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At least 235 records · Page 13

SAGAbg. III. Environmental Stellar Mass Functions, Self-quenching, and the Stellar-to-halo Mass Relation in the Dwarf Galaxy Regime

Recent efforts have extended our view of the number and properties of satellite galaxies beyond the Local Group firmly down to M ⋆ ∼ 10 6 M ⊙ . A similarly complete view of the field dwarf population has lagged behind. Using the background galaxy sample from the Satellites Around Galactic Analogs (SAGA) survey at z < 0.05, we take inventory of the dwarf population down to M ⋆ ∼ 5 × 10 6 M ⊙ using three metrics: the stellar mass function (SMF) as a function of environment, the stellar-to-halo mass relation (SHMR) of dwarf galaxies inferred via abundance matching, and the quenched fraction of highly isolated dwarfs. We find that the low-mass SMF shape shows minimal environmental dependence, with the field dwarf SMF described by a low-mass power-law index of α 1 = −1.44 ± 0.09 down to M ⋆ ∼ 5 × 10 6 M ⊙ , and that the quenched fraction of isolated dwarfs drops monotonically to f q ∼ 10 −3 at M ⋆ ∼ 10 8.5 M ⊙ . Though slightly steeper than estimates from H I kinematic measures, our inferred SHMR agrees with literature measurements of satellite systems, consistent with minimal environmental dependence of the SHMR in the probed mass range. Finally, although most contemporary cosmological simulations against which we compare accurately predict the SAGAbg-SMF SHMR, we find that big-box cosmological simulations largely overpredict isolated galaxy quenched fractions via a turnaround in f q (M ⋆ ) at 10 8 ≲ M ⋆ /M ⊙ ≲ 10 9 , underscoring the complexities in disentangling the drivers of galaxy formation and the need for systematic multidimensional observations of the dwarf population across environments.

Kado-Fong, Erin [Yale Univ., New Haven, CT (United↗

Coronal mass ejections: The long-term variation of their occurrence rate and the solar wind mass flux

Solar Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) from the Sun are an important aspect of coronal physics, and a potentially important contributor to the solar wind mass flux. However, despite significant progress in studies of CMEs since their discovery in the early 70's, questions remain about their effects on the interplanetary medium. A study is done of the long-term variations of the occurrence rates of CMEs, of activity tracers related to CMEs, and of the solar wind particle flux. CMEs are most directly detected by scattered electron radiation in white light. To estimate their long-term occurrence frequency and their contributions to the in-ecliptic solar wind mass flux, observed CME rates must be corrected for instrumental duty cycles, detection efficiency out of the plane of the sky, mass detection thresholds, and geometrical considerations. These corrections are evaluated using data on solar CMEs from the spaceborne Skylab, SMM, and SOLWIND coronagraphs and on interplanetary plasma clouds from the HELIOS white light photometers. Variations in the CME rate and the contribution of CMEs to the solar wind mass flux are traced over nearly a complete solar activity cycle.

Webb, David F.↗

The modified correlation mass method for detecting neutrino mass from astrophysical neutrino bursts

A modified correlation mass method for calculating the value of a possible neutrino mass from neutrino bursts of astrophysical origin is proposed which can more sensitively detect small neutrino masses than previous methods. Application of the method to the neutrinos detected from SN 1987 A yields a value of 3.6 + or - 0.3 eV for the neutrino mass energy with a confidence level of 97 percent. Assuming a neutrino mass of 3.6 eV, and transforming all of the detected neutrino events back to the point of emission, it is shown that bursts are composed of a short initial pulse (which lasts for about 0.1 sec and contains 30-40 percent of the total neutrinos) and an extended emission lasting for about 10 sec.

Chan, Kwing L.↗

Estimation of the mass of a coronal mass ejection from radio observations

The mass of a coronal mass ejection (CME) is estimated using meter-decametric observations obtained with the Clark Lake multifrequency radioheliograph. Mass estimates in the past were made using coronagraph and white-light photometer observations. Since the radiation at radio and optical wavelength regimes has different physical origins, the radio method can provide an independent check on the mass estimates. The estimate of the 1986 February 16 CME using the radio method is close to the average value of CME masses reported in the literature.

Gopalswamy, N.↗

The solar cycle variation of coronal mass ejections and the solar wind mass flux

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are an important aspect of coronal physics and a potentially significant contributor to perturbations of the solar wind, such as its mass flux. Sufficient data on CMEs are now available to permit study of their longer-term occurrency patterns. Here we present the results of a study of CME occurrence rates over more than a complete 11-year solar sunspot cycle and a comparison of these rates with those of other activity related to CMEs and with the solar wind particle flux at 1 AU. The study includes an evaluation of correlations to the CME rates, which include instrument duty cycles, visibility functions, mass detection thresholds, and geometrical considerations. The main results are as follows: (1) The frequency of occurrence of CMEs tends to track the solar activity cycle in both amplitude and phase; (2) the CME rates from different instruments, when corrected for both duty cycles and visibility functions, are reasonably consistent; (3) considering only longer-term averages, no one class of solar activity is better correlated with CME rate than any other; (4) the ratio of the annualized CME to solar wind mass flux tends to track the solar cycle; and (5) near solar maximum, CMEs can provide a significant fraction (i.e., approximately equals 15%) of the average mass flux to the near-ecliptic solar wind.

Webb, David F.↗

On the deficit problem of mass and energy of solar coronal mass ejections connected with interplanetary shocks

Mean values of a number of parameters of the most powerful coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and interplanetary shocks generated by these ejections are estimated using an analysis of data obtained by the cosmic coronagraphs and spacecrafts, and geomagnetic storm measurements. It was payed attention that the shock mass and mechanical energy, averaging 5 x 10(exp 16) grm and 2 x 10(exp 32) erg respectively, are nearly 10 times larger than corresponding parameters of the ejections. So, the CME energy deficit problem seems to exist really. To solve this problem one can make an assumption that the process of the mass and energy growth of CMEs during their propagation out of the Sun observed in the solar corona is continued in supercorona too up to distances of 10-30 solar radii. This assumption is confirmed by the data analysis of five events observed using zodiacal light photometers of the HELIOS- I and HELIOS-2 spacecrafts. The mass growth rate is estimated to be equal to (1-7) x 10(exp 11) grm/sec. It is concluded that the CME contribution to mass and energy flows in the solar winds probably, is larger enough than the value of 3-5% adopted usually.

Ivanchuk, V. I.↗

The Exoplanet Mass-Ratio Function From the MOA-II Survey: Discovery of a Break and Likely Peak at a Neptune Mass

We report the results of the statistical analysis of planetary signals discovered in MOA-II microlensing survey alert system events from 2007 to 2012. We determine the survey sensitivity as a function of planet star mass ratio, q, and projected planet star separation, s, in Einstein radius units. We find that the mass-ratio function is not a single power law, but has a change in slope at q approx.10(exp -4), corresponding to approx. 20 Stellar Mass for the median host-star mass of approx. 0.6 M. We find significant planetary signals in 23 of the 1474 alert events that are well-characterized by the MOA-II survey data alone. Data from other groups are used only to characterize planetary signals that have been identified in the MOA data alone. The distribution of mass ratios and separations of the planets found in our sample are well fit by a broken power-law model. We also combine this analysis with the previous analyses of Gould et al. and Cassan et al., bringing the total sample to 30 planets. The unbroken power-law model is disfavored with a p-value of 0.0022, which corresponds to a Bayes factor of 27 favoring the broken power-law model. These results imply that cold Neptunes are likely to be the most common type of planets beyond the snow line.

MOA-II microlensing survey alert↗

Electrospray Ionization with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry as a Tool for Lignomics: Lignin Mass Spectrum Deconvolution

The capability to characterize lignin, lignocellulose, and their degradation products is essential for the development of new renewable feedstocks. Electrospray ionization high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-HR TOF-MS) method was developed expanding the lignomics toolkit while targeting the simultaneous detection of low and high molecular weight (MW) lignin species. The effect of a broad range of electrolytes and various ionization conditions on ion formation and ionization effectiveness was studied using a suite of mono-, di-, and triarene lignin model compounds as well as kraft alkali lignin. Contrary to the previous studies, the positive ionization mode was found to be more effective for methoxy-substituted arenes and polyphenols, i.e., species of a broadly varied MW structurally similar to the native lignin. For the first time, we report an effective formation of multiply charged species of lignin with the subsequent mass spectrum deconvolution in the presence of 100 mmol L{sup −1} formic acid in the positive ESI mode. The developed method enabled the detection of lignin species with an MW between 150 and 9000 Da or higher, depending on the mass analyzer. The obtained M{sub n} and M{sub w} values of 1500 and 2500 Da, respectively, were in good agreement with those determined by gel permeation chromatography. Furthermore, the deconvoluted ESI mass spectrum was similar to that obtained with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-HR TOF-MS, yet featuring a higher signal-to-noise ratio. The formation of multiply charged species was confirmed with ion mobility ESI-HR Q-TOF-MS. .

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Correcting nonlinearity and mass-bias in measurements by ICP quadrupole mass spectrometry

A two-parameter modeling formula is proposed for quadrupole ICP-MS (ICP-QMS) data, which corrects for nonlinearity with a “dead-time” function and makes subsequent weighted mass-bias corrections to normalize isotope ratio data to pertinent isotopic reference materials. The methodology improves the short-term and long-term precision as well as accuracy of the measurements. Applying the model to isotopes spanning a wide mass range revealed that values for the parameters describing nonlinearity and mass bias do not conform to expectations based on conventional interpretation. Within a single analysis run for a specific element, nonlinearity and mass-bias corrections can be evaluated to very tight tolerances and the model fits the data to within a few parts per thousand. However, in a different run or with a different element, the values of the parameters might change. A comprehensive strategy for conducting measurements of isotope ratios or trace-element concentrations is described, which takes advantage of the model’s strengths and accommodates the observed run-to-run variations. in conclusion, supporting data is presented to demonstrate improved precision and accuracy with the widely available ICP-QMS system.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Minding the MeV gap: The indirect detection of low mass dark matter

We consider the prospects for the indirect detection of low mass dark matter which couples dominantly to quarks. If the center of mass energy is below about 280 MeV, the kinematically allowed final states will be dominated by photons and neutral pions, producing striking signatures at gamma ray telescopes. In fact, an array of new instruments have been proposed, which would greatly improve sensitivity to photons in this energy range. We find that planned instruments can improve on current sensitivity to dark matter models of this type by up to a few orders of magnitude.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Reconstructing the stellar mass distributions of galaxies using S{sup 4}G IRAC 3.6 and 4.5 μm images. II. The conversion from light to mass

We present a new approach for estimating the 3.6 μm stellar mass-to-light (M/L) ratio Y{sub 3.6} in terms of the [3.6]-[4.5] colors of old stellar populations. Our approach avoids several of the largest sources of uncertainty in existing techniques using population synthesis models. By focusing on mid-IR wavelengths, we gain a virtually dust extinction-free tracer of the old stars, avoiding the need to adopt a dust model to correctly interpret optical or optical/near-IR colors normally leveraged to assign the mass-to-light ratio Y. By calibrating a new relation between near-IR and mid-IR colors of giant stars observed in GLIMPSE we also avoid the discrepancies in model predictions for the [3.6]-[4.5] colors of old stellar populations due to uncertainties in the molecular line opacities assumed in template spectra. We find that the [3.6]-[4.5] color, which is driven primarily by metallicity, provides a tight constraint on Y{sub 3.6}, which varies intrinsically less than at optical wavelengths. The uncertainty on Y{sub 3.6} of ∼0.07 dex due to unconstrained age variations marks a significant improvement on existing techniques for estimating the stellar M/L with shorter wavelength data. A single Y{sub 3.6} = 0.6 (assuming a Chabrier initial mass function (IMF)), independent of [3.6]-[4.5] color, is also feasible because it can be applied simultaneously to old, metal-rich and young, metal-poor populations, and still with comparable (or better) accuracy (∼0.1 dex) than alternatives. We expect our Y{sub 3.6} to be optimal for mapping the stellar mass distributions in S{sup 4}G galaxies, for which we have developed an independent component analysis technique to first isolate the old stellar light at 3.6 μm from nonstellar emission (e.g., hot dust and the 3.3 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon feature). Our estimate can also be used to determine the fractional contribution of nonstellar emission to global (rest-frame) 3.6 μm fluxes, e.g., in WISE imaging, and establishes a reliable basis for exploring variations in the stellar IMF.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Towards Resolving the Spatial Metabolome with Unambiguous Molecular Annotations in Complex Biological Systems by Coupling Mass Spectrometry Imaging with Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations

We demonstrate the coupling of liquid extraction surface analysis (LESA) to structures for lossless ion manipulations in conjunction with serpentine ultralong path with extending routing (SLIM SUPER) ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) for the unambiguous annotation of important isomeric glycoforms in carbon-fixing communities. A major bottleneck of current mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) methods is their inability to accurately and confidently delineate amongst isomers within a single probing area. Our methodology provides gains in both sensitivity and IM resolution, while simultaneously gaining insight on the spatial distribution of these biological isomers in a mixed organism composed of moss, cyanobacteria and fungus. We envision this methodology will be broadly applicable to other mass spectrometry imaging modalities and invaluable in multiplexed, untargeted, analyses of a single probing location.

Nagy, Gabe↗

NEW EXTINCTION AND MASS ESTIMATES FROM OPTICAL PHOTOMETRY OF THE VERY LOW MASS BROWN DWARF COMPANION CT CHAMAELEONTIS B WITH THE MAGELLAN AO SYSTEM

We used the Magellan adaptive optics system and its VisAO CCD camera to image the young low mass brown dwarf companion CT Chamaeleontis B for the first time at visible wavelengths. We detect it at r', i', z', and Y{sub S}. With our new photometry and T {sub eff} ∼ 2500 K derived from the shape of its K-band spectrum, we find that CT Cha B has A{sub V} = 3.4 ± 1.1 mag, and a mass of 14-24 M{sub J} according to the DUSTY evolutionary tracks and its 1-5 Myr age. The overluminosity of our r' detection indicates that the companion has significant Hα emission and a mass accretion rate ∼6 × 10{sup –10} M {sub ☉} yr{sup –1}, similar to some substellar companions. Proper motion analysis shows that another point source within 2'' of CT Cha A is not physical. This paper demonstrates how visible wavelength adaptive optics photometry (r', i', z', Y{sub S}) allows for a better estimate of extinction, luminosity, and mass accretion rate of young substellar companions.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Star formation rate and dynamical mass of 10{sup 8} solar mass black hole host galaxies at Redshift 6

We present ALMA observations of two moderate-luminosity quasars at redshift 6. These quasars, from the Canada–France High-z Quasar Survey (CFHQS), have black hole masses of ∼10{sup 8} M{sub ⊙}. Both quasars are detected in the [C ii] line and dust continuum. Combining these data with our previous study of two similar CFHQS quasars we investigate the population properties. We show that z>6 quasars have a significantly lower far-infrared (far-IR) luminosity than bolometric-luminosity-matched samples at lower redshift, inferring a lower star formation rate possibly correlated with lower black hole masses at z = 6. The ratios of [C ii] to far-IR luminosities in the CFHQS quasars are comparable to those of starbursts of similar star formation rate in the local universe. We determine the values of velocity dispersion and dynamical mass for the quasar host galaxies based on the [C ii] data. We find that there is no significant offset from the relations defined by nearby galaxies with similar black hole masses. There is, however, a marked increase in the scatter at z = 6, beyond the large observational uncertainties.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Substellar objects in nearby young clusters (SONYC) IX: The planetary-mass domain of Chamaeleon-I and updated mass function in Lupus-3

Substellar Objects in Nearby Young Clusters—SONYC—is a survey program to investigate the frequency and properties of substellar objects in nearby star-forming regions. We present new spectroscopic follow-up of candidate members in Chamaeleon-I (∼2 Myr, 160 pc) and Lupus 3 (∼1 Myr, 200 pc), identified in our earlier works. We obtained 34 new spectra (1.5–2.4 μm, R ∼ 600) and identified two probable members in each of the two regions. These include a new probable brown dwarf in Lupus 3 (NIR spectral type M7.5 and T{sub eff}=2800 K), and an L3 (T{sub eff}=2200 K) brown dwarf in Cha-I, with masses below the deuterium-burning limit. Spectroscopic follow-up of our photometric and proper motion candidates in Lupus 3 is almost complete (>90%), and we conclude that there are very few new substellar objects left to be found in this region, down to 0.01–0.02 M{sub ⊙} and A{sub V}⩽5. The low-mass portion of the mass function in the two clusters can be expressed in the power-law form dN/dM∝M{sup −α}, with α∼0.7, in agreement with surveys in other regions. In Lupus 3 we observe a possible flattening of the power-law IMF in the substellar regime: this region seems to produce fewer brown dwarfs relative to other clusters. The IMF in Cha-I shows a monotonic behavior across the deuterium-burning limit, consistent with the same power law extending down to 4–9 Jupiter masses. We estimate that objects below the deuterium-burning limit contribute of the order of 5%–15% to the total number of Cha-I members.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗