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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

Quantifying scalar field dynamics with DESI 2024 Y1 BAO measurements

Quintessence scalar fields are a natural candidate for evolving dark energy. Unlike the phenomenological w 0 ⁢w a parameterization of the dark energy equation of state, they cannot accommodate the phantom regime of dark energy w⁡(z) <–1, or crossings into the phantom regime. Recent baryon acoustic oscillation (BAO) measurements by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) indicate a preference for evolving dark energy over a cosmological constant, ranging from 2.6⁢σ –3.9⁢σ when fitting to w 0⁢ w a , and combining the DESI BAO measurements with other cosmological probes. In this work, we directly fit three simple scalar field models to the DESI BAO data, combined with cosmic microwave background anisotropy measurements and supernova datasets. We find the best fit model to include a 2–4% kinetic scalar field energy Ω scf,k , for a canonical scalar field with a quadratic or linear potential. However, only the DESY-Y5 supernova dataset combination shows a preference for quintessence over Λ cold dark matter (CDM) at the 95% confidence level. Fitting to the supernova datasets Pantheon, Pantheon+, DES-Y5, and Union3, we show that the mild tension (n σ < 3.4) under Λ ⁢CDM emerges from a BAO preference for smaller values of fractional mass-energy density Ω m < 0.29, while all supernova datasets, except for Pantheon, prefer larger values, Ω m > 0.3. The tension under Λ ⁢CDM remains noticeable (n σ < 2.8), when replacing two of the DESI BAO redshift bins with effective redshifts z eff = 0.51, and z eff = 0.706 with comparable BOSS DR 12 BAO measurements at z eff = 0.51, and z eff = 0.61. Furthermore, canonical scalar fields as dark energy are successful in mitigating that tension.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

DESI 2024: Constraints on physics-focused aspects of dark energy using DESI DR1 BAO data

Baryon acoustic oscillation data from the first year of the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) provide near percent-level precision of cosmic distances in seven bins over the redshift range z=0.1–4.2. Here, this paper is the follow-up to the original DESI BAO cosmology paper [A. G. Adame et al. (DESI Collaboration), arXiv:2404.03002], which considered the conventional w 0 w a cold dark matter (CDM) model. We use the novel DESI data, together with other cosmic probes, to constrain the background expansion history using some well-motivated physical classes of dark energy. In particular, we explore three physics-focused behaviors of dark energy from the equation of state and energy density perspectives: the thawing class (matching many simple quintessence potentials), emergent class (where dark energy comes into being recently, as in phase transition models), and mirage class [where phenomenologically the distance to cosmic microwave background (CMB) last scattering is close to that from a cosmological constant Λ despite dark energy dynamics]. All three classes fit the data at least as well as Λ ⁢CDM, and indeed can improve on it by Δ⁢χ 2 ≈ –5 to –17 for the combination of DESI BAO with CMB and supernova data while having one more parameter. The mirage class does essentially as well as w 0 ⁢w a CDM and exhibits moderate to strong Bayesian evidence preference with respect to Λ⁢ CDM. These classes of dynamical behaviors highlight worthwhile avenues for further exploration into the nature of dark energy.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Dark branches of immortal stars at the Galactic Center

We show that stars in the inner parsec of the Milky Way can be significantly affected by dark matter annihilation, producing population-level effects that are visible in a Hertzsprung-Russell (HR) diagram. We establish the dark HR diagram, where stars lie on a new stable dark main sequence with similar luminosities, but lower temperatures, than the standard main sequence. The dark matter density in these stars continuously replenishes, granting these stars immortality and solving multiple stellar anomalies. Upcoming telescopes could detect the dark main sequence, offering a new dark matter discovery avenue.

astrophysical simulations↗
DOE OSTI2025

Cosmic structure strikes back: The elimination of vector-mediated nonstandard interaction models as a mechanism for sterile neutrino dark matter production

We revisit sterile neutrino production enabled by nonstandard interactions (NSIs) among active neutrinos mediated by new bosons. We focus on vector mediators, including neutrinophilic, gauged 𝐿 𝜇 −𝐿 𝜏 , and 𝐵−𝐿 realizations, that modify in-medium dispersion and scattering, thereby altering the active-sterile conversion history. Building on a novel production framework with NSI thermal potentials and collision integrals, we compute nonthermal phase-space distributions across sterile neutrino mixing and NSI parameters and map each point to an equivalent thermal warm dark matter particle mass 𝑚 th via linear theory transfer function fitting with the cosmological structure formation Boltzmann solver. This enables a direct reinterpretation of state-of-the-art structure formation limits from Milky Way satellites, strong lensing, and the Lyman-𝛼 forest. These limits, in conjunction with x-ray decay searches, as well as results from a wide variety of particle physics experiments allow for a more complete examination of these models. We find that these vector-mediated models are ruled out when the full combination of current constraints, listed above, are taken into account. NSI scalar-mediated models and models with low reheating temperatures remain viable.

cosmology↗
DOE OSTI2023

The Baryonic Content of Galaxies Mapped by MaNGA and the Gas Around Them

We analyze the cool gas in and around 14 nearby galaxies (at z < 0.1) mapped with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV MaNGA survey by measuring absorption lines produced by gas in spectra of background quasars/active galactic nuclei at impact parameters of 0–25 effective radii from the galactic centers. Using Hubble Space Telescope/Cosmic Origins Spectrograph, we detect absorption at the galactic redshift and measure or constrain column densities of neutral (H I, N I, O I, and Ar I), low-ionization (Si II, S II, C II, N II, and Fe II), and high-ionization (Si III, Fe III, N v, and O vI) species for 11 galaxies. We derive the ionization parameter and ionization-corrected metallicity using cloudy photoionization models. The H i column density ranges from ~1013 to ~1020 cm-2 and decreases with impact parameter for r ≳ Re. Galaxies with higher stellar mass have weaker H I absorption. Comparing absorption velocities with MaNGA radial velocity maps of ionized gas line emissions in galactic disks, we find that the neutral gas seen in absorption corotates with the disk out to ~10 R e . Sight lines with lower elevation angles show lower metallicities, consistent with the metallicity gradient in the disk derived from MaNGA maps. Higher-elevation angle sight lines show higher ionization, lower H I column density, supersolar metallicity, and velocities consistent with the direction of galactic outflow. Our data offer the first detailed comparisons of circumgalactic medium (CGM) properties (kinematics and metallicity) with extrapolations of detailed galaxy maps from integral field spectroscopy; similar studies for larger samples are needed to more fully understand how galaxies interact with their CGM.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
NASA NTRS1978

Baryon symmetric big-bang cosmology

The framework of baryon-symmetric big-bang cosmology offers the greatest potential for deducing the evolution of the universe as a consequence of physical laws and processes with the minimum number of arbitrary assumptions as to initial conditions in the big-bang. In addition, it offers the possibility of explaining the photon-baryon ratio in the universe and how galaxies and galaxy clusters are formed, and also provides the only acceptable explanation at present for the origin of the cosmic gamma ray background radiation.

Stecker, F. W.↗
NASA NTRS1994

The EMSS catalog of X-ray-selected clusters of galaxies. 1: An atlas of CCD images of 41 distant clusters

An atlas of deep, wide-field R-band charge coupled device (CCD) images of a complete sample of distant, X-ray-selected clusters of galaxies is presented. These clusters are the 41 most distant (z is greater than or equal to 0.15) and most X-ray-luminous (L(sub x) is greater than or equal to 2 x 10(exp 44) ergs/s) clusters in the Einstein Observatory Extended Medium Sensitivity Survey (EMSS) catalog that are observable from Mauna Kea (delta is greater than -40 deg). The sample spans a redshift range of 0.15 is less than or equal to z is less than or equal to 0.81 and includes at least two and possibly as many as six rich clusters with z is greater than 0.5. For the most part, the data are of superior quality, with a median seeing of 0.8 sec full width half-maximum (FWHM) and coverage of at least 1 Mpc x 1 Mpc in the cluster frame (H(sub 0) = 50; q(sub 0) = 1/2). In addition, we update the available optical, X-ray, and radio data on the entire EMSS sample of 104 clusters. We outline the cluster selection criteria in detail and emphasize that X-ray-selected cluster samples may prove to be more useful for cosmological studies than optically selected samples. The EMSS cluster sample in particular can be exploited for diverse cosmological investigations, as demonstrated by the detection of evolution in the X-ray luminosity function previously reported, and more recently by the discovery of a large number of gravitationally lensed images in these clusters.

Gioia, I. M.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Telescope Scientist on the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Observatory

In this period, the Chandra X-ray Observatory continued to perform exceptionally well, with many scientific observations and spectacular results. The HRMA performance continues to be essentially identical to that predicted from ground calibration data. The Telescope Scientist Team has improved the mirror model to provide a more accurate description to the Chandra observers, enabling them to reduce the systematic errors and uncertainties in their data reduction. There also has been good progress in the scientific program. Using the Telescope Scientist GTO time, we carried out an extensive Chandra program to observe distant clusters of galaxies. The goals of this program were to use clusters to derive cosmological constraints and to investigate the physics and evolution of clusters. A total of 71 clusters were observed with ACIS-I; the last observations were completed in December 2003.

Smith, Carl M.↗
NASA NTRS2003

Confirmation of a Radio-Selected Galaxy Overdensity at z=1.11

We report the discovery of a galaxy overdensity at z = 1.11 associated with the z = 1.110 high-redshift radio galaxy MG1 J04426+0202 (hereafter MG 0442+0202). The group, Cl 0442+0202, was found in a near-infrared survey of z > 1 radio galaxies undertaken to identify spatially coincident regions with a high density of objects red in I-K' color, typical of z > 1 elliptical galaxies. Spectroscopic observations from the Keck I telescope reveal five galaxies within 35" of MG 0442+0202 at 1.10 < z < 1.11. These member galaxies have broadband colors and optical spectra consistent with passively evolving elliptical galaxies formed at high redshift. Archival ROSAT observations reveal a 3 (sigma) detection of soft X-ray emission coincident with Cl 0442+0202 at a level 5 times greater than expected for the radio galaxy. These data suggest a rich galaxy cluster and inspired a 45 ks Chandra X-Ray Observatory observation. As expected, the radio galaxy is unresolved by Chandra but is responsible for approximately half the observed X-ray flux. The remaining ROSAT flux is resolved into four point sources within 15' of the radio galaxy, corresponding to a surface density 2 orders of magnitude higher than average for X-ray sources at these flux levels [S(0.5-2 keV) > 5 x 10(exp -16) ergs cm (exp -2) s(exp -1)]. One of these point sources is identified with a radio-quiet type II quasar at z = 1.863, akin to sources recently reported in deep Chandra surveys. The limit on an extended hot intracluster medium in the Chandra data is S(1-6 keV) < 1.9 x 10-15 ergs cm (exp -2) s(exp -1) (3 (sigma), 30" radius aperture). Though the X-ray observations do not confirm the existence of a massive bound cluster at z > 1, the success of the optical/near-infrared targeting of early-type systems near the radio galaxy validates searches using radio galaxies as beacons for high-redshift large-scale structure. We interpret Cl 0442+0202 as a massive cluster in the process of formation.

galaxies↗
NASA NTRS2007

"Constellation-X and JWST: Concurrent X-ray and Infrared Great Observatories"

Great synergy has been enjoyed between NASA's current Great Observatories and we expect that this will continue in the next decade with the concurrent operation of both Constellation-X and JWST. The great increase in sensitivity offered by these two observatories, working in unison, will be required for a number of key science investigations, several of which we describe in this poster. For instance, although >SO% of the cosmic X-ray background is resolved at 2-8 keV in the deepest Chandra surveys, the peak of the cosmic X-ray background remains largely unexplained (at energies of 8-40 keV). There may be a significant population of obscured (perhaps Compton-thick) AGN that produce this part of the extragalactic background radiation, and Constellation-X's large collecting area and spectroscopic capabilities over the 1-40 keV bandpass will allow determination of the nature of the obscuring material. This obscured nuclear emission is expected to be re-emitted at longer wavelengths and hence mid-infrared (MIR) observations can be crucial to reveal obscured AGN emission. However, current photometric observations in the infrared are limited by contamination from star formation, and sensitive, moderate-to-high resolution IR spectroscopy (provided by JWST) will be required. In addition, the two observatories will make great advances in unraveling the nature of the highest redshift AGN (4 < z < 8; and possibly ~ 8dow)n to Seyfert luminosities and will probe the formation and evolution of galaxy groups and clusters (including important cosmological measurements). This poster describes these science areas and briefly touches upon the role of the various Con-X and JWST instruments in these science investigations.

Hornschemeier, Ann↗
NASA NTRS2006

SIM-PlanetQuest: Progress Report

SIM-PlanetQuest is a NASA astrophysics mission that is implementing the National Research Counsel's recommended Astrometric Interferometry Mission (AIM) to develop the first, in-space, optical, long-baseline Michelson Stellar Interferometer for performing micro-arcsecond-level astrometry. This level of astrometric precision will enable characterization of planetary systems around nearby stars and enable a number of key investigations in astrophysics including calibration of the cosmological distance scale, stellar and galactic structure and evolution, and dark matter/energy distribution. This paper provides an update on the SIM-PlanetQuest Mission covering the results of the 2005 mission redesign and the recent completion of the last in a series of technology "gates." The SIM-PlanetQuest mission redesign was directed by NASA to recover eroded mass and power margins and to meet specific implementation cost targets. The resulting mission redesign met all redesign objectives with minimal impact to mission science performance. This paper provides the mission redesign objectives and describes the resulting mission and system design including changes in science capability. SIM-PlanetQuest also completed the last of eight major technology development gates that were established in 2001 by NASA, completing the enabling technology development. The technology development program, the last gate, and its significance to the project's flight verification and validation (V&V) approach are briefly described (covered in more detail in a separate paper at this conference). An update on project programmatic status and plans is also provided.

astrometry↗
NASA NTRS1990

The stability of a collisionless cosmological shell

The P3 M technique is used here to simulate the evolution of collisionless shells in an Omega = 1 universe. Starting from the spherical similarity solution, a bootstrap technique is used to follow the evolution over very large expansion factors. It is found that the overall structure follows the similarity solution for a long period during which bound clumps grow within the shell. At late times the growth of structure depends on induced velocity perturbations in material outside the shell. If such perturbations are suppressed, structure on the shell becomes self-similar. When induced motions in the background medium are included, the evolution at late times is dominated by large-scale modes as predicted by linear stability analysis. The stable final state appears to consist of one or two massive clumps on the edge of a spherical void. The possible application of these results to the origin of galaxies and large-scale structure is discussed.

White, Simon D. M.↗
NASA NTRS2002

Probing Galaxy Formation and Evolution with Space Born Sub-Millimeter Telescopes

A major unresolved question in cosmology is how the complex system of galaxies we see in the present universe evolved from an almost perfectly smooth beginning. Multiwavelength observations of galaxies have revealed that a significant fraction of their UV-visible starlight is absorbed and reradiated by dust at infrared JR) and submillimeter wavelengths. The cumulative IR-submm. emission from galaxies since the epoch of recombination, the cosmic IR background, has recently been recorded by the COBE satellite. The COBE observations in combination with recent submm surveys conducted with the SCUBA on the 15 m JCMT have shown that most of the radiation from star formation that has taken place in the early stages of galaxy evolution is reradiated by dust at submm wavelengths. Therefore, submm telescopes offer a unique probe of the early stages of galaxy formation and evolution. This talk will: (1) consider the impact of telescope diameter on the depth of the survey (what redshift can be probed) at different wavelengths; (2) discuss the relative scientific merits of high-resolution narrow-field surveys versus lower resolution deep surveys; and (3) show how both strategies offer complementary information crucial to our understanding of the structure and evolution of galaxies in the universe.

Dwek, Eli↗
NASA NTRS1986

Evolution of the luminosity function of extragalactic objects

A nonparametric procedure for determining the evolution of the luminosity function (LF) of extragalactic objects is described. The following steps are required: (1) selection of complete samples with known observational selection effects, (2) choice of a cosmological model, (3) statistical analysis of the sample and determination of the evolution of the luminosity function, and (4) the use of the luminosity function for the determination of the formation rate and the physical evolution of the objects. When the present technique is applied to a sample of optically selected quasars with redshifts less than two, it is shown that the LF evolves more strongly for higher luminosities, indicating a larger quasar activity at earlier epochs and a more rapid evolution of the objects during their higher luminosity phases.

Petrosian, V.↗
DOE OSTI2021

DES Y1 results: Splitting growth and geometry to test $\Lambda$CDM

We analyze Dark Energy Survey (DES) data to constrain a cosmological model where a subset of parameters—focusing on Ωm—are split into versions associated with structure growth (e.g., Ωmgrow) and expansion history (e.g., Ωmgeo). Once the parameters have been specified for the ΛCDM cosmological model, which includes general relativity as a theory of gravity, it uniquely predicts the evolution of both geometry (distances) and the growth of structure over cosmic time. Any inconsistency between measurements of geometry and growth could therefore indicate a breakdown of that model. Our growth-geometry split approach therefore serves both as a (largely) model-independent test for beyond-ΛCDM physics, and as a means to characterize how DES observables provide cosmological information. We analyze the same multiprobe DES data as [Phys. Rev. Lett. 122, 171301 (2019)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.122.171301] : DES Year 1 (Y1) galaxy clustering and weak lensing, which are sensitive to both growth and geometry, as well as Y1 BAO and Y3 supernovae, which probe geometry. We additionally include external geometric information from BOSS DR12 BAO and a compressed Planck 2015 likelihood, and external growth information from BOSS DR12 RSD. We find no significant disagreement with Ωmgrow=Ωmgeo. When DES and external data are analyzed separately, degeneracies with neutrino mass and intrinsic alignments limit our ability to measure Ωmgrow, but combining DES with external data allows us to constrain both growth and geometric quantities. We also consider a parametrization where we split both Ωm and w, but find that even our most constraining data combination is unable to separately constrain Ωmgrow and wgrow. Relative to ΛCDM, splitting growth and geometry weakens bounds on σ8 but does not alter constraints on h.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗