按提交时间
按主题分类
按作者
按机构
  • A Single Binary May Host Recurrent Thermonuclear Supernovae

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: The most commonly accepted progenitor system for Type Iax supernovae (SNe Iax) is the partial deflagration of a near-Chandrasekhar-mass white dwarf (WD) accreting from a non-degenerate helium donor star, leaving a bound remnant following the explosion. In this paper, we investigate whether the WD remant can undergo multiple SNe during the system's lifetime. We use Modules for Experiments in Astrophysics (MESA) to evolve various single-degenerate binaries to determine which could plausibly undergo multiple SNe Iax due to multiple helium accretion phases. We also investigate the possibility for a subsequent Type Ia SN after the formation of a double WD system. Our work concludes that close binaries with relatively high-mass donors produce the highest probability for several thermonuclear SNe.

  • Dark matter in the MSSM and its singlet extension

    分类: 物理学 分类: 物理学 >> 基本粒子与场物理学 提交时间: 2016-12-28

    摘要: We briefly review the supersymetric explanation for the cosmic dark matter. Although the neutralino in the minimal supersymmetric model (MSSM), the next-to-minimal supersymmetric model (NMSSM) and the nearly minimal supersymmetric model (nMSSM) can natura

  • Plausible constraints on the range of bulk terrestrial exoplanet compositions in the Solar neighbourhood

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Rocky planet compositions regulate planetary evolution by affecting core sizes, mantle properties, and melting behaviours. Yet, quantitative treatments of this aspect of exoplanet studies remain generally under-explored. We attempt to constrain the range of potential bulk terrestrial exoplanet compositions in the solar neighbourhood (<200 pc). We circumscribe probable rocky exoplanet compositions based on a population analysis of stellar chemical abundances from the Hypatia and GALAH catalogues. We apply a devolatilization model to simulate compositions of hypothetical, terrestrial-type exoplanets in the habitable zones around Sun-like stars, considering elements O, S, Na, Si, Mg, Fe, Ni, Ca, and Al. We further apply core-mantle differentiation by assuming constant oxygen fugacity, and model the consequent mantle mineralogy with a Gibbs energy minimisation algorithm. We report statistics on several compositional parameters and propose a reference set of (21) representative planet compositions for using as end-member compositions in imminent modelling and experimental studies. We find a strong correlation between stellar Fe/Mg and metallic core sizes, which can vary from 18 to 35 wt%. Furthermore, stellar Mg/Si gives a first-order indication of mantle mineralogy, with high-Mg/Si stars leading to weaker, ferropericlase-rich mantles, and low-Mg/Si stars leading to mechanically stronger mantles. The element Na, which modulates crustal buoyancy and mantle clinopyroxene fraction, is affected by devolatilization the most. While we find that planetary mantles mostly consist of Fe/Mg-silicates, core sizes and relative abundances of common minerals can nevertheless vary significantly among exoplanets. These differences likely lead to different evolutionary pathways among rocky exoplanets in the solar neighbourhood.

  • Isolating the linear signal when making redshift space distortion measurements

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Constraints on the linear growth rate, $f\sigma_8$, using small scale redshift space distortion measurements have a significant statistical advantage over those made on large scales. However, these measurements need to carefully disentangle the linear and non-linear information when interpreting redshift space distortions in terms of $f\sigma_8$. It is particularly important to do this given that some previous measurements found a significant deviation from the expectation based on the $\Lambda$CDM model constrained by Planck CMB data. We construct a new emulator-based model for small scale galaxy clustering with scaling parameters for both the linear and non-linear velocities of galaxies, allowing us to isolate the linear growth rate. We train the emulator using simulations from the AbacusCosmos suite, and apply it to data from the extended Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (eBOSS) luminous red galaxy sample. We obtain a value of $f\sigma_8(z=0.737)=0.368\pm0.041$, in 2.3-$\sigma$ tension with the Planck 2018 $\Lambda$CDM expectation, and find less dependence on the minimum measurement scale than previous analyses.

  • Design and testing of Kinetic Inductance Detector package for the Terahertz Intensity Mapper

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: The Terahertz Intensity Mapper (TIM) is designed to probe the star formation history in dust-obscured star-forming galaxies around the peak of cosmic star formation. This will be done via measurements of the redshifted 157.7 um line of singly ionized carbon ([CII]). TIM employs two R $\sim 250$ long-slit grating spectrometers covering 240-420 um. Each is equipped with a focal plane unit containing 4 wafer-sized subarrays of horn-coupled aluminum kinetic inductance detectors (KIDs). We present the design and performance of a prototype focal plane assembly for one of TIM's KID-based subarrays. Our design strictly maintain high optical efficiency and a suitable electromagnetic environment for the KIDs. The prototype detector housing in combination with the first flight-like quadrant are tested at 250 mK. Initial frequency scan shows that many resonances are affected by collisions and/or very shallow transmission dips as a result of a degraded internal quality factor (Q factor). This is attributed to the presence of an external magnetic field during cooldown. We report on a study of magnetic field dependence of the Q factor of our quadrant array. We implement a Helmholtz coil to vary the magnetic field at the detectors by (partially) nulling earth's. Our investigation shows that the earth magnetic field can significantly affect our KIDs' performance by degrading the Q factor by a factor of 2-5, well below those expected from the operational temperature or optical loading. We find that we can sufficiently recover our detectors' quality factor by tuning the current in the coils to generate a field that matches earth's magnetic field in magnitude to within a few uT. Therefore, it is necessary to employ a properly designed magnetic shield enclosing the TIM focal plane unit. Based on the results presented in this paper, we set a shielding requirement of |B| < 3 uT.

  • Differentiating Modern and Prebiotic Earth Scenarios for TRAPPIST-1e: High-resolution Transmission Spectra and Predictions for JWST

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: The TRAPPIST-1 system is a priority target for terrestrial exoplanet characterization. TRAPPIST-1e, residing in the habitable zone, will be observed during the JWST GTO Program. Here, we assess the prospects of differentiating between prebiotic and modern Earth scenarios for TRAPPIST-1e via transmission spectroscopy. Using updated TRAPPIST-1 stellar models from the Mega-MUSCLES survey, we compute self-consistent model atmospheres for a 1 bar prebiotic Earth scenario and two modern Earth scenarios (1 and 0.5 bar eroded atmosphere). Our modern and prebiotic high-resolution transmission spectra (0.4 - 20 $\mu$m at $R \sim$ 100,000) are made available online. We conduct a Bayesian atmospheric retrieval analysis to ascertain the molecular detectability, abundance measurements, and temperature constraints achievable for both scenarios with JWST. We demonstrate that JWST can differentiate between our prebiotic and modern Earth scenarios within 20 NIRSpec Prism transits via CH$_4$ abundance measurements. However, JWST will struggle to detect O$_3$ for our modern Earth scenario to $> 2\,\sigma$ confidence within the nominal mission lifetime ($\sim$ 80 transits over 5 years). The agnostic combination of N$_2$O and/or O$_3$ offers better prospects, with a predicted detection significance of $2.7\,\sigma$ with 100 Prism transits. We show that combining MIRI LRS transits with Prism data provides little improvement to atmospheric constraints compared to observing additional Prism transits. Though biosignatures will be challenging to detect for TRAPPIST-1e with JWST, the abundances for several important molecules - CO$_2$, CH$_4$, and H$_2$O - can be measured to a precision of $\lesssim$ 0.7 dex (a factor of 5) within a 20 Prism transit JWST program.

  • Higgs decay to dark matter in low energy SUSY: is it detectable at the LHC ?

    分类: 物理学 分类: 物理学 >> 基本粒子与场物理学 提交时间: 2016-12-28

    摘要: Due to the limited statistics so far accumulated in the Higgs boson search at the LHC, the Higgs boson property has not yet been tightly constrained and it is still allowed for the Higgs boson to decay invisibly to dark matter with a sizable branching rat

  • Status of low energy SUSY models confronted with the LHC 125 GeV Higgs data

    分类: 物理学 分类: 物理学 >> 基本粒子与场物理学 提交时间: 2016-12-28

    摘要: Confronted with the LHC data of a Higgs boson around 125 GeV, different models of low energy SUSY show different behaviors: some are favored, some are marginally survived and some are strongly disfavored or excluded. In this note we update our previous sc

  • The SM extension with color-octet scalars: diphoton enhancement and global fit of LHC Higgs data

    分类: 物理学 分类: 物理学 >> 基本粒子与场物理学 提交时间: 2016-12-28

    摘要: In light of the significant progress of the LHC to determine the properties of the Higgs boson, we investigate the capability of the Manohar-Wise model in explaining the Higgs data. This model extends the SM by one family of color-octet and isospin-double

  • Design of The Kinetic Inductance Detector Based Focal Plane Assembly for The Terahertz Intensity Mapper

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: We report on the kinetic inductance detector (KID) array focal plane assembly design for the Terahertz Intensity Mapper (TIM). Each of the 2 arrays consists of 4 wafer-sized dies (quadrants), and the overall assembly must satisfy thermal and mechanical requirements, while maintaining high optical efficiency and a suitable electromagnetic environment for the KIDs. In particular, our design manages to strictly maintain a 50 $\mathrm{\mu m}$ air gap between the array and the horn block. We have prototyped and are now testing a sub-scale assembly which houses a single quadrant for characterization before integration into the full array. The initial test result shows a $>$95\% yield, indicating a good performance of our TIM detector packaging design.

  • The role and contribution of magnetic fields, characterized via their magnetic flux, to the statistical structuring of the solar atmosphere

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: The anomalous heating of the solar upper atmosphere is one of the eight key problems in modern astronomy. Moreover, the stratification of the solar atmosphere is an outstanding key-problem in solar physics. In this study, a hot butterfly-like pattern is found to run through the chromosphere to the corona lying right on top of the magnetic butterfly pattern of sunspots in the photosphere. We thus propose to introduce the term butterfly body to describe the butterfly diagram in the 3-dimensional atmosphere. Besides, we discuss the so-called polar brightening in different layers. It is found to be statistically in anti-phase with the solar cycle in the photosphere and the chromosphere, while in phase with the solar cycle in the corona. Accordingly, we describe the role and relationship of solar magnetic elements of different magnetic flux strengths to explain the statistical structuring of the solar atmosphere with the butterfly body over the solar cycle.

  • The role and contribution of magnetic fields, characterized via their magnetic flux, to the statistical structuring of the solar atmosphere

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: The anomalous heating of the solar upper atmosphere is one of the eight key problems in modern astronomy. Moreover, the stratification of the solar atmosphere is an outstanding key-problem in solar physics. In this study, a hot butterfly-like pattern is found to run through the chromosphere to the corona lying right on top of the magnetic butterfly pattern of sunspots in the photosphere. We thus propose to introduce the term butterfly body to describe the butterfly diagram in the 3-dimensional atmosphere. Besides, we discuss the so-called polar brightening in different layers. It is found to be statistically in anti-phase with the solar cycle in the photosphere and the chromosphere, while in phase with the solar cycle in the corona. Accordingly, we describe the role and relationship of solar magnetic elements of different magnetic flux strengths to explain the statistical structuring of the solar atmosphere with the butterfly body over the solar cycle.

  • Effect of Matching Algorithm and Profile Shape on Pulsar Pulse Time of Arrival Uncertainties

    分类: 物理学 >> 地球物理学、天文学和天体物理学 提交时间: 2024-01-09 合作期刊: 《Research in Astronomy and Astrophysics》

    摘要: For high-precision pulsar timing analysis and low-frequency gravitational wave detection, it is essential to accurately determine pulsar pulse times of arrival (ToAs) and associated uncertainties. To measure the ToAs and their uncertainties, various cross-correlation-based techniques can be employed. We develop methodologies to investigate the impact of the template-matching method, profile shape, signal-to-noise ratio of both template and observation on ToA uncertainties. These methodologies are then applied to data from the International Pulsar Timing Array. We demonstrate that the Fourier domain Markov chain Monte Carlo method is generally superior to other methods, while the Gaussian interpolation shift method outperforms other methods in certain cases, such as profiles with large duty cycles or smooth profiles without sharp features. However, it is important to note that our study focuses solely on ToA uncertainty, and the optimal method for determining both ToA and ToA uncertainty may differ.

  • A low-mass companion desert among intermediate-mass visual binaries: The scaled-up counterpart to the brown dwarf desert

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: We present a high-contrast imaging survey of intermediate-mass (1.75--4.5 $M_\odot$) stars to search for the most extreme stellar binaries, i.e., for the lowest mass stellar companions. Using adaptive optics at the Lick and Gemini observatories, we observed 169 stars and detected 24 candidates companions, 16 of which are newly discovered and all but three are likely or confirmed physical companions. Despite obtaining sensitivity down to the substellar limit for 75\% of our sample, we do not detect any companion below 0.3 $M_\odot$, strongly suggesting that the distribution of stellar companions is truncated at a mass ratio of $q_\mathrm{min} \gtrsim0.075$. Combining our results with known brown dwarf companions, we identify a low-mass companion desert to intermediate mass stars in the range $0.02\lesssim q \lesssim0.05$, which quantitatively matches the known brown dwarf desert among solar-type stars. We conclude that the formation mechanism for multiple systems operates in a largely scale-invariant manner and precludes the formation of extremely uneven systems, likely because the components of a proto-binary accrete most of their mass after the initial cloud fragmentation. Similarly, the mechanism to form "planetary" ($q \lesssim 0.02$) companions likely scales linearly with stellar mass, probably as a result of the correlation between the masses of stars and their protoplanetary disks. Finally, we predict the existence of a sizable population of brown dwarf companions to low-mass stars and of a rising population of planetary-mass objects towards $\approx 1\,M_\mathrm{Jup}$ around solar-type stars. Improvements on current instrumentation will test these predictions.

  • Evolution of the local spiral structure of the Milky Way revealed by open clusters

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: The structure and evolution of the spiral arms of our Milky Way are basic but long-standing questions in astronomy. In particular, the lifetime of spiral arms is still a puzzle and has not been well constrained from observations. In this work, we aim to inspect these issues using a large catalogue of open clusters. We compiled a catalogue of 3794 open clusters based on Gaia EDR3. A majority of these clusters have accurately determined parallaxes, proper motions, and radial velocities. The age parameters for these open clusters are collected from references or calculated in this work. In order to understand the nearby spiral structure and its evolution, we analysed the distributions, kinematic properties, vertical distributions, and regressed properties of subsamples of open clusters. We find evidence that the nearby spiral arms are compatible with a long-lived spiral pattern and might have remained approximately stable for the past 80 million years. In particular, the Local Arm, where our Sun is currently located, is also suggested to be long-lived in nature and probably a major arm segment of the Milky Way. The evolutionary characteristics of nearby spiral arms show that the dynamic spiral mechanism might be not prevalent for our Galaxy. Instead, density wave theory is more consistent with the observational properties of open clusters.

  • Evaluation of different recipes for chromospheric radiative losses in solar flares

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Context. Radiative losses are an indispensable part in the numerical simulation of flares. Detailed calculations could be computationally expensive, especially in the chromosphere. There have been some approximate recipes for chromospheric radiative losses in flares, yet their feasibility in flare simulations needs further evaluation. Aims. We aim to evaluate the performance of different recipes for chromospheric radiative losses in flare simulations. Methods. We compare the atmospheric structure and line profiles in beam-heated flares calculated with detailed radiative losses and the approximate recipes. Results. Both GF90 and HCD22 recipes provide acceptable total radiative losses compared with detailed one, but there are discrepancies in the different atmospheric layers during the different evolutionary phases, which leads to misestimations of temperature and line intensity. The recipe of GF90 overestimates the coolings in the upper chromosphere greatly when temperature exceeds 10^5 K, which also affects the flare evolution and line asymmetries. Radiative heating in the middle chromosphere only functions in the initial stage and could be safely neglected. However, radiative heating from Lyman continuum could dominate near the transition region.

  • Variability in Protoplanetary Nebulae: IX. Evidence for Evolution in a Decade

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: We have carried out a new photometric V,Rc study of 12 protoplanetary nebulae, objects in the short-lived transition between the AGB and PN phases of stellar evolution. These had been the subjects of an earlier study, using data from 1994-2007, that found that all 12 varied periodically, with pulsation periods in the range of ~38 to ~150 days. They are all carbon-rich, with F-G spectral types. We combined our new (2008-2018) data with publicly-available ASAS-SN data and determined new periods for their variability. The older and newer period values were compared to investigate evidence of period change, for which there is theoretical support that it might be detectable in a decade or two in some cases. Such a detection is challenging since the light curves are complicated, with multiple periods, changing amplitudes, and evidence of shocks. Nevertheless, we found one, and possibly two, such cases, which are associated with the higher temperature stars in the sample (7250 and 8000 K). These results are most consistent with the evolution of stars at the lower end of the mass range of carbon stars, ~1.5-2 M(sun). Several of the stars show longer-term trends of increasing (six cases) or decreasing (one case) brightness, which we think most likely due to changes in the circumstellar dust opacity. There is one case of a possible ~1.8 yr period in addition to the shorter pulsation. This is interpreted as possible evidence of an orbiting companion.

  • Evaluation of different recipes for chromospheric radiative losses in solar flares

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: Context. Radiative losses are an indispensable part in the numerical simulation of flares. Detailed calculations could be computationally expensive, especially in the chromosphere. There have been some approximate recipes for chromospheric radiative losses in flares, yet their feasibility in flare simulations needs further evaluation. Aims. We aim to evaluate the performance of different recipes for chromospheric radiative losses in flare simulations. Methods. We compare the atmospheric structure and line profiles in beam-heated flares calculated with detailed radiative losses and the approximate recipes. Results. Both GF90 and HCD22 recipes provide acceptable total radiative losses compared with detailed one, but there are discrepancies in the different atmospheric layers during the different evolutionary phases, which leads to misestimations of temperature and line intensity. The recipe of GF90 overestimates the coolings in the upper chromosphere greatly when temperature exceeds 10^5 K, which also affects the flare evolution and line asymmetries. Radiative heating in the middle chromosphere only functions in the initial stage and could be safely neglected. However, radiative heating from Lyman continuum could dominate near the transition region.

  • The Second Discovery from the COol Companions ON Ultrawide orbiTS (COCONUTS) Program: A Cold Wide-Orbit Exoplanet around a Young Field M Dwarf at 10.9 pc

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: We present the identification of the COCONUTS-2 system, composed of the M3 dwarf L 34-26 and the T9 dwarf WISEPA J075108.79$-$763449.6. Given their common proper motions and parallaxes, these two field objects constitute a physically bound pair with a projected separation of 594$"$ (6471 au). The primary star COCONUTS-2A has strong stellar activity (H$\alpha$, X-ray, and UV emission) and is rapidly rotating ($P_{\rm rot} = 2.83$ days), from which we estimate an age of 150-800 Myr. Comparing equatorial rotational velocity derived from the TESS light curve to spectroscopic $v\sin{i}$, we find COCONUTS-2A has a nearly edge-on inclination. The wide exoplanet COCONUTS-2b has an effective temperature of $T_{\rm eff}=434 \pm 9$ K, a surface gravity of $\log{g} = 4.11^{+0.11}_{-0.18}$ dex, and a mass of $M=6.3^{+1.5}_{-1.9}$ $M_{\rm Jup}$ based on hot-start evolutionary models, leading to a $0.016^{+0.004}_{-0.005}$ mass ratio for the COCONUTS-2 system. COCONUTS-2b is the second coldest (after WD 0806$-$661B) and the second widest (after TYC 9486-927-1 b) exoplanet imaged to date. Comparison of COCONUTS-2b's infrared photometry with ultracool model atmospheres suggests the presence of both condensate clouds and non-equilibrium chemistry in its photosphere. Similar to 51 Eri b, COCONUTS-2b has a sufficiently low luminosity ($\log{(L_{\rm bol}/L_{\odot})} = -6.384 \pm 0.028$ dex) to be consistent with the cold-start process that may form gas-giant (exo)planets, though its large separation means such formation would not have occurred in situ. Finally, at a distance of 10.9 pc, COCONUTS-2b is the nearest imaged exoplanet to Earth known to date.

  • Cyanopolyyne line survey towards high-mass star-forming regions with TMRT

    分类: 天文学 >> 天文学 提交时间: 2023-02-19

    摘要: We carried out a cyanopolyyne line survey towards a large sample of HMSFRs using the Shanghai Tian Ma 65m Radio Telescope (TMRT). Our sample consisted of 123 targets taken from the TMRT C band line survey. It included three kinds of sources, namely those with detection of the 6.7 GHz CH3OH maser alone, with detection of the radio recombination line (RRL) alone, and with detection of both (hereafter referred to as Maser-only, RRL-only, and Maser-RRL sources, respectively). We detected HC3N in 38 sources, HC5N in 11 sources, and HC7N in G24.790+0.084, with the highest detection rate being found for Maser-RRL sources and a very low detection rate found for RRL-only sources. Their column densities were derived using the rotational temperature measured from the NH3 lines. And we constructed and fitted the far-infrared (FIR) spectral energy distributions. Based on these, we derive their dust temperatures, H2 column densities, and abundances of cyanopolyynes relative to H2. The detection rate, the column density, and the relative abundance of HC3N increase from Maser-only to Maser-RRL sources and decrease from Maser-RRL to RRL-only sources. This trend is consistent with the proposed evolutionary trend of HC3N under the assumption that our Maser-only, Maser-RRL, and RRL-only sources correspond to massive young stellar objects, ultra-compact HII regions, and normal classical HII regions, respectively. Furthermore, a statistical analysis of the integrated line intensity and column density of HC3N and shock-tracing molecules (SiO, H2CO) enabled us to find positive correlations between them. This suggests that HC3N may be another tracer of shocks, and should therefore be the subject of further observations and corresponding chemical simulations. Our results indirectly support the idea that the neutral--neutral reaction between C2H2 and CN is the dominant formation pathway of HC3N.