benefit from consistent distance and extinction, which makes determining the PNLF easier but detailed study of individual objects much more difficult. Now, the advent of parallaxes from the Gaia mission has dramatically improved distance estimates to planetary nebulae (PNe) in the Milky Way. We have acquired ground-based narrowband imagery and measured the [OIII] fluxes for a volume-limited sample of hundreds of PNe whose best distance estimates from Gaia parallaxes and statistical methods place them within 3 kpc of the Sun. We present the first results of our study, comparing the local PNLF to other galaxies with different formation histories, and discussing how the brightness of the PNe relates to the evolutionary state of their central stars and the properties of the nebula.


The Carbon-Deficient Evolution of TRAPPIST-1c

Abstract: Transiting planets orbiting M dwarfs provide the best opportunity to study the atmospheres of rocky planets with current facilities. As JWST enters its second year of science operations, an important initial endeavor is to determine whether these rocky planets have atmospheres at all. M dwarf host stars are thought to pose a major threat to planetary atmospheres due to their high magnetic activity over several billion-year timescales, and might completely strip atmospheres. Several Cycle 1 and 2 GO and GTO programs are testing this hypothesis, observing a series of rocky planets to determine whether they retained their atmospheres. A key case-study is TRAPPIST-1c, which receives almost the same bolometric flux as Venus. We might, therefore, expect TRAPPIST-1c to possess a thick, CO2-dominated atmosphere. Instead, Zieba et al. (2023) show that TRAPPIST-1c has little to no CO2 in its atmosphere. To interpret these results, we run coupled time-dependent simulations of planetary outgassing and atmospheric escape to model the evolution of TRAPPIST-1c's atmosphere. We find that the stellar wind stripping that is expected to occur on TRAPPIST-1c over its lifetime can only remove up to ∼16 bar of CO2, less than the modern CO2 inventory of either Earth or Venus. Therefore, we infer that TRAPPIST-1c either formed volatile-poor, as compared to Earth and Venus, or lost a substantial amount of CO2 during an early phase of hydrodynamic hydrogen escape. Finally, we scale our results for the other TRAPPIST-1 planets, finding that the more distant TRAPPIST-1 planets may readily retain atmospheres.


Sagittarius A^⋆ as a plausible source candidate for PeV neutrinos

Abstract: We propose that the recently observed diffuse neutrinos by IceCube with energies above 1 PeV might have originated from Sagittarius A⋆ located in the galactic disk. This implies that the astrophysical settings of Sagittarius A⋆ need to accelerate hadronic cosmic rays to energies of ∼100 PeV or more. Then, the hadronic emission scenario argues that this galactic neutrino source is also a PeV gamma-ray source. Recent observation of galactic diffuse PeV gamma-rays with energies ∼1 PeV by Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory has also advocated this conjecture. In the present paper, we demonstrate that if protons are accelerated to energies of ∼100 PeV or more as reported by Osmanov et al. (Astrophys. J. 835 164:2017) in Sagittarius A⋆ environment, then they might generate PeV neutrinos and gamma rays through cosmic rays-gas/interstellar matter (e.g. pp) interactions. We estimate theoretically the diffuse neutrino flux due to back-to-back charged pion decays and the accompanying gamma-ray flux from neutral pion decays. These results suggest that a fraction (≃1

galactic center;particle acceleration;plasma motion;neutrinos;gamma rays


ALMA High-resolution Spectral Survey of Thioformaldehyde (H2CS) Towards Massive Protoclusters

Abstract: Investigating the temperature and density structures of gas in massive protoclusters is crucial for understanding the chemical properties therein. In this study, we present observations of the continuum and thioformaldehyde (H2CS) lines at 345 GHz of 11 massive protoclusters using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) telescope. High spatial resolution and sensitivity observations have detected 145 continuum cores from the 11 sources. H2CS line transitions are observed in 72 out of 145 cores, including line-rich cores, warm cores and cold cores. The H2 column densities of the 72 cores are estimated from the continuum emission which are larger than the density threshold value for star formation, suggesting that H2CS can be widely distributed in star-forming cores with different physical environments. Rotation temperature and column density of H2CS are derived by use of the XCLASS software. The results show the H2CS abundances increase as temperature rises and higher gas temperatures are usually associated with higher H2CS column densities. The abundances of H2CS are positively correlated with its column density, suggesting that the H2CS abundances are enhanced from cold cores, warm cores to line-rich cores in star forming regions.


The composition of Saturn's rings

Abstract: The origin and evolution of Saturn's rings is critical to understanding the Saturnian system as a whole. Here, we discuss the physical and chemical composition of the rings, as a foundation for evolutionary models described in subsequent chapters. We review the physical characteristics of the main rings, and summarize current constraints on their chemical composition. Radial trends are observed in temperature and to a limited extent in particle size distribution, with the C ring exhibiting higher temperatures and a larger population of small particles. The C ring also shows evidence for the greatest abundance of silicate material, perhaps indicative of formation from a rocky body. The C ring and Cassini Division have lower optical depths than the A and B rings, which contributes to the higher abundance of the exogenous neutral absorber in these regions. Overall, the main ring composition is strongly dominated by water ice, with minor silicate, UV absorber, and neutral absorber components. Sampling of the innermost D ring during Cassini's Grand Finale provides a new set of in situ constraints on the ring composition, and we explore ongoing work to understand the linkages between the main rings and the D ring. The D ring material is organic- and silicate-rich and water-poor relative to the main rings, with a large population of small grains. This composition may be explained in part by volatile losses in the D ring, and current constraints suggest some degree of fractionation rather than sampling of the bulk D ring material.

ring particle composition;mixing and particle size distribution;ring radial and vertical structure;d ring atmosphere


Enhanced three-minute oscillation above a sunspot during a solar flare

Abstract: Three-minute oscillations are a common phenomenon in the solar chromosphere above a sunspot. Oscillations can be affected by the energy release process related to solar flares. In this paper, we report on an enhanced oscillation in flare event SOL2012-07-05T21:42 with a period of around three minutes, that occurred at the location of a flare ribbon at a sunspot umbra-penumbra boundary, and was observed both in chromo-spheric and coronal passbands. An analysis of this oscillation was carried out using simultaneous ground-based observations from the Goode Solar Telescope (GST) at the Big Bear Solar Observatory (BBSO) and space-based observations from the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). A frequency shift was observed before and after the flare, with the running penumbral wave that was present with a period of about 200 s before the flare co-existing with a strengthened oscillation with a period of 180 s at the same locations after the flare. We also found a phase difference between different passbands, with the oscillation occurring from high-temperature to low-temperature passbands. Theoretically, the change in frequency is strongly dependent on the variation of the inclination of the magnetic field and the chromospheric temperature. Following an analysis of the properties of the region, we find the frequency change is caused by the slight decrease of the magnetic inclination angle to the local vertical. In addition, we suggest that the enhanced three-minute oscillation is related to the additional heating, maybe due to the downflow, during the EUV late phase of the flare.

flare;flare ribbon;he i 10830 a˚;oscillation


Clues to PPN Chemical Evolution: The Unique Molecular Environment of V510 Pup

Abstract: V510 Pup (IRAS 08005-2356) is a binary post-AGB system with a fast molecular outflow that has been noted for its puzzling mixture of carbon- and oxygen-rich features in the optical and infrared. To explore this chemical dichotomy and relate it to the kinematics of the source, we present an ACA spectral line survey detailing fourteen newly detected molecules in this pre-planetary nebula. The simultaneous presence of CN/C2H/HC3N and SO/SO2 support the previous conclusion of mixed chemistry, and their line profiles indicate that the C- and O-rich material trace distinct velocity structures in the outflow. This evidence suggests that V510 Pup could harbor a dense O-rich central waist from an earlier stage of evolution, which persisted after a fast C-rich molecular outflow formed. By studying the gas phase composition of this unique source, we aim to reveal new insights into the interplay between dynamics and chemistry in rapidly evolving post-AGB systems.

stellar evolution;circumstellar matter;astrochemistry;post-agb stars


Probing Dark Matter with Adaptive-optics based Flux Ratio Anomalies: Photometric and Astrometric Precision

Abstract: Strong gravitational lensing is a powerful probe of the distribution of matter on sub-kpc scales. It can be used to test the existence of completely dark subhalos surrounding galaxies, as predicted by the standard cold dark matter model, or to test alternative dark matter models. The constraining power of the method depends strongly on photometric and astrometric precision and accuracy. We simulate and quantify the capabilities of upcoming adaptive optics systems and advanced instruments on ground-based telescopes, focusing as an illustration on the Keck Telescope (OSIRIS + KAPA, LIGER + KAPA) and the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT; IRIS + NFIRAOS). We show that these new systems will achieve dramatic improvements over current ones in both photometric and astrometric precision. Narrow line flux ratio errors below 2

dark matter;strong gravitational lensing;adaptive optics


Ground-breaking Exoplanet Science with the ANDES spectrograph at the ELT

Abstract: In the past decade the study of exoplanet atmospheres at high-spectral resolution, via transmission/emission spectroscopy and cross-correlation techniques for atomic/molecular mapping, has become a powerful and consolidated methodology. The current limitation is the signal-to-noise ratio during a planetary transit. This limitation will be overcome by ANDES, an optical and near-infrared high-resolution spectrograph for the ELT. ANDES will be a powerful transformational instrument for exoplanet science. It will enable the study of giant planet atmospheres, allowing not only an exquisite determination of atmospheric composition, but also the study of isotopic compositions, dynamics and weather patterns, mapping the planetary atmospheres and probing atmospheric formation and evolution models. The unprecedented angular resolution of ANDES, will also allow us to explore the initial conditions in which planets form in proto-planetary disks. The main science case of ANDES, however, is the study of small, rocky exoplanet atmospheres, including the potential for biomarker detections, and the ability to reach this science case is driving its instrumental design. Here we discuss our simulations and the observing strategies to achieve this specific science goal. Since ANDES will be operational at the same time as NASA's JWST and ESA's ARIEL missions, it will provide enormous synergies in the characterization of planetary atmospheres at high and low spectral resolution. Moreover, ANDES will be able to probe for the first time the atmospheres of several giant and small planets in reflected light. In particular, we show how ANDES will be able to unlock the reflected light atmospheric signal of a golden sample of nearby non-transiting habitable zone earth-sized planets within a few tenths of nights, a scientific objective that no other currently approved astronomical facility will be able to reach.


High-contrast JWST-MIRI spectroscopy of planet-forming disks for the JDISC Survey

Abstract: The JWST Disk Infrared Spectral Chemistry Survey (JDISCS) aims to understand the evolution of the chemistry of inner protoplanetary disks using the Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). With a growing sample of >30 disks, the survey implements a custom method to calibrate the MIRI Medium Resolution Spectrometer (MRS) to contrasts of better than 1:300 across its 4.9-28 micron spectral range. This is achieved using observations of Themis-family asteroids as precise empirical reference sources. High spectral contrast enables precise retrievals of physical parameters, searches for rare molecular species and isotopologues, and constraints on the inventories of carbon- and nitrogen-bearing species. JDISCS also offers significant improvements to the MRS wavelength and resolving power calibration. We describe the JDISCS calibrated data and demonstrate its quality using observations of the disk around the solar-mass young star FZ Tau. The FZ Tau MIRI spectrum is dominated by strong emission from warm water vapor. We show that the water and CO line emission originates from the disk surface and traces a range of gas temperatures of  500-1500 K. We retrieve parameters for the observed CO and H2O lines, and show that they are consistent with a radial distribution represented by two temperature components. A high water abundance of n(H2O) 10^-4 fills the disk surface at least out to the 350 K isotherm at 1.5 au. We search the FZ Tau environs for extended emission detecting a large (radius of  300 au) ring of emission from H2 gas surrounding FZ Tau, and discuss its origin.

protoplanetary disks;astrochemistry;water vapor;infrared spectroscopy


Stellar Loci. VII. Photometric Metallicities of 5 Million FGK Stars Based on GALEX GR6+7 AIS and Gaia EDR3

Abstract: We combine photometric data from GALEX GR6+7 AIS and Gaia EDR3 with stellar parameters from the SAGA and PASTEL catalogs to construct high-quality training samples for dwarfs (0.4<BP−RP<1.6) and giants (0.6<BP−RP<1.6). We apply careful reddening corrections using empirical temperature- and extinction-dependent extinction coefficients. Using the two samples, we establish a relationship between stellar loci (NUV−BP vs. BP−RP colors), metallicity, and MG. For a given BP−RP color, a 1 dex change in [Fe/H] corresponds to an approximately 1 magnitude change in NUV−BP color for solar-type stars. These relationships are employed to estimate metallicities based on NUV−BP, BP−RP, and MG. Thanks to the strong metallicity dependence in the GALEX NUV-band, our models enable a typical photometric-metallicity precision of approximately σ[Fe/H] = 0.11 dex for dwarfs and σ[Fe/H] = 0.17 dex for giants, with an effective metallicity range extending down to [Fe/H] =−3.0 for dwarfs and [Fe/H] =−4.0 for giants. We also find that the NUV-band based photometric-metallicity estimate is not as strongly affected by carbon enhancement as previous photometric techniques. With the Gaia and GALEX data, we have estimated metallicities for about 5 million stars across almost the entire sky, including approximately 4.5 million dwarfs and 0.5 million giants. This work demonstrates the potential of the NUV-band for estimating photometric metallicities, and sets the groundwork for utilizing the NUV data from space telescopes such as the upcoming Chinese Space Station Telescope.

metallicity;stellar fundamental parameters;astronomy data analysis


HI, FRB, what's your z: The first FRB host galaxy redshift from radio observations

Abstract: Identification and follow up observations of the host galaxies of fast radio bursts (FRBs) not only help us understand the environments in which the FRB progenitors reside, but also provide a unique way of probing the cosmological parameters using the dispersion measures of FRBs and distances to their origin. A fundamental requirement is an accurate distance measurement to the FRB host galaxy, but for some sources viewed through the Galactic plane, optical/NIR spectroscopic redshifts are extremely difficult to obtain due to dust extinction. Here we report the first radio-based spectroscopic redshift measurement for an FRB host galaxy, through detection of its neutral hydrogen (HI) 21-cm emission using MeerKAT observations. We obtain an HI-based redshift of z = 0.0357 for the host galaxy of FRB 20230718A, an apparently non-repeating FRB detected in the CRAFT survey and localized at a Galactic latitude of -0.367 deg. Our observations also reveal that the FRB host galaxy is interacting with a nearby companion, which is evident from the detection of an HI bridge connecting the two galaxies. This result demonstrates the value of HI to obtain redshifts of FRBs at low Galactic latitudes and redshifts. Such nearby FRBs whose dispersion measures are dominated by the Milky Way can be used to characterise these components and thus better calibrate the remaining cosmological contribution to dispersion for more distant FRBs that provide a strong lever arm to examine the Macquart relation between cosmological DM and redshift.

hi line emission;fast radio bursts;radio transient sources


Galaxy Formation and Symbiotic Evolution with the Inter-Galactic Medium in the Age of ELT-ANDES

Abstract: High-resolution absorption spectroscopy toward bright background sources has had a paramount role in understanding early galaxy formation, the evolution of the intergalactic medium and the reionisation of the Universe. However, these studies are now approaching the boundaries of what can be achieved at ground-based 8-10m class telescopes. The identification of primeval systems at the highest redshifts, within the reionisation epoch and even into the dark ages, and of the products of the first generation of stars and the chemical enrichment of the early Universe, requires observing very faint targets with a signal-to-noise ratio high enough to detect very faint spectral signatures. In this paper, we describe the giant leap forward that will be enabled by ANDES, the high-resolution spectrograph for the ELT, in these key science fields, together with a brief, non-exhaustive overview of other extragalactic research topics that will be pursued by this instrument, and its synergistic use with other facilities that will become available in the early 2030s.

galaxy formation and evolution;intergalactic medium;circumgalactic medium;interstellar medium;high-resolution spectroscopy;andes


The EBLM Project – From False Positives to Benchmark Stars and Circumbinary Exoplanets

Abstract: The EBLM project aims to characterise very low-mass stars that are companions to solar-type stars in eclipsing binaries. We describe the history and motivation for this project, the methodology we use to obtain precise mass, radius and effective temperature estimates for very low-mass M-dwarfs, and review results of the EBLM study and those from related projects. We show that radius inflation in fully-convective stars is a more subtle effect than was previously thought based on less precise measurements, i.e. the mass-radius-effective temperature relations we observe for fully-convective stars in single-line eclipsing binaries show reasonable agreement with theoretical models, particularly if we account for the M-dwarf metallicity, as inferred from the analysis of the primary star spectrum.

eclipsing binary stars;very low-mass stars;fundamental properties of stars;exoplanets


An Algorithm to Mitigate Charge Migration Effects in Data from the Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph on the James Webb Space Telescope

Abstract: We present an algorithm that mitigates the effects of charge migration due to the "brighter-fatter effect” (BFE) that occurs for highly illuminated stars in the Teledyne HAWAII-2RG detectors used in the NIRCam, NIRISS, and NIRSpec science instruments aboard the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The impact of this effect is most significant for photometry and spectrophotometry of bright stars in data for which the point spread function (PSF) is undersampled, which is the case for several observing modes of the NIRISS instrument. The main impact of the BFE to NIRISS data is incorrect count rate determinations for pixels in the central regions of PSFs of bright stars due to jump detections that are caused by charge migration from peak pixels to surrounding pixels. The effect is especially significant for bright compact sources in resampled, distortion-free images produced by the drizzle algorithm: quantitatively, apparent flux losses of > 50

astronomical instrumentation;infrared observatories;direct imaging;astronomy data analysis


Initial Characterization of the First Speedster-EXD550 Event-Driven X-Ray Hybrid CMOS Detectors

Abstract: Future x-ray observatories will require imaging detectors with fast readout speeds that simultaneously achieve or exceed the other high performance parameters of x-ray charge-coupled devices (CCDs) used in many missions over the past three decades. Fast readout will reduce the impact of pile-up in missions with large collecting areas while also improving performance in other respects like timing resolution. Event-driven readout, in which only pixels with charge from x-ray events are read out, can be used to achieve these faster operating speeds. Speedster-EXD550 detectors are hybrid CMOS detectors (HCDs) capable of event-driven readout, developed by Teledyne Imaging Sensors and Penn State University. We present initial results from measurements of the first of these detectors, demonstrating their capabilities and performance in both full-frame and event-driven readout modes. These include dark current, read noise, gain variation, and energy resolution measurements from the first two engineering-grade devices.

event-driven readout;x-ray detector;hybrid cmos;complementary metal-oxide semiconductor;x-ray astrophysics;blackcat cubesat


Bayesian Analysis for Remote Biosignature Identification on exoEarths (BARBIE) II: Using Grid-Based Nested Sampling in Coronagraphy Observation Simulations for O2 and O3

Abstract: We present the results for the detectability of the O2 and O3 molecular species in the atmosphere of an Earth-like planet using reflected light at the visible wavelengths. By quantifying the detectability as a function of signal-to-noise ration (SNR), we can constrain the best methods to detect these biosignatures with nest-generation telescopes designed for high-contrast coronagraph. Using 25 bandpasses between 0.515 and 1 micron, and a pre-constructed grid of geometric albedo spectra, we examined the spectral sensitivity needed to detect these species for a range of molecular abundances. We first replicate a modern-Earth twin atmosphere to study the detectability of current O2 and O3 levels, and then expand to a wider range of literature-driven abundances for each molecule. We constrain the optimal 20

planetary atmospheres;telescopes;methods: numerical; techniques: nested sampling;grids


A First Look with JWST Aperture Masking Interferometry (AMI): Resolving Circumstellar Dust around the Wolf-Rayet Binary WR 137 beyond the Rayleigh Limit

Abstract: We present infrared aperture masking interferometry (AMI) observations of newly formed dust from the colliding winds of the massive binary system Wolf-Rayet (WR) 137 with JWST using the Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS). NIRISS AMI observations of WR 137 and a point-spread-function calibrator star, HD 228337, were taken using the F380M and F480M filters in 2022 July and August as part of the Director's Discretionary Early Release Science (DD-ERS) program 1349. Interferometric observables (squared visibilities and closure phases) from the WR 137 "interferogram" were extracted and calibrated using three independent software tools: ImPlaneIA, AMICAL, and SAMpip. The analysis of the calibrated observables yielded consistent values except for slightly discrepant closure phases measured by ImPlaneIA. Based on all three sets of calibrated observables, images were reconstructed using three independent software tools: BSMEM, IRBis, and SQUEEZE. All reconstructed image combinations generated consistent images in both F380M and F480M filters. The reconstructed images of WR 137 reveal a bright central core with a ∼300 mas linear filament extending to the northwest. A geometric colliding-wind model with dust production constrained to the orbital plane of the binary system and enhanced as the system approaches periapsis provided a general agreement with the interferometric observables and reconstructed images. Based on a colliding-wind dust condensation analysis, we suggest that dust formation within the orbital plane of WR 137 is induced by enhanced equatorial mass-loss from the rapidly rotating O9 companion star, whose axis of rotation is aligned with that of the orbit.

massive stars;wolf-rayet stars;circumstellar dust


Exploring primordial curvature perturbation on small scales with the lensing effect of fast radio bursts

Abstract: Cosmological observations, e.g., cosmic microwave background, have precisely measured the spectrum of primordial curvature perturbation on larger scales, but smaller scales are still poorly constrained. Since primordial black holes (PBHs) could form in the very early Universe through the gravitational collapse of primordial density perturbations, constrains on the PBH could encodes much information on primordial fluctuations. In this work, we first derive a simple formula for lensing effect to apply PBH constraints with the monochromatic mass distribution to an extended mass distribution. Then, we investigate the latest fast radio burst observations with this relationship to constrain two kinds of primordial curvature perturbation models on the small scales. It suggests that, from the null search result of lensed fast radio burst in currently available observations, the amplitude of primordial curvature perturbation should be less than 8×10−2 at the scale region of 105−106 Mpc−1. This corresponds to an interesting mass range relating to binary black holes detected by LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA and future Einstein Telescope or Cosmic Explorer.

primordial black holes;gravitational lensing;fast radio bursts


Super Winds and Radio Emission in X-ray Binary Systems

Abstract: We have recently proposed that supercritical colliding wind binaries (SCWBs) are suitable scenarios for particle acceleration and nonthermal radiation. In these X-ray binary systems (XRBs), the wind from the companion star collides with the wind ejected from the super-Eddington accretion disk of the stellar black hole. Strong shocks are generated in this collision, leading to the acceleration of particles and subsequent broadband emission through different nonthermal radiative processes. In particular, we estimate luminosities of the order of L≈1034ergs−1 in the radio band. One of the major components in these processes is the power provided by the super wind expelled from the disk. Furthermore, some properties of the wind photosphere, such as its geometry or its temperature distribution, also contribute to the absorption and reprocessing of the nonthermal radiation. In this work, we perform a more detailed description of the powerful wind launched from the accretion disk, in order to obtain a better understanding of the above-mentioned processes.

x-ray binaries;outflows;black holes;accretion disks


Evidence for a Shallow Evolution in the Volume Densities of Massive Galaxies at z=4 to 8 from CEERS

Abstract: We analyze the evolution of massive (log10 [M⋆/M⊙] >10) galaxies at z∼ 4–8 selected from the JWST Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science (CEERS) survey. We infer the physical properties of all galaxies in the CEERS NIRCam imaging through spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting with dense basis to select a sample of high redshift massive galaxies. Where available we include constraints from additional CEERS observing modes, including 18 sources with MIRI photometric coverage, and 28 sources with spectroscopic confirmations from NIRSpec or NIRCam wide-field slitless spectroscopy. We sample the recovered posteriors in stellar mass from SED fitting to infer the volume densities of massive galaxies across cosmic time, taking into consideration the potential for sample contamination by active galactic nuclei (AGN). We find that the evolving abundance of massive galaxies tracks expectations based on a constant baryon conversion efficiency in dark matter halos for z∼ 1–4. At higher redshifts, we observe an excess abundance of massive galaxies relative to this simple model. These higher abundances can be explained by modest changes to star formation physics and/or the efficiencies with which star formation occurs in massive dark matter halos, and are not in tension with modern cosmology.

galaxy evolution;extragalactic astronomy;galaxy formation


Characterization and Correction of the Scattering Background Produced by Dust on the Objective Lens of the Lijiang 10-cm Coronagraph

Abstract: Scattered light from the objective lens, directly exposed to the intense sunlight, is a dominant source of stray light in internally occulted coronagraphs. The variable stray light, such as the scatter from dust on the objective lens, can produce varying scattering backgrounds in coronal images, significantly impacting image quality and data analysis. Using data acquired by the Lijiang 10-cm Coronagraph, the quantitative relationship between the distribution of dust on the objective lens and the resulting scattering backgrounds background is analyzed. Two empirical models for the scattering background are derived, and used to correct the raw coronal data. The second model, which depends on three parameters and performs better, shows that the scattering-background distribution varies with angle, weakens with increasing height, and enhances with increasing dust level on the objective lens. Moreover, we find that the dust on the center of the objective lens can contribute more significantly to the scattering background than on the edge. This study not only quantitatively confirms the significant impact of the stray light produced by dust on the objective lens of the coronagraph, but also corrects the coronal data with this stray light for the first time. Correcting for dust-scattered light is crucial for the high-precision calibration of ground-based coronagraph data, enabling a more accurate analysis of coronal structures. Furthermore, our model is envisioned to support the provision of reliable observational data for future routine coronal magnetic-field measurements using ground-based coronagraphs.


Towards cosmology with Void Lensing: how to find voids sensitive to weak-lensing and numerically interpret them

Abstract: In this work, we present a study of the void lensing signal or the excess surface mass density (ESMD) around cosmic voids. First, we propose a new void-finder algorithm that is designed to capture the ESMD around voids. We compare our algorithm applied to projected slices with the ZOBOV void finder and find significantly deeper weak-lensing profiles for voids defined by our algorithm in the context of a realistic galaxy mock. Then we test the consistency between the measurements of the ESMD as measured through the shear of background galaxies and directly calculated through the dark matter density profiles of the same voids. We found inconsistencies for voids with diameter ≥100h−1Mpc along the line-of-sight, but the consistency holds for smaller voids, meaning that we are indeed probing the underlying dark matter field by measuring the shear around these voids. Moreover, we show that voids found in the projected slices, which are highly sensitive to lensing, are correlated to 3D voids exhibiting intrinsic alignments between them.

large scale structure;cosmic voids;weak leasing


Possibilities of Identifying Members from Milky Way Satellite Galaxies using Unsupervised Machine Learning Algorithms

Abstract: A detailed study of stellar populations in Milky Way (MW) satellite galaxies remains an observational challenge due to their faintness and fewer spectroscopically confirmed member stars. We use unsupervised machine learning methods to identify new members for nine nearby MW satellite galaxies using Gaia data release-3 (Gaia DR3) astrometry and the Dark Energy Survey (DES) and the DECam Local Volume Exploration Survey (DELVE) photometry. Two density-based clustering algorithms, DBSCAN and HDBSCAN, have been used in the four-dimensional astrometric parameter space to identify member stars belonging to MW satellite galaxies. Our results indicate that we can recover more than 80

machine learning;clustering;dbscan;hdbscan;milkyway satellite galaxies;ultra faint dwarf galaxies


Challenges and limitations of future exoplanet space imagers

Abstract: The James Webb Space Telescope was not even launched yet when the Astro2020 Decadal Survey American report recommended the development of what is now called the Habitable World Observatory, also mentioned by the Voyage 2050 European report. This future space telescope, at 11 billions dollars and at least 6 m diameter, should allow, around 2040, the characterization of at least 25 exoplanets similar to Earth and orbiting around main sequence stars, with the hope of discovering one where life could have developed. This objective represents a technological challenge since it requires the design of spectro-imagers able to access very high contrasts (10^-8-10^-10) at low angular separations (smaller than 100 mas). This proceeding and the talk it is associated to address various obstacles that remain to be overcome in order to one day allow HabWorld to reach its ultimate performance.

exoplanets;habitable world observatory;habworld;instrumentation;high-contrast imaging


A self-similar model of galaxy formation and dark halo relaxation

Abstract: We develop a spherical self-similar model for the formation of a galaxy through gas collapsing in an isolated self-gravitating dark matter halo. We improve upon the existing literature on self-similar collapse in two ways. First, we include the effects of radiative cooling and the formation of a pseudo-disk at the center of collapse, in a parametrised manner. More importantly, for the first time we solve for the evolution of gas and dark matter simultaneously and self-consistently using a novel iterative approach. As a result, our model produces shell trajectories of both gas and dark matter that qualitatively agree with the results of full hydrodynamical simulations. We discuss the impact of various ingredients such as the accretion rate, gas equation of state, disk radius and cooling rate amplitude on the evolution of the gas shells. The self-consistent evolution of gas and dark matter allows us to study the response of the dark matter trajectories to the presence of collapsing gas, an effect that has gained increasing importance recently in the context of precision estimates of small-scale statistics like the matter power spectrum. Our default configuration produces a relaxation relation in qualitative agreement with that seen in cosmological hydrodynamical simulations, and further allows us to easily study the impact of the model ingredients mentioned above. As an initial application, we vary one ingredient at a time and find that the accretion rate and gas equation of state have the largest impact on the relaxation relation, while the cooling amplitude plays only a minor role. Our model thus provides a convenient framework to rapidly explore the coupled nonlinear impact of multiple astrophysical processes on the mass and velocity profiles of dark matter in galactic halos

galaxy formation;semi-analytic modeling;dark matter simulations


Coronal dimmings as indicators of early CME propagation direction

Abstract: Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are solar eruptions of plasma and magnetic fields that significantly impact Space Weather, causing disruptions in technological systems and potential damage to power grids when directed towards Earth. Traditional coronagraphs along the Sun-Earth line struggle to precisely track the early evolution of Earth-directed CMEs. Coronal dimmings, localized reductions in extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) and soft X-ray emissions, are key indicators of CMEs in the low corona, resulting from mass loss and expansion during the eruption. This study introduces a novel method, DIRECD (Dimming InfeRred Estimate of CME Direction), to estimate the early propagation direction of CMEs based on the expansion of coronal dimmings. The approach involves 3D simulations of CMEs using a geometric cone model, exploring parameters like width, height, source location, and deflection from the radial direction. The dominant direction of dimming evolution is then determined, and an inverse problem is solved to reconstruct an ensemble of CME cones at various heights, widths, and deflections. By comparing the CME orthogonal projections onto the solar sphere with the dimming geometry, the 3D CME direction is derived.Validated through case studies on October 1, 2011, and September 6, 2011, the DIRECD method reveals the early propagation directions of CMEs. The CME on October 1, 2011, predominantly expands towards the South-East, while the CME on September 6, 2011, inclines towards the North-West. These findings align with previous studies using multi-viewpoint coronagraphic observations. The study demonstrates the utility of coronal dimming information for early CME direction estimation, providing valuable data for space weather forecasting and mitigating potential adverse impacts on Earth before observation in coronographs' field-of-view.

sun;dimmings;solar activity;coronal mass ejections


Smoothed particle magnetohydrodynamics

Abstract: Smoothed particle magnetohydrodynamics has reached a level of maturity that enables the study of a wide range of astrophysical problems. In this review, the numerical details of the modern SPMHD method are described. The three fundamental components of SPMHD are methods to evolve the magnetic field in time, calculate accelerations from the magnetic field, and maintain the divergence-free constraint on the magnetic field (no monopoles). The connection between these three requirements in SPMHD will be highlighted throughout. The focus of this review is on the methods that work well in practice, with discussion on why they work well and other approaches do not. Numerical instabilities will be discussed, as well as strategies to overcome them. The inclusion of non-ideal MHD effects will be presented. A prospective outlook on possible avenues for further improvements will be discussed.

smoothed particle magnetohydrodynamics;smoothed particle hydrodynamics;magnetohydrodynamics (mhd);lagrangian particle methods;non-ideal mhd;divergence cleaning;astrophysics


Gravitational lenses in hydrodynamical simulations

Abstract: The gravitational lensing signal produced by a galaxy or a galaxy cluster is determined by its total matter distribution, providing us with a way to directly constrain their dark matter content. State-of-the-art numerical simulations successfully reproduce many observed properties of galaxies and can be used as a source of mock observations and predictions. Many gravitational lensing studies aim at constraining the nature of dark matter, discriminating between cold dark matter and alternative models. However, many past results are based on the comparison to simulations that did not include baryonic physics. Here we show that the presence of baryons can significantly alter the predictions: we look at the structural properties (profiles and shapes) of elliptical galaxies and at the inner density slope of subhaloes. Our results demonstrate that future simulations must model the interplay between baryons and alternative dark matter, to generate realistic predictions that could significantly modify the current constraints.

strong lensing;cosmology;dark matter;numerical simulations


A tale of many H_0

Abstract: The Hubble parameter H0, is not a univocally-defined quantity: it relates redshifts to distances in the near Universe, but is also a key parameter of the ΛCDM standard cosmological model. As such, H0 affects several physical processes at different cosmic epochs, and multiple observables. We have counted more than a dozen H0's which are expected to agree if a) there are no significant systematics in the data and their interpretation and b) the adopted cosmological model is correct. With few exceptions (proverbially confirming the rule) these determinations do not agree at high statistical significance; their values cluster around two camps: the low (68 km/s/Mpc) and high (73 km/s/Mpc) camp. It appears to be a matter of anchors: the shape of the Universe expansion history agrees with the model, it is the normalizations that disagree. Beyond systematics in the data/analysis, if the model is incorrect there are only two viable ways to "fix" it: by changing the early time (z≳1100) physics and thus the early time normalization, or by a global modification, possibly touching the model's fundamental assumptions (e.g., homogeneity, isotropy, gravity). None of these three options has the consensus of the community. The research community has been actively looking for deviations from ΛCDM for two decades; the one we might have found makes us wish we could put the genie back in the bottle.

cosmology;cosmological parameters;hubble parameter;cosmological distances;cosmic microwave background;large-scale structure


Discovery of torque reversal in the Be/X-ray binary pulsar GX 304-1

Abstract: We study the long-term spin period evolution of the Be/X-ray binary pulsar GX 304-1 and discover a new torque reversal after nearly three years of spinning up. The averaged spin-up rate before the torque reversal is ∼1.3×10−13 Hz s−1 which changes to an averaged spin-down rate of ∼−5×10−14 Hz s−1. The pulsar is detected at low luminosities (about 2×1035 erg s−1) near periastron passages during the torque reversal suggesting that accretion is not quenched during this period. The long-term optical observations of the companion star suggest that the activity of the companion star may have decreased compared to the period when X-ray outbursts were earlier detected from the pulsar. The spin-up rates estimated during regular bright outbursts of the pulsar are observed to decrease systematically as the pulsar enters a low activity state after the outbursts and undergoes torque reversal. We explore plausible mechanisms to explain the torque reversal and long-term spin-down in this pulsar.

gx 304-1;x-ray pulsar;hmxb;spin-up;spin-down;accretion torque;x-ray binary


Forecast of joint analysis of cosmic shear and supernovae magnification from CSST and LSST

Abstract: Cosmic shear and cosmic magnification reflect the same gravitational lensing field. Each of these two probes are affected by different systematics. We study the auto- and cross-correlations of the cosmic shear from the China Space Survey Telescope (CSST) and cosmic magnification of supernovae from Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST). We want to answer, to what extent, by adding the magnification data we can remove the systematic bias in cosmic shear measurement. We generate the mock shear/magnification maps based on the correlation between of different tomographic bins. After obtaining the corrected power spectra, we adopt the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique to fit the theoretical models, and investigate the constraints on the cosmological and nuisance parameters. We find that the with only cosmic shear data, there are 1σ bias in σ8 and intrinsic alignment model parameters. By adding the magnification data, we are able to remove these biases perfectly.


How to distinguish white dwarf and neutron star X-ray binaries during their X-ray outbursts?

Abstract: Neutron stars (NSs) and white dwarfs (WDs) are characterized by different geometric and physical properties, but their observed properties are often similar, making them difficult to distinguish. Therefore, it is desirable to search for their spectral features that could be easily identified from observations. We present spectral and timing signatures of NSs and WDs hosted in accreting X-ray binaries that can be easily identified from X-ray observations. We perform spectral and timing analysis of 4U 1636–53 and SS Cygni, as typical representatives of such NS and WD binaries, based on their X-ray observations by RXTE, ASCA, Suzaku and BeppoSAX uising Comptonization spectral model. As a result, we formulate a criterion that makes it easy to distinguish NS from WD in such binaries: NS X-rays exhibits clear quasi-stable behavior with the index Γ→2 and is characterized by quasi periodic oscillations (QPOs) at νQPO>0.5 Hz, although WD X-rays is stable with Γ→1.85 and is accompanied by QPOs at νQPO<0.05 Hz during source outbursts. In addition, we revealed that in 4U 1636–53 the mHz QPOs anti-correlate with the plasma temperature, Te of Compton cloud (or the corona around a NS. This allowed us to associate mHz-QPOs with the corona dynamics during outburst cycle. The above index effect, now well established for 4U 1636–53 and SS Cygni using extensive observations, has previously been found in other low-mass X-ray NS and WD binaries and agrees well with the criterion for distinguishing NSs and WDs presented here.

accretion;accretion disks;neutron star physics;radiation mechanisms;white dwarf physics


The need for spatially resolved observations of PAHs in protoplanetary discs

Abstract: The signatures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been observed in protoplanetary discs, and their emission features obtained from spectral energy distributions (SED) have been used in the literature to characterise their size and determine their abundance. Two simple disc models (uniform PAH distribution against a PAH gap in the inner disc) are compared to investigate the difference of their SED and obtainable information. We used the radiative transfer code RADMC-3D to model the SED of two protoplanetary discs orbiting a typical Herbig star, one of which features a depletion of PAHs in the inner disc. We further created artificial images of the discs at face-on view to extract radial profiles of the PAH emission in the infrared. We find that the extracted PAH features from an SED provide limited information about the PAHs in protoplanetary disc environments, except for the ionisation state. The distribution of PAHs in a protoplanetary disc influences the total observed PAH luminosity in a non-linear fashion and alters the relative strength between the 3.3 μm and 11.3 μm features. Furthermore, we produced radial profiles at the 3 μm, 6 μm and, 11 μm PAH emission features and find that they follow a double power-law profile where the slope reflects the radiative environment (single photon regime vs. multi-photon regime) in which the PAHs lie. Using spatially resolved techniques such as IFU or imaging in the era of the James Webb Space Telescope, we find that multi-wavelength radial emission profiles will not only provide information on the spatial distribution of the PAHs, but may also provide information on their size and underlying UV environment, which is crucial for photo-evaporative disc wind models.

protoplanetary discs;astrochemistry;herbig ae/be stars


Dynamics of the tachocline

Abstract: The solar tachocline is an internal region of the Sun possessing strong radial and latitudinal shears straddling the base of the convective envelope. Based on helioseismic inversions, the tachocline is known to be thin (less than 5% of the solar radius). Since the first theory of the solar tachocline in 1992, this thinness has not ceased to puzzle solar physicists. In this review, we lay out the grounds of our understanding of this fascinating region of the solar interior. We detail the various physical mechanisms at stake in the solar tachocline, and put a particular focus on the mechanisms that have been proposed to explain its thinness. We also examine the full range of MHD processes including waves and instabilies that are likely to occur in the tachocline, as well as their possible connection with active region patterns observed at the surface. We reflect on the most recent findings for each of them, and highlight the physical understanding that is still missing and that would allow the research community to understand, in a generic sense, how the solar tachocline and stellar tachocline are formed, are sustained, and evolve on secular timescales.

solar tachocline;magnetohydrodynamics of stars;shear and magnetic instabilities;solar dynamo


A Spatially resolved X-ray Polarization map of the Vela Pulsar Wind Nebula

Abstract: In this paper, we present a full spatially resolved polarization map for the Vela Pulsar Wind Nebula (PWN) observed by IXPE. By employing effective background discrimination techniques, our results show a remarkably high degree of local polarization in the outskirt region, exceeding 60

pulsar wind nebulae;magnetic fields;polarimetry


Low Magnetic-Field Neutron Stars in X-ray Binaries

Abstract: In this chapter we give an overview of the properties of X-ray binary systems containing a weakly magnetized neutron star. These are old (Giga-years life-time) semi-detached binary systems containing a neutron star with a relatively weak magnetic field (less than ∼1010 Gauss) and a low-mass (less than 1M⊙) companion star orbiting around the common center of mass in a tight system, with orbital period usually less than 1 day. The companion star usually fills its Roche lobe and transfers mass to the neutron star through an accretion disk, where most of the initial potential energy of the in-falling matter is released, reaching temperatures of tens of million Kelvin degrees, and therefore emitting most of the energy in the X-ray band. Their emission is characterized by a fast-time variability, possibly related to the short timescales in the innermost part of the system. Because of the weak magnetic field, the accretion flow can approach the neutron star until it is accreted onto its surface sometimes producing spectacular explosions known as type-I X-ray bursts. In some sources, the weak magnetic field of the neutron star (∼108−109 Gauss) is strong enough to channel the accretion flow onto the polar caps, modulating the X-ray emission and revealing the fast rotation of the neutron star at millisecond periods. These systems are important for studies of fundamental physics, and in particular for test of Relativity and alternative theories of Gravity and for studies of the equation of state of ultra-dense matter, which are among the most important goals of modern physics and astrophysics.

neutron stars;low magnetic field;x-ray binaries;x-ray pulsars;millisecond x-ray pulsars;transitional pulsars;fast variability;type-i bursts;burst oscillations;x-ray spectra;high-inclination sources;very faint x-ray sources


High-precision astrometry and photometry with the JWST/MIRI imager

Abstract: Astrometry is one of the main pillars of astronomy, and one of its oldest branches. Over the years, an increasing number of astrometric works by means of Hubble Space Telescope (HST) data have revolutionized our understanding of various phenomena. With the launch of JWST, it becomes almost instinctive to want to replicate or improve these results with data taken with the newest, state-of-the-art, space-based telescope. In this regard, the initial focus of the community has been on the Near-Infrared (NIR) detectors on board of JWST because of their high spatial resolution. This paper begins the effort to capture and apply what has been learned from HST to the Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI) of JWST by developing the tools to obtain high-precision astrometry and photometry with its imager. We describe in detail how to create accurate effective point-spread-function (ePSF) models and geometric-distortion corrections, analyze their temporal stability, and test their quality to the extent of what is currently possible with the available data in the JWST MAST archive. We show that careful data reduction provides deep insight on the performance and intricacies of the MIRI imager, and of JWST in general. In an effort to help the community to devise new observing programs, we make our ePSF models and geometric-distortion corrections publicly available.

astrometry;photometry;proper motions;large magellanic cloud


The Coherent Magnetic Field of the Milky Way

Abstract: We present a suite of models of the coherent magnetic field of the Galaxy (GMF) based on new divergence-free parametric functions describing the global structure of the field. The model parameters are fit to the latest full-sky Faraday rotation measures of extragalactic sources (RMs) and polarized synchrotron intensity maps from WMAP and Planck (PI), employing multiple models for the density of thermal and cosmic-ray electrons in the Galaxy. The robustness of the inferred properties of the GMF is gauged by studying many combinations of parametric field models and electron density models. We determine the pitch angle of the local magnetic field (11+/-1 deg.), explore the evidence for a grand-design spiral coherent magnetic field (inconclusive), determine the strength of the toroidal magnetic halo below and above the disk (same within 10

galactic magnetic field;galactic physics;milky way;cosmic rays


The GAPS Programme at TNG L – TOI-4515 b: An eccentric warm Jupiter orbiting a 1.2 Gyr-old G-star

Abstract: Context. Different theories have been developed to explain the origins and properties of close-in giant planets, but none of them alone can explain all of the properties of the warm Jupiters (WJs, Porb = 10 - 200 days). One of the most intriguing characteristics of WJs is that they have a wide range of orbital eccentricities, challenging our understanding of their formation and evolution. Aims. The investigation of these systems is crucial in order to put constraints on formation and evolution theories. TESS is providing a significant sample of transiting WJs around stars bright enough to allow spectroscopic follow-up studies. Methods. We carried out a radial velocity (RV) follow-up study of the TESS candidate TOI-4515 b with the high-resolution spectrograph HARPS-N in the context of the GAPS project, the aim of which is to characterize young giant planets, and the TRES and FEROS spectrographs. We then performed a joint analysis of the HARPS-N, TRES, FEROS, and TESS data in order to fully characterize this planetary system. Results. We find that TOI-4515 b orbits a 1.2 Gyr-old G-star, has an orbital period of Pb = 15.266446 +- 0.000013 days, a mass of Mb = 2.01 +- 0.05 MJ, and a radius of Rb = 1.09 +- 0.04 RJ. We also find an eccentricity of e = 0.46 +- 0.01, placing this planet among the WJs with highly eccentric orbits. As no additional companion has been detected, this high eccentricity might be the consequence of past violent scattering events.

young exoplanets;warm jupiters;transit technique;radial velocity technique


Thermodynamics of fluid elements in the context of saturated isothermal turbulence in molecular clouds

Abstract: The presented paper is an attempt to investigate the dynamical states of an hydrodynamical isothermal turbulent self-gravitating system using some powerful tools of the classical thermodynamics. Our main assumption, inspired by the work of Keto et al. (2020), is that turbulent kinetic energy can be substituted for the macro-temperature of chaotic motion of fluid elements. As a proper sample for our system we use a model of turbulent self-gravitating isothermal molecular cloud which is at final stages of its life-cycle, when the dynamics is nearly in steady state. Starting from this point, we write down the internal energy for a physically small cloud's volume, and then using the first principle of thermodynamics obtain in explicit form the entropy, free energy, and Gibbs potential for this volume. Setting fiducial boundary conditions for the latter system (small volume) we explore its stability as a grand canonical ensemble. Searching for extrema of the Gibbs potential we obtain conditions for its minimum, which corresponds to a stable dynamical state of hydrodynamical system. This result demonstrates the ability of our novel approach.


Apparent effect of dust extinction on the observed outflow velocity of ionized gas in galaxy mergers

Abstract: In this study, we examine photoionization outflows during the late stages of galaxy mergers, with a specific focus on the relation between observed velocity of outflowing gas and the apparent effects of dust extinction. We used the N-body/smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) code ASURA for galaxy merger simulations. These simulations concentrated on identical galaxy mergers featuring supermassive black holes (SMBHs) of 108 M⊙ and gas fractions of 30% and 10 %. From the simulation data, we derived velocity and velocity dispersion diagrams for the AGN-driven ionized outflowing gas. Our findings show that high-velocity outflows with velocity dispersions of 500 km s−1 or greater can be observed in the late stages of galactic mergers. Particularly, in buried AGNs, both the luminosity-weighted outflow velocity and velocity dispersion increase owing to the apparent effects of dust extinction. Owing to these effects, the velocity–velocity dispersion diagrams display a noticeable blue-shifted tilt in models with higher gas fractions. Crucially, this tilt is not influenced by the AGN luminosity but emerges from the observational impacts of dust extinction. Our results imply that the observed high-velocity outflow exceeding 1000 km s−1 in buried AGNs may be linked to the dust extinction that occurs during the late stages of gas-rich galaxy mergers.

supermassive black holes;galaxy mergers;active galaxies;active galactic nuclei;n-body simulations;hydrodynamical simulations


On the Interpretation of XSPEC Abundances and Emission Measures

Abstract: The purpose of this work is to describe the assumptions built into the X-ray spectrum fitting software XSPEC for the calculation of element abundances and emission measure of a plasma and to describe the effects when those assumptions are not accurate. The ratio of electron density to hydrogen density in XSPEC is fixed at a constant. The correct ratio can be calculated from the ionization states of the elements. We show the constant value used in XSPEC is valid to within 3.5

emission measure;supernova remnants;abundances;nucleosynthesis;nuclear reactions


A BRAIN study to tackle image analysis with artificial intelligence in the ALMA 2030 era

Abstract: An ESO internal ALMA development study, BRAIN, is addressing the ill-posed inverse problem of synthesis image analysis employing astrostatistics and astroinformatics. These emerging fields of research offer interdisciplinary approaches at the intersection of observational astronomy, statistics, algorithm development, and data science. In this study, we provide evidence of the benefits of employing these approaches to ALMA imaging for operational and scientific purposes. We show the potential of two techniques, RESOLVE and DeepFocus, applied to ALMA calibrated science data. Significant advantages are provided with the prospect to improve the quality and completeness of the data products stored in the science archive and overall processing time for operations. Both approaches evidence the logical pathway to address the incoming revolution in data rates dictated by the planned electronic upgrades. Moreover, we bring to the community additional products through a new package, ALMASim, to promote advancements in these fields, providing a refined ALMA simulator usable by a large community for training and/or testing new algorithms.

inverse problems;inference methods;bayesian probability theory;machine learning;image analysis;radio astronomy


Optical spectroscopy of comets

Abstract: Comets are pristine remnants of the Solar system, composed of dust and ice. They remain inactive and undetectable for most of their orbit due to low temperatures. However, as they approach the Sun, volatile materials sublimate, expelling dust and creating a visible coma. Spectroscopic observations of comets help the simultaneous study of both the gas emissions and reflected sunlight from dust particles. By implementing a long slit, the spatial variations in molecular emissions can be analysed to be further used for other computations. Additionally, spatial information aids in extracting the characteristic profile of the Af(rho) parameter, revealing insights into the behaviour of dust emissions. A sufficiently long slit would prove advantageous in extracting information about the emissions occurring at different parts of the coma or even the tail. We can gain an overall comprehensive understanding of a comet's chemical composition and dust emission by constructively utilising low-resolution spectroscopy with the help of a long slit.

solar system minor bodies;comet;optical spectroscopy


Calibration Unit Design for High-Resolution Infrared Spectrograph for Exoplanet Characterization (HISPEC)

Abstract: The latest generation of high-resolution spectrograph instruments on 10m-class telescopes continue to pursue challenging science cases. Consequently, ever more precise calibration methods are necessary to enable trail-blazing science methodology. We present the High-resolution Infrared SPectrograph for Exoplanet Characterization (HISPEC) Calibration Unit (CAL), designed to facilitate challenging science cases such as Doppler imaging of exoplanet atmospheres, precision radial velocity, and high-contrast high-resolution spectroscopy of nearby exoplanets. CAL builds upon the heritage from the pathfinder instrument Keck Planet Imager and Characterizer (KPIC) and utilizes four near-infrared (NIR) light sources encoded with wavelength information that are coupled into single-mode fibers. They can be used synchronously during science observations or asynchronously during daytime calibrations. A hollow cathode lamp (HCL) and a series of gas absorption cells provide absolute calibration from 0.98 μm to 2.5 μm. A laser frequency comb (LFC) provides stable, time-independent wavelength information during observation and CAL implements a lower finesse astro-etalon as a backup for the LFC. Design lessons from instrumentation like HISPEC will serve to inform the requirements for similar instruments for the ELTs in the future.

high-resolution spectroscopy;astronomical instrumentation;calibration;precision radial velocity


Confinement of the Solar Tachocline by a Non-Axisymmetric Dynamo

Abstract: We recently presented the first 3D numerical simulation of the solar interior for which tachocline confinement was achieved by a dynamo-generated magnetic field. In this followup study, we analyze the degree of confinement as the magnetic field strength changes (controlled by varying the magnetic Prandtl number) in a coupled radiative zone (RZ) and convection zone (CZ) system. We broadly find three solution regimes, corresponding to weak, medium, and strong dynamo magnetic field strengths. In the weak-field regime, the large-scale magnetic field is mostly axisymmetric with regular, periodic polarity reversals (reminiscent of the observed solar cycle), but fails to create a confined tachocline. In the strong-field regime, the large-scale field is mostly non-axisymmetric with irregular, quasi-periodic polarity reversals, and creates a confined tachocline. In the medium-field regime, the large-scale field resembles a strong-field dynamo for extended intervals, but intermittently weakens to allow temporary epochs of strong differential rotation. In all regimes, the amplitude of poloidal field strength in the RZ is very well explained by skin-depth arguments, wherein the oscillating field that gives rise to the skin depth (in the medium- and strong-field cases) is a non-axisymmetric field structure rotating with respect to the RZ. These new simulations reaffirm that tachocline confinement by the solar dynamo (the so-called fast magnetic confinement scenario) is possible, but suggest a new picture in which non-axisymmetric field components rotating with respect to the RZ play the primary role, instead of the regularly reversing axisymmetic field associated with the 22-year cycle.

solar dynamo;solar differential rotation;solar interior;solar radiative zone;solar convective zone


On the potential of Carbon-Enhanced Metal-Poor stars for Galactic Archaeology

Abstract: The low-mass metal-poor stars in the Galaxy that preserve in their atmosphere, the chemical imprints of the gas clouds from which they were formed can be used as probes to get insight into the origin and evolution of elements in the early galaxy, early star formation and nucleosynthesis. Among the metal-poor stars, a large fraction, the so-called carbon-enhanced metal-poor (CEMP) stars exhibits high abundance of carbon. These stars exhibit diverse abundance patterns, particularly for heavy elements, based on which they are classified into different groups. The diversity of abundance patterns points at different formation scenarios. Hence, accurate classification of CEMP stars and knowledge of their distribution is essential to understand the role and contribution of each group. While CEMP-s and CEMP-r/s stars can be used to get insight into binary interactions at very low metallicity, CEMP-no stars can be used to probe the properties of the first stars and early nucleosynthesis. To exploit the full potential of CEMP stars for Galactic archaeology a homogeneous analysis of each class is extremely important. Our efforts towards, and contributions to providing an improved classification scheme for accurate classification of CEMP-s and CEMP-r/s stars and in characterizing the companion asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars of CH, CEMP-no, CEMP-s and CEMP-r/s binary systems are discussed. Some recent results obtained based on low- and high-resolution spectroscopic analysis of a large number of potential CH and CEMP star candidates are highlighted.


Meridional Circulations of the Solar Magnetic Fields of Different Strength

Abstract: The meridional circulation of the solar magnetic fields in Solar Cycles 21-24 was considered. Data from both ground-based and space observatories were used. Three types of time-latitude distributions of photospheric magnetic fields and their meridional circulations were identified depending on the magnetic field intensity. (i) low-strength magnetic fields. They were distributed evenly across latitude and weakly depended on the magnetic fields of active regions and their cycle variation; (ii) medium-strength magnetic fields. For these fields a wave-like, pole-to-pole, antiphase meridional circulation with a period of approximately 22 years was revealed. The velocities of meridional flows were slower at the minima of solar activity, when they were at high latitudes in the opposite hemispheres, and maximal at the solar maxima, when the positive- and negative-polarity waves crossed the equator. The meridional circulation of these fields reflects the solar global magnetic field dynamics and determines the solar polar field reversal; (iii) high-strength (active region) magnetic fields. They were distributed symmetrically in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Magnetic fields of both leading and following sunspot polarity migrated from high to low latitudes. The meridional-flow velocities of high-strength magnetic fields were higher at the rising and maxima phases than at the minima. Some of the high-latitude active region magnetic fields were captured by the second type meridional circulation flows and transported along with them to the appropriate pole. But the magnetic fields of active regions are not the main ones in the solar polar field reversal. The results indicate that high-strength magnetic fields were not the main source of weak ones.

magnetic fields;latitudinal drifts;meridional flow;solar cycle