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At least 235 records · Page 13

Exoplanet population inference and the abundance of Earth analogs from noisy, incomplete catalogs

No true extrasolar Earth analog is known. Hundreds of planets have been found around Sun-like stars that are either Earth-sized but on shorter periods, or else on year-long orbits but somewhat larger. Under strong assumptions, exoplanet catalogs have been used to make an extrapolated estimate of the rate at which Sun-like stars host Earth analogs. These studies are complicated by the fact that every catalog is censored by non-trivial selection effects and detection efficiencies, and every property (period, radius, etc.) is measured noisily. Here we present a general hierarchical probabilistic framework for making justified inferences about the population of exoplanets, taking into account survey completeness and, for the first time, observational uncertainties. We are able to make fewer assumptions about the distribution than previous studies; we only require that the occurrence rate density be a smooth function of period and radius (employing a Gaussian process). By applying our method to synthetic catalogs, we demonstrate that it produces more accurate estimates of the whole population than standard procedures based on weighting by inverse detection efficiency. We apply the method to an existing catalog of small planet candidates around G dwarf stars. We confirm a previous result that the radius distribution changes slope near Earth's radius. We find that the rate density of Earth analogs is about 0.02 (per star per natural logarithmic bin in period and radius) with large uncertainty. This number is much smaller than previous estimates made with the same data but stronger assumptions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

FINDING η CAR ANALOGS IN NEARBY GALAXIES USING Spitzer. II. IDENTIFICATION OF AN EMERGING CLASS OF EXTRAGALACTIC SELF-OBSCURED STARS

Understanding the late-stage evolution of the most massive stars such as η Carinae is challenging because no true analogs of η Car have been clearly identified in the Milky Way or other galaxies. In Khan et al., we utilized Spitzer IRAC images of 7 nearby (≲ 4 Mpc) galaxies to search for such analogs, and found 34 candidates with flat or red mid-IR spectral energy distributions. Here, in Paper II, we present our characterization of these candidates using multi-wavelength data from the optical through the far-IR. Our search detected no true analogs of η Car, which implies an eruption rate that is a fraction 0.01 ≲ F ≲ 0.19 of the core-collapse supernova (ccSN) rate. This is roughly consistent with each M {sub ZAMS} ≳ 70 M {sub ☉} star undergoing one or two outbursts in its lifetime. However, we do identify a significant population of 18 lower luminosity (log (L/L {sub ☉}) ≅ 5.5-6.0) dusty stars. Stars enter this phase at a rate that is a fraction 0.09 ≲ F ≲ 0.55 of the ccSN rate, and this is consistent with all 25 < M {sub ZAMS} < 60 M {sub ☉} stars undergoing an obscured phase at most lasting a few thousand years once or twice. These phases constitute a negligible fraction of post-main-sequence lifetimes of massive stars, which implies that these events are likely to be associated with special periods in the evolution of the stars. The mass of the obscuring material is of order ∼M {sub ☉}, and we simply do not find enough heavily obscured stars for theses phases to represent more than a modest fraction (∼10% not ∼50%) of the total mass lost by these stars. In the long term, the sources that we identified will be prime candidates for detailed physical analysis with the James Webb Space Telescope.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Analysis and mitigation of parasitic resistance effects for analog in-memory neural network acceleration

To support the increasing demands for efficient deep neural network processing, accelerators based on analog in-memory computation of matrix multiplication have recently gained significant attention for reducing the energy of neural network inference. However, analog processing within memory arrays must contend with the issue of parasitic voltage drops across the metal interconnects, which distort the results of the computation and limit the array size. This work analyzes how parasitic resistance affects the end-to-end inference accuracy of state-of-the-art convolutional neural networks, and comprehensively studies how various design decisions at the device, circuit, architecture, and algorithm levels affect the system's sensitivity to parasitic resistance effects. Here, a set of guidelines are provided for how to design analog accelerator hardware that is intrinsically robust to parasitic resistance, without any explicit compensation or re-training of the network parameters.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

ROTATION PERIODS AND AGES OF SOLAR ANALOGS AND SOLAR TWINS REVEALED BY THE KEPLER MISSION

A new sample of solar analogs and twin candidates has been constructed and studied, paying particular attention to their light curves from NASA's Kepler mission. This Letter aims to assess their evolutionary status, derive their rotation and ages, and identify those which are solar analogs or solar twin candidates. We separate out the subgiants that compose a large fraction of the asteroseismic sample, and which show an increase in the average rotation period as the stars ascend the subgiant branch. The rotation periods of the dwarfs, ranging from 6 to 30 days and averaging 19 days, allow us to assess their individual evolutionary states on the main sequence and to derive their ages using gyrochronology. These ages are found to be in agreement with a correlation coefficient of r = 0.79 with independent asteroseismic ages, where available. As a result of this investigation, we are able to identify 34 stars as solar analogs and 22 of them as solar twin candidates.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Analog B ( M 1 ) strengths in the T z = ± 3 2 mirror nuclei Mn 47 and Ti 47

The lifetimes of the first excited 7 2 − states in the T z = ± 3 2 mirror nuclei Mn 47 and Ti 47 have been extracted utilizing the γ -ray line shape method, giving τ = 687 ( 36 ) ps and τ = 331 ( 15 ) ps respectively. Since these transitions are essentially pure M 1 transitions, these results allow for a high-precision comparison of analog M 1 strengths in mirror nuclei. The two analog B ( M 1 ) s are observed to be identical to a precision of about 10 % . The expected dependence of the transition matrix element with T z has been used to extract the separate isoscalar and isovector components of the transition strength, and the results are discussed in the context of predictions, based on the isospin formalism, regarding analog B ( M 1 ) strengths. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

39 ≤ A ≤ 58↗

Analog-antianalog isospin mixing in 47 K 𝛽−decay

Here, we have measured the isospin mixing of the 𝐼 𝜋 =1/2 + , 𝐸 𝑥 = 2.599 MeV state in nearly doubly magic 47 Ca with the isobaric analog 1/2 + state of 47 K . Using the TRIUMF atom trap for 𝛽 decay, we have measured a nonzero asymmetry of the progeny 47 Ca with respect to the initial 47 K spin polarization, which together with the 𝛽 asymmetry implies a nonzero ratio of Fermi to Gamow-Teller matrix elements 𝑦 = 0.098 ± 0.037 for the 1/2 + → 1/2 + transition. Interpreting 𝑦 as mixing between this state and the isobaric analog state implies a Coulomb matrix element magnitude 101 ± 37 keV. This relatively large matrix element supports a model from the literature of analog-antianalog isospin mixing, which predicts large matrix elements in cases involving excess neutrons over protons occupying more than one major shell. The result supports pursuing a search for time-reversal odd, parity-even, isovector interactions using a correlation in 47 K 𝛽 decay.

beta decay↗

Searching for states analogous to the C 12 Hoyle state in heavier nuclei using the thick target inverse kinematics technique

Identification of α-cluster states analogous to the C 12 Hoyle state in heavier α-conjugate nuclei can provide tests of the existence of α condensates in nuclei. Such states are predicted for O 16 , Ne 20 , Mg 24 , Si 28 , etc., at excitation energies slightly above the multi- α-particle decay threshold but have not yet been experimentally identified. The thick target inverse kinematics (TTIK) technique can be used to study the breakup of excited self-conjugate nuclei into many α particles. The reaction Ne 20 + α was studied using a Ne 20 beam at 12 MeV/nucleon from the K150 cyclotron at Texas A&M University. The TTIK method was used to study both single α-particle emission and multiple α-particle decays. Events with α multiplicity up to four were analyzed. The analysis of the three α-particle emission data allowed the identification of the Hoyle state and other C 12 excited states decaying into three α particles. The results are shown and compared with other data available in the literature. Although the statistics for events with α-multiplicity four is low, the data show a structure at about 15.2 MeV that could indicate the existence in O 16 of a state analogous to the C 12 Hoyle state. Moreover, the reconstructed excitation energy of Mg 24 for these events peaks at around 34 MeV, very close to the predicted excitation energy for an excited state analogous to the C 12 Hoyle state in Mg 24 . The structure is further confirmed by the reanalysis of α-multiplicity-four events from a previous experiment performed at 9.7 MeV/nucleon with a similar, but lower granularity, experimental setup.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

NETL’s Analog Studies to Geologic Storage of CO 2 – Overview

This document provides a high-level overview and key takeaways of the three analog studies to geologic storage of CO 2 : underground natural gas storage, deep well waste disposal using U.S. EPA UIC Class I wells, and CO 2 EOR. The three analog studies are available on NETL’s website under the Collection Name: NETL’s Analog Studies to Geologic Storage of CO 2 .

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Brochure on the 2024 ASCR Workshop on Analog Computing for Science

Analog computing fundamentally differs from digital by representing data with fully continuous physical quantities, such as voltages, probabilities, chemical concentrations, or light intensities, rather than encoding values in discrete binary states. While digital computing has historically excelled in precision, scalability, and noise resistance, newer analog approaches are gaining interest for their potential to dramatically improve energy efficiency and processing speed. Analog systems can inherently solve mathematical problems through their physical behavior and offer distinct advantages in scenarios where continuous operations are more effective than Boolean logic.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

DEEP HST /STIS VISIBLE-LIGHT IMAGING OF DEBRIS SYSTEMS AROUND SOLAR ANALOG HOSTS

We present new Hubble Space Telescope observations of three a priori known starlight-scattering circumstellar debris systems (CDSs) viewed at intermediate inclinations around nearby close-solar analog stars: HD 207129, HD 202628, and HD 202917. Each of these CDSs possesses ring-like components that are more massive analogs of our solar system's Edgeworth–Kuiper Belt. These systems were chosen for follow-up observations to provide imaging with higher fidelity and better sensitivity for the sparse sample of solar-analog CDSs that range over two decades in systemic ages, with HD 202628 and HD 207129 (both ∼2.3 Gyr) currently the oldest CDSs imaged in visible or near-IR light. These deep (10–14 ks) observations, made with six-roll point-spread-function template visible-light coronagraphy using the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph, were designed to better reveal their angularly large debris rings of diffuse/low surface brightness, and for all targets probe their exo-ring environments for starlight-scattering materials that present observational challenges for current ground-based facilities and instruments. Contemporaneously also observing with a narrower occulter position, these observations additionally probe the CDS endo-ring environments that are seen to be relatively devoid of scatterers. We discuss the morphological, geometrical, and photometric properties of these CDSs also in the context of other CDSs hosted by FGK stars that we have previously imaged as a homogeneously observed ensemble. From this combined sample we report a general decay in quiescent-disk F {sub disk}/ F {sub star} optical brightness ∼ t {sup −0.8}, similar to what is seen at thermal IR wavelengths, and CDSs with a significant diversity in scattering phase asymmetries, and spatial distributions of their starlight-scattering grains.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

On the Incidence of Wise Infrared Excess Among Solar Analog, Twin, and Sibling Stars

This study presents a search for infrared (IR) excess in the 3.4, 4.6, 12, and 22 μ m bands in a sample of 216 targets, composed of solar sibling, twin, and analog stars observed by the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer ( WISE ) mission. In general, an IR excess suggests the existence of warm dust around a star. We detected 12 μ m and/or 22 μ m excesses at the 3 σ level of confidence in five solar analog stars, corresponding to a frequency of 4.1% of the entire sample of solar analogs analyzed, and in one out of 29 solar sibling candidates, confirming previous studies. The estimation of the dust properties shows that the sources with IR excesses possess circumstellar material with temperatures that, within the uncertainties, are similar to that of the material found in the asteroid belt in our solar system. No photospheric flux excess was identified at the W1 (3.4 μ m) and W2 (4.6 μ m) WISE bands, indicating that, in the majority of stars of the present sample, no detectable dust is generated. Interestingly, among the 60 solar twin stars analyzed in this work, no WISE photospheric flux excess was detected. However, a null-detection excess does not necessarily indicate the absence of dust around a star because different causes, including dynamic processes and instrument limitations, can mask its presence.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A Spectroscopic Study of Mars-analog Materials with Amorphous Sulfate and Chloride Phases: Implications for Detecting Amorphous Materials on the Martian Surface

The Chemistry and Mineralogy X-ray diffraction (XRD) instrument aboard the Curiosity rover consistently identifies amorphous material at Gale Crater, which is compositionally variable, but often includes elevated sulfur and iron, suggesting that amorphous ferric sulfate (AFS) may be present. Understanding how desiccating ferric sulfate brines affect the spectra of Martian material analogs is necessary for interpreting complex/realistic reaction assemblages. Visible and near-infrared reflectance (VNIR), mid-infrared attenuated total reflectance (MIR, FTIR-ATR), and Raman spectra, along with XRD data are presented for basaltic glass, hematite, gypsum, nontronite, and magnesite, each at three grain sizes (<25, 25–63, and 63–180 μm), mixed with ferric sulfate (+/–NaCl), deliquesced, then rapidly desiccated in 11% relative humidity or via vacuum. All desiccated products are partially or completely XRD amorphous; crystalline phases include starting materials and trace precipitates, leaving the bulk of the ferric sulfate in the amorphous fraction. Due to considerable spectral masking, AFS detectability is highly dependent on spectroscopic technique and minerals present. This has strong implications for remote and in situ observations of Martian samples that include an amorphous component. AFS is only identifiable in VNIR spectra for magnesite, nontronite, and gypsum samples; hematite and basaltic glass samples appear similar to pure materials. Sulfate features dominate Raman spectra for nontronite and basaltic glass samples; the analog material dominates Raman spectra of hematite and gypsum samples. MIR data are least affected by masking, but basaltic glass is almost undetectable in MIR spectra of those mixtures. NaCl produces similar FTIR-ATR and Raman features, regardless of analog material.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Reasoning by analogy as an aid to heuristic theorem proving.

When heuristic problem-solving programs are faced with large data bases that contain numbers of facts far in excess of those needed to solve any particular problem, their performance rapidly deteriorates. In this paper, the correspondence between a new unsolved problem and a previously solved analogous problem is computed and invoked to tailor large data bases to manageable sizes. This paper outlines the design of an algorithm for generating and exploiting analogies between theorems posed to a resolution-logic system. These algorithms are believed to be the first computationally feasible development of reasoning by analogy to be applied to heuristic theorem proving.

Kling, R. E.↗

Analog computation of auto and cross-correlation functions

For analysis of the data obtained from the cross beam systems it was deemed desirable to compute the auto- and cross-correlation functions by both digital and analog methods to provide a cross-check of the analysis methods and an indication as to which of the two methods would be most suitable for routine use in the analysis of such data. It is the purpose of this appendix to provide a concise description of the equipment and procedures used for the electronic analog analysis of the cross beam data. A block diagram showing the signal processing and computation set-up used for most of the analog data analysis is provided. The data obtained at the field test sites were recorded on magnetic tape using wide-band FM recording techniques. The data as recorded were band-pass filtered by electronic signal processing in the data acquisition systems.

Source record↗

Plan for the uniform mapping of earth resources and environmental complexes from Skylab imagery. Assessment of natural vegetation, environmental, and crop analogs

The author has identified the following significant results. For interpreting a wide range of natural vegetation analogs, S-190A color infrared and the ERTS-1 color composite were consistently more useful than were conventional color or black and white photos. Color infrared was superior for five vegetation analogs while color was superior for only three. The errors in identification appeared to associate more with black and white single band images than with multiband color. For rice crop analogs, spectral and spatial discriminations both contribute to the usefulness of images for data collection. Tests and subjective analyses conducted in this study indicated that the spectral bands exploited in color infrared film were the most useful for agricultural crop analysis. Accuracy of crop identification on any single date of Skylab images was less than that of multidate analysis due to differences in crop calendar, cultural practices used, rice variety, planting date, planting method, water use, fertilization, disease, or mechanical problems.

Poulton, C. E.↗

Digital plus analog output encoder

The disclosed encoder is adapted to produce both digital and analog output signals corresponding to the angular position of a rotary shaft, or the position of any other movable member. The digital signals comprise a series of binary signals constituting a multidigit code word which defines the angular position of the shaft with a degree of resolution which depends upon the number of digits in the code word. The basic binary signals are produced by photocells actuated by a series of binary tracks on a code disc or member. The analog signals are in the form of a series of ramp signals which are related in length to the least significant bit of the digital code word. The analog signals are derived from sine and cosine tracks on the code disc.

Hafle, R. S.↗